MIDDLESEX COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF CHURCH BELL RINGERS BELL RESTORATION FUND
REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025
Establishment, Government and Trustees
In 1952 the Middlesex County Association & London Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers ("The Association") established a Bell Restoration Fund ("The Fund" or "BRF") to provide financial support towards bell restoration projects to towers in and around The Association area.
In 1980 the Bell Restoration Fund became a registered charity (number 279919) with the name "The Middlesex County Association Of Church Bell Ringers Bell Restoration Fund".
The Bell Restoration Fund is governed by rules agreed by the members of The Association and printed in The Association Annual Report.
There are usually four trustees: the Association General Secretary and the three Trustees of The Association. These are elected annually by the members of The Association.
During the year ended 31st December 2025 the Trustees were: Geraldine Forster Linda Georgiades (Association General Secretary - until April 2025) Helen Porter James White
Correspondence to the Bell Restoration Fund should be addressed to: J. White, 2 Elvetham Crescent, Fleet, Hampshire, GU51 1BU
Annually following the Annual General Meeting of The Association, the Trustees choose from their number a Chairman (Geraldine Forster 2025-26) and a Finance Trustee (James White for 2025-26).
The Middlesex Associaiton was without a General Secretary from its Annual General Meeting in April 2025 and so the Bell Restoration Fund continued with just three trustees from that date. Peter Curwen was appointed as Association General Secreatary in April 2026 and he has now been appointed as a Trustee of the Bell Restoration.
Management of The Bell Restoration Fund
The Bell Restoration Fund is managed by the Bell Restoration Committee of The Association, with day-today operation undertaken by the Bell Restoration Fund Treasurer.
The Bell Restoration Committee ("The Committee") is established under the rules of The Association and comprises the following members elected annually:
The President, Master, General Secretary and General Treasurer of The Association; the Bell Restoration Fund Treasurer and the Bell Restoration Officer; the Trustees of The Association; two additional representatives of The Association; two representatives of each district (currently four people representing two districts). Further members may be co-opted to assist with The Committee's work.
The purpose of The Committee is:
i) to provide help and advice on the planning and execution of maintenance, repairs, installations and restorations in bell towers
ii) to maintain and enhance the Bell Restoration Fund.
The quorum for meetings of The Committee considering grants or loans is five.
MIDDLESEX COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF CHURCH BELL RINGERS BELL RESTORATION FUND
REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025
Grants and Loans from the Bell Restoration Fund
Applications for grants and loans from the BRF are made in writing to the General Secretary of The Association giving details of approved work to be carried out, and estimates of the costs involved. Such applications are considered by the Bell Restoration Committee. If the project meets the conditions for support, the committee will make a recommendation to a General Meeting of the Association for a grant to be awared, or it may ask the applicant for further information on the project and its existing funding so that a decision on the level of a grant can be considered. Applications for a grant or loan are considered and voted on at a General Meeting of The Association.
The Bell Restoration Committee may, without making a recommendation to a General Meeting of The Association, exceptionally make loans to a value of not more than £500 each, with a total outstanding at any one time of no more than £1,000, to help support emergency repairs at an active tower in the Association. The Bell Restoration Committee shall advise the Central Committee and the next General Meeting of such loans, which may at that time be converted to grants.
The Bell Restoration Committee usually meets twice per year, in the Spring and Autumn shortly before the General Meetings of The Association, but can meet at other times as necessary for the consideration of grants and loans or for other business.
The Trustees have paid due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit in deciding what activities the charity should undertake. The policy on reserves is reviewed annually by the Trustees.
Reserves Policy
The Trustees expect and aim to pay out as grants the annual income of the charity within four years of receipt, in accordance with the charitable objectives, subject to there being projects which request our financial support and which satisfy the conditions of support.
Reserves (in excess of outstanding grants), other than restricted funds and capital sums of which only the interest may be used, therefore normally do not exceed four times the charity's annual income. The financial statements which follow include a statement of the value of accumulated reserves as at the end of the accounting period.
Officers' Reports
The report of the Bell Restoration Fund Treasurer, including the accounts, is given on the following pages.
To put the work supported by the Bell Restoration Fund into the context of the larger volume of work being undertaken by members of The Association and, in particular, by members of the Bell Restoration Committee, a copy of the report of Stephen Jakeman, the Association Bell Restoration Officer during 2025, is also presented.
