## Annual Report and Accounts for 2024 Registered Charity No. 1156971 www.bellringing.org ## **ASSOCIATION OF RINGING TEACHERS** **Annual Report and Accounts of the Trustees for the year ending 31[st] December 2024** CHARITY NAME CHARITY NAME The Association of Ringing Teachers (known as “ART”) was founded in March 2012 CHARITY REG’D NUMBER ART was granted Charity status by the Charity Commission in May 2014. Its Registered Charity Number is: 1156971 CONTACT ADDRESS 12, The Courtyard, Bridge End, Warwick, CV34 6PD MEMBERS OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE Andrew Slade (T) Chairman Annie Hall (T) Secretary Sue Dixon (T) Treasurer Roger Booth Lesley Boyle Monica Hollows Matthew Lawrence Clare McArdle Arthur Reeves David Sparling Dee Smith The above named are members of the Association’s Management Committee and those marked (T) are Trustees. All members were elected to the Management Committee at the Association’s AGM in March 2024 or at subsequent Management Meetings. NON-EXECUTIVE CHARITY TRUSTEES Andrew Wilby Christopher Enzor Lesley Belcher ## ADMINISTRATORS ART employs a part-time Office Manager, Monica Hollows and two part-time administrators: Rose Nightingale and Denise Tremain. PATRONS: Peter Bevis, Helen McGregor, Len Roberts, Paul Flavell, Eileen Butler, Stephanie Pattenden WEBSITE: www.bellringing.org 1 ## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** The Association’s governing document is its Constitution which was adopted at the foundation meeting in March 2012 and most recently amended at the Annual General Meeting in March 2024. ART is an unincorporated association with a membership as follows at 31/12/2024: |**Type**|**2024**|**2023**|**2022**|**2021**|**2020**|**2019**|**2018**|**2017**| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |Full|726|355|334|314|330|308|247|209| |Associate|N/A|332|283|271|301|301|256|174| |Tutor|N/A|14|14|15|13|14|16|18| |Affiliate|7|8|15|15|16|16|11|7| |‘Trial’|N/A|N/A|16|6|15|15|35|| |**Total**|**733**|**709**|**662**|**621**|**661**|**654**|**565**|**408**| ## **Membership** Membership of The Association is offered to all those who are accredited to teach bell ringing under the ART Training Scheme. The constitution was updated in 2024, to allow all those who have completed a single Module of the Training Scheme to be eligible to become Full Members. A small number of persons with particular skills or expertise are offered Affiliate Membership by the Management Committee. ## **Management** Policy and executive decisions are made by the Management Committee. The Committee and the Trustees are elected from the membership at the Association’s Annual General Meeting. A business plan is produced annually and regularly reviewed at meetings of the Committee. ART’s principal policies are published in detail on the Association’s website. These cover the following issues: ## **ART Structure and Governance** - ART Constitution - ART Purpose Statement - ART Training Scheme Regulations - Reserves Policy - Code of Practice for ART Members - Code of Conduct for Ringing - Equality and Diversity Policy 2 - Poverty and Disadvantaged Policy - Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy ## **Data Protection and Privacy** - Data Protection Policy - Data Protection Impact Assessment - Privacy Policy - • Guidance on Data Protection for ART Teachers - Handling and Safekeeping of DBS Certificate Information Policy ## **Safeguarding** These policies and codes of practice assist the Association and its members and volunteers to comply with all necessary legal practices and codes of conduct around the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults. - Safeguarding Policy - Guidance Note on Safeguarding Documentation (DBS) - Photography and Video Policy - Code of Practice for Training Children and Vulnerable Adults - • Code of Practice for Organising Training and Events - Code of Practice