WINNER OF MARY PORTAS AWARD

RECOMMENDS ABD!



Awdry Bailey and Douglas partner and head of commercial Roger Chadwick received a glowing recommendation from Corina Papadopoulou, winner of the Prestigious Mary Portas "Best for Childrens" Daily Telegraph "Best Small Shops in Britain" award 2012.

KIDSEN - BEAUTIFUL THINGS FOR KIDS

Corina Papadopoulou set up her shop called Kidsen, based in London NW10. Kidsen is the UK's first Scandinavian Store selling colourful quirky design-led children's clothes, shoes, accessories and more!

Mary Portas - Britain's leading retail marketing consultant and broadcaster who is best known for her business related TV shows presented the award to Corina earlier this year at Novikov Restaurant in London's fashionable Mayfair.

ON THE ROAD TO SUCCESS....

"When I first embarked on the difficult journey of setting up my own store on a competitive high street I had no experience and if I had not been fortunate enough to meet Roger Chadwick I am sure it would have been a much more stressful process.  Roger Chadwick's "no nonsense" approach, extensive knowledge and professional manner ensured the process of securing the lease for my retail store was speedy and painless.  Roger is thorough, trustworthy and genuine.  I walked away fully understanding this complex area of my business and with a great end result.

I couldn't recommend Roger Chadwick highly enough and as a matter of fact I have with more happy customers".

Corina Papadopoulou. 

For more information go to www.kidsen.co.uk

AN INTERESTING CASE

WHERE THERE’S A WILL THERE’S A WAY

Two adult children wanted to challenge 4 wills made by their mother shortly before her death in November 2007. Their mother died of brain cancer.  But the two adult children alleged that she lacked capacity, had want of knowledge and approval, and was the subject of undue influence when making these wills…

They decided that they would seek professional advice and help from ABD solicitor Peter Shah who is the firm’s resident partner based at ABD Royal Wootton Bassett offices. Peter specialises in litigious matters and contentious probate.

The main asset of their mother’s estate was the majority shareholding in her private limited company worth several million pounds.

In 1993 she made a will simply leaving her estate to her 4 children. That will would be superseded  by the 4 later  wills  made in September and October 2007 when she left her shares in the estate into a discretionary trust which could have meant the two adult children would receive nothing.

The executors of the estate maintained that these 4 wills were valid.  There was a considerable amount of documentation to take into account including sizeable medical records, the papers of the previous solicitors who had drafted the wills, and the wills themselves which were complex documents.  What made matters worse was that one of the executors was their mother’s husband (not their father) who had benefited from a transfer of shares shortly before his wife died at a significant undervalue.

Having maintained the stance that there were no concessions, mediation took place in May 2010 to see if a settlement could be reached.  Some progress on that front was made but then the other side withdrew from the mediation process. A report was obtained from an Old Age Consultant Psychiatrist to comment on the Deceased’s state of mind when she made the wills which were the subject matter of legal challenge.  Whilst his report was not unequivocal it provided some useful pointers when court proceedings were finally issued in the High Court at the end of 2010. A defence was served by the other side, and directions for the conduct of the case were made whereby it was set down for Trial for 19 days to be heard in April.

However, at the end of 2011 after 4 years wrangling, the other side indicated that they would not contest the claim being brought by the two adult children which meant that the 2007 wills were set aside and subsequently the 1993 admitted to probate.

Peter fought a hard legal battle on behalf of his clients and, whatever the reasons, the other side had to concede the claim and the actions of the two adult children were wholly justified with thanks to Peter.

ABD TAKES PART IN...

THE WORLDS BIGGEST COFFEE MORNING – MACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT.

Awdry Bailey and Douglas Solicitors took part in the Worlds Biggest Coffee Morning last Friday, 28 September 2012 in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. The total raised including donations and gift aid amounted to over £300.

Macmillan Cancer Support is a charity registered organisation, who has helped to improve the lives of people affected by cancer in assisting with emotional, financial and practical support.  Macmillan Cancer Support raise money through coffee mornings, sponsored events, marathons, and much more…

COFFEE MORNINGS TOOK PLACE ALL OVER THE UK!

ABD clients and local business people were invited to enjoy coffee, cakes and a chat at ABD’s Marlborough Office on the Marlborough Business Park organised by ABD Solicitor Simon Lofthouse. Guests also included Mayor of Marlborough Councillor Edwina Fogg, with her husband Nick who is the town’s jazz festival organiser, and Claire Perry MP.

