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2023-12-31-accounts

REGISTERED CHARITY NO. 266869

THE SUFFOLK GUILD OF RINGERS FOR THE DIOCESE

OF ST. EDMUNDSBURY AND IPSWICH

31 DECEMBER 2023

SUFFOLK GUILD OF RINGERS

CHARITY INFORMATION

Charity registration number: 266869
Charity address: 7 Clearview
Barnby
Beccles
Suffolk
NR34 7BW
Bankers: Barclays Bank Plc
4 Church Street
Woodbridge
Suffolk
IP12 1DJ
Accountants: R & H Accountants
1 The Courtyard
Balls Farm
Tye Road
Elmstead Market
Colchester
Essex
CO7 7BB
Donations should be sent to: T Hart
7 Clearview
Barnby
Beccles
Suffolk
NR34 7BW

SUFFOLK GUILD OF RINGERS

CONTENTS

PAGE
Independent examiner's report 1
Trustees' annual report 2 - 4
Income and expenditure account - General fund 5
Income and expenditure account - Restoration fund 6
Income and expenditure account - Library fund 7
Income and expenditure account - Jubilee fund 8
Income and expenditure account - Pipe Family Trust fund 9
Income and expenditure account - Handbell fund 10
Income and expenditure account - St. Peter's Sudbury fund 11
Income and expenditure account - Golden Bottle fund 12
Income and expenditure account - Centenary Dinner fund 13
Statement of assets and liabilities 14 - 15

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the Suffolk Guild of Ringers

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023 which are set out on pages 5 to 15

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 charity's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the 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:

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.

A E Rutherford FCCA R & H Accountants 1 The Courtyard Balls Farm Tye Road Elmstead Market Colchester CO7 7BB

Date: 4 January 2024

1

Trustees’ Annual Report for 2023

The Trustees present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Charity

The Suffolk Guild of Ringers for the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich was registered with the Charity Commission on 10 December 1975, registration number 266869. The Charity's registered address is 7 Clearview, Barnby, BECCLES, Suffolk, NR34 7BW. It is governed under a constitution originally registered in 1977 and most recently revised in 2022.

Principal Objectives

The main purposes of the Charity are: to promote and encourage the practice of bellringing within the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich; to recruit, train and encourage bellringers in the practice of their art; to cultivate the art of scientific change ringing; to promote and advise on the preservation, renovation and augmentation of bells in an efficient condition.

Trustees

The Trustees during the period were: From 1[st] January to 31[st] December: K M Gill (Secretary); K J Salter (Ringing Master) From 1[st] January to 15[th] April: R P Wilson (Chairman); S A Cheek (Treasurer) From 15[th] April to 31[st] December: P M Ogden (Chairman); T P Hart (Treasurer)

General Policies

The Guild has formulated the following policies, which are regularly reviewed: Safeguarding; Privacy; Bullying; Complaints; Equality & Diversity; Expenses; Financial Management

Review of Progress and Achievements

Bellringing

We entered 2023 with high hopes for the Guild’s centenary year, celebrating its founding in 1923 and a number of special events and initiatives were organised to reflect this

The Coronation of King Charles III in May gave added impetus to promoting ringing, with the national ‘Ring for the King’ initiative. Guild members and Suffolk churches were featured as part of the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers publicity campaign for this featuring on BBC Breakfast and ITV ‘Love Your Sunday’ as well as local radio and footage being syndicated around the world.

Suffolk was fortunate to gain a significant number of new recruits with Guild members dedicating many hours to teaching them. Many of the recruits have now reached a sufficient level of competence to become members of the Guild. We extend a hearty welcome to these new members and wish them many years of satisfaction and pleasure with developing their ringing.

The Guild is delighted that we now have additional Association of Ringing Teachers (ART) teaching hubs, Sole Bay based at Reydon and Bellsashen based around Henley and Ashbocking.

The recruitment and training committee conducted an exercise to establish the state of ringing and experience across the Guild. The committee and other members have arranged and supported several ART M1 courses to give ringers the skills to teach new recruits, committee members attended a new M2 course to enhance their skills to teach beyond the basics. Ringing Development sessions were run, and utilised by members, alongside the visit of the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers (CCCBR) in September.

The Guild was proud to welcome the CCCBR to Ipswich for their annual meeting in September, it was a busy weekend supported and facilitated by many Guild members who we thank for their support.

