Changeringing Wiki - User contributions [en-gb]

User talk:GACJ

2013-05-08T19:17:37Z

Bob major: /* Image maintenance */ new section

Please add any comments here using the + button above:

== General points on new wiki ==

1) On creating I received the following with reference to my email littlebobmajor@yahoo.co.uk

Could not send confirmation mail. Check address for invalid characters.

Mailer returned: It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. Please use the date.timezone setting, the TZ environment variable or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'Europe/London' for '1.0/DST' instead
Welcome, TonyL!

''Thanks. I'll look into this. It may be a configuration file setting - It is, and one the hosting company doesn't allow me to change!''

2) The old wiki had an Index page. Is it intended to use and add Categories to all pages or to attempt some other form of grouping?

''I have added a table of contents at the bottom of the home page. It can be edited in the Template:Navigation''

3) Is RSS support (readily) available?

''If you click on recent changes, an RSS button appears in the toolbox. Click on this and you can subscribe''

Regards

Tony Lees

== Next Step ==

I think have succeeded in creating a page about University of London Society of Change Ringers but what is the next step to get this catagorised/recognised/linked to... ? Thanks

''Thanks for the contribution. Here are a few pointers:-''

''1) You added the content in your User page which is intended for content about you. The easiest way to create a new page is to type its title in the search box. When the wiki doesn't find it, it gives you the option to create it. I have already moved this to [[University of London Society of Change Ringers]] for you.''

''2) You can add entries to the Table of Contents by editing [[Template:Navigation]]. I have added the ULSCR entry for you.''

''3) Because you have edited this from your Wikipedia entry, a number of the links are internal to Wikipedia, so don't work here. Review all the words on your page that are highlighted in Red. You can do one of the following: create an external (rather than internal) link to the Wikipedia entry, create an equivalent page in the Changeringing wiki if appropriate, or substitute the link for text.''

''4) The two Templates Reflist and Gutenburg are not set up in this wiki. You can either create them, or change the text to avoid referring to them. More help on topics like this can be found at [http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Help:Contents Wikimedia]. For a way of including references using ref tags, see how this is done by going into edit on the [[Old Societies]] page''

''5) The Wikipedia entry has a photo of Hart Street church. You can upload photos to this wiki and include them in you pages - see [[Help:Contents]] for more details.''

== Altering a Page Name ==

I've just set up a page named "Bells & Fittings: Wheels" which I should have called just "Wheels". How do I correct this? The normal Edit facility only allows me to change the content, not the page name.
Regards, John Norris

''You can rename a page using the move tab at the top of the page.''

== Image maintenance ==

File:Bastow42.png is un-used and can be deleted.

Thank you

Plain Bob Doubles – There is a better way!

2013-05-08T19:12:54Z

Bob major: /* Bastow Little Court Bob Minimus */

'''Summary'''

In the light of many years experience, the writer recommends improving the teaching of method ringing in the following way:

Move away from teaching Plain Bob Doubles which is leading to losing many recruits early in the learning process.

Use other ways of teaching proper method ringing, such as Bastow, to provide a more direct and quicker route into ringing the basic lines which ringers use throughout their ringing lives.

Use other techniques to teach learners (… our future ringers) and in doing so, ensure they leave the tower after every practice having achieved something and with a real sense of achievement. That way we will keep more recruits.

==Plain Bob Doubles: the long tradition==

For as many years as I can remember, Plain Bob Doubles has been the vehicle for introducing new ringers to changeringing, be it plain hunting on the treble or ringing ‘inside’. Equally, for as many years as I can remember, it’s very rarely that I’ve not witnessed a new recruit struggling for many more weeks than should be allowed trying to get to grips with the basic ideas of learning a Blue Line and converting it into actions whilst ringing a bell. Many’s the time I’ve witnessed a pupil learning to plain hunt on the treble, the backstrokes into 3rds and 5ths place always seeming to be a problem. When it comes to learning to ring the method inside, again I have seen too many (far too many) managing a plain course after months of trying after which it seems to be another six months or more of endless 120’s keeping them as observation bell. During this stage we seem to lose far too many new recruits, which considering the hundreds of man hours invested in getting this far is an intolerable waste of teaching time. We’re teaching Bob Doubles (and very badly at that) and not teaching ropesight. I have asked many fellow ringers why this attachment to Bob Doubles, only to be told: “Well a pupil can learn to make seconds, far places, dodge in 3-4 up and down all in the same method”. This is not a persuasive argument: a learner driver, for example, doesn’t attempt to do three point turns or hill starts in their first lesson. The individual skills required are learnt separately, one at a time, slowly coming together in order to gain competence. We need to introduce a system for teaching the individual basic manoeuvres used in methods and in doing so a system which will help familiarize the pupil with, and help them to develop, ropesight. Bob Doubles is not that method.

==Plain Hunting with elementary ropesight==

It must be said that, for what follows, the use of a wipe clean board and pens in the tower will assist greatly, but only in order to illustrate the Blue Lines immediately prior to ringing without the need for weeks of revision beforehand which often ‘put off’ the learner.

As I mentioned above, most learners (or least the ones I’ve witnessed) take more than a few weeks to get to grips with the mechanics of plain hunting on 5, normally memorizing the numbers, which lets face it, isn’t difficult. Only when touches are embarked on do they have their first taste of needing ropesight and thus more weeks are added to the process. So, simplify it. Begin by plain hunting on just 2 bells. For what follows, assume that 6 bells are always being rung and the pupil is on the treble. The pupil simply learns to lead for a whole turn, make seconds over the second and lead again. Just four changes but usually easily achieved after only a couple of attempts. Once competent at this, again probably after only a few minutes, then call a different bell into seconds place telling the pupil to work out which bell prior to saying ‘go’ once more. Progressively, giving less time for the pupil to find the seconds place bell (i.e. call a bell into seconds immediately followed by ‘go’). Already the pupil is grasping basic ropesight and after only say 10 or fifteen minutes at the very most. If possible, try and get this far without interruption, i.e. calling stand to ring something else. The added bonus of this is that the pupil goes home having achieved changeringing by the end of practice night, albeit very basic, unaided as opposed leaving the tower wondering: “Will I ever be able to ring Bob Doubles” which I’ve heard said many times.

We then move on to plain hunting on 3 bells. Apply the same rules as above, giving plenty of practice first with bells 2 and 3 in the correct place moving on to having different bells in 2nds and 3rds place. Don’t feel the need to leave 4, 5 and 6 as cover bells, get them involved too as it all benefits the learner.

Stating the blindingly obvious, now do the same again on 4 bells. Once able to do this with the bell positions changed round, there’s a several things to try next. Firstly while still ringing on 6, ring a plain course or touch of Plain Bob Minimus, with 5 and 6 covering. Secondly, do the same but starting from a different change other than rounds and also with say 4 and 6 or 3 and 6 as cover bells. Thirdly, try the same but using a method where the treble returns to lead passing the bells in a different order. And lastly, if a suitable band is to hand, try a plain course of Little Bob Minor. The pupil will most likely quickly remember the numbers to get through a plain course, but having developed at least some ropesight in the earlier exercises, moving on to ring touches doesn’t usually, and shouldn’t, cause too much difficulty.

In all my experience of teaching, I’ve rarely had to go beyond two weeks of practices to achieve all the above, although time allocation of the evening might need to be slightly more in favour of the learner, - but look at the payback!

At this point, despite not having yet attempted hunting on 5, move on to ringing inside, and yes, on 4 bells not 5.

==Bastow Little Court Bob Minimus==

Allow me now to introduce what I consider to be a rather wonderful little method called Bastow which, whilst not stretching the skills of your average ringer, is the best thing I’ve ever discovered for introducing learners to ringing methods inside and ropesight. By way of comparison I have reproduced the method below, and below that I’ve shown the more usually preferred Plain Bob Doubles. Now ask yourselves this, if you were to show the average learner these two diagrams, which of the two Blue Lines are they most likely to want to learn first? I’ve always had the same reply, - the easiest. Now call me biased, but are there any ringers out there who honestly think that the line for Plain Bob Doubles is the easier of the two? I seriously doubt it, and yet this seems to be the normal approach to teaching method ringing inside.

[[File:Bastow41.png]]

[[File:Bob_Doubles.png]]

At this stage it’s also worth pointing out that it’s possible to get a total novice band as far as this stage without needing additional assistance. Starting hunting on just 2 bells and working upwards in numbers can be done with just one ringer present who understands plain hunting. Likewise, once a band has got this far, it’s possible to get the same band ringing courses of Bastow with only one experienced ringer. Try doing that with Bob Doubles. Ok, it’s probably been done somewhere but it’s MUCH harder work.
So far, our ‘learner’ has been ringing the treble bell to all the hunting. So, lets keep life simple for them and keep them ringing the treble, - after all, they’ve got used to it by now. To do this we simply start the method in a different place, the second becomes the hunt bell (starting by leading and then making seconds etc…) and all the treble does is this:

[[File:Treble work.png]]

The purpose of this is to get our pupil to learn how to move towards a dodging position and then perform dodges in 3-4 up and 3-4 down. To begin with we can help them, for example by explaining that they won’t be dodging with the second: the first dodge is with the last bell they meet at the back; and the other dodge is with the remaining bell. Once this is mastered, and again usually quite quickly, then start changing the numbers round, and as was done in the plain hunting, introducing other bells into the changes. Say, for example, starting from 153246 with 4 and 6 covering. Remember, wherever possible, as with all the previous exercises, the ringing should be on 6 bells. It’s also worth noting that I don’t advocate the usual practice of learning the sequence of work, other than it’s simply 3-4 up followed by 3-4 down, another factor which makes this a more appealing way of learning method ringing.
So where do we go from here? Thinking logically, and to avoid the tedium of learning the sequence of work, extend the Bastow to all 6 bells, and keeping our learner on the treble we now have a line which looks like:

[[File:Treble work2 .png]]

This I’m sure you’ll agree is starting to look like something we recognize as being of some use, say almost Treble Bob on 6, or half of Little Bob Minor. From experience, the learner won’t gasp at the prospect of going up to 6ths place for the first time. It’s simply the next dodging position to them. Again, by way of guidance, explain that having done the 3-4 up dodge, simply pass the next bell and then dodge again with the one after that. Then lie for 2 blows dodging with the bell which comes up to meet you at the back. The only difficulty I’ve experienced is showing the learner how to pick out the bell for the 3-4 down dodge, but as with everything so far, this is more often than not learned quickly. Again, the numbers may well be learnt without trying but by this stage that’s not such a bad thing as we have a learner whom we can now move around a bit and get used to ringing different bells. For example, ringing the method correctly with the treble as the hunt bell and the learner ringing the second and/or the third. Doing this negates the need to start from anything other than rounds there being things we can now move on to which will help to develop the ropesight we’re trying to achieve.
After that, one of the next logical steps is adding the dodges in 1-2 and then trebling to an appropriate method. The other alternative, having mastered this line, is to then ring the second to Little Bob pointing out the need not to dodge with the treble in 3-4 at the relevant point. That being said, there’s no reason where these two options can’t be run concurrently. Once these are out of the way there are many different paths to take. Personally I head towards learning the Bobs and then on to Plain Bob Minor and splicing it with Little Bob, even if only in plain courses at first.

==Conclusion==

Stop teaching Plain Bob Doubles and wondering why we lose so many recruits at this stage in the learning process.

Introduce a means of teaching proper method ringing, and by that, have a different but far more direct and quicker route into ringing the basics of the lines we ring throughout our ringing lives.

Teach our learners (and our future ringers) in a way which means they leave the tower after every practice feeling as though they’ve achieved something and not just got better at something, as opposed to the usual: “Come back next week and we’ll have another go at it”. They don’t always come back next week – and it’s too late then!

==Accompanying Methods==

Methods accompanying this article are [http://www.heralded.org.uk/wiki/Training%20methods.doc linked here]

==Contact the Author==

I’m very happy to discuss this further with anyone should you wish to contact me. Please also ask if you would like an electronic copy of this document.

'''Phil Ramsbottom'''

email: phil.ramsbottom-at-live.co.uk

File:Bob Doubles.png

2013-05-08T19:12:27Z

Bob major:

Plain Bob Doubles – There is a better way!

2013-05-08T19:00:23Z

Bob major: /* Accompanying Methods */

'''Summary'''

In the light of many years experience, the writer recommends improving the teaching of method ringing in the following way:

Move away from teaching Plain Bob Doubles which is leading to losing many recruits early in the learning process.

Use other ways of teaching proper method ringing, such as Bastow, to provide a more direct and quicker route into ringing the basic lines which ringers use throughout their ringing lives.

Use other techniques to teach learners (… our future ringers) and in doing so, ensure they leave the tower after every practice having achieved something and with a real sense of achievement. That way we will keep more recruits.

==Plain Bob Doubles: the long tradition==

For as many years as I can remember, Plain Bob Doubles has been the vehicle for introducing new ringers to changeringing, be it plain hunting on the treble or ringing ‘inside’. Equally, for as many years as I can remember, it’s very rarely that I’ve not witnessed a new recruit struggling for many more weeks than should be allowed trying to get to grips with the basic ideas of learning a Blue Line and converting it into actions whilst ringing a bell. Many’s the time I’ve witnessed a pupil learning to plain hunt on the treble, the backstrokes into 3rds and 5ths place always seeming to be a problem. When it comes to learning to ring the method inside, again I have seen too many (far too many) managing a plain course after months of trying after which it seems to be another six months or more of endless 120’s keeping them as observation bell. During this stage we seem to lose far too many new recruits, which considering the hundreds of man hours invested in getting this far is an intolerable waste of teaching time. We’re teaching Bob Doubles (and very badly at that) and not teaching ropesight. I have asked many fellow ringers why this attachment to Bob Doubles, only to be told: “Well a pupil can learn to make seconds, far places, dodge in 3-4 up and down all in the same method”. This is not a persuasive argument: a learner driver, for example, doesn’t attempt to do three point turns or hill starts in their first lesson. The individual skills required are learnt separately, one at a time, slowly coming together in order to gain competence. We need to introduce a system for teaching the individual basic manoeuvres used in methods and in doing so a system which will help familiarize the pupil with, and help them to develop, ropesight. Bob Doubles is not that method.

==Plain Hunting with elementary ropesight==

It must be said that, for what follows, the use of a wipe clean board and pens in the tower will assist greatly, but only in order to illustrate the Blue Lines immediately prior to ringing without the need for weeks of revision beforehand which often ‘put off’ the learner.

As I mentioned above, most learners (or least the ones I’ve witnessed) take more than a few weeks to get to grips with the mechanics of plain hunting on 5, normally memorizing the numbers, which lets face it, isn’t difficult. Only when touches are embarked on do they have their first taste of needing ropesight and thus more weeks are added to the process. So, simplify it. Begin by plain hunting on just 2 bells. For what follows, assume that 6 bells are always being rung and the pupil is on the treble. The pupil simply learns to lead for a whole turn, make seconds over the second and lead again. Just four changes but usually easily achieved after only a couple of attempts. Once competent at this, again probably after only a few minutes, then call a different bell into seconds place telling the pupil to work out which bell prior to saying ‘go’ once more. Progressively, giving less time for the pupil to find the seconds place bell (i.e. call a bell into seconds immediately followed by ‘go’). Already the pupil is grasping basic ropesight and after only say 10 or fifteen minutes at the very most. If possible, try and get this far without interruption, i.e. calling stand to ring something else. The added bonus of this is that the pupil goes home having achieved changeringing by the end of practice night, albeit very basic, unaided as opposed leaving the tower wondering: “Will I ever be able to ring Bob Doubles” which I’ve heard said many times.

We then move on to plain hunting on 3 bells. Apply the same rules as above, giving plenty of practice first with bells 2 and 3 in the correct place moving on to having different bells in 2nds and 3rds place. Don’t feel the need to leave 4, 5 and 6 as cover bells, get them involved too as it all benefits the learner.

Stating the blindingly obvious, now do the same again on 4 bells. Once able to do this with the bell positions changed round, there’s a several things to try next. Firstly while still ringing on 6, ring a plain course or touch of Plain Bob Minimus, with 5 and 6 covering. Secondly, do the same but starting from a different change other than rounds and also with say 4 and 6 or 3 and 6 as cover bells. Thirdly, try the same but using a method where the treble returns to lead passing the bells in a different order. And lastly, if a suitable band is to hand, try a plain course of Little Bob Minor. The pupil will most likely quickly remember the numbers to get through a plain course, but having developed at least some ropesight in the earlier exercises, moving on to ring touches doesn’t usually, and shouldn’t, cause too much difficulty.

In all my experience of teaching, I’ve rarely had to go beyond two weeks of practices to achieve all the above, although time allocation of the evening might need to be slightly more in favour of the learner, - but look at the payback!

At this point, despite not having yet attempted hunting on 5, move on to ringing inside, and yes, on 4 bells not 5.

==Bastow Little Court Bob Minimus==

Allow me now to introduce what I consider to be a rather wonderful little method called Bastow which, whilst not stretching the skills of your average ringer, is the best thing I’ve ever discovered for introducing learners to ringing methods inside and ropesight. By way of comparison I have reproduced the method below, and below that I’ve shown the more usually preferred Plain Bob Doubles. Now ask yourselves this, if you were to show the average learner these two diagrams, which of the two Blue Lines are they most likely to want to learn first? I’ve always had the same reply, - the easiest. Now call me biased, but are there any ringers out there who honestly think that the line for Plain Bob Doubles is the easier of the two? I seriously doubt it, and yet this seems to be the normal approach to teaching method ringing inside.

