[Bell Historians] Charlton Adam, Somerset

[Richard Offen]

> Yes, I accept that it can be done, but what is the point? Preserving 
> existing fittings is one thing, but why create new fittings to 
> eighteenth-century designs? The design of bell fittings evolved over 
the 
> centuries and modern cast-iron headstocks can last well over a 
hundred years 
> with little maintenance (as is well proven). Eighteenth-century 
fittings 
> will need constant maintenance. Whilst there is a valid argument for 
> maintaining good examples of earlier bell gear, there seems to me 
little 
> point at all in re-creating it.
> 
> David
>

Over a hundred years ago John Ruskin pointed out in his book The Seven 
Lamps of Architecture, even when made to look like its predecessor, new 
material does not, automatically, take on heritage value.   
Some 'conservationists' today still don't seem to have got the hang of 
this concept!

R