Author: odg_bicuser1

On Wed 5th November whilst some were out listening to loud bangs from fireworks 16 ringers (from 4 branch towers and two towers outside the branch) were making a different (and much more musical) sound in Bletchingdon which was playing host to the November branch practice.

We rang a small number of things over the evening – Call Changes, Grandsire Doubles plain courses and Grandsire Doubles touches, but with lots of helpers it made for a good teaching practice as those learning generally had someone behind them to whisper useful tips.

The evening finished with a pretty good ring down in peal which received applause from those not ringing so a good end to a good evening.

On Monday 6th October Bicester hosted the October branch practice. 11 ringers came along from as far afield as Buckingham boosting what we would be able to ring.

We started by ringing up the front 6 and then Samuel rang the treble to plain hunt on 5. We then rang up the back 4 and rang plain hunt on 7 and then 8.

Next we rang a plain course of Grandsire Triples before moving up to ringing call changes on 10.

Next we rang one of the methods Ian wanted to try – a plain course of Plain Bob Major.. no problems so perhaps a quarter peal is his next target?

We rang a touch of Plain Bob Doubles for Steve and then attempted a touch of Grandsire Triples.. miscalled by me.. whoops.. in my defence I rarely get to ring even plain courses so not entirely surprised!  We tried again and got it the second time.

We rang some more plain hunt on 8 before attempting Kent Treble Bob Minor.. Ian’s first attempt.. we got just over half way so a good start.

After dropping the treble and two we rang 8 down in peal which was pretty well struck.

A visit to the pub followed for some but sadly I had to get Samuel home to bed… school night!

As schools go back so it was Launton’s turn to host a branch practice. Tuesday 2nd September 10 ringers from 5 branch towers banded together (only one school aged!).

After ringing up we rang call changes, and a number of plain courses of Grandsire Doubles. To ensure everyone got a ring the tower captain was called up to the ringing room where we rang a touch of 120 Grandsire Doubles (sbspx3 to make it harder!). After some more call changes we then pushed a little and Anne managed a touch of Grandsire Doubles as the observation bell.. slowly getting there 🙂

More plain courses of Grandsire were followed by some more call changes. The evening was ended with a 120 of Plain Bob Minor (successful after a restart), and then (if I’m honest a poor) ringing down in peal (at least we finished in rounds).

The next branch event is the special practice (Grandsire Doubles) at Bletchingdon on Wed 17th Sept shortly followed by the Branch BBQ and Striking Competition on Friday 26th Sept (Islip) – book your tickets with Kathryn, Teresa or Anthony

Anthony Cole