The steps to the tower are contained in a semi- octagonal projection on its south side. Tedrake, in his “Guide to Bideford and North Devon", 1895, says of the tower, “...'the tall, gray wind-swept tower', as Kingsley has happily described it - is well worth ascending. It is some 90 feet high, and stands on the side of a hill, which slopes down to the sea. You ascend by way of a narrow, winding staircase, each step of which has been worn by centuries of footsteps, and your way is lit by occasional apertures in the tower wall. Most of the staircase is as black as night, and the stranger needs to take heed to his footsteps. Horrible stories are told in Devonshire of men who, in going up towers, have missed their footing, and have rolled over and over, tumbling headlong 60 or 70 feet - never stopping, never able to stop - until they have reached the floor of the church, mangled and dead. You never think of these stories except when you are going up the tower, and then you can't get them out of your mind. But though the way be long and dreary, the reward is reached at last. A small door is opened by your guide, and you step into the full light of day. Scores of starlings fly in ama2ement from the battlements, and you are left in undisturbed possession of the roof of the tower. The view from the summit of Northam tower is unique."
The present eight bells were rehung in 1920 by Taylors of Loughborough, having originally been cast as five bells in 1553, and recast into six bells in 1770 by Thomas Bilbie of Cullompton.
The inscriptions on the present bells are:-
1) "To the glory and praise of God and in memory of E. Stella Temple 1919 - G. Payne Cook - vicar."
2) "In memory of George Brayley Brayley Wellesbourne Northam 1915 - G. Payne Cook - vicar."
3) “God save the King and prosper the Parish of Northam - Recast 1920 - G. Payne Cook - vicar."
4) "Peace and increase of trade to Appledore."
5) “The Reverend Joshua Bawden vicar of St. Mary's ch. Northern."
6) “Churchwardens-. Mr. Thomas Chappell & Mr. John Shaxson."
7) “Thomas Bilbie Cullumpton Fecit - Five Bells cast in Six 1770."
8) “In tuneful peals your joys I'll tell your griefs I'll publish in a knell - Thomas Bilbie fecit 1770."
The cordanants will take you to the grave stone of Eliza Widow of Richard Hutchings.
Died June AB th CDEF Age GH.
You will need to work out the cords for the cache location.
N 51 (B - G) A. H (F + H) F W 004 C A. D B D
The cache is a lip balm sized container with only enough room for a log, bring your own pen.
Beware of muggles who can arrive at anytime.
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For full information on how you can expand the Church Micro series by sadexploration please read the Place your own Church Micro page before you contact him at churchmicro@gmail.com.
See also the Church Micro Statistics and Home pages for further information about the series.
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