Huddersfield University HRGB Archives
HRGB ARCHIVE EXHIBITION
As already publicised, the HRGB archives, so carefully collated by Alan Hartley, now have a permanent home at Heritage Quay, the archive centre of Huddersfield University. A special Open Day was held on 8th July for everyone to view a selection of the exhibits. There was also the opportunity to try out ringing and to watch a mini-concert given by Clifton Handbell Ringers.
Clifton played a very varied programme of pieces from their repertoire, ranging from calming to lively, old favourites to newer ones. These included English Country Gardens, Pineapple Rag, Winter, Pachelbel’s Canon in D, Teddy Bears Picnic and the exciting Dueling Banjos from the film “Deliverance”, amongst others. They must have really impressed any non-ringing visitors with their 140+ bells and expertise.
Alan Hartley followed this by guiding everyone round the exhibition with explanations of what was on show. Not only was it a history of HRGB but also included other handbell memorabilia. Being able to see the famous Belle Vue Trophy was especially interesting.
There was then the chance, particularly for non-ringers, although others joined in, to “have a go” on Beverley Town’s 12-bell set, led by John Atkinson with his easy- to- read music. Each team had two rehearsals which then produced a very recognisable final “concert performance”.
The free exhibition is open until 5th August and is well worth a trip over the border to Yorkshire for anyone interested in bells and bellringing history.
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Maghull Parish Handbell Ringers 40th Birthday
Maghull's 40th Birthday Concert
On 1st July 2023 Maghull Parish Handbell Ringers held a concert to mark 40 years since their founding.
The concert kicked off with Good King Wenceslas, an unusual choice for a hot midsummers day. However Beth explained that Good King Wenceslas was the first piece the team ever played in public, this being at their first rally in 1983.
The team used the original bells for this piece and the band included founding members Simon and Molly Rennie.
Then came Grazioso by Arnold Sherman a piece which brought back memories of the Canada International Symposium which Maghull attended in Toronto, Canada.
The next piece was Birthday Rag, highly appropriate for the 40th celebration and continued with Siya Hamba. This piece of music, which makes use of the African Drum which Simon brought back form a trip to Africa, really got the feet tapping.
The team played a "Pirates of the Caribbean Medly" and "Phantom of the Opera", a favourite of thier long time supporters Marjorie and Jean, now sadly no longer with us.
Then Mountain Mist by Cynthia Dubrinski with Robert accompanying on the flute which had been a favourite of their musical director, Judith Barker. Next came the lovely Meditation on Blaenwern arranged for the team by Malcolm Wilson.
And finally the concert closed with Highland Cathedral, a favourite of Maggie's and purchased for the team by her husband.
Following the excellent concert came the cutting of the cake by Simon and Molly, raffle and refreshments. The team's archives were available to browse and the excellent cake was distributed.
Gallery - Maghull Parish Handbell Ringers 40th
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NBO concert Sheffield 2023
Northern Bell Orchestra Concert, Sheffield 2023
'Ringing in Harmony' was a Concert given by the Northern Bell Orchestra in collaboration with the New Chamber Choir in St Mary's church, Sheffield in May 2023.
Rona Gager introduced the concert with the customary fire notice and told us a bit about the church where the concert was being held including it's outreach work during the week.
Some members of Kinder Handbell Team had decided to venture into the NorthEast region for the concert and it turned out to be a lovely evening.
The mix of choral and handbell music complimented each other perfectly. The choir was made up of singers from other choirs and sang a broad variety of music from very different genres.
One piece for both choir and handbells was called Stars, a very atmospheric piece with some very high notes for the choir.
The Bronze Carillion Quartet rang some impressive music, picking up and putting down bells and swapping bells amongst themselves at breakneck speed.
Visual aids were used to illustrate the Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy including a fairy wand, christmas headband and tinsel.
Some of the music had been included in the recent coronation service, the bell orchestra played "All is Well" and the choir sang " I was glad when they said unto me" by C.H. Parry.
Kate Swallisch thanked everyone for coming and said it was good to be back to performing after the interuption of the Covid pandemic.
Maghull 40th Anniversary Concert Saturday 1st July 2023
Concert and Refreshments with Maghull Parish Handbell Ringers
Saturday 1st July 2023
To Celebrate their 40th anniversary Maghull Parish Handbell Ringers will be giving a concert and holding a party in the Parish Hall where they meet.
