Bolton Saturday 15th March 2025
On a bright sunny day in Spring the NorthWest Region of HRGB met at St Augustine’s church , Tonge Moor for their AGM and rally. The venue, being very familiar to the Chair, Linda, had easy level access and convenient parking across the road at the Medical Centre.
St John’s, Flixton Bellringers, recently reformed, had brought some new ringers including youngsters working on their Duke of Edinburgh Award Skill Section. Interesting, improvised mallets of corks and either chopstick or knitting needles were employed. Teams had each brought between 14 and 35 bells to ring their party pieces and massed ringing.
The first session of team ringing consisted of:
Llandudno - Aura Lee
Mini minims (Beth & Josie) - Dancing through life - Wicked
St John’s Flixton - Ode to Joy
Marple URC - Rustic Wedding
Kinder - Caribbean Carnival
Norbury - St Anthony’s chorale
There was a table of Others including guests, technically from the North East Region.
The workshops introduced us to Weaving as practiced by Bronze Carillon and
Off-table ringing as practiced by the larger northern teams such as Ecclesfield, Beverley and Saddleworth. Marple URC mascot Gusto found it all too much and had to have a lie down.
The first massed ringing was Men of Harlech, conducted by Irene, an interesting arrangement including the characteristic William Gordon variations.
Sandra Winter’s Twinkle Twinkle massed ringing was conducted by Beth incorporating changes in speed and volume to add interest.
This was the music rung for the second session of team ringing :
Mini Minims - Six from the Musical Six
Marple URC - Shepherds Hey
Flixton - Singing in the Rain
Norbury - Lord of the Dance
Kinder - You are my sunshine
Finally we reprised “Men of Harlech” with revived Gusto.
See the photos in the Gallery - 2025 Bolton
