Last updated 12 Aug 2001
The following text has been extracted from the Church Committee Minutes and includes all references to Bell Ringing included therein for the period shown. The Church had been opened in June 1904.
| Date | Extract| 11 Sep 1904 | "A letter was read from Mr Lewis Thomas, a member of the Congregation, suggesting improvements [in] the accommodating [of] visitors, particularly the Sunday Evening Services, with seats whereupon it was Unanimously Resolved:- that a printed card be hung at the entrances to the Church stating that when the Bells have ceased ringing all unoccupied seats are considered free." | 7 Sep 1906 | "The Leader and Instructor of the Bell Ringers made application for a set of 8 Leather Mufflers [sic] for the Church Bells. It was Resolved that these be obtained at a cost of 2/6d [12½p] each." | 11 Apr 1907 | (Discussion on financial position of the Church following a letter from Mr W.H. Lever dated April 9/07). "...the sub-committee take into consideration the question of pew rents, and that the suggestion of reducing, if possible, the expenditure on the Choir, Bellringers, the Church Grounds and the Institute be left open for full discussion at a subsequent meeting." | 31 May 1907 | "The leader of the Bell Ringers (Mr Breeze) having notified that the Tenor Bell required adjusting, it was resolved that he arrange with the Firm now at work in Bebington to make an inspection of the same." | 14 Jun 1907 | "A similar resolution to the letter relating to the Bell Ringers was unanimously passed. The sum expended upon the Bell Ringing for the past year was £28.8.0 [£28.40]" | (The above followed a resolution regarding the Choir that expenses for the past year (£65) "should not in future exceed half that amount.") 8 Nov 1907 | Mid week Service: "It was decided it would be well if the bell toll for 15 minutes previous to the time for the service to commence." The above followed the proposal to start a mid-week service. | 9 Apr 1908 | "In discussing the expenditure upon Bell Ringing, it was suggested that it might be possible to obtain a voluntary set of bell Ringers, and also that there was no necessity for the bells to be rung each Sunday but that the chimes might be substituted. It was eventually decided that the Chairman [Mr John Cheshire] interview Mr Breeze - the leader of the Bell Ringers, hear his views and report to a subsequent meeting." | 29 Apr 1908 | "The Chairman intimated that he had seen, as desired at the last meeting, Mr Breeze and that the latter had explained that for the bells to be chimed three men would be required. The Chairman also stated that from a conversation he had had with Mr. Lever, he gathered it was Mr. Lever's wish that the bells should continue to be pealed as heretofore. The matter was then dropped."
| 29 Aug 1912 | "It was decided that tea be provided for the Bell Ringers on the occasion of the Bellringers Association Meeting in Port Sunlight." | 4 Sep 1913 | "A desire having been expressed that the chiming of the bells should be heard, it was decided that they should be so sounded on the last Sunday in December." | 2 Oct 1913 | "...The sub-committee suggested that in order to reduce the expenditure, the desirability of getting together a voluntary team of ringers under one paid leader should be considered." | 29 Oct 1913 | "An Account for £1.6.0. [£1.30] was passed for payment in connection with the tea that was provided for a Guild of Bellringers who meet annually in Port Sunlight. It was thought desirable that this charge should not again be met from Church funds." | 7 Jun 1915 | "The leader of the Bell-ringers having reported that new ropes would be needed soon, it was decided that a new set be obtained and that the cost be met - half from the Church Account, & half from the burial board a/c." | 3 Jul 1916 | "Owing to the difficulty there now is [Note: we are two years into the First World War here] in getting a team of bellringers; it was proposed by Mr Seddon, seconded by Mr Lancashire and unanimously resolved that commencing from August 6th and continuing for the period of the war, the Church bells be not rung, but that a bell be tolled at intervals during the half-hour preceding the time the Church Services commence." | 2 Oct 1916 | "Owing to what might have proved a serious accident