The most recent Branch Practice (Stratton Audley) and Special Practice (Plain Bob and Grandsire Doubles at Bicester) have been poorly attended (3 and 4 people respectively). Whilst this is disappointing for those who turned up and were unable to ring, we must accept this is a voluntary hobby.
I would like to encourage ringing readers to come to Kirtlington on Friday 5th August – a lovely 8 that doesn’t get rung much these days as there isn’t a local band. Hopefully see many of you there – visitors very welcome!
A Branch Social is being organised for Sat 3rd Sep, to be hosted in Islip. We will be having a BBQ at Kathryn’s house together with a striking competition in the tower. For full details and ticket information please see BBQ 2011
What a good practice! 14 ringers turned up (mostly) primed to ring Grandsire Doubles & Triples. We had lots of plain courses of Grandsire Doubles, a couple of plain courses of Grandsire Triples and then (in what must be a first for several years) a 168 change touch of Grandsire Triples! Also Jane tried the observation bell for Grandsire Doubles & Ernie tried the 2 for plain courses of Grandsire Doubles. We also rang plain hunt on 7. A useful teaching session that will hopefully move folk on a little and my thanks to all the helpers standing behind the less experienced ringers.
Due to some quite variable attendance at the monthly Bicester Triples & Major practices the format has been changed. The new special practices will alternate between Bicester and Islip, on the 3rd Monday or Tuesday each month. Whilst all types of ringing will be provided, I am going to concentrate on a different method or methods each month so everyone will have something to look up and challenge them. For those trying to learn a particular method please I hope these will also provide a useful teaching resource. The dates/methods for the coming year are thus:
On a lovely sunny evening in Middleton Park the Branch Practice at Middleton Stoney came as a surprise to the local band who had not realised it was a branch practice, but together with 10 ringers from 4 other branch towers we rang lots of plain hunt, Grandsire Doubles, Plain Bob Minor and Reverse Canterbury.
Due to a clash with something on in the church the May Triples practice at Bicester was reluctantly cancelled. We were only told less than 3 hours before the practice but we did contact as many as we could, so hope that no-one made a wasted trip.
In place of it (with just a select few Bicester ringers) we held an impromptu handbell practice in Caversfield, ringing tunes and attempting plain hunt on 6 (more practice required!!). Whilst we were all very rusty, fun was had by all (plus a few beers helped the evening along) 🙂
13 ringers from 7 towers met at Islip on Tuesday evening for the Branch Practice. Ringing focused on plain courses of Plain Bob Doubles, and call changes on 8, but we did manage plain courses of Grandsire Triples, and Reverse Canterbury Pleasure Bob Doubles – we shall perhaps try the bobs in Reverse Canterbury next month – Kathryn admitted she knew them so just need couple more to learn them 🙂 Visitors from Yarnton noted at the end that it was a very useful practice for them.
Everyone viewing the wonderful Royal Wedding (congratulations William and Catherine) will have heard the lovely sound of Westminster Abbey’s 30cwt ring of 10 (and even seen footage taken above the bells whilst they were ringing). The band at Westminster Abbey rang Stedman Caters before the wedding, and a peal of 5040 Spliced Surprise Royal (Bristol and London No. 3) after the wedding – this took 3hrs 14mins.
I have not yet heard of any ringing in the Bicester branch to commemorate this event, but I will post details if anyone has any (please add a comment to this page and I will add it to this article).
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.
