The Essex Association of Change Ringers   President: The Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Chelmsford

The Ridgman Trophy 10 bell striking competition took place on Saturday 16th June at Kempston in Bedfordshire. The judges were Philip and Jennie Earis, the test piece half a course of Yorkshire S. Royal. The locals had put on a "Ringing Festival" which featured general ringing at open towers during the early afternoon, the Maplestead mini ring as well as bacon butties, jacket potatoes, cake, beer and enough tea/coffee to float a royal pageant! After the first band rang their test piece there was a technical hitch due to the tenor clapper falling out. This was quickly repaired and the competition resumed however, the Peterborough band chose to withdraw their ringing as clearly the clapper working its way loose had impaired their ringing. The rest of the competition continued unhindered and the results were as follows:

1st	Bedfordshire Assn	88%
2nd	Ely DA	85%
3rd	Norwich DA	76%
4th	Essex ACR	65%
5th	Suffolk G	64%
6th	Cambridge UG	63%
7th	Lincoln DG	51%
8th	Peterborough DG	Withdrew

Representing Essex were: Steve Waters, Sue Rothera, Vicki Chapman, David Rothera, Jon Waters, Roger Collins, Stephen Nash, Colin Chapman, Matthew Rayner and Brian Meads (c).

Next years competition will be hosted by Lincoln DG at Surfleet on 15th June 2013.

Vicki Chapman
General Secretary
(Sunday 17 June 2012)