We have seen an increase in membership over the year with one-time silent towers now ringing regularly on Sundays, a positive step forward. And we also have an enthusiastic enquiry from another silent tower where some eight volunteers have expressed an interest in learning the art. Unfortunately, there has been no corresponding increase in attendance at branch meetings, even though the business meeting element had been replaced by announcements only, following comments at the previous A.G.M.

The programme included ten monthly meetings with ringing in the afternoon and, mostly, evenings, with, generally, a Surprise and a Plain method specified for special practice. Even so, attendance has been consistently below 30 with even fewer staying for the teas, despite the culinary delights on offer! Support for the 'Summer Schools', however, has been most encouraging due to the continued assistance of experienced ringers.

The Easter Monday Outing was to have been a trip to Taylor's Bellfoundry but this was replaced by a hastily arranged, more conventional, ringing outing to the far reaches of East Cheshire, which was blessed with good weather and enjoyed by all attending.

The 'Open Day' was a new venture for the Branch undertaken with some trepidation. The decision 'to boldly go' was rewarded by the unexpectedly large numbers who took the opportunity to 'grab' Wirral towers on the day. Admission was authorised by presentation of a 'Passport to Wirral', for which many thanks to David Hocker for arranging printing and collection of fees on the day, with the new Branch Bell Restoration Fund as the beneficiary.

The Branch 6-Bell Striking Competition was held at Burton on a lovely, summer's evening but, even so, only four towers managed to muster bands, not the best welcome to the invited judges, Brian Heys and Helen Mitchell of Handbridge. But worse was to follow as the winning tower was later unable to raise a band for the Inter-Branch competition, regrettably not the first time this has happened. A similar fate befell the Branch when it was forced to scratch from the 8-Bell competition. The phrase 'Can do better' seems apposite!

The quarter peal event was extended to a fortnight during which 11 quarters were scored at 9 different towers with 11 ringers achieving a 'first'.

The A.G.M. was brought forward from January 2000 to November 1999 and the venue changed to Wallasey St. Nicholas from what had almost traditionally become Oxton's prerogative. This was brought about partly because of ringing restrictions at Oxton but also to provide a little variation.

A significant milestone was the peal rung at Rock Ferry by a band which included Alex Martin ringing the same bell to the same 14-spliced Surprise Minor methods he rang in his first peal 60 years previously!

On a sad note, the Branch was deeply shocked by the sudden loss of Dr. Clive Devall of Heswall who will be much missed both in the tower and for his characteristically humorous anecdotes in the local hostelry after practices. Appropriate ringing was arranged both at the funeral and subsequently as a token of respect and thanksgiving. Our condolences go to his widow Gillian and their children.

Although not falling within the period defined at the head of this report, we record that 'Ring-in 2000' was an undoubted success. Ringing took place at all but three of the ringable towers at 12 noon on 1st January 2000, while, at two of these towers, quarter peals were rung later in the day. At Shotwick, the first peal since the mid-seventies was scored, after which the band partook of the mince pies and wine provided by the appreciative residents.

In concluding, we thank the Branch officials for their efforts of the past year, especially Steven Hughes, who relinquishes the post of Joint Ringing Master to concentrate on accountancy examinations, and David Hocker, who deputised for the now returned Peter Humphreys during his indeterminate sojourn to Mauritius. Finally, all members are urged to support the branch programme, which the committee proposes to implement in accordance with their wishes, as expressed in a survey conducted at the beginning of the year.

Peter Humphreys - Wirral Branch Secretary