Welcome to the Oxford Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers

LATEST NEWS and EVENTS for 2012 :

The guild regrets to announce that Harry E. Wells of Harwell and East Ilsley died on 5th January. A service of celebration for Harry's life will be held at Harwell on Friday 20th January at 2.30pm.

The Towers and Belfries committe are organising a rope splicing course to be held at Pangbourne on Saturday 10th March. There will be two sessions morning and afternoon. Details, including how to apply for a place may be found in the poster.

2012 is going to be an event filled year, with Royal Celebration and the Olympics topping the bill. However it is a leap year too, and so for the ODG Bell Fund we look forward to many Guild Members participating in the Sponsored Ringing Event between 25th February and 3rd March.

This is sponsorship of any pieces of ringing including touches or sessions of rounds and call-changes, quarter peals and even peals, in aid of the Bell Fund.

The Guild Bell Fund is a Capital Scheme which has been in operation for over 30 years and has consistently generated grants towards the cost of bell restoration across the Diocese. All new money raised is used to purchase suitable charitable investments as advised by the official Diocesan Investment Advisor interest from which fund the grants voted to eligible schemes. Thus the investments are not diminished by the awarding of grants and the increasing capital worth of the scheme has provided considerable protection against the fluctuating market conditions experienced of late.

The Fund is operated by 6 Trustees who meet twice a year, and is managed by the Members of the General Committee who are also the Managing Trustees of the Bell Fund.

A copy of the Sponsorship Form which is to be used for each piece of ringing to be sponsored can be downloaded here. The form includes the necessary wording for the recovery of tax under the Gift Aid Scheme.

Please return completed forms and monies to the Bell Fund Hon Treasurer, Mr Brian Gatward as soon as possible after the event so that we may identify the Branch which has generated the greatest amount of sponsorship and recognise their efforts.

If there are any queries please contact .

The 10-bell competition this year was held on the recently restored and augmented 10 at Shrivenham, on Saturday November 26th. Eight teams entered, which was a record entry and most encouraging.

The judges were Kate and Paul Flavell from New Malden. Their comments were that Shrivenham was a nice 10, easy to hear and with no obvious odd-struckness. Marking was 2 for a good row, 1 with a clip and 0 for a crunch or two clips. The judges awarded percentages with higher scores for the better teams. Their tips included: all ring at the same speed; don't rush the leads or leave holes; exude confidence, not arrogance.

The test piece, 287 Grandsire Caters was a mixture of tittums and handstroke home: the piece was marked fairly severely because of the high quality nature of the competition. The judges would have preferred to hear more runs in the touch.

At Shrivenham the bells are all but inaudible inside the church: had a Rave been taking place inside the church during the competition, neither the ravers nor the ringers would have been any the wiser but for the audience which, in any case, would have had to have gone outside in the biting wind to listen and there were very few takers for this!

Many thanks must go to the Shrivenham ringers for supplying coffee, tea and ploughman's lunches. The day was very tight for time as some ringers had to go further north in the afternoon to the Guild Autumn Meeting. Thanks must also go to Alan Marchbank, Deputy Master, for helping to produce a seamless arrangement of ringing and for keeping, in the main to schedule. How did you manage to get hold of the President of the Central Council when she is so busy! And her equally busy husband, Paul?

As it can be seen, there were only 12 percentage points between 1st and 6th place with very little difference in the positions in the middle.

The teams in order of ringing:

The intention was to have the team in the order of ringing, starting with the treble on the left behind the seat and working round clockwise, finishing with the tenor. However, in the event, only three ringers managed to squash together on the seat and, in many cases, not all that convincingly, so the tenor ringer ended up on the left hand side, sometimes to the left of the treble and sometimes in front! Now I appreciate the rather strange arrangement of ringers in the 12-bell competition: it's not as easy to organize as it seems!

Old North Berks

The photo will indicate that there are 11 ringers in the team, possibly with one strapping the enormous tenor. However, the reality is that Gill Loyd had psyched herself up so much and even ascended to the belfry before the start, awaiting the arrival of the late Mr Pinnington, that I thought she had suffered too much already and deserved to be in the photograph!

L-R Clockwise: Gill Loyd (reserve), Lee Pinnington – Treble, Stuart Gibson 2, Josie Irving 3, Mark Vincent 4, Dave Endacott 5, John Napper 6, Tim Pett (C) 7, Chris Tuckett 8, Nick Clarke 9, Richard Loyd – Tenor.

