Category: Special Practice

On a muggy Wednesday 19th June 15 ringers from 6 towers (6 ringers from outside the bicester branch) had an evening ringing just Grandsire Doubles. We rang lots of plain courses with helpers stood behind (particular thanks to Ron), and interspersed that with touches for those working on the observation bell (well done Sue and Steve, and hopefully those stood behind watching spotted some of it too).

A useful evening for everyone I felt and great to see Fay back ringing too.

Next practice is the branch practice at Stratton Audley – please do support this if you can – the bells require a little effort but practising on bells with character is great for improving bell handling which helps wherever you go to ring.

If I’m honest I was expecting a better turnout for the Islip special practice – I guess no one wants Grandsire Triples practices.  All credit to the 7 ringers who did go though as we did manage the other chosen method Little Bob Minor.

The evening started with just 5 ringers(4 regular Islip ringers and myself). At 7:50pm we did wonder whether it was worth ringing, but as we were there I suggested we at least have some Grandsire Doubles practice for Sally so we rang up and then did some plain courses. 2 further ringers turned up at 8:10pm (if you turn up that late at Bicester then you’ll likely have wasted your trip as we tend to give up earlier if we haven’t enough to ring, but enough of me on my punctuality soap box). We rang a touch or two of Grandsire Doubles and then as one person had looked up Little Bob Minor we thought we’d have a go at it. The first attempt was only an approximation to the method(!), but the second go was much better and almost trip-free so a little achievement.  We ended the evening with a fairly good ring down followed by the usual pub trip (which sadly I had to pass on this time)

Next practice is Middleton Stoney..Let’s hope it is as good as we have had the last few years with a warm sunny evening and an even warmer welcome.

Bicester was the host for the special practice on Monday 15th April with Reverse Canterbury Doubles and St Clements Minor on the plan.

The practice started as so many do these days with 6 ringers (2 new Bicester ringers, 2 older Bicester ringers, one from Islip and one all the way from my old stomping ground – North Leigh). However, before we had the front 6 up we had 2 more Bicester ringers and one from Stratton Audley making 9 ringers so the back 4 were duly raised! We started off with plain hunt on 7 before tackling the first set method – Reverse Canterbury. After a quick theory lesson on the board we rang a plain course with people watching, and it went so well that we followed it with a 120. We next rang some call changes on the back 8, and then a 10th person arrived (Royal = 10 bells, hence the title!). We then rang some plain courses of Grandsire Doubles followed by some plain courses of Reverse Canterbury for those who had watched earlier – well done Ian 🙂 Given we had 10 ringers we felt we had to have a go on all 10 so we rang call changes until we reached Queens (1357924680) which sounded pretty good – possibly the first time Bicester have heard all 10 this year!

Not enough ringers claimed to be able to try St Clements so we decided Kent Treble Bob Minor should be attempted instead – we didn’t get to the end, but more than half way through.

A good evenings ringing

On Wed 20th March Bletchingdon hosted the special Grandsire Doubles practice. We started off with only 5 ringers (rather down on the heady heights of nearer 20 ringers at the last one!). We rang up and rang some plain courses before an unlocked-gate-ily challenged ringer found her way to the church!

We then worked on getting Sue through a bobs only touch (non-observation), Di on 120s, and Ernie on plain courses. Without anyone else coming along we were able to repeat this cycle a few times over the course of the evening giving them each time to work out what they didn’t spot the time before and try again and they were all making good progress by the end so a very worthwhile practice.

Next week is Holy week so no ringing anywhere….. so… join us on the Branch Outing on Saturday for your last fix of ringing for a week or so – car outing to the Newbury Branch.

On Monday 18th Feb 6 ringers (mostly from Bicester, but glad to see Kathryn too) banded together for what was advertised as a Stedman Doubles and Plain Bob Major practice. Well, given there were only 6 of us, Major was not going to be an option (not enough of us can ring two bells each!!!)

We started with Stedman Doubles and managed two courses without real problems which was a good start. We then gave Jan practice at Plain Bob Minor which was a little shaky, but got through it ok.

Having done so well with the plain courses of Stedman I put in a couple of “Singles” which tested Kathryn rather, but we got through to the end so I would say that was a good start at a touch 🙂

Having had a rest we then rang a touch of Plain Bob Minor (just two singles which threw the more experienced ringers!).. Jan managed without too many trips and we got to the end so perhaps a little progress there too.. maybe!

