The bell ringers of St Mary's Church in Ely will be ringing a quarter peal - 1,260 changes, beginning on Coronation Eve, Friday 5 May
On Coronation day, Saturday 6 May, the sound of the bells will be heard at 10am for an hour before the start of the Coronation ceremony and again as dusk falls over the city.
Coronation festivities begin on St Mary’s Green at 7pm and will feature Sing! Choirs and the City of Ely Military Band
, before the beacon is lit at 8.30pm.
2023 also marks 1,350 years since St Etheldreda first established a monastery in Ely. And an even more ambitious peal of 1,350 changes will be rung on Bank Holiday Monday, 1 May to mark the anniversary.
The bells of St James’ Church, Stretham, will also be rung on Coronation day and on Bank Holiday Monday, 8 May. The Stretham ringers will lead a tour by local ringers to Ring for the King at four churches in the Ely diocese whose bells are without a regular band of ringers.
St Mary’s is extending a warm welcome to those who would like to watch the Coronation on big screens in the church which will be open from 10.00am. Tea and coffee will be available and those who wish to do so are welcome to bring a packed lunch. There will be a Community Celebration in the afternoon with tea and cakes served in the church gardens from 2.30-4.30pm.
For more information contact St Mary’s Church office 01353 659550
For more information about bell ringers contact: John Mitchell ringers@stmarysely.org