The Essex Trophy

Competing with other Ringing Associations

The First Competition (from The Ringing World, 09 November 1979)

It had long been one of Frank Lufkin’s ambitions to see the Essex Association competing with bands from other ringing societies and it was eventually decided that such an event should form part of the Essex Association’s Centenary celebrations in 1979. A working party, under the direction of Stephen Halliwell, chose the venue (St. Mary’s, Prittlewell) and the date (September 29) in the hope that the event would not clash with other ringing events. Despite this, in order to get acceptance from six bands, they had to ask more than twice this number. The draw took place as 12.45 pm and, when the judges were safely installed, the bands were given a scheduled starting time, allowing half an hour each team, the test piece being a course of Yorkshire Royal of which only the last seven leads were marked. A service was held at 5.00 p.m., the Bishop of Bradwell (Rt. Rev. Derek Bond) gave an appropriate address and the singing was led by Prittlewell choir. The Essex Association Master (Don Cobb) welcomed everyone and introduced two College Youths members who had acted as judges: Richard Tibbetts and Jonathan Porter. The MC (Steve Halliwell) had recorded the time of the full course for each band and this was announced with the marks:
  RANGTIMEFAULTS
1stSussex County Association5th14′45
2ndAncient Society of College Youths6th14’11”50
3rdEssex Association4th13’30”54
4thSurrey Association3rd13’42”79
5thDerby Diocesan Association2nd13′68
6thKent County Association1st13’34”80
7thSuffolk Guild7th14’27”82

The trophy is of a model bell and fittings in a frame made by Bob Leavett (of Tollesbury in Essex) for Frank Lufkin. The Master introduced Frank who presented the trophy to the Master of the Sussex County Association, Peter Hurcombe, and gave a ringers’ tie or apron to each member of the winning team as follows:

Tr Peter T. Hurcombe
2 Ann Smith
3 Valerie J. Howard
4 Margaret F. Oram
5 Ian H. Oram
6 Hugh F. Pettifer
7 Ronald F. Stillwell
8 Christopher W. Kipling
9 John A. Howard
Tn Ian V. J. Smith

Subsequent Competitions

Four associations (Essex, Kent, Surrey and Sussex) agreed to host the competition in rotation and this tradition has been followed over the past 41 years, supported by regular invitations from the Guildford Diocesan Guild and the Hertford County Association and occasionally from other associations.

Methods rung have ranged from Grandsire Caters to London No.3 Surprise Royal, with the most popular method being Yorkshire Surprise Royal.

The competition has been held in 33 different towers during its 41 year history (Bletchingley, Guildford (St Nicolas), Horsham, Leeds and Southover have been used more than once). Over 65 different judges have deliberated over the ringing and it is believed that only 8 have taken part more than once. The competition has been held every year since its inception, with the exception of 2001 when it was cancelled as it was due to be held the weekend following the September 11th attacks in the USA. The 25th competition was held at Hornchurch on 11 September 2004, in the Essex Association’s 125th Anniversary Year.

The Essex Association refurbished the trophy in 1997, the year that Frank Lufkin died, and provided brass plates listing all the winners, leaving space for winners up to 2029!

Frank Lufkin was a ringer for over 70 years, a Life Vice President and Past Master of the Essex Association and a representative on the Central Council for 50 years, being made a Life Member of the Council in 1995. He was a prolific peal ringer, ringing over 1000 peals, the first predominately Essex ringer to do so. He conducted over 700 peals, including a number of long lengths in the 1950s and early 60s, as well as attempts for the extent of Plain Bob Major.

Next year's Essex Trophy competition

The hosts
Winchester and Portsmouth Diocesan Guild
The date
13th September
Venue
All Saints, Basingstoke (11–0–6)
Draw time
10:00am
Method
339 Stedman Caters

