This year the Guild is planning striking competitions in four different categories in order to encourage wider participation.
Novice Competition – well struck rounds
6 Bell Call Changes
6 Bell Methods
8 Bell Competition
The Eight Bell Competition will be held on the morning of the Festival at Bishops Cannings, with the results announced at the start of the AGM.
On Saturday 13th June there will be two Six Bell Competitions: Call Changes in the morning at Bradford Peverell, with a ‘Bring and Share’ lunch in the church, and Method Ringing in the afternoon at Martinstown followed by a ‘Bring and Share’ tea there.
Splitting the 6 Bell category into two competitions means that bands including ringers who are just getting to grips with early stage method ringing need not compete with expert surprise ringers. The call change category is also intended as a next step for those bands who entered last year’s Novice Competition as well as bands who feel more comfortable with call changes.
Following the highly successful Novice event last year another will be held on 11th July in the Marlborough Branch where bands will be required to ring Rounds.
Why Enter Striking Competitions?
Good striking is what makes the difference between the pleasant sound of church bells ringing out across the town and a nasty cacophony which only annoys the neighbours. But bellringing is not competitive in itself so why introduce that element? The real value of striking competitions lies not in the ringing on the day but in the practising beforehand.
Any band which regularly rings together can improve its striking and there is something to be said for devoting a portion of every practice to doing just that: listening, adjusting, correcting and encouraging everyone to concentrate and take personal responsibility. Ringing is a co-operative activity and working together will improve overall striking.
Here’s a little advice for those who may feel diffident about entering a striking competition at Branch or Guild level. It’s aimed chiefly at Novices and less experienced bands.
- To benefit most decide on the makeup of the band, ensuring availability for practices and on the day
- Decide well ahead what to ring, keeping well within everyone’s ability
- Practice it regularly, specialising on particular bells if that helps. A good tenor behind makes all the difference so avoid placing the weakest ringer there
- If ringing anything other than Rounds have everyone practice leading with a handstroke gap
- Visit other towers to gain experience on different bells
- On the day of the competition approach it as an enjoyable social event. You may not win a trophy, but your ringing will have benefitted tremendously
Kathryn Tyson
Guild Secretary
