History
The present team was founded in 1951 by the late Frederick Sharpe, the noted bell historian and campanologist.
Fred Sharpe
Fred Sharpe lived all his life in the small village of Launton, near Bicester in Oxfordshire. His death in February 1976 was a great loss both to the tower bell world and to his connections within the handbell community. This year 2006 sees the 30th anniversary of his death and the first edition ofMusical Notes reflects on the time, effort and dedication that he put in to produce a handbell team that was to become one of the finest exponents of four-in-hand ringing in the country.
Fred Sharpe learned the art of handbell ringing from the late Mr Richard White of Appleton, who in turn had connections with the Wells Bellfounders of Aldbourne. The Wells family had succeeded the Corr family, who were responsible for making the type of handbell that is in use by the present Launton Handbell Team. In fact the oldest bell in the set was cast in 1696 by William Corr of Aldbourne and even has the bellfounders mark – a dabchick – inscribed inside the bell.
Fred Sharpe bought his first set of bells in 1925; a set of twelve by Henry Bond dating from 1860 – 1870. With these bells he was able in time to enlist the help of other family members to produce some early music and form the prototype of the present team. With just twelve bells nothing too ambitious could be rung but his collection had begun and he was now on the way to achieving his life’s ambition
