The New Bell Being Put in the Frame

Banbury Branch Newsletter

May 2012 Steeple Aston go ‘bigger and better’ for the Royal Jubilee

Steeple Aston ringers decided that the best way to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee was to replace their tenor bell with one with a nicer note. To this end the ringers have been fund raising and achieved their aim by December 2011. The old bell was removed on Wednesday 7th March, delivered to Whitechapel on Thursday 8th and the new bell collected. The old bell metal was recycled on Friday 9th into the new bells to be used in the Queen's river pageant in June. If one or two don't sound too good you will know where the metal came from! We brought our new bell home and parked it in the school play ground for an afternoon for each class to view it. It was then paraded round the village on. Saturday morning when a large number of people came to see it, The Rector christened it on Sunday morning in church before it was hung in the tower. It was then rung for evensong for the first time on the same day. We are all very pleased with the sound of the bell and hope Branch members will come and enjoy it soon. The bell is a very fine casting and the Royal Coat of Arms has come out remarkably well. The Steeple Aston ringers would like to thank all those who helped and supported us. Graham Clifton

The new bell being put in the frame. Adderbury in the summer last year, didn’t know her own Since December of last year we have welcomed a strength and the stay on the second new ringer, Trevor Hubbard, who is just surrendered. What an introduction for Hayley completing his training. Tim and Gill are now and Lauren as the rope leapt around at guide useful members of the tower and Gill is moving on height! Undeterred, however, the two would to Plain Hunt. Jonathan has converted from being be ringers had a go at backstrokes later in a Devon Call Changes ringer and brushed up his the evening while Indya was presented with method ringing such that he now rings inside for the stay to take home. Two new stays on touches and Quarters of Plain Bob Major and (Lauren having found out for herself how to trebles for Surprise methods. We’re very break one in style) we have been able to pleased that he joined us! continue practices and Sunday ringing. Hayley In this period we have benefitted from the has since decided that ringing is not for her change to a Tuesday practice night with most but Lauren continues to make good progress members present each practice. This had greatly and has already been out ‘tower grabbing’ improved our striking and general ringing ability. A note of warning if you are planning to come We have rung Quarter Peals of Yorkshire to Banbury our resident low flying ladybirds Surprise Major at Winslow and Adderbury and are becoming a bit of a health and safety also Plain Bob Major at Wicken and Adderbury. issue trying to get in on the act and becoming The latter was to start up the Day of Dance at overly friendly. They can be spotted almost Adderbury and also to celebrate the birthday of everywhere in the ringing chamber – so

