CATHEDRAL BELLS OF BATHURST
- A COMMUNITY PROJECT -
‘Become part of the history of Bathurst’
The City of Bathurst in New South Wales, Australia has the unique distinction of having a set of cathedral bells but no tower in which to house them.
Unfortunately, in the mid 1890s it was discovered that the foundations of the tower were becoming unstable because of the ringing of the bells. It was at this time that they ceased ringing them in the ‘full circle fashion’ and adopted the method of ‘striking’ the bells instead. No one alive has ever heard the bells rung in the manner for which they were originally designed.
When the old Cathedral tower was demolished in 1970, the six bells went into storage in the expectation that a tower would be built one day from which that would be rung again. They have since been refurbished by Taylors, Eayre and Smith of Loughborough, UK. Three new bells have also been purchased and all nine are ready for re-hanging.
It has been planned over the past six years to construct a new tower and educational centre in the grounds of All Saints’ Cathedral in which the original six bells and three new ones will be hung. Indeed, this has been the intention for the past thirty years.
The Official Opening of the tower by the Governor of NSW, Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO, and the Dedication by the Bishop of Bathurst, The Right Reverend Richard Hurford OAM, was held on Saturday, 31st October 2009. A television report can be seen at: http://bathurst.iprime.com.au/index.php/news/prime-news/bathust-bell-tower-open-video,196311
Fundraising is continuing and you are encouraged to support the Project.
Cathedral Bells of Bathurst
Community Committee
Executive Chair: Vacant
Secretary: Mrs Julie Priddle
Fundraising Chair: Mr Maurice McNeil
PO Box 258,
Bathurst, NSW, 2795.
Telephone: (02) 6331 4711.
Email: bxcathedral@ix.net.au
All Saints' Cathedral Website: www.allsaintscathedralbathurst.websyte.com.au
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