[Bell Historians] Mancroft tenor (was unusual clock chimes)

[Andrew Bull]

I've heard it said a few times that Mancroft tenor was tuned when the bells
underwent a full restoration by Taylors in 1925. I have examined the job
book entry at Loughborough for the job, and on that evidence it seems that
NONE of the bells were tuned. Those on the list who have examined Taylors'
job books first-hand will be familiar with the format; for each job is given
the weights as received, the wheel diameters, estimated weights of any new
bells, weights "as dispatched", and then underneath the tuning figures,
generally before and after tuning. For the Mancroft entry, the table for the
tuning figures has been set out, but no figures entered in the table.
Instead, underneath is written "not altered". I have always taken this
phrase to indicate that no tuning was carried out on any of the bells.

 

I have not checked in the tuning books for the Mancroft job, but the entry
in the job book seems fairly conclusive. Does anyone have documentary
evidence that the tenor WAS tuned in 1925?

 

I did have a ring at Mancroft a couple of years ago, expecting to hate them,
but came away rather liking them. Perhaps I was just taken in by the history
of the place? But Bill Hibbert told me - in terms I am still studying! -
that there are definite reasons why I may have liked them.

 

Andrew Bull

 

  _____  

From: bellhistorians at yahoogroups.com [mailto:bellhistorians at yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of Richard Offen
Sent: 06 November 2009 03:58
To: bellhistorians at yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Bell Historians] Unusual clock chimes

 

  

Although not strictly a clock chime, the very plaintive sound of Norwich
Cathedral bells being chimed automatically should be a must for the
recording!

I agree with you about the front 11 at Mancroft.   Dunstan was pretty near
being a 'Simpson' bell before tuning and is near perfect (even upper
partials in tune) after.

Richard



On Fri Nov 6 5:18 , 'David Cawley' sent:

  

At Glandford, Norfolk, there is a very good twelve-bell chime (Taylors 1900,
11-1-17 in G) complete with chiming clock and an impressive barrell which
plays every three hours; there is a weekly selection of tunes. You can see
it in action at the end of the John Betjeman film A Passion for Churches. A
video is still advertised for sale on the Whitechapel website.

 

Re Richard's email below: the clock bells, now hanging above Great Dunstan
are all the more interesting as they are nos 4-8 of the "characterful" old
twelve which preceded the present ring in the SW tower. On GD's place among
good-sounding 18th-century bells: one has to remember that the bell is by no
means as cast - indeed some 6-cwt lighter after the very successful tuning
had been completed. I would put my money on the Lester & Pack front 11 at
Mancroft, never tuned by anyone after being supplied to the church. When
Taylors rehung them in 1925 they neither suggested nor undertook any tuning
to these bells, only to the T Mears II tenor.

 

DLC

           
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