Theewaterskloof, Villiersdorp, De Villiers Graaff High School

Abstract

Villiersdorp, High School. On top of the main building of the Hoerskool De Villiers Graaff in Villiersdorp stands an open turret that houses a bell. Due to the height of the bell it was impossible to get a closer look at possible decorations. Moreover, also from the inside it was impossible to reach the bell. One can only guess that the bell is rather old. On the pictures one notices two moulding wires just below the shoulder and another two above the sound bow. One might expect that there is some decoration in between the two top wires. Hopefully, the people in the school’s office will be able to retreat additional information on this bell that definitely deserves more attention. Another reason why the bell might have some age is that it has been mutilated. Normally a bell hangs on a beam that turns around by pulling a rope that itself operates on a wheel. For the bell in the turret there is no turning wheel. To ring the bell, one pulls a rope that is directly fixed to the bell with three hooks. This probably doesn’t only spoil the visual appearance of the bell but might strongly influence its acoustical properties as well.