A group of volunteers from a Leamington law firm have given up their time to redecorate rooms at a special school near Hatton, on the outskirts of Warwick.

The working party from Blythe Liggins, in Rugby Road, arrived at Northleigh House School last week to give the premises a facelift, complete with paint, brushes and rollers.

Team leader Richard Moon, head of employment law, said: “Blythe Liggins has a long tradition of working for the local community and we were so impressed by the work done by the dedicated staff at Northleigh House that we wanted to do our bit to help.”

Viv Morgan, chair of trustees, said that Northleigh was a small school, based in a beautiful country house, dedicated to overcoming the effects of bullying. “The under-pinning atmosphere at Northleigh is one of absolute positive regard for every student – kindness, inclusion and respect for each individual’s differences.

“The school was established in 2012 to address the growing need for a safe, calm and progressive learning environment to help secondary-aged children recover emotionally and academically from the effects of high anxiety in a mainstream school setting.

“By ‘doing things differently’ we are able to help each young person to regain their inner confidence and to begin, again, to trust other people. We promote a culture where every member of the school, whether student or staff, is valued, respected and plays a vital role in the development of Northleigh’s community,” she said.

CAPTION: Viv Morgan (left), chair of trustees at Northfield House School, with some of the Blythe Liggins working party:(left to right) Eilidh Rose, Katie Farrell, Collin Trystman, Chris Bowen and Richard Moon.

If you have been injured abroad whilst on a package holiday as a result of an accident that was not your fault, you can make a claim for compensation in this country. This applies anywhere in the world whether you have booked a relaxing beach holiday in Spain or an adventure holiday in Guatemala.

The company you booked the holiday with is not only responsible for ensuring the holiday matches the description given when the holiday was booked but is also responsible for things that go wrong whilst you are on your holiday, to include accidents.

A ‘package’ holiday is defined as a pre-arranged combination of the following:

• Transport
• Accommodation
• Other tourist services

The package must be sold or offered for sale within the UK.

If you go on an adventure holiday then you must accept there are risks involved in the normal pursuit of the activities but, if you are injured as a result of something such as defective equipment, you can still make a claim even if you have signed a disclaimer.

If you have suffered from food poisoning you can claim against the holiday company as they owe a duty in respect of the food provided.

You have better protection if you have booked a package holiday but other accident claims can be made in this country. If you are injured on your flight to or from your holiday you may be able to claim direct against the airline. If you suffer an injury or illness aboard a cruise ship you can also make a claim against the cruise operator.

If you are injured on holiday as a result of a road traffic accident, you may also be able to claim in this country even if the person responsible has no insurance.

If you are able to claim under the Package Tour Regulations you have three years in which to do so but if your claim cannot be pursued as a package claim different time limits apply. If you have been injured or suffered an illness abroad then please contact us as soon as possible for an initial no obligation consultation.

Caption: Adam Lloyd. Solicitor – Personal Injury and Medical Negligence Department

Most relationships are not characterised by domestic violence, but a minority are. Domestic violence can come in the form of physical abuse, but can also very often be of a psychological nature causing the victim to lose all sense of self-esteem and feeling “controlled” by the perpetrator.

At a conference on the issue of domestic violence in London last week, health workers from around the country, together with other leading experts on the topic of domestic violence, determined that one out of five incidents of domestic violence occurred in front of children.

Children are particularly vulnerable since they have no sense of control over a domestic violence situation and as a consequence may suffer from bedwetting, insomnia and anxiety.

Brought up in an environment with domestic violence can also “normalise” violent acts and later on in life children brought up in such an environment can themselves perpetrate domestic violence and abuse as adults.

One of the prime mantras of the conference was the need for the victims of domestic violence to be able to “open up” to health professionals they come in contact with so as to create a safe and private environment. In particular the conference believes that front line staff such as GPs, nurses, paediatricians and mental health professionals should continue to be vigilant toward indicators of abuse including repeated injuries that come with a “vague or implausible explanation”. Depression and anxiety can also be indicators of domestic violence.

Above all else the conference identified the need for a multi-agency approach toward identifying the victims of domestic violence whilst being supportive and compassionate toward their needs. When domestic violence remains unaddressed and spirals out of control there are also legal remedies that are available to assist the victim and protect their physical wellbeing, as well as the children of the family. The police in particular are now in the frontline of victim support and protection and ultimately a civil law remedy might also prove to be appropriate when circumstances arise.

Above all else, domestic violence cannot and should not be tolerated in any shape or form and those suffering should be identified and looked after and the perpetrators should themselves be encouraged to seek help.

Caption: Andrew Brooks. Partner, Head of the Family Department

A Kenilworth batsman who hit a record-breaking double century has been named our Player of the Month, in association with Leamington solicitors Blythe Liggins.

Each month, we celebrate the deeds of our cricketers, with the winner being presented with a box of six new cricket balls for their club, provided by Blythe Liggins.

Our Player of the Month for August is Dave Edmunds, 32, of Kenilworth Cricket Club, who smashed his way to a 1st team XI league record with an unbeaten 207 in their drawn game against Aston in Warwickshire’s Division One.

