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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Christmas 2017
Christmas ringing
Once again the Christmas Season has been full of the sound of bells. Kinder Ringers were invited to ring at the Christmas Party of the Disley and District Flower Club which was held at North Cheshire Cruising Club on the Macclesfield Canal. The first mince pies of the season were consumed and lovely flower arrangements adorned the tables.
Kinder Ringers performed a selection of seasonal songs and carols which were very well received.
Packing up and loading up the cars we were shocked to find snow had been falling and continued to do so through the night leaving the event with a very Christmassy feel .
GOLDEN JUBILEE RALLY Saturday 7th October 2017
Lancaster Golden Jubilee Rally Saturday 7th October 2017
17 handbell teams attended the Golden Jubilee Rally to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the formation of the HRGB.
The University of Lancaster LICA building (Lancaster Institute for Contemporary Arts) was a spacious and airy hall with plenty of room for extracurricular activities. Bishops School pupils kindly guided us into the parking bays and the day set off with a Master Class in “Eleanor Rigby” conducted by Kate Sawallisch. Although it was a difficult piece to play with lots of tied notes and off-beat rhythms it set the tone for the 60s theme.
Four people who had attended the original rally were also able to make it, with the first event having been held in the Northwest.
The North West Committee had organised quizzes and games to join in with, including Heads and Tails, which really got us in a spin, and a variation on Beetle using Bear parts. There was a mingling game and a 60s quiz plus a raffle and £50 in pound coins to be won. In the refreshment hall there was a display of photos of ringers with the Jubilee Bears, Norbury and Ashton and some historic photo albums.
The Rally session took place in the afternoon with lots of loose connections to the theme of Gold, Birthdays or the Sixties. The Muppets Theme and Silent Night! Dean Ringers played “Puppet on a String” the Eurovision winner from 1967. Norbury, being the first registered team, played the Euterpe Mazurka from the original arrangement by William Gordon of Stockport. There was also lots of 60s themed dress and much Gold in evidence.
Walthew House blind bellringers from Stockport amazed everyone with their Nursery Chimes and joining in the familiar Old-time Medley, Three for the Road.
Original HRGB member, John Partington, cut the celebration cake and made a short speech.
The pieces written specially for the Anniversary, “Polaris and the Northern Lights” and “Dance Suite for Bells” were played as massed ringing. These were reprised at the end. The event concluded with the ringing and singing of “Let there be Peace” and a toast to another 50 years of handbell ringing.
See what pieces everyone rang:
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Team |
Music |
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Norbury |
Euterpe Mazurka |
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Marple URC |
Celebration |
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Greystoke |
Moon River |
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Kinder Ringers |
Outbursts of Joy |
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Walthew House |
Nursery Chimes |
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Mini Minims |
Yesterday |
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Tantony |
Over the Rainbow |
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Kirby Lonsdale |
The Muppets theme |
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Gresford |
Alleluia |
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Beetham |
Ode to Joy |
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Dean |
Puppet on a string |
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Sale |
Moon River |
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Bishops School |
Dambusters March |
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Higher Walton |
Silent Night |
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Marron Valley |
I’d like to teach the world to sing |
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Maghull |
Birthday Rag |
Jubilee Bears
Introducing the Jubilee Bears - Norbury and Ashton
You may have read in ‘Reverberations’ about the teddy bears which are to visit each Region of HRGB during this Golden Jubilee year. We now have two bears in the Region, named Norbury and Ashton, and we hope that one of them will be making its way to you at some point over the next few months.
The names were chosen as the first registered team of the HRGB was Norbury and the first National Handbell Rally was held at Ashton Grammar School.
This is what we would like you to do with your fluffy golden visitor.
The aim is that between them, the teddies will visit every team and independent member in the Region, and be photographed taking part in an activity – a performance, a practice, some other occasion – the choice is yours.
When you have your photographs, please select one and email it to Jeanette Jenkins, our webmaster, who has kindly agreed to collate them and put them on the Region’s website. Please don’t send more than one photograph – Jeanette is the collator, not the decision-maker!
Jeanette’s email is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . When you send the photograph please include the team / member’s name and brief details. Please also show your bear’s mileage while it is with you - we would like to total up their ‘Bear miles’ on their tours around the Region.
Members of the Committee will be mainly responsible for getting the bears around the Region, but if you know that you can pass your bear on to another team or independent member personally, please contact one of the Committee members – any help will be gratefully received!
SOME HINTS ABOUT BEAR CARE:
· Do not feed them anything sticky / messy / highly coloured. Or anything at all, really.
· Feel free to dress them up for their photograph, but please don’t sew things onto them – bears don’t like needles.
· Don’t rely on them as substitutes for team members, especially at performances – bears are not good at counting and are rubbish at turning pages. This may mean they’ll fit in well, but even so …
· Don’t let them conduct – it will feed their egos and the last thing we want is a couple of little furry divas wandering around the Region.
· ON NO ACCOUNT MUST THE BEARS BE CONNECTED TO A MAINS ELECTRICITY SUPPLY. It makes them smell funny.
See the Jubilee Bears Gallery
National Rally Exeter 2017
The National Rally Exeter 2017
The Golden Jubilee celebrations got off to a very sunny start at the National Rally held at Exeter University. The anniversary year was officially launched at the AGM when our NW President, John Partington, joined several other founder members of the society to ring an opening chord.
Beth, our Chairman, received one of the little bears who will hopefully be visiting all our teams on his travels round the region during the year. Another notable event was the conferring of Honorary Life Membership of HRGB on Simon Rennie from Maghull, in recognition of his many years service to handbell ringing both in our region and nationally.
During the packed weekend we were treated to: concert performances by the regional teams from East Anglia and the South East; a wide variety of workshops and talks; masterclasses, including one led by Kate Sawallisch; plenty of delicious food; excellent accommodation; great company; a busy rally ringing session where 20 teams, Kinder among them, rang individual pieces interspersed with massed ringing. There was even time for a group photo of over 300 delegates taken on the steps outside the Great Hall of the University.
At the Concert on Saturday night Maghull were the NW region’s representatives and gave a superb performance of three of their favourite pieces of music.
This very enjoyable event closed with the ringing of a final chord by those taking part. It had been an excellent weekend which had everything to make it a fitting celebration of 50 years of HRGB.