For the Mavis Whitehead Trophy - 17th October 2026
The South East 12 Bell Competition is a striking competition open to any twelve-bell tower, band or Association, that rings regularly on twelve bells within the counties of Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire & Isle of Wight, Hertfordshire, Channel Islands, Sussex, Surrey, Kent & Oxfordshire areas.
The 2026 competition will be held at Hursley, Hampshire, on Saturday 17th October and judged by Richard Pullin and Benjamin Carey, assisted by Craig Robertson with Hawkear.
Entries for the 2026 South East 12 Bell are now closed.
The following teams will be competing this year:
Surrey
Southampton
Sussex County Association
St Albans Cathedral
Guildford
Reading
Canterbury
Hursley
Kent County Association
Congratulations to Guildford, who won the 2025 competition!
Rank | Team | Team name | Peal speed | Score | Recordings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | B | Guildford | 3h 31 | 77% | |
2 | D | Portsmouth | 3h 22 | 74% | |
3 | A | Reading | 3h 23 | 68% | |
4 | G | Hursley | 3h 31 | 66% | |
5 | E | Sussex County | 3h 25 | 62% | |
6 | F | Canterbury | 3h 20 | 58% | |
7 | C | Southampton | 3h 19 | 56% |
Following in the footsteps of the, now well established, regional competitions in the North West, South West and in London, we are looking to establish The South East Regional 12 Bell Competition as a regular in the calendar as well.
The objective of the Competition is to build fellowship between ringers and to promote and encourage ringing on twelve bells in the south-east of England, through providing an opportunity for bands to improve their ringing in friendly competition with other ringers in the area.
The Competition will be held annually, and the winning band shall be awarded the Whitehead Trophy.
The competition will be open to teams from Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire & Isle of Wight, Hertfordshire, Channel Islands, Sussex, Surrey, Kent & Oxfordshire areas.
The 2026 competition will be held at All Saints, Hursley, who hosted a 12 bell eliminator in 2023.
On the day of the competition, an indicative running order will be as follows:
Hot food and drink available in the Parish Hall. Cash is preferred for purchases. If you remember please bring your own recyclable cup for drinks.
The draw will take place in the Nave of the church.
Team 1 - 1100 - 1130
Team 2 - 1130 - 1200
Team 3 - 1200 - 1230
Team 4 - 1230 - 1300
Team 5 - 1300 - 1330
Team 6 - 1330 - 1400
Team 7 - 1400 - 1430
Team 8 - 1430 - 1500
Team 9 - 1500 - 1530
Lunch (soup and sandwiches) available in the Church. Alternatively the King’s Head and the Dolphin will welcome you
Results announced, subject to when judges have made their decisions. Presentation of the Mavis Whitehead Trophy
