This article is sponsored by Raworths Solicitors. 

Going through a divorce is a challenging time for everyone involved. Despite the best intentions at the outset to be civil, the mood can quickly become acrimonious and antagonistic, which makes the whole process unpleasant, drawn out – and more costly.

The family law team at Raworths has been working with families for decades, offering support and expertise to ensure the divorce process meets everyone’s objectives without unnecessary conflict or cost.

Solicitors Carmelita Ardren, head of the family law team and Ellie Foster, legal director, have guided many through the emotionally charged process of divorce. In an increasingly digital era they are encouraging those getting a divorce, or going through the process to consider their digital footprint and to…

Think before you click.

The use of social media to investigate an estranged spouse during divorce is increasing.

Carmelita said:

“Using social media posts to show the other person’s behaviour can rapidly increase the temperature in divorce proceedings, lead to acrimony, and make things very difficult.

“My rule would be to think really carefully about how what you post online could be interpreted by the other person – and others in your community.”

Ellie added:

“I’ve seen times where social media posts show that one person’s lifestyle is very different to the message they’re saying elsewhere, for example to their solicitor.

“Rather than being open and transparent, it just arouses suspicion from day one and immediately leads to mistrust.”

So what are some of the key areas to avoid when posting on social media during a divorce?

• New relationships. Especially if one person has moved on more quickly than the other, it can cause unnecessary distress.
• Anything that’s different to what you’re saying elsewhere. As Carmelita says, “If you’re claiming you can’t work because of ill health, don’t post about completing a half-marathon. It sounds obvious, but it happens.”
• Anything illegal. Publicising details of proceedings or arrangements, especially involving children, can be against the law.

Carmelita and Ellie stress that staying as civil as possible throughout the divorce is beneficial for everyone – especially where children are involved.

Ellie said:

“It’s so easy for comments posted on social media about your partner to get back to your children, through their own friends and parents. Think about the potential effect on them before you post.”

And as Carmelita points out, it’s not just about young children:

“You might be friends with your teen or adult children on social media. Think about your privacy settings and how details of new relationships or complaints about their other parent could raise questions or make children very uncomfortable.

“Also remember that you aren’t just in your children’s lives until they are 18; you’ll still have to come into contact with the other parent at weddings, christenings and other events beyond them turning 18.”

If you’re going through a divorce and see something on social media that you think could help your case, the advice is to get advice.

As Ellie puts it,

“Don’t set out to dig things up on your ex, it’s generally not helpful. But if you do come across something you think is important, don’t share it with the entire community, talk through its relevance with your solicitor.”

Carmelita added:

“You might think it’s the lynchpin. While it might be key in disproving credibility, nine times out of ten it’s not. Diving straight in can complicate things and cause unnecessary conflict.”

The Raworths family law team put the client at the centre of their approach, offering support and guidance to help people move forwards. They can also assist you in accessing other services from counselling to financial advice. 

Contact Ellie, Carmelita and the Raworths family law team on their website. 

A pair of bicycles are to ride around Harrogate town centre projecting images and handing out free books to promote the forthcoming Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival.

The bikes will set off at around twilight on Friday, October 15 as part of the build-up to the festival, which takes place from October 21 to 24.

The three-wheeled cargo bikes are attached to projectors and stereo systems. Riders will hand out a selection of novels by inviting people they pass to ‘stop me and book one’.

Harrogate International Festivals chief executive Sharon Canavar said:

“Last year, we lit up the Raworths office on Station Parade. This year, we are taking our message to the streets.

“Two special bikes will be riding around the town projecting animations onto buildings and pavements. And for those who stop them, they will not be presented with ices or lollies, but free books.

“These mini mobile cinemas are great fun and a terrific excuse for families to bring out their torches, head into Harrogate, and be part of an entertaining and illuminating experience.”

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This year’s festival speakers include Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, former Labour Party leader Ed Miliband, comedian and broadcaster Robin Ince, ‘Dogfather’ Graeme Hall, 2020 Costa Book of the Year winner Monique Roffey and former chief prosecutor, Nazir Afzal

Thousands tuned in to the first ever digital Harrogate Literature Festival this past weekend.

The festival was forced to be streamed online due to the coronavirus pandemic, but organisers say the event was still a success.

Viewers tuned in to the free programme of 17 events, with the digital delivery allowing book lovers from across the UK to engage with prominent writers, politicians and journalists.

Among those who gave talks were author Matt Haig, classicist Natalie Haynes and Labour MPs Jess Phillips and David Lammy.

Although the events moved online, Harrogate International Festivals, the arts charity behind the literature festival wanted to keep the community at the heart of the project.

Hundreds of stories were submitted to the 10 Word Story competition, and over hundred books were gifted in the Raworth’s Blind Date With a Book initiative. 

As author talks began, literature came to life in Harrogate with a light installation in the form of a book. The story of Harrogate, 10 word stories and traditional tales were illuminated on its pages.

The story of Harrogate was illuminated on the book’s pages.

Sharon Canavar, chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals, said:

“The light of human stories and the power of books certainly shone through, breaking down barriers of isolation and reaching new audiences, demonstrating the importance of festival in our cultural landscape.

“Ticket sales are normally a huge part of our income, but this year’s events were all free of charge. We thank those audience members who donated to our arts charity in lieu of tickets, helping us work towards bridging the financial gap, the first step to securing the future of Harrogate International Festivals.

“This was an extraordinary festival for an unpreceded year, and whilst we celebrate the success of the event – taking Harrogate to the world – in order for our arts charity to survive we need to be able to welcome the world to Harrogate. Whether that will be possible in 2021 we just don’t know.”

Traditional tales shone on Friday and Saturday night.

Read more: 

• Harrogate International Festivals cuts more than half of jobs
• Writing on the wall ahead of Harrogate literature festival

A unique lights installation kicked up into life last night to highlight the power of the arts ahead of the Harrogate Literature Festival.

The Station Parade office of Raworths, the title sponsor of the festival, was covered in a selection of quotes from popular books.

Those behind the display chose quotes to reflect the difficult time for the arts and their hopes for the future.

“Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise” by Victor Hugo, and “Books are a uniquely portable magic” by Stephen King were included.

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Harrogate’s literature festival is now in its 12th year but will, like many events, move online due to social distancing requirements.

The festival will run from October 23 to 25. It will be streamed on HIF Player on the Harrogate International Festival’s website.

Ten word stories appearing in Harrogate town centre

Meanwhile the literature festival organisers have also started to publish ten word stories on posters around the town centre.

The Stray Ferret enjoyed this ten word story by Ruby Fisher, one of the competition entries:

“Fat Rascals make the world go round. Breakfast of champions.”

Zoe Robinson, Raworths managing partner, said:

“We are looking for all kinds of story, funny, personal or evocative, it just has to involve Harrogate! I had great fun writing mine and hope everyone else has as much fun with theirs!

“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the 2020 National Libraries Week and can’t wait to read the entries.”

Some ten word stories posted near Raworths in Harrogate.

Arts charity Harrogate International Festivals usually creates 300 live event a year but saw its entire programme cancelled from March.

Sharon Canavar, the chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals, said:

“Whilst the coronavirus pandemic may have cast a dark shadow over the world and forced the cancellation and re-invention of our entire 2020 calendar of events, this installation is a beaming example of the light that literature and the arts can bring in the darkness.”