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2021-12-31-accounts

ESSEX ASSOCIATION OF CHANGE RINGERS Registered Charity No: 292250

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT

For the year ending 31 December 2021

1. Legal and Administrative Information

1.1 Title of the Charity

The Essex Association of Change Ringers, also known as the “EACR”. Charity number 292250.

1.2 The Governing Instrument of the Association

The Association is an unincorporated association founded in 1879 governed by rules adopted in May 1985 to allow registration of the Association as a Charity and most recently revised in May 2021.

1.3 Beneficial Area

The boundaries of the Association are those defining the geographical county of Essex prior to 1 April 1965 and include towers in adjacent counties, which are by tradition affiliated to the Association.

1.4 Trustees

Until May 2021, the Trustees of the charity were members of the Management Committee and comprised:

Trustees (a & b) were elected or re-elected by the members of the Association at the AGM in May. Trustees (c) were elected by the overall majority of members present at an AGM. Trustees (d) were elected from their membership and are elected or re-elected annually at their Annual District Meetings in January. Trustees (e) were appointed by the Management Committee. The Association’s Management Committee membership at 3 May 2021 is at Annex A.

Following a review of the Rules, which were agreed by a majority vote at the AGM in May, the number of Trustees were reduced to 15 and comprise:

Trustees (a) are elected or re-elected by the members of the Association at the AGM in May. Trustees (b) are elected from their District membership and are elected or re-elected annually at their Annual District Meetings in January. The list of the Association’s Trustees at 31 December 2021 is at Annex B.

All Trustees are members of the Association and receive a copy of the annual report. As agreed at the Inaugural Trustees meeting in July, all Trustees received copies of the Essential Trustee (CC3), the Essential Trustee 6 main duties, the Charity Trustee Welcome Pack and were advised to view the Charity Commission’s online ‘5 minute guides’. All Trustees signed a new Trustee Declaration of Eligibility and Responsibility on taking up their

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT 2021

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ESSEX ASSOCIATION OF CHANGE RINGERS Registered Charity No: 292250

appointment in May and will do so on an annual basis or when a new Trustee is appointed. All Trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no remuneration or other benefit.

1.5 Principal Address

The Charity’s registered address is 16 The Priory, Writtle, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 3JE.

1.6 Principal agents and advisors

Principal Bankers: NatWest Bank, 4-5 High Street, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 1FZ Independent examiners:

Neil Avis, 25 New Village, Brantham, Manningtree, Essex CO11 1RL

George Thoday, 2 Chapel Croft, Ardleigh, Colchester, Essex CO7 7TQ

Insurance Brokers: Howe Maxted Group Ltd, 17 Hatherley Road, Sidcup, Kent DA14 4BP Insurance Advisers: Ecclesiastical Insurance Office plc, Benefact House, 2000, Pioneer Avenue, Gloucester Business Park, Brockworth, Gloucester, GL3 4AW.

1.7 Remuneration of Trustees

No remunerations or emoluments were paid to any Trustees.

1.8 Organisation

The Association is governed by the Trustees and administered by them through the Management Committee and its sub-committees and through the Districts and their respective District Committees and District meetings. The Trustees are responsible to the Membership via the AGM. The order of precedence for governance is i) the Trustees, ii) the Management Committee, iii) Districts.

The Trustees meet independently of the Management Committee at least three times per year. The Management Committee meets on at least two occasions during the year. The Association is organised into six districts. The districts 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. Each district is represented by an elected Trustee and each district has four elected officers on the Management Committee. The districts hold their annual meetings in January where they elect their officers. Regular practices, meetings, quarter peals and striking competitions are organised within districts as well as fundraising events with any surpluses going to the Bell Restoration Account (BRA) or the Recruitment and Training Fund.

The Association is affiliated to the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers and loyally abides by the rules and decisions thereof.

2 Objectives and Public Benefit Statement

2.1 Charitable objects

The objects of the Association are as set out in rule 2:

In furtherance of these objectives the Association organises and encourages training sessions and bell ringing competitions. The main Association-level training is the annual 3- day Essex Ringing Course which for a number of years has been based in Coggeshall. There is an Autumn training day hosted by each District in turn. Training at the District level is both ongoing and based on specific training days.

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT 2021

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ESSEX ASSOCIATION OF CHANGE RINGERS Registered Charity No: 292250

Grants to approved belfry repair and improvement projects are available from the Bell Restoration Account. The Association Technical Adviser is available to discuss the condition of bells and their fittings. The Bell Maintenance and Restoration sub-committee has delegated authority to grant up to £250 for minor works. Sums above this are referred to Management Committee for support pending Trustees’ approval. The Recruitment & Training sub-committee has delegated authority to grant up to £250, sums above this are referred to Management Committee for support pending Trustees’ approval. Applications are considered at the Management Committee meetings in February and October and/or the Trustee meetings in February, May and September.

2.2 Public Benefit

The Association’s Objects and Aims are focused towards two areas. First, the support of Christian worship by promoting the ringing of bells for Service and second the preservation of the tradition and heritage of change ringing and supporting the training and development of change ringers from all walks of society. The Association achieves this by:

Many members give up their time and talents in many ways volunteering to help ringing schools, individual towers and bell restoration projects as well as many different recruiting, training, fundraising and maintenance projects in furtherance of the objectives as laid down in the rules.

The Association maintains a website ( www.eacr.org.uk ) which details many of the activities undertaken for its members. The Association has also maintained contact with its members via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, EACR Notices on email, a newsletter and a YouTube channel. In addition, some Districts maintain their own websites and social media outlets.

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.

