Church Tib

All Saints' Church is the largest and most
ancient building in Tibenham. The church
consists of chancel, nave, south aisle,
porch and the tower that can be seen for
miles around.

The eighty-seven and a half foot tower is
climbed via the stair turret, in the southwest
corner. There are twelve steps leading to
the ringing chamber, another thirty-five
steps to reach a heavily bound and
reinforced door, suggesting that this was
once the treasury.

Inside appears to be the original ringing floor that is covered with puddle clay, for sound
insulation. A further thirty-one steps and you reach the bell chamber, which contains six bells in
the 500 year old bell frame originally designed to hold only four very large bells. It is then
possible with care, to reach the top of the tower.

The churches' ring of six bells is one of the top three in Norfolk. The current bells were cast in
1787 and are still in relatively good condition. However, the bells are mounted in a beautifully
crafted oak frame dating from 1440AD. Because of the age of the frame, its movement and the
poor condition of the ringing fittings, the bells fell silent over Tibenham. Over the past few years
Tibenham villagers have been busy fundraising and working hard to restore the bells to their
former glory. This restoration work has now been completed, thanks in part to a generous
donation from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The bells and work on the bell frame and
inside the tower have been finished. A service of re-dedication for the bells took place at the end
of May 2003.

Further information on All Saints' church and their bell restoration project can be found on the
Tibenham village web site at www.tibenham.fsnet.co.uk/church.htm

(Extracts taken from Tibenham village web site created by Ralph Wilson)