Apologies for absence: E T Carvell, A J Power and S W Hughes.

Minutes of AGM held 23rd January 1999: Copies of the minutes were circulated to the meeting. Proposed W Harrison, seconded T. Morgan and agreed, whereupon the President elect signed the Minute Book.

Ringing Master's Report: Although membership had increased on the previous year, attendance at meetings was down. The Open Day, a new venture, was, however, particularly successful with some £270 raised for branch funds. The visit to Mostyn House Carillon was an interesting addition to the programme this year and well received by both members and the staff at the school.

Statement of Accounts: The Treasurer commented on the statement, copies of which were circulated to the meeting and which were also included in the current Branch Lines newsletter. Various queries were answered before it was proposed S Williams, seconded T Morgan and accepted by the meeting. The chairman proposed a vote of thanks to the treasurer and the auditor for their work.

Provisional Programme for 2000: This also was included in Branch Lines and discussed by the meeting. Questions were raised concerning the availability of Rock Ferry, Quarter Peal Day (1st May) and Pentecost Ringing (11th June) which was a Guild initiative. The Guild 6-Bell Striking competition would be held 9th September but a date for the Branch competition had not yet been set. Subject to confirmation from the various churches, the provisional programme was accepted by the meeting.

Wirral Branch Bell Restoration Fund: Following a brief outline of the proposal, it was proposed W. Harrison, seconded M. Humphreys and agreed, with two abstentions, that the Branch establish its own BRF. It was also agreed that a BRF Executive Committee would comprise branch officials, with each tower not being so represented invited to nominate a member to this Committee, which would determine any distribution of funds as required. It was proposed C Eden, seconded P Williams and agreed that, in addition to the proceeds from the Open Day and a donation from Heswall, half the closing balance in the general account, rounded up to produce a overall total of £550, be transferred to a new BRF account.

Branch Officers: The following nominations were each proposed, seconded and agreed, in turn, to be our branch committee for the year 2000.

President:	Rev Jim Florance
Chairman (New Office):	Mr A J Martin
Secretary:	Mr P F Humphreys
Ringing Master:	Mr R T J Tinkler
Treasurer:	Mr C J Eden
Auditor:	Mr W Harrison
Press Officer:	Mr C J Eden
Committee:	The Chairman, Secretary, Ringing Master, Treasurer
	S Costello, J Mills, P D Hughes, D Taylor and S Williams

Any Other Business:

1. Peal: Mr Hughes reported on the peal at Rock Ferry in which our chairman rang on the 60th anniversary of his first peal, on the same bell and in the same methods (14 spliced surprise minor).

2. Business meetings: Mrs Humphreys expressed concern that there had been no business discussed at any of the branch meetings leading to a problem with communication. The meeting was advised this would be addressed this coming year.

3. Eastham Bell Restoration Project: Mrs Williams thanked all those who had supported the Eastham project, which was now nearing completion.

4. Guild Annual Report: The treasurer asked each tower to check the Guild annual report to ensure detail for its own tower was correct.

Votes of Thanks:

1. The Chairman thanked the branch committee for their work of the past year.

2. President: After being presented with his badge of office, our new President warmly thanked the meeting for his being appointed and assured the meeting of his keen interest in ringing and his wish to see a band established at Liscard S. Mary.

3. The Secretary then thanked our hosts for their hospitality. Each of the above, in turn, was greeted with applause from the floor.

The meeting closed at 7.45 p.m.