Jingle Bells

(Newsletter: 8th December 2023)

Our bell at Bard comes into its own in these bitter, mean days. James installed it in our first week, quickly realising we could never keep our doors open during winter with our blood circulation intact. Happily, people enjoy the novelty of pulling the bell lever and having the door opened for them to a sonorous tinkle in the background. We greet everyone who comes in and the experience is a little more like hospitality and less like retail.

The bell is a handy ice breaker conversationally too; people feel comfortable asking questions out of curiosity, without the fear of needing to commit to a purchase. Maybe more bells are needed in life generally, not just at Bard and in Christmas songs? Ding dong!