Vale of the White Horse

Kay Chamberlain – Treble, Teresa Sugden – Tenor, Cheryl Watson 2, Erica Crabtree 3, Lucy Laird 4, Jenny Crabtree 5, Jon Chamberlain 6, Steve Munday 7, Julian Watson 8, Tony Crabtree (C) 9.

E.B.S.B

Alan Ainsworth – Tenor, Sheila Bruce – Treble, Katharine Firman 2, Angela Darvill 3, Patricia Newton 4, Graham Firman 5, George Whiteside 6, Ken Darvill 7, Charles Botting 8, Robert Newton (C) 9

Central Bucks

James Haseldine – Tenor, Alan Frost – Treble, Julie Haseldine 2, Ann Pratt 3, Caroline Stonham 4, Marika Haseldine 5, Hal Drysdale 6, Chris Mundy 7, Jeremy Pratt 8, Andrew Haseldine (C) 9.

Sonning Deanery

Stephen R Smith – Tenor, John Manley (C) – Treble , Graham Slade 2, Simon Farrar 3, Geoffrey Cook 4, Chris Cole 5, Nigel Mellor 6, Ken Davenport 7, Jon Tutcher 8, John Harrison 9.

Reading

Prof. Stephen R Smith – Tenor, June Saint – Treble, June Wells 2, Jo Druce 3, Ian Judd 4, Robert Partridge 5, Giles Winter 6, Doug Beaumont 7, John Wells 8, Stephen Rossiter (C) 9.

Newbury

Andrew Clark-Maxwell – Tenor, Rosemary Evans – Treble, Angela Brown 2, Bill Butler 3, Ros Durham 4, Adrian Moon 5, John Durham 6, Michael Hurst (C) 7, Martin Rice 8, Mark Robins 9.

Banbury

John Temple – Tenor, Heather Bletchly – Treble, Colin Lee (C) 2, Charlotte Holmes 3, Keith Abbott 4, Alan Griffin 6, Robin Green 5, Malcolm Hensher 7, Chris Holmes 8, Graham Clifton 9.

The last photo is of Robert Newton, Guild Master and conductor of the E.B.S.B. team, receiving the 10-bell trophy, donated by the late Ted Peett, from Paul Flavell.

Bobbie May

This event took place on Saturday 19th November, after an absence of about seven years from the ringing calendar. It was held at Cherington, Warks: a handy, light, ground-floor ring of six.

With Wantage (the highest placed Oxfordshire band in the Guild contest) being unavailable, Drayton St Leonard were invited to be our representatives. The format of the competition, which comprises raising in peal, 120 changes of a method and lowering in peal, dictated some specialised practice. Some sessions in advance, including one at Shabbington, and another at Cowley on the morning of the competition, focused heavily on raising and lowering and to a lesser degree on the touch of Grandsire.

The first team to ring (Warwick, ringing Grandsire) had a good rise and fall but their 120 did have a couple of one-blow errors and was described by the judges as having ‘quite a few gaps’. They were followed by the representatives of Worcestershire (Eckington – Stedman) with an even better rise and fall but some very unfortunate clashes, apparently in the vicinity of singles. The third band, representing Gloucestershire (Dursley – Cambridge) had a superb rise and their Minor seemed to have no blemishes at all until the treble slipped wheel after 90 changes, resulting in disqualification and making their slick lower rather immaterial.

Drayton St Leonard rang last. The rise was described as ‘not the best’ by the judges, which members of the band felt was quite charitable of them. However, the 120 of Grandsire was rung in fine style, without even a hint of a method mistake. The lower was better than the rise but still not on a par with some of what had been heard earlier.

The five judges: Bill Nash (Four Shires), David Leafe (Warks), Ian Unsworth (Gloucs), Alan Hartley (Worcs) and our own Ken Davenport, did not take long to reach a decision. In this competition, it is traditional to announce only the top two bands and not to give any ‘scores’ whatever. Drayton St Leonard were rather stunned, and delighted, to be placed first ahead of Warwick in second place, their steady 120 having clinched it. It was generally felt that Dursley's bad luck cost them first place.

The Drayton St Leonard band was: Charlotte Rogers, Robert Newton (borrowed!), Christopher Rogers, Hilarie Rogers (C), John White and Amy Herlihy. It is to be hoped that there will be enthusiasm for running this event again in future years.

