Chairman's Chatter - November 2016

Chairman’s Chatter is published in the quarterly ART WORKS magazine for ART Members and those on the ART Training Scheme.

Another Milestone

Our membership has grown to 400 - yet another milestone passed. They seem to come with increasing frequency and this is a real tribute to those committee members, tutors and other volunteers who work so hard to ensure ART's success. Of course the real motivator for everyone is to see so many benefiting from our courses and watching as new ringers learn and progress. Ringing needs more of them though and learning to ring to any standard is a slow process.

ART Masterclass for LtR Level 5 Achievers

The ART Masterclass masterminded by Stephanie Warboys took place in Brimingham in September and proved to be a fantastic opportunity for those eligible Level 5 candidates. I believe some amazing things were rung by those attending who I am sure surpassed their own expectations of what they could achieve in a day. I know they have made new friends and contacts which will also bring them opportunities in the future. Often the top ringers are accused of not supporting the early learning of new ringers. Birmingham has shown this is very far from reality and I thank all those who supported the Masterclass group. I hope that this will run again in 2017 so if you have someone close to achieving Level 5 push them along to complete and register it by the 31st December.

2017 Conference coming nearer

The 2017 conference planning is complete and details are in this newsletter. Booking will open in January and I hope we will see you at Old Basing to hear the talks, be involved in the workshops and renew friendships. Remember it is open to ANY ringer - so bring along others to and show them what ART is about. The handbell session on the Sunday will be of interest to many of you and is open for anyone, whether a complete novice or an experienced handbell ringer, to come and have a go and get tuition. There will also be a mentoring workshop on the Sunday so if you are mentoring or would like to I would strongly recommend you come and get involved with that workshop - there are plenty of interesting things to learn.