Bell Sunday is a national opportunity to recognise and celebrate the unique contribution that bell ringers make to the life of the church and to the soundscape of our communities. In 2025, Bell Sunday will be marked on Sunday 18th May, and bellringers across the country are invited to ring for the occasion.

Timed near to the feast day of St Dunstan (19th May), the patron saint of bellringers, Bell Sunday is more than a moment of thanks—it’s a chance to bring the art of bellringing into the spotlight. St Dunstan, a 10th-century Archbishop of Canterbury and skilled metalworker, is remembered for his early experimentation with bell casting and for encouraging the use of bells in parish life. His legacy lives on in the joyful sound of bells that still call people to worship, celebration, and reflection today.

Churches are encouraged to get involved in a way that fits their context—whether that means inviting the local band of ringers to take part in a service, offering a talk or display about the history and tradition of English-style ringing, or simply giving thanks during prayers for the often unseen dedication of those who ring week after week.

Bell Sunday is supported by the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers, as part of its Ringing 2030 vision to raise the profile of ringing, encourage recruitment, and affirm its place in church and community life.

The initiative is also backed by the Clerical Guild of Ringers, who highlight how ringing connects with the Church of England’s wider mission to build meaningful relationships within and beyond worshipping communities.

Resources for planning services, prayers, and talks are available at bellsunday.org, and stories of creative celebrations are warmly welcomed by the Central Council via .

We’ve set up a page on BellBoard for you to record your Bell Sunday ringing.

With over 6,000 rings of bells across the UK, the sound of bells remains one of the most familiar and cherished features of our shared cultural and spiritual life. Bell Sunday invites churches and communities to pause, listen, and celebrate the people who keep that tradition alive.

Angela Elliott
Public Relations Officer
Central Council of Church Bell Ringers