The Tewkesbury Branch is one of 12 branches that make up the Gloucester and Bristol Diocesan Association of church bellringers. We are a small, friendly group and are always keen to welcome new members.
Most of us have one or two towers that are our “home” tower(s) but we also often join in with ringing at neighbouring churches.
For 2023 we have planned a varied and interesting programme. There is a branch event of some sort almost every month providing plenty of opportunity to meet other ringers from across our area and to improve our ringing skills.
We hope to get all the bells in the branch ringing during the weekend of the coronation.
If you would like to know more about bellringing in general or about ringing in the Tewkesbury area please get in touch using the contact details below.
We look forward to seeing you soon.
Sheila, Greg and Rachel (Branch ringing masters)
January 2023
| Jan 27 Mon | 5 pm | Ringing at Ripple (6 bells) 5.00-6.00pm, followed by supper and skittles at the Railway Inn. A menu will be circulated beforehand. |
| Feb 19 Mon | 7:30 pm | Basic practice on 8 bells at Strensham |
| Mar 2 Sat | 10 am | G&B Branch Officers' Meeting |
| Mar 9 Sat | All day | Association Training Day |
| Mar 20 Wed | 7:00 pm | Practice at Twyning (6), beginning a bit earlier than usual (7.00pm) Followed by a short business meeting in the church, then muffins and hot chocolate to refresh you! |
| Apr 13 Sat | All Day | G&B Association AGM in Stroud Branch Penn and Croome Trophy competitions |
| Apr 23 Tue | 7:20 pm | Celebrate St George’s Day by joining the practice at The Leigh (6) |
| May 19 Sun | Afternoon | Afternoon outing to towers in Forest Branch. Details to follow |
| June 13 Sat | Evening | Training on the re-hung 8 bells at Ashchurch. Participants should be eager to attempt Plain Bob Triples and Bob Major. |
| July 16 Sun | Afternoon | Afternoon outing to towers in Swindon area. Details to follow |
| Aug 13 Tue | 7:30 pm | Join the practice at Deerhurst (6) |
| Sept 20 Sat | 7:00 pm | Branch striking competition at Ashton under Hill (6), beginning at 7.00pm, with drinks at a nearby pub afterwards (to be arranged) |
| Oct 20 Sun | 2 pm | Training afternoon (2.00–3.30pm) at The Abbey with simulator, then ringing for the Service |
| Oct Throughout | All Day | "Firsts" and Peal and quarter peal festival |
| Nov 16 Sat | 3 pm | Branch AGM - Ashchurch (8) Ringing 3.00-4.30pm followed by a short service, then the AGM and supper in church hall |
| Dec 19 Thur | 7:30 pm | Branch practice at The Abbey and enjoy mince pies |
| Jan 18 Sat 2025 | 5:00 pm | Ringing 5.00-6.00pm at Ripple (6) Followed by supper and a pub quiz at The Railway Inn |
Before making a special journey to join the ringing at one of our towers it is advisable to check arrangements with the tower correspondent or tower captain.
