Organ Update 23rd April
History in Harmony UPDATE # 28 Compiled by Boz Oram
boz@historyinharmony.com
www.historyinharmony.com
Welcome to Update Number 28 – and welcome to all members on the Update. Please feel free to contact me at boz@historyinharmony.com and if others would like to join, then let them know and I’ll gladly send out a copy to them (this service is now happening on a very regular basis, especially from the Southern Hemisphere – welcome to the new members there).
Thanks also for your continued support and please keep passing this update around – New people are welcome and all you have to do is email me at boz@historyinharmony.com and I’ll do the rest. All links and websites have been checked out beforehand. They should all work just at the click of a button.
Remember, today is St George’s Day. http://www.fbhvc.co.uk/ It is also the day that if you can please take something out onto the road that is old. (and not your Granny!)
To Start Off With…
The First Steam Engine.
Remarkably there are many people who are in the knowledge area of the world who continually say that the first steam engine was either invented by Th. Newcomen or James Watt. Goodness only knows why that is, because Thomas Savery and Denys Papin were a bit earlier than those two with their own heavy machinery, however it is thought that the first purpose built rotating steam engine was actually built as a toy for the rich beings of the time by Heron (or I thought it was Hero, but I seem to be corrected here). This website is quite interesting to look at for this invention, but also many other ancient inventions from many hundreds of years ago.
http://www.smith.edu/hsc/museum/ancient_inventions/steamengine2.html
I also see that the name Hero is also used, so put it into the surfing machine and came up with this little website that’ll help you build your own if you want to http://www.scitoys.com/scitoys/scitoys/thermo/thermo.html#heat and for those who have an interest of the research and development, then this site is a cracking place to go to http://www.history.rochester.edu/steam/thurston/1878/
Hero(n) was from Alexandria and this website will give you a bit of information about the place and its history http://ce.eng.usf.edu/pharos/alexandria/
Now armed with this information, when someone tells you that they know who built the first, and then you can have a better-educated answer than you did last time!
Spotlight Dordt in Stoom tour
Leaving on the 17th May, the tour goes to the excellent Hotel Ara – those who have been here before, know the quality of this hotel. The next day is a day time trip to the Bakkersmolen, a reconstructed windmill (amongst other things) as well as a collection of steam engines, milling equipment, angels and the most recent rebuild – the carousel that seems to have all of the famous masterpieces painted on its rounding boards and inside, even more beautiful paintings. An amazing place just on its own with the opportunity of buying their famous Bakkersmolen cookies and for me to replenish my Bakkersmolen Beer. http://home.hetnet.nl/~oostvogels/Bakkersm-eng.htm
On this day, we return back to Dordrecht and see the truly fascinating Parade of Steam. All the steam boats “play” for want of a better word, in the main thoroughfare of a river – dredgers, scoops, passenger boats, tugs and pleasure cruisers and all old vessels are out there. It is truly a spectacle in itself, without the rest of the show to accompany it!
http://www.dordtinstoom.nl/home_eng.htm for the excellent website. Amazing that the town actually encourages this event, because the whole town is engulfed by old busses, steam locomotives, cars, traction engines, organs and anything old – Dordrecht opens its arms again to the world of old and living old like shanty singing, enjoying yourself and being treated like a human being.
Nearby is the old fortified town of Hoorn which has some of the most beautiful buildings in the area, with one of them showing how they got all of the small towns together and suppressed one of the attacking Armadas http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoorn
Hoorn is also famous for its railway that goes to Medemblik and it is your choice of going on this railway http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steamtrain_Hoorn_Medemblik or going to the famous Openluchtmuseum – http://www.openluchtmuseum.nl/english -
A reconstructed town served by trams and has countless windmills of all types, including a wind-propelled saw, plus steam engines, so many different types of houses, gardens and to top it all, for one weekend of the year, the Kring van Draaiorgelvrienden hosts its open day http://www.draaiorgel.org/english/index.htm and invites the cream of mechanical music to this living collection to give further life to this excellent place. Expected Instruments, please look on the website which is being updated on a regular basis http://www.draaiorgel.org/manifestatiebeschrijvingen.htm
All things come to a close and this tour is no exception, however to take further memories away with you is the UNESCO Kinderdijk http://www.kinderdijk.nl/ which has some 17 original windmills (pumps in this case) that were designed for keeping the water out of this part of Holland. As it is said “God made Man and Man made Holland” and this is no finer place to see mills in their place of work. For a fine photograph, look at this one http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Europe/Netherlands/photo218251.htm which I guess just sums up the ethos and feeling of the area
There are still just a few places left for this excellent tour – please contact Linda as soon as possible as there is a cut off date. People from other countries of course fly straight into Holland if they so wish. tours@historyinharmony.com
5,000-year-old circle henge found
Something that caught my eye was a stone megalith, or as it was put, a Mini Stonehenge that has been found in Cornwall. The site is at Deep Tye Farm, Goss Moor and was discovered during work on the £93 million A30 bypass of the village. It has been said that excavated sites from this period are comparatively rare in Cornwall. It appears that the site is a rather modest type of monument, which in some cases can reach quite lavish proportions. Archaeologists on site are predicting that the pit circle henge dates from between 3,000 and 2,000 years BC (so a bit before my time – although many might not agree!)
