Author: Admin

On Saturday 23rd April (St George’s day) 12 ringers (plus 4 non-ringers) from across the Bicester branch met at 8am in the new Bicester Park & Ride, boarded a minibus and headed for Herefordshire and our annual branch outing.

As we headed up the M40 a noise started somewhere under the minibus… by the M5 it was louder.. and by Tarrington (our first tower) the noise was disturbing, and the subject of lots of discussion about the cause (most suggestions decidedly not mechanically sound, much like the minibus!)

We disembarked and headed up the path to the first tower – 6 bells with some slightly springy ropes. Also waiting for us was tea/coffee/biscuits and Sarah, Ian Smart’s sister, who had booked the towers for us as she was local to the area. The branch’s Deputy Ringing Master also arrived at this point, having snubbed the minibus in favour of his own car (some excuse about needing to get back early). We started with plain courses of Grandsire Doubles and Plain Bob Doubles along with the refreshments.

After checking everyone had their “seat buddy” we headed onwards (minibus still making noises) to Stoke Edith and another 6 bell tower with a truncated spire (the top having come off in a storm many years ago). An interesting staircase (looked more like shelves) led to the ringing room. The Treble and Tenor were on plain bearings which made them a little harder to ring up, but the bells went well once up. We rang Grandsire Doubles and even a touch of Plain Bob Minor here.

Lunch was at the Crown and Anchor in Lugwardine, a short walk from the first tower of the afternoon. Having phoned our food order ahead the food arrived within minutes of our arrival and was lovely. A few even indulged in puddings!

Whilst most of us walked along the road to the 8 bells of Lugwardine Ian had arranged for his brother-in-law to meet us with some gearbox oil, having diagnosed the “diff” as lacking oil. Ian duly re-oiled the gearbox and diff which he hoped would fix the problem. Up the tower we rang plain hunt on 7 and just about managed a plain course of Grandsire Triples.

As we left Lugwardine the minibus sounded better and we headed down the narrow lanes to Weston Beggard. The noise sadly returned so Ian volunteered to have another go at the “diff” whilst we rang the 5 bells next to the farm. Here we rang Grandsire Doubles and Plain Bob Doubles.

Our final tower for the day was Yarkhill – a short (rattly) drive away. Yarkhill is the birthplace of Fabian Stedman, one time president (I think) of the Ancient Society of College Youths, and creator of the “Stedman” principle which is rung to this day. The 8 bells proved rather light but fun and we rang plain hunt on 7 (see video) and another attempt of Grandsire Triples and finished with a course of Stedman Doubles (had to be done really!).

After a quick stop back in Tarrington to use the conveniences we headed home .. via “Greedy’s” Fish and Chip shop in Stow on the Wold.

The minibus sounded slightly better on the way back, and we did get all the way back without further incident, arriving in Bicester at 7:30pm.

My thanks to Sarah Connor for organising the towers, staff at the Crown and Anchor for the superb lunch and all those that came along.

Anthony Cole

The Bicester Branch are going on tour! The full details of the towers we’re to visit on Sat 23rd April are below:

Some details about the towers gleaned from David Bagley’s webpages:

Tarrington, SS Philip & James, 6 bells, tenor 10-3-27, Grid Ref: SO618407 (Lat/Long N52.063349 W2.5586268)

Much of the church is Norman, but the tower is 15th C. The ringing chamber is at ground floor level, and may be reached through the back of the church. The church porch is on the south side of the church. Sharpe gives the tenor weight as 12-1-9, which he has obtained from the Whitechapel bell foundry records. Dove gives the weight as 10-3-27. The weights of bells 1 to 5 shown are as given by Sharpe.

1. Thomas Mears, Gloucester, 1839, 5-0-21
2. Mears and Stainbank, London 1927, 5-2-25
3. Mears and Stainbank, London 1898, 6-0-16
4. Thomas Mears, Gloucester, 1839, 8-1-7
5. Abel Rudhall, Gloucester, 1745, 10-3-11
6. Mears and Stainbank, London, 1927, 10-3-27 in F sharp

(Data:Sharpe 1971)

Stoke Edith, S Mary the Virgin, 6 bells, tenor 14-2-14, Grid Ref: SO604407
(Lat/Long N52.063251 W2.5790472)

The 14th C tower has a truncated spire, the top part having fallen off during a storm. Parking is in the church lane, and access to the tower is via the west door, and up a short flight of wooden stairs. The bells sound good, and go well, especially after being oiled. The bells were rehung by Taylors in 1903, and are fitted with Hastings type stays. The founder of the third is thought to be Robert Hendley, who was active during the second half of the 15th C.

