St Magnus Restoration

The Society is behind a project to install a new ring of bells at St Magnus the Martyr. The 12 bells will replace a ring of 10 bells that were removed from the tower in 1940 and never returned, being scrapped in 1976. In addition, the external stonework of the tower is being cleaned and restored, the clock bell is being restored for use as a clock bell for the first time in decades (as well as an angelus, matins, curfew and service bell), and the more important peal boards will be restored. The 12 bells are to be cast and hung by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry in a new frame. A photographic record of the work, as it happens, will appear here. Click on photographs to enlarge.


8th Sept 2008	24th Sept 2008	30th Sept 2008
Scaffolding starts to rise around the tower.


The scaffolding platform in the tower under the clock bell. (1st Oct 2008) The clock bell was removed on Tuesday 7th October (no pictures).		The treble bell has been given by the Worshipful Company of Plumbers (Vice Patrons of the appeal). The coat of arms of the company will appear on the bell. Above is a picture of the stamp that has been crafted by Liveryman Terry Fillary that Whitechapel will use on the bell.


16th Oct 2008 - the scaffold is at full height	20th Oct 2008 - from across the river (Photo Graham Bradshaw)

An unusual photograph. This is the inside of the mould for the 10th.
(Photo Neil Thomas)


The furnace starts to be tipped.	The three moulds standing on the foundry floor.

The metal being poured into the ladle. In the foreground are the St Magnus 10th and Great Wilbraham's new treble, both cast that morning.	Watching are Prof. Rodney Cartwright (Master of the Worshipful Company of Plumbers who are Vice Patrons of the fund and donors of the treble), Mark Backhouse (Whitechapel Bell Foundry), Owen Barnes (Plumber, whose wife's initials appear on the treble) and Przemek Benoński


Casting the 2nd.	Casting the 3rd, with Chris Rogers looking on. The 3rd bears his late mother's name.

Harold Rogers watches the 3rd being cast, on his 92nd birthday. The bell is in memory of his late wife. He brought with him copies of the entries in his wife's peal book of the 3 peals she rang at St Magnus.	Prof. Rodney Cartwright, Chris Rogers, Harold Rogers talking to bellfounder, Nigel Taylor.


The treble cooling down, with Prof. Rodney Cartwright and Owen Barnes.	The 2nd cooling down with Prunella, Graham and Derek Bradshaw.	The 3rd cooling down with Harold & Chris Rogers.


	Dickon Love with the 10th.	The clock bell on the floor of the bellfoundry. It had been shot blasted and waiting to be fitted, before rehanging in the spire.


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Nigel Taylor shows off the lettering used in part of the inscriptions.	Dickon Love with the 3 cooling bells.


The 10th is broken out of its mould.	Emerging from the loam.	The ASCY mace head emerges.


	(Photos Cathy Hughes-D'Aeth)


The ladle is filled.		The treble is cast.	The second is cast.