The millions of tourists who flock every year to the Fylde coast to enjoy its glorious sunshine were joined on Saturday, 8th. July, 2017 by Graham Nabb and Paul Lewis from the Association of Ringing Teachers (ART), to deliver Module 1 of the ‘ART Training Scheme’ to the Fylde branch of the Lancashire Association of Change Ringers.
Bad boys: Jack Thackray (middle) and Tony Calverley (right) have quickly fallen into line, with Jake hiding behind a rope.
We were pleased to be joined by Andy Cope and Laura Thompson from Bolton’s nascent ringing centre. We have to thank Graham for his persuasive, succinct, sensible, entertaining and professional delivery of a convincing plan of instruction with excellent supporting materials.
Graham explained how to break down a complex skill and build skilled performance from component parts. He stressed the need to reinforce correct performance through friendly, positive and constructive feedback.
This will help us to develop in our locality a cadre of effective ringing instructors, receptive to external ideas and perfectly equipped to command the confidence of trainees and ringing colleagues.
Paul Lewis listened thoughtfully and appreciatively. Derek Smith (Fylde branch head of catering) looked stunning in Dianne’s harlequin pinny.
Richard Jones (Ansdell TC) goes for the high one. Graham demonstrates how the trainee can learn to co-ordinate his movements with those of the rope by tracking the movements of the instructor
The training we have received today will help us to accelerate the acquisition by our trainees of the basic but essential ringing skills, necessary for their swift, efficient and satisfying progress through the early stages of change ringing and their full integration within our local ringing community. As a result, we can hope to enhance the motivation and retention of our trainees and to build an expanding nucleus of adventurous, competent change ringers, many of whom will become excellent trainers. The ringing experience of our trainees will be enhanced : they will quickly assimilate the basics of change ringing and all of us will be able to participate in an expanded repertoire.
We were pleased to be joined by Andy Cope and Laura Thompson from the new ringing centre at All Souls’, Bolton
The one day course consisted of practical sessions in the belfry, interspersed with presentations on theoretical and practical aspects of teaching complex physical skills. In the belfry, we learned and practised carefully-designed drills and exercises which merged fluidly into a safe, efficient, coherent and effective transfer of skills from trainer to trainee.
Graham observes carefully and meticulously as the trainee performs a new task. He reinforces correct performance and gently but insistently draws attention to aspects which require immediate correction.
This brings us on to next steps. We now need to embed today’s learning in our minds and immediately incorporate today’s learning into the practices, organisation and activities of our
branch. We will report on today’s course to other branch members at our next branch meeting, plan our participation in a course at the next level and begin promptly to plan regular training sessions where learners have plenty of concentrated, quality rope-time and need not sit on the sidelines whilst the ‘experts’ ring their complicated methods.
In the classroom: James Wormleighton and Stacey Ashfield, (newcomers to teaching) were attentive and eager to learn.
Richard has mastered both strokes. Jake is prayerful, Graham is elated!