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NRT Conference 2004
The second Network for Ringing Training conference took place on 8 May 2004 just 18 months after the first, showing how the activity has quickly taken off with membership now around 400. The key to the success of the NRT has been the opportunity provided for ringers from all parts of the Exercise to exchange and learn from the training experiences of each other.
The conference, held this time at the church of St Nicholas, Warwick, was opened once more by John Harrison, Chairman of the Central Council Education Committee. John expressed his satisfaction at the growth of the NRT and hoped that attendees would derive benefit from the day's proceedings.
Michael Henshaw, Central Council President was again present and gave his stamp of approval to the conference, the NRT being seen as furthering the work of both the Council and local associations at grassroots level.
Chris Mew welcomed the assembly both as President of the Coventry Guild and on behalf of St Nicholas tower.
Discussion and practical groups
After the introduction, the 40 plus members present split into groups for discussion and practical work covering 11 topic headings, each chaired by one of its members. All but two of the sessions were held in the body of the church or its east end rooms, with use of a simulator and practical handling teaching issues being conducted in the tower with a tied bell.
The list of topics discussed during the day gives a flavour of the whole event:
- Developing basic method ringing skills.
- Developing method ringing repertoire.
- Attracting and teaching children.
- Teaching older people.
- Kaleidoscope ringing.
- Tower captain's resource.
- Use of ringing centres.
- Accreditation of training.
- Tips and techniques for teaching bellhandling.
- Using a simulator as a training aid.
- Practical ways to achieve good striking in a band.
The day was typified by the enthusiasm of the participants, both to explore the experience of others in the realm of training, and to contribute their own tips to achieve better standards. The whole attitude of shared experience reflected work done by the NRT already and the widening interest in its activities shown throughout the ringing fraternity.
Each group session lasted just over an hour allowing sufficient discussion whilst maintaining the impetus of a change of subject. Key points were recorded on flipcharts to act as an aide mémoire for the members and for feedback later in the day. Breaks between sessions allowed for morning coffee and afternoon tea, and a superb lunch was taken in the church, all being provided by the catering skills of the Coventry Diocesan Guild helpers led by Ruth Border.
Many of the issues discussed were echoes of the conference held at Towcester in 2002, and some recurring themes appeared in groups who on the surface were covering different topics. Some of the key points which arose during the day could be summarised as follows:
- Good handling skills are a prerequisite to the ability to learn and perform methods and to strike properly.
- Kaleidoscope ringing can teach basic skills of place making, dodging and the differentiation between handstroke and backstroke in each.
- Recruiting children was an essential lifeblood to the Exercise and direct approaches in the local community through youth groups were seen as desirable. Young people must be able to see the overall ringing experience as stimulating and fun. Child Protection issues should not be allowed to detract from training young people.
- At the other end of the spectrum, the slower pace (sometimes) of learning of older ringers should not mask the enthusiasm and commitment that this group brought to ringing. There was a need to pay attention to their individual needs and limitations.
- Whether old or young, learners must not be pushed further than they are happy to progress.
- Method ringing should be properly explained in a manner understood by the student. There was a tendency to polarise ringing between basic (Plain Bob and Grandsire) and advanced (Surprise) with little in between. Opportunity to ring middle ground "building block" methods should be provided, with those in charge of ringing affording this to learners sympathetically.
- Ringing centres are a valuable resource that needs to be used more. Their high-tech facilities, as well as benefiting existing ringers, should be used to create interest with local schools and other youth groups.
- Accreditation is still a controversial issue, and the form it would take difficult to define and administer. Future demands from both church and insurers might deem it essential and the Exercise should be prepared with a scheme to meet such an eventuality.
- Besides teaching the mechanics, all ringing tuition must include adequate emphasis on good striking, using whatever recording or aids are necessary. There should be an awareness of the need for good "public performance" on Sundays.
- The creation of a Tower Captain's Resource, a portfolio of information or documents, was seen as a key future task of the NRT, drawing on the nationwide expertise at its disposal.
Plenary session
The final session of the day began with a review of the day's proceedings, with each group giving a short précis of their discussions and activities.
Members then discussed the future direction of the NRT. John Harrison reiterated its origins and the concept of providing a conduit for the exchange of information and experience relating to ringing training. The NRT had built up membership to around 400 after only 3 years. The NRT currently provides several services, some of which are more used than others.
- The E-mail discussion list - used by about 40% of members.
- Periodic summaries of the discussions go to all members by e-mail or post as appropriate.
- Two newsletters - for everyone.
- Two conferences - 20% of 300 members at the first, 10% of 400 at this one.
- The ability to ask for help related to training - little used.
- "Who is near me" (on request contact details of other members within a given distance) - so far used by relatively few members.
- The ability for members to get together to organise self help or other activities locally - so far mainly an aspiration.
The question was put as to how the NRT should now go forward.
No instant answers emerged, but there was a consensus that the facilities of the NRT should be more widely publicised in order that more people involved in training can benefit. It also seemed clear that the less used services were the less well known ones.
The assembly was happy for the NRT to continue operating informally under the benevolent umbrella of the Central Council Education Committee, and saw its future as continuing to provide a means of personal contact, which supplemented, and was complementary to, the activities of local ringing societies and ringing centres, with expertise and guidance available to a wider audience through the network of training contacts.
The day closed with votes of thanks being given to the Coventry Guild for providing catering throughout the day, to the church for the use of its facilities and for the availability of the tower and bells. Having put away the paperwork those attending were able to demonstrate their practical skills with ringing on the 8 bells of St Nicholas.