33 minute read
OUT & ABOUT
– We put fantastic local businesses and exciting events in the spotlight each month –
By Laura Elston, PA Court Reporter
The secret of how the Buckingham Palace garden is kept so immaculate is the subject of a new behind-the-scenes book.
Buckingham Palace: A Royal Garden charts a year in the life of the 39-acre oasis, which boasts sweeping lawns, a 512ft (156m) herbaceous border, wildflower meadows, a rose garden and a 3.5-acre lake.
It also reveals that the monarch receives a seasonal posy, made from the garden’s blooms, every Monday when she is in residence.
The tradition began in 1992 and half a dozen fresh flowers, chosen by the Queen’s Royal Florist, are placed in a vase on the Queen’s writing table each week.
In winter, as an alternative to flowers, the posies feature a mix of evergreen leaves and colourful berries.
In the summer, sweet peas are often used, taken from the 15 sweet pea wigwams in the herbaceous border.
The Palace’s head gardener, Mark Lane, shares his tips on how he cares for the garden throughout the year.
Some 24,000 guests usually traipse over the grass in the summer during the Queen’s three garden parties, leaving the lawn in need of repair.
But the coronavirus pandemic has led to the cancellation of all the gatherings in both 2020 and 2021.
The lawn has to be mown weekly as soon as the grass starts growing in the spring to keep it at the right height, and the edges are painstakingly clipped to add precision.
Stripes are created in formal areas of lawn using a mower with a built-in roller to help lead the eye and make the garden or lawn look larger, as well as framing the flower borders.
There are more than 1,000 trees in the central London garden, including 98 plane trees, 85
different species of oak and 40 different types of mulberry tree.
The Royal Collection Trust’s Buckingham Palace Gin is infused with botanicals collected from the garden, including lemon verbena, hawthorn berries, bay leaves and mulberry leaves.
The rose garden contains 25 beds of roses, with each one planted with 60 rose bushes of a different variety.
No two adjacent beds are of a similar colour.
There are also 200 different varieties of camellias in the garden.
The lake features a waterfall and a secluded island which acts as a haven for wildlife.
Over the years, many resident kings and queens have appreciated the garden’s spring flowering shrubs and trees.
During the 1930s and 1940s, the Queen’s mother and father, George VI and Queen Elizabeth, oversaw the planting of magnolias, cherries and camellias, many of which still thrive today.
Queen Victoria noted in her diary in May 1843: “It was so fine in our pretty garden, with all the azaleas & rhododendrons out.”
In April 1844 she wrote of “all the lilacs coming out & the apple trees loaded with blossom”.
In 1762, Queen Charlotte established a menagerie in the garden, including an elephant, monkeys and one of the first zebras ever seen in England.
THE DETAILS
Buckingham Palace: A Royal Garden, by Claire Masset, will be published by the Royal Collection Trust on April 13 2021, priced £14.95 from Royal Collection Trust shops and rct.uk/shop and £16.95 from bookshops.
©Waddesdon, A Rothschild House & Gardens
Welcome back to Waddesdon Manor
Once the weekend retreat of Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild, Waddesdon is a French Renaissance-style château in the heart of Buckinghamshire. The Manor was built in the 1870s for Baron Ferdinand to entertain his fashionable guests and display his vast collection of art treasures. It houses one of the finest collections of French 18th-century decorative arts including pieces made for MarieAntoinette and Louis XVI.
Set in 5,000 acres of rolling parkland, Waddesdon has one of the finest examples of a late Victorian garden in Britain, featuring an iconic parterre. Other garden highlights include an ornate Rococo-style aviary housing rare birds and one of the most important collections of 17th and 18thcentury garden statuary in the country.
Until Waddesdon can welcome visitors back safely from the end of March, it is encouraging audiences to explore the house and gardens
through online displays and trails. Take a virtual tour of some of the exquisite interiors, watch films about its history and enjoy an online wander around the gardens with digital trails.
In an online exhibition, discover the history of the Manor kitchen, the staff who worked in it and a special menu served to Queen Victoria. When building Waddesdon, Ferdinand wanted to ensure his new home provided every comfort and convenience for his fashionable weekend guests. It quickly developed a reputation for serving the finest food, all prepared in the Manor kitchens.
