Diana Green reports on the targeted session held for the Cockermouth ringers:
Are the bells up or down?
A question asked more than once on the morning of Saturday 18th November. A small group of the Cockermouth band of ringers ventured to Wigton tower, where they were met by a team from Carlisle Cathedral. Ruth Gilbert had co-ordinated a targeted training session on taking bells up and down in peal for the Cockermouth ringers. Ringers from the Cathedral gave up their morning to help, patiently ringing bells up or down as required. The session was expertly lead by Anne East who ensured each ringer received the training they needed to help move the band on in their attempts to ring up/down in a orderly manor.
After an hour and half the Cockermouth ringers left Wigton uplifted by their attempts and headed for a meal at the Sun Inn, Red Dial. Due to an electric fault the pub was closed, so the meal was quickly re-scheduled closer to their home tower. An excellent meal was devoured, and then the team ventured up the stairs to their own tower.
So can we now ring up / down in peal? Well an hour later the team decided the morning had been very beneficial with lots being learned. However, there is still a long, long way to go before we can confidently say “Yes we can take the bells up in peal, no problem!”
Thanks to Ruth, Anne, and the Carlisle Cathedral ringers for all their invaluable help.
Diana Green
