THE Devon Association of Ringers annual ‘North Devon, Church Bellringing Competition’ was won by the team from Down St Mary, thereby retaining the ‘George Facey’ Shield, adding to their unbeaten run at the top spot for the past eight years.

This year’s competition was held at Kings Nympton on Saturday, May 9.

The ringing order was drawn, where the team from Bow rang first, setting a very high standard for the following teams to beat.

Down St Mary rang fourth and were unsure if their ring was of sufficiently high standard to beat that of their competitors; however, were delighted when the judges' results were announced, placing them in first position.

The Down St Mary team comprised Chris Lock on Treble, Gary Quick on Second, Jenny Sparling on Third, Ali Waterson on Fourth, Bob Robinson on Fifth and Ian Fielding on Tenor.

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

Results: 1 Down St Mary 18¾ Faults, 2 Bow 30¾ Faults, 3 Sampford Courtenay 32¾ Faults, 4 Swimbridge 48½ Faults, 5 East Anstey 56½ Faults, 6 Tiverton St Paul 63½ Faults, 7 Bishops Nympton 100+ Faults.

The bells at the church of St James the Apostle, Kings Gumption were cast in 1724 with the exception of the treble which was added to the original five in 1902.

All the bells were taken down and repaired, tuned and re-hung in 1995/6.

The Church of St Mary at Down St Mary dates from the 12th Century and a carved tympanum from that period can be seen over the south door. The Tower is reputed to have been built around 1413 after a hurricane destroyed the earlier one.