Our ringing year began, as always, with the ADM. This year it was held at Clay Cross, following afternoon ringing at Old Brampton. Unfortunately, our secretary for the previous four years, Anne Westman, decided to take a step back. Thankfully, she was so well organised, I was able to pick up the reins quite quickly. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Anne for all of her support over the last 12 months – Anne, I really couldn’t have done it without you.

February’s cold weather didn’t stop us enjoying the quiz night at Old Brampton, and a few days later, some good ringing at Scarcliffe.

March brought us to the recently re-hung bells of Shirland for the Newman Cup 6-Bell Striking Contest. I think it’s fair to say that the quality of the ringing was surpassed only by the quality of the delicious home-made cakes, so kindly provided by the Shirland ringers. I for one can’t wait to come back for the AGM in April!

Also in March, we visited Staveley, before April took us to Tibshelf, where we got in some decent ringing despite a broken stay early in the evening.

Our May Day Car Tour was in the Glossop area. The towers for the day were Bamford, Glossop, Dinting Vale, Glossop Whitfield, Hayfield, Taxal and Chapel-en-le-Frith, and they were certainly a varied (and sometimes challenging) selection. Thanks again go to Anne Westman for organising the tour.

May’s meeting was at Creswell, then June was the DDA Summer Meeting, with the Horsley Cup at Clowne and the Arthur Ashby Cup at its ‘spiritual home’ of Barlborough. Pleasley’s Well Dressing and Flower Festival added a splash of colour to our July meeting, before we moved on to Ault Hucknall and finished up at the Shoulder at Hardstoft for a meal.

August, as usual, was a joint meeting with the Sheffield Branch of the Yorkshire Association. This year, it was their turn to host, and Rotherham was the chosen tower, providing a rare opportunity for some 12-bell ringing.

September had two meetings for our ringing pleasure: the first at South Wingfield and Crich, the second at the famous ‘Crooked Spire’ in Chesterfield. In October we visited Beighton and Killamarsh, before heading to the local hostelry for a very enjoyable meal.

November took us to Riddings – where the tubular bells mean that even the non-ringers can join in the fun – and then on to Swanwick. Later that month, we joined the locals at Morton for their practice night.

Our Carol Service was held at Old Brampton, and really got the festive season off to a flying start.

To conclude, I’d like to thank everybody who has helped to make all of this possible: the tower captains and incumbents of all the towers we have visited, the committee for their support – especially Sue Hall who continues to produce our excellent posters – and most importantly, all of you who have come along to the meetings. There really wouldn’t be any point to any of this if it weren’t for you!

Here’s to 2014, and much happy ringing.