Such an interesting conversation, and one that most us aren't brave enough to have. I know you've said that you don't want to leave it in the hands of an organisation, but thought it worth mentioning the Eco Land Coop, who I don't have any personal experience with but seem to be doing good things.
Either way, I can't help but think of Prospect Cottage, and what's happening there, where long-time volunteer at the garden Jonny Bruce eventually became the custodian/curator of that space, though I believe he operates under the watchful eyes of some sort of foundation. Another possible option for you?
Whatever you decide, it's fascinating to be able to follow your train of thought here. Thanks for letting us in.
Thanks Dan. You'll understand we need to keep our options open in case we need the equity from the property in old age, or in case Charles is left alone and goes off in some totally new direction.
It was clearly a mad and impossible project in the begining (two acres of field, much ambition, no money) we made it. (Literally) So this next ambition ought not to be beyond us. Xx
What a lovely idea. Although I appreciate the legal
stuff and possible care needs makes it complicated I am sure there are people out there who can advise you. I plan to forward your article to a young gardener who has just become Head Gardener at a National Trust for Scotland property where I volunteer. I would love to get his perspective on your idea although not how to execute it.
Yes - there's more to consider, I think, than just 'how'. Would I have wanted such a challenge all those years ago? Hm - though making a garden from two fields was a challenge it was wide open to me to choose how to design and do it. No garden designer has helped.
With respect, this isn't something that we amateurs can really help with. It's far more complicated.
You may remember that we had a conversation some years ago around the eventuality that you were both with us but incapable of maintaining the garden. Then, I suggested you think about tenanting it. But this is different.
You need to allow for the consequences of one or both of you needing care. Think about "power of attorney" and how your "property asset" would be impacted.
When the second of you moves to a higher plane, death duties come into play. Then someone taking on the place would need to cough up for those if there wasn't enough ££ in the bank. So if you want your executors to do something other than flog the place, you might investigate some form of trust arrangement. This is what estate planning is about. You need legal advice, simples.
You might want to look at doing a Roy Strong and turning Veddw over to a charity (probs a long shot). IIRC the "gift" of Laskett to Perennial went with an endowment.
But whatever, it all comes back to professional advice. Good luck.
It’s a great time to start the conversation about planning a structure for the continuation of the garden, when you are both healthy and able. It is wrenching to see some incredible gardens left to decay (or worse, be ripped out) by subsequent owners without these kind of plans. In the US, there are a stupid amount of legal hurdles to the type of panels and transfers you describe; it may be worth exploring both how to do it garden people wise and legally at the same time.
It’s been a conversation I’ve had frequently these last years: children who don’t want your stuff, parents who leave you stuff, not sure who will take on this stuff, what stuff is important to survive. When it’s a living thing that needs care like a garden, the conversation gets even more difficult.
Such an interesting conversation, and one that most us aren't brave enough to have. I know you've said that you don't want to leave it in the hands of an organisation, but thought it worth mentioning the Eco Land Coop, who I don't have any personal experience with but seem to be doing good things.
Either way, I can't help but think of Prospect Cottage, and what's happening there, where long-time volunteer at the garden Jonny Bruce eventually became the custodian/curator of that space, though I believe he operates under the watchful eyes of some sort of foundation. Another possible option for you?
Whatever you decide, it's fascinating to be able to follow your train of thought here. Thanks for letting us in.
Thanks Dan. You'll understand we need to keep our options open in case we need the equity from the property in old age, or in case Charles is left alone and goes off in some totally new direction.
It was clearly a mad and impossible project in the begining (two acres of field, much ambition, no money) we made it. (Literally) So this next ambition ought not to be beyond us. Xx
What a lovely idea. Although I appreciate the legal
stuff and possible care needs makes it complicated I am sure there are people out there who can advise you. I plan to forward your article to a young gardener who has just become Head Gardener at a National Trust for Scotland property where I volunteer. I would love to get his perspective on your idea although not how to execute it.
Yes - there's more to consider, I think, than just 'how'. Would I have wanted such a challenge all those years ago? Hm - though making a garden from two fields was a challenge it was wide open to me to choose how to design and do it. No garden designer has helped.
Would be so different to be taking it over.....
With respect, this isn't something that we amateurs can really help with. It's far more complicated.
You may remember that we had a conversation some years ago around the eventuality that you were both with us but incapable of maintaining the garden. Then, I suggested you think about tenanting it. But this is different.
You need to allow for the consequences of one or both of you needing care. Think about "power of attorney" and how your "property asset" would be impacted.
When the second of you moves to a higher plane, death duties come into play. Then someone taking on the place would need to cough up for those if there wasn't enough ££ in the bank. So if you want your executors to do something other than flog the place, you might investigate some form of trust arrangement. This is what estate planning is about. You need legal advice, simples.
You might want to look at doing a Roy Strong and turning Veddw over to a charity (probs a long shot). IIRC the "gift" of Laskett to Perennial went with an endowment.
But whatever, it all comes back to professional advice. Good luck.
I'm sure we will need legal advice - and it helps if we know what we may need to consider. For which, my amateur friend, many thanks.
I certainly don't want to do a Roy Strong thing. I don't want an organisation to have it. (see post)
And I feel sure there are more things to consider than just the legal arrangements.
It’s a great time to start the conversation about planning a structure for the continuation of the garden, when you are both healthy and able. It is wrenching to see some incredible gardens left to decay (or worse, be ripped out) by subsequent owners without these kind of plans. In the US, there are a stupid amount of legal hurdles to the type of panels and transfers you describe; it may be worth exploring both how to do it garden people wise and legally at the same time.
It’s been a conversation I’ve had frequently these last years: children who don’t want your stuff, parents who leave you stuff, not sure who will take on this stuff, what stuff is important to survive. When it’s a living thing that needs care like a garden, the conversation gets even more difficult.
It is very difficult. (even without the people wanting or leaving stuff.) I do hope someone will tell us how to do it.