The first Jigsaw Puzzle Making Competition in aid of the Mayor’s Charity, the RainBo Music Trust, took place in the Pannier Market Hall on Sunday 5 October.
On display in the market hall were hundreds of beautifully pre-made jigsaws for sale. There were also timed challenges, where contestants raced against the clock to complete a jigsaw puzzles.
The first ever prize winners of the Puzzle Making Competition were:
James Nickells – who received the Stanley Cup, a medal and a Wentworth wooden puzzle for completing a Ravensburger 500-piece Jigsaw in 2 hours, 14 minutes.
The winners of the pairs category were Jordan & Bridget Holroyd, receiving the Lawrence Cup, medals and Wentworth wooden puzzles. Their time just over 2 hours 14 minutes for making a Ravensburger 1000-piece Jigsaw.
The cups were named after the Mayor’s late father (Stanely Lawrence) who was very keen on making jigsaw puzzles and the inspiration behind the event.
The event was a great success, with both winners pledging to return in 2026 to defend their titles. More than £450 was raised for the RainBo Music Trust.
The festival is planning to be a bigger and better one next year, and will run over two days on 10 & 11 October 2026.
More photos and information on this year’s event and updates on next year’s planned event are available here https://www.facebook.com/JigsawPuzzleGroup/
If you love jigsaw puzzles and fancy being a volunteer and making puzzles for next year, or would be interested in donating puzzles, please contact the Jigsaw Puzzle Group who organised the event for Bideford Town Council.
