A Faversham family with generations of experience working in local pubs have joined forces to take on a historic Shepherd Neame pub following a £320,000 refurbishment. Husband and wife Vicky and Dave Springett have teamed up with Vicky’s brother George Layzell to run The Bull Inn in Tanners Street, supported by their children and Vicky and George’s mum, making it a true family venture. The pub reopened on Friday, November 13, following a six-week transformation by independent family brewer and pub company Shepherd Neame. For Vicky and George, who grew up in Painters Forstal and have always lived in and around Faversham, the venture brings them back to their roots. Both previously worked at Shepherd Neame pubs in the area, while their mum Maureen spent many years working in pubs across Kent. Vicky said: “We had been talking for a long time about finding something we could do together as a family, and when George saw The Bull advertised, it seemed like the perfect opportunity." “It is a beautiful, historic pub right in the heart of Faversham, with so much potential, and we just decided to go for it. We all live locally and know the area really well, so it feels particularly special to be taking on a pub in our home town.” Built in 1409, The Bull Inn has been serving Faversham for more than 600 years and can even count Henry VIII and Elizabeth I among its former customers. The traditional pub has three cosy bar areas with log fires, along with a spacious garden. The £320,000 project has seen the pub completely transformed, with a full refurbishment of its internal areas, including new furniture and décor. The entrance lobby has been removed to create a more open and welcoming space, while the kitchen has also been upgraded. The transformation has created a fresh new look while retaining the historic character and traditional charm which have made the pub part of the Faversham community for centuries. Vicky, 45, is a primary school teacher, while Dave mostly works from home, and George works in social care. The family already has strong connections with Shepherd Neame. Vicky’s first job after leaving school was at The Chimney Boy in Faversham, now known as The Limes, where George also worked. Vicky later helped out at Shepherd Neame pubs The Alma in Painters Forstal and the Duke of Cumberland in Whitstable. Their mum Maureen also worked in Shepherd Neame pubs across Kent, including The George in Newnham, The Alma and The Chimney Boy. She now lives in Spain, but will be returning to Faversham to help the family with the reopening. And the family connection does not stop there, as the next generation will also be getting involved. Vicky and Dave’s daughters Holly, 24, and George’s daughter Niamh, 21, will work in the business. Other members of the family will also be lending a hand, including Vicky and Dave’s daughter Liv, and George’s daughter Phoebe and son Beau, Vicky said: “Pubs have always been a big part of our family life. Mum worked in them for years, and George and I both have lots of experience behind the bar. We have always really loved the social side of pub life and getting to know customers." “That sense of community is really important to us. We love the idea of the family working together and want The Bull to be somewhere people can come together, relax and enjoy themselves. We want to create lots of fun, happy times for our customers and our team.” Food will be an important part of the new-look pub’s offer, with a range of pub classics served throughout the day, alongside sharing boards and sharing roasts. Sharing charcuterie boards will also be available during the festive period. The family is determined that The Bull Inn should continue to be known for great cask ale, sourced from the Faversham Brewery just a stone’s throw from the pub, complemented by premium wines and spirits and a new range of cocktails. Vicky said: “Our aim is really simple: to do the simple things well. Great food and drink, a warm welcome and a pub where people genuinely enjoy spending time. We are really excited and can’t wait to get going.” The reopening will be celebrated with a packed weekend of live music from local bands. House Moves DJs will play from 8pm on Friday, November 13, while Paragraph One will play from 3pm to 5pm on Saturday, November 14, followed by Creek from 8.30pm. The weekend celebrations will continue on Sunday, with Louie and the Lizards performing from 5pm. Live entertainment will remain a key part of the pub’s offer, with live music every Saturday night, along with further events to be announced in the coming months. The family also hopes to make the most of the pub’s large garden by hosting live music outside during the summer. Sport will continue to feature prominently, with Sky Sports and TNT Sports shown in the pub, which will also continue to host local sports teams and groups including Faversham Strikeforce and local darts groups. Above all, the family wants The Bull Inn to be a welcoming community pub for everyone. Vicky said: “We want it to be family-friendly and somewhere everyone feels comfortable and relaxed, whether they are popping in for a pint, coming for something to eat or joining us for live music." “And that includes dogs! Our Cavapoo Herbie will definitely be there. We love the new look of the pub and we’re incredibly excited to welcome everyone in and start this next chapter for The Bull.” The Bull Inn will be open from 11am to 11pm, Monday to Thursday; 11am to midnight on Friday; 10am to midnight on Saturday, and 10am to 11pm on Sunday, following its reopening.

