The Mere Branch has gone from strength to strength since we returned to ringing from the Covid outbreak. The number of ringers returning was far greater than expected and numbers have continued to grow. Not only has there been lots (and lots!) of new learners, especially from the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and the Ring for the King campaigns, who have gone on to be elected as members of the Guild, but also a good number of experienced ringers have moved into the area. Many members ring several times a week supporting other practices and branch events. There is an awful lot of ringing going on and standards are improving all of the time. Though with only a handful of practices ringing methods, most of which are on heavy bells, it’s not often the opportunity comes up to ring minor methods. A quick scan through the members list identifies in excess of thirty members now who are known to ring minor, scattered over the whole branch. It’s a suitable time to re-establish the branch minor practice, this time with a new name: Moving on to Minor.
Learning from the previous branch minor practice, held every two months pre-Covid days where attendees were few and far between, possibly because it was felt it was only for established minor ringers, the emphasis this time is very much as a learning practice. Whether one is at the dizzy heights of spliced surprise or having just got to grips with plain bob, this is the practice to go to. Initial enquiries produced a lot of interest.
Nick Dallison, Mere Branch Ringing Master.
During the evening of Thursday 23rd May, twenty two ringers attended St Mary the Virgin at Motcombe for the inaugural Moving on to Minor practice on the delightful 7cwt six. The session commenced with everyone stating their current abilities together with their method requests. Thereafter the ringing included Plain Bob, Little Bob, St Clements and Cambridge Surprise, with numerous sessions of each. It was noticeable how confident ringing by those who had a good command of a method really enabled less experienced ringers to progress, and this was particularly satisfying as it was a key aim of these new practices.
The next practice will be held at Donhead St Mary on Friday 21st June (details to follow) when we will continue to welcome anyone who is confident in ringing an inside bell to a doubles method and who wishes to extend their ringing to Minor. These sessions will also enable existing Minor ringers to extend their repertoire. It is proposed that future Moving on to Minor practices will be held monthly at differing towers and on differing days of the week to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to attend.
Thanks go to our Ringing Master Nick for organising the practice, our Training Officer Judith for her help and input, as well as to the ringers of Motcombe who allowed us to use the bells on their regular practice night.
Martin Ostler, Mere Branch Assistant Ringing Master.
