The sixth annual one-day Ringing School was held as usual at Eastleigh Technical College on 6th October. About 50 students took part, including a party of enthusiastic young ringers from the Isle of Wight, who had left home at 5 am to be on time. All the students had previously opted for either Plain Hunting, Bob Doubles or Treble Bob instruction.
The Master of the Guild (Ken Croft), welcomed the students, and Bob Cater, the course convenor, explained the day's arrangements. The three lecturers, Bob Cater, Doug Boniface and Tony Smith (with helpers) gave valuable instruction on the theoretical aspects of the methods being taught. There always seems to be something new to learn about any method, and no instructor approaches the subject in exactly the same way.
After a lunch-time break, the groups dispersed to the eight local towers who had kindly agreed to lend their bells. To put into practice what we had learnt in theory, was quite a different matter. Perhaps the most valuable experience at these ringing schools is to be the one learner in a tower of experts! Thanks to good organisation each tower had its band of willing helpers, who stood up valiantly to an afternoon's continuous ringing of one method - more tiring, we were told, than ringing a peal. We are most grateful to them, to the lecturers and to everyone who was responsible for organising such a successful day.
We met again for tea, and the Guild Master rounded off an enjoyable day with a request for comments or criticisms (there was only one!) and a vote of thanks to all the helpers. We were glad to see that there was a brisk sale of the Guild's splendid record of "Centenary Bells".
P.W.
The Ringing World No. 3580, December 7, 1979, page 1032