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Heavenly Bells - The Belleplate Group.Annual Report 2004 - "Please Sir, can we have some more"Belleplates are a low cost alternative to traditional handbells. Our parish has a set which are played by two regular teams. They are known as the "Heavenly Bells" and "Heavenly Bells 2". The year began with Heavenly Bells 2 playing for the first time at the Holy Saturday - Renewal of Baptism Vows service. This worked well and we have been asked back for 2004. Our next new adventure was having a stall at the Woolenwick School Summer Fete. The belleplates were there for anyone to have a go, which many did. On our stall there was biscuit decorating, messy but fun, and many cakes for sale. They sold well, thanks to the hard work of so many supportive people. We next played for the Harvest Supper, as has been the tradition, with the bells at the organ end of the church for a change. Then came Christmas. Practices temporarily moved to Holy Trinity in the run up to this season. Heavenly Bells were very much in demand for Christmas. We played at St. Nicholas School; Scarborough Centre; Grosvenor Court; Southend Close Community Centre. One or other or both of the teams were at all the church Christmas Services, including for the first the Nine Lessons and Carols service. Our fund raising has gone very well thanks to some very generous people giving their money and time, too many to mention. We now have over £300, enough for our black notes! However we have decided to go for our second target of £500 which will give us a completely new set of belleplates that will all match and will enable us to "double up" notes for the simple arrangements. Look out for a raffle and more in the coming months if you want to help. In advance of our new belleplates, this year we had the benefit of a lovely table covering that Sandra Hawkins and her Mum made for us. I could not have made it through this year without the support of all the team, and especially Jean Archer, Kate Cope and Cassie Rice. The young group is having a rest until June, but Heavenly Bells 2 is still working hard each Wednesday, 5:45p.m. at Christ the King. Clive R. Bell |