A TEAM of bellringers from Down St Mary won the Devon Major Final on Saturday, June 8. 

This is the first time the Ross Shield has been won by a north Devon team since 2000. 

The competition was held at Kentisbeare, a pleasant-sounding six but sufficiently difficult to present a challenge to the ringers.  

Twelve teams from across Devon competed, each ringing the traditional peal of 60 on thirds, including rising and lowering the bells, for a minimum of 15 minutes.  

The ringing was marked by four judges who awarded faults for incorrect spacing and irregularities in rhythm.  

Down St Mary also won the Jack Hine trophy for the best top-ringing (the changes between the rise and the lower). 

The Bow team (Linda, James and Andrew Steer, John Enderson, Lee Avery, and John Crotty) were drawn to ring last and rounded the day off in style with a solid performance to be placed fourth overall. 

The results were: 1st Down St Mary – 13 ½ faults; 2nd Shaugh Prior – 15 ½; 3rd Combeinteignhead –16 ¼; 4th Bow – 27 ½; 5th South Brent – 31 ½; 6th Swimbridge – 35 1/5; 7th Broadhempston – 41 ¾; 8th East Anstey – 44 ¾; 9th Sampford Courtenay – 44 ¾; 10th Stoke Gabriel – 45 ¼; 11th Tiverton (St Paul) – 61 ¼; 12th Dunsford – 76 ½. 

If you want to find out more about bellringing, you can contact Tower Captain at Down St Mary and Morchard Bishop Bob Robinson by emailing [email protected] who will be able to point you towards your local team. 

By Bob Robinson