Clients in the Press - it's always a good thing!

Recently, we publicised the fact that we had helped a local butcher to pass along the family business to his son.

Adam Wood one of our solicitors from the property team went along to W Alderson & Son Family Butchers for a photo shoot with a very large chunk of meat (and Mr Alderson)!

The much admired photograph has now made it to the front page of  Darlington Monthly which is great news for Mr Alderson and his son - all extra publicity and an added bonus of working with Latimer Hinks.

The magazines can be found at the tills of local supermarkets, libraries etc and is delivered to local homes.

What Would "turn you off" Buying a Property?

According to The Mail Online buying a property is more stressful than bankruptcy, divorce and even the death of a loved one! Conversely making a property ready for market can be one of the most difficult things to get right.

Therefore, it makes sense that to enable a smooth property purchase, sellers need to make sure that they are not "turning-off" prospective purchasers at the "starting block" so to speak.

It is important to keep viewers interested in the property and the surrounding area. Presentation of the property is key. Present you property at its best - tidy, de-clutter and "stage".

Martin Williamson, Head of Residential Property at Latimer Hinks provides some further tips.

Sellers these days need all the help they can get - good luck!

Thinking About Letting a Property?

For some sound advice from Martin Williamson (Head of Residential Property) check out his top tips

The Latimer Hinks Charity Ball Raised over £16,000

Over £16,000 was raised at the Latimer Hinks Charity Ball - this is a record!

A record which could only have been reached my the generosity of our guests and supporters, so thank you all very much - a well deserved round of applause is yours for the taking!

For the full press release see - £16,000 raised!

The Latimer Hinks Charity Ball - its over!

The Latimer Hinks Team - that's me, on the right in the purple dress!

After all of the preparation, running around like a headless chicken and the added stress of a bad back the Latimer Hinks Charity Ball was a resounding success. Virtually everything went according to plan - and I have my St Teresa's volunteers and the Latimer Hinks team to thank for that.

We were extremely lucky weather wise. Friday 6th June was a fantastic day, so warm that many of the guests chatted on the terrace until the early hours!

The magicians were brill, the singer Cole Page, very entertaining and the guests turned out in their most splendid suits and glamorous ball gowns.

Our auction raised £3000! Prizes were donated by companies and individuals and I'd like to thank them for their support. Take a look at the full auction list

Auction 1
Gillian Lewis (Spectrum Coaching and Consultancy) - What not to Wear

Auction 2
Headlam Hall Hotel - Head Chef 10 course Tasting Session

Auction 3
Truffle Restaurant - Fine Dining in Your Own Home

Auction 4
Four Rounds of Four Ball Golf Games
Wynyard Golf Club, Saltburn Golf Club, Teesside Golf Club, Seahouses Golf Club

Auction 5
Sporting Legends - Mr & Mrs Brough & Recognition PR

Auction 6 - this auction raised the most money - a whopping £700!
Adrenalin Junkie
Gorge Walking - Endless Adventures North East - take a look at their video on Gorge Walking - highly recommended if you like "extremes" Point Blank Paintball, Beamish Wild, Teesside Autodrome

I will be updating with the full amount raised shortly.

Successful Sponsorship of the Latimer Hinks Charity Ball

2014 is the first year that we have offered sponsorship opportunities for the Latimer Hinks Charity Ball and it seems to have been quite successful. Over 280 local business people, their colleagues, friends and family will be attending the Ball - a sponsor's perfect audience and the opportunity to promote their brand, create awareness, show their support for local charities etc etc.
So, a big cheer for:

• Lewis Surveying Associates - who are sponsoring the floral displays. The displays will show a tag designed specifically for Lewis Surveying
• Recognition PR - is sponsoring and producing the introduction video http://youtu.be/E9tkbTqsNYw
• Sherwoods Ltd - is sponsoring Roll the Dice - a game of skill. Throw seven dice, if they all land with the Sherwoods logo showing you take away a brand new Vauxhall Adam Jam 1.2i 16v VVT 3 door
• MT Print - are printing all promotional material 
• Ad Agency - has designed the promotional material

By raising sponsorship for the Latimer Hinks Charity Ball we are ensuring that the charities gain more funds - so once again, THANK YOU.

Reaching Out .... The Power of Social Media - INCLUDING UPDATE

For those of you who already read my blog you will know that the Latimer Hinks Charity Ball takes place on 6th June at Wynyard Hall. We're raising funds for St Teresa's Hospice, The County Durham Foundation and smaller local charities.

The Ball is SOLD OUT and I need to source interesting/original prizes for the fundraising activities - I needed to "get my thinking cap on"

A while ago I attended a ladies networking meeting, set up by The Inspire Network (great name). The event was informal and included a presentation on social media by one of their members. I was impressed by the group and their willingness to help one another, so I requested to join their Facebook group.

I must admit I have not taken part in many discussions however in 2013 I was "let down" by a cake maker. I asked the Inspire Network for advice and recommendations. These were very quickly provided and I contacted Helena Borthwick-Hill. Helena produced some wonderful cakes which advertised our company logo.

