Category: Special Practice

On Tuesday 20th May 9 ringers (and one fairly new recruit) arrived for the special practice at Islip – great to see our secretary back up the tower following slipping and breaking her wrist earlier in the year. The nominated methods for the evening were Little Bob Minor and Grandsire Triples.

We started with a rather shaky course of Little Bob Minor on the back 6before ringing up the front two and ringing plain hunt on 7. Flushed with the success of ringing on 8 we pushed onward with a couple of fairly well struck Grandsire Triples… Very satisfying, though the first course was better than the last. We then had some plain courses of Grandsire Doubles before having a further go at Little Bob Minor (this time more successfully so we rang three courses). We finished with a touch of Grandsire Doubles, some plain hunt on 7 and then down, before heading the Swan for a drink.

Another fine evening with fine ringing and fine company.

Next is the branch practice at Middleton Stoney on Wednesday 4th June – hopefully see many of you there for that.

Bletchingdon played host to the branch special practice on Wed 19th March. The set methods were Plain Bob Doubles and Gransdire Doubles. Bletchingdon practices are always over subscribed so I was expecting lots of ringers at this practice too.

We started with just sue and myself, but 3 arrived from Yarnton after a short while. Sadly that was it. Nevertheless we rang up and started with some plain hunt on 5. One of the ringers mentioned that they struggle to hear their bell so after a little discussion we rang call changes allowing everyone to listen to the bells and try to pick out their bell each time.

We finished with some plain courses of Grandsire Doubles.

Although we didn’t get to ring much, helping ringers to pick out their bell is a useful exercise and one we likely would not have had time to do with lots of people so still a worthwhile practice.

Next practice is the branch practice at Ambrosden in a couple of weeks.

On Tuesday 17th January 7 ringers (3 from Islip, 3 from Bicester and one from Charlton) banded together for the special practice at Islip.

After we had rung up (and then John arrived…so sorry you missed ringing up John!) we rang some plain course of Grandsire Doubles. Then after a discussion about one of the ringers desire for stalking Jeremy Paxman we had our first attempt at one of the proposed methods for the evening – St Nicholas Doubles. We tried a few times and made a little bit of progress scraping our way to the end.

Next we had a touch of the other set method of the evening – Plain Bob Minor – not even a hiccup.. So I guess we have mastered that. I will definitely have to arrange a quarter peal for Ian to confirm he has learnt it fully.

We had a touch of Grandsire Doubles with Sally observation (only bobs, twice through) – this worked well and Sally felt more confident so progress 🙂

We had a final go at St Nicholas Doubles and managed it this time so an evening managing to ring all the set methods!

We rang down and went to the Red Lion for refreshments – the Swan was closed again though we weren’t sure if this was due to the flooding in Lower Road or just they didn’t expect anyone. Hopefully by the summer they will be open each week (or at least when we have branch events in Islip!).

The next branch practice is at Kirtlington on Friday 7th February – there isn’t a local band anymore but they are lovely bells so do come along if you are able.

On Monday 6th January Bicester hosted the first branch practice of 2014. I had hoped we might get 8, but what a surprise.. 12 ringers! (8 Bicester ringers including a returning to Bicester ringer, 1 from Islip, 1 from Stratton Audley, 1 from Launton and a visitor from Westbury). We rang up the front six and then the back four (a rare event in itself) and then started 2014 with call changes on 10!

We then moved to plain course of Grandsire Doubles and then a touch of Plain Bob Minor. Next we had more plain courses of Grandsire Doubles and then we pushed the boat out and rang plain courses of Grandsire Triples, and the striking wasn’t too bad either. Next we rang a touch of Plain Bob Doubles for SimonW who is back from finishing his degree (welcome back!).

We had a touch of Grandsire Doubles with Anne observation (and a helper whispering behind her) and finished with some more call changes on the 10. Ringing down all 10 in peal would have been a step too far so the trebles were rung down and then we rang down on 8, and whilst it was not perfect, the hum about half way down was definitely a highlight.

Next practice is at Islip on Tuesday 21st January – Plain Bob Minor and St Nicholas Doubles – hope to see many of you there.

On Wednesday 4th December Charlton on Otmoor hosted the December branch practice. It was a slow start, but over the course of the evening 8 branch ringers arrived, and those that needed to be bowed into the room were duly welcomed.

We started with plain courses of Grandsire Doubles before trying a touch with Ann ringing observation -not at all bad for a first go at it Ann 🙂

We rang Plain hunt and more Grandsire and then call changes followed by a theory session on how calling “up” changes rather than “down” works. Finally we tried a plain course of Plain Bob Minor.. A little scrappy if I’m honest, but we got there.

