## **Trustees’ Report for 2022**
## **2022 Trustees ’ Report Contents**
1. Highlights of 2022
2. 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
3. Statistical information
4. Legal, Administrative and Organisation
5. Aims and Public Benefit Statement
## **1. Highlights of 2022**
2022 has been a year of contrasting tone, and has been one in which the activities of ringers across the country have been very prominently displayed to the wider public. Some of the most significant events across the year have shared a royal theme, with celebrations for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, in mourning after her death, and following the proclamation of the new monarch. 2022 was also significantly a year where much of our efforts have been focused on rebuilding, or continuing to rebuild, our bands following the disruption brought about by the Covid19 pandemic.
The Management Committee meetings have begun to move back to in-person events over the course of 2022, following a two-year period of meetings taking place online. In whichever form they have taken they have proven, as much as they always have done, to be key to the shaping of our activities as an association as we adapt and thrive into the future. They are the medium through which all members can express their views and help shape the Association’s direction.
As ever, it is the enormously impactful work done by all within the Association’s branches that binds our ringing community and upholds our collective aims for the Association.
2022 has seen another drop in membership, to just below 1100, for the second year. We noted in 2020 that there was a potential risk of members not renewing their membership due to Covid-19. It is encouraging therefore that in nine of our Branches membership has held up remarkably well. The drop in membership is most noticeable in just three branches (from 228 to 123 over the last two years). 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 has been disappointing that so many retired members have continued to take advantage of the Retired concessionary rate. At the 2022 AGM it was decided that the concession had probably now outlived its justification and that it would be withdrawn from 2023.
Over the last twenty years we have managed to give grants appropriate to our BRF income. The Potential Projects List - see below - suggests that, with a number of major projects withdrawn from the list, the fund balance may exceed our policy of being twice the level of expected annual grants (see note 1 to the Accounts).
Although most PCCs have increased their Tower Affiliation Fee from £10 to £20 there are still 34 paying the old £10 rate.
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 five years.
Other income has recovered a lot of the previous fall and is now not far below the levels of a few years ago.
Following a couple of barren years on the peal ringing front, 2022 has seen numbers returning to near-normal levels. Whilst the G&B is seeing roughly 25% fewer peals than pre-Covid levels, this is reflective of the national state of affairs. Within the G&B, this can be attributed in part to a significant decrease in prolific organisers and conductors, as well as an increasing number of peals rung by Members now being attributed to other societies. This dip has been offset somewhat by a healthy number of NRLMs being elected this year, and many of the Association's keener peal ringers have seen no discernible drop in their G&B peal numbers than before the enforced break. Whilst it remains to be seen whether peal numbers reach their pre-Covid levels anytime soon, things do at least appear to be heading back in the right direction at last.
## **2. Review of activities during 2022**
## **2.1 Grants**
|4 grants were paid during the year:
Didbrook
Highworth
Littleton Drew
Woodchester
**Total**
9 new grants were approved during the year:
Cirencester
Corse|2,086
Balance, total £4,416
1,877
14,412
153
**18,528**
5,124
Sound control
3,670
Rehang 6 bells on ball bearings, paint frame|
|---|---|
|Longhope
Staunton (Gloucester)
Bisley
Stroud
Haresfield
Ashchurch
Central Council Mobile Belfry
**Total**
Littleton Drew
Highworth
**Total**|1,665
Repair wheels, paint frame
12,463
Rehang 6 bells
448
Training bell and electronics
920
New rope guide
874
Replace gudgeon on 5thheadstock
9,568
Rehang 6 on new headstocks
1,000
**35,732**
375
Increase in previous approval
(42
)
Full grant not needed
**36,065**|
|---|---|
Although, as noted below, we have a number of large potential projects in two or three years time, the projects for next year are low. Also one grant previously approved, at £23,000, is unlikely now to be extended as the project is unlikely to proceed in the agreed format. As a consequence we should have no difficulty in maintaining our 20% grant offer in the next few years.
There were 11 grants approved by the Branches in 2022:
|Cheltenham, Didbrook
Cirencester, Meysey Hampton
Cirencester, Cirencester Parish Church
Cirencester, Windrush
Forest, Staunton (Gloucester)
Forest, Corse
Forest, Longhope
Stroud, Horsley
Stroud, Stroud
Tewkesbury, Tirley
Tewkesbury, Deerhurst
**Total**
**less**Ruardean
**Total**|350
Rehang 5 bells on new fittings
213
Tenor clapper
500
Insert sound control floor
127
Peal plaque in memory of Brian Hall
3,000
Rebuild frame, rehang on ball bearings, new fittings
550
Rehang on ball bearings, refurbish fittings
500
Work to bells to allow tower refurbishment
68
Six muffles
919
Rope guide
150
Repainting of frame
94
Tower heater
**6,471**
(2,000
)
Grant withdrawn
**4,471**|
|---|---|
Whilst it is good to see a general improvement in Branches 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 £22,868 against income of £21,424.
