For the Mavis Whitehead Trophy - 16th October 2027 - East Grinstead
Welcome to the

South East 12 Bell Striking Competition

Website

Congratulations to 2026 Winners – Sussex County!

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 2027 competition will be held at East Grinstead, West Sussex, on Saturday 16th October 2027. Katie Waterson will be lead judge.

Days
Hours
Minutes

2026 Entries Now Closed!

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

2026 Results

Congratulations to Sussex, who won the 2026 competition!

Click here to view full details of the 2026 competition and see full team details.

Rank
Team
Team name
Peal speed
Score
Recordings
1
G
Sussex
3h 26
80%
2
D
Guildford
3h 26
78%
3
E
Hursley
3h 14
75%
4
I
Reading
3h 13
71%
5
B
Kent
3h 15
69%
6
A
Canterbury
3h 18
65%
7
C
Southampton
3h 8
63%
8
H
St Albans
3h 17
58%
9
F
Surrey
3h 30
53%

About The Competition

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.

2027 Venue

The 2027 competition will be held at East Grinstead, West Sussex, home of the 2026 winners!

Running Order

On the day of the competition, an indicative running order will be as follows:

  • 0930 IBM Parking available and marshalled
  • 0930 Doors Open, Hot food and drink available

    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.

  • 1030 The Draw

    The draw will take place in the Nave of the church.

  • 1100 Contest Begins

    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

  • 12.30pm - 2.00pm Lunch service

    Lunch (soup and sandwiches) available in the Church. Alternatively the King’s Head and the Dolphin will welcome you

  • 3.00pm Teas and cakes available in the church
  • ~ 1700 Results

    Results announced, subject to when judges have made their decisions. Presentation of the Mavis Whitehead Trophy