Having played for Kenilworth for 20 years, Dave is the first in the club’s 110-year history to achieve a double century and has previously racked up 15 centuries since beginning his senior cricketing career aged just 13.

Dave said: “My previous highest score was 163 not out so there was a certain amount of pressure as I approached the double century.

“There were five overs remaining, so myself and my teammate Adrian Seller decided to make a big push for runs and were able to gain 63 in the final overs – 55 of which were from myself.

“It wasn’t until the final couple of overs that the realisation hit me – I was on for 200 and feeling on good form.

“Approaching the final over, I remained on target at 191. I then hit two sixes and one four to finish on 207 not out.”

Edmunds was cheered on by team members and spectators, who urged him on as he reached the milestone, and was warmly congratulated by Aston’s team as he set his personal and club record.

Richard Thornton, joint senior partner at Blythe Liggins Solicitors. Said: “This was an historic innings in more ways than one, a fantastic achievement. I wish Dave and the other players at Kenilworth Cricket Club the best of luck for what remains of the season.”

CAPTION: Richard Thornton, joint senior partner at Blythe Liggins Solicitors, presents Andy Smith, club secretary, with Dave Edmund’s player of the month prize.

For more information, contact Tom Payne at Newsline PR on 01926 888308.

Richard Moon, Head of the Sports Law Department at Blythe Liggins LLP, played in a rugby match this weekend to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the foundation of the Harlequins Rugby Club.

The match was between two invitational teams which were selected by former rugby legends, Bob Hillier, a former England Captain and full-back and Jason Leonard, former President of the RFU & a Rugby World Cup winner.

Richard was invited to play for Jason Leonard’s XV against the Bob Hillier XV.

Both teams included many former international rugby players from the last 30 years including Peter Winterbottom, Micky Skinner, Will Greenwood and Jason himself. The game, watched by around 5,000 spectators, was narrowly won by the Jason Leonard XV.

Richard said, “After the game I vowed that this would definitely be my last ever game of rugby but I said that in 1997 when I retired from the first-class game but this time I mean it”!

Caption: Richard Moon, Partner at Blythe Liggins LLP, Jason Leonard and Chris White, international rugby referee.

It was a family affair for our Player of the Month Matt Edwards after the Warwickshire County Council staff captain completed his maiden league century while batting with his dad.

Each month, in association with solicitors Blythe Liggins, we celebrate a local cricketing success, with the winner being presented with a box of six new balls for his club by the Leamington law firm.

Council Staff skipper Matt, 26, led from the front during his side’s 59-run victory over Wellesbourne seconds in Division Two of the Cotwold Hills League, blasting a first competitive ton before capping off his day with a wicket and a run out.

After some initial setbacks for his team, Matt, batting at number five, immediately took the attack to the Wellesbourne, looking particularly strong off his legs and hitting some nicely timed drives back over the bowlers’ heads.

Despite a couple of wickets falling during his knock, Matt reached his century in partnership with dad Keith, who had opened the innings and was forced to retire hurt before returning to the crease.

Matt said: “My dad opened and took a ball on top of the foot, so he had to retire hurt. He then got hit on the same foot a few balls after coming back out, which I enjoyed! He was out there with me when I got my ton. I’ve scored centuries before but not in the league, so it was a nice moment.”

Matt, who has played for Staff for 10 years, finished on 106 but his afternoon’s work didn’t end there as he proceeded to take a wicket and contribute a fine bit of boundary fielding to complete a run out.

“It’s been going really well this year,” said Matt. “I’ve always classed myself as a bowler first but this season I’ve really flown with the bat. I’ve been going in at five in the league and have scored three 50s, as well as the century. I scored 87 not out against the same side last season, so they’re probably pretty fed up with me!

“It’s been a great club to be around with lots of energy and support throughout the season, which has contributed to our success on the pitch. The first team is second in the table and our second team have already been promoted from division seven in the first year of us being able to field a team.”

Richard Thornton, joint senior partner at sponsors Blythe Liggins said: “Congratulations to Matt on a hugely impressive performance. It sounds as though he and Warwickshire County Council Staff are having a tremendous season. We wish them well for the remainder of the campaign.”

CAPTION: Richard Thornton, joint senior partner at Blythe Liggins Solicitors, presents Warwickshire County Council Staff captain Matt Edwards with his prize for being named player of the month

Leamington solicitor Richard Moon will be playing alongside some of the greatest names in English rugby when he turns out for an invitation side as part of the Harlequins 150th anniversary celebrations.

Mr Moon, who is head of employment law at Leamington solicitors Blythe Liggins, has been invited to play for a star-studded side selected by England rugby legend and former RFU president Jason Leonard, who was once the world’s most-capped forward and held the world record for winning the most international caps.

His team will be playing against a side selected by Bob Hiller, the former England rugby captain and fullback whose score of 138 points was the England record at the time of his retirement.

