From six bells to twelve bells and everything in between, the 18th Wellington Bellringing Festival at the Cathedral of St Paul catered for all abilities. The Festival doubled as a Twin Island Cluster meeting. We had ringers from Auckland, Hamilton, and Oamaru (South Island), in addition to our Wellington ringers and also a ringer from the USA who visited us via Australia. We had 17 ringers in total which meant everyone was able to have a good go at things and there was not a lot of sitting around.

With our ring of twelve tower bells and mini-ring of eight bells we could move between the two types of bells as appropriate for the ringers concerned. There was a wide range of abilities among the ringers, from those learning plain hunt to those ringing surprise major as well as some ten-bell methods. Some ringers had never rung on ten or twelve bells before, so some learning for them and a chance to get used to the feel of the ten and twelve bell rhythms. Apart from Sunday, when the bells were rung open, the large bells were rung using a simulator in deference to our neighbours.

Five quarter peals were added to the mix, all on the mini-ring. Namely, Wells Surprise Minor, Allendale Surprise Minor, Kent Treble Bob Minor, Yorkshire Surprise Major, and Allendale Surprise Minor (again).

For handbell fans, there was the opportunity to try out a set of tuned toy handbells which Gerald McIlhone had modified to suit handbell ringing. Modifications included leather handles and adjusted clappers with removeable muffles. For details see here. The handbells are easy to ring and produce a very pleasing soft sound. Importantly, a set of eight cost less than one "standard" handbell. Next year consideration will be given to adding a two-day handbell workshop to Twin Island Cluster meetings.

Ruth Lightbourne