Bells, Boats and Beam Engines

December 2007

Bellringing is essentially a group activity. On Sundays we meet to fulfil our Church duties. On Practice nights we gather to improve our skills. On other occasions we get together to socialise. In recent years we have enjoyed Branch Outings with a difference – new towers and an extra dimension to tempt us along.

We have been on the London Eye in the fog (incredible engineering – shame about the view!). We kept fit on the Severn Valley Railway (stopping off at various stations to walk to the towers). The Watercress Line was somewhat less energetic but none the less memorable (ring, ride, ring with a thunderstorm backdrop) At Loughborough we learned how the bells we ring are made and what earlier examples looked like.

This year we travelled to the Wiltshire/Berkshire borders in the area of the Kennet and Avon Canal. The outing took place on Saturday July 28th, a warm sunny day but with rain on the way home. The locals welcomed the sound of their bells at Great Bedwyn (26cwt 6). By contrast Wootton Rivers (3cwt 6) was almost a mini ring! Shalbourne (12cwt 6) was hard to find; Kintbury (12cwt 8) was a veritable portrait gallery (of tower outings). Hungerford (12cwt 8) had lovely bells and an immaculate ringing chamber.

The middle of the day was spent at Crofton, home of two steam operated beam engines situated by the canal. We were able to see them in action, admire the view, watch the boats navigate the lock and eat lunch worthy of the good food guide. So where to next year?! Around Towers the

