The branch Coronation quarter-peal week ran from May 6 to May 14. Thirteen quarters were scored (out of a planned sixteen or so), from Padbury in the branch’s south-west corner to Emberton in the north. Ringing started straight after the coronation itself, and continued somewhere throughout the branch every day until the next weekend.
The full list can be accessed on Bellboard, via the diary entry for 6 May, called “Oxford Diocesan Guild – North Bucks Branch Coronation quarter-peal week”
Roy’s funeral will be on Wednesday 19 April at 11.30am in Crownhill Crematorium Oak Chapel. No black attire and family flowers only. Afterwards at The Club in Hanslope.
Donations are for Willen Hospice & RSPB via a link at H W Mason Funeral Directors
There is a live stream of the funeral available for 7 days – please contact caroline@cazb.me for the link and also to advise if you plan to attend the funeral.
The Branch striking competition was held at Padbury on the afternoon of Saturday September 4th . The church at Padbury is perhaps best known for its 13th century mural of a wolf rescuing the head of St Edmund from the Danes, but also houses an uncomplicated 10cwt ring of six ideal for a striking competition.
The mural of the wolf and St Edmund
Three bands entered, from Lillingstone Lovell, Padbury, and Shenley and Loughton
The Lillingstone Lovell band, who rang Grandsire Doubles The Padbury band, who rang Plain Bob Doubles The band from Shenley and Loughton, who rang St Martins Doubles
The judges were the father and daughter team of Elizabeth and Jonathan Pawley, from Leighton Buzzard.
The judges delivering their verdict
Shenley/Loughton accumulated 12 faults, and were declared the winners, followed by Padbury with 22 faults and Lillingstone Lovell with 25.
The impressive Colin Snack trophy was presented to John Brookman by Jessica and Leo, the grandchildren of the Padbury tower captain, Richard Stanworth
The presentation of the trophy
Thanks must go to the Padbury ringers for hosting the competition and providing a splendid tea, to the judges for doing a difficult and thankless task well, and to Barry Eglesfield for organising the day
The winners will go on to represent the branch at the Guild 6-bell competition in October, at Stoke Goldington
On September 2 nd Bishop Stephen, the Bishop of Oxford, started his pilgrimage to Milton Keynes. On that day he cycled between half a dozen or more churches in the north of Milton Keynes, blessing the church and its congregation, chalking his blessing on the lintel of the building, and praying with the local congregation.
He was welcomed to three churches on his route – Great Linford, Downs Barn and Bradwell – by a small group of ringers drawn from these towers, as well as Shenley, Woughton and Newport Pagnell.
The Bishop told the ringers that he was pleasantly surprised by the welcome, and said how he had heard the bells from far off as he cycled from Wolverton to Great Linford, guiding him toward the church.
As restrictions relating to Covid-19 are gradually released, opportunities to start ringing again will present themselves. In support of this, the only important advice we can offer is to do all you can to stay safe.
