Andy Pollock writes:
The Wombel has had a couple of trips out recently, firstly I took it with me (along with full audio-visual kit and additional bell paraphernalia – wheel/headstock/rope/bearings/stays/sliders/running board) to the North West Ringing Course. I delivered a couple of talks in optional sessions about the merits and capabilities of the Wombel, helped some students get to grips with their handling, and it was available to use throughout the weekend – I saw it being used from basic plain hunting to touches of Steadman Cinques and 8-spliced.
There were 3 other mini-rings in addition to the Wombel dotted around the campus at Borwick Hall that were used at every opportunity from start to end of the weekend.
The course itself was a lot of fun, with daily theory, and 6 two hour practical sessions over the 4 days, plus a multitude of optional sessions (from handbells, to ringing up and down in peal, listening skills, the Central Council Ringing 2030 initiative, and much more). Previously the course had been held at Myerscough College near Garstang. This year was the first year the course was hosted at the historic Borwick hall (outward bound centre) with extensive grounds, and a maze of rooms and corridors to explore. We camped right next to the hall, and most people stayed inside in the shared rooms, and there was breakfast and dinner provided. Later in the evenings there were plenty of opportunities to relax and mingle in the common room near the bar with quizzes, guest speakers and question time, awards, raffle draw. And for those with the stamina we even played table tennis into the early hours of Sunday morning!
The central purpose of the course was naturally the practical sessions, and with a total of 12 hours of ringing at 6 different towers over 4 days there was a real opportunity to make progress under the tutelage of an experienced teacher supported by a friendly, helpful, and enthusiastic bunch of stable ringers. I was helping one of the two plain bob minor groups under the tutelage of Neil Donovan, with 4 students David, Cormac, Connor, and Hayley and it was rewarding to see all the students make great progress by the end of the weekend. Some struggled a bit at the start but had that encouraging eureka moment on day 2 or 3. All the students could ring plain courses comfortably as the course neared the end. The last couple of days the students were introduced to touches in the theory sessions – some trying out touches or even attempting to call a touch (the young Cormac from Drogheda north of Dublin).
I would heartily recommend the course for anyone in the branch in the future, as helper or student as appropriate, whether it is held at Myerscough or Borwick.
The Friday after the NW Ringing Course the Wombel featured at the Brilliant Barrow Weekend – Victorian Promenade at the Dock Museum in Barrow. It was a great family day out and the Wombel was in almost constant demand from 10am to 4pm mostly with youngsters of primary school age group, and even some parents/adults and pensioners, and a couple of passing seagulls! A couple of Kentdale Paramedics were drawn to the Wombel and revealed they had once rung bells at Ulverston and Kirkby Lonsdale. Cameron grabbed an opportunity to ring a course of Bristol Surprise Major too!
The feedback sheet comments (48 people/families left feedback) were universally positive about their experience and 9 ticked the ‘might be interested to learn (now or later)’ checkbox, which is encouraging.
A sample of comments:
- Great fun and something different for kids and adults
- A unique Experience! Great to learn more about bells. Thanks!
- Smashing activity, kids loved having a go.
- Good experience for my autistic son. Shower was patient and kind.
- Very Good for kids, especially to help understand how bells are rung
- Excellent-brings it to life & great for kids to understand bell ringing
- Scarlett + Sophie loved it. Might want to learn!
