HRGB Scotland Magazine September 2010

8/8/2019 HRGB Scotland Magazine September 2010

1/13

Issue44 NEWSLETTER October2010

1

HelloandwelcometothisautumneditionoftheScottishRegionmagazine. Themonthsofthisyearjust

seemtobeflyingin. Thedaysarealreadygettingshorterandsoontheleaveswillbegintofall. Theradio

lastweekwasbroadcastingthatthereareonly100shoppingdaysuntilChristmas! Thismeansthatthereare

evenfewerdaysofbellpracticeinpreparationforthedemandsofthefestiveseason. Tohelpwiththis,the

regionalring

alongs

this

autumn

will

focus

on

Christmas

music.

This

will

be

aread

and

ring

day

when

we

will

allbegiventhemusiconthedayandtackleringingittogether. Anopportunitytootoringmusicyoumight

notbeabletowithyourteam. Theseeventsaresuchthatyoucanattendonyourownorwithapaleven

ifyourwholeteamcannotattend. Sohopetoseeyouthen.

Iwasdelightedtoreceivenewsfromtwoofouryouthteamsforthisissueespeciallythepiecewrittenby

KirsteenandScottofStrathburnSchoolHandchimes. Therearealsotwosubstantialpiecesonthe

InternationalHandbellSymposiuminOsakaandtheBellsoftheCascadesCruisetoAlaska. Whynotshare

whatyourteamhasbeenupto? Thiscanjustbeashortsnippetofnewsandhelpstoshowtheextentof

handbellringingacrossourregion.

Ithoroughly

enjoyed

participating

in

the

International

Symposium

in

Osaka.

We

received

an

exceptionally

warmwelcomefromtheJapanese. Theybowedandsmiledallthetime. ThethemefortheSymposiumwas

EchoesofPeace. ThiswasveryaptaswewereinOsakaon6thAugust,theanniversaryofthedroppingof

theatomicbombonHiroshima. Onthethemeofprayingforpeace,eachringermadeatleastoneorigami

crane. AnancientJapaneselegendpromisesthatanyonewhofoldsathousandorigamicraneswillhave

theirwishcometrue. ThecraneinJapanisoneofthemysticalorholycreaturesandissaidtolivefora

thousandyears. Therewerealmost1,200ringersatthesymposiumandourcranesweretakenbythepost

symposiumtourtotheChildrensPeaceMonumentinthePeaceMemorialPark,Hiroshima. Itwasvery

movingtovisitthePeaceParklateronmytourandseeallthecranesaroundthemonument. Attendingan

InternationalSymposiumandmakingringingfriendsfromallaroundtheworldisafantasticexperience.

WhynotthinkaboutattendingthenextoneinLiverpoolin2012? TeamHRGBareinthephotobelow.


2/13

2

HelenCampbellhasstooddownasmagazineeditor. Weoweheragreatdealofthanksforpullingtogether

ourmagazineoverthelast9yearsespeciallyassheisnotevenaringer! ThankyouverymuchHelen.

Thisthereforeleavesagap. Areyouwillingandinterestedineditingourmagazineordoyouknow

someonewhomightenjoythisjob? Ifso,pleasegetintouchwithmeotherwisewemayhavenoregular

magazine.

IfyouarereadingthismagazineandarenotamemberofHRGB,whynotconsiderjoining? Theannual

membershipis

only

10

per

year

and

you

will

receive

member

rates

at

all

our

events.

Inthemeantime,pleasedogetintouchifthereisanyhelptheregionalcommitteeorIcanofferyou.

ChristineDReid

ScottishRegionChair

The14thInternationalSymposium,Osaka,JapanOnJuly31staftermanymonthsofplanning,RuthandIsetoutforOsakaviaAmsterdamandSeoul. A

journeyof20hoursdidnotseeusarriveinourhoteluntiltheSunday.TherewemetupwithChristine.The

SymposiumdidnotstartuntilTuesdaysothe3ofus,armedwithamapoftheOsakarailwaysystem,

visitedOsakaCastle notacastleasweknowitasitlooksmorelikeapagoda.Asitwasveryhotand

humid,therewerespraysofcoldwatertowalkthroughonenteringtheCastle.

Lunchtime

called

and

so

we

had

our

first

meal

of

noodles,

attempting

to

master

chopsticks.

Our

next

place

tovisitwastheShitennojiTemple,soweagainnavigatedtherailwaysystem.Fordinnerweventuredintoa

ChineserestaurantandcausedsomeamusementasnoonecouldspeakEnglish. Orderingbypointingat

pictureswasnotalwaysverysuccessful!

TuesdaywasthefirstdayoftheSymposiumandwemetupwiththeother3membersofTeamHRGB.This

wasourfirsttripintotheConventionCentre,averylargemodernbuilding. AttheSymposiumtherewere

1200ringers,soweweredividedinto2groups Sakura,whichwewerein,andFuji.Theopeningceremony

followedwiththewelcomingspeechbeinggivenbyNozomuAbe,theSymposiumCommitteeChairman.