[[File:Bastow41.png]]

[[File:Bastow42.png]]

At this stage it’s also worth pointing out that it’s possible to get a total novice band as far as this stage without needing additional assistance. Starting hunting on just 2 bells and working upwards in numbers can be done with just one ringer present who understands plain hunting. Likewise, once a band has got this far, it’s possible to get the same band ringing courses of Bastow with only one experienced ringer. Try doing that with Bob Doubles. Ok, it’s probably been done somewhere but it’s MUCH harder work.
So far, our ‘learner’ has been ringing the treble bell to all the hunting. So, lets keep life simple for them and keep them ringing the treble, - after all, they’ve got used to it by now. To do this we simply start the method in a different place, the second becomes the hunt bell (starting by leading and then making seconds etc…) and all the treble does is this:

[[File:Treble work.png]]

The purpose of this is to get our pupil to learn how to move towards a dodging position and then perform dodges in 3-4 up and 3-4 down. To begin with we can help them, for example by explaining that they won’t be dodging with the second: the first dodge is with the last bell they meet at the back; and the other dodge is with the remaining bell. Once this is mastered, and again usually quite quickly, then start changing the numbers round, and as was done in the plain hunting, introducing other bells into the changes. Say, for example, starting from 153246 with 4 and 6 covering. Remember, wherever possible, as with all the previous exercises, the ringing should be on 6 bells. It’s also worth noting that I don’t advocate the usual practice of learning the sequence of work, other than it’s simply 3-4 up followed by 3-4 down, another factor which makes this a more appealing way of learning method ringing.
So where do we go from here? Thinking logically, and to avoid the tedium of learning the sequence of work, extend the Bastow to all 6 bells, and keeping our learner on the treble we now have a line which looks like:

[[File:Treble work2 .png]]

This I’m sure you’ll agree is starting to look like something we recognize as being of some use, say almost Treble Bob on 6, or half of Little Bob Minor. From experience, the learner won’t gasp at the prospect of going up to 6ths place for the first time. It’s simply the next dodging position to them. Again, by way of guidance, explain that having done the 3-4 up dodge, simply pass the next bell and then dodge again with the one after that. Then lie for 2 blows dodging with the bell which comes up to meet you at the back. The only difficulty I’ve experienced is showing the learner how to pick out the bell for the 3-4 down dodge, but as with everything so far, this is more often than not learned quickly. Again, the numbers may well be learnt without trying but by this stage that’s not such a bad thing as we have a learner whom we can now move around a bit and get used to ringing different bells. For example, ringing the method correctly with the treble as the hunt bell and the learner ringing the second and/or the third. Doing this negates the need to start from anything other than rounds there being things we can now move on to which will help to develop the ropesight we’re trying to achieve.
After that, one of the next logical steps is adding the dodges in 1-2 and then trebling to an appropriate method. The other alternative, having mastered this line, is to then ring the second to Little Bob pointing out the need not to dodge with the treble in 3-4 at the relevant point. That being said, there’s no reason where these two options can’t be run concurrently. Once these are out of the way there are many different paths to take. Personally I head towards learning the Bobs and then on to Plain Bob Minor and splicing it with Little Bob, even if only in plain courses at first.

==Conclusion==

Stop teaching Plain Bob Doubles and wondering why we lose so many recruits at this stage in the learning process.

Introduce a means of teaching proper method ringing, and by that, have a different but far more direct and quicker route into ringing the basics of the lines we ring throughout our ringing lives.

Teach our learners (and our future ringers) in a way which means they leave the tower after every practice feeling as though they’ve achieved something and not just got better at something, as opposed to the usual: “Come back next week and we’ll have another go at it”. They don’t always come back next week – and it’s too late then!

==Accompanying Methods==

Methods accompanying this article are [http://www.heralded.org.uk/wiki/Training%20methods.doc linked here]

==Contact the Author==

I’m very happy to discuss this further with anyone should you wish to contact me. Please also ask if you would like an electronic copy of this document.

'''Phil Ramsbottom'''

email: phil.ramsbottom-at-live.co.uk

Plain Bob Doubles – There is a better way!

2013-05-08T18:59:18Z

Bob major:

'''Summary'''

In the light of many years experience, the writer recommends improving the teaching of method ringing in the following way:

Move away from teaching Plain Bob Doubles which is leading to losing many recruits early in the learning process.

Use other ways of teaching proper method ringing, such as Bastow, to provide a more direct and quicker route into ringing the basic lines which ringers use throughout their ringing lives.

Use other techniques to teach learners (… our future ringers) and in doing so, ensure they leave the tower after every practice having achieved something and with a real sense of achievement. That way we will keep more recruits.

==Plain Bob Doubles: the long tradition==

For as many years as I can remember, Plain Bob Doubles has been the vehicle for introducing new ringers to changeringing, be it plain hunting on the treble or ringing ‘inside’. Equally, for as many years as I can remember, it’s very rarely that I’ve not witnessed a new recruit struggling for many more weeks than should be allowed trying to get to grips with the basic ideas of learning a Blue Line and converting it into actions whilst ringing a bell. Many’s the time I’ve witnessed a pupil learning to plain hunt on the treble, the backstrokes into 3rds and 5ths place always seeming to be a problem. When it comes to learning to ring the method inside, again I have seen too many (far too many) managing a plain course after months of trying after which it seems to be another six months or more of endless 120’s keeping them as observation bell. During this stage we seem to lose far too many new recruits, which considering the hundreds of man hours invested in getting this far is an intolerable waste of teaching time. We’re teaching Bob Doubles (and very badly at that) and not teaching ropesight. I have asked many fellow ringers why this attachment to Bob Doubles, only to be told: “Well a pupil can learn to make seconds, far places, dodge in 3-4 up and down all in the same method”. This is not a persuasive argument: a learner driver, for example, doesn’t attempt to do three point turns or hill starts in their first lesson. The individual skills required are learnt separately, one at a time, slowly coming together in order to gain competence. We need to introduce a system for teaching the individual basic manoeuvres used in methods and in doing so a system which will help familiarize the pupil with, and help them to develop, ropesight. Bob Doubles is not that method.

==Plain Hunting with elementary ropesight==

It must be said that, for what follows, the use of a wipe clean board and pens in the tower will assist greatly, but only in order to illustrate the Blue Lines immediately prior to ringing without the need for weeks of revision beforehand which often ‘put off’ the learner.

As I mentioned above, most learners (or least the ones I’ve witnessed) take more than a few weeks to get to grips with the mechanics of plain hunting on 5, normally memorizing the numbers, which lets face it, isn’t difficult. Only when touches are embarked on do they have their first taste of needing ropesight and thus more weeks are added to the process. So, simplify it. Begin by plain hunting on just 2 bells. For what follows, assume that 6 bells are always being rung and the pupil is on the treble. The pupil simply learns to lead for a whole turn, make seconds over the second and lead again. Just four changes but usually easily achieved after only a couple of attempts. Once competent at this, again probably after only a few minutes, then call a different bell into seconds place telling the pupil to work out which bell prior to saying ‘go’ once more. Progressively, giving less time for the pupil to find the seconds place bell (i.e. call a bell into seconds immediately followed by ‘go’). Already the pupil is grasping basic ropesight and after only say 10 or fifteen minutes at the very most. If possible, try and get this far without interruption, i.e. calling stand to ring something else. The added bonus of this is that the pupil goes home having achieved changeringing by the end of practice night, albeit very basic, unaided as opposed leaving the tower wondering: “Will I ever be able to ring Bob Doubles” which I’ve heard said many times.

We then move on to plain hunting on 3 bells. Apply the same rules as above, giving plenty of practice first with bells 2 and 3 in the correct place moving on to having different bells in 2nds and 3rds place. Don’t feel the need to leave 4, 5 and 6 as cover bells, get them involved too as it all benefits the learner.

Stating the blindingly obvious, now do the same again on 4 bells. Once able to do this with the bell positions changed round, there’s a several things to try next. Firstly while still ringing on 6, ring a plain course or touch of Plain Bob Minimus, with 5 and 6 covering. Secondly, do the same but starting from a different change other than rounds and also with say 4 and 6 or 3 and 6 as cover bells. Thirdly, try the same but using a method where the treble returns to lead passing the bells in a different order. And lastly, if a suitable band is to hand, try a plain course of Little Bob Minor. The pupil will most likely quickly remember the numbers to get through a plain course, but having developed at least some ropesight in the earlier exercises, moving on to ring touches doesn’t usually, and shouldn’t, cause too much difficulty.

In all my experience of teaching, I’ve rarely had to go beyond two weeks of practices to achieve all the above, although time allocation of the evening might need to be slightly more in favour of the learner, - but look at the payback!

At this point, despite not having yet attempted hunting on 5, move on to ringing inside, and yes, on 4 bells not 5.

==Bastow Little Court Bob Minimus==

Allow me now to introduce what I consider to be a rather wonderful little method called Bastow which, whilst not stretching the skills of your average ringer, is the best thing I’ve ever discovered for introducing learners to ringing methods inside and ropesight. By way of comparison I have reproduced the method below, and below that I’ve shown the more usually preferred Plain Bob Doubles. Now ask yourselves this, if you were to show the average learner these two diagrams, which of the two Blue Lines are they most likely to want to learn first? I’ve always had the same reply, - the easiest. Now call me biased, but are there any ringers out there who honestly think that the line for Plain Bob Doubles is the easier of the two? I seriously doubt it, and yet this seems to be the normal approach to teaching method ringing inside.

[[File:Bastow41.png]]

[[File:Bastow42.png]]

At this stage it’s also worth pointing out that it’s possible to get a total novice band as far as this stage without needing additional assistance. Starting hunting on just 2 bells and working upwards in numbers can be done with just one ringer present who understands plain hunting. Likewise, once a band has got this far, it’s possible to get the same band ringing courses of Bastow with only one experienced ringer. Try doing that with Bob Doubles. Ok, it’s probably been done somewhere but it’s MUCH harder work.
So far, our ‘learner’ has been ringing the treble bell to all the hunting. So, lets keep life simple for them and keep them ringing the treble, - after all, they’ve got used to it by now. To do this we simply start the method in a different place, the second becomes the hunt bell (starting by leading and then making seconds etc…) and all the treble does is this:

[[File:Treble work.png]]

The purpose of this is to get our pupil to learn how to move towards a dodging position and then perform dodges in 3-4 up and 3-4 down. To begin with we can help them, for example by explaining that they won’t be dodging with the second: the first dodge is with the last bell they meet at the back; and the other dodge is with the remaining bell. Once this is mastered, and again usually quite quickly, then start changing the numbers round, and as was done in the plain hunting, introducing other bells into the changes. Say, for example, starting from 153246 with 4 and 6 covering. Remember, wherever possible, as with all the previous exercises, the ringing should be on 6 bells. It’s also worth noting that I don’t advocate the usual practice of learning the sequence of work, other than it’s simply 3-4 up followed by 3-4 down, another factor which makes this a more appealing way of learning method ringing.
So where do we go from here? Thinking logically, and to avoid the tedium of learning the sequence of work, extend the Bastow to all 6 bells, and keeping our learner on the treble we now have a line which looks like:

[[File:Treble work2 .png]]

This I’m sure you’ll agree is starting to look like something we recognize as being of some use, say almost Treble Bob on 6, or half of Little Bob Minor. From experience, the learner won’t gasp at the prospect of going up to 6ths place for the first time. It’s simply the next dodging position to them. Again, by way of guidance, explain that having done the 3-4 up dodge, simply pass the next bell and then dodge again with the one after that. Then lie for 2 blows dodging with the bell which comes up to meet you at the back. The only difficulty I’ve experienced is showing the learner how to pick out the bell for the 3-4 down dodge, but as with everything so far, this is more often than not learned quickly. Again, the numbers may well be learnt without trying but by this stage that’s not such a bad thing as we have a learner whom we can now move around a bit and get used to ringing different bells. For example, ringing the method correctly with the treble as the hunt bell and the learner ringing the second and/or the third. Doing this negates the need to start from anything other than rounds there being things we can now move on to which will help to develop the ropesight we’re trying to achieve.
After that, one of the next logical steps is adding the dodges in 1-2 and then trebling to an appropriate method. The other alternative, having mastered this line, is to then ring the second to Little Bob pointing out the need not to dodge with the treble in 3-4 at the relevant point. That being said, there’s no reason where these two options can’t be run concurrently. Once these are out of the way there are many different paths to take. Personally I head towards learning the Bobs and then on to Plain Bob Minor and splicing it with Little Bob, even if only in plain courses at first.

==Conclusion==

Stop teaching Plain Bob Doubles and wondering why we lose so many recruits at this stage in the learning process.

Introduce a means of teaching proper method ringing, and by that, have a different but far more direct and quicker route into ringing the basics of the lines we ring throughout our ringing lives.

Teach our learners (and our future ringers) in a way which means they leave the tower after every practice feeling as though they’ve achieved something and not just got better at something, as opposed to the usual: “Come back next week and we’ll have another go at it”. They don’t always come back next week – and it’s too late then!

==Accompanying Methods==

[http://www.heralded.org.uk/wiki/Training%20methods.doc Methods accompanying this article are linked here]

==Contact the Author==

I’m very happy to discuss this further with anyone should you wish to contact me. Please also ask if you would like an electronic copy of this document.

'''Phil Ramsbottom'''

email: phil.ramsbottom-at-live.co.uk

File:Treble work2 .png

2013-05-08T18:51:58Z

Bob major: Bob major uploaded a new version of "File:Treble work2 .png"

Plain Bob Doubles – There is a better way!

2013-05-08T18:48:32Z

Bob major:

'''Summary'''

In the light of many years experience, the writer recommends improving the teaching of method ringing in the following way:

Move away from teaching Plain Bob Doubles which is leading to losing many recruits early in the learning process.

Use other ways of teaching proper method ringing, such as Bastow, to provide a more direct and quicker route into ringing the basic lines which ringers use throughout their ringing lives.

Use other techniques to teach learners (… our future ringers) and in doing so, ensure they leave the tower after every practice having achieved something and with a real sense of achievement. That way we will keep more recruits.

==Plain Bob Doubles: the long tradition==

For as many years as I can remember, Plain Bob Doubles has been the vehicle for introducing new ringers to changeringing, be it plain hunting on the treble or ringing ‘inside’. Equally, for as many years as I can remember, it’s very rarely that I’ve not witnessed a new recruit struggling for many more weeks than should be allowed trying to get to grips with the basic ideas of learning a Blue Line and converting it into actions whilst ringing a bell. Many’s the time I’ve witnessed a pupil learning to plain hunt on the treble, the backstrokes into 3rds and 5ths place always seeming to be a problem. When it comes to learning to ring the method inside, again I have seen too many (far too many) managing a plain course after months of trying after which it seems to be another six months or more of endless 120’s keeping them as observation bell. During this stage we seem to lose far too many new recruits, which considering the hundreds of man hours invested in getting this far is an intolerable waste of teaching time. We’re teaching Bob Doubles (and very badly at that) and not teaching ropesight. I have asked many fellow ringers why this attachment to Bob Doubles, only to be told: “Well a pupil can learn to make seconds, far places, dodge in 3-4 up and down all in the same method”. This is not a persuasive argument: a learner driver, for example, doesn’t attempt to do three point turns or hill starts in their first lesson. The individual skills required are learnt separately, one at a time, slowly coming together in order to gain competence. We need to introduce a system for teaching the individual basic manoeuvres used in methods and in doing so a system which will help familiarize the pupil with, and help them to develop, ropesight. Bob Doubles is not that method.

==Plain Hunting with elementary ropesight==

It must be said that, for what follows, the use of a wipe clean board and pens in the tower will assist greatly, but only in order to illustrate the Blue Lines immediately prior to ringing without the need for weeks of revision beforehand which often ‘put off’ the learner.

As I mentioned above, most learners (or least the ones I’ve witnessed) take more than a few weeks to get to grips with the mechanics of plain hunting on 5, normally memorizing the numbers, which lets face it, isn’t difficult. Only when touches are embarked on do they have their first taste of needing ropesight and thus more weeks are added to the process. So, simplify it. Begin by plain hunting on just 2 bells. For what follows, assume that 6 bells are always being rung and the pupil is on the treble. The pupil simply learns to lead for a whole turn, make seconds over the second and lead again. Just four changes but usually easily achieved after only a couple of attempts. Once competent at this, again probably after only a few minutes, then call a different bell into seconds place telling the pupil to work out which bell prior to saying ‘go’ once more. Progressively, giving less time for the pupil to find the seconds place bell (i.e. call a bell into seconds immediately followed by ‘go’). Already the pupil is grasping basic ropesight and after only say 10 or fifteen minutes at the very most. If possible, try and get this far without interruption, i.e. calling stand to ring something else. The added bonus of this is that the pupil goes home having achieved changeringing by the end of practice night, albeit very basic, unaided as opposed leaving the tower wondering: “Will I ever be able to ring Bob Doubles” which I’ve heard said many times.

We then move on to plain hunting on 3 bells. Apply the same rules as above, giving plenty of practice first with bells 2 and 3 in the correct place moving on to having different bells in 2nds and 3rds place. Don’t feel the need to leave 4, 5 and 6 as cover bells, get them involved too as it all benefits the learner.

