AN IMPORTANT piece of Langholm’s heritage has been rescued and a new home found.
The bell, which was used in the former primary school which closed several years ago, is currently sitting in the Eskdale Foundation office.
Councillor Ronnie Tait is talking to the staff at the new primary school about finding a new spot where it can be hung.
He said: “Alan Murray contacted me about the bell and said he was worried that it could get lost if the school was redeveloped.
“I had a look at it and decided I would get in touch with the
architectural and property services department at the council to see whether we could take down the bell, get it cleaned up and put in the new school. They said that was fine.”
He used some of his ward
allowance to get the work done and contacted Ali Bell who took down the bronze bell and put it in his yard at Reid & Taylor.
Shot-blasted
Ronnie got in touch with J&E Forster in Longtown and got it shot-blasted.
The bell, which probably weighs about 200cwt, was made by John C Wilson & Co Ltd at the Gorbals Brass and Bells Foundry in
Glasgow. It was under the management of John C Wilson from 1853 to 1865.
The bell was cast in 1854 and recast in 1927.
Ronnie added: “We hope to put it in the entrance at the primary school but we’ll have to identify a strong enough surface. Ali Bell said he’d make a bracket.
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