EDUCATION COMMITTEE

The Education Committee was greatly saddened by the death of David Strong in November 2013. David had led the committee for several years and his knowledge, experience and foresight will be missed by us all.

Once again, the 2013 programme was a busy one, starting on 23rd March at Bishop’s Waltham with the ever popular Plain Hunt and Hunting to Doubles Methods, which was oversubscribed. This was followed on 26th March (during Holy Week) with an evening Seminar at Bishopstoke on the simulator, its versatility and how it can be used for teaching and for different aspects of ringing; this attracted 19 students, some of whom had not had an opportunity to use a simulator before. On 20th April 14 students came to Hawkley for a day of Basic Calling and Conducting and it is good to hear that many of them have been able to extend their experience in their own towers. The Autumn started with two courses running concurrently at Kingsclere; firstly, Stedman Doubles where nine students undertook a concentrated day of theory and practice, and secondly Belfry Maintenance with ten students, which was oversubscribed and obviously much-needed. Finally, 18 students packed into Lockerley for a day of Listening Skills, where they experienced a variety of activities, including the simulator, handbells, and even judging a mini-striking contest.

Tutors during the latter part of 2013 have benefited from the new projector, purchased with Guild funds, providing a flexible teaching aid for use with modern technology.

During 2013 a survey - which is still ongoing - was carried out to determine which towers within the Guild have simulators, and which are still in use. We hope that this will give us a broad picture of additional teaching facilities within the Guild which may play a part in our work in the future.

Plans for 2014 will include Plain Hunt and Hunting to Doubles Methods on 22nd February at Upper Clatford, which is such an important basis for method ringing. This will be followed by Stedman Triples at Bishop’s Waltham on 5th April. The Autumn programme will start on 11th October at Lockerley with Raising and Lowering in Peal, which was heavily oversubscribed in 2012, and the final two courses for 2014 will be Grandsire Doubles and the much-needed Belfry Maintenance, both on 22nd November. We are also planning to fit in an extra courses on Basic Raising and Lowering, to complement the Raising and Lowering in Peal course in October.

ITTS, whilst coming under the Education Committee’s general umbrella, is organised by the Association of Ringing Teachers, who will offer Module 1 at Bishopstoke on 15th February, with further courses during the year, details of which will be published by ART.

Information on all the year’s Education Days is published on the Guild website as soon as plans are finalised, in addition to details being sent to District Secretaries, District Ringing Masters, and, where possible, direct to Tower Secretaries. It is a help, however, if details are passed on to ringers as soon as possible in order that prospective students may make early applications; these are dealt with on a “first come first served” basis, and leaving applications until the closing date may lead to disappointment if places have already been filled.

Financially the Education Committee is in a very stable position, though a close watch is kept on our expenses in an effort to hold down course costs. The hire of halls remains our greatest expense and we do our best to negotiate favourable terms when we can. We remain determined to stay financially self-sufficient, yet to offer courses at reasonable rates, making them available to everybody.

Finally, and most important, we are hugely indebted to the many helpers and tutors at all levels who give us their support on Education Days, and without whose patient expertise and generosity of time we could not offer courses at all. We are happy to hear from anybody who can help - even if it is just half a day - and for any ideas they, or you, may have for future courses.

Christine Knights-Whittome