Reverberations Autumn Winter 2021 Colour Final COMPLETE SMALL

Taunton on ITV Out of our team of eleven If you scroll down the article and at Kingston St Mary four watch the video she is about of us — myself, Sue fifteen seconds in — the lady in Dingle, Moira Read and Janet the red tabard directing a patient Piper — independently into the vaccination station. volunteered back in January to be marshals at the Covid None of us realised the others vaccination centre at Taunton had volunteered until we met at Racecourse. the racecourse — four out of eleven is pretty good I think. Janet Piper is in the TV advert showing on ITV: Beverley Tapper “Covid: Television advert https://www.itv.com/ launched urging people aged 50 news/2021-04-25/covid- and under to get vaccine | ITV television-advert-launched- News” urging-people-aged-50-and- under-to-get-vaccine University Training My university department century, and it’s extremely has a Facebook page common to find small quantities where we can all share of tapes, discs and other formats information and things that are in gallery, library, archive and happening in the industry. museum collections around the UK and beyond, often held as The text is copied below: part of larger, more traditional collections. Incredible training opportunity Few professional staff in these institutions have received New, free online resources and training in how to care for and training on caring for audio make use of sound items, and as materials, aimed at non- a result they are often relegated specialist collection holders. to the back of the shelf, waiting for a day that never comes. Sound recording technology has been with us for well over a Reverberations 5419 Autumn/Winter 2021

Many sound formats are Free poster endangered however, due to the looming unavailability of the An excellent Unlocking Your necessary playback equipment, Sound Heritage poster outlining and so the time we have in simple, realistic steps towards which to finally tackle these successfully managing your collection items is limited, to a sound collections will be sent few years at most. free of charge to any UK collection holder on request. Just The UK-wide Unlocking Our email us at [email protected] Sound Heritage project is launching a series of online Free advice resources and activities, to help collection holders understand Your local sound preservation and care for their sound centre will be happy to discuss collections. any aspect of caring for or using sound collections with you: Free training • East of England: Norfolk Record Office. https:// From late May and throughout www.archives.norfolk.gov.uk/ the summer, a series of over 40 free training events was offered,  Contact Helen Busby mostly online. They were led by [email protected] ten regional sound preservation centres around the UK, helping • English Midlands: University of collection holders of all kinds to Leicester. https://le.ac.uk/ preserve and use their sound library/special-collections/ collections more effectively. unlocking-our-sound-heritage Free online resource  Contact Colin Hyde [email protected] A series of nine introductory • London: London Metropolitan leaflets, produced by the British Archives. https:// londonssoundheritage.wordpre Library in partnership with ss.com/ project partners around the UK,  Contact David Baldwin David.Baldwin@cityoflondon. breaks down the challenges of gov.uk caring for sound collections into • Northern Ireland: National manageable topics, and points to further authoritative sources of information. They are freely available here: https:// www.bl.uk/help/how-to-care-for- sound-recording-collections Reverberations 502 Autumn/Winter 2021

Museums NI. https://www. • Yorks/NE England: Tyne/Wear nmni.com/blogs/blogs.aspx Archives & Museums.  Contact Donal McAnallen  Contact Kelly Martin [email protected] [email protected]. uk • NW England: Archives+, Manchester. https:// At the very least, you can almost northwestsoundheritage.org/ certainly use the contact details provided above to help give  Contact David Govier advice or guidance if you need it. [email protected] If you know anyone else who may find this useful or • Scotland: Nat Library of interesting you are more than Scotland. https://scotlands- welcome to pass this on. sounds.nls.uk/index.php/safe- sound/ Emily Franks  Contact Jeni Park We have been working on [email protected] HRGB’s national audio and visual archives as you are aware but • SE England: The Keep, Uni of the above timely information Sussex. www.keep- may be relevant — Ed sounds.com  Contact Esther Gill [email protected] • SW England: Bristol Culture. https:// www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/ bristol-archives/  Contact Kaitie Scaife [email protected] • Wales: Nat Library of Wales. https://www.library.wales/ collections/learn-more/screen- sound-archive/audio-visual- collections/unlocking-our- sound-heritage  Contact Alison Lloyd-Smith [email protected] Reverberations 531 Autumn/Winter 2021

Reverberations 524 Autumn/Winter 2021

Reverberations 553 Autumn/Winter 2021

Reverberations 546 Autumn/Winter 2021

Reverberations 575 Autumn/Winter 2021

AGM DRAFT MINUTES HANDBELL RINGERS OF GREAT BRITAIN Registered Charity Nos. 298945 (England) and SC038918 (Scotland) DRAFT MINUTES OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING held virtually on Saturday 10th April 20201 at 11am 1. Opening Remarks Tim Willetts, chair, formally welcomed 42 members to our first Zoom AGM. He expressed the hope that next year we would be able to meet in person. He then asked for a short silence in memory of, and as respect for, those of our members who had passed away during the year. 2. Apologies for absence Apologies were received from 10 members. 3. Minutes of the Annual General Meeting 2020 Acceptance of the minutes was proposed by Mike Johnson, seconded by Judy Gees and agreed nem con. 4. Matters Arising from the Minutes There were none. 5. Reports from the Chair, Secretary and Membership Secretary All officers’ reports had been available on the HRGB website since 18th March to allow questions to be forwarded. Tim drew attention to the fact that Christine has indicated that she will be standing down at next year’s AGM. Members were requested to encourage anyone interested in taking up the post of Secretary to get in touch. He also drew attention to the 5 new officer roles which have been created to help HRGB continue and flourish in the years ahead. It is therefore important that these are filled. There were no questions to the officers. Acceptance of the reports was proposed by Alan Hartley, seconded by Sandra Cox, and agreed nem con. Copies of all reports are appended to these minutes. 6. Hon. Treasurer’s Report Anthony Hayes’ printed report stated that the 2019 accounts have been available on the HRGB and Charity Commission websites, and a brief summary was published in Reverberations 568 Autumn/Winter 2021

the Autumn/Winter edition of Reverberations. The overall picture for the 2019 accounts is one of a sound running charity. The meeting received these accounts and their acceptance was proposed by Keith Meader, seconded by Corrie Paxton and agreed nem.con. The 2020 accounts are almost complete. These accounts will be different to prior years. Our “income” streams alone are a quarter of the previous year, given the postponement of the National Rally and UK Bronze as well as the fall in HRGB web sales. That said we did not incur the expenditure related to these events. The charity is still in a very strong position and we have made considerable savings in other areas where possible. The purchase of two Zoom licences have allowed NEC meetings be done remotely, saving both travel expenses and venue cost, and this has been successfully utilised by regional committees too. The NEC had reviewed the effects of increased costs incurred by the society but had decided that there will be no subscription increase for 2022. The accounts for 2020, once approved by the examiner, will be submitted to the NEC and published on the website and in Reverberations. The Treasurer is happy to take questions on any aspect of HRGB Finance at any time. He thanked all the Regional treasurers for their hard work and for meeting his deadlines. Mike Johnson asked if there were any grants available to apply for. Anthony pointed out that we are probably not in a position to qualify for any grants. Alan Hartley pointed out that we are in a strong position due to the work by John Tipping who, when treasurer, put money aside as a contingency. As a society we have been extremely fortunate with our treasurers. Acceptance of the Treasurer’s report was agreed nem con. A copy of his report is appended to these Minutes. The Chair thanked Anthony for his report and his work. 7. Elections 7.1 - 7.4 The nominees for the positions of Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and Membership Secretary – Tim Willetts, Christine Reid, Anthony Hayes and Diane Holt respectively — were duly elected. 7.5 The nomination of Robert Whowell & Partners as Examiner of Accounts by Anthony Hayes, seconded by Tim Willetts, was agreed nem. con. The Chair thanked all the officers who continue to ensure the society runs smoothly. 8. Resolutions and Formal motions There were none. Reverberations 597 Autumn/Winter 2021

