8th August 2022

On a very warm afternoon in August seven of us made our way to Derby for a 12 bell concert at Brookfields Nursing Home. To be precise we were 12 bells and 1 pair of chimes rung by Becky who, having not long joined us, has not rung a 12 bell concert before and very well she performed too. Her input on chimes added another dimension to our ringing.

A canopy had been erected outside but it was decided it was far too hot so we set up inside in a very pleasant room which was gradually filling up with residents. Some in wheelchairs, some more mobile ….just a minute has anyone seen Mavis?

First things first…. Who would like a glass of Pimm's? (one lady demanded wine!) It was kindly offered to us but we thought it better to decline as we can get easily confused even without the influence of alcohol! Was everyone ready? Mavis has made her appearance and is taking her seat, so the concert can begin.

A wide range of music was played from The Elton Boating Song, Champagne Charlie to Rule Britannia. Many of the audience hummed along and Singing in the Rain had a very good response, as did Rule Britannia. When Wendy announced the we were going to play Pomp and Circumstance one gentleman asked “which number?” Wendy was taken by surprise as she hadn’t been asked this before and had to admit that she didn’t know.

Sadly the gentleman couldn’t remember either. We must make sure we find out in case we are asked again.

Much interest was taken by the audience and many questions were asked especially about the hand chimes. Several had a go at ringing. Everyone said how much they had enjoyed the afternoon and we have been asked to perform again nearer to Christmas.

It was rather warm inside and not much different outside but it was very pleasant to sit under the canopy, enjoy a cold drink and relax a little before driving home.

We were pleased with our performance and look forward to returning later in the year.

Sue Robins

Tuesday 26^th July 2022

On a lovely sunny evening 6 members turned out to ring 12 bells to give an evening's entertainment for Cheadle Pensioners. This was my first visit to Cheadle Cricket club. What a wonderful setting it is especially on such a fine sunny evening with two teams, resplendent in their whites, creating a typical bucolic English evening. The sound of willow on leather and appeals and applause, added to the occasion. At one point at the end of one of our tunes we seemed to get applause from the cricketers but on refection it was more likely to have been for a magnificent catch or a good hit for six.

 A good attendance of about 40 people turned out for our concert. It is always very pleasing when we play for good sized audience. The audience were given a very varied programme of tunes.

'Champagne Charlie' was very well received and several of the audience obviously recognised it and were humming along. In 'Singing in the Rain' the sound of imitation raindrops played on the bells with thumb damping was obviously picked up by the audience when a question about it was asked during the ‘question and answer’ session at the end. Many varied and interesting questions were asked by the audience. An invitation was given to the audience to come and have try at ringing. It was pleasing to see volunteers come forward and make a very good show of ringing for the first time.

Thank you to the group of volunteers who provided us with tea and biscuits at the end of the show.

Peter Walker

In the first week of December our third full team Christmas concert took us south to the village of Doveridge where we had been invited to play for the Tuesday Group at the village hall.  Yet again the weather wasn’t looking good (another snowy forecast!), but we all arrived in good time to set up, hoping for the best. 

We were made very welcome and our audience was very appreciative of our ringing.  As this was a performance at a small private event for about an hour, we had a reduced repertoire concentrating on our Christmas music, and afterwards we were invited to join them for festive (non-alcoholic!) refreshments, before we set off home replete with Christmas cheer, just catching the last bright sunshine that had appeared after all! 

Lindsay Trevarthen 

It was a very tight schedule on Sunday 12^th December 2021 when we went to play 12 bells at St Lawrence’s Church. We were there to set up at 3.30 pm and we had reckoned we would be finished by just after 5 pm, so we could be back in good time at St Peter’s Church in Alton for 5.45 pm for the Carol Service which was starting at 6 pm. Three of the ringers, including me, were singing in the choir that night.

When we walked into the church we were warmly welcomed by ladies selling raffle tickets and they showed us which pews were reserved for us in front of the congregation. They were very pleased to see us and we set up all the bells and stands at the front by the pulpits, ready to play.

The Carol service that evening was a traditional one with prayers, readings and carols.

We had to wear masks while seated until we did our bell ringing performances, when we were allowed to take them off and we made the most of it by smiling or grinning at the audience.

We played Christmas music and carols for two sessions that evening. The congregation seemed to really enjoy it. In the second performance Wendy gave out the sleigh bells to all the children in the congregation just before we played “Jingle Bells”. There was a very positive response from them and they were excited to be involved. They were encouraged to play along to the beat, or to their own beat and they had a great time!

Soon afterwards, the vicar drew the service to a close and then he began to draw out the raffle tickets, there were lots of lovely looking hampers provided and other prizes.

Time was ticking and we really had to leave very soon in order to get back for the Alton Carol Service, so it was quickly decided that Dave and Lynne would stay until the end and would pack up the bells and stands into their cars and bring them back.

So we gave our apologies and left the church leaving Lynne in charge of our raffle tickets. We whizzed back to Alton just in time for Carol Service at St. Peter’s.

Ironically Joan and I both won a raffle prize each, which poor Lynne had to bring back for us, sadly not managing to win one for herself!

Jean Reilly

It is always nice to Visit Highwood Court which we have regularly gone to at Christmas time.  We are always made to feel very welcome and it is a very jolly community. We had our 12 handbell team and played various Christmas carols including Jingle Bells with which some of the residents joined in playing sleigh bells. They also accompanied us with singing, this is sometimes difficult as some of our music has occasional variations.  Nevertheless they accompanied us very well.

It is so nice to see them enjoy themselves and we came away thinking it was a lovely start to Christmas.

Beryl Forrester