Brighton and Hove churches join Olympic bells (From The Argus)

Brighton and Hove churches join Olympic bells

5:50pm Thursday 26th July 2012 in News

Thousands of bells will ring in the start of the Olympics across the country tomorrow morning (July 27).

The event, created by Turner Prize-winning artist Martin Creed, is known as Work No. 1197 .

It will feature bells across the country being rung from 8.12am to 8.15am as quickly and loudly as possible.

The Church of the Good Shepherd in Dyke Road, Brighton, and St Andrew’s Church in Waterloo Street, Hove, will be among those joining Big Ben which will chime more than 40 times – the first time it has been rung outside its regular schedule since February 15, 1952 when it rang to mark the funeral of King George VI.

Volunteers at Brighton’s Fabrica gallery, based in a former Regency church, will ring handmade bells to join the celebration.

The Arts Council is urging everyone to get involved using anything from door bells to bicycle bells. Everyone who signs up to |take part will be able to download an exclusive Martin Creed ringtone, Work No. 1372, which features 28 different bell sounds.

Laurence Hill, the head of audiences and communication at Fabrica, said: “We are delighted to be taking part.

“Sadly the bell that used to ring out from the church where Fabrica is housed is long gone but we're holding a breakfast social for all staff, freelancers and volunteers to get together and make some noise.

“We'll be sure to capture the event in all its glory to share via our social networks.”

Sally Abbott, the regional director of Arts Council England, said: “Work No 1197 is a fantastic example of how the arts and culture are bringing people together and encouraging them to feel part of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”