2021 Ridgman 10 bell striking competition

October 30th at St Michael, Braintree

Memory is selective, at least mine seems to be. Fact is there was heavy rain in Braintree, starting around 9-30 when I was finishing my Parkrun (lovely course, Notley Park) and peaking around 11-00 when the third team were ringing. My memory, however, is all of the brilliant sunshine from midday onwards and that must mean that the company was good, the local arrangements working well (thanks to Andrew Kelso and the Essex Association, and to the Braintree ringers led by Brad Hill) and the competition working in the way a ten-bell striking competition should (thanks to the stewards, to Kate and Paul Flavell our judges, and to all the participants).

Paul remarked that we must like his judging style since we’ve invited him five times and of course that works two ways; Kate and he must enjoy helping us. Certainly we appreciate their comments on our ringing and the fairness of their marking, on this occasion putting the Suffolk Guild in clear first place with Essex and Ely not so far behind. The test piece was 179 Grandsire Caters.

As the day closed I heard many compliments on the refurbishment of the ring at Braintree, making a bright, lively ten which are a pleasure to ring (and please can we come back soon?). And thanks too to the church authorities for allowing this event in these uncertain times.

Attention now shifts to Kings Lynn on June 18^th 2022 where we hope to ring Erin Caters.

ATW 31/10/2021