National 12 bell 2025
The road to Redcliffe was a long one that began only about forty-eight hours after the momentous results at Chilcompton, when Jack Page, looking to avoid the logistical difficulties that the twelve-bell band encountered last year, emailed out to congratulate the team and begin making plans for 2025. Despite not being a part of the squad at that point, I found myself copied into this thread, as a potential new recruit – a pretty daunting way to be asked to join a twelve-bell band! Practices were put in place early, with a focus on some of the bigger twelves the City has to offer. After all, defending the trophy is no easy task!
Following a solid win in March at the Liverpool qualifier (or eliminator, depending on who you ask), despite being drawn last, the countdown to the final was really on. Regular practices continued, supplemented by weekend trips to other towers, including a squad peal at Leighton Buzzard and a day out to practice at Redcliffe.
Final day rolled around unbelievably quickly, and it was hot. Armed with wristbands and beer tokens, we all gathered inside for the introduction and the draw. As the contest was celebrating its fiftieth anniversary, the committee had rallied as many people who had been at that first contest as they could find. We heard plenty of stories about the 1975 contest and the fifty years that have followed, before it was finally time for the draw. After the run of terrible draws this team has had over the last few years, nerves were high. Was it finally time for a decent draw? Nope – last. (Again. Is this rigged?) Still, we made the best of the day, enjoying the sun and talking to friends not seen for a while. A few of the team even sampled the low-alcohol beer on offer.
Unfortunately, having to stay dry all day was not the only drawback of a late draw. Even with the windows wide open, the tower became unbearably hot, and later teams were forced to grapple with a ringing room so stuffy it was hard to think clearly, and ropes that were slippery with sweat and difficult to grip. Nonetheless, with tension eased by a suitably rubbish joke from the Master – or more likely, by the amusement of a dropped backstroke resulting in a non-standard signal (sorry!) – we put in a respectable test piece.
Cath Merlane had coordinated the beer run (or cider/wine run in a few cases) while we were in the tower, so all of us returned to find a drink waiting for us. Stress over, we were finally able to enjoy the day a bit more! With the final being somewhere more readily accessible than last year, it was great to see how many people had made the trip to Bristol just to socialise and enjoy the day. It was also very apparent how much work the Bristol ringers had put into organising an excellent day
.Being drawn last did at least mean that the wait for the results flew by, so before long, we were back in the church to find out how we’d done. Chief judge Tom Hinks introduced the results, before Rick Shallcross gave the judges comments. It became fairly apparent at this point that we had not won, but as Emma Southerington read out the final results, we were still pleased to receive third place and an excellent score of 91%. When it was revealed that Birmingham had come second, the church erupted – the home team had done it! Well done, Bristol – but we’ll be coming for you next year…
It really does require so much work to take a team through the contest cycle. Thanks go to Jack, for getting us all organised; Cath, for being our reserve at both stages of the contest (and occasional source of pep talks where required); and of course, the whole squad for their time and commitment.
On a personal level, I am incredibly grateful to the team for welcoming me in and giving me a wonderful first contest cycle as a competitor. I hope to reassure all those future competitors out there that while it can feel pretty intimidating to join a band headed for the twelve-bell, it’s such a worthwhile experience (and, dare I say, fun…?).
Catherine Morley
The full results of the contest are as follows:
Results
| Team | Rang | Speed | Mark | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bristol | 4th | 3h47 | 96% |
| 2 | Birmingham | 6th | 3h51 | 93% |
| 3 | Society of Royal Cumberland Youths | 9th | 3h49 | 91% |
| 4 | Cambridge | 8th | 3h56 | 84% |
| 5 | St Paul's Cathedral | 5th | 3h48 | 83% |
| 6 | Exeter | 3rd | 3h47 | 80% |
| 7 | Guildford | 2nd | 3h48 | 76% |
| 8 | Ancient Society of College Youths | 7th | 3h58 | 74% |
| 9 | York | 1st | 3h48 | 71% |
Band
- Michael R Crockett
- Catherine E Morley
- Shirley E McGill
- David C Bath
- Jack E Page (c)
- Mary E Holden
- Douglas J Beaumont
- Daniel J Page
- Ruth E R Corney
- Benjamin D Constant
- Thomas B Mack
- Claire F Roulstone
Recording
The band representing the Society, ringing 252 Stedman Cinques
National 12 bell competition facebook page