Teaching at the Hereford Ringing Course is mostly done in small groups – we aim for five or six students per group – with plenty of helpers. In all groups there are more helpers than students! The most elementary groups assume you can ring rounds and no more, whilst at the ‘top end’ there are usually groups studying Stedman Caters and Surprise Major. However, we do drawn the line before 8-spliced!
There is always a practical ringing session on Thursday evening – this is a ‘get to know-you’ session, where group leaders can assess the students (and helpers) in their care. There are two practicals on Friday: one before lunch and one between tea and dinner. In between praticals, there a variety of theory sessions. Some are with the group leader, concentrating on the methods being rung at the practicals, whilst others are more general in nature. There are two further practicals on Saturday – usually a little further afield, with lunch taken between the two ringing sessions. For some years there used to be three sessions at this time, but this was found to be too tiring! The final practical is on Sunday afternoon, by which stage the group leader hopes to see that plenty of progress has been made.
As well as the practicals and theory sessions, there are various other activities. Every course we pay a visit to the belfry of Hereford Cathedral. For many, this is the highlight of the weekend. It should be stressed that the Cathedral bells are ‘characterful’ and ‘interesting’ – which means they are not easy to ring! But most students can get to have a go at rounds on 10 if they want. As an alternative to the Cathedral, there is usually general ringing at other towers in the area.