Ringing the Bells

Nov26

The cityscape of Perth is dominated by a structure which is as unusual as it is beautiful. The Bell Tower, constructed of glass and copper, is a striking combination of angles and curves and overlooks the Swan River from a height of 82.5 metres.

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The tower houses a fascinating collection of bells, both historic and cultural, including a Kenyan camel bell, Kul Kul from Bali and a 450 year old parish church bell from Upton Grey in Hampshire.

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The 18 working bells housed in the Bell Tower are operated by bellringers who practise their art several times a week. In the set are the 12 bells of St Martin-in-the-Fields which are known to have existed since the 14th century. There are also six bells specially cast for the tower including the newest which was added to commemorate the new millennium.

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Find a spot along the river around noon and sit for a while to hear the most ancient of sounds ring out from this unique, contemporary building.

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13 thoughts on “Ringing the Bells”

  1. What an amazing collection of bells. Would love to hear them. Any idea how a 450-year old bell from England ended up there? Maybe taken over as a ship’s bell in the 17th/18th century?

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    • The bells of St-Martin-in-the-Fields were due to be removed and recast because they were too large and causing damage to the belfry. But instead they were gifted to the city of Perth for the Bicentenary in 1988. I couldn’t find any information as to how the bell from Upton Grey came to be here, except that it is one of the more famous bells in the tower’s collection. It would be a romantic story if your idea was correct Denzil.

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