happening in the belfry [sic] the preceding day, it was decided that future arrangements for the tolling of the bells be left with the Chairman and the Secretary." | 2 Jul 1917 | "It was proposed, seconded and resolved that a sum of Five pounds (£5) per annum be paid to the leader of the Bellringers (Mr Ollerhead), such sum to date from 1 July 1917; and further that the services he has already given in connection with the instruction of the ringers be paid a sum of Twenty-five shillings (£1.5.0) [£1.25]." | 9 Jul 1918 | "It was agreed that the Committee should provide funds for giving the ringers an outing, Mr Mills and Mr Williams to see the ringers and come to an arrangement not to exceed £5/-/-." | 4 Aug 1918 | Under 'Accounts' - "Ollerhead (Bellringer) £2.10.0 [£2.50]." | 8 Oct 1918 | Under 'Bellringers' - "It was resolved that practice be not permitted except when the leader is present, and then only on specified nights." | 7 Apr 1919 | "The Secretary stated that he had given instructions that the chimes should be rung whenever the ringers were unable to attend." | 28 Apr 1919 | Under heading 'Bellringers' - "The Secretary undertook to write to Mr Ollerhead conveying the instructions already given verbally, & asking for ringing to commence at 10.30 and 6." | 19 May 1919 | "It was arranged that Mr Higson and the Secretary should interview Mr Ollerhead regarding the ringing of bells for service and also that a letter of appreciation be sent to the ringers." | 1 Sep 1919 | Under heading 'Bellringers' Picnic' - "The Committee agreed to the expenditure of £5 on the Bellringers' Picnic." | 22 Mar 1920 | "Rev. Middleton to see Ringers regarding one of their number acting as Senior boy with a view to improving existing conditions." | 22 Apr 1920 | "Confirmation of grant of £5 for Bellringers 'Easter Outing'. Passed unanimously." | 29 Aug 1920 | "Mr Williams reported ... that the Tenor bell was out of order and wanted seeing at once." | 13 Sep 1920 | "Mr Hook reported the Tenor bell had been seen and was now working all right." | 24 Oct 1920 | "The Tenor Bell was reported still unsatisfactory & the Chairman and Mr Grant look to get local expert advice." | 26 Oct 1920 | "An estimate of £10 for repairing the Bells was considered and accepted. | Mr Ollerhead to be seen with a view as to his retirement from the post of head bell-ringer." 28 Dec 1920 | "The Chairman reported that Mr Ollerhead had been spoken to re his office & that he desired to continue in office." | 11 Mar 1921 | "It was resolved that the Minister, Messrs Higson, Lancashire and Grant take necessary action to improve the arrangements for the ringing of the Church Bells." | 25 Apr 1921 | "It was decided to appoint Mr Battle as bellringer as from April 1st 1921 at the customary salary." | 16 Jun 1921 | "The Secretary reported that the bellringers requested that the Committee be asked to raise their gratuity towards their picnic from £5 to £8 which was granted for this year only." | 13 Mar 1922 | "It was agreed to grant the Bellringers one guinea [£1.05] towards the expenses of entertaining visiting bellringers in May next." | 27 Dec 1922 | "It was agreed to acquaint the Bellringers that £5 had been voted for their use on a social occasion to be fixed by arrangement between themselves, the Hon Treasurer & the Minister." | 23 Apr 1923 | "The usual facilities were granted to the Lancashire Bellringers Association who were paying our tower a visit in May, & Mr Barnish kindly offered to entertain them to tea." | 27 Aug 1923 | "It was decided to minute the fact that the £10 item disbursed to the Bellringers in 1923 was for two sums of £5, for 1922 & the other for 1923." | 24 Sep 1923 | "It was decided that ex-officio members be empowered to obtain new ropes for the Church Bells." | 30 Oct 1923 | "The purchase of Bell ropes from Messrs. Astby & Co. at a total charge of £5.7.6 [£5.37½] was confirmed ." | 17 Dec 1923 | "It was agreed to accede to the Bellringers' request for placing an oak tablet in the tower to commemorate the ringing of Cambridge Surprise Major peal on November 26th 1923 & Mr Barnish kindly offered to defray costs of same." | 24 Jun 1924 | "It was agreed to confirm an order placed for a new slide [sic] and stay for the 4th Bell." | |
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