OXFORD DIOCESAN BELL FUND
(Registered Charity No. 268390)

Diocesan Bell Fund Raising - 2008

Report of the Managing Trustees for the year ending 31st December 2008

Grants

Three grants totalling £3,730 have been paid during the year to: Wendover £300, Whitchurch £300 and Winslow £3,130

During the year grants were provisionally allocated as follows: Clewer £4,720, Little Missenden £1,670, Olney £6,000, Whitchurch £300, Benson £4,860, Great Brickhill £5,000

In accordance with the Trustees continuing policy of requiring an independent assessment of satisfactory completion of the work, before payment of a grant, members of the Towers and Belfries Committee carry out an inspection on the Fund's behalf. The Managing Trustees wish to record their gratitude for this service.

The Managing Trustees have maintained grant allocations of 10% of the estimated costs of eligible work. If the final cost is materially different from the indicated cost at the time of application, the grant is reviewed and may be revised. The level of grant allocated depends on the number of applications and the income available for distribution and may vary from year to year.

Future Grants

Two further applications for grants were received during the year. These were deferred until the final detail of work to be undertaken was confirmed.

Fund Raising

New money raised in 2008 amounted to £11,473. Regular fund raising included £4,597 from branch donations, donations from PCCs of £320, donations from towers of £407, £726 from the ringing day and £3630 from sponsored quarter peals. Individual Gift Aided donations amounted to £212.

There was a donation of £100 from the Guild Handbell Day. Donations from the funeral service of Dick Lee amounted to £154. The Guild donated £550 plus an additional £50 that was approved in 2007 but not paid until 2008.

The Managing Trustees again wish to express their thanks to all those who helped to arrange the Ringing Day; and to all those who have contributed to the continued success of the Fund.

Investments

Investment income for the year was £20,445 (2007: £18,558). This reflects the overall financial situation with rapidly falling interest rates towards the end of the year. This situation will probably be with us for some time and the Trustees will work closely with the Diocesan authorities to manage the impact on the Fund. Transactions are made on behalf of the Fund by the Diocesan authorities and the market value of the investment at 31st December 2008 was £293,379.

Ken Davenport (on behalf of the Managing Trustees)

New money raised for the Oxford Diocesan Bell Fund up to the 31st December 2008 can be found here.