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History

Gross & Co traces its origins back to 1848 when Woolnough Gross was admitted to the roll of solicitors. In 1886 Woolnough's son, Charles was admitted to the roll, and Woolnough Gross & Son set up in partnership, in Bury St Edmunds.

In 1917 Arthur Chamberlayne joined the partnership, and the firm changed its name to Woolnough Gross Son & Chamberlayne.

From 1929, the firm had offices at 50 Abbeygate Street, Bury St Edmunds.

In 1965, the firm's name was shortened to Gross & Co.

In October 1981 Gross & Co moved to its present home, 83-84 Guildhall Street, Bury St Edmunds. The senior partner of Gross & Co at that time was John Knight; twice Mayor of Bury St Edmunds, who was a well known local personality.

Probate Manager, Alan Day, retired on 18 August 2005 after working at Gross & Co for 47 years.

Gross & Co In the Local Community

We have strong links with the Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds (www.theatreroyal.org) owned by the National Trust. Partner and head of our Probate Department Gary De’Ath currently serves as a member of the Development Board of the Theatre. We made significant capital contributions to the recent refurbishment of the Theatre, and are proud to have sponsored the Theatre’s Lunchtime Concerts for the last 10 years. These concerts afford young and talented musicians (often from local backgrounds) the opportunity to perform to appreciative audiences. They are extremely popular, and there is rarely an empty seat in the house.

Since 2005 our Probate Department has supported the St Nicholas Hospice Wills Week, preparing a large number of Wills for members of the public, provided entirely free of charge by Gross & Co. The latest 2011 Wills Week generated bequests to the Hospice of some £30,000.

Our senior partner Graeme Kirk, was President of the Suffolk and North Essex Law Society in 2004-2005, and as a member of Bury St Edmunds Rotary Club, he plays an active role in the local community, particularly with charitable fund raising.

Managing Partner Nick Amor has a special interest in the medieval history of Suffolk and as a result, Gross & Co provides sponsorship to archaeological societies, and the history prize at the County Upper School in Bury St Edmunds. Nick recently gained a doctorate from the University of East Anglia, and his latest publication “Late Medieval Ipswich – Trade and Industry” is available from Amazon.

Partner Elizabeth Hodder was formerly a member of the Management Committee of Bury St Edmunds Citizens' Advice Bureau. Elizabeth also previously sat on the Management Committee of the Women's Aid Refuge in Bury St Edmunds and been a Trustee of Relate (formerly Marriage Guidance Counselling).

Partner Gary De'Ath is a Director of Commissions East, which sponsors arts across the East of England. Gary donates his time to this organisation entirely free of charge and is strongly committed to the project.

We have provided additional sponsorship and financial support for a wide range of charities in recent years, including Cancer Research UK, Women's Aid, Bury St Edmunds Contact Centre and AYME (the Association of Young People suffering with ME).

Gross & Co participates in the rota operated by the Bury St Edmunds Citizens' Advice Bureau, under which clients can receive advice on certain areas of their legal affairs, entirely without charge.