Developing Ringer Expertise at All Levels: Training Opportunities at St Milburga’s, Stoke St Milborough
The Church of St Milburga in Stoke St Milborough has established itself as a vibrant teaching centre within the Church Stretton District. Housing a fine ring of eight bells cast by Matthew Higby and Emanuele Allanconi, the tower offers an inclusive, highly supportive environment where bell ringers of every ability—from total novices taking their first steps to seasoned method ringers with decades of experience—can develop and refine their craft. We are not affiliated to any particular body in regard to our teaching approach, so we are able to maintain a flexibility of approach which meets the needs and desires of each particular ringer. We believe that everyone has their own individual learning style and that, therefore, the learner should be free to tell us what does or does not work for them. We will then adapt our teaching approach and focus on helping the learner to achieve their goals. In essence, our philosophy is that everyone has their own personal target with their ringing and it does not matter which route they take in order to get there.
We have an open door policy at Stoke St Milborough in regard to who can come to ring with us, i.e. anyone and everyone! We place no expectations upon ringers in regard to attendance or availability for service ringing, as we believe that everyone should be free to ring when they wish to without ever feeling they are under any kind of obligation. Some of our ringers come every week, whilst others just drop in on occasion. Either way, we will always welcome anyone who comes along and we encourage you as an individual to get involved in the ways and at the times that work for you.
A Pathway for Every Level of Ringer
At Stoke St Milborough, training is structured to ensure that ringers receive focused instruction tailored to their individual goals. The weekly schedule offers distinct sessions aimed at specific skill levels:
Absolute Beginners & Improvers: Building confidence in bell handling and foundational theory is essential for any new ringer. Beginners receive initial individual or small-group tuition by arrangement. This will involve teaching of handling using either of our two training bells. These feature a heavy, blue steel weight (or steel box filled with concrete) rather than a traditional bronze bell and are engineered to simulate the feel, momentum, and turn of a 3.5 to 4 cwt full-circle tower bell. Using the training bells to teach initial handling has the advantage of taking away the worry of the learner that they might break a stay or cause some other injury to either the bell or themselves. Such worry can be a real hindrance to progress in the early stages, so having a training bell to use helps to get the confidence up right from the word go.
We have an open door policy at Stoke St Milborough in regard to who can come to ring with us, i.e. anyone and everyone! We place no expectations upon ringers in regard to attendance or availability for service ringing, as we believe that everyone should be free to ring when they wish to without ever feeling they are under any kind of obligation. Some of our ringers come every week, whilst others just drop in on occasion. Either way, we will always welcome anyone who comes along and we encourage you as an individual to get involved in the ways and at the times that work for you.
A Pathway for Every Level of Ringer
At Stoke St Milborough, training is structured to ensure that ringers receive focused instruction tailored to their individual goals. The weekly schedule offers distinct sessions aimed at specific skill levels:
Absolute Beginners & Improvers: Building confidence in bell handling and foundational theory is essential for any new ringer. Beginners receive initial individual or small-group tuition by arrangement. This will involve teaching of handling using either of our two training bells. These feature a heavy, blue steel weight (or steel box filled with concrete) rather than a traditional bronze bell and are engineered to simulate the feel, momentum, and turn of a 3.5 to 4 cwt full-circle tower bell. Using the training bells to teach initial handling has the advantage of taking away the worry of the learner that they might break a stay or cause some other injury to either the bell or themselves. Such worry can be a real hindrance to progress in the early stages, so having a training bell to use helps to get the confidence up right from the word go.
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Every Friday morning (10:30 am – 11:30 am), dedicated sessions focus on bell handling, standing a bell on the balance, rounds, call changes, and the gradual introduction to Plain Hunt. We currently have roughly ten in attendance at a typical Friday practice, so up to all eight bells may be used and there will be opportunities to stand behind and observe, or to have an experienced ringer to stand behind you whilst you are ringing. There is a strong focus on listening, rope sight and counting places, so if you are looking to learn how to ring steady rounds and move on to call changes, then this practice is ideal for you.
By prior arrangement, learners can also attend a tied-bell session from 9:30am to 10:30am, which will afford them the opportunity to ring with simulated sound either as a band or individually with simulated ringers.
By prior arrangement, learners can also attend a tied-bell session from 9:30am to 10:30am, which will afford them the opportunity to ring with simulated sound either as a band or individually with simulated ringers.
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As a means of developing timing, listening skills, handling skills and method learning, these tied-bell practices can be very useful and will tend to boost confidence when returning to open ringing with a full band. Some learners, for example, struggle with adjusting their ringing speed between the slow strokes going out to the back and quick strokes coming into the front when plain hunting. Using the simulator to practise Plain Hunt on the Treble can help to address this issue, as the ringer can work to place their own bell properly in time with the simulated bells, which are always guaranteed to be in the right place. The ringer can learn how to hear their own bell more effectively, meaning that when they ring with a full band on Tuesday evenings, they are considerably more steady and confident with striking and timing.
