Howard Smith - The Bell Man

Howard Smith is the Bell Advisor to the Durham and Newcastle Dioceses and is, he admits, somewhat obsessive about bells and all things campanological. This is an honorary position and he admitted that he had no formal qualifications other than membership of "The Ancient Society of College Youths" - a rather strange name for the world's premier society of church bell ringers, founded in 1637 and based in the City of London.

He told us something of the bells of Durham Cathedral and the church of St. Nicholas in the Durham market place.  And it's not just church bells that interest him - he showed us examples of bells from a fire engine and a police car, explaining that they were deliberately discordant so as to attract our attention, much as the current sirens do.

Howard went on to tell us tales of his exploits in search of unusual bells - such as the execution bell in Durham Prison.  And that good bells are cast from an alloy of 78% tin and 22% copper - the same as old style cannons.

The arrangements for this most unusual speaker came about as a result of our member Frank Davison locating and restoring the bell that was used in Durham Market to signal the close of business each Saturday.  Frank had contacted Howard for advice on this restoration.  Read more of this story in the Northern Echo.

The Market Bell
Howard (centre) with Frank (l) and Colin Wilkes of Durham Markets
(With acknowledgements the the Northern Echo)