Bedfordshire Association of Church Bell Ringers

Melville Cup

Melville Cup striking competition for young ringers

The young ringers striking competition for the Melville Cup is held each year during the September young ringers training session.

It is very relaxed event to encourage participants to enjoy themselves. Each of the Association’s 3 districts will hopefully be able to raise at least 1 team.

Eligibility and Rules:

Ringers should be under 19 years of age on the day of the competition.
Teams who meet short may request help from any young ringers present not already in a team. Any extras will be allotted to a scratch team by the competition organiser.
Only complete teams from a District are eligible to win the Cup. In the case of a scratch team or a team consisting of ringers from outside their own District coming first, then the cup will be awarded to highest rated complete District team.
Each team has 10 minutes practice time before ringing the test piece, when helpers and coaches will be free to assist as they wish.
Following the practice period, the treble and 2nd will be rung for 2 whole pulls (1212, 1212) to alert the judges.
The test piece is 120 rows of rounds.
The first 10 rows (5 whole pulls) won’t be judged and anything beyond 130 rows will be similarly ignored.
A helper from each district should act as time keeper and count the rows for the test piece.

The 2019 competition was held at Clifton and the Luton District team were winners. Frank Rivett was the judge.

Year	Place	Winning District
2020
2019	Clifton	Luton
2018	Clifton	Luton
2017	Clifton	Luton
2016	Eaton Bray	Luton
2015	Clifton	Bedford
2014	Elstow	Luton
2013	Flitwick	Luton
2012	Potton	Luton
2011	Renhold	Luton
2010	Oakley	Bedford
2009	Totternhoe	Biggleswade
2008		Biggleswade
2007