Why the bell towers of England are falling silent

Reasons behind behind the decline of Britain's historic bell foundries

Taylors bell foundry: one bell is bound for Buckfast Abbey, the other for America, 1936
Taylors bell foundry: one bell is bound for Buckfast Abbey, the other for America, 1936 Credit: Photo: Getty Images

SIR – Sadly it is questionable whether the market is any longer capable of sustaining two bell foundries in Britain (Sacred Mysteries, October 10). Many factors must have contributed to the historic Taylors of Loughborough bell foundry falling into the hands of administrators.

Much of the routine re-hanging and maintenance business which complemented core bell casting work has been lost to smaller firms. The burden of regulation handed down from government and EU may have played their part.

The activities of such unaccountable conservation bodies such as English Heritage have not helped – blocking new bell projects such as that proposed for Great Malvern Priory, for the sake of preserving some clapped-out and inaccessible old bell frame.

It seems that preservationists would rather see bells fall silent than enable renewal that is necessary for ringing to continue. Who cares for the living heritage of bell-founding and change-ringing – arts and crafts handed down to us in "the ringing isle" over many centuries?

Robert Lewis
Winchester, Hampshire

SIR – Given the willingness of wealthy businessmen to pour money into football clubs, such as nearby Notts County, would it not be wonderful if some of this money could find its way to save Taylors, and enable it to cast new bells and carry on business alongside other local successful companies, like car manufacturers?

David Roome
Ridlington, Rutland