Here’s the Desford vs Kirby Muxloe Striking Competition

At the beginning of last summer we decided that during the following few months we would try to concentrate on learning good striking. A large proportion of our band at Desford are at the stage where we need at least four strong ringers around them to help them learn method ringing, which happens to be the number who are usually there! Looking at the summer months with holidays and other absences, we weren’t sure we’d be able to support our novices in method learning, but how about thinking about striking?

And then, in my wisdom, I wondered whether neighbouring Kirby Muxloe band, in the same benefice as us, would be interested in ending the summer with an intramural striking competition. Mark P was immediately keen on the idea! And a date was arranged for the end of August.

Mark B set up cameras in the bell chamber (not the ringing room!) and piped sound, which was projected using the large screens in the nave of the church, so we could all assess the other teams whilst we waited our turn.

And while we waited we snacked on the bring and share tea, thank you to Kay and Kate W for organising us all so we didn’t end up with sandwiches to feed an army but no cake.

As each tower had novice ringers who were still at the call changes stage, we decided to have three sections to the competition. Call changes: to include at least 2 ringers who had not rung a quarter peal; Method ringing; and a scratch band section where team leaders drew names from a hat to determine teams. The scratch band section also included a couple of guests, so we were able to generate three bands, meaning the judges had a total of seven bands to listen to.

Call change band B had an unfortunate incident which caused a premature end to their test piece, and ended with two of the bells having been rung down. Later, method team B stood up their practice mid touch, then when they started again and rang a complete course of Cambridge Minor many of us were not sure whether they had forgotten to ring the signal that they were about to start their test piece – including the judges! The test piece was subsequently rung (with appropriate signal).

At the end of the evening, the results were pretty much what we had been expecting, with Desford winning the call change section, and Kirby Muxloe the method section. All three scratch bands rang call changes, and interestingly all scored better than the official call change bands! Unfortunately, various attendees had to leave for other obligations, so we only managed to get a photo of the winning call change team.

I wanted to get everyone a prize of some sort. I was reminded that in the past striking competitions took place for the prize of hats. So trophies were duly obtained, winners cups for the method section and hats for the call changes section (though not particularly practical ones!). And so they didn’t feel left out, the losers were presented with wooden spoons!

For our first time hosting an event like this, we all agreed it went very well. The only thing we would change would be the timing, which had been restricted by various people’s other commitments. Next time we will have ringing first, followed by tea, and chance for the judges to finish up their comments and have a chance to eat too!

Rumour has it that next year we’ll be going to Kirby Muxloe…

Rebecca Banner