Nearly two decades ago, AGEHR historian Joan Shull took on a long-time project creating the Tempo Setters videos, a series of interviews on VHS with many of the prominent handbell leaders and contributors to the growth and development of handbells at the time. Her interviews captured the essence of many of the Guild’s early pioneers, most of whom are no longer with us.
Thanks to the efforts of Susan Schultz in Area 1, we now have all the interviews available digitally and will begin making them available here on the members-only section of our site.
Elizabeth “Zabeth” Bradford* began a life-long passion for handbells when she was asked by Mrs. Margaret Shurcliff to join her Beacon Hill Band to ring carols on Christmas Eve. Her first experience at ringing was marked by an evening of ringing the C5 bell without being able to produce a sound. Regardless of her difficulties, she was hooked and became a regular member of the band. As a member of the New England Guild of English Handbell Ringers, she managed the festivals at Castle Hill for many years and met ringers from all over the country. While serving as the president of the New England Guild, she was elected secretary of the American Guild. As a teacher of underachieving students, Zabeth discovered the many wonderful teaching opportunities provided by ringing handbells. She formed The Pudding Hill Ringers, one of the earliest school handbell programs. In 1978, she was made an Honorary Life member of the Guild.