Harrisons, a leading UK manufacturer of nonwoven wipes, has taken on the supply of stencil cleaning rolls to customers of Edson Electronics Limited of Amble, Northumberland. Edson has built a strong reputation with electronics manufacturers in the UK and across Europe for its stencil cleaning rolls used in surface-mount printing, under owners Susan and Neil Woods, who are now retiring. Harrisons has long been Edson’s main supplier of base fabric, so already knows the products and their customers’ requirements well. Harrisons has purchased Edson’s production machinery, which has been moved to its Romford headquarters, and manufacturing will resume there in the coming days. Customers will continue to receive the same products and specifications they rely on, with the backing of Harrisons’ manufacturing, quality and logistics resources. The business sees the move as a chance to bring innovation to the sector. The company has recently developed more sustainable fabrics made from 100% natural fibres, and it plans to offer these to stencil cleaning customers. Stephen Harrison, Managing Director at Harrisons, said: “We’re delighted to be looking after Edson’s customers. Susan and Neil have built something of real quality, and we’re grateful for the trust they’ve placed in us. We wish them both a very happy retirement. Our priority is a seamless transition, and this also expands our international presence and lets us offer electronics manufacturers a genuinely more sustainable choice.” Susan and Neil Woods said: “We’re very pleased to be passing our customers to a company that already knows our products so well, and we know they will be in good hands.” About Harrisons: Harrisons is one of the UK’s most established names in nonwoven wipes production and distribution, trusted as the UK partner of Chicopee® and Sontara®. A Planet Mark certified family business with a rich history, Harrisons’ wiping products support every sector, including aerospace, automotive, healthcare, hospitality, foodservice, industrial, janitorial and printing.

A family business from Ellesmere Port is celebrating after being highly commended in the New Product competition at the UK’s leading dairy event. Eye Farm Innovative Dairy Solutions impressed judges at UK Dairy Day 2026, with Cow Locate® standing out in a highly competitive field of eight finalists. The product provides a precise location for every cow in a housed herd – helping to keep robotic milking moving by finding fetch cows easily and making it quicker and easier to pull cows out for routine health checks or emergency veterinary attention. “Solving everyday challenges for farmers by saving them time, improving profitability and enhancing animal welfare is our driver for innovation at Eye Farm,” said founder Dave Hawkes. “Being highly commended in our first New Product competition at such an important event for the UK dairy sector is a welcome endorsement of Cow Locate and its value to farmers. What really excites us, however, is the difference we are already seeing Cow Locate make on our early adopters’ farms." "For example, being able to locate an individual cow without disturbing or moving others makes working inside the shed safer for farm staff and reduces unnecessary stress for the animals.” Cow Locate uses a continuous stream of real-time data transmitted wirelessly from collar tags worn by the cows. Using a phone, tablet or PC, farmers can select an individual cow by her unique number or be guided by the health and fertility alerts from Cow Locate – all without needing to be in the shed. Cow Locate then displays her precise location on a digital map of the shed. Once inside the shed, the cow’s collar tag lights up, along with LED indicators on the antennas above her location, guiding farmers and their teams to find her quickly and efficiently. “There are more than 450 dairy farms in Cheshire – including mega dairies with over 2,000 cows,” said Dave. “Herd management involves a range of daily demands, with individual cows needing attention for everything from hoof trimming, insemination and pregnancy checks to health concerns such as mastitis. Being able to locate and bring the right cow out quickly for examination or treatment helps keep the parlour running smoothly, supports successful breeding and maintains overall farm productivity." "Our hope is that Cow Locate will make a practical difference to dairy farming in Cheshire and beyond, with the potential to benefit the wider UK dairy industry.” Eye Farm was founded by Dave and his wife Jane in 2025, and the couple have since welcomed their son William, aged 25, to the team following his graduation from Edge Hill University this summer. Their wider operations, customer service and business development team bring first-hand farming experience – having grown up on family farms or worked in the industry, alongside specialist knowledge of cow fertility and herd management. “It’s been an incredible first year in business,” said Dave, who spent 14 years specialising in electrical systems for farms before founding Eye Farm. “More than 350 farms across the UK now use our herd management system, which has continued to evolve with the addition of tools to monitor and prevent heat stress, an automatic sort gate and, most recently, Cow Locate. I would especially like to thank our colleagues at ENGS Systems Ltd.” Eye Farm are set to unveil their next innovation at Dairy-Tech 2027 – taking place in Stoneleigh Park on 3 February.

