Deciding on a Group
Introduction | Bell Experience | Plain Hunt | Bob Doubles | Grandsire Doubles | Stedman Doubles | Bob Minor | Beyond Bob Minor | Surprise Minor | Grandsire Triples | Double Norwich | Surprise Major | And LastlyIntroduction
Here are the various Groups. When deciding which one to enrol for, please remember that being over-optimistic about your anticipated progress between now and the Course is unlikely to bring you happiness. You will be ringing on bells you are not familiar with, and students invariably find that they get most out of the Course if they are realistic about their current ringing ability. Your tutor's flexibility will ensure that being over-modest does not hold you back.
Bell Experience
For this Group the only requirement is that you are able to ring rounds unaided. You will then ring at a range of towers specifically selected to give you experience of ringing on light and heavy bells, long and short draughts, plain bearings and ball bearings, etc. Your tutor will help you acquire the variations in technique required to handle the different bells with complete confidence, and the Group Tutorials will concentrate on specific handling techniques and how to overcome handling problems generally. Raising and lowering – both on a single bell and in peal – will be included as will the skills of leading and striking accurately. You will also be able to practise the holding-up and pulling-in skills required for plain hunting. Much of the ringing, though, will be rounds and call changes. This group is ideal for ringers who wish to become well-rounded bell handlers on all types of bells.
Plain Hunt
For those ringing confidently in rounds and call changes and looking to take those first steps into method ringing. Plain Hunt is the fundamental basis of all method ringing. Without being competent and confident in hunting, the way forward can sometimes be very difficult and confusing. In this Group, consideration will be taken of the student's handling skills, as when good handling and competence in hunting combine, the large majority of students make rapid progress in their method ringing.
Bob Doubles
For this Group you need good bell-control and experience of plain-hunting the treble to Doubles methods. You also need reasonable ropesight. Thereafter, this Group is for you whether you want to start ringing plain courses of Bob Doubles, or consolidate on touches.
Grandsire Doubles
A Group with the same requirements and scope as Bob Doubles but concentrating on Grandsire Doubles.
Stedman Doubles
You will need to have good ropesight and already be able to ring touches of Bob Doubles or Grandsire Doubles inside, with ease. You do not, though, need any previous experience of Stedman.
Bob Minor
For this Group you need to be able to ring touches of Bob Doubles inside, well and reliably. You will receive tuition and experience in all aspects of Bob Minor.
Beyond Bob Minor
For this Group you should feel confident ringing touches of Bob M inor. Using your existing knowledge, the steps to ringing other plain Minor methods will be developed, visiting methods such as Little Bob, Double Bob, St Clement's, Single and Double Oxford, and many more exciting options.
Surprise Minor
For this Group you will need to be able to ring touches of Minor methods beyond Plain Bob with ease and confidence, and you will already be ringing plain courses of Cambridge. This Group is for you, though, whether you are consolidating on touches of Cambridge or already moving on to Norwich, Beverley or London.
Grandsire Triples
A Group for those who can already ring touches of Grandsire Doubles and ring the treble to Triples, and who wish to move on to, or consolidate on, Grandsire Triples.
Double Norwich
A Group for those who can already ring touches of Bob Major inside with ease and confidence. You will receive tuition and experience in all aspects of Double Norwich Court Bob Major.
Surprise Major
For this Group you will need to be able to ring Cambridge Minor and touches of Bob Major with ease and confidence, and it would be good if you have attempted Kent Major. The Group will focus primarily on Cambridge, but if you want to, you will also have the opportunity to try Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and beyond.
And Lastly...
As you can see from the above, even though all the students in each Group will be concentrating on the same method or methods, they will all come to the Group with different levels of expertise and experience. So, since your tutor will be ensuring that each of you gets the maximum benefit from the Course, you will all end up with different levels of experience. Please do not be upset by this, and please do not try to measure your own progress by looking at anyone else's. It is what you yourself achieve over the weekend that is important.
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