Henfield Museum
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Audio Library

Audio in isolation can all too often be neglected in many museum collections. In addition to the oral histories project run by the Friends, Henfield Museum has a number of objects which can ring, chime, blare or speak to our visitors! The historic village environment provides other opportunities for field recording. 

Please check back in future for more sounds of historic Henfield...
Looking for our oral histories?

The Bells of St. Peter's, Henfield

1849 Change 8 Bell Set

Henfield's peal is said to be one of the best in Sussex!

​With change bell ringing established in Britain since the early 17th century, it has for centuries been a treasured musical ritual. The sound of church bells and change ringing is ingrained deeply in our psyches, but as a result can easily be taken for granted. We present here two examples recorded outside on alternate sides of the church.
Our 1849 Change 8 Bell Set, made as a novelty by carpenter Robert 'Bob' Ward of the Cat House, Henfield. It took two years evening working to complete and replicates the sound of church bells. The instrument is played with a hand crank.

Featured in the 'Heritage of Horsham District in 100 Objects' and registered in the virtual collection of the Royal College of Music.
Ringing Pattern: Call Changes
Henfield Museum · St. Peter's Henfield Bell Ringing, Call Changes, Feb 2020
Change 8 Bells, October 2018
Henfield Museum · Henfield Change 8 Bell Set, October 2018
Ringing Pattern: Plain Hunt on Seven 
Henfield Museum · St. Peter's Henfield Bell Ringing, Plain Hunt On Seven, Feb 2020
​Website funded by the Friends of Henfield Museum, built & maintained by R. S. Gordon. Credit to Mike Ainscough for moving the website idea from discussion to reality.
Henfield Museum, 2023, All rights reserved except where stated otherwise.
  • Home
    • Our Vision
    • The History of Henfield Museum
  • Collections
    • The Marjorie Baker Photo Collection >
      • Those Who Served
    • Costume >
      • Costume: Current Exhibitions
      • Costume: Past Exhibitions
      • Costume: Features
    • Our Art Collection
    • Wade Family Watercolours
    • Historic Photograph Collection >
      • Henfield Past in Colour
      • Ghosts of the Past
      • Henfield's Royal Celebrations
    • Audio Library
    • Maps & Aerial Photos
  • Exhibitions
  • Henfieldians Past
  • Blog
  • Heritage Projects
    • Henfield's Natural History >
      • Arborea
      • The William Borrer Transcription Project
    • Oral Histories
    • A Favourite Object
    • Henfield Heritage Trails
    • Local History Research
  • Friends of Henfield Museum
    • Join Form: The Friends of Henfield Museum
  • Henfield History Group
  • Key Resources
  • Education & Outreach
  • Gift Shop
  • Contact Us and Opening Times