We are intending to run the following targeted practices on a regular basis, depending upon the needs of our affiliated towers and also as a follow-on from the courses we run.   Some of the practices will be held at affiliated towers by arrangement.  Please contact us for more information or if there is another targeted practice that you think would be beneficial. 

We limit learner places at targeted practices, so that we can ensure everyone gets lots of rope time. Experience has taught us that to allocate  too many places for learners is counterproductive to the aims of the targeted practice.

You must let us know in advance if you are interested in attending one of our targeted practices so we can confirm whether  we have available space for you to attend.  Information about practices will be sent out via email to all ringers on our mailing list and published on our website. Priority for places is given to learners whose home tower is one of our affiliated towers in line with our Place Allocation Policy. 

"Thanks for everything, You have no idea what a difference you have made to my enjoyment of bell ringing. Thank you."

Jo

 

*NEW* STARS Studio Sessions

In these sessions we offer places for up to 4 ringers to come along and ring independently on a tied bell using our simulator to practice whatever their next personal target is.  You can ring whatever you want alongside a perfect band of ringers generated via Abel software.  (Each ringer works separately and independently.) This is a great way to practice new methods, hone your rhythm and striking and also work on refining the efficiency of your bell control. Using the Abel software you can ring at any level you like from ringing in rounds to improve your striking to ringing touches of spliced Surprise Maximus and more!

 

STARS Basic Skills Practice

This practice focuses on developing your basic bell handling skills, improving your control of the bell, practising how to change speed, ringing a bell up and down, etc. This practice is an ideal follow on from our Basic Skills course and covers the skills needed for Learning the Ropes Level 2.

We do not teach bell handling during this practice, so to attend this practice ringers should be able to safely handle a bell confidently and independently and be starting to ring in rounds with others. You will ideally have completed Learning the Ropes Level 1.   If you are not at this stage yet, please speak to your bell-handling teacher or contact us about bell handling lessons. 

"Just thank you to everyone for helping me and other learners progress"

Shaun

 

STARS Plain Hunt Practice 

This practice focuses on practising  plain hunting, trebling to a method, covering, rope sight, counting your place, changing speed, listening & striking etc. To attend this practice ringers should already have learnt the basics of Plain Hunting on 5 bells and now want more practice to embed what they have learnt. This practice is an ideal follow on from our Plain Hunt course and covers some of the skills needed for Learning the Ropes Level 3.

"Everyone said how wonderful the practice had been & how they really appreciated all the help & guidance the three of you gave . Thankyou so much for all the good work you’re doing."

John

 

STARS Plain Bob Doubles or Grandsire Doubles Practice

This practice focuses on ringing  inside to plain courses and touches of Plain Bob Doubles or Grandsire Doubles and is an ideal follow on from our Plain Bob Doubles or Grandsire Doubles course.  (If you want to practice trebling to methods please look at the  Plain Hunt practice.)

To attend this practice ringers should be able to confidently be able to treble/cover to touches of plain methods and ideally have completed Learning the Ropes Level 3 . Ringers at this practice should have already learnt the basics of ringing inside to a plain course of Plain Bob Doubles or Grandsire Doubles and now need more practice to embed what they have learnt and move on to ringing a plain course from different bells and/or ringing touches. (If you are not at this level we strongly suggest you attend our Plain Bob Doubles or Grandsire Doubles course first.)

This practice covers most of the skills needed for Learning the Ropes Levels 4 & 5.

"Thank you Monica for your help, advice & guidance. Feel I am getting there!"

Geoff

"Hi Monica, Thank you so much for all your - and Stuarts' work this afternoon. It was a great practice, and I think we all gained so much confidence from your tuition."

Jo

"Thanks everyone. The helpers were fab and I really feel like I’ve made great strides today. Monica and Stuart thanks for organising these events they truly make such a difference in improvement and confidence."

Katreena

STARS Ringing Up and Down in Peal Practice

This targeted practice focuses on ringing up and down in peal  and is an ideal follow on from our  Ringing Up and Down in Peal course.

To attend this practice ringers should be able to confidently ring their bell up and down independently and be able to control the speed at which they raise and lower their bell.  They should also know how to chime their bell.

Learners attending this targeted practice need to  have a reasonable understanding of the basics of ringing up and down in peal already  - this targeted practice is designed to allow ringers to practice this skill with a solid band around them and we won't have time to teach this skill from scratch during the practice.  If you are not at this level yet,  we strongly suggest you consider attending our Ringing Up and Down in Peal course first before attending a targeted practice.

"Thank you for yesterday evening's practice - it was excellent."

Jo

"These practices and courses make such a huge difference. The time and effort that everyone makes is greatly appreciated "

Katreena

 

STARS Advanced Practice/Quarter Peal Attempts

In addition to the targeted practices listed above we are hosting quarter peal attempts on some Sunday afternoons at St Anne's, which also doubles as ringing for the 4:30pm service.   We are also arranging quarter peal attempts at some of our affiliated towers. (This will replace most of the Advanced Practices we held previously.)

We find that the prolonged period of practice that a QP offers really helps to embed a new method.  They are called attempts for a reason, if we don't complete it the first time we can try again!

The quarter peal attempts will focus on Treble Bob methods such as Kent, Surprise methods such as Cambridge, Yorkshire, Superlative, Principles such as Stedman and ringing plain methods of Major and Caters/Royal. These attempts are aimed at ringers from our affiliated towers who have already completed Learning the Ropes Level 5 and are wanting to develop their method ringing further, but don't have the opportunity to do this in their own tower.

If you are interested in attempting a QP for your own development or being part of a QP band to support others, please get in touch.

"Thank you so much for organising my first quarter peal of Cambridge and Ellis for your excellent correcting while conducting"

Martyn

"Thanks for organising a good practice Monica, Really enjoyed it."

Thomas

"Time flies when having fun! Very enjoyable. Honestly thought we’d been going about 20 mins! Thanks as ever for help and encouragement."

Jake

 

Individual Practice

Our Saxilby Simulator "Edwin" is  also available for ringers to book for 1 hour sessions at a mutually convenient time. This will allow you to practice methods you are learning with the perfect Abel band, focus on your listening and striking skills etc.  If you are interested in arranging a session on Edwin please get in touch.