BELL RESTORATION FUND TREASURER’S REPORT 2025
Accounts for the Year ended 31 December 2025
| Income and Expenditure Account Income Collections and events Donations 200 Club Bequests Contribution from Central Fund Interest on deposit account Gift Aid Reclaim Dividends from share account Total income Grants paid Uxbridge (St Margaret) Expenditure Bank charges Surplus / (deficit) for the year Balance Sheet Current account Deposit account Share investment fund Liabilities Grants to Date voted Hampton Apr. 2024 Ealing (St Mary) Oct. 2024 Aldgate (St Botolph) Apr. 2025 Richmond Oct. 2025 Net Assets Balance brought forward Surplus / (deficit) for the year Movement in the value of the shares Movement in grants awarded Accumulated Reserves |
£ £ 822 2,030 5,000 15,444 1,500 24,796 857 1,071 1,574 3,502 28,298 (750) (28) 27,520 2025 £ 64,720 19,802 55,336 £ 40,000 12,000 10,000 5,000 (67,000) 72,858 2025 £ 62,617 27,520 (2,279) (15,000) 72,858 2025 |
£ £ 982 4,291 5,300 - 500 11,073 955 - 1,496 2,451 13,524 - - 13,524 2024 £ 39,631 18,945 56,041 £ 40,000 12,000 - - (52,000) 62,617 2024 £ 84,878 13,524 1,215 (37,000) 62,617 2024 |
|---|---|---|
Note: grants lapse after three years but can be re-voted if the project being supported is delayed beyond this time.
REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT EXAMINER FOR 2025
Accounts for the Year ended 31 December 2025
I have checked the accounts of the Bell Restoration Fund (on this page and the previous page), and the Treasurer's Report (on the following page), together with the explanatory notes, for the year ended 31st December 2025. I confirm that they are in accordance with the books and records supplied to me.
Michael J. Trimm ACA
April 2026
Independent Examiner
BELL RESTORATION FUND TREASURER'S REPORT FOR 2025
The Bell Restoration Fund continues to be well supported. Previously agreed grants which have yet to be paid are to Hampton (£40,000), Ealing (£12,000), Aldgate (£10,000) and Richmond (£5,000). More details on these projects can be found in the Bell Restoration Officer's report.
A substantial proportion of Bell Restoration Fund income continues to be derived from the 200 Club and donations (a combination of regular and one-off giving). This income continues to be supplemented by fundrasising at events. Many thanks to those who organised and supported these. Of particular note should be teh generosity of Norman Edwards who, in this will, left a bequest to the Bell Restoration Fund of over £15,000.
We remain grateful to all those who have contributed to the Bell Restoration Fund during the year and we are particularly grateful for all the regular and one-off donations made, some of which have continued for many years.
Chris Weavers
Bell Restoration Fund Treasurer
On behalf of the Trustees
BELL RESTORATION OFFICER’S REPORT FOR 2025
It was another busy year with multiple visits to towers throughout the Association & Guild’s area, mainly on practical matters. At a meeting of the Bell Restoration Committee in March there was discussion over three requests for grants:
City of London (St Botolph, Aldgate): supporting a heavy overhaul of the 25cwt ring of eight. Uxbridge (St Margaret): towards overhaul of the clappers. Chiswick (St Nicholas): towards repairing a cracked headstock and a general overhaul of the fittings.
At The Association Annual General Meeting, recommendations that a grant of £10,000 each be awarded to both Aldgate and Chiswick, and a grant of £750 be awarded to Uxbridge, were all approved by the membership present.
In September the Bell Restoration Committee discussed a request for a grant from Richmond in support of a major project to replace their existing ring of eight (retaining three of the bells) with a budget of £153k. At The Association Autumn General Meeting, after some discussion and a vote, a grant of £5,000 was approved.
BELL RESTORATION OFFICER’S REPORT FOR 2025 (CONTINUED)
Projects supported by grants from the Bell Restoration Fund:
City of London (St Botolph, Aldgate): an overhaul, the first since installation in 1966, has been completed supported by a grant of £10,000, and the organising of volunteer labour to assist the local band, making a saving of some £4,400.
Chiswick (St Nicholas): a general overhaul is planned plus a repair to one headstock.
