The Gloucester & Bristol Diocesan Association of Church Bell Ringers
Contents
Tewkesbury Branch Committee
Branch programme 2026
Branch Towers
Branch proficiency certificate - notes
Branch proficiency certificate - individual record sheets
Interested in learning to ring at a tower in the Tewkesbury Branch?
Ringing Notes
Contact

Tewkesbury Branch Committee
Chair
Rosemary Mackay


I learnt to ring at Twyning in 2013 and was soon spending 2-4 weekday evenings at practices in various towers. Bells (and my dog) were the most important part of my rather quiet life. I loved being Branch Secretary too! After 11 years, I had to stop ringing when my stamina was weakened by age and a defective heart valve. My role as Chair will allow me happily to continue my involvement with Tewkesbury ringers and their activities.
Rosemary Mackay
Tina Batchelor Secretary
Tina Batchelor


I learnt to ring at Ashchurch 54 years ago so have been ringing for some time now. I also used to go to Tewkesbury Abbey and surrounding local towers to gain experience. Due to family circumstances, I had a couple of periods away from ringing but am now fully back in the swing and it is so nice being in Tewkesbury Branch as they try to encompass everyone in a full annual programme. I have rung many quarter peals but one of my ambitions was to ring a peal which I successfully achieved in September 2023 followed by two more in quick succession, one being on the refurbished and rehung bells at the tower where I began, Ashchurch. This was very special. I very much enjoy helping others to learn whilst also furthering my capabilities.
Ringing Master
Ruth Bagley


I learnt to ring at Tewkesbury Abbey in 1976. I’ve never been a great peal ringer but do enjoy the odd quarter peal or two! My main pleasure in ringing comes from Sunday Service ringing and encouraging the less able; if that includes making them cakes I’m even happier! I’m a great believer in encouraging the social side of ringing, it’s a team effort after all.
Ruth Bagley
Gregory Jones Management Committee Representative & Ringing Master
Gregory Jones


I started ringing in 2010 at Tewkesbury Abbey. I took up the ropes out of interest, a few years after my Grandad, who was a ringer himself, passed away. I went to university in Portsmouth and was able to continue ringing and meet new ringers, the 3 years I was there. Now I have finished my degree, I am back in Tewkesbury wanting to be an active member of this branch.
Treasurer
Katherine Watson


I started ringing at Tewkesbury Abbey in 2015 not long after I started working in the Finance Team at the Abbey. My predecessor and two other members of staff were bellringers, which inspired me to give it a go. I still feel that I have a lot to learn. I enjoy Sunday Service ringing and ringing at other local towers.
Katherine Watson


Tewkesbury Branch Programme 2026
Sat 24 Jan 5:00 PM Ringing at Ripple 5-6pm followed by supper & skittles at the The Railway Inn, Ripple
Sat 28 Feb Afternoon Mini Afternoon Outing. To the Evesham area.
Sat 21 Feb 7:30 PM Branch practice at Strensham
Wed 25 Feb 7:00 PM Branch Meeting at Twyning 7.00 – 8.15 pm ringing followed by meeting in the Church. Hot chocolate & Biscuits.
Sat 18 Apr All day Association AGM, Tewkesbury
Sat 16 May All day Branch Outing to Herefordshire
Sat 13 Jun 4:00 PM Striking competition at Tirley. Bring & Share tea in the Church.
Sat 18 Jul 3:30 PM Ringing at Strensham 3.30 – 4.30 pm followed by a Branch supper at Rosemary’s
Mon 10 Aug 7:30 PM Branch 8-bell practice at Norton
Tue 08 Sep 7:30 PM Branch 6-bell practice at Beckford (TBC)
Sat 24 Oct All day Branch Training Day Tewkesbury Abbey (TBC)
Sat 21 Nov 3:00 PM AGM at Ashchurch
Wed 16 Dec Branch Social Twyning possibly with Carols

To download a pdf of the branch program 2026, click here

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
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, 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
Ashchurch 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 07790 831787
Entrance at far side of tower
Park carefully on road
Ashton-under-hill Church
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 07790 831787
Entrance at far side of tower
Small car park at front of church
Beckford Church
Deerhurst, St Mary [GL19 4BX]
6 bells, 11cwt tenor
Sunday: second 10:30
Practice: None
Contact: Richard Hart (01684) 274197
Entrance to right of main church door
Small parking area by church gates
Deerhurst Church
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
Eldersfield Church
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
Hasfield 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
Kemerton Church
Prior's Norton, St Mary [GL2 9LS]
8 bells, 10cwt tenor
Sunday: 2nd Sunday 1500 (usually a quarter peal, confirm first)
Practice: None at present
Contact: Phil Cotton (01452) 857180
Ground floor
Entrance through church
Car park at end of church driveway
Kemerton Church
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
Tewkesbury Abbey
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
The Leigh Church
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
Tirley Church
Tredington, St John the Baptist [GL20 7AB]
6 bells, 8cwt tenor
Sunday: by arrangement
Practice: None
Contact: Jim Mitchell (01684) 296773
Ground floor
Entrance through church
Park away from main road which can be busy
Tredington Church
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
Twyning Church
*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: not currently practising
Contact: Joan Payne (01684) 297251
Entrance through door at base of tower and through kitchen
Car park at front of church
Ripple 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!

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
Strensham Church
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


Tewkesbury Branch Proficiency Certificates
Notes on Tewkesbury Branch Proficiency Certificates

The purpose of these certificates is to recognise and encourage progress among ringers (who have not already gained the Association proficiency certificate) within the Tewkesbury Branch.

Tower captains will be responsible for monitoring the progress of individual ringers. It may help to keep a register of attendance but this is entirely optional. Please date the progress chart for each individual to show when each of the criteria is achieved.

Please display the proficiency certificate criteria on your tower notice boards and encourage any members of your band who have not yet gained the G&B certificate to take part if they wish.

The number of towers visited; meetings attended and services rung for is cumulative from level to level e.g. for the silver level, at least 5 towers have to be visited and these towers can then be counted towards the total of 10 for the gold certificate.

When a member of your band has achieved one of the specified levels please pass the details to the Branch Ringing Master who will ensure that the appropriate certificate is presented at the next branch meeting.

Any ringer who has achieved the platinum level of the branch proficiency certificates is well on the way to reaching the standard required to attain the G&B Association certificate.

If an individual cannot make progress to the next level due to limitations within their local band then please contact the Ringing Master to ask for help.

As this is a new scheme there will be many ringers who have already achieved one or more of the levels. If an individual would like to be awarded a certificate for the highest level already achieved (but not all of the levels previously achieved) then please pass their name to the Branch Ringing Master.

Please contact the Branch Ringing Master if you need further clarification on any point.

Sheila Taylor
Tewkesbury Branch Ringing Master
Dec 2012


Tewkesbury Branch Proficiency Certificate record sheet
To download the spreadsheet click here

Interested in learning to ring at a tower in the Tewkesbury Branch?
Towers in the Tewkesbury Branch are always keen to recruit more bellringers. If you are interested in finding out more please email the Tewkesbury Branch or contact your nearest tower.

Ringing Notes
The following documents provide learning notes for Plain Hunt and a few methods.
Click on the links to download the files.

Notes on ringing Plain Hunt
Notes on ringing Plain Bob Doubles
Notes on ringing Stedman Doubles
Notes on ringing St Simons Doubles

The central council website also provides a number of helpful guides here.


Contact
To email the Tewkesbury Branch click here