of the Oxford Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers
Here is Sally’s report on the branch ringing up and down course for 2015:
“A Ringing Up and Down Course was held at Bicester on 11th July led by Anthony Cole.
It was superbly organised with a low number of learners ringing and plenty of experienced ringers between us to practically keep us in check.
A very well worth while afternoon for all us learners and a leap in my progress. Thank you everone.
Sally Wale”
On Tuesday 16th June 6 branch members (from 3 towers), one former Islip ringer and 3 recruits attended St Nicholas in Islip for the special practice. The chosen methods for the evening were Plain Bob Doubles and Stedman Doubles.
The practice had started early for some handling tuition for the recruits and it was good to see one is starting plain hunt and the other is trying rounds. The third was on her very first visit up the tower so I hope to see her ringing by the time I visit next!
We started with rounds on the back 5 and then on the back 6.
Next we rang some plain courses of Grandsire Doubles with Becky watching for the first time what the treble had to do. We then rang some call changes on all 8 bells (another first for Becky).
We rang a touch of Plain Bob Doubles to show the recruits something a little more advanced before more rounds with some hilarity about which Anthony to follow (Bibbings or Cole!). We finished with a fairly good ring down in peal on the back 6.
A visit to the Swan Inn followed (a traditional part of ringing in Islip!). A good evening, but a shame not to see a few more ringers coming along.
The next branch practice is at Caversfield on Fri 3rd July. I know some branch folk haven’t rung at Caversfield so do pop the date into your diaries and come and try out our lovely 5 bells.
On Monday 18th May 7 ringers from 4 branch towers and 3 from Buckingham came to check out the newly decorated Bicester tower which was hosting the May special practice.
After ringing up all 10 we rang the first of the nominated methods – Little Bob Minor. Then we rang some plain hunt on 8 followed by a touch of Plain Bob Doubles on the front bells – well done Si.
Next we took the rare opportunity to ring all 10 with some call changes. We followed that with a touch of Grandsire Doubles with Anne observation – nearly there Anne – well done.
Next we rang a plain course and immediately followed by a short touch of Grandsire Triples! Both nominated methods and a touch of one.. excellent!
Another two goes at plain hunt on 7 firstly with Anne on the treble and then Amanda on the treble for the first time, very well done both of you.
We finished the evening with a plain course of Plain Bob Triples and ringing down on 8.
An excellent evening with a rare opportunity to ring on 8 and 10 and a chance to extend experience for quite a few.
The next branch event is the branch practice at Middleton Stoney on Wednesday 3rd June – hope to see lots of you there.
Anthony Cole
“Wow” is the first word that comes to mind to describe the special practice at Bletchingdon on Wednesday 25th March. Ringers usually arrive at our practices in a slow trickle, but at exactly 1930 we already had 8 ringers in the tower and within minutes 22 ringers had arrived representing 6 branch towers and (such is the draw of the Grandsire and Plain Bob Doubles practice, or maybe the Bletchingdon bells – I am not sure which) representatives from 2 Witney & Woodstock branch towers and an Oxford City tower too! It was also lovely to see a ringer who has just moved to the Bicester branch area – great to see you Demelza 🙂
After a (poor sadly) ring up we started with Plain Bob Doubles followed by Grandsire Doubles (plain courses of both). We then gave the newer recruits some call changes practice. We concentrated on plain courses of Grandsire Doubles for a while before more call changes, and Plain Bob Doubles. As the evening moved on we moved to trying touches for a couple of the progressing ringers with mixed success.
Before the evening finished the newly elected member of the guild, Samuel was presented with his membership certificate by the branch president to a round of applause. I look forward to presenting the other newly elected members their certificates later today at our weekly practice – to slightly less an audience I suspect!
Having so many ringers at a practice is a challenge for the ringing master to ensure everyone gets a fair amount of ringing, but is also a great benefit to those there to learn thanks to the willing helpers who can give tips and guidance to those who are learning; helpers do not need to be experienced peal ringers (though we did have a few of those present) – ringers capable of ringing a touch of Plain Bob Doubles are able guides for those learning to ring plain courses so nearly everyone can help. We had a good mix of capabilities on Wednesday and a good number of ringers stood behind those learning – ringing is a team effort after all so my thanks to all who helped and encouraged.
Next week is Holy Week, and therefore a week off for ringers countrywide. However, as April approaches we have a busy month’s ringing ahead with the Branch Practice at Ambrosden on Fri 10th April, the Branch Outing on Sat 18th April and (for Caversfield ringers and those who would like to join us) a trip to Mark Walker’s mini ring on Fri 24th April. Looking forward to it!
Anthony Cole
On Monday 19th Jan 8 branch ringers (one back briefly from his world tour), 1 learner and 2 new recruits came to Bicester for the monthly special practice.
After ringing up all 10 (front 6 then back 4) we started with call changes on the back 8. Next we scraped our way through some plain courses of Plain Bob Minor.
Next we had a touch of Grandsire Doubles before we attempted Winchendon Place where we just about managed plain courses.
