NW Region July ZOOM Event
NW Region ZOOM Event Saturday 17th July 2021
Beth McCord kindly offered to host an on-line event to gradually get us used to the idea of handbell ringing again.
The modest numbers meant we could all fit on one ZOOM screen and it was lovely to see some familiar faces, albeit with different lockdown hairstyles in some cases.
Having taken advice from Tim Willets and Aidan Fozard,
who have been ringing on-line all through the Covid pandemic, Beth was able to share the music with us to help keep us together - in theory.
To provide some variety we also had a PowerPoint presentation on “How to tell where the tune is”.
This introduced us to some of the techniques composers and arrangers use to indicate the tune which obviously needs to be rung out clearly with more emphasis.
A quiz devised by Sheila supplied light relief with rounds on the HRGB, Logos and TV knowledge.
There was chance for an informal chat in “Break-out Rooms”. During the discussion, the brilliant idea of commissioning some cake forks with a handbell top decoration was mooted. This would enable sticky cakes to be served at rallies without risking contaminating the bells or music. A marvellous idea!
We are looking forward to local mini rallies in the Autumn.
Thanks to the committee for organising this pioneering event and to the participants for embracing technology!
NW Region On-line Event
Regional Ringing Event
A free online session on Saturday 17th July 2021
2pm-3.30 pm
for HRGB members
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NW Online Ring |
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You are invited to join us for a NW Online Ring on Zoom on Saturday 17th July at 2pm. We will aim to finish at 3:30pm and certainly no later than 4pm. We have all really missed our rallies and events over the past 18 months so we would like to offer you the opportunity to join in with an online event where we will look at some music together in a workshop style. We will then lead you through some massed ringing and have a quiz. There will also be some social time for those who would like the chance to have a chat in 'breakout rooms'. You may be in a position to join us with bells, or even be able to participate as a small group (adhering to government guidance of course!). However, if you do not have access to actual bells please do not let this put you off, we would still love to see you! If you wish to register then please click on the link below!
It's free, and easy to register: just go to the main HRGB website, log in as an HRGB member, go to HRGB Events, |
Simply sign up at the link below - it's free, and once you've registered you'll be sent details for taking part from the comfort of your own home.
- If ringers are sharing a single device (PC/Tablet/Phone) to access the session, you just need one registration
AGM 2022
AGM 2022 -
Saturday 7th May 2022
The 2022 AGM of the North West Region, will be held on Saturday, 7th May at Halton, near Lancaster.
The Committee has decided to hold a face-to-face AGM this year, but we will not combine it with any ringing activities;
it will be purely a business meeting.
Perhaps next year, we will go back to our pre-Covid practice of combining the AGM with a regional event.
Ringing On-line Workshop
Ringing, Virtually - taking your Handbell, Handchime or Belleplate group rehearsals online
A free online session on Saturday 13 February 2021 2pm-3pm (with optional opportunity for Question & Answer session 3pm-3.30pm) for HRGB members who are looking to explore ways to take handbell, handchime or belleplate rehearsals online
Note that this is a repeat of the session held in November (which had over 70 people take part from all around the country), to ensure those who didn't get the chance to take part now have another opportunity to do so.
- No Handbells, Handchimes nor Belleplates will be needed to take part! We'll show ways to rehearse virtually at a distance.
- See why participants said "air-ringing was so much fun!" at the first entirely virtual handbell event held in the UK, when the Scottish Regional Association had their Autumn Ring virtual event in October.
- Hear about experiences of Dunblane Cathedral's multiple groups which have been working entirely online since the Covid-19 took hold in the country.
- And hear how the East Anglian Regional Team, have adapted to move rehearsals online, both with and without bells.
- See how to make the most of online platforms with shared presenter screen view for ringers staying together and tracking the beat on the music score.
- Understand teaching and learning options not generally possible in the rehearsal room.
- And we'll be looking under the hood of choices of no-cost or low-cost digital platforms - both in set-up and in using.
Malcolm Wilson, Aidan Fozard, Tim Willetts and Laura Buist look forward to welcoming you to this virtual event which is exclusively for HRGB members (free of charge) and aimed at anyone looking to put these ideas into practice in a group. There's limited spaces available so be sure to sign up quickly.