There’s also the opportunity to learn more about Waddesdon’s history and gardens in a programme of online talks and tours, available to book now. From Waddesdon’s Jewish connections to tips for planting your garden with BBC Gardeners’ World guest speaker Nick Bailey, these talks highlight areas that make Waddesdon special.
As spring takes hold in the gardens and Waddesdon can hopefully begin to welcome back visitors, see the gardens come alive with colour. Spot a sea of yellow in daffodil valley and crocuses popping up all around the Pleasure Grounds. As April arrives, thousands of tulips that were planted in 2019, will greet visitors as they wander through the Aviary gardens, overwhelming the senses with bright colours and incredible scents.
An Easter adventure in nature can be enjoyed from Wednesday 31 March to Sunday 18 April (pre-booking essential). Families can engage with nature as they follow the trail around the gardens with different activities to complete along the way.
As lockdown restrictions begin to lift further, there will be much to enjoy at Waddesdon, from the House and exhibitions opening to a programme of events. Keep checking the website for the most up to date information about what’s coming up. All tickets must be booked in advance.
For more information visit: waddesdon.org.uk
©Waddesdon, A Rothschild House & Gardens
©Waddesdon, A Rothschild House & Gardens
©Waddesdon, A Rothschild House & Gardens
Oakbridge Bespoke reveals 2021’s top design and build trends
Londoners are moving out to the countryside en masse. The number of offers accepted on homes outside London was 37% up on the five-year average at the end of 2020, according to Knight Frank. Savills, meanwhile, reported that sales of properties costing £1 million and above were up by 48% compared with 2019.
Many of those looking for homes around the capital struggle to find precisely what they want, which is why design and build firm Oakbridge Bespoke has reported a rising number of clients designing homes of their own. The company’s Head of Design Michael Clifton has highlighted a number of trends that are top of families’ minds in 2021:
“From wellness rooms and retreat spaces to first-floor kitchenettes, those designing their own homes are modernising the traditional country residence. Some of these trends are pandemicrelated, but we’re also seeing families applying a more contemporary mindset to how they use their spaces.”
Wellness rooms and retreat spaces are top of the list, with an emphasis on serenity. Clients are also seeking fully fitted out gyms, with everything from mirrored walls and rubberised floors to dumbbell areas and squat racks. Having been unable to access professional gyms, they’re taking them inhouse.
An increase in demand for golf simulators also fits this trend, with players who are unable to head to the driving range opting for a simulator room instead.
First-floor kitchenettes are another key feature for 2021. Oakbridge Bespoke’s clients are including them both for their own use (because who wants to trek all the way downstairs for freshly brewed coffee of a morning?), and for their guests.
Guest space generally is getting an overhaul, with visitors increasingly being allocated their own bathroom (rather than just an en-suite) as well as a kitchenette. Guests’ independence is the key driver.
In another nod to the pandemic, Oakbridge clients are also opting for high-tech filtration and ventilation systems. Head of Design Michael Clifton concludes:
“Families have re-evaluated what want from their homes. We’re seeing that reflected in 2021’s design and build trends, which are setting the tone for the years to come.”
For more information, please contact Oakbridge Bespoke Homes on 01727 261071 or enquiries@oakbridgebespoke.co.uk or visit oakbridgebespoke.co.uk
NEW MICHELIN STAR FOR BENARES MAYFAIR
London’s fine dining Indian restaurant Benares Mayfair is celebrating having won back its Michelin star, under the leadership of Executive Chef Sameer Taneja, at 2021 Michelin Guide to Great Britain and Ireland online ceremony.
Sameer comments: “The team and I are absolutely delighted to have regained a star for Benares. It’s a fantastic achievement and despite testing times for hospitality over the past year, the entire team have all worked incredibly hard to maintain exceptional standards at every service. We would like to thank our customers for their wonderful feedback and support, our supplier partners and the Michelin Guide for their faith in us.”
Despite a very challenging year for hospitality, Benares was one of the first restaurants to embrace fine-dining delivery in the first lockdown and has been serving its loyal customers across London and Greater London ever since. The team have also donated over 14,000 free hot meals to the NHS and Emergency Services workers fighting on the frontline against Covid-19.
