Eastbourne church bells to ring in solidarity with Notre Dame

Notre Dame before the fire. Its two famous towers were saved from the flames.

The sight of the iconic Cathedral in Paris engulfed in flames shocked the world on Monday (April 15).

The blaze ripped through the 850-year-old building, destroying its roof and causing its spire to collapse – but leaving its two famous towers still in tact.

As a mark of respect and solidarity, churches in Eastbourne have agreed to toll their bells for seven minutes from 7pm on Thursday evening (April 18).

It is a national initiative suggested by the British ambassador to France and encouraged by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York.

All Saints Church in Grange Road and St Mary’s in Old Town are among the churches taking part in Eastbourne.

Captain of the Bells at All Saints David Leworthy said, “Over the centuries, church bells have rung out in times of sorrow and joy, so this suggestion from the Archbishops seems particularly relevant.

“We feel this gesture is very appropriate for us at All Saints Eastbourne – the church was gutted by a fire on Thursday September 29, 1927, apart from the tower and the outside shell of the Church.

“As we were watching the TV footage of the fire at Notre Dame, we were talking about the destruction and rebuilding of All Saints all those years ago.”

Since the fire in France’s capital, more than a billion euros has been raised by people all over the world to repair the Notre Dame.