## **Trustees’ Report for 2024** 

## **2024 Trustees’ Report Contents** 

1. Highlights of 2024 

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 Statistics 

   - 2.13 Library, 

   - 2.14 Handbells 

3. Legal, Administrative and Organisation 

4. Aims and Public Benefit Statement 

## **1 Highlights of the Year** 

2024 has seen the membership remain around the level of last year, but up slightly, including the increase of junior members, the total this year is just below 1,200. We noted in 2020 that there was a potential risk of members not renewing their membership due to Covid-19. For the previous 20 years it has been either consistently above 1,300 or for three of those years in the high to mid-1,200s. The statistics show that the membership is slightly recovering, but it is taking time, so let’s carry on with renewed effort and encouragement and see its continued increase in the next few years. 

Two Management Committee meetings have been held in-person over the course of 2024. We have continued to adopt and embrace new technology and now hold one of our regular MC meetings on Zoom. Both types of meeting medium allow all members to 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. 

This year has seen 57 peals rung for the Association, slightly down on previous years’ performances. Within the G&B, this can be attributed in part to a reduction in prolific organisers and conductors, as well as an increasing number of peals rung by members now being attributed to other societies. There have still been a number of NRLMs elected this year, and many of the Association's keener peal ringers have seen no discernible drop in their G&B peal numbers. It remains to be seen whether peal numbers can return to their pre-Covid levels. 

Over the last twenty years we have managed to give grants appropriate to our BRF income. The list of potential projects - see below in section 2.1 - suggests that even with several major projects we will be able to continue to follow the policy of being able to offer up to 20% grants towards eligible work (see note 1 to the accounts). 

The Central Council Representatives attended the Central Council of Church Bellringers AGM weekend in September this year and we were informed about the Council’s Ringing 2030 initiative which will concentrate on providing a national recruitment campaign to help all Associations and Societies in recruiting new ringers, as an association we must prepare ourselves and be ready to turn this initiative into new ringers for the exercise, there will be more about this as time goes on. 

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 that does not impact you as members if you pay income tax. Please contact the Association Treasurer for details on how to sign up for Gift Aid. 

## **2. Review of Activities 2.1 Bell Repair Grants** 

|Twelve grants<br>were paid in<br>the year:<br>Four other<br>grants were<br>approved in<br>2024|**Tower**<br>Norton<br>Staunton (Gloucester)<br>Ashchurch<br>Cirencester St John Bapt<br>Corse<br>Hartpury<br>Hardwicke<br>Longhope<br>Syston<br>Winchcombe<br>Gloucester St Mary de<br>Crypt<br>Elmore<br>Dymock<br>Minety<br>Bisley<br>Stroud¹<br>¹subject to approval of<br>Faculty|**£**<br>14,969<br>rehang bells<br>12,465<br>refurbish bells and frame & training<br>bell<br>9,568<br>rehang and retune eight bells<br>5,124<br>install external sound control<br>3,579<br>overhaul of bells<br>2,527<br>welding repairs to three bells<br>2,095<br>replace gudgeons<br>1,665<br>dismantle and reinstate for tower<br>repairs<br>1,475<br>replace cracked bell<br>472<br>clappers, pulleys and oddstruckness<br>414<br>installation of simulator<br>105<br>weatherproofng and paint bell frame<br>**54,458**<br>4,955<br>replace cracked headstocks; tune<br>bells<br>604<br>replace loose gudgeon<br>282<br>rebush clappers, replace pulley<br>sheaves<br>324<br>replace 9thand tenor clappers<br>**6,165**|
|---|---|---|



The previously approved grant of £23,000 to Ruardean is withdrawn as the work is now unlikely to progress. 

|The following<br>additional<br>grants were<br>approved by<br>the Branches:<br>Syston<br>Winchcombe<br>Charlton<br>Chippenham St Paul<br>Dymock<br>Hardwicke<br>Gloucester St Mary de<br>Crypt<br>Bisley|1,475<br>250<br>100<br>800<br>750<br>200<br>200<br>253|
|---|---|
||**4,028**|



The below have been identified as potential future projects seeking a grant from the Association; as it is unlikely that all will proceed it is anticipated that grant awards will remain at 20% of eligible cost. 

|**Branch**<br>**Tower**<br>**Description**<br>Bristol<br>St Thomas<br>Rehang 7thand tenor<br>Bristol<br>Southville<br>Complete rehang and recast<br>CheltenhamCowley<br>Rehang in new frame and<br>fttings<br>Forest<br>Bromsberrow<br>Rehang with new fttings<br>N Cotswold Great<br>Rissington<br>Tenor clapper|**Eligible**<br>**Cost £**<br>**Grant at**<br>**20%**<br>**Probabilit**<br>**y**<br>5,000<br>1,000<br>M<br>200,000<br>40,000<br>H<br>100,000<br>20,000<br>L<br>60,000<br>12,000<br>H<br>530<br>106<br>H<br>**365,530**<br>**73,106**|
|---|---|



**2.2 Training** 

In 2024 the Spring Training day was organised by Roger Haynes, while the Autumn Training 



Day was organised by Bob Blanden. 

