St Albans Cathedral 7th Bell 2014

Photographs by Stephen Penney, Jeff Smyth and David Hodgskin
(Click on photos for larger images)


As we were lowering bells 5-8 on Sunday (26th January) the 7ths bell fell out of its fittings. We were most of the way down when there was a loud bang, and we stopped the other three as quickly as we could. On inpection we decided it was safe enough to lower the back four bells (9-12), and were able to do so before the evensong service began.

We visited on Tuesday (28th January) to decide if any more safety precautions need to be taken (the bell was quite firmly in its pit, so no problem there), get a better idea of the damage, and take some photographs.

Whitechapel visited on Wednesday (29th January) to remove the headstock and wheel and make the bell safe. The headstock has been returned to Whitechapel for inspection.

Abbey 7th
The 7th bell in its pit.

Abbey 7th
The 7th bell in its pit.

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Left hand gudgeon, sheared

Abbey 7th
Left hand gudgeon on headstock

Abbey 7th
Right hand gudgeon, sheared

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Bell in its pit (different angle).

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Where bell is resting on the frame. Nb. frame buckled, bell intact!

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View from underneath, showing damage to the wheel.

Abbey 7th
Damage to the wheel.

Abbey 7th
Bell in its current position.