Solicitors and staff from the seven Devon branches of Everys solicitors are already planning a wide range of fundraising events to help boost the income and raise the profile of the hospice charity which celebrates its 30^th anniversary this year.

In addition, each Everys office in Exeter, Exmouth, Sidmouth, Seaton, Budleigh Salterton, Honiton and Ottery St Mary will help to publicise Hospiscare events and encourage visitors to donate any loose change in the collection tins held on their reception desks.

Leading the way with the Hospiscare fundraising on behalf of Everys next weekend are Rachel Hennessey from the company’s litigation department and marketing assistant Jessica Scullion who will be gathering in the pounds by pounding the streets of Exeter in the 13 mile Great West Run on Sunday May 6^th. (See picture).

Hospiscare provides end of life care to patients and their families in Exeter, Mid and East Devon. The charity relies on £5 million of charity support each year to fund the running costs of the Exeter, Tiverton and Seaton hospices as well as vital outreach services to over 2000 patients and their families.

Commenting on the announcement of the partnership, Everys Partner Claire Lovett said: “Hospiscare serves thousands of people in the same geographical area as the majority of our Devon offices and many of us here at Everys have friends or relatives who, at some time, have been supported by this charity.

“I recently visited the hospice for the first time in 10 years and I was quite taken aback by the wide range of services they offer and the incredible energy and passion that drives the massive fundraising operation.”

Claire added: “As well as participating in the very popular Hospiscare events such as the Women’s Midnight Walks and Open Gardens, we will be raising money at our popular stand at the Honiton Show this year and using our local high street offices to promote schemes like the Hospiscare House Clearance Service.”

Hospiscare’s PR and Marketing Officer, Marc Astley said: “We are most grateful to Everys for making this long-term commitment to our charity.

“The money the team raises will help people make the most of the final chapter of their lives.”

Everys’ two Somerset offices in Bridgwater and Taunton will be supporting their local hospice, St Margaret’s which also works to improve the lives of those with terminal diagnosis in Somerset.

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Over the last year, Cavanna Homes, the largest independent home builder in the South West has maintained minimal levels of disruption to the public and high safety standards with all sites scoring between 30.5 and 35.5 points – achieving “very considerate” status.

The not for profit CCS initiative is funded by its members, who have pledged to manage their sites within a Code of Considerate Conduct which goes far beyond the UK’s statutory building requirements, encouraging a culture of best practice for the industry.

Points are awarded for compliance to eight sections of the CCS code, during unannounced site inspections which take place twice a year.

As part of the initiative, Cavanna Homes, which currently has seven development projects ongoing in the South West – The Salterns in Bideford, Cobham Fields and 504k in Plymouth, Parish Green in Lee Mill, Pebblestone at Seaton and Tower Hill in Bodmin – hold meetings with the local community before work begins to explain the construction process and listen to any concerns.

Cavanna’s Head of Construction Fred Sureshkumar said: “Each of our current developments are being built within existing communities, so it is very important that we minimise any potential disruption to our neighbours and the surrounding environment during the construction process.” He added: “Our ranking as ‘very considerate’ is extremely pleasing for the Cavanna building teams who work very hard to be good neighbours.”

Cavanna Homes registered its first site with the CCS scheme in 2007 and have extended this policy to all current and future projects.

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Partner Kate Stamp who is head of Everys’ Company and Commercial department moves to Exeter from the firm’s Honiton office. Kate who has been a partner with Everys since 1995 specialises in commercial property and is a leading UK authority on agricultural law and rural affairs.  She is one of only 50 Fellows of the Agricultural Law Association nationwide. Kate is joined by Conveyancing Executive Jon Ward who brings over ten years experience of residential and commercial property law from his previous position with Trobridges Solicitors in Plymouth.

Commenting on her move, Kate said: “There has been a rise in demand for services in our commercial property and conveyancing departments in recent months, despite continued uncertainty in the property markets. As a result we have expanded and merged the two departments in our Exeter office to enable our teams -  whose work often overlaps – to work more closely together to provide a seamless property service for our clients”.

The Exeter-based Family Law department, which has also experienced a marked rise in the number of cases, welcomes Lindy Stephens as a new Partner along with Sally Alexander as a Paralegal – a Chartered Legal Executive. Both join the firm from Foot Anstey in Exeter where Lindy was Head of the Family and Childcare division.

