Every year the Bellringers organise the Great Chishill Sloe Gin Competition and this year it took place on Feb 22nd and was followed by a prizegiving party on Saturday 24th. This was open to anyone and all it required was the production of a sample of some home made Sloe Gin or any other spirit flavoured with fruit. There were 4 entry categories this year – Nouveau (made with 2023 sloes), Vintage (made in previous years), Ringers’ Delight (any fruit flavoured spirit) and a new category – Low Alcohol Delight (as Ringers’ Delight but made with low alcohol).
The party was open to everyone, entrants and non competitors and was an opportunity to sample all 43 entries! As always the judges had to devote themselves to sampling and commenting on all the samples.
| First | Second | Third | |
| Nouveau | Roger Truett | Stella Russell | Alison Truett |
| Vintage | Ivan Sharpe | Iskra Sharpe | Lisa Mackenzie |
| Ringers’ Delight | Lucy Goode | Alex Farrow | Stella Russell |
| Zero Alcohol | Stella Russell | Sue Cooper | Sue Maynard |
Neil Heywood won the prize for the best presentation. Thank you to everyone who had a part in the competition and who came to the party which raised just over £400 towards maintenance of the bells of St Swithun’s.