9. 2022 National Rally The North East Region will be hosting this event at the Royal Victoria Holiday Inn, Sheffield on 8th–10th April 2022. The vast majority of delegates have carried their booking forward. Further details will be in the autumn edition of Reverberations and on the website. The Chair thanked the organisers for managing a difficult situation very successfully. 10. Any Other Business There were no written items received. Members were advised of a Kevin Ko online handbell concert at 2pm. Northumbria University are looking to purchase a set of bells. If anyone knows of a set, please can they let Tim know and he will pass the information on. The Chair thanked everyone for attending the meeting and for reading the documentation. He reminded members that our Covid-19 policies are on the website and if planning an event, please ensure you read these. Meeting closed at 11.40am. Copies of all reports mentioned are available from the National Secretary. Reverberations Online Reverberations is now available online via our Members’ Area on our website. If you would like to opt out of receiving a paper copy please inform our Membership Secretary and you can then view the magazine online. Paper copies continue if you don’t opt out as that is the majority requirement. Amanda Jones Reverberations 5680 Autumn/Winter 2021

AKR in Numberland Over the past year and a Derbyshire, our summer is half, we’ve all become usually four days long so why used to our lives being would we?) but we do have a run by STATISTICS (next slide, couple of weeks off over please). Although we’re aware Christmas and New Year, so we that they are on the naughty would have met 67 times. side of lies and damned lies, we’ve viewed the graphs during Now we have to estimate how the Downing Street briefings, and accompanied Witty Chris many dings/dongs there are in a with a sharp intake of breath as they climbed to ever-higher practice, and here is where the peaks, and a sigh of relief as they descended. serious research begins, using So we’ve really had enough of recognised data-gathering figures… except — wouldn’t it be fun to have a go at estimating methods. Taking a wide sample how many dings, dongs or bongs each of us has missed during our of our pieces (ie grabbing a enforced exile from the joys of ringing? Naturally, in the handful out of the box) and interests of accuracy I can only do this for members of Kinder, allowing for repeats, first and but you could use the same method (if you’re daft or bored second endings, codas etc, they enough) for a team near you. average 90 bars. How many From the start of the first lockdown on 23rd March 2020 to beats in a bar? Most pieces are 19th July 2021 is 69 weeks (I’m writing this early in July, and I in 4/4 time but do the 5/4, 6/8, can’t go further than that because my crystal ball has gone 9/8 and 12/8 balance out the foggy since it had its second jab). Kinder doesn’t have a 2/2, 2/4 and 3/4 time summer break (being based in signatures? Maybe not quite — so let’s say the average is 3½ beats per bar x 90 bars, that’s 315 beats per piece. However, not every note is a beat long — counting quavers, semi-quavers, demi-semi- quavers, triplets and triplets- over-two-beats might take us up to as many as 450 notes. Ah, but then, I hear you say (you’re really getting into this, aren’t you?), what about minims, semibreves and breves? Not to Reverberations 6519 Autumn/Winter 2021

mention those dramatic Now you may think that this is all estimates and guesstimates, moments when the whole team so it means absolutely nothing — but it’s probably about as is silent (except when we don’t accurate as most of the statistics provided for us during the get it right)? So let’s bring it pandemic. To get a true picture, you could count your own dongs back to 375 notes. But we still at a couple of practices — this would, of course, have to be haven’t finished because more done while following the music, and losing your place would than one bell is usually rung at invalidate the whole exercise. the same time. So let’s say that And if you just can’t resist telling me that my statistical model is over our three and a half nonsensical, and you have devised a much better one, then octaves, on average four bells you’re obviously in even more need of purposeful activity than I ring together — that’s 375 x 4 = am. The good news is that we will all have an opportunity to 1500 notes per piece. Still with put that right, when ringing starts again. me? Good. Lost? Don’t worry, However you’re passing the you’re a ringer, you’re used to it. time, have fun! Next — how many pieces per AKR practice? Well, Kinder are probably unusual (PROBABLY??) in that we don’t take a break during our 2-hour practice. This has to be coupled with our gung- ho attitude (“Let’s stop talking about it and just go for it”) and our low boredom threshold — “That bit wasn’t quite right but we’ll come back to it, if there’s time” (there rarely is). So we probably get through about 12 pieces on an average Thursday evening. That’s 1500 x 12 = 18,000 dongs between us all. There are nine of us, which gives a nice round 2000 dongs each, per practice, and all we have to do now is multiply 2000 by 67 missed practices and we end up with 134,000 unrung dongs each. Wow! Reverberations 602 Autumn/Winter 2021

Novel Way to Acquire IT Skills T he continuing difficulties identified the WM Region domain communicating with my name and was relieved to find elderly mother, who that HRGB would host our happily declares that her mobile website. He immediately set up phone does not work and her our WordPress platform (oh, the computer is broken so that she joys of Zoom). cannot see her emails (when neither assertion is true) have And I was off… made me determined to keep up with technology! The language of the WordPress help pages was somewhat However, it was with a sense of opaque to me and I had to try fear and trepidation that I endlessly to find out what volunteered to get the West various acronyms and technical Midland Region back up and running. Not in my wildest dreams had I ever considered being able to design a website. First stop, tech savvy terms meant. YouTube videos son-in-law for a quick were fantastically helpful. A lesson about website friend offered to help but, in my platforms; template- impatience to get going, I based ones were the muddled through the basics by way to go. He suggested using the internet and by trial a number — WordPress, and error. He did come up Wix, Ianos. trumps with a ‘plug-in’ so that I could make slide shows and Then on to Google to gain a rudimentary knowledge of website construction. This was followed by a sense of horror when I realised that there was a whole new language to learn to enable me to understand how to proceed. I contacted Rob Willis to verify that I had correctly Reverberations 631 Autumn/Winter 2021

talked me through how to make website because I was worried links so that, for example, a user that I would inadvertently lock of our website could jump from myself out of it and for a short section to section or back to the period I was unable to edit the top of the page. content. Rob put me back on the straight and narrow. In fact, I Rowena and Stephen Shipley have gained so much confidence that when I discovered that the contributed to the content and I suggested back-up plug-in was no longer available on was very grateful for their WordPress, I selected another to install, and ran it. editing skills, rooting out various I am no IT expert but have spelling mistakes and learned several skills, not least, not to be afraid of trying things grammatical errors (so that only out. However, if I was given the choice, I would rather play two were pointed out when the handbells any day! site went live). Jenny Barraclough It was very exciting when the site was finally launched, although there was a slight hiccough when Rob gave the site the new address so that it would come up on a Google search. I failed to change the address of the administrative side of the Reverberations 624 Autumn/Winter 2021

Wedding Bells — or Rough Music I came across this ‘letter to dogged home, where the the Editor’ in the London Bridegroom received the two Morning Post dated Monday following epistles — 24th August 1829: “To the Gentleman that was Sir — l wish to direct your married this morning. The Royal attention to two Societies in the Band of Marrow-bones and parish of Marylebone, which are Cleavers beg leave to pay their generally pretty well known, but respectful duty on the occasion I believe much more feared than of your marriage.” This is a very respected. These are the Royal modest and unassuming note, Band of Marrow-bones and and bears no mark of the Cleavers, and the Society of identity of its members; perhaps Hand-bell Ringers, the last the term ‘Royal’ is sufficient, and dating its origin from 1814. may include and protect every blackguard who chooses to I beg to ask by what authority annoy you with the instruments these bodies are instituted, and of the band. by whom are they empowered to go from house to house, to “To the Gentleman that was extort money under a threat of married this morning. The annoying people with their Society of Musical Hand-bell melodies? Surely this practice Ringers beg leave to offer their cannot be sanctioned either by humble congratulations on your the parish (or the police), and marriage, and solicit your kind yet it is of daily occurrence. permission to celebrate the happy event by ringing a merry The scandal of it is that it falls peal, or to receive the customary chiefly on humble individuals, token of your bounty in who on the occasion of their remembrance of the happy marriages wish to shun publicity, event. I am. Sir, your most and to avoid useless expense. A obedient Servant, decent couple was married a few days since at All Souls Church, Established 1814. E. MOORE, in they concealed their names from Waiting.” these Bands or Bandits, whatever you may please to call The Musical Society is much them; they were however more explicit than the Royal Reverberations 653 Autumn/Winter 2021

