The final of the prestigious National Twelve Bell Striking Competition – the Olympiad of bell ringing contests – is to be staged at Melbourne on Saturday 23rd June 2012.

This is the first time that the competition final has been held in Derbyshire.

The competition has been held every year since 1975.  Over the years the number of participating teams has increased dramatically from the five of that first competition. 

Derby first entered a band in 1977 and continued to so for nine years.  After this, a rule change required ringers to be based at a twelve bell tower, which Derbyshire did not have at that time.  The augmentation of Melbourne in 1996 meant that we could once again enter.  The current Melbourne team has entered every year since 1997 and this will be their seventh visit to the final.

This year twenty one teams have entered, requiring three eliminators which will be held at Aston, Kidderminster and Stourbridge on 24th March.  There are one hundred and twenty five twelve bell towers in the United Kingdom.

The top three teams from each eliminator will come to Melbourne for the final on 23rd June when they will compete along with the home team (who receive a bye through to the final) for the John Taylor Trophy.

In all, with competitors and supporters, several hundred people will be present in Melbourne that day. Refreshments will be available throughout the day and ancillary activities are being planned.

Will the team beat their best result, coming fourth at St Paul's Cathedral, London in 2009?  Come along and see!  We doubt you will have heard better twelve bell ringing in Derbyshire before.

The General Secretary will be on the lookout for stewards to assist on the day.  More information can be found on the twelve bell website.