2.3 Membership

Membership is open to any person eligible according to the Association’s rules (regardless of personal background, faith, gender or personal circumstances) interested in bells and bellringing. Our membership categories include Ringing Members (including Juniors), Life Vice-Presidents, Life Members, Non-Resident Members and Associate Members of the Association.

3 Review of Activities and Achievements in 2021

3.1 Overview

The Association aims to offer support to its members to not only ring for Sunday service and practice nights but also to improve and progress their ringing. District events are usually held across the Association including open practices, quarter peal weeks/months, training activities, outings and social gatherings. Whilst the number of people attending these events are difficult to gauge, a broad spectrum of the membership is involved with these and hopefully benefit from the opportunity to ring at different towers and meet other ringers.

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ESSEX ASSOCIATION OF CHANGE RINGERS Registered Charity No: 292250

However, 2021 again proved a challenging year with all ringing suspended until July and with churches closed for most of that time. Limited church services resumed in some parishes in August and September with ringing allowed under very strict limitations and with the blessing of incumbents and churchwardens.

Much good work is done by all the Trustees and those on the Management Committee for the Association, and by all of the District Officers across the Association. The Trustees, Management Committee and District Officers’ Meetings continue to effectively inform and shape the actions of the Association, and thanks go out to all of the Officers and representatives for their ongoing contributions to the Association. Even during the extended lockdown, ringing took place in the virtual world via Ringing Room and Zoom gatherings to keep ringers in touch with ringers. It is the Districts within the Association that undertake the majority of the work 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.

The Trustees met twice, once via Zoom in July and once in-person in October. The Management Committee met twice, once via Zoom in February and once in-person in October. A virtual AGM was held in May. During the intervening period, the Master, Secretary and Treasurer held regular virtual meetings to update each other on activities.

Following an extensive review of the Association’s Rules, three proposals were approved at the virtual AGM in May – 1: To incorporate rule changes that will allow the Association organisation and management to be modernised and become more agile; 2: To allow all members to vote in order to encourage all those interested in the aims and objects of the Association to support the Association and to allow non-ringing members to hold some offices; and 3: To change the majority required for Rule change approval.

The Association has been fortunate to have received two substantial legacies amounting to £380,431. No restrictions were placed on the bequests which means it may be spent to further the Association’s Objects. A working group has been set up to set out a framework to guide the Association in using its resources over the next 10 years, including:

  1. Describing the benefits and shortcomings of investment vs spending, and offer an opinion on the best use of resource in our situation

  2. To define which principles should be considered for any strategic spending, considering the Association’s charitable objectives, equity, diversity and inclusion

  3. To create a test that any application for funds or project needs to meet

  4. To consult with the Communications and PR, Bell Maintenance and Restoration, and Recruitment and Training sub-committees to inform a short list of strategic spending priorities on which the association should focus

  5. To consult with the wider membership to inform a short list of strategic spending priorities on which the association should focus, including the following methods:

  6. An electronic survey

  7. Presentations at Annual District Meetings

  8. Any other means thought suitable

3.2 Grants

The Association operates a Bell Restoration Account designed to assist bell restoration projects within the Association. A permanent Bell Maintenance and Restoration subcommittee considers applications for financial assistance towards work for maintenance and improvement of a bell installation to restore bells and their fittings to enable full circle ringing to take place. Grants are also given for augmenting and other ancillary work required to enable full circle ringing to continue or to be carried out and the installation of simulators to support training and practice. The sub-committee meets and makes written

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT 2021

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ESSEX ASSOCIATION OF CHANGE RINGERS Registered Charity No: 292250

recommendations for consideration at the Management Committee meeting in February and October and the Trustees meetings in February, May and September.

Two grants were paid out in the year, £7,984 to Kelvedon for recasting the 4[th] bell and £6,000 was paid to Braintree towards their rehang and a further £4,000 paid to them for the shortfall in funding and installation of a simulator. Two grants remain outstanding: £11,500 to Bishops Stortford and £4,600 to West Hanningfield. Three further grants were approved during the year: £9,000 for refurbishment and augmentation at Great Chishill, £5,000 for the rehang at Sandon, and £1,876 for the installation of rope guides at Brentwood. The Technical Adviser carried out several inspections and a number of applications will be forthcoming in 2022 and beyond.

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

Total Average Average BRA
Grants Towers Per Tower pa Income pa
5 Years £63,308 12 £5,276 £12,661 £33,166 £6,633
10 years £81,253 25 £3,250 £8,125 £80,915 £8,092

The Recruitment & Training sub-committee hase delegated authority to grant up to £250, sums above this are referred to Management Committee for support pending Trustees’ approval. Three such grants were approved: £250 towards a simulator at St Osyth, £246 to Braintree for training equipment and £48 for purchase of Manual of Belfry Maintenance books for each attendee at the SE District Maintenance Training Day in September 2021.

3.3 Training

In furtherance of the objectives the Association organises and encourages training sessions and bell ringing competitions. Training ringers is vitally important to maintain ringing in our towers. All six Districts hold regular training events throughout the year.

The Association has two accredited Association of Ringing Teachers (ART) hubs: Ardleigh Ringing School in the NE District and Willingale Ringing Centre in the NW District. Regular ringing centres at Coggeshall in the N District, Prittlewell in the S District and Chigwell in the SW District normally run a varied programme of workshops, courses and practical sessions.

The Association Training Day was held in November, based in the South Western District but there were courses in other areas of the county too with a pre-weekend Zoom meeting to iron out practicalities and for the tutors to go over some theory as well as practical sessions.

