Groups
With all our groups it is always possible to extend beyond the stated tasks if a Student shows exceptional ability. However, the opposite is not so easy – a Student will struggle in a group that is too advanced, and it is very difficult within the time to go backwards to something more basic. We recommend you choose a group within your ability rather than one that exceeds it.
GROUP A ROUNDS AND CALL CHANGES
The starting point for this group is the ability to ring rounds. Depending on the quality of their bell control some students may find that the experience of ringing rounds with a strong band is sufficiently rewarding. Others may make their first steps in call changes and then, possibly, in change ringing on three or four bells.
GROUP B ELEMENTARY CHANGE RINGING
A Group for those who can plain hunt on 3 or 4 or 5 bells a little, to give practice at plain hunting on different rings of bells and in different orders both on the treble and “inside”. This Group will be learning ropesight (including looking and striking) as an essential preliminary to ringing the treble to Plain Bob. Practice will be given at ringing the treble to Bastow Minimus and Doubles and to Bob Minimus.
GROUP C PLAIN HUNT ON FIVE
For those who want to learn to ring the treble to plain hunting on five bells. “Starts” will be from 12345 at first then from other orders. Ideal for students who have some experience of hunting on five already, but need to improve their bell-control, ropesight and striking before trying to ring Plain Bob inside. There may opportunities to ring Plain Bob inside for those who show they have made progress in these areas.
GROUP D PLAIN BOB DOUBLES
For those who really have ropesight and bell control when ringing the treble to Plain Bob or Grandsire Doubles (please note Group C’s aims) and are ready to learn Plain Bob Doubles inside.
GROUP E GRANDSIRE DOUBLES
For those who really have ropesight and bell control when ringing the treble to Plain Bob or Grandsire Doubles (please note Group C’s aims) and are ready to learn Grandsire Doubles inside.
GROUP F PLAIN BOB MINOR
Plain Bob Minor inside. For those who can ring a Doubles method inside to touches.
GROUP G TREBLE BOB MINOR
Kent Treble Bob Minor. For students who can ring Bob Minor inside confidently to touches. You either come to learn to ring the treble to Treble Bob (in which case a variety of methods may be rung), or to learn to ring Kent TB inside. Applicants coming to learn to hunt the treble may be placed in Group H instead.
GROUP H SURPRISE MINOR
Surprise Minor: The main focus will be Cambridge, with the possibility of further methods too. For those who can ring Kent or, preferably, Oxford TB to touches. If you’ve never rung Treble Bob inside, we recommend Group G, even though Treble Bob may not be rung in your tower/area. Those who regularly buy the Ringing World Diary may have noted that the Treble Bob section has been enlarged this year – it is a much neglected topic, but it is beginning a revival!
GROUP I STEPPING UP TO TRIPLES AND MAJOR
This group is aimed at Students who are used to ringing five or six bells and would like the opportunity to extend their abilities to eight bells. A variety of methods may be rung according to need, to provide practice at eight bell ringing – perhaps starting with plain hunting on seven, and working up towards Kent Treble Bob. Other methods may include Little Bob, Plain Bob, Double Norwich, and Grandsire Triples.
GROUP J STEDMAN TRIPLES AND CATERS
Applicants should have experience at either Stedman Doubles or Grandsire Triples, preferably both. Those with some experience of Stedman Triples will have the opportunity to develop it and progress to Caters. We hope the first three towers will be eight bell ones, the last three ten bells. Students can limit themselves to Triples at the later towers if they wish.
GROUP K SURPRISE MAJOR.
For those really competent at easier eight bell methods. If you’ve never rung any Surprise Major, we will start with Cambridge and Yorkshire. Once these are mastered, we can move on to others of the standard eight, probably Rutland and Bristol, though circumstances at the time will determine the actual methods chosen. Sometimes applicants with a broad experience find they are beyond the ‘upper limit’ of what we can offer. If you just need London to complete the standard eight, the Hereford Ringing Course is probably not the place to do it!