[Bell Historians] Eastry Sanctus Bell

[Richard Offen]

> It would be interesting to know the original provenance of the 
bell, and Michael may do well to enquire into the building minutes 
accounts books of the old school, from whence the bell came. 
Certainly "secondhand" school bells are known elsewhere, but this is 
one of the more remarkable. It is a beautiful little casting, sadly 
cracked horizontally in the waist, with some of its canons off and 
its cast-in staple stump still in. I don't think it's French, it is 
unlike any medieval French bell I have seen. Even if it is not by 
Rufford it could be a wanderer from the medieval Worcester foundry.
> 
> Congratulations to Eastry on embarking on their present grand 
scheme of restoration and augmentation: will the little medieval bell 
this time be treated to the restoration it surely deserves?
> 
> DLC    

I think Michael has covered every line of local investigation, but it 
is certainly worth asking if he has looked in the Building Minutes 
for the school.

Sadly, as far as I know, the Sanctus bell is not included in the 
forthcoming restoration of the ringing peal.

And before anyone asks, there are no plans to weld and re-use the 
rare Henry Wilnar bell, currently residing in the ringing room.   
Even if welded, this bell is considered of very inferior tone to the 
rest of the planned ring, which are evidently capable of being tuned 
to near true-harmonic standards ...it will be interesting to see how 
the horrible 1975 Taylor attempt at 'old-style' tuning turns out 
after re-visiting the tuning machine!

Richard

Richard