A key feature of the 2001 programme was the introduction of some new ventures, especially the joint trip, with Liverpool ringers, to the Isle-of-Man. This was very well supported, some 34 branch ringers and friends putting their sea-legs to the test. A month previously several branch members were to be found at the Ringing World Road Show held at Keele University. And, towards the end of the year, Wirral ringers attended events associated with the Central Council Meeting at Liverpool and the fiftieth anniversary of the hallowing of Liverpool Cathedral Bells. Not widely renowned for their willingness to travel, by their keen support for the above, Wirral ringers have amply demonstrated enthusiasm in supporting events outside their own environs, albeit taking the short trip across the Mersey in some of the above instances.
During the summer the Treasure Hunt, following ringing at St-Mary-Within, Chester proved a popular event (we do travel east sometimes!) while Rounders and Barbecue at West Kirby attracted the usual masses. In an attempt to broaden participation, the Branch 6-Bell Striking Competition was held on a Sunday afternoon, at Shotwick, where the ground floor ring proved, initially at least, to be a bit of a challenge to the less experienced ringers. Overall each of the bands performed well but support might have been better. The last meeting of the year, at Port Sunlight, was preceded by a visit to Christ Church, Higher Bebington to give Wirral ringers an opportunity of testing their skills on the Mears and Stainbank 8-Bell chime, installed in 1820. We also found an 1859 Naylor Vickers steel bell there hung for full-circle ringing. The wheel is in a poor state while the bell has marked pit corrosion, presumably from the time (1859 -1884) when it was hung in a cage outside.
The Branch AGM, hosted by Eastham, saw the appointment of our new President, Revd. Diane Watson, Rector at St Bartholomew's, Thurstaston. The present incumbents were re-elected to office while the post of Press Officer was replaced by that of 'Webmaster' who, now officially appointed, is accountable to the Branch for content and maintenance of the website! As reported last year, the website is a much valued communication tool but, increasingly, content has been made more interesting through the efforts of those branch ringers who have continued to provide pictures and background information on various towers.
Following the work reported last year, a local band has been taught at Rock Ferry where, with a little support from the Branch, ringing now takes place most Sundays after morning service. Thurstaston have launched a project for the installation of a Jubilee Bell to augment this ring to six. At the time of writing, Thurstaston were within £1000 of their target. It is hoped the installation will be completed in time to attempt a peal to mark H.M. The Queen's Golden Jubilee.
The Tommy Rogers' Memorial Prize was awarded to Tommy Morgan of Oxton in acknowledgement of the sterling work he has carried out over a number of years in various projects at a number of Wirral towers. Tommy has elected to take this award in the form of a 'surface plate ' which, as all ringers know(!), "Its use for clapper overhaul will be to accurately set the cutter in the boring bar when boring the clapper eye", for example.
In concluding, I thank my fellow officers but especially the tower correspondents for adapting to the new methods of communication through the website. This has resulted in much reduced postal costs and enabled the Branch to transfer more funds from its general to its BRF account.
Peter Humphreys - Wirral Branch Secretary