News

Spooktacular window display

25th October 2022

There were some spooky happenings during carnival week in Okehampton, spiders and witches moved in to our office and some rather interesting potions were brewing!

We loved getting into the spirit of the carnival with our spooktacular window display, we may not have been placed but it was great fun putting it together and taking part.

We pass on our thanks to the committee of volunteers for making it such a success, despite the obstacles they had to navigate this year.

Well done to Dogberry & Finch Books whose display “Found” by Sam Usher won the window dressing competition.

 

          

Tips for an amicable divorce

5th October 2022

A lot of people think that the word “divorce” means a bad thing. Divorce can be a really good thing if it is done in an amicable way. Divorce doesn’t have to be all about fighting over custody or assets, it can just be about ending your marriage peacefully.

Don’t rush into anything

Take the time you need to work out what you want and what’s best for you. Divorce is a big decision and should not be taken lightly.

Be honest with yourself and your partner

If you’re going to have an amicable divorce, then both parties need to be honest with each other from the get-go. This means being truthful about your feelings, assets, debts, etc.

Don’t play the blame game

It’s easy to start blaming your partner for everything that went wrong in the relationship, but this will only lead to more arguments and resentment. If at all possible try to take responsibility for your own actions too and not get too tied up in the blame game.

Be flexible

Divorce is a process that will take time, and it’s important to be flexible during this time. Things will change and evolve and you need to be able to adapt and change with them.

Be prepared to compromise

When it comes time for negotiations, keep in mind that the divorce can’t always go your way all of the time. You’ll have to make compromises along the way (and so will they). Work hard at keeping an open dialogue throughout the divorce process.

Don’t let your divorce become a distraction from other areas of your life

It’s really easy to get wrapped up in the divorce and let other parts of your life fall by the wayside. It can become all-consuming if you’re not careful, so make sure that you keep some time for yourself and for your other interests.

Seek professional help if you need it

Divorce can be a really hard time, both emotionally and mentally. If you’re finding it difficult to cope, then seek professional help. There are plenty of people out there who can help you get through this tough time.

Put your children first

This one should go without saying, but your children should always come first during and after the Divorce. This means ensuring that they have a stable home life and are not being used as pawns in the divorce process.

 

Divorce doesn’t have to be nasty and drawn-out, it can be a clean break if both parties are willing to work together.

 

For more information on divorce or family law, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team of experts. We would be happy to help you through this difficult time.

Telephone 01392 424242 or email .

We have offices in Exeter, Crediton, Okehampton, Ottery St Mary, Budleigh Salterton and Sidmouth.

 

Gilbert Stephens @ Chagford Show

21st August 2022
A fabulous day was had at the Chagford agricultural show this week! Our talented face painter was as busy as ever, we always love seeing the children’s faces light up when they see their completed design.
The weather held out and we had a great time chatting to all of the lovely people who came to visit our stall. It was wonderful to catch up with so many people again, it’s been too long! Covid saw many of the events we attend cancelled over the last couple of years and so it has been extra special to be back out and about again seeing old friends and making new at this show, Okehampton and Honiton.
At the end of the day we drew the winners for our Grand Prize Draw, we will notify them very soon!
Thank you to everyone who came to see us this year, we’re looking forward to next year already!
Gilbert Stephens, your local solicitors with a passion for all things agricultural!
 

Gilbert Stephens step in to summer!

7th August 2022

Gilbert Stephens Solicitors stepped into summer with their attendance at the Honiton Show last week, the first of 3 agricultural shows they will be exhibiting at this summer.

The Honiton Show is always a great event, with a wide variety of attractions and stalls, and this year was no different. Our stand wasn’t far from the main ring so we loved being able to keep a close eye on the entertainment and classes being held there, and popped over to watch whenever we could.

It was great to catch up with clients and meet new faces, the day flew by in a blur of chats and laughter. We were kept busy serving refreshments and chatting to everyone who stopped by our stand. There was a real buzz, with people eager to find out more about our services; and enjoy our bacon sarnies, scones and Pimms!

The kids loved the face painting and there were some colourful designs on display! We also had lots of entries for our prize draw where you can win a pizza oven and a sit on quad bike!

If you came to see us thank you. We hope you enjoyed the show as much as we did. If you didn’t get a chance to come and say hello and enter our prize draw, don’t worry – we will be attending Okehampton Show on 11th August and Chagford on 18th August – we hope to see you there for more fun and games!

 

     

Gilbert Stephens @ Marnie Burgoyne Golf Day

28th July 2022

Our intrepid Gilbert Stephens golf tournament team took part in the Marnie Burgoyne Memorial Golf Day in aid of Hospiscare recently.  Though the team didn’t quite have the winning formula this time around, they enjoyed it nonetheless and are already looking forward to next year’s tournament!

 

Wyatt Loake said “Our team put up a good fight but were ultimately beaten by both the other teams and weather in the end’. Most importantly we had a good time and raised money for a very good cause.”

