The Essex Association of Change Ringers   President: The Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Chelmsford

To: Ring Masters, Peal Secretaries and Tower Captains

Last year I became involved in a campaign suggesting that the whole country knit together in the act of ringing bells to celebrate St. George's Day. It had the good fortune to be picked up by the national and local press and given some interesting exposure. As a result I was encouraged to take up the challenge to promote it further so that an act of ringing would take place right across the Nation on April 23rd.

I absolutely understand that none of the above can take place without the full voluntary cooperation of the many wonderful bands of ringers. Indeed some already have a custom of ringing on that day. However, these individual acts, whilst of great local consequence, would be greatly magnified if the entire Nation of bell ringers were to ring out on this Friday 23rd April in unison around the time of 6 - 6.30 pm in the evening.

With my many discussions with the Editor of The Ringing World and various Vice Presidents and Secretaries (including Prudence Fay and Sheila Cheesman) it would seem there is a ground swell of optimism that this unique act, a very English act, could take place and become part of our national celebrations. The hope is to create sufficient publicity and exposure that it will become a fixed event every year on April 23rd.

The outcome of the meetings felt that it would require only a half hour of ringing or a quarter peal at the most.

It was also thought that the Tower Captains should concentrate on being able to provide for those Towers that were in the centre of cities so exposing the ringing to as many people in the rush hour after work as possible. It is fortunate that the first event will be a Friday, the startt of a week end and full of promise.

May I take this opportunity to request most fervently for your full support in engaging with your bands to participate in this event and allow the Nation to salute your efforts and expertise with joy.

Robert Lewis (Editor of The Ringing World) is endorsing this proposal in the next edition of the magazine which will be out on Friday 12th February.

I very much look forward to hearing from you.

My Best Regards - Libby Alexander

(Monday 15 February 2010)