The potential projects are summarised below:
|**Branch**
Bristol
Gloucester
North Cotswold
Cheltenham
Swindon
Swindon
Bristol
Bristol
Bristol|**Tower**
St Thomas
Hardwicke
Naunton
Cowley
South Marston
South Marston
Christ Church
Kingsdown
Southville
**9**
3
3|**Est. cost**
**Brief description of likely work**
**£'000**
Rehang 7thand tenor
5
Replace gudgeons on three bells
10
Rebush clappers, refurbish fittings
3
Rehang in new frame and fittings
60
Retune and rehang with new fittings all 6 bells
30
Augment 6 bells to 8
25
Rehang 10 bells in new frame, remove cannons
150
Rehang 8 and add 2 trebles
70
Refurbishment with possible new fittings
90
**Total**
**473**
of which possibly in 2023
18
of which possibly in 2024
115|**Est. year**
2023
2023
2023
2024
2024+
2024+
2025+
2025+
2025|**Prob.**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||High
High
High
Med
Med
Low
Med
Med
Med|
The list has lost a number of sizeable projects as they are unlikely to proceed for various reasons. As a consequence we should have no difficulty in being able to offer these projects grants of 20%.
## **2.2 Training**
Sadly, none of the Spring, Summer or Autumn Training Days were able to be run this year. Hazel Bridges, organiser of the marvellous and extraordinarily successful Spring Training Day, has stepped down from the role this year. Thanks must go to her, from across the Association, for all of her efforts in organising the event for the past 11 years (9 Training Days), and for doing so much to organise an annual event that has done such good in improving the standard of ringing in the Association.
A stunningly successful week-long online Winter School was again held. It consisted of 26 afternoon and evening theoretical sessions with a new record of 1,100 participants (including ringers welcomed from elsewhere). It showed the enormous demand for out-of-the-tower help with theory, and was free to participants. Three Zoom licences were used, only one of which - at a cost of £14 - was additional. The two other Zoom licences - one purchased by the Association and one by the Forest Branch - were used by Branches throughout the year for local training events.
2
## **2.3 Penn Trophy**
St John the Baptist, Chipping Sodbury hosted the 8-bell competition. The judge, Derek Carr of the Bristol Branch, placed the bands as follows; 1st – and winners of The Penn Trophy – the Bristol Branch, 2nd – and winners of The Chairman’s Baldric – the Swindon Branch, 3rd the Cheltenham Branch, 4th the Cirencester Branch, 5th the Stroud Branch, 6th the Chippenham Branch, Joint 7th the Wotton-under-Edge Branch and the Tewkesbury Branch, 9th the Bristol Rural Branch. The trophies and certificates were awarded at the AGM.
## **2.4 Croome Trophy**
St Andrew, Cromhall, hosted the 6-bell competition. The judge, Rob Clive of the Cirencester Branch, placed the bands as follows; 1st – and winners of The Croome Trophy – Cheltenham, St Mark (Cheltenham Branch), 2nd – and winners of The Great Peter Trophy – Swindon, St Mark (Swindon Branch), 3rd St Mary Redcliffe (Bristol Branch), 4th Tewkesbury Abbey (Tewkesbury Branch), 5th Dursley (Wotton-under-Edge Branch), 6th Leonard Stanley (Stroud Branch), 7th Cirencester (Cirencester Branch), 8th Corsham, St Bartholomew (Chippenham Branch). The Ringing Master presented The Ringing Master's Scudamore Clapper to Leonard Stanley and The Ringing Master's Sabin Clapper to Corsham, St Bartholomew. The trophies and certificates were awarded at the AGM.
## **2.5 Young Ringers**
Open Youth Team practices took place monthly throughout the year (except in August) and the commitment, enthusiasm and behaviour of our young ringers was never short of exemplary. Once again, the G & B took a large group of youngsters to the RWNYC which, this year, was hosted by Exeter on Saturday 2nd July. Ours was the largest group present and we entered two teams (both in the Call Change section), the 8 bell team came 2nd, the 6 bell team came joint 5th. We were delighted to be placed so highly out of the 23 teams entered.
The practices are only possible due to the support of a small but committed group of adult leaders and supporters. The Youth Team management have decided to increase the amount of method ringing as many of the youngsters have limited other opportunities for 8 bell method ringing.
## **2.6 Peal and Quarter Peal Festival**
There were fewer performances rung this year in the Association’s Peal and Quarter Peal Festival, with 16 being linked to the event. 1 peal and 15 quarter peals were rung, at stages between doubles and major, comprising 18 different methods. Three quarter peals were rung in methods rung for the first time, each of them minor.
## **2.7 The Firsts Fortnight**
Well done to all those who broke new ground during the Firsts Fortnight and acquired new ringing skills. The firsts recorded on the Association website included conducting call changes for the first time, a first 120 of Reverse Canterbury, and lowering in peal on 12 bells.
## **2.8 Achievement of the Year Competition**
The Achievement of the Year competition seeks to recognise achievement by a group during the year, and can be awarded to a person, a tower, a group of towers or a whole branch. Five entries were received this year in which the theme was 'During and After Covid; Keeping Ringing Going'.
