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"The origins of bellfounding are shrouded in the mists of time but the processes used today in English bellfounding are, in principle, little changed over the centuries.
Metal bells are cast from molten bellmetal, a bronze alloy consisting of 77% copper and 23% tin. The metal is heated to 1200º c before being poured into a specially crafted mould.
Bells can be beautifully decorated and carry a commemorative inscription to customers requirements. The decoration, inscription and founders mark are carefully impressed into the loam of the case thus producing the decoration on the outside surface of the bell. The two parts are then brought together, clamped and sealed to form the completed mould. The mould is destroyed in removing the bell casting which means every bell is unique.
The bell casting is then taken to the tuning shop where it is placed, mouth upwards, on a large vertical lathe which has a revolving turntable. The bell is struck with special mallets to vibrate the metal in the areas which produce the main harmonics. After assessment by the Bell Master, the Bell Tuner removes small chips of metal uniformly from the inside of the bell until the vibrations of each of the main harmonics reach the frequency."