Annual Report of The Troyte Ringing Centre 2020 [This page is intentionally blank] 2 Troyte Ringing Centre Annual Report 2020 ## **TROYTE RINGING CENTRE** ## **Annual Report of the Trustees for the year ending 31[st] December 2020** ## **CHARITY DETAILS** CHARITY NAME The Troyte Ringing Centre (often known as the “TRC”) was set up in 2004. CHARITY REG’D NUMBER The Centre was granted charity status by the Charity Commission in July 2018. Its Registered Charity Number is 1179374. CONTACT ADDRESS Five Oaks, Bampton, TIVERTON, Devon, EX16 9LE. CHARITY TRUSTEES **Name Office Held** Richard Barker Leslie Boyce Mandy Burnett Michael Hatchett Chairman Patricia Hatchett Jennifer Jones Secretary Sheila Scofield ADVISORS Robert Brown Principal Conductor Jeffrey Knipe Conductor Michael Spencer Conductor Paul Hammond Examiner of Accounts WEBSITE http://www.troyteringingcentre.org.uk/index.htm 3 Troyte Ringing Centre Annual Report 2020 ## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT** The Troyte Ringing Centre is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) and its governing document is the TRC Constitution adopted on 27[th] July 2018. The members of the TRC are for the time being its seven trustees. Additional trustees or trustees to fill vacant posts are appointed by the remaining trustees with due regard to the knowledge, skills and experience of the candidates. In particular, appointees must demonstrate their competence in ringing full circle tower bells and in the training and development of appropriate ringing skills. ## **Management** The TRC operates primarily from St Michael and All Angels Church, Bampton and from All Saints Church, Huntsham in Devon. The Centre has management agreements with the Parochial Church Councils of both churches which provide for access and maintenance arrangements and the respective responsibilities of the TRC and the PCCs. The trustees and other voluntary helpers appointed by the trustees are responsible for the day-to-day management and administration of the Centre. All the trustees and helpers work for the Centre on a voluntary basis without remuneration other than the reimbursement of reasonable expenses. The Centre has developed a range of management policies covering issues such as health and safety, safeguarding, COVID-security and investment. ## **Links to other bodies** In addition to the agreements in place with the respective PCCs of Bampton and Huntsham, the Centre cultivates links with the North East Branch of the Guild of Devonshire Ringers and is designated an ART Teaching Hub by the Association of Ringing Teachers. The TRC also has a close relationship with Bampton Church of England Primary School and runs an after-school bellringing club for its pupils. ## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES** The TRC sets out its objective in its Constitution, namely: _For the public benefit, to recruit and train bell ringers, using individual and group-based programmes of continuing education and development, in Mid Devon, West Somerset, Taunton Deane and surrounding areas for the purpose of advancing the art of bell ringing on bells hung in towers for full circle ringing which are audible to the general public._ _**Note:** This object requires the TRC to operate within three principal fields of activity: with the general public for the purpose of increasing public knowledge and understanding of tower bell ringing, within groups of practising bell ringers for the purpose of developing group ringing performances and with individual bell ringers to enable them to integrate more effectively into existing groups of ringers._ 4 Troyte Ringing Centre Annual Report 2020 In attempting to meet this objective the TRC carries out a range of activities, primarily: 1) Developing competence in the full circle ringing of tower bells through training, mentoring, focused practices and recorded performances for those living principally, but not exclusively, within the local authority areas of Mid Devon, West Somerset and Taunton Deane Districts. (2) Providing suitably competent bands of ringers to meet the reasonable bellringing needs and interests of the communities of Bampton and Huntsham and those living within the wider geographical areas of interest to the Centre. (3) Providing appropriate recruitment information and events for those living principally within the geographical areas of interest to the Centre. (4) Using any surplus income not used for meeting objectives 1,2 or 3 for the long-term maintenance and enhancement of the equipment used by the Centre which is owned by others and to support local communities. ## **Public Benefit** The Trustees are mindful of the guidance given by the Charity Commission in respect of demonstrating public benefit arising from the work of the TRC. In carrying out the activities outlined above the following public benefits are derived: - Towers within the geographical area of interest are supported to provide information, open events and recruitment activities to explain and foster an understanding of tower bell ringing in the general