The competition was won by Abson and Frenchay, who had put into practice many innovative ideas including ringing handbells outside their churches before the services. They received the Bliss Trophy in recognition of their achievement.
Second place was The Swindon Ringing Centre for their work in creating a fully equipped Ringing Centre for teaching new ringers and for delivering courses to help existing ringers to progress. In recognition of their very great efforts they were presented with the Littledean and Purton Trophy.
## **2.9 Belfry Advisers**
During the last year the Belfry Advisers have checked completed projects at Wanborough, and Littleton Drew.
In addition advice and /or reports has been requested and provided at Ashchurch, Avening, Awre, St John the Baptist Bristol, Coalpit Heath, Dymock, Frampton Cotterell, Haresfield, Hardwicke, Hasfield, Iron Acton, Upper Slaughter, Old Sodbury, Quedgeley, Ruardean, Stonehouse, Stapleton, Stroud, Wapley, Winterbourne, Woodchester and Yate. Any tower requiring advice on their bell installation, including maintenance advice, please contact one of the Bell Advisers 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 2022
## **2.11 Review of Financial Activities**
The bottom line figures for the year are:
|**1**
**Review of Financial Activities**
e bottom line figures for the year are:|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|Net income
Net grants (approved)/time lapsed
Transfers
Unrealised increase / decrease in value|**BRF**
20,779
(36,065)
400
(2,956
)||**GMF**
302
(400)|**Branches**|
|||||1,901
(4,771)|
3
(17,842) (98) (2,870)
Net fund movements
With the Covid-19 lockdowns behind us, the number of members paying their subscriptions this year has fallen for the second year. 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.
The main items of expenditure from the General Management Fund are insurance and printing the Annual Report. The insurance premium has, not unexpectedly, increased over the last few years. In spite of increased printing costs, the cost of the Annual Report has been significantly reduced with a large number of members accepting the PDF version in place of a printed copy.
Last year’s Report warned that there might well be fewer belfry projects in future, resulting in a reduced call on the BRF (see the Potential Projects list above). It was stated that 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. The Potential Projects list, see 2.1 above, suggests that we are now seeing that.
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 £400 would be appropriate in 2022. Based on the balance of the fund at the end of 2022 we believe that a transfer of £600 would be appropriate in 2023, subject to review in September.
The level of grants awarded over the last 5 years is slightly below the BRF income, that over 10 years is slightly above. The list of Potential Projects (see 2.1 above) shows a noticeable drop in the expected grant applications. We should have no difficulty in funding all those projects, the expected BRF income is 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 a bit down on 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 257 affiliated towers, is about the same as for the last few years. This scheme produces a very useful contribution to the BRF of £4,890, up from £2,570 four 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 £300 to the BRF.
Taking all these points into consideration, the Trustees’ believe the Association remains viable.
## **2.12 Library**
A member borrowed a digital copy of the Ringing World covering 1940-2017. Three 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**
The Handbells have been used once in 2022. They were rung during the signing of the 'register' following the marriage of Alex & Hannah Haynes on February 26th 2022 at South Cerney Church.
The bells 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**
|Bristol
Bristol Rural
Cheltenham
Chippenham
Cirencester
Forest
Gloucester
North Cotswold
Stroud
Swindon
Tewkesbury
Wotton-u-Edge
Total for 2022
2021
2020|**%Junior**|**%Junior**|**Senior**
81
84
108
63
83
38
32
17
71
105
55
75
812
849
892|**Junior**
19
15
3
7
9
3
0
0
8
2
2
3
71
76
94|**Retired**
1
32
12
42
22
18
9
3
12
11
12
21
195
249
283|**Associate**
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
3
3|**HLM**
0
1
1
1
3
0
2
1
1
0
0
1
1
1
10
11|**TOTAL**|**2021**
90
155
128
104
114
106
57
47
105
110
73
98
1187|**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**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||19%
11%
2%
6%
8%
5%
0%
0%
9%
2%
3%
3
%
7
%
6%
7%||||||101
134
124
113
117
59
43
21
92
118
69
100
1091
1187
1283|||||103
169
115
113
121
111
81
51
109
121
73
107|
||||||||||||||1274|
|||||||||||||||
4
|2019||7%|915|89|279|6|11|1300|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|2018||7%|833|91|311|9|11|1253|
|2017||7%|831|87|334|9|13|1274|
|2012|(10 years ago)|12%|717|159|471|8|19|1374|
|2002|(20 years ago)|15%|848|201|303|3|27|1382|
|1992|(30 years ago)|16%|795|180|127|11|18|1131|
|1982|(40 years ago)|22%|702|216||19|36|976|
|1972|(50 years ago)|19%|749|176||33||958|
|1922|(100 years ago)|||||||749|
For the second time in 23 years membership has dropped below 1200, 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. As noted in Highlights above, three Branches have shown a significant reduction in members, the other Branches have held up well. The Retired membership, which was always a concession, introduced in 1987, although well down from the peak of a bit under 500 is still high. For the last five years retired members have been encouraged to pay the Senior subscription. At the 2022 AGM it was decided by the meeting to withdraw the concession; the £10 Retired subscription will not be available in 2023. 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:
