The Parker Family Handbell Ringers
28 Oct 2025 • Articles
In the late sixties Uttoxeter Hand Bell Ringers called it a day, and my dad Frank Parker found himself as custodian of the hand bells. He thought it would be a good idea to introduce Uttoxeter to the newly formed Parker Family Handbell Ringers. As well as my dad this involved my two older brothers Martin and Philip along with my sister Vicki. This was the era of the von Trapps, the Partridge family and TV shows like Opportunity Knocks, all of which probably influenced my dad.
As well as entertaining groups such as the WI and on one occasion the Uttoxeter Folk Club in Ye Olde Talbot, the Parkers would frequently perform at Wilfred House to the Darby and Joan Club and residence of local care homes. Other venues included the occasional village fete.
The concert repertoire later became more diverse when members of St Marys Choir and Oldfield’s Boys School Brass Band were recruited to pump up the volume ! This gave my dad an opportunity to wave his arms around conducting without having a clue how to do so. But he was enjoying himself.
As well as showing off his conducting skills dad also fancied himself as a stand-up comedian, reciting corny, some mildly risqué jokes. No matter how cringeworthy this all was to us as kids, it raised a smile and a giggle from the elderly audience and their carers.
Outside of performances regular Hand Bell practice took place at our family home in Smithfield Road. Once a week when we had finished our tea we would all (under duress) help clear the dining table and layout the hand bells for an hour’s practice.
My brother recalls an event which was probably responsible for the demise of the Parker Family Handbell Ringers. We believe the date to be April 6th,1970, and the weekly handbell practice was taking place at Smithfield Road when from our living room window, we could see plumes of thick black smoke and flames coming from the direction of Elkes Biscuit Factory. Much to my dad’s annoyance we downed bells and rushed outside with the rest of the neighbourhood to witness the incident and join in with the general excitement. With too many distractions my dad decided to call time on the Parker Family Handbell Ringers citing lack of commitment from its younger members and growing musical differences.
In the following years my dad would occasionally blow the dust of the handbells and use them at one of his frequent talks on campanology to demonstrate the different peels that are rung on the church bells.
On November 16th, 2013, my dad passed away at the age of 94. Since then, the handbells have not been rung in earnest and have been in storage at Smithfield Road. My family has recently handed the bells over to St Marys Church in the hope that once again they will be rung to honour my dad, bringing pleasure to those who ring them and those that hear them.
Best regards
Julian Parker