2021-10-31-accounts - The Gloucester And Bristol Diocesan Association Of Church Bell Ringers

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Trustees’ Report for 2021

2021 Trustees ’ Report Contents

Highlights of 2021
Review of Activities:
2.1 Grants, 2.2–2.7 Ringing Activities, 2.8 Tower of the Year, 2.9 Belfry Advisers, 2.10 Peals, 2.11 Financial, 2.12 Library, 2.13 Handbells
Statistical information
Legal, Administrative and Organisation
Aims and Public Benefit Statement

1. Highlights of 2021

2021 has again proved to be a difficult and frustrating year with the continued curtailment of ringing because of Covid-19. That our members seem to be committed to returning to ringing is indicated by the relatively small drop in membership. Most meetings and training have been either suspended or done on-line. The Winter and Summer Schools, organised on Zoom, were notable successes. Ringing on-line – for example using – Ringing Room has continued.

The Management Committee looked at the risks to the Association arising from Covid-19 last year, see Section 2.11. After having considered the financial liabilities of the Association and the potential impact of Covid-19 on our income, the Trustees’ believe the Association will remain viable financially for the foreseeable future.

Much good work is done by all those on the Management Committee for the Association, and by all of the Branch Officers across the Association. The MC and Branch Officers’ Meetings continue to effectively inform and shape the actions of the Association, and thanks go out to all of the Officers and MC reps for their ongoing contributions to the Association.

It is the Branches within the Association that undertake the majority of the work done in fostering our ringing community to achieve its full potential. They connect the leaves of our members to the roots of the Association, and uphold its aims and objectives.

It is encouraging that our membership dropped only slightly below 1200 this year. For the previous 20 years it has been either consistently above 1300 or for three of those years in the high to mid 1200s. Although Junior membership has now dropped some way below 100, with effort and encouragement it should, hopefully, be possible to increase it in the next year or two. It is disappointing that so many retired members still take advantage of the Retired concessionary rate. This was only ever a concession introduced during a difficult time economically and – except in a few cases – has probably now outlived its justification.

With a relatively low level of grant applications in two of the previous four years, the five year figure suggests we had the ability to offer at least £10k more in grants if we had had the applications. The Potential Projects List, see below, suggests that, with a number of major projects listed over the next four years, we should be able to satisfy our BRF Balance objective, as set out in Note 1, of fully allocating BRF income. The association made a grant to one Branch – representing 50% of the cost – in respect of a Branch Ringing Centre.

Although most PCCs have increased their Tower Affiliation Fee from £10 to £20 there are still 34 paying the old £10 rate. Two PCCs, who have paid in the past, have failed to pay this year.

We still need to continue the effort to get more members to sign up to Gift Aid; this is a useful source of income to the BRF and has shown a small drop over the last four years.

Other income shows a notable drop due to the exceptionally low rates of interest.

Whilst there has been a welcome return to peal ringing during the year, it has been a slow restart, with just 9 peals recorded for the year. Coupled with a dearth of new NRLMs, and the deaths or relative inactivity from some of the Association's keener peal ringers, we can expect another year where income from peal fees is well down on "normal" expected figures. Whilst we are quietly optimistic for something closer to normality next year, we remain aware that the current Covid-19 situation remains volatile, and ringing at full strength – including peals – may not return for some time to come.

2. Review of activities during 2021

2.1 Grants

7 grants were paid during the year: Didbrook Longney Cranham Moreton-in-Marsh Hawkesbury Ebrington Swindon, Christ Church Total	2,330 Interim payment 459 2,474 735 10,000 1,574 437 Ringing Centre 18,009

3 new grants were approved during the year:

Woodchester 153 Replace clapper on tenor Norton 8,137 Replace 3[rd] and 4[th] , rehang all Swindon, Christ Church 437 Branch Ringing Centre (50% grant) Total 8,727

Although, as noted below, we have a number of large potential projects, the number of applications presented this year was low. As a consequence of low grant applications in previous years and increased BRF income we were able to offer grants of 20% in 2021. Assuming all the members continue to pay their subscriptions during the Covid-19 pandemic then our expected normal BRF income should be about £22,500 next year. We have also been able to award uncompleted projects 20%, an increase on the awards in the previous four years.

