Lucy Mignot from Blanchards Bailey explains the thorny issue of ‘fraudulent calumny’ – which is far less romantic than it sounds.
If you think ‘fraudulent calumny’ sounds like something from a Shakespeare play, you wouldn’t be far wrong. The concept of pouring poison in the ear was a common theme for the playwrite. Sadly however it is still very much relevant today in the context of wills.
Fraudulent calumny occurs when one person poisons a will-maker’s mind against someone who would otherwise be their natural beneficiary, and as a result the will-maker disinherits the person they have been poisoned against, or leaves them less than they would be expected to receive. If fraudulent calumny can be proved, the will is invalid and will be set aside, reverting to the will-maker’s previous will or, if they did not have one, the intestacy rules.
Sibling rivalry
In practice, these disputes are often between siblings, where one is alleged to have spread lies about the other to a parent. There are cases where it was alleged that a parent had been deceived into believing that one of their children had stolen from them, was a shopaholic and spendthrift, or was untrustworthy.
Fraudulent calumny will only be established if the person casting the aspersions knew that what they were telling the will-maker was untrue – or they did not care whether it was true or not, and there is no other explanation for the disinheritance.
It is a subtle form of undue influence where, rather than being forced into making changes against their will, the will-maker makes the changes of their own volition because their perception of the person they are disinheriting has been skewed. Fraudulent calumny is often missed by inexperienced or non specialist lawyers to the disadvantage of the client claiming that the will should be set aside.
If you are concerned that a will may have been affected by deliberate deception or you believe it may not be valid for any other reason, it is essential that you seek specialist legal advice from a contentious probate expert. Contact Lucy Mignot on 01305 217 303 or [email protected]
Monthly updates from the various North Dorset Police Teams. This month’s news from Blandford’s Police Sergeant Jane Hammond
Blandford’s policing team worked hard to ensure everyone’s safety in the aftermath of Storm Eunice this month, says PS Jane Hammond
It’s been a busy few weeks, made ever more challenging by Storm Eunice. She certainly kept the teams busy!
We were able to deal with incidents during the storm, and also the aftermath of fallen trees and power lines with the help of Dorset Council and many other agencies. I was proud of all our teams and their hard work, helping to keep people safe. The teams were also engaged with following up on crimes and anti-social behaviour; we are committed to putting victims first and being tough on crime. We do rely on our communities to tell us what they know and want you to continue to report incidents. This assists us to detect crimes and be in the right places at the right times to help prevent incidents.
“Thank you to everyone who dropped by our joined-up surgery in #Blandford with local Councillors Byron Quayle and Nocturin Lacey-Clarke and to Dorset RoadSafe. Surgeries are great for crime prevention advice, Neighbourhood Policing priority surveys, Dorset Alert sign ups and to discuss any concerns and issues or pass on information. Everyone is welcome.”
“Damage has been caused in the play area where ‘graffiti’ has been sprayed over the play equipment. Road side furniture has also been damaged. This was reported earlier in the week.”
“Avoid Church Hill as there is a limb balancing precariously on a power line. There are ongoing reports of fallen trees & branches in Dorset. Others down at Milldown Road, Blandford. #NecessaryTravelOnly is still advised and if you do have to go out please exercise utmost vigilance.”
On our social media you can see advertised where and when your local police teams will be in your communities for you to speak to in person.
We love these ‘engagements’ – some of them include partner agencies with whom we work to keep our communities safe. Please also look at our Dorset Police Web pages – ‘Neighbourhood Policing’, where you can see the faces and names of your local neighbourhood police officers and Police Community Support Officers (known as PCSOs).
For details on your local team’s future engagements please refer to our website. As always, if you wish to contact us follow the links. 79 You can report non urgent matters via 101, and remember if you see a crime in progress or a person in danger call 999.
Tristan Gooley will be speaking to the Sherborne Literary Society about his latest book, ‘The Secret World of Weather : How to Read Signs in Every Cloud, Breeze, Hill, Street, Plant, Animal, and Dewdrop’. Tristan Gooley, the Natural Navigator, will be in conversation with Brian Bleese, CEO of the Dorset Wildlife Trust.
In The Secret World of Weather we discover the simple rules that explain the weather signs and learn rare skills that should enhance every minute spent outdoors.
Wednesday 30th March 7pm-9pm The Digby Memorial Hall, Sherborne
Tickets £9 members, £10 non members available through the Sherborne Literary Society website and Winstone’s Bookshop.
The theme ‘Reading the Land’ is an invitation to share in the passion, experience and insight of our authors as we explore the best of nature writing.