Benares Mayfair opened in 2003 and Sameer joined the team as Head Chef from 2012 until 2015 during which time the restaurant held a Michelin star. He returned to Benares as Executive Chef in the summer of 2019 and introduced new menus which he consistently evolves based on best produce available and seasonality. His culinary style pairs high quality British ingredients with authentic Indian spices, whilst incorporating classical techniques learned from his extensive time cooking in European kitchens and 20 years’ experience working with some of the world’s best chefs. Whilst the restaurant remains closed due to current restrictions, it continues to operate its Benares@Home delivery service seven days a week for lunch and dinner, offering a la carte dishes, daily Indian-inspired roasts, tasting menus and more.
Benares Restaurant and Bar 12a Berkeley Square, Mayfair, W1J 6BS F: @BenaresRestaurant T: @benaresofficial I: @benaresofficial benaresrestaurant.com
You want to protect your family.
But who will protect you?
Many of you will recognise the importance of Wills in helping to protect your loved ones after you’re gone. But having a Power of Attorney in place is just as important, as it helps to protect you. It’s rather like a comforting “insurance” policy, as it enables you to appoint someone who you trust to deal with your matters, if you lose the physical ability or mental capacity to manage your own affairs, due to injury or illness.
We understand that it’s not always easy to think about your future if anything should happen to you, but Lucy Wood from B P Collins, explains the significant benefits of having Lasting Powers of Attorney and the key things to consider before deciding who to choose.
What are Powers of Attorney?
Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) allow you to choose someone who you trust, to act on your behalf and make financial or welfare decisions if you are unable to do so.
What could happen if I don’t have a LPA?
If you lose capacity to manage your own affairs, and you do not have an LPA (or an Enduring Power of Attorney) in place, someone will need to obtain a Court of Protection Order (COPO) to be appointed as your “Deputy” (the Court of Protection’s version of an attorney). The person appointed as Deputy might not be the incapacitated person’s first choice, in fact they could be someone with no family connections at all.
The Deputy application is a long and expensive process, there will also be ongoing fees paid to the Court, for example the annual insurance bond, and there are extensive reporting obligations to the Court on an ongoing basis.
The Deputy can only do what they have applied for under the COPO and may need to apply to court again for other decisions, so the process is more rigid, and it can take much longer for decisions to be reached.
It may work in some situations, but can add stress and burden on the Deputy, which could be avoided by creating an LPA.
How can B P Collins help?
• Although LPAs can be created without one, a solicitor can fully explain the pros and cons and what an LPA means for the donor. • They can make sure that the donor has capacity to understand the process and that there is no undue influence involved in the making of the LPA. • Solicitors are good sounding boards when the client is deciding who to appoint and how they can act. • Solicitors can add an extra safeguard by storing the LPA until needed, as it is a live document once registered with the Office of Public Guardian. • Solicitors can be appointed as attorneys too, in more complex situations. • All advice can be conducted over a video or phone call to help you create an LPA.
If you’d like to discuss Lasting Powers of Attorney or any other issues around end of life planning, such as wills, trusts and probate, please contact Lucy Wood on 01753 889995 or email enquiries@bpcollins.co.uk. For further information on our expertise please visit bpcollins.co.uk
WHEN COHABITING PARENTS SEPARATE WHO PAYS FOR BRINGING UP THE CHILDREN?
Rayden Solicitors – author Catrin Dawson, Associate Solicitor Rayden Solicitors Beaconsfield
The number of couples who live together, without getting married or entering into a civil partnership, has increased significantly over recent decades, more than doubling between 1996 and 2017. Many cohabiting couples have children together, and naturally hope that life will be ‘happy ever after’. However, sadly that is not always the case – and when this family unit breaks down and co-habiting couples separate there can be financial implications regarding the support of their children that weren’t anticipated. It is particularly important for unmarried parents to understand the options available to them if they do separate.
On the breakdown of a relationship, the first step for many parents, whether married or unmarried, is to seek regular monthly payments for their children through the Child Maintenance Service. The Child Maintenance Service ensures that a non-resident parent ie. the parent no longer living with and looking after the children, contributes to the financial support of their natural children, the amount payable depending on the income of the non-resident parent and other factors.
However, there is another important provision available which can often be overlooked.
Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989 enables the parent with care of a child (or children) to claim financial support from the other parent and this support is not just limited to maintenance payments. In fact, Schedule 1 allows the Court to make a wide range of awards for the benefit of a child, such as requiring that a property or home is provided, payment of lump sums, payment of school fees, support through university, or “top-up” maintenance. So the point is, the Court
“It is particularly important for unmarried parents to understand the options available to them if they do separate” “There is a word of warning – any parent applying for an award under Schedule 1 for support of their child or children must remember that whatever the Court decides will always be based upon the needs of the child or children”
has wide discretion when deciding what financial support needs to be provided to meet a child’s needs.
There is a word of warning – any parent applying for an award under Schedule 1 for support of their child or children must remember that whatever the Court decides will always be based upon the needs of the child or children. The Court will look at “all the circumstances” when deciding how to proceed but the financial award will not be made in order to benefit the parent caring for the child or children.
The breakdown of any family unit is often distressing, both emotionally and financially. For the parent with the continuing care of children, it is important to determine at an early stage what financial provision might be available to help with the cost of bringing up a child, and Schedule 1 can often be the answer!
raydensolicitors.co.uk
TOP-UP CHILD MAINTENANCE ORDERS: WHAT ARE THEY?
Whilst many parents in the UK are reliant upon the financial support they receive by way of child maintenance payments calculated by the Child Maintenance Service (CMS), there are circumstances where it is possible to increase the amount of maintenance the non-resident pays, if they are a high net worth individual.
Often, separated parents are able to agree the level of child maintenance to be paid between them. However, if they are unable to agree, then the CMS is able to assist by calculating the figure on their behalf. The formula used by the CMS takes into account factors such as the number of nights the child spends with the non-resident parent. It also takes account of their weekly gross income up to £3,000.
The authority to deal with child maintenance payments primarily lies with the CMS. However, when the income of the non-resident parent exceeds the £3,000 gross per week threshold, the resident parent may be able to apply to the court for a top-up order.
What is a top-up order and when will the court make such an order?
A top-up order does not override the calculation undertaken by the CMS. Instead, it is an order made by the Court which requires the non-resident parent to pay an additional sum of maintenance above and beyond that already calculated by the CMS.
The court is able to make a top-up order when: • A maintenance calculation has already been undertaken by the CMS. • The income of the non-resident parent is in excess of the maximum level assessable by the CMS i.e. £3,000. Case law shows us that it is almost certain the court will not make a top-up order unless it can be clearly demonstrated that the non-resident parent’s income does exceed £3,000 gross per week. • The court is satisfied that ordering the non-resident parent to make the additional payments is appropriate having considered all the circumstances of the case.
The particular circumstances of the case will also dictate the amount of top-up maintenance to be paid; there is no fixed sum award.
Emma McMorrow
Before issuing an application for top-up maintenance it is important for the parent intending to take that step to consider a number of additional factors. First and foremost, the well-being of the child or children should be the primary concern of both parents. Recognising that the child will benefit from having a similar standard of living when they are with each of their parents should be a factor when setting the level of child maintenance to be paid.
It is also important to consider the costs of undertaking court proceedings. Once involved in litigation it is easy to lose sight of legal costs and they can escalate quickly, particularly if proceedings are contested. Ensuring the legal fees that will be incurred are proportionate to the level of maintenance that could be secured is vital.
Royds Withy King is a City law firm with a local presence. Our Family Team is based in the Home Counties as are many of our clients. Contact specialist Emma McMorrow for advice regarding financial support for children, divorce and separation.
roydswithyking.com
Davis-Law Associates
Davis-Law Associates was established in 1983 and provides a wide range of legal services to both national and international clients
International Practice
Davis-Law Associates is a “boutique” Practice. We provide international and national legal services on your doorstep, in Buckinghamshire, throughout London and the Home Counties. Internationally Davis-Law acts for clients from Europe, the United States of America, the Middle East and Emirates, Singapore and elsewhere and thus you have the same expertise locally as you would in London. John Davis, the Principal of our Firm, is also a Senior Consultant with Setfords, a large London based Firm.
