2025 Ridgman 10 bell striking competition
For the 2025 competition has accepted the invitation of the Lincoln Diocesan Guild to hold the contest at Boston, St Botolph (aka Boston Stump). Deborah and Penny Thorley have kindly agreed to judge the test piece, which is a half course of Yorkshire Surprise Royal.
The contest rules are available elsewhere on this website. A £20 band entry fee was agreed at the committee meeting last year, primarily to cover expenses plus a donation to the host tower.
If it makes a difference to any of the bands, we're willing (as last year) for up to three ringers to be borrowed from other teams, rather than the two stated in the rules. Teams which have any borrowed ringers are not eligible to win the trophy.
The contest draw will be made at Great St Mary's, Cambridge on Sunday 1st June at 3.45pm. If you would like to witness the draw, you are welcome to attend in person (and join Evensong ringing afterwards!), or via Zoom. As in previous years, we will permit teams to request an 'early' [first half] or a 'late' [second half] draw.
There will be an open practice on Saturday 10th May at 1pm, with all bands considering entering the contest warmly invited to attend. There are at least 10 ringers present, and the tower is provisionally available until 3pm, so there should be a chance for some good ringing.
Everyone gets to enjoy the fine tower of Boston Stump, with its panoply of bells (26 in total) - see the RW Article Issue 5896, 26th April 2024
There are 198 steps to the ringing chamber, although bands will be able to climb most of the way up the tower during the preceding test piece.
Light refreshments will be provided in the Blenkin Memorial Hall, opposite the north door of the church
The church refectory is open between 10am and 1.30pm, serving a variety of soups, toasties and sandwiches, or there are a number of other local pubs and restaurants
The judges will use a sound feed, and are likely to be located in the church vestry
There will be a short committee meeting between the end of ringing and the results
The presentation will be in the chancel
