The committee also came to the conclusion that basic training up to Plain Bob is best carried out at local level with help from district reps if needed. The idea of having a training session on the morning of quarterly meetings and in that same district has proved popular. We organised a conducting for beginners workshop in Chesterfield District, which was run by John Fisher and a follow up was organised to suit the people attending. On the day of the October meeting we organised a Bell Maintenance Course which was attended by 16 people, who all received a CD of information.

Members of the committee were also involved in training the Youth Team for the National Ringing World Youth Competition in York, this team did exceptionally well coming 2nd overall with an A Grade. Another new venture has been to respond to requests by towers and organise a block of tailored help for them. The first of these was at Aston on Trent who felt stuck in a rut, four sessions were arranged to give them fresh ideas and new achievable challenges. These were well received and Sutton on the Hill have now made a similar request and arrangements are in hand for this.

The education committee is now able offer small grants in support of training initiatives, this year a grant was made to Hartshorne for educational material.

Regular training sessions continue at The Gordon Halls Ringing Centre. More ITTS courses have been arranged with 4 teachers being accredited this year and quite a few more are on the last stage of accreditation. The new band at Sandiacre continues to progress under the direction of Alec Humphrey and supported by a band of regular helpers. West Hallam, who were hosting the Sandiacre training, now look to be on the verge of restarting Sunday ringing.

If you want help or advice in training, recruitment or public relations please contact your district’s education committee representative.

Sunday afternoon practices started months before the contest at various 8-bell towers, and included a mini outing. Coaching was provided by Gill Hughes, Alec Humphrey, Susan Hall and Andrew Hall, with additional advice from John Fisher.

The competition day was hot and sunny. The team and supporters travelled to York by train from Chesterfield. Several towers in York were open for grabbing throughout the day.

The competition tower was St Lawrence, York, and our team, the Derbyshire Dingers, rang their test piece at noon.

The Derbyshire Dingers team:

1. Rosemary Hall (Old Brampton)

2. Elspeth Chatto (Belper)

3. Elizabeth French (Belper)

4. Evie Newton (Duffield)

5. Francis Gilbert (St Peter's Derby)

6. Kayleigh Topliss (Old Brampton)

7. Emily Hall (Old Brampton)

8. Jonathan Shaw (Belper)

Gill Hughes was the caller and Susan Hall the counter. Fred Parker from Belper was a reserve.

16 teams entered the contest, 12 in the call change category and 4 method ringing.

Our team rang call changes, and came 2nd in their category with a Grade A, and 2nd overall and were awarded silver medals. The judges were so impressed that they suggested they ring Grandsire Triples in the 2014 contest!