The Spring Training day concentrated on the simpler activities , bell handling and elementary method learning and ringing, with six courses being run during the day. With tutors and students going directly to the towers. There were either 5 or 6 students on each course, depending on the demand. 

The Autumn Training Day had several course subjects on offer, with tutors, helpers, and students going directly to their tower. This was to reduce travelling and time, which seems to work well, but changes will be made for the Spring Training so that all groups will meet up at the end of the day, as participants had said that they missed that opportunity to share experiences. The number of students was held to 4 per course, which the students welcomed by getting more rope time. Though, some course options were not run, due to lack of applicants. 

The four courses that took place on the Autumn Training day were: Beyond Bob Doubles which was led by Sarah Ewbank, held at North Cerney and Rendcomb. Cambridge Surprise Minor, led by Stuart Tomlinson, held at Elkstone and Brimpsfield. Stedman Triples, led by Dick Gray and held at Malmesbury and Surprise Major led by Jason Carter held at Christ Church, Swindon, with both of the last two being rung using Simulators, which avoids the need to travel between towers, and does not disturb the neighbours with an extra 4 hours of ringing, certainly a consideration that needs to be thought about. 

The feedback from all students was very positive, we are very grateful to the tutors and helpers for their time and all the towers for the use of their bells. 

## **2.3 Penn Trophy** 

Bisley hosted the 8 bell competition, for Major methods this year. The judge Robin Walker placed the bands as follows: 

1[st] and the winner of the Penn Trophy –  Swindon Branch, 2[nd] and the winner of The Chairmans Baldric – Tewkesbury Branch, 3[rd] Stroud Branch, 4[th] Cirencester Branch, 5[th] Bristol Rural Branch, 6[th] Chippenham Branch, 7[th] Cheltenham Branch and 8[th] Wotton under Edge Branch 

## **2.4 Croome Trophy** 

Minchinhampton hosted the 6 bell competition. The judge Isaac O’Shea placed the bands as follows: 

1[st] and the Winner of the Croome Trophy – Tewkesbury Abbey (Tewkesbury Branch), 2[nd] and winners of The Great Peter Trophy – Cirencester (Cirencester Branch), 3[rd] Purton (Swindon Branch), 4[th] Minster (Cheltenham Branch), 5[th] Coalpit Heath (Bristol Rural Branch), 6[th] Dursley (Wotton under Edge Branch) 7[th] and awarded a Ringing Master’s Clapper - Colerne (Chippenham Branch), 8[th] Barnwood (Gloucester Branch) 9[th] Woodchester (Stroud Branch) and 10[th] and awarded a Ringing Master’s Clapper- Longborough  (North Cotswold Branch) 

## **2.5 Young Ringers** 

The G&B Youth Team is led by Ian and Carole Bucknell and is supported both morally and practically by all the current Association Officers. 

The Youth Team met for monthly practices throughout the year whilst Bridget Lazenby arranged a day’s ringing in the Forest of Dean on Easter Monday. The Association is grateful for the support of the following towers which hosted Youth Team ringing events during the year: Berkeley, Leonard Stanley, St Mark’s Cheltenham, Horsley, Dursley, Coalpit Heath, Newnham-on-Severn, Lydney, St Briavels, Littledean, Mitcheldean, Mangotsfield, Kemble, Cirencester, Leckhampton and Barnwood. 

Having received financial support from the Association, the G&B Youth Team took part in the RWNYC in London in July 2024 and, in the latter half of the year, began preparing for the 2025 contest which is to be hosted by Birmingham. The G&B is grateful for the sponsorship of the Youth Team by Avon Ropes Ltd. 

It is causing great thought amongst the leaders of the Youth Team that, measured as a percentage of the total, the membership of the G&B by young ringers continues to fall, (though in raw numbers it has taken a slight rise this year) and there are few signs that this is likely to change in the near future. It is with great regret that we have to report that the 



majority of towers in the Association do not appear to be actively recruiting and teaching young people to ring. We must try to find a way to reverse this trend if ringing is to be passed on to the next generation. 

