Author: Steve Vickars

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Branch Practice at Bletchingdon 26 Jan 2022

An amazing eighteen ringers from seven towers attended tonight’s branch practice at Bletchingdon, with plain hunt, Grandsire, plain Bob and St Simons Bob doubles on the agenda.

Dinah, Julie , Sally and Christine got valuable practice at plain hunt, Christine and Julie also tenoring.

We rang several plain courses of Grandsire for Gerald, Mandy, Ala, Sue C and Sue M, who also got to ring 5 observation to Grandsire, while Graham rang inside affected on 4.

We were indebted to Laurence and Emma for standing with our less experienced ringers. We also rang a touch of Grandsire for Judith and Teresa affected and a touch of Plain Bob doubles for Ala, as well as a couple of plain courses of St Simons, which was first blows for Emma and Laurence.

At the end we did a nice lower on six ending in Queens, including Judith and Graham. A great turnout to a really good practice.

Also to note that our next Branch Practice is a week on Friday 4th February at Ludgershall. See you then!

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In memoriam Eric Ball 21.11.21

Five branch members, including one Launton ringer, and Alison Merryweather-Clarke from Witney&Woodstock met up at Launton on Sunday 21st November to ring a Quarter Peal commemorating the life of Eric Ball, former ringer of Launton, Middleton Stoney and Lower Heyford, who sadly passed away on 5th November and whose funeral was held on 18th November.

We rang a nicely-struck quarter of Grandsire Doubles on the fine light ring of Gillett and Johnson bells, the first ringing there since March 2020. I think Eric would have liked that.

A big Thank You to all involved!

The record with dedication is on Bellboard at: https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=1472762

A selfie of the band
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Branch Practice returns to Piddington 27/10/2021

Seven ringers from five towers came to tonight’s Branch Practice at Piddington, where it was great to see Jan and Richard at their first branch practice since lockdown, back from helping their daughter with their latest grandchild.

After ringing up in peal – good ringing up by Judith – we warmed up with plain courses of Grandsire Doubles, followed by a first attempted touch of St Simons, for Jeremy to blow away some cobwebs. Then a touch of Grandsire for Anne, called by Steve W, and a touch of Stedman for the inside ringers to practice “anti cats ears” at singles.

The team also rang a standard as well as a 9 Bob 120 blow touch of Reverse Canterbury. Judith was in again, trebling to a touch of Reverse Canterbury, then inside to a touch of Grandsire after a successful touch of St Simons by a separate team. Another touch of Grandsire and the team rang down in peal, ending with Weasels.

A good practice and great to make a good noise in a different tower in the branch. Morwen and Cheryl, local ringers from Piddington had welcomed us and stayed to listen to the ringing, and chatted with the team members about the plans to repair the bell tower roof and floor, as well as the challenges of keeping the ringing team going.

It is these occasions that make branch practices so worthwhile through meeting other teams in the branch and sharing of ideas.

Next branch practice is on Friday 12th November at Caversfield. Hope to see lots of you then!

Bicester Branch practice ringers with Morwen and Cheryl

Steve Vickars

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Making a noise at Ambrosden!

Eight ringers from four towers came to tonight’s branch practice at Ambrosden, aiming to make a good noise on a stately ring of eight that sadly isn’t much so rung these days.

After ringing the front six up in peal and ringing some rounds and a few plain courses of Bob doubles with Anne and Sally in we felt we had to get the tenors up and try out all eight, which we did with Dinah in the band, who did very well.

Next we rang some plain courses of Grandsire doubles, and couple of plain courses of plain Bob minor, which went quite well. After some more call changes on eight we rang a couple of touches of Grandsire doubles including one with Sally trebling and finished with more call changes before ringing the back six down in peal.

We were joined at the end by Pam, Ambrosden tower correspondent (see photo).

A very enjoyable evening. Look out for an opportunity to ring there for the Christmas Tree festival later this year. Hope to see lots of you at the next practice at Piddington on 27th October!

The team with Pam

Steve Vickars

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Old Bicester Branch website laid to rest February 2021

After over a decade of trying, the branch website has finally completed its migration from Anthony Cole’s server to its new home on the Oxford Diocesan Guild’s servers.

In December 2020 we worked with Anthony and the Guild Server team to re-direct internet addresses to the new home, while final checks of content have now completed and under Gus’ patient and methodical care, we have verified all content has safely migrated to the new server.

We have also now established new mailing lists for members (members@bicester.odg.org.uk), officers (officers@bicester.odg.org.uk) and tower correspondents (towers@bicester.odg.org.uk).

Farewell, old Bicester Branch site (www.bicesterbranch.org.uk), hello new Bicester Branch site (www.bicester.odg.org.uk).

Very big thanks go to Anthony for hosting the branch site and mailing lists and providing responsive and reliable support for such a long time!.

Steve Vickars and Gus Bridges

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Kirtlington, Bletchingdon, Weston and Islip Virtual Christmas Social 21 December 2020

It was great to welcome fourteen ringers representing five towers to the 2020 Christmas social tonight, including very welcome returns from two of our dispersed ringers Helen and Ellie.

Notable welcomes also to Kathryn and Barbara Summers with their canine companions Dilly and Rufus who joined us specially for this occasion, also that Sally from Islip was able to participate in the video chat and Ringing Room for the whole session.

