| Home | Officers | Diary | Towers | Training | Services | Newsletters | Documents | Events | History | Links |
|
Find out what's involved – Click the course name to see: Why you should go, What you will
do, What you can expect to get out of it. Duration – Most courses last less than a couple of hours. They aim to give you experiences and insights that you can then use to develop further during your regular ringing. |
Bring a learner – Some of these courses are particularly suited for less experienced ringers,
who might not like to come on their own. We are happy for learner and teacher to attend together. Tower courses – If several people in the same tower have similar needs, we can organise a course in your own tower, with the advantage of familiarity. |
| Course | Why go | What you do | What you get out of it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary bob calling | If you do not call, if you have problems calling, or if you lack confidence doing so. | A short theory session explains the basics (timing of calls, choosing what to call, knowing when to put the next call, deciding when to call round, etc). Practical ringing gives you the chance to call things. Your tutor will keep an eye on you while you do so, and after each touch will discuss any problems and answer questions. | You should be able to call with more confidence. Back to top Request a place on a course |
| Conducting | If you can call simple touches, and would like to develop your ability to understand how touches work, to check the ringing during a touch, and to be able to correct some simple mistakes. | A theory session explains how to work out coursing orders from the composition and how to check them during the ringing. It recaps on the basics of calling and touch selection, and gives advice about (trying to) correct mistakes. During the practical session, you will prepare one or more touches and call them. Your tutor will keep an eye on you while doing so, and after each touch will discuss any problems and answer questions. | An understanding of conducting, and more confidence in your ability to call touches.You should be able to call with
more confidence. Back to top Request a place on a course |
| Course | Why go | What you do | What you get out of it |
| Bell handling | If you have problems with bell control, for example: you have difficulty striking consistently, you do not feel confident ringing different bells, you find ringing hard work or uncomfortable, you do not feel entirely safe when ringing. | During the introduction, you will discuss with the tutor the problems that you hope to solve. You will then ring a number of exercises to enable the tutor to assess the problems, and possible causes. After discussing these, you will be coached in further exercises to help you to work on solutions. There is no set formula for this course, because it depends very much on individual needs. This session might include the use of video (see below). | You should gain a better understanding of your problems and what is causing them. You should will also have practical
ideas for things you can do to work on them and make improvement. We cannot guarantee 'instant fixes' since it takes
a lot of effort (and longer than a single session) to change habits that have become ingrained. You should be able to
call with more confidence. Back to top Request a place on a course |
| See yourself handling on video | While ringing, it is virtually impossible to observe yourself. Your eyes are in the wrong place, and anyway, your mind is concentrating on what you are doing. The video camera lets you focus on your ringing, and then afterwards view yourself from different angles, to see what your hands, arms, rope, etc were really doing. And you can always replay it if you didn't quite see the first time. | The basic process is to ring, look at video of yourself ringing, discuss what you see, and then repeat the process. If you or the tutor identify any problems, you will be given advice and coaching on how to solve them, and what you ring next will be varied to suit you. What you ring will depend on your needs, and can be adapted to suite you. For example, you may ring a heavy or a light bell(s). You may ring solo, or you may ring Rounds. You might ring something dynamic like dodging, hunting or raising or lowering the bell. We normally have more than one tutor, so you get individual attention. | You should gain a much better understanding of the causes of any handling quirks that you have developed, and what
causes them. That should make it easier for you to make improvements. Even if you are a good ringer, you would almost
certainly learn something of interest by seeing yourself. None of us is perfect. A boost to your progress.You should
be able to call with more confidence. Back to top Request a place on a course |
| Course | Why go | What you do | What you get out of it |
| Raising and lowering techniques | If you have difficulty getting a bell up, or taking it down, if you find it very hard work, or if you do not feel safe doing it. | During the introduction, you will discuss with the tutor the problems that you hope to solve. You will attempt to raise (or lower) a bell to enable the tutor to assess the problems, and possible causes. After discussing these, you will be coached in further exercises to help you to work on solutions. There is no set formula for this course, because it depends very much on individual needs. It may be combined with Bell Handling (see above). | You should understand what is limiting your current performance, and have practical ideas for how to make improvement.
