Teach the Teachers Training Day - Saturday 17 April 2010.

On 17th April the Guild of Devonshire Ringers hosted a Central Council ‘Teaching the Teachers Bell Control’ course. With four tutors, eight students, four ‘guinea pigs’ who’d never rung before and two towers in use all day, it proved to be a busy and successful day. A student and a guinea pig tell their tales…

Catherine Lewis gives some introductory comments

Janet Osler (student) writes: “When you want to start a new band of ringers but have no-one in your tower able to teach what on earth can you do? In the past I had helped an experienced tower captain with the learners many years before, but never thought about doing this from scratch! Well, for me it was time to put my money where my mouth was and try to acquire a new set of skills. So it was off to the ‘Teaching the Teachers’ day - a daunting prospect! However I need not have worried. My thanks go to Geoff Horritt, who broke it down into 'bite size pieces' and covered everything that you have to consider, and to David Hill who had never touched a bell rope before, but by 4pm could handle back stroke and hand stroke, on his own! What a star pupil he was. I now feel much more prepared to launch the project to start a new band at Thurlestone. We begin with our Tower Open Days on Sat & Sun 5th & 6th June 3-5pm at All Saints Church (who can resist a small plug!). So enormous thanks to all involved in the running and organisation of the day, especially those who travelled long distances to be in Exeter on that day.”

(Click photo to enlarge)

Chris Cozens (guinea pig) writes: “I arrived at Silverton Church slightly apprehensive for what might be required of me but looking forward to learning a new skill. Within minutes of everyone arriving I had forgotten any worries. The day started off with a trip up the tower to see the bells and how they worked and to learn some of the physics behind bell ringing along with a talk on health and safety (bit scary as I didn’t fancy flying or breaking anything). The students were then given some instruction on the best practice and methods for teaching and I started to realise this was going to be a crash course in bell ringing. It was then time for me to get my hands on the bell, with two students (experienced bell ringers) and a trainer with me I felt in capable hands and ready to learn. We started with the basics of how to hold the rope, do the backstroke, hand stroke and catch the sally. My head was full of when to pull, feel the balance, bounce & catch, trying not to pull too hard (but make sure it was hard enough) and not wanting to break the stay. It was then time to break for lunch and meet up with the group from Pinhoe at the Lamb Inn, Silverton. It struck me how sociable bell ringers are with tales and advice. After lunch it was back for a recap of the morning practice and then to move on to try and put the hand and back strokes together. At the end of the day I have a greater appreciation and understanding of ringing and the technique required. While I had a crash course in the basics of handling, I had a great day and have already been back to Silverton for another practice this week. I am intending to continue learning to ring along with my wife. This course enabled me to get an insight into bell ringing and the social life of ringers! A truly enjoyable and informative day.”

 

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