Handbell Concert in Maghull, on Saturday 18th July 2026 at 3pm
Saturday 18th July 2026
Maghull Parish Handbell Ringers will be presenting a concert of Music from around the British Isles on Saturday 18th July 2026.
The concert will start at 3pm at St Andrew's Church Hall.
Marple URC Handbell Ringers
Marple URC Handbell Ringers 2026
We have recently performed for the Church coffee morning group at Marple URC.
It was a ‘hymn sandwich’ - being a set of mostly dance tunes, either side of three varied arrangements of hymns.
We played a Little Dance, Walter Bulwer’s Polka #1, and Royalty Waltz, together with other favourites, including some from previous HRGB rally days. This way it gave a suitable mix for all our ringers to show off the techniques we’ve learned!
Our group poet, Lesley, provided a fine spoken interlude in a Custom-written Verse especially for us! (It may soon be available for readers of 'Oyez'.)
The team gave their best efforts and we hope it was an enjoyable time for all.
Maybe other teams have been practising for their next local events? Please share if you have any good tips of how you put a programme together.
Sorry, we didn't manage a photo, because we were all in our best team kit!
Skills Weekend Moreton in Marsh
Skills Weekend and AGM at
Moreton in Marsh 2026
NATIONAL SKILLS WEEKEND
Seven members of the NW Region attended the National Skills Weekend in Moreton-in-Marsh. As the name suggested all the ringing activities involved skills that we could use in our ringing.
It was a great opportunity to learn something new or brush up on techniques useful to enhance our performances.
The Fire Service College proved to be an ideal venue with modern accommodation blocks, restaurant and ringing rooms all close together on a flat site. For those who arrived on Friday there was a quiz after the evening meal, whilst on Saturday night there was a popular Ceilidh.
The morning workshops covered a multitude of different skills before the National AGM and then several Masterclasses in the afternoon. On Sunday, following a service in the Chapel, everyone came together for the massed ringing of three contrasting pieces, led by three different conductors.
The whole weekend was brilliantly organised by the SW Region. Good food, a varied selection of workshops and a very friendly atmosphere made the event so enjoyable and a great success.
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Sandra Winter Skills Workshop Saturday 6th June 2026 Worcester
Saturday 6th June 2026
Skills Workshop
More information
Handbell Concert in Hoole, Chester, on Saturday 27th June 2026
Saturday 27th June 2026
The Northern Bell Orchestra will be performing a concert to cebebrate 20 years of the NBO and as a tribute to retiring Conductor Kate Swallish in Hoole, Chester on Saturday 27th June 2026.
Handbell Concert in Hessle, Hull on Saturday 13th June 2026
Saturday 13th June 2026
The Northern Bell Orchestra will be performing a concert in memory of member Louise Cowton in Hessle on Saturday 13th June 2026.
Kirkby Lonsdale Handbells
Kirkby Lonsdale on BBC "Do You Know Your Place?"
When "Do you know your place?" visited Kirkby Lonsdale they met Audrey Phillips, the oldest handbell ringer in Britain. Paul posed the question "Did TakeThat's Mark Owen take bell-ringing lessons from Audrey?" when he moved into Kirby Lonsdale a few years ago.
The answer was no but John Lennon did learn to ring tower bells at Woolton in Liverpool.
“It is with great sadness that the region learnt of the recent passing of Audrey Phillips, for over 50 years a member of Kirkby Lonsdale Handbell Ringers.
At the age of 98 she is believed to have been the oldest active member of HRGB and was ringing with the team as recently as last Christmas.
Her funeral was attended by past and present members of the team and a recording of her favourite music, Minuet and Trio, played during the service.
The tower ringers also paid their tribute by ringing a quarter peal as she left the church. Our condolences go to Alan and the team.”
Vaughan Evans Fund
Vaughan Evans Fund
for Young Ringers
This fund was set up in memory of Vaughan Evans who died in 2007. Vaughan had been a devoted supporter of HRGB serving in all three of the Officers’ posts as well as leading one of the country’s large teams of handbell ringers, St Wulfram’s, in Grantham. He always supported young ringers and financial grants are available through this fund.
Who can apply?
Funding may be given to handbell ringers from the UK in full/ part-time education, and aged under 24, to attend an HRGB event. Applicants should be members of HRGB. Membership of HRGB is free of charge for those in full-time education aged under 24.
What can be applied for?
The full cost or part of the cost to attend any HRGB sponsored event whether Regional, National or International.
How to apply:
Fill in the short application form (see the link below), if possible, 2 months before the closing date for the event
Applicants are expected to write a statement explaining what they require, outlining why they want to go to the event and saying how they would expect to benefit attending.
If the applicant is aged under 18, details should be given of a chaperone who can take responsibility for the applicant and act in loco parentis.
Return the form by email to the HRGB Secretary – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Applicants will be informed of the result of applications, when the request has been considered by representatives of HRGB.
If you are successful:
Participate fully in the event.
After the event, successful applicants should complete a feedback form and acknowledge the support from HRGB by writing about their experience in the national magazine (Reverberations).
Golden Jubilee Rally 2025
HRGB NorthWest Golden Jubilee Rally - Preston 2025
A golden day inside and out!
Saturday 10th May dawned warm and sunny and that was the greeting when we arrived at Lostock Academy for the NW Region's golden anniversary.
Everyone had gone to a lot of trouble to wear something golden yellow, even the competition cakes were a yellow sight to behold.
After setting up,the hard work began, learning the set pieces of music for the day. Concentration,mixed with anecdotes and laughter was the order of the day.
Much 'competition' cake was consumed in the afternoon and copious cups of tea and coffee were made.
I hope all enjoyed the day as much as Norbury ringers and we'll all meet up again very soon.
Congratulations to Beth McCord who has become our latest Honorary Life Member of HRGB.
See the photos in the Gallery - 2025 Golden Anniversary Rally