Bell ringers are being sought to help mark 100 years since Armistice Day.

The Dorset County Association of Church Bell Ringers (DCACBR) is looking for people to ring bells in time for Armistice 100 on November 11, 2018, which marks the centenary of the armistice signed between the allies of the First World War and Germany.

Bells rang out on November 11 1918 they announced the end of the most catastrophic war the world had yet seen. At the time, bells were at the heart of the community, marking events of great significance and communicating to people long before modern technology connected us.

Many bell ringers lost their lives after joining the war effort - in Dorset around 60 ringers are thought to have died in the Great War. In total some 1400 bell ringers lost their lives in the Great War. This is the number of ringers that the county is hoping to recruit this year.

It is hoped that people who used to be ringers and have since given it up can be lured back. Or anyone who doesn't have experience of campanology can be trained in time for November.

Maureen Frost, who rings at St Andrew's Church, Preston, Weymouth, said: "In Dorset we are aware of 60 ringers who died in the Great War. That is a large number for a small, rural county but it is our recruiting target for this year.

“I think there are probably nearly 60 people out there who started to learn to ring bells when they were young – maybe through the Scouts or Guides - but gave it up through pressures of work, education or family. Now we would like to welcome them back.”

“DCACBR has been training ringing teachers with assistance from the Association of Ringing Teachers. These teachers are now looking for both new recruits, and returning ringers, to follow the Learning the Ropes scheme. This 21st century programme aims to break down what can be a complicated process into a series of small, achievable steps.

“Returning ringers, who have some experience already, have a good chance of being ready to ring for the 100th anniversary of the Armistice. "But if we get started soon it should be possible to get even raw recruits up to standard for November 11 2018.”

The DCACBR recently organised an awareness-raising trip to the Loughborough Bell Foundry. It was a casting day so everyone was able to see how bells are made before having a go on the famous foundry bells.

Find out how to take part by emailing bells@big-ideas.org