Walsall councillor calls for church bells to ring for key workers
Churches across Walsall are being encouraged to ring their bells in support of key workers serving communities during the coronavirus crisis.
Councillor Garry Perry, Walsall Council’s cabinet member for community, leisure and culture, said he wanted to build on the successful ‘clap for carers’ campaign and urge bells to be rung out to highlight all the good work being done.
Every Thursday evening at 8pm, people have been coming out on to their doorsteps to applaud NHS workers and show their appreciation.
After being contacted by a resident in his Pelsall ward asking for the local St Michael’s Church to ring, Councillor Perry wants to see the initiative adopted by all across the borough.
His ‘clap for carers – ring for all’ call has been backed by Walsall Council leader Mike Bird.
As well as churches, they originally wanted to time the Town Hall digitally controlled bells to ring as well but those plans have been thwarted after it was discovered peregrine falcons are nesting in the belfry.
Councillor Perry said: “Following the absolute success of the weekly clap for carers I am calling on all churches that are able to ring a single bell at 8pm for five minutes each Thursday during this critical time period.
“Having received a request from a Pelsall resident for St Michaels Bell to ring, why not all churches where this is possible?
“This would show solidarity with our communities, appreciation of the NHS, carers and key workers and more so be a dignified acknowledgement of those who have sadly passed during this time.
“I am acutely aware that it takes just one person to ring one bell and some even have digital like the town hall so there would be no breach of any social distancing guidance.”
Councillor Bird added: “We can’t do the Town Hall, unfortunately, as we have nesting peregrine falcons in the belfry. Because its nesting season, the noise would drive them away.
But generally, I think we should co-ordinate the bells to be rung for all of the key workers.
“It’s not just the NHS, it’s also the local authority workers, bin men, people driving buses and trains, shop assistants and journalists.
“The bells should be for all of those people so we can say we recognise the efforts. I think it’s a great idea.”
