The Story of the Burghill Teaching Hub
The Burghill Teaching Hub began with a shared enthusiasm for teaching, learning, and supporting the future of bell ringing in our local area.
The enthusiasm of our first group of new learners inspired us to organise Open Tower Days, promoting bell ringing through local newsletters and welcoming members of the public to discover this unique tradition.
The idea of working more closely together took shape when we organised an ART M1 – Bell Handling course on Saturday, 31st August 2024. The aim of the course was not only to develop our own skills, but to help teachers learn how to teach bell handling effectively and confidently. A WhatsApp group was created to share ideas, news, resources and encouragement, and it quickly grew into a wider network of support. Teachers began helping each other at practices, supporting service ringing, and sharing their experiences.
Following the course, we started holding monthly sessions where teachers could practise what they had learned, exchange ideas, and continue developing their teaching skills. These sessions soon evolved into joint practices, with teachers bringing along their learners and working together to create a supportive and encouraging learning environment. Through shared teaching experiences and collaboration, strong working relationships developed, along with a collective commitment to helping new ringers thrive.
As the group grew, it became clear that something special had been created. What began as informal support naturally developed into a more structured and joined-up approach to ringing education, and the Burghill Teaching Hub was formed. Burghill was at the heart of where this journey began, making it a fitting name for our shared project.
“I’m very happy with the training. The extra sessions have really helped me progress, and I’m so impressed at how much time and effort you all put in, it’s been invaluable”
– One of our 2026 cohort
Supporting Learners and Teachers
The Hub’s sessions have developed alongside the needs of our learners and teachers. Our Learning the Ropes (LTR) Level 2 sessions were initially created as an opportunity for teachers and learners to practise the LTR curriculum together, using the ART approach in a dedicated learning environment rather than trying to introduce new teaching methods during busy practice nights. These sessions have proved popular and have been warmly welcomed by both learners and teachers.
As new learners joined, we introduced monthly LTR Level 1 sessions to provide a similar supportive experience for those at the beginning of their ringing journey. These sessions allow learners to share experiences, build friendships, and learn together. Many learners have appreciated the additional time, encouragement, and confidence that comes from being part of a group rather than learning in isolation.
Building a Stronger Ringing Community
Before the Hub was formed, all five of our local towers faced challenges in maintaining regular Sunday service ringing. Through the commitment of our teachers, learners, and supporters, we are now able to ring all the bells for most services across all five churches.
As our learners continue to progress through the Learning the Ropes programme, our teachers are also developing their own skills — adapting from teaching the fundamentals of bell handling to supporting learners as they discover the techniques and challenges of change ringing.
The Burghill Teaching Hub is about more than learning to ring bells. It is about creating a welcoming community where teachers support one another, learners encourage each other, and everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the rewarding journey of bell ringing.