In December 2007

The UL went, in the rain,

With members from London and Devon,

To the East End (train-wise, quite a pain!)

Along the Whitechapel Road

Beyond the City Boundry,

On rain-soaked feet we strode

To the Whitechapel Bell Foundry!

We stood in entrance in presence of fame,

The ghost of a thousand news' at ten

The shape of a bell that all there could name,

The biggest bell cast, old Big Ben!

With a guide with 100 stories,

Who sounded like Michael Caine,

We learnt of bells Harmonic glories

Which was anything but mundane!

In the attic on top of the main part,

Up some stairs now old and worn,

Was an area close to the presidents' heart,

Where we learned how the hand-bell is born!

Our guide did explain how they hang 'em

From frames high up in a tower,

Hung up with the clappers that clang'em

To ring out with gusto and power!

The funniest part of the tour,

When the guide asked us to confess

Was a showing of hands from the floor

Now I wonder if you can guess?

He talked to us about bells-swingers

(When asking who might understand)

"How many are not church bellringers?"

Only 5 people put up their hand!