Taking part in the ART Module 1 course on bell handling, based at the beautiful Stokesley Church, was like stepping into a crash course in both rope control and crowd control—except the crowd was mostly bells with attitude. The course was a brilliant mix of theory and practical work, designed to help us become confident and competent teachers of bell handling. We covered everything from the anatomy of bell handling—breaking down each movement and understanding what good technique looks like—to how to teach those elements clearly and effectively to learners. The practical sessions were hands-on (and the occasional wayward rope), giving us the chance to refine our own technique while learning how to spot and correct common mistakes both as a teacher and a “learner”.
The real gem of the course, though, was the bell handling problems section at the end. It was like a comedy sketch meets a diagnostic masterclass. We took turns demonstrating classic learner errors—some of which were suspiciously familiar—and then worked through how to fix them. There were flailing arms, rogue sallies, and one particularly memorable moment involving a bell that seemed to have its own agenda. It was hilarious, insightful, and incredibly useful.
And of course, no bell handling course would be complete without the much-needed cups of tea and biscuits on hand after each session—vital fuel for both body and brain (and a great opportunity to swap stories of near-misses and unexpected bell behaviour). I left the course feeling more confident, better equipped, and with a whole new appreciation for the phrase “controlled ringing.”
