Campaign to recruit bell ringers to mark Armistice Centenary

Date published: 10 April 2018

It will be 100 years since Armistice later this year, and bells will ring out in unison from churches and cathedrals in villages, towns and cities across the country.

To mark the final year of the First World War centenary commemorations, 1,400 new bell ringers will be recruited in honour of the 1,400 that lost their lives during the First World War.

Church bells across the UK remained restricted throughout the course of the war and only rang freely once Armistice was declared on 11 November 1918.

The campaign to recruit bell ringers, Ringing Remembers, will keep this traditional British art alive in memory of the 1,400 who lost their lives – linking together past, present and future.

Bells at St Chad's Parish Church, Rochdale

Reverend Mark Coleman, the Vicar of Rochdale, said: “Bell ringers are vital to the life of St Chad’s in the town. Bells have been ringing from St Chad's - the oldest building in Rochdale - for many many years. It's a great tradition, and I hope others will join in.

“St Chad's bells can be heard from all over the town of Rochdale. Listen out on a Tuesday evening when the ringers practice, or on a Sunday morning before the 11.00am service at the Parish Church when glorious peals ring out to call the people to worship.

“Keeping the bells ringing needs a team of dedicated bell ringers. St Chad’s has a team of ringers, both men and women, who come from all over the borough.”

Bells at St Chad's Parish Church, Rochdale

The Ringing Remembers campaign is being run by the Department of Communities and Local Government in collaboration with Big Ideas Community Interest Company and the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers.

Communities Secretary Sajid Javid said: “The Ringing Remembers campaign will be a fitting end to our projects, events and activities that have marked the end of the First World War and a tribute to the heroic men and women who sacrificed so much for the freedoms we enjoy today.

“As the centenary commemorations draw to a close, our priority is to make sure we continue to keep the history of the First World War alive for generations to come, even as it falls out of living memory.”

Reverend Mark Coleman said: “In order to make the most of this special occasion we are recruiting additional bell-ringers. If you're interested please come along to our open day this Saturday, 14 April from 10:30am to 12.30 pm.

“Ringing bells is great fun, and very rewarding. Bell ringing is open to all, of whatever faith and background. All you need is a good sense of rhythm and a willingness to come to the practices each week. if you're interested why not come down on Saturday and meet one of the ringers. You may be able to have a go.”

More info from Simon Ripley simonripley@gmail.com or 07798 715 532.

Drawing of bell construction

Photo of St Chad's Day 1924