Band. Here you must have the Despite research I can find no merry peal, or pay the more details about the Society customary token. No threat can but in France, it was a tradition be more perfect, and Mr. E. to bang pots and pans outside Moore is in waiting to receive the bridal suite throughout the your answer. I hope, Mr. Editor, night! Sometimes known as by directing public attention to Charivari or ‘rough music’ this abominable nuisance, you vociferous villagers would may be the means of serenade the couple throughout suppressing a practice that their wedding night in a very extorts money from persons who public and very loud ritual — see cannot afford it, for no other the Depiction of Charivari below, purpose than that of spending it an early 14th century illustration in riot and drunkenness. with the handbell ringer at bottom centre. — Yours, A CONSTANT READER. John Willis While the idea of a Royal Band of Marrow-bones and Cleavers is fascinating (and there’s even a tantalising reference stating ‘tuned meat cleavers were cast in bell metal for the entertainment of the audience’), my interest was caught by the existence, in 1814, of the Society of Musical Hand-bell Ringers. Not, it would seem, a forerunner to own much respected organisation, but a bunch of rogues bent on extracting beer money from newlyweds! Reverberations 646 Autumn/Winter 2021

Archivist Corner I n the last edition of recordings again, I found myself Reverberations, I reported agreeing. I have now obtained on the work Amanda and I the agreement from the Trustees have been doing on the of Norbury Handbell Ringers, and preservation of some of our from Ted Cribley to produce a audio archives. We have commercially available CD. All I successfully obtained digital need is a recommendation for a copies of all the reel-to-reel reliable studio that will be able tapes that were in the Archive, to assist with some minor editing identified the music and and then production of CDs. locations of the material and Recommendations would be published a catalogue of the welcomed to either Amanda or contents on the website. myself. Amongst these tapes was a The work on the recordings also recording of Norbury Handbell highlighted another element that Ringers, team no.1 in HRGB. I was missing from the Archive. A have known of this recording for detailed record was made of the many years and have the only music played at the rally in 1966 copy of a CD of the majority of that led to the formation of this material, kindly given to me HRGB in 1967, and also of the by the creator of the original music rung at the first two recordings, Ted Cribley. It was National events. However, only through this work on the although there are programmes Archives that I realised that, detailing the participating teams apart from a ‘78’ record made in for the next few years, they do the late 1950s, there are no not all list the music played. commercial recordings of With the help of Christine Norbury Handbell Ringers Lazenby, the John Partington available. In the 1970s, many Archive, and William Hartley’s ringers placed Norbury at the top records, I have now been able to of their list of favourite handbell complete the detail of the Rally teams, particularly for their Sessions for the National Rallies musicality and attention to detail from 1975, 1976, 1977 and in the music they rang. Although 1979, and detail the changes the music played is quite from the programme in the different from the pieces we hear playing order at some of the at current rallies, listening to the concerts. These playlists are an Reverberations 675 Autumn/Winter 2021

interesting insight into the way production of the Norbury CD? in which handbell music has • Do you, or does anyone in changed over the life of HRGB. The music is either your team, have notes on arrangements of light/popular music played at National classical themes, marches or folk Rallies in the early 1970s and music arrangements. At most also in the 1980s? Please dig there may be two original around in the boxes in your compositions for handbells. I loft, or in that room where you suspect also that adherence to keep all the things that ‘might copyright might have been, let’s come in useful’. Scanned or say, more relaxed than today! photocopies are fine if you Contrast that with today when want to keep the original handbell ringers have access to documents. a wide catalogue of music, either composed or arranged, for I’d be pleased to hear from you handbells. on either of these questions. So, I have two requests for the The online catalogue can be seen Archives: here: https://handbells.org.uk/ audio-archive • Can anyone recommend a studio that we might use for Alan Hartley Acting Archivist Answers to the Editor please... Reverberations 668 Autumn/Winter 2021

HRGB Archive Policy The HRGB Archives house memorabilia and artefacts relating to both HRGB and handbell ringing in general including: 1. Documents, artefacts, photographs and sound files that illustrate the work of HRGB, its Regions and its subsidiaries – its establishment and development; its purpose and activities; the ways in which it has advanced, provided and encouraged for the public benefit the art of handbell tune ringing in all its forms. These might also occasionally illustrate the contribution of very significant individual members. Overall, the aim of this section of the Archive would be to tell the story of HRGB. 2. Artefacts, including examples (not collections) of bells, that illustrate key points in the development of musical handbells. 3. Artefacts that illustrate the social history of handbell ringing nationally – for example, its contribution to communities, its contribution to public musicianship, the striking differences in style, music and custom between different parts of the country, and between different historical periods. 4. Carefully chosen artefacts to illustrate HRGB’s involvement in international symposia, the ways in which British handbell ringing has influenced ringing in other countries and vice versa. 5. Examples (not a collection) of music in different notations used by handbell teams. 6. The HRGB Archive is NOT a repository for collections of bells and artefacts which do not fit these four types of content. For more detail see https://handbells.org.uk/hrgb-archive Reverberations 697 Autumn/Winter 2021

Who Was Nellie Norway? Nellie Norway was a silver tumbling boulders, exploding handbell soloist in the tunnels, airships and hovering 1900s. robots! “Miss Norway has been styled During the First World War she Queen of the Silver Bells, and was in France with one of Miss her selections upon these was an Lena Ashwell’s concert parties. exquisite example of the art of She also went with her own campanology. Her recitals, which concert party to play for the were finished to a high degree, armies of occupation — the drew forth the heartiest plaudits British at Cologne and the of those present, and she had to Americans at Coblenz… respond to various encores.” “Miss Nellie Norway, with her Belfast News Letter, March 1910 charming handbell solos has, Miss Norway began her career in during the past three months 1908 when there were very few been entertaining the Doughboys silver handbell soloists — and all in France, under the auspices of of them men. One of them was, the American Expeditionary however, persuaded to teach her Force Young Men’s Christian his art. “I think he did it because Association. The tour terminates he thought I should never learn next week, and it is confidently and be able to compete with anticipated that a tour in the him, but I meant to learn,” said United States will follow next year.” Ealing Gazette and West Nellie. Middlesex Observer, 14th June As her sister, Ethel Walker, was 1919 already on the stage, she adopted the name ‘Norway’. It The sequel to her playing for the belonged to family friends, and American soldiers was, indeed, she said it sounded well with her an American tour where she stayed for a year followed by own name ‘Nellie’. tours of South Africa and India. Her first performances were at banquets and in drawing rooms. In the UK she continued to In 1913 she began to appear at impress audiences: music halls, sometimes billed “Miss Norway gained double with giant prehistoric lizards, encores, and in four concerts Reverberations 6780 Autumn/Winter 2021

played no fewer than twenty- promised to give selections in three items.” Bexhill-on-Sea Maidstone Prison on Christmas Observer, 17th February 1917 Eve, as she did last year. From 1922 she was one of the Christmas Day will find Miss very first to play on the BBC and Norway in the Gifford House she appeared in over fifty (Roehampton), among the broadcasts, often several times a wounded soldiers, and Boxing Day in the East End with Mr night: Haydn Catlin, in the cause of Daily Mirror, 23rd February 1923 charity.” West Middlesex 2L0 CALLING. Gazette, 17th December 1932 London Broadcasting programme She retired to live in Windmill Road, Ealing but frequently to-night is: brought out her bells in two 5.00.—Children’s stories. tightly packed attaché cases. 7.00.—News “The silver bells were set out on green baize and Miss Norway’s 7.15.—Miss Nellie Norway playing was extraordinary, the (handbells solo). 7.25.—Miss Winifred Fisher shade of tone she got out of (mezzo soprano). those bells, and how she could at the same time produce an 7.40.—Mr. John Snowden expression on her face that (cello solo). consorted with the sentiment of the tune. To do so. she had 8.10.—Mr. Ernest Wellbeloved sometimes to pick up a handbell (entertainer). swiftly as though she were 8.25.—Miss Winifred Fisher. 8.30.—Miss Nellie Norway. plucking it from danger. At other 8.45.—Mr. John Snowden. moments her left arm went out 9.00.—Mr. Dan Jones (tenor). with the straightness of a 9.15.—Miss Nellie Norway. Mitchell* when driving at his best.” Middlesex County Times, 9.30.—News 4th May 1940 Nellie continued to play her bells *Probably a reference to Tommy all over England, often for good Mitchell, a cricketer of the time causes: “Miss Nellie Norway, the Ealing silver handbell soloist, has Reverberations 7619 Autumn/Winter 2021

