Exeter Cathedral was filled with incredible talent on Saturday evening as the Exeter Bach Choir and Orchestra performed Bach’s Mass in B Minor in celebration of their 30th anniversary.
Among the performers were Richard Walford, Partner, and Rachael Shearmur, Senior Solicitor, both members of the Bach Society, who took to the stage as part of the choir. Their colleagues, including David Smith and Susan Hein Griggs, were in attendance with their families, showing their support and enjoying an evening of music.
Speaking after the performance, Susan said “It was a real pleasure to attend the 30th Anniversary Season performance of the Exeter Bach Choir. The orchestra, choir and soloists were beautifully led by musical director Jonathan Lucas Wood. We found the whole performance uplifting and extremely impressive.”
We were delighted to have supported this milestone event and look forward to supporting many more in the future.
Exciting things are happening at our Crediton office! We’re thrilled to announce that we have expanded, taking over the space directly above our existing office. This marks a significant milestone in our journey, providing our team with a refreshed and spacious working environment.
Yesterday was a busy one for our team as we rolled up our sleeves and tackled the big move. Boxes were packed, desks were rearranged, and plenty of coffee was consumed—but all the effort paid off. Our new office space is now fully functional, and we couldn’t be more excited about it!
Of course, no expansion would be complete without a bit of fun! Some of our management team—Dana Mulligan, Ava Hill, and Ellen Medwin—celebrated the move in a unique way, quite literally jumping for joy (and maybe even out of a few removal boxes!).
If you need to get in touch with our Crediton office, you can reach us at 01363 775566 or send an email to .
Thank you to everyone who made this move possible yesterdy!
Last week, we launched our first fundraising week in support of our new charity, raising an incredible £320 for Balloons, and what a fantastic week it was! From sweet treats to heartfelt messages and friendly competition, our team came together to raise funds for this incredible cause, which supports bereaved children. Here’s a look back at our week of fundraising fun:
We started the week on a delicious note with a Valentine’s-themed Bake Off! The competition was fierce, with some great entries, but the star baker title went to Claire Gubb for her delicious Red Velvet Cake! A big thank you to everyone who took part and to Nasim for judging. A special shoutout to Beth at the East Devon Legal Hub for baking a fantastic cake for the hub. After all, it’s never too early for a bit of cake!
Tuesday saw the office Book Exchange in full swing! Colleagues donated books, picked up new reads, and made generous contributions to Balloons. It was great to see so many book lovers sharing their favourites while raising money for such a meaningful cause.
Midweek was all about spreading kindness and appreciation. Our Acts of Kindness initiative saw beautifully packaged bags of sweet treats available for purchase, allowing colleagues to brighten each other’s day with a thoughtful gift. Alongside this, our Wall of Love was filled with heartfelt messages as colleagues took the time to express their appreciation for one another. The positivity and generosity were truly heartwarming!
Thursday was dedicated to collecting much-needed craft supplies for Balloons. Donations of books, colouring pencils, notepads, and more poured in, helping to support young bereaved children by providing them with creative ways to express their feelings. A huge thank you to everyone who contributed— we were blown away by just how much was donated! We would like to give a big shoutout to Paige Speakman for coming up with this idea, and for donating a generous amount herself!
We wrapped up our fundraising week with a lunchtime quiz, hosted by Alyson Coulson, head of our Private Client Department! Congratulations to our winners, Nik Barnes, Richard Walford, Hannah MacDonald and Madeleine Youngs!
A massive thank you to everyone who participated, donated, and helped make this week such a success. We are so proud to be supporting Balloons in their vital work. This is just the beginning—stay tuned for more fundraising events to come!
On the evening of 15th February, Crediton Parish Church hosted the Second Sight Charity Concert. Sponsored by Gilbert Stephens, the concert brought together music lovers and charity supporters for a night of inspiring performances, all in aid of a life-changing cause.
