Comments on: Four Centuries At Whitechapel Bell Foundry

By: William Thomas Kimber – Artist & Craftsman – Jo Hutchings – Aldbourne Archive

Sun, 31 Dec 2023 23:45:35 +0000

[…] https://spitalfieldslife.com/2019/03/24/four-centuries-at-whitechapel-bell-foundry/ Watercolour by William Thomas Kimber of Big Ben standing in the foundry before transit to Westminster. The bell is being examined by George Mears, his wife and daughter. North Wilts Herald December 1936 […]

By: Linda McArdle

Linda McArdle — Thu, 07 Nov 2019 08:41:24 +0000

Iam a direct descendant of the Oliver family who worked at the Whitechapel bell foundry without a break for 250 years and am currently researching the family history. Sarah Oliver, granddaughter of Thomas Lester was bequeathed the foundry under the guidance of Mr Exeter. , Thomas Lester’s Solicitor,. In the will it states that she rents the foundry to Thomas Lester’s nephew Mr Chapman (I have a copy of Thomas Lester’s will) Sarah Oliver’s father was John Oliver who married Thomas Lester’s daughter the only surviving offspring. He had twins who died infancy.Iam appalled that this beautiful building willed be demolished to be replaced by a boutique hotel. Linda McArdle

By: David

David — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 15:11:49 +0000

I live in a small fishing village named Petty Harbour in Newfoundland, pop.950. Our Anglican Church has a bell cast by Whitechapel in the 1840s. Here is the link and some pictures. http://www.ichblog.ca/2017/10/the-1845-whitechapel-bell-at-st-georges.html

By: Di Corry

Di Corry — Sun, 24 Mar 2019 17:04:21 +0000

What a fascinating insight into this amazing and much loved foundry in the East End.
Let us hope that bells in the locality will ring rather than toll……..after Tower Hamlets Planning Committee make their decision.
Keep objecting everyone!

By: Paul Loften

Paul Loften — Sun, 24 Mar 2019 13:26:35 +0000

What an important discovery ! The pamphlet clearly shows the historic significance of the foundry . I cant beleive that the issue of a bijou hotel or where the foundry stands is under discussion. Do we care about history or not. Does it matter. Must we always give way to powerful business interests . The answer is always Yes! and then we look back and say” What were we thinking at the time. Why did we do this awful thing ? “. Save the Whitechapel Bell Foundry !

By: Helen Breen

Helen Breen — Sun, 24 Mar 2019 12:06:44 +0000

Greetings from Boston,

GA, this is an fascinating overview of the Whitechapel Foundry including the fact that Philadelphia’s Liberty Bell was also cast there. Who knew? What a history…

By: Jill Wilson

Jill Wilson — Sun, 24 Mar 2019 09:14:17 +0000

Good find Stefan!

Really interesting stuff, especially the pages about how the bell moulds are made and the inscriptions and decorations are added. And great illustrations of the chimes and carillon set ups.