There were 10 District events organised this year plus we were invited by the Peak District to join their Carol Service and meal, following ringing at Youlgreave. Nine of the 10 events took place, the tenth being a Quarter Peal Day that was abandoned due to too little support. I personally was disappointed by this and feel that such events should be encouraged, as it ought to lead to progression by ringers. We perhaps ought to look to the other Districts in the Association for ideas, as their similar events appear well supported each year.
This year’s ADM was held at Staveley following earlier ringing at Old Brampton. The meeting was well attended and followed the normal format during which a full committee was elected including the addition of a Junior Member, Valerie Holloway. Valerie has contributed to the activities of the committee with ideas on events for Young Ringers, and it would be good to see other younger ringers becoming more involved with the organisation of the District.
February was perhaps the busiest month for the District. Firstly on the 10th Old Whittington tower ably organised a very enjoyable Quiz night at the Tapton Golf Club. The first puzzle for some was finding the venue, which was reflected in one team name. Entered were “Blossom Hill Gang”, “Chesterfield Charmers”, “Clay Field”, “Cool Dudes”, “Lost on the Way”, “Paddington Bear Band”, “Whittington Weirdo’s”, and “William & Alice”. Chesterfield Charmers won but by the now usual Quiz organisers’ logic the team that came 5th will be organising the 2008 Quiz? A big thanks again to Old Whit’ for such a good night, I look forward to the next.
The second February event was the Annual Dinner organised by Chesterfield District and held at the Sitwell Arms. Tim Joiner was our guest speaker, an inspired choice who appeared in “fancy dress?” and gave a magnificent account of his experiences as a Westminster Councillor and Lord Mayor. The entertainment was a “Magical Bell” (Paul Bell), who is more used to entertaining at children’s parties but kept everyone intrigued with his ‘at the table tricks’ during the meal. I feel proud to have been involved with one of the best dinners, at least in recent years, and would like to publicly thank Hazel for all her efforts in ensuring that the dinner was the success it was. I look forward to Horsley Lodge with anticipation!
I’m afraid the Striking Contest in March attracted the usual apathy in the District for these events. Two teams contested the Newman Cup one each in the Arthur Ashby and Horsley heats. My thanks to David Marshall for judging the contest, in which he put the two teams very close with Staveley taking the Newman cup with 34 faults and went forward to the Horsley final where they came third of five entrants. Eckington with 36 faults went through to the Arthur Ashby final coming second of five entrants. The Staveley team should be congratulated for their performance at Horsley as two of the team are Junior members.
Our May Day car tour this year took us to West Yorkshire beginning at St. Andrew’s, Keighley followed by Kildwick where many were taken aback by the Yorkshire tail ends, thankfully nobody came to grief. We rang the magnificent 8 at Skipton before lunching in this pleasant Market Town. The afternoon saw us at the recently restored 6 at Silsden, then on to Bingley and finishing up with some “idle!” ringing at Idle. Our thanks again to Jim Heading for organising this day’s events with his usual thoroughness.
In June a dozen or so ringers joined the local Scarcliffe band for a very enjoyable ring on this fine set of bells. July saw our Treasure hunt, organised by Mo & Mick Shreeve, started in Arkwright Town and after hunting around the locality a small number of cars ended their Hunt at the Elm Tree, Heath for a very enjoyable meal and chat. The contest was won by the Westman Family, but Tim & Caroline Swift will set the 2008 treasure hunt. In August twelve members met on Monday evening 13th August for a District Practice at Blackwell. This pattern of meetings continued in October with a small number of members joining the local band at Pinxton for their Saturday morning practice on the13th. The November meeting was one of the best-attended ringing meetings of the year with ringing at both Swanwick and out of district at Ripley.
I am pleased to report that the Young Ringers meetings have continued in 2007 with a mixture of events including a fun afternoon at The Gordon Halls Centre, where young James Grieve rang “Liverpool” tenor, most rang “handbells” by pulling the ropes full circle and attempts were made at method ringing with the simulator. The group did manage some plain hunt on the day as well. Following this familiarisation I’m pleased that some of our Junior members are turning up to our monthly Plain Methods practices. Other events included a trip to Ashford in the Water for a ring on this light six and fun and games and a picnic in the park. We were also fortunate to be invited by Rowena & Phil Gay to try out the Campanile at Keele. These 8 bells were delightful to ring and a number of children too small for tower bells coped very well with these. But perhaps even more popular were the frequent visits to Rowena’s dining table heaped with cream cakes and other equally scrumptious delights, washed down with copious cups of tea and squash.
My thanks as usual to all those towers who have welcomed us and to all members and others involved in organising events. My thanks for your support to all the committee but my particular thanks to Hazel who is stepping down as Chairman after seven years of service in this post.