On Saturday 15th Sept Islip once again hosted the branch social and striking competition. I was keen that a tower team would win this year rather than the branch officers so it was with trepidation that I approached the evening and the number of teams that might turn up. I need not have worried as we had 4 tower teams (up from 2 last year) making for a good competition. Apart from Islip (which fielded a full local team), Bicester, Launton and Charlton teams were made of 50%+ tower members with a few extras to make up the team numbers – some who had not entered a competition before and whilst aprehensive beforehand, found it was actually quite good fun really. Islip rang first ringing Grandsire Doubles, followed by call changes from Launton. Bicester rang Plain Bob Doubles and Charlton rounded off the competition with some more call changes. The standard was very high and few trips were made by any of the teams for the judges (ably performed by Lorna and Brian Curtis from the Witney & Woodstock Branch) to separate us all by.
We all retired to Kathryn’s for a marvellous BBQ and drinks and a good chat. As usual, Kathryn, Teresa, Sally and their team of helpers had done us proud and we had our fill of the main course as day turned to night.
The results of the competition were announced before the puddings which were announced as follows:
Lorna presented Anthony & Jeremy with the trophy and champagne which the rest of the Bicester team shared in shortly afterwards. We also offered the champagne around to anyone else who wanted some!
It was a lovely evening with good friends and a little ringing to boot – thoroughly enjoyable and I look forward to the next one 🙂
