Final Two Island Cluster Event at Oamaru, January 2026
Eleven ringers, including three Australians and two UK visitors, met at the Sluters' for four days of ringing on handbells and their mini-ring, and of course socalising. This was a Two Island Cluster training event. Thanks to Mary and Frank for organising and hosting, and to ANZAB for travel support for members resident in NZ. When asked for quotes, most emphasized the fun. It was a lovely, very enjoyable weekend.
Oamaru TIC participants, January 2026
For several us it was our first visit to Oamaru. We were super impressed by the huge garage holding the mini-ring surrounded by tools, games tables, packing boxes etc. Also, by the Sluters opening their house to us for the weekend, feeding us and putting up with us inadvertently reorganising their kitchen. We wish them well in finding another property that can accommodate the mini-ring and support further TIC events.
The mini-ring in the garage (with no cars!)
Highlights and quotes:
- A confused conductor turned to the treble after a failed touch and said "were you the bell making fourths at that final Bob?".
- Nick (UK) is here for a few weeks and enthused that the trip was already worthwhile just based on this weekend.
- The quarter peal record for the weekend doesn't show all the different methods attempted. Some were unsuccessful quarter peal attempts, but others were short touches or plain courses.
- Janet (Wellington) said the opportunity to ring plain courses of methods she is learning was very worthwhile, and having sufficient ringers for eight bell ringing was fantastic.
- Harold (Brisbane) enjoyed the challenge of ringing a new, as yet un-named, method, with the band achieving a 720. He also mentioned trying various methods with the challenge of the speed of a mini-ring along with learning how to handle the bells.
- Colin (Wellington) said he rediscovered the pleasure of method ringing, and enjoyed various theoretical discussions between ringing.
- Oamaru Surprise Minor (a new method) was worked on over the weekend, resulting in a very well struck QP on the final morning.
Apart from studying methods and compositions, people spent non-ringing time reading history books, working through A-Level maths problems, preparing for the 12-bell weekend, talking to the Sluters' two dogs, and spending time in the kitchen.
Colin, Peter and Janet
Deryn Griffiths