Rebecca Cox and Nysha Forsey attended on behalf of Gilbert Stephens and thoroughly enjoyed the evening. “It was a beautiful concert and very well attended so hopefully lots raised for the Charity!” said Nysha.
Second Sight is a charity dedicated to restoring sight to those suffering from blindness in India, particularly due to cataracts. Through its work, thousands of people who would otherwise remain blind have been given the gift of vision, transforming their lives and communities. The funds raised from the concert will help provide essential eye surgeries and care to those in need.
The event was a huge success with a heartwarming sense of community spirit. We would like to extend a sincere thank you to the organisers, performers, and attendees who helped make the evening so special.
For more information about Second Sight and how to contribute to their vital work, visit Second Sight’s website here.
Chipley Park was alive with excitement last weekend as the Tiverton Foxhounds Point-to-Point brought together racing enthusiasts and countryside supporters for a day of thrilling Point To Pointing. Gilbert Stephens Solicitors were proud to sponsor this much-loved event, which is a highlight in the rural sporting calendar.
Catherine Rosewell, Partner, attended on behalf of Gilbert Stephens with her family, enjoying the atmosphere and supporting this much-loved local event, despite the chilly weather!
Gilbert Stephens would like to thank the organisers for putting on such a fantastic day and to everyone who attended, adding to the exciting atmosphere.
We are thoroughly looking forward to sponsoring events like this in the future!
The Exeter Property Circle started the year on a high note with a well-attended networking event, bringing together property professionals from across Exeter and beyond. The event, which took place at The Stand Off, was a fantastic opportunity for both familiar faces and newcomers to reconnect, share insights, and explore new opportunities within the local property scene.
The highlight of the evening was an engaging talk by our guest speaker,Alistair Powe, who shared insights into the ethos and projects of Co Create Architects. The presentation showcased the firm’s work and their commitment to their local communities, sparking discussions among attendees.
Each event that Exeter Property Circle host is to raise vital funds for two local Charities: Exeter City Community Trust and The Exeter Chiefs Foundation. Both organisations play a vital role in supporting local community projects, and funds raised through these events help them continue their impactful work.
Exeter Property Circle is set for an exciting year ahead, with many more exciting events in the pipeline. Stay tuned for updates on our upcoming gatherings!
Last week we held our annual firm-wide training day at the tranquil and picturesque Buckfast Abbey Conference Centre. CEO Vicky Thompson kicked off the day with an upbeat roundup of the past year, followed by an insightful overview of the firm’s direction for 2025 and not to mention, a myriad of huge thank you’s to individual staff for contributions made to the business.
The morning featured a series of talks on risk management. Visiting speakers, Peter Bennett, Legal Management Consultant from London, Sonia Fisher and Andrew Allen from Francis Clark provided invaluable information and practical guidance.. Additionally, Richard Walford, Partner at Gilbert Stephens, offered recent updates direct from the SRA, to keep us all on our toes..
On wellbeing matters everyone then had the opportunity to hear live from Anthea Todd in Australia, author of What’s My Body Telling Me, who provided an engaging and informative session on menopause. Kim McDonald, Senior Lecturer and Solicitor at the University of Exeter and Director of the Exeter University Community Law Clinic, followed, addressing GS on the critical issue of sexual harassment in the workplace. Both sessions were met with great interest and appreciation firm wide, it was good to hear about topics that are too often not talked about openly.
A well-deserved break saw attendees enjoying a delicious lunch prepared by the team at Buckfast Abbey with some taking the opportunity to explore the stunning Abbey grounds, making the most of the unique setting for our training day.
Post-lunch, a surprise auction led by our new Financial Advisor Chris Bradley and Dana Mulligan our HR and Marketing Manager added an element of excitement to the day. Three hampers were auctioned off, with congratulations to Sarah Smith, Sean Middleton, and Wyatt Loake for their winning bids. The auction successfully raised £100 for our new Charity of the Year, Balloons—a fantastic contribution to a worthy cause.
