Changing Lives – The Cullimore Dutton Newsletter

CHESTER HIGHLIGHTS WHAT’S ON GUIDE

7 February at 9:30am - 5 March at 5:00pm

Gaia by Night at Chester Cathedral

Chester Cathedral Chester

1 March – 5 March

The Rocky Horror Show At Storyhouse

Storyhouse, Hunter Street Storyhouse, Hunter Street, Chester

6 March at 8:00pm - 11:00pm

Alexander’s Live Music Monday

Alexander’s Live, Northgate Street, Chester

8 March at 8:00am - 5:00pm

International Women’s Brew Day

Brewhouse & Kitchen Love Street, Chester

11 March - 12 March

Storyhouse Women – a weekend festival

Storyhouse, Hunter Street Storyhouse, Hunter Street, Chester

April 13 at 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm

The Captains Club at the Chester Grosvenor

With Welsh former international rugby union player and TV pundit, Sam Warburton

Chester Grosvenor Eastgate St, Chester

from May 10

Chester Races 2023 – Fixtures

Chester Racecourse The Racecourse, Chester

WELCOME TO OUR LATEST NEWSLETTER

This month’s newsletter follows a health and wellbeing focus.

Find out why Senior Paralegal Sarah Gill moved from a dental to a legal career and how she is bang on trend growing her own fruit and vegetables.

Read how Adele, our inspirational Head of Wills & Probate, is giving back to the organisations who supported her through her cancer recovery.

You can also hear what challenges some of the runners in Cullimore Dutton are up to in the coming weeks and their tips for getting motivated.

We’ve also got some useful financial advice for you, an update on our fast-growing Mid-Week Mixer club for young professionals in the city and a story on a secret tower in Chester which is open to the public this weekend.

Andrew Wright Managing Director #WeChangeLives

We have a host of tips and advice on the Knowledge Hub area of our website. You’ll find everything from understanding inheritance tax and the secrets to a good divorce, and what you need to know when leasing a commercial unit. Here are a selection of our recent guides and articles:

• Are you too young for an LPA?

• Quick guide to LPAs

• Unravelling inheritance tax

• Mould and maintenance in rented housing

• A quick guide to wills

• Fixed Fee Divorce – Don’t gamble with your future

• A tenant’s quick guide to leasing a commercial unit

• Changes to capital gains tax provide a boost for divorcing couples

FROM DENTAL NURSE TO SENIOR PARALEGAL

Senior Paralegal Sarah Gill joined our busy Wills & Probate Team in 2017. Here she talks about her former career as a dental nurse and what inspired her to retrain in the law.

How did you get into the law?

I grew up on the Wirral and when l left school I did a secretarial course at my local college, then started my first job as a receptionist for a firm of solicitors.

After being promoted to secretary, an opportunity came up to work in the NHS and train as a dental nurse – my original ambition. I worked for the Community Dental Service on the Wirral for four years and absolutely loved it.

My husband’s job took us both to Yorkshire for a number of years. I couldn’t find a job as a community dental nurse so went back to work for a firm of solicitors.

When we returned to the North West in my early thirties, I was offered a job as a paralegal and spent two years studying remotely for a Specialist Paralegal Qualification in Wills, Probate and Administration through the University of Strathclyde.

It’s a very rare qualification to have in England and there are not many of us. But it’s excellent because it provides you with the

knowledge and understanding of the procedures involved in the preparation of wills and the administration of estates.

It also provides formal learning and a recognised qualification to bolster my many years of experience in wills and probate.

What do you love about your work?

It’s just brilliant. As a Senior Paralegal I’ve got my own case load of about seventy files at any one time. These can range from straightforward wills and grant applications to making a lasting power of attorney. I am also able to assist charities on occasion, such as Cancer Research UK via their free will service.

Like many of us on the team, I’ve had Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Friends training which teaches you about the signs and symptoms of dementia and the small ways you can help people through a better understanding of the condition.

The training is really helpful when you’re giving advice on wills and considering a person’s capacity to sign.

It may sound cheesy but I want everyone to have what they have the right to. I also like helping people. I get calls from people every day who have lost a parent or sibling and it’s good knowing I can help them at a time when they are most distressed and grieving.

Most people see probate as a bit of a minefield, but I carefully guide them through it step by step. You are the one on their side and who is thinking straight for them at a time of need. It makes it all worthwhile when someone drops you a little note afterwards to thank you for making a difference.

Would you recommend a career in the law? Yes, definitely. My career journey shows that you don’t have to get into the law via a traditional path such as taking a law degree. I’d love to see more people coming in to the legal profession as paralegals.

Many will want to work their way up to become a solicitor but there are exciting career opportunities to grow and stay as a paralegal.

I was 41 when I qualified, and I believe my life experience brings a lot to the role. It’s also good fun to now be mentoring some of my younger colleagues who have joined Cullimore Dutton in their first jobs.

Life outside work?

The supermarkets recently announced a shortage of fruit and vegetables in the UK so I’m pleased I’ve been growing my own for years. In my small garden I grow all sorts from potatoes, onions and garlic to herbs, rhubarb, tomatoes and lettuce.

