Organiser's Report

The Sydney Ringing School was held over the Labour Day weekend from Friday 4th to Monday 7th October 2019. The aim of the school was to provide learners from regional NSW towers with the opportunity for instruction and intensive practice with experienced ringers in a number of Sydney towers. There were 12 places for learners and we had 1 person on the waitlist. Due to one of the learners only being able to attend the Saturday sessions, the wait-listed learner was able to attend the Friday evening and Sunday sessions. We had one last-minute cancellation due to family reasons, and ended up having 11 learners on each day.

Participating Sydney towers included St Benedict's, St Phillip's, St James' Queen's Square, St Mary's Cathedral, Christ Church St Laurence, St Leonard's Naremburn and St Paul's Burwood.

Two successful quarter peals were rung on the Monday morning:

Two lunches were held over the weekend:

  • On Saturday a lunch was put on at the cost of $10 each in the Crypt of St James for all learners and helpers. This was catered by myself (with assistance from my mum). Around 22 attended this lunch.
  • 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 see the bells, watch a demonstration from experienced ringers and all the learners had a turn at ringing on 12, and some had a go ringing the tenor!

From the feedback received it appears the learning opportunity was really valued from the learners and they extended a huge thank you to all the helpers for their patience and guidance throughout the weekend. It was noted last year that more helpers were required for each session, to allow more break opportunities, and I took this on-board by aiming for 2 more helpers for each session. This proved useful, when last minute changes/drop-outs were received.

The school could not run without the time given by ringers from all towers and we know the learners were so appreciative of the advice and time given by all. A special thanks to our Ringing Masters; Andrew Davies, Thomas Perrins, Peter Harrison, Kathi Downs, Richard Thomas and Murray-Luke Peard. I would also like to thank Will Ryan for stepping in last minute to call one of the Monday quarter peals and Rachel Perrins for taking a last-minute rope in the same quarter. A thank you also to those who travelled from out of Sydney to help, namely David Pacey (Melbourne), Kathi Downs (Katoomba), Ron Shepherd (Camden) and Andrew and Belinda Messer (Camden).

Anna Bosman
13 October 2019

Photo Gallery

2019 Ringing School participants

Participants in the October 2019 Sydney Ringing School, at St Mary's Cathedral
(image courtesy Anna Bosman)