St Stephen's Rochester Row – Waterloo 200 Celebrations

Are you interested in doing something to commemorate 200 years since the Battle of Waterloo? Do you fancy ringing at some central London towers? Why not combine the two?

As many ringers will already be aware, 2015 marks the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo, which was fought on the 18th June, 1815. While historians may never agree on the relative contributions of the two victorious commanders, the Duke of Wellington and Gebhard von Blucher, the battle remains of great historical significance and certainly worthy of commemoration.

As part of our continuing project to raise money for the bells of St Stephen's Rochester Row in Westminster, we have decided to organise a programme of ringing on the nearest Saturday to the anniversary itself, the 20th of June. There are a number of reasons why this is appropriate. The original benefactress of St Stephen's, Baroness Angela Burdett-Coutts, became a close friend of the Duke of Wellington, despite the fact that she had only just celebrated her first birthday at the time of Waterloo. In fact, so close was their friendship that in 1847 she asked him to marry her; which must in itself have been unusual in Victorian times. Sadly, he turned her down, feeling that the 45-year difference in their ages (he was 78, she 33) was rather too great. In view of this personal connection, it is perhaps not surprising that a board was placed in the tower to record that the bells were rung to mark the Duke's funeral in 1852.

To mark the anniversary of Wellington's most famous victory, it seemed a good idea to arrange ringing at a selection of London towers, including some of those past which his funeral procession (from Horse Guards to St Paul's Cathedral) would have travelled. Precise details are yet to be finalised, but it is hoped to arrange open ringing during the day, charging a nominal fee for the St Stephen's Bell Restoration project, and meeting up at a local pub in the evening. Ringers are invited to keep the date free, and to watch the Ringing World and the www.appealforapeal.org.uk website for further details as they are announced.