Gogglebox vicar in a divine visit to foundry
CAMPAIGN TO AP-PEEL TO HERITAGE
GoGGLebox vicar Kate bottley has been filmed visiting Loughborough’s historic bell foundry as part of a push to promote tourist attractions hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
The reality TV star, Church of england priest and radio presenter was filmed on a private tour of the Swan Street works, which have been making bells since 1859.
Rev bottley, who has her own show on bbC Radio 2, made the trip to Leicestershire from her home in Retford, Nottinghamshire, as part of a Historic england campaign.
The government-sponsored organisation is looking to encourage visitors to return to once-popular attractions once lockdown eases through it’s Uncover More initiative. And it appears that the 46-year-old was impressed by what she saw.
“The first thing that struck me, as I came through those great big doors, was the vastness of the space and how small I felt within it,” she said.
“I felt like I’d been transported to another world entirely. It’s like the Narnia of bells. It’s the uniqueness of a place like this. This is an individual place which over the years has grown and evolved.
“It’s like a living, breathing creature that creates these amazing and beautiful objects.”
The famous bell foundry was saved from closure at the end of last year thanks to a £3.5 million grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, removing it from the “at risk” register.
Home to John Taylor & Co bellfounders, the centre has cast more than 25,000 bells that are hung in churches and public buildings in more than 100 countries.
The investment was to protect the foundry from further decay, train a new generation of bell makers and develop its on-site bell museum as a heritage attraction.
Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic england, said: “We hope that seeing these familiar faces discover the delights of some of the nation’s incredible heritage will engage and excite people, motivating them to find out more for themselves.
“The last year has been an extremely challenging time and the joy of discovering the heritage on our doorsteps provides an emotional anchor for many of us, as access restrictions open up.”
To find out more about the heritage campaign, go to:
I felt like I’d been transported to another world entirely. It’s like the Narnia of bells Rev Kate Bottley at the bell foundry