Buddy Can You Spare a Bell?
If anyone has a large ship´s bell gathering dust in the attic, the Barony of Southron Gaard would be delighted to give
it a home. The South Island branch of the SCA international medieval recreation group is working on plans for a village
clock and bell tower for their annual encampment and needs a large bell to ring the hours.
"We have 200 people who spend a week feasting, dancing, undertaking archery, rapier and knightly combat. They´re dressed
as everything from Vikings to Elizabethans so none of them are wearing watches, hence the need for a large clock and
bell to call them to tournaments, our theatre and market, or arts and sciences classes," says Peter Hyde, medievally
known as Bartholomew Baskin, Baron of Southron Gaard.
The Canterbury Faire event attracts participants from throughout Australasia, drawn by the non-profit organisation´s aim
of recreating the "better parts" of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, and its emphasis on service, chivalry and artistry.
"Bells used to be the way everyone marked time - the old Oranges and Lemons nursery rhyme about all the bells in London
shows how important they once were. But getting a good-sized bell with a nice tone that can ring out through a large
camp area is quite difficult these days," says Hyde.
The Baron hopes there may be an individual or organisation somewhere in New Zealand that would like to see such a bell
put to good use. Anyone willing to donate a bell (250mm diameter or larger) can contact him via the Barony´s Website
(http://sg.sca.org.nz) or via email at BandB@sg.sca.org.nz.
ENDS