v THE NEXT HERALD IS OUT ON 12TH MARCH v Page 68 • The HERALD • 19th February 2026 ASK A PROFESSIONAL AN ESTATE WITH NO HEIRS? Advice from Jasper Vincent Solicitors Many people do not realise that the government publishes a list of estates which have nobody to handle and inherit them. It is known as the ‘Bona Vacantia’ or ‘Unclaimed Estates’ list and can be found easily by searching online for either term. Bona Vacantia means ‘vacant goods’ in Latin which, under most circumstances, would pass to the Crown if no heirs to an estate present themselves. In reality it is rare to see an estate pass to the Crown as relatives tend to claim them. e list is very lengthy and can be read in the format of a spreadsheet. It is organised by surname of the deceased and location where they died. It may be that you have a surname which appears on the list and, subject to a bit of work on your family tree, you may have a deceased relative whose estate could be ready to be claimed. e list was temporarily removed or de-published from the internet in July 2025 as the government faced allegations that criminals and fraudsters had been using it to invent Wills for di erent unclaimed estates. e list has recently been re-published and become available again as the result of the government investigation into the potential misuse of the list found no evidence of systematic criminal activity. e government has, however, reinstated the Bona Vacantia list with less information than in previous years, in an attempt to limit the risk of criminal exploitation of the list. ere are calls from some professionals, principally from ‘heir-hunter’ companies, to strengthen the online system further with more diligent checks for the Wills in unclaimed estates, despite the government investigation’s ndings. For a free initial meeting about Wills and probate matters, contact Jasper Vincent Solicitors’ Waterside branch on: 023 8089 0919. Buckler’s Hard Takes Centre Stage On BBC Two’s Digging for Britain Buckler’s Hard took centre stage in a recent episode of Digging for Britain on BBC Two. e programme o ered viewers a fascinating insight into the 18th-century shipbuilding village and the recent archaeological excavations carried out on its historic slipway. e Digging for Britain team joined archaeologists on site, working alongside the Buckler’s Hard Shipyard Trust, to investigate the village’s 18th-century slipway. is complex excavation provided fresh understanding of historic shipbuilding techniques, cra smanship, and the daily lives of those who worked at the shipyard. e episode shone a spotlight on Buckler’s Hard’s rich maritime heritage and its vital contribution to the Royal Navy during the 18th century, revealing how this small riverside village played a signi cant role in shaping Britain’s naval power. e excavation was overseen by Mary MontaguScott, Chair of the Buckler’s Hard Shipyard Trust, in collaboration with the University of Southampton’s Centre for Maritime Archaeology, led by Professor Jon Adams and Dr Rodrigo Ortiz-Vazquez. ey were supported by students and volunteers from the New Forest National Park Authority, the Maritime Archaeology Trust, as well as local volunteers and community members. Many of the artefacts uncovered during the dig are now on display in the Shipwrights Gallery, alongside the history of the shipyard and what has been learnt about the newly revealed 18th-century structures. e exhibition will run until April. Following the excavation, the area was carefully back lled to protect the exposed structures. Further archaeological investigation is planned this summer, when the dig will continue into the lower intertidal area, where the remains are expected to be even better preserved. e Buckler’s Hard Shipyard Trust is dedicated to bringing the story of the shipyard to life, from its medieval origins through its peak shipbuilding years in the 18th and 19th centuries, its role during the Second World War, and the global legacy of the ships built there. e Trust’s mission is to preserve the unique heritage for future generations. Find out more at: https://bhshipyardtrust.org.uk Buckler’s Hard is open seven days a week in the heart of the New Forest National Park. Visitors can explore the picturesque riverside village and Buckler’s Hard Museum, as well as enjoy the free exhibition and lm in the Shipwrights Workshop, HMS Agamemnon – Navigating the Legend, which tells the story of Nelson’s favourite ship and o ers views of the adjacent historic slipway. Buckler’s Hard is easily accessible by foot, car, motorbike, or bicycle. A small parking charge applies for cars, contributing to the upkeep of the historic village. The Digging for Britain episode is available on BBC iPlayer.
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