I’ve got strawberry plants and golden raspberries ready to go this summer too.

There’s nothing quite like growing your own produce, picking it and eating it minutes later. Any surplus I don’t need I exchange with my local fruit and veg swap shop.

Baking is an absolute passion and I’m known at work for my gooey centred cupcakes which I often make for work fundraising events. I love watching Bake Off but I’d never want to go on it – far too stressful!

Like quite a few of my colleagues, I’m into running too. I’m a run director for Parkrun, helping over 100 runners walk, jog or run 5km every Saturday morning, and involved with the Whitchurch Whippets, a friendly road running club for adults of all abilities.

I was initially terrified of joining a running club – I thought everyone was going to be Paula Radcliffe standard – but a pal persuaded me to give it a go. We have everything from an injury group for runners who want to walk while they recover to people new to running who can only do a minute and want to build up to 5km.

Staying fit, being social and having fun are just three great benefits from doing it.

GIVING BACK…

Last weekend, Adele Bebbington-Plant’s twin boys placed a medal around their mum’s neck. The medal was for completing a 50-mile treadmill run undertaken in stages throughout February. But it represented so much more.

Adele, one of our brilliant directors and Head of Wills & Probate, has recently returned to work after recovering from breast cancer.

As well as throwing herself back into work, she is on a mission to raise awareness and money for all the organisations that have helped her over the past 18 months. One of them is Maggie’s, which has centres around the country as well as in Manchester and the Wirral which Adele attended.

Maggie’s is a charity which provides free cancer support and information as well as support specialists and psychologists.

Adele said: “Maggie’s is an incredible calm and relaxing place with excellent emotional and practical advice and support and where you can meet other people going through the same things as you. They helped me enormously during a gruelling diagnosis and treatment schedule.

“I’m a busy mum and I want to be as fit and healthy as I can be for my family. They need me. I signed up to do Maggie’s ‘Run 50 Facebook Challenge’ which was to run 50 miles in February to help support people with cancer. So far, I’m delighted to have raised over £360.

“My family have been amazing. The children have cheered me on, brought me drinks of

water and taken it in turns on the treadmill too. I gradually clocked up the miles over the month and it was a very poignant moment when I unwrapped the medal from Maggie’s and they put it over my head.”

Adele joined Cullimore Dutton as a trainee solicitor in 2005 after qualifying from Chester College of Law. She advises on all aspects of private client work including wills, inheritance tax planning, probate and estate planning. Her team works closely with the firm’s in-house independent financial experts to offer clients a unique multipronged approach.

She said: “I started my career with Cullimore Dutton and I can’t imagine working anywhere else. We have a fantastic team of people. We’re all hardworking, supportive of each other, keen to work collaboratively across our various departments and pull in the same direction which is great for our clients. It’s good to be back.”

Andrew Wright, Managing Director of Cullimore Dutton, said: “We are delighted to welcome Adele back into the business and we’re incredibly proud of her.”

City Day

Ladies Day

Cup Day

Roman Day

Wednesday 10th

Thursday 11th

Friday 12th

Saturday 27th

Summer Saturday

Ladies Evening

Saturday 17th

Friday 30th

Summer Festival

Ladies & Gents Evening

City Plate Day

Saturday 1st

Friday 14th

Saturday 15th

Family Fun Day

Sunday 6th

Ladies Day

Autumn Festival Friday

Autumn Festival Saturday

Watergate Cup Day

Saturday 2nd

Friday 15th

Saturday 16th

Saturday 30th

Season FInale

Saturday 14th

OUR CHESTER 10K RUNNERS

Three of our team are busy training for this year’s sell out MBNA Chester 10K which takes place on March 12th and is celebrating its sixth year.

Sarah Butt, Stuart Hill and Legal Secretary Rhodri Roberts are all busy training for the event which passes many of the city’s iconic landmarks.

Sarah Butt, a Solicitor in our Commercial Property Team, helps our clients with everything from freehold and leasehold sales and purchases to commercial lending and remortgages.

She said: “I got January off to a flying start and ran 5km every day throughout the month. I live in Chester and enjoy running round the city. There are some great routes which take in the racecourse and some panoramic views of the city.

“I usually tuck into a peanut butter and banana bagel, whack on my headphones and listen to some music depending on what mood I’m in and then head on out for a run. Running is a great stress relief, and good to do on your own or with pals or a running group. I’ll often run with my sister or my husband.

“A good reward is to fall into one of my favourite coffee shops, which include Chalk, Bean & Cole or Bridge Street Coffee.”

Sarah’s top tip

“If I’m doing a longer run I’ll see if Steven Bartlett has interviewed someone I’m interested in on his Diary of a CEO podcast and listen to that.”

Stuart’s top running tip

“Check out Nick Best’s Just Alil Bester and Ben Is Running, both great sources of information and inspiration. They’re both passionate about running and give great advice and training plans tailored to your ability and goals.”

Stuart Hill, a Director and Solicitor in our Utilities Team, will be tackling the Chester 10K for the second year running. He said: “I hadn’t run since my school days until I took up running in January last year and quickly caught the bug.

