Let the bells ring out for St. George

The flag of St George at the Parish Church at St Chad's

Bell ringers are being urged to mark St. George’s Day, 23 April, by ringing out loud and proud to build pride for the national patron saint.

The Ringing for England campaign hopes to get the country’s 44,000 bell ringers - or campanologists - to ring the 28,000 bells in 15,000 churches across the country at 6pm.

Many churches have already signed up, with people of all ages from all walks of life set to join in.

“Imagine what the 50 million people in England would think of such an incredible sound,” a Ringing for England statement reads.

23 April marks the day St. George was martyred, after Roman Emperor Diocletian ordered his death for refusing to give up Christianity.

It is also the anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death in 1616 aged 52 and calls for a national celebration to mark St. George’s Day have grown in recent years.

Ringing for England say bells will ring out from small parish churches, priories, abbeys, universities, minsters, cathedrals and castles.

Some bands will be marking the celebrations with a peal – a three-hour ringing.

The campaign does not just want the day to be marked by bells however, and have called on communities to come together to celebrate.

“Even if you are not a ringer it’s a day for celebration, to have fun, to fly the flag and enjoy yourselves,” the statement adds.

“Every community in the country has a bell tower near them and anyone can learn to ring no matter what age so if you want to get involved we would love to hear from you.”