Historic Dartmoor village set to host major Devon bell ringing final for first time
Drewsteignton's Holy Trinity Church is preparing to welcome competitors from across Devon as a major bell-ringing event arrives in the village for the first time in the competition's 100-year history
Drewsteignton is set to host the Devon Association of Ringers' Six Bell Major Final on Saturday, 13 June, marking the first time the village has staged the organisation's premier competition in its 100-year history.
The event will take place at Holy Trinity Church and is expected to attract ringers and visitors from across the county.
Proceedings will begin with a short service at 2pm before 12 teams take part in the contest, which runs until 8pm.
The Major Final is the county's leading competition for towers with six bells or fewer.
Teams qualify through separate North and South Devon rounds before progressing to the final.
This year's competitors will travel from locations across the county, from Swimbridge in North Devon to Stoke Gabriel in the South.
Drewsteignton Tower Captain Jon Bint told The Moorlander that the event was a significant milestone for the village and its bell-ringing community.
"This will be the first time in the century of the Association's existence that the county's premier competition will have been held here," he said.
Several teams have visited Drewsteignton during the spring to practise on the bells ahead of the competition.
Among them was South Brent, which won the southern qualifying round and made two practice visits to the church.
Holy Trinity Church is home to a ring of six bells dating from 1784.
Cast by John and Christopher Pennington, the bells remain an important part of the village's heritage.
According to Dove's Guide for Church Bell Ringers, the tenor bell weighs more than 13 hundredweight and the church's tower is affiliated with the Devon Association of Ringers.
Preparations for the event have included work to improve the ringing chamber following an exceptionally wet winter.
Mr Bint said many granite church towers across the area experienced water ingress during the prolonged periods of rain, including the tower at Drewsteignton.
The competition is expected to bring additional visitors into the Dartmoor village throughout the afternoon and evening.
During a break in the contest, competitors and supporters will be served a traditional ringers' tea in the Long Room at the Drewe Arms.
Founded in 1925, the Devon Association of Ringers represents around 150 affiliated towers and promotes the county's distinctive tradition of call change ringing.
Unlike change ringing methods practised elsewhere in England, the Devon style places an emphasis on rhythmic sequences directed by spoken calls.
Alongside hosting the competition, local ringers hope to encourage interest in the centuries-old tradition.
The Drewsteignton-based group also includes ringers from Chagford, Gidleigh and Throwleigh.
Mr Bint said: "We are looking for recruits to join our team in order to maintain the unique and centuries-old vernacular art of Devon Call Change Ringing."