YOUNG Yorkshire bellringers are the best in the country after they won the national youth championship in Birmingham.
The winning band of eight ringers, called Yorkshire Tykes, included members from York and Selby, together with colleagues from Northallerton, Knottingley, Lightcliffe near Halifax and Oxenhope near Keighley. They are aged between 11 and 18.
Alex Riley, 17, of Selby Abbey bellringers said: “The whole band rang exceptionally well and should be really pleased with their efforts.”
More than 200 ringers in 20 teams from across the country took part in the seventh Ringing World National Youth Contest which consisted of qualifying heats and the final in St Paul’s in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter.
As well as competing, the competitors had the chance to try their hand ringing in various towers around Birmingham, including the world’s first ring of 16 bells, which are in St Martin’s in Birmingham Bullring. Most towers have up to 12 bells.
The Yorkshire Tykes’s qualifying heat was at St James Church in Shirley where they won the right to compete in the final.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here