latest issue of the Newsletter - Old North Berks Branch

No: 145
December 2014
Branch Outing—5th July 2014
In this issue: Editorial 2, Notes from the Chair 2, Secretary’s report 3, Ringing Masters’
Ramblings 4, Tower Talk 4, North Moreton Update 11, Afternoon Training 15, Alfred White
of .... 15, RWNYSC 16, Young Ringers play Pooh Sticks 17, Young Ringers’ Chip Shop Survey 18, Article in OLA School magazine 19, Abingdon Tower Outing 20, Sally Forth trip 21,
Ringing for WW1 22, Colin Turner’s 2000 Peals of Minor 22, New Year’s Day Ringing notice 22, Quarters 23, Peals 24, ONB website 27, Contact List 27, Copy date for the next issue
27, ONB Branch Programme 28.
Editorial
Welcome to the winter newsletter after what seems to have been a very hectic summer. Judging
by the Tower Talk articles it would appear that tower practices have suffered as a result of the
good weather over the summer. Autumn weather is here to remind us that winter is just around the
corner.
As well as the individual tower articles, it’s good to see several pieces from members keeping us
up to date on the wider branch events.
The North Moreton project has achieved a milestone with the reinstatement of the bells; let’s hope
the rest of the project runs to plan.
Congratulations go to Sophie for scoring her first quarter and to Colin for achieving another significant milestone in his record setting (are Guinness aware?).
Looking at the calendar for the coming months we should have a good crop of articles for the next
edition, as we’ve said before, if there are any other events or articles you believe would be of interest to the wider audience of the branch please forward them to us for inclusion. Pictures are always welcome as they help make the stories more ‘alive’. If you have any contributions for a
‘Caption Competition’ please forward them, obviously obtain permission from anyone included in
the picture.
Our thanks again go to all our contributors; please keep the articles coming and let us have any
feedback (good or bad).
We hope the season ahead will bring happiness to you all and that the New Year will offer exciting
opportunities.
Ian Minns
Finally,
Don’t wait for people to be friendly, show them how.
Notes from the Chair
It does not seem six months have past since my first report, maybe it is the pace of life, or is it me
getting older?
Many thanks to all those who came and made the Branch outing to Maidenhead such a success. It
always goes well with a good crowd and the lunches and teas proved to be good again, which
helps (a ringer and their food). No one has volunteered for next year, so yours truly has got the job
for one more year. The date for next year will be Saturday July the 15th (take note!). Hopefully
this date will not clash with the National Young ringers Striking Competition.
I am sorry I have not visited many towers in the Branch, I seem to be ringing often but only at
local towers, I really must get out more, or as my school report said, 'must try harder'.
Very soon we will again be remembering all those who gave their lives and suffered during war
and soon after that it will be Christmas. I hope your tower is able to take part in some way. It just
leaves me to say, I hope you all have a very joyous Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Philip Roberts
PS. If you bought one of those new corderoy pillows, apparently they're making headlines everywhere!
PPS. Have you got one of those dry erase boards in your tower? They're remarkable!
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Secretary’s Report
Since the last newsletter we have continued to hold various practices over the summer and autumn
months. Evening branch practices were held at Sunningwell, Wantage, Steventon and Harwell.
Afternoon practices were held at Marcham, Brightwell, Radley, Childrey, Milton and Drayton, and
surprise major practices at Milton, Goring and Brightwell.
At the Branch Committee Meeting in September, the Treasurer, Stuart Gibson, reported that
branch membership is currently 262 (248 members paying full subscriptions, 7 Honorary members, 2 Life members and 5 members who pay their subscription via another branch). This is the
same number as last year and, in terms of membership, makes us the second biggest branch in the
Guild behind East Berks & South Bucks and slightly ahead of North Bucks. Stuart also reported
that the Branch had funds totalling £2,355. We have been successful in reaching our target to raise
a minimum of £3000 for the North Moreton restoration project over eighteen months, and the focus for fund raising now switches to the Radley restoration project as agreed at the AGM.
Mary Friskney, our Training Coordinator, said that she was pleased that all afternoon training
practices have been well attended. However she was aware that donations to host towers for 90
minutes’ ringing have been 50p per attendee for many years. The Committee decided to increase
donations to £1 per attendee from 1st January 2015. This really does illustrate what wonderful
value for money ringing is. Where else can you have an afternoon out socialising and learning,
with full use of equipment, for just £1?
The Branch outing on 5th July was organised by Philip Roberts of Harwell. Approximately twenty
branch members visited Bray, Maidenhead, White Waltham, Warfield and Hurst. All enjoyed the
day, which also included a pub lunch in White Waltham and afternoon tea at Warfield (thank you
to all the cake makers). An excellent barbecue, with over forty members and friends in attendance, followed at the home of Stuart and Naomi Gibson. Thanks go to Philip, Janette, Stuart and
Naomi for arranging yet another super day for the Branch. As previously agreed, the proceeds of
the barbecue and raffle (£316) were donated to the North Moreton Bell Restoration Fund.
I would like to thank the Abingdon ringers for representing the Branch at the Guild’s 6-bell striking competition on 4th October. Taking part in one of the heats, sadly they very narrowly missed
out on a place in the final at Aston Tirrold. Possibly some of the participants might have thought
that Aston was a strange choice of venue for the competition. It is true that the bells are a little
challenging to strike well, but they are not beyond the capabilities of the finalists in the Guild’s
competition. However they do ‘separate the men from the boys’ and so the judge was easily able
to differentiate between the teams. High Wycombe representing EBSB was placed first, and Bill
Butler of Thatcham was mentioned in dispatches for his admirable handling of the treble. Another
reason for choosing Aston Tirrold for the final is that the village has a first-rate hall, ideal for this
type of event. ONB Branch members were thanked by the Deputy Master of the Guild, Alan
Marchbank, for their excellent organisational skills and for providing a very hearty traditional
ringers’ tea.
By the time you read this, I hope that many of you and your friends will have had a good time at
our next social event, a barn dance and supper in Drayton village hall on 22nd November. The
band ‘Connect’, led by caller Keith Hawkins, has been booked to provide live music and entertainment. My thanks go to Nick Clarke for organising the evening, which I am sure will have been a
great success (especially the homemade meat and potato pies!).
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Don’t forget to come over to Radley on
1st January for our annual New Year’s ringing and refreshments event.
Gill Loyd
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Ringing Masters’ Ramblings
A fairly short ‘Ramble’ this time as there is very little of significance to report in regard to ringing
in the branch since May. That is not necessarily to say that nothing is happening, quite the opposite in fact as you will read elsewhere in the secretary’s report of branch events.
We are sticking to the tried and tested format of branch practices, surprise major and afternoon
practices, all of which seem to be satisfying various needs for ringers at all stages of learning
within the branch membership. Attendance has been very variable; the afternoon practices have
been very well supported while the evening Branch practices and surprise practices have not fared
as well. Despite this sometimes variable ONB attendance, it is pleasing that we frequently see
visitors from other neighbouring branches at our events, so we must be doing something right if
we can attract people to travel from afar!
Organising all of these branch events takes considerable effort, but we have for the second year
now successfully grouped together with the secretary and training coordinator, planning the events
in one big session. This takes the form of a delicious lunch at Nick’s house while Gill, Mary, Nick
and Richard pore over dates, discuss venues and past calendars to fix a suitable diary of events for
the coming year. We try to get this finalised before we start on the second glass of wine! Hopefully you will agree that the output of that meeting (shown elsewhere in this newsletter) is once
again a good offering for you all to enjoy during the coming year. Thanks go to all tower correspondents who have kindly agreed to host and make arrangements. Please encourage all of your
tower members to make the effort to come along to at least some of these practices and events, as
they will only continue to be useful and successful if sufficient numbers attend.
