16th June at Rothwell

Report copied, with thanks, from the website of the Bedfordshire Association.

A representative Association band once again entered the Ridgman Trophy 10 Bell Striking Competition, which this year was held on the excellent bells of Rothwell in Northamptonshire. A record entry of ten teams confirmed the enduring popularity of this event and ensured that there would be plenty of competition. The test piece was an interesting and musical two course touch of Stedman Caters which all but one team manage to navigate on the day.

We fielded virtually the same band as last year and had a practice session at Kempston a few days before the competition. This produced some very encouraging ringing, but it was even more pleasing that we saved our best performance for the competition itself. The churchyard pundits also felt that we had rung well, but we were followed by strong bands from Hertfordshire and Suffolk, so the outcome was always going to be in the balance. Fortunately the judges, Derek & Sue Jones from Peterborough, ruled in our favour and awarded us first place, continuing our enviable run of finishing amongst the top three for the last few years. It seemed particularly appropriate that we should triumph in the year of our 125^th Anniversary celebrations.

My thanks go to the ringers who gave up their time to represent the Association at this important regional event, and to the organisers and other participants who continue to make the Ridgman Trophy such an enjoyable fixture.

MARTIN J WHITELEY Organiser