Loughborough's Carillon

Every year, when I ponder what to write about the Zeppelin raid on Loughborough on 31st January 1916, or when I wander through the Queen's Park, or when I think about what I can do to promote Loughborough to visitors, and when I do promote the town when I lead guided walks, one of the features that always comes up is the Carillon. And, would you believe, in the recent Art Deco talk I gave to a local history society, the Carillon even made an appearance in there!!!

The Carillon Tower and War Memorial Museum is unique in the country. True, there are other carillons, for example, that at Bournville, and there's even one down at our own bellfoundry, but the uniqueness is attributed to the one in Queen's Park being a war memorial. The carillon itself is a musical instrument that has been regularly played by the Borough Carillonneur, who was Eric Jordan at the time of the opening, and is currently Caroline Sharpe, or by visiting carillonneurs, or student carillonneurs, since the day the Carillon was opened in 1923. Regular recitals were also broadcast from the Carillon by the BBC!

Of course, such a magnificent monument, the building of which was a truly local affair - bricks by Tuckers, steelwork by Morris, bells by Taylors, and actually built by Moss - but came at a cost, some of which money was raised by the creation of a bedspread, which was awarded as a prize to the person who guessed the correct weight - or at least, came closest - of the Carillon tower! 

It was when I was doing my tour guide training, way back in 2012, that I first learned about Songster, the war horse who returned from the First World War and lived to an old age. Then, when I was a volunteer museum assistant at the Carillon for a couple of seasons, back in 2014, I encountered the life-sized Songster - well, it may not have been full size, but it seemed very large to me! - whose reins were being held by a mannequin dressed in full Leicestershire Yeomanry uniform. I have to say, both were rather scary! I also learned about trench art, which wasn't something I'd come across before. Since then, an attractive wire model of Songster has graced the flowerbed close to the Carillon!

The first year I volunteered I staffed the top museum floor; the second year, I was on the first floor museum - see the end of this article for a selection of photographs of some of the artefacts that were on those floors. Access to both floors - and to the clavier room, and the actual bell chamber - is via a wonderful, spiral staircase! Who doesn't love these?! I have to put my claustrophobia to one side, and concentrate fully on putting one foot in front of the other! It's really not unlike climbing to the top of a castle turret - and who doesn't love those, too?! Or climbing the church tower, either to get to the bell chamber, or out onto the roof to see the surrounding countryside!! Or even the tower of the Loughborough Grammar School which is often open during Heritage Open Days in September. When the Carillon tower is open, it is possible to climb to the top and survey the countryside around our wonderful town, and see the actual bells in the bell chamber.

Carillon stairs

Descending the spiral stairs in the parish church

One of the bells in the bell chamber at the parish church

The spiral stairs in the Loughborough Grammar School Tower

In May 1952, the Leicester Evening Mail informed its readers that there was a "small museum inside where war relics are kept". 

In January 1964, the Illustrated Leicester Chronicle included a long description of the "unique building", saying:

 "Anyone may enter the tower to view the bells, at certain times of the day, for a small admission fee, however, one must be warned that there are 138 steps to the top of the tower! Half-way up there is a war-museum, relics brought back from the war by local men who served there." 

A comprehensive description of the contents of the museum then followed, and included both artefacts and documents.

It wasn't until Monday 5th November 1984 that the Carillon was added to the Register of Listed Buildings, and granted Grade II status. 

During the opening season, which I believe is usually Easter to October (but do please check the official website!), the Carillon receives all kinds of visitors, many of whom come from overseas on special visits. Locals and students alike climb the tower, listen to the carillon recitals, and learn from the museum exhibits, and from talking to the volunteer guides, and members of the Carillon team even go out into schools, sharing the story of the wonderful building, and taking along objects that the students can handle and learn more about.   

Last summer we celebrated the 100th anniversary of the completion of the Carillon in July 1923. I believe the weather on the occasion of the opening ceremony was quite reasonable and seasonable, however on 23 July 2023 it rained heavily and constantly! Nevertheless, enthusiasts did turn out for what was a momentous occasion. More recently, the Carillon was the destination for the replica of the Great Paul Bell, which was made from willow, and journeyed from the parish church to Queen's Park via the town centre!

Of course, every November, the Carillon is the focal point for the poignant Service of Remembrance, which is fitting, given its role as the town's war memorial, commemorating not only those who died during the First and Second World Wars, but also in subsequent, and more recent conflict.

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Posted by lynneaboutloughborough

With apologies for typos which are all mine!

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