Dear Website Guest,

We are aware that memories of the Chapel are bit like Marmite! For some the chapel was something to be endured rather than enjoyed. For others it carries an important sense of connection with the past, especially as it remains a significant War Memorial to the 55 who gave their lives in World War 2.

The Chapel Trustees have an excellent relationship with Priory School who greatly value the presence of the Chapel on their site and who want to see it well maintained for the purpose for which it was built. They actively encourage engagement of pupils in the life of the Chapel. The main role of the Trust is to provide finance to keep the building in the best possible condition for the future - especially in upkeep work that the School could not reasonably be expected to bear.

This report on our website will give you an idea of what has been achieved in recent years:

Building Report and Photographs | LewesMemorialChapel

We are writing to you now to ask if you would consider leaving the Chapel a legacy in your will.

Realistically the most likely people to leave a legacy to the Chapel Fund are the Old Boys of the school, and there are not many of us. A gift in your will would be a fine way of remembering both those who died and the good times you had at the school. It would allow the chapel fund to continue to keep the chapel looking good and supporting those pupils at the school today who deserve a bit of special encouragement.

A legacy may be created as a codicil to an existing will or form part of a new will.

All charitable legacies are exempt from inheritance tax so the entire sum left to the Chapel Fund in your will goes directly to the charity, and as the charity has no paid staff all of it will be used in ways that enhance the role and the fabric of the chapel.

Wills have to be written with some precision and therefore, to avoid unnecessary problems, here is a suggested wording for including a legacy to the chapel in your will.

" The sum of £xxx to Lewes Priory School Memorial Chapel Fund, Registered charity Number 274381, for its general charitable purposes. The receipt of the person who professes to be the treasurer or other proper officer of such trust shall be sufficient discharge to my Trustees."

A legacy gift would be greatly appreciated by the Chapel Trustees and will help ensure the maintenance and longevity of the War Memorial.

Thank you so much for your consideration of this.

Alan Pett
Chairman of Trustees