WELLINGTON CATHEDRAL OF ST. PAUL
HISTORY | BELL DETAILS AND RECORDINGS | FURTHER INFORMATION | GALLERY
Bell removal 1979
The Anglican Cathedral of St Paul in Wellington possesses the newest and heaviest ring of bells in the country, with a total of 14 bells, tenor weighing 27-1-24cwt (1400kg). A maximum of 12 can be rung at once, which form the main peal, whilst two additional bells (Extra treble and Flat sixth) enable a lighter ring of ten (using the 9th as the tenor) to be rung. The ring consists of seven new bells and seven old bells which were previously hung in the now demolished church of St Edmund's in Northampton, England. The church had become redundant and subsequently the bells became redundant too. They were removed from the church in 1979 and were brought to Loughborough, awaiting their fate. They found no use elsewhere in the diocese, so they were incorporated into the new twelve for Wellington. Seven of the old eight were retained, but one was found to be of poor quality, so was recast to form the current 9th. All the old bells had their partials retuned to improve the tone, while the ex 2nd was retuned an entire semitone down to fit into the scale. They were shipped to Wellington alongside 6 new bells in 1981, and were finally installed during 1983-1984, with the dedication taking place on Easter 1984. The old bells now make up 4-8, 10 & 11, and Extra treble, 1-3, Flat sixth, 9 & 12 were new castings.
Before the full completion of the tower, the Cathedral had three bells which are believed to have been hung dead at the level of the current belfry floor. Two of the 1866 bells were brought over from Old St Paul's, and later another bell of unknown origin (probably donated) was added on . The 1866 bells were eventually melted down and contributed to the casting of the 6 new bells, and the remaining one was recast into the current flat sixth. An article on the removal of the old bells can be read here: https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/issues/5627.
Before the full completion of the tower, the Cathedral had three bells which are believed to have been hung dead at the level of the current belfry floor. Two of the 1866 bells were brought over from Old St Paul's, and later another bell of unknown origin (probably donated) was added on . The 1866 bells were eventually melted down and contributed to the casting of the 6 new bells, and the remaining one was recast into the current flat sixth. An article on the removal of the old bells can be read here: https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/issues/5627.
The cathedral from the north.
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5,4,3, and 2.
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The tenor in action.
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The ringing room (Colin Saxelby)
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The ring is certainly one of the finest in the country, not just sound wise, but also because they are very easy to ring - the tower is one of few in the world constructed with the bells in mind. Due to the reinforced concrete construction and very deep foundations, the tower is incredibly solid and barely moves, meaning the bells are very predictable to ring and go exceptionally well with minimal effort. Unfortunately the concrete has some negative effects on the acoustics. Combined with a very spacious and high-ceilinged belfry, it does make them somewhat harsh-sounding and echoey, exacerbated by the intense resonance of the tenor bell. Although an indication of a good quality bell, aided by a wooden shafted clapper, it has led to complaints of the twelve sounding somewhat mushy in the ringing room. Aside from this however, they are a truly grand, old fashioned but beautiful sounding ring.
The bells have also suffered a couple of complaints from outside the tower. In 2010 all ringing outside of the set practice night and service ringing times was banned, except for special occasions such as weddings and funerals. Following the complaint, the sound control (previously electronically operated from the ringing room) was taken out of use due to faults, and is sealed shut. Luckily, the cathedral has a simulator connected to 12 of the bells to allow ringing at other times; the sound is produced on a computer without noise outside the tower. It was designed by Gerald McIlhone, a Wellington ringer.
The bells have also suffered a couple of complaints from outside the tower. In 2010 all ringing outside of the set practice night and service ringing times was banned, except for special occasions such as weddings and funerals. Following the complaint, the sound control (previously electronically operated from the ringing room) was taken out of use due to faults, and is sealed shut. Luckily, the cathedral has a simulator connected to 12 of the bells to allow ringing at other times; the sound is produced on a computer without noise outside the tower. It was designed by Gerald McIlhone, a Wellington ringer.