Adderbury Having achieved ringing rounds and call changes "Summer ringing has been uneventful at our learner Laura did a vanishing act and we Adderbury with the normal overlap of holidays have lost Eloise to illness again. etc meaning that some Sundays we have been However we were able to ring to welcome the unable to ring. new Bishop of Oxford. With new lengths and However, to give us fresh impetus for the various re-arrangements of ropes we seem to winter we have set our goal as ringing Double have overcome the problem of ‘stretchy tops’ Court and Cambridge by the end of the year. so do come and join us on a Wednesday Our learners have progressed well and are in practice. Jean Davis various stages of the trials of Bob Doubles. We were joined by three of our ringers from yesteryear (i.e. the sixties) for Remembrance Bloxham Service ringing for the afternoon service and We have at last got some new learners, and our quality dramatically improved. Please do practices have restarted on Friday evenings. visit again! The learners can all now handle a bell to rounds Our Autumn Tower Dinner is due late and are making good progress, including one November, a good turnout is forecast for that who is 83 years old! event with nearly a full band on the following I have a handling practice on tied bells and the day. We host the Branch Carol Service on 1st simulator for an hour before the practice each December and are looking forward to the week, which seems very popular. The Cropredy occasion; the mince pies are being prepared as learners visit every week, and they too are you read this!" Donald Higham making progress with plain hunting. What we are short of at the practices is experienced ringers, so if you are free on a Friday evening Banbury you will be extremely welcome if you can come The Sunday band has managed to ring for most and help. Alan Griffin services during the summer by staggering their holidays. On several occasions the clock and carillon have attempted to sabotage the ringing Great Tew but we now have them under control! On Sunday 26 August 2007, the parishes of In June we rang for the Confirmation Service. Great Tew, Little Tew and Over and Nether In July we joined in the celebration of 25 years Worton were stunned to learn of the sudden of twinning with the town of Ermont. The death of their vicar, the Revd Prof Abbott French visitors came up to watch a Conway. Abbott was much loved in the villages demonstration of ringing and went away and was a great support to many, particularly to somewhat bemused. Sue when she was preparing for her ordination, There have been more visiting bands and an and was a regular and valued member of the Oxford Guild team rang a peal in early bellringing team. He will be greatly missed. November. We rang for three weddings and our One way or another, the band at Great Tew has congratulations go to Catherine Spink who was become depleted of late. Joan moved to rd married on November 3 . Cumbria earlier in the year, Sarah is back at university, Mollington Heather has been and will continue to be out of Ringing at Mollington is progressing well and action for several months (although we are pleased we try to have a practice at least once a to report that she is recovering well) and Sue, month. If we can’t all get together, Bob, after her ordination, has deserted St Michael’s on Ann and Julie go to Tadmarton where they Sundays to take on her duties as curate at St are made most welcome. Leonard’s, Banbury (a one-bell tower!). This means We also have a new recruit Jenny, who that Sunday ringing is generally suspended apart decided it was a case of “ if you can’t beat from the first Sunday of each month when we are them join them”, so we are having tied grateful to ringers from Duns Tew and elsewhere practices as well. This gives Julie the who help out. chance to get to grips with ringing up and down. Our new ropes duly arrived and we have been using them now for over six months. They are still rather stiff but if we have the heater on for a while they do get better. Any other suggestions on a postcard please! In June we took part in the striking competition and was very proud not to come last. I think this was only the second time we have had an all Mollington Band. On other occasions we have had to borrow ringers. This was good experience for us. Sue and her family after the ordination service As you all know Julie is very keen so she went on the Steeple Aston Course .The We aim to ring 8 bells as often as possible on the evening before she was a bag of nerves and first Sunday and we try to get a band to go to we thought she might chicken out, but no, Sandford after Great Tew to ring for morning she turned up and had an enjoyable day’s service there. We also try to ring for evensong at embark upon initial surprise methods. His untimely deathringing. was Howevera shock toshe us came all. homeJoan veryWarren's tired Sandford on the second Sunday of each month. departure to the north-west too has left a hole in TuesdayWe evenings, have had as several has, temporarily visiting bandswe hope, this Practices continue on Monday evenings but, if Heather Hughes' incapacitation. We much look forwardsummer, to her return including to good one fromhealth Warwickshire and active anyone is away, we often have to cancel. However, ringing. Our thanks to David and Jen Field from Deddingtonwho very and kindly to Claire broke Tarrant the tenor for frequentstay. This we have recently gained new ringers – Alan from Tuesday support and in particular to Mick Journeaux frommeant Kidlington more work whose for Bob. regular support on Middle Barton, who was elected a member of the Sundays as well as Tuesdays is so much appreciated. Handbell ringing has also started again with Guild in October, and Martin, recently moved to In June Rosemary Lane and daughters revisited Steeplethe Astonringing whilst of carols on holiday getting in. everyone Rosemary into Sandford from Burford – so we manage to keep capably resumed some plain hunting where she had left theoff Christmassome years spirit. previously. It was good to going (even in the winter months, when the church see them again. Finally congratulations to Ann and Ben who is a little cold). We are pleased to welcome visitors We now have a curate attached to the benefice, Rev.have Sarah just Parkinson, celebrated wife their of Ruby the Wedding.rector of A to our practice but, if anyone is contemplating Yarnton. It emerged that she is a lapsed ringer of bygoneQuarter days sopeal Graham is going succeeded to be rung in ininveigling the very joining us, please ring Sue on 01608 683255 to her back to a rope. After a few minutes' hesitant practicenear she future was soon as Ann ringing wants creditable to ring rounds,an inside check whether we are ringing. The bells are also followed by even more creditable plain hunting. So, a spacebell. to be watched. Diana Reeves available for quarter peals (if you can stand the Quarter peals were rung for Rev. Sarah Parkinson's ordination, in commemoration of Rev. Abbott temperature!). Sue Burchell Conway and for a service held here to celebrate marriage in the community, a service of renewal of marriage vows. Several weddings were rung for including Diana Gardner's daughter Samantha, a former ringer herself. Steeple Aston Steeple The Steeple Aston Astoncontinues course to wasbe anwell active attended. ringing The tower Cliftons though have theasked number that, after of village six years, ringers some has diminishedother volunteers somewhat. take Of over the the Tuesday organisation night of visitors the meal we afterwards sadly miss in Rev. the villageAbbott hall. Conway's regular appearances. In June Steeple His strength Aston in plain hosted methods the striking and Stedman competition had been and apparent subsequent and he meal. was ready With to great embarrassment and modesty we admit to winning the cup again. Malcolm Hensher Queen’s Diamond Wedding

Towers in the Branch celebrated the Queen and Prince Philip's Diamond Wedding with quarter peals at Banbury, Bodicote, Mollington and Steeple Aston. The bells were also rung at Shenington, Wroxton and Wardington. See website for quarter peal details