TheprocessionofflagsfollowedwiththeUnionflagcarriedbyChristineLazenbyofEastAnglianRegion.

TheOpening

bell

rang

and

representatives

of

the

member

guilds

spoke.

Greetings

were

given

by

Dr

ShigeakiHinohara,theSymposiumExecutiveChairmanandthepresidentofHandbellRingersofJapan. He

wasamazingat99yearsold,hedeliveredhisspeechinEnglish.DeborahRice,theInternationalHandbell

CommitteeExecutiveDirectorwelcomedpeopleinJapanese.TherewererepresentativesoftheOsaka

PrefecturalGovernmenttowelcomeusalltoOsaka.Afterthespeeches,KobeYMCAbellchoirplayedand

theywereverygood. Thenitwasourturntobegintotacklethemassedringing.

IntheeveningwetraveledtoKachoenatKobeforafunnight. HereweenjoyedaJapanesebuffetinthe

restaurantwhereflowershungfromtheceiling. Thenitwastimetomeetourfellowringersandexchange

gifts.


3/13

3

Duringthe5daysthemassedringingrehearsalswereinterspersedwithsoloconcertsgivenbythevarious

bellgroups,anditwasinterestingtowatchthedifferentstyles.Somegroupsmovedalongwiththemusic,

othersstoodstill.OnThursdaywehadaveryearlystarttotraveltoKyototoseetheGoldenPavilionand

theHianShrinewithitsverypeacefulgardens.

Beforethesymposium,wehadtochoose4workshops 2onWednesdayand2onFriday.Ruthranavery

successfulScottishdanceworkshop helpedbyChristineandhinderedbyme.Wehadamanof85years

oldwhostayedforbothsessions. Severalpeoplesaiditwasthebestworkshoptheyhadbeento.

RingingnexttouswasaKoreangroupwhocameacrosstoChristineandsaidonlyyoungpeopleplayed

bellsintheircountry!

AsFridaywastheanniversaryofthedroppingoftheAtomicbomb,anEchoesforPeaceConcertwasheld.

TheUKwasrepresentedbytheEastAnglianRingerswhoplayedYesterday. AeolianChimesplayed

AmazingGraceinoneoftheSoloconcerts.

ThemassedconcertswereonSaturdayandforthiswewereinour2groups Sakuraplayedinthemorning

andFuji

in

the

afternoon.

It

was

good

to

listen

to

the

pieces

we

had

been

practising

as

it

is

difficult

to

hear

themwhenyouareplaying.DuringthedayweallmadecranesfortheChildrensPeaceParkatHiroshima.

EverybodymetupagainfortheclosingceremonyandtheBanquet,wheretheceremonyofthebreaking

theSakidrumtookplace.Dr.HinoharainhisclosingspeechsaidthathehopedtobeatLiverpoolin2012

buthewouldthenbe101yearsold.

Owingtothedifferentnationalitiesatthesymposium,everythinghadtobetranslated. Itseemedtome

thatthatforonewordinEnglish,thereare10inJapanese.Themealswerewellorganized therewere3

setmealsontrayssoyoupickedupatrayofyourchoice. WhilstwewerethereBillButlercelebratedhis

80thbirthdayandwewereallabletocongratulatehim.

The5dayswentveryquicklyandIfeltthatIwouldhavelikedmoretimeonthemassedringingpieces.The

SymposiumwascalledEchoesForPeaceanditwouldbenicetothinkthatonedaypeacearoundtheworld

maycome.Thereweremanyyounggroupsofringersandatoneconcert,aKindergartengroupplayedbells

veryimpressively.RuthandIstayedonandvisitedHiroshimabybullettrain.Wewenttothepeacepark

andsawtheDome allthatisleftofHiroshimabeforethebombing a movingexperience.Asthenext

InternationalisinLiverpoolperhapsmanymorepeoplefromtheUKwillbeabletogo.Itiswellworthwhile

justtoseethedifferentgroupsplayfromothercountries.

BerylSnowden BlairBells

RuthandherScottishCountryDanceworkshop


4/13

4

News from the Region ____ ____

STRATHBURNSCHOOLHANDCHIMESandtheirfirstexperienceofthe

SCOTTISHSCHOOLSRINGINGDAY2010OnThursday13thMay2010,ourHandchimegroupfromStrathburnSchool,Inverurie,Aberdeenshirewent

toNewtonSchool,Dunblanetojoinotherringersatthe2010ScottishSchoolsRingingDay. Firstwepicked

upKaimhillSchoolHandchimesfromAberdeenthentravelledontoDunblaneajourneyoftwoandahalf

hours. WemadenewfriendsfromKaimhillonthecoach.

