BELFRY REPAIRS FUND Established 1913, Registered Charity No. 505098 REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2024
Trustees
The following persons, all members of the Central Committee of the Association, were trustees of the Worcestershire and Districts Change Ringing Association Belfry Repairs Fund (the charity) during all or part of the year ended 31st December 2024 (the year): Mrs D Awkati, Mrs L Clayton (until 22nd September 2024), Mrs K Collingwood, Mrs S Haynes, Mr A Henderson (until 20th April 2024), Revd D Hildred, Professor A M Hodge, Mrs L J Homer (from 22nd September 2024), Mr P Mills (from 8th March 2024 ), Mr J P Mort, Mrs R Page, Mr S D Piper, Mr P R Smith, Mr J Stanton (from 22nd September 2024), Mr C Tennant, Mr R J Walker and Mr M A Wilson (until 20th April 2024). Clerk to the Trustees
Mr Robin J Walker of 210 London Road, Worcester, WR5 2JT, a trustee of the charity, acted as Clerk to the Trustees throughout the year, having been re-appointed by the Annual General Meeting of the Association on Saturday 20th April 2024.
Treasurer
Mr Stuart D Piper of 21 Portland Drive, Pedmore, Stourbridge, DY9 0SB, a trustee of the charity, acted as Treasurer throughout the year, having been re-appointed by the Annual General Meeting of the Association on Saturday 20th April 2024.
Bankers
Lloyds Bank of Worcester (Treasurers Account) and CCLA Investment Management Limited of London (The CBF Church of England Deposit Fund) acted as bankers to the Fund.
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
During the year the trustees administered the affairs of the charity in accordance with the provision of the Rules of the Fund which were adopted by a General Meeting of the members of the above Association on 23rd March 1996 and updated on 10th June 2015, 28th March 2016 and 30th March 2019.
The trustees examine all applications for grants or loans from the charity very carefully, to ensure that i) the requirements of the Rules of the Fund are fully complied with, and ii) all relevant advice is received and considered. The objects of the charity are set out in rule 2 of the Rules of the Belfry Repairs Fund and are as follows: “The object of the Fund shall be to advance the Christian Religion by providing grants towards new rings of bells, the repair, renovation (excluding ropes) or augmentation of existing rings of bells, the transfer of rings of bells, and the installation of sound control apparatus provided in towers within the Association’s area. Grants may also be provided towards maintenance inspections and basic maintenance undertaken by professional bell hanging companies.”
In furtherance of the above object but not otherwise the powers of the Fund shall be: - To advance loans from the Fund upon such terms as the Trustees think fit.
To purchase for resale, upon such terms as the Trustees shall think fit, any bells, chime of bells, or ring of bells, or any bell frame or fitting, located or to be located within the Association’s area and for the discharge of all costs and such expenses properly incurred, provided that the net proceeds arising from such sale shall form part of the assets of the Fund.
So far as administration is concerned the Clerk to the Trustees processes all applications for grants or loans from the charity and deals with all correspondence and telephone calls.
Current Grant Offers
The Church of SS Peter & Paul, Upton-on-Severn, £2,000 towards overhaul of roller boxes with new spindles and bearings, replacement of some sliders, cleaning of bearings, tightening of the frame and frame painting. The Church of St Mary, Elmley Castle, £15,000 towards work including removal of the treble, 2nd, 3rd and tenor bells and hanging them static for chiming; cast new bells for the treble, 3rd and 4th and use the current 4th and 5th bells as the new 5th and tenor bells, respectively, and replacing the existing wooden frame with a new iron frame. The Church of St Michael, Great Comberton, £1,000 towards work on the bearings, replacing where found necessary. The Church of St Clement, Worcester, £8,000 towards installing a ring of Petit & Fritsen bells, at this time housed in the Teaching Centre at the Cathedral. The bells would be put to better use in St Clement’s Church. The project has the backing of the Worcester Cathedral Guild of Bellringers, the Dean and Chapter of Worcester Cathedral and the full support of the original donors of the bells.
Grants Paid During the Year
The Cathedral Church of Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary, Worcester, £1,000, The Church of SS Philip & James, Hallow, £750, The Church of St Andrew, Ombersley, £5,000.
State of the Fund
The fund has increased in value from £77,443 at year-end 2023 to £137,065 at year-end 2024. A significant part of this increase is due to the generous legacy of £57,626 bequeathed to the Fund from the Estate of the late Molly Edwards. Other contributors to the fund include Branch and Association activities, funds raised by the 300 Club and the PCC Subscription Scheme, Gift Aid Tax repayments, plus donations from towers and individuals. Excluding the legacy, income is down by £3,759 compared to 2023 (which included a £3,000 transfer from the W&DCRA General Fund). Grants totalling £6,750 have been paid during the year.
Donations Received
Donations, some with Gift Aid, have been received from several organisations and individuals including David Andrews, Diane Awkati (from the sale of Tim Hughes’ books), David Jones, Rosie Marshall, Russell Maiden, Robert Pardy and Nigel Smith; from the following towers: Barbourne, Elmley Lovett and Solihull; and from the PCCs of Bredon, Earls Croome, Elmley Castle and Stoke Prior & Wychbold. All the donations, and Molly Edwards’ legacy, are very much appreciated and are acknowledged with thanks.
Dated 27 February 2025
BELFRY REPAIRS FUND
Registered Charity Number: 505098
Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended 31st December 2024
| Note 2024 £ RECEIPTS Fund Raising: Branch and Association Activities 1 1,216 300 Club 2,958 Gift Aid Donations 670 Gift Aid Tax Repayment 260 Legacies 57,626 Donation from General Fund - PCC Subscription Scheme 1,235 Total Funds Raised 63,965 Interest Received: Deposit with Central Board of Finance 3,898 Total Receipts 67,863 PAYMENTS Expenses - Stationery and Postage - Grants paid during the year 6,750 Fund Raising Costs - 300 Club 1,491 Total Payments 8,241 Net surplus/(deficit) for the year 59,622 Funds brought forward as at 1st January 77,443 Funds carried forward as at 31st December 137,065 Monetary Assets Deposit Account (Central Board of Finance) 79,087 Treasurers Account (Lloyds) 57,978 Net Monetary Assets 137,065 Note 1. Fund Raising: Branch and Association activities are as follows: Northern Branch 228 Southern Branch 104 Western Branch 215 Association Events 276 Other Donations 393 1,216 Statement of Assets as at 31st December 2024 |
2023 £ 1,863 2,892 999 189 - 3,000 1,155 10,098 2,055 12,153 9 2,890 1,480 4,379 7,774 69,669 77,443 75,189 2,254 77,443 240 4 129 - 1,490 1,863 |
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We have examined the accounting records of the Belfry Repairs Fund and have obtained such explanations as we deemed necessary. We confirm that the above accounts are in accordance with those records.
Sarah Marshall and Paul Evans, 5th February 2025.
These accounts were approved by the Trustees on 11th February 2025.
Robin J Walker Stuart D Piper Clerk to the Trustees Treasurer of the Fund
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