I’ve found three sites that might be of interest to you, all connected with the Deep Tye Farm henge site. The first website is Archaeology in Europe and does in depth surveys from our European point of view http://www.archaeology.eu.com/weblog/index.html
The Antiquarian News http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/news separates the various sites of interest and is easy to use and the final one
http://www.megalithic.co.uk/?C=N&O=D for a megalithic map of the world.
Now that ought to keep you out of everyone’s way and hopefully out of mischief!
From Graham Mackenzie of the SS Shieldhall and I do apologise to Graham for not putting it into the last edition, but as per usual, I’d got too much in the Update (again) www.ss-shieldhall.co.uk
Date
Depart
Destination
ETA
Price
MAY
Sat 13th
10:30
Shakedown cruise in the Solent area.
15:30
£21:00
Sun 14th
11:00
River Test and Bembridge Bay cruise
17:00
£24:50
Fri 19th
09:30
Southampton to Shoreham. Return by coach included.
**18:00
£30:50
Sat 20th
13:30
From Shoreham eastwards along the Sussex Coast towards Beachy Head
20:00
£24:50
Mon 22nd
08:30
From Shoreham to Southampton. Return by coach included.
**17:00
£30:50
Sat 27th
15:00
View these cruise ships, “Sea Princess”, “Legend of the Seas” “Oceana” and “Oriana” as they depart from Southampton
19:00
£19:50
Mon 29th
10:00*
Volvo Ocean Race In Harbour Race. A great spectacle to view these ocean racers. See if you can spot any celebrities on board.
18:00
£30:00
JUNE
Fri 2nd
14:00*
Start of Volvo Ocean Race leg. Another great spectacle with these ocean racers.
19:30
£24:50
Sun 4th
09:30
Excursion Round the Isle of Wight, via Bembridge
18:30
£31:00
JULY
Sun 9th
14:30**
From Dartmouth to view the Tall Ships anchored in Torbay. Booking details to be advised.
20:00**
£31:50
Mon 10th
14:30**
From Dartmouth to view the start of the Tall Ships Race off Berry Head. Phone Inside Track 01442 877217 for details.
20:00**
£52:50
AUGUST
Wed 2nd
11:00
Cruise to view Cowes week
16:00
£21:00
Thu 3rd
14:30
Cruise to view Cowes week
19:30
£21:00
Fri 4th
18:30
Cruise to view Cowes Fireworks with our resident Jazz Band. Supper available, extra. A few places left.
23:59
£27:50
Sat 12th
10:00
Cruise from Southampton to Weymouth viewing the Dorset Jurassic Coast. Coach return to Southampton included.
***18:00
£30:50
Thu 17th
11:00
Cruise from Weymouth to view the Dorset Jurassic Coast
16:00
£21:00
Sat 19th
11:00
Cruise from Weymouth to view the Dorset Jurassic Coast
16:00
£21:00
Sun 20th
11:00
Cruise from Weymouth to Southampton. Coach return to Weymouth included
***19:00
£30:50
SS Shieldhall is maintained and operated by the members who are all unpaid.
In order to keep “Shieldhall” operational it is vital to have a healthy group of people actively supporting this ship – whether silent or active volunteers. Membership costs just £15 per year, £10 for concessions. Details from any crewmember.
Available on board - all at very reasonable prices!
Shop with a wide range of interesting souvenirs and gifts
Hot meals, snacks, tea, coffee and licensed bar
For Group Bookings, please contact them direct on 07751 603 190 or
info@ss-shieldhall.co.uk
THE SOCIETY
The “Shieldhall” is a Heritage ship, included in the National Historic Ships Core Collection and is generally recognised to be the largest steamship of her type in Britain and probably Europe. It is represented by the Solent Steam Packet Ltd, which is an Industrial and Provident Society, registration number 26065R, with charitable status.
And now for a cracking website…
Southern Region Existing Locomotives
Funnily enough, the UK had the Big Four railway companies right up until Nationalisation of the railway system, which seemed to work reasonably well apart from little investment into existing and new rail networks. It has however returned back to so-called private hands and now costs an excessive amount more than it originally did, especially from the taxpayer. Somehow that one doesn’t ring true – politics I guess!
The best Region out of the big four was undoubtedly the Southern Region, with its colourful green livery and excellent rolling stock and as a consequence of my total bias towards this part of the railway network, please find this website that lists all of the Southern Region steam locomotives left.
