2010 was a particularly busy year in many respects for me and with the Association hosting the Central Council annual meeting in May much of my time allocated to ringing in the early months was devoted to preparation for this. It has therefore astounded me again to note that we have increased the number of events of a training nature held at the Centre to fifty five. These included the normal Association events but this year also included, the Whiting Society, Chesterfield Young Ringers, The Yorkshire Association and The Central Council. Much of what we do at the Centre surrounds building on the good work that goes on in local towers. If you have learners who require some concentrated effort in a particular area from handling through to learning methods please consider contacting us to see if we can be of help, either by joining something already planned or allowing us to tailor something for your needs.

During the gala dinner held prior to the Central Council meeting in May I spoke with one of the principal guests, Robin Baldry, Chairman of Derbyshire County Council, and invited him to visit the Centre, which he duly did in early July. Robin was so fascinated by the work that goes on at Eckington and by the concept of the marriage of a centuries old tradition with modern technology that he suggested we apply for an “Excellence in the Community Award”. With an eye to the public relations potential an application was duly submitted and I am pleased to be able to report that at an awards ceremony held at the magnificent Devonshire Dome in Buxton in October Robin presented us with an award.

We are filling the diary fast with all the usual events for 2011 and I expect the Centre will again be busy. As I prepare this report I am currently speaking with the Ringing Centres Committee of the Central Council about hosting a seminar in the summer. So your ringing training centre is very much alive and continues to offer a variety of events for ringers in Derbyshire and beyond.

Don Jones

Website: www.gordonhallscentre.org.uk