Stating the blindingly obvious, now do the same again on 4 bells. Once able to do this with the bell positions changed round, there’s a several things to try next. Firstly while still ringing on 6, ring a plain course or touch of Plain Bob Minimus, with 5 and 6 covering. Secondly, do the same but starting from a different change other than rounds and also with say 4 and 6 or 3 and 6 as cover bells. Thirdly, try the same but using a method where the treble returns to lead passing the bells in a different order. And lastly, if a suitable band is to hand, try a plain course of Little Bob Minor. The pupil will most likely quickly remember the numbers to get through a plain course, but having developed at least some ropesight in the earlier exercises, moving on to ring touches doesn’t usually, and shouldn’t, cause too much difficulty.

In all my experience of teaching, I’ve rarely had to go beyond two weeks of practices to achieve all the above, although time allocation of the evening might need to be slightly more in favour of the learner, - but look at the payback!

At this point, despite not having yet attempted hunting on 5, move on to ringing inside, and yes, on 4 bells not 5.

==Bastow Little Court Bob Minimus==

Allow me now to introduce what I consider to be a rather wonderful little method called Bastow which, whilst not stretching the skills of your average ringer, is the best thing I’ve ever discovered for introducing learners to ringing methods inside and ropesight. By way of comparison I have reproduced the method below, and below that I’ve shown the more usually preferred Plain Bob Doubles. Now ask yourselves this, if you were to show the average learner these two diagrams, which of the two Blue Lines are they most likely to want to learn first? I’ve always had the same reply, - the easiest. Now call me biased, but are there any ringers out there who honestly think that the line for Plain Bob Doubles is the easier of the two? I seriously doubt it, and yet this seems to be the normal approach to teaching method ringing inside.

[[File:Bastow41.png]]

[[File:Bastow42.png]]

At this stage it’s also worth pointing out that it’s possible to get a total novice band as far as this stage without needing additional assistance. Starting hunting on just 2 bells and working upwards in numbers can be done with just one ringer present who understands plain hunting. Likewise, once a band has got this far, it’s possible to get the same band ringing courses of Bastow with only one experienced ringer. Try doing that with Bob Doubles. Ok, it’s probably been done somewhere but it’s MUCH harder work.
So far, our ‘learner’ has been ringing the treble bell to all the hunting. So, lets keep life simple for them and keep them ringing the treble, - after all, they’ve got used to it by now. To do this we simply start the method in a different place, the second becomes the hunt bell (starting by leading and then making seconds etc…) and all the treble does is this:

[[File:Treble work.png]]

The purpose of this is to get our pupil to learn how to move towards a dodging position and then perform dodges in 3-4 up and 3-4 down. To begin with we can help them, for example by explaining that they won’t be dodging with the second: the first dodge is with the last bell they meet at the back; and the other dodge is with the remaining bell. Once this is mastered, and again usually quite quickly, then start changing the numbers round, and as was done in the plain hunting, introducing other bells into the changes. Say, for example, starting from 153246 with 4 and 6 covering. Remember, wherever possible, as with all the previous exercises, the ringing should be on 6 bells. It’s also worth noting that I don’t advocate the usual practice of learning the sequence of work, other than it’s simply 3-4 up followed by 3-4 down, another factor which makes this a more appealing way of learning method ringing.
So where do we go from here? Thinking logically, and to avoid the tedium of learning the sequence of work, extend the Bastow to all 6 bells, and keeping our learner on the treble we now have a line which looks like:

[[File:Treble work2 .png]]

This I’m sure you’ll agree is starting to look like something we recognize as being of some use, say almost Treble Bob on 6, or half of Little Bob Minor. From experience, the learner won’t gasp at the prospect of going up to 6ths place for the first time. It’s simply the next dodging position to them. Again, by way of guidance, explain that having done the 3-4 up dodge, simply pass the next bell and then dodge again with the one after that. Then lie for 2 blows dodging with the bell which comes up to meet you at the back. The only difficulty I’ve experienced is showing the learner how to pick out the bell for the 3-4 down dodge, but as with everything so far, this is more often than not learned quickly. Again, the numbers may well be learnt without trying but by this stage that’s not such a bad thing as we have a learner whom we can now move around a bit and get used to ringing different bells. For example, ringing the method correctly with the treble as the hunt bell and the learner ringing the second and/or the third. Doing this negates the need to start from anything other than rounds there being things we can now move on to which will help to develop the ropesight we’re trying to achieve.
After that, one of the next logical steps is adding the dodges in 1-2 and then trebling to an appropriate method. The other alternative, having mastered this line, is to then ring the second to Little Bob pointing out the need not to dodge with the treble in 3-4 at the relevant point. That being said, there’s no reason where these two options can’t be run concurrently. Once these are out of the way there are many different paths to take. Personally I head towards learning the Bobs and then on to Plain Bob Minor and splicing it with Little Bob, even if only in plain courses at first.

==Conclusion==

Stop teaching Plain Bob Doubles and wondering why we lose so many recruits at this stage in the learning process.

Introduce a means of teaching proper method ringing, and by that, have a different but far more direct and quicker route into ringing the basics of the lines we ring throughout our ringing lives.

Teach our learners (and our future ringers) in a way which means they leave the tower after every practice feeling as though they’ve achieved something and not just got better at something, as opposed to the usual: “Come back next week and we’ll have another go at it”. They don’t always come back next week – and it’s too late then!

==Contact the Author==

I’m very happy to discuss this further with anyone should you wish to contact me. Please also ask if you would like an electronic copy of this document.

'''Phil Ramsbottom'''

email: phil.ramsbottom-at-live.co.uk

Plain Bob Doubles – There is a better way!

2013-05-08T18:47:11Z

Bob major:

'''Summary'''

In the light of many years experience, the writer recommends improving the teaching of method ringing in the following way:

Move away from teaching Plain Bob Doubles which is leading to losing many recruits early in the learning process.

Use other ways of teaching proper method ringing, such as Bastow, to provide a more direct and quicker route into ringing the basic lines which ringers use throughout their ringing lives.

Use other techniques to teach learners (… our future ringers) and in doing so, ensure they leave the tower after every practice having achieved something and with a real sense of achievement. That way we will keep more recruits.

==Plain Bob Doubles: the long tradition==

For as many years as I can remember, Plain Bob Doubles has been the vehicle for introducing new ringers to changeringing, be it plain hunting on the treble or ringing ‘inside’. Equally, for as many years as I can remember, it’s very rarely that I’ve not witnessed a new recruit struggling for many more weeks than should be allowed trying to get to grips with the basic ideas of learning a Blue Line and converting it into actions whilst ringing a bell. Many’s the time I’ve witnessed a pupil learning to plain hunt on the treble, the backstrokes into 3rds and 5ths place always seeming to be a problem. When it comes to learning to ring the method inside, again I have seen too many (far too many) managing a plain course after months of trying after which it seems to be another six months or more of endless 120’s keeping them as observation bell. During this stage we seem to lose far too many new recruits, which considering the hundreds of man hours invested in getting this far is an intolerable waste of teaching time. We’re teaching Bob Doubles (and very badly at that) and not teaching ropesight. I have asked many fellow ringers why this attachment to Bob Doubles, only to be told: “Well a pupil can learn to make seconds, far places, dodge in 3-4 up and down all in the same method”. This is not a persuasive argument: a learner driver, for example, doesn’t attempt to do three point turns or hill starts in their first lesson. The individual skills required are learnt separately, one at a time, slowly coming together in order to gain competence. We need to introduce a system for teaching the individual basic manoeuvres used in methods and in doing so a system which will help familiarize the pupil with, and help them to develop, ropesight. Bob Doubles is not that method.

==Plain Hunting with elementary ropesight==

It must be said that, for what follows, the use of a wipe clean board and pens in the tower will assist greatly, but only in order to illustrate the Blue Lines immediately prior to ringing without the need for weeks of revision beforehand which often ‘put off’ the learner.

As I mentioned above, most learners (or least the ones I’ve witnessed) take more than a few weeks to get to grips with the mechanics of plain hunting on 5, normally memorizing the numbers, which lets face it, isn’t difficult. Only when touches are embarked on do they have their first taste of needing ropesight and thus more weeks are added to the process. So, simplify it. Begin by plain hunting on just 2 bells. For what follows, assume that 6 bells are always being rung and the pupil is on the treble. The pupil simply learns to lead for a whole turn, make seconds over the second and lead again. Just four changes but usually easily achieved after only a couple of attempts. Once competent at this, again probably after only a few minutes, then call a different bell into seconds place telling the pupil to work out which bell prior to saying ‘go’ once more. Progressively, giving less time for the pupil to find the seconds place bell (i.e. call a bell into seconds immediately followed by ‘go’). Already the pupil is grasping basic ropesight and after only say 10 or fifteen minutes at the very most. If possible, try and get this far without interruption, i.e. calling stand to ring something else. The added bonus of this is that the pupil goes home having achieved changeringing by the end of practice night, albeit very basic, unaided as opposed leaving the tower wondering: “Will I ever be able to ring Bob Doubles” which I’ve heard said many times.

We then move on to plain hunting on 3 bells. Apply the same rules as above, giving plenty of practice first with bells 2 and 3 in the correct place moving on to having different bells in 2nds and 3rds place. Don’t feel the need to leave 4, 5 and 6 as cover bells, get them involved too as it all benefits the learner.

Stating the blindingly obvious, now do the same again on 4 bells. Once able to do this with the bell positions changed round, there’s a several things to try next. Firstly while still ringing on 6, ring a plain course or touch of Plain Bob Minimus, with 5 and 6 covering. Secondly, do the same but starting from a different change other than rounds and also with say 4 and 6 or 3 and 6 as cover bells. Thirdly, try the same but using a method where the treble returns to lead passing the bells in a different order. And lastly, if a suitable band is to hand, try a plain course of Little Bob Minor. The pupil will most likely quickly remember the numbers to get through a plain course, but having developed at least some ropesight in the earlier exercises, moving on to ring touches doesn’t usually, and shouldn’t, cause too much difficulty.

In all my experience of teaching, I’ve rarely had to go beyond two weeks of practices to achieve all the above, although time allocation of the evening might need to be slightly more in favour of the learner, - but look at the payback!

At this point, despite not having yet attempted hunting on 5, move on to ringing inside, and yes, on 4 bells not 5.

==Bastow Little Court Bob Minimus==

Allow me now to introduce what I consider to be a rather wonderful little method called Bastow which, whilst not stretching the skills of your average ringer, is the best thing I’ve ever discovered for introducing learners to ringing methods inside and ropesight. By way of comparison I have reproduced the method below, and below that I’ve shown the more usually preferred Plain Bob Doubles. Now ask yourselves this, if you were to show the average learner these two diagrams, which of the two Blue Lines are they most likely to want to learn first? I’ve always had the same reply, - the easiest. Now call me biased, but are there any ringers out there who honestly think that the line for Plain Bob Doubles is the easier of the two? I seriously doubt it, and yet this seems to be the normal approach to teaching method ringing inside.

[[File:Bastow41.png]]

[[File:Bastow42.png]]

At this stage it’s also worth pointing out that it’s possible to get a total novice band as far as this stage without needing additional assistance. Starting hunting on just 2 bells and working upwards in numbers can be done with just one ringer present who understands plain hunting. Likewise, once a band has got this far, it’s possible to get the same band ringing courses of Bastow with only one experienced ringer. Try doing that with Bob Doubles. Ok, it’s probably been done somewhere but it’s MUCH harder work.
So far, our ‘learner’ has been ringing the treble bell to all the hunting. So, lets keep life simple for them and keep them ringing the treble, - after all, they’ve got used to it by now. To do this we simply start the method in a different place, the second becomes the hunt bell (starting by leading and then making seconds etc…) and all the treble does is this:

[[File:Treble work.png]]

The purpose of this is to get our pupil to learn how to move towards a dodging position and then perform dodges in 3-4 up and 3-4 down. To begin with we can help them, for example by explaining that they won’t be dodging with the second: the first dodge is with the last bell they meet at the back; and the other dodge is with the remaining bell. Once this is mastered, and again usually quite quickly, then start changing the numbers round, and as was done in the plain hunting, introducing other bells into the changes. Say, for example, starting from 153246 with 4 and 6 covering. Remember, wherever possible, as with all the previous exercises, the ringing should be on 6 bells. It’s also worth noting that I don’t advocate the usual practice of learning the sequence of work, other than it’s simply 3-4 up followed by 3-4 down, another factor which makes this a more appealing way of learning method ringing.
So where do we go from here? Thinking logically, and to avoid the tedium of learning the sequence of work, extend the Bastow to all 6 bells, and keeping our learner on the treble we now have a line which looks like:

[[File:Treble work2 .png]]

This I’m sure you’ll agree is starting to look like something we recognize as being of some use, say almost Treble Bob on 6, or half of Little Bob Minor. From experience, the learner won’t gasp at the prospect of going up to 6ths place for the first time. It’s simply the next dodging position to them. Again, by way of guidance, explain that having done the 3-4 up dodge, simply pass the next bell and then dodge again with the one after that. Then lie for 2 blows dodging with the bell which comes up to meet you at the back. The only difficulty I’ve experienced is showing the learner how to pick out the bell for the 3-4 down dodge, but as with everything so far, this is more often than not learned quickly. Again, the numbers may well be learnt without trying but by this stage that’s not such a bad thing as we have a learner whom we can now move around a bit and get used to ringing different bells. For example, ringing the method correctly with the treble as the hunt bell and the learner ringing the second and/or the third. Doing this negates the need to start from anything other than rounds there being things we can now move on to which will help to develop the ropesight we’re trying to achieve.
After that, one of the next logical steps is adding the dodges in 1-2 and then trebling to an appropriate method. The other alternative, having mastered this line, is to then ring the second to Little Bob pointing out the need not to dodge with the treble in 3-4 at the relevant point. That being said, there’s no reason where these two options can’t be run concurrently. Once these are out of the way there are many different paths to take. Personally I head towards learning the Bobs and then on to Plain Bob Minor and splicing it with Little Bob, even if only in plain courses at first.

==Conclusion==

Stop teaching Plain Bob Doubles and wondering why we lose so many recruits at this stage in the learning process.

Introduce a means of teaching proper method ringing, and by that, have a different but far more direct and quicker route into ringing the basics of the lines we ring throughout our ringing lives.

Teach our learners (and our future ringers) in a way which means they leave the tower after every practice feeling as though they’ve achieved something and not just got better at something, as opposed to the usual: “Come back next week and we’ll have another go at it”. They don’t always come back next week – and it’s too late then!

Contact details
I’m very happy to discuss this further with anyone should you wish to contact me. Please also ask if you would like an electronic copy of this document.

'''Phil Ramsbottom'''

email: phil.ramsbottom-at-live.co.uk

Plain Bob Doubles – There is a better way!

2013-05-08T18:44:00Z

Bob major:

SUMMARY

In the light of many years experience, the writer recommends improving the teaching of method ringing in the following way:
Move away from teaching Plain Bob Doubles which is leading to losing many recruits early in the learning process.

Use other ways of teaching proper method ringing, such as Bastow, to provide a more direct and quicker route into ringing the basic lines which ringers use throughout their ringing lives.

Use other techniques to teach learners (… our future ringers) and in doing so, ensure they leave the tower after every practice having achieved something and with a real sense of achievement. That way we will keep more recruits.

Phil Ramsbottom
Tel: 07971 009689
email: phil.ramsbottom@live.co.uk

October 2009

==Plain Bob Doubles: the long tradition==

For as many years as I can remember, Plain Bob Doubles has been the vehicle for introducing new ringers to changeringing, be it plain hunting on the treble or ringing ‘inside’. Equally, for as many years as I can remember, it’s very rarely that I’ve not witnessed a new recruit struggling for many more weeks than should be allowed trying to get to grips with the basic ideas of learning a Blue Line and converting it into actions whilst ringing a bell. Many’s the time I’ve witnessed a pupil learning to plain hunt on the treble, the backstrokes into 3rds and 5ths place always seeming to be a problem. When it comes to learning to ring the method inside, again I have seen too many (far too many) managing a plain course after months of trying after which it seems to be another six months or more of endless 120’s keeping them as observation bell. During this stage we seem to lose far too many new recruits, which considering the hundreds of man hours invested in getting this far is an intolerable waste of teaching time. We’re teaching Bob Doubles (and very badly at that) and not teaching ropesight. I have asked many fellow ringers why this attachment to Bob Doubles, only to be told: “Well a pupil can learn to make seconds, far places, dodge in 3-4 up and down all in the same method”. This is not a persuasive argument: a learner driver, for example, doesn’t attempt to do three point turns or hill starts in their first lesson. The individual skills required are learnt separately, one at a time, slowly coming together in order to gain competence. We need to introduce a system for teaching the individual basic manoeuvres used in methods and in doing so a system which will help familiarize the pupil with, and help them to develop, ropesight. Bob Doubles is not that method.

==Plain Hunting with elementary ropesight==

It must be said that, for what follows, the use of a wipe clean board and pens in the tower will assist greatly, but only in order to illustrate the Blue Lines immediately prior to ringing without the need for weeks of revision beforehand which often ‘put off’ the learner.

