Call for bells to ‘ring for peace’
THE Archbishop of Wales is urging churches to ring their bells for peace during a nationwide day of commemorative events marking the centenary of the Armistice, the end of the First World War.
November 11 will mark the day 100 years ago when the guns fell silent and the unique series of events will involve organisations and communities the length and breadth of the UK and in many countries abroad.
The Government is asking churches to join in a national bell ringing at 12.30pm on November 11.
There will also be a second opportunity to ring church bells at 7.05pm as part of an event organised by the Battle’s Over project.
Archbishop John Davies said: “There is unlikely to be a family in Wales that was not affected at the time, whether directly or indirectly, by the horror of the First World War in which killing, on a scale never before experienced, happened.
“100 years on, the pain, shock and sense of loss and of sheer waste felt by that generation remains tangible.
“The collective memory of that brutal conflict should continue to move us profoundly, reminding us of sacrifices made, and, all too often of the frequent futility of the conflict.
“Sadly, it was not, as some had expected, the war to end all wars; and conflicts still shatter the lives of people across the globe today.
“I hope that as bells ring out across the nation to mark this unique and important commemoration, we will remember the sacrifice made, the raw relief and the stirrings of hope for a better future that was felt 100 years ago, and that we will once again pledge ourselves to pursuing the peace of Christ in our lives and in our world.”
A spokesman for the Armistice100 campaign organised by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, said: “The ringing of bells will be a symbolic way to give thanks for the end of war 100 years ago and will replicate the national outpouring of relief that took place at the end of the war as news of the Armistice filtered through and bells which had long been silent rang out.
“Bells ringing out at 12.30pm will help mark the shift in emphasis from Remembrance in the morning to thanksgiving in the afternoon for the end of war and for peace.
“This will coincide with the start of the People’s Procession, as 10,000 members of the public march past the Cenotaph in a nation’s thank you.”
Later on November 11 bells from more than 1,000 churches and cathedrals will be ringing out at 7.05pm as part of a day of events called Battle’s O’er- A Nation’s Tribute, organised by the Pageant-master Bruno Peek.
The commemorations will begin at 6am with 1,000 individual pipers across the UK and countries around the world performing the traditional Scottish lament played at the end of battle — Battle’s O’er.
In the evening 1,000 buglers will sound the Last Post at WW1 Beacons of Light locations across the nation and UK overseas territories.
Churches are invited to “ring out for peace” immediately after that at 7.05pm.
■ For more information on those taking part or for the guide to the day’s events, visit brunopeek.co.uk/