When I looked back through the diary to note the number of events held at the Centre I was astounded to see that we had 44 training events during 2009. This has been in a year when I have been particularly busy and have had to turn down some requests because of this. Despite this we have averaged more than one event per week during the weeks I have been available. These events have ranged from one to one handling sessions; using our digital camera to aid identification of faults, through to Spliced Treble Bob training days run by the Whiting Society for its members. We have hosted a Whirlow training event and two DDA training days. We have had a small number of whole tower training events where complete bands have taken advantage of the facility to meet their particular training needs. Our monthly Plain Methods sessions have improved in popularity and we are now attracting participants from across the DDA as well as some from outside of Derbyshire. Whilst many of these are from Yorkshire we have also welcomed visitors from Nottinghamshire, Manchester and even had an enquiry from Cambridgeshire. It is pleasing to report that more of our attendees are now finding us through the website.
Just one event we offered this year did not take place because of a lack of participants. This was a session arranged to familiarise attendees with the uses of Abel as a simulator and the different configurations the software can cope with using multiple options files to cope with adding in dumb bells etc. Had the event run we would also have demonstrated other uses the simulator could be put to for more advanced ringing and listening practice. The only two people who did show interest joined us early on a Plain Methods morning and we were able to cover many of the points they were particularly interested in prior to the usual practice. Looking forward I would still like to develop the use of the Centre further but my time and commitment has to be shared with other interests and responsibilities. Because of lack of time I have not pursued the after school club idea with our local Church School, although I still have strong connections there and hope that it is something we may be able to start in the future.
We have a wonderful facility at Eckington, which is capable of hosting more than it already does. I have tentatively offered for the Centre to become involved in the Ringing Foundation’s ‘Integrated Teacher Training Scheme’ that is currently being piloted in South Wales. It is hoped that this scheme, developed by Pip Penney of the Central Council Education Committee, will help to develop teachers for the future and may lead to some form of accreditation in teaching bell handling. For us to be able to progress this though we shall need a good deal of support from experienced ringers who are willing and able to commit some time to this process. If this progresses further I will be seeking support from our membership.
2009 was again a successful year for our Ringing Centre and I already have bookings into 2010 that suggest we will continue to be effective. Gordon Halls I hope would be pleased with our achievements to date and as we move into our 8th year I would like to think that it will continue to have an impact on training in our area for many more years. With your help this could perhaps include a more structured approach than we have been able to achieve to date. Please give some thought to offering your support to your Ringing Centre and ensure its continued development. I would welcome your enquiries.