Peter Taylor was born, lived and farmed in Darley Dale all his life becoming a well-known and highly respected member of the community. He learned to ring at the age of 8 becoming the third generation of the Taylor family to ring. He joined the DDA in 1954 and was elected an Honorary Life Member in 2010. He was also a long time member of the ASCY receiving his 50 years membership certificate in 2009.

He rang a total of 77 peals, a particularly notable one being a family peal of Plain Bob Major at Darley Dale in 1994 in which Peter, Pauline, Richard and Helen all rang. He was a great proponent of quarter peals

arranging and ringing in a considerable number. He also arranged the annual Peak District coach outing – always highly successful occasions. Peter served as both Tower Captain at Darley Dale and as Peak District Ringing Master but preferred to remain in the background quietly encouraging others, especially encouraging the good striking on which he insisted. He rarely missed service ringing, practice nights or Peak District meetings for any reason other than a farming emergency.

One of Peter’s most remarkable characteristics was his phenomenal memory. He had almost total recall of

information about the bells of anywhere he had rung and had from memory a huge number of touches of Stedman, his favourite method. This staggering memory was not confined to ringing; his in depth knowledge of many topics was prodigious but, a naturally modest man, he wore his knowledge lightly. Evidence of the high esteem in which the whole community held Peter was clear at his funeral in Darley Dale Church on 3rd September when the church was packed with standing room only. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Our condolences go to Pauline, Richard, Simon and Helen.

The Association lost one of its long-serving members when Mike Willis died on November 14th. Mike joined the Association in 1960, but he had learned to ring at Crich in 1948. He rang at various different churches in the area: St. Luke’s, Derby, St. Peter’s, Derby, Etwall, Ockbrook and Duffield, depending on where he was living. He was Tower Captain at Ockbrook for many years and during his captaincy he organised the bird-proofing of the tower and rebushing the clappers, as well as teaching many people to ring, some of whom are still ringing. Mike served the Association in many ways: he was Quarter Peal

 

Secretary for seven years and in his District he was, at different times, Secretary, Ringing Master and Chairman. He helped in several different tower refurbishment schemes, including those at Wormhill, Lullington, Church Gresley, Thorpe, Ripley, Walton on Trent and Newton Solney. He enjoyed ringing methods on handbells and achieved his aim of calling a quarter peal of Plain Bob Minor in hand.

Mike had many skills and interests: he particularly enjoyed music, was a very good percussion player and,

at different times, was a member of several choirs. He had a life-long love of Gilbert and Sullivan. He was also very skilled at all forms of woodwork, making many items both for his own home and as gifts. When Ashover bells were rehung, he made items from the old bell frame to sell in aid of Association funds. Mike’s working life was spent at Rolls-Royce where he worked in the nuclear and the safety departments. He was a kind, thoughtful man with a wonderful sense of humour. He will be much missed by all who  knew him. Mike’s funeral was held on December 3rd and was attended by many of his ringing friends. Our sympathies go to his wife, Chris and to Mike’s children and step-children in their grief. May he rest in peace.