Norfolk Canary

I have two questions please. Earlier this year the shares I've held in a company for many years were compulsorily sold as a result of that company being taken over. I didn't want to sell the shares but is the significant gain I have made still subject to CGT? I've inherited shares from my mother as a result of her bequeathing them to me in her Will. We expect to receive the Grant of Probate in the next few weeks and once that is received can I sell them immediately using her date of death as the base cost of the shares? Thank you.