I joined the Alton Handbell Ringers back in June 2021 – at the time I wasn’t sure if my university timetable would put an end to it, but thankfully everything has gone to plan and I’ve been able to continue ringing on Wednesday evenings, which I’m really pleased about!  

My Grandad sat me down with two wooden spoons and a piece of music for an hour before my first session. I didn’t realise until then how tricky it was to count up to 3 or 4 repeatedly, whilst also following the bars and ringing when my number came up… I barely even knew what a bar was to be honest, other than the Cadbury Dairy Milk kind! So I rocked up to the first session I was joining and was greeted by a lovely and welcoming group of folk (I’m sorry, I still haven’t quite got all the names I’ll be honest, but that’s just me…) and I enjoyed attempting to follow the music and remember which of my hands held the 19 bell and which one the 20 bell. I was pleased that it’s number not music-based because I’ve never been musical so found it much easier to follow, eventually! 

Skip forward 5 months and it’s time for my first concert! It was a beautiful big church but characteristically cold, so I was grateful for the gloves and scarf that’s part of the attire! As we arrived, Wendy and Alan had everything bell-related set up already (thank you!) and there were a couple of ladies setting up a raffle table and jigsaw and cake stall in the Church. I felt pretty relaxed to be honest – I enjoyed ringing anyway and we did a warm-up by doing the start of all the songs which was a good way to remember each piece and where the tricky bits were in them. There was a daunting audience of 12 people! (I’m told there would normally be more, but I quite liked it for my first concert… although maybe 70 people would have brought some warmth into the church? Probably not.) But they were very appreciative and said they really enjoyed listening. I also had the privilege to sit and listen to one of the songs that I don’t play in (I’ve Got the Joy). Apparently it didn’t go according to plan or as well as the rehearsals, however my untrained ear didn’t notice anything wrong and I thoroughly enjoyed the joyful melody. I think it’s one of those tunes that you appreciate more the more you hear it! Overall, I really enjoyed my first concert and I think everyone else did too. The snowy drive home, not so much, but it did feel very apt following In the Bleak Midwinter and Frosty the Snowman! I have my second, more social concert tonight, I’m hoping that knowing there are friends and family in the audience won’t put me off!   

Becky Ward

When I started hand bell ringing in 2015, I found myself stood next to Sue who was very helpful to me, particularly in the early days as I began to acquire the necessary skills.  I remained playing next to Sue for the following five years whenever the Alton Handbell Ringers met.

Sue was a lovely, highly intelligent lady and during that time, we had lots of laughs together.  She was my partner in chime!

I was shocked to hear earlier this year that Sue was suffering from an aggressive form of cancer and deeply saddened by her death at the beginning of May. 

One incident I recall was at a Christmas concert in the church at Uttoxeter – the one that was so dimly lit that we all struggled to read our music.  Not everyone was required to ring all pieces and so Sue and I were sat out in the stalls.  Soon Alan and Wendy started giving us funny looks and we suddenly realised that we should be up there, taking part in the next piece.  What had happened was that we had got mixed up between two pieces entitled ‘Frosty the Snowman’ and ‘Walking in the air’ which of course is from the film ‘The Snowman’.  We were to ring in one but not the other.  A week later, I sent Sue a Christmas card featuring pictures of snowmen for future reference.

Wendy decided that it would be good to get together in memory of Sue to play some of Sue’s favourite pieces and this took place in Alton village hall in the afternoon of September 8^th.

Pictures of Sue and the team were set out on a table for reflection and the afternoon started with a good solid rendition of Processional Celebration.  There followed a number of very different and contrasting pieces including Di Tanjong Katong, Polaris and the Northern Lights and the Takeda Rhapsody.

It is somewhat ironic that I now play bells 17 and 18 which is where Sue used to play and I think of her a lot.

Apparently Sue had rung a Beatles medley in her very first concert back in 2013 and so we felt it fitting to play ‘Yesterday’ which is quite demanding for bells 17,18, 19 & 20.

Unfortunately, we did not play ‘Thaxted’, which was another of Sue’s favourites, because we did not have a full team due to some team members being away on holiday, but no doubt we will reflect on her contribution whenever it is played in future.

It is of course very sad that we have lost Sue, but It is great to have some young blood in our team once more and Becky, who has only been with us for a few weeks, plays very well and is now a key member of the team.

We concluded our afternoon session with the firm favourite ‘Celebration’ followed by a cup of tea and some fine cake provided by Jean.

Rest in peace Sue – you will never be forgotten.

Dave Jones

No more inside ringing at Glenfield.

Each ringer has their own socially distanced table.

Weekly meet in Alton Village hall.

New members very welcome.

Old skills and techniques to be recalled.

Remember the sanitiser.

Masks to be worn when moving about.

Added video to the improved website. Have a look.

Lets get ready for our Christmas Concert. Sat 4^th Dec.   

Peter Walker August 2021

I have just returned  from Alton Village Hall after the first full team practice since the start of the COVID Lockdown last year. It was strange to be alone on the journey as my travel buddy, Sue Fraser, passed away earlier this year after a short illness. We used to work together and spent the journey reminiscing. We often got to bell practice in a fit of giggles.

It was so exciting to be together as a team once more. Wendy and Alan had set out the hall so that we had our own table, bells, music stand and, most importantly, our personal copy of the music!

When we started playing the sound was incredible, so different from our small group practices in Wendy and Alan’s garden during lockdown.

It is wonderful to be ringing together again.

Sarah Williams.

Six resolute ringers in Alton

Were heard playing bells with their coats on,

The weather was foul

The wind it did howl

But brave souls they continued to play on.

Peter Walker 13.7.20     Photo by Alan Walters