2

The Guild encouraged ringing to celebrate Coronation with 119 Suffolk Guild performances recorded, including 23 quarter peals and 9 peals.

Overall peal ringing has recovered to pre COVID levels with 118 peals rung for the Guild during the year.

Our Chairman, Rowan Wilson, and our Treasurer, Stephen Cheek, reached the end of their five year term. We thank them for their major contributions and hard work.

Restoration

During the year, we received 2 requests for grants

The much-delayed refurbishment at Stowmarket was finally completed, resulting in a new ring of 10 bells. Voluntary labour by the Belfry Advisory Committee (BAC) and others made a huge contribution.

Other on-going projects include

The GMC withdrew the grant offer from Combs as progress had stalled, however it was made clear to the parish that we would happily consider another grant application in the future.

Other restorations in their early stages include Copdock, Drinkstone, Framsden and Hoxne.

Additionally, minor works including inspections, repairs and advice were provided by the BAC to an additional 40 towers in the county.

Guild Finances

Reserves Policy

The Trustees have formulated a Reserves Policy, in which The Guild will expect to hold at the bank a surplus of approximately one year’s running costs. This has been reviewed during 2023 and the trustees have confirmed the policy is appropriate and being met.

Policies

All money in the Guild's funds not required for day-to-day purposes is invested or deposited by the Treasurer, as directed by the Guild Management Committee (GMC). Grants from the Restoration Fund are authorised by the GMC but are only paid after completed work has been approved by the Guild Ringing Master and the Technical Advisor. Grants are normally only offered for work to restore bells and their fittings for full-circle ringing but may include augmentation and other ancillary work associated with any such project. In order to respond to the shortterm need to provide financial support to training activities, the GMC introduced a process to enable grants of up to £50 to be made immediately, at the discretion of the Ringing Master, and grants of up to £500 to be made within seven days at the discretion of the Guild Executive, in both cases subject to appropriate records being kept and presented to the GMC.

General Fund

Income for 2023 increased has slightly compared to 2022, with predominant factors being a significant increase in peal fees receipts compared to 2022 and the sale of Centenary lapel badges proving very popular. Membership levels have been sustained after returning to pre-Covid levels during 2022, with many members paying early membership for 2024. Expenses increased primarily due to the cost of living; insurance premiums were higher, as were the costs of hiring halls and facilities. The handbells are now insured with a different provider, as Balens, who the Guild has used for many years, have stopped offering insurance policies for handbells. The handbells have been revalued in accordance with guidelines published by the Handbell Ringers of Great Britain and insured with Allianz.

3

Restoration Fund

During the year one grant was awarded to Blythburgh for £1000. £11000 was paid to Stowmarket at the completion of their work, along with the remaining £500 to Sudbury St Gregory. The Combs £8000 grant expired and the money returned to the unallocated section of the fund. At year end the Restoration Fund totalled £72281, including £11850 already allocated for approved projects still awaiting completion. Significant sources of income for the Restoration Fund in 2023 included Rowan Wilson’s sponsored 100 Tower Cycling challenge, the Parish Affiliation scheme run by Winston Girling, as well as generous donations throughout the year by members.

Jubilee Fund

The Jubilee Fund remains static after a generous donation in 2022 from the late David Salter (past Master of the Guild). All interest accrued in this capital Fund is transferred directly into the Restoration Fund.

Centenary Dinner Fund

This fund was established in 2022 to deal efficiently with the volume of transactions occurring in connection with the 2023 Centenary Dinner. The balance of £67 will be transferred to the General Fund and the Fund closed in 2024.

Other Funds

At year end all other funds had positive balances. Library Fund (£227), Handbell Fund (£992), Pipe Family Trust Fund (£1,003 after a grant paid for the purchase of Learning to Ring Leaflets), The Golden Bottle Trust Fund (£3,264) and the Jubilee Fund (£36217).

P M Ogden Trustee & Chairman

T P Hart K M Gill K J Salter Trustee & Treasurer Trustee & Secretary Trustee & Ringing Master

January 2024

4

SUFFOLK GUILD OF RINGERS

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

GENERAL FUND
INCOME
Donations
Subscriptions
Peal Fees
Fundraising
Report Advertising
Sundry Sales
LESS: EXPENDITURE
Annual Report
Members Accident Insurance
Public Liability Insurance
Property Damage insurance
Handbell Insurance
Administration
Central Council affiliation
Hall Hire (Meetings)
Wreaths/Donations in Lieu
Lapel Badges
Ringing World Adverts
SURPLUS / (DEFICIT) FOR THE YEAR
TRANSFERS TO RESERVES
To Restoration fund (note 1)
BALANCE AFTER TRANSFERS
GENERAL FUND at 1st January 2023
GENERAL FUND at 31st December 2023		 £
£
£
£
535
522
10,095
10,350
909
571
88
196
170
265
997
13
12,794
11,917
660
554
793
556
362
347
107
104
164
322
716
690
130
160
810
334
25
-
102
2,716
20
36
3,889
5,818
8,904
6,099
5,502
5,461
3,402
639
12,613
11,975
16,016
12,613
2023
2022
660
793
362
107
164
716
130
810
25
102
20

5

SUFFOLK GUILD OF RINGERS

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

RESTORATION FUND
INCOME
Gift aid tax recovered
Affiliation Scheme
St. Edmund Clapper income
Donations
Interest Received (note 2)
Guild Meetings and Events
Jubilee Fund interest (note 3)
Vestey Ring Donations
EXPENDITURE
Grants paid
SURPLUS / (DEFICIT) FOR THE YEAR
TRANSFERS TO RESTORATION FUND
From General fund (note 1)
BALANCE AFTER TRANSFERS
RESTORATION FUND at 1st January 2023
RESTORATION FUND at 31st December 2023
PER STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITES:
Restoration fund
Restoration grants allocated		 £
£
£
£
2,017
1,674
1,075
1,310
965
-
1,292
785
1,569
952
815
349
1,385
193
225
50
9,342
5,314
9,342
5,314
11,500
2,500
(2,158)
2,814
5,502
5,461
3,344
8,274
70,090
61,816
73,434
70,090
61,584
39,740
11,850
30,350
73,434
70,090
2023
2022		 £
£
£
£
2,017
1,674
1,075
1,310
965
-
1,292
785
1,569
952
815
349
1,385
193
225
50
9,342
5,314
9,342
5,314
11,500
2,500
(2,158)
2,814
5,502
5,461
3,344
8,274
70,090
61,816
73,434
70,090
61,584
39,740
11,850
30,350
73,434
70,090
2023
2022
5,314
2,500
2,814
5,461
8,274
61,816
70,090
39,740
30,350
70,090

6

SUFFOLK GUILD OF RINGERS

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

LIBRARY FUND
2023 2022
£ £ £ £
INCOME 0 0
EXPENDITURE
CC library subscription 0 10
Ringing World CD 0 0
GW Pipe Biography 0 0
SURPLUS / (DEFICIT) FOR THE YEAR 0 (10)
LIBRARY FUND at 1st January 2023 227 237
LIBRARY FUND at 31st December 2023 227 227

7

SUFFOLK GUILD OF RINGERS

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

JUBILEE FUND
2023 2022
£ £ £ £
INCOME
Donations received 0 30,925
SURPLUS / (DEFICIT) FOR THE YEAR 0 30,925
JULBILEE FUND at 1st January 2023 36,218 5,293
JULBILEE FUND at 31st December 2023 36,218 36,218

8

SUFFOLK GUILD OF RINGERS

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

PIPE FAMILY TRUST FUND
2023 2022
£ £ £ £
INCOME
Interest received 16 11
EXPENDITURE
Grants 137 0
SURPLUS / (DEFICIT) FOR THE YEAR (121) 11
PIPE FAMILY TRUST FUND at 1st January 2023 1,133 1,122
PIPE FAMILY TRUST FUND at 31st December 2023 1,012 1,133

9

SUFFOLK GUILD OF RINGERS

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

HANDBELL FUND
2023 2022
£ £ £ £
INCOME
Donations received 60 0
EXPENDITURE
Repairs 0 0
SURPLUS / (DEFICIT) FOR THE YEAR 60 0
HANDBELL FUND at 1st January 2023 933 933
HANDBELL FUND at 31st December 2023 993 933

10

SUFFOLK GUILD OF RINGERS

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

ST. PETER'S SUDBURY FUND
2023 2022
£ £ £ £
INCOME
Donations received 0 0
Interest received 0 1
0 1
EXPENSES
Friends of St Peter's Sudbury 0 2,176
SURPLUS / (DEFICIT) FOR THE YEAR 0 (2,175)
ST. PETER'S SUDBURY FUND at 1st January 2023 0 2,175
ST. PETER'S SUDBURY FUND at 31st December 2023 0 0

11

SUFFOLK GUILD OF RINGERS

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

THE GOLDEN BOTTLE TRUST
2023 2022
£ £ £ £
INCOME
Donations received 0 0
EXPENDITURE
Simulators 0 0
SURPLUS / (DEFICIT) FOR THE YEAR 0 0
GOLDEN BOTTLE FUND at 1st January 2023 3,265 3,265
GOLDEN BOTTLE FUND at 31st December 2023 3,265 3,265

12

SUFFOLK GUILD OF RINGERS

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

CENTENARY DINNER FUND
2023 2022
£ £ £ £
INCOME
Ticket sales 5,085 1,980
EXPENDITURE
Simulators 6,998 0
SURPLUS / (DEFICIT) FOR THE YEAR (1,913) 1,980
CENTENARY DINNER FUND at 1st January 2023 1980 -
CENTENARY DINNER FUND at 31st December 2023 67 1,980

13

SUFFOLK GUILD OF RINGERS

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITES AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023

CURRENT ASSETS
CAF 12mth bonds
CCLA/CBF General a/c
CCLA/CBF Jubilee Fund
Barclays Current Account
District Cash in hand
TOTAL ASSETS
REPRESENTED BY
General fund
Restoration fund
Restoration grants allocated
Library fund
Jubilee fund
Pipe Family Trust fund
Handbells fund
St. Peter's Sudbury fund
The Golden Bottle Trust
Centenary Dinner Fund		 £
£
£
£
-
15,002
86,571
70,091
36,218
36,218
8,052
4,756
391
391
131,231
126,458
131,231
126,458
16,016
12,613
61,584
39,740
11,850
30,350
227
227
36,218
36,218
1,012
1,133
993
933
0
0
3,265
3,265
67
1,980
131,231
126,458
2023
2022		 £
£
£
£
-
15,002
86,571
70,091
36,218
36,218
8,052
4,756
391
391
131,231
126,458
131,231
126,458
16,016
12,613
61,584
39,740
11,850
30,350
227
227
36,218
36,218
1,012
1,133
993
933
0
0
3,265
3,265
67
1,980
131,231
126,458
2023
2022
126,458
12,613
39,740
30,350
227
36,218
1,133
933
0
3,265
1,980
126,458

In the opinion of the Trustees, all of the Funds except the General Fund are restricted in nature.

Notes to the accounts

Note 1. 50% of the sum of subscriptions and peal fees is transferred to the Restoration fund.

Note 2. The total interest received from: the CCLA/CBF General fund, & CAF bonds has been allocated to the Jubilee Fund, Restoration Fund & Pipe Family Trust Fund and apportioned in the ratio of their respective capital sums. The Jubilee Fund amount has been passed directly to the Restoration Fund.

Note 3: The Jubilee Fund interest is transferred directly to the Restoration Fund.

14

SUFFOLK GUILD OF RINGERS

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITES AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023

ASSETS

The Guild owns a number of gifted assets in addition to the various bank balances.

The main items (with approximate replacement costs) are:

Handbells
Library
Vestey Ring
Stock of lapel badges
Other assets		 15,000
13,000
4,900
3,500
2,700
`
39,100
Handbells revalued in December 2023 in accordance with guidelines
from Handbell Ringers of Great Britain

Grants - Approved and Paid

Ipswich, St Clement
Stowmarket
Fornham St Martin
Combs
Sudbury, St Gregory
Westhorpe
Blythburgh		 Approved
Approved
Date
Date of
Grants
Grants
Date
pre-2023
2023
Approved
Expiry
Paid
Unpaid
Paid
Notes
500
22/10/2017 31/12/2025
250
16/08/2018 Part Paid
11,000
17/02/2018 31/12/2025
11,000
31/07/2023 Fully Paid
5,600
17/02/2018 31/12/2025
5,600
8,000
30/06/2019 12/02/2023
Grant expired
3,000
(£2,500 paid 31/10/22) 12/02/2022 12/02/2025
500
05/01/2023
5,000
23/10/2022 26/10/2025
5,000
1,000
29/10/2023 29/10/2026
1,000
1,000
307,661
11,850
133,397

APPROVED:

We approve the accounts on pages 2 to 15 and confirm that the records produced, together with the information and explanations supplied to R & H Accountants, constitute a true and correct record of all the transactions of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023.

…............................... ….................................. M Ogden T Hart

…................................ ….................................... Date: Date:

15