Report (February 2011)
With the pioneering founders of the MCS ringing club well on their way to change ringing by the end of the academic year, the new term heralded the time to recruit some more members. With the “old hands” all still at school and actively involved with the club, our stall at the “freshers” fair attracted lots of attention. Competition for lunchtime clubs is fierce, being by the door and having a laptop seems to be an advantage (note to organiser …) to get in there first!
On the first session, we set off to Magdalen College tower to see some ringing, the bells and some great views over Oxford and, with the new intake of girls into the lower VIth, assess the viability of heels and skirts on the stairs. The “old hands” showed us that they hadn’t forgotten everything over the year and enticed a new crop of 3 first years and 6 lower VIth – giving us 18 in total.
For the first term we split, with the ‘newbies’ at Lincoln College learning to handle a bell, and the old-hands at Magdalen practising their method ringing on the simulator. As the term progressed, we were given the opportunity to ring for the MCS Carol services taking place at Magdalen College Chapel, something for which we are most grateful to the college for allowing. With the eye on that goal, and only 12 sessions until Christmas, the progress at Lincoln was excellent. Transferring to Magdalen on the simulator was a shock – 3 realisations struck – not all bells in the Oxford go as well at Lincoln College, not all ropes are thin enough for first years to get their hands around and there are simply not enough boxes in Oxford for 3 teeny first years and 1 teeny Dr Bell.
Coming back together with the whole club, across the year groups, at Magdalen provided some of the best sessions we have ever had. The camaraderie and (often) banter was fantastic to see, with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere across the year groups, 11-18. With 18 kids, a simulator to ring changes, a set of hand bells to ring carols and cakes top it off, the enthusiasm built towards the end of term events.
Having rung for the schools Commemoration service in July, the old-hands were ready, but with only 1 term’s worth of teaching, the newbies stepped up to the plate. We rang for both the services, with every single member ringing rounds whilst the rest of the school community came in and out of chapel. Assisted by the ringers of the Oxford Society, whose help we are especially grateful for, the glorious sound of 10 bells of Magdalen rang out over Oxford on a cold dark December evening, for many of the ringers, the first time they had heard “real” bells. Everyone was buzzing – having been so nervous beforehand, and then really performing well, the achievement was really appreciated. Having an “insider view” in school now, the ringing was appreciated by all, and any achievements are publicised in assembly, giving extra PR!
Our next big event will be ringing for Commem in July, and given our recent experiences, we have high hopes! We are grateful to both Lincoln and Magdalen Colleges for the use of their bells, and to the Oxford Society and the Ringing Foundation for their support. Last but by no means least, the weekly efforts given by the helpers, giving up their time to teach the kids is hugely appreciated – Marika Haseldine, Chris Griggs, Robert Wallis, Simon Bond, Mark Bell and Chris Backhouse.
Claire Bell
