Category: Branch Event

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December on Otmoor (2011)

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.

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Reverse Canterbury success

On Monday 21st Nov 9 ringers (2 from Fringford, 1 from Stratton Audley and 6 from Bicester) banded together for the Plain Bob and Reverse Canterbury Doubles practice at Bicester.

Following a well struck “up”, we managed plain courses of Reverse Canterbury Doubles, touches of Plain Bob Doubles, touches of Reverse Canterbury Doubles (well done Sarah, Jeremy & Steve and a special congrats to Fay who had spent the afternoon learning the bobs and rang them without any problems:) ) and even managed a plain course of Reverse Canterbury Minor! Haven’t rung that for years, but there were no mistakes and it was well struck too 🙂 “Down” was as well struck as “up” so a great practice all round. For those who couldn’t make it.. you missed a belter!

Next practice, Charlton on Otmoor on Wed 7th Dec (note 7:45pm start time!!)

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Bletchingdon BP November 2011

The Bletchingdon branch practice was a great teaching session for the local band. 11 ringers (some from Kidlington, Bicester, Islip and our Guild Steward Colin with Zoe from the Banbury Branch) assisted the locals ringing plain courses and touches of Grandsire Doubles much of the evening, with Plain hunt on 6, a touch of Plain Bob Minor, and a plain course of Stedman Doubles to to give us a little variety. A great practice on a lovely set of bells with at least 7 lovely people (according to the tower captain!!! :o)

Next practice is the Plain Bob and Reverse Canterbury Doubles at Bicester on the 21st Nov – looking forward to it  🙂

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Doubles and minor

On Tuesday 18th Oct 7 ringers met for the Plain Bob and Grandsire Triples practice at Islip. Unfortunately we didn’t have a band for the planned methods, but we made good use of the evening ringing  touches of Plain Bob Minor, Grandsire Doubles, plain courses of St Simon’s Doubles, and attempted Kent TB Minor. A good evening with some useful practice at some less regularly rung methods.

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Birthday branch practice

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

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Bicester Branch Outing 2011 report

Eleven bellringers joined in the Bicester Branch Spring outing arranged by Anthony Cole.  We were disappointed that Samuel and Grace Cole weren’t also part of the party as they tend to write the more entertaining reports of our outings but glad that their absence meant that Sarah Cole was able to do more ringing than on recent occasions!

However the first ring at all Saints, Middleton Cheney nearly caused all those present to call it a day immediately – the heavy bells and rather springy ropes challenged most of us but, undaunted, we then rang the lighter bells at Chacombe before relaxing over lunch at the George & Dragon – a great find!

At the enjoyable ground floor ring of Cropredy we discovered that our audience had contained Prunella Scales and Timothy West – an inversion of the more normal status quo!  Those in the non-ringing party (including the three canine members) were able to enjoy the sun and a local bookfair before we left for Mollington and a, thankfully, light six.

It was especially good to have our Branch President, the redoubtable Willie Haynes, with us following a bout of ill health. Thank you from all of us, Anthony, for giving everyone a great day – and to those who opened their towers for us.

Kathryn Grant

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September special practice

On Monday 19th Sept the special practice was attended by just the Bicester band, including one new ringer to the area. We rang Grandsire Doubles (plain courses and touches), Plain Bob Doubles (again plain courses and touches) and a touch of Stedman Doubles which we were very pleased with. A few trips in the methods, but that is why we practice 🙂

Next branch event is the Bicester branch practice on Mon 3rd Oct.. do come along and help the Ringing master celebrate his 40th birthday (the next day).. I think we may have to visit the pub afterwards!

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2011 Branch Social & Striking Competition Result

On Saturday 3rd September 2011 around 24 people (14 ringers and their families) gathered in Islip for the Branch Social and the first Branch Striking Competition for 7 years. Kathryn had kindly volunteered her house as the Social/BBQ venue so one by one the teams went to the tower whilst everyone else relaxed in Kathryn’s garden. Three teams competed for the trophy (and Champagne) expertly judged by Lorna Smale & Brian Curtis from the Witney & Woodstock branch. There was a good standard of ringing with few mistakes and their decisions were thus:

1st place: Team C (Branch Officers) with 73%
2nd place: Team A (Bicester) with 61%
3rd place: Team B (Islip) with 58%

Kathryn, Teresa and a team of (small) helpers had prepared and cooked a fabulous spread of food which we all enjoyed and had our fill, whilst enjoying each others company.

Special thanks to Kathryn for opening her home, Teresa & Kathryn for preparing food, and Lorna & Brian for judging our competition.

Anthony Cole (organiser)

Photos:

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PB Minor practice 16 August 2011

On Tuesday 16th August 9 ringers (7 from the Bicester Branch plus 2 from W&W) had an evening ringing Plain Bob Minor. It became a joke to say: “What shall we ring now?” .. “How about Plain Bob Minor!”. We rang plain courses, and touches with bobs and singles. A useful practice, but it did seem we got worse as the evening went on, rather than better!

Branch social is next on 3rd Sept (with Striking Competition).

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Kirtlington 7

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 🙂