With much of the last 18 months spent adjusting to new limitations, many of us have explored the lanes and paths closer to home in a bid to find new ways to stretch our minds (and legs!). For some, it has been a chance to reconnect with nature, while for others it has proven an opportunity to examine more closely the natural world around us. “We hope to stimulate positive ways of living with nature, and encourage the audience to share our passion for the landscapes, coasts, and flora and fauna” Whether you’re in the town or country, high-rise or ground-level, there are ways to notice nature and what’s happening in the environment around us. Our authors bring their insights to the Festival, exploring a variety of themes connected to the landscape; the importance of trees and bees, rewilding, and so much more.
For more information about the events and to see our list of authors please click here.
After unavoidable delays, singing sensation’ Thomas Cameron is making a welcome return to Shaftesbury Arts Centre.
A charismatic English tenor, Thomas has a powerful voice that’s making waves in the world of classical music.
His first three singles, ‘Bring Him Home’, ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’ and ‘Music of the Night’, taken from his beautiful debut album ‘The Voice of Thomas Cameron’ have been met with critical acclaim and great enthusiasm from his fanbase.
Thomas was featured on BBC television where they described him as ‘wowing the music world’, a statement fully endorsed by his nominations for the Best In Music Award 2019, and the 2018 Classic Brit Awards.
With his inimitable personality and performing a number of well-loved songs including musical theatre hits and beautiful classical pieces, Thomas is sure to please many tastes and gives a very special performance to remember.
Chilli plants are easy to grow, can look spectacular, with the bonus of having tasty fruit. But the seeds need to be sown now for summer fruiting.
The Great Dorset Chilli Festival are holding their annual Chilli Plant Growing Competition – to be judged at the event held at Stock Gaylard, near Sturminster Newton, on Saturday 6th August, with prizes sponsored by Harts of Stur, and by Simpsons Seeds. Amateur gardeners should be sowing their chilli seeds now!
Fierce competition
The Chilli Plant Competition is an established part of the Chilli Festival, where amateur chilli- growing enthusiasts can enter classes to compete for the best- looking fruiting chilli plant.
“Judging is taken very seriously, and the competition is fierce” says Festival Director Miles Halton, “but the joy is that anyone can take part, and anyone could win”.
The Chilli Plant Competition:
There are two classes. Class 1 is only for the chilli variety “Santa Fe Grande”, a traditional chilli variety which ripens early and gives good yield. Class 2 is the open class into which any chilli plant can be entered. Plants are judged on appearance, development, condition and fruiting. Judging is done by two respected commercial chilli seed growers; Michael Michaud of Sea Spring Seeds (Sea Spring Seeds, based near Dorchester, developed the hot Dorset Naga chilli) and Matt Simpson of Simpson’s Seeds (as seen on TV shouting “grow, damn you” at his chilli plants). The winner of each chilli plant competition class will receive a £50 gift voucher from local instore and online cookware and gardening retailer Harts of Stur, in Sturminster Newton.
Free seeds:
The organisers of the Great Dorset Chilli Festival have been supplied by Simpsons Seeds with a limited supply of Santa Fe Grande chilli seeds to give away. For a copy of the rules and to claim your seeds email [email protected]
Valerie Singleton will perhaps forever be a Blue Peter presenter. She joined the BBC in 1961 as a continuity announcer and in 1962 joined Blue Peter, where she stayed as a weekly presenter until 1972 (and continued to appear as a ‘roving reporter’ into the early 80s). Since then she has presented various TV shows, written for Sunday newspapers and glossy magazines, has worked on the current affairs shows Nationwide and Tonight, and at PM on Radio 4… And yet remains indelibly stamped on our collective consciousness as ‘Blue Peter’s Val Singleton’
1. What’s your relationship with the Blackmore Vale (the loose North Dorset area, not us!)?
I came down to this part of the world because I thought Sherborne was very lively (it was lively where I lived near the Fulham Road in London!), and already loved the area; I had friends I would come down to see in Holwell. It’s also close enough to London to still see my elderly Dad, and for work.
2. What was the last song you sang out loud in your car?
Unfortunately, my new car radio doesn’t play CDs so I am mostly (being a bit of a news addict) tuned to Radio 4 or Five Live. But I did join in with a few songs from someone’s Desert Island Discs the other day; My Way (who else but Sinatra?) and Alfie Boe singing from Les Mis.
3. What was the last movie you watched? Would you recommend it? The last movie in a cinema (pre- lockdown!) was Dark Waters with Mark Ruffalo. It is a dark movie too – a true story about the awful deception by the chemical company DuPont, who produced Teflon. It’s an excellent legal thriller. Definitely a must-see.
Val Singleton enjoying a special event at Castle Gardens in Sherbonre
4. It’s Friday night – you have the house to yourself, and no work is allowed. What are you going to do?
Well Friday night is not very different from every other night of the week in this house! Except (at the moment) it does have my favourite comedy show on BBC One – Would I Lie To You.
