National Rally 2018      –       Harper Adams University

The National Rally 2018 was hosted by the West Midland region of HRGB and they chose a venue which had been successful previously and a date in the university Easter holidays so that the university accommodation could be used.

The first evening concert “The Hors d’oeuvre” was given by the Northern Bell Orchestra and the Requiem by William Payne was chosen as a dedication to John Partington who had sadly just passed away.
The Overseas Guest, Michael Helman was introduced and quipped what an enjoyable journey he had had getting to the venue compared to most of us coming from other parts of the UK. We were introduced to some of the American terminology such as measure (bar), metre(time)  and ensemble(team) and Michael told us how the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers had become the Handbell Musicians of America, a much more succinct title.

During the AGM Don and Phillip Bedford were presented with honorary membership of HRGB.
The South East Region representatives told us about arrangements for next year’s national rally.

The main course of the weekend was the workshop sessions which included the steel pans, bell maintenance  and using social media to promote your group as well as ringing from scratch and master classes by Michael Helman, Sandra Winter and Tim Willets. The steel pan sessions were slightly hampered by Ursula Howes, the tutor, having broken her wrist just before the rally and so her conducting was somewhat restricted. However the afternoon session group were still up for a performance at the Saturday Evening Concert, it was just a case of how to get the steel drums from the workshop over to the Queen Mother Concert Hall!

The Saturday Evening Concert featured local team, Halesowen Handbell Ringers, who gave a polished performance and played a repertoire of popular tunes. The concert also included a demonstration of method ringing on handbells and performances from the Master Classes held during the day.

The Concert had been advertised locally and in the Ringing World and a good audience enjoyed a variety of entertainment. A retiring collection was taken for the William Hartley Memorial Fund.

On Sunday the day was like a regional rally with party pieces interspersed with massed ringing. The Massed Ringing was a suite of 3 movements called the “English Suite” which Michael Helman had composed especially for this rally. Hopefully Michael enjoyed his visit to English Handbell Ringers especially the creative use of boomwhackers and junior members jumping for joy on successful completion of their performance! When the English Suite was played as the finale to the rally, this was its worldwide premier and sounded spectacular on around 300 bells. The real icing on the cake.

What we rang:

Gallery - 2018 National Shropshire