Nick has begun a new initiative to provide more organised opportunities for 10 bell ringing at our
three 10 bell towers. The objective is that, over a period of time, the local teams will have the
opportunity to ring 9 and 10 bell methods more frequently and thereby strengthen the local band
capabilities for the future.
Mary has also just started a new initiative, trialling special focussed practices for a small group of
new learners to help them progress more quickly through call changes. If this is successful, and
subject to demand, further series of such practices will be arranged.
Enjoy ringing at your towers, please encourage your members to visit other tower practices and
branch events including the barn dance, and we look forward to seeing you soon.
Richard Loyd and Nick Clarke
TOWER TALK
Abingdon
Our young ringers continue to make good progress with four of them having now rung at least a
quarter-peal and several more regularly attending our Friday simulator practices. The latest one to
join the quarter-pealers is Sophie Martin who rang the treble to Plain Bob Doubles without a mistake and with excellent striking. More recently Ieuan Hallas rang his first quarter on ten bells with
the treble to Grandsire Caters. This was rung half-muffled on Remembrance Sunday by an all
local band
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Photo of quarter-peal band for Sophie’s first quarter on 2nd November, courtesy of Angela Martin:
L-R Isaac O'Shea, David Thomas (C), Brian Read, Sophie Martin, Susan Read, Tim Pett.
Tim Pett
Blewbury
The round of summer activities in Blewbury includes one of only two non-ringing Fridays ( the
other being Good Friday) due to the summer production, by the Blewbury players in this case 'the
taming of the shrew' as the actors don’t enjoy the bells as competition!
We rang several quarter peals over the last six months these were:
In celebration of Isobel Street’s 20 years of being our church warden, although even in retirement
she is still in her familiar position of greeting the bell ringers on Sunday at the start of the service.
Dick, her husband is a regular ringer at Blewbury and plays a vital part in maintaining our bells.
A quarter peal was rung in memorandum to mark the passing of three of the mothers of our regular
band members these were; Irene Corderoy (Peter), Gillian Loyd (Richard) and Joanna Thomson
(Nick). Another quarter peal was rung for the Patronal festival evensong on Armistice Day.
We recently had our Blewbury and Friends outing, this time to Buckinghamshire, ably organised
by the Loyd’s, where we visited the mostly muffled bells of the area as this was on the weekend
before Remembrance Day.
Several additional activities were included along with the usual bell ringing and foodie delights.
These included parking jeopardy, which had many of us finding, re-finding, then missing and finally aborting parking in tight spaces.
We started at the ten bells at St Mary, Long Crendon (tight parking), the eight at St Nicholas, Cuddington (difficult parking), Lunch was at The Lion (easy parking) with a walk to the six Steel bells
at St Michael in Waddesdon. As I’ve never rung steel bells let alone half muffled ones the sound I
thought was like hearing a far off calypso party caught on a summer breeze. It was here that
Vicky Palmer (Warks) nearly had an uplifting experience with the chiming rope from the lower
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chamber hooked on the main rope, and for a brief moment Vicky was in the middle of a solo tugof-war but the ropes were soon detached, luckily without any mishap.
Rusty Treble at Waddesdon
Tea at Jenny Wren’s Winslow
This excitement was followed by the eight at St Michael, Stewkley (fair to light parking) with
some refreshments at Jenny Wren’s tea room on the square in Winslow which again was a walk to
the St Laurence tower of eight (possible scattering of fines).
It has occurred to me that the ideal car for a campanologist’s trip is probably a smart car! The
evening finished off with a final ring at St Peter and St Paul’s in Buckingham with the now traditional Indian restaurant to finish off this enjoyable outing.
Michael Winter
Chilton
Visitors during the last six months have included a Group from the Bradfield Course in August
with tutor Steve Coleman; in September we welcomed ringers for an hour on their way home
from their trip to the Ringing Roadshow in Newbury.
The Chilton PCC has agreed that we can install a simulator, so that we can improve our own
method ringing and more easily arrange teaching for new ringers without upsetting our village
neighbours.
We welcome visitors to our Monday evening practices, 7.30 to 9pm, particularly from those towers with several learners, who may be reluctant to venture into other towers and can gain confidence by ringing on our easy going bells with their own tutors.
Please phone beforehand to check we are having an evening practice and remember that we do not
ring on the evenings of Bank Holidays.
Kate Crennell
6
Cumnor
The main event of our calendar this year was the celebration of our tower captain Jenny Dyer’s
forty years of ringing in the tower. Jenny started ringing here as a teenager and has been tower
captain for the last twenty five years. She celebrated with a peal of 5056 Cambridge Surprise Major at St. Michael’s on Sunday 31st August in 2h56min. Three members of Jenny’s family were
part of the team. (See the full details in the Peal section.) We also celebrated with a drink at our
local, with beer served in a special pottery five pint jug made by Barbara Payne, a local potter and
bell ringer. The jug dates from 1977 and celebrates St. Michael’s and its six bells, (since augmented to eight), so we thought that it was a fitting way to celebrate.
We have also had two teams of visiting ringers to the tower – The Society of Roving Ringers in
September and a team from Highgate, London in October.
Our learners are gradually improving and we are still a flourishing team, and always willing to
welcome newcomers, and to try out new methods. We hope that Jenny will have many more decades as our tower captain and we look forward to more celebrations in future years.
Ged Ledger
East Hagbourne
The lovely summer has passed now, although we are still fortunate to be having a mild autumn so
far. There were several weddings to ring for over the last months but no quarter peals of late to be
reported here.
We have been having the teaching of handbells during the first part of practice on the first Tuesday
evening of each month, as had been planned. This has been most successful, with interest and a
good number of pupils, the results of which will hopefully be reflected in our customary handbell
concert later, in the church at Christmas.
We rang on half muffled bells on Monday 4th August, to commemorate the outbreak of WW1.
Jill has also had an idea to ring on half muffled bells, to commemorate the one hundred year anniversaries of local village WW1 victims and losses. These occasions can either be quarter peals or
general ringing, depending on numbers available at the time. Jill has been investigating records
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and the first anniversary will be Saturday 25th October for Albert Dearlove who died on that day
one hundred years ago. We will ring at noon.
We continue to have good numbers of ringers here and all of our newer members have now been
duly elected to the Guild.
Some of our team have recently enjoyed the regular 'Sallyforth' weekend away. This time to the
Sussex area, where a good time was had by all. A detailed report of this will appear separately.
This occasion, however, left numbers sadly depleted here at home, to ring for Sunday morning
service, with very few initially. However, the day was saved by the appearance of a couple of
visitors, staying in the village at the time, who happened to be ringers and had decided to come to
see us! So, with a healthy numbered band after all, a good sound was made!
We have celebrated Ringers Sunday once again, with an enjoyable service followed by a social
gathering and refreshments and a good number attending. The occasion was also used to present
our member Lynn Crawford with her Guild certificate.
A busy time ahead to look forward to now, with Remembrance Day and St Andrews Day in November and then of course, the Christmas season will be fast approaching once again!
Helen Clayson
Harwell
Harwell tower is looking a little busier on practice nights now, as five young people have begun to
learn to ring. Polly-Mirren, Elle, Helena, Josiah and Ben are all progressing well and we look forward to when they can join us in visiting other towers on their practice night.
Whites have done some minor work to the third and fifth clappers following their yearly inspection.
I have started attending the guild’s monthly young ringers practice, in preparation for the RWNYC
next year. We wish to give an excellent performance as possible on our home turf.
Thanks to Philip and Janette for hosting our tower BBQ again this year, it was a really great event
that we all enjoyed.