|**Total**
**Grants**
5 years
£98,315
10 years
£205,912|**Towers**
21
64|**Average**
**Belfry Repair Fund**
**per Tower**
**pa**
**Income**
**pa**
£3,641
£19,633
£107,194
£21,439
£3,120
£20,591
£183,508
£18,351|
|---|---|---|
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**
£14,980
£22,868|**Towers**
38
75|**Average**
**per Tower**
**pa**
£394
£2,996
£305
£2,287|**Branch Funds**
**Income**
**pa**
£12,217
£2,443
£21,280
£2,128|
|---|---|---|---|---|
## **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 2019.
## **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
(c) the Branch Management Committee Representatives (MC Reps).
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, Mrs. Fiona Hartley, 45 Round Barrow Close, Colerne, Chippenham. SN14 8EF 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.
5
## **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. 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. This year we only ran one week-long series of multiple Zoom seminars – the Winter School, no Summer School was run in 2022.
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 28th January 2023, and signed on its behalf by
R W Haynes (Chairman)
P Twentyman (Hon. Treasurer)
6
## **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 2022, 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:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. 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: 7th December 2022
Mr C Woodd, MA, FIA 3 The Paddocks, Baunton, Cirencester, Glos. GL7 7DL
Mrs M Harris, 3 Furzey Hill Cottage, Meysey Hampton, Cirencester, Glos. GL7 5LG
7
**Notes to the 2022 Accounts**
## **1. Accounting policies**
**General** . These Accounts have been prepared under the historic cost convention and in accordance with applicable accounting standards and the Statement of Recommended Practice on Accounting by Charities. The continued financial viability of the Association is discussed in the Trustees’ Report, Section 2.11.
**Consistency** . The Association’s accounts are prepared on a consistent basis.
**Grants** . Approved grants are transferred from the Belfry Repair Fund to the Bell Projects Fund from which Grant payments are made after completion and inspection of the project works by an Association Belfry Adviser. Grants are normally approved as a percentage of the eligible expenditure incurred up to a maximum of the same percentage of the expected eligible expenditure.
**Funds** . The Management Committee believe that all the Funds are unrestricted, that is they may be expended in furtherance of the objects of the Association and are not subject to any specific trust declared by or with the authority of the donors. The policy confirmed by the Management Committee in 1995, and since reaffirmed annually, is that the Belfry Repair Fund exists to further the primary objects of the Association, that is to fund belfry repair projects and educational/training activities. The Bell Projects Fund is designated to cover approved grant applications. The General Management Fund is to cover the administration expenses of the Association.
## **Fund Balances** :
**Belfry Repair Fund (BRF).** This fund exists primarily to support grants to belfry repair projects. In an average year the grants are covered by income. There are fluctuations and occasionally larger grants are considered. Taking note of projects in the list of future projects, the Management Committee believe that a fund balance in the region of twice the average annual grants approval of the last two years is required. (The figure for the two years 2021–22 is £44,792, average £22,396). Where the balance is likely to exceed this figure the Management Committee will adjust, as appropriate, the level of grants approved. (For 2022 the fund balance was £48,993). The list of potential projects [Trustees’ Report 2.1] indicates a number of major applications in the next three years. The percentage of grant offered in 2020 was increased to 20%, up from 15% in 2019. If the projects listed in section 2.1 of the Trustees’ Report lead to grants applications the balance of the Fund is not excessive.
**General Management Fund (GMF).** This fund exists to cover the general management expenses of the Association. The Management Committee believe that it is prudent to hold a balance equal to about 1[1] /3 of the average annual expenditure to allow for exceptional expenditure and for expenses incurred in the early part of the year (£1,597 based on 2021 and 2022, 1[1] /3 = £2,129). The Management Committee propose that where the balance exceeds this figure the excess is transferred to the Belfry Repair Fund. The balance of this fund is £2,704, above the target level. We have transferred £5,800 in the last eleven years (2012–22) based on the previous years' excesses. The Management Committee propose to make a transfer of £600 in 2023 (£400 in 2022 and £300 in 2021).
**Branch Funds (BF).** These funds exist to cover the general running expenses of the Branches. The Management Committee believe that the Branches should aim over a period of years to hold a balance (currently £12,028) equal to the average of two years expenditure (about £500 normal expenditure for 2021 & 2022, £250 pa). Balances in excess of this figure should—over a period of years—be paid by the Branches to belfry repair projects in their areas. The Management Committee believe that Branches generally can and should do more to support projects in their Branch.
