The damp, dark February morning immediately felt warmer and brighter as we were welcomed into the Bradpole Ringing Centre at Holy Trinity Church by Sue Carter, SDGR West Dorset Branch Training Officer who had arranged our full day of ART Training Module 1, Bell Handling.   

ART (Association of Ringing Teachers) is a national initiative which provides training and support to teachers and new ringers.  As well as its “Learning the Ropes” training for new ringers, ART offers 3 modules of training for people who want to teach others.

The 9 trainees represented all corners of the SDGR West Dorset Branch from Sherborne in the north all the way down to Hawkchurch in the south, as did our mentors who were with us throughout the day. Phil Tremain, our ART trainer, had travelled from St. Columb Major, Cornwall to share his wealth of expertise and knowledge from over 50 years of bell ringing.

The day was balanced blend of theory and practical sessions emphasising the ART methodology of WHOLE-PART-WHOLE, the importance of positive encouragement to learners and also the need for teachers to observe and provide support to learners to iron problems with their bell handling technique before the problems become embedded.

Working in groups of 3 for the practical sessions, we each took turns in the role of learner, teacher and observer. It was startling to discover just how difficult it is to break down and explain the different elements of a backstroke, a handstroke, a raise or a lower, and then put that into action with the learner on the bell. Phil, ably assisted by De as his ‘learner’, demonstrated each element of the practical work and how it was broken down into WHOLE-PART-WHOLE before we had a go in our threes.

As a new ringer I had been taught by the ART method and recognised many of the techniques, whereas some of the more experienced trainees were not so familiar with these techniques but could see how valuable they were. I think it is true to say that many of us found it challenging to break down into parts the basics of bell ringing which we all do without thinking, and that is the point of the ART process.

The camaraderie and fun we had along the way made the day fly past, helped by Bradpole’s Janet Robinson and her delicious cakes and perfectly timed tea and coffee. We left with a clear idea of our next steps along the path to become an ART accredited teacher, the resources and help that is available to us, and new friends and colleagues.

Elizabeth Ferguson