The Introduction to Bell Ringing course is a teaching initiative run by the Cathedral Guild of Bell Ringers, devised by Bernard Taylor and run in conjunction with the Cathedral authorities.  It is aimed at providing, primarily, a source of new recruits to ring the Cathedral bells.  The first course was offered as an extra curricular activity through the King's School with the support of staff and the Head Master, Tim Keyes, himself a bell ringer.  The students sign up for a course which coincides with the school term and the introductory course aims to have students ringing rounds on the Cathedral bells at the end of the course.  All the students fulfilled this aim and all have signed up for the Intermediate Course next term.

Teaching involves using tied bells and a dumb bell attached to a computer with "Abel" simulator.  This is set up in the clock room and students learn bell handling and listening skills with the simulator, interspersed with sessions on tied bells.  By week 9 all students were ringing the dumb bell/simulator and covering to triples and caters, by listening, with increasing accuracy

From the tutor's point of view this has been a most interesting and enlightening experience and proved the strategy to be an excellent one.

The next Introduction course takes place next term with students from Bishop Perowne.

Students Sarah Hawkins, William Keyes, Ashley Werner-de-Sondberg, Thomas Chilton with tutors

Mark Wilson and Bernard Taylor at the 27 November 2006 practice.

Interested in taking the course?  Contact the Secretary for details.