The programme planned for 1994 was completed with a few last minute adjustments, much to the relief of the writers.

Nine meetings were held with afternoon ringing, service, tea, meeting and evening ringing and the average attendance was 31 - highest 60 at the AGM, with 10 Wirral towers represented, and the lowest a week before Christmas at Neston, when only 5 Wirral towers were represented. An innovation at the March Meeting was a striking competition between a Ladies' and Gents' band at Liscard, and as expected, the Gents' band won handsomely.

Most of the social events ran smoothly as arranged and were well supported. Another new venture, a New Year's Eve party at Heswall, at least ensured that the bells there heralded the New Year.

The Annual Dinner, boosted by Martin's Rent-a-Mob, was ensured of financial success, being the only social event to make a profit! The Annual Walk got off to a bad start being locked out at the first tower, and the ringing at the second tower hampered by a 'sit-in' by the Vicar's large dog.

Six quarter peals were rung to mark the ordination to the priesthood of our President, Rev. Judith Hunt.

One band is also to be congratulated ringing quarter peals in the 8 Standard Surprise major methods in one day. During quarter peal week, 55 ringers participated in attempts and 14 quarter peals were successful. There were 10 conductors.

Work has been completed on the Neston bells, and it is hoped to have all the bells at Bromborough back in action by the middle of the year.

The damage to the steeple at Eastham proved to be not as extensive as first thought. The repair has been effected and the bells are ringing again.

Alterations are being made at Bidston to enable ringing to take place one floor higher up. It is anticipated that even if noisier, they will be easier to ring and steps are currently being taken to train a new band.

Regrettably, only 5 towers entered bands in the Branch 6-bell striking competition. The winners Oxton were placed 3rd in the Guild final.

The Branch 8-bell band slid down to 3rd in Guild competition, but both Wirral 8-bell bands were successful once again against the Red Rose Ringers from across the Mersey.

The standard of ringing by gathered Wirral Bands has never been higher. However, the state of Sunday ringing has never been poorer, as more towers are only able to muster enough ringers to ring once, and in too few cases with all ropes manned. This deterioration must be stopped if churches are to continue to feel it worthwhile spending money to keep the bells maintained, if they are not being used for the purpose for which they were installed.

Bearing in mind the other calls being made upon church members for money to finance the churches ministry inside and outside the parish, it would appear that ensuring that the bells are rung every Sunday should be every ringers very first priority.

Alex Martin - Wirral Branch Secretary