East Midlands Region Attracts World-Wide Visitors T he East Midlands Region, Prayer for the Innocents. The looking for a brief respite Intermezzo from Cavalleria from the uncertainties of Rusticana, written by Pietro lockdown, organised a virtual/ Mascagni and arranged for mini rally via Zoom on Sunday handbells by Arnold B Sherman, 6th June. was another favourite. Douglas E Wagner’s arrangement of The host for the afternoon was Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom Michael Johnson, who is the East of the Opera needed Midlands Chair and the Musical concentration and a quick eye! Director of Stanwick Handbell Less challenging was Blessed Ringers. Assurance, a hymn tune remembered by some of us from The rally began with a meet and our childhood. It was written by greet session. We all introduced Phoebe Knapp and arranged by ourselves and it was good to Dennis Robert. Joel Raney meet new people, albeit arranged Leonard Cohen’s tune virtually. Those attending Hallelujah and the East Midlands included ringers from the North team are looking forward to West, South East, North East, adding this to their repertoire. East Anglia and East Midlands regions. We were further Chatting to less experienced delighted to welcome Tim Waugh ringers later, it was agreed that (USA), Kevin Ko (Hong Kong), this was a demanding but Damien Lim (Singapore) and enjoyable activity! Michael Glasgow (USA), all of whom are renowned world-wide During the afternoon, Brian Musical Directors and arrangers Buttery entertained us with of handbell music. suitable jokes for a Sunday, and again, these were well received The programme included two air with appreciative groans! ringing sessions which Judy Gees and Nicola Wright tickled our little grey cells with showcased two pieces written by two quizzes. The first, borrowed from the North East Region, was Michael Helman — the jubilant Round of Praise and the beautiful, haunting melody of Reverberations 702 Autumn/Winter 2021

bell related. The second, and Michael ended the afternoon by more taxing for a Sunday thanking all ringers for attending afternoon, tested our general the rally and those members of knowledge. the East Midlands committee who were involved in arranging Michael also showed three video it. clips to demonstrate that bell ringing can be fun and does not Everyone agreed that it had always require our stern been an entertaining, relaxing expressions when concentrating! and fun two hours and a big These were Blue Christmas thank you is due to Michael for played by the Rally Ringers from being an excellent Chair and the USA and Plink, Plank, Plunk host. We look forward to more played by Kiriku from Japan. The rallies in the future and hope final clip appropriately showed that even more ringers will join Kevin Ko’s mastery with six bells in and find out what they were as he played Angels we have missing! Heard on High as a solo. Gill Crowe Reverberations 731 Autumn/Winter 2021

Brain Teaser - Pros and Cons All the answers below start either with letters PRO or CON; the first part of the clue is for the whole word, the second part is for the word following the PRO or CON, so ‘Upgrade speck’ is PROMOTE and ‘Hollow pothole’ is CONCAVE. The best two sets of answers will receive HRGB shop vouchers so please send your solution to John Willis, Lyndhurst, Prospect Hill, Okehampton, Devon EX20 1JD by 1st December, or email [email protected] Pros… Cons… 1. Manufactured pipe................... 1. Solid Greek island..................... 2. Incitement calling..................... 2. Nunnery opening...................... 3. Forbid writer ............................ 3. Agree with dog......................... 4. Line-up weight.......................... 4. Magic one of 12 ....................... 5. Suggested stance...................... 5. Talking poetry........................... 6. Saying doing.............................. 6. Shape of trip............................. 7. Plant beverage.......................... 7. Happy camper.......................... 8. Gain good health....................... 8. Result of order.......................... 9. Lots of blending........................ 9. Victory search........................... 10. Object to trial........................... 10. Collude steeple....................... 11. Percentage share..................... 11. Copper stud............................ 12. Side view of rasp...................... 12. Comfort fish............................ 13. Obtain remedy......................... 13. Jam tennis shot....................... 14. Upgrade moving....................... 14. Drafted play lines.................... 15. Deep discovery......................... 15. Disdain lure............................. Name: ____________________________ Team: _____________________ Addres________________________________________________________ Postcode: _______________ 724 Autumn/Winter 2021 Reverberations

Brain Teaser Answers Another bumper Luxford & Copley entry, thank you all! Johnson & Johnson Our winners this Russell & Bromley issue were Mary Jones who Bryant & May rings with Dronfield in Callard & Bowser Sheffield and Linda Foot of Smith & Wesson Bishop’s Bells near Petit & Fritzen Southampton. Well done, Crosse & Blackwell your vouchers are on the Baylis & Harding way. The correct answers Spear & Jackson were: Greene & Black’s Ben & Jerry’s Lea & Perrins Fortnum & Mason Moet & Chandon Benson & Hedges Marks & Spencer Black & Decker Farrow & Ball Proctor & Gamble Too Many Copies? Do you get annoyed Reverberations. If, however, you because more than one would prefer not to, just email copy of Reverberations (or letter) to the Membership lands on your doormat? Secretary, Diane Holt. There are many married couples Diane maintains the database of belonging to HRGB who both addresses from which the regularly receive copies but who mailing list is compiled and she would prefer to have just one. can mark an entry so and ensure that only one of you receives Some Regions already have a Reverberations. policy of sending just one copy of a Newsletter to a household — Don’t forget to tell her if you but each and every HRGB move house too! member is entitled to receive Email: [email protected] Reverberations 753 Autumn/Winter 2021

Mike’s Virtual Memories Saturday 17th July 2021 my way to the study to open up the computer, fire up Zoom and Saturday afternoon, not a wait for the hordes of expectant cloud in the sky, the sun handbell ringers to sign in for beating down on the the East Midlands region second golden sand. The hottest day of virtual rally. the year so far. The happy sound of children playing in the sand Slowly as 2.30pm approaches, and the water, the gentle faces begin to appear on the lapping of the waves on the screen, some familiar, some beach. The soft cooling breeze unknown. At 2.35pm I decide coming in from the sea. The that it’s time we started, so cries of the seagulls wheeling in everyone was asked to say who the sky above. The muted they were and where they were shrieks and yells from the funfair in just five words. Obviously, at the end of the pier. The some handbell ringers are not up pungent smell of fish and chips there with the best at counting from the group of people nearby. so some of the five words stretched to fifteen, but never A distant voice can be heard mind — we were there to enjoy calling something that sounds ourselves. It was great to see like my name. The voice gets some well-known experts in the louder and clearer — it is my field from the USA — Larry and name that is being called. My Carla Sue, Susan Nelson and eyes begin to open, my wife is Damien Lim from Singapore. standing in front of me, I am Attendance from our own region sitting in a canvas chair on our was a little disappointing, but we small patio — no children were supported by ringers from playing, no sand, no water, no the North West, East Anglia and seagulls or pier and no fish and South East regions. chips! “It’s 2 o’clock” she says, “Aren’t you supposed to be We started with a couple of doing something on the pieces for air ringing, followed computer — the calendar says by a video of the Northern Bell that you’ve got a virtual rally, Orchestra and Requiem. Then whatever that is?” Real life came a highly amusing rendition returns with a jolt and I make or Leroy Anderson’s Typewriter Reverberations 746 Autumn/Winter 2021

This was incorrectly credited by To follow came more air ringing me to Kevin Ko’s Hong Kong and an excellent video with the Elite Youth ringers. It was Raleigh Ringers (dressed very actually Emily Li’s group — The appropriately) playing Bohemian Hong Kong Youth Handbell Rhapsody. Another quiz next — Ensemble. this time all the questions were bell related, including “True or Next came a general knowledge False? – Horse manure was used quiz arranged by Judy Gees. One in the making of moulds for bells question: ‘When was Margaret made by the Whitechapel bell Thatcher’s funeral?’ caused some foundry.” It’s true! Is that the comments as she was born in Grantham — the home town of first time that the word the Grantham Town HR. John “manure” has appeared in Heald said that she had learned Reverberations? to play the organ on the very same church organ that he uses The highlights of the afternoon every Sunday. She also spent were presentations given by our many of her school holidays in international visitors. Larry and the village of Ringstead, just a Carla Sue showed a video of mile from where I live. Small themselves ringing their own world? arrangement of Come ye Thankful People Come four-in- Reverberations 775 Autumn/Winter 2021

hand. Susan Nelson showed a HR playing Susan Nelson’s A video of The Campanelli Trumpet Voluntary. John Heald Handbell Ensemble playing her was playing the organ for that as arrangement of A Whiter Shade well! of Pale. Next was a very moving offering from Damien Lim. He Many thanks to all for being had spent many hours putting it there. We hope you enjoyed the together from recordings from afternoon. Maybe we will think 33 different ringers around the about another one as it is an world. The tune was Let there be ideal opportunity to see people peace on Earth interspersed with that we don’t get to see at our messages of peace, hope and ‘normal’ rallies. thoughts of how the world has changed during the Covid Right, where’s that deck-chair, pandemic. I think everyone the sand, the water, the pier, needed a tissue at the end — I the cries of the seagulls? The certainly struggled to speak for a sun is still shining and I’m off to few moments after that. have the rest of my forty winks! The afternoon closed with a Mike Johnson video of Caythorpe St Vincent Chair HRGB East Midlands Ringing in Pyjamas from the archives. See the Editor’s introduction for an explanation! Reverberations 768 Autumn/Winter 2021

