This year's Fordingbridge Challenge took place on 30th April at The Avonway, Fordingbridge. Eight clubs took part in this annual event each with with an entry of eight PDIs. These images must not have been used before in external competitions and be produced by eight different authors.
The eight clubs were: Beaulieu Camera Group, BH PC, Blandford Forum CC, Fordingbridge CC, H & I PC, Ringwood CC, Salisbury PC and Wimborne CC. As always, there was a very good turnout from members of the clubs and Fordingbridge CC supplied us with delicious home made cakes at the interval.
The judge for the evening was Maria Leekblade AFIAP, DPAGB, who had the unenviable task of scoring what was a superb set of images. She certainly rose to the challenge with enthusiasm and a great knowledge of the genres and techniques on show.
The final totals were quite close, showing the high quality of all the entries. The winner of the Challenge Trophy was Highcliffe and Infinity PC with a total of 74.5, with Ringwood CC runners-up with 70.5. BCG finished in 4th place with 69, which, considering the size of our Group, is a tremendous result.
Two of our images scored the maximum of 10 "Follow the Light" by Tony Darnell and "Herring Gull Dispute" and two scored 9 "A Passing Glance" by Bob Abbott and "Sunflower Droplets" by Sue Dunham.
Maria chose her top three images whose authors were each awarded a bottle of wine. In 3rd place was "Autumn Mist" by Roger Stone of Highcliffe and Infinity PC, in 2nd place was "Sweet Pea" by Pat Catley of Blandford CC and in 1st place was "The Lady in the Window" by Colin Ridley of BH PC.
To see the Gallery of BCG's entry please click on this link: Gallery
The scoresheet with all the marks can be viewed using this link: 
Fordingbridge Challenge 2025 Score Sheet
Sue Dunham Chairman