UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL
Media release
Great George to observe Queen Mother's funeral

Great George, the bell in the tower of the Wills Memorial Building, will be playing his part when the nation observes the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother on Tuesday, April 9. At 11.30 am, six ringers from the University of Bristol Society of Change Ringers (UBSCR) will swing the mighty bell.

The sound of the bell is a familiar one across Bristol, telling the time for people during the day as the bell is struck automatically by its clock hammer. But the sound at the start of the Queen Mother's funeral service will be much richer and louder because Great George will be swung by its rope and wheel, allowing its own clapper to strike the bell lip and produce its unforgettable E-flat tone. This task requires at least three ringers.

Matthew Tosh, General Secretary of the UBSCR, said: ' The last time Great George was 'rung' was to celebrate the centenary of the birth of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.

'This will be a very fitting tribute to a lady whose father-in-law, King George V, officially opened the Wills Memorial Building only a few short months after her marriage to the future King George VI.'

Back to archive

Email: public-relations@bristol.ac.uk
Copyright: 2001 The University of Bristol, UK
Updated: Monday, 08-Apr-2002 09:36:49 BST