“Below is a list drawn up in 2021 of likely sources of grants for the restoration of our 6 church bells. The project included 2 bells being recast, all 6 tuned to perfection and rehung in new headstocks, bearings and wheels. The existing steel bell frame was repainted by the bell ringers and an additional cross beam installed beneath the bell frame, with associated stonework. The new ropes were not coverable by bell grants it seems.
In addition to the grants received from the sources highlighted in Green in the attached, we also sought and received a grant from the Bell Restoration Fund of our local Salisbury Diocese. We had no joy in seeking lottery funding.
We also recovered the VAT on the project from the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme in 2 stages during the project, to help cash flow, as the stage payments out to 'Whites of Appleton Bell Hangers' were made. Whites were very good, helpful and a delight to deal with.
Our project cost was in the region of £68,000. To enable the project contract work to start, sound finances had to be in place, so one kind donor also loaned a substantial sum, at no interest, which was repaid in full, in stages, once sufficient donations from our fundraising and the grants were received.
Most grants and the LPOWGS VAT recovery only paid out to us after works were completed and paid invoices submitted, but they had made a pledge, which helped secure the peace of mind of the person who made the loan!
Our Parish Church’s own Fabric Fund also contributed of course.”
PCC Treasurer, Barford St Martin
Bells Restoration Grant Organisations
The Barron Bell Trust
Contact Details:
01892 823289 (private number)
Ian Walrond
c/o 71 Lower Green Road Pembury, Tunbridge Wells TN2 4EB
Email: barronbelltrust@hotmail.co.uk
Grant potential: £1,000-£3,000
Interests: The Trust makes grants towards the provision, installation, inspection, repair and maintenance of carillons of bells in churches.
How to Apply: Contact Ian Walrond for information on how to apply. Trustees meet twice a year
Exclusions: 50% of funding already secured.
Charity No: 228846
Church Buildings Council
Contact Details:
020 7898 1872
John Webster Church Buildings Council (CBC) Church House Great Smith Street London, SW1P 3AZ
Email:
john.webster@churchofengland.org
Web:
www.churchofengland.org/more/church- resources/churchcare
Grant potential: £8,000 (Some awards give larger grants)
Interests: Grants for historic furnishings and artworks. Grants for fabric repairs: sculpture and furnishings, glass, paintings and wall paintings, bells and bell frames, organs and organ cases, clocks, books and manuscripts, Grants for Repairs.
Grants are offered from The Pilgrim Trust, The Radcliffe Trust, The Goldsmiths’ Company and its Founder’s Fund.
How to Apply: All grants are administered through the Church Building Council. Apply via the website Churchcare.
Exclusions: Grants support PCCs in the conservation of listed church buildings and their historic contents deemed to have artistic, historical or cultural significance.
Cottam Will Trust: The Friends of Friendless Churches
Contact Details:
020 7236 3934
Distributed by the Friends of Friendless Churches St Ann's Vestry Hall 2 Church Entry
London, EC4V 5HB
Email:
office@friendsoffriendlesschurches.org.uk
Web:
http://www.friendsoffriendlesschurches.org .uk/
Grant potential:
£1,000-£20,0000
Interests: The Trust give grants for new works of art in medieval churches. Grants can be made for items such as: bells, statues, murals, paintings, paschal candlesticks, vestments, Commandment Boards, stained glass, altars and altar frontals. Grants are normally made for new works of art, but they have funded the purchase of salvaged items.
How to Apply: Applications should be made in writing. Contact the Secretary first.
Exclusions: They use the phrase 'ancient Gothic' churches to rule out the exclusively post-medieval but as long as the building is recognisably medieval, even if restored, they are likely to accept it as a candidate.
Charity No: 209456
The Central Council of Bell Ringers
Contact Details:
01279 726159
Mary Bone 11 Bullfields Sawbridgeworth CM21 9DB
Email: secretary@cccbr.org.uk Web: www.cccbr.org.uk/bellrestoration/fund
Grant potential: £1,000
Interests: Bell restoration: prioritise urgent repairs costing over £5000, and, where augmentation is proposed, rings of five or six bells.
How to Apply: Contact Secretary to apply for funds. Exclusions: Churches where a band of ringers is not in place or hoping to continue.
Charity No: 270036
The Ironmongers’ Trust Company
Contact Details:
020 7776 2311
Helen Sant Ironmongers’ Hall Shaftesbury Place, Barbican London, EC2Y 8AA
Email: Helen@ironmongers.org Web: www.ironmongers.org
Grant potential:
£2,000-£10,000
Interests: Support is given primarily for the conservation of historic ironwork or the creation of new decorative iron or steel work. They prefer to fund the entire project.
How to Apply: Instructions for application are provided on their website. Applicants should contact the Charities Manager.
Exclusions: Building work, restoration projects. Charity No: 1142175
The Sharpe Trust
Contact Details:
01285 885734
Alan R Strickland Grants Secretary 71 North Home Road Cirencester Gloucestershire, GL7 1DS
Email:
alan.strickland4@btinternet.com Web: www.sharpetrustees.org.uk
Grant potential: £50 - £500
Interests: Grants for the maintenance and restoration of church bells in England and Wales.
How to Apply: Application forms are available on the website and must be addressed to the Grant Secretary of the Trustees.
Applications will normally be acknowledged within one month of receipt, but are only considered at the twice-yearly meetings of the Trustees (usually mid- March and mid-October). Charity No: 277727