Photo by Colin Saxelby
Every year there is a ringing festival, which usually takes place over 3 and a half days during Labour Weekend, although in 2021 the festival was suspended due to COVID-19 and instead took place on Waitangi Weekend 2022. The vast majority of the ringing is on the simulator, unfortunately the noise ban does not make an exception for this.
In addition to the ring of fourteen, there are 2 additional bells hanging about the cathedral. The first of these is the "Bell of Remembrance", a service bell which hangs 'dead' at the front of the cathedral, under a turret roof high above the main entrance. It was originally cast by John Taylor & Co, as the treble of a set of three for St John the Evangelist in Eastbourne, Sussex, in England. This church was badly damaged in the blitz, but luckily the bells had been hung in a seperate campanile which was not touched. To fund for restoration of the church, 2 of the bells were sold off. The tenor was sent to St David's Cathedral in Hobart to be used as the tenor of the ring of ten, and the middle bell remained at St John's, leaving behind the treble. Timothy Hurd purchased it from the Whitechapel Bellfoundry as they had done the removal work, and donated it as part of the cathedral completion campaign. It is rung today via an Electromagnetic hammer.
The second bell is currently of unknown origin, from an unknown founder, on display in a cabinet on the right-hand aisle of the cathedral. It's canons have been either damaged or nearly completely removed. The only details I could find is the date "1824". More information on this bell will be added in due course.
In addition to the ring of fourteen, there are 2 additional bells hanging about the cathedral. The first of these is the "Bell of Remembrance", a service bell which hangs 'dead' at the front of the cathedral, under a turret roof high above the main entrance. It was originally cast by John Taylor & Co, as the treble of a set of three for St John the Evangelist in Eastbourne, Sussex, in England. This church was badly damaged in the blitz, but luckily the bells had been hung in a seperate campanile which was not touched. To fund for restoration of the church, 2 of the bells were sold off. The tenor was sent to St David's Cathedral in Hobart to be used as the tenor of the ring of ten, and the middle bell remained at St John's, leaving behind the treble. Timothy Hurd purchased it from the Whitechapel Bellfoundry as they had done the removal work, and donated it as part of the cathedral completion campaign. It is rung today via an Electromagnetic hammer.
The second bell is currently of unknown origin, from an unknown founder, on display in a cabinet on the right-hand aisle of the cathedral. It's canons have been either damaged or nearly completely removed. The only details I could find is the date "1824". More information on this bell will be added in due course.
DETAILS OF THE BELLS
All bells excluding display were cast out of Bronze by John Taylor & Co in Loughborough, Leics, UK.
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Bell 0e (Extra Treble) - Little James
