As we have had new members over the past year we thought we needed a new photograph so here we are

Having gone to other Mothers' Union branches with our talk
"Making Music with Handbells" we thought it was high time
 we stayed at home!!!

At the end members had a go at
playing Golden Slumbers, which was recognisable at the first attempt!!

In March we took our talk "Ring Out the Bells" to St. Peters Mothers' Union at Sutton Weaver and the members enjoyed "having a go".  They did extremely well!

Christmas 2016

RINGING OUT FOR CHRISTMAS 2016

The period before Christmas is always a busy one for bell ringers. We had seven engagements in three weeks. For care homes in Astbury, Mobberley and Winsford we restricted the repertoire to carols for 12 bells (six ringers). This was appreciated by the residents since they were able to recognise what we were playing and to sing. This is always perceived with mixed  feelings: do we keep going at our pace or do we accelerate / decelerate to keep in line with the audience? 

Tatton Park
9th and 16th December 2016

We were invited to take part again this year for Tatton Park's Christmas opening which celebrated the centenary of Roald Dahl.  We took full teams there twice. Lighting is always a problem there, but we coped. People drift through so there was a quite variable atmosphere.We played three sessions of 45 minutes each through both days and the programme included carols as well as other music.

Little Moreton Hall

10th December 2016

However, at Little Moreton Hall we again used six ringers due to lack of space, but had an enthusiastic audience. Whether this was influenced by their being able to sit with a roaring fire behind them while we had to play vigorously to keep warm .......! 

Willowmere Extra Care Home

19th December 2016

Our final performance was at Willowmere, where we contributed to the annual carol service along with Middlewich Festival Choir. . Here we had warm, comfortable, familiar surroundings, a full team and a fitting end to our exertions. Followed of course by copious refreshments.

Middlewich Makers'Market

Saturday, 26th November

Playing in the veranda at Tesco's in Middlewich is always a challenge. What will the weather be like? Will anyone stop to listen? Will they donate anything? To put it mildly, the weather was unkind. It was a cold, foggy day, with the temperature barely above freezing. In fact a day to stay inside by the fire! However, we are hardy souls and set to with gusto as the best means of keeping warm. 

Since we had more players than the minimum necessary - we were playing carols arranged for 12 bells, or six players in our case, plus a conductor to try to keep them together - there were opportunities to get hands around a warm drink in the staff room without causing a break in proceedings. We managed to play our 22 piece repertoire twice, with most players trying unfamiliar positions.

 I thought we played very well. The good people of Middlewich must have been just as impressed, putting almost £76 in our collecting bucket, more than ever before. A proportion of this will go to Tesco's charities. Perhaps we need to put the rest towards some foot warmers!

David Hawkes

Autumn Hand Bell Rally at Disley
8th October 2016

On a bright Autumn Saturday morning we set off early for Disley, allowing just over an hour for travel. This proved a little optimistic since there were lots of cyclists en route and then minor ROADWORKS creating a huge queue!!!  Eventually we arrived at our venue, and then had to juggle cars in the car park.

At last, all six groups present were ready for the first massed ringing piece ("Toreador's Song" from Carmen).  It sounded good, even the first time through - much better than in our practices! The other two massed ringing pieces were "Le Lierre" and "Land of Hope and Glory".  Our thanks go to all three conductors.  It was wonderful to hear lots of bells playing in unison. caption

Three rounds of Team ringing produced a wide variety, from classical to popular music, hymns, jazz, tunes from musicals and film themes.  There was Solo ringing (a real challenge) and lots of bells, belleplates, hand chimes, whistles, etc. and several new techniques we had not encountered.

The pieces which will be remembered were "Highland Cathedral" played by Maghull, "God's Train" by Kinder Ringers and a very moving "Let There Be Peace on Earth", also by Maghull. The overall standard was high.

Thanks must go to our hosts, the Kinder Ringers, for their amazing organisation and hospitality - the cakes were delicious! It is 50 years since several teams met at Hazel Grove, the Handbell Ringers of Great Britain being founded the following year. So next year's dates are in our diaries.

Next Event

To see events we have planned for the rest of this year please select our Future Events page from the "Pages" menu on the right.