Author: Steve Vickars

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Well attended Branch Practice at Islip 24.01.2023

An incredible eighteen ringers came to tonight’s Branch Practice at Islip, where we were joined by Guild Master Katie Lane and a strong showing from Bicester, including first visits by Diane, Pinda and Aimee. We also welcomed Celia, Anne and Graham.

As we had quite a few needing to acclimatise to different bells and surroundings we rang a fair number of rounds and call changes. It was great to see Pinda and then Aimee become familiar with their bell.

We rang a number of plain courses of Grandsire Doubles, called by Kathryn and Teresa for Sue on four and Diane on Treble and James also in the team. We also got in two touches of Plain Bob Doubles for Judith to practice being affected, the second touch achieved without a stander, so great progress. A plain course of Bob Minor was squeezed in before several of our ringers needed to head off home on the icy roads.

Celia led our lower on six, which had a nice chimed finish. A good practice, with quite a few ringers getting their prime ring in. Next Branch Practice is at Ambrosden on the 8th February, so I hope we get a good turnout there

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More progress at Winter Ringing School 21.01.2023

Another successful session at yesterday’s Winter ringing School at Kirtlington, where David from Witney graduated having covered all required skills.

Here is Emma presenting David with his certificate. Congratulations David!

Afterwards Kirtlington held a tower open morning with plenty of helpers, a big thank you to Judith, Christine, Ruth, Dana, Vikki, Jonathan and Janice from Wolvercote.

We had four visitors plus two youngsters who watched some ringing and then had a go on backstroke and then chiming. We are hopeful that at least three will continue to learn the amazing craft of Bellringing!

If you would like to find out more about Ringing School, email training-officer@bicester.odg.org.uk

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Branch Practice at Weston on the Green 12th January

Eight ringers from five towers came to tonight’s branch practice at Weston on the Green. We were joined by Diane, Anne and Jeremy, branch ringing master, with the Weston Four hosting proceedings.

After ringing up we rang a number of courses of Plain Hunt on Five, followed by some Grandsire Doubles, with Mandy on 3 and Nick tenoring. Next some Grandsire Doubles and plain hunt for Nick to treble to.

We managed a couple of passable plain courses of Plain Bob Doubles, with Gerald inside, Mandy on treble and Andrew tenoring, which must mark a first for some time that Weston ringers have made up at least half a band for Bob Doubles in their own tower!

Next we got Nick trebling to Churchyard Bob, with its helpful coursing order (2-3-4-5), which Nick was getting the hang of, with Diane joining in on the two.

By popular demand we rang Switcheroo, a Weston favourite and we upped the ante by switching automatically between rounds and backwards rounds every handstroke.

Finally after a photo opportunity we rang a set of call changes, moving Nick from 5th to lead position, taking in Queens and Kings, before we lowered in peal.

A good practice, with several getting a prime ring. The next branch practice is on the 24th January at Islip.

Branch ringers at Weston
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Young Ringers come to Bicester Branch

On Sunday 8th January Kirtlington hosted the Young Ringers’ practice of 2023, attended by 11 young ringers, including Marcus from Islip.

Susan Read, who with husband Brian, organises these very useful sessions, said:

“Eleven young ringers gathered at Kirtlington for a ringing practice organised by the Old North Berks Branch on Sunday 8th January 2023. Some came quite a long way for the practice, coming from six branches, including Banbury, Vale of White Horse and Reading. Ringing included the much enjoyed game of setting after a number of whole pulls determined by the throw of a dice, forward and backward rounds as well as plain bob doubles and triples. Refreshments included mince pies, chocolate cake and peanut butter cookies!”

The Young ringers at Kirtlington
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Winter Ringing School’s latest Graduate

On Saturday 7th January, Winter Ringing School sessions started again for the New Year. At Kirtlington we celebrated another graduate, Rachel Mackenzie.

Rachel reflected :
“Winter Ringing School has been a great boost to my skill and confidence. It has been great to visit new towers, try new bells and get the benefit of excellent 1:1 tuition in a really friendly and supportive atmosphere – I would definitely recommend it to all new ringers. Thank you to all who have generously donated their time to help develop our skills.”

Congratulations, Rachel! Very best wishes for your future ringing career!

Rachel receiving her certificate from Steve Vickars, Training Officer, Bicester Branch of Bellringers
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Branch Practice at Caversfield 6th December 2022

Thirteen ringers from seven towers came to tonight’s branch practice at Caversfield, including a welcome to Linda and Hilary from Chesterton.
As expected, Bicester and Caversfield were well represented, with Steve, Diane, Graham, Faye, Helen and Celia, while we had our Ringing Masters Richard and Jeremy as well as Teresa and Kathryn from Islip.

After ringing up there were a number of plain courses of Grandsire doubles for Linda, Hilary and Helen inside, helped by Jeremy standing.

We had a touch of Reverse Canterbury for Teresa ringing observation, as well as touches of Plain Bob Doubles for Michael on observation.

We also managed a quite nicely struck touch of Stedman Doubles called by Richard, before a rare all-male band lowered in peal, finishing in Weasles.

Our final and Christmas Special practice is on 19th December at Kirtlington. Hope to see you then! Please let us know in advance if you aim to come to the apres bell social event afterwards.

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Focussed Practice 30th November 2022 at Bletchingdon

An amazing thirteen ringers came to this evening’s focussed practice at Bletchingdon, our last of 2022. We welcomed back Ron who brought Philip, one of the recently recruited Kidlington ringers, as well as our stalwart helpers Emma, Laurence, Malcolm and Graham, which gave us enough to form a strong band as well as up to two standers.

After raising, we rang some courses of Plain Hunt on Five, which was a first try out for Philip, by which time we were joined by all our helpers.

We gave Julie two touches of doubles to treble to, which she did very nicely, as well as some practice tenoring to plain hunt and churchyard bob. Definitely ready for a quarter peal, I think.

Sally tenored very nicely to a touch of Grandsire and also trebled to a touch of Plain Bob Doubles, helped by Emma. Really coming on there.

Christine trebled to a touch of grandsire, achieving some very good striking, as well as inside to churchyard bob and plenty of tenoring. Great progress!

Gerald trebled nicely to two touches of Grandsire Doubles and also raised and lowered in peal.

Sue rang inside to two touches of Grandsire Doubles, including moving into and out of the hunt. Well done Sue!

Judith also rang inside to a touch of Grandsire Doubles, gaining confidence in the work at the bob as well as at the following lead. Judith also tenored to a number of touches.

We also managed to give Philip opportunity to treble to plain hunt and to churchyard bob, as he worked hard to master the light treble.

Refreshments were available to reward our helpers, to whom we are really grateful for their tremendous support. Finally, the obligatory photo was taken of the group in the nave.