London, St Paul’s Cathedral

St Paul's Cathedral

United Kingdom

This world famous ring of twelve bells with a 62 cwt tenor is to be restored 140 years after Taylor’s cast and hung them in the cathedral’s north-western tower. A substantial lifting structure will be constructed above the bells, and they will be lifted out of the tower using a jib and crane through the great circular belfry window. Once at Loughborough they will be cleaned by gentle sand blasting and new ringing fittings will be manufactured and fitted. The 1878 oak bell frame will be strengthened by the cathedral works department under the supervision of the cathedral architect and Taylor’s chief design engineer, and the ringing room is to be redecorated and conserved before the bells are returned and rehung.

  • The bells were lowered through the large circular belfry window from a specially constructed gantry - 150 feet to the ground!

    The bells were lowered through the large circular belfry window from a specially constructed gantry - 150 feet to the ground!

  • The removal of the bells via the circular belfry window is underway.

    The removal of the bells via the circular belfry window is underway.

  • Lowering one of the bells down the West Front of St Paul's Cathedral.

    Lowering one of the bells down the West Front of St Paul's Cathedral.

  • Safely lowered from the belfry, and now off to Loughborough.

    Safely lowered from the belfry, and now off to Loughborough.

  • A close up showing the accumulated London grime of the last 140 years - the first job will be to clean the bells by sand blasting - they'll come up like new!

    A close up showing the accumulated London grime of the last 140 years - the first job will be to clean the bells by sand blasting - they'll come up like new!

  • Detail of the tenor bell after cleaning - what a difference!

    Detail of the tenor bell after cleaning - what a difference!

  • St Paul's tenor bell after cleaning.

    St Paul's tenor bell after cleaning.

  • Cleaning has removed the grime of the past 140 years - the bells look new!

    Cleaning has removed the grime of the past 140 years - the bells look new!

  • The new bell wheels are being manufactured.

    The new bell wheels are being manufactured.

  • Simon Westman took this photo of the bells on their return from cleaning.

    Simon Westman took this photo of the bells on their return from cleaning.

  • Canons have been removed, and new centre holes are being drilled.

    Canons have been removed, and new centre holes are being drilled.

  • The smallest eight headstocks are complete and ready to be fitted to their bells.

    The smallest eight headstocks are complete and ready to be fitted to their bells.

  • Bill drills the new 11rth bell headstock for its clapper adjusters.

    Bill drills the new 11rth bell headstock for its clapper adjusters.

  • Kart with some of the new wheel centres.

    Kart with some of the new wheel centres.

  • Girdar moves the 10th bell on to the vertical lathe to machine a perfectly flat seating for the crown staple.

    Girdar moves the 10th bell on to the vertical lathe to machine a perfectly flat seating for the crown staple.

  • The heads of all the bells have been machined perfectly flat for the fitting of the new headstocks.

    The heads of all the bells have been machined perfectly flat for the fitting of the new headstocks.

  • The new tenor wheel has a diameter of 9'

    The new tenor wheel has a diameter of 9'

  • Mick and Ross with some of the new bell wheels

    Mick and Ross with some of the new bell wheels

  • Neil fits wheels strengthening irons to the new wheels.

    Neil fits wheels strengthening irons to the new wheels.

  • St Paul's Steeple Keeper, John White, with the tenor bell.

    St Paul's Steeple Keeper, John White, with the tenor bell.

  • St Paul's ring of twelve ready for dispatch.

    St Paul's ring of twelve ready for dispatch.

  • St Paul's bells returned to the Cathedral on 3rd September

    St Paul's bells returned to the Cathedral on 3rd September

  • New wooden shafted clappers have been manufactured for the six largest bells.

    New wooden shafted clappers have been manufactured for the six largest bells.

Update

  • The bells were returned to St Paul's on Monday 3rd September and have been lifted into their bell frame.