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!
The Director of Music, Thomas Moore, is
looking to recruit BOYS from school year 4
to 7 and GIRLS from school year 5 upwards
who are keen to sing and eager to learn.
