Solved: the mystery of the school bell!
Following our request last year for information about the source of the bell in the tower above the School, several Old Marians sent us their memories: some never realised there was a bell, and some wondered how you got to the tower. No-one knew how we had acquired the bell, which bears the name “H.M.S. Triumph 1946”.
Then, when researching something completely different, at least part of the answer came to light.
Sir Richard Powell, Old Marian, Governor and at that time Permanent Secretary to the Board of Trade, was approached in November 1964 by the then Headmaster, Mr Darby, and asked if he could possibly help the School to acquire a ship’s bell: apparently such things came up for sale quite regularly! Application was made for one of the three largest bells (smaller ones not being suitable for the tower) but preference was given to those who had “naval” reasons for the purchase and the Headmaster’s application was refused. In January 1969 Mr Darby once again looked into acquiring a bell from the Navy, receiving a list of bells for sale: the Triumph does not appear in this list.
However, in February 1973 the Minutes of the Property and Finance Committee state that “Thanks to the good offices of Sir Richard Powell the Governors had been offered and agreed to purchase from the Ministry of Defence the Ship’s Bell of H.M.S. Triumph. Naval Workshops had also been instructed to provide a new clapper as required for this bell.” In June 1973 a clapper had been obtained from Messrs Robey and Utley as the Admiralty were unable to supply one. It would seem that QMGS had bought a bell that needed refurbishment.
In September 1973 further information was provided to the Buildings Sub Committee of the Governors. The bell founders Messrs J. Taylor & Co (still in business, see taylorbells.co.uk) had advised that it would not be possible to ring the bell manually by means of a rope, having regard to the way in which
the bell tower was constructed. The suggestion was that an electric vibrator be provided for the bell which would then be rung electrically from somewhere in the School. The idea of linking this to an automatic time clock so that it could provide school bells for the end of periods was considered but the Governors decided that the cost of about £360 was unnecessary. The electric system was fitted to the bell and the terminal is hidden behind the door in what used to be the School Office but is now a room for two Year Tutors.
The cost of hanging the bell was discussed and it was hoped that it would not be more than £700 in total.
On 25th April the Buildings Sub Committee was told that the Bell Founders had returned the bell and it would shortly be hung, with a small ceremony to be included in the ceremonies to mark the centenary of the Queen Mary’s Club. There does not seem to be any report of this so we cannot be sure whether such a ceremony happened.
On 24th June 1974 it was reported to Governors that the Bell was installed and in working order.
It is now rung, traditionally by the newest member of the Associate Staff, on Speech Day, when it can be heard accompanying the pupils of the School as they walk up to St Matthew’s Church for the morning service.
GC/01/03/2019