The Essex Trophy Rules and Results

YEAR VENUE HOST TOUCH WINNER
1979 Prittlewell, Essex Essex Assn Yorkshire S Royal (Plain Course) Sussex CA
1980 Croydon (St John), Surrey Surrey Assn Yorkshire S Royal (Plain Course) ASCY
1981 Leeds, Kent Kent CA Yorkshire S Royal (Plain Course) SRCY
1982 Horsham, West Sussex Sussex CA Yorkshire S Royal (Plain Course) Sussex CA
1983 Saffron Walden, Essex Essex Assn Yorkshire S Royal (Plain Course) Guildford DG
1984 Southwark Cathedral, London Surrey Assn 310 Stedman Caters Surrey Assn
1985 Quex Park, Birchington, Kent Kent CA Yorkshire S Royal (Plain Course) Kent CA
1986 Horsham, West Sussex Sussex CA 300 Stedman Caters Sussex CA
1987 West Ham, London Essex Assn Yorkshire S Royal (Plain Course) Surrey Assn
1988 Reigate, Surrey Surrey Assn Yorkshire S Royal (Plain Course) Winchester & Portsmouth DG
1989 Ashford, Kent Kent CA 291 Stedman Caters Sussex CA
1990 St Nicholas’ Guildford, Surrey Guildford DG Yorkshire S Royal (Plain Course) Hertford CA
1991 Braintree, Essex Essex Assn Yorkshire S Royal (Plain Course) Surrey Assn
1992 Southover, Sussex Sussex CA Cambridge S Royal (Plain Course) Essex Assn
1993 Rickmansworth, Herts Hertford CA Stedman Caters Guildford DG
1994 Bletchingley, Surrey Surrey Assn Cambridge S Royal (Plain Course) Hertford CA
1995 Leeds, Kent Kent CA Lincolnshire S Royal (Plain Course) Hertford CA
1996 Bocking, Essex Essex Assn Superlative no 2 S Royal (Plain Course) Essex Assn
1997 Guildford Cathedral Guildford DG 305 Double Norwich Court Bob Caters Guildford DG
1998 Warnham, West Sussex Sussex CA Yorkshire S Royal (Plain Course) Sussex CA
1999 Dorking, Surrey Surrey Assn 339 Stedman Caters Hertford CA
2000 Staplehurst, Kent Kent CA 288 Little Bob Royal Sussex CA
2001 Saffron Walden, Essex Essex Assn CANCELLED
2002 Watford, Herts Hertford CA Pudsey S Royal (Plain Course) Guildford DG
2003 East Meon, Hants Winchester & Portsmouth DG Cambridge S Royal (Plain Course) Guildford DG
2004 Hornchurch, Essex Essex Assn 317 Stedman Caters Guildford DG
2005 Isleworth, Middlesex Middlesex CA Lincolnshire S Royal (Plain Course) Guildford DG
2006 Haslemere, Surrey Guildford DG Cambridge S Royal (Plain Course) Surrey Assn
2007 Bletchingley, Surrey Surrey Assn 346 Stedman Caters Sussex CA
2008 Lewes (Southover) Sussex CA Yorkshire Surprise Royal (plain course) Guildford DG
2009 Hythe Kent CA 324 Erin Caters Hertford CA
2010 Coggeshall Essex A Cambridge Surprise Royal (plain course) Essex A
2011 St Albans (St Peter) Hertford CA London no. 3 Surprise Royal (plain course) Guildford DG
2012 Southover Sussex CA 315 Stedman Caters Kent CA
2013 Beddington Surrey A 200 Lincolnshire Royal Kent CA
2014 Maidstone Kent CA 298 Stedman Caters Kent CA
2015 Guildford, St Nicolas Guildford DG Pudsey S Royal (Plain Course) Essex A
2016 Writtle Essex A 287 Grandsire Caters Essex A
2017 Hertford, All Saints Hertford CA Superlative No.2 S Royal Sussex CA
2018 Horsham Sussex CA Yorkshire S Royal Sussex CA
2019 Southgate Middlesex CA & London DG Stedman Caters Kent C A
2020 CANCELLED
2021 Staplehurst Kent C A Cambridge S Royal Kent CA
2022 Bletchingley Surrey A Yorkshire S Royal Essex A
2023 Walthamstow, St Mary Essex A Grandsire Caters Surrey A
2024 Epsom, St Martin of Tours Guildford DG 320 Spliced Plain and Little Bob Royal Essex A
2025 Carisbrooke Winchester and Portsmouth DG
DateHost; VenueTest PieceJudges; Report TeamsMark
29 Sep 1979

Essex A

Prittlewell, Essex

Yorkshire S Royal
(Plain Course, judged from 2nd lead end)

Richard J Tibbetts,
Jonathan S N Porter

RW 79/966

1stSussex C A45
2ndASCY50
3rdEssex A54
4thDerby D A68
5thSurrey A79
6thKent C A80
7thSuffolk G82
 
27 Sep 1980

Surrey A

Croydon (St John), Surrey

Yorkshire S Royal
(Plain Course)

