in the last edition of Tower Talk, Mary Jones gave some tips for improving concentration. We all do our best to stay on our line and keep our bell in the right place, but what are we to do when our concentration lets us down? How can we both minimise mistakes and and get back on our line quickly when they happen? Better still, can we actually put ourselves right before anyone notices?
The skills to put yourself (and others) right come from a detailed knowledge of what you’re ringing. This means looking beyond what you actually need to ring it. Just knowing ‘the line’ isn’t enough, you also need knowledge of how a method ‘fits’ together, or a grasp of where everyone is in Called Changes and not just you. If you want to make yourself more reliable here are some tips:
There
is nothing better than a ‘steady’ ringer. Someone who may be relied
upon to ring well and not go wrong. Better still, someone who can stay
right when others make mistakes, and even better still than that are
those with enough knowledge to assist conductors with any ‘putting
right’ that’s needed, even if it’s done silently with a nod or a wink.
These people are not superhuman, they’ve just done their homework, and
been willing to look beyond the blue line.
Jonathan Williamson, ART Member, Ipswich