Coffee, cake and chat!


Photo above; ABD Partner Andrew Douglas greets Mayor of Marlborough Councillor Edwina Fogg with her husband Nick.

Photo above left; Claire Perry MP with ABD Solicitor Simon Lofthouse.

Photo above right; Local business people and clients enjoying coffee and cakes.

 













Photo above; ABD Solicitor Simon Lofthouse holding cakes which were donated from Haydens Bakery, Devizes. 

Many thanks to the suppliers who also helped with this event...

The coffee was supplied by Tesco’s in Marlborough, cakes were supplied by Haydens Bakery in Devizes, and cups were supplied by Huhtamaki based in Gosport.

Did you know?

In 1911, a young man called Douglas Macmillan saw his father die of cancer.  His father’s pain and suffering upset Douglas so much that he founded the ‘Society for the Prevention and Relief of Cancer’.

He did this because he wanted advice and information to be provided to all people who suffered with cancer, he wanted homes for patients at low or no cost, and voluntary nurses to attend to patients in their own homes.

Today, much of his legacy lives on. Macmillan is still a source of support for people living with cancer today and is a force for improving cancer care. Last year Macmillan Cancer Support celebrated their 100th birthday.

Did you know?

The first National World’s Biggest Coffee Morning took place in 1991 when approx 2,600 people registered to hold coffee mornings across the country. Since then it has raised over £60 million in total for Macmillan Cancer Support.

For more information, or if you would like to make a donation - www.coffee.macmillan.org.uk/donate.

ABD GOLF CORPORATE DAY

Wonderful weather, fantastic day…

"The sun was warm and shining. September sky was blue. An eventful occasion, with fantastic views.  ABD golf!  Their corporate day!  One to remember, and to others relay…”

Bacon Butties and fresh coffee was a great start to the day for ABD guests - especially where golf was concerned!

Above left to right; Tony Awdry, Philip O’Shea, Simon Holt, Peter Johnson, Steve Phillips, Wayne Elliott, Simon Ewings, Giles Craig and Alistair Everett.

This was followed by practise "putting" on the putting green, and checking out "technique” with golf pro Simon at the driving range just before teeing off in a four ball at appropriate timings around the famous Bowood Golf Course!

Far right above; Steve Phillips, Simon Jacobs and Alistair Everett are ready to play!

The day was a long and eventful one with four ball teams enjoying their rounds on the famous 18 hole golf course.

Below; Andrew Douglas was raring to go with microphone at the ready and to introduce players to the first tee! Meanwhile Colin Scragg tees off on the blues with his four ball companions looking on in awe!

Above; Alex David chats to Paul Warren and is joined by Wayne Elliott after a quick practice in the driving range whilst Peter Shah, Rob Hunt, Toby Huggins and Rupert Lawson-Johnston admire ABDs new AbdCare Sail on the golf course!

As the day started to end and evening began, all players were ready for a well earned pint!  At about 7.30pm a delicious 2 course supper was then served followed by coffee, chocs and prize giving.

Bottom left to right; Ian Kenworthy, Peter Shah, Richard Jaggs and Philip O’Shea. 

Above left to right; Steve Phillips, Alex Minoudis, Andrew Fleming, Andrew Douglas, Ron Yates and Ben Short.

Winners of the day included –

Best Gross Score – Philip O’Shea
Stableford prize– Andrew Fleming
Putting Champion – Richard Jaggs
Longest Drive – Mark Hulse
Nearest The Pin – Alan Hawkins
Nearest The Line – David Curwen
Most Birdies – Paul Warren

Carriages home – about 9.45pm!  Well done everyone! 

Left to right; Philip O’Shea, Rupert Lawson-Johnston, Andrew Fleming, David Curwen, Richard Jaggs and Mark Hulse.

“Wonderful weather, fantastic day! Prizes were won and taken away….”

ABD IS THE LEAD SPONSOR FOR ONE OF THE BIGGEST FAMILY OUTDOOR CELEBRATIONS IN WILTSHIRE!

The Devizes Carnival celebrates its 100th anniversary this year and ABD is proud to be the lead sponsor!

Devizes has a very long tradition of fairs, markets and carnivals...

