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Bell Ringers' Outing

Wellingborough News, 8th April 1882, transcribed by Kay Collins

RINGERS' TREAT—The Vicar (the Rev. Hugh Bryan) took the Raunds Church bell ringers to Loughborough on Saturday, and by the kind permission of Messrs. John Taylor & Son paid a visit to their celebrated bell foundry to see ''Great Paul," the splendid bell that has been cast by them for the clock tower of St. Paul's Cathedral. The party was accompanied by the Rev. R. S. Baker, Rector of Hargrave, Mr. E. J. Whitney, Raunds, Mr. J. M. Gray, Chelveston, and Messrs, Lee and Wilson, of Kimbolton. The bell, which is 9ft. in height, and 9ft. 6in. in diameter at the sound bow, weighs 6 tons, 14cwt., 2qr., 19lb.; and has been raised on temporary timbering in the foundry over the site in which it was cast by a 50-ton iron crane, and the mouth of the bell hangs a little over two feet from the ground. In response to the wish of the visitors, two long bars of wood were temporarily fastened across the head stock, to which were attached a number of ropes, and the party had a set-to, and rang Great Paul to their best ability; of course, they were only able to make the ponderous clapper, which weighs 6½cwt., strike on both sides once now and then. The party were then taken through all the departments of the foundry, and the moulding, casting, and tuning of bells were thoroughly explained to them, as well as the making of bell frames, bell wheels, and the machinery employed. A new ling of bells were melodiously manipulated by Mr. Taylor for the amusement of the visitors. After taking leave of Mr. Taylor and the foundry, by the kind permission of Archdeacon Fearon, the party next visited All Saints' Church, Loughborough, where 360 changes of London single, with 9 bobs, were rung in good style by A. Coles, first; W. Gilbert, second; R. Pendered, third; T. Stubbs, fourth; J. Wilmot, fifth; H. Stubbs, sixth, conductor; weight of tenor, 24-cwt. After leaving Loughborough a short stay was made at Leicester, where the party was met by the late vicar of Raunds, Rev. L. L. Cooper. The party arrived home between eight and nine in the evening, having enjoyed a pleasant day's outing.



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