As I mentioned above, most learners (or least the ones I’ve witnessed) take more than a few weeks to get to grips with the mechanics of plain hunting on 5, normally memorizing the numbers, which lets face it, isn’t difficult. Only when touches are embarked on do they have their first taste of needing ropesight and thus more weeks are added to the process. So, simplify it. Begin by plain hunting on just 2 bells. For what follows, assume that 6 bells are always being rung and the pupil is on the treble. The pupil simply learns to lead for a whole turn, make seconds over the second and lead again. Just four changes but usually easily achieved after only a couple of attempts. Once competent at this, again probably after only a few minutes, then call a different bell into seconds place telling the pupil to work out which bell prior to saying ‘go’ once more. Progressively, giving less time for the pupil to find the seconds place bell (i.e. call a bell into seconds immediately followed by ‘go’). Already the pupil is grasping basic ropesight and after only say 10 or fifteen minutes at the very most. If possible, try and get this far without interruption, i.e. calling stand to ring something else. The added bonus of this is that the pupil goes home having achieved changeringing by the end of practice night, albeit very basic, unaided as opposed leaving the tower wondering: “Will I ever be able to ring Bob Doubles” which I’ve heard said many times.

We then move on to plain hunting on 3 bells. Apply the same rules as above, giving plenty of practice first with bells 2 and 3 in the correct place moving on to having different bells in 2nds and 3rds place. Don’t feel the need to leave 4, 5 and 6 as cover bells, get them involved too as it all benefits the learner.

Stating the blindingly obvious, now do the same again on 4 bells. Once able to do this with the bell positions changed round, there’s a several things to try next. Firstly while still ringing on 6, ring a plain course or touch of Plain Bob Minimus, with 5 and 6 covering. Secondly, do the same but starting from a different change other than rounds and also with say 4 and 6 or 3 and 6 as cover bells. Thirdly, try the same but using a method where the treble returns to lead passing the bells in a different order. And lastly, if a suitable band is to hand, try a plain course of Little Bob Minor. The pupil will most likely quickly remember the numbers to get through a plain course, but having developed at least some ropesight in the earlier exercises, moving on to ring touches doesn’t usually, and shouldn’t, cause too much difficulty.

In all my experience of teaching, I’ve rarely had to go beyond two weeks of practices to achieve all the above, although time allocation of the evening might need to be slightly more in favour of the learner, - but look at the payback!

At this point, despite not having yet attempted hunting on 5, move on to ringing inside, and yes, on 4 bells not 5.

==Bastow Little Court Bob Minimus==

Allow me now to introduce what I consider to be a rather wonderful little method called Bastow which, whilst not stretching the skills of your average ringer, is the best thing I’ve ever discovered for introducing learners to ringing methods inside and ropesight. By way of comparison I have reproduced the method below, and below that I’ve shown the more usually preferred Plain Bob Doubles. Now ask yourselves this, if you were to show the average learner these two diagrams, which of the two Blue Lines are they most likely to want to learn first? I’ve always had the same reply, - the easiest. Now call me biased, but are there any ringers out there who honestly think that the line for Plain Bob Doubles is the easier of the two? I seriously doubt it, and yet this seems to be the normal approach to teaching method ringing inside.

[[File:Bastow41.png]]

[[File:Bastow42.png]]

At this stage it’s also worth pointing out that it’s possible to get a total novice band as far as this stage without needing additional assistance. Starting hunting on just 2 bells and working upwards in numbers can be done with just one ringer present who understands plain hunting. Likewise, once a band has got this far, it’s possible to get the same band ringing courses of Bastow with only one experienced ringer. Try doing that with Bob Doubles. Ok, it’s probably been done somewhere but it’s MUCH harder work.
So far, our ‘learner’ has been ringing the treble bell to all the hunting. So, lets keep life simple for them and keep them ringing the treble, - after all, they’ve got used to it by now. To do this we simply start the method in a different place, the second becomes the hunt bell (starting by leading and then making seconds etc…) and all the treble does is this:

[[File:Treble work.png]]

The purpose of this is to get our pupil to learn how to move towards a dodging position and then perform dodges in 3-4 up and 3-4 down. To begin with we can help them, for example by explaining that they won’t be dodging with the second: the first dodge is with the last bell they meet at the back; and the other dodge is with the remaining bell. Once this is mastered, and again usually quite quickly, then start changing the numbers round, and as was done in the plain hunting, introducing other bells into the changes. Say, for example, starting from 153246 with 4 and 6 covering. Remember, wherever possible, as with all the previous exercises, the ringing should be on 6 bells. It’s also worth noting that I don’t advocate the usual practice of learning the sequence of work, other than it’s simply 3-4 up followed by 3-4 down, another factor which makes this a more appealing way of learning method ringing.
So where do we go from here? Thinking logically, and to avoid the tedium of learning the sequence of work, extend the Bastow to all 6 bells, and keeping our learner on the treble we now have a line which looks like:

[[File:Treble work2 .png]]

This I’m sure you’ll agree is starting to look like something we recognize as being of some use, say almost Treble Bob on 6, or half of Little Bob Minor. From experience, the learner won’t gasp at the prospect of going up to 6ths place for the first time. It’s simply the next dodging position to them. Again, by way of guidance, explain that having done the 3-4 up dodge, simply pass the next bell and then dodge again with the one after that. Then lie for 2 blows dodging with the bell which comes up to meet you at the back. The only difficulty I’ve experienced is showing the learner how to pick out the bell for the 3-4 down dodge, but as with everything so far, this is more often than not learned quickly. Again, the numbers may well be learnt without trying but by this stage that’s not such a bad thing as we have a learner whom we can now move around a bit and get used to ringing different bells. For example, ringing the method correctly with the treble as the hunt bell and the learner ringing the second and/or the third. Doing this negates the need to start from anything other than rounds there being things we can now move on to which will help to develop the ropesight we’re trying to achieve.
After that, one of the next logical steps is adding the dodges in 1-2 and then trebling to an appropriate method. The other alternative, having mastered this line, is to then ring the second to Little Bob pointing out the need not to dodge with the treble in 3-4 at the relevant point. That being said, there’s no reason where these two options can’t be run concurrently. Once these are out of the way there are many different paths to take. Personally I head towards learning the Bobs and then on to Plain Bob Minor and splicing it with Little Bob, even if only in plain courses at first.

==Conclusion==

Stop teaching Plain Bob Doubles and wondering why we lose so many recruits at this stage in the learning process.

Introduce a means of teaching proper method ringing, and by that, have a different but far more direct and quicker route into ringing the basics of the lines we ring throughout our ringing lives.

Teach our learners (and our future ringers) in a way which means they leave the tower after every practice feeling as though they’ve achieved something and not just got better at something, as opposed to the usual: “Come back next week and we’ll have another go at it”. They don’t always come back next week – and it’s too late then!

Contact details
I’m very happy to discuss this further with anyone should you wish to contact me. Please also ask if you would like an electronic copy of this document.
Phil Ramsbottom,
10 Lawrence Way,
Lichfield,
WS13 6RD
07971 009689
phil.ramsbottom@live.co.uk

Plain Bob Doubles – There is a better way!

2013-05-08T18:38:25Z

Bob major:

SUMMARY

In the light of many years experience, the writer recommends improving the teaching of method ringing in the following way:
Move away from teaching Plain Bob Doubles which is leading to losing many recruits early in the learning process.

Use other ways of teaching proper method ringing, such as Bastow, to provide a more direct and quicker route into ringing the basic lines which ringers use throughout their ringing lives.

Use other techniques to teach learners (… our future ringers) and in doing so, ensure they leave the tower after every practice having achieved something and with a real sense of achievement. That way we will keep more recruits.

Phil Ramsbottom
Tel: 07971 009689
email: phil.ramsbottom@live.co.uk

October 2009

'''Plain Bob Doubles: the long tradition'''

For as many years as I can remember, Plain Bob Doubles has been the vehicle for introducing new ringers to changeringing, be it plain hunting on the treble or ringing ‘inside’. Equally, for as many years as I can remember, it’s very rarely that I’ve not witnessed a new recruit struggling for many more weeks than should be allowed trying to get to grips with the basic ideas of learning a Blue Line and converting it into actions whilst ringing a bell. Many’s the time I’ve witnessed a pupil learning to plain hunt on the treble, the backstrokes into 3rds and 5ths place always seeming to be a problem. When it comes to learning to ring the method inside, again I have seen too many (far too many) managing a plain course after months of trying after which it seems to be another six months or more of endless 120’s keeping them as observation bell. During this stage we seem to lose far too many new recruits, which considering the hundreds of man hours invested in getting this far is an intolerable waste of teaching time. We’re teaching Bob Doubles (and very badly at that) and not teaching ropesight. I have asked many fellow ringers why this attachment to Bob Doubles, only to be told: “Well a pupil can learn to make seconds, far places, dodge in 3-4 up and down all in the same method”. This is not a persuasive argument: a learner driver, for example, doesn’t attempt to do three point turns or hill starts in their first lesson. The individual skills required are learnt separately, one at a time, slowly coming together in order to gain competence. We need to introduce a system for teaching the individual basic manoeuvres used in methods and in doing so a system which will help familiarize the pupil with, and help them to develop, ropesight. Bob Doubles is not that method.

'''Plain Hunting with elementary ropesight'''

It must be said that, for what follows, the use of a wipe clean board and pens in the tower will assist greatly, but only in order to illustrate the Blue Lines immediately prior to ringing without the need for weeks of revision beforehand which often ‘put off’ the learner.

As I mentioned above, most learners (or least the ones I’ve witnessed) take more than a few weeks to get to grips with the mechanics of plain hunting on 5, normally memorizing the numbers, which lets face it, isn’t difficult. Only when touches are embarked on do they have their first taste of needing ropesight and thus more weeks are added to the process. So, simplify it. Begin by plain hunting on just 2 bells. For what follows, assume that 6 bells are always being rung and the pupil is on the treble. The pupil simply learns to lead for a whole turn, make seconds over the second and lead again. Just four changes but usually easily achieved after only a couple of attempts. Once competent at this, again probably after only a few minutes, then call a different bell into seconds place telling the pupil to work out which bell prior to saying ‘go’ once more. Progressively, giving less time for the pupil to find the seconds place bell (i.e. call a bell into seconds immediately followed by ‘go’). Already the pupil is grasping basic ropesight and after only say 10 or fifteen minutes at the very most. If possible, try and get this far without interruption, i.e. calling stand to ring something else. The added bonus of this is that the pupil goes home having achieved changeringing by the end of practice night, albeit very basic, unaided as opposed leaving the tower wondering: “Will I ever be able to ring Bob Doubles” which I’ve heard said many times.

We then move on to plain hunting on 3 bells. Apply the same rules as above, giving plenty of practice first with bells 2 and 3 in the correct place moving on to having different bells in 2nds and 3rds place. Don’t feel the need to leave 4, 5 and 6 as cover bells, get them involved too as it all benefits the learner.

Stating the blindingly obvious, now do the same again on 4 bells. Once able to do this with the bell positions changed round, there’s a several things to try next. Firstly while still ringing on 6, ring a plain course or touch of Plain Bob Minimus, with 5 and 6 covering. Secondly, do the same but starting from a different change other than rounds and also with say 4 and 6 or 3 and 6 as cover bells. Thirdly, try the same but using a method where the treble returns to lead passing the bells in a different order. And lastly, if a suitable band is to hand, try a plain course of Little Bob Minor. The pupil will most likely quickly remember the numbers to get through a plain course, but having developed at least some ropesight in the earlier exercises, moving on to ring touches doesn’t usually, and shouldn’t, cause too much difficulty.

In all my experience of teaching, I’ve rarely had to go beyond two weeks of practices to achieve all the above, although time allocation of the evening might need to be slightly more in favour of the learner, - but look at the payback!

At this point, despite not having yet attempted hunting on 5, move on to ringing inside, and yes, on 4 bells not 5.

'''Bastow Little Court Bob Minimus'''

Allow me now to introduce what I consider to be a rather wonderful little method called Bastow which, whilst not stretching the skills of your average ringer, is the best thing I’ve ever discovered for introducing learners to ringing methods inside and ropesight. By way of comparison I have reproduced the method below, and below that I’ve shown the more usually preferred Plain Bob Doubles. Now ask yourselves this, if you were to show the average learner these two diagrams, which of the two Blue Lines are they most likely to want to learn first? I’ve always had the same reply, - the easiest. Now call me biased, but are there any ringers out there who honestly think that the line for Plain Bob Doubles is the easier of the two? I seriously doubt it, and yet this seems to be the normal approach to teaching method ringing inside.

[[File:Bastow41.png]]

[[File:Bastow42.png]]

At this stage it’s also worth pointing out that it’s possible to get a total novice band as far as this stage without needing additional assistance. Starting hunting on just 2 bells and working upwards in numbers can be done with just one ringer present who understands plain hunting. Likewise, once a band has got this far, it’s possible to get the same band ringing courses of Bastow with only one experienced ringer. Try doing that with Bob Doubles. Ok, it’s probably been done somewhere but it’s MUCH harder work.
So far, our ‘learner’ has been ringing the treble bell to all the hunting. So, lets keep life simple for them and keep them ringing the treble, - after all, they’ve got used to it by now. To do this we simply start the method in a different place, the second becomes the hunt bell (starting by leading and then making seconds etc…) and all the treble does is this:

[[File:Treble work.png]]

The purpose of this is to get our pupil to learn how to move towards a dodging position and then perform dodges in 3-4 up and 3-4 down. To begin with we can help them, for example by explaining that they won’t be dodging with the second: the first dodge is with the last bell they meet at the back; and the other dodge is with the remaining bell. Once this is mastered, and again usually quite quickly, then start changing the numbers round, and as was done in the plain hunting, introducing other bells into the changes. Say, for example, starting from 153246 with 4 and 6 covering. Remember, wherever possible, as with all the previous exercises, the ringing should be on 6 bells. It’s also worth noting that I don’t advocate the usual practice of learning the sequence of work, other than it’s simply 3-4 up followed by 3-4 down, another factor which makes this a more appealing way of learning method ringing.
So where do we go from here? Thinking logically, and to avoid the tedium of learning the sequence of work, extend the Bastow to all 6 bells, and keeping our learner on the treble we now have a line which looks like:

[[File:Treble work2 .png]]

This I’m sure you’ll agree is starting to look like something we recognize as being of some use, say almost Treble Bob on 6, or half of Little Bob Minor. From experience, the learner won’t gasp at the prospect of going up to 6ths place for the first time. It’s simply the next dodging position to them. Again, by way of guidance, explain that having done the 3-4 up dodge, simply pass the next bell and then dodge again with the one after that. Then lie for 2 blows dodging with the bell which comes up to meet you at the back. The only difficulty I’ve experienced is showing the learner how to pick out the bell for the 3-4 down dodge, but as with everything so far, this is more often than not learned quickly. Again, the numbers may well be learnt without trying but by this stage that’s not such a bad thing as we have a learner whom we can now move around a bit and get used to ringing different bells. For example, ringing the method correctly with the treble as the hunt bell and the learner ringing the second and/or the third. Doing this negates the need to start from anything other than rounds there being things we can now move on to which will help to develop the ropesight we’re trying to achieve.
After that, one of the next logical steps is adding the dodges in 1-2 and then trebling to an appropriate method. The other alternative, having mastered this line, is to then ring the second to Little Bob pointing out the need not to dodge with the treble in 3-4 at the relevant point. That being said, there’s no reason where these two options can’t be run concurrently. Once these are out of the way there are many different paths to take. Personally I head towards learning the Bobs and then on to Plain Bob Minor and splicing it with Little Bob, even if only in plain courses at first.

'''Conclusion'''

Stop teaching Plain Bob Doubles and wondering why we lose so many recruits at this stage in the learning process.

Introduce a means of teaching proper method ringing, and by that, have a different but far more direct and quicker route into ringing the basics of the lines we ring throughout our ringing lives.

Teach our learners (and our future ringers) in a way which means they leave the tower after every practice feeling as though they’ve achieved something and not just got better at something, as opposed to the usual: “Come back next week and we’ll have another go at it”. They don’t always come back next week – and it’s too late then!

Contact details
I’m very happy to discuss this further with anyone should you wish to contact me. Please also ask if you would like an electronic copy of this document.
Phil Ramsbottom,
10 Lawrence Way,
Lichfield,
WS13 6RD
07971 009689
phil.ramsbottom@live.co.uk

File:Treble work2 .png

2013-05-08T18:37:56Z

Bob major:

Plain Bob Doubles – There is a better way!

2013-05-08T18:33:28Z

Bob major:

SUMMARY

In the light of many years experience, the writer recommends improving the teaching of method ringing in the following way:
Move away from teaching Plain Bob Doubles which is leading to losing many recruits early in the learning process.

Use other ways of teaching proper method ringing, such as Bastow, to provide a more direct and quicker route into ringing the basic lines which ringers use throughout their ringing lives.

Use other techniques to teach learners (… our future ringers) and in doing so, ensure they leave the tower after every practice having achieved something and with a real sense of achievement. That way we will keep more recruits.

