East Dorset branch
Striking Competition 2016 – Hampreston Win Again!
For the second time in three years, Hampreston were the proud winners of the East Dorset Branch Striking Competition, narrowly beating Wimborne into second place and the large wooden bell trophy is once again on display at the back of the church.
The competition was held on a very wet May afternoon at Canford Magna with five teams from around the branch taking part. It was ably judged by Guild Master Robert Wellen and the new Salisbury Guild President, Judith Williamson who offered helpful comments to the teams taking part. The Canford ringers kept us well supplied with drinks before the cake competition cakes were eaten. There were also the poem competition entries to read, a quiz to attempt and a simulator to play with in the church.
The judges obviously enjoyed listening to our team (photograph below) of Ross, Linda, Chris, Tom (C), Jack and Mike ringing Grandsire Doubles because the final results were:
1st Hampreston
2nd Wimborne “Y”
3rd Blandford
4th Wimborne “Y nots”
5th Canford Magna / Bournemouth
Our Hampreston call change team consisting of Ellie, Pauline, David, Richard, Harry and Angie (C) also put in a very creditable performance to come third in the Novice Shield competition. After a few problems early on, the band settled down and we managed some excellent ringing although much of it was after the first 100 rows when the judging had stopped!
Both Hampreston and second-placed Wimborne will now go forward to take part in the 2016 SDGR 6 bell Striking Competition which will be held at Spetisbury in September.

East Dorset Striking Competition

We were able to enter two teams from Hampreston, one ringing Grandsire doubles in the main competition and the other ringing call changes for the Novice event. Everyone stayed for the results and we were really delighted to hear that we had won the Novice Shield. Well done Richard, Gay and Phil and special congratulations to our newest member Harry who has only been ringing since August and also to Kaz who has barely touched a bell rope for several years.

East Dorset Branch Practice Child Oakford Sat 15th Feb
East Dorset Branch Practice at Child Okeford Saturday 15th February 2-4pm so please put a note in your diaries now. Pub lunch has been booked at The Bakers Arms for 12.30pm in Child Okeford before the Branch Practice this Saturday 15th Feb – presently for six of us – but there is always room for more! – please let me know if you would like to join us for lunch. —
For this practice please look up the following methods:
If you can ring rounds – look up call changes / plain hunt
If you can ring Plain Bob & Grandsire Doubles – look up St Martins & St Simons Doubles.
If you can ring Plain Bob Minor – look up Single Oxford Bob Minor
If you can ring Cambridge Surprise Minor – look up Ipswich Surprise Minor
If you can ring London & Cambridge Surprise Minor – look up York Surprise Minor
We cater to all interests at the branch practices – from rounds and call changes upwards, however if there is a particular method you would like to ring at the branch practices please do let me know so that we can add it to the programme for future practices.
Matthew Pike – click here for contact details and to visit Guild web page for this event
Appeal News
