This was duly held at Port Sunlight, using the Simulator there. This was to avoid the possible annoyance to neighbours of 4 hours of ringing. An added, if unanticipated, advantage was that with the capability of setting sound levels in the Ringing Chamber through the PC Speakers, instructions from conductors could be readily heard. Unfortunately, due to "technical" problems, the use of the Simulator had to be abandoned part way through the course, the remaining practice taking place on 'open' bells.

The specific aim was to provide the opportunity for beginners to ring with experienced bands with, if appropriate, someone standing alongside to provide additional support and guidance. Although titled 'Plain Hunt' this included those wishng to practice hunting the treble to plain methods, mostly Plain Bob Doubles, including touches, for those who had reached this stage. The 'bottom line' included Plain Hunting changing every handstroke.

The total of twelve beginners included six who had attended the bellhandling course and who had progressed to the stage where they ready to build on their usually and neccessarily limited plain hunting experience at their own towers.

The course, starting at 9:30 a.m. and finishing at 1:00 p.m. with a 30 minute break for refreshment and informal chat, was structured to provide the maximum amount of ringing time which meant that the conductors and helpers were kept very busy indeed! Fortunately, the pool of helpers (11) was large enough to allow them some rest with minimal disruption to the ringing.

A number of the beginners volunteered the view that, even when they were not ringing themselves, they felt they were learning a lot by just watching and listening. This was most encouraging since each would, throughout the whole course, be limited to just three opportunties for practice at the end of a rope.

This is best illustrated in the second picture below where, while one beginner is ringing, three others are watching intently.

Peter Humphreys
Wirral Branch Webmaster