To all our Learners - Keep Going!

 To all our learner ringers Now that you have been ringing for a few weeks, we get the impression that some of you might feel a bit frustrated that you are not ringing yet at ‘expert’ level. This is normal, so please do not be deterred. 

It will all come together. Probably quite soon, but if it takes a bit longer, then so what? There are no tests or exams. You are not a better person, or more or less of a friend, if you learn faster or slower. No-one is judging you. 

You WILL ring on Coronation day! And someone will stand with you if needed. 

The following are some responses to the learning frustrations, which we found on the internet. We have changed a few words here and there to make the comments specific to ringing. 

• There are lesson days where I can be really on top of things regardless of how long I have practised, and I have days that are positively embarrassing despite very diligent practice. 

Some responses: 

• Well, the most obvious advice is to just keep at it! 
• it’s my strong opinion that this dissatisfaction 
• [learning frustration] is a sign that you really are learning ringing, and doing so at a very respectable rate. 
• Keep at it. It will come. . . . my first few attempts made me feel like a complete idiot. Slow is your friend. I know how hard it is not to progress at the speed you would LIKE to. I think we’ve all felt that.
•  “Slow is your freind”. Yes indeed. But there is that point where the tower captain says “let’s ring rounds”. Buckle up. It’s going to be a wild ride. 

So please keep coming to the practices. We and all the other ringers are your friends and we will work with you as long as it takes. And one other thing, we experience the same frustrations, but just at different points of ringing (e.g. learning handbells and method ringing). 

Robert and Katie

Probably needed Sarah to help with this drawing!