Ealing (St Mary): contracts organised by the local band with assistance from the Bell Restoration Committee to replace the lighting in the belfry and to stitch internal cracks in brickwork in the ringing chamber and belfry, have both been completed. The damaged ‘X’ frame end has been dismantled. The front six were rung for the induction service of new rector and at Christmas and this was well received by Church. Once the Church organises the faculty the final contract can be awarded to repair the damaged frame and to overhaul the fittings including clappers, pulleys and bearings.
Hampton (St Mary): the rehang of ring of the eight bells in the existing frame with all new fittings, tuning and installation of a sound control system. The contract has been placed with Nicholson Engineering with the first phase (the removal of bells and fittings) planned for April 2026.
Towers where support and assistance have been provided or work has been carried out by others includes:
Bethnal Green (St Matthew): replaced a broken slider and improved runner board/slider/set.
City of London (St Bartholomew the Great): investigated reports of noises from the fourth, addressed through tightening up and replacement of stripped gudgeon U bolt. Investigated reports of problems with the treble – nothing found.
City of London (St Bartholomew the Less): replaced the rope of the second of this chime of three.
City of London (St Olave, Hart Street): advice was sought on how to hang a substantial peal board on the rough faced stone belfry wall.
Dalston (St Mark): replaced a broken rope (a gift from Bishopsgate much appreciated).
Ealing (Christ the Saviour): support given to investigate concerns with go of third.
Hanwell (St Mary): assistance given to diagnose a loose wheel on seventh, tightened up.
Harrow Weald (All Saints): Martin Clode has spliced various tail ends and the top end of chiming rope.
Hendon (St Mary): a plastic sheet was installed to divert water from leaking roof; rusted nuts and bolts replaced with new galvanized ones; a wire was fitted on the top of the third slider board to prevent the slider jumping out, and new tail ends were spliced in as needed.
Heston (St Leonard): inspection undertaken and report supplied. Assistance given to address problems with go of the sixth.
Highgate (St Mary, Brookfield): advice sought on a scheme to replace existing single chiming bell with a light chime of six.
BELL RESTORATION OFFICER’S REPORT FOR 2025
(CONTINUED)
Holborn (St Giles in the Fields): a loose rope boss on the fifth resecured makign use of the Bell Restoration Committee's folding ladder, after much planning to achieve access.
Islington (St James): Taylor’s were engaged to remove wheels etc. to facilitate mobile phone mast upgrade. Guidance was given on plans to reduce volume of bells in ringing chamber.
Islington (St Mary): assistance was given to source and replacing a broken stay.
Kilburn (St Augustine): assistance was provided to the local ringers to fit new bell bolts on seventh after one was found to be missing.
Mill Hill (St Michael & All Angels): Martin Clode replaced a broken chiming rope, added a steel thimble to protect the rope, and a rope grip to fix the rope to steel cable from the bell.
Poplar (All Saints): investigated a problem reported with the third stuck in the "up" position. Problem rectified.
St George in the East: resolved a problem with the chiming rope and awareness training given to Church Administration on their installation.
Stamford Hill (St Ann): use of Bell Restoration Committe's vacuum cleaner to clean the belfry.
Stoke Newington (St Mary, Old Church): dialogue commenced with new incumbent regarding the restoration project to rehang the ring of six.
Tottenham (All Hallows): repairs to a section of the ringing chamber ceiling undertaken, again making use of the Bell Restoration Committee's folding ladder.
Twickenham (All Hallows): support given to check perceived problems with the third.
Uxbridge (St Margaret): assistance given to improve the pulley positions.
Wood Green (St Michael): continued visits to check effectiveness of tarpaulin installed to divert water intrusion from unknown source. Liaison maintained with Church to see if any assistance could be given with any work that might allow the bells to be rung again. Plans to install a dual purpose floor above the bells agreed in outline but will require a faculty process. This floor would form the main part of a sound control system and would protect the bells from masonry debris falling from above relating to work on spire in 2013.
The above are works that I was either involved in or made aware of. With thanks to Guy Wells for his assistance. Full credit should be given to the largely unseen work of the Steeple Keepers who ensure our bells are safe to be rung.
A reminder that we have stays (mainly old style curved ones) and sliders saved from restoration projects and available for recycling. Also that The Associaiton has available a folding ladder, circular saw and vacuum cleaner for use.
Stephen Jakeman Bell Restoration Officer