Island Life Magazine Ltd December 2006/January 2007 | Page 22

PROPERTY Philip Hoare Victorian Island Christmas That special time is here again when we celebrate Christmas and reward our family and friends with gifts to show our love and esteem for them. It is thanks to the Victorians, particularly Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, that the tradition we accept as normality today was created. Prince Albert brought many customs with him from Germany, particularly encouraging elaborate decorating of the Xmas tree and the lavish distribution of gifts amongst the children, other members of the family and the Royal Household. There were over 300 staff and not one was overlooked! Christmas was of great significance to the Royal Couple, indeed, Queen Victoria said of the Festival that it was ‘A most dear and happy time’ and she loved the handpicked gifts that Albert chose for her. Victoria and Alberts love of the ritual of Christmas created a trend throughout the land, people of every class followed suit creating what we now call ‘The Traditional Victorian Christmas’ where we exchange our gifts. In the mid 19th Century wealth and opportunity were becoming far more evenly distributed due to the Industrial Revolution and the creation of mass production. Goods were much cheaper and, therefore, affordable to the masses. Decorative objects and works of Art were being imported from throughout the world. Interest in these had been created by Albert through the Great Exhibition of 1851, which proclaimed the benefits of World Free Trade as it brou ght in Artefacts, decorative objects and advancements in technology from across the globe. The Victorians became great acquisitors rapidly accumulating as much as they could in order to reflect their wealth and social positions. There are remarkable parallels in Victorian Society with 22 what is happening in our culture today; vast quantities of Decorative goods flooding in from the Far East - some of good quality, some not so good - but most of all, it is very affordable. Tastes, however, are gradually moving away from the blandness of minimalism. Now, in my opinion, is the time to buy 19th Century Antiques and particularly Victoriana. The quality and skill, which went into their creation, can never be paralleled. So, when you are looking for that Special gift this Christmas remember that Quality will out! So whether you choose to buy an Antique or a contemporary piece combine aesthetic beauty with quality and you cannot go wrong. I have had over forty years experience as a Fine Arts Valuer and Consultant, If you are looking for anything to embellish or enhance your home I can source the finest pieces specially for you. Alternatively if you are curious about a family heirloom or would like some information on a curious piece you have always wondered about please do not hesitate to call me. Have a very Merry Christmas and spare a thought for Victoria and Albert while you are munching your mince pie! * For advice on antique valuations, restorationorresearch,contactPhilip on 01983 568614 or 0777 3877242, email [email protected] or www.victorianislandproducts.com Financial care for the elderly Looking after the interests of elderly people means more than just taking care of their basic care and attention needs – it is also important to protect their financial well-being. The assets of an elderly person can be extensive in terms of property, investment savings, pensions and personal effects and, in situations where members of the family are at a distance from the Isle of Wight or not available at all, it can be difficult to properly manage or monitor things. This is why for the last 15 years Island lawyer Terence Willey has developed a dedicated department within his law practice, expressly headed and undertaken by himself, to deal with management of the affairs of the elderly. He says that elderly people can be placed in residential homes with insufficient support to them in terms of protecting their financial position to the fullest. “Whilst I consider that here on the Isle of Wight we enjoy a very high standard of care and financial status checking via Social Services and appointed Care workers”, he says, “there are limits as to the degree of involvement that they can reasonably take on”. “As a Practice we not only take on full management and care of our clients, but where necessary can assist with preparing and completing Powers of Attorney in various forms, dealing with mental capacity issues and accountability to the Court of Protection and Public Guardianship Office, including a full accounting service in this regard. We have a department dedicated to this work and supported by lawyers specialising in the field of elderly client affairs”. Mr Willey adds that the elderly can be extremely vulnerable in circumstances where support is not available, and relatives at distance are only too pleased to ensure that their mother or father are protected and regularly monitored in this way and with professional representation when needed. The service can extend to reviewing nursing home contracts, terms and conditions, reviewing standards of accommodation as and when complaints are received, and where possible, ensuring that all aspects of the elderly person’s estate and affairs are in order in terms of reviewing wills, registering Enduring Powers of Attorney with the Court of Protection in cases of mental incapacity, or any other incapacitation which prevents the individual from being able to have both mental and physical capacity to maintain their affairs. It can also arrange attendances to private homes or residential care homes as and when necessary, and without any surcharge for visiting clients out of the office. For more information on the service contact Terence Willey at his Bembridge Law Practice in Grove Mews, Sherbourne Street. Tel [phone]. Island Life - www.isleofwight.net