Handbell Workshop
Sunday 5 July 2009

Twenty handbell ringers, ten different sets of bells from 'pocket sized' through standard sets to hemispherical, and up to five groups ringing in different rooms. Wow!

What had started as a few friends saying "lets meet at Mischa's for handbells" grew into a Guild of Devonshire Ringers' event and more than fulfilled expectations. Gathering in Okehampton we met for a good spread of pasties at lunchtime. What a treat to find a cream tea was served to sustain us mid afternoon, and yet more cake later on.

There was a good range of ability. Methods rung included: Plain Hunt, Plain Bob, 6-Spliced Surprise Minor, Yorkshire Surprise Major, Grandsire Caters and something on twelve involving front and back sixes. The afternoon started with simple groups, changed to the more experienced ringing together for a while, then returned to helping the less experienced, until everyone had hopefully had enough. A tune-ringing group was seen to spring up in the corner of the garage too!

Left: Christine, Roy, Richard & Ian
Middle: Barrie, Tim, Andrew & Roy
Right: Ringing on the Denmisch simulated campanile

The Denmisch Simulated Campanile was put to good use throughout the afternoon with a beginner's handling lesson, a young lad consolidating call changes, and methods of complexity with interesting bell sounds. Richard Johnston ran Abel in another room with dummy handbell motion sensors which struck accurately with a normal wrist motion.

It turned out to be a long afternoon which seemed to go by very quickly and most people were starting to leave by 7pm. Many thanks to Mischa for opening her home to us, and to her and her sister Zonnie for masterminding the food. Old friendships were renewed as people encountered those they hadn't seen for some years, and future plans were hatched.

Though not primarily a quarter peal day, one did slip under the net rung on the pocket set!

Lynne Hughes.

Okehampton, Devon. (5 Moorcroft Close) 5th July, 1440 Plain B Minor: Margaret Chapman (C) 1-2, Barrie Hendry 3-4, Alison Waterson 5-6.

 

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