Author: odg_bicuser1

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Back to basics

Bletchingdon played host to the branch special practice on Wed 19th March. The set methods were Plain Bob Doubles and Gransdire Doubles. Bletchingdon practices are always over subscribed so I was expecting lots of ringers at this practice too.

We started with just sue and myself, but 3 arrived from Yarnton after a short while. Sadly that was it. Nevertheless we rang up and started with some plain hunt on 5. One of the ringers mentioned that they struggle to hear their bell so after a little discussion we rang call changes allowing everyone to listen to the bells and try to pick out their bell each time.

We finished with some plain courses of Grandsire Doubles.

Although we didn’t get to ring much, helping ringers to pick out their bell is a useful exercise and one we likely would not have had time to do with lots of people so still a worthwhile practice.

Next practice is the branch practice at Ambrosden in a couple of weeks.

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Pancake doubles and triples

On Tuesday 4th March (pancake day) 8 ringers from 3 branch towers banded together for the Branch Practice at Islip.

We rang mainly Plain courses of Grandsire Doubles, but as we had 8 ringers we decided to remind Islip that they have 8 bells by ringing up the less used treble and two and rang some nice call changes before finishing.

The Islip ringers hospitality, legendary in the branch, was then in full force with the annual pancake party following the practice, this year at Sally and Richard’s house. We all had our fill of two or three pancakes each and various beverages before the evening draw to a close. Very many thanks to Sally and Richard for opening their home.

The next branch event is the special practice at Bletchingdon (Plain Bob Doubles and Grandsire Doubles) on Wed 19th March. Hopefully see many of you there then.

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Branch Secretary’s Report for AGM

Here is Kathryn’s report which was lost at the AGM:

Bicester Branch

Bicester Branch’s AGM was held on 23 February at Ludgershall – held with some speed due to the cold and lack of change of Branch officers or business.

The happy event of the year was the augmentation to six at St Mary the Virgin, Weston-on-the-Green and the return of all the bells to a ringable state by the end of the year.  The re-dedication of the bells was held on 5 May and congratulations are due to Tower Captain, Bob Hessian, who managed the project, and to Taylors who completed the work.

Our outing on 23 March had to be cancelled due to snow but was rearranged for the autumn when we went to the Newbury area – ringing by only a handful of members at Brightwalton, Chieveley, Speen and Thatcham – but enjoyed very much by those who came.

Sadly, in June, our former President, Cliff East, died after a long and happy life – he held most positions in the Branch over the years: as secretary, branch representative, ringing master, Vice President and President, as well as Tower Captain in Ludgershall.  He will be missed by all who knew, and rang, with him.

In September we held our Branch striking competition and barbecue with three teams competing for the Cliff East shield – won narrowly by the home team, Islip – a veil is best drawn over the Branch’s subsequent appearance at the Guild striking competition.

Two noteworthy quarters have been recorded this year – the first to celebrate the 30th anniversary of ringing on 16 April of our joint ringing master and webmaster, Anthony Cole, and the second on 13 December to celebrate the centenary of the founding of the Bicester Branch (both at St Edburg’s, Bicester).  Elsewhere ringing throughout the Branch during the year has been steady – for weddings with further quarters and peals for wedding anniversaries notably at Brill, service ringing and the encouraging news of some Branch ringers (Anne Martin, Ali McConnell and Hilary Wallbank) taking part as students at the Steeple Aston course.

Kathryn Grant

 

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2014 AGM Weston on the green

The branch AGM for 2014 was held at Weston on the green on the evening of Sat 22nd February. We started with ringing and with the help from some visiting ringers who had heard of our meeting we successfully rang Weston on the green place Doubles, completing my AGM Challenge! We then rang plain courses of Grandsire Doubles and finished with a short touch of Plain Bob Doubles before ringing down.

The service followed ably led by Penny once again – we really must get you to try ringing Penny!!

