I went to Cornhill shortly before they were recast, and I didn't think they were that bad. In fatc I spoke to someone who'd been there just before they were recast, and he said that he was hoping they were awful, but though they wern't that bad. St. Paul's are worse that what Cornhill were! (P.S. I haven't heard the new bells yet, but I probably will one day.)
Cornhill were a typical example of an old-style 12, but Chelmsford are supposed to be Simpson tuned! They sound awful, apart from the 5th and 6th which sound like Simpson bells, but the back bells have horribly sharp primes. Apparently, Warners did not know how to tune the prime and none of the bells have been cut in the crown. perhaps one day they will get the fate they deserve!
Well let me say for a start, my Father Ernie Rowe hung these bells. the are hung on two levels and one thing is for sure they are a shocking sounding peal, that sound in my humble opinion like lumps fo old lead, They should have been cast as a modern peal with simspon tuning but alas it didnt happen. Contrast this to another peal my Dad hung that of St Mary Le Bow, surely the best sounding 12 in London I feel
@simonbellringer The thing that makes Chelmsford the worst is the fact that you can get good ringing at Cornhill but Chelmsford can't be rung well and sound a little worse than Cornhill. Mind you Chelmsford have been rehung recently...
@1988OA Well, I only had the front 8, but they didnt leave a huge impact on me... the go wasnt brilliant, the sound wasnt wither, and as for THAT monstrosity of a tower.... ugghhhh!!
@simonbellringer Ringing at Chester Cathedral on the front does not sound good whether it be 5, 6, 8 or 10. The back 10 sound a lot better than the full 12.
@simonbellringer I agree with you on the tower, the only reason why the bells were moved over was because the dean at the time wanted to get his name on it!
@KDowner94: Don't let their weight mislead you into thinking they're grand. These bells are just old junk and Whitechapel should have done a far better job in the 60s. Besides, they are also tricky to ring because the tower is too small to comfortably contain a 42 cwt twelve.
Probably the London Ringers don't trust the Whitechapel foundry after what they did for Cornhill 50 years ago!
@SrWilson3s: yes, with a 30 cwt twelve to be cast by Taylors.
As I've said one someone else's video, its going to be interesting to hear a brand new 30 cwt twelve, considering that all of the recent new twelves have been in the 25 cwt region.
I'm very glad that I got to ring on these noteworthy bells as their days are numbered!
worst sound in the world.
hdzz 6 months ago
I went to Cornhill shortly before they were recast, and I didn't think they were that bad. In fatc I spoke to someone who'd been there just before they were recast, and he said that he was hoping they were awful, but though they wern't that bad. St. Paul's are worse that what Cornhill were! (P.S. I haven't heard the new bells yet, but I probably will one day.)
lunaticonthegrass111 8 months ago
I look forward to hearing the new ring in full voice =)
SrWilson3s 9 months ago
I here these have now been test rung in the tower (31st may)
bellminsterboy 9 months ago
Ok I take my word back - this twelve were really awful - cant wait for the new ones
KDowner94 10 months ago
Cornhill were a typical example of an old-style 12, but Chelmsford are supposed to be Simpson tuned! They sound awful, apart from the 5th and 6th which sound like Simpson bells, but the back bells have horribly sharp primes. Apparently, Warners did not know how to tune the prime and none of the bells have been cut in the crown. perhaps one day they will get the fate they deserve!
95tupolev 10 months ago
Well let me say for a start, my Father Ernie Rowe hung these bells. the are hung on two levels and one thing is for sure they are a shocking sounding peal, that sound in my humble opinion like lumps fo old lead, They should have been cast as a modern peal with simspon tuning but alas it didnt happen. Contrast this to another peal my Dad hung that of St Mary Le Bow, surely the best sounding 12 in London I feel
topshed34a 1 year ago
'Known to be the 2nd worst ring of bells in the world'. Hmm! You can't really know something that is subjective though can you!
timmeh1507 1 year ago
OK, where are THE worst ring, if these are only second?
simonbellringer 1 year ago
@simonbellringer:... 2nd worst ring of 12 but not second worst ring in general.
People say that THE worst ring of 12 is Chelmsford Cathedral- a complete Warner 12!
Whittingtons 1 year ago
@Whittingtons OK, going on sound, I dont think Chelmsford are any worse, apart from the dodgy front ones...
I didnt like Chester Cathedral much though. THey were hard to ring, and didnt sound too great (judging by the front 8 - we didnt get 10 or 12!!)
simonbellringer 1 year ago
@simonbellringer The thing that makes Chelmsford the worst is the fact that you can get good ringing at Cornhill but Chelmsford can't be rung well and sound a little worse than Cornhill. Mind you Chelmsford have been rehung recently...
Whittingtons 1 year ago
@Whittingtons There is a video of Chelmsford from Mr Louiseisyourdog and they are being rung well, and sound quite reasonable!
timmeh1507 1 year ago
@timmeh1507
But they've been rehung recently so it will be much easier to get good ringing on them. Reasonable?!
Whittingtons 1 year ago
@simonbellringer
Chester are an excellent 12 in my humble opinion. Certainly shouldnt be included with the like of these
1988OA 7 months ago
@1988OA Well, I only had the front 8, but they didnt leave a huge impact on me... the go wasnt brilliant, the sound wasnt wither, and as for THAT monstrosity of a tower.... ugghhhh!!
simonbellringer 7 months ago
@simonbellringer Ringing at Chester Cathedral on the front does not sound good whether it be 5, 6, 8 or 10. The back 10 sound a lot better than the full 12.
WrongAndHome 6 months ago
@WrongAndHome One to return to then!! Shocking tower Chester have thoughh... The new bells sound so much better, the tenor here is shocking!!
simonbellringer 6 months ago
@simonbellringer I agree with you on the tower, the only reason why the bells were moved over was because the dean at the time wanted to get his name on it!
WrongAndHome 6 months ago
@Whittingtons Chelmsford are lovely
bellminsterboy 1 year ago
@Whittingtons Can I suggest these bells held a joint 1st place for worst twelve, along with Shepton Beauchamp?
fartwell2000 11 months ago
I guess the old ones they keep will be hung dead and chimed or something.
SrWilson3s 1 year ago
Its a shame that these are being replaced 'cos these sound really very grand. Why arent they going to Whitechapel - its only down the road!!!
KDowner94 1 year ago
@KDowner94: Don't let their weight mislead you into thinking they're grand. These bells are just old junk and Whitechapel should have done a far better job in the 60s. Besides, they are also tricky to ring because the tower is too small to comfortably contain a 42 cwt twelve.
Probably the London Ringers don't trust the Whitechapel foundry after what they did for Cornhill 50 years ago!
Whittingtons 1 year ago
They aren't THAT BAD lol but yea it will be interesting to hear the new ring.
I wonder if these bells are being scrapped or going elsewhere...
SrWilson3s 1 year ago
@SrWilson3s: some are being left in the tower but I presume the others will be scrapped.
Whittingtons 1 year ago
Arent these being replaced soon?
SrWilson3s 1 year ago
@SrWilson3s: yes, with a 30 cwt twelve to be cast by Taylors.
As I've said one someone else's video, its going to be interesting to hear a brand new 30 cwt twelve, considering that all of the recent new twelves have been in the 25 cwt region.
I'm very glad that I got to ring on these noteworthy bells as their days are numbered!
Whittingtons 1 year ago