one of our lady ringers. beware. Jean Davis Our highlight was a weekend trip to the Chester area in mid April, brilliantly organised by Zoe Bloxham Lee. We rang at 7 towers where the length of Unfortunately we have lost Geoff Ellacott, rope and lightness of some of the bells tested who has developed a hernia, and his doctor our skills. We had definitely improved by the has banned him from bellringing. Since we had Sunday when we rang at Chester Cathedral a Friday concert, and there is going to be a managing Plain Hunt on their twelve bells as well Friday Surprise practice and I am going to as Call Changes and culminating in joining some France for a fortnight, I have suspended local ringers to ring a course of Titanic Cinques practices at Bloxham temporarily until I get to mark the hundredth anniversary of that back. tragedy. Recently we rang a quarter peal at Bloxham We are now entering the “silly season” where our for the BloxFest festival, after which I had a numbers will be depleted as people take holidays, "tower open" session for people to come and so do join us on Tuesday nights when we ring try their hand at ringing. Only four people minor and major methods of all sorts to suit the turned up, two of whom live in Bloxham, so I ringers present. Trevor Trivett am hoping to get two new recruits. Alan Griffin Banbury th Wednesday January 18 – Practice night and only Cropredy eight ringers there. We also had two visitors Cropredy has had a good year made Lauren and Hayley, who were interested in considerably nicer than previous ones by the learning to ring. We rang the bells up and started installation of a rope warmer. Dick Hughes with rounds and call changes. Indya who joined us built it following the design idea of Bob with the addition of a timer so we don't have to Pageant. The new bell was parked up in the run up the road to switch it on. school play ground when we returned and each Last Autumn at our annual meeting Andries class came out to view it and ask questions. On Bosland stepped down after 15 years as Tower Saturday morning the bell was paraded round Captain and Stuart Gross took over the reins. the village, a large number of villagers and the This naturally caused us to have a celebration press came and took photos. and to give presents. Sunday 11th March Mark our Rector christened Our young ringers group, "The Smoothies" the bell in the base of the tower. By 10.30am a practice regularly on Wednesday evenings using crowd had gathered as we started hoisting it the simulator. To our great delight Annabelle up the tower. By 1pm everything was completely North and Thomas Bradshaw were elected to assembled in the belfry and the ladies had the Guild at the AGM in April. The Smoothies refitted the carpets and cleaned up all the ring for the Seeker Service for young people mess. We met back in the tower at 5.15 to ring which is held on the third Sunday of the month for Evensong and hear the bell for the first and one Smoothie comes to practice each time with the other bells. Monday. We had a great Christmas Party Everyone was surprised with how well the new complete with Wii Board. Brenda Day bell sounds and fits in with the old bells. We have also received many comments from Steeple Aston villagers saying how well the bell sounds; when I The last few months Steeple Aston ringers meet people in the street I often receive have been very busy. By Christmas we had favourable comments. This proved to be a very raised all the money required to purchase our worthwhile and satisfying project and we are all new tenor bell to commemorate the Queen’s very grateful for the support we received from Diamond Jubilee. This was mainly due to a large many people and organisations. grant from Viridor Credits who manage the It was good to be able to welcome the branch Landfill Grants from Ardley Quarry. Despite to Steeple Aston for the AGM and give this we still made our usual trip round the members the chance to ring the new bell. At parish playing Christmas Carols on handbells to the meeting Katerina one of our newest ringers raise funds for the tower. who started in June 2011 was elected to the On January 26th nine people travelled to Guild. On St George’s Day she rang her first Whitechapel to witness the new bell being cast quarter peal, the treble to Bob Doubles. along with a new treble for Alvechurch in I think things will be a little less hectic for Worcestershire. By early March our bell had while now but please come and join us when you been cast and was ready for collection. On can, you will be most welcome. Graham Clifton Wednesday evening of March 7th we gathered at 5pm in the tower to remove the old tenor. Carpets were removed from the ringing Did you know that every Tuesday and Thursday chamber while the heavy gang rigged up chain at 8.00 pm a curfew bell is rung for 2 minutes hoists upstairs and started undoing nuts and at Cropredy. bolts. By 7pm the bell was on the ground when Many years ago the vicar was returning from local farmer Tim Taylor turned up with his fork Wardington and lost his way in the dark. He lift to load the bell onto White’s truck. The was eventually guided home by the sound of the next morning Vicky & I set off early to London church bell. to take the old bell and collect the new one. Such was his relief that he provided a fund of The old bell was broken up that afternoon (I money for a curfew bell to be rung every was given the opportunity to wield the sledge evening. The ringers have tried to maintain this hammer) as the metal was going to be recycled although it is only rung on two nights today. the next day into some of the bells that will be If you tower continues to follow a tradition used on a barge as part of the Jubilee River (e.g. pancake bell) please let us know. People, Places, Happenings