One last bit of news, Paul and Jane Hartley have returned to us from their voluntary service in
Ghana. We hope they enjoyed their stay and we are very glad to have them back.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas.
Callum and all at Harwell
Letcombe Regis
In July we said goodbye to Vicky (7.5 years service to our tower) and Hannah (6.5 years) and
thanked them for their loyalty and commitment. They both did extremely well in their ‘A’ level
exams and secured their places at university to read English and Medicine respectively. Lucy and
Kate also each obtained a string of A* and A grades at GCSE which shows that bell ringing is
good for the brain! Unfortunately Len, one of our most experienced ringers, has had to give up
ringing because of arthritis in his hands, but he has generously stepped in and taken charge as Acting Tower Captain when Anne has been away.
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Seeing an impending crisis in our numbers looming, during August Anne set about training Lucy’s
sister Sophie (11 years old), Henry’s brother Arthur (10) and Sophie’s friend Tallulah (almost 12).
We reinstated the Friday night practice to which Henry and Mark (Henry and Arthur’s Dad who
started to learn with Henry last winter) also generally come; the three new young learners are
making good progress and will soon be ringing on Sundays. Vicky’s brother, Nick, and Hannah’s
sister, Kate, still make occasional Sunday appearances when their sporting fixtures allow it. Brennan, Christine, Dan and Rob make up the rest of the band, so despite all the other activities and
responsibilities undertaken by our members, we are in a strong position to keep our bells ringing.
Anne Williams
North Moreton
A Harvest of Bells:
Surely everyone now knows that the five North Moreton bells, beautifully renovated and re-tuned
(where allowed) found their way back to their village after their trip to Whitechapel London. They
brought with them, new friends. A wonderful treble bell and perfect little Sanctus, tuned to ring
one octave higher than its larger mate – the treble. Thank you Stuart Gibson for providing transport for the final part of their journey.
This was an occasion to be celebrated and with the PCC altering
their Harvest celebration date a
‘Bring and Share’ lunch was arranged. This was something of a
success. Approximate numbers
were 45 at the service, seating 60
at lunch and a constant stream (I
lost count) of visitors to view the
bells, while they were on the
ground floor and before they were
re-installed in the tower the following week. Richard did sterling
work clambering up and down the
tower, showing visitors with
enough energy, the newly painted
and very smart frame.
Spare a thought, if you would, for the logistics of the lunch. North Moreton church has no running
water or indeed any facilities at all. Bottled water had to be carried in, all equipment borrowed
(and returned) and all manner of guests to be catered for. Tea and coffee with cake were offered to
so many people throughout the afternoon; we ran out of cups and were obliged to wash up, with
bottled water on the grass outside. (I had forgotten a bowl!).
The occasion demonstrated yet again the support of the village for the bells and indeed the whole
church. Thank you to all members of the Branch who joined us, it was lovely to see you.
Our little committee carry on in the hope of providing a ringing gallery, plus a kitchen and loo, so
the next occasion, will be a whole lot simpler!
Beryl Jones
9
Radley
Ringing at Radley continues well with usually a good attendance for both practice nights and Sunday service ringing.
We are grateful to Claire and Douglas for supporting us on practice nights and helping us extend
our repertoire.
Oliver and Edward are progressing well and joining in with the branch youth activities. Later in
this edition you will see an article written for his school about Edwards’ ‘unusual’ hobby.
We’ve welcomed a new member to the tower over the summer, 11 year old Josh Sandford has
joined us having been taught by his grandfather.
As well as the traditional quarter peal on Remembrance Sunday, we also rang a quarter to remember the 100th anniversary of the start of what came to be known as the ‘Great war’. We’re looking
now at ringing a quarter peal to commemorate the anniversary of the death of all service men from
the village that died in the Great War. Research is continuing at the moment to gather all the information we can on these men with a view to producing a suitable commemoration for the quarters. There were eight such casualties whose deaths occurred over the period 1914 to 1918.
Further to the hint in the last issue that we were having to look at some major work to preserve the
ring of bells at Radley, progress hasn’t been that swift as yet but hopefully once we get the final
quotations back from the contractors we will be able to provide a more detailed account of our
plans.
Again we had to mark the loss of another prominent parishioner, David Beckett who had been
organist and choirmaster at Radley for over forty years, sadly passed away after a relatively short
illness. We rang for a Thanksgiving service for him on 20th October.
Charlie hasn’t been with us for a number weeks after arguing with the church fabric and the graveyard, happily he is looking well and will hopefully be back with us before too long.
Daphne Pollard and Ian Minns
Steventon
We do not ring very often at Steventon so it was good to welcome the Branch Practice on the 9th
of September. It was a good evening of ringing with methods to suit those present. Thanks to
those who came.
Jack Jarvis
Wantage
We have been busy most Saturdays during the summer ringing for weddings. For some reason
more couples have married in the Parish Church this year than for many years.
Dave Endacott, Dick Peters and Graham Stoter have been busy carrying out a maintenance check
on the bells. Fortunately, no major problems were found but it was a task that had to be undertaken.
Ringing continues well with good attendance at both practice nights and Sunday ringing. When
our ringing on a Sunday is below par certain members of our congregation are quick to tell Gra-
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ham Stoter but he usually blames this on visiting ringers!
Instead of ringing a quarter peal to mark the 100 year declaration of war on Germany on 4th August Graham Stoter decided to involve all our ringers, experienced and inexperienced, to mark this
historic event and for an hour we rang half muffled various call changes and methods.
Peter Rolfe
West Hanney
As our ringing numbers were so low during most of this year, our regular practices were suspended, although we have continued to ring 5 or 6 bells for Sunday services.
There have been several groups of visitors and it is always good to hear our bells rung by accomplished ringers.
Two of our members attended a few teaching sessions at St. Helen’s in February and we now have
13 year old Kate Rollings with us, ringing confidently and making excellent progress.
As a result of opening the Tower to the public at our recent Michaelmas Fayre, two people showed
particular interest in ringing and we have had a Wednesday evening with them to give them a
demonstration and a chance to chime the bells. They are keen to learn, so hopefully we will soon
restart our practice nights. Anyone out there wanting to join us?
Jean Hazard
North Moreton Update
There is much to report in this issue of the ONB newsletter and we are definitely now ‘in the home
straight’ of the project if all continues to go to plan.
Following their removal in April, the bells were transported first to Appleton and then to Whitechapel for tuning and the casting of the new treble and sanctus bells. This was an exciting and
emotional moment for the kind donors who were invited to witness. Unfortunately the viewing
gallery at the Whitechapel Foundry is very restricted and therefore it was only open for a few local
people to attend.
The bells were then transported back to Whites’ workshop, and during the summer months Whites
have been busy constructing new wheels, clappers, headstocks and bearings in readiness for the
rehang. Also during this time, we took the opportunity to de-rust and paint the 1905 Bowell of
Ipswich bell frame which remains in excellent condition and an example of the longevity of early
20th century engineering. Bearing plates were also fitted to the frame to support the new design
roller bearings. Initially, the plan was to wait for rehanging until after completion of the new ringing gallery floor. However, it was decided that it would be much simpler to get the bells back into
the tower without negotiating an additional trap door. Therefore the return was brought forward to
3rd October, and Stuart Gibson once again offered his services for transporting the bells, making
significant savings for the project. His usual van was not available on the day due to mechanical
problems, but not deterred by this, all seven bells were loaded onto his trailer by Whites the day
before. Stuart’s Landrover power was easily up to the job of towing the precious load to North
Moreton. With the assistance of a local farmer’s fork lift the bells were safely deposited in the
road outside the church. Then it was up to pure human strength to push them up the final slope
and into the church (see photo of the raw male muscle power in action!).
