St John the Evangelist Piddinghoe is delighted to welcome HRH The Duke of Gloucester on a royal visit to see the refurbished bell tower and hear the six bells ring on Monday 30th October.
The Duke of Gloucester will view the exhibition of photos of the bells and the oral history project, which brought together students from Seahaven Academy in Newhaven and villagers to share their stories: why the bells and the church are so important to the community and how stories will be passed onto the next generation. At the end of his visit, he will be presented with a book with highlights of the gathered memories and experiences of our community.
Youngsters from Harbour Primary School will share the ancient skills of handbell ringing during the royal visit, which they have been taught as part of the project. After the visit and in the evening, a thirty-minute documentary film will be shared with the children and the village.
This has all been made possible by the fantastic support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Chalk Cliff Trust, BN9 Creative Newhaven and all the supporters of the restoration fund for the church bells.
Brigid Simmonds OBE, funding co-ordinator and Secretary to the PCC, said:
“We are absolutely delighted that HRH The Duke of Gloucester will be visiting our church at the culmination of this wonderful project. To hear the bells ring out across the valley, meet all those who have made this possible and hear from the children and students who have taken part in the Oral History project and learned to ring handbells, is an honour for us all.
“We are as ever grateful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Chalk Cliff Trust and funds from BN9 Creative Newhaven for their support.”
Read about The Blessing of our Bells and the Celebration, Ring in the New.