The branch meeting was held in the church with 13 people present (11 branch members from 7 branch towers, our Guild Steward Colin, and Penny). 5 ringers (2 moving from other guild towers, and 3 new to the guild) were made members of the branch which is good to see as our number has been dwindling in recent years. We have also had a slight change around of branch officers due to one officer moving out of the branch – see the contacts page for details of the new officers. Full minutes of the meeting will be published when we have them.

We then relocated to The Chequers for a lovely pub meal and a chat. A lovely evening with good friends – what could be better?

Next branch event is the branch practice at Islip on Tues 4th March – hopefully see some of you then.

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Friday five February 2014

5 fearless ringers braved the wet and windy weather for branch practice at Kirtlington on Friday 7th Feb. We rang on the middle 5, the following methods were attempted Grandsire Doubles, Bob Doubles, Reverse Canterbury, Grandsire Doubles. Ringing was challenging to say the least, made more difficult without a covering tenor. Still it was good to give the bells a ring!

Thanks to Ian for the above report.

The next Branch event is the AGM at Weston on the green on 22nd Feb, 6pm. Please refer to the Branch AGM Agenda, Minutes and sample menu.

AGM notice and agenda 2014Download
AGM Minutes 23-Feb-2013Download

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St Nicholas at St Nicholas’

On Tuesday 17th January 7 ringers (3 from Islip, 3 from Bicester and one from Charlton) banded together for the special practice at Islip.

After we had rung up (and then John arrived…so sorry you missed ringing up John!) we rang some plain course of Grandsire Doubles. Then after a discussion about one of the ringers desire for stalking Jeremy Paxman we had our first attempt at one of the proposed methods for the evening – St Nicholas Doubles. We tried a few times and made a little bit of progress scraping our way to the end.

Next we had a touch of the other set method of the evening – Plain Bob Minor – not even a hiccup.. So I guess we have mastered that. I will definitely have to arrange a quarter peal for Ian to confirm he has learnt it fully.

We had a touch of Grandsire Doubles with Sally observation (only bobs, twice through) – this worked well and Sally felt more confident so progress 🙂

We had a final go at St Nicholas Doubles and managed it this time so an evening managing to ring all the set methods!

We rang down and went to the Red Lion for refreshments – the Swan was closed again though we weren’t sure if this was due to the flooding in Lower Road or just they didn’t expect anyone. Hopefully by the summer they will be open each week (or at least when we have branch events in Islip!).

The next branch practice is at Kirtlington on Friday 7th February – there isn’t a local band anymore but they are lovely bells so do come along if you are able.

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Branch AGM 2014 notice and minutes

Our Branch AGM is on Saturday 22nd February 2014 at Weston on the Green (from 6pm). Copies of last years AGM minutes and the agenda for this year’s meeting are below:

A sample menu for The Chequers is now available – see Chequers example menu. You can order your meal on the night – however, if you can let Kathryn know if you plan to attend that will help with reserving space in the pub.

AGM Minutes 23-Feb-2013Download
AGM Notice and Agenda-2014Download

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What a start

On Monday 6th January Bicester hosted the first branch practice of 2014. I had hoped we might get 8, but what a surprise.. 12 ringers! (8 Bicester ringers including a returning to Bicester ringer, 1 from Islip, 1 from Stratton Audley, 1 from Launton and a visitor from Westbury). We rang up the front six and then the back four (a rare event in itself) and then started 2014 with call changes on 10!

We then moved to plain course of Grandsire Doubles and then a touch of Plain Bob Minor. Next we had more plain courses of Grandsire Doubles and then we pushed the boat out and rang plain courses of Grandsire Triples, and the striking wasn’t too bad either. Next we rang a touch of Plain Bob Doubles for SimonW who is back from finishing his degree (welcome back!).

We had a touch of Grandsire Doubles with Anne observation (and a helper whispering behind her) and finished with some more call changes on the 10. Ringing down all 10 in peal would have been a step too far so the trebles were rung down and then we rang down on 8, and whilst it was not perfect, the hum about half way down was definitely a highlight.

Next practice is at Islip on Tuesday 21st January – Plain Bob Minor and St Nicholas Doubles – hope to see many of you there.