M1: 1 Sep 2018 - Rumney

The ART Module 1 Day Course 'Teaching Bell Handling' which was held on Saturday September 1st in St Augustine's Rumney was run by Frank Seabright of the Association of Ringing Teachers. It comprised three theory and three practical sessions interspersed with coffee, lunch and tea. It was well attended with students from Pembroke, the Vale churches, Llandaff, Caerleon, Caldicot and Abergavenny. The church in Rumney has great facilities and the sandwich lunch provided was excellent.

I thought the theory sessions were well delivered - modern training and coaching methods are advocated with a focus on building good basic ringing skills before moving on to the next challenges of plain hunt. Advice on good bell handling, a guide to the order in which bell handling should be taught and tips on giving feedback were focused on in the practical sessions which gave the students a chance to practice teaching in a non-threatening environment.

Many thanks to Matthew Turner for organising it, it will prove invaluable.

Harriet Moncrieff (photograph: Matthew Turner)