National Practice
In addition to our international clientele, DavisLaw also represents a number of substantial local businesses and individuals and is readily accessible to all who require assistance. We specialise in Commercial and Domestic Conveyancing; Company and Commercial; National and International Contracts and Disputes; Building and Construction, including Mediation and Arbitration; High Court Litigation both in the Civil and Criminal Divisions and the Court of Appeal; Family and Domestic matters, including Injunctions for allegations of domestic violence; Employment; Wills and Probate. We have male and female members, if preference of representation is required.
John Davis – Principal of the Practice
John Davis has been qualified over 35 years and was one of the first solicitors to be granted exemption to become a Higher Court Advocate, giving him the same status and rights of audience as a Barrister. He was also the first Solicitor in legal history to be awarded a coveted Red Bag by Queen’s Counsel with permission of the then Lord Chancellor and Chairman of the Bar Council for excelling as an Advocate.
In addition, he is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Fellow of the Institute of Directors and of the Academy of Experts.
We have remained functioning throughout the Covid Pandemic. Our offices are Covid compliant meaning we can, where necessary, have face to face consultations or otherwise by video-link.
Each member of our firm, where necessary, can work remotely from home or elsewhere. As a result, there will be a member of Davis-Law available 24/7, including Bank Holidays, etc. Because of John Davis’ dual role, we can provide continuity of representation without the need to instruct Counsel, although he often leads Counsel in complicated cases.
Cradle to grave service
It also means that we can provide a “cradle to grave” service without the need to involve other lawyers. This provides an efficient, seamless, economical and cost saving when our firm is instructed.
Access to private funding
Davis-Law also has access to independent private funding for a wide variety of projects, including land purchase and development.
Why consult us? No initial cost to you
There is every reason to instruct Davis-Law without the need to access city firms of solicitors and we would recommend you to our website davis-law.co.uk. Therefore why not give us a try and see for yourself our expertise, as initial consultations are without charge. This enables us to determine whether we can assist without involving you in any financial obligation or otherwise. After the initial consultation, if you wish to instruct us, you will be provided with a “Client Care” Letter setting out our terms, conditions and fee structure. Only after you agree and sign the letter will we proceed. Prior to that, there is no obligation for you to instruct our firm.
davis-law.co.uk 01753 888 776 email info@davis-law.co.uk.
Spoilt Rotten Dog Grooming Salon & Boutique
• Do you need support with how to maintain your dog’s coat during Lockdown? • Are you using the correct grooming equipment? • Is your dog matted (welfare case) or in need of a Spring De-shedding Treatment?*
Dog groomers during the current lockdown have been restricted to welfare only grooms, however all being well, with restrictions easing, we will be able to welcome our Salon Services to all breeds from 12th April, taking bookings now.
Get in touch, we will offer you support to ensure your doggy is kept comfortable, healthy and happy.
If you have any queries or need general support- we’re here for you, we have a fully stocked shop with a range of food, RAW food, toys, treats, beds, harnesses, leads, collars… everything you need to treat your doggy.
We are super proud to have just celebrated our 5th Anniversary in Chalfont St Peter High Street. We are a small, family run, independent business, run by myself, Natasha and my husband, Dave and our dog loving team.
Best wishes, Natasha x
Spoilt Rotten are a Multi Award-Winning, highly recommended professional salon, who are in high demand- so if you want your doggy to be truly Spoilt Rotten in every way, we strongly recommend advance booking… don’t delay and CALL TODAY. De-shedding available from 12 April, until then we are open for welfare cases.
THE DETAILS
CHALFONT: 17 Market Place, Chalfont St Peter, SL9 9EA 01753 42 42 60
PINNER: 24 High Street, Pinner, HA5 5PW 0208 429 8651
Dog Grooming with a difference, see our 250+ 5* reviews on-line.
17 Market Place, Chalfont St Peter, SE9 9EA 01753 424 260 24 High Street, Pinner, HA5 5PW 0208 429 8651
Focus on Equity Release
Alot of people are confused by the term equity release. Some still have memories from over 13 years ago, before it was relaunched in 2007. It really is a very different proposition today. You can even take equity out of a house you would like to buy but think you can’t afford!
‘Equity Release’ is a generic term for people who wish to release funds from the value in their property. This can be done in various ways, such as a Re-Mortgage, either capital & interest or interest only, a Retirement Interest Only mortgage (RIO), a Later Life mortgage, a Home Reversion Scheme or a Lifetime Mortgage.
