“We have heard the chimes...” (from Shakespeare’s King Henry IV, Part 2)

Located in East London, the Whitechapel Bell Foundry has been around for ages. In fact, it was established in 1570 and is Britain’s oldest manufacturing company. Given its long history, it came as no surprise that the foundry is responsible for some of the world’s most famous bells, including Big Ben and the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

After getting our visitor badges, we were met by the foundry manager, Mark Backhouse. Our director, Jenny, shook his hand and he rather humorously joked that she should check a person’s hands before she is willing to shake. Later, we found out that Mark had remnants of loam on his hands and, as you will see, it’s not a particularly pleasant substance!

There were many different rooms in the foundry with craftsmen skilled at specific tasks. One room was devoted to making bell molds, while several smaller rooms were designated to tuning and finishing hand bells.

But, by far, the most impressive part of our visit was witnessing how the larger bells, or church bells, are made. This process is a very time consuming one -- it takes place over a number of days. With just one day alloted to filming at the foundry, we were only able to see the bells being poured, which, in my opinion is the most exciting part.

Several masked men worked to pour molten metal into 6 large bell molds. Jenny stood on a platform very close to the process so that she could get some great film shots of the glowing red/yellow liquid being poured, which is about 2000 degrees fahrenheit. Later, Jenny admitted she was slightly terrified as the molten metal sparked and glowed, but it was well worth it as you will see.

What impressed me most is that everything is done by sheer muscle power and teamwork. And, the process of making bells really has not changed much since Elizabethan times.

Your fearless explorer,

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