| Date | News Item
| 28 Dec 2002 |
 | We have a new 'ringer' at West Kirby! Proud father, Eric Jones, writes:
Herewith a photo of our latest addition (picture to left showing Reece at 22 hours of age), born 28 Dec 2002 at 9.29 pm (GMT), weight 7lb 9oz (3.380kg). Full handle - Reece Eric Hamer Jones. Description - small, loud, ears like father (poor chap). Janet (pictured right) and baby are both fine.
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| | 24 Dec 2002 | The second peal on the six at Thurstaston was rung this morning, to mark the 75th anniversary of the first peal rung by the Guild on the bells, in which the average age of the band was 15. On that occasion, all the five ringers cycled to the tower, a method of transport used by three of the ringers in today's band. Of the original peal band, only Ralph Edwards is known to be still alive, and was very interested to hear of the peal.
(See Campanophile for details).
| 15 Dec 2002 | All eight bells were rung at St Mary's, Liscard, before the Morning Service on this week-end marking the 125th anniversary of the church. Ringers were Lauren and Danny Whale, together with John McCulloch from Wallasey St Hilary, Alex Martin, Chris Eden and Will Harrison from Oxton, Randle Tinkler from West Kirby and Peter Humphreys from Port Sunlight. Ringing included call changes and Cambridge Surprise Minor. After the ringing, a churchwarden handed £50 to the ringers and this will now be placed in our Bell Restoration Fund.
| 14 Dec 2002 | With only six names for tea, it became necessary to cancel the tea and service and, consequently, the evening ringing at the monthly meeting at OXTON today.
| 13 Dec 2002 | A Quarter Peal was rung this evening at Liscard prior to a service commemorating the 125th anniversary of St. Mary's. (See Campanophile for details).
| 7 Dec 2002 | A Peal of Rutland Surprise Major was rung today at Wallasey, St Nicholas to mark the 40th birthday of the conductor, Peter Hughes, to whom we offer our congratulations.
This was also John Hyden's 700th Peal. Congratulations to John who advises that over half of his peals (355) have been Stedman. John has rung these peals with 834 different ringers in 420 different towers, his most memorable peal being that at Exeter when Mike Mears turned in the tenor single handed, this before the subsequent rehang.
(See Campanophile for details).
| 2 Dec 2002 | The bells at Burton were rung by Wirral Branch ringers prior to the funeral of Geoff Hough today, after which the tenor was tolled. The attendance of some seven Wirral ringers is testimony to the friendship between the former verger at St Nicholas, Burton and the ringing community.
Hazel Bailey of Wallasey St Nicholas writes: Just for those who remember Jack Collingwood, he is at present in Clatterbridge hospital. He's not too bad and I am sure he would love to hear from old friends. He is in Hilbre Ward.
| 30 Nov 2002 | A half-muffled Quarter Peal was rung this afteroon at Burton as a tribute to the late Geoff Hough, Verger at this church and friend to many Wirral ringers.
A Peal of Yorkshire Surprise Major was rung at Heswall today as a tribute to C Kenneth Lewis.
(See Campanophile for details).
| 28 Nov 2002 | A Quarter Peal
of Yorkshire Surprise Major was rung at Oxton this evening in memory of C Kenneth Lewis of Dunham Massey. (See Campanophile for details).
| 25 Nov 2002 | I regret to advise you that I have been informed by his brother that Geoff Hough, Tower Contact and Verger at Burton, died on Sunday 24th November in Arrowe Park Hospital. Geoff, who always made visiting ringers most welcome, will be sadly missed by all his friends in the Wirral Branch.
Funeral details will be announced as soon as advised, but is likely to take place on or about Monday 2nd December. A half-muffled Quarter Peal is being arranged for, possibly, the afternoon of Saturday 30th November.
| 21 Nov 2002 | I have been advised that C Kenneth Lewis MBE of Dunham Massey, where he was tower correspondent, has died, aged 89. Ken had rung well over 1500 peals for the Guild and was a key contributor to the Guild Centenary publication. He was, at the time of his death, a member of the Central Council Methods Committee and also a member of the Ancient Society of College Youths.
