Author: Gary

Hanslope represented the North Bucks branch at the ODG 6-bell striking competition hosted by the Old North Bucks Branch.

Hanslope were second to Drayton St Leonard in the heats held at Cholsey (a fine ring of eight) and progressed through to the final at Aston Tirrold.  This ring of six were challenging for all the competing bands, with the treble in particular being very odd-struck.  Hanslope came in a very respectable 5th with Roy Keeves’s early command of the treble getting a special mention from the judge.  The full results of the final were:

1 High Wycombe – 14 faults
2 Thatcham – 15 faults
3 Wokingham – 19 faults
3 Drayton St Leonard – 19 faults
5 Hanslope – 21 faults
6 Caversham – 60 faults

The next ODG striking competion is the 10-bell, which will be held at Long Crendon on 22nd November.

I have accumulated a few more items to pass on. Please cascade this down through towers to ringers as appropriate.

Young Ringers’ Practices
We are in the process of setting up monthly practices for young ringers in the Guild, so that they can get used to ringing together ahead of the Ringing World National Youth Contest, which takes place each summer. The current plan is to have a practice on the 4th Sunday of the month, at different locations around the Guild. The focus will be on triples and major. Young ringers from last year have been joined by some new faces, and we now have just over 20 although not all of them can come every time.

Message to Branch Officers and Tower Captains – please let me know, either now or over time, of any young ringers who can ring triples (depending on numbers, we may be able to include some who are presently plain hunting on 7) and who are able to commit to this with all the other things that young people do (not least school work!).

Farewell to Bishop John
I have received details of a good number of quarters and peals that were rung for the Bishop in and around the weekend of his farewell, and I have compiled a list for him. I know that some of you are planning to ring between now and the end of October, which is his official retirement date. Please do send me details of what you have rung, and I will send a final list of the ringing to him at the start of November.

Publicity
After several years with no Public Relations Officer, we were delighted to appoint Verna Wass to the position at the AGM in May.
Verna is keen to identify stories of interest and is willing to offer support to branches or towers who wish to draft press releases or other material. She will be putting more details in the next issue of
OddBob and on the Guild website but in the meantime her contact details are pro@odg.org.uk.

Your branch
I have visited more than half of the branches now and plan to visit some more in the near future. I do enjoy going out to other towers and joining in with your ringing. Do let me know of anything special that is happening in your tower.

With best wishes,
Hilarie

Welcome to this first communication from me! I plan to be in touch in this way when there are items to pass on to branches. Please cascade this down through towers to ringers as appropriate.

First World War Commemoration
I know that many of you are participating in events in your local communities, by ringing the bells either half-muffled or open, on 3rd and 4th August. This commemoration is one of those occasions when bells are wanted and have an important role to play. The minister at one of the churches where I ring said: “The thing about the bells is that they are heard throughout the village, and would hopefully bring to everyone’s awareness the significance of the occasion, more than a service in Church.” Do be aware of other events over the next four years and offer your ringing services to your communities.

Farewell to Bishop John
As most of you will know, Bishop John leaves the Diocese in the autumn. He is Patron of the ODG and I will be writing to him with the best wishes of the Guild for his retirement. The Diocese is holding a “Grand Day Out” in Oxford on Saturday 20th September, and I am arranging a quarter peal at St Thomas’, Oxford, that day as a farewell complement to the bishop. The Deputy Master is arranging a peal at Olney and I guess that other ringing is being arranged around the Guild.
Do think about ringing a quarter sometime around the time of the Bishop’s departure. Please let me know (either before or after the event) and I will send the details to the Bishop AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER.

Your Branch
I as Master would very much like to visit all branches and am happy to receive notices of special events or practices. My email address is at the bottom.
May I also remind branch officers to invite principal Guild Officers and the Steward for your branch, to your meetings. Their details can be found on the Guild website www.odg.org.uk.
With best wishes,
Hilarie

Many of you will know that a new Archdeaconry of Dorchester was created in May of this year, from parts of the Archdeaconry of Oxford and Berkshire. This corresponds closely with the county of Oxfordshire but excludes a chunk of Oxford itself.

The Venerable Judy French, formerly Vicar of Charlbury, was installed as Archdeacon a fortnight ago and I am delighted to tell you that she has responded positively to my invitation to her to be a Vice President of the Guild.”

Hilarie Rogers