After some Carol melodies in Ringing Room we split into four teams representing Bletchingdon, Weston, Islip and Kirtlington for a quiz in four rounds featuring a range of bellringing and seasonal questions, as well as a Christmas music round.

The result was closely contested between Islip (8 points) and Kirtlington (9 points) with Bletchingdon (7 points) a close third and Weston a bit further back.

Finally we returned to ringing room and rang some rounds on 12 followed by carol melodies and a brave attempt at a multi part version of O Come All Ye Faithful. Rufus gave a very touching accompaniment of his own.

A very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone. Our next practice of 2021 will be at 8pm on Monday 4th January. Hope to see you then.

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Quarter Peal at Kirtlington 1st March 2020

This afternoon at Kirtlington, a band completed a very nicely struck Quarter Peal of Grandsire Doubles, rung to celebrate the 32 years of service given by Jean Sambrook to Kirtlington Village Shop. The quarter, conducted expertly by Hugh Deam, was also Charlie Bates’ first inside to the method, supported by Teresa, Kathryn, Paul and Steve.

This was also Charlie’s final practical target for his ART Learning the Ropes Level 5, achieved in less than eighteen months after starting to learn to ring. Very many congratulations, Charlie!

The Bellboard record is at:  https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=1333184

The team for Charlie’s quarter inside to Grandsire Doubles
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Focussed Practice 16th February 2020 at Bletchingdon

A very successful Focussed Practice this afternoon with a strong band of helpers to support five of our regular ringers progress in trebling and inside to doubles and minor methods.

Sue M rang 3rd inside to plain courses of Grandsire Doubles, then trebled to a touch of St Simons bob doubles.

Sue C rang 3rd inside to plain courses of Grandsire doubles, then trebled to Plain Hunt Minor and two plain courses of Bob Minor, a first.

Gus rang treble to a touch of Plain Bob Doubles, then to plain courses of Bob Minor, for the first time. Well done, Gus.

Judith rang inside to touches of Grandsire doubles, practicing different work bobs and singles at and near lead.

Charlie rang inside to different touches of Grandsire Doubles, in the end without a stander (not needed), and also trebled to a plain course of Cambridge Surprise Minor, for the benefit of Benjamin.

I think everyone got a “prime ring” and will have gained confidence in their chosen work.

Our helpers were rewarded with tea, coffee and cake, brought by the students, and was much appreciated.

I hope to arrange a further session on 1st March, more focussed on Plain Hunt and trebling to doubles. Watch this space!

the band of students and helpers

the band of students and helpers
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Branch Practice at Weston on-the-Green 13th February 2020

Ten ringers came to tonight’s branch practice, including a welcome back to Charles and Rachel Morrish from Old North Berks Branch and also Gilly, a recent recruit to the Weston band, who received instruction from Andrew at intervals during the practice.

With us were Jeremy, Kathryn and Teresa, so we were able to provide a good band around the Weston ringers.

After warming up with a number of courses of Plain Hunt on five, we rang a few plain courses of Grandsire Doubles with Andrew on treble and Gerald on two, quite nicely struck.

Next we rang a well struck touch of Grandsire Doubles for the more experienced ringers, followed by more plain courses of Grandsire Doubles, then a touch of Plain Bob Minor, called by Charles.

Finally, we gave Mandy and Gerald a chance to ring treble to mini-touches of  Grandsire Doubles, with a strong band and a stander to help them. Well done Mandy and Gerald.

We all appreciated the improvements that the Weston team have recently made in moving the ropes for bells two and three away from the wall to improve the ringing circle. The good news is that a faculty has been granted for the remainder of the work, including inserting another floor to add sound control and ensure straight fall of ropes and improvements to the lighting in the ringing chamber and belfry.

It would be nice to think that we will see these welcome improvements at practices at Weston in the near future.

Hope to see lots of you at the Branch AGM on Saturday 15th February at Bletchingdon.

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Branch Practice 21st January 2020 at Bicester

Sixteen ringers from six towers and two branches came to tonight’s branch practice at Bicester, including a warm welcome to Darren, from Central Bucks Branch. Proceedings were led by our joint ringing master Jeremy, with Teresa and Kathryn.

After ringing up we rang rounds and call changes on ten, then rang Plain Hunt on Seven for Sue, Helen and Chris.

We next rang two nicely struck plain courses of Plain Bob Minor for Anne, Faye trebling, called by Steve, followed by more rounds and call changes on six for one of the Islip recruits.

Next up a plain course of Kent Minor for James to treble bob to, guided by Jeremy, which made it to the end, so a first for James.

In an interval, Teresa presented Sue with her ART LTR Level 3 certificate, achieved last week with her Quarter Peal at tenor to Grandsire Doubles. Congratulations, Sue!

We rang some plain hunt on five for Mandy, Chris and Jane, then Mandy was stretched a bit further by trebling to a touch of Grandsire Doubles. Well done, Mandy!

We then rang a couple of plain courses of Grandsire Triples, then more rounds on six. Finally all ten rang in rounds before we lowered the front four and back six in peal.

Good to see lots of people tonight. Hope to see lots of you again at the next Branch Practice on 13th February at Weston, to experience the recent improvements to the rope circle.