YouTubers of the Third Age Five hundred YouTube ‘hits’ up ceramic ladies with clappers in four weeks might be up their crinolines, whereas I small fry if you’re Ed longed to revisit the sonorous Sheeran, but for the unplanned, soundworld I’d enjoyed one weekend in 1996 while ringing inaugural recital of five geriatric for two performances of Noyes Fludde. The curious empathy this handbell novices it felt quite a required came easily, then, to six members of our young surprising — if not outright family: Britten’s melodic lines were child’s-play for our 9–14 puzzling — achievement. As the year-olds to memorise. clip in question — see https:// Gumtree came good just in time, and I soon found myself tinyurl.com/2mnkl9og — hurrying up the M1 (through the infamous Barnard Castle!) for indicates, we were nominally six my first post-lockdown excursion, my first visit to ringers; but with one member Weardale, and my first sight of 37 lovely Schulmerich bells! In absent we’d elected not to abort my pocket was the cash we hadn’t spent on a 2020 holiday. a scheduled rehearsal, rather The surprises began when the regrouping, rejigging, and seller, Maxine, beat her asking price down, convinced that my casually filming the result. charitable ringing intentions perfectly matched the reason Our intention had been to she owned the bells in the first arrange and rehearse Yuletide place. A hasty summary of this repertoire, and busk on the scarcely-credible tale: as a streets of my native Bristol to teenager she’d got chatting with raise money for Shelter. As a wealthy Canadian farmer, proficient amateur folkies, we’d visiting County Durham in search been meeting in parks to tootle of family roots. Speaking of the the summer away. But when area’s drug problem, she’d autumnal weather started creating difficulties, the prospect of handbells felt attractive: more audible out of doors than fiddle and recorder, less susceptible to damp than ’cello and accordion, and perfect for playing in winter gloves. For years I’d maintained a ‘saved search’ for handbells on Gumtree, which mostly flagged Reverberations 797 Autumn/Winter 2021

talked about maybe starting a during her trip, her benefactor youth club. The farmer gifted her had intuited that the magic of a return flight to Lowville, ringing might wean Weardale’s Ontario, and Maxine undertook young drug-abusers off their her maiden foray out of path to self-destruction. Weardale, full of reckless trepidation. Amazingly, the Schulmerich Among the Ontarians she archivist supplied me with encountered was Wayne Erwin, a pastor of Native Canadian origin, paperwork verifying this who took her to see how his people lived: an upsetting improbable transaction: ordered glimpse of rural deprivation. On a hill adjoining their shanty-town in May, cast in June, the bells Maxine noticed a heavy mist descending, and — while various were despatched in July 1989 car-bound companions fretted for her safety — set off alone to directly to Weardale from photograph the phenomenon. The rolling cloud parted, Carillon Hill, Sellersville, USA. revealing a huge hairy figure (with beer can) who asked what The generous farmer never even she thought she was doing. ‘Photographing this beautiful saw the gift, but his intuition — spot, of course.’ The shanty- dweller was astonished. ‘It’s a and his $3,848.50 — paid off. To rare visitor who sees what you’ve seen. That’s The Spirit — this day Maxine occasionally the reason we’ll never leave this place.’ encounters well-adjusted grown- This demonstration of Maxine’s ups who’d enjoyed ringing the courage and insight evidently impressed the farmer. Soon EastEnders theme and similar after returning home she received a weighty, unexpected tunes she’d arranged for their parcel: three octaves of handbells, destined ‘for use in youth-club sessions. founding a youth club’. Though bells had never been mentioned My wife and I spent a happy lockdown month burnishing the castings, and restoring two cases gnawn by church mice, but my plan to recruit eighteen players for Christmas busking — though warmly received by Shelter — was trounced by anti- Covid regulations. Limited to six ringers, some of us began experimenting with three- and four-in-hand playing, devising notation systems as we went. Our players (average age 67½) were largely happier reading than playing by ear and, weary of chasing sheet-music across Reverberations 7880 Autumn/Winter 2021

windy parks, we eventually RWM discovered a splendid Quaker Hall to rehearse in, where our Over 100 original, popular, landlady asked if we might classical and Christmas titles record a musical contribution for available, all separately arranged a Friends’ online meeting. Our for 12 bell, 2, 3, & 5 octaves of ‘YouTube Hit’, captured on a handbells. The various formats all cranky iPad, was uploaded solely stand alone, but are mutually to check that it suited her compatible and so ideally suitable purposes. for Massed Ringing. Why should amateur All titles available from arrangements, modified on the HRGB Music Sales hoof, and delivered after scant Email: rehearsal, continue to attract so [email protected] many viewers? Is it the magical to request current catalogue narrative of these particular Rob Worrall Music bells, sprouting an additional Tel. 01749 670550 chapter? Of course Covid ensured, in the end, that we never did busk for Shelter, but the fundraising gambit you’ll see onscreen, following our eccentric little recital, has undoubtedly continued the bells’ benevolent legacy. When you’ve read it — see https:// tinyurl.com/2mnkl9og — please circulate the idea widely! Roland Clare Reverberations 8719 Autumn/Winter 2021

Healthy Ringing Susan Berry from Detroit, published separately as a Michigan USA has kindly laminated guide to ‘Spontaneous shared her excellent Stretching’. Copies of the book exercises. These will help all are available from Handbell Services Inc or Handbell HRGB members get back into World in the USA and through Amazon and other good book ringing as the roadmap opens up sellers in the UK. The laminated insert, which is ideal our freedom. Please find these for ringers to keep in their music binders, is marketed by Handbell exercise here: https:// Services as a 'sheet lifter'. handbells.org.uk/healthy- So please, when you return to ringing, take a few minutes to go ringing. Her book Healthy through these exercises, remembering: Ringing, covers this topic • If you’ve had any recent exhaustively and it is surgery or muscle injury, to recommended reading for first consult your doctor or health care professional ringers, leaders and teachers. • Breathe slowly and steadily Pre-ringing Warm Up throughout Whenever you’ve been away from ringing, whether for just a • Stop if you feel any few days or for a longer period (such as during the Covid-19 discomfort lockdown) it is good idea to ‘warm up’ before starting. Athletes do it and know that it’s essential to prepare the body’s muscles and respiratory system so as to remain healthy and injury free. Susan has kindly given HRGB Hold each position for 10 special permission to reproduce seconds and then relax — if it part of her book which was feels good, repeat it. Reverberations 802 Autumn/Winter 2021

