[Bell Historians] Kingweston

[David Bryant]

CJND:

> I dispute the notion that the
> very fine ring of 5 in the magnificent Taylor 1856 iron frame at
Kingweston
> is too big for the tower.

Well, if not too big Kingweston are at least the largest bells which could
be physically fitted into the tower, and only then by the use of a composite
frame of cast iron and oak. I know that many on the list will have seen
them, but for those who haven't the lower frame has 'H' sides and the upper
high-sided 'A's. The back three are below and the two trebles above, and it
is rather difficult to move around in the bell chamber as it is such a tight
fit. Was the top stage of the tower built around the bells and frame, I
wonder.

I certainly agree that they are very fine. Anyone who thinks Taylor's
couldn't cast true harmonic bells before the 1890s should go to Kingweston -
the back three particularly are effectively true-harmonic, and these three
are maiden bells as well. The two trebles are good but rather old-style, and
have been machine tuned.

Another good Taylor bell of this era is the 1857 tenor at Norton Fitzwarren,
Somerset. After tuning by Whitechapel in 1993, it has pretty much true
harmonics, and is an excellent bell. Much as I deplore the destruction of
the fine back three of the old ring, there is no doubt that the present
bells are an extremely good six, and undoubtedly the best ring of bells in
Taunton.

David