The City and Guilds of London Institute

(Formerly The Kensington Technical Institute)

Imperial College, Knightsbridge, Middlesex

Clock Bells


First Quarter Bell

Weight: 4-3-14 (427.66Kg)
Diameter: 27" (686mm)
Note: E
Cast by: Gillett & Co, 20th November 1880 (No. 440)
Inscribed: on the shoulder in 3/4" letters

CAST BY GILLETT & Co CROYDON 1883.

Second Quarter Bell

Weight: 6-1-12 (322.96Kg)
Diameter: 32 1/2" (826mm)
Note: B
Cast by: Gillett & Co, 30th June 1883 (No. 640)
Inscribed: on the shoulder in 3/4" letters

CAST BY GILLETT & Co CROYDON 1883.

Hour Bell

Weight: 10-3-3 (547.49Kg)
Diameter: 39 1/2" (1003mm)
Note: G
Cast by: Gillett & Co, 26th June 1883 (No. 644)
Inscribed: on the shoulder in 7/8" letters

CAST BY GILLETT & Co CROYDON 1883.

Inscribed: on the upper waist (see photograph and sketch/rubbing) a frieze consisting of roses and fleur-de-lis alternately.

In addition, on the shoulder of each bell there are two string lines above and two string lines below the lettering; on the lower waist of each bell there are three string lines and on the sound bow of each bell there are two string lines.

The three bells each have an arrangement of four flat canons (see sketch) and are suspended from a steel beam on Level 8 of the Mechanical Engineering Building, facing the main College site. This can be seen in the photograph behind the tower, though the bells themselves are obscured.

Foundry information from Alan Buswell; thanks also to Chris Pickford.


More information about bells at Imperial College.