“I train at the weekends around Kelsall and Barrow, near where I live, and during the week try and smash out a night time speed session between Christleton and Tarvin.

“I love running. I plug in my playlist of top rock and pop tunes and head out into the fresh air. It’s great for your physical and mental strength, clears your head after a busy day and is a perfect way to see some of the countryside at the weekend.

“I’m hoping to finish the Chester 10K in sub 45 minutes this year and, you never know, I might even tackle a half marathon in the future.”

RHODRI ROBERTS: A ONE MAN FITNESS MACHINE

Last year, Cullimore Dutton Legal Secretary Rhodri Roberts completed the Bala Standard Triathlon and the Chester Triple and raised thousands of pounds for charity in the process.

This year he is planning to smash a whole load of new targets.

As well as the Chester 10K, Rhodri has his sights set on:

• Nick Beer 10K Memorial race

• An open water swim at Porth Eirias

• The Colwyn Bay Metric Marathon

• World’s Steepest Street Run in Harlech

• Harlech Sprint Triathlon

Rhodri, who lives in North Wales, said: “I did the Delamere 10K with friends in January after a very tough Christmas when I lost my lovely mum.

“’Earlier this month, I ran the Nick Beer 10K, a lovely race which starts on the Llandudno Promenade and takes in the iconic pier and the Great Orme and raises money for

St David’s Hospice. The sea views were amazing and the incline perfect for a good winter run.

“My training so far this year has largely revolved around the swimming pool in my local leisure centre as well as trail running in the Holywell and Moel Famau areas.

“I’m looking forward to running my first Metric Marathon (16.3 miles/26.2km) which is on Mother’s Day so will be particularly poignant for me this year.

“After that, I’ve got my sights set on a 6km run in Harlech which features a 37.45% gradient and then my first triathlon of the season. If it all goes well I’ll think about an Iron Man later in the year.”

As well as being a keen runner, Rhodri has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, Mont Blanc and Mount Elbrus and completed both the National Three Peaks Challenge and the Six Peaks Challenge.

COME TO A MID-WEEK MIXER

Are you a young professional in the early stages of your career? We would love you to come along to our Mid-Week Mixer, which is a chance to meet with other people.

The networking event is very relaxed, free to attend – we’ll buy you your first drink - and it’s open to all young professionals living or working in the Chester and outskirts area.

Our most recent event was held last week at the Opera Grill in Chester and we welcomed over 40 people.

“Such an amazing event and it was so great to meet others in the same stages of their careers as me. I can’t wait for the next one.”

Cullimore Dutton host and Paralegal Isabella Martindale said: “I love this event. It’s a great chance for young professionals to meet up after work for a chat over a drink with other people at a similar stage in their careers. I’ve made some good new friends and local contacts.”

Guest Charlotte Doherty-Jones, who works for North Wales solicitors Cyril Jones & Co, said: “Such an amazing event and it was so great to meet others in the same stages of their careers as me. I can’t wait for the next one.”

If you’re a Chester business professional in the early stages of your career, or if you know someone is and would interested in joining us at our next Mid-Week Mixer, which takes place on Thursday, May 18, please email events@cullimoredutton.co.uk

GET A GLIMPSE OF SECRET CHESTER THIS WEEKEND

Chester is famous for its Roman history, but did you know that there’s a secret tower in the city which dates back to the 12th century and was the first stone gateway to Chester Castle?

With stunning views across the River Dee and over to the racecourse, the Agricola Tower is a treasure chest of history. It sits on what was originally an earth and timber Motte and Bailey castle.

And it is open to the public for free this weekend thanks to English Heritage.

The tower itself contains a chapel which has been visited over the centuries by three monarchs (the last one was James II) and contains some exceptional and rare medieval wall paintings dating back to 1240 as well as secret marks made by the original stonemasons.

Around the historic site, you can walk on medieval walls, see the marks make by cannon balls from long ago and go inside the jail cells.

On Saturday and Sunday this weekend (March 4 & 5, 11am-3pm) the site is open to the public for free (donations welcome) and there will be a Civil War re-enactment.

Entry to the Castle is via the Crown Court car park in Chester (opposite ABode hotel).

HOLD THE BACK PAGE

Beat the tax year end

It’s not too late to make the most of your annual allowance ahead of the end of the tax year on April 5th.

David Gaweda, one of our in-house independent financial advisers, has been sharing his five tips to make your money go further. Click here for more details.

Pension webinar

Last month we teamed up with Tatton Investment Management to run a webinar offering expert advice on what you can expect from the markets in 2023.

We were delighted to see so many people on the webinar but, in case you missed it, click here to watch it back.

Free pension review

We are offering all our clients a free pension review. Our free pension review will cut through all the jargon, ensure that you have a complete overview of your pension status and what your retirement looks like.

For more information or to book an appointment please visit www.cullimoredutton.co.uk/free-pension-review

Leaving a gift to charity in your Will?

Are you aware of the advantages available should you decide to say thank you to your favourite charity by leaving them a gift in your Will?

In this article we have partnered with Platform for Life to look at the impact on both you and the charities.