The Woodland Trust legacy newsletter No 7 Spring 2006

Living Heritage

A silver thread links two wonderful legacies

Five natural gems

Your page

Inheritance Tax

Q & A

A family affair

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Legacies are of vital importance tothe Woodland Trust and play ahuge part in our achievements.

One of the most generous legaciesreceived in 2005 was from long-standingmember and Nature’s Calendar recorder,Miss Dorothy Joan Fox, who died in2004 aged 91.

We’d got to know Miss Fox over theyears through her delightful chattyletters, occasional phone calls, and,more recently, her pledge to rememberthe Trust in her will. She wasdetermined to do all she could to helpprotect our woodland heritage, and toldus how she fell in love with trees froman early age.

We learned that one of Joan’s greatestpassions was music. She was a talented

singer, pianist and music teacher. Onher seventh birthday Joan was given asilver thimble by her piano teacher,Miss Beatrice Lillyman, which linkedher back in time and tradition to ClaraWieck Schumann, wife of world-famouscomposer Robert Schumann! MrsSchumann, who was an accomplishedmusician in her own right, had beengiven the thimble in 1826 on her seventhbirthday in recognition of her musicalskills, and she later presented it toBeatrice Lillyman when she was seven.Joan later had the satisfaction ofkeeping the tradition alive bypresenting the thimble to her ownprotégé, classical pianist Anthea Fry, on her seventh birthday.

Joan was also an enthusiastic andimaginative gardener, developing herwoodland garden from scratch and goingon to win a BBC competition for gardendesign. And it was from this garden sherecorded the first signs of spring for the

Trust’s Nature’s Calendar. One of herletters describes how the wood pigeonsused to call to her and her motherwhilst they were weeding with whatsounded very much like:

Another records a visit by a lone heron,with the accompanying comment:‘Neighbour has a carp pond!’

Joan’s passion for trees was laterref lected in her talent for painting – the picture above right being just oneexample of the many woodland scenesshe depicted. And if that wasn’t enough,sport was something else she excelledat, particularly athletics and tabletennis, the latter keeping her fit rightinto her late seventies.

None of these accomplishments come asa surprise to us. Everyone who leaves alegacy to the Woodland Trust has apassion for nature and wildlife and many,like Miss Fox, make the most of theirtalents and are especially committed tohelping future generations. Miss Fox leftthe Trust an unrestricted legacy whichwill enable us to use the money wheremost urgently needed, withoutconditions. Legacies like these are ofparticular importance because they allowus to respond quickly to a threat to anarea of woodland, or to an opportunity.

Miss Fox lives on in all the lives shetouched with her music and in theachievements her legacy to theWoodland Trust will make possible. Weare indebted to her, and all others likeher, who remember the Woodland Trustin their will and help to keep ourwoodland alive.

MargaretBolton is avery proud

woman, andjustifiably so! Herhusband Michaelwas an extremelytalented artist –potter, silver-smith

and jeweller – and the legacy he leftbehind when he died last year will liveon, and on. We first heard about Michaelwhen Margaret decided to mark his lifein a very special way by dedicating anacre of woodland in his name.

She chose the Trust’s Ash & LuckhurstWood in Stone, Isle of Oxney – a placewhere both Margaret and Michael hadspent many happy times together.

As a long-standing Woodland Trustmember, Margaret wanted to honourMichael in a way that would link hisname, and their lives, for ever tosomething they were both passionateabout – nature, trees, and woodland.

Margaret sent us a picture of a beautifulgoblet crafted in silver and adornedwith precious jewels – to show us what a talented man he was – and wehad to agree!

He became a huge name in the world ofsilver and was commissioned by royalty,theatre, film, celebrities and clergy, andanyone else who appreciated thebeauty, originality and craftsmanshipof his pieces.

Michael was inf luenced by Celtic metalwork and the ethics of the 20th centuryBritish Arts and Crafts movement,combined with the magic andromanticism of the King Arthur legends.He also nurtured the talents of aspiringyoung people and told them:

‘If you ever needinspiration . . . look at leaves,

branches and f lowers.’And true to his word, that’s whatMichael always did himself – taking offinto the woods with his dogs to findinspiration amongst the trees.

