Sport - join a fun syndicate with a passion for horses

from Village People South Norfolk edition – October / November (Autumn)

Bungay Bitesize - The Bungay Society

The ‘fun’ syndicate with a passion for horses

By Colin Burr, BDR Syndicate Joint Partner & Racing Manager

If you want to be part of an exciting, friendly and sociable group for racehorse owners, then BDR Syndicate could be for you. We are formed from all kinds of backgrounds and trades, retired folk and millennials, all with a shared passion; the thrill of seeing our horses win! The sport pulls all these people together to form, in their words, 'The Fun Syndicate’. We are a nationwide group, and a local syndicate has recently been set up from a group from Diss Golf Club. We jointly own eight horses, and our growing organisation has seen plenty of winners and places. But it's not just about that; we have a shared goal of horse welfare and boast two highly regarded and extremely successful trainers; Graeme McPherson, who is also a top London QC, and Caroline Bailey, whose family is steeped in racing — her father won the Grand National in 1982 on Grittar. I run the group alongside my busines ss partner Stewart Dudwell, an nd we decided to form BD DR after doing something similar with a group of f friends. We wanted to t take on the big comme ercial syndicates and win in our own n right. Our aim is simple; the financial benefits of the business sta ay in the group t to keep costs low, to spend on hospitality and enhance the experience of BDR members. Stable open days are an important part of our social activity, and we enjoyed a wonderful event in June with trainer Graeme McPherson. The whole stable morning experience is a huge part of owning a horse. The behind the scenes love, care and attention with race planning goes unnoticed by some who just prefer a day at the races. But the journey to actually getting the horses to the track is all part of the fun of horse ownership, and when your horse actually wins, the sheer emotion from that is magical. Sharing the costs, the thrill, the fun and forming new friendships only enhances the experience. New BDR members are most welcome, so if horses are your passion and you’d like to be part of a friendly and winning team, please get in touch.

Law for the community

The Coronavirus pandemic has made many of us reflect on the way we work and do business, as well as how we connect with our wider community. Laura van Ree and Trina Worden are two local solicitors who have been doing just that. Having risen through the ranks at local law firms, with over 30 years’ experience between them, Laura and Trina have both long reflected on a more philanthropic legal model. The pandemic has prompted them to put these musings into action, and the end result is Not for Profit Law. Through Not for Profit Law, Laura and Trina offer their legal expertise at lower rates than traditional law firms, feeding the profits they make back into the local community — rather

Laura van Ree (right) and Trina Worden

than into the pockets of a few wealthy partners at the top of the legal hierarchy. To do this they partner with Norfolk Community Foundation, a charitable organisation which has been pivotal in providing support to charities and community groups across Norfolk throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Claire Cullens, CEO of Norfolk Community Foundation, says: “Many of the problems we need to tackle in the post-pandemic world have been here for a long time: coping and growing back stronger needs out of the box thinking. Laura and Trina are leading the way with their new business venture.” Not for Profit Law offer free Will Review and free Probate Advice services, and also advise on Inheritance Tax, Powers of Attorney, Court of Protection and Trusts.

For more information contact Laura and Trina on 01603 555440, enquiries@ notforprofitlaw.co.uk or go to www.notforprofitlaw.co.uk