Nightscape of Enigma’s offices

Enigma Solicitors’ Neil Mercer recently took some long exposure photographs from North Hill, producing striking nightscapes of the firm’s offices with views towards the University of Plymouth and the city centre.

By leaving the shutter of his camera open for an extended period of time, Neil was able to capture the bustle of North Hill, the headlights and taillights of the traffic showing as streaks of colour.

The photographs were taken from the new apartments at the end of Headland Park Road and Neil was grateful to David Holmes—the managing director of DNH Construction Ltd, the company who built the apartments—for granting access.

Selected photographs are currently featured on Enigma’s homepage as a quick looping animation that creates the effect of moving lights around their offices. To view the animation, produced by Jake Cattrall of Mystalia Studios, please click on the “g” in Enigma and then click on the red-and-black dot in the street map.

Some of the photographs have been collected on Enigma’s Flickr page.

Profile of Enigma Solicitors’ Clare Long

Enigma Solicitors are managed by Clare Long, who is the first point of contact for new Clients. Clare understands Enigma’s business and is always pleased to speak to Clients and prospective Clients

Rory Smith, one of Enigma’s partners, said: “At Enigma we are deliberately different from other firms of solicitors. Clare understands Enigma’s ethos. As our manager she is instrumental in helping us focus on our Clients’ requirements and then tailoring our service to match accordingly.”

Prior to working at Enigma, Clare studied physics at the University of Portsmouth before going on to work in aeronautics at Rolls Royce in Bristol. Rolls Royce sponsored Clare to undertake a Doctor of Philosophy at Cranfield University, her research focusing on the coatings on military jet engine turbine blades to allow the engine to operate at temperatures above the melting point of the blade material.

After studying for a PGCE at the University of Oxford, Clare worked as a teacher at Primary and Secondary schools. She went on to be employed as a technical assistant to the Engineering Manager at Cobham working in the field of aircraft communication on Apache ground-attack helicopters, as well as other UK and US military aircraft and civil aircraft. Clare has also passed Part 1 of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) course.

Rory Smith added: “Clare’s employment history outside of the legal sector and her fine academic background means she brings a refreshing perspective to the role of Enigma’s office manager. Clare is a credit to the firm and we are proud to have her working with us.”

Enigma’s Neil Mercer makes his 43rd platelet donation

Neil Mercer, one of the partners of Enigma Solicitors, made his 43rd platelet donation on Thursday at the Platelet Donation Centre in Derriford Hospital, Plymouth.

Neil gave enough platelets for three units, which is enough for 18 platelet doses for a baby. Bliss, a charity that provides vital support and care to premature and sick babies, estimates that each year 15,000 units of platelets are used on neonatal units across the UK. Premature babies can have a low platelet count and a baby with a very low platelet count may be at risk of severe bleeding problems, so they can need many transfusions over the course of their recovery period.

Most platelet donations are given to patients who are unable to make enough platelets in their bone marrow, according to the National Blood Service. Patients with leukaemia or other cancers, for example, may have too few platelets as the result of their disease or treatment. Also, after some major surgery or extensive injury, patients may need platelet transfusions to replace those lost through bleeding. Platelets given by donors are often life-saving and each unit can help up to 3 adults or 12 children.

Most people can give blood. If you are generally in good health, aged 17 to 65 (if it’s your first time) and weigh at least 7st 12Ib you can donate. You can give blood every 16 weeks.

For more information on donating platelets or blood, please visit the National Blood Service, the Welsh Blood Service or the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service.

Towards corporate responsibility: Enigma becomes Charter Holder of Plymouth Better Together

Enigma Solicitors has become a Charter Holder of Plymouth Better Together, a not-for-profit organisation formed to  help city-based businesses achieve corporate responsibility.

Plymouth Better Together is a partnership initiative between the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Business in the Community and Plymouth 2020. It was created to “engage businesses in achieving the shared vision for the city to be recognised as one of Europe’s finest, most vibrant waterfront cities where an outstanding quality of life is enjoyed by everyone”.

Clare Long, Enigma’s manager, said: “Enigma recognises that the actions of our firm can have an impact on the city, its environment and its communities. We have joined the Plymouth Better Together programme because it is focused on achieving corporate responsibility in a clear and cost-effective manner.”

Enigma Solicitors complete 12-mile training run over Dartmoor ahead of South Devon Half Marathon

The Partners of Enigma yesterday completed a 12-mile training run over Dartmoor from Tavistock Town Square to Postbridge in clear weather conditions but temperatures close to freezing.

