BELL REPAIR FUND

(Registered Charity No. 255662)

The Fund exists to give financial help to parochial church councils, which are carrying out improvements, repairs, augmentations, etc. to their bells and fittings. Any church within the diocese is welcome to apply for a grant or loan from the Fund, or to ask for an inspection of its bells by the bell consultants, whose expenses are borne by the Fund.

Councils are encouraged particularly to apply at an early stage in a project, even if it is still in the exploratory phase, (which is the best time for inspections and technical advice to be given). The Fund is happy to consider applications for grants and loans on a provisional basis at this stage.

The conditions under which grants and loans are paid are listed in a guide to the Fund, available from the Bell Repair Fund Secretary. From 1999 onwards, grants can be offered only for projects costing £1000 or more, whereas loans may be offered for any size of project.

The Bell Repair Fund Covenant and Gift Aid Schemes

Ringing members (and friends) are warmly invited to make an annual donation to the Bell Repair Fund. If a Gift Aid declaration is made, the Fund (being a registered charity) benefits not only from the original gift but can obtain tax refunds from the Inland Revenue. At a standard rate of tax in 2002-2003 of 22%, each 78p of the original donation can be increased to £1 at no expense to the donor; thus £10.00 donated can be increased to £12.82, and proportionally for any other amount i.e., by about 28p in the pound.

Both the new Gift Aid scheme, and the Covenant scheme it supersedes, are extremely tax-efficient ways of boosting regular donations from individuals. The new Gift Aid scheme is also very good for one-off donations. For further details of these, or of other related schemes, (given in confidence, if so requested) please contact the BRF Treasurer.

The Bell Repair Fund Affiliation Scheme

This scheme enlists the financial support of Parochial Church Councils on a regular basis in carrying out the aims of the Fund. The present annual subscription is no longer fixed (originally of £1, set in the early sixties) but is left now to the generosity of each individual PCC. At present 91 PCCs are affiliated to the Fund, paying amounts varying from £3 to £50, with the largest numbers being of £10 or £20. During each year, the PCCs are sent a special report about the Fund, together with a copy of the Association's latest annual report.

Parochial Church Councils Affiliated to the Bell Repair Fund 2002

The Association is grateful to the following PCCs for their continued support of the Fund:
 
Alfreton
Alvaston
Ashbourne
Ashford in the Water
Ashover
Ault Hucknall
Bakewell
Barlborough
Barrow on Trent
Baslow
Beighton
Belper
Blackwell
Bolsover
Bonsall
Bradbourne
Brailsford
Breadsall
Burbage
Castleton
Chaddesden
Chapel en le Frith
Chesterfield		 Church Broughton
Clay Cross
Clowne
Creswell
Crich
Cubley
Darley Dale
Denby
Derby St Peter
Derby Cathedral
Dinting Vale
Doveridge
Dronfield
Duffield
Eckington
Edensor
Egginton
Etwall
Eyam
Fairfield
Glossop
Great Longstone
Hartington		 ?Hathersage
Hayfield
Heanor
Heath
Hope
Horsley
Ilkeston
Killamarsh
Long Eaton
Longford
Lullington
Matlock
Melbourne
Monyash
Morton
Newton Solney
Norbury
Norton
Ockbrook
Old Whittington
Old Brampton
Osmaston
Pinxton		 Repton
Sandiacre
Sawley
Scarcliffe
South Wingfield
Stanton by Dale
Staveley
Sudbury
Swanwick
Tibshelf
Ticknall
Tideswell
Tissington
West Hallam
Weston on Trent
Whitwell
Wingerworth
Winshill
Winster
Wirksworth
Wormhill
Youlgreave

Help raise money for your BRF

Webb Ivory Sales give a portion of any profit, up to 25%, to your chosen charity, in this case, the DDA Bell Restoration Fund. Even better, we may be able to double any profit. In 2002 my employers agreed to match anything raised £ for £ (up to £700), let's hope they will again.

It's very simple, all you have to do is take a look at one of the catalogues and buy from it. All goods are competitively priced and good quality. They make excellent presents for Christmas, there is a range of cards and the wrapping paper is excellent.

Catalogues will be with us from the end of August and available from Anthony & Elizabeth Cotton. We will also arrange for Association officers and branch secretaries to have some. In 2002 we made a profit of £105 which is planned to be matched £ for £. We cannot turn this easy fund raising opportunity away, but we need your help. Support us and order for Christmas.

Elizabeth Cotton