People

A year in the life of a Branch Ringing Master What a great year I have had and how much I have learnt being in the role of Branch Ringing Master. It has been a busy year with all the branch practices taking place except for one surprise practice which was cancelled. This was due to my inexperience but the ringers that turned up got to ring at a nearby tower practice. Attendance has been generally very good for all practices. The Branch striking competition at Tadmarton in June was very enjoyable and well supported with 8 teams participating from 7 towers. Perhaps this can be repeated or even bettered this year. With so many entries the supper afterwards was rather late so an earlier ringing start may need to be considered in future. Well done to Banbury tower who came first and to all the teams that entered. In July on a lovely sunny day the branch outing was to Leicestershire/Northamptonshire towers and a visit to Foxton Locks. Everyone enjoyed a stroll around the site and a tasty ice cream after lunch. Thanks need to go to Graham & Jane Oliver who organised the day and the five towers. In November, Banbury Branch entered a team for the Guild 10 bell striking competition held at St Andrew’s Church, Shrivenham. I was lucky enough to be able to participate and enjoyed the whole (nerve racking) experience and listening to some very good quality ringing. At the time of writing this report, it is hoped to have a team for the Guild 8 bell striking competition in May. The Banbury Branch is also hosting the Guild 6 bell competition at Tadmarton in October. In December, Swalcliffe tower bells once again rang out after major repair works being carried out on the tower and monthly practices there have resumed. Sadly over the autumn, Hanwell practices have been suspended due to insufficient ringers. However the Branch is able to have practices there, which is much appreciated. Great Tew and Duns Tew towers have now combined their practice nights to help with having fewer ringers. Also in December there was the Carol Service, held at Steeple Aston. It was a shame more Branch members couldn’t have been there to enjoy the service with mulled wine and scrummy mince pies served afterwards by the Steeple Aston ringers. In February the Banbury Young Ringers group was set up by Verna Wass with the first practice being held at Hanwell. It was very heartening to see the young ringers from Cropredy, Banbury, Steeple Aston and Bloxham all come together to meet and ring with each other. There was good support from more experienced ringers who came along to assist. It is planned that these practices will run on alternate months to begin with. Also in February came the snow and sadly the planned social and quiz evening at Cropredy had to be cancelled at very short notice. Individual towers held their own tower social evening instead and fortunately the prepared food was used and distributed to avoid being wasted. The Guild Leap Year sponsored ringing was not as popular as the previous year’s Branch ‘firsts’ challenge week but three ringers rang in sponsored quarter peals raising valued money for the Guild Bell fund. In March, Steeple Aston church said goodbye to the tenor bell and welcomed in the new one. There was much interest generated in the village beforehand and Graham Clifton and his crew were very patient with all the onlookers excitedly photographing the removal and installation. None of the practices could take place without the continued efforts of other ringers and it would be great if more branch members could come along to increase this support further, in the future. I have seen how much hard work and effort goes on ‘behind the scenes’ by Guild and Branch officers to provide the organisation of and help with the ringing activities available to us all. Banbury Branch is lucky to have so many regular opportunities for our ringers to progress. Particular thanks need to go to Heather Hughes as Branch Secretary, who is the key to the communications and organisation of our activities and to the Social Committee for arranging the social gatherings. My personal thanks go to Heather Hughes, Barry Davis and Graham Clifton for their helpful guidance and most of all, a huge thanks to all of you who have supported the various activities and practices over the year without whom, it wouldn’t happen! Heather Bletchly

Snow fails to stop socialising Due to a sudden snow fall on the late afternoon and evening of February 4th the Branch Social Evening was cancelled at the last minute. Ringers from Steeple Aston, Adderbury and Cropredy, not wanting to waste the salads and sweets they had prepared, met together for their own social evening. Others braved the elements to help Helen Raine celebrate a significant birthday at Warriner School

First ‘Young Ringers Practice’ at Hanwell - 25th February Nine young people came to this from Banbury, Bloxham, Cropredy and Steeple Aston. A succession of rounds, call changes and plain bob doubles was rung – the learners being supported by adult helpers. The morning culminated in rounds being rung by an all young band. A programme of future sessions has been arranged.