Mr Moon, a former scrumhalf for Cambridge University, Harlequins, England and the Barbarians, said: “This is a real honour for me to have been selected by Jason, such a giant of the world rugby, and I look forward very much to playing alongside him and such luminaries as Will Greenwood, Peter Winterbottom, Mickey Skinner and other Harlequin greats.

“Although scrums will be uncontested and anybody putting in overzealous tackles will be ‘sin-binned’, my intention is to get on the field of play for a maximum of five minutes on the basis of self-preservation and a creaking body – but also to justify the rugby kit that we are to be given!” said Mr Moon, who is also a rugby commentator for BBC CWR and BBC 5 Live Sports Extra.

The match will take place on Saturday, August 20 at the ‘Stoop’, the Harlequins ground.

Caption: Richard Moon with the Harlequins jersey he wore in the John Player Cup-winning side of 1988.

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A seam-bowling all-rounder who knocked his opponents for six has been named our Player of the Month, in association with Leamington solicitors Blythe Liggins.

Each month, we celebrate the deeds of our cricketers, with the winner being presented with a box of six new cricket balls for their club, provided by Blythe Liggins.

Brinder Phagura, 20, was playing for Kenilworth Wardens when he turned in a hugely impressive performance with the new ball, taking 6-38 from 15 overs against Knowle & Dorridge in the sides’ Birmingham and District League Premier Division clash.

From Great Barr, Phagura has come through Warwickshire age groups while playing his club cricket for West Bromwich. He moved to Kenilworth Wardens for the start of this season and is thriving in his new surrounds, having so far taken 31 wickets at an average of just over 12. He also averages nearly 20 with the bat, having score more than 150 runs.

It was his performance against Knowle & Dorridge, however, which has seen him crowned our cricketer of the month. In a match from which Wardens claimed a winning draw, having restricted their opponents to 129-9 chasing 214-9, Phagura bowled one of his victims, had two nicking off, one caught in front of the bat and two lbw.

He said: “I’ve been opening the bowling and taking wickets fairly regularly but Knowle & Dorridge was my stand-out performance. Of the six I took, five were ‘proper wickets’ which I enjoyed.

“I only joined Wardens this season and I’m really enjoying it – probably more than I thought I would if I’m honest. I live near West Bromwich, so it’s a 25-mile trip each week but it’s good. They are a great guys and we’re playing at a good standard.”

The all-rounder has also been playing Minor Counties cricket for Staffordshire and is hoping to build on a promising showing so far this season.

“Being part of the Staffordshire set up has made me enjoy me cricket more than I’ve ever done and has helped me turn in some performances which have helped contribute to a winning team, so hopefully I can build on a good season.”

A spokesman for Blythe Liggins said: “Congratulations to Brinder. He is obviously a talented young cricketer and we’re delighted to present him with his prize.”

A wills and probate specialist from Blythe Liggins Solicitors in Leamington is set to run the first in a series of free advice clinics at a Warwickshire care home.

The surgery, on Thursday, July 28 from 2pm until 4pm, will be hosted by solicitor Jaz Virk at Priors House, a purpose-built care home in Blackdown, just outside Leamington. The aim is to offer advice to older members of the community, along with care home residents and their families, in a safe and friendly environment.

Mawson Chipchase, from Care UK, which runs Priors House, said: “The idea is to offer support to our residents, and the wider community, because it can be daunting when first dipping your toe into the water when it comes to later-life legal advice.

“With Jaz we wanted to offer an informal drop-in type surgery where people can know there is no pressure or reason to worry.”

The surgery is the first of six planned drop-in events at the care home in Old Milverton Lane and will cover areas such as wills and codicils, along with advice on preparing Powers of Attorney and applying for Deputyship in instances where family members have lost capacity.

Mrs Virk, who specialises in the administration of estates and joined Blythe Liggins earlier this year, said: “I’m looking forward to visiting Priors House as part of this initiative to inform and advise people in later life on what legal options are available to them.”

Caption: Jaz Virk, Solicitor. Wills & Probate Department

A new restaurant has opened in Warwick serving home-cooked Indian food and locally crafted beers.

Owned by brothers Mashuk and Bokul Miah, the restaurant in Castle Street has been named Jambavan. Mashuk Miah, who lives in Leamington and has been 25 years in the business with restaurants in Leicester, said: “We chose this unusual name for the restaurant because Jambavan is the King of Bears in an Indian epic and it establishes our link with the county town, as Warwickshire’s emblem is the Bear and Ragged Staff.”

“We have 70 covers and will be sourcing local fresh produce and stocking a variety of local craft ales. In addition to our Indian meals, we will also be serving sandwiches and snacks in the future – and creating some new cocktails, alongside the more traditional ones.”

Nick Watts, a commercial solicitor from Blythe Liggins who negotiated the lease, said: “Warwick and Leamington have become very popular with diners from all over the region for their quality eateries, and there is no doubt that Jambavan will add to that list of successful restaurants.”

CAPTION: Blythe Liggins commercial solicitor Nick Watts (left) with Mashuk Miah outside the new Jambavan restaurant in Warwick.

Issued by Newsline PR. Tel: 01926 888308