The Education Committee seeks to promote the recruitment and training of bell ringers and to extend the appreciation of bell ringing among the public. 2014 has been a very mixed year for the education committee. We started off in good form with the Ringing Up & Down Workshop, which was well attenTded and received good feedback. A request for a follow on by members of one tower in the Peak District has yet to be arranged. Unfortunately other planned workshops were not so successful. Stuck in a Rut – ideas for tower captains and others organising ringing, was cancelled due to lack of support and the Heavy Bell Workshop was cancelled due to our inefficiency and lack of forward planning. However our final event of the year, a Listening Workshop at Eckington, which at the time of writing this report has yet to take place, already has over 20 members attending. During the year a regular young ringers' practice on the 2nd Sunday of every month has been established. This has been organised by Alec Humphrey and has been well supported and appreciated by the young ringers. Quarter peals and a peal have also been arranged by Alec for young ringers including first quarters, first peal, first inside and first as conductor. Members of the Education Committee supported the team entering the Ringing World National Youth Contest at Worcester in July. The team entered the method section this year and due to a trip in the method they were disappointed in their result, but the adults were still proud of them; they sorted themselves out and got through the touch. They also all had the opportunity to ring at the Teaching Centre in Worcester Cathedral, and to ring on the notoriously difficult bells of the Cathedral, which they did with ease. We also continue to support and promote the use of the Wombel at local events. Over the year the Wombel was taken to 12 events and is already booked for 8 in 2015. It has only been in storage for a very short time between events, as most bookings keep it in the church for a week or so for ringers use. The new upgraded version of Abel which allows ringing with life size people projected onto the wall has proved very popular at Belper. All members of the committee have also been involved with training at towers local to them and with answering specific requests for help. Requests and support for ITTS Courses can also be made through the Education Committee and we hope to be offering another Module1- "Teaching Bell Handling" in the near future. The committee continues to offer workshops where possible on the morning and in the district of each quarterly meeting. Please get in touch if you would like to see a workshop on a particular subject or think the committee could help your tower in anyway. Gill Hughes - Education Committee Secretary Our Wombel Early in 2013 the Derby DA purchased a Wombel. This is a simulator on a frame that can be easily rung by both ringers and non-ringers. It has many uses such as recruitment, raising the profile of ringing and training and it can be used indoors or outdoors in fine weather. The Wombel is an impressive piece of equipment and comes with computer, speakers, extension cable and everything needed for its operation. The Wombel is available for hire by members of the DDA to use at suitable events such as church fetes, carnivals, village shows or anywhere you think it could be used to recruit ringers or promote bellringing. So far it has been to 2 Arts' Festivals, 1 village fete, and 4 church events. It has also been used for teaching and training at Belper, Hartshorne and Eckington giving more experienced ringers the chance to practise method ringing using Abel software. Headphones speakers and all necessary cables are supplied along with full operating instructions. Members of the Education Committee are available to help with the erection of the Wombel and setting it up. It comes complete with a computer, speakers and headphones. An extension lead and circuit breaker are also available. It can be operated outside but not in the rain; there is a cover with it in case of rain. It stands just under 3.6metres high and needs a ceiling height of 4metres for erection. It needs a space of approx. 6metres x 4metres for assembly. When erected the base size is 1.9metres x 1.2metres. Anyone wishing to borrow the Wombel will need to arrange transport for it, either from Eckington, Belper or its previous location. The base is carried on the roof of a car; there are a set of cross bars available to fit any car with side bars. Two people can lift it onto the roof but four are needed at one time to get it upright after assembly. If you are unable to find a suitable vehicle the Education Committee may be able to help. If you are interested in borrowing the Wombel for an event, or would like more information about it, you should contact Gill Hughes. Booking details are here. |
Annual Report > 2014 Annual Report >