The increasing popularity of handbells during this pandemic was evident in the record numbers attending the SCACR Handbell Morning on Saturday 30th January. Once again the magic of Zoom brought together members located across the country to ring in eight different RingingRoom groups, with handbell experience ranging from zero to Surprise Major and beyond.

This is the third such online event and with each session the technology and our use of it improves. The morning consists of two one hour ringing sessions. Group members are different in each session, which offers the opportunity to meet and ring with new people and share tips and ideas as to how to improve.

The feedback at the end was extremely positive. Thankfully internet issues were kept to a minimum and everyone had been able to have a go at the challenges they had set themselves. It is hoped that the event will now prompt the setting up of individual handbell groups and ad hoc sessions to further promote the art.

The only downside of a virtual event is that you have to provide your own refreshments. There was some cake envy during the break time and some relief that Zoom is not yet capable of transmitting the aroma of freshly cooked bacon! This was followed by some reminiscing of the good old days when we used to meet up in person. Alas it looks like a return to such happy times may still be some way off, so whilst we patiently wait a further online event is already in the diary for 27th March 2021.

Alison Lucas