Phil Ramsbottom
Tel: 07971 009689
email: phil.ramsbottom@live.co.uk

October 2009

'''Plain Bob Doubles: the long tradition'''

For as many years as I can remember, Plain Bob Doubles has been the vehicle for introducing new ringers to changeringing, be it plain hunting on the treble or ringing ‘inside’. Equally, for as many years as I can remember, it’s very rarely that I’ve not witnessed a new recruit struggling for many more weeks than should be allowed trying to get to grips with the basic ideas of learning a Blue Line and converting it into actions whilst ringing a bell. Many’s the time I’ve witnessed a pupil learning to plain hunt on the treble, the backstrokes into 3rds and 5ths place always seeming to be a problem. When it comes to learning to ring the method inside, again I have seen too many (far too many) managing a plain course after months of trying after which it seems to be another six months or more of endless 120’s keeping them as observation bell. During this stage we seem to lose far too many new recruits, which considering the hundreds of man hours invested in getting this far is an intolerable waste of teaching time. We’re teaching Bob Doubles (and very badly at that) and not teaching ropesight. I have asked many fellow ringers why this attachment to Bob Doubles, only to be told: “Well a pupil can learn to make seconds, far places, dodge in 3-4 up and down all in the same method”. This is not a persuasive argument: a learner driver, for example, doesn’t attempt to do three point turns or hill starts in their first lesson. The individual skills required are learnt separately, one at a time, slowly coming together in order to gain competence. We need to introduce a system for teaching the individual basic manoeuvres used in methods and in doing so a system which will help familiarize the pupil with, and help them to develop, ropesight. Bob Doubles is not that method.

'''Plain Hunting with elementary ropesight'''

It must be said that, for what follows, the use of a wipe clean board and pens in the tower will assist greatly, but only in order to illustrate the Blue Lines immediately prior to ringing without the need for weeks of revision beforehand which often ‘put off’ the learner.

As I mentioned above, most learners (or least the ones I’ve witnessed) take more than a few weeks to get to grips with the mechanics of plain hunting on 5, normally memorizing the numbers, which lets face it, isn’t difficult. Only when touches are embarked on do they have their first taste of needing ropesight and thus more weeks are added to the process. So, simplify it. Begin by plain hunting on just 2 bells. For what follows, assume that 6 bells are always being rung and the pupil is on the treble. The pupil simply learns to lead for a whole turn, make seconds over the second and lead again. Just four changes but usually easily achieved after only a couple of attempts. Once competent at this, again probably after only a few minutes, then call a different bell into seconds place telling the pupil to work out which bell prior to saying ‘go’ once more. Progressively, giving less time for the pupil to find the seconds place bell (i.e. call a bell into seconds immediately followed by ‘go’). Already the pupil is grasping basic ropesight and after only say 10 or fifteen minutes at the very most. If possible, try and get this far without interruption, i.e. calling stand to ring something else. The added bonus of this is that the pupil goes home having achieved changeringing by the end of practice night, albeit very basic, unaided as opposed leaving the tower wondering: “Will I ever be able to ring Bob Doubles” which I’ve heard said many times.

We then move on to plain hunting on 3 bells. Apply the same rules as above, giving plenty of practice first with bells 2 and 3 in the correct place moving on to having different bells in 2nds and 3rds place. Don’t feel the need to leave 4, 5 and 6 as cover bells, get them involved too as it all benefits the learner.

Stating the blindingly obvious, now do the same again on 4 bells. Once able to do this with the bell positions changed round, there’s a several things to try next. Firstly while still ringing on 6, ring a plain course or touch of Plain Bob Minimus, with 5 and 6 covering. Secondly, do the same but starting from a different change other than rounds and also with say 4 and 6 or 3 and 6 as cover bells. Thirdly, try the same but using a method where the treble returns to lead passing the bells in a different order. And lastly, if a suitable band is to hand, try a plain course of Little Bob Minor. The pupil will most likely quickly remember the numbers to get through a plain course, but having developed at least some ropesight in the earlier exercises, moving on to ring touches doesn’t usually, and shouldn’t, cause too much difficulty.

In all my experience of teaching, I’ve rarely had to go beyond two weeks of practices to achieve all the above, although time allocation of the evening might need to be slightly more in favour of the learner, - but look at the payback!

At this point, despite not having yet attempted hunting on 5, move on to ringing inside, and yes, on 4 bells not 5.

'''Bastow Little Court Bob Minimus'''

Allow me now to introduce what I consider to be a rather wonderful little method called Bastow which, whilst not stretching the skills of your average ringer, is the best thing I’ve ever discovered for introducing learners to ringing methods inside and ropesight. By way of comparison I have reproduced the method below, and below that I’ve shown the more usually preferred Plain Bob Doubles. Now ask yourselves this, if you were to show the average learner these two diagrams, which of the two Blue Lines are they most likely to want to learn first? I’ve always had the same reply, - the easiest. Now call me biased, but are there any ringers out there who honestly think that the line for Plain Bob Doubles is the easier of the two? I seriously doubt it, and yet this seems to be the normal approach to teaching method ringing inside.

[[File:Bastow41.png]]

[[File:Bastow42.png]]

At this stage it’s also worth pointing out that it’s possible to get a total novice band as far as this stage without needing additional assistance. Starting hunting on just 2 bells and working upwards in numbers can be done with just one ringer present who understands plain hunting. Likewise, once a band has got this far, it’s possible to get the same band ringing courses of Bastow with only one experienced ringer. Try doing that with Bob Doubles. Ok, it’s probably been done somewhere but it’s MUCH harder work.
So far, our ‘learner’ has been ringing the treble bell to all the hunting. So, lets keep life simple for them and keep them ringing the treble, - after all, they’ve got used to it by now. To do this we simply start the method in a different place, the second becomes the hunt bell (starting by leading and then making seconds etc…) and all the treble does is this:

[[File:Treble work.png]]

The purpose of this is to get our pupil to learn how to move towards a dodging position and then perform dodges in 3-4 up and 3-4 down. To begin with we can help them, for example by explaining that they won’t be dodging with the second: the first dodge is with the last bell they meet at the back; and the other dodge is with the remaining bell. Once this is mastered, and again usually quite quickly, then start changing the numbers round, and as was done in the plain hunting, introducing other bells into the changes. Say, for example, starting from 153246 with 4 and 6 covering. Remember, wherever possible, as with all the previous exercises, the ringing should be on 6 bells. It’s also worth noting that I don’t advocate the usual practice of learning the sequence of work, other than it’s simply 3-4 up followed by 3-4 down, another factor which makes this a more appealing way of learning method ringing.
So where do we go from here? Thinking logically, and to avoid the tedium of learning the sequence of work, extend the Bastow to all 6 bells, and keeping our learner on the treble we now have a line which looks like:

This I’m sure you’ll agree is starting to look like something we recognize as being of some use, say almost Treble Bob on 6, or half of Little Bob Minor. From experience, the learner won’t gasp at the prospect of going up to 6ths place for the first time. It’s simply the next dodging position to them. Again, by way of guidance, explain that having done the 3-4 up dodge, simply pass the next bell and then dodge again with the one after that. Then lie for 2 blows dodging with the bell which comes up to meet you at the back. The only difficulty I’ve experienced is showing the learner how to pick out the bell for the 3-4 down dodge, but as with everything so far, this is more often than not learned quickly. Again, the numbers may well be learnt without trying but by this stage that’s not such a bad thing as we have a learner whom we can now move around a bit and get used to ringing different bells. For example, ringing the method correctly with the treble as the hunt bell and the learner ringing the second and/or the third. Doing this negates the need to start from anything other than rounds there being things we can now move on to which will help to develop the ropesight we’re trying to achieve.
After that, one of the next logical steps is adding the dodges in 1-2 and then trebling to an appropriate method. The other alternative, having mastered this line, is to then ring the second to Little Bob pointing out the need not to dodge with the treble in 3-4 at the relevant point. That being said, there’s no reason where these two options can’t be run concurrently. Once these are out of the way there are many different paths to take. Personally I head towards learning the Bobs and then on to Plain Bob Minor and splicing it with Little Bob, even if only in plain courses at first.

'''Conclusion'''

Stop teaching Plain Bob Doubles and wondering why we lose so many recruits at this stage in the learning process.

Introduce a means of teaching proper method ringing, and by that, have a different but far more direct and quicker route into ringing the basics of the lines we ring throughout our ringing lives.

Teach our learners (and our future ringers) in a way which means they leave the tower after every practice feeling as though they’ve achieved something and not just got better at something, as opposed to the usual: “Come back next week and we’ll have another go at it”. They don’t always come back next week – and it’s too late then!

Contact details
I’m very happy to discuss this further with anyone should you wish to contact me. Please also ask if you would like an electronic copy of this document.
Phil Ramsbottom,
10 Lawrence Way,
Lichfield,
WS13 6RD
07971 009689
phil.ramsbottom@live.co.uk

File:Treble work.png

2013-05-08T18:32:38Z

Bob major:

Plain Bob Doubles – There is a better way!

2013-05-08T18:24:40Z

Bob major: Created page with "SUMMARY In the light of many years experience, the writer recommends improving the teaching of method ringing in the following way: Move away from teaching Plain Bob Doubles..."

SUMMARY

In the light of many years experience, the writer recommends improving the teaching of method ringing in the following way:
Move away from teaching Plain Bob Doubles which is leading to losing many recruits early in the learning process.

Use other ways of teaching proper method ringing, such as Bastow, to provide a more direct and quicker route into ringing the basic lines which ringers use throughout their ringing lives.

Use other techniques to teach learners (… our future ringers) and in doing so, ensure they leave the tower after every practice having achieved something and with a real sense of achievement. That way we will keep more recruits.

Phil Ramsbottom
Tel: 07971 009689
email: phil.ramsbottom@live.co.uk

October 2009

'''Plain Bob Doubles: the long tradition'''

For as many years as I can remember, Plain Bob Doubles has been the vehicle for introducing new ringers to changeringing, be it plain hunting on the treble or ringing ‘inside’. Equally, for as many years as I can remember, it’s very rarely that I’ve not witnessed a new recruit struggling for many more weeks than should be allowed trying to get to grips with the basic ideas of learning a Blue Line and converting it into actions whilst ringing a bell. Many’s the time I’ve witnessed a pupil learning to plain hunt on the treble, the backstrokes into 3rds and 5ths place always seeming to be a problem. When it comes to learning to ring the method inside, again I have seen too many (far too many) managing a plain course after months of trying after which it seems to be another six months or more of endless 120’s keeping them as observation bell. During this stage we seem to lose far too many new recruits, which considering the hundreds of man hours invested in getting this far is an intolerable waste of teaching time. We’re teaching Bob Doubles (and very badly at that) and not teaching ropesight. I have asked many fellow ringers why this attachment to Bob Doubles, only to be told: “Well a pupil can learn to make seconds, far places, dodge in 3-4 up and down all in the same method”. This is not a persuasive argument: a learner driver, for example, doesn’t attempt to do three point turns or hill starts in their first lesson. The individual skills required are learnt separately, one at a time, slowly coming together in order to gain competence. We need to introduce a system for teaching the individual basic manoeuvres used in methods and in doing so a system which will help familiarize the pupil with, and help them to develop, ropesight. Bob Doubles is not that method.

'''Plain Hunting with elementary ropesight'''

It must be said that, for what follows, the use of a wipe clean board and pens in the tower will assist greatly, but only in order to illustrate the Blue Lines immediately prior to ringing without the need for weeks of revision beforehand which often ‘put off’ the learner.

As I mentioned above, most learners (or least the ones I’ve witnessed) take more than a few weeks to get to grips with the mechanics of plain hunting on 5, normally memorizing the numbers, which lets face it, isn’t difficult. Only when touches are embarked on do they have their first taste of needing ropesight and thus more weeks are added to the process. So, simplify it. Begin by plain hunting on just 2 bells. For what follows, assume that 6 bells are always being rung and the pupil is on the treble. The pupil simply learns to lead for a whole turn, make seconds over the second and lead again. Just four changes but usually easily achieved after only a couple of attempts. Once competent at this, again probably after only a few minutes, then call a different bell into seconds place telling the pupil to work out which bell prior to saying ‘go’ once more. Progressively, giving less time for the pupil to find the seconds place bell (i.e. call a bell into seconds immediately followed by ‘go’). Already the pupil is grasping basic ropesight and after only say 10 or fifteen minutes at the very most. If possible, try and get this far without interruption, i.e. calling stand to ring something else. The added bonus of this is that the pupil goes home having achieved changeringing by the end of practice night, albeit very basic, unaided as opposed leaving the tower wondering: “Will I ever be able to ring Bob Doubles” which I’ve heard said many times.

We then move on to plain hunting on 3 bells. Apply the same rules as above, giving plenty of practice first with bells 2 and 3 in the correct place moving on to having different bells in 2nds and 3rds place. Don’t feel the need to leave 4, 5 and 6 as cover bells, get them involved too as it all benefits the learner.

Stating the blindingly obvious, now do the same again on 4 bells. Once able to do this with the bell positions changed round, there’s a several things to try next. Firstly while still ringing on 6, ring a plain course or touch of Plain Bob Minimus, with 5 and 6 covering. Secondly, do the same but starting from a different change other than rounds and also with say 4 and 6 or 3 and 6 as cover bells. Thirdly, try the same but using a method where the treble returns to lead passing the bells in a different order. And lastly, if a suitable band is to hand, try a plain course of Little Bob Minor. The pupil will most likely quickly remember the numbers to get through a plain course, but having developed at least some ropesight in the earlier exercises, moving on to ring touches doesn’t usually, and shouldn’t, cause too much difficulty.

In all my experience of teaching, I’ve rarely had to go beyond two weeks of practices to achieve all the above, although time allocation of the evening might need to be slightly more in favour of the learner, - but look at the payback!

At this point, despite not having yet attempted hunting on 5, move on to ringing inside, and yes, on 4 bells not 5.

'''Bastow Little Court Bob Minimus'''

Allow me now to introduce what I consider to be a rather wonderful little method called Bastow which, whilst not stretching the skills of your average ringer, is the best thing I’ve ever discovered for introducing learners to ringing methods inside and ropesight. By way of comparison I have reproduced the method below, and below that I’ve shown the more usually preferred Plain Bob Doubles. Now ask yourselves this, if you were to show the average learner these two diagrams, which of the two Blue Lines are they most likely to want to learn first? I’ve always had the same reply, - the easiest. Now call me biased, but are there any ringers out there who honestly think that the line for Plain Bob Doubles is the easier of the two? I seriously doubt it, and yet this seems to be the normal approach to teaching method ringing inside.

[[File:Bastow41.png]]

[[File:Bastow42.png]]

At this stage it’s also worth pointing out that it’s possible to get a total novice band as far as this stage without needing additional assistance. Starting hunting on just 2 bells and working upwards in numbers can be done with just one ringer present who understands plain hunting. Likewise, once a band has got this far, it’s possible to get the same band ringing courses of Bastow with only one experienced ringer. Try doing that with Bob Doubles. Ok, it’s probably been done somewhere but it’s MUCH harder work.
So far, our ‘learner’ has been ringing the treble bell to all the hunting. So, lets keep life simple for them and keep them ringing the treble, - after all, they’ve got used to it by now. To do this we simply start the method in a different place, the second becomes the hunt bell (starting by leading and then making seconds etc…) and all the treble does is this:

The purpose of this is to get our pupil to learn how to move towards a dodging position and then perform dodges in 3-4 up and 3-4 down. To begin with we can help them, for example by explaining that they won’t be dodging with the second: the first dodge is with the last bell they meet at the back; and the other dodge is with the remaining bell. Once this is mastered, and again usually quite quickly, then start changing the numbers round, and as was done in the plain hunting, introducing other bells into the changes. Say, for example, starting from 153246 with 4 and 6 covering. Remember, wherever possible, as with all the previous exercises, the ringing should be on 6 bells. It’s also worth noting that I don’t advocate the usual practice of learning the sequence of work, other than it’s simply 3-4 up followed by 3-4 down, another factor which makes this a more appealing way of learning method ringing.
So where do we go from here? Thinking logically, and to avoid the tedium of learning the sequence of work, extend the Bastow to all 6 bells, and keeping our learner on the treble we now have a line which looks like:

This I’m sure you’ll agree is starting to look like something we recognize as being of some use, say almost Treble Bob on 6, or half of Little Bob Minor. From experience, the learner won’t gasp at the prospect of going up to 6ths place for the first time. It’s simply the next dodging position to them. Again, by way of guidance, explain that having done the 3-4 up dodge, simply pass the next bell and then dodge again with the one after that. Then lie for 2 blows dodging with the bell which comes up to meet you at the back. The only difficulty I’ve experienced is showing the learner how to pick out the bell for the 3-4 down dodge, but as with everything so far, this is more often than not learned quickly. Again, the numbers may well be learnt without trying but by this stage that’s not such a bad thing as we have a learner whom we can now move around a bit and get used to ringing different bells. For example, ringing the method correctly with the treble as the hunt bell and the learner ringing the second and/or the third. Doing this negates the need to start from anything other than rounds there being things we can now move on to which will help to develop the ropesight we’re trying to achieve.
After that, one of the next logical steps is adding the dodges in 1-2 and then trebling to an appropriate method. The other alternative, having mastered this line, is to then ring the second to Little Bob pointing out the need not to dodge with the treble in 3-4 at the relevant point. That being said, there’s no reason where these two options can’t be run concurrently. Once these are out of the way there are many different paths to take. Personally I head towards learning the Bobs and then on to Plain Bob Minor and splicing it with Little Bob, even if only in plain courses at first.

'''Conclusion'''

Stop teaching Plain Bob Doubles and wondering why we lose so many recruits at this stage in the learning process.

Introduce a means of teaching proper method ringing, and by that, have a different but far more direct and quicker route into ringing the basics of the lines we ring throughout our ringing lives.

Teach our learners (and our future ringers) in a way which means they leave the tower after every practice feeling as though they’ve achieved something and not just got better at something, as opposed to the usual: “Come back next week and we’ll have another go at it”. They don’t always come back next week – and it’s too late then!