The Devizes Carnival and International Street Festival is an exciting mix of traditional and contemporary festival styles.  It is the biggest community event in the town's calendar and one of the largest outdoor celebrations in Wiltshire. The festival consists of 2 weeks of events held in late August and early September and includes the Devizes International Street Festival, Picnic in the Park, Confetti Battle and the Carnival Procession together with a host of other supporting events.

Family Fun Events....

Picnic in the Park is a free event which has featured a range of key musicians playing live music to people who have brought along their own picnics to listen to and enjoy.

"Last year we had the biggest crowd ever, with 500 people attending. It's a fun and social event and Hillworth Park is a lovely venue."  Gazette and Herald Newspaper.

The Confetti Battle is a popular local tradition that has been taking place for many years standing, and one in which everyone can take part in. Great fun!

The Devizes Carnival Parade is a spectacular event and promises to be even more spectacular and a very special celebration this year, marking its 100th anniversary.  It starts on the green and goes through the town centre.  A free community costume making workshop has been available to all in the run up to the carnival.

ABD is the lead sponsor this year for these exciting events and is proud to be supporting the community!

Picnic in the Park - 19 August 2012
Comedy Night - 23 August 2012
Street Festival - 26 and 27 August 2012
Carnival Procession - 1 September 2012

For more information -  www.devizescarnival.co.uk

CONGRATULATIONS TO JANE DALE!

ABD PRIZE DRAW WINNER

Many congratulations to Jane Dale who won the ABD prize draw recently.

ABD prize draw takes place every 6 months and randomly selects a questionnaire that a client has completed.

Lucky winner Jane Dale was absolutely delighted to win an M & S gift card, especially as she has just moved house!

"As always, thanks to you and your firm for providing a service of a consistently high standard".  Jane Dale.

The next ABD prize draw will take place in December 2012.

A TOUGH CHALLENGE ACHIEVED..

EVERY PENNY COUNTED!

A CATCHUP WITH CATHERINE AFTER HER RACE

Many congratulations and well done to Catherine Cole (based at ABD’s Calne Office) who proudly handed over a cheque to Claire Kelly, Head of Charity Services for Wiltshire Air Ambulance.  The cheque was for the sum of £632.00.

(Left to right; Claire Kelly, Head of Charity Services for WAA, Steve Riddle, Paramedic for WAA and Catherine Cole, ABD Solicitors.)

As Catherine handed over the cheque, it was a time to briefly reminisce all the hard training she had done in the winter months prior to this race which took place on 27 May 2012 in Edinburgh.  Catherine had fulfilled one of her achievements - running the Edinburgh Marathon…

The Edinburgh Marathon started in May 2003. It is considered to be a “fast and flat” run over the traditional distance of 42.195 kilometres. This course was voted the fastest marathon run in the UK by Runners World Magazine 2008. This year more than 23,000 runners from 100 countries took part!  Organisers provided some 131,085 bottles of water along the 26.2mile route and another 29,000 or so at the finish!

Most of Catherine’s training had been done in the winter months, so it was quite a shock for her to be running in glorious sunshine and near to 25 degrees! She achieved what she had set out to do though, and finished in a fantastic time of 4 hours and 44 minutes with her friend Caroline Catt who had also trained with her. Catherine says that she could not have run it without Caroline’s support and it was a joint achievement.

Catherine and Caroline wanted to raise funds for Wiltshire Air Ambulance. Wiltshire Air Ambulance is a unique charity whose sole aim is to save the lives of people living in Wiltshire…

DID YOU KNOW?

• Air Ambulance helicopter MD EXPLORER is 12 years old.
• The Unit has been in operation for about 22 years. There are 5 paramedics, 4 police observers, and 3 pilots.
• Wiltshire has the only dedicated Air Ambulance service that can fly at night.
• It can reach anywhere in the county within 11 minutes.
• It is NOT government funded.
• It is funded only by community fundraising and donations.
• Due to its specialist equipment it can land ANYWHERE.

The daily cost to keep the Wiltshire Air Ambulance flying and saving lives is £2000.

The annual cost to keep the Wiltshire Air Ambulance flying and saving lives is £700,000

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

In order to help keep this critical life saving service going, they need support. Remember it is NOT government funded.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Click on this link www.wiltshireaireambulance.co.uk  to find out more about fundraising activities and how you could help.

Many congratulations to Catherine and also to Caroline who equally could not have achieved this without Catherine’s support and raised over £300 for Wiltshire Air Ambulance. Well done to you both – a real team effort!

What is Catherine’s next challenge? We will have to wait and see!