Category: Branch Event

Posted on

Bicester BP February 2017

On Mon 6th Feb Bicester hosted the February branch practice. We had 9 ringers (so close to being able to ring 10!).

After ringing up the front 6 and ringing some Call Changes for Sue we rang up the back 4 as a couple of extra ringers arrived. We rang plain hunt on 7 fairly well before giving Sue some call changes on 8.

Grandsire Doubles (plain courses) were next for Helen, followed by a rather shaky couple of courses of Plain Bob Minor.

After more call changes on 8 we tried something a little more advanced.. Spliced Plain Bob and Reverse Canterbury Doubles – the band was skeptical, but by swapping methods half way through a lead it proved easy enough and we managed a touch and were applauded afterwards.

We rang down the front 4 and then the back 6 before heading off home.

Our next event is our AGM at Kirtlington. Do please try to come if you can (it would be good to have every tower represented) – more details on the AGM notice page.

Anthony Cole

Posted on

Special Bicester practice Jan 2017

Monday 16th January was reported in the news today as being the most depressing day of the year. From a branch ringing perspective, it was anything but! Bicester played host to the January special practice to which 9 ringers (3 from outside the branch) came along.

After ringing up we started with plain courses of Plain Bob Minor (the first of the nominated methods for the evening). We set a fast pace and the striking was really good 😀 Then following a straw poll of the (then 8) ringers to see the capabilities we raised the back 4 so we could ring 8 bell methods as well as 6 bell ones.

Having raised them we rang plain hunt first on 7 and then on 8. Then whilst Helen came up the stairs we rang Winchendon Place (the other nominated method).

We then rang some plain courses of Grandsire Doubles for Helen before a successful touch of Plain Bob Minor with singles to stretch Jeremy.

Time to push the boat out (so to speak).. with Helen on the treble we rang two courses of Grandsire Triples! We then rang Winchendon Place again with Ian inside. Jeremy then challenged Kathryn to follow suit which she did successfully.

We finished with some plain courses of Grandsire Doubles and then rang down the back 8 in peal (not too bad really). What an excellent practice and a good start to 2017.

Our next practice is slated to be the branch practice at Kirtlington on Feb 6th, but (subject to confirmation) we will be swapping this to Bicester (and the Bicester practice on March 6th will be at Kirtlington) as Kirtlington have work scheduled on their bells early February. Please watch the website diary and emails for confirmation of this revision.

Anthony Cole

Posted on

First BP of 2017

On Tues 3rd Jan, the first day back to work for many, Islip hosted the first branch practice of 2017.

We just had enough with 6 ringers and rang plain hunt for Sue, plain courses of Grandsire Doubles for James and Sally, call changes, more Grandsire Doubles and plain hunt. We also had some useful discussions on how call changes work.

Next practice is the special practice at Bicester on Monday 16th Jan – Plain Bob Minor and Winchendon Place Doubles are the proposed methods.

Anthony Cole

Posted on

Ding dong Christmas 2016

On Mon 19th Dec we had 16 ringers representing 6 branch towers, one Oxford City tower and the Bicester Branch Cornwall office attended the final special practice of 2016 which was held at Kirtlington, and followed by a social at Caroline’s house.

We started with ringing up on all 8 (brave.. perhaps a bit too brave) before moving on to rounds and call changes (well done to Ellie and Brenda), followed by plain hunt on 7 (well done Judith, Caroline, Louise and Rachel).

Steve suggested we try something more advanced so we “attempted” one of the chosen methods for the evening.. St Clements Minor.. we didn’t manage a course despite a few attempts. More call changes followed, then plain hunt on 7 and then 8. We were encouraged to ring something more advanced again, but this time opted for a touch of Plain Bob Minor which went much better and was applauded at the end.

We rang down on 8 (good most of the way down) and then headed across the green to Caroline’s house for the Christmas social where nibbles & mulled wine (and other beverages) were consumed and the handbells made an appearance also (see facebook for our rather failed attempts at some Christmas carols!)

