A Little History
New premises for J.& E Atkinson, perfumers, were completed in 1927. The architect being E. Vincent Harris. A feature of the building is a steeple containing a carillon made and installed by Gillett and Johnston of Croydon, England's leading bellfounder at that time. The building work was completed by E.A. Roome & Co.
The Bells
The instrument has 23 bells, the largest of which weighs 617kg. or 12cwt.0qr.14lbs.
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The Carillonists
The players are all members of the British Carillon Society, Christina Anderson who plays on Fridays, and John Knox who plays on Saturdays both received training in Mechelen, Belgium.
Geoffrey Armitage who does invaluable work in keeping the instrument playable also plays from time to time.
There are occasional visiting carillonists from abroad.Good listening spots are ; Old Bond Street, The Royal Arcade, and Burlington Gardens.
For insurance reasons the public is not admitted to the playing 'cabin'.
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