Contact details
I’m very happy to discuss this further with anyone should you wish to contact me. Please also ask if you would like an electronic copy of this document.
Phil Ramsbottom,
10 Lawrence Way,
Lichfield,
WS13 6RD
07971 009689
phil.ramsbottom@live.co.uk

File:Bastow41.png

2013-05-08T18:21:35Z

Bob major: Bastow Grid

Bastow Grid

Template:Navigation

2013-05-08T17:54:20Z

Bob major:

{| class="noprint toccolours" style="clear: both; width: {{{width|100%}}}; margin: 0.5em auto;" cellpadding="2"
|align="center" style="background-color:#336699; color:white; font-weight:bold;"|<div style="position:relative; width:100%; white-space:nowrap;">Contents</div>
|-
|
{| width=100% style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"
|valign="top" width=33% |
'''[[:Category:Articles|Miscellaneous Articles]]''' 
*[['Belfry Praise' (hymn tune)|Belfry Praise (hymn tune)]]
*[[Famous bellringers]]
*[[Income Tax and Wedding Fees]]
*[[National Bell Register]]
*[[Notable Achievements]]
*[[Press Release Guidance]]
*[[Ringing in Lent]]
*[[Skill distribution curve (the zones)|Skill Distribution Curve (the Zones)]]
*[[Wedding Fees]]
'''[[Ringing Forums|Ringing Forums and Email Lists]]''' 
*[[The Belfry Forums|Belfry Forums]]
*[[Change Ringers]]
*[[Drivel List]]
*[[From the E-lists]]
*[[Ringing Chat]]
*[[Ringing Theory]]
*[[Roundup]]
'''[[:Category:Societies|Societies]]''' 
*[[Northern Universities Association]]
*[[Old Societies]]
*[[University of London Society of Change Ringers]]
'''[[Ringing Roadshow]]''' 
*[[Ringing Roadshow 2005 Handbells]]
'''[[:Category:Ringing Fun|Fun]]''' 
*[[Holly Week]]
*[[King William College Quiz 2009-10]]
*[[King William College Quiz 2010-11]]
*[[Ringing Hoaxes]]
*[[:Category:Ringing Jokes|Ringing Jokes]]
*[[:Category:Ringing Poems|Ringing Poems]]
*[[Ringing Songs]]
|valign="top" width=33% |
'''[[:Category:Bell History|Bell History]]''' 
*[[County Histories]]
*[[Early Wheel Development]]
'''[[:Category:Bells and Fittings|Bells & Fittings]]''' 
*[[Clapper]]
*[[Muffling Bells]]
*[[Ordering and Adjusting Bell Ropes]]
*[[Pre-stretched Polyester Ropes]]
*[[Sally]]
*[[Supporting Ironwork]]
'''[[Conducting]]''' 
*[[Coursing Order]]
*[[Conducting Stedman]]
*[[Conductor|Responsibilities of a conductor]]
*[[Plain Bob Doubles – There is a better way!]]
'''[[Method Tips]]''' 
*[[Method Tips|All Stages]]
*[[Method Tips|Doubles]]
*[[Method Tips|Major]]
*[[Method Tips|Maximus]]
'''[[:Category:Terminology|Terminology]]''' 
*[[Bob]]
*[[Call]]
*[[Change]]
*[[Change-ringing]]
*[[Jump Change]]
*[[Music in Changeringing]]
*[[Row]]
*[[Stage]]
|valign="top" width=33% |
'''[[:Category:Methods|Methods]]''' 
*[[Facts about Bristol Surprise Major]]
*[[Falsest Method]]
*[[Popular Surprise Major Methods]]
*[[Variants of Popular Methods]]
'''[[:Category:Composition|Composition]]''' 
*[[Compositions of the Decade]]
*[[Computer Composition Searches]]
*[[Spliced treble-dodging minor - Introduction|Spliced Treble-Dodging Minor]]
*[[Universal Compositions]]
'''[[Central Council Decisions]]''' 
*[[Calls that pass to another part of the same course]]
*[[Episode IV - A New Hope]]
*[[Harmonisation of Decisions]]
*[[Implications of New Decisions]]
*[[Naming new methods above Minor in quarter-peals]]
*[[New Decisions]]
*[[Norwich Axioms]]
'''[[:Category:Software|Ringing Software]]''' 
*[[JBlueLine]]
|}
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<noinclude>
==Usage==
<pre><nowiki>{{MainNav}}</nowiki></pre>
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<noinclude>[[Category:Templates]]</noinclude>

Notable Achievements

2012-04-15T12:39:32Z

Bob major:

This section lists some of the notable achievements in the world of ringing.

Because peal details are officially recorded and are readily available, statistics for peals are much easier to find that other statistics, so many of the achievements below relate to peals. However, additions of other notable achievements are very welcome if you know the details, and if you have photos of the individuals or bands, even better.

==Prolific Peal Ringers==
'''Colin M Turner''' became the first person to ring 5000 peals on 24 Jun 2007 in just 31 years. This amounts to 25,338,418 changes, and this is just for the successful ones. There are many other records encompassed in this. The peals were rung with 1,152 people at 3,074 towers, and Colin rang over 200 peals a year for 16 consecutive years (from 1991 to 2006), the most being 303 (in 1989) and this is recorded in the Guinness Book of Records as being the most ever rung in a single year. He has rung over 2,000 different methods, including the Surprise alphabet on 6, 8, 10 & 12 at least twice at each stage.

'''Elisabeth A G Bowden''' became the first lady to reach 4000 peals with a peal at [http://www.campanophile.com/view.aspx?112996 Easthampstead]on 23 Dec 2010. It was her 1000th for the Gloucester & Bristol Diocesan Association.

'''Revd F E Robinson''' was the first person to reach 1000 peals. This was on 9 Aug 1905 according to his records but he may have missed some of his earlier peals.

'''Andrew B Mills''' became the youngest person to ring a 1000 peals on 14 Feb 1991 when he conducted Shelford Delight Minor at Shelford at the age of 23yrs 8months.

'''Paul J Pascoe''' became the fastest person to ring 1000 Peals (from 1st to 1000th peal) in 3271 days by conducting Bristol S Major at Thorverton, Devon on the 8th December 2007 [http://www.campanophile.com/view.aspx?59080], and surpassed '''Ian R Fielding's''' previous record of 3275 days on 17th October 1997.

Only two ringers have ever conducted more than 200 peals in a single year. In 1997 '''Derek E Sibson''' conducted 202 peals (out of 213 peals that year) all of which were tower bell peals - this being '''the first and only ringer to conduct over 200 tower bell peals in a single year'''. The only other time the 200 mark has been surpassed, was in 2004 when '''Andrew J W Tibbets''' conducted 200 peals (all in hand) out of 219 peals, and became '''the first and only ringer to conduct 200 peals in hand in a single year'''!

'''Current Peal Milestones'''

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!
! First
! Fastest
|-
| 1000th
| Rev F E Robinson (1905)
| Paul J Pascoe (3271 days - 8yr 11mth)
|-
|2000th
| George E Fearn (1965)
| Peter G C Ellis (13yr 11mth)
|-
|3000th
| John R Mayne (1993)
| Peter G C Ellis (19yr 4mth)
|-
|4000th
| John R Mayne (2000)
| Colin M Turner (26yr 6mth)
|-
|5000th
| Colin M Turner (2007)
| Colin M Turner (31yr 4mth)
|}

Andrew Craddock's [http://www.pealbase.co.uk Pealbase] includes details of all ringers who have rung '''1000 or more peals'''.

==Gregarious Peal Ringers==

The Change-ringers list in February 2008 discussed who was the most gregarious peal ringer. At that time and using Pealbase data going back to 1973 Andrew Craddock revealed that '''John Pladdys''' topped the list with 1911 ringers and '''Elisabeth A G Bowden''' was the highest ranking lady in 5th place and 1646
ringers.

==Fast Learners==

'''Peter Davey''' rang a handbell peal of Plain Bob Minor at the age of 17 on Thursday, 28 August 2008 less than 5 days after being taught to ring [http://www.campanophile.co.uk/show.aspx?Code=70638]

'''Victoria J M Wilby''' rang her first peal on 09 Apr 1998 6 months after her first lesson and then rang a quarter of Stedman Cinques at the Pier Head on the first anniversary of her first ringing lesson.

'''Jennifer A Murch''' rang her first peal on 30 June 2007, 24 weeks after learning to ring. Whilst a student at Hull University she rang her 49th peal on Monday, 1 December 2008, being Yorkshire S Maximus inside [http://www.campanophile.co.uk/show.aspx?Code=74998]. She was elected to the [http://www.ascy.org.uk/mem2000- College Youths]in 2009 and rang her [http://www.campanophile.co.uk/show.aspx?Code=89157 first peal] for the Society on 19 Sep 2009.

'''Stefan Smith''' had his first handling lesson at 4pm on Sunday, 28 December 2008. By 4:45pm he was capable of ringing the Tenor to [http://www.campanophile.co.uk/show.aspx?Code=76285 this Quarter Peal], with minimal aid from a strapper, but Stefan did all the work of the handstrokes.

==Progression of Later Learners==
Older people CAN learn to ring and excel!!! This section is for examples of people who started to learn as adults and have made some reasonable progress and/or contribution.

'''Harry Stewart''' learnt to ring at Melbourne, Derbys at the age of 79 and rang rounds for the first time on his 80th birthday for Sunday service. He progressed to rounds and call changes on twelve and plain hunting on seven. Whilst visiting family he joined in practices and outings in Kent, and even rang at Canterbury Cathedral. He had to give up as Parkinson's disease became too much for him and sadly he died on 30 March 2008.

'''Bill Titmarsh''' learnt to ring at Clenchwarton, Norfolk at the age of around 73. Whilst not progressing beyond rounds and call changes he displayed remarkable commitment and fortitude. Despite suffering from arthritic and rheumatic conditions which meant that he could hardly hold a coffee mug, as well as a host of other health problems, including a poor heart, new heart valves, bypasses, and God knows what else (literally) he attended every Sunday until he could no longer physically stand. He died in April 2003 and a peal was rung in celebration of his life [http://www.campanophile.co.uk/show.aspx?Code=11648]

'''Helen Beaumont''' started ringing reluctantly at the age of 51 in 2003 as chaperone to her daughter (who has since given up). Since then, with the assistance of many friends and all the ringing she can get, she has rung several quarters from Plain Bob Doubles to [http://www.campanophile.co.uk/show.aspx?Code=68973 Grandsire Caters] and [http://www.campanophile.co.uk/show.aspx?Code=63045 Plain Bob Royal] inside. Her first peal was at Abingdon, Oxfordshire on 6 Jun 2009, ringing inside to [http://www.campanophile.co.uk/view.aspx?84435 Grandsire Caters]

'''Karl S Ryder''' took up ringing at the age of 40 in 2003. His [http://www.campanophile.co.uk/show.aspx?Code=36116 first peal] was trebling to Yorkshire S Major on 19 Mar 2006 at West Bridgford, Nottingham. He is Tower Captain of that active tower and a regular ringer at Nottingham St Mary where he has rung several quarters of Surprise Royal inside and trebled to Surprise Maximus eg [http://www.campanophile.co.uk/show.aspx?Code=36116 Pudsey]. On the 08/08/08 he took part in quarters of each of the Standard 8 S Major, ringing inside to all except Bristol.

'''Mike Lewis''' took up ringing as a "supporting Dad", at the age of 44 in St' Elvan's church, Aberdare, S.Wales on 4th July 2007. By December he had progressed to Bob Doubles touches and rang his 1st quarter in Jan 2008. Since then he has rung in 8 quarter peals (up to Jan 2009) and become the steeplekeeper at St' Elvan's and was temporary Tower Captain for a short while. Besides winning the "Leslie Evans Trophy" from the Swansea & Brecon Guild for most improved ringer in 2008, he also carried out work to renew the ringing room floor in a nearby tower as well as changing a clapper and several broken stays at Aberdare (including one of his own). He has gained all 4 badges in the STA bell club awards scheme and is working towards the S&B DGBR profiency certificate. Now ringing Stedman Doubles and attempting Bob Triples and Major, and looking forward (!) to his 1st Peal attempt.

'''Tony Lees'''* first started to ring in Autumn 1992 in Thrumpton, Notts (a 6cwt 6 in a very small village) at the age of 45. He rang his first quarter covering in Barton, Notts (11cwt) in April 1994, and first peal trebling to mixed minor in October 1996. After being encouraged on scoring his 3rd peal, Cambridge S Major in May 2004 he got serious about attempting to progress as far as possible. As at January 2010 he has rung a total of 37 peals including Spliced S Minor (16m), Yorkshire S Royal and Grandsire Caters inside, and boosted by 59 during 2010, 226 quarter peals (two of which he has conducted) including 8 spliced S Major atw, Glasgow Major, most of the standard 8 Surprise Royal, Grandsire Cinques and Little Bob Maximus (see Campanophile for most recent performances). His first qtr of Surprise Max (Yorkshire) was scored in Sep 2010. Following a handbell course run by the Society of Sherwood Youths he rang his [http://www.campanophile.co.uk/view.aspx?95227 first quarter in hand] on 6 January 2010.

*(I have taken the liberty to add my details to demonstrate that with persistence, endeavour, the grace and patience of many others, the help of some in general and one in particular, that someone with no special talents can make some headway beyond the proverbial "plain bob doubles". There are others who started at a later age and have made really remarkable progress (see below). Their details should be an encouragement to both other ringers and their tutors. I fully support the approach explained by [http://edc.cccbr.org.uk/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=22&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a | Heather Peachey] and the use of [http://edc.cccbr.org.uk/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=22&p=570#p570 | Simulators] Tony Lees.)

'''Iris Margaret Elsie Lemare''' was born in London on 27 September 1902. She was musically gifted and
became the first woman to conduct the BBC Symphony Orchestra, in 1937. She also was an active walker, swimmer and skier. It is believed she took up bell ringing in her mid-50's at the York Arts Centre under Harold Walker. By 1958 she had joined the Minster band and rung her [http://www.yacr.org.uk/pealdetail.php?id=12951 first peal]. Over the next 23 years she rang over 700 peals at all stages (minor to maximus) and a wide range of common and not so common methods including [http://www.yacr.org.uk/pealdetail.php?id=5298 Lemare Surprise Major] for her 79th birthday. Her [http://www.yacr.org.uk/pealdetail.php?id=5345 final peal] was 8 spliced major in the December of 1981. She died in Askham Bryan, near York on 23 April 1997. A web search will bring up many hits and there is an obituary at [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-iris-lemare-1261255.html]. David Potter's obituary of Iris Lemare was in the Ringing World of May 16th 1997.

'''Prudence Fay''' took up ringing at age 50, rang her first tower and handbell peals in 1995. She has rung Glasgow, Belfast, Norman Smith's 23 on tower (148 peals) and handbells (94 peals), totalling 242 peals as at January 2010.

==Young Peal Ringers==

A number of youngsters have rung peals prior to their teens. The following are some examples:

'''Henry J W Pipe''' rang his first peal being 5040 Plain Bob Minor [http://www.campanophile.com/view.aspx?102350] on handbells (1-2) on Monday, 31 May 2010 at the age of 7 years 105 days.

'''Jonathan Carpenter''' rang his first peal (Plain Bob Minor) aged 7 at Warfield, Berks, on 19th June 1982. He was the youngest ringer to ring a working bell to a peal replacing '''Paul Jopp''' who rang his first peal at the age of 8 on 4 Nov 1966 ringing inside to Plain Bob Minor on the Stoulton Campanile. This itself was the first peal conducted by '''Andrew Jopp''' at the age of 13.

'''Paul Jopp''' went on to ring and conduct his first peal of Surprise, being Cambridge Minor, when he rang the 2nd at S Nicholas, EARLS CROOME, Worcs on Thu Apr 23 1970. It was also the first of Surprise for the ringers of the 3rd and 4th (Barbara Luckes and Andrew Jopp).

'''Ewan Hull''' rang his [http://www.campanophile.com/view.aspx?120930 first peal] at the age of 8 trebling to Plain Bob Minor at Strensall, North Yorkshire on 7 May 2011.

'''Alex F Byrne''' rang the treble to Plain Bob Minor for his first peal whilst only 9 on 15 Dec 1979 at Hinton Waldrist, Oxon. He then went on to conduct his 6th peal, ringing an inside bell to Plain Bob Minor on 29 May 1981 at Berkeley, Glos and thus probably becoming the '''youngest person to call a peal''' at the age of 11.

'''Victoria K Johnstone''' rang her first peal aged 11, 9 months after her first lesson in order to beat her elder brother on Sunday February 26, 2006 at Oakington, Cambridgeshire.

'''Jemma L Mills''' on Sunday, 7 January 2007 rang her first peal on the 'Pot Bells' at Shelford, Nottingham at the age of 9 [http://www.campanophile.co.uk//view.aspx?45841], becoming possibly the youngest girl to ring a peal this century. The band consisted of 3 generations of the Mills family. She followed this performance with a peal of Major on Sunday, 1 June 2008 at Clifton, Nottingham [http://www.campanophile.co.uk//view.aspx?66849].

'''Thomas A F Keech''' rang his first peal on Sunday, 30 November 2008 at Campton, Beds whilst still aged 10 [http://www.campanophile.co.uk//view.aspx?74903]. He is the youngest Bedfordshire ringer to ring a peal since '''Jeremy Piron''' (Grandsire Triples at Maulden in July 1969), who was a month younger. At the age of 7 he rang on the 16 at the Swan Bells, Perth WA and he may be the youngest person to ring in Australia.

