I start my report with the sad news that two ringers from the Peak District passed away during the year. They were Ted Hutchinson a former ringer at Bakewell and Ron Daybell of Ashford who was tower correspondent and previous to that, Ringing Master for many years. Our commiserations go to their families.
This year the Peak District hosted The Derbyshire Diocesan Annual Dinner at Ashover Parish Hall, and over eighty people attended. The guest speaker was Mr Phil Gay of Staffordshire, and the Dronfield Handbell ringers entertained us with an excellent presentation. I am indebted to Philip and Angela Mehew, who did most of the organisation for the event.
The District Striking Competition was held at Taxal and the judge was David Friend, an ex Derby Cathedral ringer. A very good turn out of eight teams, saw Darley Dale and Tideswell go on to represent us in the change ringing contest, and Ashford and Bakewell in the call changes. Unfortunately in the finals at Horsley only Darley Dale were able to keep the flag flying for the District by coming a very close second to Derby Cathedral. A big thank you to all the teams who entered and to David for judging the competition.
The District Outing planned for April was cancelled due to the unavailability of many ringers. It was however re-scheduled for September we had a very enjoyable trip to the Skipton area of North Yorkshire. Apart from some excellent bells the day will be remembered for the torrential downpour around lunchtime. Again our gratitude goes to the Taylor family for the organisation and to Bob Dakin our bell-ringing driver.
The Derbyshire Diocesan Association inter-district 8-bell competition was held at Ticknall and the Peak District came a very poor second to the Derby South team.
The Quarter Peal Day was again a great success with 13 out 16 quarters achieved, with forty nine ringers taking part. The whole day of quarter peals together with special ringing at Ashford was used as a sponsorship event for ’The Children’s Society’ and the magnificent sum of £500 was raised. A special mention should be made of the quarter peal rung at Ashford, in which three of our younger members participated Oliver Steele, James Fearn and Alexander Pykett who at the age of twelve called his first quarter peal. Thanks to Ian Pykett who instigated the sponsorship and did all the publicity and liaison work with The Children’s Society.
This year’s Carol Service was held at Wirksworth, and afterwards despite the power cuts over thirty ringers enjoyed a Christmas meal at Homesford Cottage Inn, Whatstandwell. We were delighted to be joined by ringers from the Chesterfield and Central districts.
Congratulations to Peter and Emma Humphrey, and Lizzie and Chris Exley on their marriages during the year.
To ring your first peal is always an achievement, but when three ringers ring their first peal together it is an even greater achievement. Well done to Linda Pelc of Ashford and John and Pauline Boyle of Bakewell on ringing their first peal in October.
We now have a peal of twelve bells in the Peak District; Youlgreave has been augmented from a ten-bell tower to thirteen-bell tower, giving a light eight or a heavy twelve. Credit must be given to David Camm and his team of helpers who put a lot of work to help get the new bells installed and a big thank you, to the anonymous donors.
Looking towards the future, Hartington should have a new set of eight bells installed, sometime during the summer. Ian Sterritt is doing a marvellous job in co-ordinating the training of their ringers at different towers throughout the peak district. At the present rate of progress, there should be an enthusiastic and competent band ready to ring the bells.
It was decided to hold Surprise Major practices, once per month alternating between Darley Dale and Tideswell. It seems to have been a success and will continue for next year.
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.