The bright yellow on the website, denotes that the locomotive is in operational service and shows you where you may have the opportunity of being hauled by your chosen loco. Now the other marvellous thing that takes place is that you click onto your chosen locomotive, and you are then transported instantly to the locomotive, where it is and that railway’s website. So far it has been a totally successful experience and I’m guessing that all of the websites are fully updated. I just went onto four sites and thoroughly enjoyed the experience! http://homepage.ntlworld.com/malc.thompson26/locos/sr.htm
Need a bit of help?
Maniflow
If you need exhaust systems, inlet manifolds, tubular a fabricated exhaust done in mild steel or stainless – maybe chromed, then this is a good first port of call. Check out the website www.maniflow.co.uk tel +UK (0) 1722 335378. Address Mitchell Road, Churchfields Ind Est, Salisbury, Wilts SP2 7PY
Historic background
Dave Dorrington (founder of Maniflow) joined the renowned Downton in December 1962, and stayed until January 1971, when he then left to start Maniflow.
David started behind a furniture shop in Water Lane in the centre of Salisbury, and originally rented a room to Brian Slark of Slark Race Engineering, who specialised in performance heads and tuning and was also apprenticed at Downton. Both businesses took off and had to find bigger premises. Maniflow have designed and manufactured manifolds and exhausts for many racers, including BRM, as well as being involved with Roger Penske.
So there you have it – even more help from the Update and its subscribers to get your machinery back on the road.
Some Things in Life are Free(ish)
Funnily enough there are still a number of people out there who hope to help you save money. (UK only, however there are most likely similar ones in your own country so just work your search engine)
These are a few websites that might just do that for you and make life easier.
Automatic Answering Services www.gethuman.com/uk is a website that will get you away from automatic answering machines. Providing a list of shortcuts and phone numbers that will put you in touch with human beings. Users can update the service with any secret number that they find.
Annoying Cold Calls www.tpsonline.org.uk and will stop marketing companies from using your personal and home details.
Annoying Junk Mail www.mpsonline.org.uk and will stop marketing companies from using your personal and home details.
Benefit Allowance www.entitledto.co.uk making sure that you get what you are entitled to. Just put your age and family details into the scenario and you will get a list of all of the credits and government benefits that you should be entitled to.
Tax Returns www.yahoo.digita.com/taxcentral helps you fill out your tax return by using a simple online interview. Your data is then calculated to produce a tax return that can be filed electronically. Run by Digita and in conjunction with HM Revenue & Customs and a number of financial institutions.
For Home Movers www.nethouseprices.com Ideal for home-movers or even those who live in that area as it will tell you the postcode area’s house prices, rental costs, crime levels, planning news and local amenities.
Free UK Phone Directory Enquiries www.thephonebook.bt.com and www.118118.com you do not have to register and there are no restrictions on searches.
Free International Directory Enquiries www.infobel.com Just enter the country you are calling and search for the name of the person or organisation.
Charge Calls www.saynoto0870.com Type in the name of the company and you will get a list of geographical numbers, and if the company moves, the number will also locate you.
Finally How much is your Profession Being Paid? www.paywizard.co.uk, which might amuse the members of the History in Harmony Update not living in the UK. Enter your job idea and you will get a list of how much workers are getting. The site also holds information on how much holiday pay you should be earning and the equality of the sexes as well.
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard – Brunel 200
In the shadow of the new Spinnaker Tower and the sound of the odd whistle and the slight smell of coal being burnt and a very healthy attendance (over double the normal gate), the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard welcomed with open arms the celebration of Brunel 200, the birth date of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, this most amazing historic genius.
Scattered throughout the three main exhibits being Nelson’s flagship HMS Nelson, Henry VIII’s flagship the Mary Rose and Warrior the first ironclad warship, were steamrollers, wagons, agricultural and ploughing engines. Models including a marvellous display of fighting men ‘o war sailing in a large area with the culmination of the masts being obliterated from such a heavy bombardment, as well as a couple of Scapa Flow type WWI fighting it out to the death.
In the middle of all of this was James Horton’s galloping horses, driven by Savage steam centre engine Warrior – number 577 and the music being supplied by the fine Marenghi 89 key organ. The sun was out and made the ride look perfect and the power being supplied by Arthur Thompson’s Fowler Lion. (Nice to see two Warriors in such close proximity, and not having a punch-up).
This event also allowed the engines to trundle throughout the complex with a flagman in front, which gave an air of authenticity to the whole proceedings, rather than a whole line up of engines sitting in front of a non-period caravan. The roads are of course metalled which meant that had the heavens opened, the engines would still have been able to doo their stuff without getting stuck in the mud. Elsewhere was the only operable steam pinnace and with the crew donned up in period clothing displaying either the engine room or the gun on the fore end, the day seemed to be totally complete. In fact, talking to one of the pinnace crew who was in his 80’s, remembered to me, the days during WW2 when he was on the merchant shipping convoys across the Atlantic and was lucky enough to have only been torpedoed once and that was near to the end of the conflict – he then marvelled at the many crews who didn’t either make it through, or were in a much worse situation than he. I was in awe.
