News

DEVON COUNTY SHOW GIVEAWAY WINNER

18th May 2018

Congratulations to Di Moxey who won our Devon County Show tickets Giveaway!

Nigel McKay Partner at Gilbert Stephens Solicitors handed over the guest passes to Di and her grandson Charlie.

We hope you have a fabulous day at the show and that the sun will be shinning!

Thank you to everyone who entered and if you are attending the show we’d love to see your photos, share them with us either on our Facebook page or tag us in on Twitter.

ABF Soldiers’ Charity concert on 16th June

16th May 2018

We are very much looking forward to the ABF Soldiers’ Charity concert on 16th June at the Exeter Cathedral and very happy to be able to sponsor this moving event – be sure to get your tickets – find out more here

“World renowned violinist, Sophie Rosa, will perform at Exeter Cathedral together with The Exeter Symphony Orchestra and Exeter Philharmonic Choir to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. Titled Semper Fidelis, the June concert will commemorate the courage and sacrifice of those who gave their lives, including the 2nd Battalion Devonshire Regiment, who fought one of the fiercest battles of the First World War.”

 

Gilbert Stephens Solicitors continue sponsorship of Ottery St Mary Church

15th May 2018

We are really pleased to be able to again sponsor the beautiful Ottery St Mary Church this year.

http://www.otterystmary.org.uk/

“St Mary’s is a place where we aim to provide a range of services and activities so that everyone can find a home here. Weekly services include both traditional and modern worship, with regular events such as a service for young children and a healing service. Members of St. Mary’s are involved in many groups and ventures, please explore our website to find out more about them.”

Be sure to visit when in Ottery St Mary and take a look at their various events throughout the year.

What is a Lasting Power of Attorney?

10th May 2018

Lasting Powers of Attorney (often called LPAs) are a vital part of everyone’s estate planning. When you make a Will you are putting your affairs in good order in the event of your death, and part of that process is to choose the people who will oversee that process. Some would say that it is even more important to choose who will make decisions on your behalf and administer your finances during your lifetime if you become unable to do so yourself. That is the vital job which Lasting Powers of Attorney can do for you.

 

This is why we recommend to all of our clients that they sign both a Lasting Power of Attorney for Property and Financial Affairs and a Lasting Power of Attorney for Health and Welfare. These have to be done as two separate LPA’s but that may be an advantage as the people who will make the best job of looking after financial matters may not be the same as those who you would like to make decisions about where you live and what care and medical treatment you need.

 

Find out more by contacting our team at Gilbert Stephens 01392 424242

Dementia Action Week

6th May 2018

This year, Dementia Awareness Week is changing to Dementia Action Week (21 to 27 May). Raising awareness and offering support will always be important, but it’s time we all act to make change happen for people affected by dementia.

 

In the UK, one person develops dementia every three minutes, yet too many people feel excluded and face the disease alone.

 

That’s why, this Dementia Action Week, they are asking people to unite and take actions big and small to make a difference to the everyday lives of people with dementia. It could be as simple as being more patient in queues or helping make your business dementia-friendly

 

At Gilbert Stephens we are ensuring our staff are aware of Dementia Action Week and asking them to do just this.   We are working alongside Gina Awad of Exeter Dementia Action Alliance to become a member and ensure our staff are Dementia Friends.   Find out more about Dementia Action Week and how you can get involved here

 

#DAW2018

Gilbert Stephens YPN at Cote

3rd May 2018

Gilbert Stephens YPN enjoyed a delicious breakfast at Cote in Exeter for their last networking event on Thursday morning.  Thanks to Cote for hosting and to all those who attended – looking forward to the next one!

 

Gilbert Stephens Young Professionals Network is the Exeter based Young Professionals Network (YPN) and offers members a chance to network with like minded professionals on an informal basis. The network was set up by Gilbert Stephens in 2010 to provide the firm’s younger members to build their own network of contacts in the Exeter area. The group has grown annually and now has over 300 members from industry, professional services and the charity sector.  Find out more about the YPN here and how to join

   

Terry Bastyan has been picked by 3 Best Rated as one of the top 3 Family Law solicitors in Exeter.

2nd May 2018

3 Best Rated handpick their best three using their 50-Point Inspection which includes checking reputation, history, complaints, local reviews, satisfaction, trust and cost and excellence.

 

Terry qualified as a solicitor in 1979 and is a specialist in Family Law with particular emphasis on the financial consequences of relationship breakdown, including issues relating to property and pensions. He is also an experienced Family Mediator, dealing with all issues, and is qualified to meet with children as part of the mediation process. He has trained and practises as a Collaborative Lawyer and is a member of the Law Society’s Panels for both Family Law and Family Mediation. He is also a member of Resolution.

 

Terry has an excellent track record with one review stating  “Excellent – The care and consideration you have shown with me and other family members. There has always been a way to make contact when necessary”.  It is no surprise to us that he should be amongst the top 3 family solicitors in Exeter and we’re delighted his expertise have been recognised.