The funeral is to take place at St Margaret's, Dunham Massey on Friday 29th November at midday. No flowers by request of the family but anyone so wishing is asked to make a donation to St Margaret's Restoration Fund for major work at the church, including the tower.
| 4 Nov 2002 |
 | Prompted by information supplied by your Ringing Master, Randle Tinkler, Branch Secretary, Peter Humphreys, has this afternoon visited Geoff Hough, Tower contact at Burton, in Arrowe Park Hospital. Geoff had been unwell for a few days when, on Wednesday last week, his GP arranged for him to be admitted to Arrowe Park Hospital.
| When I visited Geoff in Ward 18, he had just been seen by the doctor who advised me that Geoff was making good progress. Geoff has been suffering from a serious chest infection which had also affected his kidneys but hopes to be able to start moving round the ward tomorrow, albeit with some physical aids. Presently he spends most of his time in an armchair alongside his bed. He is expected to remain in hospital for at least another week and looks forward to any visitors. Visiting time is 2.30 to 8.00 pm. During the afternoon it is advisable to take advantage of the free Park and Ride from Sainsbury's car park in Upton - leaving at 5 minutes past the hour and every 20 minutes until 6.00 pm. We all wish Geoff a speedy and full recovery.
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| | 13 Oct 2002 | At the request of the Churchwardens, a Quarter Peal was rung for today's Harvest Festival Service at Shotwick.
See Campanophile for details.
Also see new photographs on Shotwick Picture Gallery.
| 18 Aug 2002 | The Quarter Peal rung for Evening Service at PORT SUNLIGHT today was the 750th for the Tower Captain who takes this opportunity of thanking the many ringers over a number of years who have made this achievement possible.
See Campanophile for details.
| 6 Aug 2002 | The second Summer School session, held at THURSTASTON this morning, came to an abrupt end after half-an-hour when a local resident made it clear that, having worked a night shift and suffering from 'flu' (how unfortunate!) he would like the ringing to stop.
Accordingly another session has since been arranged, this to take place on THURSDAY 15th August from 7.00 to 8.30 p.m. (Note different time from other sessions). Subsequently held at EASTHAM.
| 3 Aug 2002 | The first 2002 Summer School, held at EASTHAM this morning, was very well attended with 'students' of all ages making good use of the opportunity to develop their change-ringing skills.
Next session is TUESDAY 6TH AUGUST at THURSTASTON - 10.30 am to 12 noon.
All welcome, of course.
| 27 Jul 2002 | A week ago Syd Roberts, Tower Captain at Capenhurst, was readmitted to hospital as he was experiencing breathing difficulties. However, he is now home again feeling much improved but no wiser as to the cause of his latest problem. Obviously his return to ringing has been delayed a little but he expects this to be fairly soon. He sends his best wishes to all.
| 20 Jul 2002 | At the Branch Meeting held at West Kirby today, a 'fun' striking competition was held between 'Janet's Juniors' and 'Peter's Pensioners'. Judges were Sam Austin, Paul Tiebout and Paul Hunter from Liverpool who, although each being only 17 years old, have a wealth of ringing experience having rung over 50 peals between them THIS YEAR! And it was experience which triumphed over youth as the older team, which has a total of over 250 years of ringing between them, scored just 13 faults to 26. There was, however, a youthful element to the 'Pensioners' team as 5 are members of the Ancient Society of College Youths! The evening concluded with the traditional Rounders and typically atmospheric barbecue! (Click for picture.)
| 14 Jul 2002 | Jubilee Peal scored at Liscard where the bells were cast in 1887 to mark the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria! Peter Hughes, who conducted this peal, has now rung peals in all ringable Wirral towers. Congratulations to Peter!
| 13 Jul 2002 | In a closely contested Guild 6-Bell Striking Competition held at Stretton this evening, Wirral Branch representatives, Port Sunlight, were placed fourth. Winners were Grappenhall from the Mid Cheshire Branch. See News Desk Report on new Guild Website.
| 26 Jun 2002 | Your Secretary is pleased to report that Syd Roberts, Tower Captain at Capenhurst, is recovering from his heart attack (see 2 Jun below) and hopes to recommence ringing this weekend.
At the Guild Committee Meeting held this evening, it was agreed that, due to insufficient interest, the Guild abandons the proposal to hold a Dinner.
| 15 Jun 2002 |
Branch 6-Bell Striking Competition won by composite Wirral 'Blokes' Band with Port Sunlight winning the Alex Martin Shield.
| 11 Jun 2002 | Jubilee Quarter Peal rung at West Kirby.
| 9 Jun 2002 | Jubilee Quarter Peal rung at Neston prior to the Neston Civic Service for H.M. Golden Jubilee.
| 8 Jun 2002 | The Chester Guild Inter-Branch 8-Bell Striking Competition, held at Mobberley this evening, was won by Mid Branch with Chester 2nd. Regrettably, Wirral Branch was unable to field a band.
| 7 Jun 2002 | Race Night at Eastham this evening raised over £500 for refurbishment of Handbells.
| 4 Jun 2002 | Jubilee Quarter Peal scored at Port Sunlight (preceded by Call Changes).
