ON December 13, word was received that the Russian fortress of Sebastopol had been captured by allied forces, fighting in the Crimean War. This was cause for much merriment and celebration, with bonfires, singing and cheering allied of course with a drop of the cup that cheers.

At ten that evening, with the festivities going full bore, a group of excitable town lads thought that a good bell ringing session – with the new bells of course, would add to the festivities. Although the bells were hung, there was no ropes attached to them and so iron bars were used instead. The boys locked the doors to keep out ant opposition and struck the bells with a will. Churchwarden, a Mr Wise, with the help of a police constable, was able to eject the revellers; hours later they broke in again and once more attacked the bells.

Later on, the smallest of the bells was found to be cracked, although whether it was due to the rough treatment or not, was never recorded. In 1860, the bell was returned to the foundry for recasting.

Due to a perpetuated piece of misinformation, it had been often stated – and still is sometimes, that the All Saints’ bells were the first to be pealed in Australia. To set the record straight, they were the first bells to be rung outside the colonial capitals. There were in fact, bells in Hobart and Melbourne, and at least three in Sydney, one from as early as 1807. It is still not known which bells were first rung as peals.

By 1890 there was concern developing that the ringing of the bells was making the tower unstable on foundations laid on unstable ground. To combat this, full circle ringing was replaced by simple chiming. Campanologists refer to this as striking of still bells. Although the bells chimed our merrily each Sunday morning throughout Bathurst, it was not until 1968 – forty years ago – no living person had heard the bells go ‘full circle’ in the English tradition. Full circle ringing offers a far more different and resonant sound.

When the old cathedral tower and nave were demolished in 1970, the six historic bells were stored – somewhat unceremoniously, some say – in the yard behind the Courthouse. Eighteen years late, the opportunity arose for the bells to be returned to England to the Eayre and Smith foundry – Warner & Sons had ceased operations in 1949. At the foundry, the bells were prepared for 360 degree ringing.

A Little Problem With Money
As it is with many projects, the smooth operation is dependant on the necessary funds being available. At the time of the bells return to Bathurst, there were problems with an unsuccessful bicentennial grant, and a lapsed sponsorship. These, however, were resolved through a private payment by Mr Ron Shepherd of the ANZ Association of Bellringers. Following their return, along with numerous other bells, they were taken from their containers in Albury and returned to Bathurst to be housed in more suitable but costly storage. Because of controversy, they still remain there and still silent.

First of all there was a bequest that specified a tower of such unsuitable location and design for the new – 1971 Cathedral, that the funds were diverted elsewhere, Secondly, a proposal that the bells be housed in Bathurst’s Carillon Tower, on a level below the already existing 35 carillon bells, met with some issues, one being a doubt concerning funding of an Engineers’ Report required for a Federation Grant. The Carillon Tower is also a war memorial.

Free Standing Tower Mooted
With the Carillon no longer being feasible, the alternative could only be a free-standing tower to house the six original bells; two others were to be added to make the standard eight. Such a new tower would therefore be funded by public subscription, as was the case in the 1850s for the bells. Organisers were hoping for 2005 – the sesquicentenary of the original installation.


In August 2006, the Tower Benefactors Appeal, under the chairmanship of Mr Maurice McNeil, a prominent Bathurst business identity, was launched. Mayor of Bathurst, Cr. Paul Toole launched the appeal to raise $300,000 for the building of the bell tower. Tenders were sought from architectural firms and the contract was issued to local company, Henry Bialowas & Associates. A report from the Anglican News stated that ‘the committee was impressed by the standard of the design issued by the two short-listed candidates.

Dean of All Saints’ Cathedral, Andrew Semple, also Executive Chair of the Committee told the Anglican News: ” The process of choosing a tower design has been a long and exhaustive one. We’ve been pleased with the interest generated and especially the architects’ commitment to engage with the process and deliver high quality designs.”

The appeal is going along as well as expected, especially the opportunity for donors to purchase bricks or pavers: A brick costs $25 and a paver, $125 which comes with an inscription of the donor’s choice of up to 30 characters. The pavers are cream coloured and will be laid between the cathedral and the Bell Tower.

Also available are Tower Benefactors’ a cost of $2000 and an inscription on a plaque; and a Sponsorship at a cost of $100. The sponsor’s name is recorded in a book.

One of the major organisers, retired RN Commander, Chris Bacon, in his radio community service announcements, jokingly disclaims that ‘sponsorship may not gain one, celestial advantage,’

At the time of releasing this article, more than $400K has been raised.