There were 4 grants approved by the Branches in 2021:

Stroud, Horsley 69 Replace wire mesh on louvres Stroud, Woodchester 150 Replacement of tenor clapper Swindon, Highworth 200 Replace tenor clapper, repaint frame Swindon, South Marston 600 Retune and rehang with new fittings all 6 bells Total 1,019

One grant was awarded by Gloucester Branch at their AGM in November to Norton £300 and Swindon Branch to South Marston £600.

Whilst it is good to see some Branches giving a reasonable level of grants, the level of funds held by Branches suggests that other Branches could easily offer more. Over the last 10 years their grants have totalled £20,931 against income of £20,497.

The potential projects are summarised below:

Branch Tower Brief description of likely work Bristol St Thomas Rehang 7thand tenor Cirencester Cirencester Sound control Forest Corse Rehang 6 bells on ball bearings, repaint frame Forest Staunton (Gloucester) Rehang 6 bells Forest Woolaston Rehang 5 bells and augment to 6 Swindon South Marston Retune and rehang with new fittings all 6 bells Swindon South Marston Augment 6 bells to 8 Cheltenham Cowley Rehang in new frame and fittings Bristol Christ Church Rehang 10 bells in new frame, remove cannons Bristol Stapleton Rehang 6 bells Bristol Kingsdown Rehang 8 and add 2 trebles Bristol Southville Refurbishment with possible new fittings Forest Clearwell New ring of 6 in new frame Forest Staunton (Coleford) Rehang 6 and augment to 8 14 Total 7 of which possibly in 2022 1 of which possibly in 2023	Est. cost £'000 5 40 15 60 150 30 25 60 180 55 70 90 70 60 910 325 60	Est. year 2022 2022 2022 2022 2022+ 2022+ 2022+ 2023 2024+ 2024+ 2025+ 2025 2025 2025+	Prob.

			High High High Med Low Med Low Med High Low Med Med Low Low

With the impact Covid-19 has had on ringing and Church finances, most projects have been moved back one year. Assuming there are no unexpected large grant applications in 2022/23 our income and BRF balance should be sufficient to offer these projects grants of 20%.

2.2 Training

Due to Covid neither our Spring Training Day or Autumn Training Day could take place, and Branch Training was also massively restricted. But our Winter School and Summer School both happened, each consisting of a whole week of Zoom seminars on all aspects of ringing. With either three or four sessions each day – and ringers joining us from all over the UK and internationally – the 47 seminars attracted over 1,800 attendances.

2.3 Penn Trophy

Due to Covid the Penn Trophy competition had to take place on Ringing Room . Judged by the Secretary of the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers, the Cheltenham Branch was placed first with the Forest Branch placed second.

2.4 Croome Trophy

The Croome Trophy Competition also took place on Ringing Room , judged by the Central Council Secretary. Alvington of the Forest Branch was placed first and Rodbourne Cheney of the Swindon Branch was placed second.

2.5 Young Ringers

Despite the Covid Restrictions, the G & B took part in the RWNYC hosted by Worcester in September. The Covid restrictions meant it was necessary to limit the number of youngsters to 12, being two teams of 6. The 2022 RWNYC

will be held in Exeter in July. With Covid restrictions relaxed, we turned our mind to resuming open practices for young ringers in the G & B. A significant number of young ringers still want to be part of the G & B Youth Team, but eighteen months of no recruitment and training will mean that our numbers will take some time to rebuild.

2.6 Peal and Quarter Peal Festival

Not held this year due to Covid-19.

2.7 The Firsts Fortnight

Not held this year due to Covid-19.

2.8 Achievement of the Year Competition

Not held this year due to Covid-19.

2.9 Belfry Advisers

During the last year the Belfry Advisers have checked completed projects at Hawkesbury and Moreton in Marsh.

