2007 has been a disappointing year in several ways. The year started with the district unable to fill the post of secretary at the ADM, the Surprise Major practices folded in the spring through lack of support and the Strike Notes newsletter has been published at increasingly greater intervals due to a lack of articles. It seems that the support comes from a consistent, but small, pool of ringers. Without collaboration with the Central District for the Pot Luck striking contest, quiz night and Carol Service these events would not have been viable.
I volunteered to take on the secretary’s role in April and have just about got to grips with the basics of the job. I must however learn to write up event reports as soon as possible rather than on a wet and windy Sunday after Christmas.
I would like to start by welcoming the eight new members elected during 2007. Jo Ragsdell and Tom Watkin both of St Peters Derby were elected in June, Emma and Tom Chillingwoth of Alvaston were elected in September along with Rachel Attaway of St Peters Derby, Paul Hathaway, Gary Gee and Leslie Philips all of Netherseal were elected in December.
The year started with the ADM held at Sawley. After a pleasant afternoon of ringing and a service, 32 members of the district waded into the annual business supported by a hearty traditional ringers’ tea.
February produced an opportunity for ringing on up to ten bells at Derby Cathedral. March had Alvaston hosting the heats of the Horsley & Arthur Ashby Cups with Overseal progressing in the former and both Cathedral teams progressing in the latter. It was unfortunate that the Repton team after qualifying, had to pull out of the finals due to village commitments. Overseal and the Cathedral “A” team then went on to win the respective trophies in the finals in May, a clean sweep for the Southern District.
A break from ringing was held in April with a social quiz night organised by Nick Daines and with Geoff Peach as quizmaster. This was won by the team of Mike Banks, Steve Harpham and Alec Humphrey.
June, September and December formed a series of district practices, held at Sawley, Alvaston and Ilkeston on those towers’ own practice nights. These were successfully aimed at bringing some of the less adventurous ringers out of the woodwork into district events.
The Pot Luck striking contest was again held in conjunction with the Central District in July with six ad hoc teams selected by lottery on the day. The winning team were Pat Halls (C), Chris Gilbert, Rod Pearson, Brian Tomlinson, Keith Baines and Rex North.
In October the folly of having a meeting (at Overseal) clashed with the final of the Rugby World Cup being televised, with only 9 ringers standing to past kick off time. (Who would have expected England to reach the final after the 1st group match?). A successful quarter peal day was organised by our Ringing Master, Alec Humphrey, in November with more than 50 ringers from the Southern & Central Districts ringing at 17 towers.
The year was rounded off with another joint venture with the Central District, a Carol Service held at Mugginton, followed by mince pies and mulled wine.