THOSE who attend the Heritage Open Day at St Paul’s Church in Sale will have a chance to hear the mellow sound of Sale Handbell Ringers.
The Springfield Road church will open its door between 10am and 5pm on Saturday, September 8 for a special performance by the twelve-strong group.
The Sale Handbell Ringers were formed in 1991 and Joan Ball, from Kings Road, Sale, joined two years later.
Joan said: “We can all read music but it isn’t strictly necessary. There are ways of changing notation into numbers or colours.
“Each player has charge of three or four bells. The use of more muscle as you bring the bell towards you will make it louder.
“It’s equally important to stop the sound when necessary. We use the ‘off table’ method by placing each bell on a foam mat to stop the vibration.”
The 12-strong Sale Handbell Ringers will perform at the open day on September 8.
Using the secret of their success – team work – the handbell ringers will perform 13 items at St Pauls, including Moon River, If I Were a Rich Man and Grandfather’s Clock.
Their three octave range enables them to perform for women’s groups and lunch clubs and twice a year they take part in a North West Region handbell ringing rally.
This year’s rally will take place at Sale’s Avenue Methodist Church in October, where they rehearse every Wednesday evening at 6.30pm.
Proceeds from all concerts go to charity.
There will also be a special display, featuring some recently discovered old photographs, entitled “A Walk Around Sale”.
Following on from last year’s very popular exhibition of domestic bygones, a proud collector of vintage vacuum cleaners and historic Hoovers will be showcasing his collection.
Professional storyteller Helen Stewart will spin yarns and weave tales for all and a traditional Punch and Judy Show will entertain all the family.
There will even be an appearance from Sale’s most famous resident, Professor James Prescott Joule, the ‘Father of the International Unit of Energy’. The professor will give a presentation on some of his most exciting experiments.
The Sale Handbell Ringers will perform at the Heritage Open Day event at 12pm on Saturday, September 8.
Other activities taking place at the Open Day will include the Cadishead Brass Band, guided tours of the church tower, and a performance from the choir.
Victorian afternoon teas with home-made cakes and sandwiches will be served in the church hall and there will also be a lunchtime barbecue.
* To join the handbell ringers or to book a concert, call 0161 973 2795.
For more information about St. Paul’s Heritage Open Day, call 0161 969 2795.
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