Robert Newton

The guild is running a ten bell training day on 3rd December 2011 at Aston Clinton covering stedman and grandsire caters. Details of how to apply for a place are contained in the flyer.

The annual Guild 6 bell striking competition was this year hosted by the Reading Branch and the recently refurbished bells at Streatley were chosen to test the skill of the teams taking part.

The day and the venue were perfect for an afternoon of sitting in the sunshine and enjoying some of the best 6 bell ringing the Guild can produce, as 9 teams, each representing their Branch tried hard to impress the Judges.

Richard and Claire Yates from Towcester, had agreed, to be our judges and were able to sit in the dappled shade of a tree to listen to the teams ringing a test piece of 1 minutes rounds followed by 240 changes of their choice. In practice all the teams except 1 chose Grandsire Doubles as the method, most relying on 2 extends, but 1 team rang Morris's 240, which made listening more interesting.

An excellent tea of sandwiches, cakes other savoury delights accompanied by excellent freshly brewed tea was provided throughout the afternoon by the Goring and Streatley ringers.

Announcing the results Richard thanked the Guild for asking them to Judge the contest and reflected on his early ringing career in the Buckingham area. He went on to commented that with such a high standard of ringing as the competition demonstrated, the Guild was clearly in good shape. The ringing had generally been to a very high standard and was a great credit to all who had taken part. He was pleased to hear bands making full and effective use of the practice time by getting into changes and testing the odd struckness of the bells in changes not just in rounds. He proceeded to give his comments and score for each team in the order in whih they rang.

So the 6 Bell trophy returns to Reading.

Stephen Rossiter collected the Cup From Richard Yates and congratulations were given to Thatcham, High Wycombe and Wantage in coming 2nd and 3rd equal respectively.

Alan Marchbank, Deputy Master thanked Richard and Claire for playing their part diligently and providing good encouraging feedback. He also thanked the catering team who had provided the teas and all the towers for entering and making it a very enjoyable afternoon.

Alan Marchbank

St. Marys Reading Band, Winners	Thatcham Band, placed 2nd
High Wycombe Band, placed 3rd equal	Wantage Band, placed 3rd equal
Sonning Band	Drayton St. Leonard Band
Farringdon Band	Woodstock Band
Aston Clinton Band	Presentation of Trophy

The Steeple Aston one day course is to be held on Saturday 29th October 2011. The course will provide tuition and practice ringing basic methods from plain hunt to plain bob major.

Applications are invite from guild members. The closing date for applications is 21st September 2011.

A poster for the course is available. The application form and associated covering letter are available for download. For further details please contact )

The Oxford Guild Festival is held in Oxford only one year in five and this usually engenders a great deal of interest and excitement. This year's was no exception, though I personally felt it was the best ever!

There was ringing at some of the local towers earlier in the day and general ringing at the Cathedral, Christ Church, which was, as ever, very popular, culminating in an excellent touch of Stedman Cinques by a hand-picked band and some of these later went on to ring handbells in the service.

Omitted in this service was the Ringers' Hymn, probably all for the good and Peter Baelz' Let bells ring forth... was its worthy replacement. I was delighted to find that the music for the service was printed in the order of service and, since many of the ringers are musical and members of their own church choirs, the singing was full and lusty. The Cathedral Voluntary Choir led the singing.

The Old Testament reading was taken by the Master, Robert Newton and Bill Butler, former Master and Vice President of the Guild read the Gospel. Intercessions were prepared and led by the Secretary, Hilarie Rogers, whose speciality is church services! An inspired sermon was given by the Venerable Julian Hubbard who also greeted us. The Ven. Julian is a great supporter of bell ringers. Having been through his concordance and got over the inevitable biblical references to bells, finding no inspiration in these, fell back on his own very real and mystical experience of bells. He recognized the part ringers play in the church's worship and in calling the faithful to prayer, claiming that "ringing in the Guild is a very well-organized and busy activity which embraces all parts of the Diocese and draws together people of all ages and kinds around a common calling and passion". He said that the "sound of bells has a mysterious effect" on people "the resonance of which on our senses can only be partly accounted for by science....They offer an invitation to all and sundry in the communities of our towns and villages to come to join together in worship and to find what matters above all and what brings the deepest joy". We were delighted that he was able to join us for lunch in the Cardinal Newman buildings after the service.

