Headline news - Alton handbell ringers found speeding in Ellastone!
On Sunday the 17th November, we gathered in Ellastone for what has become an annual concert. However, this year the venue was Ellastone village hall and this was much warmer than the church where we had performed previously. The floor layout provided individual tables and chairs as opposed to rows of seats and this resulted in a more relaxed and social atmosphere.
The team arrived early to have a brief practice session. This turned out to be one of the most fault ridden pre concert practices we have ever had. For some reason, our speed of playing was all over the place and we played The Beatles ‘Yesterday’ so fast that someone suggested it be renamed as ‘Tomorrow’!
Soon it was 3 pm and with the audience in place, we began the first half of the concert. With our interesting pre concert practice behind us, we performed very well and Wendy controlled our subsequent speed of playing perfectly. After a break for tea and delicious cakes, followed by the draw for the raffle in which Beryl won a teddy bear, we played several pieces on twelve bells, including Pomp and Circumstance, the Royal Fireworks music and a few Christmas pieces.
The second half of the concert went very well and we concluded with ‘Resound and Rejoice’ which is a firm favourite.
The concert was well attended and our audience quite enthusiastic. The proceeds of the concert are going towards the costs of repairing the church roof. The original estimate for this work was £100,000 but firm quotations were nearer the £200,000 mark and so a lot of fund raising is necessary. We wish Ellastone church all the best with their endeavours.
The warmth of the village hall was certainly appreciated by the team.
Thank you to all who provided the delicious cakes.
Dave Jones