In addition, advice and/or reports has been requested and provided at Arlingham, Chalford, Corse, Dursley, Dyrham, Hartpury, Lechlade, Newnham on Severn, Oaksey, Ruardean, Twyning, Westcote and Woolaston.

Two pairs of bell maintenance Zoom courses were run this year by Malcolm Taylor and Chris Povey. The subjects covered this year were bell frames and their maintenance in January, in August we covered what happens to bell installation if they are not looked after, how to restore a neglected belfry and the legality and process of the faculty rules.

If anyone wants these power point presentations please ask Malcolm Taylor.

The Rope Bank which has been stored at Malcolm Brown’s facility at Chedworth since it started in 2009 has now been disbanded because he is moving house.

There has been very little use made of this facility but if anyone needs a second hand rope please contact Malcolm Taylor who has several second hand ropes available and may be able to help.

Any tower requiring advice on their bell installation, including maintenance advice, please contact one of the Bell Advisors listed in the front of the report

2.10 Peals

The Peal Secretary’s Report appears later in this report, followed by details of peals rung this year by the Association and the peal compositions first rung in 2021

2.11 Review of Financial Activities

The bottom line figures for the year are:

Net income Net grants (approved)/time lapsed Transfers Unrealised increase in value Net fund movements	BRF 20,462 (8,727) 300 7,363 19,398		GMF 121 (300) (179)	Branches
				2,371 (1,019) 1,352

In spite of the Covid-19 lockdowns the number of members paying their subscriptions this year has been encouragingly high. The Association's income is highly dependant on the number of members since well over half the BRF income came from subscriptions and Gift Aid. It is worth noting that about 80% of the subscription goes to the BRF with 10% to the Branches also for use in belfry repair. It is important to maintain this high level of subscription renewals. A failure of, say, 25% of members to renew their membership next year would see the BRF income drop by about £4,000 to about £16,000.

The main items of expenditure from the General Management Fund are insurance and printing the Annual Report; if members take up the electronic version of the Annual Report the printing costs will be reduced.

We need to be aware that with the continuing Covid-19 pandemic, and after, there may well be fewer belfry projects, resulting in a reduced call on the BRF (see the Potential Projects list above). The risks are that church congregations may be lower, that some churches might close, and that PCCs will have more difficulty in raising funds generally.

With the increase in subscriptions in 2017 and the Tower Affiliation Fee in 2018, and the relatively low level of net grant approvals in the last few years, the rate offered for grants was increased to 20%. That still leaves us with about £25k cumulatively under allocated. With the £21k normal BRF income that means we should be able to meet grant requests at 20% on all the Potential Projects listed for 2022/23. These projections are highly dependant on subscription income and will be reviewed during the year.

Bearing in mind the risks noted above, the Trustees believe that the Association remains financially viable. The funds we have on deposit are more than sufficient to pay all the grants approved to date. They should in addition be sufficient to fund grants on the projects we have been notified about for the next two years. The GMF has a balance that is sufficient to fund the two main elements of expenditure on that fund (Insurance and Annual Report). If our income halved, we should still be able to continue financially for the next several years.

Each year we review the balance held in the GMF to confirm that it is within the limits we consider prudent, any excess is then transferred to the BRF for the following year. Last year we considered that a transfer of £300 would be

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appropriate in 2021. Based on the balance of the fund at the end of 2021 we believe that a transfer of £400 would be appropriate in 2022, subject to review in September.

The level of grants awarded over the last 5 and 10 years is slightly below the BRF income. The list of Potential Projects (see 2.1 above) shows further substantial calls on the BRF in the next two years, with further projects in the following three years. As noted above with qualifications, we should have the capacity safely to approve grants in total of about £22,000 per annum on an ongoing basis.

The Management Committee believe that the Branches should retain only about twice normal annual administrative expenses. In the past the Branches have retained substantially more than this. Although the position has improved over the last few years it is still possible, and furthermore expected, that where Branches have projects they should in future be more generous. The Committee’s view is that some Branches could and should offer more.

The Gift Aid tax refund claim this year is about the same as last year. It is important to keep signing up new members to the scheme to replace lapsed members. This is a useful source of income to the BRF and needs to be actively encouraged.

