Handbell Ringers Group
The team was formed in Biddenham about 20 years ago using a set of handbells (dated 1896) found in the tower at St James’s Church. Over the years we have given something like 200 performances and replaced the old bells with a modern 3 octave set of Malmark Handbells, tuned to concert pitch and costing over £6,000. We were able to do this by obtaining local grants, fund raising concerts and the personal commitment of members of the team. We also own a set of 12 hand chimes and hope to expand this to a 2-octave set during the next year.
We belong to the Handbell Ringers Association of Great Britain (HRGB) and attend local and national rallies, which gives us the opportunity to enjoy team ringing from all over the country. Four members of the team have joined the East Anglia Regional Team, which rehearses once a month and gives concerts in the region, most recently at Waltham Abbey. International Handbell Symposiums are held in different countries every 2 years – in 2012 it will be the turn of the UK.
Biddenham Handbell Ringers perform for groups, functions, and in churches. Our most recent gigs have included Sharnbrook Mill Hotel, Kempston Gardeners Association, Aragon Ladies group (Amptill) and we played at a wedding in Wilstead Parish Church .We are always in demand around Christmas time!
At present we have 11 people in the team but always need more in order to expand our repertoire and keep the art of handbell ringing alive. New recruits should be able to read music. Any one is welcome to attend a rehearsal (every Wednesday evening in the Church Barn at 8pm) and hear what we do. Please come and join us!
If you would like any further details about ringing or would like the team to perform for your event just give me a call on 01234 350644 or
Anthea Slark
Leader – Biddenham Handbell Ringers
