International Handbell Symposium 2026

A respectably large group of NorthWest Handbell Ringers made the long journey to Aberdeen Scotland for the 22^nd International Handbell Symposium from 3^rd to 8^th August 2026.

The cooler weather up North was a relief from the current heatwave at home and we were soon settling into our hotel and unloading handbells.

We had the music sent to us in advance and had had a look at the massed ringing music thanks to practices organised by the Northern Bell Orchestra. The Symposium venue, P&J Live (Post and Journal) or The Exhibition and Conference Centre Aberdeen (TECA) was impressive in its size and facilities. The “green shirts” or organising committee were there to welcome us and answer our many and varied questions. Small gifts and badges were exchanged at the welcome reception.

Our allotted space in Hall C was next to a group of Canadian Ringers “The Eh Team”,
as Canadians are known for saying “Eh” as a greeting and fortunately they were very friendly. We even became their official team photographer as a group photo was required every day as they wore their different team shirts. In return they supplied us with Canadian sweets in the breaks. In front of us were a team from New York USA who were very enthusiastic, joining in all the actions for the performance whereas we were too busy concentrating on getting the right notes in the right places.

The conductors came from all the eight guilds involved in the organising committee and were different in their approaches and styles. The podium had to be raised by a foot to allow people at the back of the hall to see the conductor. It was very difficult to control such a huge number of ringers and in some cases three limbs were required to bring in all the different parts.

The massed ringing practices were very varied as all the pieces were so different.
It was quite a relief though when the Workshops began on the Wednesday and we could do something other than ring handbells!

On Thursday the day started with a moving all faith service to remember those killed at Hiroshima for Hiroshima Day.
Each day started with Notices and Lost and Found announcements. At one point a toy Echidna had been found and it was still there on Saturday so I hope it found it’s way home.

Two surprise pieces were added to the concert programme, donated by Bells of Whitechapel, and conducted by Aidan Fozard. We had a couple of run-throughs but it was mainly rung by sight-reading. However being well-known tunes it didn’t seem to matter.

The final piece for the concert was a fun piece requiring special effects to represent raising the flags and rigging on a ship and hauling on the ropes. This also included actions, stomping, calling “Ahoy” and singing which all added to the performance.

The evening concerts each day showcased some fantastic teams from countries as varied as Hungary and Hong Kong including our own Northern Bell Orchestra and Maghull Parish Handbell Ringers. Also a three generational team featuring Linda, Beth and Jocie. There was also a scratch World handbell choir formed of ringers who had met at previous Symposia and had had just 90 minutes practice but was so good it had to have an encore.

The ringing “tracks” workshops, who had also only had two days to practice their  pieces, gave amazing performances.

After the build up to the final live-streamed Concert attended by the Lord Provost of Aberdeen City, the Banquet and Closing Ceremony was a chance to wind down and meet more new friends. Many people involved in organising the Symposium were thanked including the Japanese Interpreter, Arthur Syin who seemed to be ad-libbing a bit as the conductors frequently commented  “Did I say that?”.

The next Symposium President Foon Lyn Yap was introduced for Singapore in 2028 and the IHC Symposium flag handed over in a moving ceremony.

See the Gallery Gallery - 2026 International Symposium