Since Covid we had not been ringing the bells on a regular basis due to a lack of ringers so with a lot of encouragement and support from Sarah Catherall at Whetstone I decided it was time to start teaching some new ringers. I attended the ART module 1 a couple of years ago but hadn’t got round to teaching.

Our first recruit started in October 2024 closely followed by a mother and her 9 year old daughter in November. Just after Christmas we were joined by our first recruit’s husband and then in March another learner bringing our total to 5 with an age range of 9 -64. We’ve taught at Whetstone, where we can silence a couple of bells, and at Cosby so they’re getting experience on a number of different bells. Using the ART method of teaching they’ve all made tremendous progress and spur each other on. I recently attended a module 1 course again to consolidate my teaching which has been highly beneficial

Our aim was to get them ringing rounds for Easter Sunday, with the help of some experienced ringers. Some of our past Cosby ringers have also returned to join us. I’m pleased to say we achieved this with them each taking a turn at ringing even it was only hand stroke or backstroke. We then rang for VE day as well.

Hopefully it won’t be long before we’re back to regular practice nights and Sunday ringing at Cosby. Thank you to Sarah C for making me take the first step in teaching.

Sarah Freer
(Tower captain St Michael and All Angels Cosby)