No visit to Charlton is complete without a visit to the pub..which has been refitted since I was last there.. Very smart inside now!

Last branch event of the year will be the special practice at Bicester on Mon 16th December.. Mince Pies for those who turn up ;9

Tuesday 19th November was Islip’s turn to host the special practice.  The set methods were Grandsire Triples and Single Oxford Bob Triples. Whilst we had seven ringers sadly the set methods were not going to happen.

We started with Grandsire Doubles plain courses and then plain courses of Plain Bob Minor. After more plain courses of Grandsire Doubles we tried  a touch, but this proved beyond the band.

We rang down and caught in Queens in tribute to one of the Islip band who was unable to attend as she was having nibbles with HRH at Buckingham Palace. Please remember to doff your cap, curtsey or bow next time you see her!

The next branch event is the branch practice at Charlton on Otmoor on Wednesday 4th December..can it be December already? Anyway hopefully see you there (don’t forget to bow or curtsey! )

On Monday 21st October Bicester played host to the October special practice. I have to admit following recent turnout I was not expecting much, but was I to be surprised! In total 9 ringers from 3 branch towers arrived and whilst Oxford TB Minor was unlikely we got close to having enough to ring it, but alas not quite.

We started with plain courses of Plain Bob Minor followed by a touch – a good start to the evening! We then rang Grandsire Doubles for Helen – getting there. We rang more plain courses of Plain Bob Minor with different people in and then another touch. With only 5 minutes left before Steve had to leave we decided to try something only I had rung before – Grandsire Minor – popular a century ago, but not so much these days – easy to ring though.. we had a shaky first course, but managed really well and by the 4th course it was faultless 🙂 Certainly didn’t expect to be ringing that on a practice night! Bobs and singles perhaps another time???

We finished with more Grandsire Doubles and down.

The turn-out far exceeded my expectations and made up (in part) for the lack of turn-out at the weekend’s outing. Lets hope the branch practice at Bletchingdon on 6th Nov is as well attended 🙂

Anthony Cole

On Wednesday 18th Sept it was the turn of Bletchingdon to host another Grandsire Doubles practice. Previously these practices have been very well attended and Wednesday’s practice was just as well attended with 16 ringers from 3 branches attending – the reputation of these practices must be spreading!

We started with several goes at plain courses of Grandsire. Next we had some call changes for some new ringers. We then stretched the brain cells a little with a 120 with Sue ringing observation – well done Sue.

We then had some more plain courses with Ann having her first attempt at ringing an inside bell..a little guidance was required to get the dodges right but a very good start to ringing methods inside – well done Ann.

More plain courses and then Tim rang the observation bell for another 120.

We then had some more call changes before it was time to ring down.

All in all another great Grandsire practice and it felt as though some progress was being made. A very many thanks to all the helpers who came along to stand behind and provide a little more solid ringing for the learners to work around. Great to see enthusiasm to push forward too – next time we’ll have to get a few more looking at observation and those who can manage observation perhaps need to start learning the other parts to the bobs and singles (so there’s a challenge for you).

Next practice is the branch practice at Bicester on Monday 7th October – do please support that if you can. Also please put the branch outing in your diary – full details on the branch outing page.

On Tues 16th July 7 ringers (2 Bicester, 4 Islip regulars and 1 visitor) banded together for the Special Practice at Islip. On the schedule for this very warm evening was Stedman Doubles and Plain Bob Major. Sadly neither of those methods was on the cards! Some other day perhaps. We did benefit from being in the tower though as it was lovely and cool (2 foot thick walls should be a must in these temperatures).

Anyway, we started with some plain hunt on 5 and plain courses of Grandsire Doubles with the visitor (Alex) taking the treble. Whilst she has only been ringing for 18 months she showed she was quite capable of this (despite her apprehension). AnthonyB arrived and we did the same again with Alex on the two which was slightly less successful.

Next we tried Alex on the tenor and the rest ringing plain courses of Grandsire which worked with a little help and then we tried a touch for Sally to try the observation bell.

We rounded the evening off with a touch of Reverse Canterbury Doubles which was going really well until… someone forgot to make 2nds and everything fell apart 🙁 Better luck (and quicker spotting from the conductor hopefully) next time.

With such a lovely evening there was only one place to go next .. the pub garden for some liquid refreshment.

The next branch event is the Branch Practice at Ludgershall on Fri 2nd August – hope to see lots of you there (and hopefully the weather too, though perhaps just a shade cooler please?)