The Essex Association of Change Ringers   President: The Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Chelmsford

Six-bell Trophy

The Association was delighted to welcome eleven teams across all 6 of our districts to St Peter and St Paul Church at St Osyth for the annual Six-bell Trophy (up from 9 teams from 5 districts in 2022). The judges were Noel Gibbin from the Surrey Association and Tom Britten from the Middlesex County Association and London Diocesan Guild.

Test pieces are chosen by each band and this produced a good mix to listen to including Grandsire Doubles, Plain Bob Doubles, Plain Bob Minor and Cambridge Minor.

Many congratulations to the winning band of Kirby-le-Soken:

Second: Writtle

Third: Chelmsford

The full results were:

Placing	District	Tower	Score
1st	NE	Kirby-le-Soken	26
2nd	SE	Writtle	29 ½
3rd	SE	Chelmsford	28 ½
4th	NE	Ardleigh	64 ½
5th	S	Prittlewell	76
6th	S	Downham	106
7th	NW	Waltham Abbey	108
8th	SW	West Ham	116
9th	N	Coggeshall	122
10th	SW	Hornchurch	166½
11th	NW	Saffron Walden	DNF

For the first time, a Ringers’ Award was included within the Six-bell Trophy competition; the winner was the team who received the most votes from all those attending to enjoy the day, whether ringing or not. The winners of the Inaugural Ringers’ Award were Waltham Abbey.

Eight bell competition

The 8 Bell competition took place at St Mary the Virgin Church, Ardleigh. Four of our 6 districts fielded a team (up from 3 in 2022) and all were asked to ring the same test piece, 272 Plain Bob Major.

Many congratulations to the winning band of the North-East District:

Second: Southern District

Third: South-Eastern District

The full results were:

Placing	District	Score
1st	NE	39 ½
2nd	S	97 ½
3rd	SE	129 ½
4th	NW	154

The Association would like to record their sincere thanks to Helen Bridgman and ringers at St Osyth and Ardleigh for all their hospitality. Thanks also to Bradley and Jackie for arranging the photos.

Caroline Watts, Communications Officer

2 July 2023

(Monday 3 July 2023)