Branch membership declined slightly from 142 to 135, two of these being accounted for by the losses of Banky Pemberton of Bidston and Jim Howarth of Upton. The accounts, however, remain in a healthy state with no reason seen to increase subscriptions, this arising, at least in part, from the growing use of electronic communication.
The planned programme, which included ten monthly meetings, was just about recognisable in hindsight as a number of changes affected the latter part of the programme. The year started well with a most successful Ring-in 2000 including a peal at Shotwick. (see report). Following a survey across the Branch Membership conducted at the beginning of the year, the introduction of new ventures - including visits to the Mersey Tunnel and Cain’s brewery - proved popular. Attendance at meetings has averaged about 28 but not all present in the afternoon stay for tea and evening ringing. Best attended were the meetings at Wallasey St Nicholas and Bidston where the numbers (33) were double the attendance at those meetings least well supported, these figures excluding the September meeting which suffered the impact of the fuel crisis. The ‘Summer Schools’ were held once again with some 13 ‘pupils’ taking part, but none attended all three. The Easter Monday Outing, although not well supported, was enjoyed immensely by those who did as the organisers had arranged transport by minibus to ‘God’s own county’. Verdict? Same again next year - but more sunshine!
The Branch 6-Bell striking competition, at Wallasey St Hilary, was won by the narrowest of margins over Oxton by Port Sunlight, who were later placed third in the Guild event at Eastham. The fourth placing by Wirral in the 8-Bell, while an improvement on the previous year (when no band was entered!) was as well as might be expected from a depleted band. This arose because the change of time for this event had not filtered through to those who might otherwise have participated. The timing of Quarter Peal Week, commencing 28th October, coincided with atrocious weather which led to some cancellations. But six quarters were scored, including two 'firsts as conductor'. Port Sunlight saw its 500th QP on the bells while Alex Martin's eightieth birthday was celebrated by his ringing a peal of London Surprise Royal, this on the tenth anniversary of his previous peal in the method!
The Guild Half-Yearly Meeting was most ably hosted by Eastham and certainly a credit to them. Ringing at Rock Ferry during the afternoon was only just managed as completion of work in the tower - fitting of new bosses and rope chutes to the new suspended ceiling in the ringing chamber - was accomplished only the previous afternoon, this following more sterling work by Tommy Morgan. (see report - to follow!)
The Branch AGM, hosted by Port Sunlight, saw a largely unchanged list of officers but two new committee members, and one new representative to the Guild Committee, being elected and some novelty being introduced into the branch programme for 2001. Eastham were awarded the Tommy Rogers' Memorial Prize, in the form of a book (Atlas of Bells) in recognition of their significant progress as a tower and active support of branch events. Gremlins were active to the end, as the pub meal, which arose from a late rearrangement of the programme, was itself rearranged as the booked date was found to clash with a children's disco!
But the most significant change this year has been in the area of communication. Not without its problems, our website and e-mail have become the major communication route with, by the middle of the year, all but one active tower having at least one member with internet access. Postage costs have plummeted but this new technology can no more guarantee delivery to a tower notice board than the previous mechanism of pushing pieces of paper through letterboxes. In current parlance, some ‘e-correspondents’ run the risk of being identified as ‘the weakest link’! Thankfully, many do provide excellent service in this role and I have been most encouraged by their patience and enthusiasm.
In concluding, I thank the Branch officials for their support of the past year, with special thanks to Susan Costello, Peter Hughes and Janet Mills, all of whom, for different reasons, have found themselves unable to devote their time so generously given over recent years.
Peter Humphreys - Wirral Branch Secretary