The Tower Affiliation scheme, at 255 affiliated towers, is a bit down on last year. This scheme produces a very useful contribution to the BRF of £4,730, up from £2,570 three years ago due to the increase in the fee from £10 to £20. Some PCCs have not yet increased their payments; it is hoped that this year they will do so. That would generate an extra £400 to the BRF.

2.12 Library

Reports for 1991-98 were borrowed by the Report Secretary for statistical analysis of towers. Another member borrowed a digital copy of the Ringing World covering 1940-2017. The Minutes 1879-1906 were also borrowed for research. Four general enquiries were dealt with.

As noted previously, obituaries for all the years in which they were included in the Reports are now available on the G&B website.

2.13 Handbells

Following the publicity at the 2021 AGM the Handbells have had much more use this year. Hopefully that will continue in 2022. They went to Wotton-U-Edge and then Leckhampton. They were also due to go to Swindon but that did not materialise.

The bells were refurbished in 2015 and are available to be borrowed by any members or Branches of the Association. Please contact the Handbell Steward on page 2.

3 Statistical and Other Information

3.1 Membership

%Junior 2016 Bristol 12% Bristol Rural 11% Cheltenham 1% Chippenham 5% Cirencester 6% Forest 3% Gloucester 7% North Cotswold 0% Stroud 17% Swindon 3% Tewkesbury 3% Wotton-u-Edge 5 % 97 Total for 2021 6 % 1307 2020 7% 2019 7% 2018 7% 2017 7% 2016 8% 2011 (10 years ago) 11% 2001 (20 years ago) 15% 1991 (30 years ago) 17% 1981 (40 years ago) 25% 1971 (50 years ago) 18% 1921 (100 years ago)	%Junior	Senior 71 78 117 62 90 66 33 35 72 96 55 74 849 892 915 833 831 847 714 881 722 757 718	Junior 11 17 1 5 7 3 4 0 18 3 2 5 76 94 89 91 87 100 153 201 178 268 166	Retired 8 56 10 36 14 37 18 11 14 11 16 18 249 283 279 311 334 333 455 274 108	Associate 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 6 9 9 13 8 4 9 12 37	HLM 0 1 0 1 3 0 2 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 11 11 11 13 14 21 24 19 33	TOTAL 90 155 128 104 114 106 57 47 105 110 73 98 1187 1283 1300 1253 1274 1307 1351 1384 1036 1070 921 671	2020 122 158 139 119 119 101 79 48 108 105 75 110 12 83	2019 111 157 139 123 131 106 74 51 98 115 78 117 1300	2018 101 161 126 111 121 112 80 41 101 120 75 104 1253	2017 103 102 169 172 115 119 113 110 121 124 111 121 81 87 51 51 109 117 121 132 73 75 107 1274

For the first time in 22 years membership has dropped below 1300, for most of that period it was well above that figure. That membership has held up so well during the last 18 months, during a lot of which no ringing took place with lockdown in place, shows considerable commitment to the exercise. The Retired membership, which was always

a concession, introduced in 1987, is about half of the peak of 500. For the last four years retired members have been encouraged to pay the Senior subscription. Looking at the figures in the table above it is noticeable that three Branches still have over 30% of membership as Retired. In line with total membership, Junior membership shows a small drop this year; we hope that may improve as ringing returns to more normal arrangements.

3.2 Grants

Over the last five and ten years, grants have been approved as follows:

5 years 10 years	Total Grants £97,097 £167,657	Towers 24 63	Average per Tower pa £4,079 £19,581 £2,661 £16,766	Belfry Repair Fund Income pa £106,950 £21,138 £176,593 £17,659

The income is before grants and unrealised gains/losses. The grants are inclusive of lapsed/not needed grants.

The totals of grants given by the Branches were as follows (the income is Branch Funds income net before grants):

5 years 10 years	Total Grants £9,534 £20,931	Towers 32 69	Average per Tower pa £298 £1,907 £303 £2,093	Branch Funds Income pa £12,821 £2,564 £20,497 £2,050

4. Legal and Administrative information

4.1 Title of the Charity

The Gloucester and Bristol Diocesan Association of Church Bell Ringers. Charity number 281431.

