One of Europe’s most famous Churches will soon be having a ring of bells.

According to Mlle Esme Ralda, secretary of the newly formed Societe des Sonneurs Francais, work is to start on 1st April, to prepare for the installation of a ringing peal at the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris.

The new peal will be revolutionary in ringing terms. It will comprise 25 bells, tuned to an equal temperament, on a chromatic scale. This will enable tunes to be rung on the two octaves, as well as interesting new developments in change ringing. The new tenor is expected to weigh around 4500 kg, or 88 cwt.

Because of difficulties in getting all the bells into one tower, the ring is to be split between the two Western towers of the Cathedral, with even numbered bells in the North Western tower, and odd numbered bells in the South Western. This should provide an interesting stereophonic effect for listeners.

In order to aid ringing on the larger bells, sensing devices will be fitted to the wheels, which will detect the load applied to the headstock, and its direction. This will then be used to control an electric motor, driving (through a gearbox and clutch) on to the gudgeons. It is believed that this is the first time that power assisted strapping has been used anywhere.

In the twin ringing chambers, all ringers will stand on boxes, inside each of which will be a screw jack, to enable the height of the boxes to be adjusted to suit ringers of differing stature. In addition to this, the conductor will be provided with a remote control, to simultaneously raise or lower both ringing floors, in order to vary the speed of ringing.

The newly elected ringing master, Monsieur Q Modo, said “This exciting project will ensure that French ringing leads the world. We will have more bells than the Bull Ring, and a heavier tenor than Liverpool. At last we will be able to beat the English at their own game. We have never forgiven them for Agincourt, Waterloo, or Cliff Richard.” (The remainder of M Modo’s comments have been withheld, in the interests of international relations.)

One of the first events planned for the new ring will be the international 25 bell striking competition, which will be open to any association, provided that they have a ring of 25 within their territorial area. M Modo has told us that if a team from outside France enters, he will switch the electric motors for the power assisted strapping into reverse.

VIVE LA FRANCE!

1st April
Courtesy of Peter Soar