PL. 01
Ropewalk shift bell
1996.1.1
1868
Cast by Hollis & Pardew, bellfounders, Orwick
Bronze bell, iron bracket, hemp pull rope
38 cm high, 34 cm diameter at the mouth
Transferred with the building by Tarrow Town Council, 1996
Long Gallery
This bell hung over the ropewalk gate from 1868 until the works closed in 1971. It rang four times a day: 6:30 am, noon, 12:30 pm and 5 pm. The walkers at the far end, 330 metres away, set their pace by it.
On the last day, Doug Farrant rang it at 5 pm and then again at 5:05. The wage book for that week has one line in the margin: “Bell rung twice. No reason given.” The crack along the lip came from a frost in 1902. It still rings, a little flat.
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