Comments on: Nigel Taylor, Tower Bell Production Manager

By: alice fytton

alice fytton — Sat, 21 Sep 2019 06:56:31 +0000

re-opening the foundry must be possible! There is the will, money must follow from wherever it is now… Certainly contacting Prince Charles is an idea. Canary wharf global finance might help if they get some favourable publicity out of it.

By: Trevor Brigham

Trevor Brigham — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 14:32:32 +0000

I lived and worked in London for 20 years and know the site. I was already aware of what happened to the firm through my local church which had used them in the past, but I was appalled to see the plans for the foundry, which until its closure was one of the last traditional businesses in the Whitechapel area after the demise of the local breweries some years ago. Reinstating the foundry business would provide full-time employment for future generations of professional workers using a mix of traditional and cutting edge modern skills: compare that with the jobs available in the average hotel. I have sent in my letter of objection.

By: Nicholas Keeble

Nicholas Keeble — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 15:03:47 +0000

Thank you for this excellent piece.

It really is disingenuous for Alan Baxter Associates to assert in the Heritage Impact summary of the Design & Access Statement that

The proposals by Raycliff are for a conservation-led scheme that has several important benefits. These benefits are as follows:

• Reinstating the historic foundry use

as though nothing would change! Just contemptuous, and I have of course objected.

By: Mike Chambers

Mike Chambers — Mon, 11 Feb 2019 19:37:12 +0000

I have been a bell ringer for 20 years and I think it would be a shame if Whitechapel was redeveloped. I did visit the foundry a few years ago and would be sorry to see it disappear for good.

By: Mark Houghton

Mark Houghton — Mon, 11 Feb 2019 14:27:43 +0000

I always used to visit the foundry with each of my visits to London with my four children. The sheer history and significance of the foundry has to be saved… Surely the Church of England could also lend their support? I will write my objection this week. Such a tragedy if this were to be lost!

By: Nicola Taylor

Nicola Taylor — Sun, 10 Feb 2019 23:23:06 +0000

Thank you for bringing this to our attention. It is so important to retain such buildings and businesses as a vital reminder of historic London. How much more vibrant to have such a business in Whitechapel than yet another hotel. What a sad tale as to how the Foundry came to be closed. I have sent in my objection to the ridiculous hotel plan and hope that the Council will see fit to enable the Foundry to fire up again and continue its bell-making tradition.

By: Andy Willoughby

Andy Willoughby — Sun, 10 Feb 2019 20:08:22 +0000

Have sent my objection.

By: Robert Land

Robert Land — Sun, 10 Feb 2019 20:07:57 +0000

As a Londoner and as someone whose family, the Olivers, worked at the Bellfoundry for generations I wish all the luck in world to those involved in his struggle.

By: Sir Norman Rosenthal

Sir Norman Rosenthal — Sun, 10 Feb 2019 19:20:49 +0000

Just remember for one moment “Oranges and Lemons” and the urgent need to keep the Whitechapel Bell Foundry going for ever and a day – or at least for as long as there is a London Town becomes totally obvious. Or to slightly paraphrase Shakespeare: I can hear a church by daylight!”

By: Mary

Mary — Sun, 10 Feb 2019 14:02:37 +0000

Clearly the future of he Whitechapel Bell Foundry is a highly contentious issue, but the part that absolutely appals me is the role of Historic England (formerly English Heritage), the very body that is supposed to protect our heritage.
The banner headline on the H.E. website declares “We protect, champion and save places that define who we are”. Surely then the preservation of the oldest bell foundry in the world and one of the oldest businesses in the UK that have produced bells of such historical significance to countries across the globe, would be a priority for Historic England, but no, they are quoted as saying “We welcome the heritage led approach” to Raycliff Capital’s plan.
Historic England is a funded by H.M. Government via the Dept. of Culture, Media and Sport and is run by an executive committee. One of the executive positions is Director of Policy and Evidence, currently held by Ian Morrison who is “finding new ways to protect England’s historic environment and maximise its value to the public”. His biographical notes state that he is a former CEO of the Architectural Heritage Fund “where he successfully expanded the charity’s advice, grant and loans services to help meet the growing demand of enterprising communities wishing to repair and reuse historic buildings they value”.
As one of Raycliff Capital’s challenge’s to the UKHBPT and Factum Arte plan is their lack of national funding, perhaps it is time Mr Morrison and his cohorts at Historic England started acting in the interests of the public rather than big business and “put their money where their mouth is”?