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Notre Dame fire - Dover Duke of York's Royal Military School joins bellringing tribute

A Dover school will join the nationwide ringing of bells to show solidarity with the fire-ravaged Notre Dame.

The Duke of York's Royal Military School will sound its bells at its St Michael and St George Chapel.

Like in churches and cathedrals across Kent and England it will be for seven minutes from 7pm today, Maundy Thursday.

The DOYRMS chapel. Library image from the Duke of York's Royal Military School
The DOYRMS chapel. Library image from the Duke of York's Royal Military School
The last exchange visit between the DOYRMS and its French counterpart, October 2017. Dukies with, from left, Alex Foreman, Adjutant Chief Lionel Racape and Commandant ColonelJean-Marc Chatillon. Picture: Duke of York's Royal Military School.
The last exchange visit between the DOYRMS and its French counterpart, October 2017. Dukies with, from left, Alex Foreman, Adjutant Chief Lionel Racape and Commandant ColonelJean-Marc Chatillon. Picture: Duke of York's Royal Military School.

Alex Foreman, the school's principal, said: "We have many strong links with France including a 25-year relationship with top military school Lycée Militaire d’Aix en Provence. Ringing our bells is a symbol of unity as we share and respect the courage of France to move forward after such a dreadful event."

The fire at Notre Dame this week Picture: GAEL DUPRET/Maxppp
The fire at Notre Dame this week Picture: GAEL DUPRET/Maxppp

The gesture follows a call by the Archbishop of Cantebury Justin Welby to do so after the 850-year-old Paris cathedral was ravaged by flames.

The fire on Monday brought down the roof of the Gothic building and caused its steeple to collapse.

Places in Kent joining the bellrining include Canterbury and Rochester Cathedrals.

On the night of the fire the Archbishop had tweeted in tribute to the firefighters tackling the flames and the French people.

He commented: "Nous sommes avec vous (we are with you)."

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