Cornwall, strong on self identity and with its own Patron Saint, will nevertheless ring again as loudly and clearly for St. George helping bind the Nation together in a universal celebration on England’s Day April 23rd.

This magnificent cathedral is the only one dedicated to our Patron Saint and it will be ringing its 10 bells so the whole of the city of Manchester will hear it celebrate St. George’s Day, England’s Day.

Today’s edition of Country Life has an article on the Campaign which highlights all the work done by bell ringers and how they bring St. George’s Day alive.  We need to make April 23rd a national holiday then we could admire even more of your ringing.

The Campaign has received letters of support from both The Bishop of London and The Mayor of London.  From the Bishop of London: ‘………………..and thank you for all you continue to do to raise the profile of St. George’s Day’.   And from The Mayor ‘………………….I would like to offer my very best wishes to the Ringing for England Campaign …..to mark this day in the Nation’s calendar’.

They are the symphonies of the spires, the timpani of towers, and have wonderful titles.  They can be seasonal as in ‘April Day Doubles’  to be rung by the young new ringers at Marsworth in Bucks for St. George, or related to place as in ‘Oxford Treble Bob Minor’ or – best of all – ‘ST. GEORGE’S DAY SURPRISE MAJOR’.

Lichfield Diocese are organising a Tower Tour – such a brilliant idea.  Perhaps we can get every Diocese to organise tours especially on St. George’s Day and then we might encourage new ringers.

The University Society was founded in 1945 at a meeting in Imperial College and has been ringing for over 60 years.  A great record with its base now at St. Olave’s near Tower Hill.  A group of students will be ringing a quarter peal in St. Paul’s all for St. George on April 23rd.

Not only is Derby playing host to a pair but Chichester Cathedral also has a nesting pair of beautiful peregrine falcons who will be taking part in celebrating St. George.  The cathedral is installing a camera and viewing will take place from this weekend.

The list of churches dedicated to St. George joining in is growing.  There is Upper Cam in Gloucestershire with 6 bells, Brede in East Sussex with 6 bells, Clun in Shropshire with a magnificent 10 bells, Harnham in Wiltshire with 2 bells, and in Kings Stanley there is only one bell but, as with the others it will be ringing its heart out on April 23rd.

With its many Royal links with Kings and Queens and of course the Royal Navy this impressive building will ring its 12 bells  for England’s Day, St. George’s Day.