Keep on Running!

Jane Winfield, Partner and Head of Property is running the Virgin London Marathon 2010 on behalf of the Mayor of Brentwood and his nominated charities, Helen Rollason Cancer Care, Crossroads Caring for Carers, Brentwood British Legion Youth Band and Children’s Holiday Ingatestone Play Scheme.


The Virgin London Marathon on April 25 2010 will be Jane’s third marathon in a year having run the Flora London Marathon in April 2009 and the Abingdon Marathon in October 2009. Jane has also recently run the Rome half marathon. She has confirmed that training is going well and she is really looking forward to running the 26.2 miles on the day (if that is possible?!).

If you would like to find out more about Jane’s “marathon” efforts and would like to sponsor her please visit her website at www.justgiving.com/Jane-Winfield.

Aaron Cane

The Partners are delighted that Aaron Cane has accepted an invitation to join the partnership of Wortley Byers LLP on 1 January 2011.

Aaron qualified as a solicitor in 2005 and joined Wortley Byers the following year. He was made an Associate of the firm in January 2009. Aaron specialises in all areas of commercial property work ranging from development projects, investment acquisitions and disposals and landlord and tenant work. He also heads the Licensing Unit.

Commenting on the appointment Managing Partner David Chapman said "We all congratulate Aaron. He is a real asset to the firm and a valuable addition to the partnership. We wish Aaron the very best for his future with us."

STEP on up!

Solicitor Andrew Spearman has passed the latest round of exams to obtain full membership of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). Andrew has one more exam to complete in May 2010. Andrew's colleague, associate Poh Shan Chong, is also set to become a full member of STEP in 2010. Membership of STEP is widely regarded as the gold standard qualification for practitioners in the wills, trusts, probate and estates field.

Wine Tasting

A good night was had by all on Friday 4th December when the Litigation Department here at Wortley Byers held a 'Festive Tasting of French Wines'.

Neil Hornsby of Drinks of France came to the offices to share his knowledge of French vino with a selection of the department's professional contacts as thanks for their hard work in 2009.

The festive evening got off to a sparkling start and after a taste of a selection of white and red wines from a variety of French regions, the evening ended with a fortified pudding wine for those with a sweeter tooth.

With the wine flowing, the guests enjoyed a selection of fine French cheeses, pates and bread, together with petit fours to help 'soak up' the French ambiance and history.

Children In Need

Eyes down! Bingo was the name of the game for this years Children in Need charity event here at Wortley Byers. Tickets were sold in advance of the event with prizes for one line, two lines and a full house on two games held at lunch time.


Warren Hawkings and Linda Plant dazzled in their sequins and loud waistcoats as they took the roles of Cyril and Doris, bingo callers in the board room bingo hall. With their 'two fat ladies' and 'blind twenty' number calling they had the room in stitches. The lucky winners were Donna Harrington, Anne Ellisss, Brian Spencer and Andrew Dashwood-Begg all walking away with prizes including chocolates, wine and spirits, kindly donated by the Partners of Wortley Byers.

All in all the bingo, Pudsey lottery and dress down day donations amassed to a fantastic £215 for the Charity. A massive thank you to everyone who helped make the day a success.

HSBC Quiz

Our team consisting of Sue Dowman, Mike Callaghan, Andy Moore, Andy Spearman, Andy Dashwood-Begg and John Southan (also known as The Andrew Sisters) attended the HSBC Quiz on 17 November 2009 at the Ivy Hill Hotel and came a very credible joint second with Bird Luckin and narrowly missed taking first place by one point. We will be brushing up on our general knowledge skills between now and next November to ensure that we take the winner's cup next time.

Thanks to all those that took part and most importantly, HSBC raised a lot of money for their chosen charities, Farleigh Hospice and Teenager Cancer Trust.

Brighton 10k Run

Corporate Commercial Partner Nick Traill ran the Brighton 10K, which his daughter Jenny also ran, on 15 November. The course ran along the Brighton sea front, which make for a pleasant location; and the event was very well attended. Fortunately the gales and heavy rain of the day before had mostly subsided by the time the race started.

Nick has previously run the Brentwood Half Marathon in 2008 and in 2009 (on that occasion with his other daughter Louise who also ran the 2009 London Marathon); and Nick plans to run the Brentwood Half Marathon again in 2010.

