We took advantage of there being 5 Tuesdays in January by joining the Beckford / Ashton-under-Hill band practice at Overbury. A lot of people came along to this which gave everyone chance to meet up with ringing colleagues from other towers.
We were pleased to eventually get to Dumbleton as our last attempt was put off due to a wasps nest in the tower. Luckily there was no sign of any wasps in February!
Members of the branch were involved in the March G&B training day leading and helping with various groups and Katherine attended as a student.
Some of the Twyning band requested a special Plain Bob Doubles practice to help them move forward so six experts joined them last week to give four learners a good chance to practice with only one learner in each touch. Thank you to those who came along to help make this event a success.
The Association striking competitions took place on 1st April. A band from the Abbey represented the branch in the Croome Trophy six bell competition at Compton Abdale. The band rang very well and we received some excellent feedback from the judges so were a little disappointed to be placed 5th.
Later on the same day a branch band took part in the eight bell Penn Trophy at Coln St Aldwyn and was awarded 3rd place which we felt was a fair outcome based on our performance.
To celebrate St George's Day I asked all the bands in the branch to get their bells ringing on 23rd April. Bells were rung at Ashchurch, the Abbey, Ashton under Hill, Deerhurst, Kemerton, Eldersfield, Hasfield, Tirley, Tredington, Twyning and also Berrow (not a branch tower).
The Saturday morning mini outing to Madresfield and Malvern Link was well attended and enjoyed by all. Following the ringing some of us adjourned to the Bluebell at Barnard's Green before either going home or joining in a walk on the Malverns kindly organised by Rosemary. The weather was beautiful, the views were spectacular, there was plenty of opportunity to chat and it rounded off the day perfectly.
Ripple hosted our branch striking competition and again the weather was on our side. Any ringer who comes along is welcome to join a team. Our rules are very flexible and our judges kind so never be nervous about taking part. Following the ringing Rosemary generously provided tea at her house where the results were given. A band from the Abbey was placed first and will go forward to take part in the Croome Trophy next year.
Our July meeting was at Deerhurst where we joined the local practice. There was a good turnout. To gain experience of running a busy practice Chris gamely agreed to be in charge for the evening and did a good job. This is something that would be worth repeating. Running a practice is more difficult than it may appear and the branch needs more people who feel confident to take charge.
Our Friday morning mini outing to Woolstone and Bishop's Cleeve in August was another success. The light ring of bells at Woolstone proved a little challenging initially but everyone soon got to grips with them. After the ringing we went to Wyevale garden centre for lunch enjoyed by everyone.
In September we met for a practice at Evesham bell tower which was well attended and a very enjoyable evening.
The Association quarter peal festival took place as always in October. I did not have a large number of people wanting to take part but everyone who put their name forward rang at least one quarter peal. In total we rang 9 quarter peals. Notable among these were Rachel's first quarter rung in The Shed; Margaret's first quarter of Superlative Major; Ann's first quarter of Cambridge Major for a very long time; Sue's first away from cover and Katherine's first quarter away from the Abbey. It was good to see the progress that has been made by other ringers in the past year even if they did not actually take part in a "first" for them.
We still need to increase the number of bellringers in our area and I am pleased that there are new recruits being taught at a number of towers including Deerhurst, Twyning, Ashchurch and the Abbey.
Looking forward to next year there is a national initiative to ring at as many towers as possible on 11th November to mark the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day. I hope that the Tewkesbury Branch will rise to this challenge. On St George's Day 2016 we managed to ring at all the ringable towers in the branch and I'm sure that we can do something similar on Armistice Day. 11th November 2018 falls on a Sunday which should make the planning somewhat more straightforward but please keep the date free for lots of ringing.
Thank you to everyone who has supported branch events during the past year. We welcome ringers of all levels to all of our events. However, I should like to thank in particular all the more experienced ringers who willingly help out with quarter peals; branch practices; taking part in competition teams; and, of course, supporting their own and other local practices. Without their willingness to teach and to ring endless rounds, call changes and Plain Bob Doubles there would be no progress.
