SPONSORED SOLELY BY ABD.....

ROCK LEGENDARY GROUP

THE YARDBIRDS

IN SUPPORT OF DEVIZES FESTIVAL

Does everybody know the Yardbirds legend? Aficionados of pop music will of course be familiar with this legendary groups history. Not naming any names of course..... Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Jim McCarty and Chris Dreja??? This band set the template for groups like Cream, Jeff Beck Group and Led Zeppelin (originally the New Yardbirds)...

"Everybody knows the Yardbirds legend, if not their music. By introducing Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page to the world, the band set the template not only for Cream, the Jeff Beck Group and Led Zeppelin (originally the New Yardbirds), but also for virtually every rock group featuring distortion, feedback and in-your-face electric-guitar virtuosity." (Devizes Festival Programme).

ABD have been both a lead and now a main sponsor of the Devizes Festival for a number of years. This year is the Festivals 30th anniversary - an event that ABD are proud to be associated with.

Last night, one of the Festivals biggest events so far, sponsored solely by ABD, The Yardbirds played in Devizes famous Corn Exchange which provided a throwback to the middle and late 60's when many famous groups played there including The Who.

ABD Partners Peter Shah, Tony Awdry, Roger Chadwick, Alistair Everett and Andrew Douglas with legendary group!

Guests were invited by personal invitation to the event last night to enjoy drinks and canapes at The Bear Hotel, Devizes followed by the opportunity to see the Yardbirds performing live.

Drinks and canapes at The Bear Hotel, Devizes

The reformed band founding members Jim McCarty (drums and backing vocals), Chris Dreja (rhythm guitarist, backing vocals) were joined by fantastic guitarists Ben King, Andy Mitchell and David Smale.

"The evening will feature The Yardbirds famous back catalogue and quite a few surprises as well". (Devizes Festival programme)

Most famous hits and recordings included "for your love" (first single to go gold), "good morning school girl", "over under sideways down", "heart full of soul", and "I wish you would".

The Corn Exchange was packed! Feet were tapping! people were dancing and swaying to the beat of the music! Everybody had a really great time!

ABD'S 2011 AGM

" No looking backwards only face forwards."

ABD's Annual General Meeting took place in the Town Hall, Devizes on 19th May 2011.

The meeting started at 11.25 am finishing at 1.05pm with a lunch to round the meeting off.

The presenting partner Andrew Douglas reviewed a solid performance for the year 2010-2011. This was followed by a review of ABD's history extending back some 260 years with a look at some of the firm's famous clients.

The second half of the meeting concentrated on the exciting and potentially rewarding challenges ahead and a detailed look at the firms strategy going forwards. This strategy had at its centre point client care and the requirement by everybody employed by ABD to meet "client's needs and exceed expectation".

The meeting finished with everybody looking forward to the new year and the challenges ahead.

PASSED WITH A DISTINCTION

SOLICITOR IN THE MAKING!

Many congratulations goes to Tim Hotchkiss who took an ILEX Land Law exam earlier in the month and passed with a "distinction"!

Tim works at ABD'S Wootton Bassett office and is a legal executive for the Litigation Team. His work primarily covers personal injury work and other consumer problems.

Tim has one more exam to take and if successful, as expected, he will start his training to become a solicitor.

Tim is star - well done Tim!

AN INTERESTING CASE!

FRAUD - meaning of - "deceit, impersonation with intent to deceive; criminal deception with the intention of gaining an advantage; a snare; a deceptive trick; a cheat or swindler; fraudulent item".


FRAUDULENT TAX BILL!


An executor acting in the estate of his late Uncle was convicted of fraud after pocketing more than £25,000 for his own use from the estate. He claimed it was needed to pay a tax bill! So he forged the signiture of his co-executor on the cheque. These things really do happen, so the moral to this story is - why not consider appointing a solicitor as a co-executor in your will so that the estate can be dealt with properly and efficiently ........and keep it out of the law courts by contacting our probate department!

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.