The Lanes and Links project aims to better connect Loughborough's town centre and Queen's Park.
It will bring improvements to Old Bleach Yard which links the park to the town centre via Granby Street car park. The project also includes the creation of the Hope Bell, a structure that will mark the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the Charnwood community and be a lasting tribute to the NHS and key workers.
It will also be a beacon of hope for the future and a reminder of how communities came together to support each other in challenging times.
Located in the beautiful Queen’s Park in Loughborough, the Hope Bell will be set in a space for reflection to remember those lost in the pandemic.
Bells are synonymous with Loughborough as it is home to the last major bellfoundry in the UK, John Taylor & Co which is fittingly making the Hope Bell on behalf of the Council.
The Hope Bell
The Hope Bell is a clock chime installation comprising four quarter chime bells and the main Hope Bell to sound the hours.
The bells will be supported by four steel pillars leaning inwards to reflect people coming together or almost hugging, something people said during the consultation phase that they missed in the early days of the pandemic.
The design is also meant to reflect hope and a brighter outlook for the future.
A band of gold-coloured aluminium will be wrapped around the top, encircling the bells, and giving a visual feeling of sound emanating from them.
The base will be made of Portland stone, which is a light-coloured high-quality stone. Portland stone was also used for the construction of the nearby Carillon Tower.
The structure will be 7.5 metres tall. The base of the structure will be lit.
The bells
The bells have been cast by John Taylor & Co Bellfoundry, the last major bellfoundry in the UK. Taylor’s have made bells which can be heard across the world.
- The Hope Bell (the hour bell) – weighs over a ton at 1,270 kilograms (25 cwt) and will have a diameter of 149 centimetres (4ft 11in). It will play a D note.
- Quarter bell 4 will weigh 406 kilograms (8cwt), measure 89 centimetres (2ft 11in) and play an A
- Quarter bell 3 weighs 228 kilograms (4.5 cwt), measure 70cms (2ft 3.5in) and play a D
- Quarter bell 2 weighs 203 kilograms (4 cwt), measure 63 centimetres and play an E
- Quarter bell 1 weighs 152 kilograms (3 cwt), measure 56 centimetres (1ft 10in) and play an F#
Watch the casting of the Hope Bell from March 2023
Location
The Hope Bell will be located near the Swan sculpture and wrought iron gazebo. It is possible that this sculpture may need to be moved but at present it is due to stay where it is. This is under review.
The poem
The Council has chosen the poem ‘Do Not Stand at my Grave and Weep’ by Mary Elizabeth Frye will be inscribed on the gold band around the Hope Bell.
The poem reads:
Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft star-shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.
Information and landscaping
An information board will also be created to capture the story behind the Hope Bell’s creation.
The area around the Hope Bell will be landscaped with appropriate plants and foliage.
Construction timetable
- July – foundations laid
- August/September – Hope Bell structure to be installed
- September/October – stonework around the base to be completed
To note, some parts of the park will be closed off while this work is undertaken. We will aim to keep disruption to a minimum.
Funding
Loughborough Town Deal is providing £669,000 for the Lanes and Links project including the Hope Bell. The Town Deal secured £16.9 million from the Government’s Towns Fund and is backing 11 projects in total, bringing in over £40 million of investment for the area.
Other improvements to Queen’s Park
There is another project called Living Loughborough which is also bringing improvements to Queen’s Park.
As part of this project, the entrances at Granby Street and Granby Street car park will be improved. The designs for these are still being finalised. This work will be carried out at the end of 2024/2025.
New information points are also being added.
Other works in the park include improved lighting and drainage improvements.
This project is also being funded by Loughborough Town Deal. The Council is also taking the opportunity to improve pathways in the park over the autumn and winter of 2024/25.
Last updated: Fri 23rd August, 2024 @ 13:51