Notes on the recent Michaelmas Course

The ODG runs a one day course, at different ability levels every year.  This year I secured a place on the Advanced Surprise Major course.

Prior to the course a questionnaire is sent indicating what methods you are interested in ringing, and your objectives so that appropriate support and planning can be organised. I chose Bristol and London Surprise Major.

The venue this year (and most years) is the Shiplake ringing centre near Henley, a good 8 with sound control and additional facilities nearby.  There were 6 participants and we gathered for a short tutorial at 10 am, covering the principles of the chosen methods, Bristol the most popular, with Cornwall and London included, run by experienced tutors Patricia and Robert Newton.

At tea and biscuits the helpers arrived and ringing started at 11 a.m. Patricia carefully placed ringers for the practices with helpers, and each of us had plenty of supported ringing in our chosen methods, until an excellent lunch at a local pub.

More supported ringing in the afternoon, with progression with touches and some splicing for those who wanted to try this, and it was clear that all the participants were gaining confidence and making progress. A break for Tea and 4 and more ringing followed until 6.

I would highly recommend this course to others, and even though it is based some distance away the support and amount of ringing made the journey worthwhile.  The course was followed up with a request for feedback, and as a result of this Robert kindly organised a successful QP of Bristol for me recently.

My sincere thanks to Patricia and Robert for running this excellent day, and all of the helpers from far and wide who gave up their Saturday to help us all progress.

 

Chris Seers, Shipton under Wychwood