The 2012 Education Committee programme was extremely successful with most courses full and some oversubscribed, a clear indication of the popularity and need for Education Days.
The year started with Plain Bob Doubles and Plain Bob Minor, based at Hawkley on 3rd March, which attracted 18 students with different levels of ability. The Introduction to Method Ringing on Handbells on 3rd April attracted a huge crowd, giving us five groups packed into all corners of Winchester Education Centre and The Undercroft, including the kitchen! 21st April brought 5 students to Upper Clatford for Cambridge Surprise Minor, plus 4 students for London Surprise Minor. An additional course on Teaching Bell Handling was included on 16th June, using the facilities at the Bishopstoke Ringing Centre; this proved very valuable to some teachers who are now planning to become accredited under the newly-formed ITTS scheme. Double Norwich, based at Milford-on-Sea on 13th October provided an intensive and worthwhile day of theory and practice for 7 students. The support for the Raising and Lowering Course, based at Lockerley on 3rd November, was unprecedented; no less than 46 applications for 20 places, though this was eventually stretched to 23. There is clearly a huge need for proper instruction and concentrated practice for raising and lowering at towers right across the Guild.
The 2013 programme is equally ambitious. We start on 23rd March with Plain Hunting and Trebling to Doubles Methods at Bishops Waltham - the building block on which our method ringing is based. On 26th March, the Tuesday of Holy Week, there will be an evening course at the Ringing Centre at Bishopstoke on the use and value of the simulator, which is now equipped with the most up-to-date software, and on 20th April we will be offering Basic Calling and Conducting at Hawkley. The Autumn programme starts with Stedman Doubles plus a Belfry Maintenance Course based at Kingsclere; these will be two completely separate courses with a limited number of students on each. The year will finish with the ever-popular Listening Skills course at Lockerley on 2nd November - this is the day when the Education Committee even provides students with lunch!
Details of courses are posted on the Guild website as soon as they are available, as well as through your District Secretaries, District Ringing Masters, and, where details are known, direct to your Tower Secretaries. May we ask that you make your applications as early as possible; sadly many prospective students have left things until the closing date and been disappointed when places have already been filled.
Financially the Education Committee is in a much stronger position than 12 months ago. We still need to make allowance for future deposits and security payments, but we have been able to negotiate more favourable rates with some halls, whilst one or two other venues have been free. We continue to keep a close eye on, and firm control of, the funds in order to use them to best advantage.
Finally, we could not offer courses without the constant support of our tutors and helpers at all levels; these stalwarts give freely of their time and expertise for which we are extremely grateful. More volunteers are always welcome - even half a day is valuable - and as always we welcome any ideas you may have for courses in future years.
| Income | Expenditure | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| £.p | £.p | ||
| Balance b/f | 75.65 | Stationery, copying, telephone, postage | 14.91 |
| Course Fees | 700.00 | Refreshments | 59.64 |
| Unpresented cheque from 2011 | 108.00 | Hire of Halls - balance for 2012 | 104.50 |
| Hall security payment returns | 90.00 | Hire of Halls - deposits for 2013 | 92.50 |
| Donation | 10.00 | Tower Donations | 266.00 |
| Balance c/f | 446.10 | ||
| £983.65 | £983.65 | ||
Christine Knights-Whittome