The Loughborough Bell Foundry
Every now and again we receive an order to cast a ship’s bell with a requirement for a highly polished surface that sailors continue to polish daily throughout its life. This one is in the final stages of preparation before being dispatched.
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Just dug up from underground, this photograph by Paul Grover shows our Foundry Master Anthony Stone with a replica Liberty Bell for export to the USA. The bell is a full sized replica, and weighs approximately 18 cwts. It was ordered by a private customer and will be shipped once fettling and tuning has been […]
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In previous centuries bells were always cast underground for reasons of safety. Ramming up earth around the bell mould added to its strength and protected the bell founder from the potential danger of death or serious injury should the bell case split during casting. From the mid 19th century bell moulds have been made inside […]
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The Gatehouse Tower at Auckland Castle housed a large early medieval bell previously unknown to conservationists, but with building restoration underway its secret is out. The bell dates from circa 1180 and was cast using the long abandoned “Cire Perdu” or lost wax method. The long waisted bell has a diameter of 28″ and weighs […]
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It is rare nowadays to get an order for a really large bell, although we have cast one five tonner within the last year. Over the years many large bells have been cast, and we still retain the ability to cast more if orders are placed. The mould is built up from a base plate, […]
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The carillon tower, which was built in the back garden of Foundry House adjoining the works in 1905, housed the worlds first harmonically tuned carillon to be cast and tuned to equal temperament. a total of 40 bells were cast and hung between 1905 & 1912 – the bass bell at this time was less […]
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St John the Evangelist’s Parish Church, Kensal Green is situated in the London Borough of Brent and has two small turret-like towers adorning its West Front. Tony Fernandes, owner of Q.P.R. Football Club kindly offered to finance most of the cost of a new chime of eight bells (Bass Bell 2.5 cwts) and these have […]
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Another manually playable carillon will soon be added to world list once work at Bathurst is complete. Originally installed by Taylor’s in 1933 as a World War I memorial the 35 bell instrument was played automatically using a pneumatic system with perforated paper rolls like a pianola. Last year Taylor’s was commissioned to carry out […]
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