Welcome!
Our Region
The North West Region is part of Handbell Ringers of Great Britain, whose aim is to promote tune ringing on handbells by organising activities and providing support and advice for its members.
The Region covers Cumbria, Lancashire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Cheshire, parts of Derbyshire and West Yorkshire, North Wales, the Isle of Man and Ireland.
Our activities are organised for members of the Region, but there’s a warm welcome for prospective members so if you would like to try out one of our events, contact our Secretary, Irene Merson.
The Region also has a Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1223433977844693/
Ringing in the North West Region
Llandudno GatheRing 2024
Llandudno GatheRing -
Saturday 13th July 2024
The Llandudno GatheRing was a celebration of all the nations of the British Isles with music from England, Scotland, Ireland and of course Wales.
We began with a techniques workshop where Kate Worthington kindly took us through some of the special effects we might find on Handbell Music. The gyro was particularly effective on a large group of bells. The martellato technique proved difficult for teams without foam on the table. Fortunately,Norbury Handbell Ringers had some space on the table for others to have a go.
Marple URC Handbell Ringers kicked off the team ringing with Welsh Hymn tune, Hyfrodol. We were then treated to “The Celebrated Chop Waltz” or Chopsticks by Llandudno Handbell Ringers followed by The Floral Dance from England played by Kinder Ringers.
The Floral Dance was composed by Katie Moss, a 30-year-old British singer and composer in1911. A student at the Royal School of Music in London, she was inspired by her visit to Cornwall where she took part in the age-old traditional Fury or Flora Dance in the village of Helston.
The Craig-Y-Don Community Centre had a lovely outside picnic area.
However we were warned about opportunistic low flying Seagulls in the area as we were eating our lunch by the croquet lawn.
After lunch it was interesting to see the pieces of music brought along by other teams, some hand-written and some in collections published by the HRGB.
The Read and Ring session lead by Irene and borrowed from the National Rally, introduced us to various music notations and ways of marking up music.
In the second half, Marple played the Scottish Tune “Ye Banks and Braes”. Llandudno, a relatively new team, accounted well for themselves with an Irish/Scottish Tune “The Barren Rocks of Aden” made popular by Andy Williams on the White Heather Club TV show. In Scotland, it is played a s a Pipe March. In Ireland, they play is as a fiddle polka.Aden, near the entrance to the Red Sea, was noted for its barren and desolate volcanic rocks, and was annexed to British India in 1839. In 1967, it became what is now Yemen.
While on station in Aden with a detachment of the 78th Seaforth Highlanders Regiment, Pipe Major Alexander Mackellar rearranged and named the tune.
To complete the team ringing, Kinder Ringers then played “Over the Rainbow” from the film The Wizard of Oz.
Teams were invited to consider another weekend by the seaside in Autumn, more details to follow.
See the Gallery
News snippets
Obituaries
On 7th June Linda (Regional Chair) and Anne (Treasurer) attended the service, held at West Kirby, to celebrate the life of David Cleave, a former committee member and Chairman of the NW Region. His many talents were highlighted during the tributes from his family. He was founder and leader of Chandale Ringers, some of whom were also there, and revived many stories and memories of the years that the team regularly attended regional gatherings. David was also an Honorary Life Member of the region, although failing health had prevented him from supporting events when the team had disbanded. We will always remember his contribution and be thankful for everything he did in our region and the handbell world.
It is with great sadness that we heard of the death of Norma Parke on 6th June 2024.
She belonged to several teams in Cumbria and was always so enthusiastic about ringing.
Until recently she was part of the NW committee and would do anything she could to help and support our events.
NBO concert review
Northern Bell Orchestra Concert, Chester 2024
On a beautiful day in June the NBO made a welcome return to the region when they performed a summer concert in All Saints Church, Chester, supported by Bronze Carillon. The large audience were promised a variety of music which would demonstrate the versatility of the handbell as a musical instrument, and this is exactly what they got. Under the overall direction of Kate Sawallisch the conducting duties were shared between herself, Robert Pettener and Rona Gager.
The programme began with an original work by Josh Bauder called Exultate. This was followed by an arrangement of the contemporary choral piece, “All is Well”, a song recorded by Michael Crawford amongst others. From the pop world we had Katy Perry’s very successful “Firework” from 2010 and then “Africa”, first released in 1982 by the American rock band, Toto. It had reached number 3 in the UK charts. This piece was enhanced by the steady beat played on a genuine African drum. The first half concluded with a beautiful Malcolm Wilson arrangement of “Mountains of Mourne”, accompanied by cello, flute and violin.
After the interval came the exciting group that is Bronze Carillon, with over 3 octaves of bells. They began as a quartet playing Bach’s “Praeludium No 1 in C Major. Then came “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” played by 3 ringers, followed by the duet performing “Yankee Doodle”. Watching the speed and accuracy involved in swapping bells between the ringers was truly amazing. The trio then played the more calming “Greensleeves”, before finishing with the quartet ringing the frenetic “Pick a Winner”. Wow!
Whilst the table layouts were being reset Kate encouraged the audience to try some hands and feet coordination exercises before the NBO returned to begin with Handel’s Passacaille. The rousing Sousa march “El Capitan” followed and had us tapping our feet once more. Next came a piece by Michael Coe which had been composed for the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. Noone is sure which of the tunes for “Nearer My God to Thee” was actually played at the time so a combination of three was put together for this arrangement. The concert ended with “Toccata on King’s Weston” by Ralph Vaughan Williams, the arrangement making good use of the chimes to complement the bells. The 30 ringers with over 130 bells and chimes had certainly achieved their aim of showcasing what can be done with our special musical instrument.
