On Saturday, 31st July 2021, to mark the easing of restrictions brought on by the Coronavirus pandemic, the City of London played host to a Festival of Bells. Co-ordinated expertly by Dickon Love, the day brought together ringers from across the country, with a mixture of open towers, quarter peals, peals, and even a carillon recital available for attendees to participate in and/or listen to, as well as a welcome opportunity to socialise and catch up with friends after a year and a half of limited to no ringing or mixing.
The day commenced with the ringing of Great Paul at St Paul's Cathedral, and a quarter peal at St Mary le Bow, possibly the most famous ring of bells in the City. It is said you are a true Cockney only if you were born within earshot of these bells. Fittingly, the composition included Whittingtons - a reference to Dick Whittington, thrice Mayor of London, who (according to folklore, though sadly almost certainly untrue), turned back from fleeing the city upon hearing the Bow bells calling him.
The bells, although tough, sound magnificent. They were cast in 1956 by Mears & Stainbank of Whitechapel, but not hung until 1961. They replaced a previous ring of 12, with a 54cwt tenor, which were (mostly) recast by Gillett & Johnston in 1933, yet destroyed just eight years later during a German air raid on 11th May 1941. Whilst a couple of recordings do survive, one can only imagine how good this ring must really have sounded; a great loss. A full dossier of these may be found on Dickon's excellent website:
london.lovesguide.com/tower.ph...
Tenor 41-3-21 in C
With thanks to Ringer Jake for the audio footage, used from 0:00-0:44, filmed from outside the tower.
The Festival's Facebook Page may be found here:
/ city-of-london-festiva...