Category: Branch Practice

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.

On Friday 3rd Feb, 8 intrepid ringers (from 4 towers) braved temperatures of -2C (-5C when we went home) to ring the heaviest bells in the branch at Ambrosden. We decided to stick to the back 6 (which would keep us warm!) and rang touches of Plain Bob Doubles, plain courses of Grandsire, a touch of Plain Bob Minor and a touch of Rev. Canterbury Doubles. Due to the temperatures the ropes were very slippery (or maybe our hands were too shiny/dry), and blood was shed on the tenor rope (that’s the second time that has happened on there to my knowledge.. at least it wasn’t me this time!), but it was a useful practice and Ali is making good progress with Grandsire.

The vicar was looking forward to hearing the bells again (as Ambrosden only have one practising ringer now – sadly unable to be with us), but the sound of the bells did tempt a former ringer to pop in to say hello, but we couldn’t tempt Martin to ring – maybe next time!

Of course, any visit to Ambrosden is not complete without a trip to the Turners Arms which had a lovely fire to warm us up.

The next practice is a special practice at Islip on Tues 21st, just before the branch AGM – hopefully see some of you at one or both of those events soon.

Happy New Year!

The first Branch Practice of 2012 was at Islip on Tues 3rd Jan – the first day back to work for many.

10 ringers (3 Islip, 2 Bicester, 2 Church Hanborough, 1 Woodeaton, 2 Charlton) banded together to ring Plain Hunt on 7, Grandsire Doubles (plain courses and a touch), Grandsire Triples (plain courses)… twice in less than a month!!!, Plain Bob Doubles (a touch), and we even managed a (rather shaky) Kent TB Minor!

Of course, no Islip practice would be right without a trip to the pub afterwards :9

During the evening there was a question about the Branch Outing date.. whilst I haven’t got a date yet, any preference for where to go anyone? (Ideas on an email to the webmaster@bicesterbranch.org.uk if you have a preference.. I do have some ideas but happy to cater for special requests).

We perhaps need to start thinking of what celebrations we will (as a branch) do for the Queen’s Jubilee too… quarters at some towers perhaps? Thoughts on a postcard…. 🙂

Hopefully see many of you at the Special Practice @ Bicester on the 16th..Plain Bob Minor & St Simon’s Doubles.

On Wednesday 7th December 7 locals from Charlton on Otmoor were joined by 4 others from around the branch for the December branch practice. We rang plain courses of Grandsire Doubles, Plain Hunt on 6, a touch of Plain Bob Doubles, and finished with a touch of Plain Bob Minor. With some help a couple of the locals tried a few things they weren’t used to, and seemed pleased with making some progress.

For those not at the practice, there was bellringing on BBC4 to watch – Come Bell Ringing with Charles Hazelwood can be viewed on BBC iPlayer until 17th Dec – a great explanation of the art of change ringing, bell casting and tuning, handbell ringing, carillons and an experiment in a new piece of music to play on church bells – well worth watching if you have an hour.

The last practice of 2011 will be on Tues 20th Dec at Islip – St Nicholas Doubles and Grandsire Triples… and maybe some Mince Pies & Sausage Rolls.

11 ringers came to Bicester on Monday 3rd Oct to help celebrate my 40th birthday (the next day), and what a start… two plain courses of Grandsire Triples that was really well struck and was applauded at the end! If only all branch practices started like that!!! We also rang call changes on the 10 (a rare event these days) and plain hunt on 7 before concentrating on the more regular methods people are working on – Plain Bob Doubles, Plain Bob Minor. We did try Cambridge Minor, but alas it was not to be, despite several attempts.

Following the practice most of the band joined me in The Swan for drinks :9

A big thanks to all those who came and make the evening so enjoyable.

Anthony

Friday 5th August was the Kirtlington branch practice. Unfortunately there isn’t a local band, but 7 branch members came over to remind the village that the church has a lovely set of bells, some dating back to the 1700s!

We rang Plain Bob Doubles & Grandsire Doubles. We then had a visit from some non-ringing who were staying in the hotel, heard the bells and came to investigate. We demonstrated with Plain Bob Minor and explained what we do – maybe they’ll be interested enough to go to their local towers when they get back to Kent and Australia!

We eventually managed a touch of Plain Bob Minor before successfully ringing a touch of Revere Canterbury Doubles which we having been working up to recently – satisfying to be making some progress – well done everyone 🙂