Photo-a-Day (Wednesday, 11th December, 2019)
St Michael and All Angels, Dalton
St Thomas’ in Ashton-in-Makerfield had a similar installation - but the tablet there is more honest - and says that it was such a system.
Christ Church, Ince also has a WW2 tablet mentioning that the bells in the tower were installed as the memorial - but I have seen mention on this site that the bells there were a recording.
Photo: David Long (Sony SLT-A65V)
That's a shame Rev. It kind of puts a pall over the situations.
Theres a Wigan man, Ian Redmond buried in the graveyard who was killed by a Shark in the Seychelles while he was on his honeymoon
Rev David, I have for many years believed that the original Saint Mary's Lower Ince also had recorded bells. It would have been approximately early 1950s when this system was installed. Can you confirm if/when?
Rev David, as a regular churchgoer and choir boy and sidesman at Christ Church, Ince, I can assure you that Rev Herbert Stoneley installed a recording of bells at the church about 1946.
A lovely church. My grand-daughter Edie was christened here. Yes, the bells in Ince Parish were a recording.
Thanks for the confirmation re. Christ Church - the original WW2 plaque was installed, presumably with the bells, in 1946 - by the Council, not the Vicar.
Anne - I hadn't heard before about there being recorded bells in the little bell tower at the old St Mary's - but the bell from it is at St Mary's now.
Ken R - you have to remember that such amplification systems were hi-tech in 1946! You need a big belfry for a decent peal of bells - if you didn't have one, an amplified recording was a good substitute.
Rev David, I remember the single bell being tolled but when the recordings were heard it was quite an event. Don't think my mind is playing tricks, remember it well walking over the railway bridge on Sunday mornings.