St Peter, Marsh Baldon, Oxfordshire is located on the right, just inside the western gated entrance to the village. The C14th tower has been transformed into an octagonal shape, with squinches at its upper bell-stage, and is unlike any other tower in the branch. The Early Decorated church was totally rebuilt in 1890, and the wooden porch has a sundial over the doorway. The bells are rung from the ground floor and require sensible handling.

In 2012 a new team of ringers was formed to allow the bells to be rung for the Queen’s jubilee. The team of eight ringers have progressed quickly under the instruction of John White and Hilarie Rogers. At the end of 2012 with the approval of the Oxford Diocesan Guild the tower transferred to the South Oxford Branch.

Bell	Date	Founder	Note	Weight (cwt-qtrs-lbs)
Treble	1954	Mears & Stainbank	E	3-1-22
2	1902	Mears & Stainbank	D	4-0-22
3	c1628	Ellis Knight I	C#	4-3-0
4	c1530	John White	B	5-3-0
Tenor	1628	Ellis Knight I	A	7-2-0
Saunce		Robert	F#

Historical Note:  S W X Z T Y V Inscription on the fourth Bell

It probably has no meaning at all, the founder put this and other “meaningless” inscriptions on the bells he cast which are found in the county. He was likely to be illiterate and put this string of letters on the bell simply because it was the custom that bells be inscribed.

Further information will be in Fred Sharpe’s Church Bells of Oxfordshire.