Lastly we rang some courses of Plain hunt on 7 (a first for Samuel) before ringing down.
Throughout the evening our new recruits had handling sessions – backstroke first then handstroke and catching the handstroke (which is one of the hardest bits new recruits have to learn as catching the sally in just the right place is not easy)… well done everyone.
Next practice is at Kirtlington on Tues 3rd Feb… Hope to see lots of people there.
On Monday 15th December Bicester hosted the branch special practice and social. Sadly only two branch towers were represented (Stratton Audley and Bicester), but we were at least able to ring 8 bells at one point.
We started with plain courses of Grandsire Doubles and followed that with call changes on the back 8. Next we attempted one of the set methods for the evening – Single Oxford Bob Minor. We didn’t get that far through sadly! At this point Steve had to go to work so we rang a touch of Plain Bob Doubles before ringing down. Sausage rolls and mince pies were consumed during the evening, but we did not go to the pub – the Swan Inn is currently still closed.
May I take this opportunity to wish all branch members a happy Christmas and I look forward to ringing with you all in the new year. Next practice is at Bicester on Monday 5th January. We are hoping to distribute a card with all branch events early in the new year.
On Monday 17th Nov 7 ringers from 3 branch towers banded together for the special practice at Bicester.
We started with plain hunt on 6 for Samuel and then rang plain courses of All Saints Place Doubles, one of the set methods for the evening.
Next we rang a plain course of Plain Bob Doubles with Samuel on the treble. Then we decided that as we weren’t going to have enough to ring Plain Bob Triples (the other set method) we would ring a longish (240) touch of Plain Bob Minor.
With time running out for a couple of the ringers before they needed to leave we rang a touch of St Simon’s Bob Doubles before ringing down.
Whilst the turnout was disappointing the ringing turned out to be anything but.
On Wednesday 17th Sept Bletchingdon hosted a special Grandsire Doubles practice. 9 ringers came along to supplement the 4 regulars.
We started off with plain courses of Grandsire Doubles and some call changes for those not able to ring methods yet. We then progressed to bob only touches with Sue observation.
A few more plain courses followed and more call changes before putting Tim and Anne through the observation bell touch and Jean and Ernie through more plain courses. The ringing down could have been better but everyone seemed to have found it a useful practice and a good number were able to try something a little harder than usual which is the best way of learning and just what these practices are for.
The next branch event is the striking competition and bbq at Islip on Friday 26th Sept. Do please come along for a fun social event with a ringing competition shoehorned on. Do let Kathryn know if you are coming so appropriate amounts of food can be prepared.
Anthony Cole
On Monday 21st July Bicester hosted the (rescheduled) special practice for July. The methods nominated were Grandsire Doubles & Kent TB Minor. With a couple of people calling to apologise for non-attendance before the practice I was sceptical we would have enough to ring, but as usual when I get these feelings, I am proved wrong! 15 ringers from 6 branch towers came along (the main draw obviously being Grandsire Doubles). After ringing up (with a 10 year old showing how it is done!!) we started with plain courses of Grandsire Doubles before ringing up the back 4 so we could ring rounds on all 10! (Well done Samuel – first time ringing on anything above 6).
We rang more plain courses of Grandsire before some more rounds on 10 (well done Amanda this time – again first time on 10). We had a touch of Grandsire Doubles with a couple of people stood behind to watch before several folk decided to drift away to work etc. This killed off the possibility of attempting Kent (sorry Kathryn – to be fair we were skating on thin ice with that one anyway!) but we rang more Grandsire Doubles and call changes on 8 (again a first for Amanda – *so* pleased with my learners 🙂 ) before ringing down. A good evening with a surprisingly large turnout – long may that continue!
We have a ringing up & down course on Saturday to help improve confidence ringing up & down individually as well as in peal so a report on that after the event! Have a good summer break everyone (we still have some practices over the summer!!)
On Tues 17th June 9 ringers (from 3 branch towers) and 2 learners came together for the special practice at Islip. The set methods were Plain Bob Doubles and Stedman Doubles. The learners had a go first and then we rang up the back 5 bells.
We started with plain courses of Plain Bob Doubles, followed by more tuition for the learners. Then we had a touch of Plain Bob Doubles with the 3 observation (and Sally watching). This was followed by more tuition for the learners after which they went home. We then repeated the touch of Plain Bob Doubles with Sally observation (and Kathryn “helping” her!!).
Next we had a go at Stedman Doubles. It was going well so a quiet single was called but one of the affected bells proceeded to do the single incorrectly and it fired out.
We had another go at a touch of Plain Bob Doubles with Steve affected by the “bobs” this time, and finished with another touch of Stedman Doubles which got a past all the singles this time (but still didn’t get to the end:( )
A walk down to the Swan Inn followed ringing down (pretty well struck!) for some refreshment.
We have a little gap now with the next branch event being the special practice (again at Islip) on Tues 15th July – Grandsire Doubles & Kent TB Minor being the set methods.