Author: Admin

Posted on

On tour 2016

It is the holiday season and the Cole’s headed for Cornwall last week for a (well needed!) holiday. In between visiting the Lost gardens of Heligan (we found them!) and the Eden Project we visited former Islip ringer Rachel Holt and guess what we ended up doing? When bellringers go on tour, we go ringing!!#

St German

Rachel took us to one of her new regular towers in the village of St German’s which is an 8 bell tower that rings call changes (Devon style) so a new experience for us! After ringing up  on the back 5 (fairly fast) we rang down again (slower) and then back up again on 7. We rang call changes (they called “up” as I do :D) but there were some differences.. they gave a warning “prepare to stand” or something like that… before calling stand; calls were made not the preceding handstroke (as we do) but 2 handstrokes before – which gives you more time to think before the change. The sally is called the “fillet” .. something fishy about that.. and when you start ringing up, instead of one bell ringing, then two bells, then three etc, they all swing their bell once then pull hard to check the bell so the first the neighbours hear is all the bells in rounds.

They asked me to call some changes towards the end and Sarah led down getting them to miss and catch (our style).

It was a fun evening and nice to try a different style of ringing.

Anthony Cole

Posted on

Cheers – August 2016

On Friday 5th August 14 ringers from across the branch (ad one former-branch member up from Cornwall) headed for the branch practice at Ludgershall.

After ringing up we went straight into a touch of Grandsire Doubles and then helped he locals with a few plain courses of Blaisdon Bob Doubles (not exactly a regularly rung method at branch practices, but the locals had been learning it because if instead of using the Blaisdon “Bob” you substitute it with a Grandsire “Single” .. called as a “Bob” you get the Doubles variation “Ludgershall”.

Next we did plain hunt on 5 and Plain Bob Doubles and  another touch of Grandsire Doubles.

On request we then had a touch of Stedman Doubles (and a comment from Simon of how many dodges there were at the back) and more plain hunt before some plain courses of Grandsire Doubles.

Despite “we haven’t got past the first bob” and other misgivings, as our finale I felt we ought to try to complete a touch of Ludgershall…. a little wobbly at the first bob, but onwards we went .. completing the 120 successfully to a round of applause.

We rang down and then brought out the Prosecco … yes I did type that right.. this was because Sarah and I were celebrating our 16th wedding anniversary by going ringing to the branch practice! Following a toast from Jeremy and Rachel (I think!) Sarah and I tried to get others to follow us to the pub but I don’t think anyone wanted to be a gooseberry on our night out without the kids!

The big summer break is now upon is and the next branch event is the branch Striking Competition and BBQ at Bicester on Saturday 3rd September – 5:30pm ringing followed by BBQ at the Old Priory in Priory Lane (home of Helen, ringer of Bicester). The competition will be judged by Richard White of Woodstock and promises to be a good fun evening – my fellow Caversfield team members and I are hoping to defend our trophy so from our perspective we hope no other teams enter(!), but I would encourage you to enter a team if you can (we won with relatively new recruits ringing call changes last year). Please let Kathryn or Anthony know if you’re coming to the BBQ to give us an idea for catering.

Anthony Cole

Posted on

Spliced anyone? 16 July 2016

On Saturday 16th July we held our annual branch training course. Following successive years of Ringing Up & Down this year we held a rope splicing course.

Stratton Audley hosted the course where 6 students came along to try both short and long splices. I demonstrated a short splice first of all and then (thanks to Steve for bringing some old ropes – unusable as bell ropes anymore due to their length/past breakages) we headed into the sunny churchyard to have a go. Results were mixed – some having difficulties and others finding it easier (and the resulting “fixed” ropes resulted in the odd tug of war to test their strength).

After a couple of hours trying we moved on to long splices (Jeremy had got ahead of us following the instructions printed off the website).. I demonstrated how to do a long splice and then the students had a go, again with mixed results.

It was the first time I had taught splicing so that was interesting and I have picked up some traps to watch out for another time, and the students seemed to enjoy the practice too.

Anthony Cole

Posted on

July 2016 Islip practice

Tues July 19th was special in a number of ways. Firstly it was Samuel’s 12th birthday, and also it was the evening of the July Special practice which was hosted by Islip.

9 branch members (from 5 towers) braved the hottest day of the year so far.

Whilst Kent TB Minor was one of the nominated methods that was not going to happen; however plain courses of Grandsire and Plain Bob Doubles were rung,  interspersed with call changes for Islip’s rapidly improving learner, and a touch of Grandsire Doubles was attempted too (perhaps a conducting course is required to help when the Ringing Master is away??). The lure of the pub and a drink outside persuaded us to finish punctually with a very competent lower!

Anthony Cole

Posted on

Dishpan hands at Kirtlington 13th June 2016

On Monday 13th June 15 ringers from across the branch and just outside headed for Kirtlington and the special practice to help the new band.

