Jeff and Nina Brannan

Throughout the country plans were made to Ring for the King at the Coronation of King Charles III on 6 May 2023.

For hundreds of years church bells have rung out, not only to call communities to worship, but also to celebrate special occasions, in remembrance of others and to signify special events. They are part of the soundscape of the UK. In June 2022 we all celebrated Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee with the sound of bells. Bells also rang out with a muffled sound throughout the nation as a mark of respect at her passing in September 2022.

Following the announcement of King Charles’ Coronation, the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers initiated an appeal to recruit more ringers to be trained in time to Ring for the King.

Saddleworth St Chad we opened the tower for individuals or groups of any age to have a go at ringing the bells. This was a real and rare opportunity to see the bell tower and have a go at making a noise in support of the King.

A successful appeal for ringers, brought families from Chesterfield, Manchester and Oldham. Due to demand, the event was extended to Sunday.

On Saturday, we started ringing at St George’s, in Mossley at 9am – they have no band of ringers of their own so our combined group for rang them.

We then moved on to Friezland, starting at 9:30am.

Next we moved on to St Chad’s where we rang from 10 am until 11am. Ringing included 12 people who were ringing for the first time.

On Sunday, at St Chad’s, we had a further 5 people who had signed up, along with our normal combined group of Saddleworth and Friezland bellringers.

Each participant received their own certificate of participation and children also were given a metal badge to all those that rang. The age range of people taking part was from 3 years old to late 70s. Thank you to everyone that took part.