Sat 7th March 2026: Inter-District Striking Contest
What a busy and exciting afternoon we had! 5 teams (30 young ringers, aged 11 – 24, mostly 18 and under) invaded the Ashford area with general ringing at Willesborough, Kennington and Ashford as well as their test piece at Kingsnorth. Ringing on the lovely 10 at Ashford was the highlight of the afternoon for most youngsters after the stress of the contest! 8 youngsters participated for the first time this year. There was a really great atmosphere over tea in the hall at Ashford. Everyone was very friendly and there was a surfeit of exceptionally good food : special thanks to the Ashford band and committee for making all the local arrangements and for a great tea!
There was some stiff competition as seen by the results, graciously awarded by past KYR members Stephanie and Alexander Runting:
| 5th | Tonbridge | 75% |
| 4th | Ashford | 80% |
| 3rd | Lewisham | 86% |
| 2nd | Rochester | 90% |
| 1st | Canterbury | 91% |
The team from the Canterbury District won by a whisker(!!), thereby returning the KYR Trophy🏆 to the eastern end of the Association for a second year. Certificates were awarded to all the young ringers and the trophy🏆 was presented to the Canterbury team by Charles Sinden of the Ashford District and has now been engraved.
Wed 25th March saw the Installation of Dame Sarah Mullally as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury. 3 of our young ringers (aged 12, 13 and 15) from Seal Chart rang in a quarter peal of Plain Bob Doubles to celebrate the occasion.
Sat 28th March:
9 Kent MINI-Ringers met at Barming in the morning. We had a wonderful start with FIVE 11 year-olds and one helper ringing great rounds. Some of the youngsters had their first attempt at calling changes and we were also able to ring plain hunt x5 and Plain Bob Doubles.
10 of the Kent Young Ringers met at Marden in the afternoon: a fantastic pull-off set the tone for the afternoon. We had a trial run of P B Doubles for the team entering SEECON on the front 6 bells and repeated this later on the back 6, which we preferred. Ringing included Plain Hunt 5, 6, 7 and 8, Plain Bob Doubles, Minor and Triples and Grandsire Triples. A number of youngsters were encouraged beyond their comfort zones to call “Go” and “That’s all”.
Tuesday 7th April: The SEECON team worked hard practising P B Doubles on a lovely sunny afternoon in Cobham… ahead of the contest on 18th April. This practice obviously also paid off on Sat 11th April when the Rochester District held its striking competitions. The Rochester District young ringers entered a team in the Call Change Category AND the Method category. They obviously rang VERY well as they were placed first in the Call Change category with 92% (5 teams) and 2nd in the Method category with 89% (4 teams), ringing Plain Bob Doubles. Rochester Cathedral won the method category with 92%. Ellen and Lottie rang in the Rochester Cathedral band and both the Young Ringers bands. VERY well done everyone 👏 👏👏👏👏👏