The new band (which give such a warm welcome to us all and are very keen) consists of a mixture of complete beginners (who are on plain hunt already so they’re learning quickly) and ringers returning after many years of not ringing having learnt in their youth. They are being ably taught by Ron (Kidlington), Willy (our President) with regular visits from Sue (Bletchingdon) and Kathryn (Islip).

After ringing up all 8 in peal (we got rounds occasionally) we had a couple of goes at call changes. I then offered Steve the chance for plain hunt on 7 and he chose Grandsire Triples instead.. the man has no fear.. and with Willy stood behind we managed a shaky course (shaky mainly due to the rest of the band!)… certainly cleared a few cobwebs!

Next was plain hunt on 5 for the (not so) beginners .. Caroline and Judith first then Louise and Stuart.. all managing very well. Call changes followed and then another go at Grandsire Triples (slight swap around of the band resulting in two fairly confident courses). More plain hunt on 5 and then Steve rewarded the helpers by suggesting we ring something more advanced. Sadly we didn’t have a band for Plain Bob Triples or Major so we opted for a touch of Plain Bob Minor on the back six… I think I made a few people jump when I called the first “bob” 😀

We rang down all 8 in peal and then headed for the pub for a well earned drink (and in my case to look at the state of my hands.. heaving around the tenor resulted in a number of blisters.. too much washing up methinks!). A fabulous and encouraging evening – and for those who’ve been struggling in their own towers to find ringers in recent years it is lovely to see a resurgence of interest and enthusiasm for ringing in the branch which is surely going to help us all (and give us many new friends to ring with).

Next on the schedule is the branch practice at Caversfield on Fri 1st July – they’re lovely light bells so do come along if you can.

Anthony Cole

Posted on

Damp Middleton 1st June 2016

On Wednesday 1st June Middleton Stoney hosted the June branch practice. In the past this has been a lovely practice with a warm welcome and a lovely summers evening. The welcome for 15 ringers from around the branch was as warm as ever but for the first time in 5 years it was a damp summers evening.

We started with plain hunt on 5 for a couple of bands and then rang call changes. Next we rang plain courses of Plain Bob Doubles without any problems. More plain hunt on 5 and then on 6 was followed by call changes and plain courses of Grandsire Doubles ably led by Jeremy whilst I investigated the church and organ! More plain courses of Grandsire followed then call changes and a final touch of Grandsire Doubles before ringing down.

Our next practice is call changes and plain hunt (and possibly a little more?) at Kirtlington on Monday 13th – a chance for branch folks to meet many members of the newly formed band. I look forward to seeing you there 😀

Anthony Cole

Posted on

Bank holiday Firsts 30th May 2016

Many congratulations to 3 of our branch members who scored “firsts” in a quarter peal at Bicester on Monday 30th May (Spring Bank Holiday):

  • Anne Martin: 1st Quarter Peal (and it was “inside” too!)
  • Steve Vickars: 1st Quarter Peal
  • Jeremy Adams 1st Quarter Peal as conductor

After a nervous start (fully expected given 3 “firsts” being attempted) the ringing settled and we managed some good striking throughout the quarter peal. There were a few little hiccups but nothing that couldn’t be fixed. Anne wondered “is that it?” at the end – such had been the level of concentration she achieved. A fabulous achievement from all and a good step up in their respective ringing career ladders. A visit to a local watering hole followed!

Full details below (copied from www.campanophile.co.uk)

Oxford Diocesan Guild
Bicester, Oxon
St Edburg
Monday 30 May 2016 in 44
1260 Grandsire Doubles

1   Anthony Cole
2   Anne Martin
3   Ron Burgess
4   Richard Haseldine
5   Jeremy Adams (C)
6   Steve Vickars

Rung on front 6
2,6: 1st QP
5: 1st as conductor

Posted on

Bicester caters for all 16 May 2016

On Monday 16th May 10 ringers (6 Bicester, 1 Islip and 3 Oxford City ringers) attended the special practice at Bicester. On the agenda (if we had enough capable ringers) were Little Bob Minor and Grandsire Triples. Also at the back of my mind, given we have a 10 bell wedding on Saturday, I was hoping to get enough ringers to do some practice on 10.

At a little before 8pm we were still only 5, but headed up the tower anyway to ring. As we were about to ring up the doorbell went and 3 visitors from Oxford City were asking to be let it. I headed downstairs whilst 4 bells were rung up (3-6). Once upstairs again we rang up the back 4 and then tackled our first nominated method of the evening – Grandsire Triples. A shaky start, but on the second attempt we succeeded and rang two courses in the end – some smiles on our faces resulted – it’s been a while since we rang that at Bicester – well done Ian for getting through without mishap for first time in a couple of years.

Two more arrived so we rang up the trebles and then proceeded to practice call changes on 10.. not too bad.

I then proposed we try Little Bob Minor. The first band got through a couple of courses with a few wobbles, and the second band managed three courses – very good, and excellent attempts by Ian & Simon who hadn’t rung it before.

