TEAM EFFORT!
HAVE A HEART APPEAL IN SUPPORT OF CHILDREN'S HOSPICES UK.



WELL DONE and MANY CONGRATULATIONS to Catherine Cole who ran in the Reading Half Marathon on Sunday 20 March 2011 in support of CHILDREN'S HOSPICES UK.



Have a Heart Appeal is run by Heart FM. This year they are supporting Children's Hospices UK by raising money to provide care and support to local seriously ill children and their families in their own homes, as well as providing care and support for the seriously ill child. A visit from a hospice nurse can also relieve the pressure on the family allowing them to spend more time with their other children.



Catherine who is a legal assistant, and is based at ABD's Calne office works for the Probate Department. Catherine started running about a year ago and says she "loves it and has the running bug!" So far, she has competed in various 5k and 10k races locally.



Catherine's training for the Reading Half Marathon was a tough one! She started her training in the cold month of January up until the week of the race by running at least 4 times a week. A lot of people took part in the race. There were over 18,000 people running this year. The route was predominately road based around the streets of Reading Town Centre finishing in the Madjeski Stadium. Catherine completed the run in 2 hours and 6 minutes which was fantastic! She even sprinted to the finishing line! All her training was worthwhile.

With support from work colleagues, family and friends she has raised over £350 (plus gift aid) in support of Children's Hospices UK.



Catherine hopes to enter the Chippenham Half Marathon in September 2011.

So, many congratulations, and good luck for your next race. We know you will enjoy the training..



WELL DONE.









Its the taking part that counts!
Catherine with her medal and certificate.

ROYAL

David Cameron Prime Minister announced today during Prime Minister's Questions.....

Wootton Bassett is the first town in more than 100 years to be granted the title 'ROYAL' in recognition and as a tribute to the countless repatriation ceremonies that have taken place since 2007.

Wootton Bassett lies on the route the corteges currently take from RAF Lynham to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford bringing out 100's of people not only from Wootton Bassett but also the surrounding districts. People have come out in all weathers to pay their respects as the town comes to a standstill to sadly watch the fallen heroes that pass slowly by on their last journey, the families these heroes have left behind and also to the armed services.

"The Queen had agreed to the tribute as an endearing symbol of the Nation's admiration and gratitude to the people of that town."

Wootton Bassett is Britain's third ever 'Royal' town.

Leamington Spa was granted the title 'Royal' in 1838 by Queen Victoria.

Tunbridge Wells was granted the title 'Royal' in 1909 by King Edward VII.

Both these Spa towns had petitioned for honour in recognition of their antiquity and Royal patronage of their facilities.

There are also a number of 'Royal Boroughs' in England.

Greenwich will become a 'Royal Borough' in 2012 in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

Caernarvon in Wales was made a 'Royal Borough' by the Queen in 1963 and was allowed to retain the honour when it ceased to be a 'Borough' in 1974.

Troop repatriation will no longer continue via Wootton Bassett when RAF Lynham closes, but until such times, the staff who are based at ABD's Wootton Bassett Office, and many others, will continue to show their respects as fallen heroes pass by.

AN UNUSUAL CASE



NEW CAR FOR OLD?? - BIG TROUBLE!

Miss J traded in her old car and purchased a brand new one from a dealership in September 2009. she took advantage of the government scrappage scheme. Miss J immediately noticed that there appeared to be excessive condensation in the vehicle and raised this issue with the sales team on the handover checklist. Shortly thereafter a serious leak also developed in the rear footwell and the condensation worsened, especially in the colder weather. As a result, she made it clear that she wished to reject the vehicle under the Sale of Goods Act 1979.



The dealership insisted that tests and repairs should be carried out before they could consider a formal rejection of the vehicle. A number of repairs were carried out on the vehicle throughout 2010 and Miss J was offered as a goodwill gesture the sum of £500.



Unfortunately, the issue of the excessive condensation and damp continued and Miss J reiterated her request to reject the vehicle in May 2010. The dealership insisted that the vehicle was of satisfactory quality and continued to insist on further tests and repairs. As the weather began to get colder, ice started to form on the inside of the vehicle as a result of the defects.



Miss J by this stage had had enough and decided to seek legal advice in December 2010 from Tim Hotchkiss who is based at ABD's Wootton Bassett Office. Tim is a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives and specialises in Consumer Disputes. Tim sent a letter before action to the dealership making it clear that the vehicle was not of satisfactory quality and that it was deemed to be faulty at purchase. This was because Miss J had found faults with the vehicle within 6 months of purchase. Tim quoted and relied on all appropriate Statute and Case Law to support Miss J's claim.

Following a productive meeting with the dealership, it was agreed that Miss J would accept a brand new '60' plate vehicle with higher specifications. This agreement included a 3 years manufacturers warranty and half a tank of fuel to cover travel expenses. This result was far more beneficial financially that a straightforward refund.

This case is considered to be unusual in that Tim was successful in negotiating a replacement vehicle some 15 months after purchase and Miss J was VERY happy indeed with the outcome.