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 can be found here The Ridgman Trophy (elyda.org.uk)
The Association were winners in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012 and 2013.
The 2024 competition is being held on 8 June and the Association is hosting it at St Andrews Biggleswade.
Please come along to help and support the team! All the details are on this poster – Ridgman Trophy Biggleswade Poster v2
The 2023 competition was held at St Lawrence Towcester on 17th June. 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.
The full results are:
1 Suffolk Guild 32 faults
2 Ely DA 34.5 faults
3 Norwich DA 42 faults
4 Bedfordshire Assn 42.5 faults
5 Essex Assn 45.5 faults
6 Peterborough Guild 53.5 faults
7 Cambridge University Guild 116 faults
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 16th. Congratulations to the Bedfordshire team who came 3rd. The full results were:
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