Opinions please Does the newsletter need changing? We know that not everyone looks at the website so some items are necessarily repeated in the newsletter. Do we need to include the information board as most of it goes out on the monthly sheet? Do we need a puzzle page – does anyone do the puzzles? If we are going to record quarter peals we need details from you. Some towers are very quiet – we never hear from you – all the ringing in the Branch matters so let us know you’re still out there! Abbott Conway

Our Branch Chairman Abbott Conway died suddenly on August 26th. He brought to the branch a rich sense of humour and wisdom. His memorial service on September 8th was attended by hundreds of people including many ringers. Graham Clifton gave a tribute to Abbott some of which is reproduced here.

It was in 1976 that Abbott came to England on sabbatical and wanting to be near Oxford he just happened to arrive at Little Tew, and rented the flat at Grove House next door to the Little Tew Post Office. I was working at Fitt’s in Little Tew at that time and we would often meet when I collected the papers from the Post Office. I must say there were a few rumours went a round that a Professor had moved in to the village. I think people did not know what to make of this, would he be some sort of eccentric or a mad professor carrying out strange experiments? As it turned out we did not have to worry he was just an ordinary chap like the rest of us. We got to know each other and soon after meeting he took up the challenge to learn to ring church bells at Great Tew. He was the first person I taught to handle a bell. Within a year he was elected a member of The Oxford Diocesan Guild of Church bellringers. He must have realized he was going to stick at ringing because instead of paying an annual subscription he decided to pay a one off life subscription. He also rang his first quarter peal within a year. I was very sad when Abbott was about to return to Canada after his sabbatical, as we had become very good friends. I need not have worried as he was to return many times. He also brought Margaret and family over and we had the joy of getting to know them. Catherine started bellringing while they were at Upper Heyford. Shortly before they were due to leave for Canada again Sarah had just about grown tall enough so standing on a large box she had her first lesson. So the Conway family continued to travel between England and Canada until Abbott got the job he most wanted, to be Vicar of the Tews. In 35 years of knowing Abbott I never heard him lose his temper or raise his voice, he was always a good friend and good company to be with. He was always there if you needed him. Ringing gave Abbott a great deal of pleasure and enjoyment. He joined the Cherwell Crinklies, rang two peals and many quarters. I am not sure if there are bells in heaven but if there are I bet Abbott is still struggling with his Stedman Triples. The following quarters and peals were rung in memory of Abbott:

Steeple Aston, 28 Aug, 1260 Grandsire Triples: 46mins: Lawrence White 1, Heather Hughes 2, Dorothy Clifton 3, Diana Gardner 4, Malcolm Hensher 5, Mick Journeaux 6, Graham J Clifton (C) 7, Nick Powell 8. Remembering Abbott Conway who regularly practiced with us on Tuesday nights, who died Sunday 26th August.

Great Tew, 7th Sept., 1260 Grandsire Doubles 7-6-8 cover: 47 mins: Heather Hughes 1, Sarah Conway 2, Sue Burchell (C) 3, Joe Burchell 4, Alan Burtonwood 5, Sonia Norgrove 6, Roger Stranks 7, Catherine Conway 8. 60th quarter 1. Rung in thanksgiving for the life of Abbott Conway, Vicar of Great Tew 2002 - 07

Tadmarton, 19th. Sept. 1260 Doubles ( 120 St.Simons, 120 St.Martins, 480 Plain Bob, and 540 Grandsire): 40mins: Ann Cubitt 1, John Temple 2, Chris Cox 3, Alan Griffin 4, Robert Reeves (C) 5, Barrie Salter 6, In memory of Abbott Conway, Branch Chairman who died August 26th. Lindsey Smith would like to be associated with this quarter.

