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
6th or 13th September (TBC)
Venue
Carisbrooke (TBC)
Draw time
2pm (TBC)
Method
(TBC)

The Essex Trophy Rules and Results

YEARVENUEHOSTTOUCHWINNER
1979Prittlewell, EssexEssex AssnYorkshire S Royal (Plain Course)Sussex CA
1980Croydon (St John), SurreySurrey AssnYorkshire S Royal (Plain Course)ASCY
1981Leeds, KentKent CAYorkshire S Royal (Plain Course)SRCY
1982Horsham, West SussexSussex CAYorkshire S Royal (Plain Course)Sussex CA
1983Saffron Walden, EssexEssex AssnYorkshire S Royal (Plain Course)Guildford DG
1984Southwark Cathedral, LondonSurrey Assn310 Stedman CatersSurrey Assn
1985Quex Park, Birchington, KentKent CAYorkshire S Royal (Plain Course)Kent CA
1986Horsham, West SussexSussex CA300 Stedman CatersSussex CA
1987West Ham, LondonEssex AssnYorkshire S Royal (Plain Course)Surrey Assn
1988Reigate, SurreySurrey AssnYorkshire S Royal (Plain Course)Winchester & Portsmouth DG
1989Ashford, KentKent CA291 Stedman CatersSussex CA
1990St Nicholas’ Guildford, SurreyGuildford DGYorkshire S Royal (Plain Course)Hertford CA
1991Braintree, EssexEssex AssnYorkshire S Royal (Plain Course)Surrey Assn
1992Southover, SussexSussex CACambridge S Royal (Plain Course)Essex Assn
1993Rickmansworth, HertsHertford CAStedman CatersGuildford DG
1994Bletchingley, SurreySurrey AssnCambridge S Royal (Plain Course)Hertford CA
1995Leeds, KentKent CALincolnshire S Royal (Plain Course)Hertford CA
1996Bocking, EssexEssex AssnSuperlative no 2 S Royal (Plain Course)Essex Assn
1997Guildford CathedralGuildford DG305 Double Norwich Court Bob CatersGuildford DG
1998Warnham, West SussexSussex CAYorkshire S Royal (Plain Course)Sussex CA
1999Dorking, SurreySurrey Assn339 Stedman CatersHertford CA
2000Staplehurst, KentKent CA288 Little Bob RoyalSussex CA
2001Saffron Walden, EssexEssex AssnCANCELLED
2002Watford, HertsHertford CAPudsey S Royal (Plain Course)Guildford DG
2003East Meon, HantsWinchester & Portsmouth DGCambridge S Royal (Plain Course)Guildford DG
2004Hornchurch, EssexEssex Assn317 Stedman CatersGuildford DG
2005Isleworth, MiddlesexMiddlesex CALincolnshire S Royal (Plain Course)Guildford DG
2006Haslemere, SurreyGuildford DGCambridge S Royal (Plain Course)Surrey Assn
2007Bletchingley, SurreySurrey Assn346 Stedman CatersSussex CA
2008Lewes (Southover)Sussex CAYorkshire Surprise Royal (plain course)Guildford DG
2009HytheKent CA324 Erin CatersHertford CA
2010CoggeshallEssex ACambridge Surprise Royal (plain course)Essex A
2011St Albans (St Peter)Hertford CALondon no. 3 Surprise Royal (plain course)Guildford DG
2012SouthoverSussex CA315 Stedman CatersKent CA
2013BeddingtonSurrey A200 Lincolnshire RoyalKent CA
2014MaidstoneKent CA298 Stedman CatersKent CA
2015Guildford, St NicolasGuildford DGPudsey S Royal (Plain Course)Essex A
2016WrittleEssex A287 Grandsire CatersEssex A
2017Hertford, All SaintsHertford CASuperlative No.2 S RoyalSussex CA
2018HorshamSussex CAYorkshire S RoyalSussex CA
2019SouthgateMiddlesex CA & London DGStedman CatersKent C A
2020CANCELLED
2021StaplehurstKent C ACambridge S RoyalKent CA
2022BletchingleySurrey AYorkshire S RoyalEssex A
2023Walthamstow, St MaryEssex AGrandsire CatersSurrey A
2024Epsom, St Martin of ToursGuildford DG320 Spliced Plain and Little Bob RoyalEssex A
2025CarisbrookeWinchester and Portsmouth DG
DateHost; VenueTest PieceJudges; Report TeamsMark
29 Sep 1979Essex 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 1980Surrey 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 1981Kent 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 1982Sussex 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 1983Essex 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 1984Surrey A
 
Southwark Cathedral, London
310 Stedman CatersAndrew 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 1985Kent 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 1986Sussex C A
 
Horsham, West Sussex
300 Stedman CatersAlan Patterson
 
 
RW N/A
1stSussex C A???
2ndEssex A???
??Kent C A???
??Surrey A???
??London C A???
 
19 Sep 1987Essex 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 1988Surrey 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 1989Kent C A
 
Ashford, Kent
291 Stedman CatersRichard 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 1990Guildford 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 1991Essex 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 1992Sussex 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 1993Hertford C A
 
Rickmansworth, Herts
Stedman CatersPaul 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 1994Surrey 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 1995Kent 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 1996Essex 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 1997Guildford 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 1998Sussex 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 1999Surrey A
 
Dorking, Surrey
339 Stedman CatersJohn 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 2000Kent C A
 
Staplehurst, Kent
288 Little Bob RoyalAlex 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 2002Hertford 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 2003Winchester & 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 2004Essex A
 
Hornchurch, Essex
317 Stedman CatersDavid 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 2005Middlesex 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 2006Guildford 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 2007Surrey A
 
Bletchingley, Surrey
346 Stedman CatersP Quentin Armitage
 
 
RW 07/992
1stSussex C A56
2ndGuildford D G71
3rdSurrey A86
4thEssex A96
5thMiddlesex C A106
6thKent C A136
 
13 Sep 2008Sussex C A
 
Lewes (Southover)
Yorkshire S Royal
(plain course)
Paul Mounsey1stGuildford D G80
2ndSussex C A89
3rdEssex A95
4thSurrey A112
 
12 Sep 2009Kent 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 2010Essex 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 2011Hertford 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 2012Sussex C A
 
Southover
315 Stedman CatersAlan Ainsworth
Mark Ainsworth
1stKent C A55
2ndSussex C A71
3rdEssex A103
4thGuildford D G111
 
14 Sep 2013Surrey 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 2014Kent C A

Maidstone
298 Stedman CatersPhil Barnes
Ian Roulstone
1stKent C A80
2ndEssex A135
3rdSussex C A140
4thSurrey A146
5thHertford C A154
  
12 Sep 2015Guildford 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 2016Essex A

Writtle
287 Grandsire CatersAlan Winter
Paul Seaman


RW 16/1256
1stEssex A34
2ndSussex C A42
3rdGuildford D G64
4thSurrey A67
5thKent C A76
 
9 Sep 2017Hertford 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 2018Sussex 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 2019Middlesex 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 2021Kent C A

Staplehurst
Cambridge S RoyalHenry Coggill
Tom Lawrance 
1stKent C A72%
2ndGuildford D G68%
3rdSurrey A63%
 
24 Sep 2022Surrey 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 2023Essex 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 2024Guildford 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%
 
6th or 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.