I have pleasure in presenting my report and accounts of the Central Fund for the year ended 31st December 2024. Income levels received by the Guild in 2024, from subscriptions paid to Districts in 2023, increased markedly as shown in the table below, reflecting the increase in subscriptions in 2023.
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Alton & Petersfield | 1,075.90 | 727.65 |
| Andover | 688.10 | 443.45 |
| Basingstoke | 1,092.35 | 730.80 |
| Christchurch & Southampton | 1,142.05 | 769.30 |
| Isle of Wight | 641.55 | 453.25 |
| Portsmouth | 1,255.10 | 792.15 |
| Winchester | 1,338.05 | 980.35 |
| £7,233.10 | £4,896.95 | |
The Central Fund balance increased by £2,957.74, largely because of the subscription increase and the run-down of the Training and Development Fund last year. The one-off transfer from the Central Fund to the Training and Development Fund was all spent on simulators and support for the Young Ringers’ Striking Competition. There were no transfers in or out of the Reserve Fund, but the interest received increased. The reduction in the proportion of subscriptions sent to the Guild from 70% to 60%, after deduction of BRF contributions, which was agreed for last year will reduce the amount received by the Guild next year but will hopefully contribute to an increase in local training and development.
Balances held are considered to be sufficient for foreseeable needs. Total financial assets held by the Guild at the year-end were as follows:
| 2024 | 2023 | |||
| Central Fund: | ||||
| General Fund | 8,034.42 | 5,076.68 | ||
| Training and Development Fund | 49.81 | 49.81 | ||
| Central Reserve Fund | 8,435.12 | 16,519.35 | 8,310.39 | 13,436.88 |
| Districts | 26,669.82 | 24,867.45 | ||
| Sub-Committees | 1,896.01 | 1,664.42 | ||
| £45,085.18 | £39,968.75 | |||
R Milford
15th March 2025