St Hilda’s church
The square tower on Little Tallowmere’s green, waiting for its new bell.
From the canal, St Hilda’s tower appears above the orchard before the boat reaches the village. It stands at the edge of the green: square against the night sky, with a small point at each corner.
Its new bell comes from Hobday’s foundry, travelling by train and then aboard Ada Brimble’s Patience. Pip accompanies it to Little Tallowmere. Mr Dimmock, the church’s verger, meets them at the wharf and explains the days ahead: the wagon, the tower frame, her grandfather’s arrival and the first ringing on Sunday.
People connected with this place
Pip Hobday
She has come from Amberwick Passage to tell a bell the way home.
Ada Brimble
Canal carrier, with the narrow boat Patience and a grey mare called Marigold.
Customs & details
Look closer at the illustration ↗Stories
The Narrow Boat to Little Tallowmere
Travel with Ada Brimble, Pip and a new church bell aboard Patience, along the canal to Little Tallowmere.
With Ada Brimble, Pip Hobday, Dorothea, Ruth Coker, Josiah Coker, Mr Gedge