Autumn Rally 2024
Ding Dong Merrily in Morecombe -
Saturday 2nd November 2024
The War Memorial Hall, Church Street,
Morecambe, LA4 5QD
All members of HRGB are warmly invited to join us for this event, which will have a Christmas theme to help you prepare for all those December bookings. Our normal rule is that all those taking part must be current HRGB Members, but if you have non-members and wish to bring them along to sample our North West events, please contact Irene Merson beforehand – details below and on the Booking Form.
Doors will open at 10.15 am for an 11.00 am start, and we aim to finish by 3.30 pm to keep return journeys in daylight as much as possible. Drinks and light refreshments will be available but you will need to bring a packed lunch, and don’t forget your cup.
We are very pleased to announce that this event will include a session with Bronze Carillon, just for us! If you’ve seen this team before, you’ll know how special that will be – and if you haven’t, you’re in for a real treat! We will also have two Christmas pieces for massed ringing, the music for which will be sent out in advance, plus a Read and Ring and individual team ringing. In addition, Beth will give a presentation on how to run a Have A Go session, with a pack to take away, and Kate will run a quiz.
We hope that you will join in with this early opportunity to get into the Christmas spirit – it will be a chance to check that your Christmas jumpers, silly hats, festive decorations etc are in good working order.
NBO open day
Northern Bell Orchestra Open Day
Saturday 20th July 2024 - 10am to 4pm
Ashover Village Hall - S45 0BA
The Northern Bell Orchestra would like to invite you to ring with us as we start
rehearsing music for next season. We’ll be beginners together. There will be a couple
of Level 2 (easy-ish), mostly Level 3 and possibly 1 rhythmically challenging piece. You
can come for as long or as little as you want; an hour or two, a half day or a whole day.
It’s free but we’d appreciate it if you could let us know whether you are planning to
come and when so we can arrange for you to have music. We have a limited supply of
music stands so do let us know if you need one. You will need to bring your own 3 ring
folder. We ring from staff notation only. You can also come just to listen.
We rehearse from 10am-4pm, with 2 tea breaks (we have an amazing baker/ringer
who provides great biscuits and/or cake) and a 30 minute lunch break (bring your own).
To let us know of your interest or if you have any questions, please contact
Rona Gager on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 07963 091121 or
Kate Sawallisch on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 07578 388620
NBO concert Chester 2024
Northern Bell Orchestra Concert, Chester 2024
I’m thrilled to tell you that the Northern Bell Orchestra will be giving a concert at All Saints Church, Hoole, Chester on Saturday, 1st June at 3pm.
There is a church car park and plenty of on-street parking. It’s a rare opportunity to hear 33 ringers ringing 2x5 octaves of bells and chimes.
Wonderful music and a chance to meet your handbell friends. We are so looking forward to playing for you.
Plus the quartet Bronze Carillon from the NW Region will be our very special guests. You don’t want to miss them.
'
National Rally 2024
Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick 2024
On a lovely spring day the National Rally, organised by the HRGB Northwest region Committee and others, began at Swanwick near Alfreton, Derbyshire.
The venue was chosen for it's central location with good road and rail links. Ringers came form all the regions including other Nations, Scotland and Wales, to share a weekend of making music and exchanging experiences.
The first evening's activity was "Teams in the Spotlight" a regular feature of Handbell Rallies but moved to Friday night to allow more time for massed ringing on Sunday.
The running order was: Kinder- "Come Lassies & Lads"
Aidan Fozard - "Compasion"
“Broxborn” - "Je vous salut Marie"
Beth & Josie - "Firework"
Dronfield - "Little Fuge" by Bach
Cliff Blundell amazed the crowd by ringing 6 in hand
"Tuba Tune" Sofronino and "Knick Knack Padiwack give a dog a bone" .
Saturday was a day of workshops for all abilities with a combination of participation and presentations.
Thanks go to Sale Handbell Ringers for their dramatic portrayal of a "what not to do" performance.
The Read and Ring session proved challenging, with ringers having to get to grips with other music notations they were not familiar with.
The Saturday Concert was excellent with a good variety of teams representing all the regions.
After a short act of worship, for those who were missing church, and breakfast the Sunday Massed ringing included "Finlandia" conducted by the arranger, Malcolm Wilson, "Blues for Bells" an unusual piece chosen by Linda McCord and "Psalm", an arrangement of the 23rd Psalm arranged and conducted by Sandra Winter. Sandra noted that she was now mindful of the performance mistakes pointed out in the "Good, Bad and Ugly" workshop yesterday!
Kinder at Kinder Social Group
On the extra day in February 2024, Kinder Ringers were invited to perform for Kinder Social Group organised by New Mills Volunteer Centre.
The group is a dementia friendly social group who meet once a month. Music and singing feature strongly in this group's activities and so sing-along music was chosen for the programme.
The leader had kindly produced a song sheet for the session but, as with all public singing accompanied by live musicians, the number of verses varied and so repeats had to be added as necessary.
In the audience was a founder member of the team and so the pressure was on.
The Music Hall Medley, My Fair Lady Medley, Over the Rainbow, Singin' in the Rain, Stranger on the Shore and
All through the Night were all well received. We also played The Bells of St Mary's, Tea for Two, Parade of the Tin Soldiers and Policeman's Holiday.
Apart from a dramatic mallet malfunction the concert went very well and there were lots of interesting and complimentary comments at the end.
Tea and cakes were enjoyed afterwards and we managed to get away before the traffic from the two nearby schools got too bad.