It’s been a busy year and we seem to have made some great progress. Have a great Christmas and a Happy 2017 everyone. Our first practice of 2017 is on 3rd January in Islip – hopefully see you there.

Anthony Cole

Posted on

Charlton changes December 2016

On Wednesday 7th December 8 guild members (7 branch members plus our Guild Steward Colin) headed for the Branch Practice At Charlton On Otmoor.

We started with plain course of Grandsire Doubles for Gareth, followed by a rather shaky touch of Plain Bob Doubles for SteveC.

We then had a touch of Grandsire Doubles and and another go at the touch of Plain Bob Doubles.

We then had some plain hunt on 6 and more Grandsire Doubles plain courses before another touch of Grandsire Doubles with SteveV inside. We finished with a couple of courses of Reverse Canterbury Doubles and down.

As with most Charlton practices we headed across the road for some drinks before heading home.

Our next (and last) practice will be the special practice and Christmas social at KIRTLINGTON (not Bicester as previously advertised) on Mon 19th December. Hopefully see lots of you there 🙂

Anthony Cole

Posted on

November 2016 Special – Islip

On Tues 22nd Nov 8 ringers attended the “special” practice at Islip.

It was clear from the start we would have fewer ringers than usual, and thus Plain Bob Triples (scheduled for that practice) was not on the cards. However, St Simon’s looked possible.

After ringing up we started with call changes on all 8 bells. Next we rang plain hunt on 5 with Sue making good progress.

Next we rang some plain courses of Grandsire Doubles with Becky on the 3 – a little shaky, but not bad really.

Next was some more plain hunt with Becky attempting the tenor behind for the first time, and Sue inside – getting better!

Another few courses of Grandsire Doubles were rung for Becky before she had to go home.

Next we tried St Simon’s Doubles and,  although shaky, we got through two courses.

More plain hunt for Sue (this time without anyone stood behind, and she rang it very well).

We rang more St Simon’s to finish (slightly different band) then rang down 6 in peal.

The pub was sadly closed 🙁

The next branch event is the branch practice at Charlton On Otmoor on Wed 7th December – hopefully see lots of you there (must get my Christmas cards sorted!!)

Anthony Cole

Posted on

10-4 Bletchingdon Nov 2016

Bellringing (Campanology) is often thought of as an old man’s hobby, at least by the non-ringer. However, last night proved anything but with 10 women and only 4 men attending. As a branch most towers have the same of each gender or more female ringers than male.

By the time we had enough to ring up at the Bletchingdon branch practice on Wed 2 Nov I was feeling a little outnumbered as the only male present! However, that ratio improved as the evening progressed.

After a rough “up” we started with call changes and then followed it with plain hunt and plain courses of Grandsire Doubles. The evening progressed with more of each of these, visible (and auditory) progress being made in the plain hunt.

Mike (tower captain of Launton) caused a little consternation with the Bletchingdon tower captain as she did not know him and he feigned not being a capable ringer.. don’t think she will let him forget that 😀 Ribbing continued throughout the evening!

We managed a touch of Grandsire Doubles (well done Sue ringing half hunt) and after some plain courses of Plain Bob Doubles we also managed a touch of Plain Bob Doubles to consolidate the progress made by two of our members who were fresh from attending the Steeple Aston course on Plain Bob Doubles.

“Down” was actually rather good, despite the apprehension displayed by those catching hold.

The next branch event is on Tues 22nd November at Islip.

Anthony Cole

Posted on

October 2016 special at Islip

On Tuesday 18th October Islip hosted our monthly special practice. On the schedule was Reverse Canterbury Doubles and Plain Bob Minor. 10 ringers (from 5 towers) attended.

After ringing up we started with plain hunt on 7 – looked to be the first time for Becky and she managed well as did our youngest member, Sam, on the treble. Next we tried a touch of Plain Bob Minor (Jeremy requested “Singles”).. well, after a few attempts we determined to try again later!

Next we rang plain courses of Grandsire Doubles with Becky inside with help from Kathryn. Next we rang plain courses of Reverse Canterbury Doubles (Kathryn and Teresa fought over who would ring the treble – Teresa won :D).

