It all started several years ago, when Jonathan Frye and Angela Deakin asked if we were interested in forming a handbell band, including teaching Angela to ring handbells. We had been trying and failing to do just this for many years (for reasons far too boring to go into), so we said ‘YES’.
(Really, it all started when Mike Clay began some regular handbell practices with some of the students in Edinburgh and various other handbell ringers in the area, including Jonathan. One day our schedules will mesh enough to all ring together – but in handbell ringing, patience is everything.)
Our journey from those first beginnings to where we are now has been both fun and interesting. Also, we learned a lot about teaching handbells to people at various levels of ability. Through it all we have discussed theories of how people learn, best methods of learning (we don’t always agree), and how to transfer some of this expertise into the bell tower.
The blogs below are about that journey, our progress and the progress of other bands by guest authors. They describe the ups and downs as they happen, as honestly as we can.
Where are you based?
Oxford
When and where did you learn to ring handbells?
Growing up as a teenager in Manchester, taught by my parents, not long after learning to ring tower bells
Who has influenced your handbell ringing?
My parents, initially, who were very patient in teaching me the...
Where are you based?
Wimborne Minster
When and where did you learn to ring handbells?
At home with my parents in Glen Parva.
Who has influenced your handbell ringing?
Dad, David Brown, Brian Burrows and Rick Shallcross.
Blue lines, place notation or structure?
A blend of all three.
Trebles or...
During the pandemic I found myself regularly ringing online with a band containing three Simons: Rudd, Gay and Humphrey. We conceived the idea of ringing with a band consisting entirely of Simons, and worked our way up to a quarter of Little Bob Fourteen. Some time later we thought of...
Where are you based?
Ludwigshafen, Germany
When and where did you learn to ring handbells?
In Connecticut, USA in the 1970's.
Who has influenced your handbell ringing?
My Dad, Donald Trumpler, Marj and Alan Winter, Don Morrison, Ed Futcher, Mike Trimm.
Blue lines, place notation or structure?
All of the...
Graham is the developer of Composition Library and Handbell Stadium, a notable composer, and a member of the eBells team.
Where are you based?
Brimpton near Newbury, Berkshire
When and where did you learn to ring handbells?
West Wickham in Kent in 1973 with two other complete novices
Who has...
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...
I have written several times before about my plan to visit Dun a Bhuilg, the house in Argyll where the second and third SACR handbell peals were rung. It was built for Edwin and Agatha Lewis and is now owned by their grandson Simon, who runs it as a holiday...
Simon Melen is famous for ringing several peals on four handbells, including Orion Surprise Maximus.
Where are you based?
Ticknall, Derbyshire, England
When and where did you learn to ring handbells?
I was taught to ring handbells by my, then, father-in-law, David Marshall in Long Eaton, Derbyshire in about 1983...
Where are you based?
Oxford
When and where did you learn to ring handbells?
Cambridge, late 1980s, mostly with Simon Gay.
Who has influenced your handbell ringing?
Simon Gay originally and then a big long gap before some collective enthusiasm in Oxford with mutual influence.
Blue lines, place notation or...
Gareth is one of a small group of people, including Tina, who have PhDs based on ringing. He is also the organiser of the Five O'Clock Club for online handbell ringing.
Where are you based?
Reach, near Cambridge
When and where did you learn to ring handbells?
First rang changes...