Bells ring out for Christmas as historic foundry is saved
THE bells were ringing out for Christmas at Loughborough’s famous bellfoundry after it was saved from closure thanks to a multimillion pound lifeline.
The historic bellfoundry, founded in Victorian times, was at serious risk of permanent closure without urgent repairs, but a grant of £3.45 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, along with match-funding, has secured the factory’s future and removed it from the Heritage at Risk register.
Home to John Taylor & Co bellfounders, the centre has cast 25,000 bells that are hung in more than 100 countries, in church, cathedrals, universities and public buildings, with some 20 million people in Britain, and hundreds of millions worldwide, hearing a bell cast at the Loughborough bellfoundry every day.
The funds will go towards repairs and protecting the foundry from further decay and will also be used to train a new generation in bell-making skills, deliver an engagement and outreach programme, increase access to the archive, and expand production and develop the on-site bell museum as a heritage destination.
The money has been awarded to The Loughborough Bellfoundry Trust, a non-profit organisation responsible for the protection of the Grade II-listed buildings and the museum and archive.
Hannah Taylor, chairwoman of the trust, said: “This news is the best possible Christmas present and will ensure that the foundry, its buildings, the museum and rare archive will be protected, and that Loughborough bells are heard and enjoyed
The bellfoundry is the perfect example of why we invest National Lottery money in our heritage
Ros Kerslake
by many future generations around the world. “As well as to protect the site, our aim is to make the Loughborough Bellfoundry the global centre for the art of bellmaking and learning and provide an engaging and exciting visitor experience.
“Thanks to National Lottery players, we can do exactly that.” Bellfounders John Taylor & Co employ a team of 30, with a range of highly specialist heritage skills including casting, tuning and finishing bells. It produces all of the associated parts and mechanisms such as frames, headstocks, wheels, hand-bells, carillons and bell ropes.
Ros Kerslake, of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “The Loughborough Bellfoundry is the perfect example of why we invest National Lottery money in our heritage – it creates jobs, encourages tourism, keeps heritage skills alive and most of all, ensures a future for a unique and valuable heritage that makes all our lives better.
“I am delighted to be able to share
this news at Christmas. It’s a wonderful way to end a challenging year for all of us, not least our heritage organisations.
“We are looking forward to a brighter future for the Loughborough Bellfoundry in 2021.”
Like many of the UK’s heritage assets, the trust has been affected massively by the coronavirus crisis.
It received a £93,300 Heritage Emergency Fund grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund earlier this year and £246,500 from the government’s Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage, as well as a
£499,918 Heritage At Risk Urgent Repairs Grant from Historic England.
Heritage Minister Nigel Huddleston said: “Heard by millions of people across the world everyday, bells produced by Taylor’s bellfoundry are an example of a great British export success story and an important part of our cultural heritage.
“I am delighted that, with this grant, a new generation will learn bell-making skills and the museum will be developed into an exciting tourist destination, safeguarding the future of our heritage.”