CHESTER DIOCESAN GUILD OF CHURCH BELL RINGERS WIRRAL BRANCH
NEWS DESK ARCHIVE 2000
2001 >>
DateNews Item
30 Dec 2000David Jones (Neston) rang his first peal today (Plain Bob Triples), this at his home tower. Congratulations! For details please refer to The Ringing World Issue No. 4683 p 82. This was also Rhiannon Matthews' first peal on 8 and David Banaszek's first peal 'inside'.
20 Dec 2000Conducting a Quarter Peal of Grandsire Triples for the Boys' Brigade Battalion service at Port Sunlight this evening, George Phillips scored his 500th Quarter Peal. Congratulations!
29 Nov 2000Rhiannon Matthews (Neston) rang her first peal today (Plain Bob Minor 'inside') at her first attempt. Congratulations! For details please refer to The Ringing World Issue No. 4680 p 11 under Southampton University Guild.
18 Nov 2000AGM appointed two new Branch Committee members, Anne Travers (Heswall) and Peter Robson (Thurstaston) and new branch representative to the Guild Committee, Janet Jones (West Kirby). Welcome!
8 Nov 2000This year the Wirral Branch managed only six quarters, partly because Quarter Peal Week coincided with the worst floods the country has ever seen. However, it was quality not quantity and notable achievements were two new conductors, Janet Jones at West Kirby and David Hocker at Port Sunlight. Also Grandsire Major at Heswall with four "Firsts" in the band. Others included a quarter of three doubles methods at Burton and three minor methods at Chester not forgetting Cambridge Minor with a cover by the Sunday Service Band at West Kirby. RTJT
6 Nov 2000With the return of the two treble clappers to Port Sunlight this afternoon, following re-bushing by Tommy Morgan, this project is now complete - in good time for the Branch AGM in a fortnight.
2 Nov 2000Ringing suspended at Woodchurch due to structural weakness in the tower. Situation likely to prevail for some months.
18 Oct 2000While three of the clappers at Port Sunlight are being re-bushed (by Tommy Morgan), all members of the PS band attended on the normal practice night for an out-of-season Spring Clean, this after new peal boards had been fixed to the wall earlier this week. This had necessitated some fairly extensive 're-ordering' of the notice board, pictures etc. on the walls. Branch members will have the opportunity of seeing the changes when the Branch AGM is held here on 18 November.
11 Oct 2000Wallasey St Nicholas have had new tail ends spliced into their bellropes. This was done by A. Ellis of Loughborough on a 'while-U-wait' basis. Tower Captain Geoff Sparling drove down in the morning with the ropes and returned the same day with the job done.
11 Oct 2000Key points from Guild Committee Meeting held this evening at Stretton: New arrangements for Guild Striking Competitions - no longer linked to Guild Meetings; New Report Secretary is John Birks from Mid Branch (Great Budworth); Guild Librarian to have own key to Guild Library (Stockport St George) - this will allow access at times other than practice night.
9 Oct 2000A Quarter Peal of Kent T.B. Major was rung this evening at Bromborough to welcome Freya Hughes (b. 3/10/00), niece to the conductor, Steve Hughes, and as a birthday compliment to Donald Peers (9/10).
7 Oct 2000A Peal of 5088 Yorkshire Surprise Major was rung today at Heswall to mark the 50th Anniversary of Rev Jim Pollard's Ordination. The band, which included Alec Martin ringing his second peal in a week (!), comprised ringers from five Wirral Towers and was conducted by Geoff Sparling. After the Peal, Jim, who has recorded our bell ringing over many years for BBC Radio Merseyside, expressed his appreciation by buying a round of drinks for the band.
4 Oct 2000 Cains Brewery played host to Wirral Bellringers (and a power boating group) who visited Liverpool's only major brewery this evening. The largely Victorian building was designed for Cains before takeover by Higsons during the 1920s. Cains have been back in business since the 1980s. A great range of beers are made for distribution throughout the world.
A great evening was highlighted by free pints and refreshments in the Brewery Tap. St Hilary's ringers were present in force, deciding to cancel their practice in favour of a tower outing.
Thanks to Randle for organising another successful non-ringing tour! Chris Eden
30 Sep 2000A Peal of 5040 London Surprise Royal (No.3) was rung today in 3 hrs 17 mins. at Oxton as a further celebration to mark Alec Martin's 80th Birthday. The band comprised, apart from Alec, two former Oxton ringers, one of whom conducted, and past and present Wirral branch ringers.
26 Sep 2000In response to a request from the Guild Librarian to distribute photocopies of his letter to all Tower Correspondents, your Secretary, instead, sent out the 'letter' via e-mail to the Wirral Bellringers List. As a consequence, missing documents from the Guild Library were located within a few hours and the Librarian notified accordingly. How's that for efficiency? Please note that the 'culprit' had signed for the documents but it appears that this 'record' was also missing!
24 Sep 2000A 'landmark' Quarter Peal of Cambridge Surprise Major was rung this morning at Port Sunlight. Starting with the first ever QP by a Sunday Service Band in September 1982, this was the 500th. The band comprised the eight present and past ringers (who are still active) who have rung the most QPs here. During the service which followed, two new, double Peal Boards were dedicated.
21 Sep 2000A celebratory Quarter Peal of Plain Bob Royal was rung this evening at Oxton to mark the 80th birthday next day of Alec Martin. The band included six Oxton ringers and three members of the Branch Committee (plus one other, of course). Afterwards, at the Wirral Hundred, the band was to experience a rare event, the purchase of a round of drinks by the said gentleman. Many happy returns, Alec. More celebrations planned. Watch this space.
