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.