Mac's Theatre School - The Addams Family

Awdry Baily & Douglas had the opportunity to sponsor a page in the programme for the latest Mac's Theatre School production - The Addams Family musical. 

The Devizes youth theatre aims to create and produce theatre that excites, entertains and inspires. Giving young people a real chance to shine, they produce work which truly wows.

The high standard of music, dance and drama that we saw on the evening was truly impressive, with all of the performances being superb. A real hightlight was all 85 members of the cast being on stage together at the same time! 

Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE) urges Wiltshire residents to check eligibility for LPA refund

Heather Wannell Head of Private Client at Awdry Bailey & Douglas is urging people to check their eligibility for a lasting power of attorney (LPA) fee refund, after almost two million people were overcharged by the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) between 2013 and 2017. Claimants can expect to receive a refund of up to £54, with any accrued interested since the registration was made.

So far, only 200,000 of the 1.8million people owed have claimed their refund, meaning that there’s £77million still owed to customers.

To apply for a refund visit: http://gov.uk/power-of-attorney-refund. The exact amount will depend on when the registration was made, and claims must be made by 1^st February 2021.

An LPA is an important document that gives a loved one the power to make decisions on your behalf when you can no longer do so. There are two types of LPA: a health and welfare LPA, and a property and financial affairs LPA.

Recent research from SFE found that there are only 7% of LPAs in place across the UK, meaning that millions of people are currently unprepared for later life. SFE urges anyone planning for their future to consider setting up an LPA and seek advice from a specialist lawyer.

Lakshmi Turner, Chief Executive of SFE, said: 

“Whilst it’s comforting to know that people are making provisions by putting in place LPAs, millions of families, many of whom may have been going through a tough time with elderly relatives, will have been needlessly overcharged.

“It’s good to see the OPG addressing the error, and with the deadline for applications approaching, we’re urging people to check their eligibility for a refund soon.”

Heather said:

“It takes about ten minutes to claim online. You’ll need the donor’s bank details and a copy of the LPA, if you have it. If you need help or more information about making a claim, there’s a Refunds Helpline you can contact, either via telephone on 0300 456 0300 or email poarefunds@justice.gsi.gov.uk.” 

For more information on Awdry Bailey & Douglas or SFE, please contact Heather Wannell on 01793 853200.

Bath v Newcastle Falcons match day

Awdry Bailey & Douglas were delighted to be match ball sponsor and host a table in the GWW Suite at Bath Rugby for the exciting game against Newcastle Falcons on Saturday 16th February. The match resulted in a fantastic win for Bath with four great tries from Semesa Rokoduguni, England’s Joe Cokanasiga, Will Chudley and Francois Louw which we watched from balcony seating.  The match ended in a 30-13 defeat for Newcastle.

Back Row (left to right):  Steve Harris (Bellamy Wealth Management), Andrew Marshall (Hamptons), Trevor French (Barclays), Chris Cook (Bath Rugby), Tim Hotchkiss (ABD), Bruce O’Grady (MD at Sherbourne Developments), Alex Davies (Bath Rugby), David Milligan (Sherbourne Developments) and Alex David (ABD)

Front Row (left to right):  Alistair Everett (ABD), Phil Dix (Sherbourne Developments), Rupert Lawson-Johnson (Plum UK Ltd – search agent), Jay Greatley (Blaise Commercial Finance) and Jason Hansford (Bellamy Wealth Management)

It was a pleasure to have Andrew Marshall from Hamptons International Marlborough, Trevor French from Barclays Corporate Banking, Bruce O’Grady, David Milligan and Phil Dix from Sherbourne Developments Group Ltd, Jay Greatley from Blaise Commercial Finance, Jason Hansford from Bellamy Wealth Management Ltd and Rupert Lawson Johnston of Plum UK Ltd join partners Alistair Everett, Tim Hotchkiss and Alexander David to enjoy the day.

Buying Your Home

Moving home is an exciting and positive time and our property experts at Awdry Bailey & Douglas are here to make sure that your transaction proceeds smoothly and successfully. We focus on 3 things in our offices;

• working promptly; 
• being pro-active; and 
• keeping in touch with you every step of the way.

To try and make things as thorough as possible for our clients, we have put together a '5-Step Guide to House Buying' setting out the main aspects of a conveyancing transaction.

We know how much of a difference instructing a good firm of solicitors can make and our aim is to make your experience of moving home as straightforward, stress free and easy as possible.

For more information or if you would like to speak to a member of staff in our Conveyancing Department please call  01380 722311.

WE ARE HIRING

Are you interested in being part of a modern and progressive law firm? We currently have some exciting opportunities for support staff here at Awdry Bailey & Douglas.

An enjoyable and supportive working environment is the platform upon which everything else is built. We believe that excellent client service and long term business success can only be achieved by creating a great place to work - and that is what we are offering.

We are seeking an experienced Receptionist to join our Marlborough team and a part time Legal Secretary to join our Litigation team in Devizes.

Receptionist, Marlborough

Salary - Competitive

Office - Marlborough

Start Date - ASAP

Contract - Full Time

Responsible to - The Practice Manager.

Experience - Similar experience will be a distinct advantage.

The successful candidate will be self-motivated and relish the opportunity to take on responsibility working closely with the Partners & Practice Manager.

Litigation Legal Secretary, Devizes

Salary - Competitive

Office - Devizes

Start Date - TBC

Contract – Permanent Part Time (Mon – Fri 9am – 1pm)

Responsible to - The Partners of the firm and the Head of Litigation.

