Dear Ringers,
Looking at the weather we have had over the past couple of weeks, it seems
hard to believe we are already in July, but schools are breaking up for the
summer holidays, so we must be! I hope some of you are able to enjoy the
lifting of some restrictions and getting out a bit more (although I appreciate
for some who are still shielding, this is still a few weeks away). Many will have
appreciated a visit to the hairdresser or barber, maybe a socially distanced
visit to a friend or relative or even ventured to a restaurant or bar. I must
confess that I have no desire for the latter, although we did have a music
department picnic last week – the first time we have all seen each other (other
than in online meetings) since the middle of March!
It is clear from the articles we have received that people are generally keeping
busy – learning new skills and fundraising seem to be the main things I have
heard lots about! Kate Hanks and Cliff Blundell have been brave enough to write
about their endeavours. If you have anything which you would like to share with
the rest of the region, please do let Valerie know. It can be as simple as a photo
with a couple of sentences, or a poem, or a picture or anything that can be
printed - and it doesn’t even have to be handbell related!
Some of you may have seen the information from the last HRGB NEC meeting
posted on social media or on the HRGB website with regard to National Events.
Any of you already signed up for either UK Bronze or this year’s National Rally
should have received an email from the organisers of the event, but for
everyone else
“The NEC decided that national events - the National Rally, UK
Bronze, NRRW and the Musical Directors' Weekend Seminar -
should all be put back by two years. So, the next national event to
take place will be the national rally in 2022.”
For regional events, we will continue to follow the government guidelines and
also any guidelines published by venues. The Headcorn rally in October has now
been postponed, possibly until the Spring, The Sway rally, also in October, is
currently under review, but please do let Kate know if you would be interested
in attending. Expressing an interest at this point does mean that you will
already be on the list for a postponed event and the organiser may well contact
you before the new date and form are sent out in the newsletter. You will see
from the diary that the SERBO audition day has also been postponed.
So with nothing happening nationally or regionally, some of you will be wondering
about when your team can get back to ringing! At the NEC meeting, a small
group was set up who will draw up some guidelines for teams about rehearsals
and performances. While we wait for this, I do know that some teams have had
socially distanced outdoor rehearsals. There is also some guidance on the
Malmark website which is helpful for those teams using Malmark bells. As soon
as the HRGB guidance is available, it will be posted on all websites and social
media pages. In the meantime, please ensure you are following the government
guidelines. I think my over-riding thought is that if you have to question
whether it is safe, it is probably best not to do it yet!
Until we can meet together again, keep in touch with each other and stay safe.
Yours, Helen HELENLSECKER@GMAIL.COM
[And in the meantime, here is one of my favourite quotes from The Boy, the
Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charles Mackesy]
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