Saturday 25 June 2011

Melbourne 5th in the 2011 12 bell final

Well done to the Melbourne team, who came 5th in the 12 bell Striking Competition at Leeds today - a great result. Leeds are not easy bells and are much heavier than Melbourne - 40cwt.

The Leeds crew did us proud with bouncy castles, loads of beer & food and a live Internet feed around the world for those who could not make the journey to Leeds. It was good to see several Derbyshire ringers at the event.

Next year's final is at Melbourne.


Judges: Frederick Shallcross (Chief), Thomas W Griffiths, Robert C Kippin, Mark W Regan
TeamRangSpeedMark
1Birmingham2nd3h3485%
2York5th3h3084%
3Ancient Society of College Youths8th3h3780%
4Bristol9th3h3472%
5Melbourne7th3h3467%
6Cambridge4th3h3063%
7Exeter3rd3h4762%
8Stockton-on-Tees1st3h3761%
9St Paul's Cathedral6th3h3460%



Front row (R-L: Simon Melen (Treble), Pam Timms, Liz Hutchieson, John Fisher (with Billy), Angela Preston, Christian Peckham)
Back row (L-R: Terry Astill, Tim Peverett, Simon Humphrey, Stuart Hutchieson, Alistair Smith, Richard Angrave (Tenor))

The advert on the side of the pub outside Leeds Parish Church (below).


Monday 13 June 2011

Derby Tops 2011 Tewkesbury Shield Table with "Strongly Controlled Ringing"


Derby Tops 2011 Tewkesbury Shield Table with "Strongly Controlled Ringing"
Derby DA team organiser Tim Peverett receiving the Tewkesbury Shield Trophy from the Mayor of Tewkesbury, Geoff Pope The 39th Tewkesbury Shield took place on Saturday, 7th May and once again we were lucky with the weather, since the rain clouds disappeared just as the teams were arriving. The Vicar of Tewkesbury, Canon Paul Williams, welcomed everybody to Tewkesbury, and asked everybody to remember Rod Pipe, who judged the very first competition back in 1973.


The test piece this year was a touch of 360 Grandsire Caters composed by Paul Flavell and was successfully completed by all nine teams. The Touching Souls Tea Room staffed by ringers and friends was open and did a roaring trade in bacon butties, delicious cakes, sandwiches and drinks, raising about £475 for Abbey funds. Everybody involved worked hard all day keeping up with demand, a job made harder since the dishwasher had broken down! The judges, Simon Rudd and Mary Holden, were hidden in a nearby flat, chosen as a judging venue not only as the acoustics are good and clear, with no bell shouting, but also because the flat is rented by one of our ringers! Their comments on each team were as follows :


Team 1 (Hereford Diocesan Guild, peal speed 3h 20m): the ends of the changes were a little variable, with either bells in 8-9 stretching out or the tenor driving in. Small problems at the end of 13th and 15th leads. The little bells were rung well; 


Team 2 (Derby Diocesan Association, peal speed 3h 35m): the slowest ringing of the day. Very strongly controlled piece of ringing with a good beat set by the tenor. Reverse rounds were untidy! Such small hesitations as there were caused little or no disruption; 


Team 3 (Winchester and Portsmouth DG, peal speed 3h 19m): a more positive pace, but with a shaky start. Best ringing of the piece came in the middle section, apart from the musical half-way course end; 


Team 4 (University of London, peal speed 3h 23m): recovered nerves and completed test piece after a catastrophic practice. Tenor a little sluggish. Accrued faults throughout; 


Team 5 (Oxford Society, peal speed 3h 34m): another steady paced piece. Like the curate's egg, excellent but only in parts. Possibly a method mistake at the start of the 16th lead. The leading was a little inconsistent; 


Team 6 (Worcestershire & Districts, peal speed 3h 30m): a piece with an uncertain rhythm. Some bells trying to push it along, others holding back. Consistent accrual of faults. Two emergency sirens during this piece and the birds in our garden certainly seemed to sing loudly!


Team 7 (Oxford Diocesan Guild, peal speed 3h 25m): a piece that failed to fulfil its initial promise, although rung at a confident pace. Small error at the beginning of the 15th lead; 


Team 8 (Bath & Wells, peal speed 3h 32m): another piece with an uncertain pace that never fully settled. Unfortunately, many of the faults were accumulated by two bells;


Team 9 (Gloucester and Bristol, peal speed 3h 17m): the fastest ringing of the day. Brisk and confident, a band with a common purpose. There were however minor inconsistencies throughout. Enjoyable nonetheless. The results were: 
 1st Derby DA (66 faults) 
2nd Gloucester &Bristol (76 faults)
 3rd Oxford Society (88 faults) 
4th Oxford DG (103 faults) 
5th Winchester and Portsmouth DG (110 faults) 
6th Hereford DG (116 faults) 
7th Bath & Wells (129 faults) 
8th Worcestershire & Districts (148 faults) 
9th University of London (174 faults)


The Tewkesbury Shield Trophies were presented to Tim Peverett and the Derby team by the Tewkesbury Town Mayor, Councillor Geoff Pope. The Shield itself resides at the Abbey, but the winners are now able to take the new "portable" trophy home for a year. Next year's competition, on May 5th, is the 40th Tewkesbury Shield Competition and we are wondering how we might mark the occasion. Several ideas for the organising committee to consider have been suggested so far. Teams wishing to apply for the 2012 competition should look out for an advert in October, and places will be drawn at the Tewkesbury Abbey Guild of Ringers Annual General Meeting in December. Thanks go to the many people who help make the Tewkesbury Shield Competition a success each year.
Judges Mary Holden and Simon Rudd just before the adjudication
Part of the Derby Team with the Shield, the portable trophy and mugs. (L-R Tim Peverett, Christian Peckham, Richard Taylor, Pam Timms, Richard Angrave, Simon Melen)
The winners certificate

Wednesday 1 June 2011

Summer Meeting 2011

Details of the Summer Meeting on the 2nd July are on the events guide.
There will be ringing at three Southern District towers.
Click on the meeting at 5pm to see the agenda and who to give names to if you would like tea!

2011 Horsley Cup and Arthur Ashby Cup Results

Here are the results from the Horsley Cup and Arthur Ashby Cup held on 14th May.
Look here for further information about both the competitions.


HORSLEY CUP
Judges - Colin and Jane Aked

1 Darley Dale         249 1/2 points
2 Derby Cathedral  246
3 Tideswell            219 1/2
4 Muggington        216 1/2
5 Stavely              208



ARTHUR ASHBY CUP
Judge - Graham Hayward

1 Etwall                       214 1/2 points
2 Ashford-in-the-Water  210
3 Belper                      209 1/2
4 Overseal                   203 1/2
5 Long Eaton               192
6 Hartington                183
7 Old Brampton           182 1/2