Early days: the team at Chobham in the 1980s

Early days: the team at Chobham in the 1980s

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 activities and events are planned and managed by a small Executive Committee. We are particularly grateful for the support, encouragement and provision of facilities by the St Lawrence, Chobham, Parochial Church Council.