50th Anniversary Celebrations

It is with great enthusiasm on behalf of the Washington Ringing Society (WRS) that I invite all members and friends of the exercise to join us in Washington, DC over the 2014 Memorial Day weekend, May 23-26, to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the dedication of the peal bells of Washington National Cathedral. We are planning a true gala weekend featuring peals, general ringing, a seated formal dinner, evensong, camaraderie, and of course good beer. We are looking forward to friends, foreign and domestic, joining us in this celebration.

The WRS has been encouraged over the past weeks to note an already growing enthusiasm for this anniversary. A recent Ringing World editorial (p1023) noted the first ringing of the Cathedral bells in 1963, and the “50 Years Ago” piece (p1097) featured a letter from Russell Young describing the Groton School ringers’ experience on that occasion. We were very pleased our friends in the Bath and Wells Association recently rang a peal at the Cathedral on the very same day exactly 50 years later (p1153).

In an effort to help us in planning, I ask that you take just a minute to complete a brief “Save the Date” form: http://bit.ly/DC-50. We will use the information gathered to help develop the formal schedule of events. Responses by January 15, 2014 would be very much appreciated.

I hope that this notice gives our friends plenty of advanced notice to make affordable travel decisions. In the event that you cannot join us, I would encourage you to consider ringing with us from your home tower over the weekend. Additionally, please consider coming to Washington for the 2014 North American Guild AGM, Aug. 30 - Sept. 1, especially if you can’t make the 50th Anniversary celebrations.

Again, all of us in Washington very much look forward to your joining us in May in person or in spirit!

Alexander Taft
Chair, WRS 50th Anniversary Committee
Washington, DC
USA

[This announcemnt was also recently submitted to the RW.]