The Fire Ring and

The Marches Teaching Belfry

Bell Ringing Courses and Holidays

John Turney and Jan Herraty,

Orchard House, Hopton Heath, CRAVEN ARMS, SY7 0QD

Telephone - 01547 530470 Nat. Grid Ref - SO 383 775

Email: courses(at)firering.co.uk

Web site http://www.firering.co.uk

full details of courses are now on their own website at the above http address - visit them!

The Fire Ring and the Marches Teaching Belfry are situated in the South Shropshire Hills adjacent to Hopton Heath Station on the Heart of Wales line and near Offa’s Dyke footpath. (map)

The Tutors are John Turney who has been a member of the Central Council Education Committee and has had widespread experience of teaching people to ring and training bands over the past 25 years and Jan Herraty, who has learnt more recently. Tuition has a strong practical emphasis.

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Facilities

We have two 'rings' of bells. A set of handbells, lots of reference materials and the computer programme ‘Abel’ are also available.

  • The Marches Teaching Belfry has 6 dumb bells, which sound, feel and behave like normal tower bells but easier (each connected to the Bagley Ringleader Simulator). This means that every step of a method can be practised by a band of six students and helpers, stopping as often as necessary to problem solve. Although the six 'bells' are sounding, and the striking can be perfected, the 'bells' are audible only in the belfry and so there are no restrictions on open ringing
  • The Fire Ring is a light ring of 8 bells, tenor 65 lbs. in C used by local and visiting bands. (see photo right)

Accommodation (non-smoking) is in two adjacent houses. Bedrooms are single or double, some ensuite. Meals reflect the supply of food from our smallholding including organic vegetables, meat, home produced honey and eggs. Vegetarian, vegan and other diets can be catered for by arrangement. It may be possible to camp or caravan. Non-resident ringers and non-ringing residents are also welcome.

Courses begin at 7pm on Friday evening with an evening meal and end with a cup of tea on Sunday at about 4pm

Costs Course fees are all inclusive; they cover tuition, accommodation and meals. We ask for a non-returnable deposit on booking and the balance on arrival. Non-resident students will normally be charged a fee to include tuition and all meals and drinks except breakfast. (Deposit on booking.) Weekend include meals and accommodation.

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