Jubilee Quarter Peal scored at Rock Ferry (preceded by Call Changes).
Jubilee Quarter Peal scored at Wallasey (Liscard) St Mary, this following a failed peal attempt due to breakage of the rope on the 6th.
Jubilee Quarter Peal scored at Heswall.
At West Kirby, all ringing at the practice dedicated to H.M. Queen Elizabeth II.
Details of Jubilee ringing at Upton.
Details of Jubilee ringing at Wallasey St Nicholas.
Details of Jubilee ringing at Capenhurst.
| 3 Jun 2002 | First Peal scored on the newly augmented ring at Thurstaston this morning. Congratulations to Peter Robson of the local band on his first peal!
Jubilee Quarter Peal scored at Oxton.
| 2 Jun 2002 |
The Jubilee Bell was rung for the first time today by Thurstaston's band in celebration of the Golden Jubilee.
Jubilee Quarter Peal scored at Chester Cathedral. (Details now included).
At Shotwick, Wirral scores its first Jubilee Peal.
| 2 Jun 2002 | Our Ringing Master reports that Syd Roberts, tower captain at Capenhurst, has been admitted to the Countess of Chester Hospital following a heart attack. We all wish Syd a full and speedy recovery.
Details of Jubilee ringing at Wallasey St Nicholas.
| 1 Jun 2002 | Jubilee Quarter Peal scored at Burton.
All Sunday Service ringing, including that for the Jubilee Celebration Service at West Kirby dedicated to H.M. Queen Elizabeth II.
| 30 May 2002 | Jubilee Ringing at Eastham this evening included Devon Call Changes and a Quarter Peal.
| 27 May 2002 |
The New Jubilee Bell at Thurstaston, is now in place and was dedicated at a well attended special service held at the church this evening.
| 25 May 2002 |
The New Jubilee Bell at Thurstaston, having arrived on Thursday 23rd, can now be seen lying in the chancel at St Bartholomew, ready for lifting to the Bell Chamber on Monday 27th.
| 15 May 2002 | With just six ringers present at the Port Sunlight practice tonight, the opportunity was siezed to put Rachael Elkin to the test of ringing her first QP inside. See Campanophile for the result!
| 3 May 2002 | As reported in today's issue of The Ringing World (p448), a quarter peal was rung at Wallasey St Hilary on 7th April in memory of Pauline Galloway, a regular Sunday Service ringer at this church since 1991.
| 13 Apr 2002 | The Junior Ringers' Meeting at Bebington today was a great success. In all some 15 'junior' ringers (age range 9 to 20 years) from six Wirral towers attended. A more detailed report, including photographs(!), will be posted on this website during the coming week.
(Now in place - see Juniors Meeting Report).
| 12 Apr 2002 | A Quarter Peal in thanksgiving for the life of HM The Queen Mother rung at Neston
| 11 Apr 2002 | A Quarter Peal rung this evening at Oxton was rung half-muffled in memoriam H.M. The Queen Mother. See Campanophile for details.
The Surprise Major practice at Wallasey St Nicholas this evening was attended by 11 Wirral ringers plus two 'overseas' visitors (from over the Mersey, anyway). Ringing included Yorkshire, Cambridge, 3-spliced and finished with three leads of Bristol - unconducted! Attempts to ring plain courses in this method had identified the need for a little more homework - for some of us! An enjoyable evening.
| 9 Apr 2002 | Quarter Peals in memoriam HM The Queen Mother rung at Eastham, and Heswall and in thanksgiving for the life of HM at Burton. Branch member Geoff Sparling (Wallasey St Nicholas) conducts a peal of Grandsire Cinques at Liverpool Parish Church, Pier Head while Mark Humphreys (Port Sunlight) rings in commemorative Peal at St Mary le Bow, London.
See Campanophile for details.
| 8 Apr 2002 | Quarter Peals in memoriam HM The Queen Mother rung at Bebington and Bromborough. Branch member Mark Humphreys (Port Sunlight) rings in commemorative Quarter Peal at Birmingham Cathedral.
