The wonderful new training centre at St Peter Mancroft in the heart of Norwich has now been up and running for over six months. We’ve had over 1300 visitors and have run many different sessions to give ringers from East Anglia and beyond the chance to practise on specially designed training bells. The diary is looking rather busy and people are benefiting from the extra rope time that is available.
A laptop for each rope means that everyone can practise exactly what they need to
We are open each Monday morning 10am till noon for anyone who wishes to drop in. At this session you can either focus on bell handling or use one of the laptops to practise whatever it is you are learning – whether it’s leading,covering, plain hunt or a method. On a Friday we are open from 12pm till 2pm for anyone who wants to practise with a laptop or can ring unaided and just needs time on the rope.
As well as the open sessions, you can book to use the Center yourself, either as a tower practice or for an Association practice, a workshop or a quarter peal. It really is up to you. You can check availability on our website and then e-mail manager@mrdc.org.uk to make your booking.We are working hard to develop a Youth Band,and so we have started Junior Ringing events in the school holidays. These have been very popular and we have been delighted to welcome young ringers and their families from other parts of the country who want to take advantage of the excellent facilities at the center.
Matt Stevens, a young ringer from Northamptonshire who attended the Easter holiday session said: I like the Mancroft young ringers’ days because I enjoy ringing with other young people my age. I like that because it can get a bit boring when you ring with adults,but with other young people you can have a laugh and you can talk about things you understand that older people may not understand. I also find that that the bells are enjoyable to ring. You could be ringing with anyone and you will still enjoy them. They are easy to ring with little effort
Ringing with the simulator, individual practice
There is always a buzz about the young ringers’ days with fearless youngsters of all ages having a go and really enjoying the relaxed and jovial atmosphere. Morwenna Johns aged 12 from Norfolk said:
During the Easter holidays I enjoyed visiting the Mancroft Discovery Ringing Centre in Norwich for the young ringers’ practice. It was great to see so many young ringers come from all over the place. When I was there Nikki, the manager there, kept me busy by keeping me ringing and helping the less experienced ringers out, wherever I was helpful. I was also allowed to call some Called Changes. This was not my first time coming there but I was warmly welcomed like always and had as much fun as the times before with meeting new young ringers.To find out what is going on, please check the web site www.mrdc.org.uk along with our social media posts on Facebook (Mancroft Ringing Discovery Centre) or Twitter @MRDC1715.Anyone is welcome, from near or far!
This article originally appeared in the July 2019 edition of Tower Talk, the free quarterly e-magazine for new ringers, by new ringers. If you’d like to sign up for future copies arriving in your inbox, please subscribe here