St Mary's Church Carillon

George Houghton · Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2007 12:59 pm Post subject: St Mary's Church Carillon

"St Mary's Lowe House", Roman Catholic Church in St Helens Merseyside, have just finished the refurbishment of a unique 1930s 47 Bell Carillon.
The largest bell weighs 4tons 4cwt.
A public recital is planned for Saturday 21st April to celebrate the completed work.
Free tickets for the event can be obtained by Telephone at 01744 22077 more details can be obtained through the following link.
http://www.stmaryslowehouse.co.uk/pages/the-carillon

Regards
George.
_________________
Dont despair. (Moses was once a basket case)

Ben Jackson · Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2007 9:14 pm Post subject:

Hi George,
Thanks for posting the link about the carillon.
There is a carillon in Loughborugh in the park, the bells were at Taylors Bell Foundery which is at Loughborugh. I like listening to music played on carillons , I've got a tape of the one at Loughbourgh being played. I came good freind of the person who played the carillon at Loughbough,I've not been at the tower were the carillon is in the park Loughborugh for about 3 or 4 years.
Ben Very Happy

George Houghton · Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 12:24 pm Post subject:

Hi Ben.
Sorry for the late reply to your post.
The St Marys Lowe House Bells were also cast at Taylors of Loughborough who are world famous for their skill in Bell making.
Just imagine the skill required in casting bells from small hand bells to ones weighing over 4 tons and the finished article sounding the correct note.
Unfortunately circumstances arose that stopped me attending the event so I was unable to get a recording to post on here.
As a young man I heard the St Mary's Carillon played many times especially on New Years Eve, but it has been seldom heard in recent years.
Rumour has it that the Lady who played the Carillon keyboard liked to mix popular music with religious music and the Priest at that time and she had a difference of opinion that resulted in the Carillon not being played for many years and not being maintained.
Fortunately someone has had the foresight to obtain grants and get it restored to its former glory so that future generations can appreciate it.

Regards
George
_________________
Dont despair. (Moses was once a basket case)

Peter Jordan · Posted: Fri May 18, 2007 8:24 pm Post subject:

It is true that there was a difference of opinion over the sort of music that should be played on the St. Helens carillon but the carillonneur was not a man but a lady called Enid Carpenter. She died only recently, unfortunately before the carillon had been restored.

Here near my home in Bournville we have a 48-bell Gillett & Johnston carillon. Anyone wishing for further information put 'Bournville Carillon' into your search engine and you'll find our website. You can visit to see the instrument being played when recitals are given on Saturdays.

Peter Jordan

Secretary, Friends of Bournville Carillon

George Houghton · Posted: Sat May 19, 2007 12:24 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the Info Peter .
I have edited my post where appropiate.

I have had a look at the Bournville site, there are some good sound samples on there for anybody interested .

I was rather sad not to be able to record the St Marys Carillon but maybe they will add a recording on their web site in the near future.

Regards
George.
_________________
Dont despair. (Moses was once a basket case)