Hum, I recall reading an article regarding the same issue in a TW magazine, the author recommend those disposable chopsticks and a thick pair of socks or some erasers u can attach on top of pencil. Measure the diameter of the bedford, break the chopsticks accordingly-leave enough space for either thick socks or rubber eraser(attached to both ends of chopsticks), so u can make a support 'post' that stands vertical to prevent the dent. But i would try to find may be a jar lid w/same diameter or may be cut off some Styrofoam to support the dent.