A Derbyshire bakery has said that it expects to sell its 27,000th limited edition Thor Cake by the end of the year making history for the popular bakehouse. Back by popular demand, the Viking-inspired treat is only on the shelves at Stacey’s Bakery for a limited period each year. This year, the family-owned firm estimates it will clock up its 27,000th sale, signalling an ‘historic’ milestone for the local traditional bake. The fourth-generation family firm, which has branches in Ilkeston’s Bath Street and South Street, as well as in Heanor and Eastwood, first brought the sweet treat to Derbyshire food lovers in 2016, after researching how it had become virtually obsolete in the region. Thor Cake, which was traditionally made on November 5 and helped to bring Derbyshire communities together, is a spicy autumn biscuit with a chewy texture and a gingery kick, made from oatmeal, butter and treacle, with coriander and Demerara sugar. Traditionally eaten on Bonfire Night, its flavours are similar to those of Yorkshire Parkin, but as a flatter biscuit-style of treat, it is tied to the East Midlands in that local communities would traditionally come together, bringing an ingredient each and baking the cake as a joint effort. As well as following the custom of recreating the biscuit, Stacey’s has now started a tradition of its own, firmly establishing the lead-up to November 5 as time for selling Thor Cakes over the past eight years. This year, for the first time, it will continue making the treat in the run up to Christmas. David Stacey, managing director and great-grandson of the firm’s founder, Guy Stacey, said: “It’s become a bit of a highlight of our baking calendar, as well as something our customers look forward to." “It’s really popular, so much so that we sell around 2,500 Thor Cakes each year, and considering they’re only available for a limited period, that’s really something.”

A trio of apprentice chefs aiming to forge careers in the restaurant trade have been recruited by a specialist training academy run by a Lake District hotel group. Syd Gallagher-Shuttleworth, Dillon Hearne and Sherif Moussa are on track to become chefs thanks to the English Lakes Hotels Culinary Academy. Dillon,18, will be working in the open kitchen Grill & Smokehouse at Wild Boar Estate near Windermere, whilst 35-year-old Sherif will gain experience with the culinary team at Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa. 20-year-old Syd will be based at the Foodworks Restaurant at Lancaster House Hotel. The 15-month apprenticeship course run in conjunction with Kendal College allows the trainees to earn a living with the hotel group and gain vital experience in a thriving restaurant kitchen environment. On completion of the course, the students will benefit from Level 2 Commis Chef and Level 3 Chef de Partie qualifications. The apprentices are learning their trade under the guidance and coaching of group training and development chef Daniel Winstanley, an appointed member of The Master Chefs of Great Britain. A key milestone in the course is a plan for the Culinary Academy trainees to deliver a set menu as part of a restaurant takeover at the college in the coming months. “I’ve always enjoyed cooking at home and feeding family and friends and I wanted to expand my understanding of catering and cuisine,” explains Syd. Sherif agrees and adds: “I'm passionate about cookery and making really good, tasty food, and I wanted to master those skills in a professional environment." Dillon was inspired to apply for the Culinary Academy having seen recipes he wanted to make for his family when he was younger: “It’s nice to be around like-minded people who love fine food service and working with them helps you to be punctual and good at multitasking,” he says. Daniel Winstanley from English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues says: “The culinary academy is now in its tenth year and we can’t wait to see how Syd, Sherif and Dillon develop their skills as trainee chefs." “The course gives the students the chance to attain fully accredited chef qualifications with Kendal College whilst climbing the first steps of the career ladder with paid jobs. This apprenticeship route is a great way to build experience whilst training." “Last year’s students are progressing well, with our level 2 trainee chefs reaching the end of their practical assessments where they prepare and present dishes they create themselves in line with the criteria set by the awarding body." "They are already passing on their knowledge to the new cohort. It’s great to see them all working together.” English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues is currently recruiting for staff across a range of hospitality industry disciplines. To find out more about available jobs and to apply, visit here. Top Photo: English Lakes Hotels Culinary Academy students (L-R) Jake Hart, Syd Gallagher-Shuttleworth, Sherif Moussa, Daniel Winstanley (head chef) Dillon Hearne, Natasha Bull, Rubi Bray.