That’s why Margaret was so keen todedicate woodland in his name – notjust to remember him where they werehappiest, but to help the WoodlandTrust conserve Britain’s woodlandheritage for future generations to enjoyand be inspired by. As we said, awonderful way to celebrate a life.

A wonderful legacy

Miss Fox’s lasting gift

‘I have had a thing about trees and the country

since I was three.’

‘I once put all my treasures in a little tin box

when I was seven and buried it in a little copse.’

A wonderful way to celebrate a life

Michael BoltonPicture painted by Joan Fox

A fine example of Michael’s craftmanship

“He was a wonderful manwho became a dear friend”

When I wanted an extraspecial present for my late

husband's birthday, I commissionedMichael to make a silver water colour box.It was exquisite yet practical, and I have itto this day. He was a wonderful man whobecame a dear friend, and I shall miss him.

Dame Judi Dench, Woodland Trust Supporter

When I leave this world I hope I leave a better place

where deeds I’ve done and paths I’ve trod

have helped the human race;where seeds I’ve sown will blossom still

and trees I’ve planted growfrom acorns into mighty oaks,

I hope I’ve made it so.

For to leave the world without a trace, no footprints in the sand,no memory in a loved one’s heart,

no mark upon the land,no legacy to show you cared, no promises to keep,must surely make it hard to face an eternity of sleep.

Acorns into mighty Oaks

Children playing amongst the bluebells

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Tinney’s Firs. . . oak aged and

full of character

Set on the northern tip of the NewForest National Park, Tinney’s Firsborders the rolling chalk downs of

West Wiltshire. Small streams punctuatestands of towering mature trees that givethe wood its majestic character.

Mr G R Mundey must have been veryproud of his wood. When he passed onhe kindly left his house and Tinney’sFirs to the Woodland Trust. The househas since been sold, providing importantfunds for the wood’s ongoing care.

We will honour his wishes by protectingand enhancing this stunning site.Facilities have already been improved,and we are giving nature a hand, forexample, by ensuring that the nativetrees are encouraged and the variedground f lora is not suffocated byrhododendron.

With our support, nature will do thebest work herself. The old oaks alreadystanding will become veterans,providing a home to a myriad of speciesthat only these ageing trees can support.Some will naturally fall to the ground,punching holes in the canopy andallowing the native broadleaves toregenerate. As the wood ages, like agood wine, it will get even better.

The fieldwill soon beplanted andprovidemore roomfor the manyvaluablespecies to f lourish. Despite its small size(49 acres/20 hectares with the newextension), Stray Head Banks is full ofspecial pockets of wildlife – old oaks,mature hedgerows, orchid-rich sunnyglades, and the beck itself.

The new extension also means theWoodland Trust can make the wholesite more accessible to visitors. It isfitting that the joy they will derive fromStray Head Banks will mirror thepleasure that Kathleen Cope reapedfrom Yorkshire’s wild landscapes.

Spectacularly beautiful, the LakeDistrict has one of the highestdensities of woodland cover

anywhere in northern England. Thisincludes a high proportion of ancient

woodland, the UK’s richest natural habitat.

In this environment, quality goes handin hand with quantity as species needspace to thrive. This makes the abundantwoods in the Lakes precious indeed, as

ancient woodland covers just two per cent of the UK as a whole. So when the opportunity to

acquire Great Knott Wood in Cumbriaarose, the Woodland Trust grasped it,thanks to a generous legacy from MrsFrances Marian McDonald for the Trustto spend on the purchase of ‘a wood inNorth Lancashire or South Cumbria’*.

Offering sublime views of thesurrounding countryside, Great KnottWood lies on the south west shore ofLake Windermere. But like so manyancient woods, it had been planted withexotic conifers that suffocate the nativebroadleaves and f lora.

Beaulieu Wood. . . into the light

Beaulieu Wood is a vital piece in acomplex mosaic of ancient woodsin the Wye Valley, completing a

vast natural haven of around 1,173 acres(475 hectares). We acquired Beaulieu in

2001 with a generous legacy from Dr Vivian Mary David. Like many otherwoods, Beaulieu had previously beenplanted with conifers, casting it intodarkness. We identified 14 ‘hot-spots’ –pockets of ancient woodland aroundwhich rescue efforts can be targeted – andare now starting to make real progress.

