1. Teaching under 13’s to ring on simulators
Teaching at Denmisch
Teaching under 13’s to ring on simulators

2. Denmisch - History Denis and Mischa Thompson (Den-Misch)
10 Saxilby Simulators in garage in Okehampton
Mischa donated to Guild of Devonshire Ringers when Denis died
Exeter Cathedral School already had bell ringing club
Converted old workshop for simulators (and cloakroom)
Separate attached room for computer equipment
Simulators belong to Guild – used for training sessions and other
Guild paid just the excess for installing simulators
We pay insurance but don’t pay for space or use
School gets free use and instructors

3. Denmisch – teaching
Bellringing club after school 4-5 on Thursday afternoons
Up to ten pupils – aged up to 12
Several regular helpers: parents, grandfather, student, headmaster, …
Handling learnt very quickly (some ringing alone after 10 mins)
Interspersed with handbells and trips up the cathedral tower
Set some bells silent for practice with others open
Ringing can be fun – but hard to control!
Difficult with so many learners at once
One pupil keen to lead and call changes
Invent their own names for things (eg “strike” for firing)
Ringing down sounding like sheep!

4. Conclusions
12 years old only just motivated enough to ring rounds/hunting
Attempt to get them into the real world
Simulator gets over being scared of bell
Translates well when first put on “real” bell
Get used to “real” bells after a few weeks
Some successes
Oliver is ringing standard 8 and surprise royal
Sam is ringing regularly at two towers
Some not sufficiently interested (or capable) but know more about ringing now than the general public
Ringing can be FUN – much better learning in a peer group