There have been many advances in simulator hardware and software in recent years and the functionality that is now available. Many towers are now installing simulator software or dumbbells to train new ringers effectively and to train more ringers than would otherwise be possible.

3.4 Essex Ringing Course

The Association runs the Essex Ringing Course, established in 1991. This was again cancelled for 2021. However, a Virtual Essex Course took place in April, with 10 courses and a rope-splicing workshop. There were also two talks, a Q&A session and a Quiz to end the event. A total of 47 students attended and 15 tutors.

3.5 Striking Competitions

The Association 6 and 8 bell striking competitions, to have been held in the NW District, were both cancelled. Of the two Inter-Association 10 Bell competitions, the Essex Trophy was held at Ashford in September, however, Essex was unable to take part due to a COVID-19 scare. The Ridgman Trophy was held at Braintree in October where the Essex team came a close second to Suffolk.

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT 2021

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ESSEX ASSOCIATION OF CHANGE RINGERS

Registered Charity No: 292250

3.6 Young Ringers

General Young Ringers monthly practices resumed in November. The SE England Youth Striking Competition, due to have been hosted by Essex at Writtle, in April was again cancelled.

The 10th Ringing World National Youth Contest scheduled for 3 July also had to be cancelled, although it was later confirmed that it would take place in September in Worcester. Essex Young Eagles rang call changes on 8 bells. They were placed 2nd out of 15 teams with 8.5 out of 10 marks and 3rd overall out of all 21 teams across the method and call change competitions. Only 5 of the 15 teams in the call change category rang on 8 bells so you could say they were the best 8 bell call change team on the day!

4 Statement of the Charity’s Policies

4.1 Reserves

A formal policy on reserves was agreed at the 6 February 2021 meeting of the Management Committee. It states:

The trustees have set a reserves policy which requires that:

Subscription levels are set to ensure anticipated costs are covered with any surplus being added to General Fund reserves. The Trustees review the policy annually.

4.2 Investment and Borrowing Powers

The Association is committed to maximising the level of income derived from its reserves whilst incurring minimum risk. The current policy of the Charity is to invest excess funds in low-risk building societies and banks all of which are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. Reviews are carried out to ensure that the financial institutions continue to provide the best and secure investment opportunities. Currently we hold our deposits in instant access, short-term notice or 1 Year fixed rate investments with NatWest Bank, CAF Bank, Cambridge and Counties Bank, Charity Bank, Saffron Building Society and Virgin Money.

The Trustees acting though the Management Committee and its sub-committees shall have the power to raise funds by any lawful means other than permanent trading. All monies in the Association's funds not required for day-to-day working purposes is invested or deposited by the Treasurer, as directed by the Trustees. No action involving expenditure in the name or on behalf of the Association shall be taken and no undertakings which would commit the Association to expenditure or other liability shall be made without the prior authority of a resolution of the Trustees or the Management Committee.

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ESSEX ASSOCIATION OF CHANGE RINGERS Registered Charity No: 292250

4.3 Risk Assessment

The Trustees have begun a review to identify and re-examine the major risks to which they believe the Association may be exposed and take steps to minimise and manage those risks. The Associations banking deposits are fully protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). All funds are checked before a payment is made to ensure that there is money available to meet expenditure. Bank statements are electronically available to the Treasurer. The Trustees are presented with a statement of income and expenditure and fund balances at every meeting for assurance.

4.4 Expenses and Petty Cash

The Association’s policies on expenses and petty cash came into effect on 1 January 2012. Both policies are reviewed annually at the Trustees meeting in October.

4.5 Safeguarding vulnerable persons

The Association has adopted the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers Safeguarding Guidelines.

5. Review of Financial Activities in 2021

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT 2021

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ESSEX ASSOCIATION OF CHANGE RINGERS Registered Charity No: 292250

6. Membership for 2021

District
Ringing
Ringing under 18
Life
Paid life
Life Vice-Presidents
Total ringing
Friends/Associates
Friends/Associates paid
life
Honorary
Non-resident (transfers)
Non-resident (elected)
Total		 N
2021
2020		 N
2021
2020		 NE
2021
2020		 NE
2021
2020		 NW
2021
2020		 NW
2021
2020		 S
2021
2020		 S
2021
2020		 SE
2021
2020		 SE
2021
2020		 SW
2021
2020		 SW
2021
2020		 Total
2021
2020		 Total
2021
2020

2020
2020
2020
2020
2020
2020
2020
113
3
12
-
1
120		 110

3

10

7

1
117		 164

16

3

3

1
177		 165

9

17

2

3
179		 192

7

16

4

3
212		 103

5

11

1

-
99
897

43

69

17

9
904

7
3
17
16
10
5
58

11
10
3
15
15
12
66

-
7
2
2
4
1
16

1
1
1
2
3
-
8
129
-
-
-
139		 131

4

-

1
138		 187

10

-

-
200		 196

5

1

-
214		 222

10

-

-
244		 120

4

-

-
117
985

33

1

1
1,052

-
4
12
5
10
3
34

-
-
-
1
-
-
1

-
1
-
-
-
-
1
129
2
-
139		 136

3

-
143		 197

-

-
212		 202

-

-
220		 232

1

-
254		 124

4

-
120		 1,020

10

-
1,088

2
2
-
2
-
-
6

-
2
-
-
-
-
2
131
141		 139
147		 197
212		 202
222		 233
254		 128
120		 1,030
1,096

Declaration

Approved by the Trustees on 5[th] February 2022, and signed on their behalf by

Dr A R C Kelso Association Master

Mrs S D Lacey General Secretary

Mr A P Brewster Association Treasurer

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 8

ESSEX ASSOCIATION OF CHANGE RINGERS

Registered Charity No: 292250

ANNEX A

Charity trustees who managed the charity to 3 May 2021

At 3 May 2021, the Association’s Management Committee’s membership comprised:

