New Bells
The Cathedral’s original bells were cast by John Taylor Bellfounders of Loughborough, England, in 1935. The same foundry was also used for the new bells, to ensure a consistent tone. The largest of the four new bells is a secondhand bell that happens to be a perfect match for our project. We acquired it in July 2000. The other three were cast as new bells specifically for our project.
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The new tenor and number seven bells, on the floor at St. David's in 2003. |
A bell is useless without its fittings, including headstock, bearings, clapper, wheel, pulleys, stay and slider. These were also made at the Taylor’s foundry and delivered with the bells.
New Frame
Bells generate considerable forces as they swing around and a strong and rigid frame is needed to keep them in place. The old frame was made of cast-iron, supplied by the foundry along with the bells in 1935.
The layout needed for the new bells has changed the location and orientation of all the original bells, so an entirely new frame was constructed locally. Steel is cheaper and easier to construct than cast iron and this approach has been used successfully in similar projects elsewhere in recent years (including Holy Trinity Church in Hobart).
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Holy Trinity tower captain, John Smith, working on the new frame during the restoration of the Trinity bells in 1987. |
Lifting Beams
The original bells were installed as part of the construction of the tower in 1935. Unfortunately, the means of lifting the bells into position was not left in place. This has required us to install new lifting beams above the level of the bells before any other work could be done. This is an important requirement in any case, to allow for future maintenance work on the bells. The new beams also form a support for the five chiming bells and for the sound-control walkway...
The sound of church bells is enjoyed by many (a survey in London found that the two sounds most liked by the public were the dawn chorus of birds, and church bells).
In the immediate vicinity of a tower, however, church bells can generate a lot of sound. While modern regulations generally allow some leeway for ceremonial sounds such as bells, it is desirable to have some control over the level of sound so that, for example, the bells can be rung for practice purposes more often without disturbing those living or working nearby.
A system of sound-control is being installed as part of our project. This will achieve two things: absorbing some of the resonance to improve the tone of the bells overall; and providing a means of varying the level of sound leaving the tower.
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The interior of the Cathedral belfry before the lifting beams were installed. The sound escapes through the large window openings and also through an opening in the roof. |
A walkway has been built above the level of the bells, around the walls of the tower, using the new lifting beams as supports. This platform permits access to the upper level of louvres (out of reach otherwise without scaffolding) so that shutters or flaps can be installed, operable from the ringing room.
It will not be possible to eliminate the sound altogether when the bells are ringing, and this is not our aim, but the reduction in level will be noticeable on the street with the shutters closed. Once the shutters or flaps are in place, experiments will tell us the appropriate settings for best effect for Sundays, weddings, practices and other times when the bells are rung.
Removal
The first stage was installation of the new lifting beams. Then, in late March 2005, the bells and old frame were removed. Removal involved careful work lowering items through trapdoors in all the floors. The bells were put on display in the cloisters, while the old frame was taken away for eventual sale and reuse.
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Removing the bells from Holy Trinity Church belfry in 1986. These bells were installed in 1847 and by the late 1960s the old wooden frame and fittings had deteriorated too much for ringing to continue. They fell into disuse until they were restored as an official Bicentenary of Australia project. |
Installation
In late April 2005 the new frame and bells were hoisted into place in the tower. A lot of work was then needed to fit pulleys, chiming mechanisms and other items, as well as cutting new holes in the floors for the ropes.
People
This project has required the services of local businesses including a steel construction company. Voluntary labour has been used where possible, and many of the finishing touches are being completed by the bellringers themselves.
Local engineer Mike O’Halloran donated his professional services to oversee the project.
