To be held in St Giles’s Church, Bletchingdon, on Saturday 28th February 2026
October’s Branch Practice at Ludgershall, 24th October 2025
Fifteen ringers (four of whom were under eighteen) arrived at Ludgershall for the Branch Practice on 24th October. We rang rounds, call changes, Grandsire Doubles and Bob Doubles, with touches of the latter two, just to make things a little more interesting. With only five bells at Ludgershall, it was a good practice for those who are used to always having a tenor at the back for doubles methods.
Everyone said they had enjoyed the practice and all went home happy.
Quarter Peal at St Edburg’s, Bicester, 21 October 2025
A quarter peal of Bob triples was rung at St Edburg’s Bicester to mark Jeremy Adams’s retirement, and to thank him for his long service to the branch.
There was a gathering of branch ringers afterwards to wish Jeremy well.
Fellowship of St Birinus awarded to Steve Vickars of Kirtlington
On Sunday 14th September 2025 at Dorchester Abbey, Steve Vickars was one of fourteen people who received the award of the Fellowship of St Birinus. Steve was nominated by Rev. Gareth Miller, Rector of the Akeman Benefice and Area Dean of Bicester and Islip, for his work over several years as Tower Captain of St Mary’s Kirtlington, and in leading practices, training and recruiting – not only at Kirtlington, but also at other towers in the Benefice and further afield.
The Fellowship of St Birinus held its first meeting in May 2009 when the then Bishop of Dorchester founded the Fellowship with the support of the Rector of Dorchester Abbey. It is seen as a modest way in which people can be honoured who have given exceptional service in some way or other to their church and community over a number of years.
Members of the Fellowship receive a certificate showing why they were nominated, and a lapel pin badge showing the symbol of St Birinus.
Branch Barbecue, 6th September 2025
The Old Priory, Bicester, was the venue for the branch BBQ on 6th September. Our hosts, Helen and Rob Parkinson, very kindly ensured the weather was warm and dry for the evening. Sadly, we had to cancel/postpone the planned striking competition, because so many people were either away or otherwise engaged and we couldn’t raise enough teams. However, around ten of us made our way to the church and rang for about an hour, while the BBQ coals were warming up.
We returned to indulge ourselves with burgers, hot dogs and a truly delicious selection of salads and puddings prepared by the Bicester and Islip catering crew.
Had I known that Rob’s mini-olympics would swiftly follow, I probably wouldn’t have had seconds of anything at all. He’d organised three relay races for two teams of mixed young and not-so-young participants. The 20ft sprint seemed like a mile and we were so busy looking for an oxygen tank afterwards, I don’t actually remember who won, but I’m pretty sure it was my team (combined age of 193 for the 5 of us). It was all good fun.
Although there were only 20 of us at the BBQ, it was particularly pleasing to note that 6 of the 20 were aged between 14 and 18. It was great to see the youngsters all getting on so well together and enjoying the evening…including seeing how many could fit into the tree house at the same time and playing hide and seek in the dark. Just before we all made our way home, Jeremy thanked Helen and Rob for a lovely evening and also presented Amy and August with book tokens. August is going to the University of Cambridge and Amy is heading off to College too. They will be very much missed, but we all look forward to seeing them very soon.
Teresa Carter
ODG Michaelmas Course, Saturday 27th September 2025
Based in East Berks and South Bucks Branch and nearby branches
Saturday 27th September, 2025
10.00 – 18.00
Cost £20
This course is designed to provide opportunities for students to learn and practise more advanced methods than those offered on the Radley and Steeple Aston courses.
The day will start with a tutorial at the first tower followed by a practical
session and further ringing, usually at two other nearby towers.
Depending on demand, groups will be formed to cover the following
options:
- Stedman Triples (entry level Stedman Doubles/Grandsire Triples)
- Surprise Minor (entry level Treble Bob Minor)
- Basic Surprise Major – to include Cambridge and Yorkshire (entry
- level Cambridge Minor/Treble Bob Major)
- Advanced Surprise/Delight Major – selected methods from the ‘core seven Pickled Egg’ and ‘Standard Eight’ (entry level Cambridge/Yorkshire Major)
Further details and application forms are available from the secretary of
the Learning and Development Workgroup:
Robert Newton
11 Plowden Park
Aston Rowant
Watlington
OX49 5SX
Tel.: 01844 352926
Email: edsecretary@odg.org.uk
Closing date for applications: 23rd August 2025
ODG Steeple Aston Ringing Course – 25th October 2025
Bicester Branch members….
Are you learning plain hunt, bob doubles or grandsire doubles, want some more practice, or want to move on to triples or major? The Steeple Aston course is the ringing course for you!
Application forms are available from Louise Gill (louise.k.gill@gmail.com). Please submit your completed application form to Louise Gill by the closing date of 31 August 2025. Cost £37* which includes tower donations and a two course evening meal.
* If you are in full time education, the ODG will cover 50% of the cost.
Branch Practice at Weston
On Thursday 27th March our branch practice at Weston was surprisingly well attended. We had approximately 20 ringers with queuing on the stairs!
We think 8 towers in the branch were represented and we were also joined by ringers from Somerton and Steeple Aston.
We rang a variety of methods ranging from rounds to Cambridge Minor and attempted to let everyone have a go at something they wanted to ring, with a few new things thrown in for good measure.
It was pleasing to see such a good turnout and, hopefully, we can maintain this at future practices throughout the year.
Richard
Minutes of 2025 AGM
Held in St Mary’s Church, Weston-on-the-Green, on Saturday 15th February 2025
2025 AGM Guild Reports and Minutes from 2024
Held in St Mary’s Church, Kirtlington, on Saturday 17th February 2024