Choices of sets The Bb Twelve 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Bb C D Eb F G A Bb C D Eb F This consists of the light ten from the original F major set, plus two trebles supplied by Whitechapel in 1993 which add zest to the older style of tuning. Actually these were not 'new' bells - they have the word 'Mears' on the shoulder, suggesting they were cast a fair while before 1993 and kept as stock. These were first rung to a peal Apr 19, 1993 at Harpenden. The back ten and back eight had some use prior to the creation of the semitone sets below. The Light Eight (uses sharp 2nd) F G A Bb C D E F The sharp 2nd was the first semitone to be added, in 1997, and gives a handy light octave, tenor size 12. First pealed Aug 17, 1997 at Storthes Hall, W.Yorks, on a CUG Week, these were used a lot at Harpenden. The general preference at Hollybush, however, is for the sound of the heavier Middle Eight. The Three Sharps Ten (uses sharp 9th, sharp 5th, sharp 2nd) C D E F G A B C D E The sharp 5th was part of the original set, the sharp 2nd was added by Whitechapel in 1997 and this set was much improved by replacing the rather poor sharp 9th in 2004. First pealed Jun 15, 2005 at Hollybush. This ten has an extra 'brightness' from the modern bells which contrasts with the Warner back ten of the Bb twelve. The back eight of these make a nice alternative to the Eb octave (below). The Middle Eight (uses flat 6th) Eb F G Ab B C D Eb The addition of the flat 6th came in 2004, and created a very nice size octave for peal ringing. They benefit from a very good tenor, and the modern tuning of the new bell and the treble complements the older bells. They were first pealed Oct 13, 2004 and have become the default choice for 8-bell ringing, with nearly 50 peals rung on them so far. The Harmonic Minor Ten (uses flat 6th, sharp 5th) C D Eb F G Ab B C D Eb Whilst listening to the haunting sound of Worcester Cathdedral's unique harmonic minor ten, I realized that I had exactly the same thing in my handbell box. A peal was rung on these in May 18, 2005. It is a bit too mournful a sound to be rung more than occasionally. Using only sets in a major key there are 2 Tens, 4 Eights and 5 Sixes possible. |
Since 2003 Bank Cottage has become something of a Handbell Ringing Centre - various partially sane acquaintances indulge in the strange habit of waving handbells around for about two hours at a time ringing 'peals', usually on Wednesday evenings. They are safely confined away from guests in the 'Handbell Hut', a fine, almost purpose-built outbuilding. Peal No. 100 was completed on May 21, 2008. |
BANK COTTAGE at HOLLYBUSH Handbell Ringing |
Since 2003 Bank Cottage has become something of a Handbell Ringing Centre - various partially sane acquaintances indulge in the strange habit of waving handbells around for about two hours at a time ringing 'peals', usually on Wednesday evenings. They are safely confined away from guests in the 'Handbell Hut', a fine, almost purpose-built outbuilding. Peal No. 100 was completed on May 21, 2008. |
The handbells have some history. The original set were made by Warners, probably about 1900 (certainly pre-WW1), and consisted of a diatonic thirteen, tenor size 19F, with two semitones, very useful for both ringing tunes and changes. My father, Eric, bought them from Hilgay church, replaced the handles himself, and they were used intensively by the family in Cheltenham for the next six years. Amuse yourself with a look at a very earnest young Bernard ringing tunes at Arle Court, Christmas 1969 with Eric, Helen, Clare, Hilda and Malcolm. |
Choices of sets The Bb Twelve 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Bb C D Eb F G A Bb C D Eb F This consists of the light ten from the original F major set, plus two trebles supplied by Whitechapel in 1993 which add zest to the older style of tuning. Actually these were not 'new' bells - they have the word 'Mears' on the shoulder, suggesting they were cast a fair while before 1993 and kept as stock. These were first rung to a peal Apr 19, 1993 at Harpenden. The back ten and back eight had some use prior to the creation of the semitone sets below. The Light Eight (uses sharp 2nd) F G A Bb C D E F The sharp 2nd was the first semitone to be added, in 1997, and gives a handy light octave, tenor size 12. First pealed Aug 17, 1997 at Storthes Hall, W.Yorks, on a CUG Week, these were used a lot at Harpenden. The general preference at Hollybush, however, is for the sound of the heavier Middle Eight. The Three Sharps Ten (uses sharp 9th, sharp 5th, sharp 2nd) C D E F G A B C D E The sharp 5th was part of the original set, the sharp 2nd was added by Whitechapel in 1997 and this set was much improved by replacing the rather poor sharp 9th in 2004. First pealed Jun 15, 2005 at Hollybush. This ten has an extra 'brightness' from the modern bells which contrasts with the Warner back ten of the Bb twelve. The back eight of these make a nice alternative to the Eb octave (below). The Middle Eight (uses flat 6th) Eb F G Ab B C D Eb The addition of the flat 6th came in 2004, and created a very nice size octave for peal ringing. They benefit from a very good tenor, and the modern tuning of the new bell and the treble complements the older bells. They were first pealed Oct 13, 2004 and have become the default choice for 8-bell ringing, with nearly 50 peals rung on them so far. The Harmonic Minor Ten (uses flat 6th, sharp 5th) C D Eb F G Ab B C D Eb Whilst listening to the haunting sound of Worcester Cathdedral's unique harmonic minor ten, I realized that I had exactly the same thing in my handbell box. A peal was rung on these in May 18, 2005. It is a bit too mournful a sound to be rung more than occasionally. Using only sets in a major key there are 2 Tens, 4 Eights and 5 Sixes possible. |
Here at Hollybush further changes to the set have been made with the replacement of one poor bell and the addition of another semitone, so that there is now a variety of sets for ringing. Various folk have supported our efforts over the last 5 years and Wedneday nights have become a regular peal fixture. On April 9, 2008 the 300th peal was rung on the bells. Of these nearly one third have been at Hollybush, 144 at Harpenden, 46 in Cheltenham, and a few elsewhere. The leading ringers so far are Richard Tibbetts, Christine Darby, Malcolm Taylor, Richard Clements, Philip Abbey, John Croft, Val Willard, Hilda Taylor, Alex Hajok and David Jenkins. Bernard Taylor |
I inherited the bells in 1992 and after refurbishing the most useful change ringing bells, adding two trebles and a semitone bell, we rang nearly 150 peals on them at Harpenden. Pictured right at 23 Gilpin Green are the trio (Richard Tibbetts, Christine Darby and myself) who rang a whole series of Spliced Minor, including 233 methods in 2001. The matching shirts were entirely coincidental rather than a team theme! |
After an immense amount of practice, the first peal on the bells was rung on 16 September 1971 at 43 Princes Road, Cheltenham. Over the next four years various Cheltenham ringers joined the family in a steady flow of peals but after 1975 the bells were used only for occasional tune ringing and practice sessions at Leckhampton. |
(left) The Bb twelve with flat 6th. The colour of the handles show which bells have been used most! |
(right) the bottom three and the replaced bell of the original set (19F, 18G, 17A, 13E), with the three semitones 2# (6E), 5# (9B) and 9# (13E) |
