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Hello Bryan, <br>
<br>
This is interesting because the clavier for the Taylor 42 cwt chime in
St. James (Anglican) church in Vancouver is also located immediately
beneath the bells. It is surrounded by walls and ceiling of what we
know as 'ten test' for sound control inside the room. <br>
<br>
Someone had written out a course of Stedman Triples in music format,
which my wife played. Sounded great on that 42 cwt 8.<br>
<br>
At St. James, there is also an automated chiming system, fed from the
player-piano style equipment behind the choir. This system uses
electro-pneumatic connections between player and belfry.<br>
<br>
Thanks for your info.<br>
<br>
Alan Ellis<br>
Vancouver BC<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Bryan McCahey wrote:
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<div>The 8 bell chime in Fort William is indeed at St. Mary's RC
Church to the east of the town. I did a knock-knock there when on
holiday in 1995. The parish priest gave me the tower key and was very
happy for me to explore unaccompanied. There was an old people's home
immediately next door so he asked me to ring only for a few minutes,
which I duly did! They were a magnificent Taylor chime of 24 cwts in D,
contemporary with the church (1930s, I think). The tower is massive and
rises above the sanctuary at the east end. Access was from a prominent
stair turret in the north west corner of the tower, accessed from the
rather elaborate sanctuary. <br>
<br>
I seem to remember quite an impressive painted ceiling below the tower
a la Buckfast, but might be wrong here. The church itself has an
impressive parabolic vaulted roof to the nave and is reminscent,
inside, of a 1930s art deco cinema. Because the tower is so squat,
there is no ringing room. Consequently the baton clavier is attached to
one side of the bell frame itself with no sound-proofing cabin for
protection. Why the chiming appratus was not positioned at
ground-level is unclear. Perhaps for aesthetic reasons? The noise from
the clavier was understandably deafening and it was just as well I only
rang a few hymn tunes and some plain hunt! Probably because of the
unsatisfactory ringing arrangements (and possibly complaints from the
home next door) the bells were not rung very often. The installation
was in good order though and the bellchamber very clean and well
maintained. The small louvres are in rows of four round-headed arches
on each side. An unusual feature was that some were hinged for opening.
Several were ajar, I think. <br>
<br>
Bryan McCahey<br>
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<hr size="1"><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">From:</span></b>
Richard Smith <richard@ex-parrot.<wbr>com><br>
<b><span style="font-weight: bold;">To:</span></b> bellhistorians@<wbr>yahoogroups.<wbr>com<br>
<b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sent:</span></b> Wed, March 24,
2010 11:21:08 AM<br>
<b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Subject:</span></b> Re: [Bell
Historians] Fort William<br>
</font><br>
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<p>Mike wrote:<br>
<br>
> I have been asked for information about the bells at St <br>
> Mary's Church, Fort William. Can anyone help? Is this the <br>
> R.C. church, perhaps?<br>
<br>
Dove claims the unringable four are in St Andrew's, which is <br>
the dedication of the Episcopal church there. The Catholic <br>
church is dedicated to St Mary. From memory, there are four <br>
churches in Fort William with towers that look substantial <br>
enough to house a light four, and it's possible that one of <br>
the others may be dedicated to St Andrew too.<br>
<br>
RAS<br>
<br>
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