Peak District Officers for 2005

Secretary’s Report

We can look back on the past year as satisfactory, especially the attendances at meetings, with an average of over twenty at each meeting.  Only one meeting was poorly attended, but the few who came along had lots of practice at methods of their choice.

The striking competition was held at Burbage with five teams entering, two for the method ringing and three for the call changes.  Darley Dale went on to represent us in method ringing at Horsley losing out by one point to Derby Cathedral, whilst Bakewell who won the call change heats came a creditable third in the finals at Horsley.  It was good to see Ashford entering the competition for the first time and putting up a very creditable performance.

The District outing was in the Cheshire area, with some excellent bells in the itinerary, especially the eight bells at Eccleston reputed to be one of the best rings in the country.  We must congratulate ourselves on the fact that most of the ringing matched the quality of the bells.

The Peak District eight bell team did us credit in winning this year’s Inter District striking competition held at Eckington.

The quarter peal day was a great success with nine out of eleven quarters achieved.  This was worthwhile especially for the first quarter peals, first in method and first away from the treble.  There have been two training days this year, but the main emphasis has been on helping individual towers.  We are grateful to the more experienced ringers who helped out at the quarter peal day, and have helped with training at Ashford, Bonsall, Dinting and Stanton in Peak towers.

I am sure everyone will join me in congratulating our Chairman Philip and Angela on their marriage in this leap year.

I would like to thank all incumbents and their tower captains for the use of their bells and fellow officers for their support throughout the year.

The standard of ringing within the Peak District is improving all the time and with continued support at meetings and training events we can look forward to achieving even greater progress and continue to enjoy ourselves in the process.

Geoff Goodall