Bingley Handbells News

So we are back!

On Wednesday (19th) 6 of us met to ring 12 bells in Church House.

Our new cupboard for the equipment is not yet ready so we had to bring the bells, music stands and music in by car. We took all the expected COVID precautions and there were some problems like trying to count bar numbers wearing a mask and accidental bells rolling off our laps.

However we were back ringing real bells indoors for only the second time since March 2020!

It did feel nearly normal and our ringing room practices really seemed to have paid off. Our technique might be a bit rusty and some of the bells may have stiffened up over their enforced break so they didn’t exactly play when we wanted, but altogether it was a very successful practice and we are looking forward to the next one.

Our only problem is that only 6 of us can meet at one time so we can’t invite new members but we are hopeful this will change after June 21st so if you are interested please contact me.

Solna Burnham

Secretary

07884 233382

I do hope everyone has enjoyed the sunshine this week amid the relaxed lockdown restrictions.

Maybe next week (28 April) will be our last practice by Zoom. Whilst Ringing Room has been a very good way of getting together over these winter months of lockdown it is no replacement for meeting in person and playing real bells every week. We can however see the possibilities of it as a tool for theory sessions, particularly for beginners, in the future.

After then we hope to have a couple of outdoor afternoon practices before we move indoors to our new venue of Church House after 17th May.

Initially we will be restricted to 6 people at each practice and will have to set up a rota to make sure everyone has their fair share.

Then come 21st June it appears our practices will be almost back to normal. The vestry is being renovated so our bells, music and other equipment are being moved to Church House. We will be meeting there from 7 – 9pm every Wednesday.

Maybe we will also be able to welcome prospective new members if you are interested in trying a new hobby…………………….

Things really are beginning to look up!

Solna Burnham

Secretary

07882 233382

The Covid figures are improving and we are hopeful that we will follow the planned route out of Lockdown.

That means that from the 29 March we should be able to meet outside in groups of 6.

Whilst we have continued with our Zoom catch ups and our virtual ringing it will be wonderful to meet again in person, particularly with those who have not joined in online.

Last March when we went into the first lockdown the weather was amazingly good for that time of year and we all hope it will be the same again this year because even though we have a gazebo that does not protect us totally from the wind and rain.

So it is fingers crossed as we look to the future!

Solna Burnham

Secretary

07884 233382

One of the disadvantages of not meeting regularly is all the celebrations we are missing.

At the beginning of our usual practices prior to the first lockdown we had a cuppa and a chat to catch up on all our news. There were often biscuits too but on special occasions such as birthdays we would have cake as well.

Our group was formed over 10 years ago and we have been together through many (often life changing) events both happy and sad. Some of our group have left us to move away and others have joined us but the core of the band remains.

Over the last 12 months we have missed, amongst others, our Christmas Meal, a 40th and, most recently, a 50th birthday. That means we have missed the celebration bubbly, birthday cakes and renditions of Happy Birthday either with vocals or on the handbells.

All we can do at present is to send cards and birthday wishes by email or Zoom and to think about a major celebration, be it indoors or outdoors when we can meet up again.

It will be so good to have something to look forward to!

Solna Burnham – Secretary

So we began the New Year with a New Lockdown.

When the first lockdown started in March 2020 we kept in contact by emails, but now we have decided that it could be such a long time before we are all able to meet up together indoors to ring Handbells that we need to do something more regular.

After the success of our Christmas virtual social we are arranging monthly get togethers via Zoom with general social catch ups followed by different sorts of virtual ringing.

We know that some of our members are not keen on Zoom and it is a shame that at the moment there are no other feasible alternatives. We can only look forward to when we are able to meet them again face to face and when we are able to perform again for you.

Solna Burnham

07884 233382

At our AGM in November we realised that there were no chances of ringing together properly in the foreseeable future.

Even if we were able to meet up outside in groups of 6 the weather over the next few months was unlikely to be conducive to that!

Clair, our musical director, attended a national online conference and returned from that with plenty of ideas.

Since then we have tried various methods of virtual ringing – some are “air ringing” where the piece is played and the attendees mime their ringing using bells, spoons or other implements and some are Ringing Room where we play bell sounds using keys on a computer.

Neither method is perfect but it gives us an opportunity to get together and “make” some music. We have incorporated both of these into our own Christmas Social and a large regional online rally with nearly 50 participants.

Whilst there is no chance of us getting together in person for a Christmas meal or even mulled wine and mince pes, online events are proving to be a reasonable substitute and make sure we all keep in touch.

Here’s wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a far better New Year.

Solna Burnham

Secretary