Ringing for the King in Bicester Branch

Our ringers have been very busy over the Coronation weekend ringing to celebrate the occasion. Below are some summaries and photos of our exploits.

On Friday 5th May a band of mainly Bicester Branch ringers rang a Quarter Peal at Kirtlington before the pre-Coronation musical event, then Kirtlington ringers rang before the Kirtlington Coronation Service Sunday 7th May. Over the weekend, many villagers chimed (“dinged”) the bells and signed a special book which will be donated to the village archives.

the Quarter Peal band at Kirtlington
ringing team for the Kirtlington Coronation Service
Kirtlington School ringers
Emily Dinging for the King

Nine rang at Weston on the Green, including new recruits Pam and Tracy. Afterwards 80 villagers came and ”Dinged for the King”

Ringers for the King at Bletchingdon. And a great turnout of ‘dingers’!

the band at Bletchingdon

Bicester ringers rang at Caversfield and Bicester on Saturday morning.

the band at Caversfield
Bicester ringers

Ludgershall Ringers rang on Coronation Day including two new learners. They followed up with a Quarter Peal of mixed doubles on Monday 8th.

Ludgershall Ringing for the King
Quarter Peal Band
The band at Ludgershall

On Monday 8th May, eight ringers from Ambrosden, Stratton Audley, Islip and Kirtlington rang rounds and call changes on the bells at St Marys Ambrosden. Well done to Leandro on his first ring on these bells!


Eleven Islip ringers rang before the Abbey service on Saturday morning – particularly special for us as Westminster Abbey, the location for all coronations of English and then British monarchs since 1066, was originally built by St Edward the Confessor who was born in 1005 in Islip. Our ringers included three teenagers, one of whom was ringing in a band for the first time About 60 from the village turned up to ‘Ding for the King’ on Bank Holiday Monday.

In Woodeaton, five ringers from Islip rang on Sunday afternoon before the village party and then 20 from Woodeaton ‘Dinged for the King’.