SoE
An appeal, supported by the Society of Editors, has gone out to church bell ringers around Britain to join in a major event next year to commemorate the centenary of the end of World War 1.
The organisers of Battle’s Over, a national and international event marking the armistice, wants to see more than 1,000 churches and cathedrals participate by ringing their bells simultaneously at 7.05pm on the night of November 11th 2018. The initiative was launched at the Society of Editors ‘Fighting for real news’ conference in November.
Pageantmaster Bruno Peek, who has organised major celebrations and international events for more than 25 years, is encouraging bell ringers to take part in Ringing Out for Peace. We want this to be the most widespread ringing of church bells since the first world war.
“It would be a fitting and moving tribute to the 1400 or so bell ringers that we understand lost their lives during World War One,” said Mr Peek. “I have no doubt that dedicated campanologists in Britain and around the world will want to join in this once-in-a-lifetime tribute to everyone who served on the battlefields, the high seas and the home front.”
Ringing Out for Peace is part of Battle’s Over, day-long, unique commemoration of the end of the first world war taking place throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, and at scores of locations overseas, including Australia, Canada, Denmark, Somaliland, the United States and Germany to name but a few.
It begins at 6am on November 11th 2018 with lone pipers playing Battle’s Over, a traditional tune played after a battle, outside every cathedral in the country. At the same time, pipers everywhere will be playing the same tune in their local communities around the world. The tribute is being organised with the assistance of Glasgow-based College of Piping, local pipe bands around the world, Air Training Corps and the Army Cadet Force.
At 6.55pm buglers will sound the Last Post at more than 1,000 locations, where at 7pm WW1 Beacons of Light will be lit, signifying the light of peace that emerged from the dreadful darkness of war.
Then at 7.05pm church and cathedral bells will ring out in, Ringing Out for Peace, being organised with the assistance of the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers, the representative body for groups who ring bells in the English tradition with rope and wheel. It was founded in 1891 and represents 65 affiliated societies of local ringers from all over the British Isles and in Australia, Canada, the USA, South Africa and Italy.
Mr Peek said, “The stirring sound of church and cathedral bells will provide a fitting conclusion to a day of contemplation, commemoration and, ultimately, celebration as the United Kingdom and other nations reflect on events a century ago, on the battlefields of Europe and at home in our factories and farms.
“I hope as many people as possible will join us in the Battle’s Over events to mark the conclusion of the first world war and pay tribute to the loved ones who played their part.”
The event has four charities linked to it – The Royal Naval Association, Army Benevolent Fund – the Soldiers Charity, RAF Benevolent Fund and the Merchant Navy Association.
More information on Battle’s Over, and how to take part, can be found at www.brunopeek.co.uk
For further information or interviews please contact Bruno Peek on 44 (0) 7737 262913 or brunopeek@mac.com.
