The Tewkesbury Branch of the G&B (Gloucester and Bristol Diocesan Association of Church Bellringers) is a small but very active and friendly group of bellringers.
All members ring regularly with their own church band but also at neighbouring churches with other members of the branch.
We have at least one meeting or event every month including joining the local practice at one of the branch towers; mini outings to a couple of towers a bit further afield (usually followed by a pub lunch or visit to a cafe); and the branch striking competition and bring and share supper.
Bellringing is a fascinating hobby, costs very little, needs no special clothing and the equipment (bell and rope!) are provided free of charge.
If you are a bellringer visiting the area and would like to ring at some of our towers please get in touch via the contact link. You will be made very welcome.
If you are a non-ringer and would like to find out more about bellringing in the Tewkesbury area and/or are interested in learning to ring, please get in touch via the contact link.
Sheila, Phil and Greg (Branch ringing masters)
| Jan 24 Fri | 7:30 pm | Join the practice at Ashchurch |
| Feb 29 Sat | Morning | G&B Branch Officers' Meeting at Barnwood |
| Feb 29 Sat | 6:30 pm | Supper followed by skittles at The Railway Inn, Ripple. Menu will be circulated beforehand; meal choices and numbers will be needed |
| Mar 7-22 | All Day | Tewkesbury branch "Firsts Fortnight" |
| Mar 10 Tue | 7:15 pm | Join the practice at Tredington Branch Spring Meeting in the church (8:30) |
| Mar 14 Sat | All day | Association Training Day: Cirencester area |
| Apr 23 Thur | All Day | Ringing for St George's Day (OR NOT - each tower makes its own decision) |
| Apr 25 Sat | All Day | G&B Association AGM, North Cotswold Branch Penn and Croome Trophy competitions |
| Apr 27 Mon | 7:30 pm | Join the practice at Strensham (now with 8 bells!) |
| May 8 Fri | All day | Ringing to celebrate 75th anniversary of VE day |
| May 16 Sat | Morning | Morning Mini Outing Ringing at Saintbury* (8) 9:30 – 10:30am and Blockley* (10) 11:00 – 12:00 Lunch at Batsford Arboretum café (where admission is free) followed by an optional walk in the Arboretum (when there will be a charge) |
| June 13 Sat | 4:30 pm | Branch Striking competition at Tirley Bring and Share supper in Tirley village hall |
| July 11 Sat | Morning | Morning Mini Outing Ringing at Westbury* (6) 10:00 – 11:00am and Newnham* (8) 11:30 – 12:30pm Lunch to be arranged; numbers for lunch required in advance |
| Aug 7 Fri | Morning | Morning Mini Outing Ringing at Horsley* (8) 10:00 – 11:00am and Woodchester* (6) 11:30 – 12:30pm Lunch to be arranged (numbers for lunch required in advance) followed by an optional walk (possibly in Woodchester Park) |
| Sept 29 Tue | 7:30 pm | Join the practice at Overbury* |
| Oct 10 Sat | All Day | Association Training Day Wotton-under-Edge |
| Oct 17-Nov 1 | All Day | "Firsts Fortnight" and Peal and quarter peal festival |
| Nov 14 Sat | 4 pm | Branch AGM - Ripple 4 pm Ringing, 5 pm Service in the church, 5:30 pm AGM in village hall & bring and share supper |
| Dec 10 Thur | 7:30 pm | Join the practice at Tewkesbury Abbey |
| Jan 2021 12 Tue | 7:30 pm | Join the practice at Beckford |
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 except for last when 9:00 Practice: Friday 19:30 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 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: Garrod Davies (01684) 296305 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] 13 bells, 27cwt tenor Sunday: 10:15; 16:00 confirm first; first 10:15 (quarter peal attempt); third 16:00 (quarter peal attempt). Practice: Thursday 19:30 Website Contact: Ruth Bagley (01684) 293764 Entrance via small outside staircase and intercom Car park at the front and 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: phone to check arrangements Practice: Tuesday but must confirm first Contact: Garrod Davies (01684) 296305 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: 8:45 Practice: Wednesday 19:30 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: generally 2nd Monday 19:30, Please confirm in advance with tower contact 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! 6 bells, 11cwt tenor Sunday: none Practice: generally 4th Monday 19:30, 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.
