Westminster Abbey Bells - 20/5/17 - Cambridge Surprise Royal

On 20/5/17 I was lucky enough to be invited to ring at Westminster Abbey.
Here is part of the Cambridge Surprise Royal we rang,
They are a lovely Whitechapel 1971 ten (Tenor 30-1-15 in D)

[@daisy13joyce]

Such a lovely sound. Used to hear it regularly as a child, but rarely hear it now

[@spuds4t]

Only just spotted this delightful, well struck touch on these lovely bells, great performance by the lady on the Tenor, well done.

[@MrDoncaster10]

Fantastic, I can only dream about ringing here one day.

[@maidstone10]

MrDoncaster10 .... keep that dream, it may come true, it did for me and it can for you

[@jasonburnet9181]

Absolutely stunning

[@robchilds2174]

i have rung here twice. Very easy to get good ringing on. I'm going again on new years day 2021

[@RingerJamie]

Wonderful - Rang here early February this year witch given COVID happening started the year off well!

[@Steven_Rowe]

lovely ringing and very well struck. I must admit I think 10 bell ringing sounds the best. It is the perfect balance. I find 8 can be lacking as far as the pattern of the heavy bells and the small bells changing in between but 12 bells can sound a bit busy unless it is a very heavy peal such as slow riinging Yorkminster. Whilst I love Whitechapel bells as dad was a bell hanger for them I do feel a similar weight Taylor 10 always seems to have more breath.

[@chrocket]

Very beautiful!! I too hope to ring at the Abbey one day. I'd love to hear how you got your invitation!!

[@silviaruhsen4666]

So very good

[@TheConsettonian1987]

I would love to ring here

[@maidstone10]

Paul NUFC Smith You just never know. I didn't think I ever would

[@TheConsettonian1987]

maidstone10 I hope so and it’s my ambition to ring there and St Paul’s Cathedral too.

[@YellowLegoBrick436]

Ringable

[@Steven_Rowe]

One of the last jobs my dad did for Whitechapel before we moved to Aus I. 1971. So Graham how do they compare with Maidstone??? Taylor tenors have more breathe than Whitechapel. Whitechapel trebles really sing. My old man always said Whitechapel for trebles and Taylor's for tenors

[@maidstone10]

I loved them. Crisp and musical, go like tops. It's hard to compare to be honest, they are entirely different to each other but each have their own merits. If i was asked which tenor i wanted to listen to on It's own out of the two it would have to be Maidstone. The Westminster Abbey tenor didn't wow me but the overall ring is rather lovely

[@Steven_Rowe]

@@maidstone10 I under stand the wow factor of Taylor tenors Nothing wows me more than classic Taylor tenor Pre WW2 ones seem better but they all have breathe than a similar weight Whitechapel bell

[@Steven_Rowe]

@@maidstone10 one other thing I would say after listening to the Argyle Surprise Royal at Maidstone is Taylor bells are more mellow and have glow. A Whitechapel peaal would sing.more. I think they are both as good but when it comes to heavy metal,Taylor's or good old Gillett bells are ahead.

[@RingerThomas]

@@maidstone10 The Westminster Abbey tenor lacks breath. I’d recommend a Wooden Shafted Clapper. It would make it sing. Maidstone are on another level to Westminster abbey. I’d wonder what they would sound like if they were cast in the 1930’s. Shame because back then Taylor’s were making good peals. In the 1950’s they were okay. I’m glad they didn’t stretch Maidstone.

[@klausmartinbracht-bj2sr]

Warum gibt bellringing nicht in Deutschland? That's a pity.

[@johnentwhistlesurelysamsun1840]

Wich tower are they hung in, i know they where restored in 1971

[@AshleyMonck69]

North West. Directly behind the clock faces

[@louiseake1899]

Which one is you?

[@thomassaunders7914]

How do you get invited to ring at Westminster abbey

[@davros_adl8155]

Know the right people and ring very well basically (haven't rung there but I know people who have)

[@finjay21fj]

What are all those orange screens going on there? (/°•°)/?

[@davros_adl8155]

The peal boards?

[@mr.communist3906]

Where’s the surprise royal? ;)

[@Steven_Rowe]

Surprise Royal relates to the method they are ringing.

[@mr.communist3906]

@@Steven_Rowe Looking back, regardless of which way it's meant, it turns out cringe, but I meant as in, where's the surprise royal family member (Surprise Royal) lol

[@davros_adl8155]

@@Steven_Rowe It is a nice co-incidence that Royal refers to the methods usually rung at the tower that's as Royal as you can get.

[@maryeammalallah5870]

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