Community

There’s no ‘green washing‘ here:

We can’t pretend we’ve got solar panels on the roof of every office; wind turbines in the car parks as part of a micro-generation strategy; or fancy water purification systems storing rain water and purifying it for use.

What we can say, is that where possible we have tried (and continue to try) to minimise our carbon footprint and the impact we have on the environment. The firm recently made the switch to LED lighting which has a positive environmental impact as well as being cost efficient.

Added to that, our electricity supplier claims in their most recent audit to have renewables account for 96.3% of its supply versus a UK average of 29.04%.

Through our recently introduced salary sacrifice car scheme, a number of employees have made the switch to EVs (electric vehicles) which helps to further reduce the carbon footprint.

And finally, it’s the small things such as recycling waste, printer toner cartridges and paper that all add up and in this case, it all add up to more than the weight of a mighty Orca

Wilson Browne is thrilled to have retained our Disability Confident Scheme for another year.

As a Disability Confident Committed Employer we have committed to:

• ensure our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible
• communicating and promoting vacancies
• offering an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the job
• anticipating and providing reasonable adjustments as required
• supporting any existing employee who acquires a disability or long term health condition, enabling them to stay in work
• at least one activity that will make a difference for disabled people

See our renewal certificate here

Award From Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme

We are pleased to confirm that Wilson Browne Solicitors has received the bronze award from the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS).

The ERS recognises commitment and support from UK employers for defence personnel and recognises employers who support those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families.

Click the image for the full document.

Happy Easter from Wilson Browne Solicitors and Miss Northamptonshire Galaxy

Wilson Browne Solicitors joined forces with Saffron Corcoran, the reigning Miss Northamptonshire Galaxy, to bring some Easter goodies to the patients, parents and staff on the children’s ward at Northampton General Hospital.

Saffron visited Wilson Browne Solicitors and was presented with the donation by Chloe Lake, a paralegal in our Residential Conveyancing team.

Over a period of two months, Saffron worked to collect nearly 100 Easter Eggs, as well as toys and books. Alongside this, Wilson Browne Solicitors kindly donated a selection of new toys for the activity room, to ensure that anyone staying has an array of options to keep their spirits up.

On Sunday 10th April, Saffron (along with Wilson Bear – can you spot him?!) visited Northampton General Hospital to make the donation, meeting Kaylee and Rachel of the children’s ward, who were thrilled with the collection.

Saffron said:

It couldn’t be more fitting that I am donating this week to Northampton General Hospital…the staff are incredible and deserve all the praise. We are so lucky to have the NHS and I hope that this collection puts smiles on the faces of the staff, patients and parents.

Saffron will be representing Northamptonshire at the United Kingdom Galaxy Pageants competition in November of this year, and hopes to bring the UK title back to Northamptonshire. We wish her the best of luck!

Helping Higham Ferrers Nursery and Infant School

Wilson Browne are committed to supporting the local community and charities.

We contacted Higham Ferrers Nursery and Infant School a while ago to see how we could help them and what would make a good contribution to the children.

Mrs Betts suggested craft materials would make a very welcomed donation and we put together a couple of boxes of materials including paper, pens and Play Doh.

Sam Brett from the Residential Conveyancing team and Stacy Ludlam the from Private Client team presented Mrs Bett’s with the gifts.

Mrs Betts said “Thank you very much for your kind offer and we would certainly like to take you up on it!!  School budgets are tighter than ever and the generosity of local businesses makes a real difference to our children. ”

Legal Surgery For Leicester Hospital

Since 2017 we have been working alongside Leicester Hospitals Charity providing legal surgeries on Wills, Trusts, ..

Pro Bono Work For Clifton Playgroup Completed

Wilson Browne Solicitors are committed to Corporate Social Responsibility; acting as a responsible employer within the community and ensuring that we put something back. Our recent instructions to act for Clifton Playgroup Limited on a pro bono basis were testament to exactly that.

Partner Tom Warrender, acted for Clifton Playgroup Limited in relation to their new lease of the playgroup premises at Clifton on Dunsmore Primary School in Rugby. The client’s current lease was due to expire at the end of July and they did not benefit from what is known as statutory security of tenure meaning they had no statutory right to the grant of a renewal of their lease.  The premises are obviously fundamental to the operation of the playgroup and Tom was able to successfully assist the playgroup in negotiating a new two year renewal lease of the premises.

Tom commented “Clifton Playgroup is an integral part of the local community and it was an absolute pleasure to be able to assist them in this matter. The playgroup, as with many similar organisations, do fantastic work on extremely limited budgets and so to be able to assist them in this project on a pro bono basis was particularly pleasing.”

Barbara Spiby, Playgroup Manager and Board Member of Clifton Playgroup Limited, commented, “To Tom I just want to say thank you. It’s been tricky and without your guidance and expertise we would still be trying to sort this. You have been fantastic!!! Thank you very much. “You have been a great support. Leading us through a difficult situation and you have supported our lack of knowledge, with such kindness, consideration and patience. I really can’t thank you enough.”

Clifton Playgroup provides quality early years education for children aged between 2½ and 4 years in and around the parish of Clifton Upon Dunsmore, Rugby.  Further information can be found at www.cliftonplaygroup.org.uk.

Air Ambulance Flying High

Over £1000 has been donated to the local Air Ambulance Service by Wilson Browne who chose the Charity to be their Charity of the Year 2017.

£1172.50 was raised through a number of fundraising events including cake sales and the ever popular quiz nights.

Northamptonshire Community Foundation.

Donation For Northamptonshire Charity To Reach People In Need This Winter.

