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| Introduction |
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The Carter Ringing Machine was designed and constructed by John Carter
over a period from about 1895 to 1925. Initially the machine was
designed to ring a collection of bells mounted on top of the machine,
with striking being achieved by purely mechanical means. The sound of
the machine was poor, due to the small size of the bells and so when
it became feasible to do so, Mr Carter redesigned the machine to
do the ringing electrically, and a cabinet of bronze handbells was
built. The electrical pulses produced by the machine operate solenoids
with hammers attached. This produces a much nicer tone, essentially
the same as when a team of handbell ringers ring a peal.
Once the machine was completed, Mr Carter gave the machine to the
Central Council of Church Bellringers, and they appoint two Stewards
to ensure that the machine is maintained and kept in working order.
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| History |
| 1925 Article |
| Description |
| Ringing Theory |
| About Bells |
| Bill's Contribution |
| Photo's |
| Settings |
| Components |
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Initially the machine was stored in the Science Museum in London.
After a period during which the machine was essentially just a static
exhibit, and effort was made around 1950 to return the machine to
working order and this was achieved and talks and demonstrations were
given in the Museum. At some point it became clear that the Museum
considered the machine to be a lesser importance and it was relegated
to a storage area. At this point it was decided to move the machine
to the Science Museum in Birmingham which is close to the area where
Mr Carter had lived and worked. After a number of years there it
then suffered the same fate and at that point it was moved to the
Museum at the Tayler Bell Foundry in Loughborough where it remains.
By Bill Purvis - 24th September 2010
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