In the first week of December our third full team Christmas concert took us south to the village of Doveridge where we had been invited to play for the Tuesday Group at the village hall.  Yet again the weather wasn’t looking good (another snowy forecast!), but we all arrived in good time to set up, hoping for the best. 

We were made very welcome and our audience was very appreciative of our ringing.  As this was a performance at a small private event for about an hour, we had a reduced repertoire concentrating on our Christmas music, and afterwards we were invited to join them for festive (non-alcoholic!) refreshments, before we set off home replete with Christmas cheer, just catching the last bright sunshine that had appeared after all! 

Lindsay Trevarthen 

It was a very tight schedule on Sunday 12^th December 2021 when we went to play 12 bells at St Lawrence’s Church. We were there to set up at 3.30 pm and we had reckoned we would be finished by just after 5 pm, so we could be back in good time at St Peter’s Church in Alton for 5.45 pm for the Carol Service which was starting at 6 pm. Three of the ringers, including me, were singing in the choir that night.

When we walked into the church we were warmly welcomed by ladies selling raffle tickets and they showed us which pews were reserved for us in front of the congregation. They were very pleased to see us and we set up all the bells and stands at the front by the pulpits, ready to play.

The Carol service that evening was a traditional one with prayers, readings and carols.

We had to wear masks while seated until we did our bell ringing performances, when we were allowed to take them off and we made the most of it by smiling or grinning at the audience.

We played Christmas music and carols for two sessions that evening. The congregation seemed to really enjoy it. In the second performance Wendy gave out the sleigh bells to all the children in the congregation just before we played “Jingle Bells”. There was a very positive response from them and they were excited to be involved. They were encouraged to play along to the beat, or to their own beat and they had a great time!

Soon afterwards, the vicar drew the service to a close and then he began to draw out the raffle tickets, there were lots of lovely looking hampers provided and other prizes.

Time was ticking and we really had to leave very soon in order to get back for the Alton Carol Service, so it was quickly decided that Dave and Lynne would stay until the end and would pack up the bells and stands into their cars and bring them back.

So we gave our apologies and left the church leaving Lynne in charge of our raffle tickets. We whizzed back to Alton just in time for Carol Service at St. Peter’s.

Ironically Joan and I both won a raffle prize each, which poor Lynne had to bring back for us, sadly not managing to win one for herself!

Jean Reilly

It is always nice to Visit Highwood Court which we have regularly gone to at Christmas time.  We are always made to feel very welcome and it is a very jolly community. We had our 12 handbell team and played various Christmas carols including Jingle Bells with which some of the residents joined in playing sleigh bells. They also accompanied us with singing, this is sometimes difficult as some of our music has occasional variations.  Nevertheless they accompanied us very well.

It is so nice to see them enjoy themselves and we came away thinking it was a lovely start to Christmas.

Beryl Forrester

I have known Sue Fraser for many years and we have had many adventures together on our bird watching trips with the U3A.

She has been a good friend to me and we have shared our love of nature (animals and birds). Sue has taught me a great deal over the years as she knew every bird we spotted and every bird song we heard.

I used to visit her at her home and we would go for walks with her dog Pipit across Wetley Moor Common nearby and have tea and cake in the Summerhouse when we got back.

I introduced Sue to our Handbell Team in Alton and she joined the group, learned quickly and she loved playing bells. She has been an asset to our team and has supported us in many concerts and events.

We will miss her company and cheery smiling face very much and we appreciate all she did.

I am so glad I got to know Sue and I am so sorry to have lost her but I think of her often and I will never forget her.

Jean Reilly

Saturday December 4^th 2021

Because of Covid limitations and restricted numbers allowed in the hall we were unable to have our regular Christmas Concert.

However we decided to have a social evening instead with each member given only four tickets to distribute to their own family or friends. The tickets were free but we asked for donations on the evening, so we could donate the money to our usual recipient The Donna Louise children's and young people's Hospice.

The weather on the evening was very wet and windy but thankfully those with tickets still turned out. The hall had been decorated. The tables were spaced out with table cloths and lit candles on each. Coming in from the cold outside, the hall provided a very warm. atmospheric, welcoming and cosy contrast.

To restrict movement once in the hall we were not providing our usual pie and pea supper but instead guests were asked to bring their own drinks and nibbles. The tables were soon laden with all types of drinks, nibbles and all sorts and styles of drinking glasses. The general chatter in the room now made it apparent, that this was, very much, a social evening.

A varied programme of tunes and carols was very warmly received by the audience. Many different techniques were used by the ringers using the bells, chimes and mallets. Even dynamics were observed!!

Celebration' started our evening off. A fitting number to really celebrate our getting together with friends and family after all the recent restrictions.

During the interval mince pies were brought to each table. Because there was no supper to give out and all the work clearing tables and serving desserts, the ringers were able to join their table of friends to enjoy a drink and partake of the nibbles. Very relaxing for all.

Before the second half began,the raffle was drawn.

Wendy and Alan then gave a very impressive performance of ringing with two bells in each hand. The audience really appreciated the skill and dexterity involved.

During the evening, Peter read out  a poem he had written entitled 'Bells or Bells?-- And Belles'  and Sarah read the words from the carol 'In the Bleak Midwinter' before it was played by the ringers.

The evening concluded with a rousing version of 'Ding Dong Merrily on High'.

Peter Walker