The event featured a festive-themed charity cocktail bar, raffle, and vibrant disco. Entertainment was provided by Rock Choir, performing a mix of popular Christmas songs and contemporary hits. The evening also raised an impressive £2,224 for Nottingham Relief in Need (St Mary’s), a local charity with which Rothera Bray works closely to manage its administration and ensure its impactful work continues.
Nottingham Relief in Need (St Mary’s) was established in 1975 through the amalgamation of 26 historic Nottingham charities, some dating back to 1524. The charity provides essential support to individuals and organisations in need, offering grants to provide essential items such as cookers, washing machines, beds, or carpets.
Mark Chowdhury, Trustee of Nottingham Relief in Need (St Mary’s), expressed his gratitude for the partnership and support:
“I would like to thank you on behalf of the Trustees of Nottingham Relief in Need (St Mary’s) Charity for allowing us to be part of such a fabulous evening to celebrate Rothera Bray’s bicentenary.
What a marvellous sum raised. These funds will be used to help some of our city’s neediest citizens by allowing us to provide them with an ‘essential’ item, like a cooker, a washing machine, a bed, or carpet. The generosity of the guests and colleagues who attended the event will have a big impact on these people’s lives.”
Founded in 1824 by John Wadsworth when he began his legal career as an attorney on Fletcher Gate, Nottingham, Rothera Bray has maintained deep ties to the city for two centuries.
The Rothera family’s contributions to Nottingham’s legal history are extraordinary, spanning generations and including the landmark Nurse Waddingham case in 1936. Most recently, the firm has expanded through strategic mergers, including the acquisition of Derby-based J.H. Powell in 2022 and its mergers with Leicester-based Bray & Bray in 2023 and Nottingham firm Massers Solicitors in 2024.
As part of its bicentennial celebrations, Rothera Bray has launched the 200 Deeds that make a Difference initiative, a community-driven programme aimed at leaving a lasting positive legacy through charity partnerships, pro bono work, and environmental projects.
Christina Yardley, CEO of Rothera Bray, commented on the momentous occasion:
“It’s a privilege to lead a firm with such a remarkable history and strong connection to Nottingham. This anniversary is not just about reflecting on the past but looking to the future, ensuring we continue to deliver exceptional legal services while making a meaningful impact in our communities.”
