OS: SP280180
Shipton under Wychwood, St Mary
St Mary, Shipton under Wychwood is in the West of the village at the end of Church Street and close to the River Evenlode. Church Street starts on the West side of the A361 that runs through the middle of the village. There was plenty of space to park on Church Street.
The Church has a very ornate tower with an octagonal spire. The ringing room is reached by climbing a stone spiral staircase that starts inside the tower. There is no rope or handrail and some found this disconcerting. The room is spacious and light with deep arched windows, each with a window seat, on three sides. For anyone arranging a tour, there is a toilet.
2009-07-16
I visited for the first time on Thursday 16th July 2009 for the "Two Hundred and Thirtyseventh Mid-week Outing" of the Four Shires Guild of Bell Ringers. There were more than 20 of us and I still cannot ring any methods on 8 bells and contented myself with ringing the Tenor for a touch of Stedman Triples.
The Bells
The tower has a ring of 8 bells with a tenor weighing ~14-3-0 in F. Dove's Guide includes details of the bells at St Mary and more information is provided by the Oxford Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers.
