OVER 100 ringers and supporters from across Somerset descended on Old Cleeve on Saturday, September 25.

They were taking part in the eight-bell striking competition at St Andrew's Church - an important annual event in the calendar of the Bath and Wells Diocesan Association of Change Ringers.

Each of the 11 branches is invited to send a band to ring a test piece lasting about six minutes. They are judged on the quality of their ringing - each 'dong' gets marked.

This year, it was the turn of the Dunster branch to organise the event and local church members helped by providing cakes and cups of tea for the teams.

The judge was Don Lawson, from North Devon, who was generally complimentary about the standard of ringing throughout the afternoon.

The winning team came from Axbridge branch, with what the judge described as a "brilliant piece of ringing".

The Dunster branch team, which included ringers from various towers in West Somerset, came exactly half way - finishing sixth out of the 11 teams. As this was the first time for many years that the branch had entered a team, it was pleased with its efforts.

Andrew Palk, from Minehead, who coached the band beforehand and conducted on the day, said: "Everyone in our band did really well, particularly our two ringers who had not participated in a ringing competition before. It was a good team effort."

Towers across the diocese are taking part in a special recruitment week from October 16-23 October. in West Somerset, 16 towers will be open at set times during the week. Visitors may visit the ringing room, see the bells, watch demonstrations of ringing and even have a go themselves.

Anyone can become a ringer - currently, they are aged 12 to 80 plus. For further information go to the website at http://www.somersetringing.info">www.somersetringing.info or phone Susan Mew on 01643 821209.