On Wednesday 2nd March 20 ringers (including some new recruits from Kirtlington and Stratton Audley) headed to Bletchingdon for the Kirtlington branch practice… (and yes I did type that right – Kirtlington’s ringing chamber floor is being repaired so the branch practice had to move venues).
We started off with a number of goes at rounds and call changes to ensure everyone had a go (and for the lesser experienced they got used to the bells which were lighter and easier going than they were used to). Then we rang some plain courses of Grandsire Doubles for those trying to learn that.
Back to rounds and call changes (more confidently this time – great to see really apparent progress in such a short space of time) before attempting plain hunt on 5 for a couple of the Stratton Audley recruits. We then rang more rounds & call changes before some plain courses of Plain Bob Doubles. After more round and call changes, and more plain hunt we finished (by way of a thank you to the willing helpers who stood behind giving tips and advice much of the evening) with a touch of Plain Bob Minor and a good ring down (ending in Queens which wasn’t something that had been attempted by a couple of the band before, but it worked so well that we received applause for our efforts).
The next branch event is (again) at Bletchingdon – two weeks time we have a special practice focusing on Plain Bob Doubles and Grandsire Doubles (but we’ll also ring whatever those that attend are working on) so do come along if you are able.
Anthony Cole