## Annual Report and Accounts for 2025 

Registered Charity No. 1156971 

www.bellringing.org 




## **ASSOCIATION OF RINGING TEACHERS** 

**Annual Report and Accounts of the Trustees for the year ending 31 December 2025** 

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 Monica Hollows Matthew Lawrence Arthur Reeves Dee Smith Sally Brown 

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 2025 or at subsequent Management Meetings. 

## NON-EXECUTIVE CHARITY TRUSTEES 

Andrew Wilby Andrew North Neil Jones 

## ADMINISTRATORS 

ART employs a part-time Office Manager, Monica Hollows and two part-time administrators: Rose Nightingale and Claire Penny. 

PATRONS: Peter Bevis, Helen McGregor, Len Roberts, Paul Flavell, Eileen Butler, 

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 2025. ART is an unincorporated association with a membership as follows at 31/12/2025: 

|**Type**|**2025**|**2024**|**2023**|**2022**|**2021**|**2020**|**2019**|**2018**|**2017**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Full|803|726|355|334|314|330|308|247|209|
|Associate|N/A|N/A|332|283|271|301|301|256|174|
|Tutor|N/A|N/A|14|14|15|13|14|16|18|
|Affiliate|8|7|8|15|15|16|16|11|7|
|‘Trial’|N/A|N/A|N/A|16|6|15|15|35||
|**Total**|**811**|**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 

- Code of Practice for ART Members 

- Code of Conduct for Ringing 

- Equality and Diversity Policy 

- Poverty and Disadvantaged Policy 

- Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy 

2 




## **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 

- • Guidelines to Physical Contact while teaching bell handling 

## **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** 

2025 was the first year we saw the benefit of the membership fee increase in 2024. In addition, many members made an additional donation which has helped address the rising salary and IT costs. The introduction of MemberMojo, an automated membership scheme, has streamlined the collection of subscriptions and reminded members to renew their membership. 

As a result of these measures income has increased overall by 25% but main operations again incurred a loss of £11448 despite the continued support of our sponsors and members. 

Merchandising sales achieved a profit of £8237 leaving the organisation as a whole with a net deficit of £3212. 

ART is dependent on donations to sustain its activities. Earned income alone would not allow ART to continue operating. This means that if there were to be a gap in donations it is likely that ART would have to close. The Trustees have therefore 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 £55,000 for 2025. 

4 




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 close to this target level and amount to £53,520 at 31st December 2025. 

The free reserves equate to the net assets of £69,719 less that committed to restricted funds totalling £15,648, (comprising the Len Roberts Award Fund of £8,100, the Recruitment Reserve of £1,562, and the Sarah Beacham Memorial Fund of £5,986), and the Designated Funds of £551 (comprising Son of SmART ringer Development of £251 and ART Masterclass Sponsorship of £300).  The Lottery Heritage Fund Project is no longer considered viable and the reserve set aside of £10,000 has been transferred back to retained earnings. 

5 



•• • Association of
Ringing
• • •• • Teachers
Balance Sheet
As at 31st December 2025
202
2024
Fixed Assets
Non-current
M&G Investment Account
7.648.29
6.518.72
rr
Cash at bank and in hand
Lloyds 32 Day Deposit
Lloyds Instant Deposit
HSBC Treasurer account
Lloyds Tr8asurer account
Lloyds Merchandising
HSBC 50 50 Club
Totsl Bank Balances
Paypal Account
Total Cash at Bank and In Hand
Debtors
Stock
Merchandislng Slo¢k
Course Pack Stock
Total Stock Held
Prepayments INole 3}
Total Assets
38.015.70
11.000.00
5.995.67
2,225.69
1,D90.57
288.C
58,615.63
1.926.20
47.071.71
12.510.48
5.977.35
3.653.96
1,106.34
300.00
70,619.84
1,268.75
60.541.83
71.888.59
5.401.88
2.553.10
4,032.55
2.896.64
7,954.98
1,309.44
77.451.64
6.929.19
85.333.60
Curront Llabllltles
Accrued Expenses and Deferred income (Note 41
Creditors
Awards Payable (Note 51
50 50 Club Receipt8
5.414.84
4,368.71
2,023.61
288.C4J
2,773.61
300.00
2,311,61
7.726 45
69.725.19
3,073.61
7.442,32
77,891.28
Total Llabllltles
Net Assets
Represented By: (Not6 6)
Restricted ReseNes
Len Roberts Award Fund
Recruitment Reserve
Sarah Beacham Memorial Fund
8,100.CII
1.562.04
5,985.68
8,400.00
1.440.97
5.037.74
15,647.72
14.878.71
Designated Funds
Heritage Lottery Fund Project
Son ol SMART Ringer Devèlopment
ART Maslerdass Sponsorship
10,OCKI.00
5.974.92
300.00
251.49
300.C4)
551.49
16.274.92
Retained Eamings
Balance brought Ior*vard
Transfer lo Res8N6s
SurpluslDeficit for the year
46.737.65
10,000.00
-3,211.67
45.287.67
4,743.94
-3,293.96
53,525.98
69.725 19
46,737.65
77.891.28