Returning back to the show itself, naval characters were dressed again in period costume and partook in all manner of displays. There was also a healthy selection of stalls from various clubs and societies, including SS Shieldhall as well as working models and a demonstrator of Brunel’s famous atmospheric railway.
By all accounts, the exhibitors thoroughly enjoyed their time (especially in the hotel) in the dockyard and this seemed to resonate through to the public who it seemed to want to see this show happen again in the future. Further reading from the BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk/hampshire/content/articles/2006/02/23/isambard_event_feature.shtml or for the official website Brunel200.com
Elsewhere on Brunel 200
Down in Bristol on the Saturday 8 April, the eve of Brunel’s birthday, there was a free stage show and spectacular firework display in Bristol linked to the switching on of the new lighting system at the Clifton Suspension Bridge. Performers on the main stage at Observatory Hill on the Clifton Downs included Brunel Brass, acta community theatre, Bristol Choral Society, Dance Bristol, Andy Sheppard and 200 saxophonists. Thousands gathered here and down in the Cumberland Basin to view the switching on of the lights and the fireworks.
There will of course be further celebrations through out the year – just go to the website Brunel200.com and it will, with the help of Andrew fill you in on what’s going on.
From Douglas Bush
Continuing on from the pipes4organs debate and whether this is a detrimental situation for the construction and reconstruction of pipe organs, Douglas has written from the other side of the coin. Thanks for that Douglas – hopefully this will stimulate even more debate and I always appreciate views from the other side of the coin, especially if I am wrong, because it means that many others may also have the same information.
Boz,
In your last update, you referred people to the pipes4organs website and campaign and the claim that the Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment and Risk of Hazardous Substances directives will kill off organs.
Many people have been making claims about what impact these directives will have. Unfortunately, it is also become increasingly apparent that many of those have no idea what the directives say, or looked at the guidance that the DTI has given. Indeed, the pipes4organs website is lacking in substance, and I have been unable to find on it evidence supporting many of the claims that it is making.
Before jumping on other people's bandwagon, I would advise all to look at the DTI website, www.dti.gov.uk, in the section on sustainable development where the directives are covered, and make up their own mind.
My understanding is that the directives only cover the following categories of equipment:
1) large household appliances
2) small household appliances
3) IT and telecommunications equipment
4) consumer equipment
5) lighting equipment
6) electrical and electronic tools (excepting large scale industrial tools)
7) toys, leisure and sports equipment
8) medical devices
9) monitoring and control systems
10) automatic dispensers
The directives only apply to the primary function of the item. They do not apply when something in one of the above categories forms a part of another item that as a whole does not fall into one of them. They do not apply to the repair of existing equipment.
Personally, I do not consider the pipe organ to be in danger.
For information, I have attached the official government guidance on the RoHS directive. I believe that the introduction of the implementation of the WEEE directive was postponed last year, but covers the same equipment as RoHS. All of this is readily available from the DTI website.
Regards,
Douglas.
From Keith Pinner, Chairman of the St Albans Organ Theatre
Hi Boz,
Hope you are well; best regards to Linda too. (thanks Keith and the same to you and Toni)
Thanks for sending your Newsletters. I enjoy reading them but doubt if I shall live long enough to explore all the links and websites mentioned! The Internet is a wonderful thing for those that have more time than I, but unfortunately don't fit that category. (No worries Keith, but if its there for all to read, then all can read or dismiss if needs be – and hopefully I am not making you do anything you don’t want to do!)
I wonder if you'd be so kind as to give 'us' a plug. You may have heard that St. Albans Musical Museum Society http://www.stalbansorganmuseum.org.uk/ has made a small change to the title of the premises. St. Albans Organ Museum has been changed to the St. Albans Organ Theatre in an attempt to present a better idea of what we do here. Over the years, we've heard many comments from our Sunday-afternoon visitors who thought they were coming in to see a room full of dusty old relics (apart from the Staff, that is..) and had only expected to stay for half an hour and then 'go to Auntie Thelmas for tea' or whatever. Most have been agreeably surprised that all the instruments are played and that we give a live descriptive commentary throughout and a free cup of tea too.
Then there is the other side to our activities, namely Theatre Pipe Organ concerts, which are usually on Saturday evenings. At these events, professional organists perform on our Wurlitzer and Rutt organs and sometimes also use our C3 Hammond organ and the Weber grand piano too. For these concerts, the smaller mechanical instruments are stored away and the seating is rearranged, facing the stage, to accommodate an audience up to 200 people. Video cameras watch the organist at work and may be viewed on our large screen above the stage, so everyone has a good view wherever they sit.
The name change has been well received and seems to be having the right effect, with some very good attendances. (the theatre is well designed to allow all to see what is going on – the place is also an excellent place to have seminar meetings. If you have a group that wishes to use the facilities even though you might not have any interest in mechanical music, please contact Keith for further details)
Also, perhaps your readers might like to hear about The Fairground Organ book by Eric V. Cockayne (Revised Edition)? As you know we've been selling the revised edition of this book for some time now, here at the Theatre, but to help the International sales, we've enlisted a local bookseller to handle this for us. Anyone outside the UK may order this book directly from Paton Books. patonbooks@aol.com or their website which is www.patonbooks.co.uk
Paton Books have credit card facilities and offer a snappy response too.
