Chairman's Chatter - September 2017

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

My first task must be to welcome Claire Culham as our new Editor of ART Works and congratulate her on this, her first edition. Thanks are due to Laura Amor for her hard work as previous editor.

A date for your diary - ART Conference 2018

It seems a long time since the conference at Old Basing but work is well under way for the next ART Conference at Royston on the 3rd March 2018.

Learning the Ropes

One of the major successes over the last few months is the increase in use of the Learning the Ropes scheme with a record number of registrations in 2017 (up to end of August) totalling 596. August saw the highest number of LtR Level 1 passes totalling 53. I find that awarding certificates of achievement is a real motivator – awarding badges too is often received with excitement! With such numbers we should see higher applications for awards next year and more people qualified to attend the ART Masterclass in Birmingham in 2018. The 2017 Masterclass will take place on the 16th September. Do try and get your ringers to complete their LtR Level 5 by the year-end to get them a place – and remember to apply for other awards too.

50 Ringing Things

On the subject of certificates, have you achieved your “50 Ringing Things” gold yet? This scheme is designed to encourage ringers to become involved in a variety of ringing activities to learn more about different aspect of ringing and engage in a variety of supporting activities. Do get your ringers to get a book and register – it’s proving to be a hit not only with relatively new ringers but also those who have been ringing for years! Look on SmART Ringer for the tips on how to achieve the challenges.

Tim Hine joins the ART Management Committee

I am delighted to announce that Tim Hine – current Chair of the CCCBR Education Committee has joined the ART Management Committee. He will work with us to ensure that these two educational arms of ringing work together for the benefit of ringing as a whole.

ART Workshops

We now have a number of workshops available for use locally covering Tower Leadership, Mentor Development, Simulator Awareness, Bell Maintenance, Listen & Strike, Calling Bob Doubles and Conducting. I am keen to develop a team of leaders to deliver these locally (mileage costs reimbursed). The ability to present well to a group and knowledge of the subject are required to lead a workshop. If you have the skills required, or you know of someone else who has, please let me know. Ideas and help developing other workshops would also be welcome.

ART publications

The ‘Ringer’s Guide to Learning the Ropes’ has been very well received and we are looking forward to selling the 1000th copy very soon. Its sister publication for teachers is now available from the ART Shop and will replace Teaching Tips.

ART Modules

If you have been accredited at Module 1 why don’t you come on a ART Module 2F/2C course? This focuses on the post-handling development of your new ringer, showing how to develop foundation and change ringing skills in a structured way whilst motivating the ringer and adding lots of variety to your practice. The foundation skills are really important skills and even if you are an experienced Teacher you’ll learn lots, just like you did in Module 1. Don’t just leave the programme halfway – come and see what ART Module 2F/2C has to offer.

Training a band of ringers for Ypres

Finally, if you are an ART Teacher and can speak French or Flemish well enough to teach ringing there may be an opportunity to help teach a band at Ypres. If you are interested please get in contact.