for Prevention and Resolution of Bullying ## **Health and Safety** - Health and Safety Policy - Code of Practice for Safety ## **Relationship with other ringing bodies and the ringing community** ART has strong working relationships with other ringing bodies, notably the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers (Reg’d Charity No. 270036) and the Ringing World (Reg’d Charity No. 287182). Regular meetings take place with these and other ringing organisations. There is extensive promotion and organisation of Training Scheme Day Courses. ## **Risk Analysis** The Association maintains a comprehensive risk analysis of its activities and continues to put measures in place to mitigate the risks faced wherever possible. 3 ## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES** The objects of the charity are listed in the constitution: Association of Ringing Teachers : ART Constitution Our key mission is to maintain the quintessentially English art of ringing changes on church bells and hand bells by training teachers and ringers for the future. ## **Staff and Volunteers** The Association employs a part-time Office Manager and two part-time administrators. All the trustees are volunteers and none receive any remuneration, other than expenses, for their work. Other volunteers assist the Association in its work through the provision of advice on matters such as safeguarding, recruitment, information technology, communications, tutor development, educational development, fundraising, running its merchandising arm and helping the Administrators. ## **FINANCIAL REVIEW** In 2024 the subscription rate was increased to £15 to address a forecast deficit of £7007, mainly from rising salary and IT costs. Although a significant number of members paid the increase immediately, the full effect will not be seen until 2025. Course fees were also increased to £30 during the year. As a result of these measures income has increased overall by 15% but main operations again incurred a loss of £12584 despite the continued support of our sponsors and members. Merchandising sales achieved a profit of £9290 leaving the organization as a whole with a net deficit of £3294. The Trustees have established a reserves policy whereby the unrestricted funds not committed or invested in tangible fixed assets (the free reserves) held by the Association should be at least equivalent to one year’s expenditure, approximately £45,000 for 2024. At this level the Management committee are confident that activities could be maintained in the event of a significant drop in funding and allow sufficient time to secure alternative funding or failing that, to wind up the Charity. In spite of a deficit in the year and significant increases in salary costs the free reserves remain just above this target level and amount to £46,738 at 31st December 2024. 4 The free reserves equate to the net assets of £77,891 less that committed to restricted funds totalling £14,879, (comprising the Len Roberts Award Fund of £8,400, the Recruitment Reserve of £1,441, and the Sarah Beacham Memorial Fund of £5,038), and the Designated Funds of £16,275 (comprising the Heritage Lottery Fund Project of £10,000, Son of SmART ringer Development of £5,975 and ART Masterclass Sponsorship of £300). 5 •• • Association of Ringing • • •• • Teachers Balance Sheet As at 31 st December 2024 2023 Flxed Assets Non-current M&G Investment Account 6,518.72 6,350.17 Current Assets Cash at bank and in hand Lloyds 32 Day Deposit Lloyds Instant Deposit HSBC Treasurer account Lloyds Treasurer account Lloyds Merchandlsing HSBC 50 50 Club Total Bank Balances Paypal Account Total Cash al Bank and In Hand Debtors Stock 47.071.71 12.510.48 5,977.35 3,653.96 1,106.34 300.00 70,619.84 1,268.75 45,894.27 11,002.92 5,432.97 4,437.43 4,540.27 297.00 71,604.86 931.96 71,888.59 72,536.82 -2.90 296.10 Merchandising Stock Course Pack SloGk Total Stock Held