Charles Kippin,
Ted Collins

RW 80/1028

1stASCY37
2ndSurrey A52
3rdSussex C A85
4thKent C A156
5thEssex A161
 
31 Oct 1981

Kent C A

Leeds, Kent

Yorkshire S Royal
(Plain Course)

Teddy Barnett,
Olive Barnett

RW 81/1067

1stSRCY71
2ndSurrey A83
3rdASCY139
4thKent C A160
5thScratch Band172
 
25 Sep 1982

Sussex C A

Horsham, West Sussex

Yorkshire S Royal
(Plain Course)

John Pladdys,
Richard Youdale

RW 82/857

1stSussex C A52
2ndSurrey A77
3rdEssex A98
4thWinchester & Portsmouth D G125
5thSRCY133
 
17 Sep 1983

Essex A

Saffron Walden, Essex

Yorkshire S Royal
(Plain Course)

Harold W Rogers,
Olive L Rogers

RW 83/853

1stGuildford D G102
2ndEssex A91
3rdKent C A87
3rdSussex C A87
5thWinchester & Portsmouth D G70
 
15 Sep 1984

Surrey A

Southwark Cathedral, London

310 Stedman Caters

Andrew W R Wilby,
Alan Patterson,
Tony Kench

RW 84/935

1stSurrey A113
2ndEssex A136
3rdSussex C A158
4thLondon C A197
5thKent C A296
 
21 Sep 1985

Kent C A

Quex Park, Birchington, Kent

Yorkshire S Royal
(Plain Course, judged from 3rd lead end)

Susan E Smith,
Rod Morton

RW 85/910

1stKent C A146
2ndWinchester & Portsmouth D G160
3rdEssex A195
4thSurrey A249
 
18 Oct 1986

Sussex C A

Horsham, West Sussex

300 Stedman Caters

Alan Patterson

RW N/A

1stSussex C A???
2ndEssex A???
??Kent C A???
??Surrey A???
??London C A???
 
19 Sep 1987

Essex A

West Ham, London

Yorkshire S Royal
(Plain Course, judged from ‘Middle’)

John P Loveless,
Gareth Davies,
Lesley Boyle

RW 87/971

1stSurrey A???
2ndHertford C A???
3rdWinchester & Portsmouth D G???
?????????????
5thEssex A???
??London C A???
 
17 Sep 1988

Surrey A

Reigate, Surrey

Yorkshire S Royal
(Plain Course, judged from ‘Middle’)

Bill Butler,
Ron Christopher

RW 88/1012

1stWinchester & Portsmouth D G???
2ndEssex A???
3rdHertford C A???
4thSurrey A???
5thKent C A???
6thSussex C A???
7thGuildford D G???
 
16 Sep 1989

Kent C A

Ashford, Kent

291 Stedman Caters

Richard P J Carter

RW 89/918

1stSussex C A52
2ndSurrey A54
3rdHertford C A78
4thEssex A82
5thWinchester & Portsmouth D G111
6thKent C A117
7thMiddlesex C A131
 
15 Sep 1990

Guildford D G

St Nicholas’ Guildford, Surrey

Yorkshire S Royal
(Plain Course, judged from ‘Middle’)

Paul Mounsey,
Simon J L Linford,
Joanna M Ainsworth

RW 90/924

1stHertford C A112
2ndEssex A145
3rdGuildford D G149
4thSussex C A154
5thWinchester & Portsmouth D G180
6thSurrey A280
7thKent C A288
 
21 Sep 1991

Essex A

Braintree, Essex

Yorkshire S Royal
(Plain Course, judged from ‘Middle’)

Howard W Egglestone,
Nicholas Clarke,
Martin Rice

RW 91/1124

1stSurrey A55
2ndHertford C A57
3rdSussex C A65
4thEssex A66
4thGuildford D G66
6thWinchester & Portsmouth D G72
7thKent C A107
 
12 Sep 1992

Sussex C A

Southover, Sussex

Cambridge S Royal
(Plain Course, judged from ‘Middle’)

Jim Belshaw,
Stephanie Pattenden

RW 92/952+1029

1stEssex A37
2ndSurrey A45
3rdGuildford D G50
4thHertford C A60
5thSussex C A69
6thKent C A79
 
18 Sep 1993

Hertford C A

Rickmansworth, Herts

Stedman Caters

Paul Seaman,
Tim Pett

RW 93/964

1stGuildford D G???
2ndHertford C A???
3rdEssex A???
??Kent C A???
??Middlesex C A???
??Surrey A???
??Sussex A???
 
