The Old Millstream Ringers, a community handbell ensemble from the Findlay area will present a Christmas concert for the Bluffton and surrounding area. The concert is at 7 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 6, at St. John's United Church of Christ, 223 W. College Ave. A freewill offering will be taken.

About the ringers
The Old Millstream Ringers is a community handbell ensemble from the Findlay area, and was formed in early summer 2000 to give an opportunity for local handbell ringers to grow, learn, and promote the art of handbell ringing.

Founded by Martha Avery, the group began with 13 ringers as well as a number of substitutes who volunteer their time and talents to provide quality music for community service projects, education programs and concert performances in the Findlay area and beyond.

The ensemble is a non-profit organization dedicated to excellence in ringing and to promoting musical education at all levels. In addition to performing public concerts, The Old Millstream Ringers also participates in handbell festivals sponsored by The American Guild of English Handbell Ringers.
The ensemble is also available for seasonal concerts, weddings, banquets and other occasions.

Members of The Old Millstream Ringers for the, 2009-2010 Season are: Martha Avery, Director; J.R. Smith, Assistant Director; Barbara Wanstedt, Jeanne McCaffrey, Eleanor McCoy, Sue Briggs, Fradonna Buck, Diane Adler, Jackie Stephenson, Tracy Hiller,, Karen Elliott, Tim Adler, John Adler, Paul Adler and Mark Deerwester.

The Old Millstream Ringers is a member of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers.

Handbell history
Throughout history bells have been used in different cultures and religions as an aid to worship and as a form of communication. Some societies have ascribed mystical powers to bells, while others have used them for regal adornment.

During the fourth century, bells were cast and tuned to announce various prayer times each day. During religious ceremonies monks or clerics often rang bells ("cymbala") with a hammer during a processional. These cup-shaped bells, suspended from a metal bar, were used to give pitches for Psalm readings and other specific sections of the Liturgy.

During medieval times Christians traveled throughout Europe ringing bells while spreading the news of the risen Christ, and summoning people to congregate. Eventually, large bronze bells were cast and towers were constructed to house them.

When several bells are hung in a belfry, they can be rung together, or one after another, to produce a clamorous effect. Such a set, known as a peal, consists of multiple bells tuned to different degrees of the scale. The peals can vary in size from three to twelve bells. Ringing these bells in various sequences (permutations) is known as "change ringing." Throughout the 1600s bell ringers experimented with these sequences, keeping records of the many changes that were rung.

By the 1700s change ringing had become a very popular pastime, especially throughout the British Isles. Ringing bands were formed, and marathon peals were held, sometimes lasting 24 hours or longer. The art of change ringing was considered a test of physical and mental endurance rather than a means of musical or religious expression.

In order to practice change ringing without being subjected to the climatic changes in the tower, or without being offensive to the local people, small hand-held wooden bells were made. In 1660 William and Robert Cor of the Wiltshire (England) Foundry cast the first tuned bronze handbells.
These bells were made with leather pegs in the clapper head and a spring action that prevented the clapper from resting on the side of the casting.

These handbells were first used to practice changes for the tower bells, but ringers soon became interested in using the bells to ring melodies. Simple arrangements of hymns and folk songs began to appear, written for newly formed bell bands. By the end of the eighteenth century, nearly every village in England had its own handbell band.

Handbells were brought to the United States in 1845 by P. T. Barnum. Well known as a showman and entrepreneur, Barnum was impressed by a group of English ringers and saw an opportunity to introduce a new art form to the United States. To make this a profitable venture, he dressed the ringers in Swiss costumes, giving them a colorful and theatrical appearance, and toured them throughout the country.

To this day many people believe that handbells originated in Switzerland and not in England. This lasting misconception is certainly a tribute to the marketing genius of Barnum.

The art of English handbell ringing is recognized today as both an excellent tool for music education and a viable ensemble instrument in the school and church. Numerous community choirs have been formed also, providing people with the opportunity to ring outside the church or school setting. Bells are also being used for music therapy within a large variety of special groups, including retirement homes, hospitals, and activity centers.