## **2.6** 

## **Peal & Quarter Peal Festival** 

Two peals and 32 quarter peals were submitted to Bellboard linked to this event, which ran for the month of October. 

## **2.7 Firsts Fortnight** 

33 “firsts” by 21 members were recorded on the Association’s website 

## **2.8** 

## **Achievement of the Year Competition** 

The Achievement of the Year competition seeks to recognise achievements within the Association during the year, and can be awarded to a person, a group, a tower, a group of towers, or a whole Branch. Entries are invited and the winner is decided by a vote at the annual Branch Officers Meeting. 

For 2024 the theme was “Anything that has happened in your Branch that is worthy of recognition throughout the Association”. 

Six entries were received and at the AGM in April the winner Cheltenham Branch was presented with the Bliss Trophy for their entry on how they have gone about organising training in the Branch and the runner up - Pebworth tower in the North Cotswold Branch - received the Littledean and Purton Trophy for their entry on setting up part of their website as dedicated to training material. 

All of the entries are available to view on the Association website. 

## **2.9 Belfry Advisers** 

During the last year, the Belfry Advisers have checked completed projects at Ashchurch, Cirencester, Corse, Priors Norton, Staunton, Syston and Bisley. 

In addition advice, assistance and/or reports has been requested and provided at Berkeley, Bisley, Brislington, Dauntsey, Deerhurst, Ebrington, Great Somerford, Iron Acton, Lower Slaughter, Maisemore, Minchinhampton, Minsterworth, Northleach , North Nibley, Oaksey, Oddington , St Briavels, Sherborne, Slimbridge, Stone, Westcote and Yate. Advice has also been provided in pubs for a number of towers in the South Gloucestershire area. 

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 the 57 peals rung this year by the Association and the peal compositions first rung in 2024. 

## **2.11 Review of Financial Activities** 

Summary of the year to 31 October 2024: 

|Belfry Repair<br>Fund<br>General Fund<br>Branches|Balances<br>brought<br>forward<br>Surplus/<br>(Defcit) for<br>year<br>Transfers<br>between<br>Funds<br>Balances<br>carried<br>forward<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£|
|---|---|
||136,629<br>(27,951)<br>772<br>109,450<br>2,140<br>757<br>(772)<br>2,125<br>18,205<br>(3,105)<br>15,100|
||156,974<br>(30,299)<br>0<br>126,675|



Total income from subscriptions was £16,613, an increase of £559 from 2023 and reflects the increase in membership from 1,155 to 1,195. 

Interest and investment income increased again this year, with total other income remaining 



consistent with 2023. 

Grant payments increased considerably this year – from £20k in 2022 and £6k in 2023 – to £61k as projects re-started following Covid. However at year end just £8k remained awarded but not paid and potential large projects in the pipeline but not yet awarded grants appear to be reducing as parishes review their priorities in times of financial constraint. It is anticipated that the current 20% contribution towards eligible expenditure will be sustainable for the near future. The Branches continue to hold funds that should be used to support local projects. 

Administrative expenses remain low, mainly insurance and printing of the Annual Report. 

The Management Committee considers that there are no uncertainties regarding the Association continuing as a going concern. 

## **2.12 Membership Statistics** 

||**%Junior**|**Senior**|**Junior **|**Retired**¹|**Associate **|**HLM**|**TOTAL**|**2023**|**2022**|**2021**|**2020**|**2019**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Bristol|24%|84|27||||111|106|101|90|122|111|
|Bristol Rural|9%|115|11||2|1|129|127|134|155|158|157|
|Cheltenham|3%|110|4|||1|115|121|124|128|139|139|
|Chippenham|3%|113|4|||1|118|104|113|104|119|123|
|Cirencester|6%|106|7|||1|114|118|117|114|119|131|
|Forest|4%|78|3|||1|82|76|59|106|101|106|
|Gloucester|10%|52|6||2|2|62|60|43|57|79|74|
|North Cotswold|0%|46|||||46|47|21|47|48|51|
|Stroud|10%|100|11|||2|113|105|92|105|108|98|
|Swindon|3%|129|4||1||134|123|118|110|105|115|
|Tewkesbury|3%|69|2||||71|71|69|73|75|78|
|Wotton-under-Edge|3%|96|3|||1|100|97|100|98|110|117|
|**Total for 2024**|7%|1098|82||5|10|1195|1155|1091|1187|1283|1300|
|2023|6%|1059|75|1|9|11|1155||||||
|2022|7%|812|71|195|2|11|1091||||||
|2021|6%|849|76|249|3|10|1187||||||
|2020|7%|892|94|283|3|11|1283||||||
|2019|7%|915|89|279|6|11|1300||||||
|2014 (10 years ago)|9%|699|121|499|6|15|1340||||||
|2004 (20 years ago)|12%|855|164|360|3|23|1405||||||
|1994 (30 years ago)|16%|765|183|160|9|15|1132||||||
|1984 (40 years ago)|22%|772|235||12|18|1047||||||
|1974 (50 years ago)|22%|621|182||21||824||||||
|1924 (100 years ago)|||||||721||||||