1. John Taylor & Co, Loughborough, 1903, 4-3-11
2. John Taylor & Co, Loughborough, 1903, 5-0-27
3. Robert Hendley ?, Gloucester, Late 15th C, 5-2-17
4. Abel Rudhall, Gloucester, 1752, 7-2-25
5. John Finch, Hereford, 1636, 10-0-6
6. John Taylor & Co, Loughborough, 1903, 14-2-14 in F sharp

(Data:Sharpe 1966)

Lugwardine, S Peter, 8 bells, tenor 12-1-20, Grid Ref: SO551410
(Lat/Long N52.065542 W2.6563912)

The tower dates from c1484, the present 6^th being older than this. There is a record of another bell cast before this date, so there must have been a tower or bell house or turret before this. The tower steps are in the south west corner. The bells go fairly well, and sound clear. There is a curious sliding door in the ringing chamber. Much of the inscription on the 5th bell is inverted, or backwards, and the date of 1651 on the bell does not tally with the known dates of John Green. It is therefore possible that the actual date should have read 1615. Parking is in the lane past the east end of the church.

1. Mears and Stainbank, London, 1927, 4-1-8
2. Mears and Stainbank, London, 1927, 4-1-11
3. Mears and Stainbank, London, 1877, 5 cwt
4. Abel Rudhall, Gloucester, 1748, 5-1-14
5. John Green, Worcester, 1615?, 6-0-2
6. Worcester Foundry, c1400-1420, 8-1-13
7. Mears and Stainbank, London, 1877, 10-1-23
8. John Finch, Hereford, 1632, 12-1-20 in F

(Data:Sharpe 1970)

Weston Beggard, S John the Baptist, 5 bells, tenor 8.5cwt, Grid Ref: SO584413
(Lat/Longt N52.068498 W2.6082922)

The doorways and chancel arch date the nave to c1200, although it was rebuilt in 1881. The west tower and porch are 14th C. The tower steps are in the north west corner, and access to them is through the church. Parking is on the grass verge in front of the church, but the lane is frequently used by farm machinery, so do not block it. The bells go quite well, and their tone is good for old style bells.

1. John Rudhall, Gloucester, 1790, 4.25 cwt
2. John Rudhall, Gloucester, 1790, 4.75 cwt
3. John Rudhall, Gloucester, 1790, 5.25 cwt
4. John Rudhall, Gloucester, 1790, 6.25 cwt
5. Abraham Rudhall II, Gloucester, 1729 8.5 cwt in A

(Data:Sharpe 1969)

Yarkhill, S John the Baptist, 8 bells, Tenor 4-1-27, Grid Ref: SO609426
(Lat/Long N52.080368 W2.5719725)

Apart from the 13th C west tower and 13th C south doorway, this church was completely rebuilt in 1862. The new ring of 8 were installed underneath the unserviceable two tier 17th C oak frame. The most famous inhabitant of Yarkhill (to ringers) was Fabian Stedman, who was born here in 1640, and died in 1713, being buried in S.Andrew Undershaft, London. In 1668, he published “Tintinnalogia”, the first ever book about the art of change ringing. He was Master of the College Youths in 1682.

The new ring of 8 are as follows :-

1. Whitechapel Bell Foundry, 2011, 1-2-13
2. Whitechapel Bell Foundry, 2011, 1-2-19
3. Whitechapel Bell Foundry, 2011, 1-3-1
4. Whitechapel Bell Foundry, 2011, 1-3-16
5. Whitechapel Bell Foundry, 2011, 2-1-6
6. Whitechapel Bell Foundry, 2011, 2-2-0
7. Whitechapel Bell Foundry, 2011, 3-1-7
8. Whitechapel Bell Foundry, 2011, 4-1-27

The details of the old bells are :-

1. John Martin, Worcester, 1671, 5.25 cwt
2. John Martin, Worcester, 1671, 5.75 cwt
3. John Martin, Worcester, 1671, 7 cwt
4. John Finch, Hereford, 1636, 9 cwt in A

(Data:Sharpe 1972)

Anthony Cole