4.2 The Governing Instrument of the Association

The Rules of the Association adopted by the AGM April 1965, last amended April 2006.

4.3 Beneficial Area

The Dioceses of Gloucester and Bristol.

4.4 Trustees

The Trustees of the charity are the members of the Management Committee and comprise:

(a) the Ringing Master, Chairman, Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer, Hon. Peal Secretary,

(b) the Representatives on the Central Council and

Trustees (a & b) are elected by the members of the Association at the Association AGM and are listed on the title page. Trustees (c) are elected by their respective Branch AGMs; refer to the Branch information pages.

4.5 Principal Addresses

Hon. Secretary, Mr. Steve Coleman, 46 Byfords Road, Huntley, Glos. GL19 3EL

Hon. Treasurer, Mr. Philip Twentyman, 8 Ampney St Peter, Cirencester, Glos. GL7 5SH

4.6 Principal Agents and Advisers

The Association’s bankers are: Lloyds Bank, Swindon Branch, 5 High Street, Swindon, SN1 3EN The Association’s independent examiners are:

Mr C Woodd MA FIA, 3 The Paddocks, Baunton, Cirencester, GL7 7DL

and: Mrs M Harris, 3 Furzey Hill Cottage, Meysey Hampton, Cirencester, GL7 5LG

4.7 Investment and Borrowing Powers

The Association has no borrowing powers. Rule 7.iv gives, by implication, the Management Committee authority to invest surplus funds.

4.8 Remuneration of Trustees

No remuneration was paid to any Trustees.

4.9 Risk Assessment

The Trustees have identified and reviewed the major risks to which they believe the Association may be exposed and have taken steps to minimise and manage those risks.

4.10 Organisation

The Association is organised into twelve Branches covering the two Dioceses. The Branches have their own officers responsible for encouraging good ringing in the churches with bells within their area and working within the charitable objectives of the Association as a whole.

The Management Committee, which has three meetings each year, is responsible to the members, through the AGM, for the general running of the Association. The Branches are represented on the Management Committee.

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The Association is affiliated to the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers.

5. Aims and Public Benefit

5.1 Objectives of the Association

The objectives of the Association are as set out in Rule 2:

1 To promote the ringing of bells for Divine Service
2 To practise ringing to obtain a higher standard of ringing
3 To educate the public in the art and science of change ringing
4 To provide financial assistance by way of grants to affiliated church authorities incurring expenditure on the provision, maintenance or improvement of their bells and bell installations.

In furtherance of the first two of these objectives the Association organises and encourages training sessions and bell ringing competitions. The main Association-level training is the annual Spring training day which for a number of years has been based centrally in Cirencester. There is an advanced Autumn training day using reasonably central towers. (These two Training days have not taken place in the last two years due to Covid-19.) Training at the Branch level is both ongoing and based on specific training days. There are also two week-long series of multiple Zoom seminars – the Winter School and the Summer School.

Grants to approved belfry repair and improvement projects are available from the Belfry Repair Fund. Applications are considered at the two main Management Committee meetings, in the spring and autumn. The Association Belfry Advisers are available to discuss the condition of bells and their fittings.

5.2 Public Benefit Statement

Our Objects and Aims are focused towards two things. First, the preservation of the UK tradition and heritage of change ringing, and second, the support of Christian worship by promoting the ringing of bells for Divine Service. We achieve this by:

i educating the public about change ringing;
ii training and developing change ringers from all walks of society;
iii practising the art of change ringing to improve standards;
iv providing financial support for belfry repair and restoration.

The public benefits through the preservation of a uniquely UK tradition and heritage, and because we assist them to participate in an inclusive activity that significantly benefits them both physically and mentally.

The Trustees paid due regard to the commission's guidance on public benefit in producing this statement.

