Devon Association of Ringers

For updates on Jereme Darke, please scroll down.

The Devonshire Ringing Styles

In Devon we are extremely lucky to have two traditions of ringing styles.
Devon has specialised in call-change ringing. In this style only pairs of bells change at any one time and these are literally called out by the ringing master. Thus, starting with 123456, the first change might be 4 to 5, which would give an order of 123546. This style lays great emphasis on clear striking and this is encouraged by competition ringing where every little variation in place or position is marked. This is a deceptively simple system and the leading exponents are truly masters of their art. The Devon Association represents this style.

Across most of the country the style of ringing known as scientific, method or change ringing predominates. This style operates by altering the sequence of the bells on every stroke of the rope. Thus, if the bells were sounding in the order 123456 then the next stroke would have them sounding 214356 and the stroke after 241635 etc. Until they came back to 123456. With the addition of extra instructions it is possible to ring for three hours or more without repeating the same sequence! This style is represented by the Guild Of Devonshire Ringers

The History of the Devon Association

Potted History of the Devon Association of Ringers

Call change ringing has a long history and is unique mainly to Devon and parts of Cornwall.

In the early 1900"s 5 bell towers were common and competitions were being held in them. Both 6 and 8 bell competitions then followed.

Around the 1920 's, probably due to an increase in the number of method teams who had a guild to back them, The Guild of Devonshire Ringers, which was formed as long ago as March 1874, call change teams decided to get together in 1925 to hold an annual competition or festival.

Both a 6 and 8 bell competition took place at North Tawton in June 1925. Winners were Barnstaple and Atherington. At this time a further competition was planned and held in October 1925 at Zeal Monachorum and the 6 and 5 bells won by North Tawton and Throwleigh respectively.

"Rules of a sort" were drawn up by Revd. McCarthy such as "Hats off" in the belfry and no smoking in the "House of God" The start of the Devon Association.

6 Bell 1926 Held at Lustleigh

1927 Held at Moretonhampstead won by North Tawton

1928 Held at South Tawton won by Lapford. An 8 bell at Alphington won by North Tawton

1929 The first formal meeting of the Devon Association was held at "The Ring of Bells" North Tawton at 3.00pm on March 30th The Revd. McCarthy proposed that Mr. W. Fewings (North Tawton) be elected Chairman with himself as Sec. Treasurer. The first President of the Devon Association was Alderman C. J. Ross of Exeter who presented "two magnificent shields" one for eight bell and one for six bell competitions, "to be presented annually."

The constitution of the Association was drawn up and printed in June 1929. All affiliated towers were issued with these and a few towers still possess the original copy.

1929 8 bell competition held at Torrington 12th October 6 bell competition held at Zeal Monachorum 19th October Winner Burrington.

In 1925 The first prize was an ink well in the shape of Zeal Monachorum treble. This was made by Gillet and Johnston and presented by Mr Cyril Johnston representing the company, who also acted as a judge with Mr. W. Fewings of North Tawton. Although the shields were presented for the 1929 competitions, the winners from the 1925 competition in October and the following years had their names added to the shields.

 
Reproduced from an article by Mervyn Way.