THE South West region of Handbell Ringers of Great Britain (HRGB) hold their annual rally in Okehampton on May 6. As in 1995, teams from all over the South West will gather at Okehampton College during the day ? and there will a concert open to the public in the evening. The concert will feature local group Ockment Valley, who are hosting the event, as well as other groups from Wincanton, Teignmouth, Moretonhampstead, Bristol and the Bournemouth Youth Handbell team. As well as being very ?easy? to listen to, handbell ringing is a visual feast with teams of a dozen or so people ringing a large number of bells. Not that small teams are left out, even two or three ringers can handle 20 or so bells! The concert starts at 7.30pm in the sports hall at the college and entry is £3 (with concessions). Advance tickets at £2 are available from Alex Computers, Beanfeast, Chasteys, Dartmoor Tea Rooms, Donald?s and Okehampton Newsagents Westbridge. HRGB is a registered charity and exists to promote the art of tune ringing on handbells and the variety of music played is amazing. Classical and modern, music from the Beatles era and before are all given a new twist. ABOVE: ictured: Ockment Valley handbell team at the Taunton Christmas Concert. For more details about this event phone Jane or John Willis 01837 52565.
