What a fantastic practice we had today of Stedman Doubles held at Herriard
Bell Advisor for Portsmouth Diocese
Telephone: 01730 267237
Address: Mill Cottage, Mill Lane, Steep, Petersfield GU32 2DJ
Email: Use Form
Hello everyone one, at the end of my last article about Double Norwich Court Bob Major, I said watch this space for a Stedman Doubles practice. Well I have to say that the practice is over subscribed, which is amazing. If you are disappointed that you have not been able to get on to the practice this time around I can organise another.
Welcome to the Bradfield Ringing Course, an annual four-day friendly and engaging residential bellringing course based at Bradfield College in Berkshire, now preparing for its ninth consecutive year.
Every year in August, we provide tuition for ringers of a wide range abilities, from Bell Experience for those that need a little more confidence in handling a bell to Surprise Major for those that have been ringing a little longer – and many other stages along the way!
Last night 15 members of the Priory Band welcomed 6 visitors at the Priory and (in the words of Alastair from Dorchester):
had a cracking evening in the far east … with a very varied selection of ringing, from rounds and call changes on 6, 8, and 12, to Plain courses of Double Court Bob Minor (a first) and Cambridge Minor (first for a while), and a touch of Stedman Doubles.
The two visitors who requested Grandsire Triples picked a good evening to come as we rang several plain courses and a 6-single touch that was new for a Monday.
Photo by Alastair Simpson
Words by Rosalind
An enjoyable and rewarding practice night in Southampton last night at St Michael’s with a particularly good half course of Cambridge Royal and a nice touch of 8 spliced surprise major. Lots of other ringing too including Grandsire Triples/Caters, Stedman doubles and 4 spliced (CYNS) surprise major.
Next week, at Bitterne Park, we start our new venture of increasing our 8 bell repertoire, by starting to work through the methods in ‘Smiths 23’. First method is Cray Surprise Major.
As always all ringers welcome at any of our practices 🙂
14 ringers turned up for the Basingstoke District Practice Saturday the 15th of October at Sherfield on Loddon, representing, representing 6 towers. A good standard of ringing was achieved, and methods included Grandsire, Plain Bob and St Simon’s Doubles, Plain Bob, St Clement’s and Cambridge minor, as well as call changes. Stedman Doubles just wouldn’t go.
Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, with one ringer covering to doubles for the first time.
We look forward to our last practice of the year which will be at Rotherwick on Saturday 19th November at Rotherwick, from 2 – 4 pm. All ringers will be welcome.
Ian Rees
On Thursday night ringers from Shedfield, Titchfield, Purbrook, Alverstoke, Catherington and Christchurch Priory joined the Wickham band for a themed doubles practice.
Methods rung included St Simon’s bob, Stedman and a 120 of the plain bob doubles variation Kennington.
The next themed practice will be Thursday 8th September, to attempt touches of St. Simon’s bob and the Reverse Canterbury variation Southrepps. All ringers welcome to come along on the night.
Good effort last night at Bramshott
Greg – first go at ringing up
Harvey – first plain hunt on 6
Jo – a different touch of Grandsire Doubles for the first time
Gary – First go at calling call changes, first go at Stedman (on treble, single every time at the back, but still something new!)
Toby Arkless
The Priory Practice kicked off as usual promptly at 6.50 with the “learners and improvers” practice, and worked hard on Rounds and Simple Call Changes, interspersed with plenty of Plain Bob and Grandsire Doubles, partly in preparation for a planned “First QP of Plain Bob Doubles” for Luke.
Work on Stedman Doubles, inspired by Nicola’s enthusiasm having learned it at Hordle, continued with 2 solid plain courses. Just one extra competent ringer makes all the difference – thanks to the usual visitors from Hordle, we even had enough to allow for a stander-behind.
A number of the band attended the District Practice and Striking Competition last Saturday and came back inspired to ring more St. Clement’s Minor. We rang some successful plain courses, and departed intending to thoroughly learn the touches for next week!
The blank method grids available elsewhere for writing out blue lines are not much use for methods in which the Treble rings the method such as Stedman.
This printable sheet fills the gap and is helpfully arranged in sixes to support those learning Stedman.
This afternoon’s Youth Practice at Brockenhurst was once again very successful. We have a pretty healthy number of young ringers across the District to draw from now, and despite the fact that not everyone can attend every one, numbers remain strong.
Ringing Master Sallie Ingram once again encouraged everyone to strike as carefully as they could, and as all those who are attending are making significant improvements over time, she has decided the time has come to enter a Youth Band in the Hartless Shield* this time around – this suggestion went down very well!
Rounds and Call changes were interspersed with Grandsire Doubles (called by Hannah), Grandsire Triples (with both Luke and Nicola ringing inside) and Stedman Doubles (which Nicola has worked on very hard recently during visits to Hordle). Not to mention hand made chocolate cookies and a bit of Plain Bob Triples on a smart phone…. the Ringing Down in Peal was a little bit creative – a reminder that people who have to leave practice nights before 9pm may not get enough practice at this important skill!
The towers represented were Brockenhurst, Hordle, Christchurch Priory and Milford on Sea.
Thanks once again to Julie for hosting the event at Brockenhurst. The light eight is ideal for the age range who ring (currently about 7 to 18) and there is plenty of space for any pre-ringers who come to ramble about safely away from the moving ropes!
Had a really fantastic evening at Alverstoke tonight. Lizzy once again sorted out the issues I had with ringing down and a few more go’s at Plain Hunt from the treble. After a few erratic goes the light finally lit up for me on the very last one and I was so chuffed after ringing the first round that I completely missed the next one lol!
Larry Hunter
Larry is a member of the Wickham band
UPDATE:
Hello All,
We should be having a practice at Steep (6 bells, 6cwt) this coming Tuesday 12th January so, as usual, please let us know by reply if you are able to come.
When we have a quorum, we usually ring Grandsire, Stedman, Plain Bob, Cambridge, St Clement’s, Little Bob and sometimes London but, as ever, it all depends who turns up!
I will send another email on Monday evening, confirming whether we have sufficient numbers, or not, so please check on the day.
Many thanks,
Steve Hough writes:
On Saturday 24th October Eling ringers had their first Outing in quite a few years. Organised by yours truly, for the benefit of our newer ringers to give them experience ringing at different towers. A good day out apart from the weather!
The band filmed at Broughton, East Tytherley, Mottisfort, Nether Wallop,Stockbridge and West Tytherley
