The Christchurch Ringers
Bringing Our Bells Back
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On Tuesday 22nd February 2011 at 12:51 a severe 6.3 earthquake hit Christchurch, New Zealand. The central city was badly hit and more than 150 lives were lost. The surrounding suburbs were hard hit by damage from the quake and from flooding and liquefaction. This was especially hard having happened so soon after the 7.1 earthquake of 4th September 2010.
Although, thankfully, no lives were lost in the cathedral, the building suffered great damage and the tower collapsed. The complete ring of 13 bells fell to the ground and were buried in 20m of debris.
Our band of ringers are all safe, though some have damaged homes and workplaces. But we are all missing our ringing both recreationally and as our act of service to the Church. We are sad that it is likely to take some years before we hear our bells ringing again in Cathedral Square.