ALL SAINTS, ASHOVER

With immediate effect all Bellringing at Ashover is suspended until further notice, due to recent severe rainwater penetration into the spire, belfry, clockroom and ringing chamber.   This may be the result of last year's earthquake, and the water is now affecting some of the wooden fittings, namely sliders and pulley blocks.    A fund raising scheme "Save Our Spire" was launched in October 2008 to raise £150,000 for necessary repairs to the tower and spire pointing and stonework.   Updated information will be supplied when available.   Philip Mehew Tower Captain of All Saints, Ashover

District ADMs

January is the season for Annual District Meetings. As the officers change, the website gets updated and email gets forwarded to the new committee members.

Central & Chesterfield done, Southern & Peak in the next 2 weeks.

Strike Notes 79...

... is now on the web site.

Contents include:

Situations Vacant (1)

Situations Vacant (2)

Arnold and Walter

Bells for Stedman's Church

Central Quarter Peal Week

Southern Quarter Peal Day

Aunt Sally

Sports Results

Forthcoming Events

Annual Dinner 2009

Have you brought your dinner ticket yet?

The guest speaker is Stephanie Warboys. She rang 94 peals for the DDA between 1981 and 1984.  In 2005, Stef became the first lady master of the College Youths, one of the top two London based societies. The College Youths had been the preserve of male ringers from it inception in 1637 until the society elected to change the rules in 1998. A keen 12 bell ringer, Stef has rung in 19 of the33 twelve bell finals and been in the winning team 6 times.

Details are now on the web site.

Strike Notes 78

The new version of Strike Notes is now on the web site. This contains items of news about the Southern & Central Districts and is complied by Elizabeth Heaton.

In this issue:

Strictly Come Ringing

Tower Stewardship

Bess of Hardwick

First Quarter Peals

Outdoor Ringing

Aunt Sally

Forthcoming Events

No ringing at Sawley for a while

Sawley currently have the builders in the tower for the next few weeks. This means that no ringing can take place. If you are thinking of visiting, please check they have finished the work...

October meeting & 8 Bell Competition

It was great to see six teams enter the eight bell competition today.  Judges Peter McCoy (right) and Chris Bennett (left) commented that all the ringing was of a good standard & gave the results below - well done Peak District - how about entering 2 teams next year! 

Photo on right: Peter (left) presenting the eight bell trophy to Richard Taylor (Peak Ringing Master)  (right).

DDA 8 bell results

Result	Team	Method	Faults	Peal Speed	Ringing position
Winners	Peak District	Double Norwich CB Major	34	3h2	4th
2nd	Southern District A	Yorkshire S Major	40 1/2	3h28	1st
3rd	Chesterfield District A	Cambridge S Major	54	3h6	3rd
4th	Southern District B	Kent TB Major	78 1/2	3h16	5th
5th	Chesterfield District B	Plain B Triples	83	3h11	2nd
6th	Central District	Grandsire Triples	85 1/2	3h11	6th

A touch of Kent TB Royal was rung on the Association handbells after the excellent tea. After the results, a brief meeting occurred. Highlights include the shortest ever BRF update - Brian almost got a standing ovation! He stated that he had been asked to keep it brief, nothing had happened since the last meeting, so he had nothing to report!

Graham, our Treasurer, had received a request to increase our public liability insurance to £5m (from £2m). This would cost an extra £150, so will be done from next year. He also stated that cover exists for the following locations: UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Northern Ireland 

The Annual Dinner is currently being arrange for 21st February 2009 at the Mackworth Hotel, Derby. Tickets would be available in the New Year and cost "several pounds" (as they had not yet worked out the price!).

The 2009 AGM is being held in the Peak District. Current thoughts are to have the meeting at Youlgreave, with ringing at Ashover, Darley Dale and Elton.

The General Committee are also after a volunteer to arrange the 6 bell striking contests in May. If you are interested, please contact the General Secretary.