The word “Bells” holds magic for all who know and love the village
Ida Gandy: The Heart of a Village (1975)
In 1826 James Wells, last of the Wells Founders entered into bankruptcy. In July of that same year, a member of the Wells household – one Thomas Kimber – married Martha Grant in Aldbourne; witnessed by Sarah Bridgman and Daniel Liddiard. The newly wedded couple moved to London, following the sale of the Wells business to Thomas Mears at the Whitechapel Bell Foundry. By 1841, Thomas and Martha were living in Stepney with their three sons: Richard (15); William Thomas (12) and Benjamin (5).
William Thomas Kimber (1828 – 1890) was acclaimed in his lifetime, and in newspaper reports long after his death, as an all-round artist and craftsman. William was a bell moulder, with an interest in the lettering that appeared on many of the old bells that came into the Whitechapel Foundry for repair or recasting. He made sketches of them and these drawings were contained in four books which were retained for many years at the Foundry. I wonder where they are now?
William Thomas Kimber, as Head Moulder, was responsible for casting Big Ben in 1858, hailed as the most famous bell ever cast at Whitechapel.
So, when I hear the solemn boom of Big Ben over the radio, I shall think of [William] Thomas Kimber and wonder whether his ghost, borne on its reverberating echoes, ever floats over the smoke of London.
“Peter Gurney” North Wilts Herald, December 1936
With thanks to the Gentle Author yet again, for the fascinating summary detailing Four Centuries At Whitechapel Bell Foundry published online in March 2019.
Jo Hutchings - Aldbourne Archive 