My first year in office has really flown by; I cannot believe I am already writing my first report. I think we can look back on the events of 2005 as being very satisfactory.
Both our meetings and social events have been well attended. We had 26 members elected to the Association this year, 17 more than the previous year, but of course this year included towers from the Ilkeston District area. We welcome to the Association, or back to the Association in some cases: Sue Dolman and Dorothy & Tom Randall from Alvaston, David Tooley from Breadsall, Linda Cribbens and Neil Taylor from Denby, John Britland, Rachael Eagle, Christian Peckham and Antony Shaw from Derby Cathedral, Anne Humphrey and Adrian Wargate from Derby St Peter's, Luke Heaton and Mary Wilson from Duffield, Eliza Dawson from Horsley, Frances Fagan, Shirley Granelli and Barbara Watson from Mebourne, Lewis Davenport from Ockbrook, Mark Vale from Ripley, Pamela Draycott, Victoria Key and Freddie Putman from Tutbury and Chris Hartshorn, Emma Henshaw and Bronwyn Prew from West Hallam. We look forward to meeting you at District events. It's wonderful to see new life in the district and I hope we will continue to strive to encourage people to learn this art and support new ringers.
Meetings were held at St Peter's Derby in February with special methods being Plain Bob Minor and Stedman Triples, although methods up to 5 Spliced Surprise Major were rung. Netherseal in June, which although open to everyone, it was especially for newly elected members. What a pity of the 28 new members invited only 7 attended, however 38 people in total attending meant a good evening's ringing. July saw us visit Brailsford for a fun Pot-Luck Striking Competition. Thanks to Rod Pearson for coordinating this. 35 people came to join in the fun, ring with different people, sit in the church or outside and listening very carefully to judge the ringing. The winning team consisted of Jane Almond, Chris Booth, Mary Cox, Rosemary Cheshire, Alec Humphrey (c) and Peter Sutton. In September we visited Melbourne, 22 people had a go at ringing on higher numbers. October was our ever-popular Quarter Peal day scoring a total of 13 out of the 18 attempts. This was ably organised by our Ringing Master Alec Humphrey, coordinating 57 ringers. Our thanks to those joining us from neighbouring districts to make this day a success.nbsp; In November we visited both Ashbourne and Mugginton, with 29 people joining in the ringing at either both or one of the towers. We ended the year with our Carol Service at Breaston in December; here we were treated to some excellent mulled wine and mince pies. Our thanks to Gill Hughes for producing a very good afternoon.
The Annual District Meeting was held at Duffield this year, where we saw a few changes of officers. Chris Willis stood down as Secretary after six years; her expertise has not been lost though, as she is continuing to serve on the District committee. John Booth stood down from the District committee; he was replaced by Nick Daines. We thank them both for their hard work, support and contribution to the district during their period of office. Pat Halls was elected to represent the District on the Bells Advisory Committee.
It was great to see good support at the Striking Competition heats. The method section was judged by Tim Peverett at Sudbury and the call changes judged by Peter Humphrey at Marchington. Teams from Derby Cathedral, Belper, Ticknall, Ockbrook, Derby St Peter's, Duffield, Mugginton and Brailsford entered the method. Etwall, Derby Cathedral, Overseal and Derby St Peter's entered the call changes. The teams were placed in the above order. Two bands represented the Derby District in the eight-bell competition; they were placed second and fourth.
February saw over 80 ringers and friends attending the Association Annual Dinner at Horsley Lodge, hosted by our District. The guest speaker was Jane Wilkinson, past president of the Central Council, and we were entertained by ringers in a variety of amusing and talented acts.
In April we had an excellent quiz night at the Royal Oak, Ockbrook. Geoff Peach prepared the questions and was quizmaster for the evening, our thanks to him for taking on this task. Nick Daines had coordinated the evening splendidly and it would seem the 43 people and 2 babies certainly enjoyed themselves. The winning team was Rosemary Horry, Paul Lynch and Margaret & Rod Pearson from Derby Cathedral.
Surprise Major practices continue at Derby St Peter's with attendance varying but proving beneficial to those who go along. How about coming along next year when it is planned to alter the format slightly as we would like to encourage more people.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the members of the District committee and the officers for their hard work and support. Also, thanks to Jenny Booth for the wonderful work she does producing our District Newsletter, Strike Notes. This is an excellent publication and a very valuable means of communication so please support it and continue to send in your articles. This really is a team effort, with Jenny producing it, Steve Harpham copying it and delivering it to myself for distribution to all towers in the Derby and Ilkeston District. Also a copy is on the web site for those out of the area.
Finally I would like to thank the incumbents for the use of their bells and to all the tower captains who work so hard and keep ringing alive throughout the District. I just ask that members continue to support our events next year to make it another successful year. Thank you.
M Elizabeth Cotton