Notices
AGM
Notice of the ODG Annual General Meeting: Saturday 17th May 2025, at St Lawrence, Warborough OX10 7DR
ODG Peals
On typical tower bells a peal takes two and a half to three hours to ring; the time depends on several factors.
ODG Quarter Peals
A quarter of the length of a full peal, making them easier to ring at around 45 minutes. They help in learning new methods.
Message from Catherine Lane, ODG Master
The ODG has the largest membership in the country and its territory contains the cities, towns and villages of Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire. We have 15 Branches, and today the approximate 2,400 membership represents over 400 ringable towers. Our Guild has a great history that can be traced back to1881; many men and women have enriched the Guild by their energy, skill and ability.
- To maintain our successful, vibrant 21st Century Guild we support our current membership through active recruitment, teaching new recruits as well as teaching experienced ringers to teach well and safely, and we all enjoy social gatherings.
- We are delighted with the developing bands of young ringers, we value the dedication of the established bands, we acknowledge the work and enthusiasm of all our ringing teachers, and we are grateful for the support of the diocesan clergy in the work that we do for the Diocese.
- Our Bell Fund is managed by Trustees and effectively assists in the care, maintenance and restoration of bells through the Diocese.
Whether you are an ODG member seeking information, a new recruit, or just browsing we hope that you will find this website helpful.
How the ODG is working for the future of bell ringing.
What does the committee do?
The elected Guild officers work hard to ensure that the ODG celebrates its history and strives to guide the Guild and its members forward to a dynamic future by:
- Encouraging and improving recruitment.
- Inspiring high standards in ringing and administration.
- Developing communications and record keeping which meet the needs of the 21st century.
- Encouraging skilled teaching to assist every tower.
- Developing ringing schools throughout the territory.
- Financially supporting ART.
- Working in close partnership with the Diocesan Bell Fund (Charity Reg. No. 268390) to fund maintenance and augmentation projects.
- Maintaining excellent relations with the Diocese of Oxford.
All this, and more, would mostly disappear if the ringers in the diocese did not join the Guild.
In addition, it is increasingly difficult to recruit from the membership, people, like you, who do so much work in the branches and for the Guild. So, without committed Guild members, ringing may be kept going in some towers, but those ringers would be responsible for much more themselves, and there would be a diminishing skills’ reserve to support any of the related activities.
Ihope that this overview has better informed you not only about why the Guild exists but how it really is committed to you as a Church Bell Ringer in your tower and your branch.
Catherine Lane, ODG Master
The Oxford Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers
We have more than 140 years of experience!
Interested in Learning?
Bell ringing is intriguing, brings lifelong friendships, ignores age, gender, race and wealth. It engages the intellect and brings a sense of belonging.
Have a go!
Code for Ringing
The CCCBR has published a Code for Ringing which the Master has requested be placed in every tower.