| 2006 saw the end of an era for two old,
established Bromsgrove firms of Solicitors; namely Scotts
and also Holt and Sellars.
Until last year Scotts' offices had for the previous seventy
years been at Coronation House in Church Street, Bromsgrove
which building was erected in 1937 and derived its name from
the Coronation of King George VI in that year.
The Scott family who ran the Firm for many years was an old
Bromsgrove family. Thomas Scott founded the Firm in about
1850 and was subsequently joined by his son Walter who became
Clerk to the Magistrates in Redditch and Alcester where the
Firm also had an office. He also played cricket and rugby
for Bromsgrove.
At various times the Scott family were in partnership with
two other old Bromsgrove family firms, initially the Holyoakes
and subsequently the Hortons. Eventually however, Walter Scott
reverted to being a sole practitioner and continued in practice
on his own account until 1937 when he was joined by his son
Astley who also became Clerk to the Magistrates in Redditch
and Alcester.
Walter Scott died in 1940 and Astley continued as a sole
practitioner until 1962 when he was also appointed Clerk to
the Magistrates in Bromsgrove. In that year he sold the practice
to his then assistant, Ronald Whatley who subsequently took
into partnership John Shenton and Martin Gorman.
Following the departure of Mr Shenton and the death of Mr
Whatley, Mr Gorman became the senior partner in 1989 and was
joined by Alan Morris, Nicholas Ackrill and subsequently Peter
Samuels.
Mr Gorman retired as a partner in 2005 and is now a Consultant
with Scotts, Holt & Sellars.
Holt and Sellars were established by Mr James Yates Holt
in 1886.
Mr James Yates Holt lived the whole of his ninety plus years
at Alloa House, Bromsgrove which is on the Birmingham Road.
The property was built by his father, Mr James Holt, a Bolton
man, who was a supervisor for the Inland Revenue in Bromsgrove.
The house was named after the town which was the birth place
of Mrs Holt.
Mr James Yates Holt was admitted as a Solicitor in 1886 and
used a room at Alloa House as his professional office.
He was educated at Bromsgrove School and was a contemporary
of A E Houseman.
In 1946 Mr Jack Sellars joined the practice and the firm
became Holt and Sellars and moved to the High Street. Then
in 1956 Mr George Lees joined, and subsequently the firm expanded
and opened offices in Droitwich and in Worcester in 1966 and
1986 respectively.
In 1996 the firm concentrated its resources at its new home
at Steps House, 10 St John Street, Bromsgrove relinquishing
its offices in Droitwich and Worcester while retaining its
presence in Bromsgrove. In the following year Andrew Borley
became a partner with Ian Edginton and Nicholas Priddey. Ian
Edginton left in 1999.
Jeff Baldwin joined the practice in 2001 as an Assistant
Solicitor specialising in Residential Conveyancing.
On 1st May 2006 Holt and Sellars merged with Scotts. Nicholas
Priddey retired last year and for 2 years was a Consultant
to the new firm. Andrew Borley joined Alan Morris, Nicholas
Ackrill and Peter Samuels as partner of the new firm.
The merger has enabled the two firms which both have a reputation
for providing a professional and yet friendly service to continue
to serve the needs of the community in Bromsgrove and Worcestershire. |
