Conductor
Hazel just loves music, and bells in particular. She will go anywhere, anytime, to hear or play bells; and more often to help out other teams. Infinite staying power - and she needs it. Started ringing at Ecclesfield Grammar School with 'Ticker' Mitchell, in 1960? progressed to the 'Village' team, and then to conductor of 'B' team at Ticker's untimely death in 1977. It was inevitable that she would also take over from Conrad Gregory when he retired as conductor of Village team.
Top treble
Longest serving ringer (but not that old!) Started ringing at Ecclesfield Grammar School with 'Ticker' Mitchell, in 1960? alongside Hazel, graduated seamlessly into the 'Village' team, and never stopped. Generally quiet, and rarely plays a bell wrong; a steadying influence on other unruly trebles.
3rd treble
Started ringing at Ecclesfield Grammar School with 'Ticker' Mitchell, in 1966? After school (and a short break for college and courting) was re-recruited by Ticker to help launch his 'B' team. One of the few to live in Ecclesfield. Renowned for bossy nature and ever increasingly cynical attitude, but always up for a drink and a good night out.
2nd treble
Maureen went to Ecclesfield Grammar School but amazingly was never persuaded to ring bells until 1980?, sometime after leaving school. This 'late-starter' began as a bass player, graduated to tenors, and then talked Rachael into swapping places so she could have a go at being a treble! She's certainly made up for lost time! Quiet? Mild-mannered? Don't you believe it!
1st treble
Rosemary also went to Ecclesfield School but began ringing with the 'other team', that is with Michael King and his famous numeric notation board and stick in 1968. Pretty ironic, since she is better at music than most of us and actually arranges a lot of our music. After leaving school she was unaware of the 'village' team's existence until a chance meeting with Molly at work in 1974 which brought her back to handbell ringing. She now travels the longest distance of all of us to practices, living now in Derbyshire! (The traitor!)
Top tenor
Rosie joined us in 2006. Like Rosemary Foster, she had also previously rung bells with Michael King at Ecclesfield School and also happens to be a pretty good musician (especially by our standards!). After a crash course in 'standing up for yourself' Ecclesfield style, she was thrown into the concert team at warp speed and is actually surviving - much to the embarrassment of her two teenage daughters!
Middle tenor
Still researching Jean's past - very secretive is our Jean! It's believed she also rang bells at Ecclesfield Grammar School - before any of us, she says - but after school didn't resume ringing until around 1980? when she helped swell the ranks of the 'B' team by also dragging along James (her son!) to join in.
Bottom tenor
Why don't we know how and when Judith became a ringer? She must have seduced us with her excellent cakes , which she's since given up for glass making. It was sometime in the eighties (1980's that is!) We'll have to wait for her personal write up.
And now we have it - more
Steve Woods
Top Bass
Steve has recently graduated to a regular position in the concert team having served his appenticeship with the 'B-ringers'. He was originally conned into joining by a 'friend', but has proved to be resilient even to the training methods of the rest of the team. He deserves his place!
Middle bass
(Saving the best 'til last Sue! But at least we got the photo.)
Bottom bass
Plucking up courage to write anything. Wouldn't like to upset our 'Satan's fan club.
Reserves, beginners, spares
Call the them what you like, we couldn't manage without them!
What we need is more recruits to complete the set. (Own up, who suggested they were a ringer short of a full team! Mind you, they must be to put up with all the insults and still come back for more.) Any volunteers?
Lynne, the driving force in the B-ringers and No.1 spare for the concert team. She may talk with a funny accent (being half Brummie and having lived 'down south' for too many years) but she's a real tyke at heart! We managed to teach her to 'ring reight' before she defected southwards, but she's back home now, making up for lost time. (When she's not swimming!)
This is Angela. Well, Angela found us really. Having been brought up and spent her school days in Ecclesfield, she actually managed to avoid knowing anything about handbells until recently when she moved back to her roots. She was inspired to join us after hearing us at Christmas and Centenary concerts. From knowing nothing about handbells or written music she has progressed to performing with the concert team on occasions and is also a valuable 'backstage' worker.
Jill, Margaret and Christine have been practising regularly with Lynne and Angela and support from concert team members. They must enjoy themselves as they keep coming back for more. They have played at NE regional rallies and rung a couple of pieces on our Concerts. What the really need is more enthusiasts to join them so they can be a 'proper' team in their own right.
