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Basildon, St Martin of Tours For those of you who have been asleep for a while. The Basildon Bell tower is going to be the worlds first Glass and Steel Tower, with a fully ringable peal of 8 bells. The 40m structure is octagonal, with a unique 8 bell radial frame (one bell per side). |
| Photo courtesy Richard Dunhill ©1999 |
The tenor bell weighed approximately 12cwt BEFORE being recasted (and retuned)
The NEW weight of the tenor is 11-2-24.
St Martins is a modern church, consecrated in 1962.
The back 6 of the 8 bell tower are medieval bells given as a consecration gift to St Martins in 1962 from St Nicholas, Colchester. The bells have been 'buried' since as plans were made for a tower to be built when they were purchased.
The history of these bells is well recorded. 2 of them have preservation orders.
The tenor bell was cast in 1441. It is the first bell ever to be cast by a woman (Joanne Hille). The two treble bells, were cast in 1998 by Whitechapel.
The Tower is the design of Douglas Galloway RIBO. It will be the only tower worldwide where the bellringers and action of the bells can be observed by passers-by.
It was previously intended that the bells be rung from the ground floor, but now a Museum will be there, and the ringers will ring from the first floor level.
More information can be found from the Ringing World No. 4495 June 20th 1997, front cover. And RW 4583 Feb 26th 1999. P 187.
May 2000 : Re-Proposed date for opening.
January 1st 2000 : Bells chimed by local parishioners to mark the 'Ring in 2000' campaign (i think)
October 1999 : Tower not opened
October 1999 : Proposed date for Opening.
Late June 1999 : Test ringing performed by Whitechapel Bell Foundry. Faults Discovered:- Too noisy around the tower. Action:- Grass over the paved area surrounding the tower
June 1999 : Ropes now added to bells. Sallie colours the normal Red, White + Blue. They fall very close to the staircase!
May 1999 : Installation of the spiral staircase from ground level to first floor. Looks very nice!
May 1999 : Test ringing looks imminent!
April + May 1999 : The electrics for the tower are being sorted out. (still)
March 12th 1999 : The Queen opens the tower. The Treble and Tenor bells are chimed.
End Feb/Early March : The bells are being tested with the clappers fitted. (They sound very nice!)
Mid February 1999 : The Bellframe is in, Some bells are ready hung and being swing tested. (Minus stays, sliders and clappers)
Early February 1999 : The glass has been installed, and Whitechapel have arrived to 'construct' the Bellframe.
January 1999 : Work continues on the tower, The structure has risen up to the base of the spire.
December 1998 : The tower has begun, about 15m of the structure has been built
November 1998 : Work starts on the tower, Builders arrive
November 1998 : (supposed to be finished now! (looks promising!)
16th September 1998 : The first hole is dug for the tower. The hole was dug by Stirling Moss OBE
August 1998 : Nothing
July 1998 : Contractors for construction goes to John Mowlem PLC
June 1998: Nothing, Work supposed to start this month!
March 1998 : The new No.2 Bell cast
February 1998 : The new Treble Bell is cast
January 1998 : Nothing, St. Martins square (where the tower is to be situated) is re-developed
1996: Church awarded £329,000 by the Millennium commission as 50% of total cost of tower.
1995: Church Council decides to proceed with the tower.
ANOTHER BASILDON PICTURE
More photos will be placed when available.
Last Updated: 14/02/00