population. Raising awareness of the heritage and history of bells and tower bell ringing from the mid-16[th] century is a key component of our public information activities. - Through helping teachers in local towers or by directly providing tuition, the TRC enables new recruits to bellringing to be taught to control bells safely and effectively, thus sustaining ringing activities in towers that might otherwise fall silent and maintaining the centuries old tradition of ringing bells in England. - Through providing continuing training in bell ringing, less experienced ringers are supported to maintain and develop their ringing and thus to improve their standard of public performance. - Through offering readily available practice facilities using well-maintained bell installations, sound control systems and silent practice computer-based training, the TRC is further supporting ringers of all levels of ability. It thereby encourages the retention of ringers and supports ringers to achieve higher standards of public performance, while avoiding excessive disturbance to neighbours from long and frequent periods of open ringing. - Through raising funds through its activities, the TRC supports its host churches to meet running costs, the costs of day to day bell maintenance and the investment needs for the longer-term overhaul of the bell installations. Surplus income is offered to other towers in the area to assist with the costs of the maintenance and overhaul of their bell installations. - Bell ringing is an activity open to people of all ages from 8 to 80 and of all backgrounds. It offers good physical exercise and the opportunity for mental stimulation and social interaction. 5 Troyte Ringing Centre Annual Report 2020 ## **CENTRE ACTIVITIES IN 2020** ## **Recruitment, Publicity & Fundraising** With the announcement of a national lockdown on 23 March because of the COVID-19 pandemic all normal TRC activities had to cease until restrictions are eased to allow people from different households to mix once again. The teaching of bell handling, involving as it does the close proximity of teacher and pupil, had to be suspended for the remainder of 2020. We retain a set of display boards illustrating the history and practice of bells and ringing, but were not able to deploy it as all recruitment events were on hold. A spring coffee morning at Bampton, usually an important source of income, was planned for March, but had to be cancelled at short notice. ## **Service ringing and requested ringing** In normal circumstances the Centre’s band of local ringers performs regularly prior to most Sunday services at Bampton and Huntsham. At the start of the year these Sunday Service ringing sessions occurred on six occasions each month. The TRC band would also ring for mid-week church services, weddings and to celebrate anniversaries, other life events and civic occasions when requested. Again most of this activity ceased from mid-March with the introduction of Government restrictions and in accordance with instructions from the Church of England’s House of Bishops and advice from the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers. For some of the period face-to-face church services were not permitted and at other times it was only possible to ring a single bell. ## **Group practices** The year started with the usual programme of twice-weekly general practices, a weekly improvers practice for call change ringers and the weekly After-School Bell Club for youngsters from the local primary school. In addition, a programme of specially designated Extended Practices in basic ringing skills were also offered to ringers throughout the area from January. All of these programmes and that of the local North East Branch of the Guild of Devonshire Ringers (which also regularly uses TRC facilities) had to be abandoned in March at the start of the national COVID lockdown. ## **Recorded performances – peals and QPs** The TRC promotes the value of extended ringing performances as a way of developing the skills of ringers. Ringers throughout the South West are encouraged to participate in weekly peal attempts. A “peal” is a continuous performance of a minimum of 5,000 changes and takes between 2½ - 3 hours to complete. 9 peals were successfully completed between the start of the year and 12[th] March. Details of the peals rung can be seen on the TRC website: http://www.troyteringingcentre.org.uk/peals/peals2020.htm 6 Troyte Ringing Centre Annual Report 2020 Similarly, the Centre also hosts regular quarter peal attempts by the local ringers and bands from further afield. 