Information on Loughborough

Loughborough Carillon Week 2007

Posted on 16/07/2007
P. Klein

caroline sharpeToday (16th July 2007) saw the start of Loughborough Carillon Week to commemorate the opening of the tower in July 1923.

A week of recitals was started today by Caroline Sharpe from Loughborough (pictured) who started with Memorial Chime - a piece written by Elgar especially for Loughborough Carillon and played at the inaugural recital given by Chavalier Jef Denyn of Malines, Belgium on the 22nd July 1923.

The Carillon was built by William Moss and Sons Ltd to commemorate those who laid down their lives during the Great War, 1914 - 1918 and subsequently those of the Second World War and later conflicts. The 47 bells were forged locally by Taylor Bells, the largest weighing over 4 tonnes. It still stands as the first carillon war memorial and the first Grand Carillon in Great Britain.

caroline sharpe, mike jones, marj jonesToday, fortunately, the weather was sunny, and the peel of Bells across the park was heard by many people enjoying the park and the sun during their lunchtime. However if you have never seen a Chavalier playing a carillon it is highly recommended that you take the opportunity during one of the recitals over the next few days. You will then appreciate not the skill that goes into playing. You might want to miss going to the top of the Carillon to appreciate the views - it would be rather noisy.

Present at the Carillon to hear the recital was County Council Chairman Mike Jones and wife Marj Jones.

Further information

The recitals this week are:

Monday 16th: Caroline Sharpe - Loughborough

Tuesday 17th: Caroline Sharpe - Loughborough

Wednesday 18th: Brian Saddington - Loughborough

Thursday 19th: Ray Aldington - Bournville

Friday 20th: Michael Boyd - Saltley

Saturday 21st: Trevor Workman - Bournville

Sunday 22nd: Isaac Wong - Honorary Carillonist, University of Sydney

All recitals are 13:00 to 14:00 except Sunday which will be 15:30 to 16:30

Pictures inside and from the can be viewed in our photograph albums: Carillon Photographs

Phototographs of the recital and visit by Mike & Marj Jones can be viewed here