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Having safely returned the bells, it was the ideal opportunity to display them in the church. On
Sunday 5th October, North Moreton villagers attended a special Harvest and Thanksgiving service
for the return of the bells, followed by a celebration lunch. The new bells were blessed by Rev
Jason St John Nicolle and it was a chance for everyone to view the bells ‘up close’. During the
afternoon the village celebrations continued and many branch members also took the chance to
come over and enjoy a chat with a cuppa and some of Beryl’s famous baking! It was a very busy
and joyous day and proved beyond doubt that interest in bells (if not perhaps bellringing) is very
much alive and well!
On Wednesday 8th October, Whites of Appleton and the volunteer ‘heavy gang’ gathered early to
begin the task of putting the bells back into the tower. Following a slight ‘modification’ to the
ceiling trap door, this time the tenor passed through without a hitch. Indeed the whole operation
went like assembling a Meccano model thanks to the expertise and knowledge of the Whites team.
The only slightly scary moment was when the tenor crown resin pad fractured under the strain of
the hooks and a piece of material cracked and flew off. This was rectified very quickly by the
‘Whites rapid response team’ coming out and casting a repair piece in situ, so that all bells could
continue to be hung. While the resin was curing the team took a well-earned lunch and rest, enjoying Nick’s famous own recipe pork pies. These have become much appreciated by the whole team
and an essential ingredient to work on the bells! By the end of the day everything that could be
assembled was, and the bells now look a fine sight in the freshly painted frame with new fittings.
All agreed that it had been a rewarding day and a lot of fun and banter enjoyed by the team.
So what happens next you ask? Before you get too excited about coming to North Moreton to
ring, there is still quite a way to go. As you know, we have been busy obtaining permission for a
new elevated ringing gallery, which will provide a much enhanced experience for ringing with a
shorter rope draft. However, to obtain permission for this, the project was extended to include the
provision of an accessible WC and kitchen for church and community use. The team has been
busy raising funds and seeking grants to finance this additional building work. We are expecting
the faculty to be approved during November and building work will commence in February 2015,
providing that sufficient funds are in place by
then (we are still £66,000 short but remain optimistic!).
Beryl Jones will be reporting more on behalf of
the North Moreton ringers in this issue, but we
are all now very excited in anticipation of beginning ringing and welcoming branch members to
the Monday practice night sometime during the
spring. Sincere thanks go to the many local and
branch people who have given so willingly and
tirelessly with their volunteer effort. Thanks to
them North Moreton will soon return triumphantly to the ONB map. Hopefully, by the time
of the next issue of the ONB newsletter, I will be
writing my final instalment and all eyes and efforts will then be focussed onto the Radley restoration project.
Richard Loyd
ONB muscle power in action
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Heave ho!
Everyone enjoys a pie when
hanging bells
Rev Jason blessing the new
Sanctus bell
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New bells on display
Job done!
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Afternoon training sessions
These sessions continue monthly on Wednesday afternoons (for future dates see branch programme elsewhere in this newsletter). They are for anyone who can handle a bell safely. We ring
anything from rounds and call changes to simple surprise as requested by those who attend.
Four evening sessions are currently being arranged for people who can handle a bell safely but
would like some concentrated rounds and simple call change ringing to make that big jump from
handling to ringing rounds consistently and rhythmically. If this trial initiative proves useful,
branch towers will be asked if they have ringers at that stage in the New Year and something similar could be set up.
Mary Friskney
Alfred White of Besselsleigh, Cumnor and Appleton
On 26th July, Brian White unveiled a Blue Plaque at The Greyhound, Besselsleigh commemorating his great, great grandfather, Alfred White.
Alfred was born early in 1804 and was baptised on 3rd April at Appleton Church.
In 1816-1817 Robert Southby, Lord of Appleton manor enclosed the original village green and to
appease the population in 1817 he had the original 3 bells taken down from the tower and they
were replaced with a new ring of 6 by Thomas Mears of London. Alfred was one of the original 6
men taught to be a bellringer by Richard Pitman of Oxford. The new bells arrived in the village on
4th March, 1818 and Robert Southby paid for a feast which was held on the now enclosed village
green. During the festivities the treble was upturned and filled with beer. This feast has been
commemorated every year since without a break and in Appleton, even though the dinner is now
held on the first Saturday in March, whatever the date happens to be, it is known as 4th March day.
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Alfred married Sarah Ridge in Ducklington Church on 19th July 1830 and the 1841 census shows
them living in Cumnor. Records show there were 4 children one of them being Frederick, Brian's
great grandfather.
The 1851 census shows the family had moved to The Greyhound, Besselsleigh where Alfred was
victualler, blacksmith and ran the village shop. We know that oak bellframes were constructed in
the yard at the rear of The Greyhound by Alfred White and Sons.
In 1854, at his own expense, Alfred added 2 bells to the ring of 6 at Appleton and he and Frederick
constructed the lantern on the roof of the tower to accommodate them. In 1861 the Revd Robinson
gave 2 more bells to augment the ring to 10, the work again being carried by Alfred White and
Sons.
Sarah died in 1867 and he married his second wife Elizabeth Bowler of Cumnor in 1868 at Besselsleigh Church, the service being conducted by Revd F E Robinson, now vicar of Drayton.
Alfred died at The Greyhound on 4th September, 1876 and was buried in Appleton churchyard. A
gravestone of wrought iron for Alfred was constructed by his son Frederick consisting of a ring of
ten bells and this can still be seen in Appleton churchyard on the south side.
Alfred carried out work all over the country. It is known that he worked in Yorkshire and his
name is on one of the bells in Hereford Cathedral where he restored the frame in 1865
The company continues to thrive having passed from Alfred to his son Frederick who moved it to
The Three Horseshoes, Appleton. Richard, Frederick's son was next in line followed by Frank,
Richard's son and then to Brian, Frank's nephew.
The 197th 4th March dinner will be held on Saturday, 7th March 2015 at Appleton Village Hall.
Tickets (approx £36 each) will be available from [email protected] after 1st January
2015.
Sylvia Harrison (Nee White)
Ringing World National Youth Striking Competition at Worcester 5th July 2014
The ODG put together a band of young ringers again this year to enter the Ringing World National
Youth Striking Competition held at Worcester on 5th July. In the run up to the competition Robert
Newton organised several practices for the Guild’s youth with the final band being selected on the
morning of the competition at an early morning practice at St John the Baptist, Bodicote. This was
the first occasion when all likely members of the band could actually get to ring together! Representing the ONB branch were Callum Cockburn (treble), David Thomas (5th) and Isaac O’Shea
(tenor).
There were 16 teams in the competition –8 teams ringing call changes and 6 teams ringing a
method (including Oxfordshire who rang Plain Bob Triples). Our youngsters did very well and
came equal second in the method ringing category and equal fourth overall. The teams who took
part in the afternoon had an added challenge. There had been some general ringing over the lunchtime period at the competition tower (Old St Martin) when the stay on the 8th got broken and as
there was no spare available the stay from the treble was used but was not really designed for that
bell. As Old St Martin’s is a 10 bell tower the ringer of the 6th in the competition had to deal with
this as well as the pressure from the competition. Fortunately Jack Page was ringing the 6th and
he was one of the most experienced ringers in the Oxfordshire band.
16
There were various other ringing opportunities during the day including a 12 bell master class at
All Saints, ringing at Worcester Cathedral with each team also given a separate session at the
teaching centre in the cathedral. A free minibus was laid on to take ringers to visit two other towers a bit out of the centre of Worcester. It was a very enjoyable day both for competition participants and non-competition participants which ended in a hog roast. Practices have already started
for next year’s competition …!