Commenting on the new appointments, Everys Managing Partner James Griffin said: “We are very pleased to expand the Exeter team and are delighted to welcome onboard such experienced legal practitioners.” He added: “Our regional excellence in commercial and property law, especially within the rural and agricultural sectors, is further reinforced by Kate’s move to Exeter which will strengthen our offering throughout all of our eight local practices across Devon and Somerset.”

Everys legal teams operate from Exeter city centre and local high street offices in the market and seaside towns of Honiton, Sidmouth, Exmouth, Seaton, Budleigh Salterton, Ottery St Mary, Taunton and Bridgwater.

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The new £1million Small Animal Care Centre has been designed to complement the Grade 1 registered landscape at Bicton College as well as providing top class facilities for both students and the range of large, small, exotic and companion animals they will be working with.

The new facility replaces a number of smaller units at the land-based college near East Budleigh, which are no longer fit for purpose. It will provide a hub for studies surrounding the management and care of a wide range of animals including reptiles, fish, birds, primates, alpacas and rodents.

Students aged 14 to 19 will also be able to undertake practical work in the new purpose built centre where the design of animal enclosures and the general environment demonstrate best practice and the latest thinking.

In drawing up the proposals, LHC worked with a number of agencies from the outset including English Heritage and the Garden History Society.

LHC’s Andrew Aust, from the firm’s office in Exeter, Devon, said: “Winning approval for a new building in such an environmentally sensitive site is the result of working very closely with a number of specialist groups who have provided a great deal of constructive advice throughout.”  He added:  “We set out to design a building that is not only respectful of its registered landscape setting, but which will re-invigorate and enhance the environment and the curriculum offer for this specialist Further Education College.”

The bold proposals for the Animal Care Centre include a main building, an aviary, garage and storage outbuilding, associated teaching space, and a large animal barn, with a gross internal building area of 1,191 square metres.

It will be built in an existing orchard where the grid pattern has inspired much of the layout of the new complex. Two-thirds of the orchard will remain.

Andrew Aust explained: “The function of the building and the activities within the facility, have a strong synergy with ecological and sustainable interests promoted by Bicton College and the other buildings on campus.” He added: “The building does not seek to compete or detract from the main house and its historic landscape but rather to complement and enhance them via juxtaposition of the contemporary with the traditional.  The use of subdued colour hues and natural materials enable the building to blend harmoniously with the landscape.”

Further eco-friendly aspects include passive cooling and natural ventilation; maximum use of natural daylight; south-facing photovoltaic roof panels; high levels of insulation; and water-harvesting and saving appliances.

Locally sourced, sustainable materials are being used in the construction whenever possible.

Part of the proposals include the removal of poor-quality open-sided barns.

In the submission to East Devon District planners, Dr Nicola Daniel, chairman of the Otter Valley Association said: “We applaud the meticulous research and analysis that has preceded this application and the great care that has been taken in the location, screening, unobtrusive but excellent design, local use of materials such as sandstone walling, hedging and the opportunity to improve the parkland with the removal of unsightly barns and the planting in line of the existing orchard.”

Bicton College Principal David Henley said, “Bicton College is a key destination for students studying animal care and it is important that we enhance the learning experience by providing a specialist resource and good accommodation. Animal care is an important and popular subject choice and many of our students go on to find employment here in the south west where there is a high dependency on leisure and tourism, including animal parks and related attractions.”

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Rachel Carter, who works for Wollen Michelmore, which has offices in Torquay, Dartmouth, Paignton and Newton Abbot, is one of the UK’s leading authorities in the field.

Having specialised in complex care proceedings and non-accidental injury for some years, she has noticed that over the last 18 months there has been an increased need for the representation of parents who are accused of non-accidental injury in relation to their children.  In many of the cases that she has dealt with, the parents have been found to be innocent of such allegations.

“I believe there is a renewed focus on the protection of children in the aftermath of the Baby P case,” said Rachel. “I have successfully concluded three significant cases in just the last six weeks and have seen a noticeable rise in numbers in the last 18 months of new proceedings being issued with no sign of it slowing down.”

