Cape Town, Goodwood, Dutch Reformed Church

Abstract

Goodwood, Dutch Reformed Church. In the high white tower of the Dutch Reformed Church in Goodwood, hangs a surprising set of five bells. The largest of the five hangs separately while the other four hang next to it in two rows of two above each other. The second largest bell hangs on the right hand side on the lower level, underneath the smallest bell which in turn hangs on the right of the middle bell. The only decoration on each one of the bells is the year 1950 in the middle of the bell. This is somewhat surprising as the church has been founded in 1940. Above the shoulder of the largest bell there seems to be a number KLPU that probably refers to a number in the order book of the founding company. Even less pronounced is the number DRGH on the middle bell. One surprising feature of the set is that only the largest bell has a clapper. The four other bells have outside hammers that however are so rusted that they are hardly usable for the playing of possible tunes. The shape of the bells reminds us of similar bells in Grabouw and Villiersdorp that we dared to attribute to a German founder. However, this is highly improbable since most German foundries had stopped operation during the Second World War. The least one can say is that it is a real pity that this unique set of (well-tuned???) bells has been reduced to the sound of its tenor.