2002 saw the Association busy helping to celebrate the Diocese's
75th Anniversary.
The year started with our Annual Dinner held at the Maynard Arms at
Grindleford on March 2nd. Mr Robin Turner, a former Old Whittington ringer
now living in Keyworth, gave an amusing speech with other entertainment
from the Derby Cathedral Handbell Ringers. We were pleased that Bishop
Jonathan, our Patron, was able to attend.
In May we met up at Horsley for the annual six bell competitions. Mr Alistair Smith, another former resident member, was given this mammoth task ably assisted by Mr Paul Jopp. In the Horsley Cup Darley Dale retained the Cup with Derby Cathedral runners up and Long Eaton 3rd. In the Arthur Ashby Cup the Derby District teams 'swept the board' with Sutton on the Hill winning, Etwall 2nd and Overseal 3rd.
The Summer Meeting was hosted by the Derby District at Duffield. Afternoon ringing took place on the newly augmented 4 at Morley prior to the 8 bell Contest at Breadsall. Mr Ray Daw from Staffordshire placed the Derby District first, closely followed by the Ilkeston District and Peak District.
The October Meeting was held at Heanor with ringing at Greasley in the afternoon and evening ringing at Eastwood. Unfortunately, there was no service, but a record number turn out for the tea and meeting. Mr P Mehew was elected to fill the vacant Central Council Member position.
A team of Midlands ringers including members of the Association who ring regularly at Melbourne entered the National 12 bell contest - unfortunately they did not qualify for the finals.
The General Committee held three meetings at Matlock. Mr J Franklin had been elected Trustee at the AGM but unfortunately resigned from this post at the beginning of September due to ill health. Also Mr J McCartney resigned from his position as Bell Adviser in October, this followed his appointment as Bell Consultant to the Diocesan Advisory Committee. I thank both of them for their willingness to serve on the Committee.
And then there was the Party in the Park (Chatsworth) - it was a fine summer's day ending with a service conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Association hired the Lichfield Diocesan Mobile Belfry and had other display and publicity material available. The mini ring never stopped ringing demonstrations all day. I would like to thank everyone who helped make the day a success especially Gill Hughes who masterminded the arrangements and who for insurance purposes, spent the night sleeping with the mini ring and the sheep. Also Bob Smith who walked by to stop for 5 minutes and stayed for the next 2 hours.
The 75th Anniversary celebrations finished at the end of October with a thanks-giving service at the Cathedral where the Archbishop of York celebrated Eucharist. At the end of the service the Dean and Chapter had requested the Association ring the bells of the Diocese for 10 minutes and towers did take part in this.
Revd. Roger St John Smith had been rector of St Helens, Darley Dale for many years prior to his retirement to North Wales. He was active in the Association representing us on the Central Council.
Mr Denis Cooper, was a long serving member of the Bolsover band and former tower captain.
On the 27th April Mr Gordon Halls MBE lost his battle to cancer, his loss was felt by many of us. At the time of his death he was a Bell Consultant and a Central Council Representative.
In the autumn Mr Sampson Walklate died aged 90, he had been a long-standing ringer in Derby only giving up Sunday ringing when the Cathedral stairs got too much for him.
To all their families and friends I offer our deepest condolences. May their souls rest in peace.