A senior conveyancing manager at Simcocks was treated to a special lunch with colleagues in recognition of achieving the remarkable milestone of 40 years’ of loyal and dedicated service.
Carol Quayle joined the law company in 1975 when it was known as Lay Allen & Simcocks. She worked and trained in the conveyancing department alongside the company’s founding father, Howard Simcocks at a time when the average house price was ?11,787.
Today Carol advises on all aspects of the sale and purchase of land and property as well as land registration issues and the preparation of leases. She works with a wide range of clients ranging from individuals, first-time buyers, property developers, investors, tenants and estate owners.
Carol said: “When I started work it was a small firm. It was interesting and educational and Howard Simcocks took the time to explain conveyancing, wills and probate to me. Helen Kinvig, who was Mr Simcocks’ right hand woman, was also a great mentor. When Mr Simcocks moved to Castletown I used to pick him up in the mornings and we drove to Ballasalla to collect Helen and Sally Kelly, who worked in accounts. Often on the drive into Douglas Helen and Sally would practice singing for a church event and he would join in.
“On one occasion my former colleague, Shirley Baldwin and I went to inspect a property in Laxey. It had a long flight of steps from a lane and we were halfway down when a huge dog appeared and started barking at us. I expected Shirley to say, “come on boy, good dog” but she turned to me and said “quick, leg it”. The dog’s owner appeared and shouted “here Scooby” and told us he was a gentle dog despite his appearance.
“Times have changed and conveyancing and working in a legal office has advanced with technology. When I began work the typewriters were all manual and I recall Helen had the honour of using the first electric typewriter. Now everyone has a computer and client contact is so much quicker and easier.”
Chief Executive, Phil Games, said: “During her career Carol must have investigated the details of thousands of properties giving her a unique insight into property on the Isle of Man. She always works calmly under pressure and is accustomed to handling many different transactions at once.
“She has continually worked hard to give the very best service to our clients, many of whom have been with us for many years. Her knowledge and experience is difficult to match and her loyalty and dedication is very much appreciated.”
When Carol joined Simcocks the Bank of England interest rate was 11.25 per cent and it was the year the Conservative Party picked its first women leader, Margaret Thatcher. It was also the year Muhammad Ali beat Joe Fraser in the “Thriller in Manilla” match and the year Jaws, The Godfather Part II and The Return of the Pink Panther were released.
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