Afterarrivingandsettingupinourteamplaceswesatdowntoenjoyourpackedlunches. Ourteachers

tooksomephotographsofusandweweregivenacopyoftheprogrammefortheafternoon. Theother

teamswhoweretherewereDunblanePrimarySchool,NewtonSchool,ShieldhillSchool(Falkirk),Houston

School(Paisley)andasmallgroupfromDundee.

FirstlywewereintroducedtoMrsWilsonwhoconductedusthroughTheSunHasGotHisHatOn. We

playeditoverandovertomakeitperfect. ThenMrWilsontookovertoconductKookaburraCannon

(thatwasgreatfunbecauseeveryonesbarwasdifferent!)beforehandingusbacktoMrsWilsonfor

LeavingLismore. Nexttheteamshadachancetoplayasolospot. WeperformedMoonwatchandwe

wereverygoodeventhoughwewerenervous. MissDuffus,ourMusicTeacher,conductedusandshesaid

wedidreallywellalthoughwewentabitfastbutnobodynoticed!

Wehadabreakforrefreshmentsinthemiddleoftheafternoonthenbackintothehallforsomemore

ringing. ThistimewehadtowalkaroundandsingKookaburraCannonANDringitallatthesametime.

Thatwasdifficult!

ThejourneybackhomewasreallygoodbecausewewereabletotalkaboutourperformanceswithKaimhill

ringers. Kirstenthoughtthedaywasveryenjoyableanditwaslovelytoheareveryoneplaytheirdifferent

instruments. ScottsfavouritepartofthedaywashisteamsperformanceofMoonwatchbecausehe

thoughttheydidextremelywell! Healsoenjoyedthejourneybecausehegottositwithhisfriendsandhe

hadagoodtime.

KirstenWatson&ScottMacGregor(11) StrathburnSchoolHandchimes.

RovingReportersKirsteen&Scott StrathburnSchoolHandchimes,Inverurie


5/13

5

TheParishofDunkeldHRTheDunkeldgroupisperhapsunusualinthatithasabreakfromringinginJanuaryandcontinueswitha

busyprogrammeofringingthroughoutthesummer.Thissummerasusualweprovidedentertainmentin

NursingHomes,forFellowshipGroups,SWRIs,atCountryMarketsandTheCrossinDunkeld,butwealso

gavetwoconcertsinaidofcharity.

Thefirst

was

for

The

Friends

of

Innerpeffray

Library,

the

concert

being

in

Innerpeffray

Chapel.

This

small

chapel,whichdatesbackto1508,hasareallyspecialatmosphereandwithcandlesinallthewindow

recessesandontheoriginalstonealtaritmadeasplendidsettingforourconcertbeforeapacked,

enthusiasticaudience.ThesecondconcertwasinTheChapelRoyalatFalklandPalaceinaidofTheTapestry

Fund,theoccasionbeingoursocialouting.(Thegrouphasestablishedaroutineofadaytriponeyear

followedbyaconcerttourthenext dates,concertvenuesandaccommodationfor2011alreadybooked!).

AftercoffeeandsconesonarrivinginFalkland,alltheequipment,apartfromthebells,wassetupinthe

ChapelwithtimeforexploringthePalace,gardensandvillagebeforeanenjoyablelunchtogetherpriorto

ourconcert.Theweatherwasperfectand,expectingeveryonetobeoutsideenjoyingthesunshine,we

weredelightedbythesizeoftheaudience.Next,havingbeeninvitedtoringinthetinyvillageofKinloch

Rannoch,some

of

our

members

decided

theyd

like

another

day

out!

So

again

on

abeautiful

summers

day,

wedrovetoQueensViewonLochTummelenjoyinglunchandawalk(takingtheobligatoryphotobeside

theview)beforetravellingon.ItshouldbeobviousbynowthattheDunkeldringersenjoytheirfood!Well

bealongthesameroadgoingtoTummelBridgeinOctoberandintendmeetinginDunkeldforFishand

Chipsbeforesettingoff.

InAugustmytravelstookmeabitfurthertoVancouverwhereIjoinedTheBellsoftheCascadescruiseto

Alaska(separatereport).SeveralDunkeldmembersattendedtheRinginPraiseSeminaratDunblaneand

willbepresentattheRalliesinHaddingtonandAberdeen.TheeighthsummerseasonofHandbellHarmony

weeklyperformancesofsolo/duet/smallensembleringingcontinuedthroughoutthesummerfinishing

at

the

end

of

September.

These

performances

are

becoming

more

and

more

popular

with

visitors

to

the

areaandthisyearplatedonations,whicharesharedbetweentheCathedralandhandbellgroup,far

exceededthoseofpreviousyears,salesofourCDSandDVDSalsogoingwell(productionof3rdCDnow

underway).