Contact
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2023 NorthWest Spring Gathering
Thank you for this review of the :
NORTH WEST REGION SPRING GATHERING AND AGM,
25 MARCH 2023, at KNOWLE GREEN VILLAGE HALL.
AGM then Lunch.
NorthWest Spring GatheRing 2023
Spring GatheRing -
Saturday 25th March 2023
Spring GatheRing – Knowle Green
On 25th March 2023 eight teams of handbell ringers descended on the small Ribble Valley hamlet of Knowle Green for a joyful get together.
The day was dry and bright as bells, tables and foam were unloaded from cars and coaches
and tables were set up in the Village Hall.
Space was tight as the floor space began to fill up but eventually everyone got in as we were preparing for a day’s ringing and entertainment.
The first Massed ringing was a piece commissioned from Malcolm C. Wilson in memory of Derek Jackson MBE, an arrangement of Derek’s favourite classical music, Finlandia by Jean Sebelius.
Beth conducted this piece which had been circulated to the teams in advance. John Collins a former member of Bishops Handbell Ringers joined us to hear this played for the first time and share his memories of Derek.
The day was punctuated by the statutory AGM where officers were elected or reelected.
Kate kindly conducted The Royalty Waltz, a piece which was quite appropriate with the forthcoming Coronation of King Charles III in May.
There were two train themed tunes played by the teams even though no-one came by train and despite “Singing in the Rain” the weather stayed fine for packing away.
The teams played:
Sale - Dutch Tulip Dance
Norbury - Pomp & Circumstance March
Marple - Early one morning
Gresford – Plink plank plonk
Beth & Josi - Stop
Dean - The Runaway train
Kinder - Gods Train
Marron Valley - In the bleak midwinter
Maghull - The Parade of the tin soldiers
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Maghull - Birthday rag (Robin Benton) for Maghull’s 40th Birthday
Marron Valley - Maria from The Sound of Music
Kinder - Policemen’s holiday
Dean - La Mourisque with tambour & Indian bell (arr Sandra Winter)
Beth & Josi - I have a dream - ABBA
Gresford - You raise me up
Marple - Trumpet symphonia
Norbury - Prelude to Te Deum
Sale - Singing in the rain
NorthWest Spring Rally 2023
Spring GatheRing -
Saturday 25th March 2023
Calling papers for the AGM and Booking Forms have been sent out to the Team Correspondents.
The event will take place at Knowle Green near Preston between 10.30am and 4.15pm.
It will feature "Reflection on Finlandia", the piece commissioned from Malcolm Wilson in memory of Derek Jackson which will be played for the first time as a massed ring at Knowle Green.
Every current member of the North West Region will be entitled to receive a copy of the piece; it will go first to teams and independent members registering for the GatheRing, and afterwards to all other members of the Region.
The Committee has decided that this time, we will have two Massed Ringing pieces, so that we can spend more time on each of them; in celebration of the Coronation, the other piece will be Sandra Winter’s Royalty Waltz.
For more information please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
As always, it's "first come, first served", so don't delay!
Dean Christmas 2022
Dean Handbell Ringers at Christmas
Dean Handbell Ringers entertained West Cumbria Adult Carers
at their Christmas Lunch at Cockermouth.to, re
Norbury Christmas 2022
Norbury Christmas 2022
This Christmas, Norbury Handbell Ringers were asked to perform at Macclesfield Silk Museum as part of their Christmas Activity Programme. It was unusual to be playing among some venerable pieces of historic machinery, including the Ribbon Loom which produced tags for Doc Marten Boots. The museum also has the original Jacquard Loom responsible for producing the famous Macclesfield silk scarves, buttons, pictures and even silk maps used by RAF parachutists in the Second World War. The visit allowed us to browse the shop for last minute handmade Christmas presents and enjoy a cup of tea from the Vintage Tea Room. Having decided to play our bigger Christmas pieces it was quite a challenge getting five tables in the Blue gallery to accommodate the bigger bells. Carl’s height came in handy for adjusting the museum mood lighting to focus on our music. The concert went down well, particularly with the Probus Club who had made it their mission to visit and asked some very intelligent questions.
Norbury also played at Brookdale Club Christmas Lunch and BrookView Care Home as well as fitting in the traditional Christmas Meal Out.