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The 2003 Kent MTM took place around Leeds (the Kent one, of course) over the weekend of 24-26 October. The course aims to develop the key skills needed to sustain a healthy band and tower. Eighteen students from various districts attended, representing a wide range of ages and ringing experience. We had each chosen one or two options from teaching bell handling, teaching call changes, teaching method ringing, and belfry maintenance and bell mechanics, in addition to sessions on tower management.
You may have read the article entitled "The Perfect Tower Captain" on page 936 of The Ringing World (26 September 2003). I remember smiling as I read the impossible list of qualities required (oh that I was 28 again!) and yet there we all were in the upper room at Leeds with John Harrison leading the discussion on how we might strive to become perfect tower managers. We were provided with helpful guidelines, which can be adapted to suit the circumstances of most bands and towers. The exercise on running a ringing session was a real insight into the complexities involved in ensuring that everyone has at least one "prime ring" at a tower practice or District meeting.
I've often stood with a learner at practices to help guide him/her through call changes or plain hunt, and I've tried to conceal my fear that s/he might lose control of the bell. I've also admired those who offer advice on how to correct untidy ringing and calmly reach out to take hold of a learner's rope just before the learner realises s/he's lost it! So teaching bell handling seemed to be a good option for me. Alan and I, as students, were clearly more terrified than our guineapig (Huw) at the start of the session, but our buzz was very obvious when Huw rang virtually unaided at the end of the second session. I think we succeeded in scaring our tutors (Frank Lewis and Neil Jones) a couple of times too, so that was a bonus. I also picked up some useful tips on how I might improve my own bell handling!
Brian Butcher ran the maintenance option, beginning with a theory session and followed by inspections at All Saints (Maidstone) and Leeds. It was great to have three ladies in our group because they asked most of the questions and us guys were able to pretend that we already knew the answers. Brian treated us to a variety of historical facts relating to construction techniques, including the pros and cons of using animal fat in plain bearings. The session ended with rope splicing and we were shown crown and eye splices as well as the trusty long and short varieties.
As usual, the organisation of the course was brilliant, and it was great to meet enthusiastic ringers from other KCACR districts. It was a very full weekend, and I can't remember the last time I was so exhausted. I am so grateful to the organisers for arranging the end of British Summertime to coincide with the MTM course!
Ray Taylor
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