Category: Ringing School

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Vikki receives her ART Learning the Ropes Level 1

After receiving her Winter Ringing School Graduation certificate earlier this month, Vikki was presented with her ART Learning the Ropes Level 1 certificate at tonight’s practice at Bletchingdon, where she also rang her first blows at Plain Hunt on 5 rather nicely.

Vikki had these words to describe her experience at Winter Ringing School this season:

“The winter ringing school has given me a lot more focussed learning than is possible at my weekly tower practice. This in turn has improved my bell control, on both hand and back stroke, increased my confidence ringing rounds and call changes and taught me how to ring the bells up and down.
The teachers are all lovely, encouraging, patient and provide a calm environment in which to get it wrong whilst endeavouring to get it right!”

Congratulations, Vikki, very best wishes to your continuing success in your ringing career!

Vikki receiving her certificate.
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Winter Ringing School’s latest Graduate

On Saturday 7th January, Winter Ringing School sessions started again for the New Year. At Kirtlington we celebrated another graduate, Rachel Mackenzie.

Rachel reflected :
“Winter Ringing School has been a great boost to my skill and confidence. It has been great to visit new towers, try new bells and get the benefit of excellent 1:1 tuition in a really friendly and supportive atmosphere – I would definitely recommend it to all new ringers. Thank you to all who have generously donated their time to help develop our skills.”

Congratulations, Rachel! Very best wishes for your future ringing career!

Rachel receiving her certificate from Steve Vickars, Training Officer, Bicester Branch of Bellringers
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Bicester Branch Ringing School Launched 1st October 2022

On Saturday morning we launched this season’s winter Ringing School at Kirtlington, where Old North Berks and Bicester Branches will alternate hosting ringing handling sessions each week until March 2023.

Four learners from Witney and Woodstock Branch and five teachers/mentors from ONB and Bicester attended. As can be expected, the learners’ experience ranged from beginning to put both strokes together to brushing up on specific handling aspects to help ring Plain Hunt and methods effectively.

Debra from Witney commented: ”Dave and I wanted to pass on our thanks to you all for today’s training session.  We thought it was fantastic and extremely helpful.  We are looking forward to the rest of the course.”

Kirtlington will be hosting a course for learning to teach bell handling on 22nd October. Following this we would expect to be joined by new teachers looking to practice their teaching and working towards accreditation.

If you know anyone who would benefit from attending these sessions as a student or would like to help as a teacher, please get in touch.