Jeanette Thomas
The ODG band – Callum Cockburn, Tamara Douthwaite, Samantha Martin, Clare Reading,
David Thomas, Jack Page (C), Simon Read, Isaac O’Shea.
Young Ringers play Pooh Sticks
On Wednesday 6th August fourteen young ringers aged between 11 and 18 met to ring on the five
bells at Little Wittenham. It was such a small belfry that the ringers climbed the ladder one team
at a time, ringing varying between rounds and plain bob doubles, with the help of seven adult ringers.
Everyone, including two parents, walked the few yards to the bridge at Days Lock where all the
young ringers played Pooh Sticks, organised by Brian Read. Some of the competitors had prepared their own individual named sticks for the competition. I am pleased to report that the winner, with her own sticks, was Izzy Anderson-Besant, who rings at Benson.
After a further walk we arrived at Dorchester Abbey where we were provided with excellent
honey cake and cheesy sticks (Pooh would have approved!) and fizzy pop by Daphne Pollard.
There we rang rounds and Plain Bob Triples on the eight bells.
17
It was good to see young representatives of four towers in our branch, Abingdon, Radley, West
Hendred and Wallingford as well as from other branches – St Aldates, Oxford, Nettlebed, Shiplake
and Benson.
Susan Read, Abingdon
Young Ringers’ Chip Shop Survey (Half Term Outing 29 October)
This half term, eleven young ringers met and rang at Wallingford on the lovely ten bells. We were
glad to see that as well as five young ringers from our branch, we had young ringers from
Shiplake, Benson, Nettlebed and two from Tilehurst, many accompanied by their parents or grandparents, all of whom were ringers.
The ability of the young ringers varied between rounds and surprise major, but in the limited
amount of time, we rang rounds, some games, plain bob doubles and plain bob triples.
After this, we were split into small teams for a treasure hunt around the centre of Wallingford,
finishing with the purchase of one bag of chips from a pre-arranged chip shop by each team.
Meeting back at the church, each bag of chips was sampled by each young person and scored on
taste, attractiveness, etc. so that we could decide which chip shop sold the best chips.
We would like to thank Daphne for serving delicious cakes, tea and pop, and Paul, a Scouter, for
organising the treasure hunt and chip shop survey.
Susan Read
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Article in Our Lady’s School, Abingdon, school magazine
Edward Walker - 10A
Hobby/Pastime - Church Bell Ringing
Edward was inspired to start bell ringing when he was given a tour of the Bell Tower at St. James
the Great Church, Radley, at the end of the Summer ‘Kids Club’ in 2010.
Edward and a friend from the village took up the challenge of learning how to ring the bells and
were taught by the ‘Tower Captain’ of St. James, Radley. He practices on a Thursday evening and
rings for Church Services every Sunday. Edward soon reached a high enough standard to ring at
Weddings, which has the added advantage that he gets paid to ring! He rang a ‘Quarter Peal’ for
the Queens Golden Jubilee and the Royal Wedding in 2012 and has rung in the New Year at Radley for the last few years.
There are a number of ‘Young Ringers’ in and around Oxfordshire. Groups from the different
Churches often join up for tours of different towers, not just in and around Abingdon, but as far
afield as towns and villages in Berkshire, Wiltshire, Hampshire and Gloucestershire.
After meeting a number of Boys from Abingdon School who ring the Bells of St. Helen's Church
in Abingdon at a recent Young Ringers outing, he was invited by the Tower Captain of that
Church to join their group too! This means that as well as ringing the Bells of Radley on a Thursday evening and Sunday morning, he also rings the St. Helen’s Bells straight after school on a
Friday afternoon and supervises one of their learners.
So, the next time you’re passing through Radley and hear the bells ringing out, its a safe bet that
Edward is in the Church Tower pulling one of the six bell ropes!
Andrew Walker
(Edward is third from left)
19
Abingdon Bellringers Tower Outing – 20th September 2014
The Abingdon ringers had an outing with a difference this year; the transport was by public bus –
5 towers by 6 buses. A considerable proportion of the ringers have free bus passes and five of the
six who did not travelled on a group ticket. Brian had tested the route in advance and everything
went according to plan; we were even the only passengers on one of the buses! It was also
David’s birthday so it was a perfect way for him to spend it – ringing and travelling by bus. We
visited St Thomas, Oxford where Hugh joined us to swell our numbers. Our group had a number
of our less experienced ringers but we managed Plain Hunt on nine. Then on to the heavy, challenging bells at Yarnton. At Woodstock Susan tried to get us to do one of the activities she does
with her young ringers which entailed setting the bells at backstroke. It was found to be virtually
impossible so was abandoned. Bladon was next followed by St Mary’s, Witney. It was a tiring
but enjoyable day and to finish us off completely, six of us went to the barn dance being held in St
Helen’s church, Abingdon!
Jeanette Thomas
Waiting for the bus at Yarnton
In the ringing chamber at St Mary the
Virgin, Witney
20
SallyForth – October 2014
Friday 10th October, 2014
We all met at the Eight Bells in Bolney, West Ssussex, to enjoy some food and fellowship before
the real work started. On an unrelated (but important for some of us) note, they had a very nice
real ale (Bolney) that had been produced locally using hops grown in their own garden.
Next it was a short walk, up the steps and through the lych gate with it's coffin rest, to the first ring
of the day at St Mary Magdalene (8, 13-0-08cwt.). A nice eight without vices. Then it was on to
St John the Evangelist, Burgess Hill (8, 14-2-26cwt.). Nice bells in an obviously well used and
loved church. We had tea in their own café (we brought our own tea and cakes, thank you to the
cake makers). When we left the church, Burgess Hill was in the midst of a downpour of almost
tropical proportions, and everybody sans umbrellas or overcoat with them got wet (me for one!).
Now for St Margaret, Ditchling (8, 07-3-08cwt.). The first of the non ground floor rings and hung
anti-clockwise. The first time (I think) that I've rung on an anti-clockwise eight. The world didn't
come to an end, so we moved to the last tower of the day at SMV, Barcombe (6, 09-0-02cwt.). A
mostly pre-WW1 (1-5 cast 1912, 6 cast 1947) set that were nice to ring. Onwards to the hotel (the
White Hart, Lewes). The previous downpour at Burgess Hill had now found its way to Lewes so
the car park and the road to it were a little damp (a euphemism for flowing with water). Having
found our rooms, and assembled for dinner, we found one of our number was missing. Unable to
contact them, we'd decided to take our seats when they arrived – straight to the table – the heavy
rain causing them to have driven around Lewes in search of the hotel at least twice, if not more!
Saturday 11th October, 2014
A hearty breakfast preceded the usual stirring of people to get full cars, then it was off to the first
tower of the day, St Mary, Newick (6, 05-0-27cwt.). A light six with a long guided draught, a
challenge to some especially around the front. There is a lovely modern glass screen above the
internal entrance to the tower. Next it was on to St Andrew and St Mary the Virgin, Fletching (8,
10-0-09cwt.) (via the village of Piltdown) a mixed bunch in both date and caster running from the
oldest (3,4,6,& 7 cast 1769 by Lester, Pack & Chapman) a newer treble (2 cast 1811 by Thomas
Mears II) and the newest treble and tenor, plus the fifth (1,5,&8 cast 1949 by Mears & Stainbank).
Then it was lunch time! The Buxted Inn, a busy pub who fed and watered us admirably considering the number of patrons and the impending party (for, I believe, someone's 90 something birthday). Onward to St Bartholomew, Maresfield (8, 14-1-05cwt.). Another nice eight with some nice
ringing. Then it was on to St Margaret the Queen, Buxted (8, 14-2-07cwt.) and my personal favourite of the weekend. This St Margaret was married to Malcolm, King of Scotland between
1070 and 1093. Another mixture of dates and casters, but all, except the 1686 fifth, retuned and
rehung by Whitechapel and White's of Appleton in early 2008. This was followed by more tea
(coffee) and cake (got to keep our strength up!). Refreshed, we were off to All Saints, Waldron (8,
12-0-07cwt.). These bells were all recast in 1912 by John Warner & Sons, and rehung in 1986.