Rachel, who takes cases from all over the UK, specialises in care proceedings involving injuries such as ‘shaken baby syndrome’, induced illness by parents who are accused of having Munchausen’s syndrome (now called Fictitious or Induced Illness), fractures and brain injuries.

Some of the recent cases she has dealt with this year included a father who shook his child in the genuine belief he would be able to resuscitate her after she had collapsed, a mother who was accused of fracturing her child’s skull when the injury in fact happened during an accidental fall, and a child with extreme prematurity making it more liable to fractures. One case involving allegations of suffocation is proceeding to the Supreme Court to seek clarification on a point of law relating to significant harm.

“Whilst it is only right that local authorities are picking up more cases where there is a belief that the children are being harmed, in some cases this means parents are wrongly accused,” said Rachel. “This means more cases are coming to court which can involve further delays and the court system being put under pressure to deal with matters swiftly, but not always effectively, which can result in injustice and horrific trauma for the family. The importance of having a solicitor experienced in non-accidental injury is vital.”

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For further information and interviews please contact Rachel Carter at Wollen Michelmore on Rachel.carter@wollenmichelmore.co.uk

The three minute film details the steps that have been taken by forestry teams since the disease Phytophthora ramorum (P.ramorum) was discovered on neighbouring woodland overlooking Sidmouth at the beginning of this year.

In the last three weeks, Clinton Devon Estates have undertaken a large-scale tree felling programme at Otterton Hill near Budleigh Salterton to create a ‘fire break’ that will help stem the spread of the disease.

Ten hectares (25 acres) of healthy Japanese larch is being felled, under licence from the Forestry Commission, to prevent the fungus-like pathogen from infecting and killing even more trees.

In the short video John Wilding, Head of Forestry and Environment at Clinton Devon Estates explains the Estates’ decision to harvest the Japanese larch timber crop and replant with Douglas fir and Scott’s pine which are more resistant to P.ramorum.  He also explains how, over time, there will be a natural regeneration of birch, ash and oak.

The video also appeals to gardeners to help in the battle against tree disease, which is originally believed to have been brought into the UK on infected plants. John Wilding asks gardeners to demand that their plant suppliers provide a guarantee of ‘clean’ plants and ‘clean’ soil in pot grown plants.  Mr Wilding said: “I would urge as many people as possible to watch the web video to understand the key role that gardening and horticultural consumers play in preventing new diseases reaching this country and affecting other tree species”.

The 3 minute webcast can be viewed on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32DHyTVV2_o

It can also be accessed via the home page of the Clinton Devon Estates website: www.clintondevon.com

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The Wills and Legacies surgery is part of the “Who will you remember?” scheme and will take place on Thursday May 3rd from 9:30am – 12:30pm at the Devon Air Ambulance Charity shop at 47 Fore Street, Topsham, Exeter, EX3 0HD.

Solicitor Hilary Quantick, Head of Everys Private Client Department, will be joined by colleague Stephen Forsey for the free drop-in surgery, which will offer practical advice to anyone considering making or updating a Will. The team will also be on hand to explain how leaving a legacy can benefit a favourite charity.

Each year Devon Air Ambulance Trust receives almost a quarter of its total donations from legacies. Fundraising Director Caroline Creer explained: “Nearly £1million of our £4.5million annual running costs are raised through the kindness and generosity of people who have remembered Devon Air Ambulance Trust in their Wills.”

Solicitor Hilary Quantick said: “Anyone can make plans to leave a legacy and if you leave a gift to charity in your Will, the money is tax free.” She added: “Making a Will not only provides peace of mind but it also secures livelihoods and can even save lives too.”

If you would like to be part of the “Who will you remember?” scheme but are unable to attend the free surgery, please telephone Everys on 0800 8840 640.

Everys solicitors who have seven offices in Devon have been selected by Devon Air Ambulance Trust as partners in this ongoing scheme. As an incentive, they are offering a 25% discount to new clients wishing to write or update their will as a result of the “Who will you remember?” campaign.

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Pebblestone is a select development of just 12 properties, situated in a quiet cul-de-sac in this picturesque seaside town. Property styles range from two-bedroom coach houses to three and four-bedroom houses, all with gardens and parking provision in the form of garages and/or parking spaces.

“Quite a lot of people had registered their interest early on and when we sent out the first brochures one couple who were in a position to proceed wanted to reserve straight away, which we were very pleased about,” said Lynn Worley, sales manager. “In terms of its style and location, Pebblestone is going to prove a very attractive development.”