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20		 Trustee name Office (if any) Dates acted if not for
whole year		 Name of person (or body)
entitled to appoint trustee
(ifany)
Andrew Kelso Association Master Membership
Sharon Lacey General Secretary “
Andrew Brewster Association Treasurer Membership
Mary Bone Property Trustee
LVP		 To May2021 Membership
“
Colin Chapman Property Trustee
LVP
Peals Secretary
Report Editor		 To May 2021
“
“		 Membership
“
Management Committee
“
Andrew Taylor Property Trustee
LVP		 To May2021 Membership
“
Beth Johnson Education Officer
S District Secretary		 To May2021 Membership
S District Members
Ian Kerwin NW District Master To January 2021 NW District Members
Vicki Chapman Public Relations Officer
SE District Deputy
Master
CCCBR Rep		 To May 2021
“		 Membership
SE District Members
Membership
Nigel Taylor Technical Adviser Membership
Steve Nash S District Trustee
LVP
S District DeputyMaster		 From May 2021
To May 2021
“		 S District Members
Membership
S District Members
Joe Roast LVP To May2021 Membership
David Sloman LVP To May2021 “
David Sparling LVP To May2021 “
Yvonne Towler LVP To May2021 “
Fred Bone District Trustee
CCCBR Rep
Webmaster
Newsletter Editor
NW District Treasurer		 From May 2021
To May 2021
“
“
“		 NW District Members
Membership
Management Committee
“
NW District Members
Paul Bray CCCBR Rep To May2021 Membership
Helen Bridgman CCCBR Rep
NE District Secretary		 To May 2021
“		 Membership
NE District Members
Paul Cammiade LVP
CCCBR Rep		 To May 2021
“		 Membership
“
Christina Brewster Youth Co-ordinator
Bookstall Administrator		 To May 2021
“		 Management Committee
“

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 9

ESSEX ASSOCIATION OF CHANGE RINGERS Registered Charity No: 292250

21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41		 Rev Paul Watkin Chaplain To May2021 Management Committee
Simon Ward N District Trustee
N District Master		 From May 2021
To May2021		 N District Members
“
Bradley Hill N District Deputy Master To May 2021 “
Ian Cresshull N District Secretary To May2021 “
Vicki Elliott N District Treasurer To May2021 “
Roger Carey-Smith NE District Master To May2021 NE District Members
Stephen Garner NE District Trustee
NE District Deputy
Master		 From May 2021
To May 2021		 “
“
Andrew Burgoyne NE District Treasurer To May2021 “
Mike Slowe NW District Master
NW District Deputy
Master		 From January 2021 to
May 2021
To January 2021		 NW District Members
“
Trevor Haynes NW District Deputy
Master		 From January 2021 to
May2021		 “
Sue Evans NW District Secretary To May2021 “
Trevor Church S District Master To May2021 S District Members
Anne Porter S District Treasurer To May2021 “
David Hengeli SE District Trustee
SE District Master		 From May 2021
To May2021		 SE District Members
“
Clare Gebel SE District Secretary To January2021 “
Hazel Steed SE District Secretary From January 2021 to
May2021		 “
Brian Holden SE District Treasurer To January2021 “
Elizabeth Rayner SW District Trustee
SW District Master		 From May 2021
To May2021		 SW District Members
“
Peter Harvey SW District Deputy
Master		 From January 2021
To May2021		 “
Katherine Marshall SW District Secretary To May2021 “
Mike Coggins SW District Treasurer To May2021 “

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 10

ESSEX ASSOCIATION OF CHANGE RINGERS

Registered Charity No: 292250

ANNEX B

Charity trustees who manage the charity

At 31 December 2021, the Association Trustees comprised:

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15		 Trustee name Office held Dates acted if not for
whole year		 Name of person (or body)
entitled to appoint trustee
(ifany)
Andrew Kelso Association Master Membership
Sharon Lacey General Secretary “
Andrew Brewster Association Treasurer “
MaryBone PropertyTrustee “
Colin Chapman PropertyTrustee “
Andrew Taylor PropertyTrustee “
Beth Johnson Education Officer “
Vicki Chapman Communications Officer “
Nigel Taylor Technical Adviser “
Simon Ward N District Trustee From May2021 N District Members
Stephen Garner NE District Trustee From May2021 NE District Members
Fred Bone NW District Trustee From May2021 NW District Members
Steve Nash S District Trustee From May2021 S District Members
David Hengeli SE District Trustee From May2021 SE District Members
Elizabeth Rayner SW District Trustee From May2021 SW District Members

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 11

The Essex Association of Change Ringers

Treasurer’s Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2021

Total funds have increased by £57,046 to 31 December 2021 and now stand at £487,560. The COVID-19 pandemic has continued to impact every aspect of our lives and the Association and ringing has been affected with the cancellation of all activities for the majority of the period. The bequest from David Cobb’s estate, amounting to £68,421, was received in full in March and has been placed in a separate fund.

Membership is down by 68 to 1,020. This is the lowest number of members since 1998. 88% of members paid their subscriptions by 30 April (85% in 2020). However, 83 ringing members, 10 juniors and 4 friends will be deemed to have withdrawn from the Association as their subscriptions remained unpaid at 31 December. Eleven members have sadly died and thirty-seven previously lapsed members have returned. Thirteen new members were elected making seventy-four new members elected in the past two years, the vast majority prior to the pandemic. In total, some 167 members have lapsed in that time while our towers have been largely unable to recruit new members to replace them. A snapshot of our membership shows 5% are aged 18 or under, 5% are 19-25, 16% 26-50, 18% 51-60 and 56% over 61. The average age of our membership is 58. Recruitment will be a priority area for the future of ringing in Essex.

