They had a very attentive audience and the pieces were well received. There was also much interest after they had finished ringing, with several people wanting to ‘have a go’.
The Alton Handbell Ringers were formed in 1991 by Wendy and Alan Walters. The Alton team was started with a group of six ringers who rang on the set of 12 handbells from St. Peter’s Church Alton.
Wendy and Alan bought their own set of 2½ octaves of bells in 1991 and the team grew to nine people. More bells have been added since, to make the 3½ octaves (44 bells) that they ring on today, with twelve ringers.
They ring a variety of music including classical, hymns, folk, and tunes from musicals.
At the Checkley Bell Extravaganza they played a variety of music including “The Can-Can”, the English folk song “Strawberry Fair” and “Rule Britannia”..
They had a very attentive audience and the pieces were well received. There was also much interest after they had finished ringing, with several people wanting to ‘have a go’.