Reverberations 831 Autumn/Winter 2021

Reverberations 824 Autumn/Winter 2021

Focus on… Scottish Schools Ring The 21st Scottish Schools used by all for the first time, Ring went completely virtual there was a recognition early on in planning this event that the for 2021 way schools have had to operate this past year (sometimes in- An often heard phrase in school, sometimes remote/ the strange times of this distance learning & teaching, past year, perhaps, but an sometimes a hybrid of some in/ event being “quite, quite some at a distance, and all the different from previous events” pandemic requirements which might aptly describe the 21st each entailed, as well as staff Scottish Schools Ring. And of finding themselves in quite course for the 21st year this different roles from normal) event has been run, in the year meant that schools may not 2021, it seems 21st century have had a ringing group able to digital tools are eminently meet and rehearse. And also sensible to employ to make it all access to, and sharing happen entirely online! instruments between pupils in different classes, created Though this year had all additional challenges. participating schools taking part online via Scotland’s national And so the premise was to schools intranet, called Glow, create an event online so that using the video-meeting facility whichever pupils may be as part of Microsoft Teams, available, from wherever, with or video-meeting tools via Glow without ringing instruments, have in fact been used for this could take part without having to event for a number of years have prepared anything in already. This was so that the advance nor require access to schools which were simply too handbells, handchimes or geographically far-removed from Belleplates. The activities had to those schools in the in-person, be designed to be fun (but be face-to-face event held in a musically relevant and with school could still take part. The sufficient challenge to be difference this year, of course, purposeful and engaging) yet was that all participating schools not assume too much in the way were connecting at a distance of experience with ringing! So no from each other. massed music shared in advance Aside from the technology being Reverberations 853 Autumn/Winter 2021

for rehearsal. Nor of course in video- meeting environments (with inherent time- delay lag & features to normalise voice but cut out other sounds, like music!) could simultaneous music- making work in anything like it would in face-to-face, in- person spaces all together. So working within all of these parameters the challenge was set! So, schools which had either side of a ruler, spook or previously attended were contacted to stick to create their own silent gauge who would be able to take part, to set air-ringing handbells, out a proposed format so feedback could be gathered on handchimes or Belleplates to join workability, and to decide upon date and time which would best in with the rhythm activities). suit those in a position to participate. What then happened on the day? Well, the format for the event If groups taking part had access had the following included: to handbells, handchimes or Belleplates then that was great In the one-hour session (time — but if not, then specially chosen of 9.30am-10.30am to created full-size images ready best accommodate varying times for download, printing and cut- between schools for breaks and out of each instrument were lunchtimes and school day uploaded to the Microsoft Teams finishing times) there was a space in Glow set up for this series of music activities event (so that pupils without the presented which involved unison real thing could stick these on air-ringing to bar-length Reverberations 846 Autumn/Winter 2021

rhythmic patterns (shown as P5/6 said “I really enjoyed the slides) moving to two-part air- notation quiz and the rhythm ringing, then four-part. And as patterns. They were fun as parts were learned, repeated by well.” Isla from Castletown said all, then groups were created “We had good fun. I liked the through varying criteria for a bit part where we all played live of fun to play in parts with together. I enjoyed Shieldhill’s increasing complexity. Titanic so much.” To break up the practical activity Harry from Castletown Primary there was first a quiz which also School P5/6 said “the rhythm deliberately reinforced the note patterns were hard but I got names and values as well as them right and it was exciting.” rhythm names being used in the Rufus from the same class said ringing activities, and then later “I didn’t think playing live for an an emoji-based quiz of Disney audience would work virtually film song titles. but it did! I really enjoyed it.” And Grant from his class also And also two of the participating echoed that sentiment, saying “the playing live part was really groups shared their fun as we haven’t played in front of people in so long. It was a performances of their own music good experience and was really fun.” Wilson from Shieldhill with the others: Shieldhill Primary School P5 class said “The virtual schools ring was Primary School performed My amazing.” Heart Will Go On from the movie Kyle from Shieldhill Primary School P5 class said “I really Titanic, and Castletown Primary enjoyed how organised it was.” And Tane in the same class also School performed Cheerful said “I was inspired by your confidence and patience when Prelude by Michael Coe. dealing with all of the classes and any technical difficulties.” In all there were 66 young music-makers taking part from Orla from Castletown Primary as far afield as Castletown School P5/6, too, shared that Primary School near Thurso in “when we played live I was Caithness in the Highland nervous at first and then when I Council area, Newton Primary started to play I enjoyed it. I School in Stirling Council area, and Shieldhill Primary School in the Falkirk Council area. And there were many enthusiastic comments shared by children taking part. Olivia from Castletown Primary School Reverberations 875 Autumn/Winter 2021

would do the Scottish Schools children from different classes Ring again if I could.” Adele said in comments “Thank you for from Shieldhil Primary School’s organising this — it was fun!” P5 class reiterated that in saying “I really enjoyed it because it So, many, many thanks to all of was really fun and I would like the staff and pupils of the to do it again.” Jamey from the schools taking part — and here’s same class said “It was fun and to a future event! exciting.” And Castletown’s Brooke said what many of the Malcolm Wilson 1½ octaves, number notation, for handbells in any key Carol Ringing and More 14 carols, 24 popular tunes £8 Hymns and Things 18 hymns, 6 carols, 31 others £10 Ding Dong Bell 34 nursery rhymes £8 Ring a Roses 26 more nursery rhymes £8 2¼ octaves, number notation, for handbells in any key Mainly Folk - in two parts 25 pieces per part each part £6 £8 Christmas in Hand 17 carols, Jingle Bells and We Wish You… £8 £8 Hymns in Hand 17 popular hymns £8 Nice Old Numbers 23 old classics and song tunes Sweet Sixteen 19 pieces each needing only 16 handbells being taken from, or adapted from the previous three collections Staff notation - same tunes as above, all compatible for massed ringing Mainly Folk (2¼ octaves) - in two parts G4 to B6 each part £8 £8 Christmas in Hand (2¼ octaves) G4 to B6 £8 £8 Christmas in Hand (3 octaves) C4 to B6 £8 £8 Christmas in Hand (3¼ octaves) G3 to B6 £8 Hymns in Hand (2¼ octaves) G4 to B6 Hymns in Hand (3 octaves) C4 to B6 Hymns in Hand (3¼ octaves) G3 to B6 Staff notation - same tunes as above, top note B6 plus 9 new arrangements, 2 of which, including The Nutcracker Suite, need treble bells up to D7, all compatible for massed ringing Nice Old Numbers (2½ octaves) G4 to B6/D7 £10 Nice Old Numbers (3 octaves) C4 to B6/D7 £10 Nice Old Numbers (3½ octaves) G3 to B6/D7 £10 U K Post free from Don Bedford, Arwel, Jesse Rd, Narberth, Pembrokeshire, SA67 7DP Tel./fax 01834 869061 Email: [email protected] Reverberations 868 Autumn/Winter 2021

The Mystery of the Chinese Bellringers I n 2011 I purchased on eBay 1851 an original page from a German newspaper called The next reference to the Illustrirte Zeitung. This paper Chinese Bellringers is in 1851, was the German equivalent of the year of the first Great the London Illustrated News. Exhibition in London. This event There is no issue date but an brought many visitors to the advertisement on the reverse capital. The London theatres side says July 1846. enjoyed good patronage and were looking to engage novelty The illustration on page 144 variety acts. The entrepreneurial shows five handbell ringers Chinese Bellringers capitalised dressed in Chinese costume. The on this. In June of that year they text says they are ‘genuine started performing at the Chinese’ playing at the Cirque Standard Theatre in front of a Olympique (off the Champs huge looking glass curtain. Elysees) in Paris and that they plan to visit Germany. The Era, 13th April 1851 p.15 The Glass Curtain at the The Cirque d'Été built in 1841 Standard Theatre was a Parisian equestrian theatre and a type of In order to keep pace with the indoor hippodrome. At first numerous attractions that are called the Cirque National, it also about to be presented to the became known as the Cirque des public in a few days, the Champs-Élysées and the Cirque proprietor of the Standard Olympique des Champs-Élysées. Theatre has constructed, at a great expense, a colossal looking Author Comment: how would a glass curtain, the largest, small set of handbells be heard without exception, ever seen. It in a venue as large as a has been most ingeniously hippodrome? Did they continue arranged; the curtain, though on to Germany or was their covering the whole of the stage venture into Europe a failure? (having two sides to it), admits of any kind of performance taking place before it, so that the Reverberations 897 Autumn/Winter 2021