Great Tew, 30th Sept. 1260 Stedman Triples: 45 mins: Mick Journeaux 1, Joan Warren 2, Jane Broadbent 3, Malcolm Hensher 4, Robert Reeves 5, Alan Griffin 6, Graham Clifton (C) 7, Catherine Conway 8. Remembering Abbott Conway. Also to celebrate the ordination of Sue Burchell as Deacon at Oxford Cathedral today,

Oxford Diocesan Guild Great Tew, Oxon S. Michael and All Angels Saturday, 20 October 2007 in 3h (22) 5040 Grandsire Triples Composed by: J J Parker 1 Malcolm Journeaux 5 Robert A Reeves 2 Sarah Conway 6 Graham J Clifton 3 Claire E Tarrant 7 Alan J Griffin 4 E Susan Burchell 8 Roger Stranks Conducted by Graham J Clifton

1st inside 2. In thanksgiving for the life and friendship of Revd. Prof. Abbott Conway, Vicar of Great Tew and Chairman of the Banbury Branch, ODG. and father of 2nd ringer. Also to celebrate the ordination of Sue Burchell tower captain of Great Tew. Barry Davis and Joan Warren would like to be associated with this peal.

Graham’s full tribute can be read by going to the newspage on the branch website at banbury- bells.org.uk

Abbott's memorial service can be heard at the following link http://www.tewcentre.org.uk/conway/ People and Places

Joan leaves for Cumbria Congratulations to Heather

Farewells were said to Joan Warren At the risk of embarrassing our secretary recently as she left the area for Heather Hughes. Can I congratulate her on Cumbria. For the last few years Joan behalf of the branch for completing her 'Race has been Branch Secretary until she for Life' event' at Heythrop on Sunday June retired from the post in April. During 24th. She managed to run and walk the course. her period in office she has been If you're interested in seeing how her day went instrumental in taking the branch and how the fund raising is going look at her forward in many ways and we shall webpage at www.raceforlifesponsorme.org. miss her commitment and enthusiasm. She has left the Branch to live in the As you are probably aware Heather has recently Lake District where, with her sister, spent some time in hospital. I am glad to say she she will be running their holiday is out and is making excellent progress. I am sure cottage business. We wish her you all join me in wishing Heather a speedy happiness in the future and hope that recovery. once in a while she might visit her friends here in North Oxfordshire. A farewell quarter peal was rung at Great Tew Cook(s) needed 15 July, 1260 Stedman Triples: 46 min: for the Joan Warren 1, Sarah Conway 2, Mick Steeple Aston Course Journeaux 3, Lorna Smale 4, Sue Burchell 5, Alan J Griffin 6, Graham J Dorothy and Vicky Clifton have cooked the Clifton (c) 7, Robert A Reeves 8. evening meal since the course began and have 150th together 6 & 7. With best decided that it is now time to hang up their wishes to Joan Warren on her move to aprons. Cumbria. They have resigned and the course organisers are looking for a replacement cook. What is required? Coffee/tea and biscuits at the start of the day - about 9.30am and then a hot meal for about 50 at night. Steeple Aston village hall is well equipped for catering for this number. The cook gets to choose the menu and set the price and the participants are always very grateful. The photo shows the quarter peal band. So come on all you cooks out there give Graham a ring.

St. John's Roman Catholic Church, Banbury

Recently I was asked how the three bells at St. John's Banbury were hung. I had thought they were hung for chiming only but after some debate about this I decided to have a look. After gaining permission to look at the bells, which have a very restricted access due to Health and Safety concerns, I met Richard the clock winder and he took me up the tower. There are in fact four bells. One is hung for chiming whilst the other three are hanging in a line. Originally they had wheels but no stays or sliders. Today two bells retain their wheels: a third has about half of its original wheel left. Looking at the small size of the bells they would have been difficult to ring without going over the balance and I suspect were hung with wheels so they could be swung half way up. When the clock was put in hammers were installed so they could be used as clock bells. The ropes have long since gone and now pipes and the clock mechanism block what was presumably the ringing chamber. These bells have been unringable for a very long time.

The bells details are as follows:

Treble Cast 1860 by Taylor’s of Loughborough Weight 3qrs 7lbs

Second Cast 1862 by Taylor’s of Loughborough Weight 3qrs 20lbs

Tenor Cast 1861 by Taylor’s of Loughborough Weight 1cwt 2qrs 8lbs

They are not tuned to each other and would be the treble, third and fourth of a ring of six.

