Final
of the National Twelve-Bell Striking Competition at Lincoln Cathedral
Saturday 28 June 2008
Lincoln Cathedral Bells
Throughout the 19 century the old eight bells at the Cathedral were becoming
progressively more difficult to ring in spite of much attention being
given to them by professional bell hangers and the Cathedral works department.
The Dean and Chapter finally commissioned a brand new ring of eight bells
from John Taylors of Loughborough in 1913 and these form the basis of
the present peal. The new bells were hung in a new twelve bell frame.
A massive restoration of the Cathedral was undertaken in the 1920's and
the western towers were declared to be in a precarious state. Only chiming
had been allowed for some years following the installation of the new
ring as full circle ringing caused much oscillation of the tower.
During the restoration the bell frame was lowered some thirty feet and
turned through 180 degrees to site the two tenors on the North side of
the frame. A reinforced concrete ring beam structure was installed in
the tower from the new bell frame position to well below the ringing chamber
and has fully stabilised the tower.
Four more bells were cast in 1927 as a memorial to Ringers who gave their
lives in the first World War, two of which were subscribed by Members
of the Diocesan Guild and two given by an anonymous American donor. Thus
Lincolnshire's first peal of twelve bells was formed having a tenor of
twenty-three and three quarter cwt in 'D'.
A semi tone sixth bell, to form a light eight was subscribed by Guild
Members in 1948 and hung in memory of Rupert Richardson of Surfleet, a
much respected and loved second Master of the Diocesan Guild. This ring
is know as 'The Richardson Eight' and has a tenor of 10cwt in 'G'.
|
Details of the Bells All 12 bells
carry Taylor's medallion
|
|
