Derby District Officers for 2004

Chairman

Secretary

Ringing Master

Committee (General)    Chris Gilbert and Rod Pearson 

Committee (District)    Jenny Booth, John Booth 

Education Committee

Bells Advisory Committee



Secretary’s report

2003 was a successful year. The Committee arranged a varied Programme of Events, things which have been ‘tried and tested’ in the past and found to be popular - a mixture of ringing and socialising. There are always one or two meetings, usually those close to a holiday season, at which attendance can be low, but the overall picture is very optimistic. District towers entered 10 teams for the 6 bell striking contest heats. Twenty five ringers came to the May meeting when ringing at Burton on Trent was followed by Beer & Skittles at The Burton Bridge Inn. The Walk and Ring in June was popular – 27 people and 4 dogs came along. The Chairman’s Car Tour in September took us to Staffordshire. Thirty ringers took part in the Quarter Peal Day in October in Leicestershire; 10 quarters were successfully rung out of the 12 attempted. Fifty-eight people came to the Barn Dance in November which resulted in high spirits all round, raised temperatures and more than £300 for the Bell Repair Fund. After the Carol Service in December mince pies were served and hot mulled wine dispensed from thermos flasks.

More detailed and lively accounts of these monthly events, as well as many other items of news and interest, can be found in Strike Notes, which continues to be compiled each month by Jenny Booth.

Nine new members have been elected in 2003.

In the Striking Contest heats, teams were entered in the Arthur Ashby Cup (Call Changes) from St.Peter’s Derby, Derby Cathedral, Etwall, Overseal and Sutton on the Hill and they rang at Aston on Trent, judged by Clive and Lucy Smith. Teams were entered in the Horsley Cup (Methods) from St.Peter’s Belper, St.Peter’s Derby, Brailsford, Overseal and Derby Cathedral, and they rang at Ockbrook, judged by Philip Hudson. The teams from Etwall and Sutton on the Hill went through to the final of the Arthur Ashby Cup and the teams from Derby Cathedral and St.Peter’s Derby went through to the final of the Horsley Cup.

Since June 2003 John Cater has been the District’s nominated representative on the Bells Advisory Committee. The role of this representative is to act as a channel for information and communication, the purpose being to encourage an even greater and more effectively focussed desire for improving the stock of bells in the Derby Diocese.

On June 21st many members from Derby District helped with the organisation of the highly successful Tower Open Day in the Peak District, which raised £1584 for the Bell Repair Fund.

During the summer holidays a ringing outing was arranged specifically for young ringers in the District. The object was to ensure that young ringers from different towers had an opportunity to meet and ring with others in their age group. Led by Alec Humphrey, and in the company of one or two adult helpers, 9 youngsters rang in the Charnwood Forest area, visited the Loughborough Carillon, then enjoyed some fresh air and exercise on Beacon Hill. This proved rather popular so another was arranged, this time including youngsters from other Districts, and between ringing at Mayfield, Ilam, Alstonefield and Bradbourne they rode their bicycles on the Manifold Valley Trail, getting rather wet on the way. Numbers increased to 14 for the next outing at half term. This time the sun shone for ringing at Stanton in Peak, Edensor, Baslow and Elton, with ball games in Chatsworth Park in between. These outings are set to continue. District members have taken part in Association Training Days organised by the Education Committee, particularly interesting have been those held at the new Gordon Halls Ringing Centre at Eckington. The Cambridge Training Day held in this District in February was very well attended. Surprise Major practices have continued throughout the year, taking place on the 4th Saturday of each month. These continue to be well attended.

Thanks are due to all tower captains and clergy who make their bells available for ringing activities. Thank you to everyone who supports the District in any way whatsoever.

Chris Willis