We have teamed up with the Northamptonshire Community Foundation (NCF).

With many older and vulnerable people living alone, the public health crisis, the fuel crisis, and what seems like the never ending winter months Wilson Browne Solicitors has made a donation to the Northamptonshire Community Foundation’s Winter Well-being appeal.

The Foundation is the leading independent grant-making charity in the county and its annual Winter Well-being appeal has raised £235,000 since 2010 to protect some of the most vulnerable members of our communities.

(LEFT) Over £5000 has been donated by the firm which will be awarded in the form of grants to local community groups and small charities whose activities protect and help older and vulnerable people in supported environments.

Other Fundraising

Wilson Browne supports a number of other causes including: Jeans for Genes, and Movember. In previous years our corporate charity programme has also supported charities such as MacMillan Nurses, The Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance and The Cynthia Spencer Hospice.

Northamptonshire Sport Northants 5K Race Series 2024

Wilson Browne is very pleased to announce that we will once again be partnering with Northamptonshire Sport and sponsoring the Northants 5K Race Series.

The race series firmly embedded in the County’s annual running calendar, takes full advantage of the beautiful parklands and woodland in our area. It has become a regular fixture in the county’s annual running calendar with hundreds of runners taking part last year, including club runners, jogging groups and those who are completely new to running, the 5k Race Series offers something for everyone.

Dates and venues for the races have been confirmed as follows:

Race 1 – Delapre Abbey 28/04/2024– 10.30am
Race 2 – Holdenby House 15/05/2024 – 19:30pm
Race 3 – East Carlton Park 19/06/2024 – 19:30pm
Race 4 – Fermyn Woods 10/07/2024 – 19:30pm
Race 5 – Brixworth Country Park 08/09/2024 – 10:30am

Click here for more information and to sign up

Supporting Youth Sport: Corby & District, Youth Cricket League

The Wilson Browne Youth League covers the clubs in the Kettering & Corby District with leagues for Under 11, 13, 15 and 17.

As long time sponsors, we were pleased to attend the annual awards, attended by Ika Částka who has supported the league for some time, in no small part due to her professional and personal interest owing to a family love and participation in the game – both of her sons have played in the League.

Ika comments:

As a local employer, we have always made it our aim to put something back in the community and that includes supporting numerous local sports grounds, clubs and various leagues.

Whether supporting under-privileged children in the Gambia, being a main sponsor for the Pride In Northamptonshire Awards and similar, or simply lending support to local activities, it always give me great pleasure and  pride that Wilson Browne Solicitors is able to help.

Higham Ferrers Tourism Children’s Art Competition

Partner Nina Wilson from our Higham Ferrers office was delighted to join Ophelia Redpath, winner of Sky Landscape Artist in 2020 organised by Higham Ferrers Tourism to judge these awards.

Children in Higham Ferrers Nursery & Infants School, Higham Ferrers Junior School, Henry Chichele Primary School, Alpha Playgroup and The Ferrers School were invited to submit their Coronation artwork with the winners winning prizes and a Wilson Bear Cub!

Pantomime Partnership with the Lighthouse Theatre, Kettering

Since 2017 Wilson Browne Solicitors is proud to have sponsored the pantomime at The Lighthouse Theatre with the event getting more popular each year.

The pantomime is hugely popular with both young and old and plans are already well under way for this year’s show and the two organisations are working on some spell-binding ideas and magical surprises.

Wayne Jenkins, BD & Marketing Director at Wilson Browne Solicitors commented “It’s great to be working with The Lighthouse Theatre for the third year in a row.  The firm has its roots firmly in the communities in which it operates – most of our employees and clients are local and we work hard to ensure we give something back. “

Higham Ferrers Christmas Sparkle

The Christmas Sparkle is the busiest event in the calendar for Higham Ferrers.

For many years Wilson Browne Solicitors have supported the event by inviting clients into the office on the market square for a festive drink and mince pie as well as offering Christmas activities for their children.

For the past 2 years, the firm has supported the event by sponsoring the performance stage, a well needed covered space during the exceptionally cold winter day.

Naomi Edwards, Marketing Executive at Wilson Browne Solicitors said ” Community is everything in Higham Ferrers and it’s lovely to see clients join us during the festive period year after year. We are proud of our involvement in our local communities in which many of our employees live.”

Kelmarsh Show

Wilson Browne’s support of the nearby Kelmarsh Show continues this year.

The Show arrives this early May Bank Holiday 5th & 6th May and welcomes a fantastic line-up that has something for all the family.

Head to the KidsZone sponsored by Wilson Browne Solicitors to find free activities for younger children such as Punch & Judy, Balloon modelling, mini golf and much more – look for the purple banners!

Northamptonshire Food & Drink Festival

Wilson Browne Solicitors is proud to sponsor the Northamptonshire Food and Drink Festival.

The event brings together local food producers offering a variety of produce and delicacies as well as providing them with an opportunity to display their passion for food and drink.

The fun filled day, which also included a wide range of entertainment for all the family to enjoy, is free to attend and gives food and drink lovers a chance to sample and purchase local produce made in Northamptonshire as well as the surrounding area whilst relaxing in the summer sunshine and beautiful gardens of the award winning Kettering Park Hotel & Spa.

Crick Scarecrow Festival

Wilson Browne has supported the Crick Scarecrow festival for a number of years.

The festival offers 2 days of free music, displays & taster sessions, inflatables & children’s rides, bars, BBQ and food vendors,

There are also 25+ crafts / stalls, so plenty for all the family to enjoy.