During the communion service a breath-taking touch of Bristol Surprise Maximus was rung by Patricia and Robert Newton, Katharine and Graham Firman, Alex Byrne and Tom Hinks. A spontaneous round of applause followed this.

The congregation left to the dynamic rendering of Vierne's Carillon de Longpont by the Cathedral sub-organist: or rather, it did not leave but left the Ven Julian in suspended animation in the doorway as the congregation remained seated and enjoyed the voluntary in full, again, followed by a standing ovation. This really was a Festival in all senses of the word.

A splendid lunch followed across the road in the modern Cardinal Newman buildings and was organized by the W. I. This was followed in the afternoon by further ringing, all of which was coordinated by Katie Lane in conjunction with the Oxford Society which has the care of these bells and those of the Cathedral. Many thanks to members of the Oxford City Branch and all those who were involved in making this a splendid and seamless occasion.

It was a Festival to remember!

Bobbie May

The Old North Berks Branch hosted this years 8 bell striking competition. With no heats to ring, we moved straight to a final which was rung at the delightful 12 cwt ground floor 8 of St Marys, Childrey. One of the 6 churches in the Ridgeway Benefice, St Mary’s boasts many treasures, not least of which are stunning views to the north and west across the Oxfordshire countryside. Blue sky and constant sunshine combined to make this a brilliant day for standing around listening to good ringing.

A straightforward touch of Grandsire Triples was chosen and 8 tower and branch teams did battle. They were joined this year by our Youth Team – the Band who represented the Guild in the Ringing World National Youth Competition in Pimlico and who were placed 1st in the change ringing section of that competition.

It was good to see many familiar faces and renew acquaintances. It was also encouraging to have a few new entries and to see new people getting involved with Guild events. It is especially encouraging to have had entries from Caversham and a Branch band from Witney and Woodstock.

Tea and refreshments were provided throughout the afternoon by the Childrey ringers. Expertly organised, a proper ringer’s tea of sandwiches, cakes and freshly brewed tea was enjoyed and appreciated by all who partook. Well done.

Our Judge Hugh Evans, Chairman of the Gloucester and Bristol DA was settled in the fine gardens of the Manor House just across from the church and listened to the teams ringing a test piece of 1 minute of rounds followed by 233 Grandsire Triples. The ringing concluded, we moved into the village hall for the results.

So it is that the Trophy returns to the Reading Branch, well done to Stephen and his team.

Congratulations also to High Wycombe and to South Oxon, placed second and third respectively.

Alan Marchbank proposed the vote of thanks to all those who had made the event a success by taking part, to our Hosts especially Gill and Richard Loyd for making the arrangements for today, to the incumbent Rev Alan Wadge for the use of the bells and to Hugh our Judge. The company showed its appreciation in hearty applause.

ODG Youth Band	Reading Branch Band, Winners
High Wycombe Band, placed 2nd	South Oxon Band, placed 3rd
Witney and Woodstock Band	Caversham Tower Band
North Bucks Branch Band	Newbury Branch Band
Sonning Deanery Band

~ Alan Marchbank

A link to the EBSB fund raising website (http://www.bellfund.org.uk/) from our Guild website has been added. Please follow through our "links" page to learn about and support the project.

~ admin

There are now a number of educational training leaflets available on the Guild website. These may be freely downloaded and used for your own personal education or as a teaching aid for new recruits

About the Oxford Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers

The ODG is a territorial society representing bell ringers in the English counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, which together comprise the Diocese of Oxford.

The Diocese now covers the counties of Berkshire (118 churches), Buckinghamshire (152 churches), Oxfordshire (227 churches). A full list of each Branch and Towers in alphabetical order can be found in the History section.

There are Fifteen Branches within the Oxford Diocesan Guild - each Branch is represented on the Branch Map - each Branch maintains its own Branch website and the content of each Branch website is therefore not under the direct control of the Guild Officers.

Each Branch Secretary maintains the details of each tower and their respective contacts and as these can change they are not provided or maintained on the Guild website. However an A5 booklet listing all current tower correspondents and practice nights can be sent free as an email attachment (Adobe PDF document) from the .

The ODG has in excess of 2000 members, the highest total of any Society which is affiliated to the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers.

The ODG Rules - as amended at the 2009 AGM can be viewed and printed from this PDF.

The Site Map of the website may help you find what you are looking for or you may use the Search facilty.