Leave a gift in your Will
Cherry Plum blossom at Hipton Hill Orchards
Since 1999, Vale landscape Heritage Trust has played a significant role in caring for the wildlife, heritage, and history of the Vale. Our work has helped ensure the survival and revival of many sites and habitats that are vital for wildlife, and integral to the heritage of the landscape. One of our key areas of focus is traditional orchards and with the help of our donors and fabulous volunteers we have been able to preserve and enhance nearly 100 acres of this iconic part of the landscape, celebrating the Vale’s market gardening heritage and giving tangible links to the Vales fascinating past.
Leaving a gift in your Will is one of the best ways you can help us ensure that the wildlife and wild spaces of the Vale of Evesham are protected, giving generations to come the chance to enjoy, and benefit from, a flourishing and diverse landscape full of wildlife.
No matter how big or small every single gift counts, particularly as we are a small charity meaning even a little gift can have a large, positive impact. All gifts will be used to directly support the work of the Trust; from the acquisition of new nature reserves so that we can provide a permanent haven for the wildlife that calls the Vale home, to funding the work required for the care of these precious places, and the purchase of the tools and equipment that make it possible.
………………………………………………………….
If you wish to leave us a Gift in your will, all you will need to do is instruct your solicitor or professional Will writer to include us, and they will do the rest. They will need:
Full name: Vale Landscape Heritage Trust
Registered Charity Number: 1080109
Address:
Evesham Volunteer Centre
The Lodge
Brick Kiln Street
Evesham
Worcestershire
WR11 4AA
Leaving a gift in your Will is one of the best ways you can help us ensure that the wildlife and wild spaces of the Vale of Evesham are protected, giving generations to come the chance to enjoy, and benefit from, a flourishing and diverse landscape full of wildlife.
No matter how big or small every single gift counts, particularly as we are a small charity meaning even a little gift can have a large, positive impact. All gifts will be used to directly support the work of the Trust; from the acquisition of new nature reserves so that we can provide a permanent haven for the wildlife that calls the Vale home, to funding the work required for the care of these precious places, and the purchase of the tools and equipment that make it possible.
………………………………………………………….
If you wish to leave us a Gift in your will, all you will need to do is instruct your solicitor or professional Will writer to include us, and they will do the rest. They will need:
Full name: Vale Landscape Heritage Trust
Registered Charity Number: 1080109
Address:
Evesham Volunteer Centre
The Lodge
Brick Kiln Street
Evesham
Worcestershire
WR11 4AA
Hoary Plantain at North Littleton Community Orchard
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I write a Will?
We recommend speaking to a solicitor or dedicated Will writer, who will be able to fully advise you and ensure that your Will is legally correct, and worded so that your wishes are carried out properly.
You can choose to write your Will yourself, however, this is usually best avoided as the complexities of areas of the legal system may result in mistakes or errors which can invalidate the Will. This may cause problems and misunderstandings when executing your Will meaning your wishes may not be carried out. If you decide to write your own Will please be aware that although there is a lot of information online about, you will need to make sure it is coming from a reputable source.
What types of legacy can I leave?
There are several types of gifts you can leave in your Will, including:
Whilst it is completely your choice to put a condition or requirement on a gift, please note that as the charity grows and changes, it may be not be possible to comply with your condition(s) and so we may not be able to accept your gift and the legacy will fail.
Instead, we ask that any legators consider expressing their purpose as a wish rather than a condition. In this instance we will do our absolute best to follow your wishes, but should we be in a situation where we are unable to do so, due to changes in charity for example, then we will still be able to use your gift to help the work of the Trust.
Will my gift be impacted by Inheritance Tax?
Gifts to charities are tax-free. In fact, as the value of gifts to charities are deducted from your estate before Inheritance Tax is calculated, leaving a gift to a charity can reduce the overall amount of Inheritance Tax you need to pay, meaning those you leave behind are that little better off. We recommend speaking to a solicitor or Will writer regarding Inheritance Tax reductions.
Can I add to my existing will?
Yes, you may amend your will at any time through the creation of a Codicil. This is a document which amends (e.g., alters or adds to) a Will. We advise speaking to your solicitor if you wish to do this.
It is a good idea to regularly check and update your Will to ensure it reflects your wishes based on your current circumstances. An out-of-date Will may impact those who benefits from your estate, and how much they receive.
I do not have much and have a big family but would like to leave something to VLHT. Is it worth it and what are my options?
Absolutely! We are immensely grateful for any amount you choose to leave for wildlife in your Will, and even small gifts can make a big difference.
Your friends and family will of course be first and foremost in your mind when creating your Will. However, once you have considered your loved ones, you have the option of a leaving small percentage of your estate to a cause of your choice (see ‘Residual Legacy’ in 'What types of legacy can I leave?').
