Amy Arnold becomes first female Seneschal to Fyling Court Leet

May 19, 2021

Amy Arnold has made history in Whitby by becoming the first female Seneschal



Amy Arnold was delighted to attend the Planting of the Penny Hedge last week and made history as she stepped into Whitby harbour with the bailiff of The Court Leet, Lol Hodgson and Hornblower Tim Osborne who build the Penny Hedge each year.


Amy is the first female Seneschal to The Manor of Fyling Court Leet which was established in the 1500s.


The Seneschal is the legally qualified representative of the Lord of the Manor and no woman has ever held this role before for the Manor of Fyling.


You can find out more about the history of Planting of the Penny Hedge here: https://whitbymuseum.org.uk/whitby-history/penny-hedge/


Amy is a highly experienced Solicitor dealing with residential and commercial conveyancing as well as Agricultural and Farming. She is also team leader for our Whitby office .


Photo courtesy of Valerie Laws

Proposed Homebuying Reform: What Does It Mean for You?

July 9, 2026
Buying a home is often one of the biggest financial commitments you'll ever make. Yet for many buyers and sellers, the process can feel frustratingly slow, uncertain, and stressful. With property transactions in England and Wales frequently taking months to complete and around one in three sales failing before completion, the UK Government has now proposed a series of reforms aimed at modernising the homebuying process. But what do these proposed changes actually mean for you as a buyer or seller?  At Pinkney Grunwells Lawyers, we take a closer look at the reforms and explain how they could affect future property transactions.

Workplace Temperatures: Is It Too Hot or Too Cold to Work?

June 25, 2026
Whether you're working in an office, warehouse, construction site or from another workplace, uncomfortable temperatures can affect health, wellbeing and productivity. During periods of extreme weather, employees often ask whether there is a legal temperature at which work must stop.  The short answer is that UK law does not set a maximum workplace temperature. However, employers still have legal duties to ensure employees can work in conditions that are safe and reasonably comfortable.
Person holding set of keys forward with a blured background

Commercial Leases: A Landlord's Guide to Getting it Right in Yorkshire

April 14, 2026
As a landlord in North Yorkshire, understanding agricultural and commercial property law is essential. Whether you're letting out a shop in Scarborough, office space in Bridlington, or agricultural land near Driffield, a well-structured document protects your interests and fosters positive tenant relationships. At Pinkney Grunwells, we've been helping landlords like you navigate these complexities for over 85 years.