The Kent Association of Change Ringers (KCACR) held a Choral Evensong Service of Remembrance at Rochester Cathedral to remember over 40 ringers in Kent who died during the pandemic. Several Staplehurst Bell Ringers attended the service in which our own beloved ringer, Iain MacKay, was remembered and whose funeral will be held shortly.
The bells at Rochester Cathedral were rung before and after the service by members of KCACR and hand bells were rung during the service. Although many bell ringers are generally renowned for not attending church services on a regular basis, it was a privilege to take part in this special service of remembrance in this glorious cathedral and an honour to ring the bells there afterwards too. One of our ringers was quite daunted at the opportunity to ring at Rochester Cathedral but overcame her fears to ring very well.