2008 AGM

Well, the 2008 AGM has been and gone. Having lots of towers open leading up to the meeting drew in the crowds, as can be seen from Derby Cathedral above. After the service, a wonderful tea had been prepared by the Cathedral Ringers... ...which included a sponge cake: The main meeting followed after the food, Pat Halls (right) took the chair and aided by Jane Boden (General Secretary). The new Annual Report was adopted and proposed rule changes defeated. The majority of officers were re-elected, with vacancies for one (of three) vice presidents and Public Relations Officer. It was pleasing to see many new members being elected to the Association. General Ringing (and I assume the pub) rounded off the days events... Don't know when the next event is? Find out here!

Bonsall unringable

During the AGM today, one of the bell consultants, Mike Banks, announced that the 3rd (cast in 1656) at Bonsall has cracked. This may have been caused by the ellacombe hammer (which was used whilst the bells were unringable for around 100 years) hitting this bell. The bell is off to Soundweld, then Taylors Eayre and Smith and should be back this summer.

Fancy a month of Bell Ringing?

The Community of the King of Love in Whaley Bridge are having a month of bell ringing! I think they are putting The Willoughby Campanile into the conference room. They plan to build a tower in the next 18 months to have a real ring of bells, with a tenor about 20cwt. At the moment their largest bell weighs around 10 hundred weight in B Flat and last April it was rehung in new fittings, it will soon have a new clapper with a wooden flight. They also have 12 bells hung dead; the oldest of these was cast in 1400 and are looking at having these retuned. "Why not come and bring your friends, and ring on the bells, or use the hall for a base to go and ring at other towers. Stay as long as you like, either in the Week or Weekends." More details here.

Wedding Ringing

It was suggested that the web site should include information for couples celebrating their happy day and wanted the bells ringing, but didn't know how to arrange them. Now people can read about what happens and contact someone if they are having trouble. I'm glad that Ian Sterritt will provide this service for Derbyshire.

2008 Events

This years Association events are now posted on the web site. Using a Google calendar, it puts the next event at the top. If you use Google calendars, then you can import the events into your calendar. Also, using the little arrow on the top right, you can select the districts you're interested in. Let me know if you love or hate it? If there are events you are hosting in the area, please let me know so I can add them too.

AGM Saturday 12th April

DDA AGM - Saturday 12th April 2008 Afternoon ringing:

	1pm - 1.45pm	2pm - 2.45pm	3pm - 3.50pm	4pm - 5.10pm
Route 1	West Hallam	Ockbrook	St Peters, Derby / St Lukes, Derby	Derby Cathedral
Route 2	Breaston
Route 3		Ticknall

Followed by Service, Tea and Meeting in the Cathedral. Evening ringing continues at the Cathedral. Numbers for tea to the General Secretary by Wednesday 9th April. All Welcome

The ringers of Darley Dale...

Last December, the magazine country living produced an article about Darley Dale. With the consent of the magazine, I have now put a copy on the web site. At the time Pat Halls said "In the January 2008 edition of the magazine Country Living, there is a feature on the ringers and bells of Darley Dale. It shows ringing in a very positive light and makes interesting reading. I am very grateful to Richard Taylor and to all the Darley Dale ringers for their co-operation in helping to produce this article."