The experienced Commercial Director steps into leadership role following five successful years with the business Bishopsgate Group has appointed Ryan Smith as its new Managing Director, with the business keen to launch the next phase of its development by building on recent growth and strengthening its position in the contractor market. Having spent the last five years as Commercial Director of the payroll and employment services provider, Ryan brings extensive industry experience to his new role, while his detailed understanding of the business will support a seamless leadership transition for clients, contractors and employees. He succeeds Luke Shannon-Little, who has been promoted to Director of Compliance at Bishopsgate’s parent business, the Munnelly Group, having personally overseen the appointment of his replacement. As Managing Director, Ryan’s key focus will be to build on the excellent work that has already established Bishopsgate as a leader in its field, maintaining the high standards of service and support, while looking at ways to further ensure that the needs of clients and contractors are met. Passionate about developing high-performing teams and creating a culture built on collaboration, resilience and accountability, Ryan has used data and insight to improve operational efficiency and support growth throughout his career. The appointment complements the Munnelly Group’s wider focus on compliance and governance, with Luke’s new role supporting consistent standards across its eight specialist businesses and supported by the Group’s shared philosophy of ‘One Group, One Mission, One Standard’. Luke Shannon-Little, Group Director of Compliance at the Munnelly Group, said: “Ryan brings extensive payroll industry experience, a strong commitment to compliance and a clear understanding of the importance of our contractor-first approach. I am confident that, under his leadership, Bishopsgate will continue to build on the foundations we have established and deliver the service you expect from us.” Ryan Smith, Managing Director of Bishopsgate Group, said: “I am delighted to be taking on the role of Managing Director at Bishopsgate Group. Having worked closely with Luke and the team over the past five years, I have seen first-hand the strong foundations we have built and the importance we place on delivering a compliant, contractor-first service." "I am excited to lead the business through its next stage of development, working alongside our talented colleagues to build on that progress and continue providing the high standards of support our clients and contractors expect.” Photo: Ryan Smith, Managing Director of Bishopsgate Group.

St Austell Brewery's 2026 Extra Special Tribute (EST) has returned to Waitrose stores nationwide, marking the second consecutive year the sought-after limited-edition beer has secured a listing with the supermarket. Brewed at 7.4% ABV and presented as a packaged single 500ml bottle, this year's Extra Special Tribute arrives during St Austell Brewery's landmark 175th anniversary year. Available at an RRP of £6.50, it is the fourth release in the brewery's annual vintage beer series. Extra Special Tribute was first launched in 2023 to commemorate the Coronation of King Charles III. Following demand from drinkers and collectors, the one-off release evolved into an annual series, with each vintage featuring a unique recipe before undergoing bottle conditioning and maturation ahead of release. This year's edition pours a deep golden colour and showcases the best of Cornish brewing. A blend of Cornish Maris Otter and Cornish Gold from locally grown Laureate barley, sourced through long-standing relationships with around 10 farming families, provides a rich malt backbone. Traditional Fuggles hops bring a smooth bitterness with subtle earthy and pine notes, while modern British varieties Olicana and Harlequin deliver layers of apricot and stone fruit. Together these hops enhance the distinctive marmalade character from the yeast at this ABV and the gentle peppery spice associated with classic English ales. Bottled in May and now beginning to mature, the beer's soft carbonation allows its complex flavours to shine. The Extra Special Tribute concept is rooted in the heritage of Tribute, St Austell Brewery's flagship pale ale. Originally brewed in 1999 under the name Daylight Robbery, the beer was renamed Tribute in honour of the people who helped the family-owned brewery reach its 150th anniversary milestone. Since then, Tribute has become one of the UK's best-known premium cask ales, winning multiple awards and earning a loyal following across the country. It remains a staple on bars nationwide and is available in cask, bottle and can formats. St Austell Brewery’s Brewing Director Georgina Young said: "Extra Special Tribute has become a beer that drinkers genuinely look forward to each year. What started as a one-off celebratory brew in 2023 has evolved into a much-loved annual release, giving people the chance to enjoy Tribute in a completely different way and even build a collection of vintages at home." "This year's release is particularly significant as it coincides with our 175th anniversary year. The beer reflects both our brewing heritage and our passion for innovation, and we're delighted to see it return to Waitrose for a second year, making it more accessible to beer lovers across the UK." Extra Special Tribute 2026 is available in Waitrose stores nationwide (RRP £6.50) and online via St Austell Brewery's website.

