A gift in your will
Leaving a legacy for heritage crafts
A gift in your Will helps ensure that the next generation of makers have access to the craft skills that have developed up over many generations, many of which are in danger of being lost forever.
After you have provided for your loved ones, please do consider how leaving a gift to Heritage Crafts might help us fulfil our vision of a society in which heritage craft skills are acknowledged as being of vital importance, and are nurtured and celebrated accordingly.
We were founded in 2010 and have been growing steadily ever since, but there is always so much more that we wish to do and applying for funding from Trusts and Foundations is becoming more competitive. Your legacy could play an important part in the future we want to create.
How to leave a gift in your Will
Using a solicitor to make or update your Will ensures that your wishes are carried out after you’re gone. You may have a solicitor already, or you can ask family or friends for a recommendation. You may wish to use one of the many online Will writing services that can assist you. The Law Society also has a Wills and Inheritance Quality Scheme to help you find a solicitor specialising in Will writing.
- If you live in England or Wales: www.lawsociety.org.uk/en or call 020 7242 1222
- If you live in Northern Ireland: www.lawsoc-ni.org or call 028 9023 1614
- If you live in Scotland: www.lawscot.org.uk or call 0131 226 7411
If you would like to leave a gift to Heritage Crafts there are two main types of gifts:
- A residuary gift – is made from whatever is left over after all other gifts of money or specific items have been made. You can leave a share or percentage of the residue to Heritage Crafts. The great thing about a residuary gift is that you don’t need to worry about whether your estate will be able to afford it. This is because if your assets decrease a lot in your lifetime, a the value of teh gift will also decrease in proportion. A residuary gift allows for your loved ones to be look after first, and then a percentage of what remains can be left to charity.
- A pecuniary gift – is a fixed sum of money. It’s worth remembering that its value can be eroded by inflation over time
Our suggested wording if you would like to include a residuary gift to Heritage Crafts in your Will:
“I give to the Heritage Crafts Association (Registered Charity Number 1159208) of 81 North Street, Wellington, Somerset TA21 8NA the whole / [insert share as a %] share of my residuary estate absolutely to be used for its general charitable purposes and I declare that the receipt of the Heritage Crafts Association’s Treasurer or other duly authorised officer shall be sufficient discharge of my executor[’s][s’] duty.”
… or a pecuniary gift:
“I give to the Heritage Crafts Association (Registered Charity Number 1159208) of 81 North Street, Wellington, Somerset TA21 8NA the sum of £……………….. [insert amount in figures] absolutely to be used for its general charitable purposes and I declare that the receipt of the Heritage Crafts Association’s Treasurer or other duly authorised officer shall be sufficient discharge of my executor[’s][s’] duty.”
Did you know that charitable gifts in your Will are free of UK inheritance tax? Moreover, such gifts are deducted before inheritance tax is calculated, so can help bring down the amount of inheritance tax payable on the rest of your estate? Your solicitor, financial adviser or accountant can help you with inheritance tax planning.
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#matchMAKER opportunity!
Bespoke Staircase Timberwork Trainee
Location: Lewes, East Sussex
Founded in 1966, Spiral specialises in the design, manufacture and install of bespoke feature staircases, serving both residential and commercial clients all over the world.
Spiral is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Bespoke Staircase Timberwork Worker/Trainee to join its specialised team. This paid position offers an excellent opportunity to develop skills in timber craftsmanship, manufactured and installing within a high-end bespoke staircase environment.
The successful candidate will gain hands-on experience in timberwork processes while supporting various organisational tasks. A proactive attitude, strong communication skills, and a willingness to learn are essential for this role.
Find out more including how to apply at https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/matchmaker.
#matchMAKER is the online platform for work-based training and entry-level employment opportunities hosted by @heritagecrafts and supported by @soanebritain.
Northern Ireland is home to an incredible wealth of traditional skills. We are thrilled to announce that nominations are now OPEN for the Northern Ireland Maker of the Year Award 2026 supported by @mournetextiles.
We want to recognise a heritage craftsperson in Northern Ireland who has made an outstanding contribution in the past 12 months. Whether you’ve pushed your craft to new heights or worked tirelessly to promote its survival, we want to champion the simple, humble and essential skills that define our communities.
There is a £1,000 prize for the winner to be presented at a high-profile Winners’ Reception in November. Plus, one winner from the four UK nations will have their prize topped up to £2,000, supported by the Marsh Charitable Trust.
📅 Deadline: Friday 21 August 2026 (at 5pm)
➡️ Nominate someone (or yourself) today via the linktr.ee in our bio or directly at https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/our-awards/northern-ireland-maker-of-the-year-award/
📷 2024 finalist Aaron Leach @swiftsforge
#heritagecrafts #craftskills #northernirelandmaker #madeinnorthernireland #traditionalskills
#matchMAKER opportunity!
Heritage Craft Brickwork Apprentice
Location: Hampton Court Palace
Deadline: 7 May 2026
Historic Royal Palaces is the independent charity responsible for the management of six royal palaces and their associated content and landscapes. In collaboration with Simpson Brickwork Conservation and The Building Craft College, Historic Royal Palaces is recruiting for a Heritage Craft Brickwork Apprentice to train to become a skilled craftsperson specialising in the conservation, repair, and restoration of historic brick structures.
Working alongside experienced heritage bricklayers and conservation professionals, the apprentice will develop traditional skills, technical knowledge, and an understanding of historic materials and methods, while completing a Level 3 apprenticeship qualification. This role is ideal for someone passionate about traditional construction, historic buildings, and high-quality craftsmanship who will work and train under the expert mentoring of Simpson Brickwork Conservation.
Find out more including how to apply at https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/matchmaker.
