Chelmsford – Chelmsford Cathedral and 1832 Great Reform Act

I quite liked this story from the Chelmsford Chronicle in 1832, which was written after the passing of the Great Reform Act, a bit change for the entire country. I can imagine the clash between the characters at what is now Chelmsford Cathedral, although was a parish church back then, when some thought the bells should be used as part of the exuberant celebrations.

“On the receipt of the news here on Tuesday morning, of the passing of the Reform Bill by the Lords, the flag was hoisted upon the Church, and the ringers were set to work. The bells were going merrily round, and the firing was performed with more than usual precision, when the ringers were ordered to desist by a churchwarden in person, who, with his usual courtesy, ejected the Bob-Majora and the TrebleBobs from the church, and the flag was taken down.

A request was, however, made for a renewal of the harmonious peal, not only to the Churchwarden but also to the Rector, and the circumstance of the bells having been permitted to ring in October last, when the Bill was rejected by the Lords, was advanced in justification of such a request, and as a proof of inconsistency if denied.

The Churchwarden not only refused, but declared that so long as he remained in office, the bells should not again be rung to celebrate any political event! The Rector received the party with much courtesy, and after hearing their argument in favour of the application, acknowledged that the example adduced was a sufficient excuse for what had already occurred, and to the ringing of the bells on the present occasion he should not individually have objected, had the consent of the Churchwardens been obtained, but he felt bound to support the parish officers, although, the Rev. Gentleman intimated, the bells were strictly under his control. The result of the application disappointed many of the inhabitants.

In the course of the day the ringers ventured to resume their amusement, and the flag was rehoisted, but the Rector came into the town, and finding that the consent of the Churchwardens had not been obtained, he interferred his authority and these rejoicings were frustrated. The Rev. Gentleman at the same times very politely wrote a note to one of the applicants, repeating the original objections. Thus disappointed, the Reformers dispatched a messenger for the Baddow musical Band, who in the evening arrived and played many loyal and constitutional airs, whilst the ringers paraded another part of the town with their musical hand bells, in which they are allowed to excel. The two bands played in different parts of the town, and were each followed by a great number of persons, who appeared to take a lively interest in the event. The whole passed off in the most peaceful and creditable manner.”