17 Sep 2000With fuel shortages arising from the oil refinery blockades becoming critical, the Secretary, Ringing Master, Chairman and Tower Captain of the hosting tower decided during the week that, while the Branch Meeting at Heswall would be held as scheduled, the Business Meeting would not as too many towers in the branch would not be represented. In the event, some ten or so ringers, some arriving by foot or by bicycle, attended the afternoon ringing practice and service. By consent, evening ringing was cancelled.
15 Sep 2000As those of you who subscribe to the Wirral Bellringers 'ListBot' will already know, the funeral of Jim Howarth, former ringer, took place this morning at Oxton, where a half-muffled Quarter Peal of Plain Bob Caters was rung immediately prior to the service. Our thoughts at this time are with Jim's family, especially his son Tom, Tower Captain at Upton, and grandsons Ben and Sam also Upton ringers.
9 Sep 2000Results from the Guild 6-Bell Striking Competition:
1stEast77.9%
2ndMid77.2%
3rdWirral (Port Sunlight)70.0%
4thChester67.0%
South Branch was not represented.
Port Sunlight's ringing was described as 'stately, superb and very consistent throughout' although not quite good enough to win an event where standards are continually rising.
At the short business meeting held at this Half-Yearly Guild Meeting, it was agreed that, from 2001, both the 8-Bell and 6-Bell Striking Competitions would be held separately from the Guild Annual and Half-Yearly meetings and take place early on Saturday evenings during summer months. The AGM would be moved to September.
Thanks to Eastham for hosting this event and preparing an excellent tea and to our Branch President, Rev. Jim Florance, for leading the service. Attendance was considered 'quite good', although it was a little disappointing that support from Wirral Branch ringers on 'home ground' was confined to the hosts, the 6-Bell band, branch officials but only five other ringers including three from Bromborough.
8 Sep 2000New ceiling bosses were fitted today at Rock Ferry just in time for the Guild Half-Yearly Meeting on Saturday. Thanks are due to Tommy Morgan for his input into this project.
31 Aug 2000The final Summer School class was held this morning at Wallasey St Nicholas. Sadly, there were no learners present from that tower, indeed, attendance was a little disappointing with only 8 ringers present. However, this was very much to the advantage of those venturing to this northernmost tower in the branch. Ringing included Treble Bob Hunting, Plain Bob Major, Cambridge Surprise Minor, touches of Plain Bob Minor and an exercise in Striking whereby all eight ringers faced outwards while the conductor called changes. Very interesting!
23 Aug 2000The second of the three Summer Schools was held this morning at Upton and was attended by seven learners, including four from the host tower. Ringing ranged from call changes to touches of Stedman doubles. Tea and coffee were kindly made available to the ringers and thanks are also due to the six helpers, supplemented by the more experienced learners for the more basic ringing. Next Summer School class is at Wallasey St Nicholas on Thursday 31st August from 10.30am to 12.30pm.
20 Aug 2000The Hill-Walk, a new venture, was rather poorly attended, but those of us who turned up had a great day. Five Wirral ringers (including three from West Kirby who arrived on bikes) rang at Mold, made up to six by John Williams, the local Tower Captain. We then headed off to Moel Famau and the rain held off during our ascent. Though it was unseasonally cold at the top, we managed to look across to Snowdon in one direction and the North Wirral coast in the other. It would be good to repeat the venture next year, possibly outside the wedding season*. (PDH)
* Up to three weddings at not less than five Wirral towers prevented several ringers joining Peter's outing. (PFH)
16 Aug 2000Some dozen or so Wirral ringers went on a conducted tour of the Mersey Tunnel (ventilation shafts) today and found their experience of climbing steps put to good use! But the immense size of the ventilation fans would dwarf even the largest of bells.The main control room has a view of all the roadways and "at a glance" equipment monitors all the inner workings of an impressive construction. As a user of both tunnels it's quite novel to stand on the walk way inside the tunnel and then nip down under the roadway. With the constant rumble of traffic above and a fresh breeze on your face it was an unusual experience. (RTJT)
The visit was preceded by service ringing on the glorious twelve at the Liverpool Parish Church of Our Lady and St. Nicholas which takes place on the first and third Wednesday's each month.
With thanks to our Ringing Master for organising the extra-curricular activity. (PFH)
15 Aug 2000First of three Summer Schools held today at Port Sunlight with five students, including one from our neighbours 'over the water', ringing Plain Bob and two ringing Cambridge Surprise Minor. Well supported by helpers. Next 'class' is at Upton on Wednesday 23rd August.
The Tower Maintenance training day held at Oxton on 12th August was attended by eight would-be engineers who found much to learn from expert Tom Morgan. Items included fitting of Hastings stays, bearing lubrication and general frame maintenance. It appears that we all need to be more diligent in this area!
6 Aug 2000Further ringing for H.M. Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother: Peal at Port Sunlight (Yorkshire Surprise Major) and QP at Wallasey St. Hilary (Single Oxford) both scored. Plan to ring QP at Chester Cathedral aborted when tower over-run with 40 visitors! Apparently, the Ringing Master at Chester was unaware of the Wirral Branch's now established arrangement to ring on first Sunday in August when he granted permission to the visitors.
Mersey Tunnel tour has been arranged for Wednesday 16th August at 2.00p.m. Details from Branch Ringing Master, Randle Tinkler. Those interested may also take the opportunity of joining in service ringing at Liverpool, Pier Head from 12.30-1.05p.m., where visitors will always be welcome to ring for these lunchtime services on the first and third Wednesdays each month.
4 Aug 2000QP's rung at Oxton (Plain Bob Caters) and Bromborough (Plain Bob Triples) to mark the 100th birthday of H.M. Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother.
2001 >>