Oxford Treble Bob Minor

Oxford or Kent?

The Oxford 3/4 places are a natural stepping stone into ringing surprise minor methods, whilst the Kent places are difficult to ring properly and aren't used in other methods. The dramatic change in direction in Oxford as a result of the 3/4 places, if missed, can cause mayhem.

Ringing Oxford after Kent

Oxford and Kent are very closely related. Each bell rings the slow work and treble bobs except when the treble dodges in 1/2. At this point instead of making wrong places in 3/4, right places are made. Importantly, this means that second place bell makes fourths and in, whilst fourth place bell makes thirds and out. A dramatic change in direction which can be difficult to correct if missed - there is no "fluffing" of the Kent places and carrying on.

How to ring Oxford

Introduces the third place when the treble dodges in 1/2. This place is common to all right-placed Surprise methods.

  • The treble rings treble bob throughout.
  • If you meet the treble on the front you must dodge with it and thereafter make seconds, lead and make seconds until the treble returns to dodge with you in 1/2. This is called ‘the slow work’.
  • Whenever the slow bell makes seconds the other bells dodge in 3/4 and 5/6 (this will feel like Bastow except that it is the ‘slow’ bell making seconds not the treble).
  • If the treble is under you when you arrive in 3/4 make Oxford places rather than dodge.
  • Write the places out and learn the patterns for these places.

When you are learning Oxford it is perfectly alright for the strongest ringer or the treble ringer to call out "treble dodging in 1/2 now", "lead end" or "hunt above" (the slow bell) or "dodge above" (the slow bell). Adding structural comments like this can stabilise the ringing and help people learn how to ring by the watching or listening for the treble.

Ringing bobs

The plain hunt block (x16) at the Oxford lead end is replaced by a (x14) block when a bob is called. This is the place notation block as for a bobbed lead of Plain Bob Minor. It has the same effect:

  • One bell runs out – the bell just coming out of the slow. In fact it is unaffected by the bob. Remember to make fourths and hunt back in.
  • One bell runs in – the bell just going in to the slow. It, too, is unaffected by the bob.
  • Two bells dodge in 5/6. This dodge replaces the plain hunt at the lead end and results in a triple dodge at the back – counted as 'one when the treble is dodging in 1/2 down, one for the bob, and a final one for when the treble is dodging 1-2' after the lead end.
  • One bell makes the bob. This is the bell that made thirds when the treble dodged in 1/2 before the lead end. iThe bob entails making thirds, fourths, thirds and out. This is the most difficult manoeuvre to make – study it before you ring it!

Sandal Treble Bob Minor

Sandal Treble Bob Minor is a half lead variation of Oxford Treble Bob Minor. A (x56) block replaces the (x12) at the half lead which disrupts the slow work and causes a triple dodge in 3/4 around the half-lead.

Crib sheets

» Oxford Treble Bob Minor

Calling Oxford

Oxford is a sixth place method, the lead end comprising a (x16) or plain hunt block. This contrasts with Plain Bob which has a (x12) block at the lead end. To call a bell unaffected, you don't call Wrong or Home, but In and Out (of the slow work).

Three homes

If you call a bob at the end of the first three leads then the tenors ring the same lead (the first lead) three times whilst the other bells practise making the bob, running in and running out. This touch is only three leads long.

In, Out, repeated

Calling any bell (but it is traditionally the tenor) to run in and then run out, two times, will give you a two course touch of 240 changes.

An extent

Call "In, Out, In" three times. This is analogous to the "Wrong, Home Wrong" three times called for a seconds place method.