Learning the Ropes success in Somerset

In 2011 the Bath and Wells Education Committee hosted their first ITTS Module 1 Day Course on Teaching Bell Handling. As a follow on from this, three youngsters were taught in the Axbridge Branch by Mary Hannam (trainee teacher from Winscombe) and Pam Ebsworth (Mentor from Shipham). After three months all could raise and lower a bell safely on their own and ring rounds and were presented with Learning the Ropes Level 1 awards. Mary and Pam then became members of the Association of Ringing Teachers and attended the ITTS Module 2 Day Course on Teaching Change Ringing. Two of the new ringers became members at Lympsham and started ringing regularly for services there, Brent Knoll and East Brent.

One of the youngsters, Kaitlin, soon gained lots of experience on different weights and types of bells and her achievements rapidly increased (thanks to her mum, Joan, driving her all over the county!!). She rang her first 1/4 Peal after 9 months; first as cover after 11 months and first inside after 14 months. Kaitlin recently became the first person in the Diocese to have reached Learning the Ropes Level 4. At the B&W Association AGM, on Easter Monday, she was presented with her latest certificate by Tim Hawkings (Master of the Association) – as shown in photo. Further Axbridge Branch Learning the Ropes Awards included LtR Level 1 Frank (Worle), LtR Level 2 Daniel (Lympsham) and New Teacher Awards for Ray Jones (Worle) and Mentor Paul Ebsworth (Shipham)

Congratulations to you all!