¹ concession rate for retired members withdrawn from 2023 

Membership in 2024 has increased slightly though the movement up or down does vary between the Branches. Junior membership increased by seven to the highest level since 2020, which is encouraging, but again with some Branches showing a very healthy proportion offset by other Branches having few or none. 

## **2.13** 

## **Library** 

There were two enquiries to the Library during the year. A CD was received from Andrew Bull containing PDF versions of the Annual Reports for the years 1887-2022 

## **2.14 Handbells** 

The handbells have not been used at all during 2024. They can be borrowed by any member or Branch of the Association. Please contact the Handbell Steward. 

## **3. Legal & Administrative Information** 

## **3.1 Title of the Charity** 

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

## **3.2 The Governing Instrument of the Association** 

The Rules of the Association adopted by the AGM April 1965, last amended April 2019 



## **3.3 Beneficial Area** 

The Dioceses of Gloucester and Bristol 

## **3.4 Trustees** 

The Trustees of the charity are the members of the Management Committee and comprise: (a) the Ringing Master, Chair, 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 and are listed in the Branch information pages 

## **3.5 Principal Addresses** 

Hon. Secretary, Mrs. Fiona Hartley, 45 Round Barrow Close, Colerne, Chippenham. SN14 8EF Hon. Treasurer, Mrs Bridget Lazenby, 38 Ampney Crucis, Cirencester. GL7 5SF 

## **3.6 Principal Agents and Advisers** 

The Association’s Banker is: 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 

## **3.7 Investment and Borrowing Powers** 

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

- **3.8 Remuneration of Trustees** 

No remuneration was paid to any Trustees 

## **3.9 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. 

## **3.10 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. 

## **4 Aims and Public Benefit** 

## **4.1** 

## **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 using reasonably central towers. There is a second Autumn training day again using reasonably central towers. Training at the Branch level is both ongoing and based on specific training days. 

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. 

**4.2 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 25 January 2025, and signed on its behalf by 

R W Haynes (Chair) 

B L Lazenby (Hon Treasurer) 



## **Gloucester & Bristol Diocesan Association of Church Bellringers Statement of Financial Activities for the year to 31 October 2024** 

|**Income**<br>Subscriptons<br>Gif Aid Tax Refund<br>Afliaton Fees<br>Interest & Investment Income<br>Donatons & Legacies<br>Non Resident Life Members<br>Peal Fees<br>Training Day<br>Report Adverts and Sales<br>Fundraising<br>Meetngs, Outngs & Social<br>Miscellaneous<br>**Total Income**<br>**Expenditure**<br>Grants Paid<br>Annual Report - (420) (2023- 500)<br>Insurance<br>Central Council<br>Training Days<br>Meetngs & Social<br>RWNYC<br>Donatons<br>Depreciaton of assets<br>Miscellaneous<br>**Total Expenditure**<br>**Surplus/(Defcit) before Other Gains**<br>Gain/(Loss) on Investments<br>**Surplus/(Defcit) for the year**<br>Represented by<br>Restricted Belfry Repair Fund<br>Unrestricted General Fund|Note|2024<br>Associaton<br>Branches<br>Total<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>14,934<br>1,679<br>16,613<br>1,822<br>45<br>1,867<br>4,590<br>4,590<br>4,855<br>185<br>5,040<br>385<br>174<br>559<br>70<br>70<br>240<br>240<br>312<br>312<br>114<br>114<br>1,221<br>1,221<br>386<br>386<br>3<br>224<br>227<br>27,325<br>3,914<br>31,239<br>54,458<br>6,378<br>60,836<br>499<br>499<br>572<br>572<br>271<br>271<br>198<br>198<br>140<br>123<br>263<br>350<br>350<br>95<br>95<br>62<br>62<br>46<br>361<br>407<br>56,534<br>7,019<br>63,553<br>(29,209)<br>(3,105)<br>(32,314)<br>2,015<br>2,015<br>**(27,194)**<br>**(3,105)**<br>**(30,299)**<br>(27,951)<br>(27,951)<br>757<br>(3,105)<br>(2,348)<br>(27,194)<br>(3,105)<br>(30,299)|2023<br>Associaton<br>Branches<br>Total<br>£<br>£<br>£|
|---|---|---|---|
||2<br>3<br>4<br>8<br>5<br>4<br>1<br>1||14,435<br>1,619<br>16,054<br>1,829<br>231<br>2,060<br>4,890<br>4,890<br>3,833<br>126<br>3,959<br>250<br>355<br>605<br>70<br>70<br>260<br>260<br>270<br>270<br>150<br>150<br>1,223<br>1,223<br>0<br>6<br>6|
||||25,993<br>3,554<br>29,547|
||||3,710<br>2,319<br>6,029<br>670<br>670<br>566<br>566<br>258<br>258<br>0<br>100<br>280<br>380<br>50<br>50<br>225<br>225<br>511<br>511<br>40<br>411<br>451|
||||5,394<br>3,746<br>9,140|
||||20,599<br>(192)<br>20,407<br>(396)<br>(396)|
||||**20,203**<br>**(192)**<br>**20,011**|
||||19,554<br>19,554<br>649<br>(192)<br>457|
||||20,203<br>(192)<br>20,011|