## **2. Subscriptions**
In 2022 members’ subscriptions were: £15 Senior & Retired (split BRF £12 : GMF £1.50 : BF £1.50), £2.50 for Junior members (split BRF £1.50 : GMF 50p : BF 50p) and £10.00 for Retired (concession) and Associate members (split BRF £9.00 : GMF 50p : BF 50p). They were last increased for 2017.
|Senior & Retired
Junior
Retired (concession)
Associate
HLM
**Total**|**2022**
**No**
**.s**
**£**
812
12,066
71
165
195
2,000
2
20
1
1
-
**1091**
**14,251**
|**2021**
**No**
**.s**
**£**
849
12,063
6
152
249
2,090
3
30
11
-
**1187**
**14,335**|**2021**
**No**
**.s**
**£**
849
12,063
6
152
249
2,090
3
30
11
-
**1187**
**14,335**|
|---|---|---|---|
||||**14,335**|
There were some members with unpaid subscriptions at the end of each of the years (2022 = 23, 2021 = 144). The Retired (concession) category has been withdrawn from 2023.
## **3. Tax**
|e Tax refund of £2,239 is in respect of:
518
members subscriptions for 2022
7
members subscriptions for 2017/2021
68
Peal Fees
5
donations
**Total**
**Branches – credited (earned)**|**2022**
**BRF**
**GMF**
1,783
30
8
23
35
**1,836**
**43**
**2023**
**(22)**|**2021**
**BRF**
**GMF**
1,909
(572 in 2021)
229
(21 new GA back dated)
10
(35 in 2021)
58
33
(4 in 2021)
**2,196**
**43**
**2022**
**(21)**
**2021**
**(20)**|
|---|---|---|
The Tax refund of £2,239 is in respect of:
8
- - 33 (0 in 2022/21) 263 31 80 (4 in 2022/21) **263 31 113**
0 GASDS 4 Gift Aid donations
**Total**
The tax refund on Branch GASDS and GA is taken into account in the year following that in which it is earned.
## **4. Interest & Investment Income**
Interest is allocated to the Belfry Repair and General Management Funds based on average opening and closing cash and deposit balances.
|Interest on Gift Aid tax refund
CCLA Deposit Fund interest
Other Deposit Accounts interest
Charifund income
**Total**|**2022**
2
143 (1.5%)
218 (1.1%)
1,54
3
(5.4%)
**1,906**|**2021**
0
17 (0.01%)
112 (0.25%)
1,327
(4.4%)
**1,456**|
|---|---|---|
The bulk (£47k) of our deposits are now held in a Teachers Building Society account (interest 1.10%) with the balance (£27k) in a CCLA Deposit account (interest 1.5%). The income we earned on the Charifund units averaged 5.4% (4.4%) for the year; the average on all the “Association Funds” was 1.9% (1.9% in 2021).
## **5. Ringing courses and Training**
Figures for the Association Training days in the spring and autumn and Branch training days were:
|Number of Students
Income
Expenditure
**Excess of Income/(Expenditure)**|**Spring Course**
**2022**
**2021**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|**Autumn Course**
**2022**
**2021**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|**Branch Courses**|**Branch Courses**|**Branch Courses**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||
**2022**
-
-
-
-|**2022**
-
-
-
-|**2022**
-
84
(84)||**2021**
-
169
(169)|
|||||||
There were no courses in 2022 or 2021 due to Covid. A successful week-long online Winter School was again held, see Trustees’ Report, 2.2 - Training.
|Zoom Licences
RWNYC Entry Fee
**Total**|**Other Training**
**2022**
**2021**
14
86
85
60
**99**
**146**
-|
|---|---|
||
**2022**
14
85
**99**|
Swindon Branch invested £874 in a Ringing Centre towards which the BRF made a 50% grant of £437. The Zoom licences were used by most Branches.
**6. Net Income / Expenditure**
|**6a Sales of badges & books etc.**
Income
Expenditure
Excess of Income/(Expenditure)|**Association Funds**
**2022**
**2021**
-
-
-
-
-
-|**Association Funds**
**2022**
**2021**
-
-
-
-
-
-|**Branch**|**Funds**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**2022**
-
-
-|**2022**
14
-
14|**2021**
-
-
-|
A stock of 101 badges was purchased in 2019 at a cost of £424. No badges were sold in 2022 or 21, 31 sold in 2019 & 20. We currently have a stock of 69 (1 was placed in the Library).
