See bell hoisted into tower at St Albans Abbey

THE first new Abbey bell will be hoisted into the tower on Monday morning.

Members of the public can see history in the making at 11am when the St Jude Bell, which weighs just over a quarter-of-a-tonne, will be hoisted into its final resting place in the Norman Tower.

Under the careful supervision of George Laverick, the Abbey’s clerk of works, the bell will pass through the decorative nave, crossing the ceiling using an electric winch as bell donors, members of the congregation and the local community watch on.

The bell is one of 13 consecrated in a special service last month following years of fundraising to replace the old bells.

The Very Rev Dr Jeffery John, Dean of St Albans, said: “This is another major step towards the completion of the Cathedral’s new bells project. With four decades of fundraising and planning behind us, seeing the first bell ascend into the tower makes another major milestone. Once again I would like to thank all those whose generosity and time has enabled us to get this far.”

“It is a testament to those who designed and constructed the tower over 900 years ago that it is capable of bearing the incredible weight of the new bells. It is however a comfort to know that our architect has volunteered to stand beneath the tower as the first bell is raised.”