Approved by the Management Committee on 22nd January 2022, and signed on its behalf by

R W Haynes (Chairman)

P Twentyman (Hon. Treasurer)

Balance Sheet as at 31st October 2021

	2021	2021		2020	2020
Association £ 291 498 289 2,239 468 43	Branches £ 23 38 1,263	Total £ 291 23 498 327 2,239 468 1,306	Association £ 24 604 289 2,160 447 95	Branches £ 23 38 452	Total £ 24 23 604 327 2,160 447 547
3,828 30,161 17,288 46,925 20,767	1,324 4,306 7,408 5,971	5,152 30,161 21,594 54,333 26,738	3,619 22,798 17,271 46,707 21,875	513 4,449 7,509 5,485	4,132 22,798 21,720 54,216 27,360
115,141	17,685	132,826	108,651	17,443	126,094
118,969	19,009 (291) (369)	137,978 (291) (369)	112,270 (3,282)	17,956 (24) (335)	130,226 (24) (3,617)
	(660)	(660)	(3,282)	(359)	(3,641)
118,969	18,349	137,318	108,988	17,597	126,585
66,835 49,332 2,802	3,450 14,899	66,835 52,782 17,701	47,436 58,614 2,938	4,050 13,547	47,436 62,664 16,485
118,969	18,349	137,318	108,988	17,597	126,585

The notes on pages 14 to17 form part of these accounts.

Approved by the Management Committee on 22nd January 2022, and signed on its behalf by

R Haynes (Chairman)

P. Twentyman (Hon Treasurer)

Statement of Financial Activities for the Year ended 31st October 2021

	2021	2021					2020	2020
Association Funds Belfry Bell Repair Projects General £ £ £ 11,671 1,332 2,196 43 4,730 90 1,413 43 599 130 32 146 20,699 1,726 18,009 146 146 18,009 489 48 59 598 91 127 240 91 1,561			Branch Bell Projects £ 1,619	Branch	Funds General £ 1,332 113 32 1,081 217 14	Total £ 14,335 2,352 4,730 90 1,488 1,810 217 14 32 146	Assoc. Branch Funds Funds £ £ 13,868 1,416 2,206 207 4,760 2,087 47 1,100 1,004 855 832 58 158 146	Total £ 15,284 2,413 4,760 2,134 2,104 855 832 58 158 146
	Bell Projects £ 18,009
		£ 1,332 43 43 130 32 146
		1,726			2,789	25,214	25,215 3,529	28,744
		489 48 59 598 127 240			169 6 81	19,628 315 6 81	11,717 4,310 703 192 46 25 337	16,027 895 46 25 337
146	18,009		1,619		256	20,030	12,466 4,864	17,330
91 91
							170	170
					162	489 48 59 598 380 240	472 100 (24) 996 320 188 240	472 76 996 508 240
		1,561			162	1,814	2,128 164	2,292

237	18,009	1,561	1,619		418	21,844	14,594 5,198	19,792
20,462 (8,727) 300 7,363	(18,009) 8,727	165 (300)	(1,619) 1,019		2,371 (1,019)	3,370 0 0 7,363	10,621 (1,669) (8,280)	8,952 (8,280)
19,398 47,437	(9,282) 58,614	(135) 2,937	(600) 4,050		1,352 13,547	10,733 126,585	2,341 (1,669) 106,647 19,266	672 125,913 .
66,835	49,332	2,802	3,450		14,899	137,318	108,988 17,597	126,585

The notes on pages 14 to 17 form part of these accounts.

Independent Examiners’ Report to the Trustees of The Gloucester and Bristol Diocesan Association of Church Bell Ringers

We report to the Trustees on the accounts of the Association for the year ended 31[st] October 2021, which are set out on pages 12 to 18.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Association you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’). We report in respect of our examination of the accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out our examination we have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiners’ statement

We have completed our examination. We confirm that no material matters have come to our attention in connection with the examination giving us cause to believe that in any material respect:

accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. We 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.

Date: 9 December 2021

Mr C Woodd, MA, FIA Mrs M Harris, 3 The Paddocks, 3 Furzey Hill Cottage, Baunton, Meysey Hampton, Cirencester, Cirencester, Glos. GL7 7DL Glos. GL7 5LG

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