February 2023
‘Sue, Julian here. I’ve just had a call from a lady called Elizabeth in Shipton Gorge. She would like us to train a band to ring for the coronation. She has 12 potential candidates’ ……….
And so began a busy 3 months. In the event we taught 6 (more in the pipeline later) and enjoyed getting to know this enthusiastic, fun group who are very loyal to their village and are determined that their bells should be heard.
Shipton (6, 4cwt) have not had a band for over 15 years, here is their story told by Carolyn, one of the recruits:
“Having started an intensive course of bellringing training a mere 3 months before the King’s Coronation, there were times when it seemed unlikely that the Shipton Gorge trainees would meet their target. The trainers were fulfilling their part of the bargain, with sessions taking place 3 times a week (2 x daytime and 1 x evening) with trainees aiming to attend 2 sessions per week.There were periods when progress was very apparent, including successfully ringing up and ringing down of bells and ringing rounds with more experienced ringers (without making it sound horrible). There were also periods of time that saw little progress for some of us, but we considered these to be necessary to consolidate everything we had learned and didn’t become downhearted with progress slowing.
So as winter receded, the clocks went forward and spring saw us gathering at our home tower of St Martin’s, Shipton Gorge along with our trainers and some of the experienced ringers who live in the village but have rung elsewhere until now. The tower was given a bit of a spring clean for the occasion and the bells were rung for all to hear. Enthusiasm was boosted by being in our own village and the feedback from the villagers, who knew we were aiming to ‘Ring for the King’ was very positive. We felt we might really be able to achieve what we had set out to do.”
We were not complacent however and the training schedule was kept up and momentum maintained. Like most of the country Shipton Gorge saw a very wet morning on the day of the Coronation, but that did not prevent a throng of people in the Church and Churchyard coming to enjoy the occasion and support us. With our experienced ringers interspersed with the trainees and of course our ever present trainers we rang rounds for half an hour and then flushed with success joined those in the church for a celebratory sausage roll. Our trainer Sue Carter held a lesson in handbell ringing for those who wanted to Ring for the King without the intensive training!
So it was mission accomplished but the biggest thrill is that St Martin’s now has its own band of ringers, who will be ringing for all those other important occasions in the village in the years to come.
In all over 25 people have been taught to ring in the West Dorset Branch of SDGR by May 2023. During the process 4 West Dorset ringers achieved their ART module 1 accreditation with one achieving Module 2F Foundation Skills as well.
We are immensely grateful to all the teachers who have given so much of their time and expertise to make this happen.
Sue Carter, Training Officer, West Dorset Branch.
