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

[Andrew Higson]

If this attachment works - DB help if it doesn't - I offer it as
evidence for the defence!

 

Regards

 

Andrew Higson

John Taylor & Co.

The Bellfoundry

Freehold Street

Loughborough

LE11 1AR

Telephone: 01509 212241 Fax: 01509 263305 Registered in England No.
7032766

________________________________

From: bellhistorians at yahoogroups.com
[mailto:bellhistorians at yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of David Cawley
Sent: 09 November 2009 12:15
To: bellhistorians at yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Bell Historians] Mancroft tenor (was unusual clock chimes)

 

  

Unfortunately a great many of my papers are presently atill unpacked
following the move from Leicester to Margate. However, I have seen and
copied certain of the correspondence re Mancroft tenor at Loughborough
and am able to recollect what I read. The whole restoration was quite an
involved case, and involved a Consistory Court (which was largely about
the bell frame; Taylors were prepared to strengthen the old one if
required to do so, but in the end the Chancellor allowed a new frame).
So far as the tenor was concerned it was considerably lighter than its
"given" weight of 43-something. JT&Co stated that ideally the bell
should be recast, but settled for tuning it; not extensively but with
eminently satisfactory results. When the builders have finished with my
study, no doubt I would be able to produce the "documentary evidence"
Andrew requires. Meanwhile there is evidence still to be seen in the
bell itself.

 

DLC

 

	----- Original Message ----- 

	From: Andrew Bull <mailto:a_m_bull at -kjVA01JGkfPWg3EMAQ2P49aFwUF1SHF53REPQdkYFhXp39GZxXa9-sfps40M0HDsfL1Hl8AxBV7brAvK9g.yahoo.invalid>  

	To: bellhistorians at yahoogroups.com
<mailto:bellhistorians at yahoogroups.com>  

	Sent: Friday, November 06, 2009 8:16 PM

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

	 

	  

	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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