News

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that it was held in place by no less than 64 flathead screws so their were some very sore arms when the final screw was withdrawn.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 ...

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 ...

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’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 ...

Last year over 1,000 parishes and 25 cathedrals came together to ring out their warning about our environmental crises on the eve of COP 26. There was a string of bell ringing and community events across the US and Canada and some bells even rang out in Australia! Click here for details: https://t.co/Zk4aFZ0E15 ...

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 ...

Dear All, I am pleased to report that our Youth Team were placed first in the Ringing World National Youth Contest held in Worcester on Saturday 11th September. This makes back to back wins for our youngsters against some stiff competition. The youth team is made up of young ringers from around the branches and holds monthly practices as preparation for the contest each year. Many congratulations to this year’s team and I hope the team for next year will be able to make it a hattrick. The Team receives the Whitechapel Trophy for a second year. Best wishes Colin ...

Are you under 30? Then a new ringing organisation might be for you Launched this weekend, on the eve of the Ringing World National Youth Contest in Worcester, the Young Change Ringers Association will be a group for young ringers, run by young ringers. Initially there are two main areas of activity: three gatherings of young ringers every year to meet and ring with each other, and individual mentoring schemes for young ringers to learn from each other. The website is https://ycra.org.uk/ An article introducing the idea appeared in Ringing World of Friday September 10th : https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/issues/2021/820 ...

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 strikingcompetition. 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 ...

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 ...