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Text Box: RESULTS

Results of the Hexham Abbey Challenge 2010

Six teams entered the contest originally, but on the day we knew that two teams had been forced to withdraw due to a shortage of ringers. We later discovered that a third team also had to withdraw, so in the end only three teams took part in the competition. The three competing teams were: The Northern Belles (a Tyne & Wear based ladies band), Stokesley (North Yorkshire) and Hexham Abbey. The three teams that had withdrawn were: Gosforth, West Yorkshire, and Ripon & Easingwold.

The contest took place on a fine Saturday afternoon, and some of the ringers enjoyed picnics on the grass outside the Abbey. The draw was overseen by the Rector of Hexham, Canon Graham Usher, who welcomed the two visiting teams to Hexham. The Northern Belles were drawn to ring first, Stokesley second, and Hexham third. We were still hoping at that stage that a fourth team might arrive late. During the afternoon all those not ringing were able to enjoy a fine selection of home made cakes that were being served, with tea, coffee & cold drinks, in the Abbey. The ringing finished by 3.10pm, and at 3.30 the results were announced in the Abbey. Karen Dickinson, the current President of the Durham & Newcastle DA, reminded everyone that the Hexham Abbey Challenge had been started 4 years ago by Neville Parkin when he was D & N President. Neville was keen to promote ringing on higher numbers of bells, but wanted the contest to be accessible to a wide range of ringers – hence the decision to make it a call change contest. Karen then introduced the judges, Gary & Sue Mason. Gary is a former tower captain of Leicester Cathedral, and a former president of the Leicester Diocesan Guild. He said that they had enjoyed their afternoon, and had found all three pieces of ringing very pleasant to listen to.

The result of the contest is as follows:

1st :      Hexham Abbey     : 19 faults

2nd : The Northern Belles : 65 faults

3rd :         Stokesley             : 77 faults

The new Beckwith Trophy, recently made from a piece of oak for the contest, was presented by its maker, wood carver and ringer Andrew Beckwith of Berwick. The tower captain of Hexham, Clive Moon, received the trophy from Andrew. He thanked Andrew for making such an excellent trophy, and proposed a vote of thanks to the judges for travelling a long way to judge the contest.

 

The Hexham Abbey Challenge was held in 2006 and 2008, and will next be held in 2012. The winners therefore hold the trophy for two years. Thanks to all those who rang this year, and special thanks to those who organised the teams – including those whose teams had to withdraw. We could have accommodated up to 8 teams this year, and I hope we will see this number entering in 2012 – start planning your entry now!!

Clive Moon

Clive Moon (right) receiving the trophy from Andrew Beckwith

The winning Hexham team: Clare le Marie (4), Mike Le Marie (10), Gill Hallett (3), Ruth Kemsley (6), Clive Moon (9) (C), Anne Davies (2), Jeremy Housden (7), Andy Hayden (8), Neville Parkin (1). Kathryn and Clare Moon (mascots) in front.

Amy Cousins (5) had left before the photo was taken

 

 

 

How to enter the contest

·        Entries should be made by team organisers. We would request that you do not submit an entry until you are reasonably confident that you have a complete band.

  • If you would like to participate in the contest but not wish to organise a team, and do not know a likely team organiser, contact the tower captain at Hexham – clivemoon555@btinternet.com – and he may be able to put you in touch with team organisers short of ringers.
  • Entries must be received by the tower secretary, John Snook, no later than 19th June 2010. Please email your entry to him, including the team name, and team organiser’s name and contact details. John’s email address: john.snook1@btinternet.com
  • You can enter at any time from now on (19th March 2010). Places will be allocated in the order in which entries are received. Up to 8 teams can compete.
  • If more than 8 entries are received, then later entries will form a “reserve” list.
  • There is no charge for entering the Hexham Abbey Challenge.

 

How to book practices

·        Competing teams are invited to practice on the Abbey bells in the month leading up to the competition.

  • We will try to accommodate practice requests, but cannot guarantee that the bells will be available when you want them. Our ringing calendar gives information on other bookings for the bells, and so is a useful guide.
  • If you wish to book the bells for a practice, email John Snook (john.snook1@btinternet.com), and he will check that this does not clash with other Abbey events.

 

 

The Hexham Abbey Challenge

A call change striking competition on 10 bells

Saturday, July 3rd, 2010 at 1.00pm

 

Competition Rules

 


1)                 Any ten ringers from anywhere may form a team.

2)                 Teams should be given a name.  If representing a tower the team should contain at least six members of that Sunday service band.

3)                 No ringer may compete with more than one team.

4)                 Teams may include an 11th non-ringing member to “coach” striking and/or call the changes, and/or count the rows.

5)                 The competition “piece” will be call changes. It will be a minimum of 300 rows, including rounds at the beginning and the end, with a minimum of 240 rows after the first change is called and before rounds is returned to. The piece will include the following rows: 32165498710; and 13579246810, and at least 3 bells must share the leading. (see suggestions below)

6)                 Within one month of the competition teams can book practice time on the Hexham Abbey Bells in consultation with the tower secretary, John Snook on 01434 605408, or email: john.snook1@btinternet.com.

7)                 Entries for the competition must be received by the tower secretary no later than two weeks beforehand (Sunday, 19th June). Up to eight teams may compete. Places in the contest will be allocated in the order they are received.

8)                 The draw for the order of ringing will take place at 1pm, overseen by an impartial contest chairman.

9)                 One representative of each team should be present at the draw for the order of ringing.

