Founded in 1882 as the Derby and District Association and changed its name to Midland Counties at Easter 1883, it operated until the end of 1945, when it was dissolved. From January 1946 new associations were formed to cover its territory: Derby & District Association (renamed to the Derbyshire Association in 1947 and then Derby Diocesan Guild in 1963), Leicester Diocesan Guild, Midland Counties Guild, and Southwell Diocesan Guild.

A letter was received [by the meeting setting up the new Peterborough Diocesan Guild] from the Midland Counties Association stating that the matter was duly considered at their meeting on July 28th 1923; when the following resolution was unanimously passed: 'That the members of the Midland Counties Association, having carefully considered the proposal of the Bishop of Peterborough as to the formation of a Peterborough Diocesan Guild of Ringers, are unable to recommend that their members residing in the diocese of Peterborough should as a body join the proposed Guild. For forty years they have been members of the Midland Counties Association, and they have no desire to sever themselves from that body. At the same time, if individual members who live in the said diocese wish to become members of the Peterborough Guild, the committee of the Midland Association have no desire to place obstacles in their way, but they trust such members will continue to remain members of their old association.'

[Rutland Branch Founded November 11th 1933]