6 successful quarter peal performances were recorded down to midMarch, and this included two first quarters by a young ringer and by his mother. A “quarter peal” is a continuous performance of a minimum of 1,260 changes and takes about 45 minutes to complete. After that date all extended ringing had to be abandoned for the rest of the year. Resumption of peal and quarter peal ringing is regarded as particularly problematic as evidence grows that COVID infection is spread more easily in indoor settings with poor ventilation. Ringers are likely to face problems of physical stamina in the early days of resuming ringing and may be reluctant to ring in close proximity in poorly ventilated spaces for more than short periods. However, the problem of poor ventilation at Bampton is due to be addressed in 2021 as explained below. ## **Governance** Despite the restrictions imposed because of COVID, the trustees continued to meet, sometimes outside, and to transact business by email. Regular updates on progress with various issues were provided by the Chairman. The lockdown limitations on practical ringing activities provided an opportunity for the TRC ringers to complete their safeguarding training under the auspices of the Church of England. The appropriate level of insurance cover was finally agreed with the Ecclesiastical Insurance Group. It was not possible to hold the annual meeting of the TRC, but this will be arranged as soon as conditions allow. The new hazards presented by the COVID virus required that revised risk assessments were prepared for general ringing and for extended ringing. It was decided to extend the terms of the existing trustees because of the COVID pandemic. However, two trustees have announced their intention to stand down and this will necessitate some reallocation of responsibilities between the remaining trustees and consideration of appointing new ones. ## **Facilities Maintenance and Improvement** During 2020 a detailed risk assessment was undertaken of the Bampton tower. This assessment clearly indicated the inadequacy of the electrical services provided and of the natural ventilation available within the ringing chamber. Following consultations with the church electrical contractor it was decided that the following electrical remedial and improvement works were necessary: - The electrical sub main between the tower distribution board and the main church distribution board needed to be replaced and upgraded. - External PIR lights should be fitted over the external west and north tower doors and over the external door leading into the chancel. - Safety lighting should be provided within the bell chamber to provide safe means of egress in the event of a power outage. - Additional socket outlets should be provided within the clock chamber as all existing socket outlets were used during the electrification of the clock winding mechanisms. The lack of adequate ventilation within the ringing chamber had been previously identified as needing attention. A request some years ago, to have part of the window in the west wall of the ringing chamber made openable, was not approved. However, it was realised that, as a consequence of the installation of the electrical clock winding mechanisms, the clock 7 Troyte Ringing Centre Annual Report 2020 weight shaft was redundant. During the summer of 2020 a feasibility study was undertaken to determine whether this redundant shaft could be used to house the trunking required for a mechanical ventilation system. Such a system would extract air from the ringing chamber and exhaust this air into the bell chamber, where it would disperse through the bell chamber louvres into the atmosphere some 60 feet above ground level. This feasibility study was to take into account the fact that the church building was listed as Grade 1 and therefore no external or internal structural alterations to the tower would be permitted. The feasibility study indicated that a suitable ventilation system could be installed to extract air from the ringing chamber, placing the necessary trunking in the redundant clock weight casing, with the fan located within the clock chamber, and exhausting the air in the bell chamber, without harm to any of the historic fabric of the tower. A detailed proposal for the electrical improvements and the ventilation system was presented to Bampton PCC which approved the work and made a donation of £6,000 towards the cost, provided an appropriate Faculty was granted using the established Diocese of Exeter procedure. The Faculty application was completed during November and December 2020 and a Faculty is anticipated sometime during 2021. Thus it is anticipated that by the end of April 2021 all necessary maintenance and improvement work identified for Huntsham and Bampton bells, frames and fittings will be completed and ready for use when decisions are made for ringing to be restarted. However, it will be necessary for the appropriate steeple keepers to make inspections of the bell chambers and the bell fittings, during the weeks prior to restarting ringing, to ensure that clappers are swinging freely and that bell ropes and clock wires are in proper working order and the Huntsham sound control system is operating effectively. ## **FINANCIAL REVIEW** ## **Introduction** 2020 was a year the like of which none of us anticipated and for which none of us had made adequate preparations. Therefore this report will simply state the main financial activities, or lack of them, and highlight the preparations made in anticipation for a better year in 2021. After