Prepayments and Accrued Income Total Assets 4.032.55 2,896.64 6,283.63 6,929.19 6,283.63 140.00 85,333.60 85,606.72 Current Liabilities Accrued Expenses and Deferred income (Note 31 Creditors Awards Payable HMRC Paye refund due 50 50 Club Receipts 4,368.71 3,086.73 2,773.61 3,016.31 -31.82 297.00 300.00 3,073.61 7,442.32 77,891.28 3,281.49 6,368.22 79.238.50 Total Liabilities Net Assets Represented By: (Note 51 Restricted Reserves Len Roberts Award Fund 8,400.00 1,440.97 5.037.74 8,700.00 2,314.81 5,270.73 Recruilmenl Reserve Sarah Beacham Memorial Fund 14,878.71 16.285.54 Designated Funds Heritage Lottery Fund Project Son of SMART Ringer Development ART Masterclass Sponsorship 10,LK)O.00 5,974.92 300.00 10,000.00 7,665.29 16,274.92 17,665.29 Retained Earnings Balance brought forward Prior Year Adjuslmenl (Note 61 SurpluslDeficit for the year 45,287.67 4,743.94 -3,293.96 50,339.96 -5,052.29 46,737.65 77,891.28 45.287.67 79,238.50 •• • Association of Ringing • • •• • Teachers Income and Expenditure Account For the Year Ended 31st December 2024 2024 2023 Income Subscriptions Unreslricled Donations Gift Aid recovery Conference receipts Course and Workshop fees LIR Events Recruitment Reserve Isee Note 41 50150 Club (See Note 11 Bank Interest CCC8R- Ring For The King Total Income from O erations 5,533.00 13,756.36 1,879.92 2,320.00 15,372.00 500.00 873.84 762.50 1,347.59 3,670.00 10,766.74 1,662.21 2,585.75 14.532.50 120.34 759.00 1.054.12 900.00 36.050.66 42.345.21 Dlrect Costs Conference expenses Cost of Course Packs Tutor Travel Expenses Assessor Travel LIR Events Hub Packs Recruitment Reserve Regional Development ART funded Awards (See Note 21 Total O erational Ex enditur er 1,556.85 5,545.73 1,419.85 177.20 595.70 238.00 873.84 1,000.00 132.30 1.924.88 5,594.44 1,526.27 203.50 615.30 120.34 1,000.00 126.60 11,539.47 30,805.74 11,111.33 24.939.33 Administrative Expenses Salaries IT Expenditure Meeting Expenses Insurance Paypal Fees and Bank Charges Promotional Expenses General Expenses Volunteer expenses Totsl Administrative Ex 34,861.94 5,817.89 624.38 669.79 694.26 470.98 51.56 199.00 32,179.69 5,064.84 734.53 505.01 798.55 1,176.13 40.43 242.95 enditure 43,389.80 40,742.13 Neto erational Deficit -12,584.06 -15,802.80 Net ART Sho Income see endix 9,290.10 10,750.51 Net Deficit of Income over Ex enditure -3,293.96 -5.052.29 •• • Association of Ringing • • •• • Teachers ART Shop Income and Expenditure Account For the Year Ended 31 st December 2024 ART Shop Sal8S 50 Ringing Things 50 Ringing Things 4 Teams Discover Bell Ringing LIR Ringers Guide Teaching ￿th Simulators LIR Teachers Guide LtR Achievgment Log Book LIR Progress Log Book LtR Call Changès Log Book LIR Hand Bell Log Book LIR Bell Handling DVD Raising & Lowering DVD LIR Badges Inside Story Recruitment DVD Carry on Counling WS Doubles or Quil WS Plain Bob Minor WS Come On Listen Toll WS DVD Rounds lo Ropesight WS DVO Miscellaneous Shop Income Shop Dlscounls 554.85 218.20 545.48 6,897.03 108.45 692.50 149.82 3,874.1 S 242.e4 85.25 457.00 634.00 309.70 853.05 217.59 1,087.38 9,014.05 118.35 869.83 103.96 5,239.85 331.22 110.01 1,204.25 1,216.25 241.70 9.00 147.00 132.00 12.00 3ty).00 330.00 200.70 -588.90 20,949.29 216.00 105.00 120.00 180.00 469.89 14,920.36 Cost of Sales 50 Ringing Things 50 Rin9lng Thlngs 4 Team8 Discover Bell Ringing LIR Ringers Guide Teaching wth Simulators LIR Teachers Guide LIR Achievernenl Log Book LIR Progress Log 8ook LIR Call Changes Log Book LIR Hand Bell Log Book LIR Bell Handling DVD Raising & Lowering DVD LIR Badges Inside Story Re¢ruitm8nl DVD Carry on Counting WS Doublfjs or Quit WS Plain Bob Minor WS Come On Liston To It WS DVD Round5 to Ropesighl WS DVD L5 Achievement Stock Shrinkage Total Cost of Sho Sales Gross Profit on Sho Sales 100.89 54.50 148.62 2,091.96 36.75 258.78 39.73 783.64 59.50 57.75 40.00 55.00 71.76 195.28 56.68 376.31 3,913.59 56.34 283.75 18.64 1,161.61 