. Puzzle Page

Answers to Branch brain teaser 1. Adderbury, 2. Bloxham and Adderbury, 3. Sandford St Martin (it has a sloping floor), 4. Bloxham, 5. Horley, 6. Banbury, 7. North Aston, 8. Cropredy, 9. Mollington, 10. Winners Steeple Aston, 11. Sadly Great Tew have lost Abbott Conway, 12. Mollington, 13. Chipping Norton, Witney and Woodstock, Bicester, 14. Banbury, 15. Deddington, 16. Duns Tew, 17. Duns Tew, 18. Length, Strength, Beauty, 19. Kings Sutton, 20. Banbury – Fine Lady statue by the Cross.

Word Play 4 Use bellringing terms to complete these well known phrases and sayings

Too ---- to catch cold

Live from hand to -----

Let sleeping dogs----

A stiff upper ---

--- of sight , --- of mind

--- a thief to catch a thief

---- on one’s luck

----- the mainbrace

---- the course

Go like the ------* * Practice Night Numbers

9 Towers held practice nights Use the clues to find how many bells were rung at each practice.

Tower A Army Rank rang bells Tower B Game with a partner in tennis rang bells Tower C Musical note plus we 2 rang bells Tower D Gets 3x as much rang bells Tower E Goes to the bottom in water rang bells Tower F Regal rang bells Tower G Underage rang bells Tower H Prepares and serves food rang bells Tower I Principle and America briefly rang bells Striking the Right Note

Steeple Aston take the cup

This year’s Striking Competition was held at Steeple Aston on Friday June 15th. The six teams from the Branch that took part were judged by the Rev. Anthony Ellis, Rector of Kidlington. The winning team was Steeple Aston with 13 faults, followed closely by Great Tew on 17 faults. Third was Tadmarton, fourth Cropredy, fifth Mollington and sixth Bodicote. Around about seventy people gathered after the competition in the village hall for food and the results. The raffle raised just over £100 which was donated to Heather's 'Race for Life', This bought the current total she has raised to £3450.

Some of those who took part can be seen gathered in Steeple Aston village hall.

Cropredy bells

Earlier this year Cropredy bells were lowered from the tower to be refurbished, tuned and augmented. Whites of Appleton have undertaken the work with the Cropredy ringers assisting on site.

The Church took delivery of two new bells in June and a special service was held in celebration. One is the ‘Fairport Convention Festival Bell’ funded by the visitors to the annual music weekend. The other is inscribed ‘Cropredy Villagers gave me’ in recognition of the money raised by them towards the total cost of the project.

On July 11th the bells of Cropredy rang out over the village as the newly augmented ring of eight was tried out for the very first time. A prayer was said by the vicar before ringing commenced. There was a large gathering of village people and Cropredy ringers as well as Banbury Branch ringers and employees of Whites of Appleton. After ringing the bells everyone agreed that an excellent job had been done. The trebles blended in well with the original ring of six and the bells handled well. Bob Reeves had yet again made his mark with a set of rope guides that he had made and put in place.

 Change of Venue AGM April 19th at Banbury

 8 new members were elected at the half yearly meeting  Barry Davis will act as branch Chairman until the AGM in 2008. Sue Burchell has agreed to be put forward as Chairman from the AGM.  More experienced help is needed at ‘Beginners Practices’  A ringing up and down course at Wardington was proposed  Jon Chamberlain (Guild Master) suggested that members certificates be prepared for presentation on the day of election  The Branch will contribute to a board recording the peal rung in memoriam of Abbott Conway

Dates 2007 December 26th Branch Practice Deddington 10.30am – 12.00pm (Boxing Day)

2008 January 1st Branch Practice Banbury 10.30am – 12.00pm (New Years Day) January 31st Tower Reps Meeting Elephant and Castle Bloxham February 2nd Sponsored quarter peal day with social and supper March 8th Branch Dinner April 19th AGM Banbury Don’t forget the website. If you want your own copy of this newsletter then download from - www.banbury-bells.org.uk

The editors would like to thank all those who have contributed to this edition of the newsletter either with articles or photographs. If you would like to contribute to the next edition with a puzzle, picture, wordsearch, article etc. then please send your contributions to Barry and Jean Davis at 61 Springfield Avenue, Banbury, Oxon or alternatively e-mail [email protected]