Category: North Bucks News

St Mary’s Shenley Bells Update

The refit of the bells of St Mary’s Shenley by White’s of Appleton started promptly on Monday 27th January, the bellhangers ably assisted by John Brookman and Alan Marchbank, with support from Ted Fawcett, Becky Fawcett and Paul Randall, a member of the congregation.
    • Day 1 consisted of getting everything off the lorry and hoisted up into the bell chamber.
    • Day 2 was weighing the bells and getting all the fittings attached
    • Day 3, the clappers were fitted and trued up, adjustments made and the test ring was done at 4pm.
The bells ring beautifully as one would expect when it has been done by Whites. We can ring them without restrictions but Whites will return in about three weeks as a slight adjustment has to be done to the frame over the three to allow a slightly longer stay to be put in place.
Many thanks to John and Alan who worked incredibly hard and of course to Whites for their quiet professionalism,
Practices at Shenley are on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month. the first service ringing will be on 9th February at 9:30 with the blessing of the bells at the service on 16th February.

St Mary’s Shenley Bells Refurbishment Project

St Mary’s Shenley

St Mary’s Shenley

Monday 21st October 2024 was D Day for the bells of St Mary’s Shenley as it marked the beginning of the dismantling of the fixtures and fittings for refurbishment by Whites of Appleton. Preparation work in the ringing room began the day before but it was an early start on the 21st to expose the ringing room trap door, not seen for 116 years.When it was uncovered it was discovered that it was held in place by no less than 64 flathead screws so their were some very sore arms when the final screw was withdrawn.
The bellhanger James Haseldine and apprentice Jack organised the team of willing helpers in attacking all the components that needed to be unbolted and disassembled and by the end of day one all the wheels and one headstock had been lowered to the chancel floor.
The bolts in five of the headstocks were rusted on so day two began with these bolts being cut off and the remaining headstocks lowered to the floor.
When the refitting occurs, hopefully in the early spring, the bells will be on ball bearings as opposed to the old plain bearings so hopefully they will go like a dream and be good for another 100 years.
The reason this project began was, when we returned to ringing after Covid we suspected that not everything was as it should be with the bells. We arranged a free survey with Whites which highlighted a small number of problems but most significantly wear on the the 5th’s gudgeon. When this was properly exposed in the dismantling, James remarked there was a lot of wear on this component and it didn’t have much more life in it. If it had been left there may have been a catastrophic failure in the not too distant future, which doesn’t bear thinking about.
Many thanks to James and Jack from Whites for their professionalism and patience. Also a big thankyou to the the team of helpers who worked in some very cramped and dirty conditions to get the job done so efficiently, John Brookman, Simon Head, Ted Fawcett, Becky Fawcett, Lorraine Brookman and Paul Randall (a member of St Mary’s congregation). Paul also filmed the removal process and has put together a very interesting short video of the two days which can be found on the Watling Valley Parish website.

Bob Doubles taster session at Old Wolverton, Saturday 19th October 2024

Three students and 10 helpers met at Old Wolverton on a beautiful sunny afternoon for an introduction to hunting the treble to a method and Bob doubles. After introductions over refreshments each student was given the opportunity to ring the treble to a plain course of bob doubles to assess how they could make the most of the session. This was followed by a short theory talk on why methods are rung, some terminology and the basic structure of Bob doubles. Then each student was given the opportunity to ring either the method from a number of different bells or hunting the treble to the method, each time surrounded by an enthusiastic band of helpers.
Each student made good progress and after an end of course debrief and an opportunity to ask questions they were able to take away with them not only some worksheets to help with a greater understanding of bob doubles but also an increased confidence to keep practicing the method back at their home towers.
Many thanks to Mick Nimmo and the team at Old Wolverton for provding the bells and the refreshments and also to all the helpers who came along. We wouldn’t have been able to do it without you.
Ted Fawcett
Ringing Master

North Bucks Branch Coronation quarter-peal week

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”

Congratulations to all those who took part.

Roy Keeves

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.  

4th December Branch Social at Woughton

On Saturday 4th December we are holding a ringing and social event at Woughton-on-the-Green.

4:00 – 5:30 Ringing 

5:30 – 5:45 Meeting, if we need one to elect new members – If you have any new members to propose, please let me know beforehand.

6:00 onwards – Refreshment and Quiz  – We will order fish and chips on the day.

Note from Doug Hird: Please let me know if you aim to attend so we can make sure there are enough plates etc. to go round.

email Doug at : 

secretary@northbucks.odg.org.uk