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<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Almost certainly by Ralph Ashton of Wigan, & probably a
criers bell.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>G<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> Bell-historians
[mailto:bell-historians-bounces@lists.ringingworld.co.uk] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Peter
Furniss<br>
<b>Sent:</b> 08 December 2022 11:38<br>
<b>To:</b> bell-historians@lists.ringingworld.co.uk<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [Bell Historians] Handbell at Ruthin<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal>I would welcome any information anyone on this list can give
me regarding an old handbell which is kept in the Old Court House at Ruthin.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal>I attach a number of photos of it which I hope will be of
assistance.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal>It is inscribed "Ruthin Bell 1719" and is
approximately 7" tall with a similar diameter. There is what could be a
founder`s mark of five lozenges or hearts?<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal>It appears to be made of bell metal and to my untutored eye
seems a fairly competent casting.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal>I guess the stirrup handle could be a later addition.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal>I wonder if it could be a school bell. By that date
Ruthin had a well established private school or could it be
a Town Crier`s bell. (were Town Criers in existence by that date?)<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal>Any thoughts, speculation, information welcome.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal>Thank you.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal>Peter<o:p></o:p></p>
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