Given we had 10 bells I thought we ought to push ourselves further so plain hunt on 9 (caters!) was called. The first time through was a little rough, but it settled and by the end we were ringing it with good striking – excellent first ever attempt by Amanda and smiles all around as we haven’t done that for a very long time!

After dropping the trebles we rang down the back 8 in peal – pretty well struck and nice rounds to catch at the end.

All in all a great practice with some (rare) advanced ringing – if only all practices were like that! (Not that I am belittling less advanced methods – just a while since we’ve rung the more advanced stuff).

Next event is the branch practice at Middleton Stoney on Wed 1st June. Do please come along if you can.

Anthony Cole

Posted on

2016 Guild AGM details

Here is a reminder about the Guild AGM from our Guild Rep:
Reminder that names for the Whites visit are to be sent by 9th May, and for the Ploughman’s lunch by 16th May, to the contacts on the poster below
Link to papers for the meeting    http://odg.org.uk/AGM.php
Hilarie Rogers (Master, Oxford Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers) says ‘I would like to invite you to the AGM of the Guild, which is on Saturday 21st May 2016 at 2pm at Faringdon Church, Barber Rooms.
PLEASE CAN YOU INDICATE YOUR ATTENDANCE AT THE MEETING TO PATRICIA NEWTON, GUILD STEWARD, BY SATURDAY 14TH MAY. EMAIL IS STEWARD3@ODG.ORG.UK AND TELEPHONE NUMBER IS 01844 352926.
This is so that we can be sure we have a quorum. If you are unable to do so in advance, you will still be welcome to attend.
Details:
OXFORD DIOCESAN GUILD ACTIVITY DAY & AGM
Saturday 21 st May in the Vale of White Horse
Your ready-made Tower Outing. All welcome!
(local ringers at all towers to assist)
1000 – 1130 Visit to White’s Bellhangers’ works (timed trips)
1000 – 1130 Ring the works bells – The Balscote Ring (12 bells 13⁄4cwt)
1030 – 1130 Ring Appleton parish church (10 bells 13cwt)
1100 – 1200 Ring Hinton Waldrist (6 bells 63⁄4cwt)
1130 – 1200 Try the Buckland church Saxilby Simulator & dumb bell
1200 – 1300 Ring Buckland (8 bells 14cwt)
1230 – 1400 Lunch and activities at Faringdon Church: Barber Rooms
With book stall, Guild Committee exhibitions, Stallpits mini-ring
(6 bells 5lb) and have-a-go handbell method and tune ringing
(see Faringdon map for car parks)
1400 Guild AGM Faringdon Church: Barber Rooms
(around the lunch tables in tower groups if people wish)
Followed by service ringing at Faringdon
Songs of Praise approx 1530 accompanied by choir and impressive
new 1969 All Saints Church organ, including a short rendition by the
Vale of White Horse Handbell Ringers
Followed by ringing at Faringdon (8 bells 17cwt). Finish approx 1700.
Other ringing during the day on prior request (plenty of notice, please) to Tony Crabtree
steward@vowh.odg.org.uk
Selected from other VOWH Branch towers: Lyford (3), Buscot (4), Ashbury (6), Coleshill (6),
Shellingford (6), Uffington (6), Longcot simulator, Longcot (8), Stanford in the Vale (8) &
Shrivenham (10)
Names for lunch (ploughman’s & pud) by Monday 16 th May to Lucy Laird
secretary@vowh.odg.org.uk
Names for White’s visit by Monday 9 th May to Tony Crabtree steward@vowh.odg.org.uk
(Note strong shoes required – no sandals or flip flops).
Note – AGM papers will follow nearer the time.
Posted on

Piddington progress 4th May 2016

On Wed 4th May (Star Wars day!) 12 ringers (1 local, 1 Launton, 1 Biceter, 2 Kirtlington and 7 from Stratton Audley) headed for Piddington and the May branch practice.

The locals had been planning to cancel their own practice due to illness, but the bells were rung up ready for us when we arrived. We started with plain hunt on 4 before the band from Stratton Audley descended en-mass – nice to see them all (though I admit we didn’t hear them come into the church – bells being as loud as they are).

We rang several lots of call changes to get folks used to the bells and then started on plain hunt on 5. That went pretty well so we started on plain courses of Grandsire Doubles and by the end of the evening 3 of the Stratton Audley ringers had rung the treble to Grandsire Doubles for the first time .. excellent progress 😀

Ringing down.. well .. not going to mention that… whoops …just did!

Next practice is the special practice at Bicester on Mon 16th May – suggested methods are Little Bob Minor and Grandsire Triples – we will (as always) ring other things too so please do support that event and if you fancy having a go at plain hunt on 7 (or perhaps even a plain course of Grandsire Triples) then we would love to give you the opportunity.

Anthony Cole