Royal Wedding Ringing at Westminster Abbey

The note below outlines the planned ringing at Westminster Abbey for the Royal Wedding on Friday, and also provides details of a related TV program. David Hilling is the Conductor of the Westminster Abbey Company of Ringers. The NBC TV program he refers to is "Inside the Royal Wedding", to be broadcast this Wednesday at 8/7c.

http://www.nbc.com/inside-the-royal-wedding/

From: David Hilling

Sent: Thursday, April 21, 2011 5:26 PM

To: Tim Barnes

Subject: NBC Programme - Westminster Abbey

Hi Tim and I trust that you and your family are well.

Would you be able to get word out to NAG ringers regarding a broadcast by NBC on Wednesday 27th? A London film company has made a programme on Westminster Abbey for NBC that features interviews with The Dean, the Company of Ringers and the Master of the Choristers. Ringing coverage was taken both in the ringing chamber and in the bell chamber. In interview I referred to Abbey bells links with Washington DC and with Victoria Cathedral. As far as I know the programme will not be shown in the UK.

Concerning the Royal Wedding on Friday 29th, security not surprisingly is extremely tight and the ringers have to arrive very early. The wedding is at 11.00 and is due to last an hour and a quarter. We have permanent cc tv in the ringing chamber and on this occasion will also have a tv monitor. We will ring Stedman Caters prior to the service and commence a peal of Spliced Surprise Royal (2 methods) at service conclusion. I hope that you folks in NAG will be able to see a rerun of the programme at a sensible time.

As a first, the BBC has, at my suggestion, installed a camera above the bell installation so we can expect some coverage of bells in motion. Today's Royal Maundy service was broadcast live and included bells shots from pre and post service ringing.

Many thanks. Perhaps you would acknowledge though I trust that I still have your correct email address.

David