Interest rates: The coronavirus pandemic continued to have an effect on UK interest rates. The Virgin Charity Deposit Instant Access Account fell to 0.10% from 28 July (was 0.15%) while the Cambridge and Counties Bank 95 Day Notice Account and the Charity Bank Ethical 100-Day Notice Charity Account remain at 1% and 0.55% respectively. The Saffron Building Society 1 Year Fixed Rate Bond (0.75%) matured in July and was reinvested in a 1 Year Fixed Rate Corporate Bond earning 0.20%. The Cambridge and Counties Bank 2 Year Fixed Rate Business, Trust and Charity Bond offering 2% matured in August and was rolled over into a 1 Year Fixed Rate Bond offering 1%. The CAF Bank 12 Month Fixed Rate Saver (0.45%) also matured in August and was rolled over into a 12 Month Fixed Rate Saver offering 0.7%. Our day-to-day NatWest Community Account still offers free banking while the NatWest Business Reserve Account interest rate remains at 0.01%.

The General Fund has a surplus for the year of £585 and now stands at £25,412. Income remained about the same. Although net district income actually decreased, we were able to hold the annual dinner which made a small surplus. Expenditure increased mainly due to expenses paid out for the RWNYC held in Worcester, a subscription to Zoom to enable the Association to continue to meet during lockdown and a small increase in personal accident insurance premium.

The traditional Essex Ringing Course was again cancelled although a Virtual Course was held which resulted in a small shortfall of £267 with the balance now standing at £4,581.

The Recruitment and Training Fund has increased by £1,456 to £8,864. Three grants have been paid to Braintree (£246 for books, whiteboard, rubber and marker pens), St Osyth (£250 towards a simulator) and £48 to the SE District for maintenance books. Three further grants amounting to £2,004 have been submitted to the Trustees for approval.

The Harry Turner Account has a balance of £1,373. Is it perhaps time consideration was given to this account being would up and transferred to the R&T Fund? The Chigwell Ringing Centre balance remains at £453. The St Mary’s Stansted Mountfitchet Fund has a balance of £4,048.

The Heath Bequest stands at £314,392 and the Cobb Bequest stands at £68,928.

The Bell Restoration Account has decreased by £15,255 to £59,509. A grant of £7,984 was paid to Kelvedon and £6,000 was paid to Braintree with a further £4,000 paid to them to cover a shortfall in funding and purchase of a simulator. Five further grants remain outstanding: £11,500 to Bishops Stortford, £9,000 to Great Chishill, £5,000 to Sandon, £4,600 to West Hanningfield and £1,876 for rope guides at Brentwood. This brings the total commitments to £31,976.

Charity shopping fundraising sites Easyfundraising and Amazon Smile have made a contribution to our funds. Please encourage members in your Districts to support these simple methods of raising funds.

The Gift Aid claim which covered the period from 1 January to 31 October 2021, with an additional claim relating to 2020, was paid in December.

Andrew Brewster Association Treasurer 16 January 2022

The Essex Association of Change Ringers Accounts for the Year Ended 31 December 2021

Summary

Summary
Harry Chigwell St Mary's
Stansted		 2021 2020
Income General
Fund
£		 PR
Acc't
£		 Essex
Course
£		 R&T
Fund
£		 Turner
Acc't
£		 Ringing
Centre
£		 M'fitchet
Fund
£		 Heath
Bequest
£		 Cobb
Bequest
£		 BR
Acc't
£		 Total
£		 Total
£
District subscription income 5,599 - - 1,818 - - - - - - 7,417 7,723
District fundraising
Essex Ringing Course fees
Gift Aid tax recovered/GASDS
Bank interest
Other income
Total income		 -
-
-
-
226
5,825		 -
-
-
-
-
-		 -
39
-
-
-
39		 -
-
-
51
561
2,430		 -
-
-
-
-
-		 -
-
-
-
-
-		 -
-
-
20
-
20		 -
-
-
1,579
-
1,579		 -
-
-
507
68,421
68,928		 864
-
1,290
451
529
3,134		 864
39
1,290
2,608
69,737
81,955		 1,227
-
1,428
2,225
312,588
325,191
2020 5,841 - 110 2,458 - - 29 312,813 - 3,940 325,191
Expenditure
Insurance
Annual Report
Essex Ringing Course		 1,511
1,440
-		 -
-
-		 -
-
306		 -
-
-		 -
-
-		 -
-
-		 -
-
-		 -
-
-		 -
-
-		 405
-
-		 1,916
1,440
306		 1,861
1,411
54
Grants - - - 544 - - - - - 17,984
-		 18,528 7,884
Other expenses 2,289 - - 430 - - - - - 2,719 788
Total expenditure 5,240 - 306 974 - - - - - 18,389 24,909 11,998
2020 3,513 - 54 130 - - - - - 8,301 11,998
Net surplus/(deficit) 585 - (267) 1,456 - - 20 1,579 68,928 (15,255) 57,046
Transfer between funds (100) - - - 100 - - - - - -
Net increase/
(decrease) in funds		 485 - (267) 1,456 100 - 20 1,579 68,928 (15,255) 57,046
2020 2,328
1,266
3,594		 -
(1,366)
(1,366)		 56
-
56		 2,328
-
2,328		 -
100
100		 -
-
-		 29
-
29		 312,813
-
312,813		 -
-
-		 (4,361)
-
(4,361)		 313,193
-
313,193		 313,193
Assets
Cash at bank/in hand
Stock
Other assets
Liabilities, less than one year
Net assets
Represented by:
Funds		 25,412 - 4,581 8,864 1,373 453 4,048 314,392 68,928 59,509 485,150
1,770
1,518
(878)
487,560
487,560		 427,709
1,918
1,591
(704)
430,514
2020 24,927 - 4,848 7,408 1,273 453 4,028 312,813 - 74,764 430,514

