A team from Ridgeons has won this year’s Institute of Builders Merchants (IOBM) Practical Skills Challenge.

There was a series of challenges, covering carpentry, brickwork, paving, painting and electrics. Mike Randall, Tony Howe, Adan Sterry and Darren Feltham, from two branches of Ridgeons in Cambridge, were judged eventual winners. Ben Cartwright, Yaqoob Harfeez, David Parton and Hania Nicholson from Howarth Timber & Building Supplies were runners up.

Steve Sellick, president of the IoBM, said: “The event continues to grow and we were delighted by the turnout this year. The event is ideal for team building, with participants benefiting from an improved product knowledge that they can take back to branch. A big congratulation to Ridgeons for taking first place, and a thank you to all of those that took part.

“Cambridge Regional College’s new construction workshop was an ideal setting for the event, and thanks also to college lecturer Roger Havis for judging the tasks.”

The Worshipful Company of Builders Merchants sponsored the trophies and prizes, and the event was also made possible through the generous donation of materials by Lathams, EH Smith, Stonemarket, Linden Crescent Marketing, Rodo, Ridgeons and Reisser.

Reisser’s brand ambassador Stewart Parker also attended the day and presented the prizes. “I was extremely impressed by the standard of working skills each team had and as a group how swiftly they got on with the day ahead,” he said. “Sadly there had to be a winner but to me they all were. What a fantastic day; on behalf of myself and all at Reisser screws, well done to Ridgeons, to all the teams who took park and the organisers.”