We cannot guarantee 'instant fixes' since it takes a lot of effort (and longer than a single session) to change habits
that have become ingrained. A boost to your progress.You should be able to call with more confidence. Back to top Request a place on a course |
| Raising and lowering in peal | If you can raise and lower a single bell without difficulty, but either have not learnt to do so in peal, or your attempts to do so do not normally succeed, or if your tower cannot offer you regular opportunities to attempt to raise and lower in peal.If your band cannot currently raise and lower in peal (ie most of them need to learn) then we can offer a sequence of courses in your tower to enable you all to learn together. | The tutor will ask what you hope to get out of the course, and if you have any specific problems. A brief initial theory session will explain the key features of successful raising and lowering in peal. The rest of the course will consist of alternate raises and lowers, with students spaced between experienced helpers, and any problems or questions dealt with after each. We aim to ensure that you ring in at least two raises and two lowers. | Ringing in a 'solid' band gives you the best chance of succeeding, and repeating the process while it is still fresh
in your mind should help you to consolidate what you learn. You should be much better equipped to take part in normal
raising and lowering. You should be able to call with more confidence. Back to top Request a place on a course |
| Course | Why go | What you do | What you get out of it |
| Leading up and down in peal | If you can raise and lower in peal without difficulty, but either have not learnt to lead up and down, or your attempts
to do so do not normally succeed, or if your tower does not have anyone to lead up and down in peal. This course can be combined with Raising and Lowering in Peal, especially where it is focused on the needs of a single band. |
The tutor will check your current experience, and any specific problems. A brief initial theory session will explain the key features of successfully leading up and down in peal. The rest of the course will consist of alternate raises and lowers. You will lead up a band of experienced helpers, under the tutor's supervision. Any problems or questions will be dealt with after each. We aim to ensure that you ring in at least two raises and two lowers. You will be given advice on how to cope when leading a less experienced band. | You should understand the techniques needed for successful leading up and down, and have experienced how to apply
them. You should be confident enough to lead normal raising and lowering.You should be able to call with more confidence. Back to top Request a place on a course |
| Listening skills | If you find it hard to hear your bell, and use what you hear to help you strike accurately, or if people tell you to 'listen to it' but you don't know how to, or if you are tempted to give up trying to listen (or have already done so). | A brief initial theory session explains how listening works, why it is difficult, and how it complements other skills to help you strike in the right place. Most of the time is spent on practical listening exercises. The difficulty is controlled, and you are not stressed by having to control a bell at the same time. Everything is repeatable, so you can take your time. Everyone is encouraged to participate actively. You get feedback on whether answers are right, and you can repeat the exercise if you need to. | You will almost certainly hear more than you thought you could. You will have techniques to help you make more sense
of the sound while ringing. You should be able to practice listening more effectively during your normal ringing. A
boost to your progress.You should be able to call with more confidence. Back to top Request a place on a course |
| Course | Why go | What you do | What you get out of it |
| Bell maintenance | If you are interested in bell mechanics and maintenance, and/or if your tower needs someone to act as steeple-keeper. | This course is normally run by the Guild Towers and Belfries Committee. In the theory session, each part of a bell installation is described, together with how it works, what is essential for it to work correctly, and what might go wrong. Normally there are two practical sessions, in towers with different types of installation (eg metal frame v timber frame) and you are given the opportunity to inspect them, ie systematically look for signs of defects or potential problems, and discuss the results. The session includes demonstration of typical maintenance tasks. | A more thorough understanding of how to keep a bell installation in good working order.You should be able to call
with more confidence. Back to top Request a place on a course |
| Rope splicing | If you cannot splice but would like to learn, or if your tower needs someone who could splice a rope is one broke. | The mechanics of a splice are explained and demonstrated. Different types of splice, and their role in ringing are explained. The main focus is on the short splice. You will practice making your own splice(s) under supervision, using rope provided. You will be shown how to achieve an even finish, and how to spot mistakes. You may bring your own rope of there is something you wish to repair. | The ability to repair a rope using a short splice.You should be able to call with more confidence. Back to top Request a place on a course |
| Course | Why go | What you do | What you get out of it |
| Ring with a simulator | If you have not rung with a simulator (ie rung your bell with the simulator making the sounds of the others, which is an experience every ringer ought to have a least once) or if you would like to develop a more rhythmic style of ringing. | You ring a normal bell to Rounds (or a method if you prefer). The simulator rings all the other bells. You ring steadily and listen to the striking of your bell. All the others strike perfectly, so it is easier to pick out any deviation of yours. You make small corrections to stay in the right place. There are no moving ropes except yours. That can seem odd at first (though beginners who haven't yet rung with other ringers don't have any problem with it). If things go wrong, you can stop and start again. The machine never gets upset. | The opportunity to ring by rhythm and listening, and more confidence to use them during normal ringing. The luxury
of practising amid perfect ringing. The satisfaction of doing something that you might have thought you couldn't do.