## **Summary of Fund Movements in the year to 31 October 2024** 

|Note<br>Restricted Fund<br>6&7<br>Unrestricted Fund<br>6&7<br>Branches|£<br>136,629<br>2,140<br>18,205<br>Balances<br>Brought<br>Forward|Income<br>Expenditure<br><br>£<br>£<br>£<br><br>25,040<br>(55,006)<br>2,015<br><br>2,285<br>(1,528)<br><br>3,914<br>(7,019)<br>Gains/<br>(Losses)|£<br>£<br>£<br><br>(27,951)<br>772<br>109,450<br>757<br>(772)<br>2,125<br>(3,105)<br>15,100<br>Surplus/<br>(Defcit) per<br>SoFA<br>Transfers<br>between<br>Funds<br>Balances<br>Carried<br>Forward|
|---|---|---|---|
||156,974|31,239<br>(63,553)<br>2,015|(30,299)<br>0<br>126,675|



The Notes form part of these accounts 



## **Gloucester & Bristol Diocesan Association of Church Bellringers Balance Sheet at 31 October 2024** 

|**Investments**<br>Charifund<br>**Current Assets**<br>Badges,Books and Other Assets<br>Other Debtors and Prepayments<br>CBF & Other Investment Accounts<br>Bank Deposit Accounts<br>Bank Current Accounts & Cash<br>**Total Current Assets**<br>**Current Liabilites**<br>Due to Associaton<br>Other Creditors<br>**Total Current Liabilites**<br>**Total Net Assets**<br>**Represented by:**<br>Restricted Fund<br>Unrestricted Fund|Notes|2024<br>Associaton<br>Branches<br>Total<br>£<br>£<br>£|2023<br>Associaton<br>Branches<br>Total<br>£<br>£<br>£|
|---|---|---|---|
||4<br>5|28,824<br>28,824<br>244<br>213<br>457<br>5,210<br>80<br>5,290<br>52,102<br>4,278<br>56,380<br>2,706<br>2,706<br>22,489<br>10,976<br>33,465<br>82,751<br>15,547<br>98,298<br>0<br>212<br>212<br>0<br>235<br>235<br>0<br>447<br>447<br>111,575<br>15,100<br>126,675<br>109,450<br>109,450<br>2,125<br>15,100<br>17,225<br>111,575<br>15,100<br>126,675|26,809<br>26,809|
||||260<br>275<br>535<br>4,715<br>30<br>4,745<br>69,329<br>9,069<br>78,398<br>17,675<br>17,675<br>19,981<br>10,886<br>30,867|
||||111,960<br>20,260<br>132,220|
||||0<br>2,030<br>2,030<br>0<br>25<br>25|
||||0<br>2,055<br>2,055|
||||138,769<br>18,205<br>156,974|
||||136,629<br>136,629<br>2,140<br>18,205<br>20,345|
||||138,769<br>18,205<br>156,974|



The Notes form part of these accounts 

Approved by the Management Committee on 25 January 2025 and signed on its behalf by: 

R W Haynes (Chairman) 

