Mary Jones has a blog, The Accidental Ringer, and frequently writes for the Ringing World.
Where are you based?
Reedham, Norfolk
When and where did you learn to ring handbells?
2020 on-line.
Who has influenced your handbell ringing?
The Clanging Belles (Nikki Thomas, Catherine Sturgess, Gillian Knox) an all-lady handbell band formed during lockdown, local Norfolk handbell ringers, The Minnesota Handbell band (North American Guild of Change Ringers).
Blue lines, place notation or structure?
My own unique approach that is a bit of anything that works.
Trebles or tenors?
Trebles every time.
Quarters or peals?
Quarters
What is the most unusual place in which you have rung handbells?
A derelict church during lockdown restrictions.
What is your favourite handbell-ringing anecdote?
Ringing a quarter peal whilst my dog pleasured himself loudly behind the chair of the 5-6 pair.
Any further comments about handbell ringing in general?
I first heard change ringing on handbells at an association event in September 2018. I had been ringing in a tower for a few months and was absolutely mesmerised by the waterfall of sound produced by 4 ringers on these diddy little bells. It seemed impossibly complex and something that only very talented and experienced ringers could ever attempt. Obviously, out of reach for someone like me, and then COVID lockdown encouraged me to consider alternative sorts of ringing and it turned out that handbells are not only accessible for a very average sort of ringer, but actually easier than tower bells. Why does no-one tell novice ringers that handbells might suit them better than big bells? They have brought me much joy and most of what I know about methods has been learned through ringing handbells.
Next time: Graham John
