The idea of holding a 10-bell striking competition among the bellringing societies within and surrounding the Ely Diocesan Association was first raised during the mid-1980s. An offer by Bill Ridgman’s family to donate a trophy provided the necessary focus to bring the idea to fruition and the first competition was held at Wisbech in 1988.
The trophy features the shields of the Ely Diocesan Association and Cambridge University Guild, reflecting the enormous contribution that Bill made to both organisations over the years. More information and full details of all the competitions can be found here The Ridgman Trophy (elyda.org.uk)
The Association were winners in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013 and 2024.
The 2026 Competition – will be held on Saturday 13 June hosted by the Suffolk Guild at Stowmarket. The test piece will be Stedman Caters.
The 2025 competition was hosted by the Lincoln Guild at St Botolph’s Boston on Saturday 21 June, the test piece was half a course of Yorkshire Surprise Royal. Unfortunately, after a very promising start, the Bedfordshire team didn’t manage to complete the test piece. The competition was won by the Essex Association, the Hertfordshire Association were second and the Cambridge University Guild were third.
Thanks and commiserations to the team: Treble – Linda Garton, 2nd – John Loveless, 3rd – Steve Stanford, 4th – Dean De-Matteis, 5th – James Saunders, 6th – Russell Brown, 7th – Pat Abon, 8th – Richard Horne, 9th – Toby Bence, Tenor – Nick Brown (C). Better luck next year at Stowmarket!
The 2024 competition was held at St Andrew’s Biggleswade on 8 June and the Bedfordshire team won! The test piece was 179 Grandsire Caters, conducted by Steve Stanford. The Judges were Graham and Wendy Bloom from Leeds. A full report by John Loveless is here.
The 2024 Bedfordshire team was: Clockwise from front right: Linda Garton treble, Alex Nash 2, Angela Blackburn 3, John Loveless 4, Dean de-Matteis 5, Russell Brown 6, Steve Stanford (conductor) 7, Pat Albon 8, Nick Brown 9, James Saunders tenor
The 2023 competition was held at St Lawrence Towcester on 17June. The test piece was 216 changes of spliced Plain and Little Bob Royal. Unfortunately the Bedfordshire team failed to complete the touch. Better luck next year!
The 2022 competition was held at St Margaret, Kings Lynn on Saturday June 18. Congratulations to the Bedfordshire team who came 4th out of 7 teams. The test piece was 212 changes of Erin Caters. The band were:
Front row R to L: Treble – Linda Garton, 2 – Rosie Buckle, 3 – Helen Manktelow, 4 – Alex Nash, 5 – Clive Dunbavin,
Back row L to R: 6 – Russell Brown, 7 – Stephen Stanford (C), 8 – Pat Albon, 9 – John Loveless, Tenor – James Saunders.
2019-2021
Unfortunately the Association didn’t enter a team in 2019 or 2021 and the 2020 competition was cancelled because of the Covid pandemic.
The 2018 competition was held at St Peters St Albans on Saturday June. Congratulations to the Bedfordshire team who came 3rd.
The ringers were, clockwise from front right: Martin Major, Ros Keech, Charlotte Smith, Anthony Smith, John Loveless, Philippa Whittington, Richard Horne, Alan Shepherd, Frank Rivett, Stephen Stanford. Many thanks to Philippa who organised the team and practice arrangements.
You can read the full report and judges comments at the Ridgman Trophy 2018