Her Majesty’s Government’s ambition is for bells to ring out at 12.30pm on 11th November to commemorate the centenary of the Armistice which signalled the end of the First World War. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) wants bells – of any sort and in any location – across the country and worldwide to join in, as is appropriate, to mark this historic occasion.
This will be a symbolic way to give thanks for the end of war 100 years ago and will replicate the national outpouring of relief that took place at the end of the war as news of the Armistice filtered through and bells which had long been silent rang out. Bells ringing out at 12.30pm will help mark the shift in emphasis from Remembrance in the morning to thanksgiving in the afternoon for the end of war and for peace. This will coincide with the start of the People’s Procession, as 10,000 members of the public march past the Cenotaph in a nation’s thank-you.
The DCMS would be interested in hearing about any bell-ringing plans to mark this historic occasion and has developed a webmap so that people can very quickly and easily add their bell-ringing and Armistice day events.