We are a small band at Caistor and since January 2017 five of us have been progressing through the new ART programme at different levels. We are grateful to Heather Peachey for introducing us to the programme, teaching us and guiding us through the process. As a result we all feel that we have made measurable progress and we are very clear about what we need to do to get to the next level.
Learning the Ropes
It’s been a rocky road, others make it look so easy but when you consider trying to control a heavy weight on the end of a rope with a bit of a wheel and an old brain it’s no wonder it takes a bit of mastering.
Prior to starting the programme our learning was progressing, but it was all vague and I constantly felt as if I was in a state of mild panic as I wasn’t sure where I was, or where I should be going – It was a bit of a fog. Now we have a small book to tick off our achievements and outline the next steps.
What Heather has been doing is breaking the learning down into manageable chunks and there are exercises to practise which are easy to understand. Now as a band we can reliably ring a Mexican wave which would have been inconceivable at the beginning of this year.
I have been ringing for 4 years but it’s only in the last 6 months (since starting the programme) that I have really gained a good understanding and have achieved Level 2 working now towards Level 3. I have managed three quarter peals and feel a real passion for ringing.
Learning the Ropes Participants at Caistor
For me one of the highlights has been a visit to a tower at Howden where on a Saturday morning we wound our way up a stone spiral staircase, tottered along a walkway on the roof of the church down along a tiny low tunnel into the ringing chamber to have the absolute privilege of ringing the bells in this beautiful historic town! We also met some great ringers from other local towers.
Mike, my husband, said that “Friday nights were just not the same without Karen and so I signed up on a trial … initially for 10 years, I thought by then I must be able to crack it or much sooner the band would lose heart with my efforts and send me packing …”
Toby, the youngest at 16 years old, finished Level 5 and has recently attended the Masterclass in Birmingham – an opportunity he recommends anyone who attains Level 5 should take as he thoroughly enjoyed it. We are all very proud of him achieving Level 5.
Geoff says, “I started ringing in my late 60s going slowly from rough and ready handling to Plain Hunt. Then I had a longish gap when I didn’t ring because of shoulder and back operations. About 4 years ago I started again and began to ring treble or tenor to quarters of doubles methods. However I was stuck in a rut, not making much progress. Since I have been in an organised learning programme I’ve tidied up my handling, can ring up and down in peal (sometimes!) and started to ring inside.
Recently I scored my first quarter of Bob Doubles off the 2nd. At 75 I was beginning to feel that I would struggle to make further progress. Getting into the ART scheme with its structured approach has made a huge difference; I’m getting better and enjoying ringing now. It’s all thanks to well-planned, excellent tuition.”