An ‘exceptional and compassionate’ Dorset care home chef is celebrating national recognition for her culinary excellence and personalised approach to meeting residents’ food preferences and nutritional needs. Beata Kaczynska, Head Chef at Colten Care’s Castle View in Poundbury, has been named Care Chef of the Year at the prestigious National Care Awards in London. She was one of 11 finalists in the category and, describing the moment the award was announced, said: “When they read my name out along with the others on the shortlist, my heart was pounding, it was pure adrenalin. But when I saw my face up on the big screen and they said I was the winner, I felt disbelief. I couldn’t believe it was really me." "My Colten colleagues at our two tables were going ecstatic and cheering. It was such a beautiful moment. I felt great happiness, proud and honoured to be chosen. To be recognised by judges from across the care industry makes me feel really special. It shows they appreciate we are doing something meaningful here at Colten.” After the ceremony, Beata said she received a warm welcome back at Castle View from residents, Home Manager Ashika Reddy and fellow team members, adding: “I believe a celebration is being planned.” In her nomination for the award, Beata was praised as ‘a skilled, compassionate chef whose personalised approach combines culinary excellence, nutritional expertise and genuine understanding of the residents she cooks for every day’. Examples cited included her management of a new resident’s malnutrition risk. By taking the time to learn and discuss his meal preferences, she successfully increased the calorie content of his meals without increasing their volume. Combined with her introduction of homemade high-calorie milkshakes, the approach enabled the resident to rebuild his strength without compromising on medical requirements. In their winner’s citation, judges wrote: “Beata takes residents’ health and nutrition seriously without ever compromising on taste, with personalised food fortification leading to positive health outcomes. The judges were impressed by her commitment to quality, including training under Marco Pierre White.” Colten Care’s Chief Operating Officer Elaine Farrer, who was sitting with Beata at the ceremony, said: “Since joining Castle View in 2021, Beata has combined culinary skill with a detailed understanding of residents' nutritional needs, preferences and routines, ensuring food remains a source of nourishment, choice and genuine pleasure." "We are all immensely proud of Beata, and it was a real joy to be with her and see her win on the night. Her residents and colleagues at Castle View will also be thrilled with her success.” Also there on the night was Colten Care’s Head of Hospitality Richard Pearshouse who said: “Beata goes above and beyond all the time to ensure her residents enjoy outstanding food and service. She does this tireless work without necessarily expecting recognition so to have gone through the awards process and won the national status that she rightly deserves is especially pleasing." "The award is a reflection of just how great Colten Care chefs are. As a head chef in a care home you are the heart of the home and Beata is the very definition of this.” Beata’s win is the latest National Care Awards success for Colten Care. Last year the provider won the gong for Care Home Group (Medium), for groups with 20 to 40 homes, and in 2022 Colten Chef Lorna Parsons won the same Care Chef of the Year category as Beata. Since then, Lorna has been promoted to group-wide Development Chef with senior responsibilities across all 21 Colten Care homes including input to chef training, budgeting, stock management, menu choices and compliance on food safety standards. The 2026 awards culminated in a ceremony at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge hosted by comedian, writer and presenter Tom Allen. As well as Beata’s win, Colten Care was highlighted as a finalist in five other categories. The National Care Awards are designed to celebrate excellence across the long-term care sector. Top Photo: Colten Care’s Beata Kaczynska, Head Chef at Castle View in Poundbury, Dorset, on stage at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge with her award for Care Chef of the Year. On the far left is ceremony host the comedian, writer and presenter Tom Allen. Photo: Beata Kaczynska, Head Chef at Colten Care’s Castle View in Poundbury, has won the title of Care Chef of the Year at the National Care Awards. Here, Beata is pictured with Castle View resident Dorothy.

