The fund is a registered charity with the registered number 264606
The registered address is:-
22 Southcliff Road
Southampton
SO14 6GE
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 31st December 2006, are:-
The independent examiner of the fund is Mr P Clarke ACIB.
The principal bankers are LloydsTSB 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.
Our income for 2006 shows an increase over 2005 there being a significant increase in subscriptions and donations. We must thank the family of Les Tremeer for remembering the BRF and suggesting that donations be made in his memory. Altogether donations totalled £862.50 together with Gift Aid of £16.82.
The funds continue to be invested in the Central Board of Finance of the Church of England Deposit Fund which pays interest at a rate higher than can be obtained elsewhere for the sums involved. The deposit account at NatWest was closed during the year as there was no requirement for the account to remain open. A balance remains with the Winchester Diocesan Loan Fund, however in 2007 this account has been closed and the balance invested with the Central Board of Finance of the Church of England.
Gift Aid is a useful way of giving to the BRF tax efficiently 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 banker’s order that can be used.
A couple of years ago the Inland Revenue introduced a new method of giving to your favourite Charity. Within your self assessment return you are able to nominate your favourite Charity to receive any tax you have over paid. All you need to do is quote the number specific to the Charity and the Inland Revenue treat that as a Gift Aid donation and will transfer that amount to the Charity plus tax at basic rate. The number for the Bell Restoration Fund is BAA66LG.
A further way of donating is through pay roll giving. Not all firms offer this scheme so any one wishing to take advantage of this should discuss this with their payroll officer.
Another source of regular income over the years has been donations from individual towers. Quite a number of towers have contributed an amount equivalent to the fee they are paid for ringing at a wedding (or more!) each year and although not a large amount for each tower, the total can be significant when 10 or 20 towers contribute in this way. The number has stayed the same as last year, so can the trustees encourage your tower to consider this in 2007 and increase the amount even more?
During the year grants to the value of £6,700 were approved. We paid out grants during the year of £7,450 and have £17,500 of grants approved but not yet paid. Of these it is expected that £6,000 will be paid during 2007 and the balance in either 2008 or later.
A reminder to those applying for grants that the initial application needs to be with the Guild Secretary at least 2 months before the Trustees meet. Trustees meet three times a year, before each of the Executive meetings and before the Guild AGM. Grants can only be approved at either the Executive meeting or AGM.
Any approved at the Executive meetings are required to be ratified at the next Guild AGM. The forms required are to be found on the Guild’s website or can be obtained in paper form from the Guild Secretary. It is very important that all of the documentation requested in the form is made available to the Trustees. We have had instances in 2006 when not all information has been available and we have been unable to make decisions as to the allocation of a grant.
The Trustees believe that the reserves of the Charity are adequate to meet our immediate needs. We had in March 2006 a very useful meeting with the Belfry Stewardship Committee. They explained the initial results of the bell stock survey and indicated a number of instances where applications for grants nay be made. The Trustees propose to make this an annual meeting thereby enabling us to consider the level of funds that may be required.
The Trustees acknowledge with thanks the donations from the following towers:
| Alverstoke | £50 |
| Catherington | £200 |
| Christchurch Priory | £100 |
| The Clatfords | £50 |
| Hambledon | £70 |
| Portsmouth Cathedral | £60 |
| Ringwood | £50 |
| Romsey Abbey | £100 |
| Shedfield | £50 |
| Winchester Cathedral | £300 |
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: M Bubb (Trustee) and A G Craddock (Trustee), 10th March 2007.
A full copy of the accounts of the Fund is available from the Treasurer on application.