The Ronald J Sharp Fund was created during 1979/1980 from money given to the Association from the estate of the late Ronald Sharp, a ringer from Maulden. The Association received £2522.93 “for the use of the general purposes of the Association”. Initially it was decided that the Fund should set up just to provide interest free loans for bell restoration work but in 2000 the Fund was reviewed and it’s scope increased to provide non-repayable grants for “training, education and the promotion of bell ringing”.
In 2017 a further review and change to the Fund’s Code of Practice clarified that Grants could be paid directly to churches within the Association’s territory as well as to the General Committee and District Committees.
Ronald J Sharp Fund Committee
Applications for Loans and Grants can be made to the Association Secretary and are considered by the R J Sharp Fund Committee comprising of the President – currently Linda Garton, Association Secretary, Marc Kasfiner and three Resident Members who are elected at the Association Annual General Meeting, currently John Loveless, Alex Nash and Simon Stranks.
The Ronald J Sharp Fund Code of Practice – was changed at the May 2025 AGM to reflect the accounting year change made at that meeting.
RJ Sharp Code of Practice May 2025