AWDRY BAILEY & DOUGLAS EXPANDS ITS COMMERCIAL DEPT!

Welcome on board Commercial Solicitor Jonathan Bailey

Jonathan has over 12 years experience at the highest level specialising in commercial property matters and is able to assist both companies and individuals with all their business and property needs. He will be based primarily at the Devizes office although he is happy to travel and meet clients at ABD’s other 3 offices.

Jonathan trained to become a Solicitor with Allen and Overy one of the world’s leading law firms. After qualifying as a Solicitor in 2002 he remained with Allen and Overy in London gaining experience with their commercial property team before moving to Yorkshire in 2004 where he joined Addleshaw Goddard and continued to develop his skills in commercial property working in their Leeds office.  In 2014 Jonathan decided to make the move to Wiltshire to join ABD’s rapidly expanding commercial team to improve his work life balance and also to be closer to his extended family. 

Jonathan says “I am really looking forward to building relationships with my new clients and getting to understand their business and what they want to achieve so that I can provide a fresh practical approach to them and to help their business to grow”.

Head of Commercial Roger Chadwick said “it’s great to have Jonathan on board, with his experience of top level commercial property work it gives us much greater strength in depth in our commercial property team”.

If you have a matter that you would like to talk to Jonathan about please contact him at jonathan.bailey@awdrys.co.uk or call 01380 722311.

Commercial Solicitor Jonathan Bailey

MARLBOROUGH JAZZ LIVE 2014!

This fantastic fusion of hot summer weather and balmy evenings was very apt for Marlborough Jazz Live this year!

Jazz Blues Traditional Afro Fusion Swing Latin Bebop and MORE!

Each venue was packed out with 100’s of people enjoying the live music all throughout the town and in particular down at the ABD Priory Marquee...

Friday evening events began with “Georgie Fame” opening the festival in the presence of West Country Euro-MP, Ashley Fox and the Mayor of Marlborough outside the Castle and Ball Hotel. 

A FULL HOUSE - ABD PRIORY MARQUEE HITS THE SPOT AGAIN!

Mr Fame then went on to sing with Alan Skidmore quartet in the ABD Priory Marquee after The Red Stripe Bands amazing swinging boogie-woogie, rock ‘n’ roll and jump jive performance with Neil Drinkwater on piano and vocals.

Sticky Wicket and his Swing Orchestra kicked Saturday off to a winning start with Sticky doing “his thing” on the drums!  This is 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s Swing at its best! 

Thunder and rains were not part of the Marlborough Jazz agenda but certainly sheltered the huge crowd of onlookers in the ABD Priory Marquee whilst they listened to The Bratislava Hot Serenaders as the “heavens opened” and The Serenaders Sisters sang! Formed in 1992 the 18 piece orchestra who specialise in the 1920’s revival of the American Hot Jazz brought the house down!!  They will be back next year!!

The heavens opened whilst The Bratislava Hot Serenaders played on!

“A J Brown a shiny new start – great voice, great guy – catch him while you can!”  Clare Teal

A.J. Brown was in the marquee this year – not with Clare Teal but this time on his own with his 12-piece signature show band performing the classic big band numbers! 

The Adam Winslet Band which is an eight piece band, comprising vocals, guitar, drums, keyboards, bass, sax, trumpet and trombone, ended the evening with some soothing funk, rock and soul which went on into the late balmy night. The marquee was packed out and absolutely heaving with people! A great night!

ABD Priory Marquee was heaving with people!

A SUMMERS DAY AT THE ABD PRIORY MARQUEE -

SHE’S BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND...

Behind the Scenes! ABD Partner Andrew Douglas, Clare Teal and ABD Solicitor Nicola Hibbert 

Back by popular demand in the ABD Priory Marquee was UK jazz megastar Clare Teal with her mini Big Band singing all the favourites.  Even ABD Partner Andrew Douglas had the opportunity to chat to Clare on stage during her performance and clicked his fingers to her song! What a way to end the show! 

FINGER CLICKING GOOD!

ABD Partner Andrew Douglas with Clare Teal on stage.

What a grand finale! Roll on next year!!

An interesting case...

“Mediation” Success for

Dyslexic Bullied and Harassed Victim!  

Awdry Bailey & Douglas Solicitors were once again recently involved in yet another successful mediation to conclude a claim for personal injury arising from a stress at work claim, which avoided the need for what would have been an expensive, lengthy and undoubtedly stressful trial for the client...  

The client was employed as a teacher at a secondary school in the Reading area in the summer of 2008.  The client suffered from dyslexia which meant that she needed to have certain conditions in place such as structure to her work environment.