Monday 16 March 2020 churches were closed and for the rest of 2020 ringing was limited to very restricted Sunday service ringing with single bells rung intermittently during other days of the week. ## **Income during the period up to 31 December 2020** Income from ringing related activities was almost non-existent. Income during 2020 from the actual use of the bells at Bampton and Huntsham amounted to £389 of which the single biggest item was income from peals, which amounted to £288. Income from training related activities during the year amounted to approximately £100. However, during 2020 voluntary receipts from individuals exceeded £5,000, of which £4,000 was gift aided and from which the income tax paid by the donors will be recovered during 2021. Behind these simple statements lie some key issues for future consideration. If church bells were only rung for Sunday services, there would be very little income generated. However, 8 Troyte Ringing Centre Annual Report 2020 from time to time there would be maintenance costs, and these costs would have to be met by the appropriate parochial church councils. Both Huntsham and Bampton churches are financially fragile. It is only by ringing with the support of the wider community that significant income can be generated. Peals, quarter peals, weddings and blessings, bands of visiting ringers and ringing which is linked to major community events such as annual fairs and local celebrations have generated both much more income and wider community support for bell ringing and bell ringers. It remains to be seen whether or not these patterns of use will continue once unrestricted ringing is permitted. It therefore comes as something of a surprise to find that the total income for 2020 just exceeded £6,800. ## **Expenditure during the period up to 31 December 2020** During 2019, and following the closure of the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, the TRC appointed Nicholson Engineering Ltd.to make a detailed quinquennial inspection of both Huntsham and Bampton bells, their frames and fittings. These inspections generated maintenance programmes which for Bampton were completed during 2019, and for Huntsham were programmed for completion during 2021, with one third of the contract sum paid during 2020 to fix the price of the work programmed for 2021. In addition to these programmed maintenance costs, new tail ends were provided to a number of ropes for both towers. It was also decided that due to the lack of adequate ventilation in the ringing chamber at Bampton an air purification and virus irradiation unit was purchased in preparation for a return to regular Sunday service ringing. Therefore during 2020 £5,684 was spent on maintenance and new equipment. In addition to these maintenance costs the TRC also makes annual payments for the use of church facilities at both Huntsham and Bampton. The PCC invoices for these annual payments were reduced for 2020 due to the closure of church buildings and the restrictions imposed on bell ringing. The payments made were £148 for Huntsham and £212 for Bampton. Following the 2004 remodelling and rehanging project at Huntsham it was decided that the TRC would take a longer term approach to maintenance costs, and during the following years two major works investment funds were established in which earnings from the investments were accumulated into each fund rather than paid as income. At 31 December 2019 the value of the Bampton Bells Major Works Fund was £12,343 and the value of the Huntsham Bells Major Works Fund was £6,343. During 2020 an additional £500 was invested in each fund, and at 31 December 2020 the value of the Bampton Bells Major Works Fund was £14,111 and the value of the Huntsham Bells Major Works Fund was £7,498. ## **Looking into the future** As outlined in the Facilities Maintenance section above, a Faculty is being processed for work at Bampton during 2021 to improve the electrical services appropriate for safe ingress and egress of the church tower and for the installation of a mechanical ventilation system in the ringing chamber and this work is approved by Bampton PCC from whom a grant of £6,000 has been approved. 9 Troyte Ringing Centre Annual Report 2020 For Huntsham, a contact has been let with Nicholson Engineering for rebushing the clappers and replacing the main bearings of all eight bells during February and March 2021 for which the TRC has obtained an Archdeacon’s Certificate giving approval for the work to be completed under List B of items which do not require a Faculty, but which do require the written approval of the appropriate Archdeacon. One third of the contract sum has been paid, and the remainder will be paid by the TRC upon satisfactory completion of the work. The Financial Statement for the period 1[st] January to 31[st] December 2020 is appended. ## **DECLARATION OF TRUSTEES** This annual report and the accompanying accounts were approved by the Trustees at the meeting held on 20[th] June 2021. Signed Michael Hatchett Chairman Signed Jenny Jones Secretary 10 Troyte Ringing Centre Annual Report 2020 ## **Troyte Ringing Centre** ## **Financial Statement for period** ## **1 January 2020 to 31 December 2020** **----- Start of picture text -----**
