The Bells of Worcester Cathedral are considered by the bell ringing community to form one of the finest peals in the world. Cast by John Taylor and Co in Loughborough in 1928 and ranking as the fifth heaviest ring of twelve in the world, they replaced an earlier peal which had been cast in 1869 as part of the Cathedral’s great Victorian restoration.
Five bells from the original historic ring of eight can be seen displayed in the east Cloister. Their early history is unclear but four are certainly medieval and some if not all would have predated the great central fourteenth century tower and been hung in the Norman Clochium (a separate tower “with leaden spire” adjacent to the Cathedral) which survived until, following its sale in 1647 during the Civil War, it was subsequently demolished.
Today, the Cathedral tower, which dominates the surrounding countryside, contains fifteen ringing bells tuned to the major scale of B and also the large clock bell or bourdon originally cast in 1868 but retuned in 1928. Weighing 4225kgs and in A, this strikes the hour and is also tolled on special solemn occasions. The largest of the ringing bells, the tenor, weighs 2447kgs and the smallest, the treble, weighs 347kgs. Worcester however is unique in having three additional semitone bells which provide two additional peals in a major key and a true harmonic minor peal of ten, the latter producing a haunting and mournful sound. This combination of bells is rung occasionally throughout the year for Armistice, New Year’s Eve and other solemn occasions. In 2005 they were rung as part of the performance of Britten’s War Requiem in the Three Choirs’ Festival.
The bells hang in a wooden construction called the “wigwam” which was designed by Lord Grimthorpe. This tower sits inside the tall perpendicular tower. The wigwam was a innovative engineering solution in 1869, however, today the bells are difficult to ring to a high standard because of frame movement. It is hoped that a modern engineering solution will be found soon and that the bells will be re-hung.
Lots of work is taking place maintaining the bells, improving the go of the bells and the internal acoustics in the ringing room. Today the bells are rung more than ever before as part of Cathedral and Civic life in the City.
General Details of the Cathedral Bells & Installation