Category: Branch Practice

A numerous eighteen ringers from seven towers and three branches encompassing a wide range of experience, came to Wednesday’s Branch Practice at Bletchingdon,.

For two of the branch’s recent recruits: Sally Cross and Jane we rang Full Pull and Stand, Reducing Rounds, Call Changes and Kaleidoscope, practicing for some of the ringing activities this coming weekend. We saw some good Full Pull and Stand and call changes, while for the Reducing Rounds exercise there were some slightly over-eager ringers on the lighter bells, but one to practice in the future.

We rang Plain Hunt on 5 and Plain Courses of Grandsire Doubles for Sue Carter, Rosemarie, Rosemary, Ernie, Hilary and Jean. Some reasonable striking was achieved, especially as a number of ringers had little experience of ringing the method on their bell.

With a view to upcoming Quarter Peals, we rang touches of Plain Bob Doubles for Sue M, Judith and Ann. Nora and Tim also rang inside and Rosemarie trebled to one of the touches, assisted by Kathryn. A further touch of Grandsire was attempted with Ann, Diana, Kathryn and Jeremy inside, Sally Wale trebling.

We finally rang down in peal, a number of our ringers showing progress also with that.

A busy weekend for most if not all ringers is coming up with the Ringing Remembers and Ring Out for Peace commemorations. The very best of luck to all involved.

Steve Vickars

The 5 bells of Ludgershall attracted 16 ringers from 6 towers for the monthly branch practice. Several ringers were missing – on holiday, suffering from the heat or celebrating wedding anniversaries! Although Richard Haseldine is rather hidden in this photo – taken to record the Cliff East shield before it (possibly) moves from last year’s winning team – he and Jeremy Adams ensured all ringers had plenty of practice – whether call changes, Stedman, Grandsire and even a touch of Reverse Canterbury.

Let’s hope we get as many, if not more, for the Striking Competition and barbecue on Saturday 1 September!

Eight ringers from four towers attended last night’s branch practice at Caversfield where we also welcomed back Anthony Cole, Sarah and Sam Cole from Bicester Branch’s Scottish outpost, making a flying visit to the area.

We rang some plain courses of Grandsire Doubles with Jean, Simon, Judith, Ellie and Jane, then plain courses of bob doubles.

As our band had been strengthened somewhat by our Scottish exiles, we were able to ring a number of well-struck touches of Grandsire, one with Ellie Seddon inside, Plain Bob Doubles with Judith Vickars at 3 and Ellie on 4, and plain courses of Reverse Canterbury doubles.

Our final method was a couple of courses of St Simon’s bob doubles, which improved as we went on.

Great to see the Coles’ again. We learn that a mini-ring of 8 is on order for installation at their house in Forres. Perhaps an idea for a future Branch outing, I think?

10 ringers from 5 towers came to tonight’s  Branch Practice at Kirtlington, including Helen for some more practice at ringing up and down, very close now to raising and lowering all by herself.
We welcomed Rosemarie from Bletchingdon/Yarnton to her first experience at ringing Kirtlington’s bells, and benefitted from the experience of el presidente William Haynes, Tim Hillsdon, Teresa and Sue Carter from Islip, Stephen Cameron, Derek and Judith.
On tonight’s menu was Plain Hunt and Grandsire Doubles.

Derek, Rosemarie and Sue took turns ringing treble or 2 to Plain Hunt on 5, Derek taking a turn also at tenor.
After some call changes, called down by Teresa for Helen, we had some excellent cake and biscuits (left over from yesterday’s focussed practice), then progressed to ringing plain courses of Grandsire Doubles, Sue, Rosemarie and Derek taking turns to treble. All did very creditable striking. Well done!

After an attempted touch of Plain Bob Doubles, we did some Kaleidoscope dodging practice for Helen, Sue and Derek, before giving Sue, Rosemarie and Derek turns at ringing Plain Hunt on 6. Again, some very acceptable striking.

Another good practice, many thanks again to tonight’s helpers.

Steve Vickars

A good turnout for Wednesday’s branch practice on a golden evening in the Middleton Stoney Park.

Although we missed the Vickars (enjoying their holiday in Dubrovnik!) Steve Cameron jetted in from Japan to join us and Kathryn returned from the US!

13 ringers (Teresa, Anne, Jean, Richard, Jan, Gareth, Eric, Hilary, Rosemary, Jan, and Linda) from 6 towers came so we were able to practice a variety of methods including Grandsire and Plain Bob and an attempt at a touch of Plain Bob Minor.

Middleton’s bells are a bit challenging but they sounded lovely enough to call two visitors who came to see what we were doing and stayed to listen.

Kathryn Grant

Five ringers from four towers came to tonight’s Branch Practice at Piddington, where we were met by Morwen, one of the Piddington ringers, who helped us ring up, but wanted the visitors to demonstrate their prowess.

We started with an aborted attempt of Grandsire Doubles, followed by a successful touch of Plain Bob Doubles. Next a couple of plain courses of Stedman, improving in the second course, before we returned to a successful touch of Grandsire, called by Jeremy.

For variety, we then rang a touch of Reverse Canterbury Doubles, Anne unaffected, before a final successful touch of Grandsire and ringing down, with Morwen on 2.