[Bell Historians] Canon removal and faculties

[David Bryant]

>So why is it that on some rehung rings you can tell which are on
>canon retainers? Bad hanging?

It's certainly the case with earlier (i.e. arched-type) canon retainers that 
the bells with canons are really sluggish compared to those without. With 
the hoop type it's far less pronounced, but I still think it is noticeable 
if there is a mixture of bells with and bells without canons. If the whole 
ring is on canon retaining stocks then there isn't usually a problem. We 
have several such rings in York, one of which is probably the easiest-going 
ring in the city (Spurriergate).

For this reason, I think that if a ring of, for example some medieval and 
some nineteenth-century bells is being rehung and all still have canons, it 
would be advisable to leave the canons on the 19th century bells as well. 
The code of practice does in fact recommend this. I don't think I'd go as 
far as to specify new bells with canons, though.

David