|**6b Annual Report**
Number
Cost of printing Report
Website costs (domain on 9 year contract,
**Total cost**
**Less Income**
**:**
Peal Fees
Report Sales
Advertisements
**Total Income**
Net cost
**6c Branch Newsletters**
Branches with no Newsletters
Branches with Newsletters at no cost
**6d Donations Received, 2022**
**£35 or more, or from Officers**
PCCs, with TAF
Colesbourne Gardens|**2022**
[450]
690
to 2025)46
736
214
32
8
-
146
146
238
498
**2022**
[4 Branches]
[8 Branches]
**BRF**
**GMF**
130
150|
32
-
146||**2021**
[550]
598
-
(covered by donation under GA)
598
178
420
**2021**
[4]
[8]
**Branches**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||
||||||
||||||
9
Rob Clive, website costs 46 Steve Coleman (re expenses) 18 37 Philip Twentyman (re expenses) 50 50 Various small donations 229 Forest Branch, Terina Riches 402 Tewkesbury Branch, Malcolm Taylor 200 Various small donations 10 3 **Total 623 87 705 6e Fund Raising & related activities 2022 2021** Branch Income 685 217 Branch Expenditure 109 0 Excess of Income/(Expenditure) **576 217**
) ) covered by Gift Aid )
**6f Donations Paid & Miscellaneous, 2022 BRF GMF Branches** Write down of Miscellaneous Assets 61 (Note 13 - Oddstruckness meter) 424 (Note 13 - Ringing Center) Various small donations 220 **Total 705**
## **7. Association Printing, Stationery & Postage**
Includes expenses incurred by Officers on stationery, postage and phones etc. Officers’ expenses are:
|Hon. Secretary (2:1 GMF and BRF)
Hon. Treasurer (1:1 GMF and BRF)
**Total**
**7a**
**Zoom licences**
**8.**
**Central Council**
Affiliation Fee (5 x £40)
Friends of the Library
**Total**|**2022**
54
72
**126**
14
**2022**
200
40
**240**|**2021**
110
(covered by donation, note 6d)
108
(covered by donation, note 6d)
**218**
(Winter Ringing School)
**2021**
200
40
**240**|
|---|---|---|
Allowances are no longer paid to the Representatives for attending the CC Meetings. For 2018 the Affiliation Fee was increased to £40 per Representative (£20 in 2011, £25 in 2012/13, £30 in 2014). For 2023 it will be 20p per member.
## **9. Transfers between Funds**
|**9a Belfry Repair Fund Grants Summary**
**B/fwd from 2021**
**Approved**
**o/s’**
**21**
Ruardean
2016/22
23,000
Didbrook
2016/20
2,086
Highworth
2021
1,919
Littleton Drew
2020
14,037
Norton
2021
8,137
Woodchester
2021
153
**New Approvals in 2022**
Cirencester
2022
-
Corse
2022
-
Longhope
2022
-
Staunton (Gloucester)
2022
-
Bisley
2022
-
Stroud
2022
-
Haresfield
2022
-
Ashchurch
2022
-
Central Council Mobile Belfry
2022
-
**Totals**
**49,332**
**Branch Grants Summary**
**B/fwd from 2021**
**Approved**
**o/s’**
**21**
Chippenham, Littleton Drew
2020
850
Forest, Ruardean
2015
2,000
Swindon, South Marston
2021
600
**Approved in 2022**
Cheltenham, Didbrook
2022
-
Cirencester, Meysey Hampton 2022
-
Cirencester, Cirencester SJB
2022
-
Cirencester, Windrush
2022
-
Forest, Corse
2022
-|**Approved’**
**22**
**Paid’**
**22**
-
-
- 2,086
(42)
1,877
375
14,412
-
-
-
153
5,124
-
3,670
-
1,665
-
12,463
-
448
-
920
-
874
-
9,568
-
1,000
-
**36,065**
**18,528**
**Approved‘22**
**Paid’2**
**2**
- 850
(2,000)
-
-
-
350
350
213
213
500
-
127
127
550
-||**o/s’**
**22**
23,000
-
-
-
8,137
-
5,124
3,670
1,665
12,463
448
920
874
9,568
1,000
**66,869**
**o/s’2**
**2**
-
-
600
-
-
500
-
550|**Expected**
**Payment**
**Grant %**
2025
20%
20%
20%
20%
2024
20%
20%
2023
20%
2023
20%
2024
20%
2023
20%
2023
20%
2023
20%
2023
20%
2023
20%
2023
-
**Expected Payment**
Withdrawn|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||
10
|Forest, Longhope|2022|-|500|-|500|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Forest, Staunton (Gloucester)|2022|-|3,000|-|3,000|
|Gloucester, Norton|2022|-|300|-|300|
|Stroud, Horsley|2022|-|68|68|-|
|Stroud, Stroud|2022|-|919|-|919|
|Tewkesbury, Deerhurst|2022|-|94|94|-|
|Tewkesbury, Tirley|2022|-|150|150|-|
|**Totals**||**3,450**|**4,771**|**1,852**|**6,369**|
The Association’s accounting policy on grants is set out in Note 1 (Grants). Details of grants approved this year are in the Trustees’ Report section 2.1.