So, what better place to start looking for prizes than the Inspire Network - in return their business/products will be viewed by 290 local business people based in the North East and they will be acknowledged in all promotional material (and this blog) before and after the Ball.

I have been overwhelmed by the response so far, and I would like to thank those small businesses who have offered prizes by thanking them and sharing their details.

Susan Smalley - Owner at Susan Smalley Intuitive Life Coach, Spiritualist Medium & Reiki Healer
Gillian Lewis - Spectrum Coaching and Consultancy - Gillian is donating a 2 hour Body Shape Workshop for 4
Lynn Huggins-Cooper - Faerie Realms  - a Faerie and Signed books
Sally Peck - Jewellery
Debbie Stogden - Debbie Stogden Photography - a photography workshop for 2
Vicky Shield - Purple Owl Gifts - personalised word art
Sandra Hope - Essential Thyme - one hour treatment

Thanks again ladies, great prizes. I'm sure our guests will be thrilled!


Since writing this original post I do have some other ladies that I need to thank:
Helena Borthwick-Hill - Helena has donated a website audit
Beverly Sherratt of Profectus 4 People - management development for a team of senior leaders and managers or a 1;1 coaching session for 4 people


...and all of this from one post on Inspire Network! THANKS!

Its Official - the Latimer Hinks Charity Ball has SOLD OUT!

The Terrace at Wynyard Hall

Great news, the Latimer Hinks Charity Ball has SOLD OUT in record time - we're obviously doing something right.

The ball which is held every two years will raise much needed funds for St Teresa's Hospice, The County Durham Foundation and smaller local charities, where a little money can make a big difference.

It has been difficult to inform people that there are no further tables available. We do so appreciate the support. Maybe we need to hold the ball every year to keep everyone happy? However, as much as I enjoy organising the ball I'm not sure I could manage the work load every year!

We have 293 guests consisting of successful local business people and their friends, colleagues and family. We will be offering a fantastic evening of food and entertainment.

Guest numbers have reached maximum capacity for the venue, Wynyard Hall, Tees Valley. Our guests virtually have sole use of this fantastic hotel. Fingers crossed that the weather is good and we can make use of the terrace overlooking the lake.

As always we're looking for prize donations for the fundraising activities taking place on the evening. Local businesses have been very supportive, below are a few of the donations:

• Karting for 6 from Teesside Karting
• Meal cooked in your own home - Truffles Restaurant, Darlington
• Signed Middlesbrough Football - Middlebrough Football Club
• Family Tree Top Adventue - Beamish Wild
• Sunday Lunch for 4 - Kings Hotel
• Ghost Tour - Chillingham Castle
• Tickets for various events - Durham Cathedral
• Photographic Portrait Session - www.michellefowler.co.uk
• Afternoon Tea for Two - Wynyard Hall
• 2 Cases of Wine - Neighbours Cleaning

If you'd like to donate - everything welcome and greatly appreciated - please contact me, Andrea Tobin on 01325 341507 or at@latimerhinks.co.uk.

Strange, wierd, wonderful, money can't buy prizes would be ideal :)

Perks of the Job - Pampering Whilst Working

Neil Stevenson and Caroline Brown of Get Smart Hair and Beauty

It's not every day that one of our Partners has the opportunity to be pampered while working however, Neil Stevenson has managed to pull out all the stops to partake in a photo shoot at Get Smart Hair and Beauty in Darlington.

Find out why Neil visited get smart.

Donations required...Latimer Hinks Charity Ball - local business people supporting local charities

Every two years Latimer Hinks Solicitors host a Charity Ball in aid of local charities and on June 6th 2014 it will be our 8th Ball!

Images from 2012

To date Latimer Hinks has raised over £50,000. Beneficiaries of monies raised (to name just a few - and in no particular order) include:

• St Teresa's Hospice
• The County Durham Foundation
• Farm Crisis Network
• Age Concern
• Darlington Town Mission
• The Breathe Easy Group
• The Way Foundation
• Family Help
• Darlington & District Social Blind Club
• Holistic Cancer Care Centre
• The Teenage Cancer Trust
• Help for Heroes
• The Soldiers' Charity
• Childline
• North East Air Ambulance
• Darlington on Disability

We have invited local business people to attend and so far the response has been overwhelming. Invitations were posted on 10th February and 19 tables have already been booked by businesses/organisations that have attended in the past. We strive to provide an excellent evening and repeat bookings are encouragement that we must certainly be doing something right!!

In 2014 entertainment will be provided by Cole Page an international swing singer and magician David Penn as well as a casino, disco etc. Once again the venue will be the fantastic Wynyard Hall.

For us to continue to raise much needed funds we need prizes ... prizes that we can use on our tombola, our golden ticket draw and also our auction.

We're looking for something special for auction prizes, perhaps something money can't buy - an experience?

If you/your business would like to donate  PLEASE let me know (Andrea Tobin 01325 341507 at@latimerhinks.co.uk) your donation will be acknowledged via the internet, throughout the evening and via associated publicity material before and after the event - and also on our blog!

 

I look forward to hearing from you.