All-Abilities Open Practice: Held on Tuesday evenings (7:30 pm – 9:00 pm), the general tower practice brings together the experienced local band and those learners who are ready to advance beyond the level of ringing provided on Friday mornings. It provides an opportunity for improvers to practice alongside experienced ringers in a supportive atmosphere where everyone helps each other to improve. A typical Tuesday evening practice will incorporate Rounds and Call Changes, along with method ringing on six and eight bells. Doubles, Minor, Triples and Major methods will all feature and the methods that we ring are chosen by the participants themselves, as per what they are working on at the time, provided of course that we have the personnel present to make it possible.
All-Abilities Open Practice: Held on Tuesday evenings (7:30 pm – 9:00 pm), the general tower practice brings together the experienced local band and those learners who are ready to advance beyond the level of ringing provided on Friday mornings. It provides an opportunity for improvers to practice alongside experienced ringers in a supportive atmosphere where everyone helps each other to improve. A typical Tuesday evening practice will incorporate Rounds and Call Changes, along with method ringing on six and eight bells. Doubles, Minor, Triples and Major methods will all feature and the methods that we ring are chosen by the participants themselves, as per what they are working on at the time, provided of course that we have the personnel present to make it possible.
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For those wishing to expand their repertoire or extend their rope time, we have a flexible arrangement whereby the treble bell can be tied for simulator practice from 7pm, for the half-hour prior to the main practice. This gives our ringers the opportunity to have some individualised, focused practice on a method which may then be rung during the main practice. As a confidence booster, it works very well and it usually gives the learner a few pointers to focus on when ringing ‘the real thing’.
Our regular Tuesday evening ringers are at quite different stages of experience and learning, so we make sure that everyone gets to have a go at ringing what they are currently working on, with an appropriate band placed around them to make it possible. Working towards a Quarter Peal is always there as a target in the background, and we can facilitate this, but importantly, we don’t put any pressure on individuals if they don’t feel ready or ambitious in that regard.
Advanced 8-Bell Ringers: For those looking to master complex method ringing on eight bells, the Wednesday morning practice (10:30 am – 12:00 pm) delivers targeted high-level practice. These sessions cover the Standard Eight Surprise Major series and beyond. For those first dipping their toes into Surprise Major, we can give you the benefit of an experienced band around you to get you through your first blows in Yorkshire or Cambridge, for example. For those further along the road, in addition to the Standard Eight, we also work on methods from the Nottingham Eight and Core Seven. Other methods are also used as a focus for several weeks at a time, such as Wembley, Double Dublin, Jersey, Double Norwich, Stedman Triples… leading to possible Quarter Peal attempts once the method in question has been perfected. Several of our Wednesday ringers are experienced at calling touches, including Spliced, and those who wish to learn how to call are encouraged to have a go and develop their skills in this regard.
Our regular Tuesday evening ringers are at quite different stages of experience and learning, so we make sure that everyone gets to have a go at ringing what they are currently working on, with an appropriate band placed around them to make it possible. Working towards a Quarter Peal is always there as a target in the background, and we can facilitate this, but importantly, we don’t put any pressure on individuals if they don’t feel ready or ambitious in that regard.
Advanced 8-Bell Ringers: For those looking to master complex method ringing on eight bells, the Wednesday morning practice (10:30 am – 12:00 pm) delivers targeted high-level practice. These sessions cover the Standard Eight Surprise Major series and beyond. For those first dipping their toes into Surprise Major, we can give you the benefit of an experienced band around you to get you through your first blows in Yorkshire or Cambridge, for example. For those further along the road, in addition to the Standard Eight, we also work on methods from the Nottingham Eight and Core Seven. Other methods are also used as a focus for several weeks at a time, such as Wembley, Double Dublin, Jersey, Double Norwich, Stedman Triples… leading to possible Quarter Peal attempts once the method in question has been perfected. Several of our Wednesday ringers are experienced at calling touches, including Spliced, and those who wish to learn how to call are encouraged to have a go and develop their skills in this regard.
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We started the Advanced practice in 2021 and it has been increasingly popular over time, with ringers dropping in from surrounding associations and guilds. Some of them travel for over an hour to reach us, as they appreciate the opportunity to ring methods that they may not be able to explore in their own immediate area. Even when our attendance is over 20, which is a fairly regular occurrence, we make sure that everyone gets to ring something that they have been working on, and we actively encourage attendees to request particular methods. By operating democratically in this way, we make sure that nobody ever feels overlooked or out of their depth.
Service Ringing takes place on the first Sunday of the month for Evensong, starting at 17:45 and finishing at 18:30. We use this time to showcase our ringing all levels, from Rounds and Call Changes through to Triples or Major methods, such as Grandsire or Plain Bob. The focus is, of course, on good striking, so we don’t overstretch ourselves and only ring methods with which everyone is comfortable and secure. As stated above, we place no obligation upon ringers who attend practices to then turn up for service ringing, and we usually have enough ringers from the village and surrounding area to ring all eight bells. That said, we are always delighted when anyone else comes along and will make sure that they find it a worthwhile experience. Similarly, we don’t expect ringers to stay for the service if they do not wish to, but you will always be made very welcome if you do!
