Law firm: We gave you £70,000 by mistake

A CASH-STRAPPED village committee has had to pay back a £70,000 legacy after it was mistakenly given to them by solicitors. Members of the Widegates Reading Room and Village Hall committee, between Liskeard and Looe, were threatened with court action from Caunters solicitors who had sent them a cheque for the money. The committee was only due to receive £1,000 from local resident Frederick Wilson's will, but were sent the additional money 'in error'. The committee treasurer immediately queried the amount, but was told by Caunters solicitors that it was theirs to keep. But ten weeks after the payout the solicitors asked for it back, saying that the money was meant to go elsewhere. The committee, which makes a profit of around £2,000 a year, did not spend a penny of the money but had big plans for its use. One idea was to replace the reading room roof, while committee members also wanted a new porch. 'We haven't even looked at repairing the roof now,' said current treasurer Bill Matthews. 'The building is 100 years old and needs attention, but we will have to think again now.' Caunters told the committee it could keep £250 of the money, but this was turned down by members who asked for ten per cent of the £70,000 instead. 'We were disgusted when we received Caunters' letter and asked for an explanation,' said committee secretary Yvonne Greenaway. The solicitors responded by withdrawing their initial offer, asking for the full £70,000 to be sent back within seven days or court proceedings would be pursued. Committee chairman Joy Pengelly, the secretary and treasurer met with members of the village on Monday evening this week to discuss the situation. 'The whole thing is a shambles,' said one angry resident. Caunters would not comment on whether an apology had been sent to the committee, but said: 'As a result of a clerical error, a cheque was issued to Widegates Reading Room. 'Once the error was discovered the money was immediately recovered as the receiver of the cheque was not entitled to the money. 'That money has now been distributed in accordance with the will. The member of staff responsible has now left the firm.' The £70,000, said the Reading Room treasurer, would have sorted their finances 'for life'.