Le Chic En Rose

Unbelievably it’s now June, which here in Perth represents the official start of winter or Makuru (June and July) in the Noongar calendar.

A quick update about this year – I had to go over to the UK in January to help clear out my dad’s flat because, following a health crisis last year, he went into full time residential aged care in the autumn. My brother and I needed to get the flat prepared to go onto the market.

I was there (in Harrogate, North Yorkshire) for a couple of weeks in the midst of snow, ice and freezing temperatures, which was quite an adjustment coming off a hot Perth summer!

It was also an introduction to the vagaries of the UK aged care system, not to mention the unbelievable costs of social care. The situation is still ongoing but fingers crossed we now have a keen buyer and offer for Dad’s flat. It will certainly be a welcome relief when it is sold.

So to get back into my much neglected blog, I thought I’d share an interesting outing we did last weekend. There’s nothing like playing tourist in your own town/city.

Monsieur had been given a voucher for a tour around the The Perth Bell Tower, a landmark on the Swan River foreshore, which we’ve walked or driven past many times. Monsieur had been to a work function there several years ago but I’d never been inside before so it was an opportunity to find out more about the history of the bells housed within. We had booked for the 11.30am Anzac Bell Tour, which gives you a fascinating insight into the history of the bells, an opportunity to try ringing them (I didn’t know that in advance!) and finally the chance to see and hear up close the midday chiming of the Anzac bell, the most recent addition to the collection.

Our guide Iliana, from the City of Perth, was excellent – entertaining and informative. Housed in an impressive glass spire, we learnt (well I did anyway as Monsieur already knew) that 12 of the Swan Bells are in fact the original bells (dating back to the 14th century) of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Church in Trafalgar Square, London.

Having lived in London for 9 years and enjoyed visits to the Cafe in the Crypt on trips back there, it is strange to think that the original church bells have now also found their home in Perth on the other side of the world. They were presented to the State of Western Australia as part of the Australian Bicentenary celebrations. Six more bells were later cast by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry to complete the set. It’s fascinating to see the inner workings of the Bell Tower close up – for more technical information please read the link here.

Having learnt about the art of “change ringing” the bells, we got a chance to try out the technique ourselves. It’s definitely harder than it looks! Fortunately I didn’t end up on the ceiling or anything like that but don’t think I’m cut out to be a bell ringer. It’s a fine musical art and there is a dedicated group of St Martin’s Society of Change Ringers who meet regularly to practice and take part in special peels at various times. You can also book lessons and visiting bell ringers are welcome (see here for more info).

Finally we moved up to the 5th floor for the ringing of the huge ANZAC Centenary Bell (this is done mechanically each day at 12 noon).

“The ANZAC Bell is the largest swinging bell in Australia and is a lasting memorial to Australian and New Zealand servicemen and women involved in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations around the world”.

It was commissioned in 2018, cast in Canning Vale WA and was first rung on the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day, 11th November 2018. The bell is impressive, beautifully engraved with images of the past such as poppies and servicemen and women. For reference it weighs 6,500 kgs! Upon completion of the tour we were all presented with a special certificate and a commemorative coin, which we can have engraved for free if we want at the nearby Perth Mint (see here for a previous visit).

It was a very grey and windy late autumnal day in Perth but we made time to wander round the observation deck at the top of the Bell Tower. I did manage to get a few photos walking round the metal path at the edge of the tower though it was a tad nerve wracking. It was more relaxing to wander around the observation concourse and the views towards the river are stunning, even on a gloomy day.

Having worked up an appetite (bell ringing is hard work!) we discovered a relatively new restaurant called Simple Italian nearby and enjoyed a delicious lunch overlooking the river.

Highly recommend a visit to the Perth Bell Tower if you ever find yourself in this corner of the world!

Copyright © 2025 Rosemary Thomas Le Chic En Rose