The fund is a registered charity with the registered number 264606
The registered address is:-
Manitoba
Le Villocq Lane
Castel
GUERNSEY
GY5 7SF
The fund is governed by rules approved by the Winchester and Portsmouth Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers (the Guild) in General Meeting.
The trustees, all of whom have served throughout the year ended 31/12/02 are:-
The trustees of the fund are the Guild Master, the Honorary Guild Treasurer, the Honorary Guild Secretary and two additional trustees one from each diocese, elected triennially by the Guild in General Meeting.
The independent examiner of the fund is Mr P Clarke ACIB.
The principal bankers are Lloyds Bank plc.
The activities of the Bell Restoration Fund are restricted to the area covered by the Anglican Dioceses of Winchester and Portsmouth. None of the Fund’s assets is a permanent endowment. There are no borrowing limits imposed in the governing rules. The trustees have no specific investment powers.
The main aims of the Funds are to provide financial assistance by way of grants to Churches, within the area mentioned above, incurring expenditure on the provision, maintenance, improvement or acoustics of their bells and bell installations, or for the maintenance of the fabric of their towers and belfries, to enable their bells to be properly rung in full circle.
For the first time in a number of years our income has substantially decreased. Excluding the legacy received in 2001 and the donations from the sale of the Hampshire Bells CD, the “ongoing” income has decreased by 15%. Factors outside of our control have reduced our investment income, gone are the days of 10% interest rates, and the cycle of annual open days has been completed. We are confident that the new BRF fundraising committee will come up with some new ideas. Gift Aid can be used effectively by tax paying Guild members. A Gift Aid donation of £10 will give a further £2.82 to the BRF. A simple declaration on an envelope stating that “the amount enclosed is to be treated as a donation under Gift Aid” with your name and address is all that is needed. This should be sent direct to the Guild Treasurer (enclosed in an envelope). Alternatively if you wish to make a regular donation by standing order he has a form together with a bankers order that can be used.
During the year grants to the value of £8,400 were approved and the grant to All Saints, Alton was renewed having been outstanding for three years. We paid out grants during the year of £16,050 and have £12,600 of grants approved but not yet paid. Of these, £4,100 will be paid during 2003.
The Trustees requested at the Executive Committee meeting of the Winchester and Portsmouth Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers that the Guild continues the bell stock survey started by the Belfry Stewardship Committee. The Trustees are required by the Charities Commission to assess the reserves held by the Bell Restoration Fund to ensure that these are adequate for the objectives of the Charity. The results of this survey will greatly assist us with this assessment.
The Trustees acknowledge with thanks the donations from the following towers:-
| The Clatfords | 50.00 |
| Lymington | 25.00 |
| North Stoneham | 80.00 |
| Portsmouth Cathedral | 60.00 |
| Ringwood | 40.00 |
| Shedfield | 40.00 |
| Winchester Cathedral | 300.00 |
The Trustees would like to thank all those who have donated time, energy and money towards the aims of the Bell Restoration Fund.
For and on behalf of the Trustees Rev Canon B J Fry and M Bubb 8th March 2003
A full copy of the accounts is available from the Honorary Guild Treasurer on request.