The Rolleston meeting on 26th February was a well attended meeting with 20 ringers trying everything from call changes to Surprise Major, after of course the obligatory tea and stickies!  The bells are 'user friendly', and we should perhaps consider trying towers outside of the Diocesan boundaries from time to time again.

The Southern District heats for the Horsley Cup and Arthur Ashby Cup were held on a sunny spring afternoon on 19th March at Aston on Trent.  The judge for the day was Andy Thackeray from Chesterfield.  Four teams entered to ring call changes on Aston’s six bells for the Arthur Ashby Cup.  The teams were from Alvaston, the Cathedral, Overseal, and a combined team from Long Eaton and Sawley.  The clear winners were Overseal with only six faults and the judge suggested they try their hand at a method in the Horsley Cup next year. Only two teams entered to ring a method for the Horsley Cup, Alvaston and the Cathedral.  The latter won ringing Cambridge Surprise with only 3.5 faults.  Around 20 people then enjoyed tea and home made cakes in the hall.

The now customary Southern District Quiz was organised by Nick Daines and held at the Royal Oak, Ockbrook on 8th April.  It was attended by around 30 guests, who enjoyed good food, good beer and good company.  In a close run contest, a team comprising Chris Gilbert, Anne and Neil Westman and 'Smart' Alec Humphrey took the spoils.  A return to the top spot, can anyone knock them off this year?

We had an evening meeting at Lullington on 18th June.  Only about a dozen members attended, but the meeting proved well worthwhile for those who came.  There was a sufficient range of abilities to enable people to have several practices at their chosen methods.

On Saturday 16th July the Strictly Come Ringing competition was held on the six bells of Brailsford Church. This was a joint venture for the Central and Southern Districts.  We had an exciting event, keenly contested between three teams and the prizes and medals were duly awarded to the winners.  No-one left empty handed, there being sufficient consolation prizes for the runners up.  All this was possible because there were only nine contestants, four from Southern and five from Central Districts!  Although we enjoyed ourselves, the event was disappointing because of the low numbers.

At the West Hallam ringing meeting on 17th September insufficient people attended for any ringing to take place.

There was an excellent turn out of around forty people who enjoyed ringing on Ticknall’s ten bells and also the Christmas Tree Festival before the Carol Singing on 10th December.  The carols and poetry were led by the vicar, Rev'd Dr Mark Powell.  The 'Twelve Days of Christmas' was sung with gusto, as was 'While Shepherds Watched' to the tune of 'The Lass of Richmond Hill'.  Mulled wine and mince pies were enjoyed afterwards.