Chesterfield District Officers for 2004

Chairman

Secretary

Ringing Master

Committee (General)    Chris Potter and Mick Shreeve

Committee (District)    Pam Jeffrey, Mo Shreeve and Tim Swift

Education Committee       

Bells Advisory Committee    Jim Heading

Secretary’s report

On average the attendance at District Ringing events has been poor, not much change it has to be said from previous years. The newly restored and augmented bells at Brackenfield proved popular in May, mainly with ringers from other districts, and a meal for 20 plus was enjoyed afterwards at the White Horse at Woolley Moor. Ringing was arranged at Beeley and Edensor in July, to include a walk between the two churches and a joint meeting was arranged with EDWNA in August at Elton and Youlgreave. In September the ringing was held at Chesterfield and in October it was at North Wingfield. After a lunch at the Elm Tree in Elmton in November ringing was then held at Creswell. The meeting in December at Tibshelf had its best attendance to date – 4! – and was therefore cancelled. It was to have included a Carol Service and hot supper (you don’t know what you missed!).

In February, the Chesterfield District hosted the annual dinner, which was held at the Sitwell Arms, Renishaw. Seventy people sat down to enjoy an excellent dinner, which for the first time included wine as part of the ticket cost. Our guest speaker was Paul Flavell, a one time resident and tower captain of our district, accompanied by his wife, Kate. He reminisced about the time he was part of the district and continued with a witty speech covering various subjects, people and also paid tribute to the contribution Gordon Halls had made to his ringing career and the Association in general.

The Newman Cup striking contest was this year held at Clay Cross. Four bands took part; two each in the Arthur Ashby and Horsley Cup heats. Alec Humphrey of the Derby District very ably judged the contest. Alec distinguished his remarks by announcing that clearly one team were strangers to the bells and as a result had the most faults thus being placed last. The losing team were later revealed as Clay Cross, I’m not sure who was more embarrassed Alec or the team. Old Whittington and Eckington went forward to represent the district in the Horsley and Arthur Ashby Cups. These two teams were also placed first and second respectively in the Newman Cup contest.

The annual Car Tour on May Day was reasonably well attended and ringing was enjoyed at a variety of towers in the Cannock area.

The social events that take place during the year proved to be extremely popular as usual starting with the Quiz night in February. This was organised by ringers and friends of Chesterfield and Tibshelf and held the Winsick Arms and was attended by over 70 people. 

The Car Treasure Hunt was held in June. Starting at Wingerworth we proceeded into the countryside towards Matlock, over Beeley Moor finally finishing at the Famous Red Lion at Stonedge.

As this will be my last report for the Chesterfield District, I would like to thank the committee for their support over the years and wish them success for the future. My thanks also go to all Incumbents and Tower Captains for the use of their towers.

Mo Shreeve