Chime in and help to remember those we lost in the Great War
Reporter THE final push of a national campaign to recruit 1,400 new bell ringers to match the number lost in the First World War has been launched in the North East.
So far 1,000 people have come forward and it is hoped following the event in Bamburgh, Northumberland, the remaining 400 will sign up.
Bamburgh was chosen as it was one of only two churches in the UK to lose six ringers in the First World War, including two pairs of brothers who died on the same day at the same battle.
The government-funded ‘Ringing Remembers’ campaign aims to have the full complement in place by November 11, the centenary of the end of the First World War that was marked 100 years ago by church bells ringing out.
The launch was attended by Communities Minister Lord Bourne who said: “The bell ringing community tragically saw 1,400 members lose their lives to the war effort. Their sacrifice will be honoured by our Ringing Remembers project, which will recruit the same number of bell ringers to take part in the centenary Armistice Day celebrations.
“One hundred years ago bell ringers across the country caught and amplified the national mood as four years of war came to an end. In remembrance of that special moment, and of the sacrifice bell ringers made during the First World War, I urge people across the nation to sign up to ‘Ringing Remembers’ and take part in Armistice Day 2018 as we honour those that gave so much to defend our freedom and liberty one hundred years ago.”
The campaign has been organised by the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers, with the Big Ideas Company, and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government,
The Bamburgh ringers who lost their lives in the First World war were Pvt Thomas Henry Wake of the Northumberland Fusiliers who died in April 1915, aged 25, at Ypres.
His brother Pvt Wilfred Hereward Wake, also of the Northumberland Fusiliers, who died on the same day at the same battle.
Pvt Philip Hall, originally from Bamburgh who emigrated to Australia. As a member of the Australian Infantry he died aged 23 in May, 1915, in Alexandria, Egypt.
His brother Sapper Albert Hall, who died aged 31 in May 1918 in France.
Captain Alexander Torrance Laing, of the Northumberland Fusiliers who died in July, 216, aged 27 in France.
And Pvt William Joseph Clark of the Coldstream Guards who died in 1918, age unknown, in France.
Bamburgh’s tower captain Pauline Lees said: “The men who gave their lives were stalwarts of the village.”
She added “Bell ringing is an art - it’s like playing a musical instrument - and its also very good for you. It keeps you very fit. Once you learn you can ring the bells in different parts of the country.”