The latest issue of 'Lewe' delves into the story of the Tastenoe brothers' bell foundry, a company that began casting bells almost by chance, a tale that even reaches Denmark. This follows a previous issue in 2024 about bells found in Leeuw's territory, a substantial 175-page book by external authors Jef Teugels, Werner Wouters, and Jos Vranken.
The authors became fascinated by the Tastenoe firm, about which little can be found in specialized literature. Tastenoe was originally a simple iron foundry along Bergensesteenweg. Through the intervention of a local assistant priest with connections in Denmark, Henri Tastenoe ventured into bell casting, shortly after the Second World War. Many churches sought replacements for stolen bells, an opportunity Henri Tastenoe seized.
Henri was the salesman and calculated the bell profiles, while his brother Jozef built the false bell. August and Antoon helped with the casting, making it a true family business. Despite the lack of a company archive, this research has largely resulted in an inventory of Tastenoe bells.
Researchers have found Tastenoe bells in Denmark and in at least 25 Belgian churches. These bells, sometimes simple but often with beautiful lettering and decorations, definitively put the foundry on the map and give the family the recognition they deserve. The publication is available from October 16.