Places

Steeple Aston visit to Whitechapel Foundry On Thursday, 26th January Steeple Aston’s Jubilee bell was cast at Whitechapel Bell Foundry, London, and a group of bellringers went to witness this notable event. We arrived by 11am for the casting at 11.15. It had taken three weeks to build up the mould, a core of curved bricks and a metal cope between which the metal would be poured. The bell would be cushioned by layers of loam between it and the mould, the loam being made up of sand, manure, straw and goats’ hair. Into the surface of this was set our chosen inscription and the Royal Coat of Arms which the Queen had given her permission for us to use. The loam was then left to harden, as was the similar building material of yore. By the time we arrived, the bell mould was clamped to a base plate and the furnace was roaring. As the molten bell metal (77% copper, 23% tin) was poured into a vat, one man was scraping off any impurities and charcoal, towards himself, an unenviable job I thought! It then took several men to move the gantry and suspended vat into position. A second smaller bell was being cast at the same time for another tower and this was done first as it would cool more quickly. The hole to pour the metal into it was in the centre of the bell and it was difficult to reach. Some metal missed its mark and flew off in showers providing a dramatic display causing nearby boots to smoulder, much to the irritation of our guide. These sparks turned into ball bearings on the floor and a substantial layer of dust is left on the floor for health and safety reasons! Then the mould was full and the gantry was on the move again to lie over the Steeple Aston mould. The hole being to one side of ours, the molten metal poured in beautifully. Then the gantry was gliding back to the other bell for a top up, and back to ours. Sand was put over the flaming apertures and then a metal lid. All this was achieved in virtual silence, each member knowing his task. But as the word “ingots” was shouted we visitors beat a hasty retreat while the remaining metal was poured into ingots ready to be used for a future casting. On our return we were able to go right up to our bell in its mould as the heat from it wasn’t yet excessive. It will remain there for four days, and then take a week to cool. The content of the loam was explained. The goats’ hair and straw would burn out, leaving channels for the gases to escape through to the vents in the outer mould. The bell will then be inverted for tuning which takes a couple of days. The walls of the bell are cast thicker than needed, so when the tuning takes place slithers of metal are trimmed from the inside. Apart from the basic note, four higher harmonics are tuned in. This is achieved electronically using a strobe tuner which can detect notes to a fifth of a semitone. Only tiny fragments are shaved off at a time as they cannot be replaced! But not only this, it will be tuned to match in with our existing bells so they will not sound too dull in comparison! After this the surface of the bell will be touched up and we will receive it at the end of March. It all suddenly seems quite a bargain! We were then taken to other parts of the foundry where they were making handbells etc. We saw the St Dunstan, Fleet Street, bells which have been cast for the Jubilee and will be rung as the Queen passes by. We also saw a bell which had been bought in as scrap with a calculated date of 1320. The birth of our Steeple Aston Jubilee bell is likely to be the start of a very long life. The art of bell founding has changed little over the centuries in all parts of the world. The alloy is the same, it is the shape of the bell which determines the preferred sound. Before it was possible to transport such a heavy load, the founders went to the site, dug a pit for the mould and often built the tower around the bell so that all they needed to do was heave the bell up. To tune the bell they simply chipped away at the lip and as the human ear can only decipher a half of a semitone it was quite acceptable. Diane Gardner

Banbury Carillon goes to Gillett & Johnson The Carillion that plays every three hours at 9.00 am, midday, 3.00 pm and 6.00 pm was removed on Monday and Tuesday March 19th and 20th to Gillett and Johnson's workshop for refurbishment. The workings will be given a thorough overhaul and the barrels will have their pins tightened. A new fourth barrel will be made and people have been asked to vote for their 7 favourite tunes from a list of 14. They must choose 5 songs and 2 hymns. The barrel will play songs on Monday to Thursday and Saturday whilst Friday and Sunday will be hymns.

Undoing the hammer wires from the machine The front piece of the carillon frame is lowered into the ringing chamber.

Left - three boards are removed from the ringing chamber floor to allow the pieces to be lowered to the ground floor.