The afternoon sessions were dedicated to enhancing client care and IT training, ensuring that the team continues to adapt to evolving professional demands with renewed confidence and expertise.
The day concluded with a final address from Partner, Catherine Rosewell, who led on our fundamental GS ethos, kindness—a strict core value at Gilbert Stephens.
A heartfelt thank you goes to our CEO, Vicky Thompson, and Office Manager, Ellen Medwin, for organising such an insightful and enriching day. Appreciation is also extended to the entire Gilbert Stephens team for their enthusiastic participation and commitment to professional growth.
The Tedburn Amateur Dramatic Society (TADS) has wowed us all with a fantastic pantomime performance of Snow White. Staged at the Tedburn St Mary Village Hall, the production brought together families, friends, and local supporters for an unforgettable show.
Gilbert Stephens Solicitors was proud to support this performance and Susan Hein Griggs, from our Private Client Department, attended Saturday night’s show. All three expressed their admiration for the hard work, creativity, and talent that went into the production.
TADS is a friendly local drama group in Tedburn St Mary, which welcomes people who enjoy singing, dancing and acting to take part in their performances. They also have a backstage crew, who build and paint the scenery, a costumes and make-up team, as well as sound and light crews.
The team at Gilbert Stephens Solicitors recognises the importance of supporting local events and organisations like the Tedburn Amateur Dramatic Society, which brings people together and strengthens the sense of community.
Congratulations to the entire team behind Snow White for delivering a performance that will be remembered for years to come!
We are delighted to announce that Balloons Charity has been voted for as our Charity of the Year for 2025. This inspiring local Charity offers vital support to children and young people aged 5–25 who are facing the loss of someone significant in their lives—or who are preparing for such a loss.
Balloons Charity provides tailored support to help young people navigate grief and loss, offering a lifeline during some of life’s most difficult moments. As a small, community-based charity, their work is deeply personal and has a transformative impact on the lives of those they support.
The announcement follows a visit from Nassim, Fundraising Officer at Balloons Charity, who gave an insightful and moving talk to our team about their mission and the essential services they provide.
“We were incredibly inspired by the work Balloons Charity does and the difference they make in the lives of young people during such challenging times,” said Vicky Thompson, CEO. “We are pleased to partner with them and support their vital work over the next year.”
Throughout the year, we will collaborate with Balloons Charity, organising fundraising events to raise as much as we can for the charity. Stay tuned for updates and opportunities to get involved in supporting Balloons Charity’s invaluable work.
On Friday 10th January, we marked the end of a meaningful and rewarding 18-month partnership with Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) as our Charity of the Year.
Over the past year and a half, our team has come together to host a variety of fundraising events, including charity weeks, bucket collections, bake-off’s, dress down days, office competitions and much more! Through these efforts, we raised an incredible total of £2,182.39 for this wonderful charity, which provides vital care and support to children with life-limiting conditions and their families.
This achievement would not have been possible without the enthusiasm and commitment from our staff. A huge thank you to everyone who got involved and contributed their time, energy, and generosity to support this cause.
A big thank you to Antonia D’Alessio, Partner, Laura Newbould, Legal Assistant, and Ava Hill, Marketing Assistant, who have worked tirelessly to organise and coordinate these events – we are incredibly grateful for their efforts throughout the year.
We have absolutely loved working alongside Henrietta, whose passion and dedication to her role has been truly inspiring. While we are sad to bring this chapter to a close, we take with us great memories and a strong sense of accomplishment. Henrietta, you will be greatly missed by us all!
As we reflect on the past 18 months, we are proud to have played a part in supporting the essential work of CHSW. We look forward to continuing our commitment to making a positive impact in the community.
For more information about Childrens Hospice South West and the work they do, click here.
This information does not constitute legal or financial advice and you are advised to seek the guidance of a lawyer or financial advisor to discuss your individual requirements.
