The Guild’s bell restoration fund had a busy year in 2025 with grants paid out to towers totalling £37,378 and new grants approved adding up to £44,500.
Due to the receipt of the substantial Abrahams Legacy and the previously reported Lucas Legacy the finances of the Fund have been put on a much changed footing. This has put the Trustees in the happy position of being able to increase the percentage of the total cost of a qualifying project that the Fund can offer as a grant.
As a result of our increased funds there has been an additional reporting requirement of the Charities Commission and the Trustees are most grateful to Ken Webb (Calne branch Trustee) and LEBRF Administrator, Anne Wardell for shouldering the extra work involved.
The Trustees have also been heavily engaged in making decisions about how best to invest and safeguard our funds before they are disbursed as grants over the coming years.
The Fund also benefitted from individual and tower donations, peal fees, money raised from the Open Day and the share of members’ subscriptions passed on by the Guild. Gift aid and bank interest added to our total accumulated funds.
The Trustees are most grateful for all donations from individuals and towers and also to those people who run raffles and other fund raising activities at their ringing events. All donations, however modest are gratefully received and contribute to the bell restoration work in towers throughout our Guild.
Grants totalling £37,378 were paid out to:
- Bradford on Avon (Devizes)
- Bridport (West Dorset)
- Calne Blackland (Calne)
- Fovant (Salisbury)
- Frampton (Dorchester)
- Ludgershall (Marlborough)
- Marnhull (Mere)
- St Michael’s, Mere (Mere)
- Weymouth (Dorchester)
- Worth Matravers (East Dorset)
A total of £44,500 has been pledged as new grants to:
- Batcombe (West Dorset)
- Collingbourne Kingston (Marlborough)
- Downton St Lawrence (Salisbury)
- Lydlinch (Mere)
- Marlborough (Marlborough)
- Marnhull (Mere)
- Piddletrenthide (Dorchester)
- Sturminster Newton (Mere)
The LEBRF is the bell restoration fund of the SDGR and is managed by a board of Trustees consisting of one from each branch and one elected at the AGM to represent the Executive, and an Administrator, Anne Wardell.
Andy Waring
Chair of Trustees
