We come lastly to what is probably the oldest part of the Church, the tower, which is capped by a shingled spire, surmounted by a later addition, a weather vane in the shape of a cockerel. This is another symbol associated with St Peter. It bears the date 1772.

The Tower originally had a window on the north-facing wall, but this was blocked in when the new Vestry was added in 1846. The arch over the ancient west door is original but the inner part of the tower arch has been restored. The Tower houses six bells, though originally there were only five, which were installed in 1737 and made by T. Mears of the well-known Whitechapel Bellfounders. The sixth was added in 1910. The weight of the Tenor bell is eight hundredweight, the heaviest, and the Treble, the lightest, weighs three and a half hundredweight.

We hope you have enjoyed this visit to St Peter's. This guide was written by the late Revd Edwin Matthias, a past Rector of the parish. If you would like a much fuller account of St Peter's and the village of Chailey, there is an excellent booklet entitled "Chailey through the Centuries", also written by Revd Edwin Matthias. Copies (price £4.50) may be obtained through the Parish Church and various outlets and societies in the village.

Copies may also be obtained from the Chailey Heritage Enterprise Centre (Graham Barber 01825 724376), the proceeds are used to benefit the disabled young people who work at the Centre.