Ring for King bellringers receive Coronation medals

More than 40 islanders took part in the Ring for the King initiative last May, where church bells rang across the British Isles to mark the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

This included many newcomers to the hobby, who responded to a call for volunteers in the Guernsey Press.

All the bellringers were presented with Coronation medals by Lt-Governor Lt General Richard Cripwell at Government House.

‘There is a long and rich tradition of bellringing to mark special royal occasions,’ he said.

‘So I was particularly pleased when the Bailiwick joined with churches around Britain in signalling the start of the new reign.

'On behalf of the community, I’d like to thank everyone involved for their time and for their enthusiasm.

‘I was delighted to learn that some of the medal recipients were first-time bellringers, who had seized the opportunity to join in and learn a new skill, albeit a very old one.

‘Having unsuccessfully tried to learn myself, I know just how difficult it is.’

Duncan Loweth, vice-captain of the Town Church team and teacher at Elizabeth College, led the initiative across four parish churches – Town Church, St Peter’s, Vale and Forest.

A total of 20 applicants were trained – nine of whom continue to ring to this day.

They practised for two months, initially on a bell tower built by Mr Loweth at Elizabeth College that was also used to train college students.

Experienced local bellringers assisted in training the novices and acknowledged their remarkable patience in the face of so many clanging bells and flailing ropes.

The four Guernsey church towers joined the nation to ring bells for 45 minutes on the morning of Coronation Day before the service in Westminster Abbey.

St Anne’s church in Alderney also chimed in with 14 bellringers at its 12-bell church tower.

It is planned their Coronation medal ceremony will take place in the spring.