Two very successful courses in Raising and Lowering in Peal during March have seen, in all, 8 students spending a whole afternoon being put through their paces.
Each course had 4 students with 5 or 6 experts who patiently rang up and down and also stood behind giving advice. Starting with the basics of chiming and coil making, the course very swiftly moved to 2 students at a time ringing up and down in peal, many, many times. The focussed feedback and repetition led to clear improvements and a much better understanding of what’s required and how to achieve that elusive perfect raise or lower!
Here are the thoughts from Alastair, one of the students:
An afternoon Raising and Lowering
On 7th March four of us learners had the chance of an afternoon in Maiden Newton tower with a team of experienced ringers, being helped by personal tuition and support to grasp the finer points of raising and lowering in peal.
In our home towers we don’t really get to see and hear this key skill so this was a great opportunity to learn.
I don’t know what the neighbours thought but I found it really helpful – Sue Carter leading the afternoon gently and clearly explained the skills needed, as two of us at a time tried out the techniques, working with four other experienced ringers keeping it all together. There were others able to stand alongside us, encourage us, and help us grasp what to do to get right when we went wrong.
For me it was like a really good COOTS session but with the focus just on the four of us. With a tea, biscuits and chat beak in the middle it was a really helpful experience – highly recommended!
Alastair Wheeler, Beaminster
Raising and Lowering in Peal training is always popular and after two courses this month there remains a waiting list for places; it is hoped more courses will be arranged in the future.
Elizabeth Ferguson
