6 BEll Striking Competition Rules 

1. The competition is to be held on the 2nd Saturday of May in each year.

2. The test piece will be either:

●       120 changes in any Method, Minor or Doubles, or

●       120 changes of call changes to include at least 10 called changes, with all the bells, except the tenor, being affected.

The Guild aims to promote progression, so a band is encouraged to ring to their highest capability, based on their overall experience.

3. The order of the bands competing in the ringing will be by lot.

4. A band will consist of at least 4 regular ringers from that tower. If more than one band is entered from the same tower, each band must not have more than two ringers in it who ring for the other band, or bands. All ringers will be members of the Guild.

5. No ringer will compete in more than 2 bands in the competition. There will be no scratch bands. Towers should make every effort to make up their complete bands before the competition day. They should notify the Guild Secretary of their intention to compete by the Sunday before the competition and whether they intend to ring a method or call changes.

6. Bands may ring their bells briefly, for no more than 3 minutes, before their test piece to familiarise themselves with the bells. Notice to be given to the Adjudicator that this practice time has ended by 3 whole pulls on a single bell.

7. The ringing will be as follows:

●       Up to 10 whole pulls and then straight into the test piece

●       The test piece of Call Changes or a Method of 120 changes, and the bells to be stood within 10 whole pulls.

8. Only the test piece will be marked.  Judging will start with the first change of the Method or, if the test piece is Call Changes, after 10 whole pulls.  

9. The conductor from the previous band will remain in the belfry to assist with time keeping, or in the case of the band drawn first the time keeper will be the conductor of the band drawn last

10. In any case of doubt or dispute the adjudicator's decision will be final and binding in all cases.

11. The Shield will be presented to the band with the lowest number of faults and certificates to the teams placed first, second and third. All bands who enter will receive a certificate to recognise their contributions to the competition. 

12. There is an entry fee of £10 per band to help to defray the adjudicator's expenses.

Stephen McGrath Guild Ringing Master September 2025