Mrs B L Lazenby (Hon Treasurer) 



|Note<br>**Branch Accounts**<br>**Income & Expenditure Account**|Bristol|Bristol Rural|Cheltenham|Chippenham|Cirencester|Forest|Gloucester|North Cotswold|Stroud|Swindon|Tewkesbury|Woton-under-Edge|Total|2023|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**Income**<br>Subscriptons<br>Donatons<br>Tax Refund<br>Interest<br>Fundraising<br>Meetngs, Outngs & Social<br>Miscellaneous<br>**Total Income**<br>**Expenditure**<br>Grants Paid<br>8<br>Donatons<br>Meetngs & Social Actvites<br>Depreciaton<br>5<br>Miscellaneous<br>**Total Expenditure**<br>**Surplus/(Defcit) for year**<br>Balance at 1 November 2022<br>Balance at 31 October 2023<br>**Balance Sheet**|139<br>179<br>167<br>162<br>163<br>120<br>82<br>69<br>150<br>196<br>104<br>148<br>1,679<br>15<br>18<br>5<br>42<br>30<br>64<br>174<br>45<br>45<br>24<br>34<br>6<br>27<br>5<br>9<br>55<br>25<br>185<br>265<br>166<br>422<br>368<br>1,221<br>110<br>140<br>50<br>20<br>66<br>386<br>32<br>45<br>76<br>60<br>11<br>224<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£|||||||||||||1,619<br>355<br>231<br>126<br>1,223<br>0<br>0<br>£|
||178<br>638<br>167<br>328<br>219<br>405<br>137<br>78<br>677<br>322<br>213<br>552<br>3,914|||||||||||||3,554|
||1,475<br>250<br>500<br>3,500<br>400<br>253<br>6,378<br>40<br>55<br>95<br>80<br>27<br>16<br>123<br><br>62<br>62<br>87<br>28<br>122<br>72<br>52<br>361|||||||||||||2,319<br>225<br>280<br>511<br>411|
||0<br>1,562<br>278<br>540<br>80<br>3,500<br>400<br>149<br>325<br>0<br>123<br>62<br>7,019|||||||||||||3,746|
||**178**<br>**(924)**<br>**(111)**<br>**(212)**<br>**139 (3,095)**<br>**(263)**<br>**(71)**<br>**352**<br>**322**<br>**90**<br>**490 (3,105)**<br>2,141<br>3,073<br>359<br>945<br>654<br>5,225<br>763<br>376<br>1,863<br>737<br>477<br>1,592 18,205|||||||||||||**(192)**<br> 18,397|
||2,319<br>2,149<br>248<br>733<br>793<br>2,130<br>500<br>305<br>2,215<br>1,059<br>567<br>2,082 15,100|||||||||||||18,205|
||||||||||||||||
|**Assets**<br>CBF & Other Investment Accounts<br>Stocks of Books and Other Assets<br>Debtors & Prepayments<br>Bank and Cash<br>**Less Liabilites**<br>Due to Associaton<br>2025 Subscriptons<br>Miscellaneous creditors<br>**Net Assets**<br>**Represented by:**<br>Bell Projects Fund<br>8<br>General Fund|2,008<br>510<br>152<br>185<br>1,423<br>4,278<br>9,069<br>38<br>75<br>50<br>50<br>213<br>275<br>80<br>80<br>30<br>2,319<br>103<br>251<br>721<br>300<br>2,162<br>441<br>216<br>792<br>1,072<br>517<br>2,082 10,976 10,886||||||||||||||
||2,319<br>2,149<br>251<br>801<br>810<br>2,237<br>643<br>401<br>2,215<br>1,072<br>567<br>2,082 15,547 20,260<br>3<br>68<br>2<br>2<br>143<br>(4)<br>13<br>(15)<br>212<br>2,030<br>15<br>105<br>100<br>15<br>235<br>15<br>0<br>10||||||||||||||
||**2,319**<br>**2,149**<br>**248**<br>**733**<br>**793**<br>**2,130**<br>**500**<br>**305**<br>**2,215**<br>**1,059**<br>**567**<br>**2,082 15,100 18,205**||||||||||||||
||400<br>1,300<br>300<br>2,000<br>4,350<br>2,319<br>2,149<br>248<br>333<br>793<br>830<br>200<br>305<br>2,215<br>1,059<br>567<br>2,082 13,100 13,855||||||||||||||
||**2,319**<br>**2,149**<br>**248**<br>**733**<br>**793**<br>**2,130**<br>**500**<br>**305**<br>**2,215**<br>**1,059**<br>**567**<br>**2,082 15,100 18,205**||||||||||||||



The Notes form part of these accounts 



## **Notes to the Accounts** 

## **1 Accounting Policies** 

## **Basis of Accounting** 

These Financial Statements are prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) Accounting and Reporting by Charities and in accordance with Financial Reporting Standards (FRS 102). The Financial Statements are prepared in accordance with the historical cost convention. 

