6 Bell Competitions

It was a gloriously sunny day in Chalk for the Association’s Six Bell Striking Competitions on Saturday 26^thSeptember.

The judges, Kathy Carter and Cameron Waters

The inter-district method striking competition took place in the morning, with five bands competing. A range of methods from Bob Doubles to Surprise Minor were rung, and there was a high quality of ringing from all teams.

Kathy Carter from Hampshire and Cameron Waters from Bristol took on judging duties for the day, and were set up in a prime position in the churchyard. They gave comments on each band, explaining where faults were accrued and highlighting the qualities of each piece of ringing. The results were:

The winning band from St Stephen’s Canterbury with the Chair

After a super-speedy EGM and an excellent Ploughman’s lunch, the Call Change competition commenced. It was great to have five teams with a huge range of experience levels competing, and all bands produced some really promising ringing. The catering team produced an amazing selection of cakes and because the weather was so good, ringers were able to socialise in the sunshine.  After an extended period of deliberation judges again gave helpful comments with tips on what bands needed to work on, and the top three teams were separated by only two faults! The results were:

The Chair presenting the Call Change Trophy to the KYR

(most of) the Kent Young Ringers team with the judges

It was lovely to have over 50  ringers and supporters attending over the course of the day. Huge thanks must go to Mike Hammock and the Chalk band for hosting, to all of the ringers who acted as stewards, to Anita Perryman for coordinating, and to Val Cooper and Annette Jacobs and their amazing bunch of helpers and bakers for keeping us refreshed over the course of the day.

Next year’s competitions will take place on 25^th September 2027 in Tonbridge District.

Some of the attendees at the competition