CHESTER DIOCESAN GUILD OF CHURCH BELL RINGERS:
WIRRAL BRANCH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
24th NOVEMBER 2001 AT EASTHAM.

Present: Mr. Peter Wilkinson (Guild Ringing Master), 28 members representing 9 towers plus 1 visitor.

Apologies for absence: Rev. Jim Florance, Rev. Diane Watson, Vivian Boase, John McCulloch, Susan Costello, Gavin Price, Min Martin and Susan Sparling. In the absence of our President, Mr Wilkinson was elected to the Chair.

Minutes of AGM held 18th November 2000: Copy of the minutes was circulated via the web site. Minutes read in summary, then accepted, whereupon the Chairman signed the Minute Book.

Matters Arising: The Freeman of the Guild Proposal had not received the support of the Guild membership and the dinner was also abandoned due to lack of support.

Statement of Accounts: The Treasurer commented on the statement, copies pre-circulated, whereupon it was agreed the accounts be accepted. It was also proposed that £85 be transferred from the General Account to the Bell Restoration Fund. Mr Peter Robson then outlined the proposed augmentation project at Thurstaston, which he hoped would be completed in time for the Queen's Jubilee, after which the meeting approved the Committee's recommendation that £200 be donated from our BRF.

Secretary's Report: The Secretary summarised the key features of the past year including attendance at various non-guild events. A full report would appear in the next Guild Report.

Provisional Programme for 2002: Subject to final confirmation from some churches, the provisional programme was accepted, except that the April meeting would clash with another IOM outing. Agreed date be put back to 27th.

Branch Officers: The following nominations for 2002 were proposed.
 President: Rev Diane Watson (Thurstaston); Chairman: Mr A. J. Martin; Secretary: Mr P.F. Humphreys.
Treasurer: C. Eden; Ringing Master: R. T. J. Tinkler; Webmaster*: Mr P F Humphreys; Hon. Accounts Examiner: Mr W. Harrison.
Committee: The Chairman, Ringing Master, Secretary and Treasurer, Sharon Williams, Peter Robson and Steven Hughes.
Guild Committee Representatives: Chairman, Ringing Master, Secretary and Janet Jones.
* The position of Press Officer would be discontinued, being replaced by the role of Webmaster, the appointee being responsible for content and accountable to the Branch.
The above nominations were approved en bloc.

New members: None proposed.

Tommy Rogers' Memorial Prize: For his major contributions to maintenance projects in various towers across the Branch, the Committee had nominated Tommy Morgan of Oxton who expressed his pleasure and advised the nature of the award which would help him in future such work. He also thanked Alex Martin for his valued assistance.

Guild Report input: Towers were urged to confirm detail for Guild Report by end of November.

Branch Lines: Next issue was planned for December meeting. Timing of future issues would be dependant on copy being available.

Guild Archive: The Secretary reported that old Minute Books and sundry other historical documents belonging to the Branch were presently held in the Ringing Chamber at Port Sunlight. Agreed that these, in due course, be placed in the Guild Archive. In the meantime, the Secretary wished to peruse much of this material for possible placement on our website. Proposal agreed by the meeting.

Correspondence: None.

Any Other Business:
Imminent events: Surprise Major practice at West Kirby, 27th November; Chester Cathedral General Ringing on 2nd December; Assistance requested for Neston practice on 7th December.
Striking Competition Certificate (6-Bell) presented by the Guild Ringing Master to Oxton.
Votes of Thanks: Mr Harrison thanked the Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer and the Committee for their work throughout the Year.
Mr R Peers then thanked to our hosts, Eastham, for the use of the bells and the excellent tea. Both proposals were carried with applause.
The meeting closed at 7.08 p.m. (1 hr 10 min) with ringing continuing for a further 1 hour.