Luton District Striking Competition

On the 19th of March we are competing in the Luton District Striking competition. It takes place in Westoning and will start at 5pm. We have quite a large band now, and it seems likely that we will be able to enter two, or even three teams. All band members are asked to be there if they can, it should be quite the Linslade party!

There is very limited information for the competition online, so we have the rules written here:

1. Notification Towers and bands should give the organiser at least one week’s notice of entry, although entry on the day may be permitted at the organiser’s discretion.

2. Entry Fee The entry fee will be £3.00 per team.

3. Order of Ringing Towers will draw lots to determine the order of ringing. If a band is incomplete at the time of the draw they will be placed to compete last.

4. Contest Piece After the draw has taken place each band will inform the organiser whether they wish to ring for the Changes competition or for the Rounds competition. • The Changes Competition - bands will contest the Lucy Shepherd Trophy and will be judged upon 120 rows of changes of a doubles or minor method of their choice. The test piece will be judged once the band goes into changes and bands are asked to limit the preliminary rounds to no more than 20 rows. Note that only bands participating in this competition will be eligible to enter the Association Contest. • The Rounds Competition – bands will contest The Round Cup and will be judged upon 120 rows of rounds or call changes. Note that the first 20 rows of the test piece will not be judged.

5. Participating Ringers Each participating ringer shall only ring in one band in the contest.

6. Novice Band If a tower is entering a novice team the judges can be notified and such teams may have two experienced ringers in the ringing chamber whilst they are practising. Helpers may remain present during the test piece but should refrain from any coaching during the piece. These teams will not be eligible for the Association Striking Contest.

7. Judging The maximum number of judges is 2 and they may use their own scoring system in their assessment.

8. Practice Period When each band enters the ringing chamber, a maximum of 5 minutes shall be allowed for practise and familiarisation. The Conductor may call the band to stand at any time during the practise period, if the five minutes are exceeded, bands will be instructed to stand by the row counter. Following the practise period, the treble shall be struck four times to indicate to the contest judges that the contest piece is about to begin. Note: Contest ringing shall be deemed to have started when ringing commences after the Treble has been struck four times. Any band that stands before the completion of its contest piece shall be disqualified and can not take any further part. An exception to this rule will apply when, in the opinion of the row counter, Striking Contest Organiser and Contest Judges, failure to stand would have constituted a danger to person or property.

9. Association Striking Contest Going forward to the Association Striking Contest all members of the band have to be members of the Bedfordshire Association of Church Bell Ringers. The General Committee decides what the format of the ringing is to be and this decision will be announced at the District Striking Contest. The two bands placed first and second in the Method or Changes contest are to represent the Luton District in the Association Striking Contest. If for any reason they are unable to enter the Association Striking Contest they must inform the Striking Contest Organiser as soon as possible, this is to allow the 3rd place team to enter the Association Striking Contest.

10. Bands 50% of the team have to reside within the Bedfordshire Association boundary. All of the band have to be associated with the tower and ring for Sunday Service regularly at the tower. Only Towers from the Luton District may enter the District Striking Contest.

10. Decisions All decisions made by the judges are final. Any comments you wish to make should be made in writing and sent to the secretary.

11. Rules A copy of the rules will be available though out the contest and a copy will be sent to all towers every year. The rules can be read out before the contest if required. These rules can be changed by the District Committee and any changes will be brought to the April Quarterly Meeting.