Author: Admin

On Monday 4th January (even before the local schools went back) 9 branch members attended the first branch practice of the year at Bicester.

The latest edition of Odd Bob and a list of 2016 branch practices was handed out to the towers present (not all packs having been prepared ahead of the practice.. much to Jeremy’s chagrin). With 6 ringers present before 7:40pm (very encouraging!) we started by ringing up the back 6 (knowing that a few extra ringers were due to come so 8 was a possibility!). We rang  a touch of Plain Bob Doubles with Hannah attempting the bobs.. some coaxing from the conductor was required, but we got through it and talked about it afterwards ahead of another attempt to be made later.

Someone suggested they hadn’t rung Stedman Doubles for ages.. well.. a quick look around the room suggested we had a (out of practice) band that could ring it so whilst that was looked up we rang up the front 4 and then rang some plain courses of Grandsire Doubles. After some “negotiating” as to who would ring which bell we attempted Stedman.. first attempt didn’t work, but second attempt got through to the end and the third attempt was much better. Fay then mentioned that “in years gone by” we rang Stedman Triples at Bicester practices.. so there is a challenge for the branch folk this year.. to ring a course of Stedman Triples before 2016 ends! Watch this space as they say.

Next we rang some (shaky at first) plain hunt on 7 and then plain hunt on 8, both of which improved the more courses we did.

Another touch of Plain Bob Doubles for Hannah (still with a little guidance) was followed by more plain courses of Grandsire Doubles. For our finale we rang one course of Plain Bob Minor as requested by Ian, before ringing down the back 8 in peal… not too badly (not going to mention the “up”).

A good start to 2016 and a challenge to focus our minds in the coming months! Next event is the special practice at Islip on Tues 19th Jan – Plain Bob Minor and Winchendon Place Doubles (St Simons with places everywhere instead of all the dodges!) – see Winchendon Place for the line!

Anthony Cole

On Wednesday 2nd December 7 ringers (mostly from Charlton on Otmoor) banded together for the last branch practice of 2015 at Charlton on Otmoor.

After a rather rough ring up in peal we rang call changes for Rachel (well done!) – afterwards we had a discussion on how to work out which bell to follow if you the bells below you swap and if you head down.

Next we rang plain courses of Grandsire Doubles and then (after a break and chat) some more Grandsire Doubles with Rachel on the treble (and Willy beside).. sadly that didn’t go too well, but then Rachel had only covered to plain hunt before! We swapped around and Rachel stood beside Willy whilst we rang again, talking her through it though I suspect quite a bit went over her head (session with the whiteboard required soon methinks). Rachel left for her (kept quiet until that point) birthday party! We rang plain courses of Plain Bob Doubles to finish and then after a reasonable ring down headed for the pub across the road (like you do at Charlton!)

Last event of the year is on a couple of weeks – Monday 14th Dec at Bicester.. with mince pies and sausage rolls if I get my act together in time! See lots of you there soon hopefully.

Anthony Cole

On Wednesday 4th Nov 18 ringers descended on Bletchingdon for the November branch practice.

After ringing up (best glossed over) we rang 3 lots of call changes for the two new learners from Kirtlington and one from Yarnton before moving on to plain courses of Grandsire Doubles. After more call changes we changed to plain courses of Plain Bob Doubles.  More call changes and then we finished with a touch of Grandsire Doubles (bobs only) with Anne on an affected bell (following being taught it on the Steeple Aston course) and she did fine earning herself some well deserved applause from those watching.

The evening saw big improvements from the Kirtlington learners and progress from others too and Willie said it was the best branch practice of the year.

The next branch event is the special practice at Bicester on Monday 16th Nov – special methods being St Simon’s and St Martin’s Doubles and maybe Plain Bob Triples if we’re lucky. Hopefully see lots of ringers coming to admire our new carpet!

Anthony Cole

On Monday 5th October 9 ringers from 4 branch towers banded together for the branch practice at Bicester.

After ringing up (hmm.. not our best) we rang plain courses of Grandsire Doubles, followed by ringing up the back bells and trying some plain hunt on 7 – new for some! With a bit of coaxing we go through it so well done Jean.

We rang a touch of Grandsire Doubles with Jeremy calling to get in some practice before I get him to call a quarter peal… shame it fired out about 90 changes through. We rang more plain hunt on 7 and then a good touch of Plain Bob Minor. We rang more Grandsire Doubles before ringing down which was pretty good. Hopefully we’ll have our new carpet before you all next visit!

The next branch event is the special practice at Islip on Tues 20th Oct – Reverse Canterbury Doubles (Plain Bob Doubles with places instead of dodges) and Plain Bob Minor. See you all there!

Anthony Cole