Sydney Ringing School, January 20-22, 2017

The January 2017 Sydney Ringing School – allegedly the "30th SRS" – was organised by NEANZAB Branch Chairman Graham Harman with the participation of 11 learners, 7 session leaders, 25 helpers, 1 ANZAB Webmaster, 4 luncheon speakers, 1 lost quarter peal, 4 handbell demonstrators and 8 towers! (Although we only ended up ringing at 6 of the towers.) A big thank you to all who participated so enthusiastically, and who contributed towers! Especially to our interstate and country visitors; and to all those who helped with set-up, lunches and clean-up!

The 11 learners were drawn from Naremburn, Orange, St James' Queen's Square, Lithgow, Christchurch St Laurence, and Bathurst. We started off with attendance at St Philip's Church Hill and St Benedict’s Broadway on the Friday night, and a “basics” session at St James' Queen's Square. It was as hot as! And running between the three towers to try and welcome everyone simultaneously at 6 o'clock, was probably not the smartest thing that I did that day. Then – through the weekend – we broadly split into two roughly equal-sized streams: a handling and rounds and call changes stream; and a plain hunt to bob doubles stream. There were plenary lunches at Christchurch (Saturday) and St Mary's (Sunday).

The overarching objective of the school was "to stretch people without freaking them out" and – whilst some understandable nervousness was evident! – I believe that we succeeded on both counts. This was due in large part to the calmness and patience of the session leaders, and the welcome provided by all helpers. There was lots of positive feedback from the learners, and desire expressed to sign up for next time!

Graham Harman

Images from the January 2017 Ringing School

January 2017 Ringing School participants

Some of the January 2017 Ringing School participants
(image courtesy Peter Harrison)


Where to next?

At St Mary's: ANZAB President David Smith examines the program for Saturday
with learners Christine Stanger (Orange) and Kay Kan (Christ Church St Laurence)
(image courtesy Graham Harman)


Tony Wyatt talks about steeplekeeping

So what does your steeple-keeper actually do, in that shadowy world up the ladder and above the ceiling?
Tony Wyatt (Christ Church St Laurence) gives a fascinating explanation, to learners at the Ringing School
(image courtesy Graham Harman)


A pricture of concentration

A picture of concentration
(image courtesy Peter Harrison)


Ringing on 12 at St Mary's

Ringing on 12 at St Mary's
(image courtesy Peter Harrison)


Handbell deomonstration at St Mary's

Handbell demonstration at St Mary's
(image courtesy Peter Harrison)