#matchMAKER is the online platform for work-based training and entry-level employment opportunities hosted by @heritagecrafts and supported by @soanebritain.
Over three posts we are profiling three additional recipients of our recent round of training bursaries.
Rosy Cousins, from Manchester, is a self-employed environmental scientist retraining in the critically endangered craft of pietra dura, a decorative technique that involves inlaying precisely cut stones into a surface to create intricate designs. She will train with @greenawaymosaics, as well as undertaking short courses in allied crafts.
Rosy’s bursary is supported by @heritagefunduk and made possible by players of the National Lottery.
Rosy said: “I simply wouldn’t be able to do this without the support of a bursary from Heritage Crafts and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. It comes at a crucial time in my career, as I try to develop quite an unusual set of historic stoneworking skills, with very few opportunities for training. The bursary makes it possible for me to access the technical support and guidance I need, allowing me to continue on my journey. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity.”
This week’s #mondaymaker is Jenny Beattie @jenny_beattie_millinery – milliner.
Jenny uses traditional millinery techniques to make innovative, bespoke headpieces for individuals, fashion and theatre. She uses tools and techniques ‘borrowed’ from different craft disciplines to produce uniqueness, and prides herself on having a high level of technique and skill.
With fine art and millinery training, she has a materials-led practice with a unique aesthetic. She has a reputation as someone with an interest in transforming rubbish or leftovers into ‘Trash Hats’, in which eccentric fabrics such as cat food pouches or used teabags are transformed into stunning headpieces.
She says that craft has always been enormously important to her, as well as the cross pollination from other disciplines.
View Jenny’s full profile on our Makers’ Directory: https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/maker/jennybeattie/
#craft #millinery #heritagecrafts #mondaymaker
This week’s #craftfocus is cut crystal glass making.
British cut crystal glass, known for its brilliance and intricate designs, has become a hallmark of craftsmanship. In 1674, George Ravenscroft, a glassmaker based in London, patented a new method for producing glass with lead oxide, making it easier to work with, heavier and more brilliant, giving it a high level of clarity and sparkle due to its increased refraction of light. This lead crystal became highly suitable for cutting, as it could be deeply engraved and polished, giving rise to intricate designs and brilliant finishes.
During the 19th century, the British crystal industry reached its height. Crystal glass was highly sought-after, and many of the cutting patterns that we associate with traditional crystal glassware today were developed. From the mid-20th century onwards, British glassmakers shifted focus from mass production to preserving the artisanal quality and heritage of glass cutting.
The glass is cut using various diamond or carborundum grinding wheels. The wheels cut grooves into the glass with straight, sharp angles to increase the sparkle of the glass by adding more light-reflecting surfaces. Surfaces can then be cut a second time, a process known as smoothing, to create a finer finish. Few people do the second cut anymore as it adds considerable time to production.
Cut crystal glass making is classified as critically endangered on our Red List of Endangered Crafts. Recruitment has become very challenging due to a lack of training provision. High setup costs and lack of specialist equipment hinder training, and insufficient job security prevents guaranteed employment after training.
https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/craft/cut-crystal-glass-making/
Images: @cumbriacrystal
#heritagecrafts #craftfocus #cutcrystalglassmaking #crystalglass
#matchMAKER opportunity!
Furniture Making Apprenticeships
Location: Hampshire
Deadline: 20 May 2026 (they advise anyone who is considering applying to make contact well before the closing date)
An Edward Barnsley Workshop furniture making apprenticeship provides a thorough practical training in a commercial environment. Almost all of their former apprentices continue to work successfully as furniture makers. Most work as employees, while some have gone on to set up their own furniture-making businesses. In recent years two of their apprentices have represented the UK in cabinet-making at the WorldSkills finals.
The majority of the apprentices’ time is spent at the bench. The rest is spent in the machine shop and helping with jobs around the workshop. Apprentices are expected to do some essential workshop tasks including sweeping up and machine maintenance. This thorough and comprehensive woodworking apprenticeship teaches the skills needed to succeed as a professional furniture-maker.
Find out more including how to apply at https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/matchmaker.
#matchMAKER is the online platform for work-based training and entry-level employment opportunities hosted by @heritagecrafts and supported by @soanebritain.
From the flames of the blacksmith’s forge to the precision of the silversmith’s bench, metalworking covers a range of highly-skilled practices. Nominations are now OPEN for the Emerging Metalworker of the Year Award 2026, supported by Lucy and Laurence Butcher.
This award celebrates the talent, grit, and artistry of those in the first five years of their professional journey. It is open to any craft where metal is the primary material, including blacksmithing, coppersmithing, tinsmithing, silversmithing, goldsmithing, swordsmithing, knife making, cutlery making, bronze casting, brass instrument making … and more!
✨ Who are we looking for?
This award celebrates an early-career heritage craftsperson (in the first five years of their professional practice) who has made an outstanding start to their metalworking career. We are looking for a maker who:
• Demonstrates a high level of technical skill.
• Raises the profile of metalworking through sharing what they do.
• Shows the grit and dedication to achieve long-term success.
🏆 The Prize
The winner will receive a £1,000 cash prize and will be celebrated at a high-profile Winners’ Reception in November 2026. Plus, we are also running similar awards in crafts, such as green woodworking and leatherworking, with additional prizes of £1,000 provided by Woodsmith, the Leathersellers` Company and others.
📅 Deadline: Friday 21 August 2026 (at 5pm)
➡️ Nominate someone (or yourself) today via the linktr.ee in our bio or directly at https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/our-awards/emerging-metalworker-of-the-year/.
📷 2025 finalist Clare Collier @smeltdownblacksmiths
#heritagecrafts #metalworking #blacksmithing #silversmithing #bladesmithing
