Lewes church bells to ring out to remember those who have died of Covid-19

Starting at 5.00 on All Souls Day, the bells will ring out for 15 minutes to remember those who have died during the Covid-19 pandemic and to celebrate our endurance as communities through this difficult year and to say ‘thank you’ to key workers and carers.

#SussexTogether Festival of the Arts was announced earlier in the summer by Chichester cathedral.

It aims to capture the spirit of togetherness which has seen us through the coronavirus pandemic.

The new festival will testify to the ‘talent, strength, endurance and hopes of the people of Sussex in a difficult year’, organisers say.

It will offer an exhibition of art, sculpture and photography alongside evenings of poetry, music and possibly theatrical performance – all in celebration of the way our communities negotiated and survived the darkest days of March, April and May.

The festival will also rejoice in the way our communities have moved into the renewed optimism of early summer with significant areas of lockdown starting to ease.

Tom Reeves, captain of Southover bell ringers, said because of the restrictions of Covid-19, church bell ringing was not possible at all during full lockdown, and even now is very restricted.

He added: “This brief fifteen minute ring will be a small symbol of hope for a return to normality, and it’s good to be able to express our gratitude to those who have done so much during the pandemic.”

For more information about the arts festival, visit www.sussextogether.org.