Children’s Bells Ring Out to Wow Dorset Care Home Residents

Handbell ringers as young as ten staged an ‘a-pealing’ afternoon of songs at a Dorset care home, encouraging residents to join in.

Colten Care’s Bourne View in Poole welcomed a party of six enthusiastic players from St Michael’s Middle School in Colehill, Wimborne.

Among the ten melodies they performed were Ode to Joy, Edelweiss, Bobby Shaftoe and Cockles and Mussels.

Each ringer read from their own musical score and wore gloves to avoid their fingers tarnishing the metal.

Companionship Team member Corinne Wareham said: “Around 20 residents and a few family members gathered to watch the performance in the lovely large venue of our Sandbanks lounge here at Bourne View.

“Before we knew it, the residents were all singing along and we were delighted to hear some harmonies coming from the back row.”

The visit came about after Ruth Atkin, a retired teacher from the school, asked Corinne if the residents would like to hear the children play.

Corinne added: “Most of the ten and 11-year-olds have only been playing for a year or two but they have become quite confident and like to play to an audience.

“Since many of our residents really appreciate live performances and music, I knew this would go down really well.

“This was a lovely interactive experience. The sound of the bells was truly enchanting and the feedback we had from our residents was wonderful.

“There was a really happy, uplifting feel around the home after the school had departed. If only we could bottle that feeling!”

Speaking to the children at the end of the visit, Pam Pamphilon asked: “Will you come back again?” while fellow resident John Whitwell said: “Weren’t the bells a beautiful tone.”