Melbourne in the 12 bell final!

The Melbourne band are through to the final for the 4th time! Drawn from the local area, the band practice monthly at Melbourne, and have done so since 1996. This year, numerous practice sessions were held at a variety of locations and seem to have paid off. Coming 3rd, 1% behind the joint winners was a great result!

Melbourne join the Ancient Society of College Youths, Birmingham, Leeds, St Paul's Cathedral, Society of Royal Cumberland Youths, Southwark, Stockton-on-Tees and York to go to the final at St Pauls Cathedral, London on 4th July.

Rotherham:
Place	Team	Marks	Peal Speed
1	Ancient Society of College Youths	82%	3h 37
1	Stockton-on-Tees	82%	3h 22
3	Melbourne	81%	3h 29
4	Bristol	68%	3h 34
5	Exeter	53%	3h 19

The Derbyshire ringers were: Tim Peverett (Breaston), Duncan Walker (Hayfield), Simon Melen (Ticknall), Simon Humphrey (Darley Dale), Paul Jopp (Duffield), Anthony Cotton, Pam Timms, Christian Peckham (all Derby Cathedral).

More information about the competition can be found on the 12 bell web site.

Southern District 6 bell heats

Here are the results of the Southern District Heats held at Sawley today.

Arthur Ashby Cup (Call Change) heat:

Netherseale: 80%

Long Eaton & Sawley: 78%

Derby Cathedral Hornets: 77%

Horsley Cup (Method) heat:

Derby Cathedral Wasps: 90% - Cambridge S Minor (2h34 peal speed)

St Peters: 78% - ? (2h43 peal speed)

Overseale: 71% - St Simons (2h41 peal speed)

Long Eaton & Sawley: 70% - Plain B Doubles (2h38 peal speed)

Derby Cathedral Bees: 66% - Cambridge S Minor (3h peal speed)

Congratulations to Netherseale, Derby Cathedral Wasps & St Peters who will be going to the final in May.

New bell consultant reports

Reports from the bell consultants during 2008 have been put onto the website for the following towers:

Belper

Crich

Dinting Vale 

Heath

Killamarsh

Old Brampton 

Stoney Middleton 

The reports show how much effort our two bell consultants put into their work. Visit the website for information about the free service.

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.