The Bell Fund, together with the Guild, is registered charity no. 258271

 Aims

The fund exists to assist the Church within the Diocese of Peterborough in:

• The preservation of redundant bells
• The repair, restoration and augmentation of existing bells
• The provision of new bells
• Other work directly associated with the repair, restoration, augmentation or provision of bells.

Advice

Before setting about a major bell restoration project, it is important to get advice from the Branch Steward at an early stage. They will be able to advise whether the professional bell-founders and bell-hangers should be involved. They can point out the need to consider the impact on your decisions of heritage and conservation issues as well as passing on experiences with fund raising and applying to the Diocese for permission to carry out the work.

Work eligible for Grant

Work that comes within the aims listed above is eligible for a grant. However, items of general maintenance, such as new ropes, stays, sliders etc, unless part of a larger scheme for the bells, are not eligible.

Any building work which is directly related to the bell installation, such as building a bell frame into the tower walls, is eligible for a grant. However, work to the church fabric, such as the installation or repair of floors, and repair or replacement of louvres is not eligible for a grant from this fund. Guidance notes on making a grant application are available here.

Method of Application

Please contact the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., who will provide an application form. The application should normally be completed by the Incumbent or a Churchwarden on behalf of the PCC.

The application must be accompanied by a copy of the specification for work to be carried out and the estimated cost which is to include any allowances for self-help and VAT. Details and costs for any additional building work which is not eligible should also be supplied. While such work will not be eligible for a grant, it helps give an overall view of the proposed project. As much information as possible should be given as to how the work is to be financed, including details of any grants or separate funds that are, or may be available. Currently the VAT on bell work may be reclaimed under the "Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme", of which projects may wish to take advantage.

Method of Consideration

Applications received by the Guild Steward will be considered at a meeting of the Guild's Restoration and Maintenance Committee, which may request further information and/or permission to inspect the existing installation. The Committee will then forward the application to the Bell Fund Administrators, who will make a recommendation to the Guild's next General Meeting. The Guild Steward will notify the applicant of the decision at the meeting in writing.

If work is not commenced within one year of the grant being awarded, then it will lapse. A further application may be made if the work begins after a delay.

Payment of the Grant

 A grant will only be paid upon satisfactory completion of the work and providing the work was commenced within one year.

A combined form for advising when work commences and for requesting the payment will be enclosed with the notification of the grant.

The request for payment must be accompanied by a copy of the final account for the work and details of any variations from that originally proposed.

The Administrators may reduce the amount of the grant if all of the work is not carried out or if the final cost is less than that originally submitted.

Fund Raising and Affiliation Scheme

The fund receives income from standing orders, wills, collections at ringing meetings and practices, special fund-raising events by members (all with Gift Aid when possible), bequests and other means.

Our Treasurer writes a request every year to ask PCCs to make a payment to the Bell Fund through an Affiliation Scheme. We are grateful to the Diocesan Office for distributing the letters free of charge to every PCC. A list of current affiliates is here. An average of over £3,800 has been received in each of the last ten years through this scheme. Further details can be had from, and payments can be made to, the Treasurer.

Perhaps you would like to have a bell cast as a family memorial, make a bequest, a one-off, or regular, cash contribution. See this page for further details.

Projects

Since 2004, around £150,000 has been paid out for major and minor schemes.

The following Projects have received grants since 2010:

The Guild was instrumental in the technical investigations for the installation of a ring of twelve bells in the north west tower of Peterborough Cathedral. These were satisfactory and the Guild undertook the entire fund raising for the new installation, which was successfully completed in 1986.

Further information and advice is available from the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..