Police Station article - postscript

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 25 Jul 2005, 14:07

It does look brilliant.

Post by **wangi** » 25 Jul 2005, 14:31

Thanks.

I'm sure the bell could never be as annoying as those pedestrian crossings! They'd drive me wild if I lived next to them.

Robin! · Post by **Robin!** » 25 Jul 2005, 17:50

Sandra wrote:great pics as usual Wangi

I Concur. I noticed it was looking nice and clean!

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 01 Aug 2005, 18:14

I have merged this topic with the previous one on this subject to maintain continuity.

Here's an email I received recently from someone with an interest in our bell. I have directed him to this thread and hopefully he may have some further info for us:

Hello

I am hoping that you may be able to help me with a query.

I am researching the bells that were cast by the Sheffield, Yorkshire firm of Naylor Vickers. Their bells are of interest in that they were made of cast steel rather than traditional bell metal and, over the years, have tended to rust badly and be replaced. Of the 8000+ bells that they made, less than 500 are thought to still be in existence and we are trying to compile a list of all of these.

The Naylor Vickers trade catalogue for 1881 shows an entry of 'Portobello Town Hall, Edinburgh, 1 bell, 36" in diameter'

I understand that the present building dates from 1914 and would like to confirm whether the original bell was transferred or lost. Would you be able to put me in EMail contact with anyone who might be able to help?

Many thanks

Geoff Pick
Cannock
Staffs

Post by **wangi** » 01 Aug 2005, 23:27

Bob Jefferson wrote:I have merged this topic with the previous one on this subject to maintain continuity.

Conta-what? Bell vs. External pics?

Anyway, I've corrected the link way up at the heady start of this thread.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 10 Aug 2005, 22:16

One of a series of pics supplied by the contractors, Griggs, showing some of the detail of the refurbishment. A lot of stonework was replaced, much of it intricately carved.

Jay · Post by **Jay** » 11 Aug 2005, 11:22

Bob Jefferson wrote:A small 're-opening' ceremony is planned in August to celebrate the restoration of the exterior of one of Portobello's most important buildings.

Has this happened and did I miss it?

And was there ever any more information about the bell being pulled by hand from inside the police station? Fascinating bit of local history. It might even be unique as police stations go!

A propos of this, has anyone considered doing a series of small flyers/pamphlets with the history of some of the more notable buildings? Or a section on POL - with wangis' photos .....

ali · Post by **ali** » 11 Aug 2005, 15:22

Bob Jefferson wrote:One of a series of pics supplied by the contractors, Griggs,

......................can we see the rest of them please Bob??

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 11 Aug 2005, 17:04

Will do, as soon as I find some time.

In reply to Jay, a 're-opening' ceremony is still under consideration and I'm still keen to find out more about the history of the building. A short piece on the restoration work should appear in the next issue of the Reporter.

PAS produced a leaflet, still available from local shops, some years ago on notable local buildings and an online version is something I have wanted to do for some time, so thanks for the reminder.

Post by **wangi** » 11 Aug 2005, 17:28

Bob Jefferson wrote:Will do, as soon as I find some time.

Did you resize that one from a larger original, or is that how you got it? Would look a lot better if some sharpening was applied!

But yes, some real nice work!

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 11 Aug 2005, 17:46

Consider it done. I have around 90 of these photographs, so I'll try to find some time over the weekend to pick out the best and put up a gallery.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 13 Aug 2005, 17:52

New photo gallery

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 01 Jan 2006, 19:02

I was back in the clocktower this afternoon to change the tolling mechanism setting back to a 10pm finish. My son had asked to come along and I thought it would be fun to take the video camera to get some footage of a part of a building that very few people have access to.

I don't wear a watch and had no idea what time it was, still being a bit hungover from last night as you can imagine. With my head inches away from the bell it occured to me that this would not be a good time for it to toll. I mention all this because it explains why the film ends rather suddenly.

Bong!

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 01 Jan 2006, 19:08

Priceless!

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 01 Jan 2006, 19:13

V interesting, Bob.

And it made us laugh!!!!!

Esp Mr Poppy who had not read your post and was therefore not forewarned about the sudden end!

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 01 Jan 2006, 20:14

In fact I got such a fright I just about fell out of the bell tower. I must have hit the standby button just at the moment the tape stops because I can assure you there were a few expletives. It may not sound very loud from the High Street but it's a different story entirely if your head is inside the bell.

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 02 Jan 2006, 20:34

we giggled