Last autumn, asthe picture (left)shows, we begangraduallyremoving theconifers. Slowly,these will bereplaced withbroadleaves suchas oak andbeech. Instead

of the stif lingshade of the towering conifers, thenative trees will enable life-givingdappled light to penetrate through to thewoodland f loor, turning Beaulieu backinto the wild paradise it once was.

Legacies in action

Beaulieu Wood

Removing conifers,October 2005

Tinney’s Firs

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We are always looking to dothe very best for the woodswe care for and, as size is

important, we are keen to extend ourwoods where appropriate. We’redelighted therefore to announce thatStray Head Banks – the restoration andplanting of which was supported by alegacy in 2002 – is getting bigger!

Set in the North York Moors NationalPark on banks leading down to the LittleBeck, Stray Head Banks formed abeautiful patchwork of small improvedfields and tiny remnant ancientwoodlands. Since we acquired the site we have planted native trees to link the most important sections of woodland on the site whilstretaining valuable open grass areas to maximise wildlife value.

We are delighted to say that Alan andHazel Cope, who live in Pittsburgh, USA,gave the Trust significant support whichhas enabled us to create a wonderfulnew extension to Stray Head Banks.

Alan and Hazel wanted to create a livingmemorial to Alan’s sister Kathleen. Thefamily have many links with Yorkshire andKathleen loved the North York Moors, sothey felt that the new extension would bea worthy tribute to her.

Great Knott Wood. . . lakeside treasure

Stray Head Banks. . .where the heart is

Now we will breathe life into the preciouspockets of ancient woodland that survive,giving ground species such as bluebell,wood sorrel and greater stitchwort thechance to spread. Slowly, the coniferswill be thinned, throwing light onto thewoodland f loor, allowing natives likeoak, ash and birch to regenerate.

The revived Great Knott Wood will be aliving, lasting tribute to the carefulforethought of Mrs McDonald.

Common spotted orchids

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You may know that the WoodlandTrust was able to save WentwoodForest near Newport; but what

you might not realise is that alongsidethe exceptional fundraising appeal fromsupporters and the public, three legacieswere vitally important in its acquisition,those of: Mrs Marjorie Ethel Tompson,Mrs Joan Fielding, and Mrs Phyllis Ella

Carpenter. In addition, Mr Doornekindly varied his mother’s will to createa legacy in Mrs Doorne’s memory.Speed was of the essence and the abilityto immediately make use of thesegenerous legacies was key to the successof the campaign. Without them, thechance to restore the Forest may havebeen lost – forever.

Wentwood Forest. . .medieval miracle

Wentwood Forest

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*The acquisition of Great Knott Wood was also supported by Friends of the Lake District, Tubney and other charitable trusts.

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Five natural gems

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The current (2005/06) netthreshold figure for estates is£275,000* – above this,

Inheritance Tax is liable to be claimedby the Inland Revenue at a rate of 40%(40p in the £).

It may sound like a lot, but the days arelong gone when only the very richworried about Inheritance Tax. Withhouse prices soaring over the last fewyears, many home owners now havehouses valued at over £275,000 orestates that will reach way beyond thatfigure once assets such as stocks andshares, antiques and paintings, savingsand investments aretotted up.

Inheritance Tax canamount to tens of thousands of pounds– and it goes straight to the InlandRevenue instead of to the beneficiariesand causes which could have benefitedinstead. Fortunately, by planning inadvance there are ways to reduce thissteep tax.

One way is to leave your estate to anexempt beneficiary, such as your spouse,civil partner, or a registered charity. Ifyou are married, your spouse will beexempt from the Tax on everything youleave them, but if your estate is thenpassed on to anyone else when yourspouse dies – such as your children,who are non-exempt beneficiaries – theInland Revenue will be able to claimany Inheritance Tax due.

A simple method is to leave anythingabove the tax threshold to a charity asthe value of a charitable gift is deductedfrom your estate before inheritance taxis calculated. For example, if you leaveassets up to the value of the taxthreshold to a non-exempt beneficiarysuch as your grandchildren and leavethe remainder of your estate to anexempt beneficiary like a spouse or acharity, you will reduce the potentialpayment of inheritance tax, unless there

are other considerationsto make your estate liable

to inheritance tax, asreferred to below.

