|
|
The Fire Ring in the Forge BROCHURE 2000 Ringing Courses and Holidays |
||
|
The Fire Ring in the Forge is situated in the South Shropshire hills adjacent to Hopton Heath Station on the Heart of Wales Line. As well as offering splendid walking in beautiful countryside dotted with castles and fine hill forts it also offers access to a number of superb rings of bells ranging from the heavy 8 at Ludlow (10 miles) to the newly augmented ring of 10 in picturesque Clun (7 miles), 6 at Clungunford (1 mile), 8 at Stanton Lacy (10 miles) the unusual 5 at Pembridge (14 miles) and many others. Local market towns at Clun, Knighton, Ludlow and Leominster are all worth a visit. The Herefordshire border is one mile away and the Welsh border no more than 4 miles with a walk on Offa's Dyke Path an excellent diversion. The Heart of Wales Line is a joy in itself and gives easy access to Shrewsbury, Llandrindod Wells and the Central Wales Hills. The local countryside should not be ignored and many happy hours can be spent exploring the quiet byways around the local villages such as Hopton Castle, Obley and Clunbury. |
|
||
Details from:
John Turney and Jan Herraty, Orchard House, Hopton Heath, CRAVEN ARMS, SY7 OQD Telephone 01547 530470 and now on the internet e-mail firing(at)lineone.net|
Non-resident ringers and non-ringing residents are also welcome |
Ringing Facilities The Fire Ring is in a building which for many centuries was a blacksmith's forge and remains of this trade can still be seen in the beams and walls of the belfry. It possesses a light ring of 8, tenor 65 lbs. in C cast by Taylors of Loughborough in 1996, a dumb bell designed to simulate the behaviour of a tower bell of some 3-4 cwt for handling practice, and a simulator which can be connected to this dumb bell for individual method practice. The belfry also can be used as a teaching room and a set of handbells, reference books and the computer programme 'Abel' are available. Tuition The course tutor John Turney is a member of the Central Council Education Committee and has had widespread experience of teaching people to ring over the past 25 years as well as teaching others on courses. You can therefore be sure that you will be instructed by a confident and experienced tutor. |
Accommodation
We also aim that as well as gaining knowledge during the weekend you will enjoy yourself and the accommodation and food are designed to help you do this. Accommodation is in nearby Great House some 50 yards from the forge and meals are also served there. Both are non-smoking areas. Great House was built at the end of the eighteenth century and it has recently been refurbished. Bedrooms are single, twin or double and some have ensuite facilities. Meals reflect the supply of vegetables from our organic smallholding together with meat from our rare breed sheep and home produced honey and eggs. Vegetarians can be catered for by arrangement as can vegans and others who would like a special diet.
Costs
Typically a weekend course including tuition, accommodation and meals is £120, and we ask for a non-returnable deposit of £35 on booking, Non resident students will normally be charged pro rata. Costs and full details of all our courses are available on enquiry. (sae, or e-mail firing(at)lineone.net )
Ringing on the Fire Ring
Practice night is first Wednesday of the month 7.30pm. Visitors are welcome but please phone beforehand. The Fire Ring is also available for visiting bands. There is a charge. Outing organisers note that we can do coffees, lunches and teas. For people staying longer we have comfortable residential facilities and would be pleased to provide B&B and help plan your tour.
THE FIRE RING IN THE FORGE COURSES-2000
|
Email for next list please to firing(at)lineone.net |
Beginners and Improvers Weekends
(see dates above)These courses are designed for those who wish to learn to handle a bell and for those who are practising ringing with others. It is therefore suitable for those who have no previous experience and those who have been ringing for some time but wish to reinforce their skills and increase their confidence and rate of progress.
Each course begins at 7pm on Friday with an evening meal and ends with a cup of tea on Sunday at 4pm.. All meals are provided. Tuition is through a blend of individual practical sessions, group discussion, simulators and videos. Four students will normally make up the course: this being the optimum number to allow for plenty of individual tuition as well as some group participation.
Areas covered include learning to ring the backstroke and the handstroke separately, putting both strokes together, stopping and starting and some practice at following another bell in rounds. Time will also be spent on the techniques of ringing up and down whilst throughout the course there will be an emphasis on correct handling and listening skills. It is anticipated that by the end of the weekend the average beginner will be able to ring on his or her own with supervision. Improvers should expect to follow a similar programme which will be tailored to their special needs.
A clear indication of the progress that has been made and subsequent steps will be given at the end of the course. Much practice at another tower will be needed to reinforce the skills learnt on the weekend.
Other parts of the course will cover the mechanics of the bell, an introduction to the art of change ringing and a visit to a local tower on Sunday morning. Much of the teaching will take place on the dumb bells on the Fire Ring in The Forge which will allow there to be plenty of practical sessions with the minimum of inconvenience.
(Back to List of courses)|
Return to STA Home Page |
