Ringing the  bells at Christmas time is different from any other time of the year. Ringing Christmas carols on handbells is somehow special and the highlight of our year and ringing at Chatsworth House, in the Marble Hall, is extra special. Well, that is what a group of us did on Thursday 20th December.

It takes about an hour to get there so we set off around 4ish to arrive and set up to ring around 5.30 - 6.00pm ( all dressed accordingly in our thermals...the words ‘marble hall’ gives you an inkling that it might not be the warmest of places!)

We were met and it was explained to us that they were running late. Apparently, it was the day the House gives a Christmas party for the children of the village and they were running late and as it was held in the Great Hall no visitors were allowed in ‘til it was finished. So we waited...we looked around the gift shop and some of us sneaked into the next room to see the beautiful decorations .. the giant trees are so spectacular ..we could also look down on to the Great Hall and see Santa sitting half-way up the staircase giving out presents to the children. It looked magical.

Anyway the time came when visitors were walking through and we began to play.  Some carried on walking past but the majority stopped and listened, took photos and videos of us and gave us a clap. We gave out the sleigh bells when we rang Jingle Bells and one little girl was thrilled to ring them. All in all it was a very enjoyable evening although very tiring. We rang for nearly 2 hours nonstop!

The journey back was good, no snow this year! Big thanks to Josie and Alan for driving.

We have put the bells to bed now until 2019 when we look forward to another eventful year.

Sue Robins 22.12.18