Guild News and Events

Events

As eleven bands entered this year they were split into two heats. One was held at Banbury and the other at Adderbury

The six teams that won through to the final were High Wycombe, Banbury, North Bucks, St Aldate, Oxford, EBSB and St Mary with St Laurence, Reading

Alan Marchbank reports....

"The six bands that met at Banbury found the day grey and cold which made standing about listening less than comfortable.

The ringing was of an exceptionally high standard throughout as the results show and only one band suffered any sort of difficulty and that was due to a missed call rather than anything else.

The Judges for the heat at Banbury were Ken Davenport and Tine Marchbank.

They commented that they were able to hear all the bells well from their location and it was apparent that 3, 4 and 5 were difficult bells to strike accurately. They also felt the 7th was probably slow at backstroke. That said they had listened to some excellent ringing from all the participants".

The results of the heat held at Banbury were

The results of the heat held at Adderbury were

An account ot the final at Great Tew

"Sadly the temperature had not risen above mildy uncomfortable when we got to Great Tew. I was particularly concerned that the rain would hold off as the judges - Chris and Margaret Bullied from Towcester, were to work from a gazebo in the field across from the church path. However with winter coats from the car and the judges declared themselves ready.

The bells were a considerable challenge to good striking and consistent rythm - no team had it cracked from start to finish, however once again a mis- call scuppered one teams chances of a podium finish.

Tea and refreshemnts were provided whilst the ringing progressed and the judges and stewards were fed and watered throughout. Then came the results.

Chris Bullied started by declaring himself a fan of striking competitions as they promote good quality ringing. He went on to congratulate everyone on the the high standard of ringing that had been produced on what were clearly challenging bells. He said that it was apparent that the backstrokes were easier to strike than the handstrokes and leading was critical, but difficult.

Margaret commented on each teams performance and gave the reasons for the award of the faults, the table shows these and the final positions of the teams.

So its congratulations to High Wycombe who were placed first, and well-done to Reading and Oxford comming second and third respectively. Charles Botting received the trophy on behalf of the Winners and resounding applause demonstrated the appreciation of the audience and other competitors for their success.

I would like to thank the judges for heats and the final, Chris and Margaret Bullied, Tine Marchbank, Ken Davenport, Barry Eglesfield and John White, the incumbents of the 3 churches, Adderbury, Banbury and Gt Tew, the Stewards who ensured the ringing ran smoothly and assisted conductors with timing etc, to those who provided us with teas and refreshments and all the teams that entered and made it such an enjoyable event.

I look forward to seeing you all at the 6 bell competition in October so get practicing!!"

Alan Marchbank

Heather Hughes (Banbury Branch Secretary) gives her impressions of the day....It was the turn of Banbury branch to host the event this year.

As the day drew closer, there was little indication as to how many ringers would turn up to visit the 21 towers which were open as part of the Ringing Day. Although we had 60 day tickets provided, only three were sold prior to the day.

It was clear from the outset that the day was going to be extremely successful. Ringers were already forming long queues well ahead of time at the first three towers in order to purchase their day tickets, in addition to those who were going to "pay as you go". The pre-printed tickets sold out very quickly and hand-written "tickets" had to be given from then on. The queues continued at most churches throughout the day.

Since the event, I have received two emails from three visiting ringers to say how much they enjoyed their day. Ringers came from all over the country – Newcastle, Kent, North Cornwall, Kirby Lonsdale to mention a few places, as well as more locally – to enjoy what was on offer. I was one of the stewards at Sandford St Martin where there were the "tower grabbers" and those who simply wished to take a bit more time to go round to their chosen towers for a ring and then move on. It was very interesting to talk to some of them.

As a result of the Ringing Day, over £1,000 has been raised for the Oxford Diocesan Bell Fund. Since the Bell Fund is a charity, £725 of the total has been gift aided, which will swell the Fund still further, thanks to the many people who bought day tickets.

Heather Hughes, Banbury Branch Secretary

TOWER MAINTENANCE AWARD SCHEME

Has your tower been inspected recently?

Would you like to receive an award for your tower?

Then why not take a look at the Tower Maintenance Award Scheme and get your tower inspected.

You will find that it provides you with lots of interesting information on how to improve the maintenance in your tower and you could get a great certificate to hang on your tower wall.

The EBSB take merchandise to local bell-ringing events to sell and to some markets and charity events. Some, but not all, of the products can be ordered by mail.

Please look through the items that are available on the EBSB Bell Fund website and contact them directly if you wish to make a purchase.

News

2009 AGM Review - all the main details can be found here

Lizzie Giles, Andrew Denmark and Ryan Noble took part in the YRA scheme for which they each compiled a Log Book during 2008. They were displayed at the Guild AGM, where it was clear how much work had gone into them, and how much proress each ringer had made during the year.

They were asked to include items under the following 8 headings:-

Attendance at service ringing and practices, Effort and progress in practical ringing, Involvement in tower and church, Knowledge of and involvement in Guild and Branch, Bells and church of home tower and others visited, Bell maintenance, Telling others, The world of bells and ringing.

In August, we arranged a day for them to meet up and ring at two towers and have a hands on maintenance session, which was very enjoyable for all (especially watching the experienced ringers ringing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on tower bells!).

John and June Wells analysed the log books, and each ringer was presented with a certificate and a book. In addition, Ryan was presented with the Alison Rodrick Shield and a selection of books.

Hilarie Rogers on behalf of the Education Sub-committee

Judges: Mike and Jill Wigney from Chiswick - Method: Grandsire Caters

Results:

ODG 6 Bell striking competition results for 2008.

Saturday October 4th at All Saints, Milton Keynes

A good afternoon was spent with 9 bands competing for the ODG 6 bell trophy at All Saints Milton Keynes Village. The church with its ground floor ringing room afforded excellent facilities for the judges to sit in the north vestry just alongside the tower, which was so much better for them than huddling in a car in failing daylight and deteriorating weather. Richard and Helen Stanworth were the stewards, checking bands in, collecting information and assisting with timings of practices and rounds etc. During the early part of the competition there was almost a crisis when the Churchwarden (who was unaware of the competition), brought a party of people in for a look around the church!  They were somewhat miffed to be asked to keep very quiet and hastily guided away from the chancel and out of the south door!

The bells were certainly enough of a challenge to make this an interesting competition. Alan Shephard from Dunstable, the chief judge said the bells sorted the competitors into 2 distinct groups, the top 3 and the following 6. Liz Middleton from Radbourne assisted Alan in the task of judging the 9 teams.

Tine Marchbank and her hospitality team comprising ringers, past ringers and non-ringers provided an abundance of tea which was consumed throughout the afternoon in the warmth and comfort of the Village Hall just opposite the church.

From the results you will see that Reading were victorious and the Judges presented Stephen Rossiter with the Trophy.

I would like to thank all the ringers who took part in the competition, our judges Alan and Liz, Richard and Helen Stanworth, the Incumbent and ringers at Milton Keynes Village and Tine and her band of helpers. You all contributed to make this my first ODG organisation a success.

Alan Marchbank

RESULTS