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At 6pm on 24 December more than 270k people are expected to stand on their doorstep and ring bells as part of the Worldwide Santas Christmas Eve Jingle

Initially launched by two Falkirk residents to keep the Christmas spirit alive across Forth Valley, their Facebook event page went global almost overnight - and people from across the world continue to sign up to take part to this day. 

But how can participants ensure they hit the right note on Christmas Eve?

We turn to Malcolm Wilson who, by day, is Children’s Services Curriculum Development Officer (Digital Learning), but by night - and at the weekend - is the musical director of Dunblane Cathedral Handbell Ensembles.

Ringing endorsement 

Since being a founding member of the ensembles in 1977, Malcolm has seen its children’s, youth and adult groups pick up numerous awards and accolades.

Over the past 43 years, the ensembles have performed in nine different countries and given more than 1200 performances across the UK.

They’ve also made 22 radio broadcasts and 17 television appearances - most recently appearing on the BBC's 'A very country Christmas' which aired on Sunday, 6 December. 

Having taken up playing the instrument as a teenager, Malcolm is now the most widely published composer for the handbell medium in Britain.

His children, wife, mum and two of his siblings also have a shared passion for making music with handbells.

Malcolm performing with family members

Pictured: Malcom (third from left) performing pre-pandemic with several members of his family.


He also regularly inspired hundreds of children to take part in the annual Scottish Schools Ring, an event he co-founded.

For Malcolm, making music with handbells brings most joy when performed with a group because you become "a crucial part of a whole, of a group endeavour” and that “makes it both a quick and enjoyable way to make music.”

How to ring a bell

Malcolm believes the ease of making the initial sound with a handbell draws people to the medium but “starting and stopping the sound is just the first step” as, when your “music-reading skills develop, alongside your musicianship … so too does the complexity of music … and you are hooked!”

His advice for anyone taking to their doorstep on Christmas Eve is simple:

“Whatever kind of handbell you have available, whether an ornamental souvenir from a holiday, a sleigh-bell or colour toy bell, the most important thing, if you want to have the most impact on the 24th, is to make it ring and make it loud, and do it with a smile!”