Meeting of the Ridgman Committee : unconfirmed minutes

Biggleswade in the Parish Rooms adjacent to St Andrew’s Church on Saturday 8th June 2024

Present:

Alan Winter (Chair)

CUGCR: Jonathan Agg
Essex: David Hengeli
Ely: Alban Forster
Lincoln: Keith Butter
Suffolk: Katharine Salter & Julian Colman B
edford: John Loveless & Nick Brown

Katharine Salter compiled the draft minutes.

The minutes of the previous meeting were accepted and approved.

Votes of thanks

The Chair and committee offered a vote of thanks to John Loveless, Biggleswade church, the Mother’s Union (who did the catering) and the Bedford Association for hosting. It had been particularly useful having a downstairs steward and thanks was extended to Godfrey for doing this. John noted that the catering team also support their regular 2nd Saturday training sessions.

The committee also extended thanks to Alan for his leadership and organisation and to Dave Richards for organising the sound feed.

The committee would also like to thank Graham and Wendy Bloom for judging the contest.

Matters Arising

Alan proposed that Dave Richards was prepared and willing to take over as chair, this was approved by the committee.

It was proposed that the date of the competition reverts to the 3rd Saturday in June with a start time of 10am, the draw to be held in advance. This year’s competition had been moved forward to accommodate Biggleswade and the 2024 National 12 bell contest on 15th June. The 2nd Saturday in June clashes with the Peterborough DG AGM.

The 2025 contest will be hosted by the Lincoln DG at Boston, the test piece will be the first half course of Yorkshire Surprise Royal, proposed Julian Colman and seconded Nick Brown. There is a cafe in the church at Boston and the Lincoln team are currently also looking at a HQ pub. Keith asked if there was any interest in arranging towers for grabs, they are happy to fit in what people want. David noted that some people might be interested in quarter peals in neighbouring towers.

The committee discussed the pros and cons of holding the draw on the day, but agreed to continue with the established practice of holding it in advance of the contest.

Alan asked for suggestions for judges, travel expenses could be available if required. Katharine suggested Roger and Alex Riley and took an action to ask them.

Tower donations and entry fees

Alan noted that the competition has not normally left a tower donation, but this year had been asked for £100, which he had found. He asked for views from the committee if this was something that we wished to continue moving forward. Nick asked if we had an entry fee, Julian noted that the George Pipe 12 Bell Contest has a £20 entry fee, Jonathan said that the Tewkesbury Shield also has a £20 entry fee. Alan wanted to start at £10 per team however Jonathan noted that £2 per rope to enter was not expensive.

The committee agreed that in the future there will be a £20 entry fee to cover expenses and a £100 tower donation.

Future contests

2026 proposed hosted by Suffolk, provisionally at Stowmarket

There was debate about the venue for 2027 and a discussion as to whether there were any nice new rings of 10. The committee debated asking the Hertford DG to host, or hosting in Ely either at St Neots (but the contest would not be able to start before 10.30am) or Wisbech where there is a new band.

AOB

Dave Richards extended his thanks to John for assistance in getting the sound feed set up, he asked if the committee had strong feelings about whether we should have a sound feed for future competitions. The committee agreed that a direct sound feed was a good thing and agreed that we should have this for future competitions.

Alan asked for feedback on recording the test pieces, he was wary that he didn’t want people to re-mark the contest or feed it into Hawkear. The committee was happy with the recordings and it was noted the Ridgman test piece had previously appeared on Bells on Sunday.

Alan asked how the committee could persuade the Norwich DA and Hertford DG to enter teams. It was agreed that committee members would make approaches to folk they know in those associations. John noted that the competition has significant value as an East Anglian 10 bell contest.

The committee expressed it’s thanks and gratitude to Alan for his hard work over the years he has chaired the contest.