Do I need to tell you I have left you a gift in my will?
You do not need to tell us that you have included us in your Will, although if you decided you would like to let us know, we would appreciate the opportunity to thank you for your generosity. Letting us know you have included us in your Will is NOT legally binding.
What If I Change my mind?
Not a problem at all! It is your Will and you decide who benefits from it. We fully understand that circumstances change and there might be a time when you need to take us out of your Will. There is no binding commitment to us.
Can you act as an executor of my estate?
Unfortunately, we are unable to act as the executors of your estate.
Why should I include Vale Landscape Heritage Trust in my Will?
As a charity, we would be unable to do the work we do without the support of donors, and we are grateful for every penny as it allows us to continue to help protect the stunning and unique landscape of the Vale.
You can find out more about the work we do around the Vale:
On our website – https://valetrust.weebly.com/
On our social media – https://www.facebook.com/valetrust
In our newsletter - https://valetrust.weebly.com/newsletters.html
Contacting us directly – https://valetrust.weebly.com/contact-us.html
How do I write a Will?
We recommend speaking to a solicitor or dedicated Will writer, who will be able to fully advise you and ensure that your Will is legally correct, and worded so that your wishes are carried out properly.
You can choose to write your Will yourself, however, this is usually best avoided as the complexities of areas of the legal system may result in mistakes or errors which can invalidate the Will. This may cause problems and misunderstandings when executing your Will meaning your wishes may not be carried out. If you decide to write your own Will please be aware that although there is a lot of information online about, you will need to make sure it is coming from a reputable source.
What types of legacy can I leave?
There are several types of gifts you can leave in your Will, including:
- Pecuniary legacy: This is a gift of a set amount of money.
- Residual legacy: This is a percentage of your estate after all other gifts and expenses have been paid. These gifts are very important to us as they usually maintain their value or increase over time. This also means you're less likely to need to amend it in the future.
- A specific legacy: This could be something such as property, or a valuable object such as a painting or antique, or even shares.
Whilst it is completely your choice to put a condition or requirement on a gift, please note that as the charity grows and changes, it may be not be possible to comply with your condition(s) and so we may not be able to accept your gift and the legacy will fail.
Instead, we ask that any legators consider expressing their purpose as a wish rather than a condition. In this instance we will do our absolute best to follow your wishes, but should we be in a situation where we are unable to do so, due to changes in charity for example, then we will still be able to use your gift to help the work of the Trust.
Will my gift be impacted by Inheritance Tax?
Gifts to charities are tax-free. In fact, as the value of gifts to charities are deducted from your estate before Inheritance Tax is calculated, leaving a gift to a charity can reduce the overall amount of Inheritance Tax you need to pay, meaning those you leave behind are that little better off. We recommend speaking to a solicitor or Will writer regarding Inheritance Tax reductions.
Can I add to my existing will?
Yes, you may amend your will at any time through the creation of a Codicil. This is a document which amends (e.g., alters or adds to) a Will. We advise speaking to your solicitor if you wish to do this.
It is a good idea to regularly check and update your Will to ensure it reflects your wishes based on your current circumstances. An out-of-date Will may impact those who benefits from your estate, and how much they receive.
I do not have much and have a big family but would like to leave something to VLHT. Is it worth it and what are my options?
Absolutely! We are immensely grateful for any amount you choose to leave for wildlife in your Will, and even small gifts can make a big difference.
Your friends and family will of course be first and foremost in your mind when creating your Will. However, once you have considered your loved ones, you have the option of a leaving small percentage of your estate to a cause of your choice (see ‘Residual Legacy’ in 'What types of legacy can I leave?').
Do I need to tell you I have left you a gift in my will?
You do not need to tell us that you have included us in your Will, although if you decided you would like to let us know, we would appreciate the opportunity to thank you for your generosity. Letting us know you have included us in your Will is NOT legally binding.
What If I Change my mind?
Not a problem at all! It is your Will and you decide who benefits from it. We fully understand that circumstances change and there might be a time when you need to take us out of your Will. There is no binding commitment to us.
Can you act as an executor of my estate?
Unfortunately, we are unable to act as the executors of your estate.
Why should I include Vale Landscape Heritage Trust in my Will?
As a charity, we would be unable to do the work we do without the support of donors, and we are grateful for every penny as it allows us to continue to help protect the stunning and unique landscape of the Vale.
You can find out more about the work we do around the Vale:
On our website – https://valetrust.weebly.com/
On our social media – https://www.facebook.com/valetrust
In our newsletter - https://valetrust.weebly.com/newsletters.html
Contacting us directly – https://valetrust.weebly.com/contact-us.html
