Present: Present: Revd Peter Mills (President) in the chair and 30 ringers representing 13 Wirral Branch towers.
Apologies for absence: John Hyden, Hilary Morris, Margaret Allin, Frank Parry & Thomas Ward.
Minutes of AGM held 22nd November 2003 at Oxton, previously circulated to the meeting, were taken as read and accepted, whereupon the President signed the Minute Book.
Matters Arising: None.
Statement of Accounts: The Treasurer commented on the statement, copies pre-circulated, whereupon it was agreed the accounts be accepted. 'Gift Aiding' of subscriptions and donations were again encouraged. The accounts were then accepted.
Branch Officers: The following nominations for 2005 were proposed.
| President: Revd Peter Mills (Woodchurch); | Chairman: Mr A.J. Martin; | Ringing Master: D.T.G. Jones;
| Deputy Ringing Master: P.W. Robson;
| Secretary: P.F. Humphreys;
| Treasurer: S W Hughes;
| Webmaster: P.F. Humphreys;
| Hon. Accounts Examiner: Mr W. Harrison.
| Guild Committee Representatives: Secretary (ex officio), Mr D.T.G. Jones and Mr S.W. Hughes.
| Committee: The Chairman, Ringing Master, Deputy Ringing Master, Secretary, Treasurer, Guild Committee Representatives, Mr R.T. J. Tinkler and Mr J.T. Collinson.
| | ||||
The President thanked all the officers, especially those standing down (Ringing Master and Treasurer) for all their work over the past year and this was carried with applause.
Provisional Programme for 2005: The proposed programme (subject to confirmation from the incumbents concerned) was accepted. Upton would not be able to provide a tea whereupon it was agreed that the evening ringing take place at Woodchurch with, at the kind invitation of our President, tea and service also provided. It was also agreed, following comments from the floor, that the committee consider the possibility of holding the quarter peal event over a shorter period than one month.
Membership: During the past year the following had been elected: Burton: Neville Jones, Rhys Roberts, Andrew Smith. Heswall: Lindsey Jones. Port Sunlight: David Speechley. Rock Ferry: Tony Fox. West Kirby: Robert Preston and Paul Irvine (lapsed membership 2002/3).
New Members: Amy Robson, Harriet Jamieson, Paul Oliver and Timothy Carter (all Thurstaston) and Judith Branch (Eastham), all elections effective from 1st January 2005.
Child Protection Policy: The Secretary outlined the different positions taken by the House of Bishops and the Central Council, then the Guild Master (P.W. Robson) explained the current situation in the Chester Diocese and its recommendation to follow Central Council guidelines, further copies of which were available at the meeting. In response to a query from the floor, it was understood that C.R.B. clearance through one’s work was “portable”.
Branch Lines: The next issue of Branch Lines would include the branch programme and list of officers. The Secretary invited contributions from the branch membership having received none to date.
Wedding Fees: The Treasurer announced that he had commenced a survey of wedding fees across the branch. As a point of clarification it was confirmed that the results would be for information only and not a recommendation.
Any Other Business: : Dr P.W. Robson, in his capacity of Guild Master, invited all young people to ringing for service at Chester Cathedral on Sunday 30th January 05.
Branch members were encouraged to join the ChesterDG internet discussion group to ensure they were kept informed of events and issues concerning the Chester Guild.
To encourage discussion at branch meetings it was proposed and agreed that the June meeting at Woodchurch also include a short business meeting in addition to those already agreed for the February and October meetings.
Vote of Thanks: The business meeting closed at 7.52 p.m. with a vote of thanks to the host tower with ringing continuing in the evening