Final Update
Final Symposium News
July 2026
As we are now less than 2 weeks away from the Symposium in Aberdeen these are the final updates and information about the event and practical matters for everyone coming to the event. Please check with friends who are coming to ensure they have received this email.
Reminders and local information
As you make your final preparations here are some reminders for you
Don’t forget to bring
- Bells, chimes, mallets, singing bell sticks, gloves
- Music & music stands
- Table covers
- Reusable water bottle (not glass) to fill inside P&J
The weather forecast at the moment is mixed with the possibility of some rain and temperatures around 15-19 degrees Celsius so please pack clothes suitable for this weather.
Security – Don’t forget
- You must wear your Symposium ID badge at all times.
- Security staff will check all individuals each time they enter the building using scanners and visual bag checks.
- Liquids cannot be brought into the building, other than those with medical exemptions.
- Do not bring any nuts into the building for the safety of fellow ringers
Getting to P&J Live
By Car
When you arrive at P&J Live please park in the underground Sub T carpark (see link below) and follow the directions to the main entrance.
https://assets.teca.co.uk/images/Traffic-Routes-Bus-Gates.pdf
Alternatively you can drop off at the taxi rank outside the Hilton Hotel, the maximum stay is 20 minutes
By Air
If you are arriving at Aberdeen Airport a taxi ride will take about 10 minutes to get to P&J Live. Alternatively the 727 bus services runs to P&J Live from the airport.
By Train
If you are coming by train to Aberdeen station taxis are available just outside the station. Alternatively the 727 bus services runs to P&J Live from the bus station adjacent to the railway station.
Registration: Monday 3rd August P&J Live Main entrance
Registration will be open from 2.30pm to 6.30pm. Please come to the main entrance of P&J Live and pass through security. Remember security will check you and your bags each time you enter the building. The security team will be prepared for the arrival of a lot of bell boxes!
Registration desks will be in the main entrance hall, they will be arranged by countries. Please follow the signs to find the correct desk
Group Registration.
Most ringers are part of a group, including ad hoc groups created for this symposium. Your ID badges and polo shirts will be available in these groups. Please send only 1 or 2 people to register everyone in your group. You will be given your ID badges and polo shirts. Your Symposium bags will be placed on your tables in the massed ringing hall (Hall C).
Once you have registered please follow the signs and take your bells and other equipment into the massed ringing hall.
Individual ringers please register at the desk for your country.
Once you have registered please follow the signs and take your bells and other equipment into the massed ringing hall.
Non-Ringers please register individually at the Non-Ringer desk where you will be given your ID badge, Symposium polo shirt and Symposium bag.
Massed Ringing Hall – Hall C
In the massed ringing hall the tables and foams will already be laid out for you. Your groups Symposium bags will also be at your tables. Each group’s tables will be identified with a name label. There will also be plans of the hall on the main screen to help you find you place in the hall along with members of the IHS26 team in bright green shirts. Once you have found your position in the hall please set up your tables and unpack your bells. Please store your bell boxes under your tables well clear of the walkways.
Friendship Reception 7.00 - 9.00pm: Hall A
After registration and the load in of bells and equipment on Monday 3rd August we are delighted to invite everyone to gather to meet old friends and to make new friends. There will be a buffet available and P&J Live are sponsoring two drinks per person. This will also be an opportunity to exchange pins and small gifts if you wish to do so. During the course of the reception there will be a short welcome to the Symposium along with any necessary information updates. At the end of the evening the first shuttle bus service to the hotels near the airport will be available, IHS26 team members will be available to guide you to the pickup point.
Opening Ceremony and Group Photograph: Hall C (Massed ringing hall)
The opening ceremony will mark the official start of our Symposium. The ceremony will start at 9.15am on Tuesday 4th August. Please be in your seats at your tables by 9.00am as there will be some notices before the ceremony starts. Non-ringers please take a seat in the audience chairs at the front of the hall. Please be ready to stand, if you are able, when the flag and Leader of your Guild enter the room. Ringers and non-ringers from countries without a Guild please stand when your country is announced during the entry of the Symposium flag and IHC Executive Director.
Once the Opening Ceremony is completed we will be taking the Group Photograph of everyone attending the Symposium. Please consider what you wish to wear for the photograph. The photograph will be available as a digital copy for everyone attending the Symposium.
Massed Ringing Rehearsals: Hall C
The massed ringing rehearsals begin at 10.45. The schedule for the massed ringing is detailed in the Symposium book. Where 2 pieces are listed together there will be a short change over period between pieces.
So that everyone can make the most of the massed ringing rehearsals we would ask that everyone follows the following requests:
- Please be on time
- Please be ready to ring as directed by the conductor
- Please watch the conductor - they are there to help you
- When the conductor stops, please do not talk, listen to what the conductor says they would like everyone to do
- Please have mobile phones turned off or on silent.
