Ring the Bells for CRISIS
On Thursday 10th October 2019 handbell teams are asked to ring a special piece of Music written by Paul Fincham " Ring the Bells for CRISIS" and record a video of the performance to send to #ringthebellsforcrisis.
This is because 10th October is World Homelessness Day and CRISIS is a charity working towards eliminating homelessness in 10 years. The music is available to buy from Boosey and Hawkes
http://www.boosey.com/shop/prod/Fincham-Paul-Ring-The-Bells-SATB-Divisi/2319797
Purdue University Handbells
Purdue University, Indianapolis USA Handbell Team visit Britain in May 2019
Spring Rally Bury 2019
Northwest Spring Rally at Bury 2019
As the Northwest Region handbell ringers gathered at Bury for the Spring Rally it looked at first as if we might have been locked out. The caretaker came just in time and a mightily relieved committee could get in. After some long journeys almost from the Scottish Borders there was great relief all round.
Beth welcomed the “orphan” ringers from North Wales who had come as individuals, known as the “significant others”. The massed ringing of Di Tanjong Katong was a Singapore Folk song arranged with many different effects. Those ringing four- in-hand were excused from some of the thumb damps as they did not have enough thumbs for four bells! The arrangement was first heard at the International symposium in Liverpool and adopted by Bishops Bells to ring at the Sale Rally last year.
In a bid to be environmentally friendly the ringers had brought a wonderful assortment of mugs for the hot drinks which they could take away and wash at home.
There was fancy dress for the ringing of Pirates of the Caribbean and a teddy bear for Dancing Teddy Bears.
Baby Max attended his first rally at 4 months old and some of the ringing, particularly “All on a Summers Evening” helped to lull him off to sleep.
At the AGM, Beth stood down as Chairperson and she was thanked for her 7 years of service and presented with a card and gift. She is not leaving altogether however, as she will still be a committee member. Linda Parkington kindly agreed to take over as Chairperson and we look forward to hearing her ideas for the Northwest Region of HRGB going forward. See the photos at Gallery - 2019 Bury
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Massed Ringing |
Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves |
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Marron Valley |
Ragtime Ramble |
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Kinder |
Take five |
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St Clements |
Jesu joy of man’s desiring |
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Sale |
All on a summer’s evening |
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Tantony |
Blue Danube |
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Massed Ringing |
Dancing Teddy Bears |
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Bishops Bells |
Cubley Brook |
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Dean |
To God be the Glory |
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Marple |
Carillon |
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Gresford |
Pirates of the Caribbean |
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Massed Ring |
Di Tanjong Katong |
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Gresford |
You raise me up |
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Marple |
Nellie the Elephant |
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Dean |
From a distance |
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Bishops Bells |
American Patrol |
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Happy Birthday Sue and Chris |
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Tantony |
The Happy farmer |
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Sale |
Puttin’ on the Ritz |
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St Clements |
Puff the Magic Dragon |
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Kinder |
Blessed assurance |
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Marron Valley |
When the Saints |
New Arrival (2)
A NEW ARRIVAL FOR OUR CHAIRPERSON!
Just to let you know Max Frederick McCord-Bullock arrived safely, (and quickly!), on Friday 7th December.
He weighed in at a chunky 10lbs4. Needless to say Beth and family are very proud and Jocie is a very chuffed big sister!
Wishing you all a very
Merry Christmas and
Happy New Year! 
Autumn Rally Sale 2018
Northwest Autumn Rally at Sale 2018
Dances and Chorales
The Autumn Rally was held at Central Hall, Sale Methodist Church on a lovely sunny Autumnal day in October.
The hall was very light and airy and sunny, particularly in the afternoon. There were plenty of pre-school toys and books to keep us amused in the breaks and a bountiful raffle table and HRGB sales table. Sandra Winter's arrangement of Scarborough Fair and Strawberry Fair "Come to the Fair" was our first massed ring. The Trumpet Chorale massed ringing was from the collection of John Partington and probably arranged by him, which was a nice tribute. The final massed ringing of Hallelujah Chorus was performed for its arranger in India via the wonders of facetime.
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Gresford |
Highland Cathedral |
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Kinder |
Ain’t misbehavin’ |
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Sale |
Trumpet Voluntary |
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Bishops |
The Water is Wide |
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St Clements |
Oranges and Lemons |
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Norbury |
Carillon |
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Walthew House |
Trumpet Tune |
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SMAART Middlewich |
Lord of the Dance Sleigh Ride |
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Maghull |
Tomorrow (Annie)
Theme from Symphony No 1 |
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Marple |
Alpine Waltz Monks March |
St Thomas Moorside Oldham Handbell Group
Historically the Church had a fine handbell team which were founder members of the Handbell Ringers of Great Britain.
They use 45 of the handbells on a regular basis and assist in playing at the Church’s Carol and Easter services and the Christmas Fair.
John Partington was a member of this group in the 1950's. Gail Randall is now the leader of the handbell group.
The handbells are in need of restoration after all these years.
A refurbishment is planned in 2018 at a cost of £3000 so that they will be able to be used for many years to come.
An application has been submitted for £500 funding to the Skipton Building Society Grassroots Giving initiative for the restoration of the handbells at St. Thomas' Church, Moorside, Oldham.
The application has been shortlisted for funding. This is a great achievement as over 740 applications had been received. The hand bells cost around £3,000 to be restored so this grant is really needed.