'''Robert Stafford''', aged 10, rang the treble to a peal of Plain Bob Major on 21 March 1927 at Whitley Bay. (with thanks to Bill Butler's [http://pealbase.co.uk "On This Day"])

'''Andrea P L Pygott''', aged 11 rang Bristol Major on the 2nd for her first peal on Friday 14th August 2009 at St Mary, Barnsley [http://www.campanophile.co.uk//view.aspx?87509].

'''William M Regan''' at the age of 11 rang his first peal trebling to Grandsire Triples on Monday 30th May 2011 at Hanbury, Worcs. [http://www.campanophile.com/view.aspx?122176]

'''Edward R Mack''', aged 12, on Saturday, 30 June 2007 rang his first peal at his first attempt, being Yorkshire S Royal on the 4th at St Peters, St Albans [http://www.campanophile.co.uk//view.aspx?52222].

'''Tom and James Perrins''' both rang their first peals before reaching their teens. Tom rang his first peal, Grandsire Doubles, on 5th April 2003 just before his eleventh birthday. James rang his first peal, the Standard 8 major on the 2nd, at the age of 12 on Saturday 28 March 2009 at St Andrew's Cathedral, Sydney [http://www.campanophile.co.uk//view.aspx?80694]. 82 year old Thomas Goodyer rang the 4th raising the question of whether this is the biggest age difference in a peal of 8-spliced. On Friday, 3 April 2009 again at St Andrew's the brothers and Tom rang inside to a quarter peal of Cambridge Surprise Maximus [http://www.campanophile.co.uk//view.aspx?81014]

'''Fraser J Murray''', aged 11, rang inside to Cambridge S Minor for his first peal on Sunday, 28 June 2009 at Halifax [http://www.campanophile.co.uk/show.aspx?Code=85339]. On Saturday July 4 he rang his second peal, again inside, to 3 minor methods at Saltaire [http://www.campanophile.com/view.aspx?85623]

'''Harriet J Dodd''', at the age of 10 years 134 days, rang her [http://www.campanophile.com/view.aspx?69147 first peal] trebling to Grandsire Caters at St Mary, Bishopstoke, Hampshire on Saturday July 26, 2008. On Saturday, 4 December 2010 at the same tower she rang the same bell to [http://www.campanophile.com/view.aspx?112106 Stedman Caters].

'''Matthew S Pearson''', aged 11, rang the 3rd to Yorkshire S Major for his [http://www.campanophile.com/view.aspx?130749 first peal] at his first attempt at Christ Church, Epsom Common, Surrey on Sunday 30 October 2011.

Although 15 at the time the first peal of '''Alice White''' on 12th Feb 1896 is notable as being the first peal rung by a woman. She rang the treble to a peal of Grandsire Triples at her home tower, St Michael's Basingstoke. (with thanks to Bill Butler's [http://pealbase.co.uk "On This Day"]).

On the 1st December 1912 there was a handbell peal of Grandsire Doubles in the belfry of the church at Great Hampton, Worcestershire.
The ringers were '''Ellen M Johnson''' (12 years old), '''Joseph D Johnson''' (13 years old), and '''Ruth Johnson''' (10 years old). Joe conducted it. The '''Johnsons''' were a very large (9 children) family from Hinton on the Green, Worcestershire. Lots of the children rang many handbell peals, usually conducted by Joe- who also called the first peal on the present bells of Worcester Cathedral. In later years, handbell peals of Kent Treble Bob Royal were rung at Hinton. Other siblings included '''Amy Johnson''', the first lady to ring 500 peals, and '''Florence Johnson''' who married the great Tom Lewis of St. Johns, Worcester.

==Young Quarter Peal Ringers==

'''Henry Pipe''', aged just 6, rang his first quarter peal on Tuesday 26 January 2010 [http://www.campanophile.co.uk/view.aspx?96006 Plain Bob Minor in hand]

'''Ewan Hull''' at the age of 7 rang his [http://www.campanophile.co.uk/view.aspx?94627 first quarter] on the treble at Ss Philip and James, Clifton, York on Monday, 28 December 2009.

'''John Hinton''' at the age of 8 rang his [http://www.campanophile.com/view.aspx?120097 first quarter] trebling to Grandsire Doubles at All Saints, Little Shelford, Cambs on Friday 29th April 2011.

'''Nathan Joynson''' at the age of 8 rang his [http://www.campanophile.com/view.aspx?130138 first quarter] trebling to Plain Bob Doubles at All Saints, Stone, Gloucestershire on Sunday 23 October 2011.

'''Thirza de Kok''', from Dordrecht in the Netherlands, rang her first tower bell on her own during a visit to All Saints Sapcote in August 2009. On Saturday February 20th 2010 at the age of 9 she returned to that tower to ring her [http://www.campanophile.com/view.aspx?97696 first quarter peal], following her father’s footsteps of 24 years ago. The quarter was called by Thirza's brother Harm Jan (aged 13). On Saturday 28 August 2010, still at the age of 9, she rang her [http://www.campanophile.com/view.aspx?106619 first quarter of major] in her home town.

'''Rosemary Hall''' at the age of 9 rang [http://www.campanophile.com/view.aspx?88963 her first quarter] being the treble to Plain Bob Doubles on Sunday, 13 September 2009 at Old Brampton, Derbyshire.

'''Harriet J Dodd''' at the age of 9 rang [http://www.campanophile.com/view.aspx?55590 her first quarter] being the treble to Plain Bob Doubles on Thursday, 27 September 2007 at St Mary, Bishopstoke, Hants. She has since gone on to ring many quarter peals and a few peals.

'''Isaac Perry''' at the age of 9 rang [http://www.campanophile.com/view.aspx?122114 his first quarter] trebling to Plain Bob Doubles at South Petherton, Somerset on Saturday, 28 May 2011.

'''James P Town''' at the age of 9 covered to Plain Bob Doubles for [http://www.campanophile.com/view.aspx?129577 his first quarter] at All Saints, Northallerton, on Saturday 15 October 2011.

==Older Peal Ringers==

On 14 September 1973, George E Symonds (b.1875 d.1974) rang a peal of Kent Treble Bob Royal at Grundisburgh, Suffolk, aged 98 years 1 month.

[http://www.pealbase.co.uk Pealbase] includes details of nine other people who have rung peals at the '''age of 90 or more'''.

==Firsts as Conductor==
'''John R Leary''' is the only person to have conducted all his first peals at every stage from Doubles to Maximus. He started in the 1960's and completed the achievement with a peal Doubles at All Cannings, Salisbury on 17 Apr 1995. More about him can be read at [http://archive.salisburyjournal.co.uk/2007/4/5/311446.html]

'''Jennifer E Butler''' conducted Roddy Horton's split-tenors one-part composition of Bristol, Belfast, London and Glasgow at the age of 17, being her first as conductor and 10th towerbell peal (8 Jan 2005 Thornhill).

'''Alexandra A Prabhakar's''' first peal as conductor was Holt's Original [http://www.campanophile.co.uk/show.aspx?Code=59805 5,040 Grandsire Triples] on 26 December 2007. On 3 April 1973, '''Juliet S Stoy''' also called this composition for her first as conductor.

'''Thomas M Perrins''' called his first peal, Grandsire Triples, at the age of 12 yrs 9 mths on Sunday January 16, 2005 at St Mark's, Darling Point, New South Wales

'''Stephen J Mills''' called from the 2nd [http://www.campanophile.com/view.aspx?22325 210 Treble Dodging Minor methods] on 24th October 2004 at Shelford, Notts for his first, and so far (Apr 2012), only peal as conductor. (see next section for more details)

==Feats of Learning and Method Complexity==
The pinnacle of method learning and complexity for advanced ringers on eight bells are all-the-work peals of 23 methods, the maximum in a normal length peal. Most usually these methods are learnt by ringing a series of peals which gradually build up to 23 methods. The first of these compositions was produced by Norman Smith, and rung 31 December 1966. It has since been rung almost 500 times by over 850 ringers. Stephen D Chandler subsequently produced a similar composition of 23 much more difficult methods.

Learning more than 23 methods takes the challenge to a much higher level, as it becomes very easy to confuse one method with another, and forget some methods as new ones are learnt. Taking this learning exercise to 100 methods requires considerable experience, mental agility, and an exceedingly good memory, not withstanding the challenge of keeping this up continuously for 10 hours. On Friday, 28 October 2005 a peal of '''22400 Spliced Surprise Major, 100 methods, all the work''' was rung by an ASCY band at the Loughborough Bell Foundry in 10h 48 (6) with. 699 changes of method. Composed by: Paul Needham 1 Stephanie J Warboys 2 Philip J Earis 3 John N Hughes-D'Aeth 4 Robin O Hall 5 Andrew J Graham 6 Simon J L Linford (C) 7 David J Pipe 8 David C Brown Longest peal of Spliced Surprise. Most Spliced Surprise Major methods all the work [http://www.campanophile.co.uk/show.aspx?Code=31837]

The longest peal of Spliced Surprise Royal was rung at St Thomas, Oxford where an Ancient Society of College Youths band rang 56 methods, all the work (503 COM) being '''20160 Spliced Surprise Royal''' on Thursday, 18 March 2010 in 11h 19m [http://www.campanophile.com/view.aspx?98573]

Rigel Surprise Maximus is one of the most challenging Maximus methods rung, with an apparently random blue line. On handbells, the ringers have to contend with their two bells making point blows in the middle of the rows rarely synchronised with one another. On 14 January 2006, a peal of '''12672 Rigel Surprise Maximus''' was rung on handbells [http://www.campanophile.co.uk/show.aspx?Code=34156].

On 13th October 1984 at Shoreditch the Society of Royal Cumberland Youths rang '''all Surprise Maximus methods''' that had been rung up to the end of the previous year giving rise to a peal of 8000 Spliced Surprise Maximus in 170 methods in 5 hours and 40 minutes. [http://www.cccbr.org.uk/rc/tower_higher.php]

Scientific is a principle, where there is no hunt bell to act as a guide, and is probably the hardest Triples method. On 12 November 2008 the first peal of ''' 5040 Scientific Triples''' in hand was scored by St. Martin's Guild for the Diocese of Birmingham 1-2 William T Bosworth 3-4 Charles A S Webb 5-6 Mark R Eccleston 7-8 Alan S Burbidge (c) [http://www.campanophile.co.uk/show.aspx?Code=74077]

Minor methods present their own challenge as many methods can be rung in a short time. A feat of composition, conducting and ringing was achieved on Friday 24 Oct 1969 when a Peal of '''5040 Spliced Treble Bob Minor''', comprising '''210 Treble dodging methods''' with a '''change of method every lead''', was rung. At the time it was the '''most methods rung to a peal'''. The feat was repeated on Sunday 24 Oct 2004 2h45 [http://www.campanophile.co.uk/show.aspx?Code=22325]. [http://www.southwelldg.org.uk/guild/210_treble_dodging.htm#Comps Click] for a background to the history of these peals.

The '''most methods rung all the work on tower bells''' was scored on on Saturday, 25 September 2010 when 147 minor methods were rung, giving 20160 changes, by the Ancient Society of College Youths at St Paul, Jewellery Quarter in 9 hours 37 minutes. John S Warboys provided the composition and it was rung by 1 Richard B Grimmett, 2 David J Pipe (C), 3 Philip J Earis, 4 Simon J L Linford, 5 Michael P A Wilby, 6 John M Thurman [http://www.campanophile.com/view.aspx?107923]

A silent and non conducted peal of Stedman Triples was rung at Meldreth, Cambridgeshire on 15th December 1980. It was twice the length of a usual peal and the band had to learn two very complex compositions, the first by John Noonan (http://ringing.org/main/pages/peals/composers/compositions?surname=Noonan&forenames=J) and the second by G Wilfred Slack (http://ringing.org/main/pages/peals/composers/compositions?surname=Slack&forenames=G%20Wilfred)

==Higher Numbers First Peals==
Ringers whose first peals were on 12 or more bells.
{| style="color:blue;background-color:#ffffdd;" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" border="1"
! Date
! Name
! Tower
! Method
! Notes
|-
| 13 February 1937
| Albert M Tyler
| Tewkesbury, Glos
| Stedman Cinques
| Age 13
|-
| 3 Sept 1976
| Alison C Waterson
| Shoreditch, London
| Yorkshire S Maximus
| Age 15 (2nd)
|-
| 3 Sept 1976
| Hilary A Beresford
| Shoreditch, London
| Yorkshire S Maximus
| Age 16 (4th)
|-
| 07 May 1979
| Margaret A Paul
| Kingston upon Thames, Surrey
| Grandsire Cinques
|  
|-
| 18 May 1986
| Eleanor J Kippin
| Bristol, St Stephen
| Stedman Cinques
|  
|-
| 6 Sep 1987
| Michael P A Wilby
| London, St Sepulchre
| Stedman Cinques
|  
|-
| 24 Sep 1987
| Deborah L Blake
| Bedford, St Paul
| Stedman Cinques
|  
|-
| 30 Jan 1993
| Alison M Brookbanks
| Towcester
| Cambridge S Maximus
|  
|-
| 31 Dec 1994
| Luke M Atwell
| Towcester
| Little Bob Maximus
|  
|-
| 31 Dec 1994
| Joanna L Woolley
| Towcester
| Little Bob Maximus
| Rang inside
|-
| 21 Jul 1995
| Hannah L Wilby
| Towcester
| Bristol S Maximus
| Age 11
|-
| 2 Aug 1997
| Brett C Masters
| Towcester
| Cambridge S Maximus
| Rang inside
|-
| 21 Feb 1998
| Caroline Newman
| Bristol, St Mary Redcliffe
| Spliced S Maximus (5m)
| Rang inside
|-
| 9 Jan 1999
| Jennifer E Henson
| Towcester
| Bristol S Maximus
|  
|-
| 5 Jun 1999
| Joanne L Henson
| Towcester
| Yorkshire S Maximus
|  
|-
| 4 Aug 2000
| R Clive Henson
| Towcester
| Yorkshire S Maximus
| Rang inside
|-
| 21 Oct 2001
| D Paul Mason
| Leicester, St Margaret
| Yorkshire S Fourteen
| Rang tenor
|-
| 9 Nov 2002
| Tessa K Beadman
| Guildford, Cathedral
| Spliced S Maximus (5m)
| Rang inside
|-
| 11 Jan 2003
| David W Kipling
| Llandaff Cathedral
| Stedman Cinques
|  
|-
| 5 Jun 2005
| Simon A Bond
| Preston Minster
| Plain Bob Maximus
|  
|-
| 5 Jun 2005
| Robert V Criddle
| Preston Minster
| Plain Bob Maximus
|  
|-
| 14 Oct 2006
| Siân E Kipling
| Llandaff Cathedral
| Stedman Cinques
|  
|-
| 20 Dec 2008
| Anthony C Furnivall
| New York, Trinity Church
| Erin Cinques
|  
|-
| 20 Dec 2008
| Anthony P Micocci
| New York, Trinity Church
| Erin Cinques
|  
|-
| 20 Dec 2008
| Jeremy C Bates
| New York, Trinity Church
| Erin Cinques
|  
|-
| 12 Nov 2011
| Jono Chapman
| Shepton Beauchamp, Som
| Stedman Cinques
| Aged 15 (Tenor)
|}
 

==Longest Peals==

On Sunday, 6 May 2007 in 24h09 (9 in B), '''72000 Treble Dodging Minor''' (100m) 1-2 Philip J Earis 3-4 Andrew J W Tibbetts (C)5-6 David J Pipe. The longest peal yet rung [http://www.campanophile.co.uk/show.aspx?Code=50258].

A '''full of extent of major''' was first rung at Leeds in Kent by 14 ringers under James Barham on April 7 and 8, 1761

The only full extent so far rung on 8 tower bells '''by one band of ringers''' was at Loughborough Bell Foundry on Saturday 27 July 1963, in 17 hours and 58 minutes. '''40320 Plain Bob Major''' Composed by: C Kenneth Lewis, Conducted by: Robert B Smith 1 Brian J Woodruffe 2 John M Jelley 3 Neil Bennett 4 Frederick Shallcross 5 John C Eisel 6 John Robinson 7 Brian Harris 8 Robert B Smith This is the greatest number of changes ever to be rung to a tower bell peal and was the ninth attempt in as many years. 8 umpires monitored the performance.

Setting record lengths has long been a challenge to ringers and the progression of long length peals over the years for various methods and stages is summarised by the [http://www.cccbr.org.uk/rc/rc.php Peal Records Committee].

==Fastest Peals==
The '''fastest peal''' is believed to have been rung at Clare College, Cambridge, on handbells on 9 March 2003 in '''47m 10s''', being 5040 Plain Bob Minimus 1-2 Philip J Earis, 3-4 Andrew J W Tibbetts (C). [http://www.campanophile.com/view.aspx?10609]

The '''fastest peal on a mini ring''' is believed to have been rung by the Fellowship of Narnia Youths at The Jack and Jill House Campanile, Gosport on Thursday 20th March 2008 in '''59m 42s''' (7oz), being 5040 Double Bob Minimus (210 extents) 1 Lizzie J Hough, 2 Emma L Pym, 3-4 Benjamin J Carey (C) [http://www.campanophile.com/view.aspx?63589]

The fastest '''tower bell peal''' on six is believed to be that rung by St Martin's Guild, Birmingham at Hadstock, Essex, S Botolph
Sat Dec 14 1991 '''1h 13m''' (2 3/4) being 5040 Cambridge S Minor(7 extents)1 Tim J Peverett, 2 Anthony M Daw, 3 Julia R Cater, 4 Andrew J Mitchell, 5 David G Hull (C), 6 David J Pipe Ref: RW 1992 p. 111 This is possibly the only tower where one peal has taken over twice as long as another of the same length (eg 19 Apr 1996 in 2h 31min, 12 minor methods)

A contender for the '''fastest peal on six or more''' is that rung by the Iceni Society in Cambridge on Thursday, 4 May 2006 in '''0h 59m''' (8 in C#) being 5040 Old Oxford Delight Minor 1-2 Philip J Earis, 3-4 David J Pipe (C), 5-6 Jeremy W Spiller

==Most Peals in a day==

The most peals rung in a day currently stands at 15, on handbells, with Andrew Tibbetts (conducted them all) and Philip Earis ringing in all of the peals. The peals were all minor and they were assisted by Cherril Thompson (rang in 5) and Jeremy Spiller (rang 10).

