2002 was always going to be the year of the Golden Jubilee of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II with special ringing throughout the country. In the event, while this did happen, it was preceded by another royal occasion, albeit a sad one, namely the passing of H.M. Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. In the Wirral Branch these events led to a number of peals and numerous quarter peals being rung.

The first Jubilee peal was at Woodchurch, this to mark 50th Anniversary of H.M. Accession early in the year. But perhaps the most noteworthy was the one at Thurstaston where a new 'Jubilee' bell had been cast (see report), thus providing the newest new 'six' in the branch. Appropriately, minor was rung, the band including a 'first pealer' from the home tower. At the other end of the scale a peal was rung at Shotwick, which houses the oldest bell in the Branch (William Clibury tenor of 1616) while Liscard was considered an apt choice as the bells had been cast on the occasion of the previous Golden Jubilee, namely that of Queen Victoria. The tenor inscription includes the text 'A.D. 1887 VICTORIA REGINA JUBILEE'. The first attempt here failed when a rope broke. A quarter peal was then rung while the peal was re-arranged and duly completed a few weeks later. This saw Peter Hughes, to whom we offer our congratulations, completing peals in all (ringable) Wirral Towers. A total of 14 quarter peals were rung in the branch for the jubilee. (See report).

But ringing for H.M. the Queen Mother preceded all this. A half-muffled peal was rung at Woodchurch while some 20 branch quarter peals were rung, including one at Chester Cathedral.

October saw the Wirral Branch Quarter Peal Week in which one scored at Capenhurst (rung by a joint Capenhurst - Backford band) meant quarter peals had been rung in all Wirral towers this year with the one exception of Upton. It is believed this is unprecedented yet leaves an opportunity for another year! A 'first quarter peal' by Malcolm Price was the first such achievement by a Rock Ferry ringer since before World War II!

In December, Liscard marked the 125th anniversary of the founding of the church. Not having ringers of their own, they had requested, early in the year, that the bells be rung to mark this occasion. Accordingly a quarter peal was rung prior to the special service held on Friday 13th December while general ringing took place on all eight bells prior to the Sunday morning service following. In appreciation of the efforts of the ringers, the church generously 'paid' the ringers £50 which sum was then placed in the branch bell restoration fund.

The proposed branch programme for the year - with a number of modifications - was fulfilled in the main although attendances were not always encouraging. Tea, service and evening ringing for the December meeting at Oxton were cancelled when only six ringers booked teas. The 'Juniors Meeting' at Bebington, however, was a successful innovation while the Summer School, also not well attended in terms of numbers, proved popular amongst those who came and benefited. The branch 6-Bell at Burton was won by Port Sunlight although, in terms of numbers, little opposition was provided! Unfortunately, the branch was unable to raise a band for the inter-branch 8-Bell competition.

In an attempt to widen appeal, a number of radical innovations to the 2003 programme have been introduced although, so as not to throw the baby out with the bath water, the traditional format has been retained for some meetings!

The early death of Pauline Galloway of Wallasey St Hilary (see obituary) was a sad loss to the tower while the loss of Geoff Hough, Verger at Burton, needs to be recorded here. Although not a ringer himself, Geoff was always there to meet ringers in his most welcoming manner. The ringing of a half-muffled quarter peal, with half-muffled ringing prior to the funeral, attended by some seven Wirral ringers, bears testimony to the esteem in which he was regarded by the branch.

Developing good relationships between ringers and churches is an important role for the branch officers. Woodchurch, Liscard and Shotwick are without bands of their own, while Burton has only a few. The branch has continued to provide ringers to these towers for weddings and special services and this may be taken as a measure of success. This, I am sure, has been a consideration when ringers have asked for the bells for other purposes.

The Branch Website continues to be well used - over 5000 'hits' in just over two years - enhanced by addition of more pictures. However, even with issues of Branch Lines - the Wirral Branch occasional newsletter - some members are not always aware of forthcoming branch events. 'Pocket' versions, small enough to fit in the Ringing World Diary, of the branch programme have been circulated to help overcome this problem. Copies are available from the branch website.

In concluding I would again thank the officers and tower correspondents for their support and assistance and especially those branch members who continually support branch events and service ringing at their own towers.

Peter Humphreys - Wirral Branch Secretary