This year, 2016, the Campaign is approaching its 6th year and its popularity is growing with a wider audience now engaging with the key element – bell ringing, all contributed by the many volunteer ringers throughout the land. Each year Libby Alexander approaches various branches of the media world to promote the whole project and each year there has been a significant advancement in its appeal.
Early days the Archbishop of York and the Bishop of London gave their blessing and backing to the start of the project.
Boris Johnson, Mayor of London each year sends a special good luck messsage
Libby Alexander has been invited on to 22 BBC Regional Radio Breakfast Shows to promote the Campaign each year on April 23rd
Through Libby approaching The Archers they featured it for an entire episode on April 23rd with a full page on the Campaign written by Libby that was on their Blog for an entire week
Country Life have always had a soft spot for our lovely churches so Libby approached the Editor and they carried an article on Libby and the Campaign.
It was hailed by Vanessa Feltz and Chris Evans on their shows who encouraged everyone to go out and ring a bell
The Steeple Times – a social media news outlet, was approached by Libby and they ran an article on the Campaign giving it their support.
Local radio, newspapers and television stations are approached by Libby giving them up to date information on what is happening on the day in their area and, where there is something special, they go and interview, film, photo, etc so all the ringers get a wonderful pat on the back.
All the top ‘A’ listers of the British film and television world were approached by Libby to suggest they join in by ringing a church bell. Sadly all, and not surprisingly, are fully booked years in advance. However there were some hugely rewarding comments that came flooding back about how they were delighted that such an event was taking place. Joanna Lumley, Michael Palin were especially happy and Bill Bryson was honoured to have been asked.
2015 saw a huge leap forward with the media as Libby’s many approaches paid off when the BBC The ONE Show featured bell ringing for most of the edition shown on April 23rd.
This year, 2016, the worthy organisations of The Churches Conservation Trust and English Heritage have both offered to help publicise and promote the Campaign amongst their thousands of followers and hopefully encourage some of their members to take up ringing
The Hand Bell Ringers of Great Britain have also come forward to be part of the project and this would be wonderful as they could reach those corners where there are no church ringers.