The year got off to a snowy start with the ADM at Old Brampton, only fifteen members managed to make it and evening ringing at Dronfield had to be cancelled due to the snow.

Several of the meetings during the year have been joining local practice nights.  These have proved very successful and it has been particularly enjoyable meeting the local ringers who don’t normally come to district events (and hopefully encouraging them to attend some meetings!)  We visited practice nights at Tibshelf,

Killamarsh, North Wingfield, Pentrich, Morton, Scarcliffe, Clay Cross and Staveley.

We had an interesting meeting at Eckington in April, using the simulator.  As well as enjoying some ringing on the ten using the dumb bells, some brave ringers had a go at some listening practice by ringing a single bell with the simulator ringing the rest.

We have ventured out of the district several times this year.  On the May Day Bank Holiday we had a very enjoyable outing to Rugby, thanks to Andy Thackeray for organising this.  In September we went to Worksop, and in November to Sheffield, including ringing on the twelve at Sheffield Cathedral.  Many ringers travelled

by bus and tram, making this a very enjoyable and sociable event. 

Young ringers have been active this year, they enjoyed a bowling and ringing afternoon in February, a barbecue and ringing at Eckington in June and are hoping to join other young ringers in the Association for the Ringing World National Youth Contest in London in March.

On the social side of things we have enjoyed a Beetle Drive at Old Brampton, thanks to the Hall family for organising this and a Treasure Hunt organised by some of the Eckington ringers.

Six teams competed in the heats for the Horsley and Arthur Ashby Cup contests held at Pentrich and judged by Alec Humphrey.  Old Whittington went on to represent the district in the Horsley Cup, and Old Brampton in the Arthur Ashby Cup.

The district entered a team in the eight bell contest at Stanton by Dale and came third. We had two meetings at Chesterfield in the year, the DDA AGM and a joint meeting with the Sheffield Branch of the Yorkshire Association.

Congratulations to Ben Wheelhouse of Killamarsh who rang his first quarter this year.

On the whole, attendance at meetings has been good, particularly when joining with the local practice night. Finally, I would like to thank all the incumbents and tower captains who have made us so welcome over the year, and the district committee for their support and assistance.