STRIKING COMPETITIONS COMMITTEE

After the success of splitting the dates of the 6 and 8-bell Inter-Tower competitions last year, we reverted back to the traditional formula this year out of necessity as the competitions were to be held on the Isle of Wight to make the logistics of transport and cost more favourable. To make use of the September slot we held a novices’ competition.

Inter-Tower 6-bell competition

The Guild Inter-Tower 6-bell competition held on the morning of Saturday 11th May at Arreton, IoW. The weather was kind to us and we enjoyed standing in the church yard listening to the bells and enjoying the refreshments laid on by the local band to whom we pass on our grateful thanks.

Many thanks to Liz and Phil Barnes who judged the competition. There were an outstanding 9 entries from across the Guild and the results were as follows:

Inter-Tower 8-bell competition

In the afternoon we held the 8-bell competition on the back 8 at Carisbrooke IoW. Our thanks once again to Liz and Phil Barnes who judged the competition having not scared them away in the morning. The results were as follows:

Inter-District 8-bell competition

The Competition was held in the Portsmouth District at Curdridge. The weather was dry and once again gave the entrants good opportunity to stand in the church yard listening.

Many thanks to Paul and Kate Flavell who judged the competition. The results were:

Guild Novices’ 6-bell competition

In an effort to get more interest in what is going on at Guild level, we held a Novices competition this year. It was open to anyone who had not taken part in a Guild level competition before who wanted to get more experience and a good day out.

After reviewing the entrants we split them into groups of 6 ringers, each of who met at a tower with a mentor for an hour in the afternoon of the competition to practice together and get advice on how to win a striking competition.

Following this we enjoyed a delightful ringers tea at Cheriton, supplied by the local ringers and then held the competition on the local Cheriton bells.

• Easton - Andy Ingram

• Old Alresford - Matt Watts

• Northington - Rachael Barber

• Warnford - Andy Sparling

We invited Peter Maddams and Ellen Barber as judges, two of the W&P youth band who regularly compete in national level youth competitions for the Guild who have enjoyed much success in recent years. Our thanks to them. The results were:

Pete Jordan