LEEDS UNIVERSITY Parkinson Tower SE 294348
History
The Parkinson Tower was built in 1950 as the final stage of a large building project by Lanchester, Lucas & Lodge. This Portland Stone faced tower is a landmark of Leeds.
Bells
There are four bells hung for stationary chiming by the clock.
| Bell | Founder | Date | Cwt-Qtr-Lb | Diameter | Note |
| 1 | John Taylor of Loughborough | 1952 | 4-0-18 | D | |
| 2 | John Taylor of Loughborough | 1952 | 6-1-4 | B | |
| 3 | John Taylor of Loughborough | 1952 | 8-3-20 | A | |
| 4 | John Taylor of Loughborough | 1952 | 12-3-8 | G |
Inscriptions
Frame and Fittings
The bells hang in a fabricated girder frame and are struck by external clock hammers.
A
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE BELLS - by Chris Nicholson, estate services.
In early 1952 a sum of money was offered by G W Chapman FSAA to the University
for any luxury the Authorities felt that the University could not otherwise
afford.
It was suggested that a set of chimes might be installed in the Parkinson Tower,
then in March 1951 an estimate was obtained for a set of bell’s to chime the
Westminster chimes at a cost of approximately £1,600. Messrs Gents who gave the
estimate suggested installing synthetic chimes at about half the cost. There was
serious doubts about synthetic chimes and after a lot of investigation at
various installations in Leeds and Bradford and listening to a record of
experimental electronic chimes which had been installed in Leicester, it was
decided that imitation chimes were out of the question.
Having decided on real bells a sub-Committee was formed early in 1952 to
consider the question in detail. After visits had been paid to various Churches
in Leeds to ascertain the minimum size of tenor bell which would have
appropriate dignity, it was decided that a chime of four bells should be
installed with a tenor bell having a pitch no higher then ’A` flat, depending
upon the funds available. Competitive estimates were obtained and an order
placed in September 1952. Owing to the generosity of Mr. Chapman it was found
possible to accept a tender of £1,863 for four bells, the largest of which is
’G’ weighing 13 cwts. The other bells, A, B and D weighed 9, 6 and 4 cwts
respectively, the total chimes weighing nearly 33 cwts.
These bells were cast in October of 1952, by John Taylor and Co. founders of
Loughborough, and were installed in April. Special precautions were taken to
insulate the mechanism, so that hammer blow will not be transmitted through the
tower to the rooms on the fourth floor.
It was also suggested that
an original chime be composed and it was agreed that the chimes “should be
obvious rather then complex, tuneful rather then attempting any particular
melody and should imply the simplest of harmonies - that is, the tonic and
dominant”, and that they should not be reminiscent of the Cambridge (or
“Westminster”) quarters in any way.
Several alternative compositions by Professor Denny from the School of Music
were recorded and carefully considered, and eventually a series was unanimously
approved, to be known as the “Leeds quarter”.
At the first quarter hour they play: -
G A D B G - 5 notes
At the second quarter they play: -
G B A D B A G A B G - 10 notes
At the third quarter they play:-
B A D G B A D B A B D G A D B G - 16 notes
At the hour they chime: -
G B A D B A G A B G A D G B A D B A B D - 21 notes
A ceremony took place on the 14 May 1953, a plaque was unveiled to commemorate
the opening of the Parkinson building and the inaugurate turning on of the bells
at 11.45am by the Chancellor, the Princess Royal, the vice Chancellor, Mr G W
Chapman and guests. The Leeds quarter was heard for the first time at 12 noon.
Sources
ARA visited.
http://reporter.leeds.ac.uk/490/bells.htm