Welcome to the web site
of the Chipping Norton Branch

On 8th June 2025, two new Peal Boards were dedicated during a morning service lead by the Rev. Janet Faull. They were shown in turn to the assembled congregation, followed by a brief explanation of what they were, which was given by Jonathan Muller.

As can be seen, the boards represented peals rung to celebrate the following occasions

Silver on Black – For The Platinum Jubilee of HM Queen Elizabeth II – 2 June 2022

Gold on Black – For the Coronation of HM King Charles III – 8 May 2023

Notice of this special dedication service had been given several weeks earlier at another service and it became apparent to me, that after the announcement, 99% of the parishioners had no idea what a peal board was. Well they do hang in ringing chambers the whole of their lives with only ringers to marvel at them so it’s not surprising. So I asked our tower captain Sally if I could take photos of the other 11 existing boards hanging in our tower, to which she agreed.

I had a little difficulty in reproducing the end results that you see here and had to borrowed the skills of someone much more adept at straightening, turning & correcting but the printed results were a lovely photographic display of bellringing social history of Hook Norton between 1899 and 2018.

The new boards will eventually be hung in the ringing chamber, out of sight from the public along with the others, but at least now, the congregation have a better  understanding of what they represent to the ringing fraternity. The photo display board has become a permanent feature in the North Aisle of St. Peter’s church.

Geoffrey Stretton – C/N Branch Treasurer

Ringing took place at nine of our towers with many ringers performing at several of them. Our secretary has collated the ringing into a report here.

A quarter peal was rung to celebrate Daniel’s recent success. Bellboard