What an up and down year this has been and no time more so than September.
At the beginning of September venues opened in those areas of Bradford (basically the Shipley constituency) where the local lockdown was relaxed again. Some classes and meetings were allowed. Having checked on the rules we realised it might be possible to to hold handbell practices again.
It would of course not be possible to resume our meetings in the church vestry as it is too small to allow social distancing. However as not all the groups are returning there was some availability in Church House. OK we would have to change to Mondays but that was no real hardship!
Everything was set up with the first practice to be Monday 14 September and most of us were looking forward to meeting in groups of 8 and playing on 2 octaves of handbells for the first time since March.
Then came the introduction of the “Rule of 6” and we had to change our plans again. Ringing handbells is NOT an exempt activity so although we can still practice in Church House we will be limited to 6 at a time and will have to take turns on a rota basis.
At least we will be indoors and not reliant on the weather as the nights draw in.
We are all looking forward to this and hoping those of our members still currently in local lockdown will be able to join us soon.
At the moment we cannot welcome spectators or new members and because of our restricted practices are not taking bookings for the remainder of 2020.
Solna Burnham
Secretary
