During 2008 there were 48 training events held at the Centre. Two were DDA training days but they were mostly events organised by the Centre to meet the needs of either beginners, those looking to move on from rounds or others looking to master new methods, mainly the Oxford Group this year. We have also again hosted all the Whiting Society training events and they have booked the facility again for their events in 2009. So I am pleased again to be able to report that your Ringing Training Centre is in continuous use and hopefully, making a valuable contribution to ringing in the DDA.
The tower has purchased a complete set of ropes that by the time of writing this report have been installed during early January 2009. Whilst the local ringers have paid for these initially, the Centre committee will agree a contribution towards this cost, although the funds currently held by the Centre would cover less than half of this amount.
During the year other than the two DDA training days and events held by other societies all the training has only been possible because of the commitment of Eckington members and I once again appeal to the membership for volunteers to give some time to the Centre to provide a team of people to act as tutors. Other than time this need not be onerous as the majority of training offered is at a very basic level. I would love to be able to offer regular training events in the form of a syllabus for new ringers but it seems that this may remain a dream. However if you feel that you could become involved in some way I would be very pleased to hear from you.
I reported last year that we were hoping to take part in a DVD film and indeed a lot of footage has been recorded but because of a family tragedy amongst the filmmakers this has been put on hold. I am hoping that during 2009 we shall be resurrecting the project but probably not in its original concept.
Towards the end of the year I have been in discussions with the Head Teacher of the local Church School and have made tentative plans to start an after school club for pupils of the school to take up ringing. I have started with one family of 4 children on an informal basis during the last few weeks of the year.
I look forward to another eventful year in 2009.