One of the UK’s largest commercial plant nurseries, Johnsons Nurseries Ltd, has reaffirmed its commitment to plant health and biosecurity after successfully renewing its Plant Healthy certification and celebrating another group of employees completing specialist Plant Health training. The family-run business, based between York and Harrogate, has maintained its Plant Healthy certification for its sixth year, demonstrating its continued dedication to high standards of plant health, responsible growing practices and biosecurity across its nursery operations. The Plant Healthy Certification Scheme is designed to help businesses demonstrate that they have robust plant health management systems in place, reducing the risk of introducing and spreading harmful pests and diseases through the movement of plants. For Johnsons Nurseries, which supplies between five and six million plants and trees annually to the landscape and garden centre sectors, maintaining these standards is an essential part of its operations. Alongside the certification renewal, the company has continued investing in employee knowledge and development, with its latest group of staff successfully completing Plant Health training this autumn. The training strengthens employees' understanding of plant health, pest and disease identification, preventative measures and the importance of maintaining effective biosecurity procedures throughout the growing and distribution process. The latest successful participants include Wayne Atkinson, Jill Rose, Tyler Lonergan, Ruby Waldron, Ashley Robinson, Nigel Robinson, Freya Lamacq-Wigham, Levi Riley, Jordan Riley and Alex McCutcheon. The programme forms part of Johnsons' wider commitment to continuous professional development, ensuring employees across the business have the knowledge and confidence to identify potential plant health concerns and contribute to maintaining high standards. Jonathan Whittemore, Commercial and Business Manager at Johnsons Nurseries, said: "Plant health is fundamental to everything we do, from growing and caring for millions of plants each year to ensuring they reach our customers in the best possible condition." "Renewing our Plant Healthy certification is an important achievement for the business and reflects the hard work and dedication of our teams across our nursery sites." "We're equally proud of the employees who have completed their latest Plant Health training. Investing in our people and developing their knowledge is essential to maintaining high standards, protecting our plants and supporting the long-term sustainability of the horticultural industry." With more than a century of horticultural experience, Johnsons Nurseries continues to prioritise plant health, environmental responsibility and employee development as key elements of its business's success.

Two businessmen from Dorset have driven a vehicle full of supplies to the east of Ukraine to help the people suffering in the war and narrowly missed a lethal drone strike. Jonathan Stretch from Douch Family Funeral Directors and Andy Selby, who runs a building firm in Wareham, travelled almost 2,000 miles. They donated the vehicle along with 70 kilos of medical supplies, a generator and handmade blankets and knitted toys made by volunteers from the ‘knit and natter’ groups run and supported by the Douch Family Funeral Directors. The pair drove from Dorset across Europe and then right across Ukraine to Dnipro, in the east of the country. Jonathan said: “Andy had wanted to do this for a while and when the Ford Ranger became available he bought it and we decided to go. We were able to fill the vehicle with supplies including lots of medical equipment donated by a local hospital." “We also took a generator and lots of beautifully knitted blankets and toys made by volunteers from our knit and natter groups. It was lovely to be able to take something hand made for the children." “Rather than dropping everything off in the west of the country we decided to drive 800 miles across Ukraine. We missed a drone strike at a railway station that killed 15 and began to understand the fear of Ukrainians who live with that threat every day." “They were extremely grateful for the supplies and when we delivered the medical equipment they only took what their hospital needed." “Andy and I are already hoping to make another journey and would welcome any donations or practical support that could help us do it again.” Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 and then in 2022 invaded Ukraine but were surprised by the resistance. A war of attrition developed during which has led to the deaths of 450,000 Russians and 150,000 Ukrainians. Photo: Andy Selby, left, and Jonathan Stretch, right, deliver supplies to Ukraine

Inheritance worries are influencing some of the most personal decisions made by blended families, with more than one in three (35%) saying concerns around inheritance have made them less likely to remarry, according to new research from Rathbones. This compares with 26% of people in families without children from previous relationships, highlighting the additional financial and emotional considerations that can arise when couples bring together children, assets and previous relationships. Blended and step-families are a significant part of family life. The latest ONS Census figures show there were 781,000 step-families in England and Wales in 2021, including 547,000 with dependent children. Around 1.1 million dependent children, or 8.8% of all dependent children, lived in a step-family. The research, conducted among 2,036 UK adults with at least £250,000 in investable assets, also points to an inheritance “fairness gap” within blended families. More than a quarter (26%) believe their inheritance plans are fair but say their partner disagrees, almost twice the 14% among families without children from previous relationships. The findings come as Rathbones has seen an uptick in inheritance tax-related queries ahead of the April 2027 changes, when most unused pension