See Campanophile for details.
| 7 Apr 2002 | Quarter Peals in memoriam HM The Queen Mother rung at Chester (Cathedral), Wallasey St. Nicholas, Heswall and Eastham.
See Campanophile for details.
| 6 Apr 2002 | A half-muffled Peal of Bristol Surprise Major in memoriam HM The Queen Mother rung at Eccleston (Cheshire) today was conducted by Peter Hughes and included Wirral Branch members Christina Fleckney, John Hyden and Eric Jones.
Half-muffled Quarter Peals were rung at Wallasey St. Nicholas, West Kirby, Bidston and, as a Thanksgiving for the life of H.M., rung open at Port Sunlight.
See Campanophile for details of all above.
| 4 Apr 2002 | A half-muffled Peal of Yorkshire Surprise Major rung this evening at Woodchurch was conducted by Peter Hughes and included Wirral Branch members Geoff and Sue Sparling, Mark Humphreys, Chris Eden and John Hyden.
A Quarter Peal of Plain Bob Royal was rung, open, at Oxton this evening as a thanksgiving for the life of HM The Queen Mother.
Covering a Quarter Peal at Eastham this evening, rung as an 18th birthday compliment to Cheryl Williams, daughter of Sharon and Paul, Bernard Lewis rang his first Quarter Peal at his first attempt. Congratulations to both (Cheryl and Bernard!).
See Campanophile for details of both the above.
The Junior Ringers meeting at Bebington, planned for the 20th, has been brought forward to the previous Saturday, 13th April. The Notice has been amended accordingly.
| 1 Apr 2002 | The originally planned Easter Monday Car Outing was cancelled at short notice by the organiser due to lack of support. A Quarter Peal Day was arranged in its place at four Wirral towers. Subsequently the death of HM The Queen Mother led to some of the ringing being half-muffled with QPs also being arranged at other Wirral towers. QPs were scored at West Kirby, Wallasey St Hilary, Bromborough and Port Sunlight. The QP rung at Heswall was for Easter while attempts at Bebington and Wallasey St Hilary were, unfortunately, unsuccessful.
See Campanophile for details of QPs rung.
| 16 Mar 2002 | This Quarter Peal Day had been arranged as an alternative to the usual branch meeting format and was centered on Heswall, plus other towers as desired. In the event, only two other towers were involved although the attempt to ring Doncaster at Bromborough, which would have been a first for all the band, proved a bridge too far. In all 34 ringers took part, quite a few more than the typical attendance at conventional monthly meetings, so the venture was rightly considered a success. Thanks to our hard working Ringing Master for making (most of) the arrangements.
See Campanophile for details.
| 15 Mar 2002 | The date has been announced for the casting of the Jubilee Bell for Thurstaston - 28th March at Taylors of Loughborough Bellfoundry.
| 3 Mar 2002 | Ringing for evening service at Port Sunlight today, Dave Hocker rang his first QP of Stedman Triples.
See Campanophile for details.
| 17 Feb 2002 | Ringing the treble to Plain Bob Minor at Wallasey St Nicholas today, Peter Charnley rang his first Quarter Peal of Minor.
| 16 Feb 2002 | At the Branch Meeting held today at Neston, Peter Robson reported that the augmentation project at Thurstaston had been approved with installation of the new Jubilee treble bell expected to be completed before H.M The Queen's Golden Jubilee.
| 9 Feb 2002 | Peter Hughes writes... "Rhiannon Matthews (Neston) rang her first peal of 8-spliced today" to which the response is ... Congratulations Rhiannon! See Campanophile for details.
| 6 Feb 2002 | John Hyden writes... "A Peal at Woodchurch rung today for the 50th anniversary of the Queen's Accession was successful. Wirral Branch has therefore managed at least one peal on the day. The two original ropes (1971) on the treble and second were fine!" See Campanophile for details.
| 22 Jan 2002 | Subsequent to last Saturday's Branch Meeting at Wallasey St Nicholas, we have heard that the Vicar & his wife received a short letter written on the Sunday enclosing a magazine subscription. After dealing with that the letter goes on:
"What a wonderful sound yesterday evening - I stood outside, listening to the bells.
Congratulations to all!"
The lady correspondent is a Roman Catholic and doesn't even attend the church. St Nicholas ringers are now hoping to invite her up the tower to see at first hand what goes on.
| 13 Jan 2002 | In ringing for evening service at Port Sunlight today, Dave Hocker rang his first QP of Surprise on an inside bell. See Campanophile for details.
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