Who we are.
We are a group of about 650 bell ringers in Derbyshire (or the Diocese of Derby) who meet to ring and socialise together, give support and training, promote bell ringing and provide bell ringing advice.
The association is split into 4 districts: Central, Chesterfield, Peak and Southern, and is affiliated to the Central Council of Church Bellringers. It is managed by a Management Group, comprising principal officers and representatives from each of the districts.
What we do.
Events are organised by the districts or the whole association. They include:
• ringing meetings
• competitions
• ringing for special occasions
• outings
• social events
• training sessions
Our young ringers have an all-ability group called Derbyshire Young Ringers who meet monthly and enter a team the annual Ringing World National Youth Contest. Individual towers arrange their own ringing for services, weddings, special occasions and for practice.
Help we offer – and who to contact
Recruitment and Public Relations
Use of our Wombel – a portable demonstration and training bell – contact the Education Secretary: Carole Hallam.
Downloadable flyers, displays and public relations material – see the Promoting Ringing page.
Public relations advice – contact the Public Relations Officer: Susan Hall
Training
Training new and existing ringers from bell handling to methods and conducting – contact the Education Secretary: Carole Hallam.
Providing extra ringers to help at your practice, perhaps to help teach handling or Plain Hunt or to help ring a particular method – contact your District Education Representatives: David Baker, Gill Hughes (Central), Andrew Hall, Christopher Idle (Chesterfield), Carole Hallam, Josephine Walker (Peak), James Philpot (Southern).
Safeguarding & Insurance
Safeguarding advice – contact the Safeguarding Officer: Janet Foulds
Insurance cover – see the Insurance page.
Bells and Fittings
Advice on all aspects of bell maintenance, from regular checks to repairs – contact the Bell Consultants: John Thorpe.
Grants and loans for bell repairs – see our Bell Repair Fund page.
Support for Local Ringing
Providing extra ringers to help you to ring for a special service, occasion or wedding – contact your District Secretary: Sue French (Central), Susan Hall (Chesterfield), Glen Fiddy (Peak), Jane Boden (Southern).