Organisers' Report

The 2018 Sydney Ringing School was conducted over the Labour Day weekend in New South Wales from Friday 29th September to Sunday 31th September. The aim of the school was to provide learners from towers outside Sydney with the opportunity for instruction and intensive practice with experienced ringers in a number of Sydney towers. There were 12 places for learners and, such was the popularity of the school, we had 7 people on the waiting list. Most of the learners who attended were ringing rounds and call changes and working on plain hunt which allowed us to easily group learners together at the same skill level.

Participating Sydney towers included St Benedict's, St Phillip's, St James' Queens Square, St Mary's Cathedral, Christ Church St Laurence, St Leonard's Naremburn, St Paul's Burwood and Holy Family in Lindfield. There were social opportunities during the weekend also. A lunch was provided in the Crypt of St James on Saturday for all learners and helpers. Sue Brazel, the mother of organiser Anna Bosman, prepared delicious food for the group and individually catered for those with special dietary requirements so that everyone had something they could eat.

2018 Sydney Ringing School participants

image courtesy Peter Harrison

On Sunday, a complimentary lunch was provided by the bell ringers of St Mary's Cathedral in the ringing room for those attending the ringing school and the concurrent 12 bell weekend. During the lunch, participants were given the opportunity to climb up to the belfry to see the bells. After an introduction to 12-bell ringing from Ringing Master, Peter Harrison, and a demonstration from experienced ringers, all the learners had a turn at ringing on 12, many for the first time.

Anna and I asked participants for feedback about the ringing school and were glad that the feedback was positive overall. We learnt that the learning opportunity was really valued but that 3 hour sessions were too long and tiring for participants, particularly the helpers who had little opportunity for a break from the ropes. Shorter sessions or more helpers per session will be recommended in future. Everyone seemed to enjoy the chance to mingle with other ringers during the informal lunches.

We would like to thank the participating towers and everyone who contributed to the success of the ringing school. The school could not run without the time given by ringers from all towers and we know the learners were so appreciative. Special thanks to those who travelled to Sydney to instruct at the ringing school namely Kathi Downs (Katoomba), Sue Pacey (Melbourne), David Smith (Brisbane) and Mike Clayton (Christchurch, New Zealand).

Fiona Thompson

Photo Gallery

Practice at St Philip's

Practice at St Philip's
(image courtesy Fiona Thompson)


Words of wisdom at CCSL

Words of wisdom at CCSL
(image courtesy Fiona Thompson)


CCSL session participants

CCSL session participants
(image courtesy Fiona Thompson)


Catering marvels at St James' Queen's Square

Catering marvels, and organisers, at St James' Queen's Square
(image courtesy Fiona Thompson)


Naremburn session participants

Naremburn session participants
(image courtesy Fiona Thompson)


Introduction to 12 bell ringing at St Mary's

Introduction to 12 bell ringing at St Mary's
(image courtesy David Smith)


Introduction to 12 bell ringing at St Mary's

Introduction to 12 bell ringing at St Mary's
(image courtesy David Smith)