I start my report with the sad news that two of our members passed away during the year. They were John Statham, who for many years was Ringing Master at Matlock and John Baldwin of Brassington who although he had only started to ring in 2001, was a very valuable member of their band and a regular attendee at our District meetings. Both will be greatly missed at their respective towers and our commiserations go to both the towers they represented and their families.
On a more pleasing note, it is good to hear of the recovery from heart problems of Frances Hibbert of Chapel-en-le-Frith. I am sure you will join me in wishing her all the best for the future.
This year our District hosted the DDA AGM, which was held at New Mills for the first time ever, and what an excellent job the local ringers made of it.
The District Striking Competition was at Edensor and attracted nine teams, which was a marvellous turn out. It was good to welcome Stanton-in-Peak for the first time. Tideswell and Darley Dale A in the Change Ringing and Darley Dale B and Ashford-in-the-Water in the Call Changes went on to represent us in the finals. Congratulations go to Darley Dale A & B teams who each won their respective finals at Horsley.
The outing this year was to Shropshire and Staffordshire, with some excellent and interesting bells in the itinerary, I am sure the bells and sloping ringing floor at Tong will stick in our minds for quite some time. The day was well organised by the Taylor family, and our thanks go to them and to Bob Dakin our bus driver, who being a ringer himself was amenable to our needs.
The Peak District again won the inter-district 8 bell striking competition, which was held at Long Eaton, not the easiest of bells to hear, especially the two trebles.
The Quarter Peal Day was a great success with 13 out 13 quarters achieved. Every quarter was rung for someone to do something new, first quarter, first as conductor, first in method, first away from treble and first of treble bob. Thanks again to our more experienced ringers for making themselves available throughout the day and making it a worthwhile venture.
This year's Carol Concert was held at Ashford-in-the-Water, and our thanks go to two of the local ringers, the Reverend Clive Thrower for arranging and conducting a very interesting service, and Ian Pykett for playing the organ so beautifully.
I would like to say a special thank you to Linda Pelc and John Thorpe for organising the Saturday evening courses for our up and coming youngsters. It is now known as the Academy.
I am sure you will all join me in congratulating Peter Humphrey and Emma St John Smith on their engagement, we wish them every happiness for the future.
The attendance at district meetings has been very good over the past year, and hopefully it will continue in this vein for the coming year. Finally I would like to say thank you to all incumbents and tower captains for use of their bells and to my fellow officers for their support throughout the year.
Geoff Goodall