2006 was an important year for us as it saw the operation of the new revised Central and Southern Districts as well as celebrating our 60th Anniversary. The General Committee decided to use the occasion to publicize ringing to the General Public. Gill Hughes master minded the hiring of the Lichfield mini ring, which was sited outside Derby Cathedral. This was to our advantage as the Cathedral also had the tower open ensuring a steady stream of visitors to the mini ring all day.
Towards the end of the year 3 peals and 6 quarter peals were rung throughout the Districts to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Association. Congratulations to Morris Bates of Repton for ringing his first peal of Royal and John Britland of Derby Cathedral for ringing his first quarter peal on the treble.
The first event of the year was the Annual Dinner. The Peak District hosted the event in Ashover Village Hall. Eighty-three members and guests attended. Phil Gay from Keele gave an interesting speech and the Dronfield Handbell Ringers entertained us.
The Chesterfield District hosted the AGM. Afternoon ringing took place at South and North Wingfield followed by the service, tea and meeting. At the meeting it was proposed to elect the following as Honorary Life Members - Gordon Briggs, Dennis Smedley, Griffith Lawrence and Irene Lawrence. They are all current members who joined the Association in 1946. Evening ringing continued at Ault Hucknall.
The Summer Meeting was held in the new Central District. Afternoon ringing took place at Morley and Denby prior to the service, tea, meeting and evening ringing at Belper.
The October Meeting was held in the new Southern District. The 8 Bell contest was held at Ticknall with afternoon ringing at Chellaston prior to ringing at Melbourne followed by the service, tea, meeting and evening ringing.
The annual 6 bell contests were held at Horsley in May. Mr David J Marshall from Cotgrave judged the Horsley Cup. Five teams qualified with Derby Cathedral ringing Cambridge Surprise winning with 244.6 points, followed by the teams from Darley Dale (Oxford Treble Bob) 240.5 points, Belper (Cambridge Surprise) 232.5 points, Old Whittington (Norwich Surprise) 230 points and Tideswell (Oxford Treble Bob) 229 points.
In the Arthur Ashby Cup, the Judge, Mr Robin Turner, from Nottingham, was assisted by Mrs Janet Rogers. Overseal (232 points) were declared the winners followed by Bakewell (230 points), Ashford in the Water and Etwall (227.5 points), Eckington (219.5 points) and Derby St Peters (214 points). The Inter District 8 Bell Contest was held at Ticknall. Mr Terry Astill from Leicestershire judged the event and place the team Southern John first, Southern Alec and Peak in joint second place, Central fourth and Chesterfield fifth. It was pleasing to see teams from all the Districts enter the Contest. A team from Melbourne, including members of the Association entered the National 12 Bell contest unfortunately they did not qualify for the finals this year.
The Association hosted the W W Worthington 10 bell Contest at Derby Cathedral in September. Stedman Caters was this year’s test piece. Mr Bill Haynes judged the six teams. Nottingham was declared the winners with the band from St Martin’s Birmingham runners up. The other teams came from Ewerby, Durham and Newcastle, Leicester and our own team who finished fourth.
In October the Central Council’s Public Relations Committee held an open meeting at Melbourne. Mr Chris Gilbert, our PRO, and Mrs Patricia Halls, our President, represented the Association. The event was considered a success. Lord Raynham and Mr Tim Joiner were the guest speakers.
I would like to express our condolences and sympathies to the families and friends of the following ringers who died during the last year. John Stone (Overseal), John started to ring when we were recruiting for the millennium and was an enthusiastic local ringer. West Hallam tower lost two of their ringers, Alan Burton and John Brown, both local Sunday Service Ringers. Ron Whitemore (Ockbrook) also died he had only been ringing for about 5 years but supported his local tower and encouraged his grandson to start ringing. Ian Hardwick (Eckington) died tragically in June. He leaves a wife Nicola and two young children.
Finally I would like to thank all incumbents and tower captains for welcoming the Association to their towers and parishes and for allowing us to ring their bells.