funds and death benefits are set to be brought within the scope of inheritance tax. The change is giving families another reason to consider whether their existing estate arrangements remain appropriate. Malvee Vaja, Chartered Financial Planner at Rathbones, says: “Blended families can face a particularly difficult inheritance balancing act. People often want to make sure a new partner is financially secure while also protecting an inheritance for children from a previous relationship, and those aims do not always sit neatly together. “You could almost think of it as an ‘inheritance pre-nup’ conversation. Couples entering a new marriage may increasingly need to talk openly about what happens to their wealth, how they want to provide for one another and, crucially, what they ultimately want their children to inherit.” When equal doesn't necessarily mean fair For blended families, deciding what constitutes a fair inheritance can be particularly complicated. Almost half (48%) describe inheritance planning as complex, compared with 35% of families without children from previous relationships, while 26% have experienced family conflict relating to inheritance planning, versus 14%. That complexity is also reflected in how families plan to divide their wealth. While 85% of families without children from previous relationships intend to divide their inheritance equally among their children, this falls to 73% among blended families. An equal division may not always feel like the fairest solution when families are balancing the needs of a current partner, children and stepchildren, different financial circumstances and wealth accumulated during previous relationships. Almost a quarter (24%) of people in blended families also feel guilty about how they intend to divide their inheritance between family members, compared with just 13% of families without children from previous relationships. While most inheritance disputes are resolved privately through solicitors, mediation or settlement, official figures point to a rise in the number that reach the High Court. Cases have increased for five consecutive years, reaching 127 in 2025, 76% more than in 2019. Malvee Vaja adds: “We hear from clients who are trying to strike exactly that balance. The difficulty is that what feels fair to one branch of the family may look very different to another. Having these conversations early and making your wishes clear can be just as important as the financial planning itself.” April 2027 gives families another reason to review their plans The research suggests the upcoming IHT changes are already prompting some blended families to revisit their arrangements. Almost a third (32%) have reviewed their will, compared with 22% of families without children from previous relationships. Almost a quarter (23%) have adjusted their pension drawdown strategy, versus 18%, while 23% have established or used trust structures, compared with 14%. Malvee Vaja, says: “Against that backdrop, the pension-IHT changes have given blended families another reason to look under the bonnet of their estate plans. We’re seeing growing interest from clients in passing wealth down sooner, particularly to help children and grandchildren with university costs or getting onto the housing ladder, when the money can make the biggest difference." “But there’s a balance to strike. You don’t want to give away money today that you may need for retirement or care tomorrow. With April 2027 approaching, the priority is to plan early, use existing allowances sensibly and avoid knee-jerk decisions driven by tax.”

A Dorset funeral group is hosting workshops for those experiencing ‘anticipatory grief’ - a growing phenomenon. Along with the charity PramaLife, accredited counsellor Cindy Weller who works with Douch Family Funeral Directors, will explain the nature of what is sometimes called ‘ambiguous loss’. It is the type of grief that occurs when a terminal diagnosis is given and loved ones and carers must come to terms with it. In dementia it is often called the ‘long goodbye’ and it can feel like the person dies twice; when their mind dies and then when their body dies. Douch Family Funeral Directors is running the workshops with PramaLife for its Memory Lane groups and volunteers, but is planning to widen them out for others in the community. PramaLife supports older adults in BCP and East Dorset through a range of support groups, special interest activities and telephone befriending. Its aim is to improve the quality of life for older adults and their carers, as well as people living with memory loss and other long term health conditions. PramaLife runs a dementia carers’ group and information course as well as over 80 clubs, groups and activities to support older people and adult carers. Cindy said: “Anticipatory loss is the grief we feel before a loss actually happens - when someone we love is living with a terminal illness, advanced dementia, or a serious life-limiting condition." “It can start at the moment of a diagnosis, or creep up slowly over months or years - many carers of someone with dementia call this ‘the long goodbye’. You are grieving someone who's still with you and the grief is real even while they're right in front of you." “The person you're caring for is still there, but the relationship keeps changing shape, and the losses can happen again and again in ways that don't get any easier. There are many feelings that people might feel including sadness, guilt, anger, numbness, fear and loneliness." “The workshops are designed to help those dealing with this type of grief and with a growing elderly population there is more anticipatory grief around.” Emma Regan from the funeral group said: “We have been working with Cindy for many years and we run various groups that deal with grief." “The anticipatory grief workshop is new and we are running them with Prama Life for their local support groups but plan to widen their scope in due course. Many people are affected by this type of loss and counselling can really help.”