This church had a wonderful set of kneelers, recorded in their own book. Last of the day was St
Michael & All Angels, Little Horsted (6, 11-2-21cwt.). We carried on the traditional mix of call
changes, plain bob, grandsire, and surprise methods as we rang at the other towers visited. Now it
was time to return to the hotel to refresh ourselves (mentally and physically). After dinner Jill
Garlick (hotel organiser) and Shirley Goss (tower organiser) were thanked for their hard work
towards the weekend.
21
Sunday, 12th October, 2014
Another hearty breakfast, then the dash to start ringing at SMV, Ringmer (8, 13-3-00cwt.) at 09:00
for their 09:45 Parish Eucharist (remembering to park so as not to be blocked in). This is an
upstairs ringing chamber with a very short draught (Mark Cooke could touch the ceiling!), they
were my second favourite bells of the weekend. Having arrived from various parts of the country
on Friday, we now scattered to various parts of the country, some home, some to friends/relatives,
and some to breaks. A very enjoyable weekend, none of the bells were awful, and none were aweful. With thanks to Jill and Shirley for their hard work organising this trip.
Alan Foster
Ringing for WW1
The bells at St Andrew's, East Hagbourne, and St Mary the Virgin, Long Wittenham were rung
half muffled on Monday the 4th August to commemorate the start of World War 1 one hundred
years ago.
Alan Foster
Colin Turner’s 2000 Peals of Minor
A few months ago I realised that I was approaching my 2,000th peal of Minor. A further look into
my records showed that I was also approaching my 1,000th peal in 7 Surprise Minor methods. So
with a bit of balancing the two events occurred simultaneously on September 28th. I chose to ring
this milestone peal at Sunningwell, the tower in which I learnt to ring, it also being the tower
where I have rung the greatest number of my peals of Minor. There are twelve other people who
have rung in excess of 1,000 peals of Minor, however the closest is over 500 behind.
CMT
New Year’s Day Ringing
with refreshments
Radley
THURSDAY 1ST JANUARY 2015
10 .30AM — 12 .30PM
22
QUARTER PEALS
Blewbury, 25 May 2014, 1260 Grandsire Triples: Paul (Dick) Street 1, Gill Loyd 2, Shirley
Goss 3, Josie Irving 4, Mark Vincent (C) 5, Matt Napper 6, Richard Loyd 7, Peter Corderoy 8 A
retirement compliment for Isobel Street after 20 years as Churchwarden.
Blewbury, 30 May 2014, 1260 Grandsire Triples: Jill Garlick 1, Gill Loyd 2, Shirley Goss
3, Mary Friskney 4, Matt Napper 5, Richard Loyd 6, Mark Vincent (C) 7, Peter Corderoy 8. Rung
to celebrate the lives of Irene Corderoy (1918 - 2014), Gillian Loyd (1926 - 2014) and Joanna
Thomson (1931 - 2014), mothers of three Blewbury ringers.
Appleton, 6 June 2014, 1260 Grandsire Doubles: Sylvia M Harrison 1, Matthew Hall 2, Andrew
J Dyer 3, Jenny A Dyer 4, Michael J Harrison (C) 5. For the D Day Veterans, also remembering
those who did not return.
Abingdon (30 St Amand Drive), 31 July 2014. 1296 Little Bob Major: Susan E M Read 1-2, Joe
D R Norton 3-4, Timothy G Pett (C) 5-6, John G Pusey 7-8.
Radley, 3 August 2014. 1260 Doubles (240 Reverse Canterbury, 1020 Pl.Bob): Daphne Pollard
(C) 1, Oliver Hyde 2, Ann Belcher 3, Audrey Fowlie 4, Edward Walker 5, Maurice Belcher 6.
Rung to commemorate the centenary of the start of WW1.
Drayton, 4 August 2014. 1260 Doubles (300 Stedman, 480 Grandsire and 480 Plain Bob): Zoë
Bowden 1, Claire Ward 2, Debbie Greenfield 3, Nick Clarke (C) 4, Reg Sidlow 5, Steve Denton 6.
Rung half-muffled to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War.
Milton, 5 August 2014. 1260 Grandsire Doubles: Shirley Haines 1, Marion Preston 2, Philip
Roberts 3, Claire Ward 4, Colin M Turner (C) 5, Daphne Pollard 6. In memory of Vera Setford
(Mother of 2) on the eve of what would have been her 86th Birthday.
Abingdon, St Helen, 10 August 2014. 1250 Stedman Caters: Mary Friskney 1, Cathy HughesD'Aeth 2, Keith Anderson 3, Stuart Gibson 4, Brian Read 5, John Hughes-D'Aeth (C) 6, David
Floyd 7, Hilarie Rogers 8, John S White 9, Richard White 10. Specially arranged and rung as a
fiftieth birthday compliment to John White (5th August).
Chilton, 25 August 2014, 1260 Doubles (including All Saints): Susan King 1, Judy Kirby 2,
Hugh Deam 3, Paul Lucas 4, Bernard Masterman (C) 5, Charles Smith 6. Rung in memory of Roy
Jones, Marston who brought bands here for practice and quarter peal attempts on most Bank Holidays and gave our Chilton ringers a short ring too. Kate Crennell wishes to be associated with this
quarter.
Appleton, 12 September 2014, 1260 Plain Bob Minor: Fiona J Davis 1, Sylvia M Harrison 2,
Jenny A Dyer 3, Andrew J Dyer 4, Matthew Hall 5, Michael J Harrison (C) 6. 1st of Minor – 1
and 5.
Blewbury, 28 September 2014, 1260 Grandsire Triples: Michael Winter 1, Richard Loyd
2, Shirley Goss 3, Josie Irving 4, Matt Napper 5, Mark Vincent (C) 6, John Napper 7, Peter
Corderoy 8. Rung for the Patronal Festival evensong.
Abingdon, (30 St Amand Drive), 2 October 2014. 1264 Plain Bob Major: Susan Read 1-2, Tim
Pett 3-4, John Pusey 5-6, Joe Norton (C) 7-8. First on 8 handbells as conductor.
23
Abingdon, St Helen, 5 October 2014. 1260 Plain Bob Triples: Edward Walker 1, Susan Read 2,
Brian Read 3, Ieuan Hallas 4, Isaac O'Shea 5, Tim Pett 6, David Thomas (C) 7, Reg Sidlow 8. 1st
on 8: 1 and 4. First Quarter as Conductor. For Evening Service.
Abingdon, St Helen, 30 October 2014. 1320 Grandsire Royal: Comp. Peter W J Sheppard (no.
2): Nicki J Lang 1, Susan Read 2, Diana M Bridle 3, Julian O Howes 4, Robert Perry 5, David
Thomas 6, Simon W Edwards (C) 7, Aaron L Moulder 8, Isaac O'Shea 9, Tony Crabtree 10. First
in method for all except 1, 5, 7, 8.
Abingdon, St Helen, 2 November 2014. 1260 Plain Bob Doubles: Sophie Martin 1, Tim Pett 2,
Isaac O'Shea 3, Susan Read 4, David Thomas (C) 5, Brian Read 6. First Quarter Peal: 1
Abingdon (30 St Amand Drive), 5 November 2014. 1264 Plain Bob Major: Tim Pett 1-2, Susan
Read 3-4, John Pusey 5-6, Joe Norton (C) 7-8.
