BRANCH LINES

Newsletter of the Wirral Branch of the Chester Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers
Issue number 6 - November 1999

Have you heard of A Round Tuit? Well, this is A Round Tuit, because everyone seems to ask "When is the next Branch Lines coming out?" and I think you know the reply!

What goes into Branch Lines depends upon what you, the Branch Members, give the Editor, so if you think "Why is so and such not mentioned?" do something about it and send material for inclusion next time.

There is a change from previous years, in that we are publishing the annual accounts within Branch Lines , so that all members can see what happens to their £5 subscriptions.

WHAT’S ON IN 2000

BRANCH COMMITTEE

The following will be proposed at the AGM
Randle TinklerWest Kirby625 9542
Peter HumphreysPort Sunlight608 9434
Alex MartinOxton652 5192
Chris EdenOxton648 9517
Susan CostelloHeswall342 8270
Janet MillsHeswall342 1997
Peter HughesBidston608 0665
David TaylorBidston
Sharon WilliamsEastham327 1340

POWERCUT AT HESWALL

At 9.40am on the morning of Sunday 2nd May a sudden power failure struck St Peter’s Church, Heswall. Undeterred, the bellringers managed to ring Plain Bob Major and Grandsire Triples, even though they could barely see one another in the gloom! Striking was generally quite creditable, although one ringer did own up by admitting he went wrong because he couldn’t see who he was following!

BRANCH LINES

Contributions to branch lines can be sent by Email to chris.eden@breathemail.net DO NOT USE - out of date.

OVERHEARD AT THE WEST KIRBY MEETING

"If you are making places when the treble is leading or lying at the back, just do what you have done, backwards!"

RINGING IN THE MILLENNIUM

A few years ago the Open Churches Trust decided that it would try and persuade all the Churches throughout the country to all have a service at midday on 1st January 2000. It was also thought to be an excellent idea to have every bell in each Church ringing as part of that united service.

Well, preparations now seem to be well in hand, but it is not too late if your Church has not made its mind up yet as to what to do. Have they decided on the format for the service? Will they want the bells rung, and if so, when and for how long?

Has your Tower Captain made arrangements for ringing at your tower? Has he/she decided upon the band? Perhaps, more importantly, have you offered your services, and, indeed, will you be at home or celebrating elsewhere?

Most towers have indicated that they will be ringing, but we do not have ringers for Rock Ferry or Liscard. If you are keen to ring at other towers and reckon you will be sober enough to travel (!) please telephone Randle Tinkler on the phone numbers below, so that we can have all our towers ringing at noon, or thereabouts, on New Year’s Day 2000.

Home: 625 9542
Work: 632 1667
Mobile: 0780 885 9525

NEW MEMBERS

We welcome the following new members to the branch in 1999:

BidstonBromboroughBurtonEastham
Amanda AliStewart AtkinSimon AldridgeJohn Garrigan
Nicola TaylorDavid BannonPeter BarratSue Garrigan
Kerry BryantJane DaviesBernard Lewis
Mike GoodliffeNigel Griffiths
Gemma HughesMichael Kennedy
Wendy Morris
NestonThurstastonSt Hilary, WallaseyWest KirbyWoodchurch
Helen AthertonEdward TurnerCaroline AttwoodMichael Bench-CaponJuilet Davies
Suzanne CampbellClaire Mills
Jayne Green
Angela Klaybon
Hilary Morris
Vicky Stevens

CHESTER CATHEDRAL

On the first Sunday of each month it is the turn of Wirral Branch to ring the bells for Evensong. We generally meet at 2pm both for pre-arranged Quarters and general ringing. If you would like to be included in a Quarter please ring Randle Tinkler (625 9542) or Peter Hughes (608 0665).

NEW BRANCH PRESIDENT

At our AGM in November we will welcome the Reverend Jim Florance who has agreed to become our President. Jim is Vicar of St Mary’s, Liscard, Wallasey and Rural Dean of Wallasey. His last parish was in London and he has particular influence in addressing social exclusion issues. Actively involved with the Merseyside Broadbased Organisation and its possible expansion into Wirral, we are fortunate that he can find time to give to us.

Jim describes his presidency as a privilege – perhaps the lure of free teas is too strong! He is very keen to get his bells ringing again. During Oxton’s enforced period of silence last summer his parishioners appreciated having their bells rung on Sundays. If Jim can find the recruits then we must give our time to train them in 2000.

BRANCH ACCOUNTS

Copies of the branch 1999 annual accounts were included in this newsletter. For further details, please contact the treasurer, chris.eden@breathemail.net

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