Bideford Jigsaw Festival & Puzzle Making Competition

The first Bideford Jigsaw Puzzle Festival & Puzzle Making Competition was held at Bideford Pannier Market Hall on Sunday and was a big success. Hundreds of puzzles were on display and the puzzle making competition attracted entries from the local area and as far as Bristol.

The singles winner was James Nickells receiving the Stanley Cup, medal and a Wentworth wooden puzzle. His time 2 hours 14 minutes for making a Ravensburger 500 piece Jigsaw.

The pairs winners 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. Both winners have committed to returning next year to defend their titles, when the event will be over 2 days (10th / 11th October 2026). Volunteers are already making puzzles and anyone interested in donating puzzles or making them should contact the Jigsaw Puzzle Group who organised the event for Bideford Town Council. 

Over £450 was raised which will go to the Mayor's Charity, The RainBo Music Trust to promote music education in the three Bideford primary schools. Whether it is for instruments, workshops or tuition the schools will be able to choose how they spend the money, as long as it promotes music amongst their pupils. The pupils from Westcroft Primary School made large puzzle piece collages and donated some of their own puzzles.

More photos and information on the event and updates on next year's planned event are available at Facebook.https://www.facebook.com/JigsawPuzzleGroup/