Guernsey and Alderney’s bellringers who took part in ‘Ring for the King’, to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, have received their Coronation medals.
46 people, including many who volunteered, joined churches across the British Isles in ringing bells on 6 May 2023.
The Lieutenant Governor presented the medals to Guernsey’s participants at Government House in a special ceremony to thank the bellringers for their contribution. The 14 bellringers who participated in Alderney will receive their medals this Spring.
His Excellency, Lieutenant General Richard Cripwell CB, CBE, said it was a wonderful event.
“There is a long and rich tradition of bellringing to mark special royal occasions, so I was particularly pleased when the Bailiwick joined with churches around Britain in signalling the start of the new reign.
“On behalf of the community, I’d like to thank everyone involved for their time and for their enthusiasm for an activity that forms part of the collective memory of a momentous day.”
The Lieutenant Governor also paid tribute to those who had answered the call for volunteers.
“I was delighted to learn that some of the medal recipients were first time bell ringers, who had seized the opportunity to join in and learn a new skill, albeit a very old one. Having unsuccessfully tried to learn myself, I know just how difficult it is.”
Guernsey’s ‘Ring for the King’ was coordinated by Duncan Loweth, a mathematics teacher at Elizabeth College.
20 new bellringers trained for two months, including on a practice bell tower at the College, before joining experienced ringers at the Town Church, St Peter’s, the Vale, and Forest churches.
They rang for 45 minutes on Coronation morning.
Over 400,000 Coronation medals have been awarded across the UK and Commonwealth, awarded to individuals who contributed to the coronation as well as recipients of the UK’s highest honours, and select British Military personnel, frontline emergency workers, and public prison service staff with five years of service.
The British Coronation Medal was also gifted to a select number of Australians, Canadians, and New Zealanders.