The Golden Jubilee celebrations got off to a very sunny start at the National Rally held at Exeter University.  The anniversary year was officially launched at the AGM when our NW President, John Partington, joined several other founder members of the society to ring an opening chord. 

Beth, our Chairman, received one of the little bears who will hopefully be visiting all our teams on his travels round the region during the year.  Another notable event was the conferring of Honorary Life Membership of HRGB on Simon Rennie from Maghull, in recognition of his many years service to handbell ringing both in our region and nationally.

During the packed weekend we were treated to:   concert performances by the regional teams from East Anglia and the South East;    a wide variety of workshops and talks;   masterclasses, including one led by Kate Sawallisch;   plenty of delicious food;   excellent accommodation; great company;   a busy rally ringing session where 20 teams, Kinder among them, rang individual pieces interspersed with massed ringing.  There was even time for a group photo of over 300 delegates taken on the steps outside the Great Hall of the University.

At the Concert on Saturday night Maghull were the NW region’s representatives and gave a superb performance of three of their favourite pieces of music.

This very enjoyable event closed with the ringing of a final chord by those taking part.  It had been an excellent weekend which had everything to make it a fitting celebration of 50 years of HRGB.