A further option is togive some of yourmoney away before youdie. But if you give it to

a non-exempt beneficiaryand die within seven years of

making the gift, Inheritance Tax ona sliding scale will still be payable. Andof course if you give too much awayyou may end up compromising yourown quality of life. Before consideringthis option you should takeindependent legal and financial advice.

Making a will is the one sure way ofensuring your wishes count, and canreduce the amount of Inheritance Taxpayable on your estate.

Check with your solicitor or financialadvisor to find the best way that youcan plan for the future to maximise theamount of money you leave to yourchosen beneficiaries.

* Yet to be ratified, the 2006/7 and 2007/8 threshold

figures, announced in 2005 are, £285,000 and

£300,000 respectively.

Advice columnHelen Billing

Senior Legal Officer F.Inst.L.Ex,TEP

What is Probate?

Probate is the legalauthorisation confirming that a will is valid. Once granted, itauthorises the executors tocarry out their duties toadminister the Estate andcarry out the wishesexpressed in the will.

Who can apply for Probate?

Personal Representatives(known as executors ortrustees) chosen by the will-maker to carry out the wishesexpressed in the will andadminister the estate followingtheir death.Where there is nowill, the Grant of Letters ofAdministration is applied forby the person entitled underthe Probate rules.

Do I need a solicitor to applyfor probate?

No.There is no legalrequirement to go through asolicitor. However, the processis not always as straightforward as it may first appear.You will need the full details ofthe assets, liabilities andbeneficiaries of the estate.Youwill also have to considerwhether Inheritance Tax willbe payable.When you havecompleted and submitted theinformation and fee to theProbate Registry, you willreceive an appointment toattend at the Probate Registry.

What is the first step formaking a personal applicationfor Probate?

Ask the nearest DistrictProbate Registry for thenecessary forms.The addresscan be obtained from yourlocal library or on-line at:www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk(search for probate offices).

In 1940 my first impression of Credenhill was rows ofconfusingly similar pre-fab huts guarded by a high wire

fence. As assistant to the RAF Senior Accountant Officer, allthe new intakes came through my office, including many

Polish and Czech airmen.One Pole named Tadexhad more cheek than therest and thus weembarked upon a rapidcourtship, which oftentook us for walks in thewood at Credenhill. Thepaths were rough andbeing winter, it was oftenmisty and bitterly cold.

“As the eveningslengthened wecycled further intothat lovelycountryside butrarely got awayfrom the signs ofwar. It was notunusual to spotaeroplanes tuckedinto the perimeter edge of woods where wedges had been cutto take the tails and camouf lage netting draped over thewings and cockpit. The camouf lage experts learnt a lot fromnature, especially butterf lies at rest. In the spring the smell ofhoneysuckle, and the damp hedges dripping with jewelledspiders’ webs was something I will never forget – Credenhillholds wonderful memories still.

Credenhill Park Wood was acquired by the Woodland Trust in 2002. With a wealth of wildlife and a nationally important Iron Age hill fort, it is well worth a visit.

Your page Legal matters

Fond Memories of Credenhill Park Wood in Herefordshire

“Miss Marienne Hinchliff, 1940

Miss Marienne Hinchliff, Surrey. Member for six years

Yew trees were planted onthe ramparts of the hill fort2-300 years ago. ”

TreesWhen I first walked the countryside, the trees were – well just trees,

a background or a feature of the landscape that one sees.

And then I thought I ought to know which is which – and why

and so I came to see a world that I’d been passing by.

I stopped to look at mighty oaks

that spread their elbows wide,

at birch a-flutter in the wind

and beech that shone with pride.

The sycamores that winged their way

to fill up every space,

the limes that line great avenues

with everlasting grace.

The alders by the waterside,

with funny little cones,

the yews that for a thousand years

guard our ancestors’ bones.

I found the orange-topped Scots Pine

and the oak that’s evergreen,

and the giant Wellingtonia

that dominates the scene.

And now I see a landscape that’s filled with more and more

of a world that’s there for all of us to cherish and explore

Mr Holly Ward Leicestershire, member for eleven years

Poetry WoodlandReminiscences

Nature photographs

Please let us have your poetry, woodlandPlease let us have your poetry, woodlandreminiscences, and nature photographs.reminiscences, and nature photographs.