However, the college failed to provide her with the necessary backup to enable her to undertake her job, chopped and changed her line management cycle and adopted a bullying and harassing approach allied to increasing the work that she was required to undertake, which resulted in her being signed off sick because of work related stress.  

The client became depressed and could not return to work.  She resigned her position at school and has been unable to work ever since.  

The client instructed Awdry Bailey & Douglas to act for her in bringing a claim for compensation in relation to the psychological injury she had suffered, and for her financial losses which consisted of substantial claims for loss of past and future income and pension.  

Liability for the claim was hotly contested by the school’s local education authority.  They denied the allegations made which resulted in Court proceedings being brought by the client against the Client’s employers.  

Both parties obtained expert medical evidence to support their case and the matter was heading for an eight day contested trial when the parties took place in a mediation in London.

Without any admission of liability, the parties negotiated a successful settlement which resulted in the client receiving substantial compensation, plus payment of her legal costs, the claim having been funded by a Conditional Fee Agreement (no win no fee). 

The whole process had been extremely difficult for the client but the use of mediation as a means of bringing the parties together in a less confrontational way than might otherwise have been the case at a trial, resulted in the successful conclusion.

Team Building Day Out – Awdrys Beasts and Dragons!

Dragon boat racing is becoming a more popular event which is why ABD Team decided to take part...

The weather was gorgeous last Saturday as Chippenham Town were busy preparing for teams to take part in a Dragon Boat Race organised by the Rotary Club of Chippenham Wiltshire Vale. This is the 6th annual race.

14 teams took part including Awdry Bailey & Douglas Team who decided to change their name to Awdrys Beasts & Dragons! The event took place at Monkton Park on the River Avon.

Left to right: Tom Paget, Cindy Ervine, Catherine Cole, Alexander David, Natalie Moffat Vellenoweth, Jonathon Bailey, Stacey Jones, Matthew Middleditch, Samantha-Jane Walters, Eve Clark, Chelsea Langdon, Sasha Douglas, Roger Chadwick, Carmen Middleditch, Rachael Jones and Robina Vaux.

This wasn't about the winning; it was about the taking part that counted and raising money towards charities.

The total amount raised by ABD from taking part in this fun event was £505 which will be going to ABD’s chosen charity Age UK Wiltshire.

ABD SUPPORTING DEVIZES FESTIVAL EVENT – JUNE 2014

Left to right: Partner and Head of Commercial Dept - Roger Chadwick, ABD Partner - Andrew Douglas and PR, Events and Marketing Manager - Keshani Douglas with David Starkey.

Awdry Bailey & Douglas were proud to sponsor and support Devizes Festival 2014 again this year.  The festival now in its 32nd year just keeps on growing!  There was once again a fantastic variety of performers including controversial historian David Starkey talking about “The Tudors and Us” and also stand up female comedian - Jenny Eclair with her new show “Eclairious”. As Key Sponsors of the festival generally, Awdry Bailey & Douglas were delighted to be sponsoring these events in particular and look forward to supporting the festival again next year.

PR, Events and Marketing Manager - Keshani Douglas with Jenny Éclair

Marlborough International Jazz Festival and Awdry Bailey & Douglas

Marlborough International Jazz Festival is a huge event that takes place annually over a weekend in the month of July.  Thousands of people attend. The Priory Marquee is a popular “hot” spot during the jazz festival. 

PR, Events and Marketing Manager Keshani Douglas takes time out from her busy schedule to chat  to us regarding Awdry Bailey and Douglas Solicitors (“ABD”)  and their sponsorship involvement at Marlborough’s busiest events -  Marlborough International Jazz Festival... 

Keshani, how did you get involved with ABD?

I have been involved with ABD for some 20 years plus in various capacities.  ABD has existed since approximately 1750 so it goes back a long way.  We have offices in Chippenham, Devizes, Royal Wootton Bassett as well as Marlborough.  The Marlborough office was set up in 2007 and has been very busy ever since. 

What is your role at ABD?

My role is PR, Events and Marketing Manager at ABD. My career path has always been heavily involved in marketing and selling which I thoroughly enjoy. I used to work for a company that taught businesses how to market, sell and advertise which is where I got my skills from. I then went on to selling for a number of years.  Event organising is a skill which I really enjoy – it is really hard work though and lot of people do not realise this. It is all about the work behind the scenes as well as on the day in order to make it run smoothly.

My capacity as PR, Events and Marketing Manager became more involved with ABD about 3 years ago when I organised seminars and events as well as blog writing. It really took off from there. ABD realised how important marketing is and decided to employ me!! I always welcome and enjoy the marketing challenges thrown at me and my role is forever developing in different marketing directions!  I organised a seminar recently and 100 people attended. My job can be very stressful because everything depends on deadline dates. I am very particular about the way I work. Everything has to be exactly right. Timing and organisation is key.  I have a pen and notebook by my bed and wake up in the middle of the night and jot notes down - normally a “to do” list.  ABD is a high profile firm having been recognised nationally and we also like to support a lot of local events and charities where possible.  