One of the most popular forms of releasing equity is to use a Lifetime Mortgage. A Lifetime Mortgage is simply a mortgage, on which you do NOT have to make repayments. The Interest is added to the mortgage amount and when the last surviving owner of the home ‘passes on’, then the executor/beneficiaries have up to 12 months to sell the property at full market value. The mortgage and interest is then repaid. The interest can be paid if preferred; either as a fixed, monthly, interest-only repayment, an annual lump sum or on an ad hoc basis. Most importantly, with a Lifetime Mortgage, your home can never be taken from you and you can never end up in negative equity.
Equity release lifetime mortgages are based on the owner’ age/s, the value of the home and whether it is Freehold or Leasehold. Enhanced release amounts are available if the owner/s suffer from ill health.
The funds released can be taken as a lump sum, or a lump sum with a cash reserve drawdown account. This works like an overdraft facility, with access to the reserve which can be taken at any time. Different lenders have different minimum amounts.
Common reasons for releasing equity are: to redeem existing mortgages (a godsend to mortgage prisoners), to help family members, take a holiday, buy a new car, undertake home improvements or consolidate debts… the uses are many.
THE DETAILS
If you would like to know more give us a call on any of the numbers opposite and ask for Craig, or go to our website equityreleasepurchase.co.uk
If you still have an interest only mortgage, would you like to pay it off? Would you like to move to a new home and have no mortgage to pay? Would like to use your home to buy a holiday home outright? Would you like to move/downsize and still keep cash for yourself? Would you like to release cash from the equity of your home?
At Equity Release Purchase we are truly independent and whole of market, which means that we don’t work for any one company, we work for you. If you are over 55 years and would a free informal discussion call Craig Spark CeFA, CeMAP, CeRER at Equity Release Purchase
0800 4480 0170 – 01908 384166 – 07740 414170 craig@equityreleasepurchase.co.uk I www.equityreleasepurchase.co.uk
This is a lifetime mortgage. To understand the features and risks, please ask for a personalised illustration. Check that this mortgage will meet your needs if you want to move or sell your home or you want your family to inherit it. If you are in any doubt, seek independent advice. Your Home (or property) may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Equity Release Purchase is a trading style of Jay Jay (UK) Ltd, who is a Registered Introducer of The Right Mortgage Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. TRM Adviser Limited is registered in England and Wales with Company number: 09863667. Registered Office: St Johns Court, 70 St Johns Close, Knowle, Solihull, B93 0NH.
Left out of a loved one’s Will? You may be able to claim under the Inheritance Act
A general principle under English law is that a person has ‘testamentary freedom’ to leave their property, assets and other wealth to whomever they please upon their death, and this can lead to instances where people feel that, for whatever reason, they have wrongly been left out of their loved one’s Will.
The Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 was first introduced to deal with circumstances in which an individual has not been provided for following a person’s death when they feel they should have been.
The basis for bringing a claim
To bring a successful claim against the estate of the deceased applicants are only required to meet one ground, and that is to provide proof that reasonable financial provision has not been made.
It can be difficult to ascertain what might constitute ‘reasonable financial provision’ given that each applicant has unique circumstances and relations to the deceased.
The court must consider a variety of factors and, though these will not be relevant to every class of applicant, there are several common considerations they are likely to make. These are: • An applicant’s future financial needs and resources, including earning capacity. • The future financial needs and resources of any other applicant, including earning capacity. • The future financial needs and resources of any beneficiary, including earning capacity. • The deceased’s obligations and responsibilities towards any applicant or beneficiary. • The size and nature of the deceased’s net estate. • The physical and or/mental condition of the applicant or any beneficiary. • Any other matter the court considers relevant, including the conduct of any party.
Who can make a claim?
According to the Inheritance Act, there are several different categories of people who are entitled to bring a claim. These include: • The deceased’s current or former spouse or civil partner, on the condition that they have not remarried or formed a new civil partnership. • The deceased’s current or former spouse. The court will look at the length and duration of the marriage, the applicant’s age and their contribution to the care and welfare of the family and home. • A person who has lived in the same household as the husband, wife or civil partner of the deceased for a whole two years prior to the death. • Any child of the deceased, as well as anyone who is treated as a child of the family by the deceased due to a marriage or civil partnership. If an applicant is a child, the court will take into account whether the deceased maintained the child – and, if so, how long for – the basis and extent to which they provided maintenance, and the extent to which the deceased was responsible for the maintenance of the child. • Lastly, any other person who was being maintained – either wholly or partly – by the deceased immediately before their death. In this case, a court would look at the length of time the deceased maintained the applicant for, the basis for doing so, the extent of the contribution made by way of maintenance, and the extent to which they assumed responsibility for the maintenance of the applicant.
