On Tuesday 16th June 6 branch members (from 3 towers), one former Islip ringer and 3 recruits attended St Nicholas in Islip for the special practice. The chosen methods for the evening were Plain Bob Doubles and Stedman Doubles.
The practice had started early for some handling tuition for the recruits and it was good to see one is starting plain hunt and the other is trying rounds. The third was on her very first visit up the tower so I hope to see her ringing by the time I visit next!
We started with rounds on the back 5 and then on the back 6.
Next we rang some plain courses of Grandsire Doubles with Becky watching for the first time what the treble had to do. We then rang some call changes on all 8 bells (another first for Becky).
We rang a touch of Plain Bob Doubles to show the recruits something a little more advanced before more rounds with some hilarity about which Anthony to follow (Bibbings or Cole!). We finished with a fairly good ring down in peal on the back 6.
A visit to the Swan Inn followed (a traditional part of ringing in Islip!). A good evening, but a shame not to see a few more ringers coming along.
The next branch practice is at Caversfield on Fri 3rd July. I know some branch folk haven’t rung at Caversfield so do pop the date into your diaries and come and try out our lovely 5 bells.