Bells of the City of Westminster


 
Fortnum and Mason Store
 

Mayfair, Fortnum and Mason Store, Piccadilly


  • 17 bells hung dead with electronic hammers as a clock and tune chime
  • Tenor: 3-0-11 in G.
  • Grid Ref: TQ292804
  • Rung from: Upstairs Ringing Room
  • Frame: 1962 Mears & Stainbank, 2 tiers

  • The Cambridge quarters striking on the bells(Dickon R Love, 23 Jan 2007)

Details of the Bells

Bell Weight
(most recent)*
Diameter Note Date FounderRetuned
1 0-0-238½" G 1962 Mears & Stainbank, WhitechapelNever
2 0-0-269" F♯ 1962 Mears & Stainbank, WhitechapelNever
3 0-1-69½" F 1962 Mears & Stainbank, WhitechapelNever
4 0-1-39½" E 1962 Mears & Stainbank, WhitechapelNever
5 0-1-1310½" D 1962 Mears & Stainbank, WhitechapelNever
6 0-1-2211" C♯ 1962 Mears & Stainbank, WhitechapelNever
7 0-2-111½" C 1962 Mears & Stainbank, WhitechapelNever
8 0-2-1112" B 1962 Mears & Stainbank, WhitechapelNever
9 0-2-512½" B♭ 1962 Mears & Stainbank, WhitechapelNever
10 0-2-1413" A 1962 Mears & Stainbank, WhitechapelNever
11 0-2-2714" G 1962 Mears & Stainbank, WhitechapelNever
12 0-3-314½" F♯ 1962 Mears & Stainbank, WhitechapelNever
13 0-3-2215" F 1962 Mears & Stainbank, WhitechapelNever
14 0-3-2115½" E 1962 Mears & Stainbank, WhitechapelNever
15 1-1-517" D 1962 Mears & Stainbank, WhitechapelNever
16 1-2-1119" C 1962 Mears & Stainbank, WhitechapelNever
17 3-0-1124" G 1962 Mears & Stainbank, WhitechapelNever

* Source of weight figures: WBF records
 - Hung dead

History

1962 A chime of 17 bells was cast by Mears & Stainbank (June 1962) and installed in a case outside the Fortnum & Mason's store. They were installed in a 4-tier frame with the tenor in the bottom tier. The clock chimes the Cambridge quarters and hour. The clock's two pavilions are cast in solid bronze and have additional clock faces on their outward facing sides. At the front there are hinged doors which open every hour. Through these appear figures of the store's founders, Mr Fortnum and Mr Mason, each about four feet high. As the clock chimes the hour, the figures move forward, turn towards each other and bow. At the end of the chime an eighteenth century air is played on seventeen bells. The airs include The Lass with the Delicate Air, the mignon Gavotte and the Princess Gavotte. As each tune nears its end the two figures bow to each other once again and return totheir respective pavilions.

Gallery


Bells on the top tier.
Photo: Dickon R Love, 2006

Bells on the 3rd tier up.
Photo: Dickon R Love, 2006

Bells on the bottom tier.
Photo: Dickon R Love, 2006

Bells on the bottom tier, including the bourdon in the middle.
Photo: Dickon R Love, 2006

The 3rd tier up from the side.
Photo: Dickon R Love, 2006

Another view of the bottom tier from the side. The window to the road is to the right.
Photo: Dickon R Love, 2006

The middle two tiers.
Photo: Dickon R Love, 2006

The mechanics of the electric clock.
Photo: Dickon R Love, 2006

The control panel for the 17 pairs of solenoids.
Photo: Dickon R Love, 2006

The tune machine that plays the airs.
Photo: Dickon R Love, 2006

The two figures emerging from the clock.
Photo: Dickon R Love, 2006


Love's Guide to the Bells of the City of Westminster Page updated: 15 April 2022