Chinese Bell - The Arboretum - Nottingham, Nottinghamshire - Bell Towers on Waymarking.com

The bell was taken from a temple in the Canton region of China by the 59th or 2nd Nottingham Regiment of foot when that city was captured in 1857 as part of the 2nd Opium War (2nd Anglo-Chinese War) 1857-1860.

"The bell tower in Nottingham Arboretum was designed by Marriott Ogle Tarbotton in 1857 and is a replica of the one looted by soldiers from a temple in Canton during the Opium Wars. Two of the canons were captured at Sebastopol during the Crimean War in 1854-55. The other two are replicas.
The structure was damaged in 1956 when the bell was removed to the regimental museum at Preston."

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"The structure called “The Chinese Bell”, calls for a word of explanation, for it is a curious conglomeration of ideas and objects.

(1.) Richard Birkin, Esq, had efficiently served his fourth year of office as Mayor, and it was desired to record the event with approval.

(2.) ‘The Notts Regiment of Foot’ had deserved well of their town and county, which had sent it so many good soldiers that it ought to be recorded.

(3.) In the Crimean War of 1854-6 some cannon guns were taken at Sebastopol, and two of them were sent to Nottingham and mounted, and a heap of balls added.

(4.) During the war with China (1857) a bell, believed to consist of steel and silver, was “taken from a large and handsome Temple near to the east gate at Canton, when that city was captured. This bell, which stood in the principal part of the Temple and was struck during religious ceremonies to call the attention of the joss or god, or to announce his presence, was removed by the army, and brought to Nottingham, and here it was mounted and a canopy placed over it. The result being that guns partly Russian are mounted as firing from a Chinese Temple into the four quarters of the earth; while the bell has never been used”."

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Address of Tower: Chinese Bell Tower The Arboretum Nottingham, Nottinghamshire England NG1 4GQ Still Operational: yes Number of bells in tower?: 1 Relevant website?: [Web Link] Rate tower: Not listed Tours or visits allowed in tower?: Not listed

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