On 11 November 2018, 100 years since Armistice, bells will ring out in unison from churches and cathedrals in villages, towns and cities across the country.
More than 1,400 of our bellringing community laid down their lives for peace in the “war to end all wars”. Our fallen ringers came from all walks of life, as we ringers still do today. To mark the final year of the First World War centenary commemorations, a national campaign has been launched to recruit 1,400 new bell ringers to symbolically replace those ringers who gave their lives 100 years ago.
Church bellringing across the UK remained restricted throughout the course of the war and were only rung freely once Armistice was declared on 11 November 1918. On that day the ringing of church bells erupted spontaneously across the country, as an outpouring of relief that 4 years of war had come to an end. We are aiming to honour that moment and the 1,400 bell ringers who died in the war by recruiting 1,400 new bell ringers to take part in the commemorations.
Would you like to be one of the 1400 new recruits to be trained ready for ringing on 11 November?
Bellringing Taster day/Half day
Wednesday 30 May or Saturday 2 June
Lincoln Cathedral, in conjunction with the Lincoln Diocesan Guild of Church Bellringers is offering a full or half day bellringing taster session where you can find out whether this fascinating hobby is something that you would like to become involved with.
Why learn to ring?
- Develop a lifelong learning experience
- Maintain a traditional skill
- Provide a service to the church and the general community
- Take part in a team activity
- Good social life
- Have a great mental and physical workout
- Have the opportunity to visit amazing places
- Make friends around the world
What is on offer?
During the morning session you will be given a brief introduction to the history of bellringing in the Cathedral’s unique ringers’ chapel. You will go up St Hugh’s tower to see the bells and to watch experienced ringers ringing them. You will also start to learn to ring a bell using the Lincoln Guild’s simulator.
After lunch in the Cathedral’s café, or your own arrangements, you will go to either Thorpe on the Hill church or Stow Minster to be taught to ring on their bells. If you do not have your own transport, this can be provided by one of our bellringers.
Following the course, should you decide to become a bellringer, you will be introduced to a suitable tower near to your home where your bellringing tuition can continue.
There will be a charge of £10 for the half day and £15 for the full day which will include tea, coffee and biscuits. Lunch is by your own arrangement. Maximum number of participants will be 12, so book early. This is suitable for all age groups (over 10 yrs) but participants should be reasonably fit and are reminded that there are 150 stairs to climb to the Ringing Chamber.
To book a place email Claire Howard secretary@cb.ldgcb.org.uk
Want to learn to ring but can’t come on a taster day?
Email Chris Turner master@ldgcb.org.uk who will put you in touch with the nearest tower which is able to offer training.
