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.
Eleven ringers came to tonight’s practice at Stratton Audley, where we complimented Jeremy on the new paintwork in the ringing chamber.
We welcomed Simon Cole back from Norfolk, visiting family in Oxfordshire.
After ringing up we started with a touch of Grandsire Doubles called by Richard, with Judith on the 3, fully affected.
Next we rang rounds with Lisa and Julie, two recent recruits from the Stratton team, then a touch of Reverse Canterbury, with Anne, Jeremy, Simon and Richard, followed by a touch of Plain Bob Doubles with Judith trebling.
After a touch of Grandsire with Anne, Jeremy, Teresa and Simon, we rang more rounds, then a nicely struck touch of Stedman, with Graham, Jeremy, Simon and Jan called by Richard, finishing with a touch of Plain Bob Doubles then a lower in peal led by Graham, chiming in weasels.
We took the obligatory team photo with those who stayed behind.
Next Branch Practice is on 6th December at Caversfield, another 5-bell tower.
Initially seven ringers were at the start of tonight’s branch practice at Bletchingdon, a select group of regulars with Kathryn our Branch Secretary in attendance. Having rung up all six followed by a few courses of Plain Hunt doubles called by Julie and then Grandsire doubles called by Sue, we might have thought that would have been all the band for the night. However, at that point we were joined by Emma, Laurence and Graham, which enabled us to focus on getting quality time ringing touches of Grandsire, Plain Bob and Stedman for our team to practice trebling, tenoring and inside with standers as required.
Sally and Julie got at least three touches of Grandsire and Plain Bob to cover and treble to, Judith rang inside affected to two touches of Grandsire, trebled to another touch and tenored to Grandsire and Stedman touches.
Christine rang unaffected on 3 and 4 to two touches of Grandsire doubles, gaining in fluency, while Sue trebled to touches and had one touch inside half-hunt. We attempted a touch of Stedman with Kathryn and Graham inside, which got over halfway before firing out, before time sadly ran out and we had to ring down and take the obligatory team photo near the wonderful Remembrance display (see if you can spot Kathryn, who was excellent at hiding at the back).
A really good practice, with a lot of ”prime rings” achieved. We are certainly ready for first quarter peals for some of our ringers, I think.
On the evening of 27th September, six Bicester Branch ringers including Ringing Master Jeremy Adams, Teresa Carter, Kathryn Grant, Vice President and Secretary, plus Anne and Graham, met up at Souldern Church, probably expecting a larger turnout and to take the opportunity to reflect with others on the life of our recently departed Branch President, Willie Haynes.
Kathryn and Teresa had brought two bags of books, photos and papers to sort through, which we did for 20 minutes or so, while waiting for others to arrive.
As we stayed at the magic number six, it was suggested we might attempt a Quarter Peal of Grandsire Doubles in Willie’s memory, which we duly did. We had heard of an appropriate number attending a practice and ringing a Quarter Peal, but never had the actual experience.
After one restart at the first 60, the team achieved a nicely-struck Quarter Peal in 45 minutes. The feat is now on Bellboard and is associated with Willie’s In memoriam record. We hope to add more Quarters and maybe longer lengths to his memory in the next few weeks.
An amazing fifteen ringers came to tonight’s branch practice at Woodeaton, the first practice there for several years. Perhaps it was the rarity of the location that drew such large numbers for a “grab” .Our number included a full complement of the Lee family, accompanying Colin, our steward, and ringing master Jeremy.
It was good to see a strong contingent of Islip ringers, including Sally , Sue, Kathryn, Teresa, James, Dinah and Marcus. Also great to see Celia from Bicester.
After ringing up we rang call changes for Dinah, Marcus and two Lee children, followed by some plain courses of Grandsire Doubles with James inside and Sue trebling. Next we rang a touch of Grandsire doubles for Judith to treble to, called by Colin, followed by more Grandsire and a touch of plain Bob doubles for Simon inside and Judith trebling.
Next we rang a plain course of Winchendon Place and a touch of Reverse Canterbury doubles for Kathryn finishing with a set of call changes for our less experienced ringers and a lower in peal led by Celia, before a group photo next to Baa Baa.
A really nice practice, which would have been even more perfect if we had a pub garden to sit in afterwards.
The wonders of modern technology enabled a distant photo to get us all in but not the ability to check we were all visible
On the longest day thirteen ringers went to the branch practice at Bicester, where after raising the bells we rang a number of courses of plain hunt on nine, followed by call changes on ten, then some plain courses of Grandsire doubles on the front six.
After some plain hunt on five on the front six a touch of Grandsire doubles was attempted, followed by some better struck plain hunt on five on the back six, with the team appreciating the weightier bells.
A reasonably struck short touch of Grandsire triples was completed, followed by more call changes on ten, a bobbed course of plain Bob triples called by Emma, then well struck courses of plain hunt on seven, finishing with lowering the back eight.
Another full programme!
the next branch practice is on Wednesday 6th July at Launton. See you there!
