Despite dire warnings from some about the viability of the new District arrangements, or perhaps because of them, the Central District has enjoyed a year of good events in 2006.
The year started with 2 events inherited from the old Derby District; the trip to Marstons Brewery on the 3rd of February and the Barn Dance on the 1st of April. A joint event with the new Southern District, the Pot-Luck Striking Contest at Brailsford on the 15th of July, was arranged and all 3 were well attended and very enjoyable. The joint Quarter Peal day on the 18th of November was of limited success with fewer quarters being scored than in previous years. A small number of Central members also attended the Peak/Chesterfield Districts’ Carol Service at Wirksworth and the Christmas Dinner at Whatstandwell on the 9th of December.
Our first “solo” events, the Meeting at Doveridge/Tutbury in April and the Evening Ringing at Mugginton in June, were well attended, as was our other mid-week event at Ashbourne in October.
Other events, in particular the Meeting at Heanor, did not go so well and, although enjoyed by those who did take part, could have benefited from better publicity and a few more Members. Similarly, the Association Quarterly Meeting in July at Belper was low on numbers.
The 6-bell striking contests heats were held at Etwall on the 4th of March. Teams from Breadsall, Etwall and Sutton-on-the-Hill entered the Arthur Ashby Cup (call changes) with Etwall going through. Teams from Belper, Brailsford and Mugginton entered the Horsley Cup (methods) with Belper going through. The finals on the 6th of May were won by Overseal and Derby Cathedral respectively. In the 8-bell contest on the 6th of October, the Central District team was placed 4th out of 5.
Central District Members were also involved in celebrations for the 60th Anniversary of the Association including a Peal, Quarter Peal and the Lichfield Mobile Belfry outside the Cathedral on the 9th of September.
Strike Notes continues to be ably produced by Jenny Booth and printed by myself and although Jenny has agreed to continue (with some assistance) into 2007, due to a new job I may not be able to print it for too much longer.
The District Committee met on 4 occasions during the year to arrange and review the programme but also to organise a survey of the Central District towers. The results of this survey were very interesting and led to some changes in emphasis for some events. These changes, and the success of the mid-week events, will hopefully be carried forward by the new Committee in 2007.
Finally my thanks go to all the Committee members for their hard work and to the incumbents of all the towers who have welcomed us in 2006.