THE Bellringing Team from Down St Mary successfully added to last year’s success by defending the Devon Association of Ringers annual “North Devon, Church Bellringing Competition”, thus retaining the “George Facey” Shield, and adding to their previous six consecutive victories.

The competition this year was held on Saturday, May 10, at Bishops Nympton, where the bells, housed high in the tower, gave each team a challenge to ring due to the bells' clarity, which was extraordinarily audible to the judges positioned outside.

The competition, also the qualifying round, where the winner and four highest placed teams compete against the five similarly competing teams from South Devon at the Major Final, which this year is being held at Zeal Monachorum on June 14.

Results: 1 Down St Mary - 18¾ Faults, 2 Bow - 28½ Faults, 3 Swimbridge - 44½ Faults, 4 Sampford Courtenay - 50 Faults, 5 East Anstey - 61¾ Faults, 6 Tiverton St Paul - 84¾ Faults.

Significantly, this year marks the 100th Anniversary of the formation of the Association, founded by the then Vicar at Zeal Monachorum, Rev A F McCarthy.

A team from North Tawton were the winners of the very first competition.

The Devon Association of Ringers represents call change church bell ringers in Devon. Founded in 1925, the Association has about 150 affiliated towers and arranges training events, socials and festivals throughout the year. The call change tradition emphasises rhythmic ringing in simple musical sequences. Ringers can be of any age and come from all walks of life.

As part of the Centenary celebrations a “100 Towers Ring Out!” will take place at 100 church towers across Devon on May 31.

The event will also raise awareness of Devon call change ringing and the Devon Church Bell Restoration Fund by inviting local residents and others to join in.