District Income and Expenditure Account

General Fund
Income
Subscriptions
Ringing (full)
Ringing (full) arrears
Ringing (junior)
Friends/Associates
Friends/Associates arrears
Non-resident
Proportion of paid life membership_(note 1)
Total
To Recruitment and Training Fund(note 1)_
Net income
Expenditure
Postage
Printing, stationery etc.
Excess of income over expenditure
2021		 N
NE
NW
S
SE
SW
2021
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
904
880
1,312
1,312
1,536
824
6,768
40
24
48
16
48
96
272
12
12
64
36
28
20
172
-
16
40
24
40
16
136
-
-
4
-
4
4
12
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
16
16
-
30
-
62
956
948
1,484
1,388
1,686
960
7,422
(239)
(233)
(360)
(341)
(410)
(235)
(1,818)
717
715
1,124
1,047
1,276
725
5,604
-
-
5
-
-
-
5
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
5
-
-
-
5
717
715
1,119
1,047
1,276
725
5,599		 2020
£
7,232
96
232
136
4
16
57
7,773
(1,908)
5,865
44
6
50
2020 697
757
1,173
1,144
1,401
643		 5,815
St Mary Stansted Mountfitchet Fund
Steepleage at meetings
2021		 N
NE
NW
S
SE
SW
2021
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
2020
£
10
2020 -
-
10
-
-
-		 10
Bell Restoration Account
Donations
Collections (net of church expenses)
Raffles
Quiz evening
Surplus from teas
Barbecues and treasure hunts
2021		 N
NE
NW
S
SE
SW
2021
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
109
17
32
116
61
8
343
-
19
-
91
50
-
160
-
-
-
-
138
-
138
-
-
-
-
110
-
110
-
-
34
29
-
-
63
-
-
-
50
-
-
50
109
36
66
286
359
8
864
2020
£
388
158
375
-
296
-
2020 233
34
97
632
171
50		 1,217
TOTAL DISTRICT INCOME
2021		 826
751
1,185
1,333
1,635
733
6,463
2020 930
791
1,280
1,776
1,572
693
7,042

General Fund

Income
Net district income
Annual dinner
Ticket sales
Expenses
Proportion of peal fees_(note 1)_
Profit on sale of badges
Annual General Meeting
Surplus from teas
Expenses
Annual Reports
Expenditure
Personal accident insurance
Annual Report
Printing
Advertisements
Youth Coordinator's reimbursements re EYR (inc RWNYC fee)
Central Council affiliation fees
Guests at annual dinner
Subscription to Zoom video conferencing
Hire of hall for Committee meetings
Newsletter
Website hosting and domain name
Treasurer's expenses
Secretary's expenses
Postage
Friends of Essex Churches
Friends of CCCBR library
Friends of Chelmsford Cathedral
Ringing World advertisements
Excess of income over expenditure
Balance at 31 December 2020
Transfer from Public Relations Account
Transfer to Harry Turner Account
Balance at 31 December 2021		 2021
2020
£
£
£
£
5,599
5,815
2,200
-
(1,976)
-
224
-
18
18
3
5
-
-
(19)
-
(19)
-
-
3
5,825
5,841
1,511
1,444
1,531
1,586
(91)
(175)
1,440
1,411
1,272
12
200
200
180
-
173
14
120
80
113
106
67
56
65
94
30
34
26
-
15
15
10
10
10
10
8
27
5,240
3,513
585
2,328
24,927
21,333
25,512
23,661
-
1,366
(100)
(100)
25,412
24,927		 2020

£
5,815


-
18
5


-
3
5,841
3,513
2,328
21,333
23,661
1,366
(100)
24,927
Essex Ringing Course
Income
Course fees
Donations
Course clothing surplus
Expenditure
Donation to Ringing Room
Zoom subscriptions for Virtual Course
Catering - Cost of sales (including stock write-off -note 1)
Ringing World advertisement
Excess of expenditure over income
Balance at 31 December 2020
Balance at 31 December 2021
Recruitment and Training Fund
Income
Proportion of subscriptions
Association Training Day fees
Donation for youth activites
Donations
Interest received
In memoriam of Bernard Sadler
Expenditure
Grants paid (under £250)(note 2)
Association Training Day expenses
Donation to Zoom Video Communcations Inc
Excess of income over expenditure
Balance at 31 December 2020
Balance at 31 December 2021
Harry Turner Account
Transfer from General Fund_(note 2)
Balance at 31 December 2020
Balance at 31 December 2021
Chigwell Ringing Centre
Balance at 31 December 2020 and 31 December 2021
St Mary's Stansted Mountfitchet Fund
Interest received
District income
Balance at 31 December 2020
Balance at 31 December 2021
Heath Bequest
Income
Estate of Donald Heath(note 2)
Interest received
Balance at 31 December 2020
Balance at 31 December 2021
Cobb Bequest
Income
Estate of David Cobb(note 2)_
Interest received
Balance at 31 December 2021		 2021
£
39
-
-
39
201
91
14
-
306
(267)
4,848
4,581
£
1,818
326
125
110
51
-
2,430
544
430
-
974
1,456
7,408
8,864
£
100
1,273
1,373
£
453
£
20
-
20
4,028
4,048
£
-
1,579
1,579
312,813
314,392
£
68,421
507
68,928		 2020
£
-
80
30
110
-
-
-
54
54
56
4,792
4,848
£
1,908
-
-
15
35
500
2,458
-
27
103
130
2,328
5,080
7,408
£
100
1,173
1,273
£
453
£
19
10
29
3,999
4,028
£
311,656
1,157
312,813
-
312,813
£
-
-
-