The showhome will be the exclusive four-bedroom detached Pickering design, which features two en-suite bedrooms, a kitchen/breakfast room and separate dining room, study, utility and downstairs cloakroom, plus a garage and parking space. The downstairs accommodation flows from one room to another, with double doors connecting the dining room and living room, so the rooms can be opened up to create a large living space.

There are two different two-bedroom coach houses with one featuring an open-plan living style. The three-bedroom properties come in two different styles, featuring en-suites to the master bedroom and kitchen-dining rooms.  The three bedroom properties also benefit from either a garage and parking space or just parking spaces.

All properties have contemporary fitted kitchens and bathrooms and are designed to provide low-maintenance, energy-efficient living, with smoke-alarms, double-glazed windows and a 10-year NHBC Buildmark Warranty.

Prices range from £139,995 for the two-bedroom houses, from £195,995 for the three-bedroom homes and £339,995 for the four-bedroom home.

For more information on the development or to register your interest, visit the company’s website www.cavanna.co.uk or telephone Cavanna Homes on 01803 618688.

Ends

The 1700 sq m centre will be constructed adjacent to the college’s main campus at Paignton and, if all goes according to plan, building work will be complete in summer 2013.

The focal point of the new centre will be a working model of a Passivhaus built to Code 5 standard (The Code for Sustainable Homes). The Passivhaus will showcase emerging renewables and enable students to add new features or systems and remove them as they become dated.

Part-built house structures in timber and in straw bale and other low carbon construction techniques will also feature in two separate project areas in the Energy Centre, again allowing students or trade professionals to trial new renewables technologies.

Design director Mark Daley from the Plymouth studio of LHC explained: “While there are other Energy Centres in the UK that provide working exhibits, there are few, if any, that will provide the facility for fitting and retro-fitting new technology as it emerges.”

When work is complete, the college’s renewable energy courses – including Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal Installation biomass technologies, micro-generation plus a Renewable Technologies Awareness course – will be transferred from a previously refurbished building on the campus to the new Energy Centre. Additional courses will then be available in solid wall insulation and control systems.

The Energy Centre is pivotal to the college’s ambition to become a UK centre of excellence for the renewables industry, while also creating an estimated 407 jobs through the support and training it is providing to boost the sector’s growth.

Laurence Frewin, Vice Principal Corporate Services at South Devon College said:“The centre will provide a base for our specialist team to respond to the fast changing sustainable energy market and offer excellent training and employment opportunities for young people and local businesses in an outstanding up-to-date learning environment.”

The college estimates that the overall project value now stands at £6.5 million, with a £2 million award from the Skills Funding Agency, announced in February. Construction work is expected to begin this summer.

-ends

Notes to Editors

For more information or to arrange an interview please contact Annette Richman on 01392 466733

The Wills and Legacies Surgery is part of the “Who will you remember?” scheme and will take place on Tuesday 27^th March from 10am – 2pm at the Devon Air Ambulance Charity shop at 1 Rolle Street, Exmouth, EX8 1H.

Solicitor Hilary Quantick, Head of Everys Private Client Department, will be joined by colleague Stephen Forsey for the free drop-in surgery, which will offer practical advice to anyone considering making or updating a Will. The team will also be on hand to explain how leaving a legacy can benefit a favourite charity.

Each year Devon Air Ambulance Trust receives almost a quarter of its total donations from legacies. Fundraising Director Caroline Creer explained: “Nearly £1million of our £4.5million annual running costs are raised through the kindness and generosity of people who have remembered Devon Air Ambulance Trust in their Wills.”

Solicitor Hilary Quantick said: Anyone can make plans to leave a legacy and if you leave a gift to charity in your Will, the money is tax free.” She added: “Making a Will not only provides peace of mind but it also secures livelihoods and can even save lives too.”

If you would like to be part of the “Who will you remember?” scheme but are unable to attend the free surgery, please telephone Everys on 0800 8840 640.

Everys solicitors who have seven offices in Devon have been selected by Devon Air Ambulance Trust as partners in this ongoing scheme. As an incentive, they are offering a 25% discount to new clients wishing to write or update their will as a result of the “Who will you remember?” campaign.