Christmas Handbell Ringing 2025
There has been lots of handbell ringing in the region this Christmas
See the Gallery here Gallery - 2025 Christmas
Spring GatheRing and AGM 2026
HRGB NorthWest Spring Rally 2026
Saturday 28th March 2026
Christchurch Ministry Centre, Aughton, Ormskirk L39 5AS
You are warmly invited to join us for the Region’s Spring GatheRing and AGM. We are planning a full programme of team and massed ringing.
There will be 3 pieces of massed ringing, Vincent, Jubellee Polka and Reflections on Kingsfold which will be fun to play and led by conductors from within the region.
Teams attending will have the opportunity to perform 2 pieces in the afternoon. There will NOT be a raffle due to restrictions from the venue.
However, there will be the opportunity to purchase a quiz (£1 a copy – cash only please!).
Doors will open at 10.45 am for a start at 11.30 am, and we expect the day to end at around 4.30 pm.
The AGM will be held just before lunch at 12:15pm. The event is open to all members of HRGB, and the charge for the day will be £5.00 per adult, £2.00 for junior members.
Some tables will be available for individual ringers who come without teams, but everyone will need to bring foam and bells for their own use –
if you really can’t do this, please get in touch with the committee in plenty of time and we’ll see if we can help.
Light refreshments will be served, but you will need to bring a packed lunch and please remember to bring your own cup.
Handbell Concert in Chapel-en-le-Frith
Sunday 7th December 2025
on Saturday 7th of December 2025 at 2.30pm.
Join them for a festive concert of
Christmas Music and song.
Tickets are available from This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Handbell Concert in Sandbach
Saturday 27th September 2025
on Saturday 27th of September 2025 at 7pm.
Join them for a fabulous evening of enjoyable music celebrating hymns and pop songs alike.
Refreshments will be available afterwards and the best part, it's FREE!
Of course, they would appreciate any donations and any money raised will be shared between Brereton Handbell Ringers and the venue.
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Handbell Concert in Sheffield
Friday 8th August 2025
All are welcome to the free concert of the HRGB National Residential Ringing Week on Friday 8 August at 7.30pm at The Edge, Sheffield University, South Yorkshire, S10 3ED.
Enjoy fantastic music performed by around 90 musicians in the UK's largest handbell concert
Northern Bell Orchestra Events 2025
The Northern Bell Orchestra, as well as having a brand new website, are holding three events in 2025.
The first concert in Sale Methodist church M33 4PL also features the MYC choir and will take place on Saturday 7th June 2025 from 4pm to 5.30pm.
The second, on Saturday 12th July 2025 will be at St Mary's church, Greasborough, Rotherham S61 4DX from 3.30pm to 5pm. This also features Bronze Carillon and a soloist Emily Wong.
If anyone fancies having a go and would like to see a rehearsal for themselves there will be an open day on Saturday 19th July 2025.
For more details please see www.northernbellorchestra.co.uk
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
Kirkby Lonsdale Handbells
Kirkby Lonsdale on BBC "Do You Know Your Place?"
When "Do you know your place?" visited Kirkby Lonsdale they met Audrey Phillips, the oldest handbell ringer in Britain. Paul posed the question "Did TakeThat's Mark Owen take bell-ringing lessons from Audrey?" when he moved into Kirby Lonsdale a few years ago.
The answer was no but John Lennon did learn to ring tower bells at Woolton in Liverpool.
Vaughan Evans Fund
Vaughan Evans Fund
for Young Ringers
This fund was set up in memory of Vaughan Evans who died in 2007. Vaughan had been a devoted supporter of HRGB serving in all three of the Officers’ posts as well as leading one of the country’s large teams of handbell ringers, St Wulfram’s, in Grantham. He always supported young ringers and financial grants are available through this fund.
Who can apply?
Funding may be given to handbell ringers from the UK in full/ part-time education, and aged under 24, to attend an HRGB event. Applicants should be members of HRGB. Membership of HRGB is free of charge for those in full-time education aged under 24.
What can be applied for?
The full cost or part of the cost to attend any HRGB sponsored event whether Regional, National or International.
How to apply:
Fill in the short application form (see the link below), if possible, 2 months before the closing date for the event
Applicants are expected to write a statement explaining what they require, outlining why they want to go to the event and saying how they would expect to benefit attending.
If the applicant is aged under 18, details should be given of a chaperone who can take responsibility for the applicant and act in loco parentis.
Return the form by email to the HRGB Secretary – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Applicants will be informed of the result of applications, when the request has been considered by representatives of HRGB.
If you are successful:
Participate fully in the event.
After the event, successful applicants should complete a feedback form and acknowledge the support from HRGB by writing about their experience in the national magazine (Reverberations).