It was on the fifth Saturday in October, to avoid any of the District meetings, that we assembled for the Ely Diocesan Association Training Conference, hosted this year by the Wisbech district in Downham Market church hall. We were an assorted group of ringers - some to learn about teaching bell handling, some to improve their own bell handling, some experienced teachers to pass on their knowledge, and some intrepid learners who were prepared to let the learner teachers practice on them.

We started with a theory session and Richard Pargeter, the Association Education Officer, explained his method of teaching bell handling which he has developed over a period of time. He stressed the importance of not suggesting errors to the new ringer and, in order that our trainees would not hear about all the errors which they could make, had arranged for them to be taken to see the bells in Downham Market church. This also meant that the trainees could have the necessary safety points explained to them in a small group before the first practical session.

After a break for coffee, we all went over to the church for a real-life demonstration. We were extremely fortunate to be able to watch Richard giving a first bell-handling lesson to a new ringer who had never handled a rope before. The trainee coped magnificently, and was completely unfazed by all the extra people standing around. We watched in fascination as the first wobbly backstrokes became confident and controlled, and pulling off the first handstroke was added to the beginning of the sequence.

Returning to the church hall, we found the catering team (Andrew Stevens and Sheila George) had the tables set for lunch and were all ready to dish up. During lunch time, between queuing for the next course and talking to our neighbours, we watched part of the Central Council video on bell handling and tried to spot the handling errors which were being demonstrated.

Next there was a chance to put some of what we had seen into practice. Brian Hullah, ringing master of the Wisbech district, had organised tied bells in both Stow Bardolph and Downham Market towers. All the learner teachers had a chance to do some teaching, either with a real learner or with another ringer pretending to be a learner, and always under the watchful eye of one of the experienced teachers. Several of us wanted to practice regaining control when a bell starts to drop, and it proved surprisingly difficult to let this happen deliberately.

There was time for a final question and answer session in the church hall, then tea and cakes, before the conference ended with thanks to all involved.

This was a most useful day with plenty of opportunity to share ideas and meet other ringers from around the Diocese. Many thanks to the organisers. Do look out for next year’s conference and attend if you can - I certainly hope to be there. Janet Garnett