Our Legacy Policy
~ Making a lasting difference ~
Here at St Andrew and St Mary the Virgin in Fletching, East Sussex we welcome all gifts in wills, however large or small, and promise to use any gift to make a real and lasting difference in our parish.
Dating back to 1230, our Church has been at the centre of the village for many generations and has established itself as a key focus for the community. Situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty the church has been handed down to us for safe keeping.
Our ongoing role is to preserve, enhance, conserve and repair this ancient building in order to secure its future. This is where any person with an interest in the preservation of the church can contribute towards its necessary funding by electing to leave a legacy in their Will.
Our policy is to use gifts in wills to help fund significant development projects in the parish, whether buildings, equipment or for people. The Parochial Church Council will discuss with executors the most appropriate use of the gift in the light of current projects and the donor’s known areas of interest in the church, whether it be repairs to the church fabric itself, refurbishment of the organ, children and youth projects, or overseas mission or aid).
We will acknowledge gifts in whatever way the donor and/or his/her executors feel most appropriate too. Equally, we can make sure that gifts remain anonymous if the donor prefers.
We also offer several ways for you to pay tribute to the life of someone special - a donation in memory - and make a lasting difference to Fletching Parish Church. If you would like to make a gift to our church in memory of a loved one, please do come and discuss this with us too.
If you would like to talk to someone in confidence about the sorts of purposes your gift might fund, and how/if you would like your gift to be acknowledged, please contact the Vicar.
Some guidelines in leaving a Legacy...
Using a solicitor to help with your Will
Making a Will is often seen as complicated and expensive. However, a simple Will made with the help of your solicitor can be easily and quickly put in place.
The reassurance that the sum of your lifetime’s work will be handled efficiently and correctly after your death is well worth the small expenditure involved.
The Tax Benefits of giving to a registered charity
A gift to a registered charity in a Will brings with it favourable tax relief and exemptions, with Inheritance Tax as an obvious example.
As a general rule, gifts to registered charities under the terms of a Will are wholly exempt from Inheritance Tax. If one or more charities are the only beneficiaries of the Will then no Inheritance Tax will be paid from your estate.
In the case of a mixed residue, where part of the estate is given to relatives or friends, the liability to Inheritance Tax can be reduced by including a bequest to a registered charity.
There are three types of Legacy to consider:
Specific Legacy consists of a specific item of personal property.
Pecuniary Legacy consists of a fixed sum of money.
Residuary Bequest is the residue of your estate, or a share of the residue, after your debts have been settled and any legacies you leave to others have been paid.
If you have already made a Will, a bequest to our charity can be added by way of a Codicil.
If you would like further information about making a legacy to our church please contact David Knight, Vicar on 07787 860667
Thank you
FLETCHING PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF
ST ANDREW AND ST MARY THE VIRGIN
REGISTERED CHARITY 1132321