Having just returned from a fabulous rally at Alton (Staffs) Village Hall hosted by Alton Handbell Ringers, to which I belong, I realise that it’s my turn to write a piece for the website!

Weather wasn’t brilliant as most of the day it was drizzling, but who cares what’s going on outside when so much fun was to be had indoors in the warm!

Planning for such an event began months ago. Booking the hall, the layout of tables for the bells, not forgetting the most important ingredients for such a day - lots of tea and the homemade buffet of course. (WI notes became quite useful when catering for over 70 people!!)

It is also a special year for our Alton team as we are celebrating our Silver Jubilee!!  Josie offered to make and ice a cake to share. When Alan and Wendy cut the first slice everyone sang...

We enjoyed a wonderfully warm and friendly evening with members of Rushton Spencer WI last Tuesday.  They meet in the village community pub, the Royal Oak, so we knew we’d have a good time.

Our 12 bell band played after the regular business meeting (which was kept very short).  We set up by the bar and launched into our 12 bell repertoire.  In no time at all the audience started singing along.  What a boost that gave us!

Several people were keen to have a go on the bells at the end of our performance and, with a lot of laughter, managed to ring a very passable rendition of a popular Elvis number.

After our performance, in the hubbub of the bar, I persuaded a few people to record comments about us. Here they are:

Christine “I’ve never heard handbell ringing before, and I was amazed!  It’s very difficult.  I was...