[Bell Historians] Unusual clock chimes

[David Cawley]

In my email last night I omitted to mention that Helmore's Gregorian chimes of Canterbury Cathedral are by no means unique, as devotees of Inspector Morse will know. The quarter chimes at Merton College - presumably on the back five - are the same composition. This begs the question as to which came first, Canterbury (as Richard says, 1897) or Merton; and if it was Merton, did they originate with Helmore, or did he "borrow" the idea for Canterbury?

I would take issue with him on the Norwich "chimes being sounded automatically" - what a racket they make, being struck in the order 12342345 with an "open handstroke" every alternate row, monotonous and repetitive in the extreme, not least because of the undersized hammers. The bells used to be sounded by human agency from a chime rack in the N triforium, the ropes being attached to the old ringing clappers as they had been since c1800. The sound was quite acceptable if if the method was doubtful. The QUARTER CHIMES, composed by Precentor Medley for Dean Goulburn's new clock, are however melodious, even and unusual. They are sounded using full-sized and correctly proportioned hammers. It was to these perhaps that Richard should have referred. For other comments on the service chimes, aka 'Gilbert's Revenge' see the late Paul Cattermole's Church Bells of Norwich with photos of the Cathedral bells by me.

DLC (Norwich DAC Bells Adviser 1972-1977)   

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Richard Offen 
  To: bellhistorians at yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Monday, November 02, 2009 12:35 AM
  Subject: Re: [Bell Historians] Unusual clock chimes


    The clock chime at Canterbury Cathedral, which is based on the 8th Gregorian Chant and was composed in 1899 by the Cathedral's Precentor, Canon F.J.O. Helmore (who was also a very fine ringers by all accounts) to commemorate the 1,300th (if memory serves me correct) anniversary of St Augustine landing in Kent.   The whole chime is topped off by the magnificent sound of Great Dunstan - probably the best sounding 18th century bell in Britain (that statement should set a debate going!).

  Richard



  On Mon Nov 2 6:50 , 'Mark Regan' sent:



      

    IR17;m thinking of doing a cd of big clock bells and unusual clock chimes in the UK. Please can subscribers let me know of any clock chimes which they think worth recording? 

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    With thanks



    Mark











    Mark Regan

    22 Sebright Avenue

    Worcester

    WR5 2HH



    01905 354339

    07971 573688









             
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