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A sound
made in Gloucestershire is ringing out across Boston, Massachusetts.
The
state capital's oldest church is celebrating the 260th Anniversary
of its bells which were cast in Gloucester back in the 18th Century,
and which were at the heart of America's war of independence.
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| Old
North Church, Boston |
The
bells at the Old North Church in Boston are believed to be the oldest
in North America.
They
were cast in Gloucester in 1744 at the Rudhall's Foundry - a company
which made bells that still hang in church towers across Gloucestershire.
The
Gloucester bells were added in 1745.
History
Don
Morrison, the bell master at Boston's Old North Church, told BBC
Gloucestershire he has evidence proving their history.
"One
document shows the bells were brought over from England in a sailing
ship," he said.
"They
were actually brought for free because they were very good ballast,
being very dense, and could just ride in the bottom of the ship."
Crucial
role
The
bell tower played a crucial role in the American war of independence
warning of the British troops advance. A coded signal was arranged.
One lantern in the Old North tower meant they were coming by land.
Two lanterns meant they were coming by sea.
The
Gloucester bells were rung by one of the great heroes of American
history. Paul Revere rode through the night to warn American troops
in Concord that the British were advancing overland from Boston.
Restored
By
the second half of the 19th Century the bells had fallen into a
state of disrepair and were restored about a hundred years ago.
They
were restored again in the 1970s and have been rung regularly ever
since.
If
you would like to comment on this story get in touch at gloucestershire@bbc.co.uk
or have your say on our messageboard
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The
oldest bells in North America are more than 260 years old, and were
made here in Gloucestershire. 