Enigma Partner Neil Mercer has entered the South Devon Half Marathon with his brother John on 19 February 2011.  The South Devon Half Marathon is renowned for its challenging course which features beautiful landscapes but severe changes in terrain and topography.

Despite training for months, Neil has decided to increase the length and severity of his pack running training to meet the coming challenge.  To experience a different type of challenge from his usual interval training, Enigma Partner Rory Smith joined Neil on the run today, which was mainly uphill.

Rory subsequently commented that Plymouth Better Together encourages its members to promote a healthy lifestyle, so he was pleased to lead by example.

Neil said: “It was very good of Rory to join me and good training for the South Devon Half.”

Photographs of the run have been posted on Enigma’s Flickr page.

Enigma joins Plymouth Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Enigma has joined the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Plymouth Chamber of Commerce and Industry is the third oldest Chamber in the UK and for nearly 200 years it has played a fundamental role in Plymouth business life and provided a forum that its member companies can use to build and develop their businesses.

Rory Smith, one of Enigma’s Partners, said: “Enigma is committed to Plymouth’s business community. Many of our suppliers are local businesses. Most of our commercial clients run their own businesses. We are always happy to provide free initial advice to our commercial (and private) clients and consider that joining the Chamber will better position us to connect with business clients.”

Plymouth Chamber of Commerce and Industry is a non-political, not-for-profit organisation whose aim is putting Plymouth business first. It aims to work in three major spheres of influence from which its members can benefit: in the macro economics and business community of Plymouth and surrounding regions; helping members build their business through networking and business events; and by being the source and conduit of crucial business information and intelligence.

Rory Smith added: “We also think the Chamber plays a vital role in supporting Plymouth and as a Plymothian I am proud to be associated with its cause. I am looking forward to Enigma playing an active part in the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce and Industry over many years to come.”

Fused glass panel triptych on display at Enigma’s offices

Enigma Solicitors’ conference room now features a fused glass panel triptych in the firm’s signature colours.

The contemporary artwork was created by Lisa Villarospo and loaned by Ian Nichols of Art2Frame at Plymouth’s Annexe Gallery.

Neil Mercer, one of Enigma’s Partners, said: “Our offices are smart and modern. When we needed some art to complement the offices, we immediately thought of Art2Frame on the Barbican. Enigma is most grateful to Mr. Ian Nichols for his assistance in the provision of the panels, which reflect the firm’s ethos and colours.”

Several images of the triptych have been collected on Enigma’s Flickr page.

Enigma commemorates St Budoc’s Day

Enigma Solicitors recently marked St Budoc’s Day by unveiling a vellum conveyance dated 1683 and signed by William Drake, a descendent of Sir Francis Drake. The conveyance, relating to transfer of land at Buckland Monachorum, Devon, now hangs in Enigma’s reception.

St Budoc is the only Celtic saint associated directly with Plymouth and was reputed to have sailed up the River Tamar in 480AD, establishing a church near to the part of Plymouth that currently bears his name: St Budeaux. On 4th July 1569, Sir Francis Drake married Mary Newman at St Budeaux parish church. Other notable worshippers at St Budeaux parish church have included John Chard V.C., Thomas Byard, Wilfred St. Aubyn Malleson V.C. and Sir Peter Richards.

The conveyance was framed by Ian Nichols of Art2Frame and further images have been collected on Enigma’s Flickr page.

New stonework delivered to Enigma’s offices

Enigma Solicitors recently took delivery of stonework prepared by Darren Clarke of DJC Stonemasons of Newton Abbot, Devon.

The bookends, pictured above, are crafted out of Plymouth limestone and are eye-catchingly etched with Enigma’s red “e”.

DJC Stonemasons also shortened a pair of carrera mable columns, which now add a striking presence to Enigma’s reception and Neil Mercer’s office. Photos of the marble columns have been collected on Enigma’s Flickr page.

Enigma now a contributor to SolicitorsBlog.com

Enigma Solicitors were invited to contribute their blog to SolicitorsBlog.com, a website that aims to “promote the work of reputable law bloggers from around the world by listing well written law blogs of interest.”

SolicitorsBlog.com claims to be a “revolutionary information portal designed to share the thoughts and experiences of law bloggers within a dynamic site that steps aside from the traditional blog template.”