Tewkesbury Branch Towers |
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| Branch towers
with regular practices and / or regular Sunday service ringing To hear samples of some of the bells of the Tewkesbury Branch, click here |
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| Ashchurch, St
Nicholas [GL20 8JZ]
8 bells, 12cwt tenor Sunday: 10:30, please confirm first Practice: Friday 19:30, please confirm first Website Contact: Margaret Wise (01684) 772095 Entrance through church Car park at end of church driveway Toilet in church |
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| Ashton-under-Hill*,
St Barbara [WR11 7SX] 6 bells, 7cwt tenor Sunday: by arrangement Practice: Tuesday third and fourth 19:30 Contact: Nick Hopkins (01386) 710136 Entrance at far side of tower Park carefully on road |
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| Beckford*, St John
the Baptist [GL20 7AD] 6 bells, 14cwt tenor Sunday: by arrangement Practice: Tuesday first and second 19:30 Website Contact: Nick Hopkins (01386) 710136 Entrance at far side of tower Small car park at front of church |
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| Deerhurst, St Mary [GL19 4BX] 6 bells, 11cwt tenor Sunday: second 10:30; fourth 17:30 Practice: Tuesday 19:30 confirm first, alternates with Tredington Contact: Richard Hart (01684) 274197 Entrance to right of main church door Small parking area by church gates |
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| Eldersfield,
St John the Baptist [GL19 4NP] 6 bells, 18cwt tenor Sunday: by arrangement Practice: Thursday alternately 19:30, please confirm first Contact: Janet Peters (01452) 840211 Ground floor Entrance through church Small car park next to church |
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| Hasfield,
St Mary [GL19 4LG] 6 bells, 10cwt tenor Sunday: by arrangement Practice: by arrangement Contact: Nell Douglas Miller (01452) 780305, 07967 047 331 Ground floor Entrance through church Off road parking at front of church |
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| Kemerton,
St Nicholas [GL20 7HX] 6 bells, 12cwt tenor Sunday: 08:30, last 10:15 (confirm first) Practice: Tuesday 18:30-19:30 confirm first Contact: Dave Devereux (01684) 850329 Ground floor Entrance through church Park carefully on road |
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| Tewkesbury,
Abbey Church of St Mary the Virgin [GL20 5SR] 14 bells, 27cwt tenor Sunday: 9:30-10:30; evensong by arrangement Practice: Thursday 19:30 Website Contact: Ruth Bagley (01684) 293764 Entrance via small outside staircase and intercom Car park in Gander Lane Toilets in Visitor Centre and Gloucester Rd car park |
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| The Leigh, St
Catherine [GL19 4AF] 6 bells, 18cwt tenor Sunday: by arrangement Practice: Tuesday 19:30 Contact: Phil Cotton (01452) 857180 Entrance through church Some off-road parking opposite church Toilet in base of tower |
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| Tirley, St Michael
and All Angels [GL19 4HH] 6 bells, 10cwt tenor Sunday: by arrangement Practice: by arrangement Contact: Cathy Creese (01452) 780271, 07801 656 292 Ground floor Entrance through church Off road parking at front of church |
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| Tredington, St John
the Baptist [GL20 7AB] 6 bells, 8cwt tenor Sunday: by arrangement Practice: Tuesday 19:30 confirm first, alternates with Deerhurst Contact: Jim Mitchell (01684) 296773 Ground floor Entrance through church Park away from main road which can be busy |
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| Twyning,
St Mary Magdalene [GL20 6JJ] 6 bells, 10cwt tenor Sunday: 9:00 Practice: irregular on Wednesdays; please check with tower captain, David Bagley, (07775 763745) or tower contact beforehand. Please confirm in advance with tower contact Contact: Mrs M Storey (01684) 299607 Entrance at far side of tower Car park to right of church gates |
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| *Ashton-under-Hill and Beckford
share a band. When there is a fifth Tuesday in the month the practice is at Overbury, Worcs, St Faith: 6 bells, 9cwt Park on road near church |
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| Towers outside the Tewkesbury Branch which are closely supported by Branch members | |
| Ripple, Worcs, St Mary [GL20 6HA] 6 bells, 12cwt tenor Sunday: 4th 10:00 and special occasions, confirm first Practice: not currently practising Contact: Joan Payne (01684) 297251 Entrance through door at base of tower and through kitchen Car park at front of church |
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| Strensham, Worcs, St John the Baptist [WR8 9LW] DO NOT FOLLOW THIS POSTCODE WITH A SATNAV OR YOU WILL END UP ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE RIVER! 8 bells, 11cwt tenor Sunday: none Practice: generally 3rd Saturday, Please confirm in advance with tower contact Contact: David Bagley (01684) 293764 Entrance at base of tower Car parking by church |
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| Branch towers with unringable bells | |
| Boddington,
St Mary Magdalene [GL51 0TJ] 3 bells, 9cwt tenor Chimed only |
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| Chaceley,
St John the Baptist [GL19 4EH] 6 bells, 11cwt tenor Unringable |
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| Forthampton,
St Mary the Virgin [GL19 4QW] 6 bells, 12cwt tenor Unringable |
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| Staverton,
St Catherine [GL51 0TR] 3 bells, 9cwt tenor Chimed only |
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The central council website also provides a number of helpful guides here.