17 Sep 1994

Surrey A

Bletchingley, Surrey

Cambridge S Royal
(Plain Course, judged from ‘Middle’)

Patrick L H Brooke,
Philip Orme

RW 94/964+972

1stHertford C A80%
2ndMiddlesex C A74%
3rdKent C A73%
4thWinchester & Portsmouth D G68%
5thEssex A67%
6thGuildford D G66%
7thSurrey A63%
8thSussex C A40%
 
16 Sep 1995

Kent C A

Leeds, Kent

Lincolnshire S Royal
(Plain Course, judged from ‘Middle’)

John Warboys,
Stephanie Warboys

RW 95/1046

1stHertford C A77
2ndEssex A79
3rdSussex C A102
4thGuildford D G138
5thKent C A160
6thSurrey A169
 
21 Sep 1996

Essex A

Bocking, Essex

Superlative No.2 S Royal
(Plain Course, judged from ‘Middle’)

John P Loveless,
Linda Garton

RW 96/1044

1stEssex A56
2ndSussex C A70
3rdHertford C A76
4thGuildford D G116
5thSurrey A123
6thMiddlesex C A195
 
20 Sep 1997

Guildford D G

Guildford Cathedral

305 DNCB Caters
(judged from 5th lead end?)

Steve Castle

RW 98/55

1stGuildford D G45
2ndHertford C A84
3rdEssex A85
4thSussex D G100
5thKent C A113
6thSurrey A120
 
19 Sep 1998

Sussex C A

Warnham, West Sussex

Yorkshire S Royal
(Plain Course, judged from ‘Middle’)

Ian Roulstone,
Claire Edwards

RW N/A

1stSussex C A18
2ndHertford C A37
3rdEssex A39
4thGuildford D G47
5thKent C A59
6thSurrey A71
 
17 Sep 1999

Surrey A

Dorking, Surrey

339 Stedman Caters

John R Ridley

RW 99/1003

1stHertford C A16
2ndGuildford D G21½
3rdEssex Assoc24½
4thSussex C A33½
5thWinchester & Portsmouth D G35½
6thSurrey Assoc37½
7thKent C A47½
 
16 Sep 2000

Kent C A

Staplehurst, Kent

288 Little Bob Royal

Alex Byrne,
Steve Rossiter

RW 00/1075

1stSussex C A108
2ndGuildford D G119
3rdEssex A123
4thKent C A132
5thSurrey A153
6thHertford C A158
7thMiddlesex C A179
8thWinchester & Portsmouth D G260
 
15 Sep 2001Essex A
Saffron Walden, Essex
Pudsey S Royal (Plain course)CANCELLED
 
14 Sep 2002

Hertford C A

Watford, Herts

Pudsey S Royal
(Plain Course, judged from ‘Wrong’)

Paul Carless,
Catherine Hughes-D’Aeth

RW 02/1034

1stGuildford D G32
2ndHertford C A42
3rdSussex C A60
4thEssex A70
5thSurrey A74
 
13 Sep 2003

Winchester & Portsmouth D G

East Meon, Hants

Cambridge S Royal
(Plain Course, judged from ‘Middle’)

Paul Flavell,
Bill Harris

RW N/A

1stGuildford D G86½%
2ndSurrey A82¼%
3rdWinchester & Portsmouth D G81¾%
4thSussex C A79%
5thEssex A78%
 
11 Sep 2004

Essex A

Hornchurch, Essex

317 Stedman Caters

David Hull,
Paul Carless

RW 04/937+987

1stGuildford D G90%
2ndEssex A86%
3rdSussex C A78%
4thHertford C A76%
5thMiddlesex C A74%
6thSurrey A70%
7thKent C A61%
 
17 Sep 2005

Middlesex C A

Isleworth, Middlesex

Lincolnshire S Royal
(Plain Course)

Tom Lawrence

RW 05/1027

1stGuildford D G86%
2ndSurrey A85%
3rdHertford C A84%
4thSussex C A81%
5thEssex A69%
6thMiddlesex C A
 
09 Sep 2006

Guildford D G

Haslemere, Surrey

Cambridge S Royal
(Plain Course)

Paul Mounsey,
David Dearnley

RW 06/969

1stSurrey A86%
2ndEssex A79%
3rdHertford C A75%
4thGuildford D G65%
5thSussex C A55%
6thMiddlesex C A50%
 
