THE PROS AND CONS OF POP LARKIN’S APPROACH TO FARM MANAGEMENT
Steven Corfield 52
Pop Larkin was a much-loved character famously played by David Jason in The Darling Buds of May - but was his approach to running a farm business really ‘perfick’?
Steven Corfield and Nicholas Playford, agricultural specialists with Lanyon Bowdler Solicitors in Hereford, discuss the Larkin family in a new podcast which highlights the importance of farmers getting their affairs in order.
Pop was very much a traditional farmer who didn’t like paperwork, and certainly avoided talking to solicitors whenever possible, so is a good example of what can happen if certain legal documents are not put in place.
Steven said: “In one episode Pop has a small heart attack, which luckily doesn’t finish him off, but if it had, his family would have been faced with some tricky legal issues because he hadn’t made a will or a partnership agreement, and all of the property is owned by him alone.
“There are numerous ways that he could have made things more secure for his family, and we make up a few scenarios in the podcast which I’m sure are applicable to many farm businesses here in Herefordshire.”
Nicholas added: “For example, there is a slightly complicated background to Pop’s property ownership, in that the farm is made up of two previous farms - bought by Pop at different times. In today’s world the farm would easily be worth around £10,000 an acre in respect of the land and buildings alone.
Nicholas Playford
“There are two sets of farm cottages, which would be worth in the region of £1 million, and would ideally provide some inheritance for the four daughters not involved in the business. There are also two farm buildings let out to tradesmen not involved in agriculture, which Pop had never obtained planning permission for.
“Then there is the issue of how the farm business is run as a whole. In practical terms, it is run by Pop, Ma, Mariette, Montgomery and Oscar, who are all partners in the business as shown on the accounts but there is no partnership agreement in place.”
Steven said: “These examples are a good way of highlighting that yes, the legal issues of running a farm can be complex, but it is vital to make arrangements for a smooth transition to the next generation.
“Pop really should have spoken to his lawyers about a partnership agreement, and especially a will, so his family would have been taken care of should the worst happen.
“As much as Pop was a well-loved character, I would have to say that the management of his farm affairs was probably less than perfick.”
You can listen to the podcast by searching for The Legal Lounge on any podcast provider, or by visiting
www.lblaw.co.uk/podcast - for more advice about any legal issues, call Lanyon Bowdler on 01432 352345.
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BUSINE SS & EDUCATION LANYON BOWDL ER
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