Best wishes to you all and thanks in anticipation.
Keith Pinner.
Chairman. St. Albans Musical Museum Society.
Do check out the website and join in on one (or many) concerts. It is a very exciting place to go to especially for those who may not have ever enjoyed mechanical music or theatre organ music. Well done to Keith and his team for pushing on into the 21st century with a growing number of new supporters.
From Rudy Nijs in Belgium Continuing on from the small report in the last History in Harmony Update about the FOPS AGM
Hi Boz, Just one more thing about the 98 key Limonaire (Baldry): everyone of us who got the chance to listen to the song “Alice, where art thou” will never forget that one in particular. Whoever made this arrangement surely knew what he was doing and surely did understand that instrument. Although I have come across many fine arrangements before, this one really stood out. It really made that organ “sing”! It’s a shame it’s not on record yet.
That was my personal highlight of the FOPS AGM.
Many thanks, Rudy.
Yes I do agree here – the shed where the Limonaire was playing was heaving with people listening to the music and the loud clapping and cheering after Alice was played, showed that Rudy wasn’t alone in enjoying this piece of music.
LEST WE FORGET
Roger Burville
I got a call the other evening from Ian Dalgliesh, telling me about MOOS president, Roger Burville, who is in intensive care in the Queen Elisabeth, the Queen Mother (QEQM) hospital in Margate. The hospital's address is: Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital, Ramsgate Road, Margate, Kent. CT9 4AN Phone: 01843 225544 Fax: 01843 220048. and the website is this long one if you want to contact this way http://www.kentandmedway.nhs.uk/local_nhs_services/hospitals/queen_elizabeth_queen_mother_hospital.asp After the sale of de Kluisberg, the famous 101key Mortier that is now owned by the Saunders Collection, Roger had to go in for a bit of remedial treatment but unfortunately he has had a bit of a problem on the way and is now in a bit of a pickle. If you want to send any letters of encouragement or just help in any way, the address is there for you to do so.
Jimmy Williams
One of the true characters of the preservation world, Jimmy recently died and was buried in Brimpton church with a full Showland funeral. I first met Jim and Bunch his wife, at one of the Finkley steam rallies where I got the job of being a gaff lad for the weekend and helped put the Gallopers up, then take money during the weekend and then help to pull down the ride on the Sunday before going to school the next day. It was truly a great inspiration for me seeing this fantastic ride from the days gone by and being able to help in making it live for others to see that weekend.
Maybe it was that something that stimulated me in the world of preservation to carry on and promote it to many more people who had never been involved in preserving our heritage – who knows but here I am again writing another Update that goes around the world, hopefully bringing people closer together.
Jim had come from a long line of showmen, but had entered a different form of showmanship and brought old architecture to the masses and to the likes of me. He also bought the famous switchback to life again and then continued on with a fully blown fair and took the whole caboodle out to country fairs and shows around the countryside. Funnily enough, his forte though was his fantastic flamboyant style of art and it was the many people who used his skills in restoring the façades of mechanical organs and fairground rides, such as the late Fred Coupland and this will live on in perpetuity for the rest of us to see as long as the rides continue to be taken out into the big wide world.
Our thoughts go to Bunch, Patrina, the family and the many friends that the couple have. It is with sadness that I didn’t know about it earlier.
WELCOME TO THE WORLD
Well done to Amber and her brother Joby, for both having their own respective children. Both mothers are doing well and so are the children and another couple of possible members of the Carter family to help run the fair in future years. Talking of Carter’s Fair, I am joining them with Sharahazad, the Louis Hooghuys piano-forte at the West Wycombe Steam Fair (Buckinghamshire) on the 13/14th May http://www.carters-steam-fair.co.uk/ If any of you are around, then please pop along and make yourselves known.
INHERITANCE TAX - IHT
Now where did I get to last time – oh yes it was the cliff-hanger of steering clear of those family feuds that don’t work, working on the saying “blood is thicker than water”. Now continuing on from where I left off last time, we go into the details of Trusts and how to use them, however it seems that that naughty Chancellor might be making the rules up as he goes along, so please use this as a guide, because even the specialists don’t know the full details at this moment!
Now let me return to the simple situation of death!
NIL RATE BAND
Everyone has a Nil-Rate Band. For example, normally when a spouse dies, he or she might leave the entire estate to the surviving partner – IHT is not levied on the surviving partner, however had the surviving partner used the deceased’s allowance and passed on the figure of £285,000 to the intended beneficiaries, then the figure is free of tax. That removes £2¾K from the estate of either money, chattels (ie paintings, musical boxes, models, carvings, big toys etc – you know the things because we’ve all got them). When the second person dies, then the remainder of the nil rate band is used up, which means that £285,000 + £285,000 = (£570,000) has been removed from the estate without any tax or in other words the £114,000 tax bill has been avoided and can be distributed to the beneficiaries with the Chancellor’s blessing.
