Ring Around North America

RING-AROUND-NORTH AMERICA

On Sunday, May 1st, the North American Guild of Change Ringers will hold Ring-Around-North America, a special event to raise funds for the bell ringers of ChristChurch Cathedral, Christchurch, New Zealand. This event will feature sponsored performances - typically of a quarter-peal, but possibly longer - to raise funds that will be specifically dedicated to the assistance of the ringers of ChristChurch Cathedral. The event is organized by the NAGCR, and is greatly assisted in the administration of the funds by the two 12-bell towers in North America - St James' Cathedral in Toronto and Trinity Wall Street in New York City.

Towers which wish to participate will receive a full kit of sponsor sign-up forms and promotional material. Ringers (and other members who do not actually take part in a performance) will be asked to sign up sponsors (at, perhaps a penny-per-row), and to collect a check from them after the performance. Sponsor sheets and checks will then be sent to Trinity Wall Street, where they will be checked and, for Candian sponsors, passed on to St James' Cathedral.

In addition to the sponsorships and the ringing, there will also be a news story released (probably via the AP), and participating towers will receive a full press kit, along with some ideas about how to engage the interest of their local radio and TV news outlets.

The tower of ChristChurch Cathedral was destroyed in the earthquake that hit Christchurch on Tuesday, February 22nd 2011. Fortunately no-one was in the tower when it fell, but the bells plummeted to the floor of the tower, where they await recovery. Dr James Cooper, the Rector of Trinity Wall Street said "The sound of bells is an audible sign that the church is alive and well in the city, and it will be important to restore this sound to the streets of Christchurch". Lyn Barnet, President of the NAGCR noted that "Bell-ringers have a unique form of radical hospitality, welcoming each other to each others' towers. It is appropriate for us to reach out in this unique way to express our support and allegiance with the ringers of ChristChurch Cathedral". Mike Clayton, the Master of the Ringers at the Cathedral said " We are impressed with your ideas for fundraising and encourage you and any others to go ahead with any other schemes. Many thanks for your concern."

So what do we do right now? Be aware of this, and urge your local leadership to sign on. The Leaders of each tower and handbell group will be receiving a special notice in the next few days, with all the details about how to sign on, how to join in with the national press story, and copies of publicity and sponsor sign-up information.

Let's make May 1st a day to remember, and an solid expression of support for our fellow ringers 'down under'.

*Late addition*

The first few bells have now been recovered from the rubble, and seem to be in relatively good shape. Let's hope that the next bells will be in equally good condition.