Bell foundries in 1930s Britain
Metal bells became popular in UK churches as Celtic Christianity spread. These images show the process of bell founding in some of the most popular UK bell foundries of the 1930s.
Daily Herald Photograph: Looking down on the bells for Michigan University and Buckfast Abbey. Daily Herald Photograph: Looking down on the bells for Michigan University and Buckfast Abbey. (1936-03-30)National Science and Media Museum
The Daily Herald archive has many images depicting UK industries, including that of bell founding.
Bell founding in the UK
Bell foundries were found in many UK cities until transport links improved; the industry then became concentrated to fewer areas which created bells for all over the world. The craft hasn’t changed much since it began, and neither has its market, which is mainly churches.
Preparing the mould
Before casting a bell, a mould cone needs to be constructed in the correct shape, to the design and size specifications agreed with the client.
Here, a worker at Whitechapel Bell Foundry is moulding a cone. The photograph was taken in 1935, a peak year for bell orders.
Daily Herald Photograph: Bell castingNational Science and Media Museum
Casting a bell
When the mould is ready, the bell is cast using boiling bell metal (a bronze alloy), which is poured into the mould, mouth-down. This photo shows a group of bell founders casting one of a carillon of 23 bells for an order at Gillett & Johnston bell foundry in Croydon.
Removing the mould
After casting, bells need to be left to cool, and then the mould can be removed.
Here, workmen from Whitechapel are removing the mould on the bell ‘Emmanuel’, as part of an order for Liverpool Cathedral. It was cast a week prior but was still hot when the mould was taken away.
Moving bells with a crane
Bells are very heavy (usually ranging between 100kg and 4000kg), and at most stages in the process need to be moved around a foundry with the help of a crane. This photo shows a relatively small bell being moved with the equipment by the workman.
Daily Herald Photograph: Bell tuner adjusting the pitch of a treble bell from St. Margaret's, WestminsterNational Science and Media Museum
Tuning bells with a cutting tool
After casting, bells need to be tuned to make the right sound. They can only be tuned down by shaving off some metal inside. This increases the volume and lowers the note of the bell.
Here a bell is being tuned that has been re-cast at Croydon for St. Margaret’s, Westminster.
Daily Herald Photograph: Sandblasting a bell at Croydon for BradfordNational Science and Media Museum
Sandblasting
Some bells are cleaned with blasts of fine sand at a very high pressure. It’s a dangerous job, so the operator wears protective clothing in a contained room for a short period. This worker at Croydon has a colleague outside on hand; they communicate using hand signals.
Daily Herald Photograph: Bells being tested at HoundsditchNational Science and Media Museum
Testing the bells
Bell construction is finished after the clapper has been fitted, but bells then need to be tested to make sure they sound correct.
This photo shows a carillon of bells being tested at Houndsditch; they are quite small so easy to test with a bell hammer.
Daily Herald Photograph: Sounding bellsNational Science and Media Museum
Sounding the bells
Bigger bells can still be tested with a bell hammer, but they need to be sat on the floor and the process can take a bit longer. Here, a worker is sounding the bells of Aberdovey at John Taylor’s foundry in Loughborough. The work on these has been completed.
Waiting for transportation
After an order of bells has been finished, they need to be gathered and processed ready to be shipped to their destination. These bells are being prepared for transportation to Perth in Scotland, from the Gillett & Johnston foundry in Croydon.
Daily Herald Photograph: Bells being prepared for transportation to Perth Daily Herald Photograph: Bells being prepared for transportation to Perth (1935-02-04)National Science and Media Museum
Ready for distribution
Different methods of transportation can be used to deliver bells to their new homes, but for overseas orders, using ships is the best way. This photo shows Mr Johnston, of Gillett & Johnston foundry, examining bells as they are about to leave for the USA.
Hanging the bells
Once the new or improved bells have arrived at a client, they need to be hung into place. This might be in a church, or a clocktower. Here, the bells of Cowbridge Church, near Cardiff, are being re-hung into position in the belfry.
All images are from the Science Museum Group collection. Copyright Mirrorpix, Hulton Archive/Getty Images, and TopFoto.
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