Ring-a-ding-ding

From The Bell Tower | 05 Feb 2010

After nearly six years of dedicated negotiation by Bell Tower Patron Laith Reynolds, a 450-year-old ancient bell from England has found a new home in Perth.
 
Mr Reynolds discovered the surplus bell in a parish in England and was determined to bring it back to Perth. He then set about seeking approval from the Church Council, including hosting a Church representative’s visit to Perth to confirm the appropriateness of the location for this incredible ancient artefact.
 
After Mr Reynolds compelling lobbying, it was suggested by the church authorities that the bell be made available for Perth. The necessary legal formalities were undertaken and finally the bell was shipped to Western Australia.   
 
This bell was once one of four that rang from the tower of the parish church at Upton Grey in Hampshire, which was its home from approximately 1550AD.  
 
The bell founder has been identified as John Saunders who was working in Reading from around 1539 until his death in 1559.  Saunders created an inscription on the bell as a dedication to Saint Blaise - an Armenian Bishop who suffered martyrdom in the fourth century.  Saunders was working during the reformation; a time of great religious turmoil. King Henry the Eighth ordered Saunders’ ears cut off for offending his majesty.
 
Saunders bell was made of fine casting with well formed suspension loops on a crown which is made of bell-metal; an alloy of copper and tin.  The inscription on the bell is in black-letter and between the words and syllables there are various marks.  One of these is a square badge that incorporates the abbey of Chertsey.
 
The bell weighs an incredible 459kg and has a mouth diameter of 920mm; this is not a small bell.  Its original note was approximately A natural.
 
Paul Grootveld – CEO of The Bell Tower said “We are delighted to acquire this piece of history as part of our ever evolving collection.”
 
It is now on permanent display as an example of English bell-founding of the time of the Reformation.  This 450 year old antique is thought to be the oldest bell in Australia.  
 
The Bell Tower is located in Perth’s Barrack Square overlooking the picturesque Swan River and is open from 10am every day.   Don’t miss seeing it at The Bell Tower – Home of the Swan Bells, Perth.

For more information, www.thebelltower.com.au