 

If you have a family law issue and need a solicitor you can contact us on 01392 424242

Read his details on their website here

Office closures Monday 30th April

29th April 2018

Please note all our branches will be closed Monday 30th April for staff training.  We apologise for any inconvenience.  We will reopen at 9am on Tuesday 1st May.

Dana’s First Training Blog for the Nello Bike Ride in aid of Force Cancer Charity

26th April 2018

Gilbert Stephens again have a team taking part in the Nello Bike Ride to raise money for Force Cancer Charity.  The participants will be doing regular training and we will keep you up to date with how it’s going.  Here is Dana’s blog following the first training session last weekend.  If you would like to donate to our cause please follow our Virgin Money Giving link here

It was maybe a risk to choose Friday 13th as the date to buy my marvellous new Trek bike for the Nello bike ride in aid of Force Cancer Charity and I was hoping that the date would not turn out to be a bad omen. There were a range of amazing bikes on offer, and I’ll admit I was pretty clueless, but thankfully Ben from the Bike Shed, sponsors of the Nello, was on hand to help me find the one that was right for me.

Apparently, you don’t just go by the colour…….

Saturday 14th came around and I woke with a feeling of excitement (or possibly dread) at the thought of picking up my brand new bike from the Bike Shed on Fore Street in Exeter. That day, having survived Friday the 13th, I felt that luck was on my side. I decided to bond with my new bike and ride it the whole mile (perhaps less) back home. As it turned out, Friday the 13th was still in effect: I made my way down Fore Street (still on the bike) and took a left onto West Street. My bike, being, like me, independently minded, didn’t agree with turning left and instead took its own path, causing me to go flying onto the crossbar of the bike which resulted in personal injuries that caused me a lot of pain!

After a few moments, I jumped up and discreetly brushed myself down, trying to cover up the embarrassment I was feeling. As I made my way (carefully) home avoiding those left turns that were clearly so unpopular with the bike, I wondered why on earth I had signed up to this event. I clearly struggle to cycle a few feet – how was I going to cope with miles?

Our first training day on Sunday 22nd April came around and, at 8am, it was time for training to commence. I woke up fresh and ready to tackle whatever the training had in store for me, reassuring myself that, (perhaps by avoiding those unpopular left turns) my mishap on Saturday couldn’t possibly happen again – how unlucky could one girl be?  Fully prepared with my shiny and undented bike, my illuminous pink helmet, and my well-padded cycling leggings, I headed out the door: all the gear but no idea…

I jumped onto my bike and cycled without incident to the meeting point at Glass House Lane with Mike, Marcus and his daughter. At this point I was all jokes and laughter, completely oblivious to the challenges and struggles that would face me. When we arrived at Glass House Lane, I was greeted with big smiles by my fellow cyclists from Gilbert Stephens Solicitors.

Beautiful views

It was rapidly clear that Don Middlemost had taken his place as our commander-in-chief, outlining where we would be cycling and where each of us would be positioned in our convoy. At this point, I still imagined it would be a nice relaxed ride and that we would be out for only an hour or so, pootling along and having fun. This may have been a mistake…

We cycled for what seemed like an eternity through so many villages that, despite being local, I had never heard of before. This being Devon, we climbed up so many hills that it felt like I was making an attempt on Mount Everest and my legs quickly turned to jelly.

It was still early in the day when I started feeling these effects and I began to think that the pain would never end! At every junction, my fellow cyclists stopped to wait for me, but as soon as I caught up with them they would enthusiastically yell “go, go, go” we were off again!

Exhausted!

Every time I asked how long we had left to go, I would get the answer ‘a little while yet’, but for me ‘a little while yet’ seemed to go on forever. By that time, it was safe to say that I felt like I was the weakest link. Thankfully Mark Dowling was there to take me under his wing by encouraging me to keep going and I was motivated by remembering that we were doing this for Force Cancer Charity, so I kept pushing myself past limits I thought I couldn’t reach.

At last I reached the end of the ride, jumped off the bike and promptly collapsed at the side of the road (“jumped” might be overstating it given my complete lack of energy). Every muscle in my body was aching and I thought, at that point, that I would never cycle again.  I hadn’t realised that cycling would be so difficult, but when I found out we had covered 32 miles, it was all worth it and I felt a huge sense of accomplishment, especially as the last time I didn’t even manage a mile!

Our route

The first training session was harder than I could have ever imagined but I will keep going. This is a sponsored event after all, and so it should be a challenge. My continuing mission is to raise money for Force Cancer Charity because the struggle I am going to go through is absolutely nothing compared to the people and families living with cancer.

Our next training session is Sunday 29th April – keep following for my progress and that of my fellow Gilbert Stephens cyclists – it will get easier….. won’t it?!

Still smiling!

 

If you would like to donate to our cause please follow our Giving link here https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/GilbertStephensNello