Casting of the Hope Bell

Over the past couple of months, for one reason or another, I seem to have spent quite a lot of time down at the bellfoundry. On one particular occasion, I was lucky enough to visit during a time when a bell casting was taking place. I’ve seen quite a few bell castings, but this one was especially meaningful and poignant, as it was the Hope Bell.

 

Following the pandemic, which resulted in many unexpected deaths, people around the UK have been installing public memorials to those who lost their lives. Some towns have created public benches – at Grantham, for example – other places have created memorial gardens – like that at Melton Mowbray. 

The WW1 memorial bench in Grantham

The COVID commemorative bench in Grantham

COVID memorial garden at Melton Mowbray

COVID memorial garden at Melton Mowbray

COVID memorial garden plaque at Melton Mowbray

After much consideration and consultation, it was decided that an appropriate memorial to commemorate those from the Borough of Charnwood would be to create a clock chime installation to be sited in Queen’s Park. This would comprise bells made by the last remaining dedicated bellfoundry in the country, which happens to be in Loughborough.

 

You can find out more about what has become known as the Hope Bell from the Charnwood Borough Council website where there is also more information about the casting. 

The casting and the associated event were filmed so there is a video available for you to watch.

And here follows a few of my own photos from the event, with apologies for the blurriness of some of them!

If you are keen to see the work of the bellfoundry, pop over to the Trust's website for details on how to book a visit!

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posted by lynneaboutloughborough

With apologies for typos which are all mine!

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