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RWNYC 2016 in London Entries for the 2016 Ringing World National Youth Contest are now in and it’s great news for the future of ringing! The contest continues to grow in popularity and we have another record entry this year, with 24 teams from across the country making their way to London on Saturday 2 July to compete for the Whitechapel Trophy.

We look forward to welcoming:

Bath & Wells

Bedfordshire Young Ringers

Coventry Spires

Derbyshire Young Ringers

Essex Young Eagles

Fen Tigers

Guildford DG Young Ringers

Kent Young Ringers

Lincolnshire Gamekeepers

Lincolnshire Poachers

Oxford DG

St Martin’s Youth

Suffolk Young Ringers

Surrey

Sussex Young Ringers

Tartan Spartans (Scotland)

The G&B

Three Spires (Litchfield & Walsall)

Worcester Cathedral

Yorkshire Tykes

Young @ Herts A

Young @ Herts B

Young Sussex Ringers

Youths of the South Coast (Winchester and Portsmouth)

There will be 3 qualifiers, at St James Garlickhythe, St Saviour, Pimlico and the back 8 at St Dunstan-in-the West, Fleet Street. The final will be at St Olave, Hart St, home of the University of London Society.

Our headquarters for the day will be St Mary-le-Bow, which will be the venue for registration from 9.00am results at 5.30pm, and handbell workshops during the day. We are very grateful to our “catering team” from the Society of Royal Cumberland Youths, who will be providing teas, coffees, cold drinks, pastries and cakes at Bow all day.

There will be an opportunity for all contestants to ring on the famous “Bow Bells” during the day, assisted by experienced helpers from the Society of Royal Cumberland Youths and Ancient Society of College Youths. In addition, there will be a full programme of workshops and general ringing for the teams, plus a Treasure Hunt to complete. All the towers open are easily accessible from Bow on foot or by public transport. This will include an opportunity to ring on The Royal Jubilee Bells (for those not drawn at Garlickhythe for their eliminator), and the Charmborough Ring as part of the Bermondsey Festival. Routes and timings are currently being finalised and will be published as soon as possible.

We do need to emphasise that 2 July is very much a day for young ringers. Due to the logistical challenges involved in providing a programme of ringing for 200+ young ringers, we cannot not open this up more widely. Access to towers will be restricted to those wearing wristbands, which will be issued for all team leaders and their teams/squad at registration. We hope that the not quite so young ringers, coming along to support on 2 July, will understand and enjoy listening to London’s bells being rung by the next generation!

Please watch this space and our Facebook page for updates once they become available.

Linda Garton

RWNYC Organiser