Archer & Archer are delighted to be sponsoring The Arthur Rank Hospice Ely Festive Fun Run, which will take place on Sunday 28th November to tie in with the Ely lights switch on. It will be a 5km family friendly course that participants can choose to either walk or run. Everyone taking part will be issued with a Santa hat on arrival. Fancy dress is encouraged and there will be prizes for the best Christmas costumes. Corporate teams are welcomed but the event is suitable for all ages. There will be face painting for the littlies and other side attractions, and it is a great way to kick start the festive season!

Arthur Rank House provides specialist palliative care to adult patients and offers support to their friends and families. Arthur Rank Hospice Charity is challenged with raising £1 million each year, and as a local organisation, we are reliant on community support to ensure patients and their loved ones continue to receive the levels of care they deserve.

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity has been looking after Ely residents for many years both at the In-Patient unit at the Hospice, in Day Therapy and through our Hospice at Home service. Recently an outpatient clinic has been opened at the Princess of Wales Hospital to enable patients to attend medical appointments close to home, without the need to travel to Cambridge.

For further details please contact the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity fundraising office on 01223 723115 or www.arhc.org.uk

Michael Judkins - August 2010

We are aware that a tenancy agreement purporting to come from our firm, with a version of our logo and our name and address on it, is currently being used in an internet scam. We can confirm that we have no one by the name of Barrister Waheed Al Fisher working for this firm, and have had no one by this name working for us in the past. If you receive any documentation that you would like us to verify before you act upon it, please email us at info@archerandarcher.co.uk

John Bailey - August 2010

First of all, I would like to thank everyone who donated, encouraged, or supported in any way my participation in the end of season run on 2nd May at Leicester City F C, and – yes – 50 laps of the pitch were achieved. Needless to say the occasion was an unforgettable opportunity which at the same time enabled me to personally raise the sum of £875 for “Help for Heroes”, part of a total now standing at over £16000. I’m also pleased to say that, other than European super-bantamweight boxing champion Rendall Munroe, my co-runners did not seem too awesome by comparison and feelings of apprehension about having enough staying power soon evaporated within the strong camaraderie that prevailed.

Elsewhere in the firm, our Probate solicitor Zara Porter did well by coming third in her first mixed doubles rowing event, along with her husband, at Bedford Small Boats Head on 11th April. Zara was representing City of Cambridge Rowing Club, of which she has been a keen member since 2006.

It’s hard to say what the advent of a new-style coalition Government is going to mean for lawyers and legal services. The main change on the horizon will still be the potential for emergence, from October 2011, of “Alternative Business Structures”, which will for the first time allow for ownership of law practices by different organisations, some of whom are expected to be drawn from the larger commercial providers in the retail and possibly insurance sectors, with the prospect of a brand-name based service in some cases. We shall have to wait and see. In the meantime, the demand for conveyancing remains at a steady level, with people continuing in the face of the ongoing economic climate to move home in sufficient numbers. One recent change which is seen as good news, certainly for house sellers, is the suspension of the Home Information Pack (HIP) scheme, leaving as a requirement when selling a property only the production of an Energy Performance Certificate, at a modest cost by comparison.

Returning to our staff, sadly the end of March saw the departure of Jackie Payton. Jackie had been with us for almost 20 years as an experienced matrimonial secretary, and we wish her all the very best in starting a new life abroad. Jackie’s departure has seen the recent arrival of Sue Faithfull. Sue has over time enjoyed working for land agents Carter Jonas, as well as two sizeable legal practices, namely Barlow Lyde and Gilbert in London, and Eversheds’ office in Cambridge. We welcome her warmly into the Archer & Archer team.

Finally, since this last column our office reception area has been enhanced, with the creation of a new and spacious client reception/waiting room. We are taking the opportunity to use this facility for display of works by local artists, the first of whom to feature is Claire McGinley. Claire’s art focuses very much on the local landscape, especially in the Fens around Ely, and is well worth coming to look at.

Michael Judkins - 4th June 2010

I’ve been given the enormous privilege of accompanying Alan Birchenall (ex Leicester and Chelsea footballer) , and others, on his annual “End of Season Charity Run” immediately prior to the final home league fixture at the Walkers Stadium against Middlesbrough on 2nd May 2010.

The idea is to achieve a total of 50 laps around the pitch (or as near as possible). The run on this occasion is to raise funds for “Help the Heroes” and we are looking to raise, by sponsorship or donation, as much as possible to help in this worthy appeal. As many will know this charity has been invaluable in its help and support to our servicemen and woman wounded in the line of duty in the current conflicts abroad.

Any donation would be very much appreciated – You can either call into Archer & Archer or donate online, with message as desired, at www.justgiving.com/birch2010.

Thank you very much.

Michael Judkins

Michael Judkins - 22nd April 2010