entertainments will be entirely well-known place of amusement, encompassed by glass. The and afford that patronage which plates of glass, expressly this gigantic undertaking so manufactured for the occasion, justly merits. are the largest that have ever been made, and the splendid Morning Advertiser, 16th and richly carved frame gives a June 1851, p.4 Great National most gorgeous appearance to the whole. There are upwards of Standard Theatre sixteen hundred feet of looking- glass in the curtain, and, with its Glorious success of the Holiday vast and complicated machinery, Attractions. — The new Drama of has cost nearly £2,000. A most Whitsuntide and the splendid novel entertainment will take Spectacle of The Water King place before this magnificent most triumphant — 2nd week of structure tomorrow (Monday). Flora Fabri, the Juvenile Rope- dancer, and Mr W. J. Doughty, Lloyd’s Weekly Newspaper, the Clown. — 1st appearance of the Chinese Bellringers. — This 13th April, 1851 p.10 EVENING to commence with WHITSUNTIDE; or, the Last Link The proprietor of the Standard of the Chain, supported by the entire strength of the Company. Theatre, Shoreditch, announces After which the performances of Flora Fabri; Clown, Mr W. J. a really magnificent novelty in Doughty. With the colossal looking-glass curtain, before the shape of a colossal looking- which the novel and extraordinary performances of glass curtain, the largest ever the Chinese Bellringers will take place. To conclude with THE seen, it being composed of WATER-KING, introducing the magnificent cataract of real upwards of sixteen hundred feet water. of looking-glass. The frame is Era of 22nd June 1851: Standard Theatre exceedingly beautiful, and the ...followed by the renowned rich golden mouldings add to the Chinese Bell Ringers who will appear before the colossal general effect. It has been so looking glass curtain... fitted that performances can take place in front of it, and a number of talented artists have been engaged, who will go through their various entertainments before this rival to the Crystal Palace. The cost has been enormous, and we can only recommend the lovers of exhibitions to pay a visit to this Reverberations 8980 Autumn/Winter 2021

Northern star and Leeds of tones in concert. Each of them General Advertiser, 5th July has a number of bells, and the precision with which they 1851 Standard Theatre execute is interesting, while the peculiar sound of the (First half of show is a drama, instruments is novel, and, let us then the Bellringers, then a add, cheerful. second drama.) The Morning Advertiser, 3rd The Chinese Bell-ringers October 1851 Drury Land Theatre performed a variety of tunes The entertainments concluded before the glass curtain; all with the musical performance of the Chinese Bellringers, who lovers of this music should executed one or two popular English airs with wonderful decidedly pay a visit to the melody and musical effect. They were highly applauded. theatre during their Morning Post, 6th October engagement. 1851 Theatre Royal, Drury Evening Mail, 1st October Lane 1851 Drury Lane Theatre Under the Management of Mr Thomas M’Collum. Last Week but (A variety show which included Two. most positively. — The an equestrian troupe, a additional crowds that nightly strongman, a contortionist, acrobats, etc…) And as if all this, with much more that we have not recorded, were not variety enough, five Chinese bellringers have been engaged, who execute a variety Reverberations 9819 Autumn/Winter 2021

are attracted to this Equestrian Foreign. Explanatory Remarks by Magnet is beyond belief — Sig. G. Luigi. The Chinese Bell- upwards of 15,000 persons paid ringers, Swiss and Spanish at the doors during the last six Songs, Cachuca and other nights, and at the early part of Dances, were all rapturously the week hundreds were unable encored by a delighted audience. to obtain admission. In order to Commence at 8. Admission 2s., keep up the excitement, new 1s., and 6d. engagements have been formed, thus proving the determination 1852 of the management to keep every possible novelty till the Morning Advertiser, 10th close. The Celestial Concert by the Chinese Bell-ringers has April, 1852 Great National proved a most glorious addition, being nightly encored. The Standard Theatre Bloomer Costume on horseback every evening. Doors open at 7 Notice — The Theatre will open o'clock. — Dress Circle 3s.; Boxes 2s.; Pit 1s. 6d.; Gallery THIS EVENING, April 10th, with 1s.; Upper Gallery 6d. These distinguished artistes depart on the Francisco Wonders, Chinese the 25th instant. Bell-ringers, Feast of Lanterns, Illustrated London News, 25th October, 1851 Lantum Serenaders, American Has an illustration of the Equestrians, Flying Air-divers, equestrian act. Says the show concludes this evening. Mountain Singers, Italian Morning Advertiser, 20th Brothers, English Sampson, November 1851 Croquis Musicals. Royal Soho Theatre Dioramic Views, Oriental 73 Dean street — TUESDAY, Wonders, Tyrolean Brothers, THURSDAY, and SATURDAY: Living Miniature Exhibition. The Niggers, Dancers, Alvandoi, the Songs and Dances of all Nations, in their original languages and Polyphonist, Rope-dancers, the costumes, illustrated by upwards of 40 performers. Native and great singer, Madame de Moulin assisted by upwards of 50 artists. — This Evening an Entertainment of an instructive and amusing character, comprising a grand concert by the Lantum Serenaders and Chinese Bell-ringers, and other novelties, supported by rope dancers, riders, polanders, somersault-throwers, acrobats, Tyrolean singers forming the greatest concentration of novelties in London. Reverberations 902 Autumn/Winter 2021

The Era, 5th September, 1852 1853 p.1 Cremorne Gardens Morning Advertiser, 26th On Tuesday next a Grand Gala March 1853 p.4 Great for the BENEFIT of Mr R. PARTRIDGE (Treasurer to this National Standard Theatre Establishment), with immense Great success of Pell’s attractions. Serenaders — Signor Francisco — Brothers Miotta — Chinese MR. R. PARTRIDGE, Treasurer, Bellringers — Morgan’s Wonders — the Kickerbocker Sleepers — begs leave to intimate to his and other Entertainments, THIS EVENING… Friends and the Public, that his 1861 ANNUAL BENEFIT will take place In 1861 they were still on TUESDAY, Sept. 7th., on advertising for engagements using a fake Chinese name! which occasion the exhaustless The Era, 6th January 1861: resources of this Establishment Advertisement will be brought into action, in The Chinese Bellonophists (Bell Players) 4 in number in full order to produce one Scene of costume late of the Royal Surrey Theatre, etc. may be engaged Fairy Land. Sidney Davis's (for London only) ...A. Cornell 53 Queen St., Webber St., Monstre Brass Band of Fifty — Lambeth. The New Ballet LE BARBIER DE The Era, 3rd March 1861 p.1 GREATEST N0VELTY OF THE DAY CADIZ — Vocal and Instrumental BRILLIANT SUCCESS OF THE CHINESE BELLONOPHISTS, Five Concert-Dancing al fresco to in Number, in full Costume, late of the Surrey Theatre who are Bossissio's Cremorne Band- performing to crowded houses every Evening at the LONDON Devani, the Astonishing PAVI LION, HAYMARKET. Contortionist — The Italian All applications for Engagements, to be made to WANG-TON-TSIN, Brothers — The Kaffir Chiefs- 31, Upper William-street, St. Rochez and his Dogs — The Double Sighted Youth-Soullier's Cirque — The renowned Chinese Bell Ringers — Myriads of Variegated Lamps — Unsurpassed Display of Pyrotechnics, by Chevalier Mortram — Daring Rope Ascent, by Violante — Uninterrupted amusements during Ten Hours. Admission only 1s. Children, Half -price. Doors open at Half-past Two. Reverberations 931 Autumn/Winter 2021

John’s-wood; or their Agents, celestials could produce. What Messrs PHILLIPS and ANSON, 36 Bow-street, W.C. was their surprise when they heard all the complicated changes correctly and The Era, 17th March 1861 charmingly played. They Advertisement: GREAT SUCCESS watched the Chinamen with OF THE ROYAL CHINESE BELLRINGERS scrutinising amazement, and could not withhold their tribute Every Evening. PAVILION MUSIC of praise due to the decorated HALL, Ten o'clock. foreigners. They approached nearer and nearer in silent ROYAL GRECIAN THEATRE, wonderment. At length one of Passion Week. the critics, eyeing a performer WILTON'S MUSIC HALL, Passion most intently and being unable Week. to restrain himself any longer, exclaimed, “Jabez. I think I know Open for one Turn. Apply to their thy face.” “Hoosh, mon,” was the Agent, Mr. A Maynard, 200, Waterloo Road, London. reply, “We speak nowt but Chinese here”. 1870 1890 Manchester Courier and In 1890 this story reappeared in Lancashire General several papers with some details changed! advertiser, 16th April 1870 p.3 and Derbyshire Batley Reporter and Guardian, 27th December Advertiser and Journal, 22nd April 1870, p.7 and several 1890 p.2 other papers JAPANESE YORKSHIREMEN. The Chinese Bellringers In Dewsbury, where handbell Some years ago some of our country cousins went to a ringing is brought to great Chinese exhibition in London, attracted chiefly by the grand perfection and where the bellringing announcements set forth in flaming posters. The champions reside, the following visitors were profound critics in the art, and they were most story may bear repetition, as anxious to hear what unearthly apologies for bob-majors the taken from one of the present Christmas Annuals: Few attractions drew larger audiences in the year of the first Great Exhibition in London than the troupe of Japanese handbell Reverberations 924 Autumn/Winter 2021

ringers. The skill of these well accustomed. Drawing a little performers was remarkable, and closer to the players, they secured for them a golden discovered under Japanese attire harvest. Amongst others who the faces of several old Yorkshire visited them were a couple of friends. During a pause in the Yorkshire weavers, who had performance, one of the two expended a portion of their strode up to the leader, and savings in a trip to the remarked: “Jabez, I thowt I metropolis. To the astonishment know’d thy face” “Whist!” of these good folk, both of whom retorted Jabez, “We talk nowt were themselves handbell but Japanese here.” ringers, the tunes they listened to were ones to which they were Gwyn Gillard Reverberations 953 Autumn/Winter 2021

