CHURCH Bellringers from towns and villages across Devon gathered 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.

Victoria Tucker, from the Association, said: “This popular competition is growing year on year with a very strong cohort of young ringers and new recruits competed for the three trophies on offer. They rang alongside their teachers and team-mates in three disciplines, trying to achieve the fewest faults.

“All the ringing was judged by Paul Wright from North Devon, who didn’t know which team is which until he revealed the results for each section.”

She continued: “Down St Mary was a fantastic venue and we had an astonishing 34 entries from 17 competing teams in three sections. Well done to everyone that took part.

“Special thanks to Tim Jones who did a brilliant job of coordinating the day and of course to Julia, Nicky and Linda who really were the catering angels, supplying lunches and teas for hoards of hungry ringers.”

Teams came from: Ilfracombe Holy Trinity, Morchard Bishop, Kingswear, Lympstone, Kingsteignton, Bere Ferrers, Swimbridge, Tiverton St Paul, Christow, Dolton, Stoke Canon, Lamerton, South Brent, Ashreigney, Chagford, Bovey Tracey and South Molton.

Results were:

Round Ringing - 1 Ilfracombe Holy Trinity 19.5 faults, 2 Kingswear 2 20.5 faults, 3 Morchard Bishop 2 21.5, 4 Lympstone 30.

Change Ringing - Dolton 25.75 faults, 2 Kingsteignton 27 faults, 3 Berrynarbour 2 28.75, 4 Chagford 29.5.

Change Ringing with Rise and Lower - 1 South Brent 2 30.75 faults, 2 South Brent 3 53.5 faults, 3 Tiverton St Paul 62, 4 South Brent 1 64.