Abingdon, St. Helen, 9 November 2014. 1259 Grandsire Caters: Ieuan Hallas 1, David Thomas 2, Susan Read 3, Hugh Bishop 4, Simon Yarrow 5, Brian Read (C) 6, Isaac O'Shea 7, Peter
Heritage 8, Mark Walker 9, Reg Sidlow 10. First on ten: 1. For Remembrance Sunday Sung
Eucharist.
Radley, 9 November 2014. 1260 Plain Bob Doubles: Daphne Pollard (C) 1, M Ian Minns 2, Ann
Belcher 3, Edward Walker 4, Oliver Hyde 5, Maurice Belcher 6. Rung half-muffled for Remembrance Sunday.
Walingford, 9 November 2014. 1260 Grandsire Triples: Daryl Dixon 1, Helen Diserens 2, Jo
Gamester 3, Nuala Clements 4, Mary Friskney 5, Chris Tuckett (C) 6, Keith Anderson 7, Philip
Mills 8. Rung half-muffled for Remembrance Sunday.
Blewbury, 11 November 2014. 1287 Grandsire Triples: Cliff Garlick 1, Jill Garlick 2, Gill Loyd
3, David Endacott 4, Richard Loyd 5, Mark Vincent (C) 6, John H Napper 7, Peter Corderoy 8.
Rung half-muffled on Armistice Day.
PEALS
ST BLAISE SOCIETY, Milton, 1 June 2014, 2h31, 5088 Kintbury Delight Major: John C
Sheppard 1, Colin M Turner 2, Nicola J Turner 3, Graham G Firman 4, Robert D S Brown 5,
Timothy G Pett 6, John R Martin (C) 7, Peter Bridle 8.
Abingdon (30 St Amand Drive), 4 June 2014, 2h30, 5056 Plain Bob Major: Comp. C K Lewis:
Susan E M Read 1-2, Joe D R Norton 3-4, John G Pusey 5-6, Timothy G Pett (C) 7-8.
ST BLAISE SOCIETY, Milton, 7 June 2014, 2h25, 5056 Lincolnshire Surprise Major: Colin
M Turner 1, Cynthia E Howell 2, Helen J Piper 3, Nicola J Turner 4, Stuart P B Talbott 5, Geoffrey W Randall 6, Bernard F L Groves (C) 7, Peter Bridle 8.
ST BLAISE SOCIETY, Drayton,.12 June 2014, 2h28, 5058 Yorkshire Surprise Major: Helen J
Piper 1, Richard L Thumwood 2, Nicola J Turner 3, Cynthia E Howell 4, Peter Bridle 5, Colin M
Turner 6, Mark Edwards 7, Robert J Crocker (C) 8.
24
Milton, 29 June 2014, 2h36, 5184 Rutland Surprise Major: Katherine E Young 1, Lorna Curtis
2, Christopher M Tuckett 3, Martin J Turner 4, Kenneth R Davenport 5, Colin M Turner 6, Timothy G Pett (C) 7, Nicola J Turner 8.
ST BLAISE SOCIETY, Milton, 6 July 2014, 2h35, 5152 No Alibis Surprise Major: David A
Cornwall 1, Nicola J Turner 2, Cynthia E Howell 3, Colin M Turner 4, Richard L Thumwood 5,
Ian G Campbell 6, John R Martin (C) 7, David Hird 8.
SOCIETY OF ROYAL CUMBERLAND YOUTHS, Milton, 11 July 2014, 2h29, 5088 Superlative Surprise Major: John J Ford 1, Ruth Curtis 2, Joanna K Dorling 3, Ronald F Diserens 4,
Malcolm M Powell 5, Ian Roulstone (C) 6, Alan Regin 7, Paul F Curtis 8.
SOCIETY OF ROYAL CUMBERLAND YOUTHS, Appleton, 12 July 2014, 2h46, 5000 Bristol
Surprise Royal, Comp. I Fielding: Simon J Davies 1, Shirley E McGill 2, Heather M Forster 3,
Richard L Thumwood 4, Anthony P Cotton 5, Timothy R Forster 6, Michael Angrave 7, Graham
A Duke 8, Thomas B Mack 9, Ian R Fielding (C) 10. For SRCY country meeting.
GLOUCESTER & BRISTOL DIOCESAN ASSOCIATION, Abingdon, St Helen, 19 July 2014,
3h00, 5040 Yorkshire Surprise Royal: Comp. Border/Sherwood: Ian P Unsworth 1, Jane D Bull
2, John Cornock 3, Francis M Byrne 4, Ian D Bucknell 5, Philip R Grover 6, Jonathan C Adkins 7,
Andrew A Ward 8, Philip F Pope 9, Andrew M Bull (C) 10. Golden Wedding anniversary compliment to Jean and Bernard Bowden.
YORKSHIRE ASSOCIATION, Abingdon, St. Helen, 23 August 2014, 2h55, 5040 Lincolnshire
Surprise Royal: Comp. D.F. Morrison (No. 540): Robert H Jordan 1, Paul M Mason 2,
Katharine M Salter 3, Graham J N Colborne 4, Chris Bostock 5, Paul T Young 6, Colin F Salter 7,
C Barrie Dove (C) 8, Michael Chester 9, Roger S Riley 10.
ST BLAISE SOCIETY, Milton, 24 August 2014, 2h33, 5088 Kenton Surprise Major: Philip W
Gay 1, Peter G C Ellis 2, Nicola J Turner 3, Timothy G Pett 4, Colin M Turner 5, Ian G Campbell
6, John R Martin (C) 7, Peter Bridle 8.
YORKSHIRE ASSOCIATION, Appleton, 25 August 2014, 2h57, 5040 Yorkshire Surprise
Royal, Comp. A.G. Reading : Graham J N Colborne 1, Paul M Mason 2, Janine H Jones 3, Chris
Bostock 4, C Barrie Dove (C) 5, Paul T Young 6, Robert H Jordan 7, David G Salter 8, Michael
Chester 9, Roger S Riley 10. 3350th peal – 5
OXFORD SOCIETY, Cumnor. 31 August 2014, 2h56, 5056 Cambridge Surprise Major:
Comp. C Middleton, Arranged: R W Lee: Bernard J Stone 1, Clare E F Dyer 2, Andrew J Dyer 3,
Jennifer A Dyer 4, Michael O'Hagan 5, Robin O Hall (C) 6, Simon A Bond 7, Jonathan Cresshull
8. Celebrating Jenny Dyer's 40 years of ringing at Cumnor and 25 years as Tower Captain. First
of Surprise: 3, 4.
ST BLAISE SOCIETY, Milton, 31 August 2014, 2h21, 5152 Yorkshire Surprise Major: Lee
Pinnington 1, Nicola J Turner (C) 2, Martin J Turner 3, Mark Edwards 4, Michael J Dew 5, Peter
Bridle 6, Richard L Thumwood 7, Colin M Turner 8.
Milton, 20 September 2014, 2h35, 5056 Cambridge Surprise Major: Richard E White 1, Stuart
F Gibson 2, Kenneth R Davenport 3, Josie S Irving 4, Alison T Merryweather-Clarke 5, Lorna
Curtis 6, Patricia M Newton (C) 7, Joanna E Knight 8.
25
ST BLAISE SOCIETY, Milton, 26 September 2014, 2h35, 5040 Surprise Minor (6m): Peter
Bridle 1, Nicola J Turner (C) 2, Brian Bladon 3, Cynthia E Howell 4, Colin M Turner 5, Richard L
Thumwood 6.
ST BLAISE SOCIETY, Sunningwell, 28 September 2014, 2h42, 5040 Surprise Minor (7m):
Brian Bladon 1, Cynthia E Howell 2, Nicola J Turner 3, Colin F Salter 4, David G Salter (C) 5,
Colin M Turner 6. 2,000th peal of minor and 1,000th peal of 7 surprise minor - 6.
