Awards are a funny thing – all industries have them and I am sure that there are even awards for the best awards ceremonies.
But when it comes to conveyancing, I am conflicted. I see so much hard work on the High Street; all firms are finding it hard at the moment with so much regulation. But the small traditional High Street sole practitioner or two to three partner firms tend not to enter awards.
Those are the firms which do not have the luxury of a marketing department or a PR firm who can write an entry for an award; they are also the firms who may not be able to afford to enter or attend such ceremonies. The cost of a ticket, a hotel room and travel can be expensive, and then you need to factor in a day out of the office.
It has always struck me that the firms which should be nominated for awards are so busy doing the work and keeping the High Street running and their clients happy, that they do not submit an entry. I do not know how this can change but I am thinking about it!
Saying this, I was surprised (yet slightly pleased!) to be nominated for the Property Commentator of the Year at the British Conveyancing Awards.
I did not win. I was disappointed, but on telling my partner that I had not won, I received the following message:
Never mind.
You like writing it.
People like reading it.
Some even tried to steal it.
You could even mention not winning it on your next one.
And that is it – I do enjoy writing it and I hope that you enjoy reading it and continue to enjoy reading it.
However, I had prepared a speech for David to give had I won and as these words will never be spoken, I thought I could share them with you all today…
My winner’s speech
David Opie is not the Secret High Street Conveyancer! He has managed to keep my identity secret for a long time.
And how ironic that on the one occasion I get nominated for an award, it is the one time that I cannot collect it. I had thought about buying a Traitors cloak and mask but then you may have noticed I was missing from my table.
Does that mean I am among you tonight? I could be but the important thing for me has always been that I represent the views of the High Street. Conveyancing is a hard job and we do deserve more respect for what we do.
It is stressful and is not a sexy or glamorous area of law. I am looking forward to the re-run of This Life on BBC iPlayer so that I can remind myself of some of the reasons why I chose to be a solicitor.
Thank you to the judges for believing I deserve this award and gifting it to me. Thank you to David and all at Today’s Conveyancer for your continued support and for keeping my identity a secret.
But to all of you and to all of the conveyancers out there – I am all of you. This award is for all conveyancers.
Thank you for continuing to read this diary, week in and week out. I shall continue to reflect the views on the High Street, which is becoming a harder environment in which to work as time goes on.
This column is written by a real high street conveyancer who wishes to remain anonymous. Read more in Today’s Conveyancer every week.
One Response
Keep writing. We will all keep reading. Your observations resonate with all of us at the ‘coal face’ of Conveyancing!