Too morbid for you? Well here’s another way
TRUSTS
Not wishing to put too fine a point on this, there is another way of sorting out the problem of death and taxes and that is to use a Trust. Now, I would advise anyone going down this route to really think very carefully beforehand. Those laws are EXTREMELY involved and to get it right means one VERY experienced legal person who knows the laws backwards. The other problem is that to get the items after death needs one VERY experienced legal person who knows the laws backwards, to untangle the muddle. Ah yes, you guessed it, it IS an expensive way to not pay tax, however many people go down this route and are quite successful. Don’t use a Trust if you are not sure of what you are doing. You have been warned!
LIFE ASSURANCE
Now the final way that I am going to explain, is to use a Life Assurance Policy, that is “in Trust” to its beneficiaries. I know, I hear you say that I said, “Don’t use a Trust” – no this is not “A” Trust, but “IN” Trust.
As the Law stands at this moment, it will allow Life Assurance to cover the excess in value of your chattels, so that the beneficiaries can pay the tax with the Life Assurance Policy that you have set up in their names. There are many types but I am going to cover just two.
2ND DEATH POLICY
The first to be described is called a “2nd death policy”
Now, I refer you back to the original statement “there is no Inheritance Tax (IHT) between your spouse (husband and wife*). The only life assurance needed to cover your spouse in the eventuality of death can be pensions, savings plans, company life assurance or anything else that you have taken out over the years because you actually like the person you live with and care for them. Now, if you live in sin, (yahoo!) then I will come to that in a moment but for other reasons. Assuming that you are in reasonable health, then you can take out a 2nd death policy that you are able to put in trust for your beneficiaries, so that upon the death of the second person, any monies will be paid to them. Now either you can pay the premium or the beneficiaries can. Some companies don’t like this but I am unaware of any law against it. What it means though is that you can keep hold of your prized possessions without anyone selling them before their time. It doesn’t matter if your children or beneficiaries get divorced or run into financial ruin – they can’t sell your bits and pieces from under your feet. Not bad for a bit of security and peace of mind is it? It also means that your beneficiary can get divorced and some thieving swine will not be able to take your chattels into account. Remember that your intention is in your Will, nowhere else, so it can only be when the document is being read that the intention is legally binding. After the death of the second party, all it needs is the death certificates to be verified and produced. Within a few working days, all that marvellous “dosh” that you have carefully arranged with your financial consultant, is passed on to your nearest and dearest to pay that inevitable tax, AND if needs be, pay for any other expenses such as funerals and a jolly good “wake”. The person who sorted this out for you will also be the only person who your survivors will meet that actually gives you money on death. The rest of the “vultures” (oops! professions) will take it from you and that includes “members of the cloth!” In fact, the last thing that any person wishes to confront is the death of loved ones, but it is an eventuality going to happen. Why not make it so much easier?
IT IS an awful time and money is a very necessary part of the situation that is going to evolve. The last thing anybody needs is to fight off a professional after a death, when you are vulnerable, just because you decided that you couldn’t be bothered to sort out an important part of your planning when you had the chance.
SAME SEX MARRIAGES
I am not too sure about the legal aspect of same sex marriages as little has been written and no one seems to want to put their reputation on the line with this recent legislative change in marriage. It should and ought to run the same as a heterosexual marriage, but you will have to speak to an on the ball professional about that one. (see* above here)
FIRST DEATH
Now I promised to come back to you people who are not married. Enjoy the fun now, because I am just about to spoil it! (“You spoilsport”). This is the second part of the Life Assurance that I will explain. As the Law stands at the moment tax is payable between both of you because you are not married – it is as simple as that. Now, you might live in a house and share everything, but if it isn’t in your name, then that nasty Chancellor will take what is rightfully and legally his. Forget about “Common Law” husband or wife” – that doesn’t come into it – you’ve got no rights here matey! Now if you haven’t put anything into action, then the surviving partner will have to pay those darned tax bills. If there is no money to pay the bills after you’ve read this, then tough, because I’ve just given you the opportunity to do something. The property will have to be sold; the possessions will also have to be sold to pay for the survivor’s survival AND we haven’t even got onto beneficiaries yet. ( following on from *, it may still be that you need a first death policy to cover your partner – again talk to a professional)
HAVE YOU MADE A WILL?
Oh dear if you haven’t, then do it right now, that is all I can say.
In your situation, you will have to take out two “First Death” policies that are firstly put into trust for each other so that the survivor is able to survive after the death of the first person with each other being a Trustee. The survivor’s policy can then be put into trust to the beneficiaries if needs be. This can be awkward as well, as both of you might die at the same time, which could cause problems. This can be overcome, but you really must seek professional advice here, as it can be a bit involved to pass it all on in just a few words.
