The Curfew is still tolled at nine o’clock at Chester Cathedral, and
the big bell used to be tolled whenever the Dean or Bishop was going to
preach, but this has been discontinued. “Curfew” is tolled at many of
the country churches, sometimes throughout the year, and sometimes only
at harvest-time.
At Frodsham Church a small bell, which stood over the chancel arch, was
called the “Dag-tale” bell, or “day-telling” bell--probably from being
used to denote the hours of the day to those working in the fields. At
Holmes Chapel, in the parish of Sandbach, there is an entry in 1723 for
“bell ropes to Dag-tail 12s.”
The “Pancake” bell is still rung at Congleton on Shrove Tuesday at 11
A.M., and at Tarvin; and at Barthomley and other places it was called
by the expressive name of the “Guttit” bell.