odg_bicuser1 – Page 22 – The Bicester Branch

4th January 2012

First practice of 2012

Happy New Year!

The first Branch Practice of 2012 was at Islip on Tues 3rd Jan – the first day back to work for many.

10 ringers (3 Islip, 2 Bicester, 2 Church Hanborough, 1 Woodeaton, 2 Charlton) banded together to ring Plain Hunt on 7, Grandsire Doubles (plain courses and a touch), Grandsire Triples (plain courses)… twice in less than a month!!!, Plain Bob Doubles (a touch), and we even managed a (rather shaky) Kent TB Minor!

Of course, no Islip practice would be right without a trip to the pub afterwards :9

During the evening there was a question about the Branch Outing date.. whilst I haven’t got a date yet, any preference for where to go anyone? (Ideas on an email to the webmaster@bicesterbranch.org.uk if you have a preference.. I do have some ideas but happy to cater for special requests).

We perhaps need to start thinking of what celebrations we will (as a branch) do for the Queen’s Jubilee too… quarters at some towers perhaps? Thoughts on a postcard…. 🙂

Hopefully see many of you at the Special Practice @ Bicester on the 16th..Plain Bob Minor & St Simon’s Doubles.

8th December 20118th February 2021

December on Otmoor (2011)

On Wednesday 7th December 7 locals from Charlton on Otmoor were joined by 4 others from around the branch for the December branch practice. We rang plain courses of Grandsire Doubles, Plain Hunt on 6, a touch of Plain Bob Doubles, and finished with a touch of Plain Bob Minor. With some help a couple of the locals tried a few things they weren’t used to, and seemed pleased with making some progress.

For those not at the practice, there was bellringing on BBC4 to watch – Come Bell Ringing with Charles Hazelwood can be viewed on BBC iPlayer until 17th Dec – a great explanation of the art of change ringing, bell casting and tuning, handbell ringing, carillons and an experiment in a new piece of music to play on church bells – well worth watching if you have an hour.

The last practice of 2011 will be on Tues 20th Dec at Islip – St Nicholas Doubles and Grandsire Triples… and maybe some Mince Pies & Sausage Rolls.

21st November 2011

Reverse Canterbury success

On Monday 21st Nov 9 ringers (2 from Fringford, 1 from Stratton Audley and 6 from Bicester) banded together for the Plain Bob and Reverse Canterbury Doubles practice at Bicester.

Following a well struck “up”, we managed plain courses of Reverse Canterbury Doubles, touches of Plain Bob Doubles, touches of Reverse Canterbury Doubles (well done Sarah, Jeremy & Steve and a special congrats to Fay who had spent the afternoon learning the bobs and rang them without any problems:) ) and even managed a plain course of Reverse Canterbury Minor! Haven’t rung that for years, but there were no mistakes and it was well struck too 🙂 “Down” was as well struck as “up” so a great practice all round. For those who couldn’t make it.. you missed a belter!

Next practice, Charlton on Otmoor on Wed 7th Dec (note 7:45pm start time!!)

4th November 20118th February 2021

Ringing for the 2012 Olympics?

Turner prize winner Martin Creed has proposed a national ringing of all bells at 8am on Friday 27th July 2012 to mark the launch of the Olympics.

This nationwide chorus is to be entitled “Work No 1197” and calls for “All the bells in a country rung as quickly and as loudly as possible for three minutes”. Given the shortage of ringers countrywide, a national recruitment campaign will be needed to cover all the 5000+ bell towers in the country. Anyone from the Bicester branch area (which covers towers south as far as Islip, and north up to Finmere) who would like to join us in this national event, please contact the Branch Ringing Master or your local bell tower and training will be provided (and of course we would love you to continue as a bellringer long after this event if you’re willing).

More details about this can be found at:

2nd November 2011

Bletchingdon BP November 2011

The Bletchingdon branch practice was a great teaching session for the local band. 11 ringers (some from Kidlington, Bicester, Islip and our Guild Steward Colin with Zoe from the Banbury Branch) assisted the locals ringing plain courses and touches of Grandsire Doubles much of the evening, with Plain hunt on 6, a touch of Plain Bob Minor, and a plain course of Stedman Doubles to to give us a little variety. A great practice on a lovely set of bells with at least 7 lovely people (according to the tower captain!!! :o)

Next practice is the Plain Bob and Reverse Canterbury Doubles at Bicester on the 21st Nov – looking forward to it 🙂

30th October 2011

Steeple Aston course 2011

The annual Steeple Aston course involved a number of towers in the Bicester branch on Sat 29th Oct. The 4 groups were learning different methods an Bicester hosted one of the Triples & Major teaching sessions. Given there are 10 bells at Bicester the tutors took the opportunity to ring plain hunt on 9, before ringing Plain Bob Triples, Grandsire Triples (including touches 🙂 ) and Plain Bob Major. Lovely to have some more advanced ringing, and give us something to aim for.

Charlton on Otmoor and Islip were also involved – anyone involved care to contribute a write up on those sessions too?

19th October 2011

Doubles and minor

On Tuesday 18th Oct 7 ringers met for the Plain Bob and Grandsire Triples practice at Islip. Unfortunately we didn’t have a band for the planned methods, but we made good use of the evening ringing touches of Plain Bob Minor, Grandsire Doubles, plain courses of St Simon’s Doubles, and attempted Kent TB Minor. A good evening with some useful practice at some less regularly rung methods.

5th October 2011

Birthday branch practice

11 ringers came to Bicester on Monday 3rd Oct to help celebrate my 40th birthday (the next day), and what a start… two plain courses of Grandsire Triples that was really well struck and was applauded at the end! If only all branch practices started like that!!! We also rang call changes on the 10 (a rare event these days) and plain hunt on 7 before concentrating on the more regular methods people are working on – Plain Bob Doubles, Plain Bob Minor. We did try Cambridge Minor, but alas it was not to be, despite several attempts.

Following the practice most of the band joined me in The Swan for drinks :9

A big thanks to all those who came and make the evening so enjoyable.

Anthony

30th September 201114th February 2021

Bicester Branch Outing 2011 report

Eleven bellringers joined in the Bicester Branch Spring outing arranged by Anthony Cole. We were disappointed that Samuel and Grace Cole weren’t also part of the party as they tend to write the more entertaining reports of our outings but glad that their absence meant that Sarah Cole was able to do more ringing than on recent occasions!

However the first ring at all Saints, Middleton Cheney nearly caused all those present to call it a day immediately – the heavy bells and rather springy ropes challenged most of us but, undaunted, we then rang the lighter bells at Chacombe before relaxing over lunch at the George & Dragon – a great find!

At the enjoyable ground floor ring of Cropredy we discovered that our audience had contained Prunella Scales and Timothy West – an inversion of the more normal status quo! Those in the non-ringing party (including the three canine members) were able to enjoy the sun and a local bookfair before we left for Mollington and a, thankfully, light six.

It was especially good to have our Branch President, the redoubtable Willie Haynes, with us following a bout of ill health. Thank you from all of us, Anthony, for giving everyone a great day – and to those who opened their towers for us.

Kathryn Grant