Secretary’s Report for 2015

2015 started off, in January, with the ADM. The first tower of the day was Radbourne followed by Etwall and Church Broughton. The meeting was held at Church Broughton where we enjoyed a service, a delicious hot meal and ringing after. The Horsley and Arthur Ashby cup heats were held in March at Mugginton. A team from Belper, and a team comprising ringers from both Mugginton and Duffield entered the method competition, with Mugginton/Duffield ringing Cambridge Surprise and Belper going through to the competition having rung Bob Doubles. Belper put forward a team for call changes which went through to the final. We thank Colin and Jane Aked for judging. The event was completed with tea and cakes provided by the Mugginton tower.

Belper represented Central District in the finals for both competitions, which were judged by Colin and Jane Aked and Andrew Mills. The Arthur Ashby Cup was won by Melbourne and the Horsley Cup by Derby Cathedral.

The 2015 AGM was hosted by Central District in April. The first tower of the day was the 4 bell tower of Morley, and despite the wet weather, this ring was attended by a dozen or so ringers, enabling some creative minimus ringing. This was followed by ringing at Breadsall and then Duffield. Tea was provided by Duffield ringers, and followed by a lively meeting which continued well into the scheduled ringing time.

An open practice was held at Church Broughton in May, and another at South Wingfield in September. In July, an outing to the Lichfield area was attended by ringers from Belper, Duffield, Ashbourne and Derby. A pub lunch and refreshments were enjoyed at midday. It was also good to get all 8 Bells at Belper back in action on July 20th after major refurbishment. The work was done by Taylors with local help. 2 young ringers from Central District, Ellie Chatto & Evie Newton took part, with other DDA ringers, in the Ringing World National Youth Contest in Oxford. The team performed very well and came second in the call change section.

The Association Meeting and 8-bell competition were held in October at Ashover. Central District entered a team which came 4th.

We visited the recently restored bells of Alfreton, followed by a stop at Swanwick bells, in November. Our final event for the year was December's Shop and Ring at Ashbourne. In excess of 20 ringers arrived for this festive ring following a spectacular lantern procession. This has become a well established event and part of Christmas tradition for Central ringers and their families.

The monthly major practice, held at Belper and Breadsall, is still attended by many ringers, and continues to provide the opportunity for many to develop their skills in major methods such as Cambridge and

Superlative.

The District continues to organise sociable events throughout the year. Attendance levels, although variable, are sufficient to support an enjoyable variety of ringing.

Please continue to support Central District events in 2016. Everyone is welcome.

I would like to thank all committee members for their work and support in arranging events and preparing refreshments. I would also like to thank all incumbents and tower captains for making bells available, and all participating ringers for making 2015's events a success.