Bell tolls at Canterbury Cathedral to mark 9/11 anniversary

110921 MERIDIAN CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL 911 SERVICE 1
Bell Harry tolled for 10 minutes from 1.46pm, the moment in the UK that the first plane struck the World Trade Center.

Canterbury Cathedral’s Bell Harry has tolled to mark the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks.

There were also prayers and a minute’s silence during the Act of Remembrance, led by the Dean of Canterbury. 

The Very Revd Robert Willis told the congregation that “we saw something horrific and world-changing” that day and “we wanted to remember that occasion, to pray for peace in our world, and to remember those who still grieve for so many who were lost”.

The Dean of Canterbury led the short ‘Act of Remembrance’ this afternoon.

It was one of a number of events taking place around the world to remember the 2,977 people who died on September 11, 2001, in the most devastating act of terror in US history.

At 1.46pm Bell Harry began tolling to mark the exact moment in the UK that the first hijacked passenger plane crashed into the World Trade Center in New York.

During the short service the bell of HMS Canterbury was also struck to signify the start of a minute’s silence. 

  • The Very Revd Robert Willis, Dean of Canterbury:

A book of remembrance was opened in the cathedral’s crypt for people to leave their messages, which will be collected at the end of the day and placed on the high altar.

The Very Revd Robert Willis told ITV News Meridian: “I think all of us who remember it, will remember where we were… from that moment onwards the day became almost frozen, everything which was happening stopped.”

“I think for Canterbury to remember this for the world, and for all our American and Canadian and all our friends who have people who they remember today, becomes crucial."