CHURCH bellringers from towns and villages all over Devon will be gathering at Down St Mary on Saturday, March 8 for the Devon Association of Ringers’ Novice Competition.

The Devon Association of Ringers supports and promotes the traditional “Devon call-change” style of ringing church bells.

The annual Novice Competition showcases the talents of the newest and youngest recruits to the local bellringing community.

Competition Secretary Andrew Vincent reports that there are over 30 entries from 18 different Devon teams this year, in which the Association is celebrating 100 years since its formation.

This popular competition is growing year on year with a very strong cohort of young ringers and new recruits competing for the three trophies on offer.

They will be ringing alongside their teachers and teammates in three disciplines, trying to achieve the fewest faults.

All the ringing will be judged by Paul Wright from North Devon, who won’t know which team is which until he reveals the results for each section.

The host team at Down St Mary are the current all-Devon champions, having triumphed in the Major 6-Bell Final at Kentisbeare last June.

The novice teams from Kingsteignton, Ashreigney and Exeter St David’s will be vying to retain the trophies they won this time last year when the competition was held at Dunsford.

Festivities on Saturday will start at 12pm and ringing will continue throughout the afternoon.

Ringers will enjoy a buffet tea in the village hall with proceeds going to the church.

This is the first in a series of events and competitions celebrating the Devon Association’s centenary year. For more information please visit devonbells.co.uk or search @devonassociationofringers on Facebook.

Victoria Tucker