CHESTER DIOCESAN GUILD OF CHURCH BELL RINGERS

WIRRAL BRANCH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 24TH JANUARY 1998 AT OXTON.

The bells were available from 3.30 pm and for one hour after the business meeting. The service was held at 5.00 pm and was conducted by the Vicar, Rev. Ian Davenport. Tea was kindly provided by the local ringers in the church reception room. The Vicar was thanked before leaving to attend another function.

The meeting was opened at 6.30 pm with the Branch President, Rev S Mansfield acting as chairperson. A point of order was raised by Mr A J Power. The meeting had not been advertised in the RW. Mr D J Hocker could not give an explanation for this but would endeavour to find out why. Under the constitution it was acceptable for someone to propose that the meeting should be held. This Mr W Harrison did and was seconded by Mr R Peers. This was agreed and the meeting continued.

Present: Rev S Mansfield (President), 36 members representing 10 towers plus 1 visitor.

Apologies for absence: Mrs Janet Mills, M A, P F & Mrs Brenda D Humphreys, J McCulloch, E Jones, Miss Janet M Betton, G C and Mrs Susan D Sparling and Mrs Hazel Bailey.

Minutes of AGM held 25th January 1997: were read, agreed and signed.

Statement of Accounts: for the year ending 31st December 1997, were presented and explained. There was a credit balance of £357.66 in the current account and a credit balance of £309.46 in the T Rogers' Memorial Fund. No presentation had been made this year from the fund. The statement as presented was accepted.

The Secretary's Report: There are 118 fully paid members and 4 life members of the branch. The average attendance for each of the 9 meetings was 34. All the events planned for the year were completed, some more successfully than others. The people that supported these thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

The 6-Bell Striking Competition, changed at short notice from the published venue to Bidston, was won once again by Port Sunlight. This was the first year that the Alexander Martin Shield had been presented ane it was gratefully received by Port Sunlight, who then went on to represent the branch at Hartford. Here they were placed third in the competition.

During "Quarter Peal Week" a total of nine firsts were reported as listed in our "Branch Lines" newsletter (November issue). Other notable events this year must include the re-establishment of ringing at Eastham and the work carried out on the bells at Burton. Once again, Tommy Morgan must be thanked for his valiant efforts.

Ringing Master's Report: Randle Tinkler pointed out that being third on the list of reports did not leave a lot to say that had not been said already. Randle thanked everyone for their support and help over the year. There are now 10 learners at Burton and they would appreciate any help over the year on their practice night, Thursday. The good condition of the bells were down to the effort of Tommy Morgan. Although a good standard of ringing was being maintained, only 30 members on average were attending each meeting. In the forthcoming year as many members as possible should try to support the Quarter Peal Week and the Peal Month, but we should not lose sight of the main reason for ringing: Sunday Service Ringing.

Next Meeting: to be held at Bromborough, Saturday February 21st. Usual arrangements to apply but no business meeting.

Guild AGM to be held 14th March in the Wirral Branch.

Election of Branch Officers: The outgoing President, Rev S Mansfield thanked all concerned for his term of office and pointed out how much he had enjoyed meeting other members of other churches all over the Wirral. The "Gong" of Office was then pressented to Mr A J Martion. Alex Martin then conveyed his appreciation and said how surprised he had been over the committee choice. A Brief account of how the office came about was then given.

On their re-election, all officers were thanked for their work during the year.

The Proposed Programme for 1998: had been sent to tower correspondents and would be dealt with by D Hocker under Any Other Business.

Guild Committee Meeting: Peter Hughes requested that the rule that states that ringing by band or ringer are prohibited from attending a tower six weeks before a striking competition was to be held in that tower should be amended. The committee members agreed to raise the matter.

New Members:
Neil Jones, Wallasey St Hilary; proposed by Vivian Boase.
Janet Betton, West Kirby; proposed by Randle Tinkler.
Victoria Halliwell, Ian Gregory, Brad Gregory, Port Sunlight; proposed by D Hocker.
No objection and all members agreed their membership into the Guild.

Any Other Business: David Hocker pointed out the poor attendance at some of the events organised for the year. A request for suggestions as how to improve this was met with stoney silence. The president suggested that the branch might give this some thought.
Ernie Carvell that (sic) the rapid improvement the summer school had brought about, that this might be developed for other areas over the year.
Eastham ringers thanked all who had helped over the year.

Votes of Thanks: The meeting closed at 7.30 pm with a Vote of Thanks offered by Susan Costello.