Richard Keene of Woodstock tried three times to recast the bell, in the process increasing its weight from two to over six tons, but it was not until a final recasting in 1680—by Christopher Hodson, a bell-founder from London—that success was achieved, and the resulting bell, Great Tom, was hung in the newly completed Tom Tower. It was rehung in May 1953. There is an inscription on the bell in Latin, which translated reads: "Great Thomas the door closer of Oxford renovated April 8, 1680 in the reign of Charles II. Deacon John, the Bishop of Oxford and sub-Deacon give thanks to the knowledge of Henry Smith and the care and workmanship of Christopher Hodson". Great Tom is still sounded 101 times every night, which signifies the 100 original scholars of the college plus one (added in 1663). It is rung at 21:05 current UK time, which corresponds to 21:00 in what used to be "Oxford time" (local mean time for Oxford, noon in Oxford always occurring five minutes later than noon in Greenwich), and was at one time the signal for all the Oxford colleges to lock their gates. The bell is only rung by swinging on very special occasions. The bell is the subject of a number of Oxfordshire Morris tunes and rounds, including "Old Tom of Oxford" (from Bampton), and the rounds "Great Tom Is Cast" and "Bonny Christ Church Bells", which were composed by the Dean of Christ Church, Henry Aldrich (1647–1710). However, "Great Tom Is Cast" is also credited to Matthew White written in 1667. The two versions are identical except for two notes. Considering the dates, it is likely that White is the real author of the piece. See also Magdalen Tower, Oxford Oxford Society of Change Ringers Notes References Jennifer Sherwood and Nikolaus Pevsner, The Buildings of England: Oxfordshire. . Wren Society vol 5: "Designs of Sir Christopher Wren for Oxford, Cambridge..." (1928). External links Images of Tom Tower W. H. Auden (1907–1973) Under Tom Tower by Richard Ellmann* Great Tom bell History of legal time in Britain by Joseph Myers Towers completed in 1682 Christ Church, Oxford Towers in Oxford Bell towers in the United Kingdom Christopher Wren buildings Tourist attractions in Oxford 1682 establishments in England