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Welcome to the web site of the South West Region of the Handbell Ringers of Great Britain. This page is updated on a regular basis so be sure to come back again for information on events, people, sales and a wealth of other information that we are keen to let people know about.
Within this site can be found information on active handbell teams in the South West with a map to guide you in finding your nearest team to ring at your event. There are over 130 registered teams in the South West with many more operating outside the umbrella of HRGB.
The South West Region is one of the largest regions in HRGB with its territory stretching from Cornwall to Wiltshire, Dorset to Gloucestershire. The Channel Islands are also part of the South West Region as is the southern part of Wales where we are currently trying to develop a greater interest in handbell tune ringing.
Events Calendar
Want to know what is happening in the Region? Browse our events list and download booking forms where available.
Ringing Round The Region
As you will see from our events page we are an active region. Over the years we have attempted to take the ringing to the ringers by holding numerous area (or mini) rallies. We have prepared a quantity of Massed Ringing books (music is marked with coloured circles for those ringers who are unsure of staff notation) which can be used on the day and all we ask you to do is to find a venue, provide tea and coffee during the day and we'll do the rest!
For more information on Ringing Round The Region please contact:
Jane Willis on (01837) 52565 or write to us at:
Lyndhurst
Prospect
Okehampton
Devon
EX20 1JD
e-mail
Promoting Handbell Ringing to the Public
Every month we receive requests from organisations and the public looking for handbell teams in their area for functions or just someone to ring with. We then spend time pouring over our HRGB Directory to try to get the right match.
If at least 3/4 of your team are fully paid-up members of HRGB then we would be delighted to help you promote your group through the HRGB website
National Website
Visit the National Website. You will find invaluable advice for teams regarding copyright, child safety, PRS and more.
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Here you will find a list of upcoming South West (and the odd National) events with downloadable booking forms where currently available.
2026
| Date | Event | Booking Form or link |
| 12 December | Christmas Festival - Bagley, nr Cheddar, Somerset |
2027
| Date | Event | Booking Form or link |
| 13th February | Valentines eve rally - venue TBA | |
| 10th April | National Rally Harrogate | |
| 15th May | St Bartholomew's, Areley Kings Rally | |
| 5th June | AGM and Fun Ring - Woolavington Village Hall | |
| 3rd July | Ringing Round the Region, St Brewards, Bodmin | |
| 11th September | Ringing Round the Region, Churchdown, Gloucester | |
| 25th September | Ringing Round the Region, Merton, near Hatherleigh |
SW Young Ringers Fund
What is the Young Ringer Fund?
It is a fund set up by SW Region to provide financial support to young ringers from the Region who wish to attend regional, National – or perhaps even International – handbell events.
Who can apply?
Young ringers up to age 21 who are not in full time employment at the time of application. You should be able to show that you have an enthusiasm and talent for handbell ringing. Where assistance for a whole group or team is being sought, a single application from the group leader will be considered.
Must I be able to read music?
There is no absolute requirement to be able to read music but it may be necessary at some events (such as the National Residential Ringing Week). The assessors will take this account.
I’m under 16, will I need a chaperone?
Yes, you must be able to nominate a chaperone who may (but need not) also be a delegate but who must be in attendance whenever you are participating in the event. The fund will not cover the costs of a chaperone.
What will the fund cover?
Help with attendance at any HRGB event (including National Rallies or International Symposium). In particular:
The full or partial costs of the delegate fees (including accommodation where this forms part of the fee e.g. in the case of a Residential Ringing Week)
The full or partial cost of music required for the event.
The fund will not normally cover the costs of travel for the event.
Do I need to be an HRGB member?
Yes, unless you are a member of an innominate or junior team with group membership who are applying to attend as a group.
How can I apply?
Write a letter to the Regional Chair giving details of the event and its cost at least 60 days before the registration date.
Then what happens?
A group of Committee members will consider your application and make sure that you will be able to cope with the event. If there is more than one applicant or if the amount involved is very large, you may be offered less than the full grant.
What else will I have to do?
Agree to attend all ringing sessions and other appropriate classes and provide a report, for the Newsletter, of your experience at the event.
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If you are a member of the Sou'westers (and logged in) a link to the availability spreadsheet will appear to the right -->
Most regions now have a regional ‘orchestra’. SERBO (from the South East) was first and there are now the East Anglia Regional team and Northern Bell Orchestra. Scotland have their Celtic Carillon and there is a group in the Midlands too.
We currently have 33 ringers at Sou’westers (all of whom must be HRGB members), many come from Somerset, Dorset and Devon, but there are significant numbers from Bristol, Gloucester and Wiltshire – we even have a few intrepid travellers from Oxfordshire and Cornwall!
The object of the group is to give established ringers and their leaders/conductors (who don’t get much ringing) the opportunity to tackle more advanced music written for 5 octave, groups, often with a variety of special techniques. The music is challenging but not impossibly so and help is available!
The atmosphere of the rehearsals is calm and friendly; there is no test or audition. The conductors aren’t allowed to pick on individuals but they will try to help and encourage you to improve your ringing knowledge, skills and style. Because there are 2 or 3 people ringing in each position, the odd wrong note or omission is not noticed and you can always negotiate with your fellow ringers to agree ‘who rings what’ during more difficult passages. We don’t insist on a particular style, in-hand or off table are fine.
The Sou’westers meet monthly, on a Saturday, usually at Staplegrove Village Hall near Taunton, setting up is from 10.30, we ring from 11.30am to about 4.30pm with a break for lunch and two for tea.
We supply:
- tables and foams,
- bells (although some ringers like to bring along their own, which is fine if they are in the correct pitch), mallets and chimes,
- music (usually via email or downloaded from the SW website so that ringers can print their own copies. You are permitted to print just one copy of each piece of music to go into your folder. We have the legal number of originals. Please do not share this music with anyone else or use it within your own teams),
- tea, coffee and biscuits (for which there is a donations dish please)
Ringers supply:
- a music stand and riser if needed, gloves (mandatory please) and you may find a split-back music binder useful,
- their time to download, file and mark up the music as much or as little as they wish, and familiarise themselves with it between practices,
- a pencil (at least) to mark on their music any and all instructions given by the conductors,
- a commitment to attend as many practices as possible (we understand that there are times people can’t make it, but we hope they will try). The various rehearsal dates are published in the Newsletter each issue and we ask ringers to let us know if they cannot attend,
- a packed lunch for themselves and occasional assistance in the kitchen,
- able bodied ringers are also asked to assist in setting the room up and packing away at the end.
The Sou’westers fee is currently £25 per year payable in September which includes all music; ringers starting mid-term are asked to pay £2.50 per session (after an initial free ‘trial’ month). The subs do not cover rally fees; these are collected from those going to any event (unless they are already registered with their own teams).
The Sou’westers usually ring as a group at rallies and Christmas and are working toward holding a concert – we feel it is important to have something to aim for! Dress is informal at rehearsals but a Sou’westers polo shirt and sweat shirt are available to order.
Any questions? Just drop an email to us at
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