NowintoautumnwearestartingtoprepareforourusualperformancesatPitlochryTheatre forDougie

MacLeansAmberFestivalandtheChristmasEventinTheNationalMuseumofScotland,Edinburghin

additiontomanylocalevents.

HeatherI.McLean

ParishofDunkeldHandbellRingersatFalklandPalace


6/13

6

TrueGrit(andachallengingTerm!)OneSaturdayeveningbackinFebruary,Iwasbrowsingthroughthe2010Aberdeen&NorthEastof

ScotlandMusicFestivalSyllabuswhenIhadabrainwave(orsoIthoughtthatnight!) Wehadaparticularly

goodHandchimeGroupatKaimhillinthe2009/2010SessionwithanumberofveryexperiencedPrimary7

ringerssowhynotenterthemintotheFestivalintheGroupMusicMakingClass? Ithadbeensometime

sincewehadenteredsuchagroupbutthiscertainlyseemedagoodyeartodoso. Withtheagreementof

ourHeadTeacherIsentofftheapplicationandsetaboutlookingoutsomesuitablepiecesforasixminute

programmewhichwouldshowofftheHandchimes,andourringingskills. Forgoodmeasure,wealso

decidedtotakethegrouptothe2010SchoolsRingingDayinDunblaneon13thMay.

SoonthebusySummerTermarrivedand,alongwithmyotherschoolHandchimegroupfromStrathburn

School,Inverurie,wesetoffonthetwohourbusjourneySouthtoNewtonSchool,Dunblane,forthe

SchoolsRingingDay. Althoughanoncompetitiveevent,Ithoughtthiswouldbeagoodopportunityfor

KaimhillringerstoperforminfrontofanaudiencepriortotheMusicFestival. Iwasverypleasedwithboth

theirperformanceandthatofStrathburnSchoolringersandwasdelightedtoseepupilsfrombothschools

mixing

well

during

and

following

the

event.

So,

all

was

going

smoothly

and

to

plan.

Or

so

I

thought!

AfewweekspriortotheMusicFestivalIreceivedthenewsthatoneofourringers,Morgan,hadfallenand

brokenherrightarmbadly! Help! Althoughclearlydisappointed,Morganwasinnodoubtshewouldstill

attendrehearsals,andtheFestival,ringingwithhergoodarm! Anotherringerbravelyvolunteeredto

takeanextrachime(Morgansrighthand)onboardsoweweresoonbackontrackforaweekorso

anyway. Alltheringerswereworkingveryhardandobviouslywantedtoplaywell. Thentendaysbefore

thebigperformance(asithadnowbeencalled),IreceivedatextmessagefromtheHeadTeachertotell

methatoneofourringers,Jack,wouldnotnowbeinAberdeenonthedayofourFestivalperformanceand

shewantedtoknowifshewouldcancelthebus. ImustconfessIwassorelytemptedtoagreebutIthen

thoughtofallthehardworkthepupilshadputintogettingtheirprogrammeready. So,Itookadeepsigh

andreplied,No! ThenIthoughtHowonearthcanwecovermoremissingnotes?

TwodayslaterIbrokethenewstotherestofthegroupandexplainedwewereindirestraits! We

discussedthesituationandthepossibilities. WecouldstilltakepartwithmeringingJackschimesbutwe

wouldnotbeallowedtocompeteforaplace. Icouldseethedisappointmentonalltheirfacesbutthey

agreed

they

wanted

to

go

ahead.

Then

one

of

them

suggested

a

former

ringer

may

be

able

to

help

out.

A

quickmessagealongthecorridorconfirmedthistobethecasesowewerebackontrack.....forafewdays


7/13

7

anyway! OneoftheschoolDeputesisamemberofmyadultHandchimegroupsosheagreedtoprovide

someextracoachingforourstandinringer.

OnMonday7th

JuneweallgatheredintheMusicRoomtowaitforthebustotakeustothevenueforour

Festivalperformancealmostallthatis. Wethenfoundthatourstandinringerwouldntbeabletostand

inafterallashehadadentalappointment! ThelookontwelvefacessaiditallandforthefirsttimeI

caughtaglimpseofdefeat. Wehadalltriedsohardtoensurethingswouldgoaheadasplannedbuthere

wasanotherhurdleandabigone! Itwasclearthattheteamwantedtogoaheadandthepupils

acceptedwewouldperform,withoutcompeting,withmeringing. Itwasallwecoulddoandatleastwe

wouldstillhavethechancetoplay. So,althoughsomewhatdisappointed,wesetoff.

Iexplainedthesituation(briefly!!)totheladyinchargeofourClassattheFestivalandthenfoundoutthat

anotherschoolwasinaverysimilarsituation. Givenallthefacts,sheagreedtoalloweveryoneto

compete. Wow! ThesmileswerebackonandIwassopleasedforourringers. Evenmoresoattheendof

theClasswhenwewereannouncedasjointFirstPlaceWinnerswithaScottishMusicGroup. The

adjudicatorwasclearlyimpressedwiththesoundofourHandchimes. Thesearesomeofhiscomments

:Whatnice

sounds!