•• • Association of
Ringing
• • •• • Teachers
Income and Expenditure Account
For the Year Ended 31st December 2025
2025
Income
Subscriptions
Unrestricted Donations
Gift Aid recovery
Conference receipts. net
Course Fee$
LIR Events
R8cruitm8nl Reserve (See Nola 4)
50150 Club Isee Note 11
Bank Interest
11.950.00
15,360.50
2.628.95
2,468.14
16.006.01
5,533.00
13.756.36
1.879.92
763.15
15.372.00
500.00
873.84
762.50
1.347.59
40.788.36
878.93
769.50
1,070.05
51,132.08
Direct Costs
Cost of Course Packs
Tutor Travel Expenses
Assessor Travel
LIR Events
Hub Packs
Recruilmonl Reserve
Regional Development
ART funded Awards (See Note 21
Total O
erational Ex
enditure
5,445.10
658.14
231.99
5,545.73
1.419.85
177.20
595.70
238.00
873.84
1,000.00
132.30
878.93
1,000.00
100.00
8.314.16
42,817.92
9.982.62
30.805.74
Administrative Expenses
Salanes
IT Expendilure
Meeting Expenses
Insurance
Paypal Fees and Bank Charges
Promolional Expenses
General Expenses
Volunteer exp8nses
Total Administrative Ex
41,787.60
8,678.64
290.89
719.88
967.50
265.44
345.98
1,210.24
34,861.94
5.817.89
624.38
669.79
694.26
470.98
51.56
199.00
enditure
54,266.17
43.389.80
-11,448.25
-12,584.06
ART
8,236.58
9.290.10
-3,211.67
-3.293.96

•• • Association of
Ringing
• • •• • Teachers
ART Shop Income and Expenditure Account
For the Year Ended 31st Decem ber 2025
2025
2024
ART Shop Sales
gj Ringing Things
gj Ringing Things 4 Tea￿$
Disccwer Bell Ringing
LtR Ringers ￿ld8
Teaching wth Simulators
LtR Toachers (&ido
LtR Achiev¥n￿t Log Book
LtR Prwoss Log Bcok
LtR Call Chanps Log Book
LtR Hand B611 Log Bock
LtR B611 Handing DVD
Raising & Lowering DVD
LtR Badg8s
Carry on Counting WS
Doubl8s or Qjit WS
Com Cn To It WS DVD
R￿ndS to Rcpesi
ht WS DVD
Shop Discounts
Total ART Sho
554.43
2C6 54
48&91
&991.30
111.63
42& 75
13315
1785.45
190.60
161.50
384. $0
439. $0
29& $0
co
91.CQ
150.CQ
120. C¥)
-2CQ. 52
14,429.24
554.85
218.20
545.46
6,897.03
108.45
692.50
149.82
3,874.15
242.84
85.25
457.00
634.00
309.70
216.00
105.00
120.00
180.00
469.89
14,920.36
Sales
Cost of Sales
J Ringing Things
5J Ringing Things 4 Teabr6
Disccver Bell Ringin
LtR Ringers (&ide
Teaching Wth Simulators
LtR Teachers (&ide
LtR AChIev￿￿t Lr•J Book
LtR Prwess Log Bc•)k
LtR Call Chanp$ Log Book
LtR Hand Bell Log Bock
LtR Bell Handing DVD
Raising & Lowering DVD
LtR Badg8S
Carry on Counting WS
Doubles or (￿lt WS
Corrn Cn To It WS DVD
Rojnds to Rcpesght WS DVD
Stock Shrinkage
Total Cost of Sho
Sales
Gross Profft on Sho
Sales
115.07
100.89
54.50
131.76
2,166.48
66.10
172.27
2,091.96
36.75
258.78
39.73
783.64
59.50
57.75
40.00
55.00
71.78
89.10
49.50
66.00
103.50
-355.90
743.04
37.50
33.75
38.75
76.97
42.90
3, 980.67
10,44&57
3,751.08
11,169.28
other Shop Expendituie
Storage Costs
Shop Pc6tsge and Pac￿ng
559.
1,652.43
559.56
1,319.62
2211.99
82%58
1,879.18
9,290.10
Net ART Sho
Income

