[Bell Historians] Poona (India)

[David Bryant]

> Whilst it is understandable that Taylors should supply this ring of
> bells, unaware of the condition of the tower so far removed from
> their view, the same excuse can not be used for the supply of the
> rings at Baldersby, St. Michael Star Street Paddington and the Goslin
> six in North Kent, the name of which escapes me.
> Any ideas why such unsuitable rings were supplied other than for
> commercial gain, with complete disregard for the usefulness of same.

I seem to recall reading something in the RW about the Poona bells within
the last few years - I think it said that they haven't (and never appear to
have had) any pulley boxes fitted, so they can't have been rung.

As regards rings too big for the tower; it was rather a Victorian
speciality, and they generally hung them as high up as possible. The
examples you give are extreme, but there are plenty of other rings far
heavier than anyone would dare put in their tower today - e.g. St Luke's,
Derby, Kingweston, Somerset, Oldham, etc.

David