Starting at 10am on Saturday, 27 June 2009 a band comprising of Paul J Pascoe, Ian J Carey, Richard Harrison, Benjamin J Carey, Peter W J Sheppard, Edward P D Colliss, Christopher C P Woodcock and Andrew B Mills rang '''10 peals of S Major''' at Marston Bigot, Somerset (20lbs) starting with [http://www.campanophile.co.uk/show.aspx?Code=85311 9 spliced] and then ringing each of the methods individually, concluding the next day at 8.23am with a successful peal of [http://www.campanophile.co.uk/show.aspx?Code=85320 Yorkshire]. This beat the previous record of 9 peals rung in 2000 and was achieved despite the need to [http://www.campanophile.co.uk/show.aspx?Code=85317 re-hang the tenor] after peal 6. The peals are accredited to The Fellowship of Narnia Youths.

==Heavy Bell Ringers==

'''Peter Border''' on Saturday, 13 August 1966 [http://www.manxcat.org.uk/cathedral/peals.htm]was the only ringer last century to turn the tenor in at '''Liverpool Cathedral (82cwt), the heaviest 12 bell tower in the world''' to a peal, being Cambridge S Maximus. The feat was matched by '''Andrew B Mills''' on Saturday, 8 December 2007 [http://www.campanophile.co.uk/show.aspx?Code=59074] also ringing Cambridge S Maximus and then again by '''Gordon R Birks''' on Thursday 17 November 2011 [http://www.campanophile.com/view.aspx?132151] with Andrew Mills ringing the second to Yorkshire S Maximus. At 4h 46 Mins this may be the slowest tower bell peal ever rung.

Also in recent years Liverpool Cathedral has taken the accolade of having had rung the heaviest and longest 10 bell peal on Tuesday, 28 August 2007 [http://www.campanophile.co.uk/show.aspx?Code=54440] and then heaviest 8 bell peal on Saturday, 15 November 2008 [http://www.campanophile.co.uk/show.aspx?Code=74170]

'''Andrew B Mills''' also rang in the 4 peals of S Maximus in one day in London as part of an ASCY band on 11 June 2005 finishing with ringing the tenor to Cambridge S Maximus at Cornhill (42cwt).

'''Thomas J Waterson''' on 26th February 2011 became the youngest person (aged 19yr 8mth) to ring a peal on the tenor at '''Exeter Cathedral (72cwt)''' ringing it to a peal of Stedman Cinques [http://campanophile.com/view.aspx?116651], being 9 months younger than '''Matthew J Hilling''' who had previously rung it to a peal of Grandsire Caters on 29th November 1997 (aged 20yr 5mth).

'''James W Washbrook''' on 25th April 1895 turned in the tenor at '''Wells Cathedral (56cwt), the heaviest 10 bell tower in the world''' to a peal of Kent Treble Bob Royal. The previous December he had rung it single-handed to a peal of Grandsire Caters. It was considered impossible at that time to ring a peal on the bell with only one ringer. [http://www.pealbase.ismysite.co.uk/onthisday/index.php ref: Pealbase - On this day] '''Matthew R T Higby''' on 7th March 1992 became the youngest person (aged 17yr 6mth) to ring a peal on the tenor at '''Wells Cathedral (56cwt)''' to a peal of Stedman Caters. Rather amusingly, the conductor that day was '''Timothy F Collins''' who had previously held the record of being the youngest person to ring a peal there, having rung the tenor to a peal of Stedman Caters on 27th June 1970 (aged 19yr 1mth).

'''Timothy F Collins''' on 28th December 1970 is believed to be the youngest person (aged 19yr 7mth) to ring a peal on the tenor at '''Sherborne Abbey (46cwt), the heaviest 8 bell tower in the world''' to a peal of Superlative S Major.

'''Samuel M Austin''' on the 9th July 2004 became the youngest person (18yr 11mth) to ring the tenor at '''St Buryan, Cornwal (37cwt), the heaviest 6 bell tower in the world''' to a peal of Minor [http://campanophile.com/view.aspx?20047] in 4hrs. Although, '''Thomas J Waterson''' on 13th February 2011 (aged 19yr 8mth) is the youngest person to ring the tenor to a peal of Surprise Minor [http://campanophile.com/view.aspx?115889] - scoring the peal in 3h 33mins. Only three people as yet have circled the six bells at '''St Buryan, Cornwall''' to peals, '''Chris Venn''' and '''Christopher J Pickford''' both achieved the feat on 26th December 1996, and '''Paul J Pascoe''' became only the third on 2nd October 2011 [http://campanophile.com/view.aspx?128933].

==Light Bell Ringers==

'''Brockenhurst, Hampshire. (Jennie's Old Bedroom Ring)''' on Sunday 17th May 2009, a peal of 5040 Cambridge S Minor is the lightest ever bells yet rung to a Peal by rope and wheel. [http://campanophile.com/view.aspx?83290] With a tenor weighing just '''2oz''' ('''around 57 grams'''); this peal was arranged and rung for the 20th anniversary of Jim Hodkin's first peal and was the first peal on the bells. Rung in 1h 47min by 1 Adam Welch, 2 Edward P D Colliss, 3 Graham J Wright, 4 Robert Perry, 5 James A Hodkin, 6 Paul J Pascoe, and conducted by Paul Pascoe.

==Double-handed Towerbell Ringing==

On 19 Sep 1901 the first double-handed peal on tower bells was performed by '''James W. Washbrook''' who rang 3 and 4 to a peal of Grandsire Triples at Arklow, Ireland. [http://www.bellringingireland.org/East/Arklow/Home.html]. This performance received criticism from the editor of The Bell News, Harvey Reeves and others, who doubted that the peal could have been struck accurately Washbrook repeated the performance the following week in the presence of some of the best ringers in Ireland. (ref: [http://pealbase.co.uk/ Bill Butler's "On this day"]).

On 29 Apr 1961 the '''first tower bell peal to be rung with only three ringers''' took place at Preston Candover, Hants. The peal of Plain Bob Minor was rung by Tony Price 1-2, Frank C Price 3-4 with Frank T Blagrove ringing 5-6 and conducting. (ref: [http://pealbase.co.uk/ Bill Butler's "On this day"]).

On 22 Aug 1964 the '''first peal of Major to be rung by only four ringers''' was scored being Plain Bob at Balcombe, Sussex (9cwt). 1-2 Tom Chapman 3-4 Frank C Price (conductor) 5-6 Frank T Blagrove and 7-8 Tony Price.

On 17 Oct 1981 Jill M. Liddle became the '''first woman''' to ring two tower bells to a peal when she rang Bob Minor at Rushbury, Salop (ref: [http://pealbase.co.uk/ Bill Butler's "On this day"]).

On 18 Jan 1990 '''6 ringers''' rang a peal of 5016 Plain Bob Maximus at Lockington, Leics (14-1-1) in 3hrs 2min (Arr RBS). 1-2 Peter LR Hayward 3-4 Paul Jopp 5-6 Robert B Smith 7-8 Frank C Price 9-10 Alan Cattell '''11-12 Andrew B Mills''' (ref Front Page RW 16/3/90). A year later the ringer of the tenors rang 4-5 at Limerick (23 Apr 1991 Grandsire Triples) but the most challenging performance is probably ringing '''2-3 to Norman Smith's 23 spliced''' for the Southwell Diocesan Guild at Kinsbury, Warwickshire on 9th July 1991 (5152 in 3hr 6m 17cwt). 1 Andrew D Higson '''2-3 Andrew B Mills''' 4 Frances Dodds 5 David J Pipe 6 David G Hull 7 David G Adams 8 Paul Needham. Conducted by David G Hull. Most Spliced major methods yet rung double-handed. The most methods currently rung double-handed is 196 Spliced Plain Minor at Millcroft Campanile by Jeremy W Spiller

On 29 Mar 2002* a band of '''6 ringers''' rang the first '''double handed peal of Bristol Surprise Maximus''' on the Piltdown House Campanile in 3 hours and 7 minutes (RW ref 4747.0388) 1-2 Andrew J Mitchell 3-4 Stephen J Mills 5-6 Michael P A Wilby 7-8 David J Pipe 9-10 Andrew B Mills 11-12 Anthony M Daw TENOR 22lb 7oz in Eflat *The website shows the date as Friday April 29th 2002 [http://www.piltdown.org.uk/campanilepeals.htm]

'''Peter L R Hayward''' became the first person to ring '''two non-adjacent''' bells to a peal when he rang the treble and fourth to a peal of Plain Bob Minor at Ossington, Notts on 24 Jul 1980. He has since rung peals of minor on every possible combination of pairs of bells (adjacent and non-adjacent).

==Call Changes==
Often thought to be a learning curve to more complicated Change-Ringing, Call-Changes are rung in Devon to a near perfect standard - however the (full) '''5040 extent on 7 bells''' has only ever been rung by Call-Changes twice.

With all changes (prior and subseqeuent to a call) being unrepeated this represents a 'huge' achievement in both memory for the conductor(s), and concentration of the band itself!

The first performance on 17th March 1990 [http://campanophile.com/view.aspx?57904] was rung in 6hr 36min at Buckland in the Moor, Devon by a local band and included 3 conductors.

The second performance on 30th September 2000 [http://campanophile.com/view.aspx?57906] was completed in 5hr 33min at the same tower (Buckland in the Moor, Devon) but by just one conductor '''Paul J Pascoe''', and remains the longest touch of '''Unrepeated Call-Changes''' yet called by one single conductor - with most changes being called at EVERY handstroke.

As a warm up, '''1000 Unrepeated Call-Changes''' (28th December 1999) [http://campanophile.com/view.aspx?57910] and '''2000 Unrepeated Call-Changes''' (1st September 2000) [http://www.campanophile.com/view.aspx?57909] were also achieved before the day - these also being the '''longest touches of Call-Changes by a single conductor''' prior to the performance on the day!

Both performances remain the longest and only times that Call-Changes have yet been rung to the extent on 7 bells - '''the illusive Call-Change 'peal' '''.

==Emulating Ringers of the Past==

'''Richard B Grimmett''' on Tuesday, 6 February 2007 conducted a peal of Stedman Triples wearing a blindfold throughout, emulating W H Barber's achievement at Gateshead on February 21st, 1908. [http://www.campanophile.co.uk/show.aspx?Code=46938].

Herbert Knight became the first person to conduct a peal of Stedman Triples whilst blindfolded on 12th October, 1907. He used Thurstan’s One-Part peal and it was his eight attempt. Ref: [http://pealbase.ismysite.co.uk/pealbase/ Bill Butler's blog]

==Most Bells Rung to Changes==
[[Image:Rwcentenary24belltouch.png|right|thumb|300px|Grid of the 100 change RW Centenary touch on 24 bells]]

===Most handbells rung to a touch===

The greatest number of handbells rung to changes is 24. On 26 March 2011, at the Methodist Hall, Westminster, London, 100 changes were rung on 24 bells by 12 ringers in front of an audience of approximately 1000 ringers at the Ringing World's centenary celebration. The eight minute touch was composed especially for the occasion by Philip Earis and the only opportunity for the ringers to practice was earlier that day. The ringers were: 1-2 Jenny Butler; 3-4 Mark Eccleston; 5-6 Philip Earis; 7-8 Philip Saddleton; 9-10 John Hughes-D'Aeth; 11-12 Paul Mounsey; 13-14 David Brown; 15-16 David Pipe (Conductor); 17-18 Tom Hinks; 19-20 Alex Byrne; 21-22 Simon Melen; 23-24 Michael Wilby. A grid of the 100 change touch is shown to the right.

'''Videos of the 24-bell ringing'''

#[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-fCRBNTNp0 close-up of the front bell ringers]
#[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx_cTkvpqbk from the audience's perspective]

==Handbell Peals==

===Most Handbells Rung to a Peal===

The greatest number of handbells rung to a peal is 22. 5040 Little Bob Twenty-two was rung at Bray on 9 July, 1978.

===Sixteen Bells, Eight Methods===
The '''greatest number of S methods to a peal on sixteen bells''' was rung in MELBOURNE, Derbys on Mon Jun 9 1997 3h49 (18). 5056 Spliced Surprise Sixteen (8m: 768 Newgate; 704 York; 640 Ealing, Parkhurst, Sawley, Wembley; 576 Feering; 448 Leatherhead: 78 com.) Composed by David J Marshall. 1-2 Rupert A Clarke 3-4 Robert B Smith (C) 5-6 John M Jelley 7-8 Simon C Melen 9-10 Paul Jopp 11-12 Roland H Cook 13-14 David J Marshall 15-16 Christopher M Wulkau [http://derbyda.org.uk/performances/peal/dda1997.htm]

===Four in hand===
On Mon Nov 4 1991 in 3h (12)in Sawley, Derbys a peal of 5040 Yorkshire Surprise Royal (Arr RBS) was rung with the following 4 ringers: 1-2 Paul Jopp 3-4 Robert B Smith (cond) 5-6 John Jelley '''7-8-9-0 Simon C Melen''' (ref "four in hand" Page 1100,1156 RW 1991). Possibly the only other occasions that such a feat was accomplished were on 21st October 1926 when '''Edward Hims rang 1,2,3,4''' to a peal of Stedman Doubles at Bicester. ref Bill Butler's [http://pealbase.ismysite.co.uk/pealbase/ On This Day] and when '''William (Bill) H Male rang 1, 2, 3, 4''' to a peal of Grandsire/Plain Bob Doubles in Warwick St Mary's ringing room on 30th April 1964, (Geoff Randall ringing the tenors to his first handbell peal).

==Tapping Peals==
'''Arthur T. Morris''' on 26th August, 1921 tapped out a peal of 5600 London S Major on handbells (ref article by Joe Roast in the RW in 1976)

'''Elijah Roberts''' on 30th June 1833 tapped 5016 Stedman Cinques on handbells at Birmingham. Henry Cooper called the bobs, and Henry Johnson was a witness. (ref: Edward Martin and further details from Bill Butler's [http://www.pealbase.co.uk "On this day" ]). He surpassed this peformance on 23rd March 1837 when he tapped 19,440 Kent Treble Bob Maximus, taking 13 hours and 43 minutes. (ref RW1911/514)

'''Harry Withers''' in Birmingham tapped several peals out. It is also understood that he did about 3 hours of Kent Treble Bob 20 but ran out of time. This would have been circa 1910 (ref: Richard Grimmett).

'''Samuel Thurston''' on 1st July 1809 tapped on handbells plain courses of Bob Triples, Bob Major, Reverse Bob Major, Double Bob Major and Grandsire Caters. A contemporary account notes: "This was considered to be the greatest performance ever completed by one man in the world." (ref: Bill Butler's Blog [http://www.pealbase.co.uk "On this day" ])

'''Bill Male''' could "ring" Holt's Original on the model tower that he built. It has 10 bells and is sounded by pressing down wooden keys. It is now situated in the ringing room at St Mary's church in Warwick.

===On a Piano===

'''John Harrold''' could play Bob Major on the piano when he was a young lad in the 1970s (Martin Kirk).

'''Harry Withers''' also played a plain course of Scientific Triples, possibly on a piano, which was the first time that it had been heard! (ref: Edward Martin).

'''Roger Baldwin''' could play Bristol Major on the piano and still hold a conversation whilst he was at Nottingham University in the 1970's recalls Pat Halls.

'''Laurie Wey''' used to play Cambridge Max on the piano according to what Tony Nunn has heard.

'''Bill Male''' is said to be able play "Holt's Orignal" on the piano and also the violin.

== Singing Ringing ==

'''Clement Glenn''' used to entertain Southwell Guild meetings by singing touches of Stedman Triples.
He would invite listeners to put the bobs in, but there were never any volunteers. (David Marshall)

===On a Saxaphone===

'''Mr W C Hunt''' played a course of Duffield on a saxophone as part of the entertainment at the Society of Sherwood Youths 1926 annual dinner in Nottingham (RW1926/90) (with thanks to Bill Butler's [http://pealbase.co.uk/|"On This Day"])

==Walking to Ring a Peal==
Possibly not so unusual at the time ringers of the Society of Sherwood Youths on Tue May 23 1820 '''walked from Nottingham to Chesterfield, approx 28 miles''', to ring a peal for the "opening of the bells".
[[Category: Articles]]

==Ringing whilst Blindfolded==

On 15th Mar 2012, six blindfolded ringers rang 1296 Cambridge Surprise Minor at St Paul, Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham. Conducted by '''Richard Grimmett''' it was believed to be the first quarter rung with every ringer blindfolded throughout. [http://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=124136]