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2015 Annual Report

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

The Association’s Sir Arthur Heywood Memorial Dinner was hosted by the Chesterfield district who laid on a ceilidh with pie supper which was well supported and by all thought to be an excellent evening. Particular thanks go to Susan Hall for rescuing the event when there was a last minute change of venue. Work has gone on during the year to prepare for the 125th anniversary of Sir Arthur Heywood founding the Central Council and 100 years since his death. Our local ad hoc committee has worked with Central Council members on the plans for a great celebration on the weekend of 23-24th April 2016. I hope that all ringers who do teaching of people to learn will attend the education programme designed to improve the quality of their teaching. Gill Hughes has worked hard to promote the Association of Ringing Teachers courses in this area. A mainstay of developing ringers is the Gordon Halls Ringing Centre at Eckington, thanks to Don Jones.

My plea to affiliated towers is to look critically at their ringing rooms and the access to them. It can be off putting to new recruits or enquirers if they find the place cold, dirty, ill-lit and walls littered with out of date notices. We have a great sport which can be fun as well as absorbing and stimulating, so let us promote it in those terms.

Many churches are responding to the challenge to bring more people into church membership, reversing the slow decline in congregations over the years. Evangelism research shows that few folk join by walking through the front door on their own, most come by being invited to come along by a friend or family member. Another major way in is by getting involved with clubs and activities associated with church, which is where bell ringing may play its part to indirectly strengthen local churches. It is in the interests of bell ringing that there are healthy congregations being served by our Sunday calls to worship.

Revd Clive Thrower

Data Protection Act 1998


The provisions of this Act came into force on the 1st March 2000.  Members of the Association and Tower Correspondents (who are not otherwise members) are advised that personal information (including names, addresses, telephone numbers and peal records) is maintained electronically by the Association's officers.  The 
Association is exempt from registration under the Act; however, Members (and Tower Correspondents) are advised that they have a right of access to their data records held by the Association.  A copy of an individual's personal records may be obtained by making a written application to the Association's Membership Secretary, enclosing a statutory fee of £10. Cheques should be made payable to 'The Derby Diocesan Association of Church Bell Ringers'; the Data Protection Registrar recommends that the application is posted by recorded delivery. Members (and Tower Correspondents) should be aware, however, that (other than that held for accounting purposes) this information is published annually in the Association's report.