Reforming of bells to be ‘carefully considered’

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33065, 4 November 1972, Page 16

Reforming of bells to be ‘carefully considered’

Before the Christchurch Cathedral bellringers could melt down the existing bells and form them again, the Cathedral Chapter would have to give permission, which would be done only after most careful consideration, said the Dean of Christchurch (the Very Rev. M. L. Underhill) in reply to two writers of letters to “The Press” who questioned any need for altering the bells. “Academian” wrote: “I

read with surprise last Monday that the Christchurch Cathedral bellringers are ‘keen to send the 10 bells back to Britain for melting and recasting into 13 smaller bells, a more convenient number, enabling more variety.’ The noble sound of the present bells has become as much a part of the Christchurch scene as the Cathedral spire itself, since they first rang out on September 9, 1881. For a long time I have not heard the full peal of 10 bells, but rather changes rung on six or eight. An English authority said in 1800 that the upper notes of bells of a smaller calibre would be “too weak and tinkling to be included in the scale of church bells.” I believe our bells are a replica of the top 10 of St Paul’s, London. Cannot three smaller bells be added to the existing ring?” “Ex-bellringer” wanted to know how the bellringers had the right to suggest that the present bells be recast. He said: “I understand that eight of the bells were given by the Rhodes family, and two by the Miles family, with inscriptions to this effect on two of the bells. With this thought in mind, how is it possible that the bells can be changed to a peal of 13?” Dean Underhill said that the need for changing the formation of the bells was explained to him by the master of the bellringers (Mr J. H. G. Gardner).

“To put it shortly, and not to mention ‘Front Eights’ and ‘Back Eights,’ I would say that the heaviest bell, the tenor, at 32cwt, is out of proportion to the other bells,” Dean Underhill said. "Since 1881, it has been used only twice in a peal of eight—a peal of Grandsire Triples in 1965 and a peal of Bob Major in 1968. AU other peals on eight bells have been rung on the front eight, which are not a true octave.”

Cricket.—The veteran opening batsmen, S. Trimble, will make his 100th Sheffield Shield appearance for Queensland in the match against Victoria at Briabane. In a first-class career spanning 14 years, Trimble, aged 38, has amassed 8939 runs.