Excellent

concentration

from

everyone.

You

kept

really

well

together.

You

caught

the

newtempo(oursecondpiece)wellandthiswasverywellcontrolled. Someeffectivetrills(heshouldhavesaidshakes!)here(inourthirdpiece). Welldonemuchtoenjoy! ThiswassummedupwithaVeryGoodperformancecertificatewhichindicatescommendableartisticandtechnicalcontrol. And,ofcourse,

thatcovetedjointFirstPlace.

So,ithadbeenaverylonganddifficultjourneybutallthehardworkandsheerdeterminationhadpaidoff.

Iwasveryproudoftheteamwhohadshownoutstandingtruegritaseachhurdleloomedaheadofthem.

Itsraretoseesuchobviousdeterminationandfirstclassteamworkinyoungpeopleanditissurelya

lessonforallusadultringerswhooftengiveupatthefirsthurdle. ImsurenoneofKaimhillhandchimesof

2009/10

will

forget

this

experience

for

a

long

time.

I

know

I

wont!

Withthenew2010/2011SessionunderwayandourPrimary7ringersfromlastSessionmovedupto

Secondaryschool,theremainingringersarelookingtorecruitsomenewmemberstojointhem. Ican

alreadyseelastTermschallengeshavedoneagreatdealfortheteamspiritofthegroupastheystepout

intoanotherschoolyear. Whatevermaylieahead!

MissEDuffus MusicSpecialist,KaimhillSchool

PSMorganisbackringingwithbotharms!

KaimhillSchoolHandchimesof2010/2011session Morgan(backringingwithtwoarms!)withfriendElie


8/13

8

JordanhillParishChurchHandbellRingersWestartedthenewsessionwitharingingdayinthechurchhalltogetoureyesbackinandtryoutsome

newpiecesofmusicwhichRuthhadbroughtbackfromJapan. SowatchoutforsomelovelyJapanese

compositionsbyNozomuAbeinourlatestrepertoire!

InJunewebadefarewelltoAnneGoodall,afoundermemberoftheteam,whohasmovedtoliveinBoatof

Garten. Shehasnotcompletelyseveredalllinkswiththeteamandmayoccasionallybeseenatour

rehearsals.

WeheldaCraftFairandBookSaleinmidSeptemberwhichraised500forPakistanFloodReliefandour

ownchurch. RuthandChristinehaveregaleduswiththeirmanyJapaneseadventureswhileattendingthe

InternationalSymposiuminOsaka.

WehaveabusyprogrammeplannedupuntilChristmasandbeyond. Teammembersareattendingboth

Autumnringalongdays.

LyndaBarclay

********************************

SoloHandbellsLaunchLongestTapestryOnthe26thJulyIhadtheprivilegeofplayingsolohandbellsatthelauncheventofwhattheBBCreported

asthe longesttapestry in theworld. ThePrestonpansTapestrycomprises104metresofmainlyCrewel

embroideryandneedlelacestitching,retelling(throughtheseriesof104metrelongpanels)thejourneyof

BonniePrinceCharliefromFrancetovictoryatPrestonpans in1745. Thistapestryexceedsthe lengthof

the Bayeux Tapestry, from which inspiration for the Prestonpans Tapestry came, by some 30 metres.

Some200volunteerneedleworkersfromalloverScotlandwererecruitedbytheBaronofPrestoungrange,

thedriving forcebehind this incredibleproject,and worked together tocomplete thisamazingpieceof

artworkdesignedbyartistAndrewCrummy. Icompletedoneofthepanels,oneshowingSirJohnCopeand

his army fleeing the battlefield, and was honoured to be part of this slice of history. In my panel the

gallopinghorses

were

challenging

to

stitch

to

get

the

movement

correct

and

this

had

to

be

completed

in

2

months,whichwasnomeantask.IalsohelpedstitchthepanelrelatingtoCharliesstayinDunblanewhere

thestoryisretoldthatthemaidwassoexcitedtohavemetthePrincethatshebowedandkissedhisshoe

insteadofhishand.

I opened the musical offerings at the launch event in Prestonpans by performing solo handbells

(accompaniedby Malcolm) to the300 invited guests alongwith several television crewsand reporters.

The handbell solos started with Eriskay Love Lilt (Eriskay is where Bonnie Prince Charlie first landed inScotlandfromhisvoyagefromFranceinhisquesttoreclaimtheBritishthrone),followedbyAeFondKiss(recallingtheDunblaneconnectionashestayedinBalhaldieHouseinDunblaneandwaskissedbythemaid

there),thenSkyeBoatSongandWillYeno'comebackagain,bothsongsrecallingthisJacobiteera. Theaudience

sang

along

and

many

said

afterwards

how

moved

they

had

been

by

the

music.