The Carillon will be reinstalled in time for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and its overhaul is part of the town's celebrations for this event. The machine was made in 1897 by Gillett and Johnson at their Croydon works for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. The tunes that were selected for the new barrel are as follows:- Morning Has Broken, Ride A Cock Horse to Banbury Cross, Amazing Grace, God Save The Queen, Be Still, for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One, is here, Lord Jesus Christ, you have come to us, Brother, Sister, let me serve You.

Happenings

What a busy Branch we’ve been since the last newsletter

Advent Carol Service On Saturday 10th December the Advent Carol Service was held at Steeple Aston. About 40 people attended on a chilly evening but mulled wine and mince pies sent us home warm. It was a lively service in which Verna and Steve Wass introduced us to an unusual rendering of ‘I saw three ships’. The readings were shared by representatives from several towers although our Branch Secretary found the lectern somewhat vertically challenging. The rector Dr. Mark Clavier gave a short, succinct address and handbell ringing opened and closed the service.

Boxing Day at Deddington Twenty five people turned out to celebrate the Feast of Stephen and ring off the excesses of Christmas day. Ringing was from 10.30 until 12.00 midday and ranged from Plain Bob Doubles to Eight Spliced Surprise Major. It was an enjoyable morning with everyone catching up on news afterwards at the Deddington Arms.

February - Guild Bell Fund sponsored ¼ peal month This year it was decided not to have a Firsts Week but to encourage as many towers or individuals as possible to ring sponsored quarters for the Guild Bell Fund. The up take was disappointing with the general consensus being that this was partly due to the rather general nature of the sponsor request. Had it been targeted at something more specific than just to raise more money for the funds then the feeling was that more people would have felt happier asking for sponsorship. However, quarters were rung at Banbury and Steeple Aston and these raised just over £200. Congratulations go to Helen Wilde who rang her first quarter of Grandsire Doubles in the sponsored quarter at Banbury and to Heather Bletchly who rang her first quarter of Cambridge Surprise Minor at Steeple Aston. Dick Hughes of Cropredy is also to be congratulated on ringing his first quarter, inside to Plain Bob Doubles, at Tadmarton. This quarter also celebrated his 75th birthday while the Banbury quarter was a 15th birthday compliment to Steven Jenkins.

Branch Dinner March 10th This was a relaxed informal evening although everyone dressed up for the occasion. The New Inn at Wroxton Heath was a good choice of venue, the food was plentiful and tasty and the service was excellent. 35 people attended. The raffle, held over from the cancelled social, was duly drawn with Heather and Dave in winning form! Thanks were given to Lindsey and the social committee who had got it right again.

Guild 8 Bell Striking Competition The Banbury team was Heather Bletchly, Alan Griffin, Robin Green, Malcolm Hensher, Keith Abbott, Chris Holmes, Charlotte Holmes and Colin Lee. They came a creditable 5th with 52 faults. According to Alan the judge said there were some clips in the rounds, the first course was good but it slowed down and became more ragged in the second course.

Has your tower got a set of belfry rules from the 19th century you would like to share with us? Items from the Annual General Meeting held at Steeple Aston on April 21st

 About 30 people attended (we have a membership of 150).  The officers were all re-elected but Barry Davis is now Ringing Master with Heather Bletchly as Deputy.  The Treasurer’s report showed a healthy balance in the funds.  A new venue is being sought for the Tower reps meetings.  The Half Yearly Meeting will take place at Mollington on October 20th  The Striking Competition will be held at Bodicote on June 16th and will have two sections (method ringing and call changes). A second cup is to be purchased.  The Outing will be on July 14th to the Kings Norton area.  Rather than run courses it was decided to provide extra practice sessions to suit individual needs.  Advent Carol Service 8th December, Wardington.  Guild 6 Bell Striking Competition 6th of October. We shall need Stewards at the towers and catering at Tadmarton.  Alan Rampley will run a first aid course at Cropredy September 1st.  A Branch peal attempt will be made at Banbury for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.  Olympic Ringing – to be arranged by towers to suit themselves.

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]

Don’t forget the website. If you want your own copy of this newsletter then download from -www.banbury-bells.org.uk