Leaving a legacy to Audley Brass Band
For more than a century, Audley Brass Band has been woven into the heart of our community - bringing music, joy, and togetherness to generations. From village fêtes and remembrance services to concerts, contests, and teaching the next generation, the band continues to thrive because of the passion of its players and the generosity of people who believe in what we do.
Today, we would like to invite you to consider leaving a legacy that will help secure the future of Audley Brass Band for years to come.
A gift in your Will—no matter the size—can make an extraordinary difference. Legacies help us purchase and maintain instruments, support young musicians just beginning their musical journeys, improve our rehearsal facilities, and ensure that the unique tradition of brass banding in Audley continues long into the future.
By choosing to leave a legacy, you are not only supporting music - you are preserving a heritage, nurturing talent, and enriching community life. It is a meaningful way to celebrate your love of music and ensure that others can experience the same joy you once did.
If you decide to remember Audley Brass Band in your Will, or if you would simply like a confidential conversation about how a legacy might help the band, we would be delighted to speak with you. There is no obligation - just an opportunity to explore how your gift could create a lasting impact.
Thank you for supporting us, for believing in the power of music, and for considering a legacy that will help the band continue to flourish for future generations.
How to leave Audley Brass Band a legacy in your Will
1. Decide What Type of Gift You Want to Leave
There are several types of charitable gifts you can include in a will:
Pecuniary gift – a fixed sum of money.
Specific gift – a specific item, e.g., property, art, shares.
Residuary gift – a percentage of your estate after debts and other gifts.
(Often the most flexible and retains value with inflation.)Reversionary gift – charity receives the gift after another beneficiary (e.g., after your spouse passes).
Legacies can be money, property, or other items.
2. What you will need to know about us:
To avoid any confusion, include:
Full charity name - Audley Brass Band
Registered charity number – 1142287
This ensures the charitable organisation receives the gift and avoids disputes.
3. Add the Gift to Your Will (or Update an Existing Will)
Your will must meet legal requirements to be valid, including:
It must be signed in front of two witnesses.
Witnesses must not be connected to the charity you’re donating to.
If the wording isn't done properly, your chosen charity could lose out, so professional advice is strongly recommended.
4. Consider the Tax Advantages
Leaving money to charity can reduce inheritance tax:
Charitable gifts are 100% free from inheritance tax.
If 10% or more of your estate is left to charity, the IHT rate on the rest of your estate drops from 40% to 36%.
This can significantly benefit your other beneficiaries.
5. Talk to a Solicitor or Will‑Writing Professional
Fundraising regulators advise that donors should receive independent legal advice, not advice from the charity itself.
A solicitor can:
Ensure the will is legally valid
Help you choose the right type of gift
Make sure your family and charitable wishes are balanced
Advise on tax efficiency
6. Tell Audley Brass Band (Optional, but Helpful)
You don’t have to inform the charity, but doing so helps them:
Thank you appropriately
Plan future funding
Understand how you want the gift used
Charities are advised to treat these conversations sensitively.
7. Review Your Will Periodically
Life changes—family circumstances, finances, or which causes matter most to you. Reviewing your will every few years ensures it still reflects your wishes.
8. Summary
To leave part of your legacy to Audley Brass Band, you should:
Choose the type of gift (money, item, or share of estate).
Use the correct legal details of the charity.
Make or update your will with proper witnessing.
Consider tax benefits.
Get independent legal advice.
(Optional) Notify the charity.