 

Thanks to the organisers and Exeter Golf & Country Club for hosting what is always a great day held in the memory of Marnie Burgoyne, Hospiscare’s first fundraisers, who was herself cared for by the hospice in 2000.

Gilbert Stephens meets fashion

28th July 2022

We were excited to support a prestigious event hosted by SSAFA (the Armed Forces Charity) at which you were able to view an exhibition of Sir Norman Hartnell’s inspired work.

 

SSAFA in Devon mounted the exhibition because Sir Norman left a huge collection of dresses and designs to his Goddaughter, their secretary, Claire Williams. 

Organiser Clive Richards said:

“We are hoping that this fantastic display will both lift the spirits of those who come along to view it, whilst at the same time, raise awareness of the essential work we do in looking after both serving and retired members of our Armed Forces and their families.”

 

Sir Norman Hartnell was described in the press as ‘Britain’s dress genius of the future’ shortly after leaving Cambridge university in 1922

This prophecy was to come true when after highly successful shows in London and Paris he quickly became the toast of the USA. His rapid success soon led to commissions from the royal family and leading film stars. 

It is true to say that he didn’t just put British fashion on the map, he created the map itself.

Amongst his royal patrons were HM Elizabeth the Queen Mother and both her daughters, Elizabeth and Margaret. He created the young Princess Elizabeth’s wedding dress in 1947, – an event which gave such a huge lift to the spirits of the British people after five long years of war.

Golf @ Gilbert Stephens

28th July 2022

Gilbert Stephens teeing up with the Budleigh Lions

Geoff Pavey from the Budleigh Lions recently picked up the Gilbert Stephens’ golf tees that everyone will use to tee off in their annual tournament – let’s hope they bring some luck to the competitors!

The tournament is taking place on 18th August at the East Devon Golf Course.   If you’d like to enter you can find the full details here.

The event raises much needed funds for the Budleigh Lions whose motto is “We Serve”.  Club members get involved in various community projects and help individuals or local organisations that need some support.

Gilbert Stephens supporting local schools & nurseries

28th July 2022

At Gilbert Stephens we love to support local schools when we can, we understand the struggles parent/teacher organisations face with funding for events and school trips.  Recently we were delighted to have donated £200 to the Cheriton Bishop Primary School PFTA,  £100 towards the cost of the Tea Tent for the Copplestone Primary School Donkey Derby and a bottle of bubbly for the Puffins nursery school fete & graduation raffle – for the parents to enjoy of course!

 

We hope the children, and teachers alike have enjoyed the last term of school and are now enjoying their well-deserved summer holidays!

 

Show Season for Gilbert Stephens!

25th July 2022

This summer, Gilbert Stephens Solicitors is hitting the road and attending three agricultural shows in the South West.   The team are looking forward to meeting local businesses and residents at the Honiton,  Okehampton, and Chagford Shows!

Vicky Thompson, CEO at Gilbert Stephens said “If you’re attending any of the shows, please come and say hello!  I’m looking forward to attending my first Devon shows and meeting everyone.  Our team will be on hand to answer any questions that visitors may have about our services.”

Refreshments on offer to those that visit the Gilbert Stephens stand will be to the usual high standard, with freshly cooked bacon sarnies in the morning, cream teas for the afternoon and Pimms available throughout the day!

Additionally, their fabulous face painter will be on hand to keep the kids happy and everyone is invited to enter the prize draw, where a winner will be drawn at random from all entries made by those attending the three shows. This year’s winner gets to take home an awesome kids ride on quad bike!

Vicky added “Gilbert Stephens Solicitors have been part of the Devon farming community for generations, so we know a thing or two about the challenges our clients face. We’re proud to continue to be part of these three shows.  They are a great opportunity for us to catch up with our clients and get a better understanding of the issues they’re dealing with. They’re also a chance for us to meet new friends and chat to other businesses, something that we’ve very much missed these last couple of years.  So, if you’re planning on going to one of these shows, make sure you drop by our stand and say hello. We’d be more than happy to chat about how we can help you.”

Gilbert Stephens Solicitors offer various legal services to the farming community including advice relating to environmental law, tax matter, tenancies, sporting rights, occupancy, planning, diversification, woodland, buying & selling property and land.  They have offices in Okehampton, Exeter, Crediton, Ottery St Mary, Sidmouth & Budleigh Salterton.  Contact them on 01837 512100  or email – or pop in to their stand for a chat!

Sunny Days! Gilbert Stephens initiates Sunny Days Policy 

25th July 2022

Last week Gilbert Stephens introduced a new ‘Sunny Days’ policy to help staff cope with hot weather.

The policy which came into effect immediately, allows all employees across the firm to take two additional days annual leave at short notice in cases of extreme heat.

CEO Vicky Thompson said: “We recognise that the recent spell of hot weather has been challenging for some of our staff. The new Sunny Days policy will help those who need to take a break from the heat to come back to work refreshed and ready to continue delivering great results for our clients.  This heatwave is unusual for the UK but with ongoing climate issues we are concerned it is something which will become more commonplace, and we want to be fully prepared, as well as flexible as possible for our staff. This new policy allows us to do that.”