The Lincoln Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers

Ringing World National Youth Contest - 26 March 2011

The first Ringing World National Youth Contest took place at St Saviour's, Pimlico on 26 March 2011. It was one of many events arranged to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the publication of the Ringing World. Twelve teams took part from all parts of the country including two from Lincolnshire, the "Lincolnshire Poachers" and the "Market Deep Grantham" or "MDG" team.

St Saviour's, Pimlico. 8 bells, tenor 7-1-20 in G

Each team of bell ringers, all aged under 19, were asked to ring a test piece of 160 rows of their choice from call changes, Triples or Major. Market Deep Grantham were drawn to ring seventh and rang call changes. The Lincolnshire Poachers were drawn eighth and rang Plain Bob Triples. Both teams rang really well and were proudly supported by mums, dads and many other ringers from Lincolnshire who listened intently outside.

The nervous but excited MDG band before ringing their test piece

Left to right standing in order of bells rung: Alistair Cherry (Grantham), Chloe Reynolds (Mkt Deeping), Alison Stokoe (Mkt Deeping), William Cherry (Grantham), Benjamin Stokoe (Mkt Deeping), Emily Waters (Langton-by-Spilsby), Philippa Stokoe (Mkt Deeping), Josh Douglas (Mkt Deeping).

The Lincolnshire Poachers with mixed emotions prior to ringing

Left to right standing in order of bells rung: Bridget Jones-Crabtree (Washingborough), George Thompson (Barton on Humber), Daniel Young (Barton on Humber), Philip Scarf (Scotter), Daniel Meyer (Alford), Rae Todd (Messingham), Ben Meyer (Alford), Joe Waters (Langton-by-Spilsby).

On completion of the contest the ringers joined many others to fill Westminster Abbey for Evensong celebrating the Centenary of the Ringing World and then on to Central Hall Westminster for tea and the results. A packed hall first listened to the ringing of 24 handbells (a record) in a compositon of 100 changes specially arranged for the day. The striking contest had been judged by Simon Linford ( Chief Judge ), Tessa Beadman, Immogen Brooke and James Marchbank and they explained their judging system and how teams were awarded grades similar to the GCSE examination system. Their comments on the ringing included good and constuctive points with Simon stating that all the teams produced a standard that he would be happy to pay for if it had been for his wedding.

The Market Deep Grantham team were awarded a 'C' grade and the Lincolnshire Poachers an 'A' grade. The overall winners of the Trophy with an 'A*' grade were from Hertfordshire. All the ringers taking part were presented with a medal. Congratulations to both teams. For full details of results see tables below.

Call Changes Category:

Place	Team	Grade (%)
1st	Team  4: Hertfordshire	A* (78%)
2nd	Team 12: Kids.Ring.Out	A* (76%)
3rd	Team  1: Sussex Young Ringers	A
4th	Team  5: Essex S.E. District	B
5th=	Team  2: Bedfordshire	C
	Team  6: Derby D.A.	C
	Team  7: Market Deep-Grantham	C
	Team 10: Devon Young Ringers	C
	Team 11: Leicester Rising Ringers	C

Method Category:

Place	Team	Grade (%)
1st	Team  3: Oxford D.G.	A (71%)
2nd	Team  8: Lincolnshire Poachers	A
3rd	Team  9: Cheshire Cats	B

This was a tremendous effort by the young ringers from Lincolnshire and the whole Guild should be proud of their achievement. Like many events it required a lot of support and we are grateful to all the mums, dads and others who helped with transport and practices in the preceding weeks and with arrangements on the day. In particular we are most grateful to Emma Southerington for arranging and coaching the MDG team and likewise to Sue Faull for the Poachers.

Photographs by Jonathan Clark
Results table from the Ringing World

Alan Payne
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