[Bell Historians] Split-level belfries

[Michael Wilby]

Blisworth (on the front cover of this week's comic)
have a sort-of split-level belfry. The ground floor
of the tower has three wide steps covering the whole
floor area, and the bells are rung from all 3 levels.
The tenor drops conveniently at the edge of the first
step so one has a choice about which step to stand on.
It is (or maybe was) very slow at backstroke, so
being able to step down 8" to cut it in was a bonus,
if not something of a circus act!

Another one that springs to mind is Oundle, where the
entrance to the ringing chamber is at the top of the
room; a flight of stairs leads down to the chmber
floor. There is a large clock case between 2 and 3,
thus the 3rd is rung from a platform by the door, a
good 6 feet above everyone else.

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