On 1st December 2016 Whitechapel Bell Foundry, established in 1570, issued a Press Release:
Whitechapel Bell Foundry Ltd announces, with regret, that by May 2017 it will cease its activities at the Whitechapel Road site that it has occupied since its move there in 1738.
The company intends to complete work on all projects presently in hand during the coming months. It will not be entering into new contracts for the time being whilst discussions with the company’s staff and other interested parties regarding the future direction, ownership, and location of the company are ongoing.
The Guardian picked up the story on Saturday 3rd December 2016, together with this picture, which shows a bell (centre) with ‘Chipping Campden’ clearly chalked on the side.
The Bell was to replace one which had cracked in 2003. The new bell was installed in June 2004.
see also the page on Church Bells
December 2022: The London Bell Foundry, established 2020, was set up to save the historic Whitechapel Bell Foundry. One of its first commissions was the Covid Bell, created by Grayson Perry and cast at the Pangolin Foundry in Stroud.
Comments about this page
The Bell was to replace one which had cracked in 2003. As Church Warden at that time I was responsible for arranging for its replacement. The new bell was installed in June 2004.
Kenneth Boardman