ThewholetapestrygoesontourfollowinginthefootstepsofBonniePrinceCharliein1745byputtingthe

tapestryondisplay ineach community inScotlandvisitedbyBonniePrinceCharlieonexactly the same

dates thisyearashewouldhavebeen ineachplace in1745. And there isanactorplaying thepartof

BonniePrinceCharliewhowillbeaccompanyingthetapestrytoeachvenuethisyear,andthelocaltapestry

teamswillbeonhadineachlocationtowelcomevisitorsintheircommunitiestoseetheywholework.Itis

veryimpressiveandiswellworthavisiteitheronthetourorwheniteventuallygetsapermanenthousing

inPrestonpans.

More

information

about

this

amazing

piece

of

work

can

be

found

athttp://www.prestonpanstapestry.org/tapestry/.


9/13

9

LysbethWilson,DunblaneCathedralHandbells

*********************************

BellsoftheCascadesCruisetoAlaskaOnSaturday,July31st2010IboardedtheHollandAmericancruiseshipMSZuiderdam inVancouverfora

fantastic handbell ringing experience andjourney to Alaska, together with Anne and Jeffrey Singleton

(AmberBellsofAshover,England)andLindaLamb,Americancomposerandarranger,withwhom Iwas

sharingacabin.

TheAmericangroupBellsoftheCascades,directedbyNancyHascall,hasbeenorganisingbellcruises

since1993andplaneverythingcarefullydowntothesmallestdetailsothatallrunssmoothly.Onprevious

cruisesringershadbeensplitintothreegroups:oneforabsolutebeginnersandtwotocaterforringers

withdifferentabilities.Thistimeithadbeendecidedthat,asmostoftheexperiencedringerswereofa

highstandard,theywouldallringmusicofthesamelevelofdifficultybut,duetospace,wouldstillbe

dividedintotwogroupsforthemassedringingrehearsals.

Ourmusicwasawaitingusinourcabins,soeveryonewouldbesightreadingatthefirstrehearsalthenext

morning.Firstthough,therewastheSailAwayPartyinTheCrowsNestandachancetomeetourfellow

ringers.Afterwards,onbeingescortedtoourtablefordinner,weweredelightedtofindthatthefourofus

wereatatablewithNancyHascallandherhusbandGlen.ThiswasTable30andwesoondecidedthatit

wasthebest.Wegotonwellwitheachother,conversationflowedfreelyandwealsohadthepleasureof

beingbesideahugewindowthroughwhichwecouldseethepassingscenery.

SundayCruisingtheInsidepassage,twomassedringingrehearsalsandtwoensemblesessions.

OurconductorwasDrWilliamPayn,renownedhandbellcomposeranddirector,professorofmusic,

directorofchoralstudiesandchairofmusicdept.atBucknellUniversity,PA.

Takingusgentlythroughthefirstrehearsalheseemedsatisfiedwithourfirstattemptsatthemusic,butwe

werewellawarethatheexpected(andwoulddemand)ahighstandardofringingandthatwehadalong

waytogotoachieveit.Heknewexactlywhathewantedandhowtogetit.Skilfullyheledusforwardina

patientandkindlywaywithstraightforwardinstructionsandclearconducting.


10/13

10

TheEnsembleSessionsweretakenbyNancyHascall,withhelpfromseveralBOCringers.Thegroupwas

comprisedofringershavingnoexperienceofsoloandensembleringingthroughtoveryexperienced

soloistsbutNancyenabledeveryonetoeitherbeginortomoveforwardfromtheirexistinglevel.Small

ensembleswereformedandappropriatemusicselected.Nancyschiefclaimtofameinthehandbellworld

isthedevelopmentofthefourinhandtravellingtechniqueandIwasdelightedthat,havingbeen

strugglingathomewithdifficultsectionsinsomeofNancysownarrangements,Nancyspenttimeshowing

methe

bell

choreography

and

technique

needed.

No

rehearsals

after

dinner

but

avaried

selection

of

entertainmentonofferplus,withplentyofbellsavailable,theopportunitytopractiseensembleringingif

onewished.

Mondaya.m. CruisingTracyArmFjord,massedringingrehearsalsandclassesonsightreadingand

specialtechniques.p.m.Juneau.

Thismorningwastheonlytimeduringthecruisewhentheweatherwascold..Whenevertheringerswere

free,theyallwrappedupinwarmclothesandwentondecktoseethewonderfulAlaskanscenery,to

watchforwhales(oneortwosightings)andtotakephotographs.