86.00 46.20 111.25 93.75 70.40 89.10 49.50 0.00 66.00 103.50 83.55 66.60 12.00 165.00 181.50 .355.90 .109.59 3,751.08 11,169.28 6,868.86 14,080.43 Other Shop Expenditure Storage Costs Shop Postsge and Packing 559.56 1,319.62 559.56 2.770 36 1,879.18 9,290.10 3,329.92 10,750.51 •• • Association of Ringing • • •• • Teachers Note$ to the Ac¢ounts For the Year Ended 31st December 2024 Not• 1 S01$0 Club 111r2023 Cth Rx•WJ f)ialliTrg £14.879. Icompn$iry Ihè Lgn R¢w$ FLrfo1£8.400. tho R￿1￿￿8￿ R8B8tvÉ of£l.441. tho ottS.0381. F￿￿￿￿tlE.215 Icornpnjw the Lolt•ry F￿d £1Q.WO. Scffj ￿8￿￿T Wgr of£S.975 aThJ theART￿801¢1[I￿lO a1£3f Not• 6 Prh)r Y•ar Adlu•th)•nt A couN maue d C￿re+ PKkMo18nolJ atthè1thrtofts￿r toJknv st¢(¥ *befflr*nrtcrf4d*x thD pJw Ofcolwccw￿ 2024 of£4T43.94. ## ~~oe~~ ## **Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of The Association of Ringing Teachers (ART)** I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Association of Ringing Teachers (The Trust) for the year ended 31st December 2024. ## Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity’s trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act, and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. ## Independent examiner’s statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: (1) accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or (2) the accounts do not accord with those records; or (3) the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Martin Penny FCMA FCMI CPFA 04 February 2025 10 ## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE – REVIEW OF 2024** - 57 courses were held during 2024 (60 in 2023): - Module 1 39 Courses (47 in 2023). - Module 2 18 Courses (13 in 2023) - Although, there was a broad spread of Module 1 courses across the year, three had to be cancelled due to low numbers of registrants. - 565 delegates attended day courses in 2024 (515 in 2023). 401 on M1 and 164 on M2. - 110 teachers or mentors were accredited in 2024, lower than in 2023 (138) and still significantly lower than in 2019 (158). - 936 new ringers were registered in the Learning the Ropes scheme in 2024, similar to 2019 and 2022, though lower than 2023, owing to the Ring for the King campaign. - Just over 1000 LtR certificates were issued in 2024, slightly down on 2023 (1210). - The total number of course delegates who have attended ART courses since the start is 5744 (5,179 as at 2023). - The total number of ringers registered on SmART Ringer since the start is 10097, (9161 as at 2023). - It should be noted, that while the numbers of ringers active in the UK has still not returned to pre pandemic levels, the number of courses run by ART has and continues to grow to support bell ringing as a whole. - The Annual General Meeting took place by zoom on 25 March 2024. - Investment of ART reserves has been allocated to: - Funding investment in university recruitment and training projects. Nine university and colleges benefited from this investment in 2024 - Providing admin support for delivering training at ART teaching centres. - Upgrading of the ART IT systems including SmART Ringer website. - Chairman’s Chatter continues to be published for the benefit of ringing teachers. - Tower Talk continues to be published for the benefit of all ringers and teachers using the Learning the Ropes scheme. - Sales of ART products totaled £14,920, down on 2023 which was higher owing to Ring for the King. - Publication of books and leaflets promoting bell ringing to the public is a major part of ARTs on-going commitment. - The continued financial contributions of our Supporters have provided a firm financial base. - The annual ART Conference was held at Harbury in March. Support of training opportunities for members was provided by the principal bellringing societies in the Country. 11 ## **DECLARATION OF THE TRUSTEES** This Annual Report was approved by the Trustees. Date: 14 February 2025 12