Experience - Applicants must have secretarial experience and be computer literate with Microsoft Office programs. Previous legal experience would be a distinct advantage but is not essential.

To find out more or to apply, please contact Practice Manager David Turley by email at david.turley@awdrys.co.uk or call 01380 722311. Click here for further details about careers at ABD.

Attitude and character are the most important things.  We value knowledge and experience and of course they play a central role in providing great client service but your overall approach to life, work and the ability to build strong business relationships with clients and colleagues will really determine how successful you are.  That's why positive, helpful, enthusiastic people do well here and it's certainly the right environment for you if you have a wider view of life.

Core Value Awards | second quarter 2019

Awdry Bailey & Douglas are delighted to announce the winners of the firms second quarterly Core Value Awards. 

With 32 nominations in total, the Management Team had yet again a challenge on their hands to pick three members of staff this quarter.  However, there were three clear winners who have each received a trophy and a £50.00 gift voucher. They were (in no particular order):-

Rebecca Davis

Kathy Todd

Nicola Hunt

Presentations were made at our various offices last week and all three winners were recognised as having demonstrated the core values of ABD and have done so consistently throughout their time with us.

Here we share a number of the nomination testimonials and comments from other members of staff that formed a part of the nominations for Rebecca, Kathy and Nicola;

Rebecca Davis

Above: Rebecca and Head of Conveyancing Ronna Turley
Below: Rebecca and the Management Team

• Becky regularly goes beyond the call of duty.  
• She takes great pride in her work and is an immensely integral part of the team here in Chippenham. 
• Always willing to go above and beyond to assist, has a “can do” attitude and undertakes all tasks with a smile.
• At all times a great influence on the office and an asset to the firm. 
• Firstly, her singing!!
• She is so helpful and I never worry about asking as I know she won’t mind and will do her best to assist if I have queries or problems.  It doesn’t matter if she is really busy, she will still help.

Kathy Todd

Above: Kathy and Partner Tim Hotchkiss
Below: Rebecca and the Management Team

• Kathy’s work ethic is incredibly strong and her productivity levels are second to none.  
• She is instrumental in ensuring that that Commercial Department in Marlborough runs effectively, both in terms of output and in the assistance she gives everyone else in the team.
• Her organisational skills are very good and if she perceives a problem (for example with IT) she is proactive in being the person to resolve it. 
• Her work ethic really is unparalleled.  
• Her attention to detail is absolutely superb and she works incredibly well under what can often be intense pressure.
• She is one of the most productive, proactive and efficient secretaries that I have ever come across and is always willing to assist others.   

Nicola Hunt

Above: Nicola and Head of Conveyancing Ronna Turley
Below: Rebecca and the Management Team

• She takes on the additional role of file retrieval which adds to her workload yet she still has a smile on her face. 
• She recently led a team representing ABD in the local Christmas tree competition at the church. 
• Nicola is always on hand to organise any team building lunches and the like and organised secret santa this year as well.
• Nicola is positive, friendly and always on hand to help anyone, from fee earners to reception.
• Nicola continuously demonstrates total commitment to the firm and her colleagues.

We are very fortunate at ABD to have such a fantastic group of people working for us and we are grateful for all of the hard work, dedication and commitment from everyone here. It is the people in the firm that have made it a success and long may that continue.

Chippenham Business Awards 2019 | Finalists announced

After the huge success of the last two years, Awdry Bailey & Douglas are proud to once again be returning as the title sponsors of the Chippenham Business Awards 2019. 

Taking place on Thursday 21st February, the largest B2B event in Chippenham will celebrate the achievements of businesses in and around Chippenham as well as raise the profile of Chippenham as a place of thriving independent and global business.

The 12 judges met last week, and after much deliberation decided upon the finalists in each category. We look forward to bringing the business community of Chippenham together to celebrate our local talented individuals and businesses.

So, without further ado, here are your 2019 finalists:

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

City Dressing

Fab-Bricks Ltd

South West Business Finance

BEST PLACE TO WORK

Alliance Pharmaceuticals Limited

Nimble Care

Pillow May Ltd

GREEN AWARD

Aaron & Jonathon Bewley Funeral Directors

Digiprint Nettl Chippenham

SMARTech energy Ltd

APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR

Emma Benson, MJ Church (Plant) Ltd

George Fenne, Alliance Pharmaceuticals Limited

Hannah Knight, Hughes and Hughes Estate Agents Ltd

CHARITABLE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Chippenham & District Constitutional Club

J Sheppard And Son Ltd

Waste Not Want Not

CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARD

Avagio ITS Ltd

Nimble Care

The Reel Cinema Astoria

HOSPITALITY OR FOOD AND DRINK BUSINESS OF THE YEAR 

Jolly’s Irish Cafe

Ninjō Noodle Bar

Three Crowns

INDEPENDENT BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Aaron & Jonathon Bewley Funeral Directors

Fab-Bricks Ltd

The Squeeky Cleaners

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

The winner of this award will be announced during the awards ceremony

CHIPPENHAM BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

The winner of this award is a “winners winner” – an entrant whose entry stood out to the judges as an excellent example of business in the Chippenham area

For more information about ABD, or if you require any legal advice, please contact Tom Paget at our Chippenham office on 01249 478333 or by email tom.paget@awdrys.co.uk

For more information about our services please visit our website www.awdrys.co.uk

More information on the Chippenham Business Awards please visit the following website http://chippenhambusinessawards.co.uk/