This week I bring you the Bell Tower of the wonderful Bournville Carillon. In fact I am bringing you a post that I fist published in 2015 with a little revision.
The tower is actually the entrance to a primary school. How cool to enter your school through such an amazing building.
The Carrillon was gifted to Bournville, Birmingham by George Cadbury after visiting Belgium. He was really impressed with the Carillon in Bruges which dates back to 1675.
The copper cupola above the tower houses 48 bells, but this is no ordinary bell tower because the bells are not rung by ropes but by a carillon. The bells are fixed and don’t move, the sound is made by the clippers or tongues of the bells and these are worked by a kebyoard called a clavier.
British Empire Medal
The reason I have decided to revisit and revise this post is because the Carilloneur (isn’t that a fab. word!) Trevor Workman has been awarded the British Empire Medal for services to the British Carillon Society and the community in Bournville. Trevor has played the Carillon for over 50 years now.
Here is a short video of the Carillon being played. It’s an amazing instrument that takes a lot of strength to play, so my hat is off to Trevor! It sounds different from the outside though, the tone is much nicer and you don’t get to hear the clonking of the clavier keys.
Bournville
I am very lucky to live near the Bournville Carillon and on a sunny Saturday afternoon there is nothing nicer than sitting on the village green opposite and listen to it being played.
Also, it’s an incredible place in the run up to Christmas, just across the road from the Carillon, next to the village green, there is always the most beautiful Christmas tree. And the Carillon will play Christmas carols on a Saturday afternoon. There is also a fabulous carol service by candle light.
I know it’s a little too soon to be mentioning Christmas. But if you do visit Cadbury World in Birmingham, any time of year, do take a look at the Carillon, it is literally opposite the entrance gates. And if you visit on a Saturday do listen out for it’s beautiful music in the afternoon.
What a beautiful building. I will certainly try to make it here at some point x
If you do, don’t forget to let me know first so I can say hi 🙂 xx
How cool! What a lovely place for a school and, no, I have never heard of a carrillon before. I have been to Cadbury World!
It really is lovely to hear.
I’ve visited Bok Gardens here in Florida multiple times. I love to sit on a garden bench and listen to the carillion in Bok Tower. This looks like a beautiful one too! Would love to visit it.
How lovely you have one to listen too as well. They really are a joy.
Wonderful post, I’d love to explore Bournville, like most we just visited the factory
Have a good Sunday and thank you for linking up to #MySundayPhoto
Bournville is a lovely little village. You can sit on the green and listen to the Carillon on Saturday afternoons. You can also hear it quite clearly in the outside play area at Cadbury World.
I’ve heard a lot about the wonderful community and buildings in Bournville, but never heard of the carillion. It sounds amazing. I would love to hear the music played.
It really is a joy, either with an ice cream on the green in the summer, or on a cold winter evening singing carols by lamplight. 🙂
I’ve been to Cadbury’s world once by have never noticed this building. I’ll definitely look for it next time, its so stunning and imagine being in a school attached to that!
It is almost directly opposite the sign that is the entry to Cadbury World. Lot’s of people don’t notice it though.
Hi Anne, that is an interesting entrance for a primary school, it’s just a shame we don’t appreciate things like that until we are older. Trevor must have fists of steel to play the Carillion like that! It must be lovely listening to carols ringing out in the runup to Christmas.
#MySundayPhoto x
How amazing. I’ve not heard of this before. Must sound amazing at Christmas time and fascinating to see how he plays it. #MySundayPhoto
My word it is beautiful! I was a child the last time I visited Cadbury World and wasn’t looking for such things but if we go back I will keep my eye out. #MySundayPhoto
What a lovely place to visit. The building is stunning x
That’s a gorgeous building. His bell playing reminds me of playing an organ. Awesome.
That has got to be one of the most exciting school entrances.
Beautiful building and I love carillons. My childhood and teens were in the Netherlands, so have heard a carillon many times since many towers of churches had one and played it regularly – also seen it play. A great experience to share with All Seasons! Welcome and hope you stay for a long time! Have a beautiful week:) Jesh
Beaeutiful! Thanks for sharing! I can’t wait to come back and read some more!
I love the architecture and to know it is still used is awesome! Thanks for the great video.
Wow that is one magnificent building. Love the architecture and what a fun video. Looking forward to reading more x
I’ve never been to Bourneville but now I really want to reading about this building and the bells!
Carillons are amazing, and this is the most beautiful building I have ever seen that houses one. I hope they are working to train a replacement for Trevor ….
That is so fascinating! I had no idea. I will definitely add this to my list of places to visit. Thank you so much for linking up on Wandering Camera.
-Soma