Select from the links below to go to the relevant sections:

• Striking Competitions run by the Branch
• Guild-run Competitions with Branch representation
• Rules for Branch 6-bell Striking Competition
• Rules for Branch Young Ringers Striking Competition
• Guild Rules for 6, 8 & 10-bell Striking Competitions

 Striking Competitions run by the Branch

• 6-Bell Striking Competition
  • Normally held on the first Saturday in September
  • Prize: custody of the Topper Trophy for 12 months, plus the privilege of representing the Branch at the Guild 6-bell Competition.
  
  
• Young Ringers 6-Bell Striking Competition
  • Held for the first time on Saturday 2 April 2005
  • Open to youth teams from other ODG Branches
  • Prize: custody of the John Butler Trophy for 12 months.

A copy of the Branch rules for the Novice entry to the Striking Competition can be found here.

 Guild-run Competitions with Branch representation

• Guild 6-bell Striking Competition
  • Normally held on the first Saturday in October
  • The Branch is represented by the winning Tower from the Branch 6-Bell Competition.
• Guild 8-Bell Striking Competition
  • Normally held on the first Bank Holiday Monday in May
  • A Branch band, selected by the Ringing Masters, is entered.
• Guild 10-Bell Striking Competition
  • Normally held on the last Saturday in November
  • A Branch band, selected by the Ringing Masters, is entered.

• 8 Bell Striking competition - 2008 results

 Rules for Branch 6-bell Striking Competition

In general, the Guild rules will apply (see below).  However, where the number of teams competing exceeds a certain level, the Branch may decide to reduce the length of the test piece from 240 to 120 changes/rows.  In these circumstances, call change teams must bring a minimum of 3 different bells down to lead, rather than 5.  The effect of these variations is highlighted in the following summary:

Two minutes practice will be allowed before the test piece.

The test piece will consist of at least one minute's rounds followed by 240 [120] changes of any method of Doubles or Minor or 240 [120] rows of call changes.

If a method is rung then plain courses will be acceptable.

If call changes are rung then at least 30 changes must be called and at least 5 [3] different bells brought down to lead.  Any team intending to ring call changes should notify the organiser at the time of entry.

 Rules for Branch Young Ringers Striking Competition

 Guild Rules for 6, 8 & 10-bell Striking Competitions

A - PURPOSE

The purpose of Guild striking competitions is to promote the objects of the Guild, to encourage Sunday Service and Branch Bands to improve their striking and to regard good striking rather than complexity of methods rung as a primary aim.

B - RULES

1. The competition organiser must receive the name of the team by the date specified.
2. The required entry fee shall be paid and the names of the team members and the conductor shall be notified to the competition organiser before ringing.
3. Every ringer taking part in any Guild striking competition must be either a resident ringing member, a life member or an honorary member of the Guild.  No person shall ring for more than one team.
4. Membership of Teams
   A Tower Band shall consist of members who normally ring together at the same tower for Sunday Services, whether or not they ring at more than one tower and shall be chosen by tower in any way it thinks fit.  One substitute member shall be permitted who shall be a member of the Branch in which the tower is located.  Branch Bands shall consist solely of members of the Branch and shall be chosen by the Branch in any way it thinks fit.
5. (a)  Six Bell Competition
   This competition shall be open to one team from each Branch.  A Branch wishing to participate must be represented by a Tower Band from within the Branch. (b)  Eight Bell Competition
   This competition shall be open to one or more teams from from each Branch and every Tower in the Guild.  A Branch or Tower wishing to participate must be represented by a Branch or Tower Band respectively.  A Branch or Tower which enters more than one team shall designate them 'A', 'B', 'C' etc.
   (c)  Ten Bell Competition
   This competition shall be open to one team from each Branch.  A Branch wishing to enter must be represented by a Branch Band.
6. 
   Ringing
7. The order of ringing of the teams shall be drawn in advance or at the start of the competition.
8. The bells will be up.
9. Up to two minutes (three minutes in the case of the Ten Bell Competition) practice will be allowed to each team immediately prior to the test piece, after which the bells must be stood.
10. Open hand-stroke leads will be assumed unless otherwise stated on the entry form.
11. Only the test piece which must finish with rounds will be judged.
12. (a)  Six Bell Competition
    The test piece will consist of at least one minute's rounds followed by 240 changes of any method of Doubles or Minor or 240 rows of call changes.  If a method is rung then plain courses will be acceptable.  If call changes are rung then at least 30 changes must be called and at least 5 different bells brought down to lead.  Any team intending to ring call changes should notify the organiser at the time of entry.
    (b)  Eight Bell Competition
    The test piece will consist of at least one minute's rounds followed by a set touch of Major or Triples, in alternate years, which all teams must ring.  The touch will be circulated at least 28 days before the competition.
    (c)  Ten Bell Competition
    The test piece will consist of at least one minute's rounds followed by a set touch of Caters or Royal which all teams must ring.  The touch will be circulated at least 28 days before the competition.
13. The competition will be judged on striking alone.
14. Any team failing to obey any of the above rules will be disqualified.
15. The judges' decision will be final.

1. The Guild General Committee shall be responsible for organising the competitions and for deciding the entrance fee.
2. Where possible each competition shall be held in a tower which has no team competing.
3. At least two judges, who should not be resident members of the Guild, should be appointed to judge each competition.
4. At least two marshalls should be appointed, one to supervise the entry of the teams into the tower and the other to take charge in the belfry.
5. Eliminator rounds may be arranged if necessary.  For these rounds the judges may be members of the Guild but should not be members of any Branch or Tower taking part.

NOTE:-

These rules are for Guild Competitions.  Branches are free to decide their own rules for Branch competitions but it is suggested that the Guild rules should be borne in mind when Branch rules are determined.