**The Belfry Repair Fund (Restricted)** exists to provide grants towards repairs, renovations (excluding ropes) or augmentations of existing rings of bells, installation of new rings and similar purposes, and to provide instruction. The fund is supported by donations and affiliation fees and a proportion of members' subscriptions, as determined by the Annual General Meeting (Rule 20) 

**The General Management Fund (Unrestricted)** exists to cover the general management expenses of the Association. The Management Committee agreed in 2002 that it is prudent to maintain the fund at 1 1/3 of average annual expenditure with any excess transferred to the Belfry Repair Fund. 

**Branch Funds** exist to cover the general running expenses of the Branches and to support belfry repair projects in their area 

## **Grants** 

Grant applications are approved at a percentage of eligible expenditure; such approval is initially valid for two years. Grants are paid after completion and inspection of the project works by an Association Belfry Advisor, at the same percentage of eligible expenditure incurred up to a maximum of the approved grant. Grants that are approved but not yet payable are not recognised as commitments as they are contingent on third party support. Details are provided in Note 8 

## **2 Subscriptions** 

||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|**2 Subscriptons**<br>Senior & Retred<br>Junior<br>Associate<br>HLM<br>Unpaid<br>Arrears<br>Total<br>Retained by Branches<br>**Associaton**<br>**Allocated to-**<br>Belfry Repair Fund- Restricted<br>General Fund- Unrestricted<br>Retred (Concession) -withdrawn from 2023|2024<br>Rate<br>No<br>£<br>To Belfry<br>Repair<br>Fund||2023<br>No<br>£||
||£15<br>£12 1087<br>16,305<br>£2.50<br>£1.50<br>78<br>195<br>£10<br>£9<br>0<br>0<br>£10<br>£9<br>5<br>50<br>£0<br>10<br>0<br>15<br>0<br>63<br>1,195<br>16,613<br>1,679<br>**14,934**<br>Note<br>6<br>13,255<br>6<br>1,679<br>14,934||1023<br>15,345<br>75<br>187<br>1<br>10<br>9<br>90<br>10<br>0<br>36<br>0<br>422||
|||1,195<br>16,613<br>1,679<br>**14,934**<br>13,255<br>1,679<br>14,934|1,154<br>16,054<br>1,619<br>**14,435**<br>12,815<br>1,620<br>14,435||
||||||
|||||**14,435**|
|||||12,815<br>1,620|
|||||14,435|





|**3  Gif Aid Tax Refund**|||2024|2023|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||No|£|No|£||
|Members Subscriptons||490|1,770|497|1,768||
|Arrears|||22||51||
|Donatons|||30||10||
|**Associaton**|||**1,822**||**1,829**||
|Branches- Donatons & GASDS|||45||231||
|**Total**|||**1,867**||**2,060**||
|**4  Investments**|||2024||2023||
|**Interest & Investment Income**|||£||£||
|M&G Charifund|||2,051||1,504||
|CCLA Deposit Fund|||2,773||1,896||
|Other Deposit Accounts|||31||433||
|**Associaton**|||**4,855**||**3,833**||
|Branches|||185||126||
|**Total**|||**5,040**||**3,959**||
|**Valuaton- 1950 Units M&G Charifund**|||2024||2023||
||_pence/unit_||£||£||
|Market value at 31 October 2023|_1,374.82_||26,809||27,205||
|Market value at 31 October 2024|_1,478.17_||28,824||26,809||
|**Unrealised gain (loss)**|||**2,015**||**(396)**||
|_Historical Cost_|||_£10,500_||||
|**5 Other Assets**|||2024||2023||
||||£||£||
|**Associaton**|||||||
|Badges- at Cost|_58 @ £4.20_||244|_(62)_|260||
|||||||Depreciaton|
|||_Cost_||||charge in|
|**Branches**|Year|_£_||||2024|
|Bristol Rural- Books|||38||38||
|Forest- Trophies|||75||75||
|Gloucester- Odd struckness meter|2020|£307|50||50||
|Tewkesbury- Training Bell|2014|£550|50||50||
|Woton- Odd struckness meter|2019|£307|0||62|62|
||||213||275|62|





