The bell tower at Dryden Street Primary has been restored to its former glory after it was taken down for repairs.
School staff and pupils gathered for the historic moment on Thursday April 21 when the tower was re-installed.
The bell tower, or turret was sent for repairs at a specialist workshop in Brackenfell three months ago as the wooden structure was disintegrating (“Fixture of Salt River’s skyline gone – but not forever”, Tatler, February 3). The structure was found to be leaning to one side as the support frame had rotted and was falling apart. Its exterior was also in dire need of repairs and repainting .
The turret adorned the roof of the school for nearly 113 years – becoming iconic of the Salt River skyline.
Principal Stanton Smith said the tower resonated with the history of the community and welcomed the facelift, saying it was a proud moment for the school and the community at large.
“The school building is a heritage site and proudly so. The refurbishment should last for the next 100 to 200 years. Many of us will not witness such a part of history in our lifetimes. We are honoured to host such an integral historical figure at our school,” he said.
The school is situated in a Heritage Protection Overlay Zone and is recognised as an architecturally significant building.