Classes/Workshops and Ringing Tracks:
Details of the Classes/Workshops/|Ringing Tracks you have been allocated are printed on the back of your ID badge. All Classes/Workshops/Ringing Tracks will take place on the first floor Apart from Ringing Track A (Advanced) which will take place in Hall C. Please take the escalator or lift and then follow the signs to the rooms. Classes will start promptly, so please do not be late.
For those of you who have opted for ‘Free Time’ we have added an opportunity to Read & Ring in a session named ‘Free Time’ - Come and Ring! There will be bells, music, a conductor and spaces for up to 40 ringers; why not give it a try?
Meals
All meals, apart from the closing dinner on Saturday, will be in Hall A. There will be a number of serving stations to keep waiting times to a minimum, but there will be some queuing involved; please be patient and enjoy time chatting with other ringers. If you have any dietary needs you can be served at any station please make your needs known to the staff. If you have any questions please ask the catering manager or chef who will be available in Hall A during meal times. For those who have unique requirements please speak to the chef who will arrange for your meal to be brought from the kitchen for you.
Water will be available from the water coolers in Hall A. If you wish to purchase other hot or cold drinks serving points will be available. Please remember that P&J Live is a cashless venue so you will need a debit or credit card to make your purchase.
Solo Concerts – Hall C
Each evening we will be entertained by solo performances from teams, groups and individuals from around the world. Please take a seat either behind your tables or on the chairs at the front of the hall.
Solo Concert Rehearsals
Everyone performing in the solo concerts will have an opportunity to rehearse in Hall C before their performance. A schedule of rehearsals will be provided to those performing when you get to Aberdeen. The rehearsals will be in Hall C either before the start of the day, or during dinner breaks. Please help everyone to get the best from their rehearsal by not playing or making noise during a designated rehearsal time.
Massed Ringing Concert Saturday 8th August 2.30pm:
The concert is our opportunity to show everyone what we have achieved during our time at the Symposium. We welcome the Lord and Lady Provost of Aberdeen as our guests of honour. The concert is already sold out so you will be playing to a full house! The concert will also be live streamed around the world, please share this link with your family and bell friends.
https://youtube.com/live/xMRDALSfd5Y
Timings 2.30pm (UK), 9.30am New York, 6.30am Los Angeles, 10.30pm Japan, 9.30pm Hong Kong & Singapore, 11.30pm Sydney
The order of pieces in the final concert on Saturday will be:
- The Prayer
- Tai Mo Shan
- Connections
- Galaxies
- Celtic Peace
- Shiretoko Fantasy
- A Highland Blessing
- What a Wonderful World
- Bound for South Australia
Please have your music prepared and in order.
There is no strict dress code for the concert but you may wish to wear
- team/choir uniform
- a set of tops that will make you identifiable on the live stream so that you can tell your family and friends what to look out for
- the Symposium polo shirt
Final Dinner and Closing Ceremony:
The final dinner and closing ceremony will be held in Conference Suite 2 at P&J Live. It will be a free seating event to allow everyone to sit with new friends as well as old ones. We would ask everyone to arrive between 6.45 and 7.00pm to choose their seats. From 7.00pm the serving staff will be checking with everyone regarding any allergies and dietary requirements. There will be a table service available for drinks, including soft drinks. Please remember P&J Live is a cashless venue; all standard Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards are accepted.
Daily Shuttle Bus Transport:
The shuttle service will run between P&J Live and the group of hotels near the airport. It will stop outside the Hilton Hotel for pick up and drop off for P&J Live. It will stop in Argyll Way for pick up and drop for the hotels. The morning service will start from Argyll Way at 7.45am and will make approximately 5 runs. The evening run Monday to Friday will start from outside the Hilton Hotel at 9.00pm and make approximately 5 runs. On Saturday the evening runs will start from the Hilton Hotel at 10.00pm.
Car parking:
If you are coming to P&J Live each day by car, we have negotiated a reduction in the daily £29 parking charge to £7.00. Parking is charged using an automatic number plate recognition system and if you leave without making payment you risk a penalty charge. When you are ready to leave P&J please contact the registration/information desk for details of how to pay for parking at the discounted rate.
Coffee Shop:
The onsite coffee shop will be open during the Symposium for those who would like to grab a beverage. Please remember that P&J is a cashless venue, you will need a credit or debit card to make your purchase.
If you have any questions, please email
But please be aware that most of the organising team will be travelling to Aberdeen from Friday 31st July so it may not be possible to respond to any questions raised after this date until Monday 3rd August.
Martin Winter - Organising Group Chair