Membership has remained fairly static - paid up membership belatedly totalled 122. Some members have not yet realised that subscriptions are due on 1st January of the current year!

Recently we have lost by death two of our most faithful Sunday service ringers - Marjorie and Bill Boote. Marjorie (nee Webster) learned to ring at St. Hilary’s after the lifting of the war time ban and remained a member there until 1993, having served for a time as Tower Captain. In the late 1940’s she was a great help to the Branch Secretary in organising the Annual Social and Dinner Dance. Social attendance in those days exceeded 200!! Changes in the form of worship, etc. caused them both to leave St. Hilary’s and transfer their allegiance to St. Nicholas in 1993. Marjorie’s husband Bill came to Birkenhead from the Rugby area. He joined the Oxton Branch in 1957 becoming fully involved in the world of the Church. He remained a member until his marriage in 1973 when he joined Marjorie at St. Hilary’s. They will be sorely missed for the great support they gave to their tower and to the Branch.

Three other members have moved away from the area. Elizabeth Duck, a member of the Branch Committee and of the Heswell band has moved to Dundee. Andrew Mathias of Oxton and Andrew Sparling of St. Nicholas have not returned to the area after completing their University courses. The best wishes of Branch Members go with them.

The Branch programme was completed with only the occasional hiccup. From time to time changing the format of meetings encouraged more support. Eight meetings were held, with an average attendance of 33. The highest was 50, the lowest 22. The arrangement for the December (Christmas) meeting at Port Sunlight - afternoon ringing and service followed by a pub meal next door - attracted double the attendance of last year. Social events were well arranged and thoroughly enjoyed. Once again the Rounders match and barbecue at West Kirby proved the biggest attraction. Thanks are due to all who participated in the arrangement of these events.

It is pleasing to be able to report progress at some towers in the Branch. The re-hanging of the tenor at Bromborough appears to have sparked off a fresh interest with members of the band becoming more involved in maintenance. Also, with the completion of the work on Neston bells, there has been a large influx of recruits, and ringing there is much more regular. A regular band has now been formed at Bidston where there is once again Sunday ringing. The bells are much more manageable now that ringing takes place one floor higher up the tower. Tommy Morgan is due thanks for all his work to make this transition possible. In addition, he is busy re-locating the treble and when complete, we shall have another "easy" six with a good rope circle.

Quarter peal week resulted in 14 successful attempts with a number of "firsts" but no first quarters. 49 ringers participated and there were 10 conductors. In the 8 bell striking competition our band finished the wrong end of the table. Nevertheless, in the competition with our neighbours across the water, the honours were shared. The winners of the 6 bell striking competition (Port Sunlight) finished third in the Guild Final. However, we should remember that whilst special ringing is unquestionably of value - including both peals and quarter peals - we must bear in mind that churches are not likely to be concerned about spending money on maintenance if the bells are silent on Sundays. Furthermore, while sound control is vitally important and is essential for good relations with our neighbours in built up areas, it is also necessary that the bells are heard to good effect on Sundays (not muted) to remind non-churchgoers that the church is alive and functioning in the Parish.

During the year, Alex and Min Martin celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary. Furthermore, congratulations were due to Elizabeth Duck on the birth of her first baby duckling. We have also said farewell to Jack Collingwood, a member since 1932 who, largely due to his wife’s failing health, has been forced to hang up his rope for the last time. Hazel Bailey kindly arranged a farewell party for Jack and his ringing friends and members of the congregation. Our secretary has also indicated that an era is coming to an end as he shall be putting down his pen after the next AGM after completing 50 years as Branch Secretary and Treasurer.

Alex Martin - Wirral Branch Secretary