First practice session at St Ives. Using a tied bell (i.e. the clapper is strapped in place so that it doesn’t hit the bell and ring) a group of 5 or 6 beginners practised backstrokes. Michael White, tower captain at Hemingford Grey, assisted by his wife Bridget, was the teacher, supervising us, ringing the handstrokes, and ensuring nothing went wrong, or rescuing us if it did.