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<DIV><SPAN class=3D270402508-02072002>Dickon wrote:</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D270402508-02072002></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D270402508-02072002><FONT face=3D"Comic Sans MS" color=3D=
#000080=20
size=3D2>> There is a frame at Davington Priory in Kent dated 1856, for =
3=20
bells. This was at one point considered the earliest metal=20
</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D270402508-02072002><FONT face=3D"Comic Sans MS" color=3D=
#000080=20
size=3D2>> frame after Liverpool, but I am not sure who by. Anyway, in t=
he=20
light of this discussion, this info will need updating on </FONT></SPAN></D=
IV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D270402508-02072002><FONT face=3D"Comic Sans MS" color=3D=
#000080=20
size=3D2>> Church Bells of Kent. The Davington frame was made by Taylors=
...=20
perhaps this is their oldest known metal frame?</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
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#000080=20
size=3D2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D270402508-02072002><FONT face=3D"Comic Sans MS" color=3D=
#000080=20
size=3D2>Nope - it ain't. The frame for the two great exhibition bells (now=
3/10=20
and 10/10 at Scarborough) had cast iron sides. I'm not sure about the frame=
for=20
the other bells, but the frame was hacked about and the top tier (containin=
g=20
3/10) was removed by Gilletts in the 50s. We have some pictures of the work=
in=20
progress in the YMSCR scrap books - I'll have a look this evening if I=
=20
remember. Incidentally, Jennings' bell fittings book states that at least o=
ne of=20
the exhibition bells was cast with a flat top and had a cast iron stock. We=
've=20
got a picture of the tenor being lowered, and it clearly has canons (remove=
d by=20
G&J, I believe). Don't know about the 3rd, but it seems more likely tha=
t if=20
either was cast without canons it would be the big one, as was common=
=20
Taylor practice in the later C19.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D270402508-02072002><FONT face=3D"Comic Sans MS" color=3D=
#000080=20
size=3D2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D270402508-02072002><FONT face=3D"Comic Sans MS" color=3D=
#000080=20
size=3D2>A complete early cast iron Taylor frame is at Kingweston, Somerset=
, and=20
dates from 1854. The five bells (which are tonally very good) are of the sa=
me=20
date, although the fittings have been replaced. The frame is of two tiers, =
with=20
3,4,5 below with 'H' castings and the trebles above in high-sides 'A' frame=
s.=20
The A frames have iron tie bars across the top, but the foundations to both=
=20
tiers and the top ties to the lower frame (which are the foundation of=
the=20
upper frame) are of oak. The castings have a rebate in the centre of their=
=20
crossbar for a plain bearing brass, and are different from later Taylor A a=
nd H=20
castings in that they have curved braces supporting the crossbar - sketches=
of=20
them are given in Chris' bellframes book.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D270402508-02072002><FONT face=3D"Comic Sans MS" color=3D=
#000080=20
size=3D2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D270402508-02072002><FONT face=3D"Comic Sans MS" color=3D=
#000080=20
size=3D2>David</FONT></SPAN></DIV></BODY></HTML>