Bell Restoration Account

Income
Gift aid - income tax reclaimed on subscriptions and other donations
Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme (GASDS)
District income
Bank interest
Raffle at the Annual Dinner
Easyfundraising and Amazon Smile
Donations
Bookstall
Books -
Sales
Books- Cost of sales (including stock write-off -note 1)
Other - Profit on sale of EACR merchandise
EACR Clothing
Sales
Cost of sales
Refreshments at Committee meetings
Proportion of peal fees_(note 1)
Donation by Patricia Lindsell
Expenditure
Bell restoration grants(note 1)_
Grants paid
Loan to Bentley Common - repaid
Public liability insurance
Handbell insurance
Excess of expenditure over income
Balance at 31 December 2020
Balance at 31 December 2021		 £
1,273
17
163
(128)
35
5
150
(126)
17,984
-		 2021
£
1,290
864
451
241
139
48
40
24
19
18
-		 £ 2020
£
1,361
67
344
(256)		 1,428
1,217
1,014
-
77
-
95
19
22
18
50
88
7
99
(80)
8,098
(214)
3,134 3,940
17,984
357
48		 7,884
356
61
18,389 8,301
(15,255)
74,764		 (4,361)
79,125
59,509 74,764
Bell Restoration Grants
Date
Estimated
approved
cost
£
Bell Restoration Account
Bentley Common
installation of rope guides
05.10.19
2,695
VAT element recoverable
05.10.19
-
Bishops Stortford
rehang in new frame and fittings
03.10.20
115,119
Braintree
rehang and refurbishment
05.10.19
30,970
additional work re fittings
01.02.20
57,575
shortfall in funding and simulator
02.10.21
8,000
Brentwood
installation of rope guides
02.10.21
2,726
Great Chishill
rehang, refurbishment and augmentation
02.10.21
65,813
Kelvedon
framework and recast 4th bell
05.10.19
10,389
revised estimate of works
01.02.20
10,564
Sandon
rehang and refurbishment
02.10.21
39,319
Waltham Abbey
recast 7th bell
05.10.19
7,614
West Hanningfield
rehang and new fittings
03.10.20
45,874
Total all funds		 Brought
Carried
forward
2021
forward
Paid
£
£
£
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
11,500
-
11,500
-
3,300
-
-
-
2,700
-
-
6,000
-
4,000
-
4,000
-
1,876
1,876
-
-
9,000
9,000
-
7,000
-
-
-
984
-
-
7,984
-
5,000
5,000
-
-
-
-
-
4,600
-
4,600
-
30,084
19,876
31,976
17,984
Approved but unpaid		 £
270
214
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
7,614
-
2020
8,098

Balance Sheet at 31 December 2021

Fixed assets(note 3)
Current Assets
Stocks
Books
Badges
Ringing course consumables
Ringing course clothing
Prepayments
Public liability insurance
2022 Dinner deposit
Website hosting
Essex Ringing course
Ringing World
Hall deposit
Other debtors
Accrued interest receivable
Easyfundraising and Amazon Smile
Cash at bank
NatWest Business Current Account
NatWest Business Reserve Account
CAF 12 Month Fixed Rate Saver
Cambridge & Counties 95 Day Notice Account
Cambridge & Counties 1 Year Fixed Rate Bond
Charity Bank Ethical 100-Day Notice Account
Saffron Building Society 1 Year Fixed Rate Corporate Bond
Virgin Charity Deposit Account
Cash in hand
Bookstall
Liabilities:amounts falling due within one year
Other creditors
Balance of paid life membership subscriptions
Subscriptions paid in advance
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Funds
General Fund
Essex Ringing Course
Recruitment and Training Fund
Harry Turner Account
Chigwell Ringing Centre
St Mary's Stansted Mountfitchet Fund
Heath Bequest
Cobb Bequest
Bell Restoration Account		 £
1,310
338
104
18		 2021

£
£
-

1,438

344

118

18
1,770

267

100

40

-

58

-
676

1,115

11
842

2,911

15,275

85,000

52,728

31,570

72,046

84,000

84,158
485,103
47
488,438

556

148
878
487,560
487,560
25,412
4,581
8,864
1,373
453
4,048
314,392
68,928
59,509
487,560		 2020

£
-




1,918






465


1,126








427,688
21
270
200
69
55
44
38
796
46
2,071
59,702
85,000
53,364
32,201
84,495
84,000
84,270
654
224
431,218


704
430,514
430,514
24,927
4,848
7,408
1,273
453
4,028
312,813
-
74,764
430,514

Notes to the Accounts

1 Accounting policies

a) The accounts are prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with applicable accounting standards and the Statement of Recommended Practice Accounting and Reporting by Charities (March 2005).

b) Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value.

c) Grant monies are paid when an agreed project has been completed to the satisfaction of the Technical Adviser, or such persons in whom authority is vested by the Trustees. d) Subscriptions for paid life membership are taken to the General Fund in twenty equal annual instalments. Upon the death of a life member, any balance is taken to the General Fund. e) Unless requested otherwise, all donations, legacies and other voluntary income are taken to the Bell Restoration Account. In 2019, the Management Committee agreed that significant bequests should be unrestricted. Following the rule changes in 2021, it is now the responsibility of the Trustees to decide how best to administer such bequests.

