The
Archers
An everyday story of Will-writing folk
Anyone who is a fan of BBC Radio 4’s
“The Archers” will know that recently,
Jack Woolley died following a few
years living away from his second wife,
Peggy, in a residential care home, “The
Laurels”, suffering from Alzheimer’s
disease. This was not a huge surprise
to listeners as sadly, Arnold Peters, the
actor who played Jack, actually died
himself last year and also suffered from
Alzheimer’s. Jack’s adopted child from
his first marriage, a daughter called
Hazel, arrived in Ambridge for the funeral
and then swiftly made an appointment
to see her father’s solicitor to find out
what was in his Will, accompanied by her
stepmother Peggy.
Jack, as often happens on a second
marriage (and in this case it was also
Peggy’s second marriage, her first
husband being the late Jack Archer),
had to consider making provision for
both his wife and family. He therefore
left his interest in their house to Peggy,
a few bequests to charity, and the bulk
of his estate to Hazel. Peggy’s own
three children were ready to fight her
corner for more but she was content
with the position, recognising that Jack
had a responsibility to his daughter and
knowing that she hadn’t been left high
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