Northern Bell Orchestra Events 2025
The Northern Bell Orchestra, as well as having a brand new website, are holding three events in 2025.
The first concert in Sale Methodist church M33 4PL also features the MYC choir and will take place on Saturday 7th June 2025 from 4pm to 5.30pm.
The second, on Saturday 12th July 2025 will be at St Mary's church, Greasborough, Rotherham S61 4DX from 3.30pm to 5pm. This also features Bronze Carillon and a soloist Emily Wong.
If anyone fancies having a go and would like to see a rehearsal for themselves there will be an open day on Saturday 19th July 2025.
For more details please see www.northernbellorchestra.co.uk
Welcome!
Our Region
The North West Region is part of Handbell Ringers of Great Britain, whose aim is to promote tune ringing on handbells by organising activities and providing support and advice for its members.
The Region covers Cumbria, Lancashire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Cheshire, parts of Derbyshire and West Yorkshire, North Wales, the Isle of Man and Ireland.
Our activities are organised for members of the Region, but there’s a warm welcome for prospective members so if you would like to try out one of our events, contact our Secretary, Irene Merson.
The Region also has a Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1223433977844693/
Ringing in the North West Region
Skills Day Worcester Saturday 7th June 2025
Lostock Hall - Golden Jubilee Saturday 10th May 2025
Lostock Hall Academy,
Saturday 10th May 2025
Preston PR5 5UR
You can come as an individual if you can't get your team together on that date BUT even if you can't come as a team please send us a video clip (under 5 minutes in .mp4 format) of your team in action for our video montage. Closing date for receipt of these is Sunday 29th April.
Guest conductor Malcolm Wilson will be joining us from Dunblane Cathedral.
There will be a bake-off cake competition with prizes and opportunities to share your photos of NorthWest Handbell Ringing events.
Please wear Yellow or Gold items of clothing and if you can, send us a video of your team performing.
The event is for all members of HRGB NorthWest whether in a team or not and we look forward to seeing you there.
Maghull Movies & Musicals Concert 2025
Maghull Concert -
Saturday 1st March 2025
On a sunny spring day in March a large audience enjoyed a marvellous concert at Maghull by Maghull Parish Handbell Ringers.
On display were many different techniques which added to the texture and diversity of the programme of
Movies and Musicals Music.
Leading up to the concert, Maghull Parish Handbell Ringers were unfortunately moved out of their regular practice room, the Remy Room, as Maghull Council had to use it whilst repairs were being carried out on their Town Hall. Fortunately the dance class in the hall agreed to alter their sessions so that handbell practices could take place in the hall.
The programme consisted of :
The Pirates of the Caribbean Theme
Favourite Things from the Sound of Music
Theme from The Lord of the Rings
Lion King Medley
Phantom of the Opera
Hallelujah from Shrek
The Muppets Theme
A Medley of Les Misérables music
Beth explained how the money raised would go towards replacing a cracked "E" bell.
She thanked past members and conductor, Judith Barker who had helped set up the team.
In the interval, refreshments were served on the stage even though the tea room was out of action.
A raffle was held and Jocie and Issie performed an excellent double act drawing out the numbers. A challenging Movie Quiz also taxed the audience’s memory and set the mood for the concert.
Afterwards, people were invited up to look at the bells and the music and ask questions.
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Kinder Ringers at Hayfield WI
Kinder Ringers' Concert for Hayfield WI
Kinder Ringers were invited to Hayfield and District WI to play at their March meeting.
Fortunately the milage was low as they meet a few hundred yards from where we practice.
Some of the comments made afterwards were "It was a fantastic evening, I really enjoyed your performance" and "That was lovely! I was helping with the refreshments so couldn't come over and find out more but the music was so relaxing and interesting to see how the bells are played". Others commented on the variety of music played and the different sounds produced.
Dino
Dino Handbell Ringer
"Even this chap can do it with his teeny tiny arms"
Who knew handbell ringing was so old!
AJ Bell TV advert
Bolton GatheRing 2025
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
Movies & Musicals Concert 2025
Saturday 1st March
Maghull Parish Handbell Ringers will be entertaining with a Movies and Musicals Themed Concert.
This will take place at Maghull Parish Hall, Damfield Lane, Maghull, Liverpool L31 6DB
from 3pm on Saturday 1st March 2025.
Admission is free but donations will be collected.
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
or see Maghull Parish Handbell Ringers on Facebook