Celebrating Victory in Europe Day 70th Anniversary.
On Saturday 9th May bellringers from across the Wakefield and Huddersfield Episocopal Areas met in Dewsbury Minster to play their part in helping the nation mark 70 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe.
At 11am they joined bellringers up and down the country to ring the Minster bells loud and clear to mark the moment peace was finally declared in 1945.
Ronalda Johnstone from Dewsbury Minster said: "The ringing of church bells has long been part of marking the moment when peace broke out in 1945 and this was an opportunity to be part of a shared single national moment when together we remembered all those who gave their lives for our todays."
There were 14 ringers in total from Dewsbury, Batley, Ossett, Woolley, Kirkthorpe and Horbury - pictured from left to right: Christine Barraclough (Dewsbury Minster); Sharon Kelly (Batley); Ronalda Johnstone (Dewsbury Minster); Clive Wood (Ossett); Kieron (Dewsbury Minster); Derek C Johnstone(Dewsbury Minster); Edith Howley (Woolley); Sean (Dewsbury Minster); Richard Tosta (Kirkthorpe); Katherine Scholfield WC; Tony Jones (Horbury); Shirley Pygott (Batley); John Howley (Woolley); Robert Pygott (Batley)
They used resources suggested by Westminster Abbey including the special prayers.
Ronalda read the first prayer :
Let us give thanks for the selfless and courageous service and sacrifice of those who
brought peace to Europe, and for the good example they have given us;
Let us give thanks for those who work for peace and liberty throughout the
world, for the Armed Forces of the Crown, and for all who strive to bring an end
to injustice and oppression;
Kieran (The youngest in the tower) read:
We pray for the young people of our own day and for all who will shape the future of this nation,
that they may be inspired by those who have gone before them to serve as they have been served. Amen.