Cockneys 'endangered' by muted Bow Bells

Cockneys are under threat because the chimes of the Bow Bells are becoming quieter to the human ear, a study has claimed.

St. Mary-Le-Bow Church, Cheapside, City of London.Tradition states you must be born within earshot of the famous bells of St. Mary-le-Bow church to be considered a Cockney. Back in 1851 the bells could be heard from the City of London across Islington, Hackney and Tower Hamlets and also into parts of Camden, Southwark, Newham and Waltham Forest.

But according to research company 24 Acoustics the increase in motor traffic and new buildings sprouting up near the church muffle the sound of the chimes.

Now the bells can only be heard in the City and parts of Shoreditch. Both areas boast no maternity wards and contain little housing, meaning few births are likely in the area of audibility.

In 1851 ambient noise levels in London would be similar to those in a rural location today [20 to 25 dBA], while levels today are usually not lower than 55dBA.

St. Mary-le-Bow church and the Bow Bells have been destroyed twice in modern times- first in the Great Fire of London in 1666 and then again in the Blitz in 1941. They were replaced in 1961 and still ring every 15 minutes. The Bow, the tenor bell of St Mary-le-Bow’s, 12 bells weighs almost 2135kgs.

The study was carried out to mark the launch of a new Times Atlas of London.