Conclusion
If you feel you have been unfairly left out of a deceased person’s Will, it is crucial that you see legal advice immediately.
There is a strict time limit of six months from the date of the grant of representation or probate – the document that gives an executor the power to start administering a Will – within which you can bring a claim under the Inheritance Act.
Alternatively, you might be thinking about making a Will and want to ensure it is not challenged by disgruntled family members who are unhappy with the decisions you have taken. In this instance, you should seek proper advice before drafting your Will to ensure it takes any potential claims that may be made against your estate into account.
Despite this, cases where people feel they have been wrongly left with little or no provision are inevitable, and it is important for these individuals to know that support is close at hand.
If you would like to discuss a possible claim, please do not hesitate to contact Sangita Manek on sam@blasermills.co.uk or call on 01494 770980.
CHEF LAURIE GEAR
March recipe & kitchen news
Canelé is a small classic French pastry from the region of Bordeaux. Usually eaten warm served with a good cup of coffee. For this recipe
I have replaced the traditional dark rum for
Somerset apple brandy, pairing the oven warm canelés with a sharp apple compote and sweet Chantilly cream. You will need to purchase special moulds for this pastry, easily found online and I suggest you opt for the individual metal non-stick ones or if the budget allows the heavy copper ones.
RECIPE: CANELÉ WITH APPLE COMPOTE AND CHANTILLY CREAM
Ingredients
Serves 10 • 1 fresh vanilla pod • 500 ml whole milk • 50 g butter • 4 eggs • 250 g icing sugar • 4 tbsp Somerset apple brandy (or dark rum) • 100 g plain flour, sifted. • Soft butter for greasing your moulds.
Apple compote
• 4 Braeburn apples cored peeled cut into 3 cm pieces. • 2 tbsp apple juice • Juice and zest half lemon
Chantilly cream
• 300ml double cream • 15 g icing sugar • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract • 2 tsp Somerset apple brandy
Method
1. Split the vanilla pod and scrape out the seeds, place both into the milk, bring to the boil, turn off the heat, add butter stir until melted and then cool. 2. In a bowl beat 2 whole eggs, 2 yolks, icing sugar, apple brandy or rum, and flour - then beat in the strained milk butter vanilla mixture. 3. When smooth chill in fridge for 1 hour. 4. Preheat oven to 200c Gas Mark 6. 5. Brush moulds with softened butter and give a four-minute blast in the oven. 6. Pour the chilled mix into moulds leaving a small gap rim top. 7. Bake for 15 minutes Turn oven down to 190 c Gas Mark 5. 8. Bake for a further 30 minutes. 9. Cool for 5 minutes before turning out 10. Serve warm with a dollop of Chantilly cream and apple compote.
Apple compote
1. In a heavy base medium pan bring apples and apple juice to a simmer with the lid on. 2. Cook 10 to 12 minutes till broken down. 3. Add lemon juice and zest.
Chantilly Cream
1. Whip cream sugar and vanilla to soft peaks 2. Gently fold in Somerset Apple brandy as the mood takes you. Mother’s Day Weekend Friday 12th and Saturday 13th March
Mother’s Day is a special occasion and particularly at this time. What better way to celebrate than to treat your mums, grandmas or mother figure with our special ‘Artichoke at Home’ package to enjoy in the comfort of your own home with all the work done by us!
Five course tasting menu, including our freshly baked bread and handmade petit fours.
£70 per person optional extras selection of british cheeses with condiments and crackers - £14.50 Classic Wine Flight - £65 Deluxe Wine Flight - £85 (4 half bottles 375ml) Order online artichokerestaurant.co.uk
The Artichoke Restaurant 9 Market Square Old Amersham Tel: 01494 726611 artichokerestaurant.co.uk