Finally, I am very pleased to be able to present the branch silver proficiency certificate to Katherine and the bronze certificate to Rachel. Rachel is also following the bell club awards programme and has earned the first two badges: the Ambitious Apprentice and the Happy Hunter. Well done both of you and keep up the good work.
Sheila Taylor
Branch Ringing Master
November 2017
| Jan 29 Mon | 7:30 pm | Bell handling practice at Tewkesbury Abbey |
| Feb 13 Tue | 7:30 pm | Join the practice at Beckford |
| Feb 24 Sat | Morning | G&B Branch Officers' Meeting at Barnwood |
| Mar 10 Sat | All day | Association Training Day: Cirencester area |
| Mar 14 Wed | 7:15 pm | Ringing at Kemerton Branch Spring Meeting in the church (8:30) |
| Apr 14 Sat | All Day | G&B Association AGM, Swindon Branch Penn and Croome Trophy competitions |
| Apr 16 Mon | 7:30 pm | "Listen to it". Talk by David Bagley at Tewkesbury Abbey |
| Apr 23 Mon | All Day | Ringing for St George's Day to be organized by local towers |
| May 12 Sat | Morning | Morning Mini Outing Ringing at Dodderhill* 10.00 - 11.00am and Hanbury* 11.30 - 12:30pm Lunch in a nearby pub (to be arranged) followed by a walk in the area (details will be given later; numbers for lunch required in advance) |
| June 16 Sat | 4:30 pm | Branch Striking competition at Hasfield Bring and Share supper in Tirley village hall |
| July 1 Sun | 1:25-2:50 pm | Evensong ringing at Gloucester Cathedral |
| July 9 Mon | 6:00 pm | 6.00 - 7.30pm: Ringing at Ashton-under-Hill 7.30pm: Cold buffet supper at The Star Inn (hopefully in the garden); numbers required |
| Aug 17 Fri | Morning | Morning Mini Outing Ringing at Yarkhill* 10.00-11.00am and Bromyard* 11.30am -12.30pm Lunch at The Hop Pocket (numbers for lunch required in advance) |
| Sept 28 Fri | 7:30 pm | Ringing at Cheltenham Minster* |
| Oct 13 Sat | All Day | Association Training Day Wotton-under-Edge |
| Oct 13-28 | All Day | "Firsts Fortnight" and Peal and quarter peal festival |
| Oct 15 Mon | 7:30 pm | Bell handling practice at Twyning. Names needed, numbers limited. |
| Nov 10 Sat | 4 pm | Branch AGM - Ashchurch 4 pm Ringing, 5 pm Service in the church, 5:30 pm AGM in church hall & bring and share supper |
| Nov 11 Sun | All Day | Ringing for Peace - Armistice 100 (details later) |
| Dec 13 Thur | 7:30 pm | Join the practice at Tewkesbury Abbey. Introduction (for some) to bell
plates. Refreshments provided by Abbey ringers |
| Jan 2019 19 Sat | 6:30 pm | 5.00pm: Ringing at Tredington 6.00pm: Fish and chip supper (numbers will be needed) followed by board games |
Tewkesbury Branch Towers |
|
| 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 |
|
| 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 |
 |
| 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 |
 |
| 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 |
 |
| 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 |
 |
| 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 |
 |
| 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 |
 |
| 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 |
 |
| 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 |
 |
| 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 |
 |
| 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 |
 |
| 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 |
 |
| 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 |
 |
| *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 |
|
| 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 |
 |
| 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 |
|
| Chaceley,
St John the Baptist [GL19 4EH] 6 bells, 11cwt tenor Unringable |
|
| Forthampton,
St Mary the Virgin [GL19 4QW] 6 bells, 12cwt tenor Unringable |
|
| Staverton,
St Catherine [GL51 0TR] 3 bells, 9cwt tenor Chimed only |
|
The central council website also provides a number of helpful guides here.
