Author: Kathryn Grant

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Branch Practice at Islip, 22nd October 2024

Fifteen members of the Bicester Branch came to the October practice at Islip – some for the first time. Bolstering the home team, where we’re lucky enough to have three teenagers learning to ring (and doing well), we were able to ring a touch of Grandsire Doubles (shout out to Leandro Shaw who managed this with aplomb!).

We rang call changes and Reverse Canterbury too – what a difference it makes to everyone to get together occasionally.

Thank you to all the visitors – look out for the next BP on Friday 8 November at Ludgershall.

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Report: Branch Practice at Charlton-on-Otmoor, 28 August 2024

Twelve came to Thursday’s Branch Practice at Charlton-on-Otmoor, from five different towers. Gareth and Angie were delighted to have a practice as the Charlton band has become depleted recently.

We rang a varied assortment giving everyone a chance to try something a little bit more testing or within their ‘comfort zone’. Despite a heavyish tenor the bells go very well  and many commented on how good Branch Practices are for trying new towers within a supportive group.

The next Branch Practice is at Brill on Monday 23 September at 7.30pm, with the Striking Competition and BBQ at Islip from 6pm onwards on Saturday 21 September. Do try to come to both.

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Hear the Launton Handbell Ringers

On Thursday 12 September at 7.30pm, at Islip Village Hall, come and hear the Launton Handbell Ringers (drawn from Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire & Northamptonshire) who have given recitals in cathedrals, civic centres, theatres as well as on radio and television. Their repertoire includes traditional and folk music, popular classics, children’s nursery rhymes as well as secular music.

45-50 minutes of music and time for questions with the opportunity to have ‘a go’ at ringing 4 in hand!

Donations by cash or card – refreshments available too!

More details from Teresa Carter or Kathryn Grant

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Practice at Souldern, 25 July 2024

Eleven ringers from six towers came to Souldern on Thursday 25 July for a great practice on the six easy-going bells there (but sadly without a resident band).

We rang a range from rounds and call changes to Stedman and Bob Minor – literally something for everyone. Many thanks to Richard who was in charge and ensured all had a good evening.

The next BP will be in Caversfield on Tuesday 13 August – should be perfect for a summer evening!

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Bicester Branch Outing, Saturday 27th April 2024

On 27 April our branch outing was to five towers around the Lambourn area of Berkshire – some outings are memorable for their ringing achievements, others for a variety of others.

The 2024 Bicester outing was memorable for high level access to ringing chambers (see photo of Great Shefford), an anti-clockwise ring, great lunch, one of the longest draughts ever, and ringing with a broken stay (not caused by anyone on the outing).

We rang call changes, plain hunt, touches of Grandsire Doubles and Plain Bob Doubles as well as Plain Bob Minor. Our thanks go to Jeremy Adams, who organised the outing, and to those who opened the towers for us – and particularly Stefan in Lambourn who provided us all with coffee too!  

Here’s the survivors’ photo!


This is the spiral staircase at St Mary, Great Shefford:

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Branch Practice at Ambrosden 7 February 2024

At last night’s BP twelve ringers from nine towers (including two visitors) came to ring at Ambrosden where a number of newer ringers are practising regularly on a Tuesday morning – contact Steve Walker for more details or Jill Colyer (Churchwarden jill.colyer12@gmail.com).

We rang a remarkable number of methods mostly on all 8 bells – Rounds and Plain Hunt, followed by Bob Major, Stedman Triples (tenor ably rung by Marcus) and the piece de resistance a touch of Reverse Canterbury Doubles when, teenagers, Marcus rung the 5th and William rang the treble! How good it is to see such enthusiasm and encouragement from the Branch for our youthful ringers.

Thank you to all who came and especially to Richard and Jeremy (suffering a bad back) for a great evening.

Kathryn

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Branch Practice at Piddington on 24 January 2024

Eight members from five towers came – Cheryl was the only local ringer but was persuaded to revive former skills. We rang call changes, plain hunt and Grandsire Doubles – which was good practice for those who ring more regularly with the tenor behind. Ringing down we finished in Weasels!

Apparently there are two or three people in the village who would like to learn and, hearing the bells rung (the first time since Morwen Ashton’s funeral in June) might increase that number. With learners at nearby Ambrosden, being taught by Steve Walker, perhaps putative Piddington ringers might join there and revive ringing in time at their home tower

Kathryn Grant

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Branch Practice Caversfield 2nd August 2019

Twelve ringers turned up at Caversfield to find no light in the tower, apparently the electrics have been condemned! Before we rang up it became clear that there was something very wrong with the 2nd, Jeremy investigated to find that a bolt had fallen out of the stay preventing the bell from swinging.

At this point we decided to decamp to Stratton Audley (there was some speculation that Jeremy had deliberately removed the bolt in order to get a few more ringers than normal at a Stratton Audley practice! )

Everyone had a good ring, the general consensus being that the bells weren’t as bad as some of us remembered probably due to the new ringing floor. Methods rung were Plain Hunt, Plain Bob, Grandsire, Stedman, Reverse Canterbury, St Simon’s and St Martin’s.  It was a warm evening and the bells were quite hard work but it was generally agreed that it was an enjoyable if eventful practice.

Richard Haseldine

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Branch Outing Saturday 27th April 2019

Saturday’s Bicester Branch April outing to Gloucestershire as well as Oxfordshire coincided with this year’s warm Easter weather and churches decorated with lovely Easter flowers. The morning’s three of Northleach, Sherbourne and Windrush were all challenging whilst the afternoon’s group of Taynton (what a great ringing chamber!), Fulbrook and Asthall were much easier for the wearier group of 20 ringers in total from 5 branches officially!

All of us had opportunities to extend our ringing range with rounds, call changes, plain hunt, St Clements, Stedman Triples and Kent amongst the repertoire. A very enjoyable day out – and many thanks to Richard Haseldine, joint Ringing Master with Jeremy Adams, for organising it so well. Our supporting team – only 3 this year – gave it (and the extended lunch) full marks too!