You Rang, Sir! Each answer contains the 17. Planned in advance (11) word ‘rang’ 18. They don’t talk anymore! 1. Bells used from lowest to (9) highest (5) 19. What’s thrown around 2. City in old Burma (7) comes around (9) 3. Someone who makes 20. Asphyxiating grip (12) music playable on bells (8) 21. Harry’s wizarding friend (7) 4. Being crazy begins with the 22. Town near Falkirk (11) hart I hear (8) 5. 80’s punk rock band (10) 23. An outlaw like Ned Kelly (10) 6. Minor car accident (5) 24. Rant (8) 7. Jeans worn by a Cambridge 25. Upmarket conservatory (8) mathematician perhaps (8) 8. Citrus in the rainbow (6) 26. Conceal a park official in a garden flower (9) 9. More weird on the shore 27. May be spoken by a British (8) tourist in Paris (9) 10. Almond flavoured cake 28. Long-limbed (5) filling (10) 11. Glasgow footballers (7) 29. Neither posh nor tacky (8) 12. Great ape (9) 30. Sounds like a Prince was ringing a Korean song (7) 13. Leapt up (6) 14. Murder method (13) Answers are on page 108… Gay Cooper 15. A lone fellow shares a theme with William Tell (6) 16. Rectangular courtyard in an old school, college or stately home (10) Reverberations 946 Autumn/Winter 2021

Small Ads Note: Small Ads are inserted for one issue only; sellers requiring a repeat listing should advise the Editor by email ([email protected]) prior to the next issue copy date which is always shown on page one of Reverberations. DO YOU PLAY THE MUSIC OF C#6 and F#6. These bells are in MALCOLM C WILSON? excellent condition C5-A6 come in one black carry case. The Visit www.claganach.net for the accidentals come in drawstring background to each piece along bags. All reasonable offers with audio and video recordings. considered. RINGING FOR GOLD: 6 STACKABLE RISERS for sale. Hardback book by Peter These are new and in their Fawcett, 360 pages, a lavishly original box. £15.00 each. illustrated product of years of painstaking research into the For more details contact Ursula history of handbell tune ringing. Howes Email: Very Special Offer £15 UK post- [email protected] or free from Don Bedford, Arwel, Telephone 01684 311019/ Jesse Road, Narberth, mobile 07838 224745. Pembrokeshire, SA67 7DP Tel/ Fax: 01834 869061. HANDBELLS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION FOR SALE: 8 by 8 BELL MUSIC: Eight Songs for Taylors in 10A pre 1940, 5 by 8 Bells (C5 to C6) — new music Whitechapel 1970s making 12 in from Robin Benton. 14D and 4 by Whitechapel www.hrgb.org.uk/shop 1990s thus completing 2 diatonic octaves in 17A. MUSIC FOR HANDBELLS Whitechapel bells matched to composed and arranged by the Taylor octave at the Robin Benton. Lots of titles foundry. Suitable for method or available from 12 bells to 5 tune ringing. No case. octaves. Full details at Reasonable offers around £3000 www.robinbenton.com considered. For further details, please contact: alanbagworth97 MALMARK HANDBELLS AND @gmail.com or Tel: 01531 RISERS FOR SALE: The set 635667. comprises 13 bells C5 –A6 plus five accidentals: F#5 G#5 A#5 Reverberations 975 Autumn/Winter 2021

AARDVARK MUSIC 5 octaves available) or purchase online from HRGB National Music Over 200 arrangements by Sales. Sandra Winter available for 6, 8, 12 bells, 2, 3, 5/7 octaves with CHEAPER MUSIC! Have a look many compatible versions for at our list of bargain sets of pre- massed ringing; for Easter, owned music www.hrgb.org.uk/ Christmas, classics, early music, shop and look under ‘Music’. bells with spoken voice; with percussion; for ringing and TWO GLASS HANDBELLS: singing with audience £25+P&P or £15+P&P for one. participation. New The Wheels These are suitable for engraving on the Bus for 8, 12, 2-3 for presentation pieces. Contact octaves, optional motor horn/ below. voices! By popular request, 16 more carols designed for ringing LAPEL HAND BELL BADGE ‘out’ with 2-3 octaves, no tables, FOR SALE: Showing two foam, sharps or flats needed in handbells together in a four-in- the Christmas Cracker Book 2. hand position. Polished and Lacquered £25. Contact: Charles Contact: aardvarkhandbell Richards, gelleff1 [email protected] @hotmail.co.uk or 61 Baring Road, Southbourne, Bourne- Telephone: 020 8657 1344 mouth BH64DT Tel: 01202 (catalogues for 6-12 Bells and 2- 428375. Discount Code For Members Visit the HRGB Shop at https://sales.hrgb.org.uk/ HRGB Members may claim a 10% discount on orders for most purchases which total more than £10 in value. The discount code is not valid for certain items including event fees, vouchers etc. At Stage 2 of the Checkout look for the Discount Coupon panel Type the following code into the Redemption Code box: A21 Your discount will be applied to the final total of your order (excluding any postage) Cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount Reverberations 968 Autumn/Winter 2021

HRGB Sales We stock a range of items for handbell ringers What? Well it’s probably easier to list what we don’t stock — we don't sell bells or chimes, we don't sell mallets and we can’t get risers! We leave those to the experts; but we can cater for pretty well all your other needs. Here is a small selection: Music Now over 1300 titles available on-line from HRGB (including the ‘Mayola’ Collection), Aardvark, Bedfords, RWM and RpB as well as previously owned music. Books and other Publications • Ringing for Gold by Peter Fawcett development of tune ringing from its birth • Handbell Music Notation — all the symbols! • Music for Handbells — music for 12 bells and system for transposition to numbers • Musical Handbells—Bill Butler (the ‘bible’ of handbells) • Arranging Music for Beginners – Lysbeth Wilson Gloves, Binders and Stands • Gripper gloves • 3 or 4 ring fold-back binders • ‘Brilliant’ and ‘Economy’ music stands and lights Plus: ties, scarves, jewellery, bow ties, lapel badges, car badges, pencils, pens, erasers, tea towels, notelets, coasters, bags… See our online shop at www.sales.hrgb.org.uk Or give us a ring on 01837 52565 Reverberations 997 Autumn/Winter 2021

Advertisers Advertising rates 100 Making Music 10 Bedford Music 88 Membership Rates 14 Bells for sale 37 National Rally Sheffield 2022 22 Belleplates Inside front cover New Moon 36 Bells of Whitechapel Back cover Rob Worrall Music 81 HRGB Music 37 Small ads 97 HRGB Sales 99 Suzuki Inside back cover Larry and Carla Sue 16 WHMF 22 Advertising Rates Members’ small (non-commercial) ads Free Non HRGB members and commercial advertisers 3 lines – £4 (minimum) plus each additional line (or part) £1.20 Quarter page Black & white £25 Colour £30 Half page Black & white £35 Colour £40 Whole page Black & white £60 Colour £70 Cover pages Colour only £80 (back cover and inside front and back covers) For further information contact: Amanda Jones, Editor [email protected] Reverberations 19080 Autumn/Winter 2021