We started a Bell ringing Course here at St Mary’s, Swanage in the October 2016 half-term holiday with the aim of attendees learning to ring the bells, initially for Christmas, and then moving on to ringing for services and weddings.

Spike, Alfie, Ten and Max ringing at a Saturday morning ‘Bell Club’ practice

Following a Module 1 course previously held in Swanage, new teachers Sally Jenkins and Mike Jenkins (being mentored by Bill Furniss and Matthew Pike) were given the opportunity to teach some new learners.

Presentation of Level 1 Bell Handling Certificates

We had three intensive sessions in the half-term week and then moved on to practising at a Saturday morning ‘Bell Club’.  Four boys, Spike, Alfie, Ten and Max, aged between 10 and 14, have completed the initial part of the course and made excellent progress. They have all achieved their ‘Learning the Ropes’ Level One – Bell Handling certificates.  They have now joined the main band at Wednesday evening practices and are starting to ring for Sunday services, and are working towards their Level 2 Foundation Skills.

Ringing on Christmas Morning

Our course tutors Sally Jenkins, Mike Jenkins, Bill Furniss and Matthew Pike have now been accredited as Teachers under the ART Module One, and are looking forward to teaching more ringers in the future.