The Queen's Tower: Bell Ringing at Imperial College, Kensington, London

Описание: In October of 2021, I rang at the Queen's Tower at Imperial College in London once again. Ringing here is always a much anticipated treat, and the experience certainly does not disappoint whatsoever! The Queen's Tower is the sole remnant of the Imperial Institute building, which was built between 1888 and 1893, and opened that year by HRH Queen Victoria. The building was designed by Thomas E. Colcutt in a Neo-Renaissance style with architectural influence and motifs drawn from architectural styles across the British Empire. Sadly, the majority of the building was demolished between the late 1950s and mid 1960s, replaced with bland modern buildings that now house Imperial College, a public research university. The tower was only retained after a public outcry, led by Poet Laureate Sir John Betjeman, who was a major supporter of Victorian architecture, which by the time of the unfortunate demolition of the site had become unfashionable and dated.

The Queen's Tower is the 287 foot (87 meters) tall central tower of the Imperial Institute building. It houses a 38-1-15cwt ring of ten bells in Db, cast in 1892 by the John Taylor and Co. foundry of Loughborough. The bells were a gift to Queen Victoria by the Melbourne (Australia) resident Elizabeth M. Millar. The bells are collectively known as the Alexandra Peal and each bell is inscribed with a name of the Royal Family (the family at the time of casting). The bells were cast shortly before the Taylor foundry adopted harmonic tuning - this happened in 1896, with the first harmonically tuned bells produced by Taylor's being Norton near Sheffield, a 15cwt ring of eight bells in F cast in 1896. Consequently, Imperial College's bells have a beautiful, yet gravelly sound to them which really makes them grand and old fashioned. However, one small caveat makes the bells rather tricky to ring - the ridiculous amount of tower sway! Ever since the demolition of the Institute buildings, the tower has been free standing and to enable the tower to stand unsupported, much of the lower third of the structure had to be rebuilt and consolidated. Consequently the tower sways like a fairground ride. It is a gentle and sedate sway but certain changes cause violent spasms to jolt through the tower. So, if you are ringing, pull at every stroke and don't panic if you are suddenly lifted off the floor by your bell going way way way over at backstroke or handstroke! Overall, these bells are truly magnificent in my opinion. Enjoy the glorious boom of these.