Minor Works Assistance

The Essex Association of Change Ringers award grants to bell restoration projects

The Essex Association of Change Ringers award grants to bell restoration projects. Under the present system, grant applications are made in advance of works being carried out, and are paid after the granting of a faculty and satisfactory completion of the works. The guidelines describe Category 1 as being for new installations and Category 2 for “Essential repairs to existing installations, especially where they are liable to fall into an unringable state”. However, the guidelines also state “Routine maintenance will not normally be considered.”

There is a constant need for maintenance in District towers and we suspect much of this is either overlooked or deferred for lack of finance. Many churches in Essex, particularly those in rural areas and in large benefices, are in general not well endowed and funds for such works are very limited. Absence of regular maintenance at local level, whether from lack of knowledge or someone able to carry out such work, is the cause of many problems. Belfry maintenance is a priority – without bells there can be no ringing and if bells are difficult to ring there will be fewer ringers able and willing to ring them.

Grant applications for minor works will be considered by the Grants Sub-committee as soon as practicable and as a matter of urgency. The maximum grant likely to be offered for minor works will be £250.

Grant aid is not provided for bell-ropes, with either grant aid scheme.

Guidance Notes

  1. Before making an application, we advise that you take time to read the form and its notes fully, taking care to ensure that your project meets the criteria in paragraph 7.
  2. The Association encourages PCCs to restore and improve their rings of bells and to keep them in good order. It is always ready to give advice on bells and their installations and to offer financial help through its Bell Restoration Account.
  3. The aim of this form is to collate all relevant facts.
  4. Grant Applications for minor works are considered by the Grants Sub-committee as soon as practicable and as a matter of urgency. The maximum grant likely to be offered for minor works will be £250.
  5. Grants will not be made for retrospective applications.
  6. The application form must be completed as fully as possible and the following documentation must be supplied:
    1. Details or statement of tower funds, and
    2. Details or statement of monies held by the PCC for minor tower or bell maintenance.
  7. The Grants Sub-committee has been empowered by the Management Committee to make grants to churches within the Association boundaries, as detailed in the Association Rules, for minor works assistance, improvement of a bell installation and carrying out essential maintenance work.
  8. Financial assistance will be limited to minor works (excluding bell ropes) but including:
    1. Repairing, adjusting or replacing stays, sliders, guide rollers and boxes
    2. Repairing or replacing bearings, gudgeons, bell-bolts, or supporting ironwork (not requiring drilling or turning of the bell). In some cases this may require removal of bell fittings and supporting the bell on suitable timbers spanning the pit. This should only be undertaken by competent persons.
    3. Rebushing and repairing clappers
    4. Tightening bolts and tie rods
    5. Lubrication of bearings
    6. Tightening/adjusting clappers
    7. Repairing wheels
    8. Urgent Health and Safety work
    9. Urgent essential repairs to a single bell within a ring
    10. Cleaning and painting/treating a bell frame
  9. If a Faculty (or Archdeacon’s Licence) is required for the work to proceed then application for a grant must be made on the Bell Restoration Grant Application form.
  10. Major works such as any works involving removing a bell from its pit, augmentation, re-hanging or disposal of a bell(s), dismantling or erection of a bell frame, installing a new frame or any other work involving a bellhanger are expressly excluded as they are covered under the current Grant application process.
  11. VAT (where applicable) should be SHOWN SEPARATELY and an indication of VAT reclaimable should be included.
  12. Any local or special circumstances may be taken into consideration. These should be detailed on the application form.
  13. Any conditions pertaining to payment of the grant will be advised when the results of the application are notified.
  14. Multiple or linked applications may not be accepted as it might suggest the work falls outside the intended purpose of Minor Works Assistance. This will be at the discretion of the sub-committee.
  15. Association Officers are always willing to give advice and provide instruction and assistance.

Grant Applications

Please click the following link to take you to the Grant Application page for more information about all the grants available from the Essex Association of Change Ringers.

Grant Applications page
View the Forms page