Just a little plug folks;
This is free advice from me to you (and in many cases I don’t even know who you are). You are lucky to see it in a language that you can understand. Do something about it, if only for your loved ones. If you don’t, then all I can say is “I’m really looking forward to going to the sale of your goods and chattels and I promise I’ll have a drink at your expense at the cheap bargain store –.”
CONTINUING ON WITH THOSE WHO ARE NOT MARRIED …. It is a fact of life that you really have to make a Will.
It doesn’t matter who dies first - the deceased family’s relatives will have preferential treatment. In other words you’ll lose everything that you have worked for that is not in your name. I mean everything – (for those who are a bit simple minded and didn’t quite understand what I just said - “EVERYTHING”). Do you remember me talking about Wills? Even more important for you isn’t it? Now when it comes to beneficiaries, after both of you have made sure that you will be all right and financially secure, then you will have to take out another life assurance policy to cover the death of both of you to your beneficiaries. Sound complicated? You bet it is. The cost is also that much more because the risk is greater to the Life Company that is insuring your lives singly and therefore the premiums may not actually cover your life of living – if you get my drift. And as another thought, just remember the other people that no one else knows about. Yes you know who I mean, those other people who are outside of your family who you may be having an ex-marital relationship with - don’t leave them out in the cold either.
CONCLUSIONS
It is a fact of life that is going to cost money to save money but believe you me those ones who are left behind will really thank you for all of your forethought. If you need further information then please use your own financial consultant. If you don’t have one, then ask a friend who trusts theirs. If you have no luck there call me. I can pass you on to experienced people. Your situation is far too important just to give to an inexperienced wide boy either. Either use a reputable company or an independent, the choice is yours, but with about 3000 different products on the market at any one time, I would tend to choose a consultant who knows their products inside out. The other thing to remember is that the younger you are when you take out any policy, the less the premiums will actually cost.
Many people say that they are worth more dead than alive (yes but to whom?) - not if you don’t do anything about your financial planning or your homework. Remember as well, that pensions are also in the equation, and they can also be sorted out, but you really have to ask a professional to do it. Like I said, it is up to you, and when all is said and done, it is your own choice to either do the right thing or just do nothing and throw your hard earned money away.
FINALLY TO THOSE LAZY BASKETS
Fortunately, there will always be those people who are just bone idle to bother and say it is too expensive, which means that for the rest of us, will always be at another sale of some dead person’s stuff where we can go and have a bloody good cheap day out for the price of a catalogue at your expense. Thanks for that – the rest of us love you for your foolishness and just being a cretin.
Always makes me wonder why people don’t do their planning, as it is so easy to do and implement. Remember that Jackie Onassis was (and still is) an icon in this sphere. When she died, not one American cent went to the taxman, and “yes” she was one heck of a wealthy woman. Supposedly it cost just 2% of the total amount! Not a bad return on her money.
© Boz Oram1996 (revised 2006)
boz@historyinharmony.com
www.historyinharmony.com
PO Box 1829
Shrewton Salisbury
SP3 4PN
April 2006
As a postscript to this article on IHT, it appears that the Law Society and the Treasury of the UK administration are at loggerheads with each other due to something that wasn’t put into the Budget and therefore cannot be debated upon! Now fancy that.
It appears that Brown, our Chancellor is trying to get retrospective legislation passed through the back door with regard to Trusts (so no change there). This is even more reason for you as an individual to go to a professional now. God help the 70% who haven’t even got a Will in the first place. Now that the UK government seems to make the rules up as it goes along, is loosing integrity and above all, appear to think that they are above the Law, all I can say is trust your own instincts.
The article about IHT is for you to use as a platform to try and understand in layman’s terms, how to keep your hard earned chattels without loosing it to be squandered on something that you don’t even know about, but you really will have to go and see a professional. Remember that there is only one person who can look after you properly – and that’s YOU. You may have noticed that I’m a bit chewy with our politicians – but who cares as they were voted into power…………… on apathy.
There we have it folks till the next instalment, which will be for everyone throughout the world and what to do when you die - well not you in reality, ‘cos you’re dead and don’t have the problems, but the ones who have to sort out your mess after you’ve fallen off your mortal coil and hopefully not done the famous Ostrich Dump.
From Jim Harper in New Zealand
Jim continues on (a bit tongue in cheek methinks) about Michael Woolfe’s comments about a possible tour to NZ next year.
Hi Boz and Linda.
Thanks for the update.
After doing any NZ tour, you might want to stay on .... because in NZ there is:
no inheritance tax (it was abolished years ago)
no capital gains tax
no stamp duty on house sales
We did however import the VAT system from the UK (called Goods and Services Tax - 12.5%) but hey, taxation could be way worse!
Regards
Jim Harper. Wellington. NZ
Thanks for that Jim – just makes you think a bit doesn’t it?
