The newly formed South & West District of the Middlesex County Association and London Diocesan Guild held its 6 bell striking competition at Norwood Green on Sunday 9th June; the bells were cast by Gillett & Johnston in 1909 and have plain bearings, well greased for the occasion.
Seven teams entered and kept their 240 changes to Grandsire or Plain Bob Doubles. The judge, John Harrison from Wokingham, said every band found it difficult to get a rhythm from these bells but some bands were more confident than others.
Staines (St Peter), came first with 60 faults. See the picture below, left to right: Roger Forster, Staines (St Peter), John Harrison (Judge) and Peter Kemp (Chairman of S&W district) in the background.
Three teams came joint second: Twickenham (All Hallows), Ealing (Christ the Saviour) and Hillingdon (St John the Baptist) with 80 faults; Norwood Green (St Mary) were fifth with 84 faults, Chiswick (St Nicholas) were sixth with 100 faults and Staines (St Mary) seventh with 104 faults.
Peter Kemp thanked judge John Harrison, John Manley (District Ringing Master) for organising the contest, the home team at Norwood Green for preparing the bells so well and for the very welcome refreshments, and the vicar for the use of the bells and church facilities.
£52.00 was raised for the Norwood Green Bell Appeal, to take the bells out of the tower, re-hang them with new fixtures and fittings and install rope guides to improve the ringing circle.
Linda Foddering
