Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1 July 2020 To
30 June 2022
Charity name: Lichfield and Walsall Archdeaconries Society of Change Ringers
Charity registration number: 1095998
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference |
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|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 |
The objectives of the society are: a) The institution and maintenance of Sunday Service ringing throughout the archdeaconries b) Fostering the closest co-operation with the church and the community c) The recognition of the position of ringers as Church Workers d) The provision of financial assistance by way of grants to affiliated Church Authorities incurring expenditure on the provision maintenance or improvement of their bells and bell installations |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
We support church bell ringing in the two archdeaconries that form our “territory” in the southern half of the historic county of Staffordshire. The ringing of bells is one of the traditional elements of the soundscape in the United Kingdom, whether for church services, or for other significant public occasions and events. As a society our activity includes training of ringers, training encouragement support to individual tower groups, advice on maintenance & repair of bells / bell frames and provision of grant support to bell related projects. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 |
The trustees confirm that they have managed the society and its activities, including preparation of this report in line with the guidance issued by the Charity Commission regarding public benefit. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference |
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|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 |
The society operates two funds from which grants may be offered. a) Bell Restoration Fund, for the specific purposes of maintenance or improvements of bell installations, which may include sound control, but excluding ropes and repairs to church fabric b) General Fund, from which grants may be offered to support other ringing related costs |
| such as training, installation of training devices Grants are normally awarded on the basis of up to 15% of the cost of physical installations. Training support grants are assessed on individual merit. Grants are payable upon sight of an invoice for the work and on evidence of having obtained comparative and competitive quotes. |
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|---|---|---|
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 |
The society provides support an training to volunteers for the delivery of ringing and basic maintenance at towers within the territory. The society makes no distinction and welcomes ringers from all backgrounds in encouraging them to contribute to ringing activities for the public benefit. |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 |
The work of the society is entirely by volunteers. The activity of church bell ringing is entirely voluntary. We support the safe contribution by volunteers to significant maintenance & repair activities. |
| Other | - |
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference |
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|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | During the year, the principal achievement of the society was to maintain a network of ringers despite the lockdowns imposed by Covid-19 restrictions, through a programme of on-line events, so that as restrictions were lifted, there remained sufficient and capable ringers to resume ringing activities. Despite the restrictions, maintenance and repair activities took place at several towers, to which the following grants were awarded: Coseley: £785 towards sound control Penn: £2000 refurbishment of bell fittings Willenhall: £2800 refurbishment of bell fittings Walsall: £150 provision of sensors & software for a training facility The society also advises and has offered support to ongoing projects at Coseley, Wednesbury & Stafford. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Achievements against objectives set |
Despite the restrictions imposed by Covid, the society believes that it has achieved its objectives as stated at the beginning of this report. |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | Despite the restrictions imposed by Covid, the society believes that it has achieved its objectives as stated at the beginning of this report. |
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | The society’s normal income / expenditure is around £5000 / yr. This year we were the beneficiaries of a substantial bequest of £76,600. The society has determined that should be used to further support bell restoration and training activities and a significant proportion is to be invested to provide a future income. |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | n/a |
| Other | - |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | Routine income during the year was £4278, down on previous years due to Covid. Expenditure, including grants made was £6958. The society was the beneficiary of a bequest of £76612 from a deceased former member. This substantially changes our financial status and the trustees are evaluating how to best use and invest this to forward the aims of the society. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | Historic Policy for reserves has been to hold £10- 15,000 in a deposit account, for the purpose of awarding grants. That to be balanced over years to address the fluctuating demand on grants and relatively low speed of bell restoration activities. Following receipt of the bequest, we are considering the amount to be held in reserve for enhanced grant awards. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £15,068 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | n/a |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | n/a |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | No concerns |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
where relevant about: | |
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | Normal source of funds are subscriptions, plus raffles and individual donations. This was enhanced this year by a significant bequest. |
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | The trustees will be seeking financial advice about investing a substantial part of the bequest. Likely to be with CCLA, but also spread across one or more fund managers. The intention is to invest for long term (min 5-10 years) in designated ethical funds. |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | Reduced membership and thus income arising from lack of returning ringers after end of covid pandemic. |
| Other | - |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Constitutions |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Unincorporated association |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Trustees are the members of the governing committee, which includes: Secretary, Treasurer, Ringing Master Bell Advisor 4 other members. Vacant roles for the committee (and trustees) (including and new nominations for existing roles) are elected by members at the AGM in September. |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
where relevant about: |
|---|---|---|
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | - |
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | - |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | The society is affiliated to the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers The society maintains close relationships with the Diocese of Lichfield |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Lichfield and Walsall Archdeaconries Society of Change Ringers |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | LAWASCR |
| Registered charity number | 1095998 |
| Charity’s principal address | 37 Bargate Brewood Stafford ST19 9BB |
|---|---|
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity 2020-2021
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole **year ** |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steven Askew | Secretary | - | ||
| David Towell | Treasurer | - | ||
| Jean Nixon | RingingMaster | - | ||
| Stuart Hutchieson | RingingMaster | - | ||
| John Mulvey | Bell Advisor | - | ||
| Helen Jarvis | Committee Member | - | ||
| David Webb | Committee Member | - | ||
| Tayeed Macpherson |
Committee Member | |||
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name n/a
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | Dates acted if not for whole year | |
|---|---|---|
| n/a | ||
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets n/a held in this capacity
Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
| Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) |
|---|---|---|
| Type of adviser Name Address |
||
| n/a | ||
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
n/a
Other optional information
n/a
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
| Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date |
David L Towell | |
|---|---|---|
| David L Towell | ||
Treasurer |
||
| 7 April 2022 | ||
| 7 April 2022 |