•• • Association of
Ringing
• • •• • Teachers
Notes to the Accounts
For tho Year Ended 31st Docember 2025
Not• 1
50150 Club
8alarbL¥Tr al 8llnk 11112025
Club RtteiFts Ywr
Priz
1.527.
.789.50
-769.50
Nel lrtomv lo ART
8alaKe 81 ￿nk 3111212025
8*nkdwpBB 01£35 tffj thB dub *ctyJuni htt¥* bben •xdud•d and iddqd to Ihe cyeritiC￿￿1 bllnk th•tw.
Not• 2
ART Award•
Arl aw¥d• for 2025
2.700.00
L•s5 sP￿￿h1P rryc•ivod
Sarah Be&ham M8mNlal Fund
AbB1￿M
aoo.00
Jhn Taylor Co
400.00
400.00
300.00
250 00
250.00
Lan Rotr*irt*
ASCY
2.8rxJ.rxi
100 00
ART Aw4rdi. LTR
Not• 3
Pr•paym•nt¥
HMRC rqpayrm￿ du•
IT Ilc•nvJ fov aulck eookl p•ld in •th4rvJ
018.24
691 20
Not• 4
O•lwr•d Incom• and Accrn•d Exp•nM•
C(xJrseB Bller ddlo
Vouch•rn
Acuwd Expon￿1
E4in
135.00
1.086.34
Not• S
Awards Payabl•
Youlh Isarah B￿ch￿rn Furwjl
8*nd ￿ Cl￿t￿l of th? Yo#r
R•Juiim8ni R•t•*c
40D.00
128.61
450.OD
375.OD
72.OD
.023 6
LIR ￿h￿VOm￿l
Not• 6
R•••r¥•• poll¢y
B•l•M•
TiiMl•v Ir￿?
R•i•hn•d
A￿tr￿l•d R•vrv••
L•n RO￿rtI AwBid Fthy
8.4CQ.C
1.440.97
5.037.74
.100.00
1.562.04
5.985.88
15.647.72
A￿Ul1m8n1 Re4•Tre
Sarnh Be￿haffi mem￿81 Fund
1.000.00
1.547.94
2.547.9
-878.93
.600.00
-1.718.93
00•Ign8t•d FuDd•
Huilago Loltory Fund Prt4Bd
Son of SrnART RinyBr C*Ydoprnr
ART Mule￿455 Sponsor¥4J
10.OC•J.C•J
5.974.92
3(M).(M)
16.274.92
.10.10).ty)
-5.723.43
251.49
.10.OCQ.C
0.00
-5.723.43
551.49
46.737.65
lo.￿.[#1
.217.67
53.519.98
Total Re•or¥o¥

•• • Association of
Ringing
• • •• • Teachers
Independent examiner's rnport to thè trustea8 of The Asso¢latlon of Ringing
TeacherJ (ART)
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Association of Ringing
Teachers ff he Trust) for the year ended 31st December 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charily's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in
accordance with the requirements ofthe Charities Act 2011 ('th8 Act,).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's a¢¢ounls carried out under section
145 of the 2011 Act, and in carrying oul my examination I have followed all the applicable
Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145{51{bl of the Act.
Independenl examiner's slatement
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
12) the accounts do not accord with those records,. or
{3) the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the fonn and
Content of a¢¢ounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008
other Ihan any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair, view which is not
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.
Sarah Thomas
February 2026
10


## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE – REVIEW OF 2025** 

- 49 courses were held during 2025 (57 in 2024): 

   - Module 1 38 Courses (39 in 2024). 

   - Module 2 11 Courses (18 in 2024) 

- There was a broad spread of Module 1 courses across the year and they were very well attended. 

- 468 delegates attended day courses in 2025 (565 in 2024). 368 on M1 and 100 on M2. 

- 129 teachers or mentors were accredited in 2025, higher than in 2024 (110) and still significantly lower than in 2019 (158). The spread by course was broadly comparable, though a larger proportion of M2F accreditations 26% 

- 932 new ringers were registered in the Learning the Ropes scheme in 2025, similar to 2024 and 2022, though lower than 2023, owing to the Ring for the King campaign. 

- Just under 1000 LtR certificates were issued in 2025, almost identical to 2024 

- The total number of course delegates who have attended ART courses since the start is 6212 (5744 2024). 

- For LtR levels 4 and 5, there continues to be a preference for the doubles pathway, with a much smaller proportion taking the minor pathway, though more in 2025 for L5 than L4. 

- The total number of ringers registered on SmART Ringer since the start is 11029, (10097 as at 2024). 

- The Annual General Meeting took place by zoom on 8 March 2025. 

- Investment of ART reserves has been allocated to: 

   - Funding investment in university recruitment and training projects. Nine universities and colleges benefited from this investment in 2025 

   - Providing admin support for delivering training at ART Hubs and 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 £14,429 slightly down on 2024 

- 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 The University of York in March. Support of training opportunities for members was provided by the local Association. 

11 




## **DECLARATION OF THE TRUSTEES** 

This Annual Report was approved by the Trustees. 


Date:  10 February 2026 

12