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St Lawrence Chobham Handbell Ringers
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The objects of the Team are to study and practise handbell ringing, and to perform in public in order to foster knowledge and appreciation of the art. We also raise money for charitable causes, particularly the Children's Society. |
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Early days: the team at Chobham in the 1980s Click the picture to enlarge
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The Chobham Handbell Ringers started in 1977 under the direction of Alan Collings, linked to the parish church of St Lawrence in Chobham, Surrey, England. From small beginnings the team grew from strength to strength under Alan’s leadership. By the time of Alan’s retirement in 2003 the team was some 20-strong, with two 5 octave sets of Whitechapel handbells, plus some extra Malmark bass bells extending down to “G2”, and a set of BellePlates (visit www.belleplates.com) From 2003 the St Lawrence Chobham Handbell Ringers have had a new musical director, Tim Willetts (who has played in the team for many years) using a set of Whitechapel bells made in 1908 and still sounding very good! We aim to build on past success to foster the appreciation of handbell music in Surrey and beyond. We meet on Friday evenings in Chobham parish church hall, where you would be welcome to meet us and hear us play – just let us know in advance. Our Executive Committee is chaired by Ishbel Walsh, with Tim Willetts as musical director, Tom McHale as secretary and Robert Nichols as treasurer. |
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| Performances and Tours | |||
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Celebrating Christmas
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Over the years the Chobham Handbell Ringers have appeared on TV, radio and in film – including a brief appearance in “The Madness of King George”. The mainstay of the team have been the local concerts for churches, schools, social clubs, retirement homes, indeed anywhere we had the opportunity to perform, particularly in the run up to Christmas each year. The team has made an active contribution to the SE Region of the Handbell Ringers of Great Britain and has appeared at many local and national rallies, as well as attending International Symposia in Canada, the USA and Birmingham, England. Other international activities have included team tours in Barbados, The Netherlands, and France. |
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August 2006, some of us visited Brisbane, Australia (with our bells!) for that year's International Handbell Symposium. |
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August 2004, we made a tour to Ohio, USA, and Ontario and Quebec in Canada, taking in the International Handbell Symposium at Toronto. |
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Concert in Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral,
Quebec City Click the picture to enlarge |
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| The Netherlands |
France - Sucy en Brie and
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Amstelveen and the Carillon Museum at Asten, 2002 |
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The team ringing in St Michael’s Cathedral, Barbados, 1999 Click the picture to enlarge |
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