The tower

Inside

The base of the tower was originally open to its panelled ceiling, with a double-height moulded arch to the nave. A modern timber narthex structure was installed in 1965. Inside the tower a narthex extends into the glazed lobby below the organ loft. The tower interior has two empty canopied niches set high into the north and south walls at the height of the (liturgical) west window. Looking towards the painted panel ceiling which holds the bell chamber, there are two carved holy water stoups in the walls and plaques commemorating Canon Sheen (died 1937) and  the restoration for the Golden Jubilee of the Rt Rev. Mgr JJ Farrell. The tall, narrow arch to the nave is mostly blocked by the pine panels of the organ loft. This 1965 intervention restricts the original intention of creating a vista towards the window.  

The turret

There is a separate door to the turret, and a staircase that leads to a ringing chamber, and above to the belfry. This holds a 13½ cwt. (686kg) bell, ringing F sharp, made by Mears & Stainbank in 1867. It was overhauled and recast in the year 2000 and is now rung electro-magnetically. Read about the bell refurbishment here.