Addleshaw Tower facts for kids
The Addleshaw Tower is a special bell tower that stands on its own next to Chester Cathedral in Chester, Cheshire, England. It was designed by an architect named George Pace. This tower was built to hold the cathedral's bells. Before, the bells were in the main cathedral tower. But they needed to be fixed, and it wasn't safe to put them back without possibly damaging the old tower. Even though some people didn't like the design at first, the tower is now a protected building, known as a Grade II listed building. It's also the first bell tower built separately from an English cathedral since the 1400s!
Contents
History
Around 1963, people found that the bells in Chester Cathedral's main tower needed a lot of repair. Because of this, bell ringing had to stop. In 1965, George Pace, who was also the architect for York Minster, was asked to look into the problem.
Why a New Tower?
George Pace suggested that the old bells should be melted down and made into new ones. He also said they needed a new frame to hang them. Putting the bells back in the old tower was difficult. It was hard to get to the tower, and it would cost a lot. Also, a new bell frame might cover up important old parts of the cathedral's architecture.
So, Pace suggested building a completely separate bell tower. This new tower would be in the southeast corner of the churchyard. The church leaders agreed in 1968 and asked Pace to design it.
Building the Tower
The design for the tower was shown at a big art show in 1969. The tower was named after the church's leader at the time, Dean G. W. O. Addleshaw. The first stone of the new tower was placed on June 16, 1973. Lord Leverhulme, a local important person, laid the stone.
The engineering work was done by Ove Arup and Partners. The builders were A. Monk and Company and Frankipile Limited. They had to dig deep foundations because the tower was built on an old burial ground. The ground underneath was also very close to the surface.
The Bells Arrive
Nine of the old bells were taken out of the cathedral tower in February 1968. They were sent to John Taylor and Company in Loughborough to be melted down and recast. They were made into a new set of twelve bells, plus one extra. Two older bells from 1606 and 1626 were left in the cathedral tower.
The new bells were put into the Addleshaw Tower in late 1974. The first time they were tested was on October 23, 1974. The bells were first rung for a wedding on February 26, 1975. The tower was officially opened on June 25, 1975, by the Duke of Gloucester. For the opening, bell ringers from thirteen different towers in the Chester area each rang a bell.
Modern Use
The room where the bell ringers stand was updated in 2008. Today, the Addleshaw Tower is the main office for the Chester Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers. This group helps organize bell ringing in the local area.
Architecture
The Addleshaw Tower is the first bell tower built separately from an English cathedral since the 1400s. It has a square shape and stands about 85 feet (26 meters) tall. The tower is built on a strong concrete frame.
Outside the Tower
The bottom part of the tower is covered in local pink sandstone. It has an entrance on one side and windows on the other three sides. Some windows have special colored glass called Dalle de verre stained glass. These are next to smaller pairs of windows. The main entrance is set back deeply and has two sets of wooden doors.
The upper parts of the tower are covered in Bethesda slates. These are placed on a wooden frame. Above the stone base, there are two sections with walls that lean inwards. The top section is taller than the one below it. Around the top of the lower section, there is a ring of small, square windows. At the very top of the upper section, there is a ring of small openings with louvres for the bells. The very top of the tower has a pointed roof, also covered in slate.
Inside the Tower
The bottom part of the tower has a meeting room, a small kitchen, and toilets. A spiral staircase goes up to the ringing chamber. This is where the bell ropes are arranged in a circle for the ringers. On the walls of this room, there are plaques that remember special bell ringing achievements. Above the ringing chamber is a sound room, and at the very top is the belfry, where the bells hang.
Appraisal
When the Addleshaw Tower was first built, its look caused some debate. People in the area sometimes called it the "Chester Rocket" because it looked so modern.
Why It's Important
Experts who wrote the Buildings of England books called it "uncompromisingly Modernist." This means it was very much in a modern style. On July 9, 2012, the tower was officially made a Grade II listed building. This means it's an important building that needs to be protected.
It was given this special status for several reasons:
- Architectural Interest: It mixes old and new styles, using both traditional and modern materials.
- Design: It was designed to fit in with its historic surroundings but also to look modern and new.
- Famous Architect: It was designed by George Pace, a well-known church architect from the 20th century. It was also his last major project before he passed away.
