Latest news with #Penry
The Citizen
21-05-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Juvenile humpback whale euthanised after stranding near Plettenberg Bay
A juvenile humpback whale weighing about five tons that stranded at Robberg Nature Reserve near Plettenberg Bay has, sadly, been humanely euthanised by marine authorities, assisted by SAPS, after extensive efforts to save the animal proved unsuccessful. According to Knysna-Plett Herald, Dr Gwenith Penry, a marine mammal scientist and permitted stranding responder for Bayworld, Port Elizabeth Museum, said rescue efforts began on Monday at about 14:00 and continued until yesterday before it was decided to euthanise the 7m whale. Penry said all protocols were followed before the whale — which had stranded on a beach between the Gap and Robberg and the Island on Robberg Nature Reserve, also known as The Wild Side — was put down. Despite the efforts of many helpers and the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Plettenberg Bay duty crew, the rescue attempt was unsuccessful. Emotional effort 'It took four hours to try and move the heavy whale, but each time the whale got into deeper water it turned around and headed for the beach again,' said Penry. When it got dark on Monday, rescue attempts were postponed until yesterday. 'It was a very emotional, and a sad ending for such a beautiful animal,' said Penry. This is the season when humpback whales migrate from their feeding grounds in the Southern Ocean to their breeding grounds in Mozambique and Madagascar. Thanks to all involved 'A huge thanks to Plett NSRI who carried the effort yesterday. And to the Plett Stranding Network, Cape Nature rangers and other members of the public who assisted,' said Penry. NSRI Plettenberg Bay station commander Jaco Kruger said duty crew, Cape Nature rangers and the Plettenberg Bay Marine Animal Stranding Network were activated following reports of the beaching. 'Our NSRI Plettenberg Bay crew responded to our NSRI Plettenberg Bay Station 14 rescue base, while additional NSRI crew responded to the land side at Robberg to hike to the scene. Our NSRI rescue craft Ray Farnham Rescuer, Eric Stratford, and Courtenays Rescuer were launched while additional NSRI crew, Cape Nature rangers and members of the Plettenberg Bay Marine Animal Stranding Network responded. On arrival at the scene the approximately 7m juvenile humpback whale was found beaching in shallow surf,' Kruger said. Good Samaritans joined efforts The teams, assisted by bystander good Samaritans, conducted extensive efforts to re-float the whale through the surf zone in a rising tide, including attempts to tow the whale to deeper waters using NSRI rescue craft. Sadly, despite all of the extensive efforts deployed, the whale continued to beach and it was deemed by the authorities to be no longer viable to save. Yesterday morning, marine authorities, assisted by SAPS, humanely euthanised the whale. Samples have been collected by marine scientists for necropsy at the Port Elizabeth Museum. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Charities sue over £1m will error that left inheritance to legal boss
Just days before her death, retired doctor Rosemary Hill made the generous decision to leave the majority of her wealth, £1m, to four leading charities. But a simple signature error meant the charities missed out entirely and instead the money ended up in the hands of the director of the will-writing service, Legal Love Letters. The bizarre tale has come to light after the four charities – Médecins Sans Frontières, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), Dogs Trust and Battersea Dogs & Cats Home – launched legal action against the company. In 2014, Ms Hill – who was unmarried and had no children – wrote a will with the help of a friend, Cheryl Penry, the documents state. Penry, 61, is the owner of Legal Love Letters, which operates under the name Will & Probate Company. The original will left the majority of Hill's estate to two of her goddaughters, one of whom happens to be the director of the will-writing service, Nicole McFie. But in 2018, the 88-year-old made the changes to her will, splitting £51,000 between friends, godchildren and charities. A remaining £1m was left to be shared between the claimant charities, with 50pc going to Médecins Sans Frontières, 25pc to the RNLI, 20pc to the Dogs Trust and 5pc to Battersea Cats and Dogs. Penry is said to have visited Hill at home in Sutton, south London, to make the necessary arrangements. She signed the will as a witness but then took the document back to the office to be signed by another member of staff. However, the fact Hill was not present for the second signature rendered the will invalid. So when Hill died in November 2018, the money was instead distributed according to the original will made in 2014. Court documents seen by The Times show the four organisations have filed a claim for breach of professional liability against Will & Probate Company. The charities argue that Penry and the second staff member should have both visited Hill's home to sign the document. The number of court orders issued because of a will dispute has risen by 38pc since 2019 to 559, according to figures from the Ministry of Justice, revealed in a Freedom of Information request. Will-writing is not a regulated profession, meaning that anyone can set themselves up as one. Wills and estates expert Steve Bish, from S Bish Estate Planning, said: 'A simple error in drafting your will can cause a great deal of distress and heartache. 'Common mistakes can include not having proper witnesses. The law requires two independent witnesses who are not beneficiaries of the will. Without these witnesses, your will may be considered invalid. Make sure you follow this legal requirement to ensure your will stands up in court.' Will & Probate Company and the four charities involved were contacted for comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
