Watch new Hope Bell being lifted into position

A video has been released of the moment a new bell was lifted in to position in Queen's Park.

The main structure of the Hope Bell in Loughborough, which will mark the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on local communities,has been installed. 

The bell will be a tribute to the NHS and key workers and a reminder of how communities came together to support each other in challenging times. Located in Queen’s Park, it will also be a space for reflection to remember those lost in the pandemic.

The Bell was made at the last major bellfoundry in the UK, John Taylor & Co, on behalf of the Council.

The project is being funded by Loughborough Town Deal, which secured £16.9 million from the Government’s Towns Fund. The Town Deal is backing 11 projects in total which will bring in over £40 million of total investment.

The Hope Bell is a clock chime installation comprising four quarter chime bells and the main Hope Bell to sound the hours.

The stone base will be added in the coming weeks before the area is landscaped. The installation is due to be completed by October and power will then need to be added to operate the bells to make them chime.

Cllr Anne Gray, the Council’s lead member for open spaces, said: “This is a key phase during the installation of the Hope Bell and it will really start to take shape before our eyes in Queen’s Park.

“It is going to be a wonderful addition to the park and will become a place where people can visit to remember loved ones.”

Cllr Jennifer Tillotson, the Council’s lead member for economic development, regeneration and town centres, said: “The Hope Bell will celebrate the town’s unique bell-making heritage and mark an important moment in our history.

“I am looking forward to seeing this next phase of its development.”

Martin Traynor OBE, Chair of the Loughborough Town Deal Board, said: “The Town Deal Board were delighted to support the Lanes and Links project and I am pleased a key element of the scheme, the Hope Bell, has reached this exciting stage.”

The Lanes and Links project has received £669,000 through the Town Deal. The project also includes improving lighting and adding banners to Bleach Yard and the addition of information points in Queen’s Park.