AS the country marks 100 years since the end of the First World War this year, the government has launched a campaign to remember bell ringers who lost their lives fighting, with a particular focus on the village of Edington, who lost all six of their ringers.

The campaign will see churches and cathedrals from all over the county join Edington Priory Church in ringing their bells on November 11 this year in honour of the 1,400 bell ringers who gave their lives for their country.

Big Ben will also be joining the ringing tribute.

Edington tower captain Mark Noble said:”By remembering those bell ringers who we very sadly lost in the war, we help to keep the tradition alive within the community, and honour those who learned and loved the skill.

“It takes a very long time to learn, and we still ring for occasions like weddings, as well as our usual practices.”

A government spokesman explained why they have placed a focus on Edington in the campaign, saying: “Only one other bell tower in Britain lost as many bell ringers in the war as Edington.

“The impact on the village of Edington would have been devastating.”

For the last four years the Edington bell ringers have been remembering each WWI ringer individually, by performing quarter peals, a sequence of bells to commemorate a special event, on the anniversary of each death. The most recent quarter peal was the 100th anniversary of the death of Reginald Charles Rogers, on December 28.

Another campaign, which is known as Ringing Remembers, has been set up to encourage churches across the country to recruit 1,400 new bell ringers in honour of the 1,400 who diedt.

The scheme has been set up by the Department of Communities and Local Government, which has teamed up with the Big Ideas community interest company and the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers.

Mr Noble said: “I think it is very important to keep the tradition of bell ringing alive as it is something that we can trace back through history.”

The Edington group are among those hoping to take on new ringers and teach them the skill, and practise every Wednesday evening.

If you would like to become a bell ringer, or for more information, email RingingRemembers@bigideascompany.org