John Taylor & Co facts for kids

Taylor's bell foundry in Loughborough, England, in 2011

John Taylor & Co, often called Taylor's Bell Foundry or Taylor's of Loughborough, is the biggest working bell factory in the world. It is located in Loughborough, England. This amazing business started way back in the 14th century. The Taylor family took over in 1784, and that's when it became known as Taylor's.

In 2009, Taylor's faced some financial difficulties. But a group called UK Bellfoundries Ltd, led by Andrew Wilby, stepped in to save it. They helped the company get back on its feet. Since then, Taylor's has grown and makes bells for places all over the world.

The company creates many types of bells. They make large bells for clock towers, sets of bells for a special kind of ringing called change ringing, and musical bell instruments called carillons. From 2005 to 2009, Taylor's joined with another company, Eayre & Smith Ltd, which specialized in hanging bells.

The foundry also has a special museum. It's the only one of its kind in the UK dedicated to bells and how they are made. The buildings themselves are very old, from the Victorian era, and are still used for their original purpose. The bell tower at the foundry holds bells that have been rung more than any others in the world!

The Story of Taylor's Bell Foundry

Inside the bell tower of St Stephen's Church, Bristol, England. In 1970, Taylor's made five new bells and a new frame for all twelve bells.

The story of Taylor's Bell Foundry goes back a very long time. It started with bell makers like Johannes de Stafford in the 14th century. He was even a mayor of Leicester! The Taylor family joined the business in 1784 with Robert Taylor. His son, John Taylor, set up the foundry in Loughborough in 1839. They moved to the current location in 1859.

For many years in the late 1800s, John William Taylor managed the foundry. Taylor's was the first bell maker to use a special way of tuning bells called "true-harmonic" tuning. This made the bells sound even better. The buildings on Freehold Street where the foundry is located are very important historical sites.

In 1963, Paul Taylor, who was the last Taylor family member in the business, appeared on an American TV show called What's My Line?. He challenged the show's panel to guess his unusual job as a bell maker!

Saving the Foundry's Future

On September 18, 2009, the company faced serious financial problems. But people were hopeful about its future. On October 15, 2009, a group called UK Bellfounders Ltd announced that they had bought the foundry. It reopened on October 19, going back to its original name, John Taylor & Co.

Since then, the company has grown. Before 2009, there were 26 employees. Now, there are 31, including four young people learning the trade as apprentices.

In 2016, the directors of UK Bellfoundries Ltd created the Loughborough Bellfoundry Trust. They gave the buildings, equipment, and museum to this trust forever. This was done to make sure the foundry is protected for many years to come. The trust has received grants to help fix up parts of the old buildings.

In 2018, the company started a new branch called John Taylor International in Australia. This helps them serve customers in the southern part of the world. There's also a competition called the National Twelve-Bell Striking Contest where the best bell ringing teams in England compete for "The Taylor Trophy."

Famous Bells Made by Taylor's

The Bourdon bell of the Baird Carillon at the University of Michigan

Taylor's Bell Foundry has made many famous bells. In 1881, they cast "Great Paul" for St Paul's Cathedral in London. This bell is the largest British-cast bell in Britain, weighing over 17,000 kilograms (about 37,000 pounds)! The rock band AC/DC even used a 2,000-pound bronze bell made by Taylor's for their song "Hells Bells" during their 1980 tour.

Many churches and towers around the world have bells made by Taylor's Bell Foundry. Here are some of the most notable ones: