OXFORD DIOCESAN BELL FUND
(Registered Charity No. 268390)
Report of the Managing Trustees for the year ending 31[st] December 2025.
Trustees
In accordance with the Fund’s Rules and Constitution, at the Annual General Meeting of the Governors of the Fund, held on Saturday 14th March 2025, the following Trustees were elected:
Chairman Alan Marchbank Secretary Catherine Lane Treasurer Stuart Gibson Additional Managing Trustees: Graham Clifton, Brian Gatward, Ken Davenport, Jon Chamberlain
Public Benefit
The fund’s object of raising, collecting and investing sums of money and applying the income arising from the investment, towards the repair, renewal and augmentation of church bells in the Diocese of Oxford, has been met, as detailed below. Awareness of the Charity, it’s purpose and support to the Churches of the Oxford Diocese, has been maintained throughout the year.
Across the Diocese of Oxford, there is public benefit by the preservation of a unique tradition and heritage. Local communities will be able to hear the bells ring for Divine Services, for weddings and on other occasions. Members of the public are able to participate in an inclusive activity that benefits them both physically and mentally.
Fund Raising
The Trustees met twice during 2025, once in person and once by conference call. Additionally, emails were exchanged by Trustees to progress grant application matters.
New money received in 2025 amounted to £10,432 (2024; £264,451).
Regular fund raising included £6,343 from Branch donations; £550 from towers; pledge giving £300; donations from PCCs £475; Ringing Day £2,006; St Blaise Society £105.
Tax claimed on Gift Aid donations was £1,380.
The Managing Trustees would like to thank all who have contributed to the continued success of the Fund.
Grants
During the year, new applications were received, and provisional grants were allocated to, Middleton Stoney (£9,080); Wooley (£750); Littleworth (£400); Longworth (£23,000); Sutton Courtenay (£5,725); Appleton (£500); Tilehurst (£20,000); Shilton (£15,385) and Westbury (£1,900).
Grants were paid towards eligible works completed at, Shilton (£17,300); Shenley (£4,070); Stoke Manderville (£900); Great Chesham (£1,870); Sutton Courtenay (£1,872); Stowe (£400); Tadmartin (£400) and Eynsham (£5,200).
In accordance with the Trustees’ Policy, an independent assessment of completed works is undertaken before each grant is paid. Members of the Towers and Belfries Committee carry out these inspections on the Fund’s behalf. The Managing Trustees wish to record their gratitude for this service.
During the year the Managing Trustees increased the level of provisional grants to 25% for eligible restoration works and up to 20% for augmentation elements. If the final cost is materially different from the indicated cost at the time of application, the grant is reviewed and may be revised. The level of grant allocated depends on the number of applications and the income available and so may vary from year to year.
Investments
Investment income for the year was £46,532 (2024: £37,965).
Total investment value is £760,238.
The Diocese cannot provide investment advice.
A Sub-committee has been formed from ODG Members with financial and investment expertise who met twice during the year to review the performance of the investment portfolio.
They proposed the sale of 2 poorly performing investments, Black Rock Equities and COIF Fixed Interest Fund. The proceeds from these sales and the new money available for investment (£324,443) to be invested equally across COIF Investment Fund; CBF Income Share and CBF Global Equity Income Fund.
Market value of the Funds’ assets on 31[st] December 2025, was £1,294,220, (2024 £1,257,559).
Alan Marchbank
Chairman.
Oxford Diocesan Bell Fund
Financial Statement for the year ended 31st December 2025 Registered Charity No. 268390
Investment Fund Receipts & Payments
| Receipts Branch Guild PCC Pledged QP Week Ringing Day St Blaise Society Tower Legacy Other Tax Refunded on Gift Aided Donations Payments Investment Excess of Receipts over Payments Balance at 1st January Balance at 31st December |
2025 2024 £ £ 6,342.20 4,536.08 - - 475.00 400.00 300.00 312.00 - 1,337.60 2,005.75 1,774.64 105.00 71.00 550.00 430.00 - 253,059.97 653.00 309.10 1,380.36 2,220.97 11,811.31 264,451.36 - - 0.00 0.00 11,811.31 264,451.36 312,631.75 48,180.39 324,443.06 312,631.75 |
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Oxford Diocesan Bell Fund
Financial Statement for the year ended 31st December 2025 Registered Charity No. 268390
Grant Fund Receipts & Payments
| Receipts Income from Investment CCLA Interest Peal Fees Payments Grants Audit Fee Administration Costs Excess of Receipts over Payments Balance at 1st January Balance at 31st December |
2025 2024 £ £ 25,849.60 24,475.01 20,682.82 13,489.52 238.00 218.25 46,770.42 38,182.78 32,002.00 23,564.00 100.00 100.00 22.49 - 32,124.49 23,664.00 14,645.93 14,518.78 145,726.48 131,207.70 160,372.41 145,726.48 |
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Oxford Diocesan Bell Fund
Financial Statement for the year ended 31st December 2025
Registered Charity No. 268390
Longworth Fund Receipts & Payments
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2025 2024
£ £
Receipts
Donations 340.00 -
Interest 417.51 -
Tax Refunded on Gift Aided Donations - -
757.51 0.00
Payments
- -
0.00 0.00
Excess of Receipts over Payments 757.51 0.00
Balance at 1st January 17,789.57 17,789.57
Balance at 31st December 18,547.08 17,789.57
Witney Fund Receipts & Payments
2025 2024
£ £
Receipts
Donations 20,370.00 7,150.00
Interest 431.41 -
Just Giving 225.85 1,035.64
Tax Refunded on Gift Aided Donations 750.00 -
21,777.26 8,185.64
Payments
- -
0.00 0.00
Excess of Receipts over Payments 21,777.26 8,185.64
Balance at 1st January 8,842.75 657.11
Balance at 31st December 30,620.01 8,842.75
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Oxford Diocesan Bell Fund
Financial Statement for the year ended 31st December 2025
Registered Charity No. 268390
Balance Sheet
| Investment Assets CBF Investments COIF Investments Equities Investment Global Equity Investment Current Assets Nat West Bank Lloyds Bank Lloyds Bank (Restoration) CCLA - Witney CCLA- Longworth CCLA Deposit Total Assets Represented by: Longworth Fund Witney Fund Investment Fund Grant Fund Unrealised Gains Capital Invested |
2025 £ 207,544.77 373,674.71 47,404.71 131,614.16 760,238.35 401.49 9,350.58 60.00 29,807.26 18,547.08 475,816.15 533,982.56 1,294,220.91 18,547.08 30,620.01 324,443.06 160,372.41 330,165.59 430,072.76 1,294,220.91 |
2024 £ 215,521.51 370,872.45 46,778.79 139,395.95 772,568.70 311.49 9,706.16 50.00 - - 474,922.90 484,990.55 1,257,559.25 17,789.57 8,842.75 312,631.75 145,726.48 342,495.94 430,072.76 1,257,559.25 |
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Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Oxford Diocesan Bell Fund (Charity No 268390)
I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31 December 2025.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
-
examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act;
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to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act; and
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner's report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
-
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act
have not been met; or
(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Name: Alison Gail Mignanelli
Address: “Ganymede”, Wantage Road, Rowstock, Didcot, Oxon, OX11 0JU
Date: 14th March 2026