When did you start Handbell Ringing? 1960
How did you first learn about Handbell Ringing?
School started a Handbell Team using a 2 ½ Octave set from Pettit & Fritzen that were bought that year

Do you play any other musical instruments?
Cello & a bit of Piano

Did you learn to read music? Yes

• Has the music in Handbell Ringing changed over time as you progressed?
No.  Still in staff notation, sometimes just the ringers bells, and sometimes full score

Which style do you use to ring (Off-shoulder, Off-table etc.) and why?
4 in hand at school, because that was the way the master taught us. 
Off the table at Norbury, because they have always rung off the table.

How do you manage to cover all of the bells? (if few ringers or if a ringer is sick) 
Chose a piece using less ringers.  The smallest number we can sensibly manage with is 6.

• What do you do if there are too many ringers?
Duplicate, or, less occasionally, sit out, but we have pieces arranged for up to 10 ringers, so only occasionally would be an issue.

What is your favourite piece of music to ring? 
All ringers have different favourites.  Mine used to be Doll Dance when I was happy swinging “5 bags of sugar” (big C), but now is probably The Bellflower Quadrille.

• Which techniques do you use to ring this? 
Off the table

What is your experience of International Handbell events including symposiums?
Went to the one in Brisbane when I was in Australia for work.

How are you involved in National Rallies?
Not now.

• What were rallies like in the early days of your ringing? Were they different than they are today? 
Yes, they were cheaper!

Do you ring with a Regional Team? Are you involved in any other way e.g. conducting or on the committee?
No, but Jeanette, a team member is on the local NW committee.

Which Local Teams do you ring with? I only ring with Norbury, but other members ring with different teams.

How did the team used to fund its activity?  How does it do so now? 
The same.  Fees and Concerts.

What's been the biggest change from the time you started ringing to now? 
Age and the ease of ringing the larger bells.

Why do you think there are more women than men ringing?
Don’t know, but it might be, if they are at home looking after children, that it is a hobby that they can do in the evening whilst their husband looks after the kids.

Do you know of any sets of bells that are not being used?
No, but I think team members might.

What can HRGB do to attract new members?
Publicity on Social media?

• How are you involved with this? School ringing/teaching, ringing in the region?
Not actively, but the newer ringers have come for a variety of reasons.

Where do you see Handbell Ringing in the future? Continuing.

Where would you like to see Handbell Ringing in the future? Continuing.

What is the best thing a team can do for each other when ringing? Help when someone is lost.