5. Who’s your celebrity crush? In his heyday, the tennis player John Newcombe (image below). I thought he was absolutely gorgeous. And I did see him play once at Queens… that’s practically up close and personal!
John Newcombe is an Australian former professional tennis player, one of the few men to have attained a world No. 1 ranking in both singles and doubles.
6. What’s your comfort meal?
It has to be chocolate. I go through phases of loving a particular one, then lose my taste for it and move to another brand. But chocolate is always the answer.
7. What would you like to tell 15yr old you? I might be a bit young to take it in at 15 but I would tell her to make sure she asks her parents – and more important, perhaps, her grandparents – about their lives. Too late I discovered what a fascinating life my paternal grandmother had led. I would so like to have known more. All those lunches I had with her in Derry & Toms Roof Gardens (now Kensington Roof Gardens) in my 20’s and I never bothered to ask. And sadly now too late!
8. The best crisps flavour?
Walkers cheese and onion! Although Sensation’s Sweet Thai Chilli probably ties with them.
9. And the best biscuit for dunking?
Definitely McVities Rich Tea. Dunked all too often.
10. Tell us about one of the best evenings you’ve ever had?
I will tell you about two. I was filming in the Peloponnese, in an empty unspoilt Greece in April in 1961. There were no major roads or motorways anywhere. I was making a promotional film about the new Classic car for the Ford Motor Company called (what else?) a Classic Holiday’ (see video below – I found the 1961 advert – Ed). The film crew and four stars (!!) of the film went to eat one evening in a small local cafe on a fabulous beach along the coast. We didn’t speak Greek, and the Greeks having dinner in the cafe didn’t speak English. But by the end of the evening we were one wonderful party, sharing songs and dances into the early hours.
And the other would be an evening at the Sugar Mill in Grenada during the time the Americans had gone in to resolve an uprising against the government. I was staying with journalist friends covering the story. The Sugar Mill had been just that – a mill for sugar. Now it was a local place to dance; enclosed, dark, and wildly atmospheric. I am not sure what kind of music it was, I just know it was wonderful. Partnered by numerous unknown Grenadians, I had never danced like it before or since.
11. What book did you read last year that stayed with you? I love history, and I picked up a book I had had for ages but hadn’t read; Andrew Marr’s History of The World. It’s absolutely terrific. So well written, readable and interesting. I don’t read from beginning to end but dip into it.
12. What’s your secret superpower? Bringing people together who might get on and like each other. I refuse to call it networking as I don’t like the phrase (though one friend did call me a facilitator!). I just have the knack – it seems to work, and new friendships and useful contacts have been made.
13. Your favourite quote? Movie, book or inspirational – we won’t judge. It’s from E.M. Forster’s ‘A Passage To India’ – “Life never gives us what we want at the moment that we consider appropriate. Adventures do occur, but not punctually.” I have had quite a few unpunctual adventures along the way.
14. Cats or Dogs?
Always cats! I had two in London long ago, and then I adopted three kittens who had a rather dramatic start in life.
They were spotted actually on the tracks at Sherborne railway station, and rescued as a train approached by the station manager who scooped them into a bucket with a curtain hook!
My neighbour (at the station that day) took them home to catch mice on the farm, but they soon discovered they liked my duvet better than a mucky straw barn.
My neighbour moved. I kept the cats. Sadly the adventurous one wandered too far, but two are still with me. They have been utterly delightful during the pandemic. They talk to me more, follow me around and have become lap cats. I don’t even mind rescuing the mice they bring in as I like mice!
15. Chip Shop Chips or Home Baked Cake? I’m not mad about cake so guess it would have to be chips.
But actually, best of all would be a pastry. I admit I am a bit of a pastry junky.
16. Your top three most- visited, favourite websites (excluding social media & BBC News!)?
I don’t do social media, so that’s relatively easy to avoid! • Google – I’m always looking up people, or searching for information • YouTube for fun clips • Can I cheat with a different
BBC site? It would be iPlayer for missed programmes!
Valerie Singleton in the Valley of the Kings whilst travel writing in the 90s
17. What’s your most annoying trait? I think it’s probably interrupting. I must learn to let other people finish what they are saying before I jump in. However I asked a friend, who said it’s actually not ending my sentences!
18.Your favourite quote?
It’s from E.M. Forster’s A Passage To India: “Life never gives us what we want at the moment that we consider appropriate. Adventures do occur, but not punctually.”
I have had quite a few ‘unpunctual’ adventures along the way!
19. You have the power to pass one law tomorrow, uncontested. What would you do?
Ban anyone caught driving with a mobile for driving for life. Yes, life!
