Sue Carter, West Dorset’s Training Officer designed and ran this highly interactive two hour session in response to the WD Training Needs survey conducted late last year. Here is a summary from Hilary, one of the participants, of a very successful afternoon:
On a bright sunny Sunday afternoon in May twenty six enthusiastic bellringers joined Sue Carter and her expert helpers, in South Perrott Village Hall for an introduction to the theory of Method Ringing. The aim of the course was to uncover some of its mysteries and to enable a smooth transition when ringing different bells to a method; avoiding the usual cry of “I can only ring bell 2”.
Each table of 5 was given its own particular name and a “Place Notation” label to be used later in the session; an ingenious way of introducing us to a very effective way of describing a Method without referring to a diagram.
Equipped with squared paper and coloured pens and pencils, we learnt how to construct Plain Bob Doubles, together with an array of associated terminology – extent, lead end, coursing order, after bell and place notation being just a few. We eagerly started on our first task, which required careful concentration whilst at the same time imagining what’s actually happening to the bells. Having arrived at the end of the process, we started to draw in the famous Blue Line, at the same time observing the movement of one particular bell in relation to the other bells; especially noting when that bell passes the treble. The expert helpers were on hand moving around the room to assist us when needed.
Whilst being served delicious tea and cakes half way through the afternoon, we danced our way around the Circle of Work, noting that all four inside bells follow exactly the same sequence, just in a different order, and even touched on what happens when a Bob is called!
Many thanks goes to Sue for all her hard work in organising, setting up and running the course, and to all the experts who came to lend their support. I think all participants will agree that it was a most enjoyable and informative two hours; we left with our heads buzzing and our ears ringing!
Hilary Footitt, South Perrott
