WIRRAL BRANCH
2001 STRIKING COMPETITION
| SHOTWICK
| Sunday 13th May: Draw 2.00 pm
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Judges: Geoff and Sue Sparling (Wallasey St Nicholas) |
The first point you may note is the choice of judges, namely that they are members of the Wirral Branch - not ideal in that respect. However, the Ringing Master had, some time previously, obtained the services of someone outside the branch but who subsequently withdrew his acceptance at quite short notice. After seeming to gain the agreement, in turn, of two other such ringers, these again subsequently declined so he was left with little option at such short notice. This is not to say, of course, that the judges would not be unbiased but clearly a non-Wirral ringer would have been the preferred option. |
Notwithstanding, the judges did an excellent job in placing the bands in the order shown below and no-one, quite rightly, contested their decision which, under the Rules of the Competition, is final anyway! |
The choice of date was 'brilliant' isofar as the weather was concerned as both the judges and awaiting ringers could enjoy the pleasantly warm summer sunshine. It was a little disappointing, to say the least, that the event was not widely supported across the branch. Having said that, those that did attend not only enjoyed themselves but many derived considerable benefit from ringing on such challenging bells - ground floor ring with long draft and stretchy ropes. |
The judges commented that the standard of ringing in the competition still continued to improve and that, for both of the bands ringing a method, neither attracted a full fault throughout their test pieces, which would have resulted in two penalty points. Another feature was the marked improvement for most bands during their test piece compared with their respective practices. |
Bands |
With the approval of all concerned of all concerned it was agreed that Oxton and Port Sunlight could draw for first place in the ringing order while the two other bands - Bromborough and a combined Wallasey St Hilary / West Kirby band, would draw for third and fourth in the order. This was to allow those ringers with other commitments to leave early. |
The order of ringing was: Port Sunlight, Oxton, Wallasey St Hilary / West Kirby, with Bromborough fourth. Both of the first two bands rang 120 changes of Doubles while the two other bands rang call changes. |
Results |
Announcing the result in 'reverse order' the judges placed the bands as shown in the table below. |
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| 1st | Oxton | 16 faults| 2nd | Port Sunlight | 19 faults | 3rd | Wallasey St Hilary / West Kirby | 30 faults | 4th | Bromborough | 50 faults | |
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Thus Oxton were presented with the Alex Martin Shield and go forward to represent the Wirral Branch in the Guild 6-Bell to be held on 14th July in the South Branch (Warmingham). This is the tenth win by Oxton in the 26 years the event has been held, just one less than Port Sunlight who remain the overall 'leaders'.
With thanks to the Incumbent and Church Warden for granting use of the bells for this event, only the third time it has been held here. |
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