Simply sign up at the link below - it's free, and once you've registered you'll be sent details for taking part from the comfort of your own home.
- If ringers are sharing a single device (PC/Tablet/Phone) to access the session, you just need one registration
Derek Jackson
Derek Jackson MBE
HRGB members will be saddened to hear of the sudden passing on Sunday 20th December 2020 of Derek Jackson, MBE. Derek directed Blacon High School Handbell Ringers then Bishop's Bells of Chester - performing widely as well as on television on a number of occasions including with Björk on the Jonathan Ross Show. He was a long-time member of the HRGB North West Region committee, including as chairman, and organised many HRGB events. Derek's family have created an on-line book of remembrance for anyone who wishes to leave a message https://www.theonlinebookcompany.com/.../Content/Filler
AGM 2021 Voting Papers Issued
AGM 2021 Voting Papers
Like the Loyal Company of Town Criers Championships, the HRGB North West Region AGM will have to be a silent affair this year. Election papers, proposals and reports are being sent out by e-mail to HRGB members. Look out for your documents arriving soon and let the secretary know if you think you should have had them. It is good to keep connected as we slowly return to some kind of normality.
Northern Bell Orchestra Thank You
The legacy of handbell performances is carrying on in a special way even in these difficult times. Since the NW Region has members who ring with the NBO Kate thought it might be nice to pass on the following ’Thank you to NBO members’.
The Funeral service for Kate's brother-in-law was live streamed last Monday afternoon & included an audio recording of the NBO playing a piece we have performed several times in the past.
Kate says
" I want to thank the Northern Bell Orchestra for a wonderful performance of
Alex Guebert’s The Lord Is My Shepherd, I’ll Not Want
last Monday afternoon 10th August 2020.
You'll be thinking we didn’t perform last Monday. Well, the answer is we did. You played at the funeral service of my dear brother-in-law, Dan Farrell, husband of my sister, Marie.
Dan had a sudden and catastrophic stroke the week before last and died a few days later in hospice. Marie asked me to help her with choosing the music for the funeral.
It occurred to me that a special gift to Dan and Marie from me would be to share with them something of my handbell music.
Marie was delighted and the performance received a number of lovely comments & appreciative applause.
Thank you NBO for performing at my lovely brother-in-law’s funeral. It was very special and I will never forget it."
Focus on Norbury Interview
Interview with Norbury Leader, Jon Leigh
From Amanda Jones' interview for the Autumn 2020 'Reverberations'
How did you first learn about Handbell Ringing?
School started a Handbell Team using a 2 ½ Octave set from Pettit & Fritzen that were bought that year
Cello & a bit of Piano
No. Still in staff notation, sometimes just the ringers bells, and sometimes full score
4 in hand at school, because that was the way the master taught us.
Off the table at Norbury, because they have always rung off the table.
Chose a piece using less ringers. The smallest number we can sensibly manage with is 6.
Duplicate, or, less occasionally, sit out, but we have pieces arranged for up to 10 ringers, so only occasionally would be an issue.
All ringers have different favourites. Mine used to be Doll Dance when I was happy swinging “5 bags of sugar” (big C), but now is probably The Bellflower Quadrille.
Off the table
Went to the one in Brisbane when I was in Australia for work.
Not now.
Yes, they were cheaper!
No, but Jeanette, a team member is on the local NW committee.
The same. Fees and Concerts.
Age and the ease of ringing the larger bells.
Don’t know, but it might be, if they are at home looking after children, that it is a hobby that they can do in the evening whilst their husband looks after the kids.
No, but I think team members might.
Publicity on Social media?
Not actively, but the newer ringers have come for a variety of reasons.
Three For The Road
"Three for the Road" by Rob Worrall, was winner of the Golden Oldie Arrangement Competition for the HRGB 50th Anniversary. It is a medly of Tavern in the Town, It's a Long Way to Tipperary and Pack up your Troubles in your old kit bag. In this time of lockdown and social isolation what have you been doing to celebrate VE Day 75th Anniversary?