Steve had to leave for work so we finished off the evening with Morris’ 240 of Grandsire Doubles.. LOTS of “Singles” .. made it nearly to the end before two bells swapped over.. having not spotted it in time I quickly recomposed and brought it round without resorting to a call of “ROUNDS”.. feeling smug now 🙂

Our AGM is on Saturday so hopefully see lots of branch members (at least one from each tower pretty please?!) at Ludgershall.. if the forecast is right wear something warm! Supper at the Bull & Butcher should warm us up though 🙂

On Tuesday 15th January 8 ringers (from 5 towers) banded together for the first special practice of the year. On the menu were St Nicholas Doubles and Plain Bob Minor.

Our attempts at St Nicholas proved very shaky though we did (just) get to the end of a plain course by the end of the evening.

We proved more capable at Plain Bob Minor and rang plain courses without fault. However, when we tried a touch near the end of the evening we sadly were not up to the task 🙁 We will have to keep plugging away at it.

We also rang plain courses of Grandsire Doubles and plain hunt on 7 for those for whom St Nicholas & Plain Bob Minor were too advanced. Islip’s latest recruit was also there learning to handle a bell ably taught by Teresa so hopefully we will see Kim at future branch events as she progresses.

A trip to Islip is not complete without a trip to the pub where we chatted and ate Prawn Crackers which the Swan give us when we drink there 🙂

Only a few weeks until the AGM… hoping we will see at least one representative from each tower at Ludgershall on the 23rd Feb – with a meal afterwards in the local pub.

On Tuesday 20th November 6 branch members (4 towers) and a regular guest from Church Hanborough met at Islip for the special practice. The plan for the evening was Grandsire Triples and Winchendon Place Doubles, but it was clear from the off that we wouldn’t have enough for Grandsire Triples. However, with Sally working on Grandsire Doubles we were sure to get Grandsire in one form. We started with plain courses of Grandsire Doubles before ringing plain courses of Winchendon Place Doubles (St Simons with all dodges replaced by places, or St Nicholas with places on the front instead of dodges if you prefer!). We then persuaded Sally to try the observation bell for Grandsire Doubles – Teresa stood behind her and she managed it without too much correction – well done Sally. A different band then rang more plain courses of Winchendon Place before we retired to the pub for a well earned drink (and prawn crackers.. now that the Swan is a “Chinese” pub).

Once again a lovely evening with good friends – the next branch event is the Branch Practice at Charlton On Otmoor on Wed 5th Dec – hopefully see many of you there.

On Monday 15th October 7 ringers banded together for the special practice at Bicester – sadly no visitors to help us. The methods proposed for the evening were Plain Bob Minor and Cambridge Surprise Minor.

We started with some Grandsire Doubles and then Jan had her first go at Plain Bob Minor. We all nodded etc and with a bit of help we succeeded 🙂 We then had a go at Grandsire Doubles for Helen – counting out places for her as we went too see if we could help her understand places. A bit of theory was also done on the board and putting the blue line on its side seemed to make more sense so perhaps a bit of a break through.. time will tell.

We had another go at the Plain Bob Minor and Jan managed without  much help (though some of the more experienced ringers seemed to need some!).

It was obvious we weren’t going to get any Cambridge – never mind – a challenge for another day.

Next practice is at Bletchingdon on 7th November – a lovely ground floor 6 with very welcoming locals so put that in your diary and hopefully see you there 🙂

Following the Branch Social and Striking competition in Islip at the weekend on Tuesday 18th Sept 7 ringers returned to Islip this time for the branch special practice. The nominated methods for the evening were Kent TB Minor and Grandsire Triples.

The evening started off well with a successful course of Kent TB Minor – very satisfying. We then rang some plain courses of Grandsire, but not Triples as advertised – only Doubles for AnthonyB. A former learner then appeared having been persuaded to give it another go at the social and seemed to remember rope handling ok so a new ringer hopefully in the making.

We rang another course of Kent (slightly shaky this time towards the end, but we got to the end showing it was not a fluke) and finished with a touch of Grandsire Doubles with AnthonyB being guided by nods from the other ringers and Teresa whispering tips.

Having been expertly engraved by Keith the Clifford East Shield trophy for the Striking Competition was handed to AnthonyC for safe delivery and display in Bicester. We then retired to the Red Lion as the Swan was closed.

Another good evening of ringing and some good socialising too. Next up is the Branch Practice at Bicester on the 1st Oct – hopefully see a good number of ringers there.

Anthony Cole