Ateach

port

of

call

there

were

lots

of

excursions

available

rides

in

helicopters,

seaplanes

and

boats

to

visitremoteareaswithnoothermeansofaccess,toseethewildlife,canoe,ridehorses,gotrekkingetc.

thelistwasendless.AnneandJeffenjoyedmanyoftheseexcursionswhilstLindaandI,whohave

previouslybeentoAlaskawithmyhusbandandexperiencedsuchactivities,decidedtospendtime

exploringthevarioustownshipstolearnmoreabouttheAlaskanstheirwayoflife,historyandculture.In

Juneau,JeffreyandAnnehikedupfromthecablecarstationtoFatherBrownsCrossonMtRoberts

followedbyanexhilaratingfloatplaneflightover7glacierstoTakuRiverLodgeforadelicioussalmonbake

dinnerentertainedbyalargeblackbearlickingoutthefatfromthebarbecuenot20yardsawayfromus.

Afteraquicklookaroundthetown,LindaandItookthecablecartothetopofMountRobertsfromwhich

therewasasplendidviewandalsoaperformancebyTheAlaskanStringBand.Thiswasafamilyoffive,

mother,father,

daughters

of

12

and

19

and

ason

16.

They

were

brilliant,

each

playing

several

string

instrumentsguitar,fiddle,mandolin,bass,duckplussnakedrumandswappingfromonetoanotherwith

ease.Aswellasthebeautifulmusicwealsoheardabouttheirwayoflife:howtheysurviveduringthelong,

darkwinterscutofffromtheoutsideworldandabouttheirintricate,beautifullyembroideredcostumes

withwhichtheAlaskanscovertheirfursandskins.Twointerestingfactstheymentionedwerethat

1)allAlaskansarelegallyentitledtoafixed,freeamountoftimber.Itisrequiredthattheygointothe

forestandchoosetheirowntrees,whichthetimbercompanythenfellandtransportforthem.Asaresult

thisfamilyoffivehadbuiltabeautifulhomeforathirdofthepriceitwouldnormallycost.

2)Juneauexpandedfromasmalltribalsettlementfollowingthediscoveryofgoldin1880andminingofthe

gold

continued

until

WWII.

Following

the

closure

of

the

mine

all

its

assets

wereinvested

for

the

benefit

of

theJuneaupeopleandinterestisstillpaideveryyeartoeacheligibleperson.Todatethesmallestpayment

hasbeen$200,oftenithasbeenconsiderablymore.


11/13

11

TuesdaySkagway.

Adayfreefromringing,apartfromensemblepracticeifonedesired.

Again,AnneandJeffwentoffonalongexcursionintotheYukonbycoachandtrainwhilstHeatherand

LindaexploredthetownshipontheirownandlearnedmoreaboutSkagway.In1897thousandsgathered

theretobeginthelongandarduoustrekupandthrougheithertheChilkootPassortheWhitePassintothe

Yukoninthehopeoffindinggold.IntheVisitorCentretheywatchedanexcellentfilm,whichincluded

somegenuine

footage,

and

showed

events

as

they

unfolded.

Then

they

travelled

to

the

summit

of

the

WhitePass,rathermoreeasilythangoldprospectorsdid,byridingonthenarrowgaugeWhitePassYukon

RouteRailroad.

WednesdayCruisingGlacierBay,massedringingrehearsals,ensemblepracticefollowedbyconcert.

Whennotringing,everyonewasondeck.Onenteringthefjordtherewaslowmistbutasweapproached

theglaciersattheheadofthebaythemistcleared,thesunshoneanditwasagloriousday.Everyonewas

engrossedinthesceneryallaroundthemmagnificent,spectacular,awsomewordscannotdescribeit

andthemanyphotographstakencanhardlydoitjustice.

TheEnsembleConcertwasgivenbythosewhowishedtodemonstratethenewskillstheyhadlearnedand

alsoincludedperformancesbysuchexpertsasNancyHascallandRonBellamy.

Opento

all

the

ships

passengers,

the

audience

thoroughly

enjoyed

the

range

and

variety

of

the

performances.

Thursdaya.m.Massedringingrehearsals,p.m.Ketchikan

OndeckagainwhenpossiblewhilstcruisingtowardsKetichkantheweatherstillgreat.

ThefirstinhabitantsofKetchikanweretheTlingittribeswhonamedtheircampKlinkitmeaning

thunderingwingsoftheeagle.KetchikanisnowabustlingsmalltownandknownastheSalmonCapitalof

theWorld.LindaandIexploreditfirstbyhorsedrawntrolley,followedbywalkingtothemouthofthe

creektowatchthevastnumberofsalmonpassingthroughandtoseethefamousCreekStreet,builtover

the

water

on

stilts

and

the

Red

Light

district

in

days

gone

by.

