The six bell striking contest is open to all bands within the Guild and they can choose to ring 120 changes of a method or call changes, with the best receiving the Weaver Shield. This year it was decided that the Weaver Shield would be presented to the best method ringing band and a new Centenary Trophy, to mark the Guild’s 100 years, was to be awarded to the best call change band.
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The Centenary Trophy |
The Weaver Shield has been presented for the last 38 years and in that time the highest number of teams to enter the competition is 17. This is a rare occurrence though, only happening on two occasions. This year however, the Guild came out in full force and 21 teams entered. Whilst this was wonderful, it did present an unexpected logistical challenge to organisers. The introduction of the Centenary Trophy alleviated the problem slightly by allowing the contest to be split across two towers - the call change bands were to ring at Guilsborough and the method bands at Cold Ashby. That left the challenge of arranging bands such that people didn’t need to be ringing in two places at the same time, while accommodating the various limitations on band availability. As Helen Allton, Secretary of the PDG says “It is possible that mastering 3-dimensional battle chess may have been simpler!”
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Cransley putting their best foot forward |
On the day itself, plans were put into action, and everything ran smoothly with bands sticking to the scheduled time slots almost to the minute. The increased number of bands also presented a challenge to the host branches but both Guilsborough and Cold Ashby rose to the challenge providing refreshments and a warm welcome to everyone.
Following the competition the spring meeting was held, and once the business element was over, attention turned to the results of the competition.
Judges were complimentary about the standard of ringing and the number of bands entered, even if that did make their task harder. The judges made comments on each band in the order they had rung before giving the scores in reverse order. The results are in the tables below.
Call Change results
| Team Name | Position | Rang | Faults |
| Pattishall | 1 | 5 | 18 |
| Ecton | =2 | 2 | 23 |
| Greens Norton | =2 | 8 | 23 |
| Daventry | 4 | 10 | 24 |
| Daventry Young Ringers | 5 | 12 | 35 |
| Welland Valley Gentlemen | =6 | 4 | 36 |
| Desborough | =6 | 7 | 36 |
| Badby | 8 | 11 | 41 |
| Cransley | 9 | 1 | 42 |
| Whilton | 10 | 9 | 45 |
| Welland Valley Ladies | =11 | 3 | 60 |
| Rushton | =11 | 6 | 60 |
Method results
| Team | Position | Rang | Faults | Method | Peal speed |
| Towcester | 1 | 2 | 95% | Cambridge | 2:51 |
| Peterborough Cathedral | 2 | 9 | 94% | Cambridge | 2:35 |
| Rothwell | 3 | 7 | 88% | Bob Doubles | 2:38 |
| Pattishall | 4 | 5 | 86% | Grandsire | 2:55 |
| Rushden | 5 | 3 | 79% | Cambridge | 2:50 |
| Whilton | 6 | 1 | 78% | Bob Doubles | 2:57 |
| Yelvertoft | 7 | 6 | 77% | Bob Minor | 2:59 |
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The Centenary Trophy presented to Pattishall |
The Weaver Shield presented to Towcester |
Each band was presented with a certificate before the winners received their trophies, with the Centenary Trophy being presented for the very first time.
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Whilton Team |
Bands from seven of the Guild’s 10 branches entered the competition and many of the bands had recent learners. The Whilton call change band was formed entirely of Jubilee learners!
The day finished with open ringing at Cold Ashby before everyone dispersed back to the four corners of the Guild.
What a fantastic day and what a wonderful effort from all involved. The competition will be back on 12 April 2025.
Find out more about Peterborough Diocesan Guild of Bellringers here