## **9b GMF to BRF**
**2022 2021 BRF GMF BRF GMF** GMF Balance above Reserves Policy Level 400 (400) 300 (300)
As noted above in Note 1. (GMF), the Management Committee propose to transfer £400 in 2023
## **10. Investments & Deposits**
The Officers and Management Committee have reviewed the position of both our investments and deposits and consider in the circumstances that no change is needed at this stage. We review where our deposits are held to ensure we obtain a competitive rate of interest; currently we hold the bulk of our deposits with The Teachers Building Society. CCLA Investment Management Ltd is regulated and authorised by the Financial Services Authority but is not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. The CCLA is owned by, and open only to, its faith, charity and local authority customers. It is rated AAA/V1 by Fitch, a leading credit rating agency. The Teachers Building Society account is covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
## **10a Investments**
1950 units are held in the M&G Equities Investment Fund for Charities (Charifund). The units were purchased in 1989 (£5,500) and 1990 (£5,000). The units were valued at £15.47 each at close of business on 31/10/21.
|**2022**
Market value at 31stOctober previous year
30,161
Net gain (loss) on revaluation at 31stOctober
(2,956
)
Market value at 31stOctober
27,205
Historical cost at 31stOctober
10,500
Some of the loss in 2022 has since been recovered (value at 30.11.22 =|**2021**
22,798
7,363
30,161
10,500
£28,783)|
|---|---|
## **10b Deposits**
At the end of the year the BRF balance on the CCLA Deposit account, of £27,403, and on The Teachers Building Society account of £47,042 (excl. accrued interest of £199), more than covered the outstanding balance of approved grants of £66,869.
## **11. Association Assets**
A list of Association property, which has not been capitalised, is included on page 20. The library (£1,908), handbells (£6,340) and Croome Trophy (£3,165) have been valued in 2022 for insurance purposes and are insured for a total of £11,413.
## **12. GMF Surplus / Deficit**
The following exceptional items are included in the GMF surplus/(deficit) of (£273), (£165) in 2021:
|Transfer to Belfry Repair Fund
Increased/(Reduced) subscriptions
More/(Fewer) Peals rung
More/(Fewer) NRLM
Higher/(Lower) advertising income
Meetings costs
(Higher) / Lower Annual Report printing cost|**2022**
(400)
-
182
-
-
(68)
(138)|**2021**
(300)
(84)
(126)
-
-
(41)
398|
|---|---|---|
The underlying figures for the GMF suggest that the balance should increase each year triggering periodic transfers to the BRF to maintain the balance within the limit referred to in Note 1. A transfer of £400 in 2022 is recommended.
## **13. Miscellaneous Current Assets**
|Peal Fees due
NRLM Subscriptions due
Stock of stamps
**Total**
**Branch Miscellaneous Current Assets**
Bristol Rural
Stock of Books
Bristol Rural
CCTV
-
Cheltenham
CCTV
-|**2022**
158
40
12
**2**
**10**
38
-
-|**2021**
28
-
15
**43**
38
(cost 2016 £410, w/off)
(cost 2016 £330, w/off)|
|---|---|---|
11
|Chippenham
Prepaid outing coach hire
Cirencester
Advance on AGM hall hire
Forest
Trophies etc
Gloucester
Oddstruckness meter
Swindon
Ringing Centre
Tewkesbury
Training Bell at Twyning
Wotton
Oddstruckness meter
**Total**|30
30
75
50
450
50
123
|808
**846**|30
-
75
50
874
50
184|(cost 2020 £307)
(cost 2021 £874)
(cost 2014 £550)
1,263
(cost 2019 £307)
**1,301**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
12
## **Balance Sheet as at 31st October 2022**
||**Notes**
13
10a
10b
10b
9|**Current Assets**
Subscriptions Owing from Branches
The Ringing World
Accrued Interest
Stocks of Books, Badges etc
Gift Aid tax Refund Claim o/s
Prepaid Insurance
Miscellaneous Current Assets
**Investments & Cash**
Charifund (1950 units at Market Value)
CCLA Deposit Funds
Other Deposit Accounts
Cash, Bank A/cs
**Total Current Assets**
**Current Liabilities**
Subscriptions Owing to Association
Association Officers
Affiliation Fees paid in advance
Miscellaneous
**Total Net Assets**
**REPRESENTED BY:**
Belfry Repair Fund
Bell Projects Fund
General Fund||**2022**|**2022**|||**2021**|**2021**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||**Association**
**£**
105
629
289
1,882
524
210|**Branches**
**£**
23
38
808|**Total**
**£**
105
23
629
327
1,882
524
1,018||**Association**
**£**
291
498
289
2,239
468
43|**Branches**
**£**
23
38
1,263|**Total**
**£**
291
23
498
327
2,239
468
1,306|
||||3,639
27,205
27,403
47,042
13,277|869
8,768
2,790
6,075|4,508
27,205
36,171
49,832
19,352||3,828
30,161
17,288
46,925
20,767|1,324
4,306
7,408
5,970|5,152
30,161
21,594
54,333
26,737|
||||114,927|17,633|132,560||115,141|17,684|132,825|
||||118,566|18,502
(105)|137,068
(105)||118,969|19,008
(291)
(369)|137,977
(291)
(369)|
|||||(105)|(105)|||(660)|(660)|
||||118,566|18,397|136,963||118,969|18,348|137,317|
||||48,993
66,869
2,704|6,369
12,028|48,993
73,238
14,732||66,835
49,332
2,802|3,450
14,898|66,835
52,782
17,700|
||||118,566|18,397|136,963||118,969|18,348|137,317|
The notes on pages 14 to17 form part of these accounts.
