Residents' Reviews
2002 Residents' Review
Henry Coggill, the immediate past Master,writes:
2002 has been another fruitful year for the OUS, with enthusiasm and tradition as
prominent as ever. We have been very fortunate to have seen the continued
efforts of Stephen Ivin transform the bells of Mary Mag yet further into a lovely
(very) light Ten, upon which we have rung quarter peals of Stedman Caters and
Yorkshire Royal, and look forward to ringing peals soon.
The normal scheme of a weekly practice at Mary Mag, preceded by a quarter
peal, has continued, with attendance as regular as ever. Alternate weeks have
hosted quarters and practices at St Thos, although with the augmentation at Mary
Mag, we have balanced 10-bell ringing between both towers. How lucky we are!
Sunday hears the bells of St Thos, Mary Mag and St Ebbes every morning,
followed by SMV and New College on certain weeks. St Cross also rings out
once every month.
There have been 14 peals during this year, some in Memory of David Woodward,
Roger Abbott and Rodney Meadows. A wide range of methods, including
London Royal, 8-Spliced, Stedman, Cornwall and Plain Bob have been rung,
with residents at the heart of nearly of these; we are very grateful, as ever, to the
non-residents who help us to achieve this.
The regular calendar of events has yielded its customary merriments and
pleasures, with highlights being the ever-popular Annual Dinner in February, the
residents' Joint Outing with the Cambridge Guild, to Guildford this year, the
Annual Tour, to Ipswich, May Morning at SMV, the Summer Outing, to
Kirtlington, Freshers' Outing, to Wallingford, and the SUA striking Competition,
held in Southampton.
The OUS has done it's bit to mix with other Universities, hosting a weekend of
Ringing for all University Societies, and members have been spotted at Dinners
in Bristol, Cambridge and London.
Handbell ringing has blossomed from the twilight of recent years, with 2
practices every week enabling most who attend to ring Plain Bob, some achieving
Kent and Cambridge, and everyone managing at least Plain Hunt.
All said, the quest for ringing greatness abounds, whether that be Grandsire,
Surprise Major or Bristol Max, everyone in the Society has a propensity for
progress, and I wish next year's committee team all the best with continuing this
and the excellent traditions of the OUS.