Tower and bells Derby Cathedral has the oldest ring of ten bells in the world. Most of them have been there since 1678, when the number of bells was increased from six to ten. The largest bell weighs 19cwt (965kg), its note is D-flat and it is over 500 years old — older than the tower itself. It is believed that it came from Dale Abbey in Erewash in Derbyshire at the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The youngest bell, no.3, is dated 1693, so all the bells are over 300 years old. Bell no.8 was in Ashbourne parish church until 1815. A carillon in the tower uses the same bells to provide a tune at 9am, 12noon and 6pm. The bells used to hang in a wooden frame; when the church became a cathedral in 1927, the bells were retuned and rehung at a lower level in a new metal frame.
Tower and bells Derby Cathedral has the oldest ring of ten bells in the world. Most of them have been there since 1678, when the number of bells was increased from six to ten. The largest bell weighs 19cwt (965kg), its note is D-flat and it is over 500 years old — older than the tower itself. It is believed that it came from Dale Abbey in Erewash in Derbyshire at the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The youngest bell, no.3, is dated 1693, so all the bells are over 300 years old. Bell no.8 was in Ashbourne parish church until 1815. A carillon in the tower uses the same bells to provide a tune at 9am, 12noon and 6pm The bells used to hang in a wooden frame; when the church became a cathedra.l in 1927, the bells were retuned and rehung at a lower level in a new metal frame.