Approved by the Management Committee on 28[th] January 2023, and signed on its behalf by
R Haynes (Chairman)
P. Twentyman (Hon Treasurer)
**Statement of Financial Activities for the Year ended 31st October 2022**
|**Notes**
2
3
4
6d
6e
5
6a
6b
6b
6b
6c
9
5/7a
6a
6f
6e
6b
7 / 6d
8
9a
9b
10a
12|**Income and Expenditure**
**INCOMING RESOURCES**
Members' Subscriptions
Tax Refund on Gift Aid
Affiliation Fees
- arrears
Interest & Investment income
Donations & Legacies
Non-Resident Life Members
Fund Raising and Related Activities
Ringing Courses
Sales of Books, Badges & Stationery
Peal Fees
Report Sales
Report Advertisements
Newsletters
**Total Incoming Resources**
**RESOURCES EXPENDED**
**Direct Charitable Expenditure**
Grants Paid
Ringing Courses, Training
Cost of Badge & Book sales etc
Competition Expenses
Donations Paid and Miscellaneous
**Total Direct Charitable Expenditure**
**Fund-raising costs**
Fund Raising and Related Activities
**Management & Administration**
Insurance
Ringing World Notices
AGM
Meetings
Annual Report & Website
Printing, Stationery & Postage
Central Council
**Total Management Expenses**
**Total Resources Expended**
**Net Incoming/(Outgoing) Resources**
Transfers between Funds, grants approved
Transfers between Funds, other
**Other Recognised Gains and Losses**
Unrealised Gains/(Losses) on Investments
**Net Movement in Funds**
**Balance b/f from previous year**
**BALANCE C/F**|||**2022**|**2022**|**2022**|**2022**|||||||**2021**|**2021**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||Association Funds
Belfry
Bell
Repair
Projects
General
£
£
£
11,575
1,338
1,836
43
4,890
150
1,858
48
623
87
50
214
8
146
20,932
1,934
18,528
14
85
99
18,528
516
68
736
54
72
240
54
1,632|||||Branch
Bell
Projects
£
1,852|Branch||Funds
General
£
1,338
31
15
705
685
20|Total
£
14,251
1,910
4,890
150
1,921
1,415
50
685
214
8
146
20||Assoc.
Branch
Funds
Funds
£
£
13,003
1,332
2,239
113
4,730
90
1,456
32
729
1,081
217
14
32
146|Total
£
14,335
2,352
4,730
90
1,488
1,810
217
14
32
146|
||||||Bell
Projects
£
18,528|||||||||||
||||||||£
1,338
43
48
87
50
214
8
146|||||||||
||||||||1,934||||2,794|25,660||22,425
2,789|25,214|
||||||||516
68
736
72
240||||84
(50)
705|20,380
98
35
705||18,009
1,619
146
169
6
81|19,628
315
6
81|
||||99||18,528|||1,852|||739|21,218||18,155
1,875|20,030|
||||54
54|||||||||||||
||||||||||||109|109||||
||||||||||||(69)
114|516
(1)
736
240
240||489
48
59
598
218
162
240|489
48
59
598
380
240|
||||||||1,632||||45|1,731||1,652
162|1,814|
|||||||||||||||||
||||153||18,528||1,632|1,852|||893|23,058||19,807
2,037|21,844|
||||20,779
(36,065)
400
(2,956)||(18,528)
36,065||302
(400)|(1,852)
4,771|||1,901
(4,771)|2,602
0
0
(2,956)||2,618
752
7,363|3,370
7,363|
||||(17,842)
66,835||17,537
49,332||(98)
2,802|2,919
3,450|||(2,870)
14,898|(354)
137,317||9,981
752
108,988 17,596|10,733
126,584
.|
||||48,993||66,869||2,704|6,369|||12,028|136,963||118,969 18,348|137,317|
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 October 2022, which are sel 01
on pages 12 to 18.
Responsibilities and basls of report
As the charity trustees of the Association you are responsib for the preparation of the accounts in accordance wil
the requirements of the CharFties Act 2011 I'the Act.). We report in respect of our examination of the accounts carrie
out under secb'on 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out our examination we have followed all the applicabl
Directions given by the Charity Commission under secli)n 14515llb) of the Act.
Independent examiners. statement
We have completed our examinath'on. We confirm that no material matters have come to our attention in connectio
with the examination gwing us cause to believe that in any material respect..
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Tnjst as required by section 130 of the Act., or
the accounts do not accord with those records., or
the accounts do not comply wrth the applicable requirements conceming the form and ¢ontent of accounts se
out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give
'Irue and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. Wè have no concerns ani
have come across no other matter5 in connection with the examination lo which attention should be drawn in thi.,
report in order lo enable a proper understanding of the accounts to reached.
Date: 7 De
ber 2022
Mr C Woodd, MA. FIA
3 The Paddocks,
Baunton.
Cirencester,
Glos. GL7 7DL
Mrs M Harris,
3 Furzey Hill Cottage,
Meysey Hampton,
Cirencester.
Glos. GL7 5LG