## **6 Income and Expenditure by Fund** 

|**6 Income and Expenditure by Fund**|||
|---|---|---|
|**Income**<br>Subscriptons<br>Gif Aid Tax Refund<br>Afliaton Fees<br>Interest & Investment Income<br>Donatons & Legacies<br>Training Day<br>Other Income<br>**Expenditure**<br>Grants Paid<br>Courses and Competton<br>Management and administraton|2024<br>General Fund<br>£<br>£<br>13,255<br>1,679<br>1,643<br>179<br>4,590<br>4,855<br>385<br>312<br>427<br>25,040<br>2,285<br>54,458<br>548<br>1,528<br>55,006<br>1,528<br>Belfry Repair<br>Fund|2023<br>General Fund<br>£<br>£<br>Belfry Repair<br>Fund|
|||12,815<br>1,620<br>1,652<br>177<br>4,890<br>3,833<br>250<br>486|
|||23,440<br>2,283|
|||3,710<br>50<br>0<br>1,634|
|||3,760<br>1,634|



## **7 Transfers between Funds** 

£772 has been transferred from the Unrestricted Fund to the Restricted Fund in accordance with Management Committee decision of 2002 that the Unrestricted Fund be maintained at 1 1/3 of average expenditure, with any excess transferred to the Restricted Fund. The calculation is based on the years 2022-2024. 

## **8 Grants for Belfry Repair** 

|**Associaton**<br>Ruardean<br>Norton<br>Central Council Mobile Belfry<br>Cirencester<br>Corse<br>Longhope<br>Staunton (Gloucester)<br>Ashchurch<br>Hardwicke<br>Elmore<br>Hartpury<br>Syston<br>Stoke Bishop<br>St Mary de Crypt, Gloucester<br>Dymock<br>Winchcombe<br>Minety<br>Bisley<br>Stroud¹|Date Approved|Approved 2024<br>Paid 2024<br>Bfwd at<br>1 Nov 23<br>Cfwd at 31<br>Oct 24|
|---|---|---|
||2016/22<br>2021<br>2022<br>2022<br>2022<br>2022<br>2022<br>2022<br>2023<br>2023<br>2023<br>2023<br>2023<br>2023<br>2024<br>2024<br>2024<br>2024<br>2024<br>TOTAL|£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>23,000<br>(23,000)<br>_withdrawn_<br>0<br>8,137<br>6,832<br>(14,969)<br>0<br>1,000<br>1,000<br>5,124<br>(5,124)<br>0<br>3,670<br>-91<br>(3,579)<br>0<br>1,665<br>(1,665)<br>0<br>12,463<br>2<br>(12,465)<br>0<br>9,568<br>(9,568)<br>0<br>2,095<br>(2,095)<br>0<br>105<br>(105)<br>0<br>2,527<br>(2,527)<br>0<br>1,475<br>(1,475)<br>0<br>662<br>662<br>414<br>(414)<br>0<br>4,955<br>4,955<br>472<br>(472)<br>0<br>604<br>604<br>324<br>324<br>282<br>282|
|||71,905<br>(9,620)<br>(54,458)<br>7,827|



¹ subject to approval of the Faculty 

These grants are awarded at 20% of qualifying expenditure Details of potential future grant applications are shown in the Trustees Report 



|**Branches**<br>Bristol Rural- Syston<br>Cheltenham- Winchcombe<br>Chippenham- Charlton<br>Chippenham- St Paul's Chippenham<br>Forest- Corse<br>Forest- Dymock<br>Forest- Longhope<br>Forest- Staunton, Gloucester<br>Gloucester- Hardwicke<br>Gloucester- Norton<br>Gloucester- St Mary de Crypt<br>Stroud- Bisley|Date Approved|Approved 2024<br>Paid 2024<br>Bfwd at<br>1 Nov 23<br>Cfwd at 31<br>Oct 24|
|---|---|---|
||2024<br>2024<br>2024<br>2024<br>2022<br>2024<br>2022<br>2022<br>2024<br>2022<br>2024<br>2024<br>TOTAL|1,475<br>(1,475)<br>0<br>250<br>(250)<br>0<br>100<br>(100)<br>0<br>800<br>(400)<br>400<br>550<br>0<br>550<br>750<br>0<br>750<br>500<br>(500)<br>0<br>3,000<br>(3,000)<br>0<br>200<br>(200)<br>0<br>300<br>0<br>300<br>200<br>(200)<br>0<br>253<br>(253)<br>0|
|||4,350<br>4,028<br>(6,378)<br>2,000|