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!