Eleven ringers from seven towers came to tonight’s branch practice at Middleton Stoney. The weather was playing tricks, with blazing sunshine originally forecast, then heavy downpours from 7pm, but at Middleton the sun came out and a rainbow was spotted!
It was good to see Colin, our steward and his son Simon. After ringing up we had some plain hunt and plain courses of Grandsire to get used to the bells. We took a short break to give Philip and another from Middleton a first go at ringing. Graham called a touch of plain Bob doubles and Steve a touch of Grandsire doubles for Julie to treble to. There was no stopping Simon who put himself inside the the Bob doubles band, although a few words were had with dad!
After a touch of Bob minor called by Colin, we had another break for handling, then more Grandsire for Christine to ring no. 2 to. After a couple of attempts to ring a touch of Stedman Doubles we settled for a plain course before lowering.
Team photo time at the end in the beautiful surroundings. Next branch practice is Tuesday 21st June at Bicester. See you there!
Fifteen ringers from five towers came to tonight’s special practice at Weston, hosted by Gerald, Mandy and Andy. Nick, a new ringer, was also there to practice rounds. Jeremy our branch ringing master was in charge, but we were also joined by Celia, Richard, Graham, Alison and Laurence who gave great support.
We started with a number of plain courses of Grandsire doubles, giving Sally and Julie a turn on the treble and two, Mandy, Judith and Gerald inside. Noting that Mandy rang the four inside for the first time, well done!
We rang a touch of Bob doubles for Julie to treble to, as well as a touch of Grandsire doubles for Graham. After plain courses of Bob doubles for Judith and Gerald inside Alison called a touch of Stedman Doubles with Graham affected.
After more rounds for Nick we rang a touch of Bob Minor with Jeremy, Celia and Richard, called by Alison and then more plain courses of Grandsire Doubles for Sue, Mandy and Gerald. And finally a very reasonable lower on six, led by Graham with Mandy, Judith, Andy and Gerald in the team.
Finally we caught the late evening light to take a group photo with our two mascots. Another full practice and some prime rings, which was great!
Next branch practice is on Wednesday 8th June at Middleton Stoney, hopefully with their 2nd stay mended.
Thirteen came to last night’s branch practice at Ambrosden, the second time the bells have rung there in less than a week.
The practice was led by Richard, and helped by our steward, Colin, and we had a good number of strong ringers, including Laurence, Emma, Steve, Celia and Jeremy enabling us to ring triples and major as well as plain hunt on seven and eight and call changes on eight.
We rang a couple of plain courses of Bob major, a plain course of Bob triples, with Anne trebling and Graham inside, a plain course of Stedman triples and a touch of Grandsire Triples.
The ring is a heavy, albeit easygoing eight, but take a bit of getting used to. Our striking improved during the evening. Towards the end we had a set of call changes on eight with Gerald and Anne in the band.
We finally lowered on eight, with Simon taking the tenor. There was a moment at the final chime, where Simon, with help from dad Colin, tried to eke out a final bong, but to no avail.
Next branch practice is on the 26th May at Weston, I believe, where Gerald will host us ringing doubles and minor.
Thirteen came to tonight’s branch practice at Ambrosden, the second time the bells have rung there in less than a week.
The practice was led by Richard, and helped by our steward, Colin, and we had a good number of strong ringers, including Laurence and Emma, enabling us to ring triples and major as well as plain hunt on seven and eight and call changes on eight.
We rang a couple of plain courses of Bob major, a plain course of Bob triples, with Anne trebling and Graham inside, a plain course of Stedman triples and a touch of Grandsire Triples.
The ring is a heavy, albeit easygoing eight, and take a bit of getting used to. Our striking improved during the evening. Towards the end we had a set of call changes on eight with Gerald Bushby and Anne inside.
We finally lowered on eight, with Simon taking the tenor. There was a moment at the final chime, where Simon, with help from dad Colin, tried to eke out a final bong, but to no avail.
Next branch practice is on the 26th May at Weston, I believe, where Gerald will host us ringing doubles and minor.
Fifteen came to tonight’s Branch Practice at Kirtlington, including a warm welcome to Katie Lane, Guild Master and to Colin, our Steward. We also welcomed Malcolm from Woodstock, returning from injury as well as our own Charlie Bates, back from Uni for Easter.
After ringing up we kicked off with Plain Hunt on five for Dinah, Mandy and Christine, then switched the team to include Gerald, Sue Carter and Sally.
Then onto plain courses of Bob doubles for Sue M, Gerald and Judith inside, with Sue C trebling at least for one, then some plain courses of Grandsire for Mandy on three, with good striking.
Next a touch of Grandsire Doubles for Graham and Charlie inside, supported by Katie and Colin, called by Malcolm, with Judith trebling and Simon covering, rather nicely struck, then more plain hunt for Sally on four and Christine on five.
As we had a good turnout we rang up the back two and rang a number of courses of plain hunt on seven, giving just about everyone a go on an inside bell, with Judith covering.
Our last piece was a plain course of plain Bob Triples called by Colin and with Gerald making a good go at covering on tenor, before lowering all eight in peal. A good practice!