How did the firm get involved with Marlborough Jazz?

Marlborough International Jazz is a very popular and exciting 3 day festival that takes place over a weekend in many venues across the town of Marlborough. It takes place annually. The town really does become like a mini New Orleans!  

ABD became involved as a main sponsor in 2008.  The firm felt that it was important to be part of the community and also to help support the towns’ events.  We sponsor the Priory Gardens Marquee which takes a massive amount of people. The tent is normally packed out come rain or shine during the Marlborough Jazz weekend. Famous musicians such as Clare Teal, Georgie Fame, Jive Aces (UK’s No 1 Swing band) , Aker Bilk , legendary Buddy Greco (survivor of Hollywood’s famous “rat pack”) plus many more have all performed in the Marquee. This festival attracts as well as locals, thousands of people from all over the country!  

What happens over the Jazz weekend in the Priory Marquee?

It’s a really exciting weekend there is a real buzz throughout the town as people get ready for the festival. As soon as the marquee is set up the entertainers arrive with their gear. They normally get practising as soon as they can before the seats are filled.  Our banners and balloons are set up around the marquee to help get the event off to a great start. Friday night in the marquee always has people swaying and dancing whilst enjoying the beat of the music – it’s like one big party! Saturday throughout the day and evening is very busy with different bands entertaining. Sunday tends to be a little more civilised. It then ends on Sunday afternoon and everything is taken down and packed away until next time.  

Do you have any other events and seminars coming up?

Yes, plenty. But I am on holiday soon just for a break! No doubt I will keep connected with my computer though! 

Keshani Douglas PR, Events and Marketing Manager 
01380 722311 
keshani.douglas@awdrys.co.uk

Find out more about Marlborough Jazz at www.marlboroughjazz.com 

ABD WAS PROUD TO SPONSOR JENNY ÉCLAIR

IT WAS ABSOLUTELY ECLAIRIOUS!

Devizes Festival 2014 season has started and ABD is proud to be a Key Sponsor of the whole event. The festival runs from 4 – 22 June inclusive and recently an event took place that they were delighted to sponsor in particular...

The ABD Property Team invited their guests to “An evening with Jenny Éclair” which took place in the Corn Exchange on the evening of Wednesday 4 June 2014 – the opening night of the festival. 

After enjoying a lovely two course buffet in the Peppermill Restaurant especially created by Head Chef Leon Sheppard and his team, ABD Team and their guests seated themselves in the Corn Exchange in readiness to enjoy the show “Eclairious”.  The Corn Exchange was as you can imagine a “busy” venue that night.

Owner of the Peppermill Restaurant Philip Oshea and his head chef Leon Sheppard put on a fabulous spread of food.

Left to right: Julie Packer, Amanda Burrows, Victoria Wakefield and Nikki Capp

Left to right: Helen Beck, Julie Fellows, Jas Chahal and Alison Latham

Left to right: Ellie Cameron-Daum, Rosie Heath, Karen Damon, and Kathryn Roker

Left to right: Emma Woodhead, Ronna Turley, Jenny Bowyer and Hilary Swift

Left to right: Jane Slusarczy, Angela Kirkpatrick, Sue George, Sarah Walker and Louise Burrows

Left to right:  Liz Young, Angela Armstrong, Ali Bowen and Lisa Sidwell

Left to right:  Alison Cross, Lucinda Weeks, Sophie Delahunty, Samantha-Jane Walters, Becky Speed and Izzy Lawrence

Who is Jenny Éclair?

Jenny Éclair is a woman of many talents and due to popular demand following her recent successful previous tours she was back with her new stand up show Eclairious!

Trained as a straight actress she has appeared on TV series “Holby City” and “The Bill” but you may recognise her more so from TV shows such as “I am a celebrity... Get me out of here”, “Grumpy Old Women”, “Celebrity Masterchef”, “This Morning” and “Loose Women”. Jenny is also writer, radio show host and pantomime star! 

There wasn’t a dry eye in the house! 

From the moment she appeared until the moment she finished, Jenny was hilarious – there wasn't a dry eye in the house! The laughter just kept on going.  After she finished her show she did a book signing session and a little later on took time out to chat and have photos taken with Keshani Douglas, PR, Events and Marketing Manager at ABD. Keshani said “she is just so funny, a delight to talk to and such a lovely person with it”.

Left to right: Keshani with Jenny Éclair

For more information about Devizes Festival and events taking place go to www.devizesfestival.co.uk 


For more information about Jenny Éclair go to www.jennyeclair.com