A reunion of members (pictured) of the 'Four-in-Hand' Grosmont Hand-bell Ringers took place recently. The occasion was the 30th anniversary of the making of the recording of their hand-bell ringing writes the group's founder Sheila Parry

The group was formed some 34 years ago. All members were from farming families who lived in and around the Grosmont area.

These children were dedicated to the work of their group and the care of their hand-bells. They learnt to transpose and arrange their own music and arranged the programmes for each performance they undertook, such as church services, concerts, garden fetes, hospital visits, weddings, regional and national TV and radio programmes, to say nothing of the two week annual round of carol ringing at Christmas time, to raise money for various charities.

One of their favourite charities was 'Guide Dogs for the Blind'. One year they raised enough money to buy a guide dog called 'Venice' who also carried the name of 'Four-in-Hand' Grosmont Hand-bell Ringers.

The team were members of 'Hand-bell Ringers of Great Britain' and took part in regional rallies and concerts. They soon became recognised on a national scale and were selected each year not only to perform in the national rally but also in the national concert of HRGB.

They performed in such places as Wembley Conference Centre, Manchester Town Hall, Sheffield, Exeter Cathedral and Thames Television Studio, London, where they took part in the children's programme 'Magpie'.  

They performed for HM The Queen and HRH.The Duke of Edinburgh and for the Prince of Wales together with many other well known personalities.

The determination and discipline of these children won them national acclaim and they became one of the best hand-bell tune ringing teams in Great Britain.

Their music was later included on a CD together with that of' 'Sound in Brass' and 'Launton Hand-bell Ringers', who were at that time considered to be the 'cream' of hand-bell tune ringers in the country.

This was a great honour for 'Four-in-Hand' and proved that their unique 'music box' sound had made it to the top.

At the reunion there was a wonderful display of memorabilia from those far off days. The children's costumes were on display and even an old woolly hat and scarf worn by one member on the Christmas carol ringing tours.

Also on display were several photograph albums and a scrap book. This scrap book contained the various programmes and posters of the many events the group attended, together with telegrams and cards of congratulations and good wishes often sent by members of the public.

A special item received by 'Four-in-Hand' was a photograph and letter from The Prince of Wales after they had greeted him in Monmouth.

He had been visiting the Comprehensive School in July 1975 during the European Architectural Heritage year. At this same event the group also met Wynford Vaughan Thomas.

They also received a Prince of Wales award certificate for raising money towards the re-roofing of St. Bridget's church, Skenfrith.

At the reunion there was a beautifully decorated celebration cake depicting St Nicholas church Grosmont and a wonderful display of four hand-bells held in hand.

The afternoon, which was organised with precision by Mrs Dorothy Baylis, (mother of one of the group members) was a wonderful success for 'Four-in-Hand', parents, partners, friends and the new generation of children.

Thanks for their unfailing help and support was made to those parents present and a remembrance was made to those parents who sadly were no longer with us, but who had always been there with their help and support at all times.

The group made a few fair attempts at ringing their old music amid laughter of 'lack of practice', but the Christmas carol 'Good King Wenceslas' just rolled off the tops of their heads! All good fun after some thirty years!

A display of 'Lapping' (a method of change ringing) was given by five of the children of the new generation, Stephanie, Philippa, and Georgia Parry together with their cousins James and William Thompson (pictured).

This raised much interest and amusement from all present.