The Channel Islands District 6-Bell Striking Competition rang out in style on Saturday 6 September at Wells House, Alderney. Despite the high winds hinting at possible travel challenges, ringers from Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney converged for a weekend that proved we’re much more than the sum of our parts.
Seven teams took part in a spirited and good-natured contest. Many thanks go to our judges Alex Riley and Estella Haynes, whose considered appraisals of the striking were thoughtful and constructive. The competition is open to all, with teams choosing to ring a variety of pieces from Called Changes to Spliced Minor. The standard of ringing was impressively high, with plenty of friendly rivalry. Town Church, St Peter Port, Guernsey were the deserving winners this year.
The weekend was about more than just the competition. We took every opportunity to ring! No fewer than seven tower-bell quarter peals were scored over the weekend, with some notable personal milestones. Congratulations to Jane who, through ringing first quarters of London, Lincolnshire and Pudsey in the space of 24 hours, completed the full “standard eight” Surprise Major methods to quarter peals; to Benjy who rang his first quarter of eight-spliced Major, and to Benjy and Joseph who scored first quarters on 12 – all fantastic achievements. We made excellent use of the ringing and conducting abilities of our judges and Tim Philips our Guild Representative. Thank you all.
Special mention must also go to the Elizabeth College, Guernsey, contingent who chartered a boat to Alderney. For some, it was the first opportunity to ringing on tower bells. Others scored two quarters during the outward voyage and a peal on the return. That’s commitment!
Our thanks go to Alderney for hosting this memorable weekend, to Alex, Estella and Tim for getting stuck in, and to all those who conducted and supported the ringing. Pulling together as a district isn’t easy when separated by stretches of sea, but this event showed just how strong our ringing community is. Excellent ringing, new achievements and renewed friendships – all proof that Channel Islands ringing is alive and thriving.
Louise Read