ST BLAISE SOCIETY, Milton, 4 October 2014, 2h27, 5088 Lessness Surprise Major: Cynthia
E Howell 1, Nicola J Turner (C) 2, Colin M Turner 3, Timothy G Pett 4, Michael J Dew 5, Mark
Edwards 6, John C Sheppard 7, Peter Bridle 8.
ST BLAISE SOCIETY, Milton, 12 October 2014, 2h28, 5040 King James Alliance Major:
Brian Bladon 1, Cynthia E Howell 2, Nicola J Turner (C) 3, Colin M Turner 4, Nicholas J Clarke
5, John C Sheppard 6, Richard L Thumwood 7, Peter Bridle 8.
ST BLAISE SOCIETY, Milton, 16 October 2014, 2h28, 5088 Highweek Delight Major: Nicola
J Turner 1, Cynthia E Howell 2, Helen J Piper 3, Robert J Crocker 4, Timothy G Pett 5, Colin M
Turner 6, Bernard F L Groves (C) 7, Peter Bridle 8.
Milton, 21 October 2014, 2h38, 5088 Dereham Surprise Major: William Butler 1, Beryl R Norris 2, Peter Bridle 3, Ian G Campbell 4, John C Sheppard 5, W John Couperthwaite 6, Colin M
Turner 7, Timothy G Pett (C) 8.
ST BLAISE SOCIETY, Milton, 26 October 2014, 2h36, 5040 Wills Neck Alliance Major: Cynthia E Howell 1, Peter Bridle 2, Colin M Turner 3, Nicola J Turner 4, Ian G Campbell 5, Richard L
Thumwood 6, Peter G C Ellis 7, John R Martin (C) 8.
Milton, 28 October 2014, 2h50, 5376 Spliced Surprise Major (8m): William Butler 1, Brian
Bladon 2, Cynthia E Howell 3, Beryl R Norris 4, Colin M Turner 5, Nicholas J Clarke 6, W John
Couperthwaite (C) 7, Peter Bridle 8.
APPLETON SOCIETY, Appleton, 8 November 2014, 2h58, 5003 Grandsire Caters: Comp.
Morris J Morris: Michele Winter 1, Julie A Haseldine 2, Andrew J Dyer 3, Simon L Edwards 4,
Jennifer A Dyer 5, Andrew Haseldine (C) 6, Michael J Harrison 7, Peter H M Day 8, James A
Haseldine 9, Bernard J Stone 10. Rung half muffled in memory of The Fallen.
26
Old North Berks website
The Old North Berks website can be found at www.onb.odg.org.uk. The website is a valuable tool
providing up to date information and a means of contacting the branch officers and the towers
within the branch. It should be the first port of call for details about branch events. Why not visit
it now and add it to your favourites. If you spot any incorrect or missing information then please
contact the webmaster at [email protected].
Or would you like to include something on the website. Why wait for the Branch Newsletter to
report a special event in your tower. Maybe there has been a special birthday or a first quarter or
you have been on a tower outing. Just email the webmaster with the details and maybe a photo.
Let’s hear about these events as they happen.
Liz Woodhouse
Newsletter Editor:
Ian Minns
2 Little Howe Close, Radley, Abingdon OX14 3AJ
[email protected]
01235 200972
Branch Chairman:
Philip Roberts
01491 861409
Highfield, The Winnaway, Harwell, Didcot OX11 0JG
[email protected]
Branch Secretary:
Gillian Loyd
01235 850459
Dornie Lodge, Besselslea Road, Blewbury OX11 9NW
[email protected]
Branch Treasurer:
Stuart Gibson
The Croft, Milton Hill, Abingdon OX13 6BD
[email protected]
01235 820491
Joint Ringing Master: Richard Loyd
01235 850459
Dornie Lodge, Besselslea Road, Blewbury OX11 9NW
[email protected]
Joint Ringing Master: Nick Clarke
01235 820760
1 Locktons Barn, Church Lane, Harwell, Didcot OX11 0EZ
[email protected]
ONB Website:
www.onb.odg.org.uk
NEXT ISSUE
Deadline for copy for the next issue in June 2015 is 5th May 2015. But please don’t wait until
then, send your news, pictures, and quarters in as they happen.
Published by the Old North Berks Branch of the Oxford Diocesan Guild
27
ONB Branch Programme for 2015
Please make note of the varied start and finish times which are designed to mirror local requirements for practices. The Surprise Practices are intended for all levels of Surprise ringing and we
particularly welcome branch members who wish to learn Cambridge major from minor standard.
Please contact Richard Loyd if you would like to be added to his email reminder list for the Surprise practices.
Thursday, 1st January – New Year’s Ringing with refreshments at Radley (10.30am-12.30pm)
Wednesday, 28th January – Afternoon Training – Blewbury (8) (2.00–3.30pm)
Wednesday, 4th February – Surprise Major Practice – Cholsey (8) (8.00–9.30pm) (tbc)
Thursday, 12th February – Branch Practice – Wallingford (10) (8.00–9.30pm)
Wednesday, 25th February – Afternoon Training – Harwell (8) (2.00–3.30pm)
Saturday, 21st March – Striking Competition and AGM – Harwell (8)
(SC 3.00pm, Service 5.00pm, Tea 5.45pm, AGM 6.30pm)
Wednesday, 25th March – Afternoon Training – Marcham (6) (2.00–3.30pm)
Wednesday, 8th April – Surprise Major Practice – Drayton (8) (7.30–9.00pm)
Monday, 13th April – Branch Practice – Chilton (6) (7.30–9.00pm)
Wednesday, 13th May – Branch Practice – Aston Tirrold (6) (7.00–8.30pm)
Wednesday, 27th May – Afternoon Training – Cumnor (8) (2.00–3.30pm)
Wednesday, 3rd June – Surprise Major Practice – Sutton Courtenay (8) (7.30–9.00pm)
Monday, 8th June – Branch Practice – Sutton Courtenay (8) (7.30–9.00pm)
Wednesday, 24th June – Afternoon Training – Sunningwell (6) (2.00–3.30pm) (tbc)
Saturday, 18th July – Branch Outing and Barbecue
Wednesday, 22nd July – Afternoon Training – Brightwell (8) (2.00–3.30pm)
Wednesday, 5th August – Surprise Major Practice – Goring (8) (7.45–9.15pm)
Wednesday, 12th August – Branch Practice – Cumnor (8) (7.30–9.00pm)
Wednesday, 26th August – Afternoon Training – Radley (6) (2.00–3.30pm)
Tuesday, 8th September – Branch Practice – Abingdon, St Nicolas (6) (7.30–9.00pm)
Wednesday, 23rd September – Afternoon Training – North Moreton (6) (2.00–3.30pm)
Wednesday 7th October – Surprise Major/Royal Practice – Wallingford (10) (8.00–9.30pm) (tbc)
Tuesday, 13th October – Branch Practice – Milton (8) (7.30–9.00pm)
Wednesday, 28th October – Afternoon Training – Drayton (8) (2.00–3.30pm)
Wednesday, 11th November – Branch Practice – West Hanney (6) (7.30–9.00pm)
Saturday, 14th November – Skittles and supper at Radley Village Hall
Wednesday, 25th November – Afternoon Training – Chilton (6) (2.00–3.30pm)
Wednesday, 2nd December – Surprise Major Practice – Milton (7.30–9.00pm)
Friday, 11th December – Branch Practice – Blewbury (8) (8.00–9.30pm)
Wednesday, 16th December– Afternoon Training – Cholsey (8) (2.00–3.30pm) (tbc)
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