08 Sep 2007

Surrey A

Bletchingley, Surrey

346 Stedman Caters

P Quentin Armitage

RW 07/992

1stSussex C A56
2ndGuildford D G71
3rdSurrey A86
4thEssex A96
5thMiddlesex C A106
6thKent C A136
 
13 Sep 2008

Sussex C A

Lewes (Southover)

Yorkshire S Royal
(plain course)
Paul Mounsey1stGuildford D G80
2ndSussex C A89
3rdEssex A95
4thSurrey A112
 
12 Sep 2009

Kent C A

Hythe

324 Erin CatersGeoffrey Morgan1stHertford C A52
2ndEssex A55
3rdSurrey A61
4thGuildford D G76
5thSussex C A97
6thKent C A63 (DNF)
 
11 Sep 2010

Essex A

Coggeshall

Cambridge S Royal
(plain course)
Simon Rudd
Tim Peverett
1stEssex A116
2ndKent C A148
3rdSurrey A231
4thGuildford D G259
5thHertford C A263
6thSussex C A264
 
10 Sep 2011

Hertford C A

St Albans (St Peter), Herts

London no.3 S Royal
(plain course)
John Hughes-D’Aeth,
Cathy Hughes-D’Aeth
1stGuildford D G74
2ndKent C A87
3rdHertford C A103
4thMiddlesex C A125
5thEssex A133
6thSussex C A155
 
8 Sep 2012

Sussex C A

Southover

315 Stedman CatersAlan Ainsworth
Mark Ainsworth
1stKent C A55
2ndSussex C A71
3rdEssex A103
4thGuildford D G111
 
14 Sep 2013

Surrey A

Beddington

200 Lincolnshire Royal
(plain course to W)
Lee Pinnington
Mark Place
1stKent C A69%
2ndSurrey A68%
3rdSussex C A62%
4thEssex A59%
5thGuildford D G58%
 
13 Sep 2014

Kent C A

Maidstone

298 Stedman CatersPhil Barnes
Ian Roulstone
1stKent C A80
2ndEssex A135
3rdSussex C A140
4thSurrey A146
5thHertford C A154
  
12 Sep 2015

Guildford D G

Guildford, St Nicolas

Pudsey S Royal
(plain course)
Lucinda Woodward
David Woodward
1stEssex A93%
2ndGuildford D G92%
3rdSurrey A91%
4thWinchester & Portsmouth D G88%
5thSussex C A82%
6thKent C A76%
 
10 Sep 2016

Essex A

Writtle

287 Grandsire Caters

Alan Winter
Paul Seaman

RW 16/1256

1stEssex A34
2ndSussex C A42
3rdGuildford D G64
4thSurrey A67
5thKent C A76
 
9 Sep 2017

Hertford C A

Hertford, All Saints

Superlative No.2 S Royal
(plain course)
James Watkins
Terry Streeter
1stSussex C A85%
2ndEssex A82% 
3rdKent C A76% 
4thMiddlesex C A69% 
5thSurrey A62% 
6thHertford C A 55% 
 
8 Sep 2018

Sussex C A

Horsham

Yorkshire S RoyalHannah Taylor
Tom Hinks
1stSussex C A88%
2ndSurrey A76%
3rdEssex A75%
4thGuildford D G73%
5thKent C A70%
6thWinchester & Portsmouth D G62%
7thMIddlesex C A56%
 
14 Sep 2019

Middlesex C A

Southgate

327 Stedman Caters
Report
Paul Flavell
Kate Flavell
1stKent C A51
2ndGuildford D G68
3rdSussex C A70
4thEssex A73
5thSurrey A75
6thHertford C A86
 
12 Sep 2020CANCELLED
 
11 Sep 2021

Kent C A

Staplehurst

Cambridge S RoyalHenry Coggill
Tom Lawrance 
1stKent C A72%
2ndGuildford D G68%
3rdSurrey A63%
 
24 Sep 2022

Surrey A

St Mary, Bletchingley

Yorkshire S Royal
(plain course, judged from Middle)
Ian Roulstone1stEssex A54
2ndSurrey A71
3rdGuildford D G79
4thKent C A94
5thSussex C A108
6thMiddlesex C A155
 
9 Sep 2023

Essex A

St Mary, Walthamstow

342 Grandsire CatersJohn Warboys
Stephanie Warboys
1stSurrey A82%
2ndWinchester & Portsmouth D G80%
3rdKent C A74%
4thEssex A72%
5thGuildford D G70%
6thMiddlesex C A65%
 