Jane Completes Abingdon Marathon in Under 4 Hours

Jane Winfield, Partner and Head of Property completed her second marathon this year in a time of 3 hours 50 minutes knocking 59 minutes off the time she ran in the London Marathon in April.

"Luckily this time I had no injuries and I followed a fairly rigorous training regime pretty much to the letter so I knew that unless something went horribly wrong technically I should be able to do it" said a delighted Jane. "On the day the conditions were great for running and I managed to maintain 8 ½ minute miles fairly consistently so that I was at mile 21 at just under 3 hours. As with all

marathons, those last few miles were really really hard but crossing that finishing line seeing the time at 3:50 is something I will never forget!"

Jane has a confirmed ballot place in the Virgin London Marathon 2010 and although she doesn't have a "charity" place Jane has said that she would rather put in all the training over the winter months for a good cause so is hoping to raise funds for charity. Further details will follow.

Thorndon Stride 2009

Wortley Byers have been proud to sponsor this year's Thorndon Stride event held in aid of Cancer Research UK's breast cancer campaign.

Hundreds of walkers of all ages took part in an 8km walk around beautiful Essex countryside in Thorndon Country Park on Sunday 18 October 2009. David Chapman, Managing Partner of Wortley Byers, led a

contingent of partners and staff on the walk. David said "Wortley Byers are proud to have sponsored the Thorndon Stride for the second year in a row. The organisers did a fantastic job and it was encouraging to see so many people give up their Sunday morning for such a good cause".

Last year's Thorndon Stride event raised an impressive £25,000 and attracted walkers from the local community and beyond. The organisers of the event are hoping to beat last year's fundraising total. If you would like to make a donation to Cancer Research UK please feel free to visit the Wortley Byers Thorndon Stride webpage at www.donatetobreastcancer.org/wortleybyersllp.

One STEP Closer

Associate Poh Shan Chong and solicitor Andrew Spearman recently passed the latest round of exams in their bid to become full members of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). STEP is widely-recognised as the gold standard for lawyers practising in the areas of wills, probate, trusts, tax and estate administration. There are a few more exams to pass yet, but Poh Shan and Andrew are on track to becoming full members next year.

Cardiomyopathy

Anne Ellisss' brother, Andy, and his school friend, Nick Hobbs, will cycle with two friends from San Francisco to San Diego in support of Cardiomyopathy, a charity with a very special significance to them.

If you would like to show your support for Cardiomyopathy and this rather challenging task, please follow the link below to their Just Giving website, through which you can make donations if you so wish. Their target is £5,000, but with your generosity they hope to improve on this figure. www.justgiving.com/nickandandy/.

Brain Boxes Crowned Cranium Kings

It's not all hard work at Wortley Byers. Sometimes we like to mould animals out of clay or draw the Eiffel Tower blindfolded. These activities (among many others) were some of the challenges our staff recently performed - all in aid of charity.

Property partner Anne Ellisss and trainee solicitor Miz Choudhury organised a staff tournament based on the popular board game Cranium. Funds raised from the participation fee were matched by the partners and proceeds were donated to this year's Thorndon Stride, in aid of Cancer Research UK.

Several teams battled over lunchtime heats for a coveted place in the Cranium grand final. Victory went to the team Dead Ringers, who consisted of wills and probate partner Warren Hawkings, wills and probate solicitor

Andrew Spearman and litigation solicitor Christopher Everett.

The event was enjoyed by all and who knows where this could lead - an inter-departmental charity Ker-Plunk competition? Watch this space.

Brentwood in Bloom 2009

The Annual Awards Ceremony for Brentwood in Bloom took place at the Bishops Hill Adult Community College on Friday 31st July. Wortley Byers LLP were sponsors of the Best School Project category and Practice Manager Andrew Moore was in attendance to present the Awards. Andrew is pictured with winners, Ingrave Johnstone Infant School and Bentley St Paul Junior School.

St Francis Hospice Quiz Night

We swotted up on our general knowledge to take a very respectable second place at a fundraising quiz organised by Bennetts Funeral Directors last month. Team "Midsomer" comprised litigation Partner Michael Callaghan and his wife Rebecca, wills and probate solicitor Andrew Spearman and his wife Jenny, and litigation solicitor Andrew Dashwood-Begg. The event was held at the Priory Church of St Laurence in Blackmore and raised approximately £750 for St Francis Hospice.