Welcome
to the Banbury Branch
News Page for 2004
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Latest News
Golden Wedding Congratulations
On
November 25th a peal was rung at Great
Tew to commemorate the Golden Wedding of
Graham Clifton's parents Tony and
Jean. This was a real family
celebration as it also marked
the birth of Graham and Dorothy's
grandchild Harper Ruby Clifton who had travelled from
Australia with her parents for the
occasion. The
peal was followed by a Thanksgiving
Service in the church and a gathering
of family and friends at the vicarage.
Chris Cox became the 50th
person that Graham had called a first
peal for. He also celebrated his
50th peal with Bob Reeves as well as
marking the 30th Anniversary of his
first peal. (For
peal details and a photograph of the
band - see the peal page)
Branch Outing
On
November 20th Sue Burchell once again
arranged a magnificent coach outing. Approximately 24 ringers,
reinforced by the Jasper family, descended
on London. The first tower
was the lovely eight of St.Lawrence
Jewry opposite the Guildhall. This
was followed by Bow Bells at St.
Mary-le-Bow (12), an interesting tower
where the keys were sent in the post
from Worcester along with a long list
of instructions to be carried out.
After lunch St. Botolph's Aldgate (8)
were followed by St. James Islington
(6) and 
St. Mary's Islington (8). It
was an enjoyable day with good bells,
good ringing and good company. At no
extra expense a sight seeing tour was
thrown in as we travelled from Aldgate
to Islington (crossing the Thames twice!). Finally the day
finished with a meal at Bledlow.
Wedding Congratulations
Congratulations to Graham Reeves and Jenny Moore on their recent wedding (September 12th). After a reception at The Holt they left for a honeymoon on Mauritius.
In
August a Branch Stedman Doubles Course
was run. This was led by Graham
Clifton at Tadmarton and Swalcliffe
for 4 learners. It was a most
enjoyable and worthwhile day with
refreshments at the Lampet Arms at
lunchtime. Two weeks after the course
one of the learners, Sarah Conway,
rang a successful Stedman quarter
peal. Thanks to Graham for running the
course and to all the helpers
on such a hot and tiring day!
The following Saturday Martin Saunders
ran a Bob Doubles Course for 5
learners from Bodicote and 1 from Duns
Tew. The morning session was at
Bodicote with the helpers struggling
with "Nervous Breakdown" Bob
Doubles. This was followed by a picnic
in Martin and Veronica Warner's garden
followed by a very hot afternoon
session at Wigginton. Again, many
thanks to Martin and the helpers.
To anyone who missed out on these sessions there may be some places available on the Steeple Aston Course.
Sarah celebrates passing her 'A' levels
On 21 August, a Quarter Peal of Stedman Doubles was rung at Rousham, to congratulate Sarah Conway (who rang treble) on passing her A-levels. Sarah rang Stedman for the first time on 7 August at the course run by the Branch. Good teaching, or what! Sarah has been accepted by the University of Kent at Canterbury, and is waiting to hear from McGill. She is off to Canada in September for a few months. Members of the band from left to right are Josh Eldridge, John Lindsay, Abbott Conway, Sarah Conway, Graham Clifton and Joan Warren
100th Peal at Great Tew
On Saturday August the 14th the 100th peal was rung on the bells at Great Tew. This was at the second attempt, the first one having come to grief a few weeks earlier when a photographer broke the conductors concentration a few minutes before the end. For details of the peal and a photo of the band see the peals and quarters page. More details in the next newsletter.
Richard Stevens
Many local ringers will have known Richard Stevens who sadly died on Friday July 16th. Richard during his years in Oxfordshire was tower captain at Bicester and was instrumental in having the eight bells augmented to 10. When he first moved to Oxfordshire in the 1970s he often attended Adderbury practice and over the years rang peals and quarters with a number of the ringers in the Branch.
Bob and Diana Reeves celebrate 40 years of marriage
On
July 18th Bob and Diana Reeves
celebrated their Ruby
Wedding Anniversary with family and
friends. These included many of their
ringing friends. A peal was rung on Saturday July 17th
and a quarter peal on Monday July 20th
- for details and a photo of the peal
band see the Peals and
Quarters page. The celebrations were
organised
by Bob and Diana's children Graham,
Stuart and Maxine. After Bob had said
a few words the cake was cut and then
there was handbell ringing both
methods, tunes and lapping. Beside
photos of Bob, Diana and family taken over
the forty years there were also old ringing
photos to look at.
Branch outing to Cambridge
Members
of the Branch enjoyed
their outing to Cambridge on July 10.
We rang at six towers, two on the way
to Cambridge (SS 
Helena & Mary,
Bourn, and SS Mary & Michael,
Trumpington), three in Cambridge (St
Bene't, St Andrew the Great, and Great
St Mary, and one on the way home (St
Andrew, Orwell). We ended the day with
dinner at The Crown, Northill. It
was a memorable outing for at least
two reasons. One was ringing in the
tower where Fabian Stedman rang.
But
ringing around a pool table at Great
St Andrew has to be a first.
Abbott Conway
Banbury win Branch Striking Competition
Banbury
were this year's winners of a keenly fought
contest on Saturday June 27th.
A last minute change of venue meant
that the ringing was on the front six
at Great Tew. The competition was
judged by Mark Sayers and Chris Mew
from the Coventry Guild. After ringing the bands
and their guests
retired to the vicarage lawns for a
barbeque. After the results were
announced Chris and Mark handed the
cup to Barry Davis captain of the
winning team.
Bob's fifty years as a Guild member
Bob Reeves completed 50 years as a member of the Guild on April 24th 2004. He was presented with a certificate and a copy of the Branch minutes for the day he was elected. See the May newsletter for more details.
