This year’s Ringing World National Youth Competition Day was held on Sat 2nd July – in/around Exeter. This Day is typically a mix of part Ringing Outing (Towers in the area plus ringing at the “Host” Church – usually a Cathedral), part Striking Competition (for those taking part in that bit), & part an opportunity to meet & socialise with other young ringers – from all across the UK.

LDG’s Young Ringers – rebranded this year as “Leicestershire Foundry Foxes” – have taken part in this Annual Event for a number of years now, but this year had “extra spice” as:

1. Due to the distance to Exeter we collaborated to share a Coach with Coventry, Derby, & Nottingham young ringers… the Coach departure from Warwick at 06:30 meant a very early start for us (& more so for Derby/Notts)… & ultimately a very long (but great fun!) Day.

2. RWNYC Organisers had arranged for a number of “Mini Rings” to be setup/available to ring on in the Cathedral Nave & surrounding areas – including one Ring that you actually sat down to ring! Mindful that Exeter Cathedral’s Bells (Tenor ~73cwt) are the second-heaviest set of Ringing Bells in the World…?!! You get the picture. [As it happened we were the last Group to be able to ring all 12 Bells at the Cathedral on-the-day – as the Tenor Clapper “fell out” during our Cathedral ringing session – not while any of our ringers were ringing the Tenor, though an ex-LDG YR (Luke Groom) was “ringing the Tenor’s strap/2nd rope” at the time…!]

3. This year, for the first time, we elected to enter the “Method” Striking Competition, ringing Plain Hunt Doubles – previously we had always entered the “Call Changes” Competition. This was a big step-up for us, but one that our ‘Foxes took in their stride, striking the changes well & with confident rhythm. Ultimately we were placed equal 5th (but had we gained a further point we would have been equal 4th!) – the Judges feedback was very positive & this is a fantastic result, giving our ‘Foxes the confidence to go even further next year.

I know from feedback from our ‘Foxes & their Parents/Grandparents what a fantastic time everyone had (despite the very early start!) – we can’t wait for RWNYC2023 (to be held in York in 2023 – including ringing at York Minster!).

Thanks to Sally for organising the ‘Foxes Polo shirts and backpacks, and Rebecca for designing the logo.

Thanks to Joe’s Mum for making some ‘Foxes logo Badges (these helped on-day as there is very strict Tower/Cathedral access control [supposed to be YRs & max 2 “coaches”] so we didn’t have nearly enough arm bands for Parents etc…. but those wearing “our Badges” were allowed in to Towers/Cathedral

Thanks to Ian Stonehouse/Coventry YRs Coach Annie Hall (nee Bramley – ex LDG!) for sorting out a Coach

We have since recently joined the Notts YRs at one of their Practices (Daybrook Nr. Arnold – Notts) & will be joining Leicester Cathedral’s Practice on 6th Oct (despite having rung at Liverpool, Worcester, Exeter Cathedral’s in recent years, some ‘Foxes have yet to ring at their own Cathedral!!).

For any young ringers wanting to join our Foundry Foxes – please contact me as below.

Howell Williams
LDG “Leicestershire Foundry Foxes” Young Ringers Coach
HO:0116 2368887
Mob: 07472 077387
5040williams@gmail.com

On Saturday 2nd July I was lucky enough to be able to represent Leicester at the ringing world national youth contest in Exeter. I started ringing four years ago when I joined All Saints church in Thurcaston. This was my second competition and it was a great experience. We placed 5th in the competition and it was great to experience all the different towers in Exeter and I really enjoyed it, especially ringing the 9th bell at the cathedral. I enjoy bell ringing because it is a chance to do something that not many people can do and it is a chance to represent my city and meet new people. I have had lots of great experienced in the past with bell ringing. Also, it was great to ring method instead of call changes which I feel was a big step up and I can’t wait for next year’s competition in York!

Joe Green 12 years old

Leicestershire, Warwickshire & Derbyshire Young Ringers at the RWNYC.

Well Exeter is a long way … so the young ringers of Leicestershire & our friends from Derbyshire met up with our Warwickshire compatriots at the unearthly time of 6.30am in a Warwick car park to start our journey to the RWNYC 2022.

We had a steady run down the M5 with just one Pit-stop to stretch our legs with the youngsters already full of energy … and a fair bit of sugar from the snacks being consumed to pass the time. Fortunately the organisers had taken some pity on us and our competition ringing was not too early – 10.50am at St. Marks for our Method performance while ‘Coventry Spires’ & Derbyshire Young Ringers’ were ringing Call changes at St. Davids from 10.40am. The rain had also travelled to Exeter that morning and the heavens duly opened as our young ringers started their performance. Given the rain and for all those who didn’t blag a lift with Jason & Joe, we took the wise option of catching a Bus to join up with our companions at St. Petrocks for some general ringing – as all buses went to Exeter it was a simple task (although there was a bit of chatting with friendly locals to choose the best place to get off the bus).

At St. Petrocks which is a ground floor 5cwt ring of 6, we were greeted by the lack of a stay on one bell but that just gave some extra standing and holding practice for a couple of our group until we were able to pass on to another willing volunteer ! As a spacious tower, it was also a good chance to dry off and eat any of your sandwiches that remained in your ‘Foundry Foxes’ rucksack.

By 12.10am our ringing slot had come to an end so we continued walking through the city with some sampling the many fast-food delights Exeter has to offer and others heading straight to the Cathedral to check out the stalls and various mini-rings on offer. There were plenty of familiar faces and bells to tryout with Frank Macks Garage Ring (6, 1lb 9.5oz), the Bowerdon Peal (6, 16lb 5oz) along with the Maypole Ring which is an interesting setup with 6 dumbbells at ground level and synthesised sound of what ever tenor weight you like.

As 1.30pm approached, it was time to round the troops up for one of the highlights of the day, ringing the Cathedral bells with the 72cwt tenor … or that was the idea. After ascending quite a few stairs and passing the previous group exiting, it was our turn. Simon Linford (Current Central Council President) was tasked with organising the ringing and making sure everyone had a chance to ring but just as some of our youngsters were working towards the Great Bell, the clapper broke and we got to see the tenor being rung down in silence. Ringing was able to continue on the light 10 but the chance of heavyweight ringing glory was gone.

The problem with going all that way up was coming back down but with gravity to help it was easy and then the journey to St. Marks began. The weather was dry by now but that did little to help the legs of several of our youngsters so while some walked, the bus was made use of again … although the walkers got there first ! St. Marks had been used for 6 bell ringing in the morning but our group was here for general ringing so got a chance to ring on all 10 so that we did.

Crossing over to our final tower of the day at Heavitree, all 26cwt of them was not on any bus route so the fight for Jason & Joe’s car was intensified but those that walked had a good chat so the time soon passed. As our only 8 of the day, there was an opportunity for some Triples and Major to ring as a group before heading back to the Cathedral for the results.

We took our designated seats in anticipation of the results and just to prove we were truly there, see us all waving on page 667 of the Ringing World (No.5803). Then as we held our breath, the Foundry Foxes were called up being placed 6th in their first foray into the Method section and all were delighted. The judges then turned to the Call Changes results and to keep harmony on the coach, both Coventry Spires and Derbyshire Young Ringers were awarded joint 12th place (ironically on the same 5.5 score as our youngsters achieved).

We soon were heading back to the coach … some via the chip shop while some managed to grab a slice or three of Pizza that just happened to be going spare … and a slightly worn out group relaxing on the bus as it joined the motorway to deliver us effortlessly back to Warwick and then on to our welcoming beds zzzzz.

Ian Stonehouse