Leicestershire’s Cathedral and churches to ring bells for the football club tragedy

Leicester Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers will ring a half-muffled quarter peal at the Cathedral for an hour on Friday evening in memory of those who died in the helicopter crash last weekend.

The Guild has initiated the memorial as a mark of respect, recognising the depth of feeling across the county following the tragedy.

Mark Pendery, President of the Guild, said: “As a mark of respect, following the tragic accident at the King Power Stadium, representative members of the Leicester Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers will be ringing the Cathedral bells on Friday evening, half muffled, to a quarter peal of Grandsire Triples, in memory of the five people who so sadly lost their lives.

“The ringing is scheduled to begin at 7.30pm and will be continuous for approximately one hour. Details of the performance will be recorded and forwarded to Football Club with our condolences.”

Other churches across the Diocese may also ring quarter peals at various times this weekend.

Leicester Cathedral has set up a prayer station where visitors can light candles for those lost in the incident and will be flying the Leicester City Football Club’s (LCFC) flag at half-mast until Monday.

Dean of Leicester, the Very Revd David Monteith, said: “Bells have rung from Leicester Cathedral on the happiest days in the life of our city. Now they ring in response to one of the saddest days. They signal aloud our love and concern for all at LCFC.”

The Dean visited the stadium on Sunday, talking with fans outside the ground as they laid tributes to those killed, alongside the Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Revd Martyn Snow, who asked churches to keep a minute’s silence during services and issued a prayer following the tragedy:

God of all grace,
You love all that you have made,
And your mercy is over all the world,
Comfort those who grieve for loved ones,
Strengthen those who care for the bereaved,
And support this great city of Leicester,
As we work together to express your love,
We ask this in your holy name.
Amen