We tried the Plain Bob Minor again, and after a few tries with “Bobs” we settled for a plain course to ensure we got all the way to rounds!

We rang some more plain hunt on 7 before Becky had to leave and then rang a touch of Plain Bob Doubles with Steve attempting inside ahead of his attending the Steeple Aston course this coming Saturday.

As our finale we rang a couple of plain courses of Grandsire Triples which went well.

We rang all 8 down in peal which was rather well struck before heading home (or for some to Kathryn’s home for a few glasses of water (!) – the pub is now closed on Tuesdays sadly).

Our next branch event is the November branch practice in Bletchingdon on Wed 2nd Nov. Hopefully see lots of you there.

Anthony Cole

Posted on

Ring along a mini ding dong October 2016

On Saturday 15th October a small band of ringers 8 branch members (plus 1 new recruit) met at Finmere for the branch “mini tour” – mini in various ways.

Finmere bells (only 3 of them) are rung from the back of the church (ground floor) and the ropes fall in a straight line, fairly close to the wall so to ring them you have to face the wall! We rang plain hunt on 3 and Shipping Forecast Singles.

We had planned to visit Mixbury (another 3 nearby) but having inspected them about a month ago we considered them not safe (due to a large crack in the tenor’s headstock). So we headed next to Fritwell (4 bells). The ringing room is accessed from the back of the church, walking under the impressive pipe organ and up a narrow staircase. The one light wasn’t working (!) but that didn’t stop us ringing plain hunt, plain bob minimus and call changes for our newest branch recruit Grace. The bells were fairly loud, but went well.

Next was Stoke Lyne (3) where the bells are rung from a ringing room accessed from a very narrow staircase. The bells are VERY loud and the frame (whilst ok, especially following maintenance performed by Jeremy and I about 6 months ago) does move. That said, we managed plain hunt and Shipping Forecast Singles, but headed off to the next tower after not that long (or to ringing for a wedding for 2 of our members).

Chesterton (3) was our pre-lunch stop and we were given a warm welcome by Linda and Hilary. This tower is accessed from a staircase outside of the church. We rang plain hunt on 3, and Shipping Forecast Singles here. Well done Samuel for managing the treble (the bells are not light so even the treble was heavier than he is used to).

We headed to a pub for lunch before heading down the motorway for a different type of “mini” tour – before lunch was a mini number of bells (3 or 4), after lunch was 8 mini bells. Sadly we only had (including the owner) 6 ringers, but that didn’t stop us having fun trying to ring all 8 (Mark & myself ringing two bells each), Grandsire Doubles, and plain hunt on 6. Everyone had a go at ringing two bells (those on facebook will find a video of Samuel ringing two!) though we didn’t try everyone ringing two in rounds. We did get a few ropes slipping wheel and/or being let go of only to see the rope disappear upstairs (no sliders on these bells as Mark would be replacing them every time the bells were rung, but with the tenor only weighing around 25kg they’re not needed).

It proved a good fun day out and some villages in the Bicester branch heard their bells being rung (not something they’re used to!)

Next branch event is the special practice at Islip on Tuesday! Hope to see you there soon.

Anthony Cole

Posted on

Bicester triples birthday fun 3rd Oct 2016

On Mon 3rd Octboer Bicester played host to the October branch practice with 10 ringers (9 branch members plus a visitor from Northampton).

We started by ringing up the back 6 and then ringing the 3 & 4 up so we had the back 8.

We started with call changes on the 8 and  then 2 more people arrived so we rang up the trebles.

We rang rounds on 10, then plain hunt on 5. Next we rang plain courses of Grandsire Triples and some call changes on 8. Next was a touch of Grandsire Doubles. The Bicester regulars had been trying to learn All Hallows so we rang some plain courses, followed by more plain hunt on 5 and a touch of Plain Bob Minor on the back 6. Then we rang down and (as it was my birthday the next day) we headed for the Littlebury Hotel bar for a drink.

The next branch event is the mini-tour on Sat 15th October. Details have been circulated by email.

Anthony Cole