Paid-up membership this year increased by 0.87% !! - still nearly 40% less than during our boom years. Regretfully we have to record the death, after a long illness cheerfully borne, of Chris Sutton (aged 45) a former ringer at Bidston and Neston.

Once again the planned programme was completed with only a couple of hiccups. The February service and tea took place at Bromborough but ringing was arranged at Bebington and Eastham. The September Meeting clashed with a 900th Anniversary function at Bebington, and St. Hilary's hosted the meeting at very short notice. Nine meetings were held with service and tea, visiting Oxton, Bromborough, Woodchurch, Thurstaston, Heswall, St. Hilary, St. Nicholas, Port Sunlight and Neston, whilst rounders and barbecue followed the service and tea at West Kirby.

Average attendance 33; highest 55, lowest 21. A number of members attended during the afternoon and evening but were not present for the meeting. This has prompted the Ringing Master to keep his own record of those who actually ring in the tower at each meeting!!

I must once again place on record our grateful thanks for members efforts in continuing to provide free teas.

Social activities took place as planned with barbecue attracting the highest attendance. Easter Monday Outing and also the Car Treasure Hunt were once again popular and successful. Numbers attending Spring Bank Holiday Walk were down and started with a 'look-out' at the first tower, whilst a 'sit-in' by the Vicar's dog proved a hazard at the second. Two new features - a bicycle tour round Wirral proved popular, whilst the New Year's Eve Party at Heswall did succeed in one of its objectives viz. keeping enough ringers sober to ring in the New Year. "Excellent value for money" was the comment on Annual Dinner, even though Martin's 'Rent-a-crowd' was needed to swell the numbers.

The Branch has maintained its monthly stint at Chester Cathedral with general ringing and quarter peals of surprise maximus, Royal, and Cinques and Caters. Visits were also made to Liverpool Cathedral, Liverpool St. Nicholas and Wrexham.

Special ringing was arranged at 16 Branch towers to commemorate the Battle of the Atlantic.

Seven towers competed in the 6-bell striking competition, and once again Port Sunlight and Oxton were placed 1st and 2nd - this time with only one point difference. Port Sunlight placed 2nd in the Guild Final.

Branch 8-bell band successful for the 6th time in Guild competition whilst both 8-bell bands emerge triumphant from the annual contest with the Red Rose Ringers from over the water.

Quarter peal week resulted in 19 quarters being rung in 12 towers with 14 conductors and 59 participants. Bromborough and Neston bells are in need of some attention and the condition of the fabric of the spire has caused ringing to be stopped at Eastham. Wirral ringers are dealing with immediate repairs at Neston.

Alex Martin - Wirral Branch Secretary