Viva Brighton Issue #57 November 2017

ADVERTORIAL
Harney &
Wells
SPECIALIST FAMILY
S O L I C I T O R S
THE MYTH OF THE
COMMON LAW MARRIAGE
Figures published by the ONS reveal that in
2016 there were approximately 3.3 million
cohabiting couples in the UK. Despite the
urban myth that if you are together for 2
years, under the law of England and Wales,
there is no such thing as a “common law
marriage”.
Under current cohabitation law it is possible
for couples to live together for years and upon
the relationship breaking down, for one party
to walk away without taking any responsibility
for their former partner. It is important to
ensure arrangements are in place to regulate
the terms of your cohabitation, ownership of
the family home and what should happen if
the relationship were to break down.
If you separate when you are cohabiting, there
are a number of legal provisions that apply.
Mediation provides a forum to deal with these
in one place.
There are different legal provisions in respect
of children and any obligations a parent has
towards them; a former partner cannot simply
absolve themselves of all responsibility on the
breakdown of a relationship.
We offer an initial one hour consultation at
£100.00 plus VAT to advise you about the
applicable law and possible outcomes, the
various ways your case could be funded and
give an estimate of the costs involved. This
includes a letter to you to confirm the advice
given during the appointment.
01273 684 666
enquiries@harneywells.co.uk
www.harneywells.co.uk
BITS AND BOBS
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MUSIC FOR TWO PIANOS
…AND MANY HANDS
Caroline Lucas is
an accomplished
orator and a
seasoned guest
speaker, but
how will she
fare as a guest
pianist? Later
this month she’ll
play her part in
Percy Grainger’s
arrangement of Country Gardens for ten hands.
That’s ten hands, five pianists and two sevenfoot
grand pianos.
It’s a rare concert staged by local arts charity
MOOT - Music of Our Time - as part of UK
Parliament Week. Artistic Director Norman
Jacobs has taken the opportunity afforded to
him by the imminent return of St Nicholas’ own
restored Elysian piano, whilst his own Steinway
is briefly still in residence at the church. “It’s a
wonderful opportunity. It opens up a repertoire
that you couldn’t normally play.”
The 90-minute concert will include works
by Mozart, Debussy, and Richard Rodney
Bennett, performed by 23 pianists including
Yuri Paterson-Olenich and Evgenia Startseva.
Spanish composer Carlos Bianchini will debut
his new piece for two pianos, performing with
south coast jazz favourite Mike Hatchard, and
things get really busy when members of the
Zongora Group play pieces for up to 16 hands.
In keeping with the cause, Jacobs will be holding
a ballot in the interval. The motion? “This
house believes that two pianos are better than
one. A referendum that people won’t get too
upset about…” Lizzie Lower
Music for Two Pianos, 7.30pm, 17th November,
St Nicholas’ Church, £10, under 26 £5, under
18 free. Tickets available via Eventbrite and
musicofourtime.co.uk
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