November 2013
On the 19th October the half yearly meeting was hosted by the Wardington ringers. There was ringing ranging from rounds and call changes to Cambridge, before the service. This was taken by Sue Upton who gave us a sermon with yet another different ringing twist. The new form of Branch Service was used for the first time and enjoyed. We then adjourned to the Memorial Hall for a splendid tea. The business discussion lasted just 35 minutes proving the value of the tower reps meetings. The Guild Master Robert Newton joined in the ringing afterwards.
Wardington village is in the north east corner of Oxfordshire almost into neighbouring Northamptonshire. Parts of the church of St. Mary Magdalene date from the 12th century with later additions through to the 15th century. It is hard to believe that the sturdy tower we ring in today was apparently in danger of collapse during the 19th century, when the vicar wrote frequently in the Deanery Magazine of masonry falling and cracks opening and made impassioned pleas for funds to remedy it. Eventually when an architect reported the condition as being ‘seriously bad’ restoration work was undertaken.
The 6 bells were all originally cast by the Bagleys at Chacombe but 3 have since been replaced. Major work was done on them for the Millennium but they are still a challenging ring.
Following on from Graham’s piece about the Jubilee bells this item from the Banbury Evening News for August 24th 1877 describes the visit of a former Queen
THE QUEENS JOURNEY TO SCOTLAND
Her Majesty and suite left Osborne last night for Balmoral, and the royal train arrived at Banbury at 9.53, being two minutes late. The station was carpeted, and a handsome gaselier hung from the centre of the down platform, on which a refreshment buffet had been erected, and which had a very pretty appearance. Mr W. Page, of the White Lion Hotel, supplied the refreshments, which gave every satisfaction to the royal party. The train left at 10.14 amid the cheers of a large number of people who had assembled on Banbury Bridge. The train was in charge of Mr Tyrell and Mr Stevens, and was preceded by a pilot engine at an interval of fifteen minutes. A cordon of police surrounded the station, and the public were excluded. The general arrangements were well carried out under the superintendence of Mr Harris, the station-master. The bells rang a royal peal while the train was in the station.
Branch Striking Competition July 6th
This year the Striking Competition was held at Steeple Aston. The judges were Mark Sayers and Michael Coleman former branch members at Adderbury. As last year there were two sections A – call changes and B – methods.
Only one team entered group A so the Adderbury band won the Davis cup. Of the nine teams in group B, Adderbury, Banbury, Bloxham, Bodicote, Cropredy and Steeple Aston were represented. The judges’ comments included ‘a pleasure to listen to, inconsistent speed, improved as it progressed, uneven but brisk, nice pace, minor faults.’ Lots of advice to learn from!!
The home team Steeple Aston emerged as winners with Adderbury A second and Bodicote A third. The cups were presented at the BBQ afterwards. Heather Hughes was presented with a bouquet in recognition of her service as Branch Secretary and Cropredy walked away with multiple raffle prizes!
Branch Outing July 13th
To Tring and back
Never mind the tune, name that face!
? Recognise anyone ?
Some Branch members travelled to Devon on November 2nd for a weekend hosted by Ron and Anne Thorne who you may remember from their ringing days at Bodicote. We were joined by the Jasper family from Dorset and visited five towers. Catherine, Michael and the baby had already left when the photograph was taken.
Congratulations
to Matthew Franklin and Rebecca Taylor Banbury tower members who got engaged in October.
Happy Birthday babies
The world welcomed Prince George of Cambridge on July 22nd
Steeple Aston rang just 10 minutes after the announcement.
Scarlet Stacy-Ann Cooper (daughter of Paul and Eloise a former Banbury ringer) was born on July 5th and baptised at St. Marys on November 3rd.
Jessica Elizabeth Charlotte Tinsley (daughter of Michael and Catherine) arrived on October 1st and is already a seasoned tower grabber.
Items from the Half Yearly Meeting held at Wardington on October 19th
· Two new members elected from Cropredy.
· Robert Newton Guild master emphasised the importance of attending Guild meetings if you want your voice heard.
· Branch Practices and meetings will be reviewed at the AGM in 2014.
· Sue Burchell and Alan Griffin were thanked for the new Form of Service booklet.
· Banbury-bells.org.uk will access new Branch Website server (save as favourite or bookmark).
· This year’s raffle profits will go to the Guild Bell Fund and Banbury Food Bank.
Dates for your diary.
· December 14th 2013 Ringing up and down workshop at Tadmarton.
· December 14th 2013 Advent Carol Service Adderbury 6.30pm.
· January 16th 2014 Tower reps meeting Banbury (in church).
· February 1st 2014 Social and Quiz Tadmarton.
· March 8th 2014 Branch Dinner at the Red Lion Adderbury.
· April 26th Branch AGM at Bodicote
· June 7th Branch Striking Competition at Mollington
· July Branch Outing (date and area tbc).