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.  At present, 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 Affiliation Scheme

This scheme enlists the financial support of Parochial Church Councils on a regular basis in carrying out the aims of the Fund.  When the Fund was set up in the early sixties the annual subscription was fixed at £1.  Nowadays subscription amounts are left to the generosity of individual PCCs.  Currently 80 PCCs are affiliated, each paying an annual subscription varying from £3 to £50, with the majority paying between £10 and £20.  During the year each contributing PCC is sent a report on the Fund, plus a copy of the Association’s Annual Report.

Parochial Church Councils affiliated to the Bell Repair Fund 2004

The Association is grateful to the following PCCs for their continued support for the Bell Fund.