Category: Branch Practice

The branch practice at Bicester on Mon 7th Jan was a slow start to the year – we had 6 ringers from 2 towers; a ringer new to Bicester tower who has been ringing at the neighbouring tower of Marsh Gibbon joined us and given our small number our efforts focussed on helping him. After “up” we rang first call changes and then had a number of goes of Plain Bob Doubles with Arthur ringing tenor behind (not something he had done before) and he improved as the evening went on – well done Arthur 🙂

Next practice is next week at Islip – St Nicholas Doubles and Plain Bob Minor. Hopefully see more of you there 🙂

Anthony Cole

On Wednesday 5th Dec 9 branch ringers (3 from Charlton, 2 Islip, 2 Launton, 1 Stratton, 1 Bicester) banded together on a freezing night for a Branch Practice on the lovely bells (and warm tower) of Charlton On Otmoor.

We started with some plain hunt following Anne’s recent attendance at the Steeple Aston course, and it was clear she was learning fast. We rang some plain courses of Grandsire Doubles with Anne watching the 2 and then Anne had a go at that – and was solid as a rock (unlike the ringers around her who made mistakes!) Great work Anne 🙂

Sally was persuaded to try the observation bell for a touch of Grandsire Doubles and by the end of the evening had managed that twice (with a little help from her friends).

Jean seemed uncertain with the treble to Grandsire, but proved more than able to ring it which was encouraging.

Mary had a go at plain courses of Grandsire Doubles and managed well too.

We had a go at a plain course of Plain Bob Minor which we eventually got through – not one of the things they are able to ring regularly so it was pleasing to get through it.

Our last ring was some plain hunting on 6 with a few ringers attempting it for the first time (Anne & Jean) – success once again!

Ringing down was not brilliant, but it was a practice night and Anne wasn’t confident. However, she was able to follow the treble down fairly well, getting back into place a couple of times which is a useful skill to perfect.

So, a thoroughly useful and enjoyable practice – my thanks to those who helped out too 🙂 The pub was equally warm and inviting afterwards before the trek back over the frozen moor.

Last practice of the year is at Bicester on Monday 17th December … with mince pies and sausage rolls if I can find some time to cook/shop. Looking forward to it 🙂

On November 7th

12 ringers (from 6 towers) enjoyed another lively practice with progress made on Plain Hunt and Grandsire Doubles. Although we missed one of our Joint Ringing Masters (we sent sympathy since he was on a course with exams – at his age too! (Editor: Thanks Kathryn!!!)), Jeremy ensured that we all maintained the friendly, encouraging approach which is the hallmark of our Branch Practices.

The next practice for the branch is the special practice in Islip on 20th November – Grandsire Triples and Winchendon Place Doubles (if you can ring St Simon’s Doubles, you can ring Winchendon – see http://www.merseybells.co.uk/methods/winchendon-place-doubles for the line – or look in your copy of “Diagrams”).

On Monday 1st Oct 9 ringers from 4 branch towers came to Bicester for the Branch Practice, and to celebrate Kathryn’s recent and Anthony’s pending birthdays.

We started in style on the front 6 with a touch of Plain Bob Minor then moved on to Grandsire Doubles (plain courses) before the Charlton duo arrived to bolster our number. We then rang up the back bells and rang Plain Hunt on 7 (well done Ali). We then pushed ourselves with some Kent TB Minor – 3rd time in the branch in as many weeks, and just as successful – Great stuff 🙂

With Steve off to work we then rang more Grandsire Doubles and Plain Hunt on 7 before finishing. Given the two birthdays a trip to the pub was definitely in order :9

Next practice is in two weeks (again in Bicester) – Cambridge Surprise Minor and Plain Bob Minor… we may need a little help with Cambridge so get those learning caps on 🙂

 

As the holiday season comes to a close more ringers are around and so it proved at Launton on 3rd Sept when 14 ringers met to ring the lovely light six.

4 Launton ringers were helped by 2 from Bicester, 2 from Ludgershall, 2 from Islip, 3 from Charlton and one from Stratton to ring call changes, Grandsire Doubles plain courses (well done Elaine for ringing treble for first time in many years), a touch of Grandsire, and a rather shaky touch of Plain Bob Doubles. Ringing down was applauded by those stood outside so it must not have been too bad (or maybe they were glad we had finished). A lovely sunny evening of ringing at the smallest tower in the branch.

Next is the branch social in Islip on the 15th – tickets still available – contact Kathryn, Teresa or Anthony.

Anthony Cole

We had 8 ringers from 6 towers at the monthly Branch Practice at Kirtlington on 3 August.

It was great to see real progress made on the 2nd for Grandsire Doubles and on Plain Hunt for two of our newer recruits – and to be able to leave the bells up for a wedding the following day!  I’d forgotten to bring along posters for the Branch BBQ on Saturday 15 September but have now produced tickets for everyone who wants to come!

Kathryn Grant, Branch Sec

Following last years failed attempt to hold a branch practice (only 3 ringers turned up) we were apprehensive about the turnout for this years attempt.

I started off playing the organ and Jeremy went outside to mow the churchyard grass, but no sooner than he had gone out 2 more ringers arrived. Having seen me on the organ they came to show me how to do it properly (!). One more ringer arrived then so we had to stop playing the organ and ring.

After an eventful ‘up’ we had several goes at Plain Hunt, making sure everyone moved to a different bell for each attempt – always a good idea so you don’t get used to just one bell. We then rang some call changes and more plain hunt before calling it a night. Stratton Audley only has 3 resident ringers so I wonder how many in the pub next door noticed two extra bells were ringing? The bells are not the easiest – you do have to pull them as they are on plain bearings (except the 4th), but you need some towers with more interesting handling to perfect your ringing technique. Anyway, nice to hear them all going.

Next practice is a Grandsire Doubles practice for Bletchingdon on 18th. Looks like I have to work, but will see if I can make it there before the end.

On Wed 2nd May a number of the branch drove through the floods (!) to join the local Piddington band for the branch practice. All in all 12 ringers (from 6 branch towers!) rang the 5 very loud bells concentrating on call changes which is the local band speciality. The striking was really good and that is often better than more complicated, but less well struck method! Having said that, we did manage one 120 of Grandsire Doubles which, once it settled, sounded good too 🙂

A thirteenth person was at the practice who was there to see what goes on (but hadn’t rung before) – we couldn’t let him leave without having had a go and he proved very capable of doing the backstroke so hopefully by the time we visit next time he will be a fully fledged member of the Piddington band too 🙂

The locals were very welcoming and obviously have a great laugh at their practices. The evening finished early (just after 8:30pm) as they have to consider the neighbours so there was plenty of time for a visit to the Seven Stars for a couple of rounds of drinks. A lovely evening with great company and definitely worth another visit very soon 🙂

On Friday 2nd March 12 ringers (2 Bicester, 1 Stratton Audley, 2 Launton, 1 Islip, 1 Guild Steward and 5 from Ludgershall) turned up for the Branch Practice at Ludgershall – almost as many as the turnout of the AGM! What a great practice it was – we started with plain courses Grandsire Doubles then went on to touches of Grandsire, call changes and more Grandsire before helping some locals try (and succeed) with Stedman Doubles (well done!) and a touch of Plain Bob Doubles (mis-called by me – whoops! Must have been a long week). A thoroughly enjoyable practice and I felt a sense of achievement from the locals.