This has been my first year back as Secretary and it has really flown by. I think we can look back on the events of 2012 very positively. What is very encouraging in our District is that there is a lot of teaching happening. Alec Humphrey and his helpers are doing sterling work in training a new band ready for the return of ringing at Sandiacre. Also there is a core group of ringers teaching a new band at Hartshorne. Chellaston have people who want to learn and there are new ringers at Kirk Hallam. This would make four new active towers in our District. I am sure existing bands are also training new people too.

It is pleasing to see twenty one members elected to the Association this year, two of them junior ringing members. We welcome to the Association: Martin Nicholson and Joe Nutman from Aston on Trent, Geoff Smith from Breaston, John Hawes and Cathy Potter from Derby Cathedral, Brandon Morley and Michael Redfern from Derby St Peter's, Andy Austen from Hartshorne, Isobel Hall and Andrew Coupe from Melbourne, Katherine Fairbrother, Steve Howe, Betty Lloyd, Laureta Peach and Angie Wells from Newhall, Max Calder and Matthew Clayton from Overseal, Roger Harris, James Wheeler and Stuart Wood from Sawley and Richard Wolfgang as an unattached member. We were pleased to see some of you at the meetings last year and we look forward to seeing you at future District events. It’s good to have new life in the District and I hope we will continue to encourage people to learn this art and support new ringers.

Our meetings have had great attendance by members and we have benefited from several visitors which has enabled us to achieve some good ringing. The Annual District Meeting was held at Overseal this year, with ringing at Newhall and Netherseal beforehand. Meetings were held at Winshill in February, this was young Corinne Barnett's first ever visit outside her home tower where she rang rounds and call changes. Well done Connie.

April we had a break from ringing and held our annual quiz. Thirty eight people attended the evening expertly organised by Nick Daines. In a close-run finish, an Ockbrook team won. Ilkeston in May, which was a joint meeting with the Central District. June we visited Hartshorne for the first time in six years. July saw us visit Alvaston to ring these heavy bells. August we took to the train for a steam ride, with ringing at Matlock and Darley Dale, unfortunately this wasn't quite so well attended. September we went to Repton and had a go at Erin Triples. In November we joined the Central District for a very successful trip to Loughborough to visit the foundry, carillon and the bell tower. With many thanks to Luke Heaton in the Central District for arranging this. We ended the year with Carol singing, including While Shepherds Watched to the tune of Auld Lang Syne, at Ticknall in December.

The number of teams entering the District Striking Competition was very disappointing. Both the method and call change heats were held at Spondon where we received a wonderful welcome and spread of food. Thank you to Philip Hudson, from Nottingham, who was our judge. Teams from Derby Cathedral entered the method heat, Sawley entered the call change heat and went through to the finals at Horsley in May.

A band represented the Southern District entered the Association eight bell competition, which was hosted by

the Chesterfield District at Staveley in October. The District team came equal second, well done. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the members of the District committee and the officers for their work and support. Also thanks to Cathy Potter for the work she has done producing the newsletter, Strike Notes. All back issues are on the web site.

This year I have been sending out our District information via email as well as hard copies in the post. This is available for all District members to receive, just send an email to me and I can add you to my list to receive your own personal copies.

Finally I would like to thank the incumbents for the use of their bells and to all the tower captains who work so hard and keep ringing alive throughout the District. I just ask that members support our events next year to make it another very successful year. Thank you.

Elizabeth Cotton