St Egwin’s Anglican Church originally owned the bell, which was cast for them at the local foundry in Tenambit in 1918.

At that time, the bell had cost a little more than £16 – today the metal alone is estimated to be worth about $400.

St Egwin’s Church building was used in those times as the Tenambit School.

When St Egwin’s Church closed in November last year, the bell was presented to St Peter’s Anglican Church at East Maitland.

And now the bell has another new home – it has been presented by St Peter’s Anglican Church to Tenambit Public School and a ceremony to mark the occasion was held at the school last week.

“After we closed St Egwin’s Church, we were determined the bell should stay in the local ­community,” Father Battrick said.

“It had called people to important events in the community over the years and it had close connections with the school.

“So St Peter’s Anglican Church at East Maitland gave it to Tenambit Public School.” 

An invoice from the Tenambit Foundry showed the bell cost £16 1s 3d to make – and the bell ringer was paid one pound a year.

Andrew Brown, principal of Tenambit Public School, said the bell would be showcased in front of the school.

“It is too precious to use daily, but it will still be rung on important occasions, making sure St Egwin’s is not forgotten.

“We are proud to have it here. This will be a new life for an old bell.”