f) Fixed assets are initially recorded at cost or estimated value at time of donation. g) Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets at rates calculated to write off the cost or valuation, less estimated residual value, of each asset evenly over its expected useful life. h) All money in the Association's funds not required for day-to-day working purposes is invested or deposited by the Treasurer, as directed by the Trustees. i) Interest received from all the interest paying accounts are apportioned to the Bell Restoration Account, Recruitment and Training Fund, St Mary's Stansted Mountfitchet Fund, Heath and Cobb Bequests in the ratio of their respective capital sums. j) 25% of ringing and non-resident subscriptions are taken to the Recruitment and Training Fund until further notice as agreed at the October 2018 Management Committee meeting. k) 50% of peal fees are taken to the Bell Restoration Account. Total peal fees £36 (2020: £36). l) All funds are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (up to a value of £85,000). 2 Funds General Fund - this fund covers the administration and management of the Association's activities and is spent in whichever way the Trustees in charge of the charity see fit, in accordance with the stated objectives of the charity. Public Relations Account - In 2019, the Management Committee agreed to take the PR Account back into the General Fund. This took effect from 1st January 2020. Essex Ringing Course - this account covers the income and expenditure of the annual Essex Ringing Course. Recruitment and Training Fund - income to this fund is used for the purposes of providing grant aid for recruitment and training projects to be determined and managed by the Trustees and running educational and training events. The Recruitment and Training Sub-Committee has delegated responsibility to authorise grants up to a maximum of £250. Harry Turner Account - originally set up with a legacy, a sum is now set aside each year to replace technical and educational equipment. Chigwell Ringing Centre (formerly known as Chigwell Ringing School) - this fund, set up with a grant received from Essex County Council 'Arts in Essex', is for a ringing school based at St Mary's, Chigwell (note 3) . St Mary's Stansted Mountfitchet Fund - the fund, together with the accumulated interest, is to be used for the running expenses, repairs and refurbishments to Stansted's bells, fittings and ropes and in the event of the bells becoming totally unringable the funds shall be used, at the discretion of the Trustees, for other Association towers for the same purposes but not for social purposes. The Trustees shall look favourably upon any request for funds by the Friends of St Mary's or the Churches Conservation Trust and make an appropriate donation bearing in mind that the preservation of the Church and its amenities are essential for the continuation of bellringing. Heath Bequest - the capital in this fund was bequethed from the estate of Donald Heath and was received in 2020. This sum, together with accumulated interest, will be used for specific projects as agreed by the Trustees. Cobb Bequest - the capital in this fund was bequethed from the estate of David Cobb and was received in 2021. This sum, together with accumulated interest, will be used for specific projects as agreed by the Trustees. Bell Restoration Account - income to this fund is used to fund grants and other expenditure incurred in connection with the restoration and improvement of bells, bell frames and fittings. The Bell Maintenance and Restoration Sub-Committee has delegated responsibility to authorise grants for minor works up to a maximum of £250. 3 Fixed assets The Association owns an overhead projector (fully depreciated) in the possession of the Property Trustees. The following assets have been fully written off. Three projectors in the possession of the Treasurer, Education Officer and the Ringing Course Administrator and an odd struckness meter held by the Technical Adviser, all purchased from the Harry Turner Account (note 2). A ringing simulator and laptop installed at the Ringing Centre in St Mary's, Chigwell (note 2) . 4 Other property The Association also owns the following items not shown in the accounts. One Master's badge of office (insured value £400) in the possession of the Master of the Association. Set of twelve handbells in a case (insured value £6,086) in the possession of the Property Trustees. A six bell, an eight bell and a ten bell trophy in the possession of Chelmsford Cathedral, the South Eastern District and the Kent County Association of Change Ringers respectively. Books, videos and documents in the Association library in the possession of the Property Trustees. A set of display boards, a banner stand and a pop-up gazebo in the possession of the Communications Officer. A Saxilby Simulator, gifted to the Association, on loan to St Peter ad Vincula, Coggeshall. Two Listening to Ringing CD's and Come On! Listen to it! with associated DVD in the possession of the Ringing Course Administrator. Each district owns a six bell striking competition trophy. The North Eastern, North Western, Southern, South Eastern and South Western districts also own call change striking competition trophies.

5 Other matters

No remunerations or emoluments were paid to any Trustees or to the independent examiners. Prior to the rule changes agreed at the 2021 AGM there were 38 trustees of the Association. Following the rule changes this was reduced to 15. Expenses of £410 were reimbursed to 5 trustees (2020: £215 to 6 trustees) covering stationery, telephone, computer consumables and other expenses. Expenses of District Officers are shown in the District Income and Expenditure Account and members of the Management Committee in the funds relevant to their respective Offices Expenses are refunds by a charity of legitimate payments which a trustee has had to meet personally in order to carry out his or her trustee duties. In some cases, these expenses may be paid in advance. Reimbursement to trustees for purchases they have personally and properly made on behalf of the charity are not counted as expenses and are accounted for as part of the charity’s general expenditure.

INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS’ REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES

We report on the attached accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31st December 2021.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act)) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is our responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiners’ report

Our examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently we do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.

Independent examiners’ statement

In connection with our examination, no matter has come to our attention:

Neil Avis George Thoday 25 New Village 2 Chapel Croft Brantham Ardleigh Manningtree Colchester Braintree Essex Essex CO7 7TQ CO11 1RL

28th January 2022