TheSouthAlaskaDiscoveryCentrewastheplacetovisitforaninsightintotheTlingitpeople.Therewasan

excellentexhibitionwhichcoveredallaspectsoftheirlivesandwasabsolutelyfascinating.Asweleftwe

said,GunalcheesorThankyouintheTlingitlanguage.MeanwhileJeffreyandAnnevisitedoneofthe

infamouscanneryfactoriesthathelpeddecimatesalmonstocksintheregionintheearly20thcentury(read

JamesMichenersAlaska)TheyreturnedtoKetchikanbyjetboatcatamaranobservingbaldeaglefamilies

nestingandmodernsalmonfishingpracticesontheway.

FridayCruisingtheinsidepassagebacktoVancouverandtwoconcerts.

Thefirstconcert,inthemorningandopentoall1900passengers,wasbyTheBellsoftheCascadesunder

thedirection

of

Nancy

Hascall.

This

was

apolished

performance

by

excellent

ringers.

The

varied

programmewasbeautifullyinterpretedwithtremendousskillandemotion.Needlesstosay,theyfully

deservedthestandingovationtheyreceivedattheend.

Afterwards,therestofushurriedtoourpracticeroomforthefinalrehearsalpriortoourownconcertafter

lunch.Throughouttheweekthepassengershadshowngreatinterestinthebellsand,throughthewindows

andopendoorsofthepracticeroom,hadwatchedusrehearsing.Nowtheywereobviouslykeentoattend

thefinalconcertandeverybitofspacewasoccupied,withpeopleevensittingonthefloor!Theconcert

wentwellandafterwardsDrPaynseemedpleasedwithourperformance.Hehadtrainedussobrilliantly

thatIthinkwealljustfollowedhisexcellentconductingthrougheachpieceandknewexactlywhatwehad

todo.ThefinalpiecePlink,Plank,Plonk,mallettedthroughoutandtakenatafastpace,wasajoyto

performwiththeringersalmostdancingtothemusicandsmilingthroughout.

So,thatwasit.Allover!


12/13

12

Notquitewestillhadabanquetthateveningtolookforwardto,withentertainmentbythediningroom

staffinbetweencourses.

SaturdayYes,timetodisembark.

Ithadbeenamemorableexperience brilliantconductor, lovelyselectionofmusic,massedandsmall

ensembleringing,goodcompany,constantlychangingspectacularscenery,sightingsofAlaskanwildlife

(whale,bear,

seals,

bald

eagles,

tufted

puffins

etc.),

and

beautiful

weather

combined

with

excellent

accommodationandfood.

Whatmorecouldonepossiblywant?Perhapsanothercruise?ThenextwillprobablybeintheCaribbean.

Watchoutforit!

HeatherI.McLeanTheParishofDunkeldHR

******************************************

DATESFORYOURDIARY _________October9 Mistletoe&Wine,themedRingAlong,HolyTrinityHaddington

October23 Mistletoe&Wine,themedRingAlong,ChapelChimersinAberdeen

October2730 UKBronze detailsinReverberations

March26,2011 SpringRally&AGM. McLarenLeisureCentre,Callander

Deadline for next issue of magazine 25th January 2011

MagazineEditorToproduceour3magazinesperyear. Allcontributionsarereceivedelectronicallyandmostmagazinesaredistributedelectronically. Youdorequiretohaveacomputerandaccesstotheinternet. Ifyouareinterestedandwouldliketoknowmorepleasecontact ChristineReid

(detailsonthebackpage)


13/13

13

2010/2011 Committee

Chairman: Secretary: Treasurer:

ChristineReid JeanRoutledge LyndaBarclay

8HavelockStreet Flat4B 40StirlingDrive

GLASGOW HazeldenePark Bearsden

G115JA GLASGOW G443HA GLASGOW G614NT

01413344412 01416374453 01419423595

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

MagazineEditor: SalesManager: NECReps:MaryMcGregor ChristineReid

117PerthRoad LyndaBarclay

BLAIRGOWRIE

PH106DX

01250873735 [email protected]

Committee Members:ElaineDuffus RuthCantlay MargePaterson

c/oKaimhillSchoolHandchimes 25CraigdhuRoad 33BarrhillRd

KaimhillSchoolatBraeside MILNGAVIE CUMNOCK

BraesidePlace G627TN Ayrshire

ABERDEEN 01419562496 01290420769

AB157TX

[email protected]

[email protected]

LysbethWilson JohnElcock IreneDuncan

Elmbank 4TrabournCottages 15AbbeyRoad

DouneRd Elvingston Scone

DUNBLANE HADDINGTON Perthshire

FK159AR EH413SX PH26LW

01786823358 01875853558 01738552653

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Honorary Life Members Ex-Officio Member:

Lysbeth Wilson Anne Smith Archivist

Malcolm Wilson 01224 318081

[email protected]

Handbell Ringers of Great BritainRegisteredCharitynumbers298945(England)andSC038918(Scotland)

Contact details can be found on the HRGB Scotland website www.hrgbscotland.org.uk

Documents

HRGB Scotland Magazine September 2010