It all began three months ago, with an email from the Rev’d Paul White explaining that the Lord Lieutenant of Sussex was arranging a special visit to Rye and would like the bell ringers to take part. We all know that ringers love any excuse to ring and so, “We would be delighted,” was the reply. The question on our lips, causing much speculation was,” Who was this VIP?” Some ringers made special work arrangements to be available for that day, and everyone put the date in their diary, Thursday May 16, 2024.
When the next email arrived Rev’d Paul White was at liberty to tell us that our special VIP visitor was none other than HM Queen Camilla! The Palace had asked whether the bells of St. Mary’s could be rung as HM arrived at the church, and that the ringers should come down into the transept to meet her. The bells would then be rung again as she departed for Lamb House, to be given a tour of the house and join a garden party. HM Queen Camilla loves literature and is particularly keen on promoting children’s interest in literacy. She is also a fan of EF Benson, who resided and wrote several books at Lamb House.
We have eight bells at St. Mary’s church, the tenor being 19cwt. We rang rounds, call changes and plain hunt on seven. This way all members of the tower had an opportunity to ring. We rang a bit longer than expected as HM was delayed. The carefully choregraphed one o’clock arrival had to be extended by thirty minutes or so! Eventually our signal lit up to inform us she had arrived. The order to “Stand,” was given, after which we proceeded, with anticipation, to file down the passage and stairs to the transept, to wait for our turn to greet HM Queen Camilla. What a thrill.
She came into the church and was welcomed by Mayor, Andy Stuart, and then met representatives of voluntary groups in the town; the royal Voluntary Service, Mothers’ Union, Rye Harbour RNLI, Royal British Legion, Rye Arts Festival, the Rev’d Paul White, vergers and officials of the church and the bell ringers.
We were all nervous but were put at ease as she greeted each one of us with a handshake and by pausing to ask questions too. Erica was asked how long she had been ringing. When she answered,” I first learnt to ring in 1958,” HM appeared quite surprised! When Kevin asked HM whether she had ever tried bell ringing, she said no, she had not had the inspiration to ring herself, but had always admired the art of bell ringing and bell ringers. I was asked how often we ring. We ring regularly for Sunday services and special occasions, weddings and funerals, and hold a weekly practice night. Currently it is very popular, with several new ringers joining us, learning to ring, not all from Rye, but travelling in from the surrounding parishes. I think that she was surprised that practice night was so busy. HM Queen Camilla had time for each of us and showed genuine interest.
We will treasure the memory of this day. The whole experience was something very special, an honour and privilege to have met , and rung for HM Queen Camilla on the occasion of her visit to Rye.
Image Credits: Ruth Hurley .