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Britain’s last remaining bellfoundry saved with £3.45m National Lottery funding
The last remaining major bellfoundry in Britain has been saved just in time for Christmas, thanks to £3.45m from the National Lottery.
Since 1859, the iconic Loughborough Bellfoundry, home to John Taylor & Co bellfounders, has cast more than 25,000 bells that are hung in over 100 countries, in churches, cathedrals, universities and public buildings. 20 million people in Britain, and hundreds of millions worldwide, hear a bell cast at the Loughborough Bellfoundry every day.
Bells from the foundry have even entered popular culture – the bells from St Thomas’s Church, in Fifth Avenue, New York, which can be heard on The Pogues and Kirsty McColl’s Christmas anthem Fairytale of New York, were cast at the site.
Britain’s last remaining bellfoundry saved with £3.45m National Lottery funding
The last remaining major bellfoundry in Britain has been saved just in time for Christmas, thanks to £3.45m from the National Lottery.
Since 1859, the iconic Loughborough Bellfoundry, home to John Taylor & Co bellfounders, has cast more than 25,000 bells that are hung in over 100 countries, in churches, cathedrals, universities and public buildings. 20 million people in Britain, and hundreds of millions worldwide, hear a bell cast at the Loughborough Bellfoundry every day.
Bells from the foundry have even entered popular culture – the bells from St Thomas’s Church, in Fifth Avenue, New York, which can be heard on The Pogues and Kirsty McColl’s Christmas anthem Fairytale of New York, were cast at the site.
Historic Loughborough bellfoundry saved from closure with £5m lifeline
The cash will pay for much needed repairs and training for a new generation of bellmakers
Loughborough Bellfoundry
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image captionThe foundry uses traditional techniques and its bells are used all over the world
Britain s last traditional bell foundry has had its future secured with £3.45m of National Lottery funding.
John Taylor & Co has been at the same site in Loughborough, Leicestershire, since 1859 but can trace its heritage back to the 14th Century.
The money will contribute to a £5m fund for urgent repairs to buildings and equipment, as well as a training and education programme.
Staff at the foundry said the news was the best possible Christmas present .
image captionThe Victorian buildings have been in need of repair for some time