Cast: 1981 Weight: 3-2-23 (188kg) Note: B Canons: Flat Turning: --- Inscription: LITTLE JAMES TAYLOR LOUGHBORO * 1981 Bell 1 (Treble) - William and Mary Cast Weight: 4-0-22 (213kg) Note: A Canons: Flat Turning: --- Inscription: WILLIAM AND MARY TAYLOR LOUGHBORO * 1981 Bell 2 - Lydia and Henry Cast: 1981 Weight: 4-1-20 (203kg) Note: G Canons: Flat Turning: --- Inscription: LYDIA AND HENRY TAYLOR LOUGHBORO * 1981 Bell 3 - Flora . C . Mallard Cast: 1981 Weight: 4-3-0 (241kg) Note: F# Canons: Flat Turning: --- Inscription: FLORA . C . MALLARD TAYLOR LOUGHBORO * 1981 Bell 4 (ex1) - Bill Cast: 1884 Weight: 4-0-14 (210kg) Note: E Canons: Removed Turning: 1/4 Inscription: J : TAYLOR AND CO FOUNDERS LOUGHBOROUGH 1884. S.EDMUND NORTHAMPTON THE GIFT OF WILLIAM TOMES 1884. Bell 5 (ex2) - Chinese Mission Cast: 1884 Weight: 4-2-3 (230kg) Note: D (original D#) Canons: Removed Turning: 1/4 Inscription: J : TAYLOR AND CO FOUNDERS LOUGHBOROUGH 1884. S.EDMUND NORTHAMPTON THE GIFT OF WILLIAM TOMES 1884. Bell 6 (ex3) - Dora Cast: 1884 Weight: 5-0-14 (260kg) Note: C# Canons: Removed Turning: 1/4 Inscription: J : TAYLOR AND CO FOUNDERS LOUGHBOROUGH 1884. S.EDMUND NORTHAMPTON THE GIFT OF WILLIAM TOMES 1884. Flat Sixth (6b) - Francis Cast: 1981 (original 1970) Weight: 6-1-10 (322kg) Note: C (original ?) Canons: Flat Turning: --- Inscription: *JOHN*TAYLOR*&*CO*BELLFOUNDERS*LOUGHBOROUGH*ENGLAND*1981* FRANCIS BELL CAST 1970 F . D . B F . H. D . B RECAST 1981 Bell 7 (ex4) - RNZAF Cast: 1884 Weight: 6-1-19 (326kg) Note: B Canons: Removed Inscription: J : TAYLOR AND CO FOUNDERS LOUGHBOROUGH 1884. S.EDMUND NORTHAMPTON THE GIFT OF WILLIAM TOMES 1884. Bell 8 (ex5) - McLean Cast: 1884 Weight: 7-2-21 (391kg) Note: A Canons: Removed Turning: 1/4 Inscription: J : TAYLOR AND CO FOUNDERS LOUGHBOROUGH 1884. S.EDMUND NORTHAMPTON THE GIFT OF WILLIAM TOMES 1884. Bell 9 (ex6) - Wheeler Cast: 1981 (original 1884) Weight: 10-1-8 (524kg) Note: G (original G#) Canons: Flat Turning: --- Inscription: *JOHN*TAYLOR*&*CO*BELLFOUNDERS*LOUGHBOROUGH*ENGLAND*1981* WHEELER Bell 10 (ex7)- Rotary Cast: 1884 Weight: 12-1-9 (626kg) Note: F# Canons: Flat Turning: 1/8 Inscription: J : TAYLOR AND CO BELLFOUNDERS 1884. S.EDMUND NORTHAMPTON THE GIFT OF WILLIAM TOMES 1884. Bell 11 (ex8) - Trevor Cast: 1884 Weight: 17-2-2 (890kg) Note: E Canons: Flat Turning: 1/8 Inscription: J: TAYLOR AND CO BELLFOUNDERS LOUGHBOROUGH LEICESTERSHIRE. S.EDMUND NORTHAMPTON TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN REMEMBRANCE OF HIS MERCIES THIS PEAL OF EIGHT BELLS WAS GIVEN BY WILLIAM TOMES CHURCHWARDEN OF THIS PARISH FR0M 1880 - 1884 Bell 12 (tenor) - The Peoples Bell Cast: 1981 Weight: 27-1-24 (1400kg) Note: D Canons: Flat Turning: ---- Inscription: *JOHN*TAYLOR*&*CO*BELLFOUNDERS*LOUGHBOROUGH*ENGLAND*1981* THE PEOPLES BELL Bell of Remembrance (Service Bell) Cast: 1911 Weight: 4-0-18 (211kg) Note: E Canons: Button top (suspected) Turning: n/a Inscription: None Display Bell Cast: 1824 (unknown) Weight: ~1cwt Note: ??? Canons: Removed? Turning: n/a Inscription (known): C.Y?? 1824 |
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RECORDINGS OF THE BELLS
ONE To be added in 2024/25
TWO
THREE
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FOUR
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FIVE
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SIX
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