EDUCATION COMMITTEE REPORT

Education Committee Members: -

Chesterfield District Karen Jeffrey and Don Jones

Derby District Gill Hughes and John Heaton

Ilkeston District Richard Barnett

Peak District Peter Humphrey and Philip Mehew

During the year the committee organised two courses at the Gordon Halls Ringing Centre: Listening Skills and Teaching Bell Handling. These subjects were chosen because they could make particularly good use of the facilities the centre had to offer. The Listening Skills day was advertised throughout the association and led by John Heaton. A CD was produced for everyone and use was also made of the simulator. The Teaching Bell Handling was by invitation only, district ringing masters and education committee members from all four districts were asked to nominate people for the course. We particularly targeted towers where quite often someone had ended up having to do the teaching because no one else could. Neil Donovan, a very experienced tutor from the Yorkshire Association, led this day and pupils, course participants and helpers alike learnt much.

The Cambridge Course held in the Belper area at the beginning of the year was extremely popular needing an extra venue arranging. But the treble bob and Kent day held in the south of the county in November was short of participants, many who wanted the course were unable to attend on the day. 

All four districts have responded during the year to local needs and requests, often by organising special practice nights at the local tower rather than training days. A lot of training and help goes on in an even less formal way, with a few competent ringers visiting a neighbouring tower and helping out. There does seem to be an increasing number of ringers prepared to do this which must be good for the exercise. All these ringers form part of the overall training pattern; training is not the sole prerogative of the education committee. The education committee values all this help and support given by lots of ringers to their neighbours. The committee exists to support your needs and requests. If your tower wants some help please ask your district committee member whether it be for a formal course or some extra support at practice night we might well be able to help but if not we might know a man who can.

Gill Hughes