Departing were Ilkeston, promoted to Regional 2 Midlands North as runners-up (Hinckley Staghounds (2XV) finished top but were not permitted to be promoted on Level 6 owing to league rules on reserve teams in the RFU leagues).

Departing were Mellish, promoted to Regional 2 Midlands North[3] as runners-up (Hinckley Staghounds (2XV) finished top but were not permitted to be promoted on Level 6 owing to league rules on reserve teams in the RFU leagues).

This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review[6] with the league adopting its new name of Counties 1 Midlands East (North).

Departing were Long Eaton, Melbourne, Matlock and Newark - all promoted to Regional 2 Midlands North.

Joining were Mellish and Birstall, both promoted from Midlands 3 East (North), together with Burton 2XV and Hinckley 2XV, both new entries.

At the end of the 1995–96 season National 5 North was discontinued and Midlands East 1 returned to being a tier 7 league.