First posted: 5 September 2026

Handbell Practices


Mini bells (shown) work well with complete beginners

We know of two regular handbell practices open to anyone, and have created a Handbells page detailing them. Find it under the drop down menu "Tower & Rings", alongside the Tower Directory. If you have a handbell practice that is open to anyone, let the webmasters know about it.

Belinda Keir sent this report from the August practice in Sydney.

We had a lovely afternoon with nine people attending. Four ringers with varying amounts of experience on handbells rang Rusty Walters' bells. Another four people were total novices who had seen a notice in the St James pew sheet and turned up for a look. I worked with this group using mini bells (see photo) and reading from cheat sheets. The little bells turned out to be ideal for people handling bells for over an hour and for the very first time, and particularly for one person who had a hand injury. By the end they were happily ringing plain hunt minor.

A third activity was ringing eBells with the “Handbell Stadium” simulator which people found interesting and which gives another avenue to pursue change ringing in hand.

About the mini bells Belinda writes:

If you are wondering why people appear to be holding the mini bells upside down, it is because of the way they work. These are actuated by pushing a button on the end of the handle. People get the feel of moving their hands up and down at hand and back strokes, using their thumbs to make them sound each time.

As well as lightness, other advantages of the mini bells is the cost (about $16 a bell) and their tough design which includes a clear plastic cage to protect the casting. I have no qualms about handing my mini bells over to novices who might drop them on a hard floor them or knock them together. Nor do I mind leaving a set in the cupboard in the ringing room.

In Sydney mini bells are available from Optimum Percussion.

latest first

2026

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Sydney Ringing School - 7 October

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Armidale Ringing Featured - 9 September

Handbell Practices - 5 September

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