New bells make Wimborne Minster sound more joyful (From Bournemouth Echo)

New bells make Wimborne Minster sound more joyful

3:00pm Wednesday 19th September 2012 in News

THREE new bells have been added to Wimborne Minster for the town to hear.

Each weighing 25kg, the bells were hoisted into the West Tower of the Minster yesterday (and will join the existing 10, which were installed to mark the coronation of King George V and Queen Mary in 1911.

They were made at the same foundry, Whitechapel Bell Foundry in London, as the bells made for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Pageant, which was held earlier this year.

Anthony Oliver , Minister Churchwarden, said: “An interesting coincidence is that the new bells for Wimborne were cast on the same day as three of the Royal Jubilee Bells, including ‘Elizabeth’ and ‘Philip.’ “Together with five other bells, which are also named after senior members of the Royal Family, these bells were mounted and rung on the barge which lead the flotilla on the River Thames on 3rd June 2012.

“Currently, the 10 bells at the Minster are pitched in D and the addition of three new bells will give opportunities for a full ring of 12 in D. This new ring of 12 will sound no louder than the current ring of 10, but will appear more joyful in tone.”

Money for the bells has come from private donations and other bodies associated with the Minster.