The handbell originated in England in the 17^th century. During the 18^th to 19^th centuries, handbell ringing was so popular in England that there was an annual competition in Manchester. Handbell ringing gained popularity again after the First World War. In 1966, a gathering of handbell teams was held in Cheshire. Next year, those who participated in the event formed the Handbell Ringers of Great Britain (HRGB). Handbell spread to almost every country in the continent during the 20^th century. Nowadays, the European Handbell teams are mostly from Great Britain, Germany, Estonia, Finland, etc.