The best will be included inThe best will be included inthe next edition of Living Heritage.the next edition of Living Heritage.

Send us your caption for this photograph and we will printthe best in our next issue.

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Inheritance tax laid bare

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£410,000 LEFT AFTER

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= more than £275,000 – Inheritance Tax may bepayable at 40p in the £ on everything above that

£275,000 THRESHOLD

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Can a love of nature be inherited?It certainly seems to be in theHurrell family whose long

association with the Trust goes wayback to its creation more than 30 yearsago in Devon. Henry George HurrellMBE was one of the founder membersof the Trust, working alongside KennethWatkins OBE, the Trust’s founder.

Henry Hurrell loved woodland and waspassionately interested in wildlife. Hewas an eminent naturalist _– sitting oncommittees for wildlife conservation,conducting important nature studies andwriting books that are still available today.

HG (as he was known to his friends)remained a Trustee until his death in1981, and his legacy to the Trust and towildlife is still very much in evidence.

Now, another legacy from the Hurrellfamily – that of Mrs Helena DorothyHurrell Harris – continues the family’scommitment by benefiting not just one,but two of the woods in our care. MrsHarris loved Dartmoor, so it was fittingthat her legacy should help woods inthat area. Half went towards acquiringHoundtor Wood (see Living Heritage2003), and half will help return East WrayCleave Wood in Lustleigh, Devon to itsformer glory. East Wray Cleave, oncebeautiful ancient woodland, was plantedwith commercial conifers about 50 yearsago, leaving vulnerable fragments of thenative habitat fighting for survival in adark inhospitable environment.

With Mrs Harris’ legacy we can nowrealise the wood’s potential, helping it

to show its wonderful true colours onceagain. We’ve started thinning the conifersto give latent seed banks the chance tospring into life. And where it’s needed,we will help nature along with replanting.

Surveys have shown that the wood alsohas some very special visitors. Themagnificent goshawk is often spottedsoaring overhead; and, despite theexotic conifers, the vulnerablediminutive dormouse nests there,feeding on the insects, berries and buds.

Which brings us full circle back toHenry Hurrell, who, with his daughterElaine, conducted a ground-breakingstudy of dormice in the 1970s. Now nestboxes have been installed in East WrayCleave Wood for its dormousepopulation, and their needs are takeninto account in the management of thewood. A fitting legacy for what hasundoubtedly been a family affair.

News and contacts

It’s a family affair. . .

Dormouse in hibernation

Adult Goshawk in f light

Are YOU willing to save a wood?This newsletter shows the very real difference legacies can make. If you are now considering remembering

the Woodland Trust in your will – thank you. We would be grateful if you could fill in the pledge form enclosed. It is not binding in any way but it does help us plan for the future.

Copyright © 2006 The Woodland Trust. Registered Charity No. 294344.The Woodland Trust logo is a registered trademark. Printed on 100% recycled paper. 3061/02/06

Contact usContact us for our free comprehensive brochure which explains the will making process step by step, translates legaljargon into everyday language and gives real examples of what legacies have enabled the Woodland Trust to achieve.

Write to: The Legacy Team, The Woodland Trust, Autumn Park, Grantham, Lincolnshire NG31 6LL

Telephone: 01476 581129 or 581151 Email: legacies@woodland-trust.org.uk

The Woodland Trust(Registered office)Autumn Park,Dysart Road,Grantham,Lincolnshire NG31 6LL

Tel: 01476 581111Fax: 01476 590808

The Woodland TrustScotland

Glenruthven Mill,Abbey Road, Auchterarder,Perthshire PH3 1DP

Tel: 01764 662554Fax: 01764 662553

The Woodland Trust in Northern Ireland

1 Dufferin Court,Dufferin Avenue, Bangor,Co Down BT20 3BX

Tel: 028 9127 5787Fax: 028 9127 5942

The Woodland TrustWales (Coed Cadw)

Uned B,Yr Hen Orsaf, Llanidloes,Powys SY18 6EB

Tel: 01686 412508Fax: 01686 413284

www.legacies.org.uk

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Why not have a look at our simple guide to making a will by visiting our website at:

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