We also have the option to ring Service Quarter Peals on the fourth Sunday of every month, with a flexible start time, either early or late afternoon. Everyone is welcome to get in touch to inquire about booking these slots.
Simulator & Training Technology
A cornerstone of the teaching facilities at St Milburga’s is its advanced tied-bell simulator system. By tying the clappers and using optical sensors connected to specialized software, ringers can practice full-circle ringing silently without sound travelling outside the church.
Key features of the training setup include:
Service Ringing takes place on the first Sunday of the month for Evensong, starting at 17:45 and finishing at 18:30. We use this time to showcase our ringing all levels, from Rounds and Call Changes through to Triples or Major methods, such as Grandsire or Plain Bob. The focus is, of course, on good striking, so we don’t overstretch ourselves and only ring methods with which everyone is comfortable and secure. As stated above, we place no obligation upon ringers who attend practices to then turn up for service ringing, and we usually have enough ringers from the village and surrounding area to ring all eight bells. That said, we are always delighted when anyone else comes along and will make sure that they find it a worthwhile experience. Similarly, we don’t expect ringers to stay for the service if they do not wish to, but you will always be made very welcome if you do!
We also have the option to ring Service Quarter Peals on the fourth Sunday of every month, with a flexible start time, either early or late afternoon. Everyone is welcome to get in touch to inquire about booking these slots.
Simulator & Training Technology
A cornerstone of the teaching facilities at St Milburga’s is its advanced tied-bell simulator system. By tying the clappers and using optical sensors connected to specialized software, ringers can practice full-circle ringing silently without sound travelling outside the church.
Key features of the training setup include:
- Real-Time Visual Feedback: Software indicators display whether a strike is early, late, or perfectly timed, helping learners quickly tune their rhythm.
- Virtual Ringing & Rope Sight Development: Animated virtual ringers allow individuals to practice ringing the treble or inside bells with perfect mathematical rhythm, accelerating rope sight acquisition.
- Flexible Practice Hours: The simulator system can be booked for individual or group practice at any reasonable time on any day of the week, as long as the church is available and a few days’ notice is given. Just email us at [email protected]to discuss your requirements.
- Dedicated Training Bells: In 2023, two dedicated training bells were added to the tower, expanding the options available for handling practice and smaller group work.
Comprehensive Support & Community Spirit
Progress in change ringing requires a balance of physical handling skill and theoretical understanding. To support this, St Milburga’s provides a growing collection of free digital and printable learning materials directly on their website to assist ringers with method theory, striking drills, and visual diagrams.
Above all, the tower prides itself on warm hospitality. Experienced members work side-by-side with newcomers to ensure everyone feels valued as part of the tower team. Visiting ringers are always welcome to join practice sessions or book time on the simulator.
Whether you are looking to take up a fascinating traditional hobby, refine your striking accuracy, or tackle complex Surprise Major methods, Stoke St Milborough provides the ideal environment to achieve your goals. To learn more or book a session, use the Contact tab or email the tower team at [email protected]
Progress in change ringing requires a balance of physical handling skill and theoretical understanding. To support this, St Milburga’s provides a growing collection of free digital and printable learning materials directly on their website to assist ringers with method theory, striking drills, and visual diagrams.
Above all, the tower prides itself on warm hospitality. Experienced members work side-by-side with newcomers to ensure everyone feels valued as part of the tower team. Visiting ringers are always welcome to join practice sessions or book time on the simulator.
Whether you are looking to take up a fascinating traditional hobby, refine your striking accuracy, or tackle complex Surprise Major methods, Stoke St Milborough provides the ideal environment to achieve your goals. To learn more or book a session, use the Contact tab or email the tower team at [email protected]
Key Info
Ringing TimesTuesdays (PLEASE CHECK IF GOING AHEAD BEFORE ATTENDING)
7:00pm to 7:30pm BY PRIOR ARRANGEMENT ONLY: Tied-bell simulator practice 7:30pm to 9pm: Open practice (All levels catered for) Wednesdays (PLEASE CHECK IF GOING AHEAD BEFORE ATTENDING) 10:30am to 12 noon: Advanced 8-bell practice (including but not limited to the Standard Eight) Fridays (PLEASE CHECK IF GOING AHEAD BEFORE ATTENDING) 9:30am to 10:30am BY PRIOR ARRANGEMENT ONLY: Tied-bell simulator practice 10:30am to 11:30am: Beginners' / Improvers' practice & Simulator practice (Handling, Rounds & Call Changes, Plain Bob, Grandsire etc.) plus... Sundays (PLEASE CHECK IF GOING AHEAD BEFORE ATTENDING) First Sunday, 5:45pm to 6:30pm: Service Ringing Fourth Sunday: Option to ring a Service Quarter Peal, flexible afternoon timing. Enquire if interested. VISITORS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME AT ALL OF OUR PRACTICE SESSIONS, BUT PLEASE LET US KNOW YOU ARE COMING, AS WE SOMETIMES HAVE TO CANCEL AT SHORT NOTICE. EMAIL: [email protected] We can also make the tower available for simulator practice at various other times during the week. Just get in touch with any requests. |
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