It seems like a lifetime ago that back in July 2013, we began using the LtR scheme to train an intake of new ringers at Marsworth. As teachers working towards accreditation, we were of course delighted that our recruitment drive had gone well and we had plenty of people keen to learn. I can remember hardly believing my luck when, after a lot of work in the tower, my first ringer came along and rang for with us for a service.

With intensive practices dedicated to ringers at an early stage, by the autumn, our new team were regularly ringing rounds and call changes for services and we were delighted that on Christmas morning 2013, they were able to ring independently for the service without any additional ‘help’ from the three newly accredited teachers in the tower. Additionally, we had trained a new band at nearby St Mary’s, Eaton Bray who were also self sufficient, ringing in their own tower every Sunday.

Christmas Ringing at All Saints’, Marsworth

Practices continued……help came from other towers to support us as we ran special workshops for plain hunt, bob doubles, treble bobbing and bob minor. Everyone worked hard for a further year, certificates for ringers reaching levels 3, 4 and 5 began to be awarded- not to mention the LtR badges. When Christmas morning 2014 arrived, the ‘new’ ringers were ringing touches of plain bob doubles and St Martin’s with one of us conducting – and it was clear that everyone had not only progressed hugely as an individual, but also we had come a long way as a team.

Another year on….. and on Christmas morning 2015 we were delighted when the same ringers were able to independently ring a very nicely struck touch of bob minor which one of them called, with Ruth Monks (ART member) on the treble, and we welcomed a much newer ringer who rang rounds and call changes for her first service (wearing a Christmas hat!)

Plain Bob Minor on Christmas Morning

Our ‘learners’ practices have evolved to the point where we are less and less reliant on help from outside ringers if we want to run a workshop or try something more advanced. With the ringers who started in 2013 still coming along to help others progress, we can usually provide a steady band for people learning doubles or plain minor methods. We recently ran an intensive treble bob course for several members with the aim of ringing more treble dodging methods at our practices.  In addition to our regular evening practices, we have needed to increasingly set up more challenging sessions and QP attempts for people who are progressing so that they can work towards their own goals as well as coming along to support others. The three ART accredited teachers have now become four, as one of our original ringers from 2013 has passed his module 1 and begun teaching handling at the tower.

We are all looking forward to seeing what our team will be ringing on Christmas morning 2016.