TOTAL TOTAL
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT General Huntsham Bampton Training
2020 2018/19
Note Designated Designated Designated Designated
£ £ £ £ £ £
RECEIPTS
Use of bells 1 373 16 389 4,788
Voluntary receipts 2 451 1,953 2,791 32 5,227 5,920
Fund raising 3 25 129 154 2,234
Other incoming resouces 4 901 21 21 98 1,041 3,881
Total receipts 1,353 2,371 2,957 130 6,811 16,823
PAYMENTS
Maintenance & Repairs 5 3,020 2,664 5,684 665
Fund raising costs 6 0 0
Facilties 7 648 712 1,360 5,100
Training 8 140 140 357
Other outgoing resources 9 320 0 320 1,881
Total payments 320 3,668 3,376 140 7,503 8,004
Surplus (Deficit) 1,033 (1,297) (418) (10) (693) 8,819
TRANSFERS
Transfers between funds 10 500 (200) (200) (100) 0 0
Surplus (Deficit) after transfers 1,533 (1,497) (618) (110) (693) 8,819
AVAILABLE FUNDS 11
Available funds at start of Financial Year (176) 3,878 3,823 1,295 8,819 0
Available funds at end of Financial Year 1,357 3,202 2,807 1,253 8,619 8,819
Increase (Decrease) in Available Funds 1,533 (675) (1,016) (42) (200) 8,819
Difference from Surplus (Deficit) 0 822 (398) 68 492 0
TOTAL TOTAL
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES General Huntsham Bampton Training
2020 2018/19
Note Designated Designated Designated Designated
£ £ £ £ £ £
Monetary assets
Bank current account 1,357 2,114 1,296 1,263 6,029 5,378
Cash 0 0 0 0 0 427
Deposit account 0 1,511 1,511 0 3,022 3,014
1,357 3,625 2,807 1,263 9,051 8,819
Liabilities
Cheques not presented 0 422 0 10 432 0
Agency Account 12 0 0 0 0 0
0 422 0 10 432 0
**----- End of picture text -----**
Jack Ward Accounts Manager Approved at Trustees Meeting on Mike Hatchett Treasurer Jenny Jones Secretary **----- Start of picture text -----**
TOTAL TOTAL
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT General Huntsham Bampton Training
2020 2018/19
Designated Designated Designated Designated
£ £ £ £ £ £
1 Use of bells
Peals 288 288 2,438
Quarter Peals 32 32 266
Weddings, funerals and celebrations 30 30 1,625
Visiting Ringers 0 22
Branch Practices 23 16 39 437
0 373 16 0 389 4,788
2 Voluntary receipts
Online Giving Ltd 122 122 41
Charity Checkout 0 0
Non-Gift Aided Donations 438 291 7 736 1,958
Gift Aided Donations 1,515 2,500 25 4,040 3,374
Income tax recovered (Gift Aid Scheme) 329 329 547
451 1,953 2,791 32 5,227 5,920
3 Fund raising
Trading 25 129 154 363
Events 0 1,871
0 25 129 0 154 2,234
4 Other incoming resouces
Bell Club fees & subscriptions 58 58 245
Training fees 28 28 325
Refreshments 12 12 47
Transfer of assets 0 3,189
Interest on Deposit Account 4 4 8 14
Transfer from Deposit Account 0 0
Other 901 17 17 935 62
901 21 21 98 1,041 3,881
5 Maintenance & Repairs
Maintenance & minor repairs 3,020 324 3,344 665
New equipment 2,340 2,340 0
0 3,020 2,664 0 5,684 665
6 Fund raising costs
Invoices & reimbursements 0 0
Cost of trading 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0
7 Facilties
Use of faclities 148 212 360 2,700
Major Works Investment Fund 500 500 1,000 2,400
0 648 712 0 1,360 5,100
8 Training
Training material 20 20 67
Reimbursements 20 20 190
Other 100 100 100
0 0 0 140 140 357
9 Other outgoing resources
Administration 320 320 1,121
Other 0 760
320 0 0 0 320 1,881
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10 The General Fund is used for payments which are not liabilities falling to one of the other funds (e,g, insurance, website costs and governance) and receipts which are not other fund credits (e.g. income from Just Giving and Charity Checkout). As its liabilites are likely to exceed its income it relies on transfers from other funds to remain in credit. The total of all transfers must equal zero. - 11 Monetary Assets less Liabilities - 12 Money which passes through the TRC's bank account but which is not part of its income or expenditure. e.g. Collections for other charities. Independent Examiner's Report to Troyte Rin9lng Centre Trustees I report on the accounts of Troyte Rln9lng Centre for the p￿k)d a)verlng l January 2020 tt> 31" December 2020. audit is not requwea under sotsi 14412) rfthe awilis P£t 2011 (the 2011 Act) kxrt that an IndeFerKlent e%amlnatb)n Is ￿UIr&I. to examhe the accounts (urKJw sectkn1145(5Xb) 2011 Prt); to follow the pr(￿edureS lald down in the General Dlrettlons glven by the Charfty Commission; and Manager and a compari￿ with the bank wov*Jed by the TRC Treasury. It also I￿4￿deS conskleration crf any unusual or di9Josures In the aco)unts seekjng Ywedures und*ken do rrt F￿Ade all the thlerKe tr￿t vKKJld te rgwlrgj in an aLMdtL and In connectlon wlth my examlnatlon, no matter has come to my attentlon whlth glves me reasonable cause to believe that In any materlal respect the reqU1￿Ments. to keep accounting records in accordan￿ wlth section 130 of the 2011 Act has not been met to prepare accounts which a(ror(I with the accounting records and comply wrth the accountlng requirements of the 2011 Att has not been met. Paul Hamffl¢ffid