Jim also sent me a few words about the Burrell bash in Rangiora http://www.enginz.co.nz/rally2006.asp saying that some 80 engines were there plus of course threshing and sawmilling displays, horses old cars and a whole host more. He also mentions that in the next week or so, 2,100 tractors are going to try and set a new world record for ploughing a field simultaneously at nearby Ashburton. As I can’t find the official website other than this one http://www.vintagetractors.gardencity.co.nz/magazine.html ,
then try these ones as an alternative. The first is for early horse ploughing http://library.christchurch.org.nz/Heritage/Photos/Disc7/IMG0016.asp or maybe this one http://library.christchurch.org.nz/Heritage/Photos/Disc9/IMG0034.asp for a 1913 Ivel.
From Stuart Legg
Subject: How to Recruit the Right Person for the Job
Put about 100 bricks in some particular order in a closed room with an open window. Then send 2 or 3 candidates into the room and close the door.
Leave them alone and come back after 3 hours and analyze the situation -
· If they are counting the bricks; put them in the Accounts Department.
· If they are recounting them; put them in Auditing.
· If they have messed up the whole place with the bricks; put them in Engineering.
· If they are arranging the bricks in some strange order; put them in Planning.
· If they are throwing the bricks at each other; put them in Operations.
· If they are sleeping; put them in Security.
· If they have broken the bricks into pieces; put them in IT.
· If they are sitting idle; put them in Human Resources.
· If they say they have tried different combinations, yet not a brick has been moved; put them in Sales.
· If they have already left for the day; put them in Marketing.
· If they are staring out of the window; put them on Strategic Planning.
· And then last but not least, If they are talking to each other about nothing in particular and not a single brick has been moved; Congratulate them and put them in Senior Management.
From Stefan Fleck in Waldkirch - Germany.
Hello Boz and Linda!
Just to let you know that we have an "Open Air Concert" at the "Elztalmuseum Waldkirch" taking place in Waldkirch on the 18th June 2006 from a few mechanical Music Instruments!
More details to follow shortly. http://fleck-orgelbau.de/
Stefan
Lithuania Narrow Gauge Railway
The Lithuanian narrow gauge railway (750 mm gauge, commonly called "Siaurukas") is over 100 years old, being completed in 1895. Formerly it operated on transport and goods basis, but now it is only for tourists. When the Communist time finished in Lithuania, the railway fell into decay, however it seems that this railway is actually the longest narrow gauge rail network joining three Baltic States together.
There are very good sights from the narrow-gauge trains, also stations, bridges which shows architecture and technology of the 19th century. In Utenos Apskritis, the best place to start your journey might be in Rubikiai, end of Siaurukas line. It goes to Anyksciai and then to Panevezys from there.
Unfortunately, due to the fact that the line is now just for tourism, (the only way that this railway can survive and live into the next century) it won't be possible to experience the feeling of a normal passenger train or maybe a tram travelling through the towns and cities small cities with local people inside as they just don’t get onto it.
Getting a ride might be hard - now it operates only as a charter service. On some occasions however, special rides are done - usually those also include some events like "robbers" supposedly attacking plane as such incidents were common when Siaurukas was opened over 100 years ago.
Official website http://www.siaurukas.lt written in Lithuanian or
http://www.ngr.lt/slgrs_veikla/?kalba_l=EN for what it was like then in 2001 AND now http://www.panevezys.lt/ and industrial heritage http://www.ihp.lt/gateway/lt/lt_index.html
Industrial narrow gauge railways http://www.ingr.co.uk/news_2002.html
Previous Updates? – then look no further
Go to forumer.com/" target="_blank">http://organ.10.forumer.com/ and click onto Boz’s Box.
For all of the previous Updates, James and Nick have put them onto their website which is run by Nick Williams and James Dundon. A very good interactive website that is looked after by two of our up and coming generation of enthusiastic people. Do make the effort to look at this website and interact with it if you can.
Finally
If you have any interesting news, can you please supply me with it - all subjects are welcome to be discussed. If you feel that your subject isn’t being covered fully, then please let me know and/or please send in an article to cover it.
If you want to use the general material, please do, but please mention History in Harmony as the source and give the web address www.historyinharmony.com please contact me on article use to ask permission from author.
As ever, should you wish to not be included on this update, then please let me know at boz@historyinharmony.com and I’ll remove you forthwith from the address on my mailing list. Conversely, if you know of any other people who would enjoy this email, then please get them to contact me at the same address.
COURTESY NOTICE
Views expressed are not necessarily those of the Update Compiler. It may be on occasions, necessary to edit material. In such cases utmost care will be taken to ensure that alterations or omissions do not alter the context of the subject or create a misleading or false representation. As a matter of courtesy, the author(s) will be consulted about major alterations.
With kind wishes
Boz and Linda,
The email address for all correspondence is boz@historyinharmony.com
For all tours tours@historyinharmony.com
Website www.historyinharmony.com
tel +UK (0) 8700 113994
Published on iMOD with Kind permission of Boz
