Welcome to the web site
of the Chipping Norton Branch

Very many congratulations to Laura Cooper of Shipton under Wychwood, who completed all the required work for level 5 with her first quarter inside to Grandsire Doubles at Longcot on Friday 15 Nov. Laura is the first Oxon ringing school alumna to achieve LTR L5. This was followed by a successful quarter inside to Plain Bob Major on Saturday 16 Nov!

The ODG runs a one day course, at different ability levels every year.  This year I secured a place on the Advanced Surprise Major course.

Prior to the course a questionnaire is sent indicating what methods you are interested in ringing, and your objectives so that appropriate support and planning can be organised. I chose Bristol and London Surprise Major.

The venue this year (and most years) is the Shiplake ringing centre near Henley, a good 8 with sound control and additional facilities nearby.  There were 6 participants and we gathered for a short tutorial at 10 am, covering the principles of the chosen methods, Bristol the most popular, with Cornwall and London included, run by experienced tutors Patricia and Robert Newton.

At tea and biscuits the helpers arrived and ringing started at 11 a.m. Patricia carefully placed ringers for the practices with helpers, and each of us had plenty of supported ringing in our chosen methods, until an excellent lunch at a local pub.

More supported ringing in the afternoon, with progression with touches and some splicing for those who wanted to try this, and it was clear that all the participants were gaining confidence and making progress. A break for Tea and 4 and more ringing followed until 6.

I would highly recommend this course to others, and even though it is based some distance away the support and amount of ringing made the journey worthwhile.  The course was followed up with a request for feedback, and as a result of this Robert kindly organised a successful QP of Bristol for me recently.

My sincere thanks to Patricia and Robert for running this excellent day, and all of the helpers from far and wide who gave up their Saturday to help us all progress.

Chris Seers, Shipton under Wychwood

Shipton ringers and friends gathered on 22nd September to celebrate some significant birthdays. Joy Brooks was 80, and Jo Cook and Alison Minson in their 90’s on 24th all Long serving and valued members of Shipton ringers.

The method of choice, Grandsire Triples which is Jo’s favourite. After an early false start, off we went again, with another trip, did we have enough time to go again? So off we went with some decent ringing. After some time I glanced at the clock and noted 5.35 another 20 or so minutes to go, then later the clock again said 5.35, odd I thought I am sure we are nearly there, just keep going! That’s all called and the clock had stood still, it had been wound earlier in the day, giving the birthday celebrants an extra 20 minutes perhaps? We finished by enjoying tea with Joy’s delicious cake.

Congratulations also to Christine Stevens, her first quarter of Grandsire inside.   Bellboard