You should be able to call with more confidence. Back to top Request a place on a course |
| How to learn a method | If you have difficulty learning and remembering methods, or if when you ring, you get completely lost when there is a slip, because you forget where you are, and don't know what to do next. | The theory session explains different ways to think about the structure of a method, and how each can help you to learn it. This will be explained using an example method. You will be given a new method to learn, and individual time to study, analyse and learn it. As a group, you will then share what you have discovered about the method, with the aim of getting you all to the point where you can ring it confidently. Finally, with the support of helpers, you will have the opportunity to attempt to ring it. | A better approach to learning, ringing, and staying right in, new methods.You should be able to call with more confidence. Back to top Request a place on a course |
| Course | Why go | What you do | What you get out of it |
| Heavy bell handling | If you have difficulty ringing heavy bells, if you would like to be able to ring heavier bells confidently, or if your tower needs more 'back enders'. | A brief introduction describes the different way heavy and light bells ring, and the different techniques needed to control them properly. Practical ringing sessions ringing a heavy bell will include ringing a single bell to develop an efficient style, ringing rounds and covering, dodging and hunting. Note that the weight of the bell used will depend on the individual. ('Heavy' is a relative term.) | You should develop a more efficient style of ringing that enables you to ring heavier bells more effectively, with
less effort. You should be able to call with more confidence. Back to top Request a place on a course |
| Change ringing on handbells | If you would like to try. | The patterns for hunting a pair of bells are explained (equivalent to the blue line for a single bell). You will practice ringing a coursing pair, and other positions. | The chance to try ringing in hand. Please note - this course is a 'taster' session. The only way to learn to ring changes in hand is by regular practice, the same as it is for tower bells. |
| Course | Why go | What you do | What you get out of it |
| Teaching bell handling | If you would like to be able to teach new ringers, or if your tower needs someone to teach new ringers. | The initial session covers points of safety, the general approach to teaching, and a visit to the bell chamber. The tutor will demonstrate a set of teaching exercises. You will then use these exercises, under supervision, with a 'guinea pig' (ie a not ringer who has volunteered to be taught for the course). At all points, the tutor will give advice, and be prepared to help if needed. | Enough basic knowledge and experience to be able to begin to teach. How soon you can do this unaided will depend
on your own bell control skills and confidence. Follow up mentoring can be provided. You should be able to call with
more confidence. Back to top Request a place on a course |
| Specific method courses | If you cannot make adequate progress on the method within your own tower, or by attending Branch practices. | The initial theory session explains the method structure in detail, and gives advice on how to learn and ring it. In the practical session, you will ring the method, with a band of experienced helpers. | A boost to your progress.You should be able to call with more confidence. Back to top Request a place on a course |
| Course | Why go | What you do | What you get out of it |
| Back to Home Page | Back to Training Page | Status of all courses | Back to Top |
| Page updated on |
|
© Oxford Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers (Sonning Deanery Branch) 2010 |
|
Site search powered by FreeFind |
|