Foundry Walk

Foundry Walk. . , The Quay Planter. , Designed by Stephen Broadbent this wonderful piece of street furniture represents the quay or landing stage Henry Penn used. It was on Bell Dyke near to his bellfoundry. Barges could be loaded with bells he cast and floated to many destinations via the River Nene into which the dyke ran. The quay contains plants representing the Cathedral Herb Gardens which were in the grounds of the cathedral that extended down to the banks of the River., The Herb Gardens and Foundry. , Near to this point is Foundry Walk an underpass leading to the site. On the way you pass the swimming pool or Lido and cross Bishops Road into the aptly named Bishops Gardens. Here to the right a pathway leads to the cathedral cloisters and back to the old Market Square. Theophilus Hill was a minor canon in 1709. He was also the cathedral apothecary and master of music at 'Kings' a school in the Precincts. Theophilus was a great friend of Henry Penn as they were able to help each other. Hill helped Penn to tune bells and Penn made medical equipment in return. Both Henry Penn junior and John, son of Hill, attended Kings. It is likely they left together to go to London where Penn became a vintner and Hill a famous apothecary, later and cast by the bellfounder. becoming Sir John, Knight order of the Polar Star, a Swedish order of chivalry created by King Frederick I in 1748. The illustrations of herbs are taken from one of his many herbal books, in this case --- The Family Herbal 1812, At the foundry. , Left, bell moulds are being made in a pit using a strickle as on the "Voice of the City' outside the Rivergate entrance., Right - When ready the pit is filled with sand and molten bronze is directed from the furnace into each bell mould. In this case there are four bells.