SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

As we were walking along the canal on Sunday afternoon, the sound of a bell pealing suddenly sounded out from Tower Works for a couple of minutes. I know one of the towers was based on a belltower, but I also know it doesn't have any bells in it - anyone know what was going on there?We thought it might be some kind of art installation, like the one where they played back the sound of water under the Dark Arches from the art gallery - earlier we saw a woman with a walkie-talkie hanging around near Granary Wharf, as if expecting something to happen - thought that was a bit odd, but were too polite to ask questions!And before you ask, no, we hadn't been partaking in the Grove on the way ...

How weird... I know the towers are MODELLED ON bell-towers, but I am sure they were only copies. I think they were only ever chimneys to extract steel dust from the works below. Does anyone know any different???

There's deffo no bells in any of the chimneys. I've been at the bottom of all three of them. There's just lots of soot in there.The internal chimney shots can be seen herehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/phill_dvsn/sets/7 ... il/?page=2

I've seen the towers from close up too, and I knew there were no bells (and never had been!), which is why I was so gobsmacked. Presumably the sound was recorded and just being played from somewhere near there, but whoever was responsible did a great job, because it really sounded like it was coming from the tower. A brilliant idea, whatever it was - shame there weren't more people around to hear it!

I'm doing my guided walk around Holbeck & Tower Works on Monday 15th, starting 6pm & lasting about 2.5 miles & 2 hours, with refreshments at the Midnight Bell before & after.This isn't me attempting to market an event. It's just to say that I would be very happy & honoured to see some SL faces in the crowd!Send me an email if you would like to come - [email protected] - & I will be very happy to see you there. BUT - you have to come prepared to tell us your own stories about Holbeck, Tower Works... It is not a lecture about the history of Leeds, it's asking people to contribute their own histories, in the best traditions of Secret Leeds.http://www.bbc.co.uk/leeds/content/arti ... ture.shtml

Oh, & it's not a Council Thing, by the way... Just how I like to spend my free time.

I can't make the Monday evening one, so I've just booked for the one on 27 June - is that you too Munki?

'Fraid not. I'm working on something much less fun that day. But it will be a longer tour with more information!

munki wrote: I'm doing my guided walk around Holbeck & Tower Works on Monday 15th, starting 6pm & lasting about 2.5 miles & 2 hours, with refreshments at the Midnight Bell before & after.This isn't me attempting to market an event. It's just to say that I would be very happy & honoured to see some SL faces in the crowd!Send me an email if you would like to come - [email protected] - & I will be very happy to see you there. BUT - you have to come prepared to tell us your own stories about Holbeck, Tower Works... It is not a lecture about the history of Leeds, it's asking people to contribute their own histories, in the best traditions of Secret Leeds.http://www.bbc.co.uk/leeds/content/arti ... ture.shtml Munki,id come,but im on my jollies.anyway ive got no stories about Tower Works,but the Midnight Bell would bring out some other stories.Why not arrange this again for a weekend night,obvioulsy after i get back

There was an article in t'YEP about the bells of Tower Works.Its part of a temporary "art installation" and the bells being played are actually a recording of the bells in the real towers that the chimneys at Tower Works are modelled on.