14 Sep 2024

Guildford D G

St Martin of Tours, Epsom

320 Spliced Plain and Little Bob RoyalStephanie Pattenden
Cathy Hampson
1stEssex A80%
2ndGuildford D G77%
3rdWinchester & Portsmouth D G74%
4thSurrey A72%
5thKent C A71%
6thSussex C A68%
 
13th
Sep 2025

Winchester and Portsmouth D G

  1st  
2nd  
3rd  
4th  
5th  
6th

298 Stedman Caters (2014)
231456789
1,s3,6,s8,14 314652978
s12,16 312456798
s1,3,4,6,8,9,10,11,12,13 312456789

315 Stedman Caters (2012)
231456789
1,s6,s8,15 314265978
4,6,7,s8,10,11,12,13 214365978
s12, 19 214365798

317 Stedman Caters (2004)
231456789
1, 231456978
1,2,5,7,8,12,14 135792468
s1,s3,4,6,s8,9,s11 134265879

327 Stedman Caters (2019)
231456789
1s.2.7s.9s.16 235164978
4.5.11.12 234165798
1.4s.8s.11s 214365879

339 Stedman Caters (1999)
231456789
1,3,s4,6,s8,9,10,12,16,17,18,19 412365978
5,16 214365978
2,9s 214365879

346 Stedman Caters (2007)
231456789
s1,2,4,5,s11,18 345127698
1,2,4,5,s11,13,14,18 312546978
2,9,s12 312456789

288 Little Bob Royal (2000)
23456
W H 45236
W SH 32456
Repeated

305 Double Norwich Caters (1997)
123456789
1,2,4,5 135264978
1,3s,4,5,6s 132547698

324 Erin Caters (2009)
123456789
1,s5,6 412356978
s5,6 341256978
1,5,6 214356897
1,s5,6 321456789
s5,6 432156789
5,6 123456789

287 Grandsire Caters (2016)
123456789
2s, 4s 165324978
2s, 4s 142563798
1,2s, 3s (132547698)

342 Grandsire Caters (2023)
23456789
1,4,5 23456978
s1,2,4 32497568
s1,2,s3 73254968
2,3,s4 23456789

ESSEX TROPHY STRIKING COMPETITION RULES

1. The competition shall be known as the Essex Trophy and was first competed for in 1979 as part of the Essex Association of Change Ringers’ Centenary celebrations.

2. Entry shall be by invitation only. The Essex Association will issue the invitations to territorial associations in the south-east of England, approximately six months before the competition is due to be held. The invitation will include details of the host association, the tower, method and time of the draw.

3. The Essex Association will ensure that the arrangements for the competition are sent to invited associations at least 2 months in advance of the competition; this will include the composition for the test piece if applicable.

4. Each association taking part shall be entitled to nominate one representative to a committee, which shall decide the date, the host association for the following year, which associations shall be invited to participate, and any changes to these rules. The committee will normally meet during the competition, after the ringing completes. Other detailed arrangements for the competition shall be delegated to the host association, which shall decide the venue, method for the test piece, and the identity of the judges.

5. No person may ring for more than one team. The team for each territorial association shall consist of full resident members of that association.

6. Each team will be allocated a 30-minute slot. The changes of the test piece must be commenced no earlier than 10 minutes after the start of each team’s slot, and no later than 15 minutes after the start of the slot. Subject to these limitations no restriction is placed on the rounds or any changes rung before the test piece. Bands are asked to minimise the rounds rung at the completion of the test piece. Teams must complete their test piece within the allocated slot.

7. When the team is ready, the judges shall be alerted by the ringing of two whole pulls on the treble and second.

8. The host association shall provide stewards to accompany each competing team in the ringing chamber to assist in the timing of the practice, rounds and test piece. The steward shall remain in the ringing chamber during the practice and shall leave the ringing chamber before the start of the test piece.

9. The whole of the test piece shall be judged, but not the rounds at the beginning and end.

10. If a team should fire out they may retire or start again, in which case the faults already incurred shall be added to those subsequently incurred.

11. The decision of the judges on all matters pertaining to the performance shall be final.

12. The winners of the competition shall be awarded the Essex Trophy, which they shall hold for one year. The Trophy remains the property of the Essex Association.

Essex Trophy Rules revised 14th September 2019

You can also download these rules here.