10)             Teams can decide to change the order in which they ring with another team with the agreement of both teams.

11)             In the event of any differences of opinion, the chairman's decision will be final.

12)             On the day of the competition teams will be allowed five minutes of rounds for familiarisation with the bells and rope adjustment. There will be no further practice.

13)             The team performance will be marked from the first rounds until the bells stand.

14)             The signal to judges that teams are ready to begin the performance will be two whole pulls on the two Trebles.

15)             One member of each team is requested to remain in the ringing chamber to act as a steward for the next competing team.

16)             The Results will be announced as soon as possible after the ringing.

 

 

 

Suggested sequence of call changes

 

Given below is a suggested set of call changes that would comply with the rules. This is just a suggestion. Any changes may be called provided the rows 32165498710 and 13579246810 appear and 3 bells share the leading.

The “no. of handstrokes” column gives an idea of the frequency with which calls need to be made.

 

Call change sequence No 1

Call number

No. of hand strokes

 

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

1

 

 

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

9

8

10

2

4

 

1

2

3

4

5

6

9

7

8

10

3

4

 

1

2

3

4

5

6

9

8

7

10

4

4

 

2

1

3

4

5

6

9

8

7

10

5

4

 

2

3

1

4

5

6

9

8

7

10

6

4

 

2

3

1

4

6

5

9

8

7

10

7

4

 

2

3

1

6

4

5

9

8

7

10

8

4

 

2

3

1

6

5

4

9

8

7

10

9

4

 

3

2

1

6

5

4

9

8

7

10

10

8

Roller

3

2

1

6

5

4

9

7

8

10

11

4

 

3

2

1

5

6

4

9

7

8

10

12

4

 

3

2

1

5

4

6

9

7

8

10

13

4

 

3

2

1

5

4

9

6

7

8

10

14

4

 

3

2

1

5

4

9

7

6

8

10

15

4

 

3

2

1

5

9

4

7

6

8

10

16

4

 

3

2

1

5

9

7

4

6

8

10

17

4

 

3

1

2

5

9

7

4

6

8

10

18

4

 

3

1

2

5

7

9

4

6

8

10

19

4

 

3

1

5

2

7

9

4

6

8

10

20

4

 

3

1

5

7

2

9

4

6

8

10

21

4

 

3

1

5

7

9

2

4

6

8

10

22

4

 

1

3

5

7

9

2

4

6

8

10

23

8

Queens

1

3

5

7

2

9

4

6

8

10

24

4

 

1

3

5

7

2

4

9

6

8

10

25

4

 

1

3

5

7

2

4

6

9

8

10

26

4

 

1

3

5

2

7

4

6

9

8

10

27

4

 

1

3

5

2

4

7

6

9

8

10

28

4

 

1

3

2

5

4

7

6

9

8

10

29

4

 

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

29 calls

 

 

 

 

 

Total handstrokes

120

 

Preceded by 20 handstrokes of rounds (approx 1.5 mins)

 

Followed by 10 handstrokes of rounds (approx 0.75 mins)

 

 

 

Call change sequence No 2

Call number

No. of hand strokes

 

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

1

 

 

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

9

8

10

2

3

 

1

2

3

4

5

6

9

7

8

10

3

3

 

1

2

3

4

5

6

9

8

7

10

4

3

 

1

2

3

4

6

5

9

8

7

10

5

3

 

1

2

3

6

4

5

9

8

7

10

6

3

 

1

2

3

6

5

4

9

8

7

10

7

3

 

2

1

3

6

5

4

9

8

7

10

8

3

 

2

3

1

6

5

4

9

8

7

10

9

3

 

3

2

1

6

5

4

9

8

7

10

10

5

Roller

3

2

1

6

5

4

9

7

8

10

11

3

 

3

2

1

5

6

4

9

7

8

10

12

3

 

3

2

1

5

4

6

9

7

8

10

13

3

 

3

2

1

5

4

9

6

7

8

10

14

3

 

3

2

1

5

4

9

7

6

8

10

15

3

 

3

2

1

5

9

4

7

6

8

10

16

3

 

3

2

1

5

9

7

4

6

8

10

17

4

 

2

3

1

5

9

7

4

6

8

10

18

4

 

2

3

1

9

5

7

4

6

8

10

19

4

 

2

1

3

9

5

7

4

6

8

10

20

4

 

2

1

3

9

7

5

4

6

8

10

21

4

 

1

2

3

9

7

5

4

6

8

10

22

5

Whittingtons

1

3

2

9

7

5

4

6

8

10

23

4

 

1

3

9

2

7

5

4

6

8

10

24

4

 

1

3

9

7

2

5

4

6

8

10

25

4

 

1

3

9

7

5

2

4

6

8

10

26

4

 

1

3

7

9

5

2

4

6

8

10

27

4

 

1

3

7

5

9

2

4

6

8

10

28

4

 

1

3

5

7

9

2

4

6

8

10

29

6

Queens

1

3

5

7

2

9

4

6

8

10

30

3

 

1

3

5

7

2

4

9

6

8

10

31

3

 

1

3

5

7

2

4

6

9

8

10

32

3

 

1

3

5

2

7

4

6

9

8

10

33

3

 

1

3

5

2

4

7

6

9

8

10

34

3

 

1

3

2

5

4

7

6

9

8

10

35

3

 

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

35 calls

 

 

 

 

 

Total handstrokes

120

 

Preceded by 20 handstrokes of rounds (approx 1.5 mins)

 

Followed by 10 handstrokes of rounds (approx 0.75 mins)