‘All The Bells’

Work No. 1197: ‘All the bells in a country rung as quickly and as loudly as possible for three minutes’ – this was Turner Prize winner and musician Martin Creed’s vision to welcome to Britain the 205 nations competing in London’s Olympic Games. Commissioned as part of the London 2012 Festival, the three minute chorus of bells rang out across the land to signal the start of the first day of the Games.

At St Matthew’s some 25 parishioners assembled in the church to do their bit by ringing the carillon in the bell tower and an assortment of handbells at the main gates. We were also pleased to welcome a couple of

people who had heard it announced on local radio earlier and wanted to join in, and people passing by who also wanted to have a go.

Gary was the man with the stopwatch in the tower, and at his signal we pressed the carillon keys, the handbell set at the gates joining in at the first bong. We all had a good laugh and great fun, and afterwards we were rewarded with coffee and croissants while the two groups compared notes!

Please find below a selection of photos.