We are delighted to confirm that the 2026 North West Twelve--Bell Striking Competition will take place at Chester Cathedral on Saturday 31 January 2026.

The provisional schedule for the day is:

1030 - Tea/Coffee available

1100 - Sound check for judges (mixture of ringers from different bands)

1130 - Draw

1200 - Band A

1230 - Band B

1300 - Band C

1330 - Band D

1400 - Band E

1430 - Band F

1500 - Judges' deliberations

1600 - Results

We are inviting entries from all 12 bell towers in the North West of England and the Isle of Man.  There is a map of these towers below, colour-coded by Guild/Association.  Our coverage is Carlisle in the north to Shrewsbury in the south, and from Douglas in the west to Ashton, Macclesfield and Stafford in the east.

To enter, you do not need a complete band of 12 ringers - we are here to encourage 12 bell ringing in the North West and to arrange a day of ringing camaraderie.  We will supplement any bands who do not have 12 ringers with others who are there on the day.

Deadline for entries is Sunday 30 November, by email to northwest12bell@gmail.com.  There are six slots in the provisional schedule, but if we have more entries than that we'll make sure we accommodate them all! 

Future Contests

Future contests will take place on the last Saturday of January each year.  Put the date in your diary!