Review of 2012
New Staff
Hart Reade have welcomed a number of new members of staff this year to ensure that we continue to provide the highest levels of service to our clients at all times.
Mary Skellam joined the firm in March as a solicitor in the Eastbourne Private Client Department. Mary is joined by Caroline Begg who has been employed as her secretary along with Tracey Pugh who has moved across from our Polegate office to work with them both.
We have also welcomed further support staff with Cheryl Parker and Jessica Furness both joining the Eastbourne office to provide maternity cover in our Family and Private Client Departments respectively. Emily Mackie joined the Property Department in October as secretary to Neisha Taylor to assist with her commercial and property work.
At Polegate Rea Harper has joined the team as secretary to Angela Hobden in the Private Client Department.
This year we have also employed two exceptional trainees in our Family Department. Laura Mitchell has joined as a trainee Solicitor, currently assisting Alexandra Funnell, and Danielle Archer has joined the firm as a trainee legal executive and is assisting Guy Brown.
Mary Skellam, pictured above, joined us this year as a solicitor in our Private Client Department.
Professional Accreditation
Hart Reade has achieved accreditation to the Conveyancing Quality Scheme.
Award Winning Solicitors
Hart Reade are proud sponsors of the East Sussex Women in Business Awards. This event is an opportunity for Women in Business to celebrate their achievements at a glamorous awards evening held at The Cavendish Hotel. This year was another huge success and Hart Reade were proud to receive the award for Female Friendly Workplace 2012 and were highly commended in the Employer of the Year category.
Representatives of Hart Reade also attended the Eastbourne Business Awards 2012. Held at The Grand Hotel and hosted by television personality Fred Dinenage the event was attended by over 300 local business people.
We are pleased to say that Hart Reade won awards in three categories at the event. The firm won Employer of the Year; Daphne Breach, our Practice Manager, won Employee of the Year and our Consultant, Roger Perry, was highly commended in the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Pictured above at the Women in Business Awards (left to right) Jacqueline Penfold, Daphne Breach, Alexandra Funnell, Fiona Gausden and Carolyn Richards.
Polegate Over 50’s Information Day
Staff from Hart Reade’s Polegate office attended the very successful Polegate Over 50’s Day on 17 April 2012. The event was held at St John’s Church Hall in partnership with Wealden District Council and Waitrose. The day aims to provide information and advice to local residents over 50 on enjoying later life. The winner of the Hart Reade Free Prize Draw for a free Will was Mr Ron Cussons of Eastbourne and the winner of the luxury hamper was Mr Neil Blatch of Maynards Green, near Heathfield.
Janet Message, pictured above, at the Polegate Over 50’s Information Day.
St Wilfrid’s Free Will Month
The Hart Reade Eastbourne office were proud to support the St Wilfrid’s Free Will campaign during the month of June.
The campaign was open to those aged 55 or over and offered a Will, or Will amendments in return for a donation in support of Campaign Hospice Reach and the work of St Wilfrid’s Hospice.
Solicitor Mary Skellam prepared the Wills and we are pleased to announce that from 21 free Wills a total of £2,165 was raised and many clients chose to leave a legacy to the Hospice.
We congratulate Mary and her team on this fantastic effort.
Let’s Do Business 2012
Hart Reade were pleased to support the Let’s Do Business show at the Eastbourne Winter Gardens on 28 June.
This is the third consecutive year that we have exhibited. A number of Partners and staff attended this excellent networking opportunity, meeting existing contacts and clients as well as forging new links with local businesses.
We were pleased to offer free delicious cupcakes (made by our very own Vanessa Richardson) and we also had a free prize draw for tea for two at The Grand Hotel, Eastbourne, and the preparation of a free Will.
Tea for two was won by Duncan Orr of Swindells Financial Planning and the free Will was won by Nicky McCrudden of McCrudden Training.
Alexandra Funnell, pictured above, on the Hart Reade exhibition stand at Let’s Do Business.
Charity Fundraising
Hart Reade staff have been raising money for two local charities this year – The Children’s Respite Trust and the EDGH Stroke Unit.
A coffee morning held at the Hailsham branch, a stall at the Polegate Dickensian event as well as cake sales and raffles held by the staff have resulted in over £640 being raised so far.