York Minster's bells stayed silent on Christmas Day Sunday Dec 25,2016 for the first time in an estimated 665 years following the controversial axing of 30 ringers.
The 56 bells, which are the finest in the country in terms of the sound, rung on Thursday, December 22 and again on Christmas Eve for the first time since October.
But the peal, which is the fourth heaviest in the country and said to be one of the best in the world, was non-existent on the big day today
The Minster's 30 bellringers were let go in October and told a new structure would be put in place with a paid head bell ringer
It is thought to be the first time they have not rung on December 25 since 1361.
In October, all 30 volunteer bell ringers were told they were no longer needed by church managers, axed from their roles and told to reapply.
It was then revealed that the controversy was caused by the Minster's refusal to reinstate a suspended member who had an interim sexual risk order removed after police investigation did not lead to prosecution.
This member has not been named by the Chapter but is understood to be David Potter, a leading light of the campanology world, who was given an MBE for his services to bell-ringing and has never been convicted of any offences.
No comments:
Post a Comment