Winston Churchill travel fellowship

David Snoo Wilson travelled to Germany, Latvia, Poland and Austria in 2014 to explore traditional bell casting.

“Throughout history bells have played an important part in communication and ritual. They have marked both birth and death. Bells are important in our culture, as they are the signifiers of change, be it the end of war or the union of two people” –David Snoo Wilson

David Snoo Wilson's fellowship enabled him to travel to the old bell foundries of central Europe and to witness the craft and performance of iron founders of Latvia. Highlights from his travels included meeting ‘Brother Michael’, the only bell-founding monk in the world, and to be taught casting techniques by the sculptor and ex-Soviet sergeant Karlis Alanis.

After returning to the UK, David worked with artists and storytellers to create a travelling theatre show entitled ‘Song of the Bell’. This incorporates folklore and myth derived from the old central European foundries he visited during his Fellowship. The show climaxes with molten bronze being poured in front of the audience to create a bell.

Find the Report here

https://www.wcmt.org.uk/sites/default/files/report-documents/Wilson%20D%20Report%202014%20Final.pdf