Now it's the job of the public to vote for which community groups should receive the funding.
Therefore, PLEASE, could everyone vote for this a.s.a.p.?
It's a click of a button. The website link is shown below:
https://www.skiptongrg.co.uk/apply-for-funding/2018-shortlisted-groups/north-west/peter-randall/
The winners will be announced on 5th November 2018.
2018 National Rally - Shropshire
National Rally 2018 – Harper Adams University
The National Rally 2018 was hosted by the West Midland region of HRGB and they chose a venue which had been successful previously and a date in the university Easter holidays so that the university accommodation could be used.
The first evening concert “The Hors d’oeuvre” was given by the Northern Bell Orchestra and the Requiem by William Payne was chosen as a dedication to John Partington who had sadly just passed away.
The Overseas Guest, Michael Helman was introduced and quipped what an enjoyable journey he had had getting to the venue compared to most of us coming from other parts of the UK. We were introduced to some of the American terminology such as measure (bar), metre(time) and ensemble(team) and Michael told us how the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers had become the Handbell Musicians of America, a much more succinct title.
During the AGM Don and Phillip Bedford were presented with honorary membership of HRGB.
The South East Region representatives told us about arrangements for next year’s national rally.
The main course of the weekend was the workshop sessions which included the steel pans, bell maintenance and using social media to promote your group as well as ringing from scratch and master classes by Michael Helman, Sandra Winter and Tim Willets. The steel pan sessions were slightly hampered by Ursula Howes, the tutor, having broken her wrist just before the rally and so her conducting was somewhat restricted. However the afternoon session group were still up for a performance at the Saturday Evening Concert, it was just a case of how to get the steel drums from the workshop over to the Queen Mother Concert Hall!
The Saturday Evening Concert featured local team, Halesowen Handbell Ringers, who gave a polished performance and played a repertoire of popular tunes. The concert also included a demonstration of method ringing on handbells and performances from the Master Classes held during the day.
The Concert had been advertised locally and in the Ringing World and a good audience enjoyed a variety of entertainment. A retiring collection was taken for the William Hartley Memorial Fund.
On Sunday the day was like a regional rally with party pieces interspersed with massed ringing. The Massed Ringing was a suite of 3 movements called the “English Suite” which Michael Helman had composed especially for this rally. Hopefully Michael enjoyed his visit to English Handbell Ringers especially the creative use of boomwhackers and junior members jumping for joy on successful completion of their performance! When the English Suite was played as the finale to the rally, this was its worldwide premier and sounded spectacular on around 300 bells. The real icing on the cake.
What we rang:
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Kinder Ringers |
Marigold, The Walls of Limerick |
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Dronfield |
Ain’t misbehavin’, Morning (Peer Gynt) |
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Biddenham |
Memory |
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Broxbourne |
The Gift of Peace |
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Hat Band Ringers |
Hyfrodol |
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Wandle |
Celebration Polka |
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Stour Valley |
All through the night, Cool Cats |
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Miniminims and Maghull |
Sakura |
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Barking |
Bells are Ringing |
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St Peter, Colville |
Lullaby of Broadway & Lullaby Suo Gan |
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All Saints, Maldon |
Little Drummer Boy |
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Bellfolk Norfolk |
Raindrops keep falling on my head |
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Walland duo |
Born Free, The Entertainer |
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Gaye and Alan |
Son of Orpheus, Don’t Worry Be Happy |
John Partington
It is with much sadness that we have learned of the death today of John Partington following a short illness.
John was one of main founders of HRGB in 1967 being our first secretary and first editor of Reverberations.
He was the second person to be made an Honorary Life Member of the society in 1979.
He was also Honorary Life President of HRGB North West Region.
John's Funeral took place at St Luke's Church, Heywood, Lancs on Thursday 12th April 2018 at 12.30.
The tower bells were rung and an assembly of handbell ringers rang "Home Sweet Home".
Spring Rally Bury 2018
Northwest Spring Rally at Bury 2018
Rhythm and Rhyme
The Spring Rally was held at Bury Grammar School again this year as it ticks all the boxes for an ideal venue in that it is central in the Northwest Region, is close to the motorway, has good parking and has a large, light and airy hall.
The hall was buzzing, with 12 teams represented. There were quite a few collaborations for the rally session as teams were struck down with illness or rehearsals for the Northern Bell Orchestra.
We were treated to a poetical interlude from a Greystoke new member and learned lots of new techniques, courtesy of Old MacDonald. The treasurer was told off by a teacher for standing on the chair and the massed ringing of “Home Sweet Home” as a round caused much confusion. “Eleanor Rigby” was studied, including the unusual rhythms. It has apparently been very favourably received in concerts by those teams who have got to grips with it.
At the AGM we heard about the elusive Golden Jubilee Bears and welcomed a new member to the committee. We learned about the idea behind “Christmas in July” and were encouraged to claim our Golden Jubilee prize for any new members joining HRGB in the Golden Jubilee year.
What pieces everyone rang:
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Team |
Music |
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Sale |
Where 'ere you walk |
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Marple URC |
Rock of Ages |
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Kinder Ringers |
Marigold |
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Mini Minims |
Favourite Things |
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Tantony |
You are my Sunshine |
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Bishops School |
Alleluia |
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Gresford |
Grand March |
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Dean & Marron Valley |
Technicolour dreamcoat |
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Maghull |
Mine Eyes have seen the Glory |
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Norbury |
Trumpet tune |
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