Events - NUA & SUA

Alongside your society’s activities, the highlight of the university ringing calendar is the Northern and Southern Universities Association weekends, best known as the NUA and SUA. Whilst the official purpose of the weekends is to hold a Striking Contest, they are much more social events than that. The NUA dates back to 1979 and the SUA to 1987 and both are still going strong. Various trophies and cups have been awarded throughout their history.

The events begin on Friday, when university ringers from across the area arrive in the city of the host, where a local tower is open for ringing followed by socialising in the pub. Returning participants will be reuniting with old acquaintances whilst newbies get welcomed to the fun.

The Saturday usually consists of a tour of the local towers, a Striking Competition (on six bells at NUA, and on six and eight at SUA) followed by evening entertainment such as a meal, ceilidh and other shenanigans (such as the Boat Race in the north).

The Sunday is generally dedicated to recovery and travelling home, with perhaps a touch of ringing for those who haven’t had enough already…

Who can take part?

Despite the names, the NUA and SUA are not formal organisations. The meet each year is organised by the university society who have been nominated / been volunteered by the other societies during the previous year’s meet. This is generally done by emails and social media.

By convention, the NUA and SUA areas are divided by a line drawn from the Bristol Channel just south of Cardiff, across England to the Wash just south of Skegness. All university students and recent alumni from the relevant area are welcome to attend but the geographical convention is not strictly enforced. [see map]

Most of the attendees come as a group with others from their university society, but university ringers from towns without a student society are also made welcome.

How to take part in the fun

Get in touch with the secretary of the hosting society for more information.

Past events