1. GV Exterior of carillon museum with small bell-tower outside. 0.09
2. SV INT Technicians inside museum setting a tune on a carillon mechanism, mechanism tied to the bells. (4 SHOTS) 0.34
3. SV Mechanism working as technicians inspect it; sound of bells. (3 SHOTS) 1.23
4. SV PAN Bells on display. 1.34
5. C Display card explaining origin of bell forged in 1642; ;other bells of Dutch origins on display. 1.47
6. SV Bells of Indonesian origin on display. (3 SHOTS) 2.00
7. SV Carilloner plays Christmas carols on keyboard tied to bells. (5 SHOTS) 2.52
InitialsRdeL/JW


Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: ASTEN, NORTHERN BRABANT, THE NETHERLANDS

Bells and their chimes have had significance from time immemorial in festivals music and games but there are few places solely devoted to them. One exception is the Dutch national carillon museum, or museum of campanology -- the study of bells. Here at Asten in northern Brabant, the public can see a huge selection of bells of all kinds; try their hands at ringing the carillons or watch the professionals at work. Since early 16th Century cities in the Low Countries have competed in having countless carillons ... the sets of bells sounded either from a keyboard or mechanically. The artistry behind these bells has been rediscovered at the museum and put on display by skilled craftspeople. Visitors can also see in minute detail what goes in to creating the bell-peals they hear every hour in many towns and cities. On display are bells which originated in Indonesia and The Netherlands, as well as many of the shapes and sounds from around the world.

Source: REUTERS - NOEL ALEXANDRE