I've decided to start a series of short interviews with handbell ringers, using a format that I've seen in a couple of magazines. Everyone is asked the same questions, with fairly short answers. Yesterday evening I sent invitations to about 70 people whose addresses I happen to have, with a link to a Google form to fill in. By the time I got home from work today, there were already six responses. Result! And they are interesting reads. I'm going to publish them in the order they come in, at a rate of about one per week. I know I've missed a lot of people, so if you would like to contribute but didn't get an email, just contact me (Firstname.Lastname@glasgow.ac.uk) and I will send you the link. Also, please feel free to pass the invitation on to others.

Here are the questions:

• Where are you based?
• When and where did you learn to ring handbells?
• Who has influenced your handbell ringing?
• Blue lines, place notation or structure?
• Trebles or tenors?
• Quarters or peals?
• What is the most unusual place in which you have rung handbells?
• What is your favourite handbell-ringing anecdote?
• Any further comments about handbell ringing in general?