42 minute read
Welcome Back To The World
Welc e back to e world
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After months of restrictions, the rules on what we can and can’t do are beginning to ease across the UK. Living on the border of two countries can make knowing what’s permitted a little more complicated, but we’re here to help you plan your return to the new normal
Many pubs and restaurants have adapted to o er more have adapted to o er more outdoors dining options It’s payback time If one good thing has come out of this peculiar time, it’s the heartwarming stories of people and places that have stepped up to help others through a difficult situation. Many local businesses have gone the extra mile, launched delivery services, helped the vulnerable and made sure they could still offer a service under the most challenging conditions. As we head back to our favourite shops and businesses, it’s important to remember the ones that have been there for us throughout. At Shire we are forever shouting about our local heroes, but this time they really do deserve our custom. No business has had it easy recently, but most of the multinational big boys will survive – the same can’t always be said for smaller, independent outlets that rely on their local communities. Before you head into the city for a shopping splurge, remember who made sure you could get your essentials while you weren’t allowed to leave home and make sure to have a spending spree with them as well. Over the next few pages we’ve put together some suggestions of where you can spend those long-awaited days out and family gatherings, as well as a breakdown of what you can do when. Remember, these are all subject to review, so please check the local regulations where you live – and where you are visiting –
It has been a pretty tough year. We’ve all had to significantly alter before you leave. So get your diary out and get ready to go… what and how we do things, from full lockdowns to adapting habits and changing lifestyles. And a lot of those changes will be around for a long time to come. But it does feel now, with the easing of restrictions creeping in and a vaccination programme rolling out at speed, that we can start looking forward to a little bit more normality. “If one good thing has come As we head into the early summer months, we will be out of this peculiar time, it’s able to enjoy the simple things that we haven’t been able the heartwarming stories of to do for a while – popping to the pub, enjoying a meal out, visiting local attraction people and places that have and even spending a night or two away. Shire is here stepped up to help others”to help you work out what to do when – let’s face it, the ever-changing rules are pretty confusing – and we have some great suggestions on how DID YOU to make the most of our gradual re-emergence into the world. KNOW? More than nine in One step at a time 10 people who have shopped locally during the pandemic say they plan to Many of us will be excited at the thought of getting back out continue doing so there, but not everyone will feel the same. It’s understandable that some people will be anxious about what the next few months will be like and still not feel comfortable taking those next steps.
What’s important is to do what feels right for you and to remember the potential knock-on effect of pushing your luck or stretching the guidelines. After all, none of us want another wave that will send us back in to lockdown. So if you’d rather still catch up with friends on Zoom or stick to socially distant walks with one other person, that’s fine.
Let’s all be kind to ourselves along the way. Our mental health has been challenged like never before over the past 12 months, so if it takes a bit of time and feels a bit unnerving at first, accept that it’s a normal reaction. Hopefully, as we get closer to normality the anxiety and worry will fade. The rules are changing, but it’s important to remember that just because you now can do something, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to or should.
Have s e family fun
BeWILDerwood has lots to keep children active
After a year of being cooped up at home and suffering through their parents’ attempts at home-schooling, it’s time to treat the kids to some outdoor fun Gypsy Wood Park, Gwynedd
There aren’t many places where you can combine the magic of fairies with the charm of animals and the rugged wilderness of 20 acres of beautiful natural woodland, but that’s what you’ll find at Gypsy Wood Park near Between closed schools, cancelled exams, missing “BeWILDerwood’s ethos is to leave Caernarfon. This unique attraction will be loved by friends and being stuck inside, lockdown has been tough on technology behind, get outdoors the whole family as there are loads of things to see and do children as much as anyone else. And even if we’ve spent and use your imagination” in the stunning setting in the foothills of Snowdonia. Bring a lot of time together recently, your wellies to explore the we haven’t been able to enjoy that true quality time of a great day out. Luckily we have plenty of options on the doorstep for a family fun day out. Here are some of our favourites.
BeWILDerwood, Cheshire
New for 2021, BeWILDerwood Cheshire is an adventure park hidden among the trees of Bickley Moss. The ethos here is to leave technology behind, get outdoors and use your imagination, and you can do all that and more in the 70-acre woodland site.
The park is home to huge wooden play structures, zip wires, mazes, slides, rope bridges, treehouses and lots more. All activities are included in the ticket price so there are no pesky hidden costs once you enter through the wonky gates.
The park is ideal for children aged between two and 12, and there are special areas for teeny explorers. It is open weekends and bank holidays in May and daily throughout June, July and August. Entry prices are based on height rather than age: tickets for those measuring 92cm to 105cm cost £17.50; those over 105cm cost £19.50. Visitors must book online. For details, visit www.cheshire.bewilderwood.co.uk.
Engage minds at Xplore!
DID YOU KNOW?
Exposure to nature has been found to enhance a child’s concentration and self-discipline
Xplore!, Wrexham
Previously based at Wrexham Glyndwr University as Techniquest, Xplore! boasts more than 100 new exhibits at its new facility as well as a café and gift shop. You don’t need a passion for science to have a great time, everyone will enjoy their day trip – adults and children alike. As Xplore! is a charity, all income goes back into the business to help inspire scientists of the future.
The opening weekend was so popular that all tickets were snapped up and bookings have been flooding in ever since. “There was a huge buzz,” says centre manager Scot Owen. “Some of the exhibits keep score and there was a healthy sense of competition with lots of pictures being taken and shared online.”
Tickets cost from £7.50 for a single visit, and annual passes are also available. To book, visit www.xplorescience.co.uk.
West Midland Safari Park (above) and Gypsy Wood Park (right)
Easing of restricti s restricti s Easing of
NOW
ENGLAND & WALES All retail, essential or not, is open. Children’s organised outdoor activities have restarted, and outdoor hospitality has resumed. Domestic overnight stays are allowed but are restricted to single households. The majority of outdoor attractions are allowed to open.
wetlands, meet the animals, find the fairies, make a wish, hop on Woody’s train and enjoy one of the fabulous adventure play areas.
There’s never a dull moment at Gypsy Wood Park, whether you’re navigating the Gypsies Maze or taking a ride on Woody’s Railway – a 10¼in gauge tear drop railway with turn table. Woody’s Train is powered by a pollution-free electric motor and it takes up to 24 passengers. There is also a model garden railway, mini diggers and trampolines, treehouses, tunnels, woodland walks and play areas with mini zip wires.
Tickets cost £4.25 for under-threes, £7.25 for children aged four to 15 and £8.25 for adults. To book, visit www.gypsywood.co.uk.
West Midland Safari Park, Kidderminster
One thing that couldn’t be put on hold when the world went in to lockdown was the constant, and expensive, animal care at our zoos and safari parks. So these attractions need our visits more than ever as well as offering a great day out for all the family.
West Midland Safari Park is an award-winning animal attraction located just south of the Shire patch. It is home to a variety of allweather attractions, including four miles of drive-through safari, the largest animatronic dinosaur exhibit in the UK and a theme park with more than 20 rides. Around 140 different species call the park home, including cheetahs, lions, elephants, giraffes and rhinos. In addition to the exhibits, there are daily feeds, talks and encounters, including the fantastic Sea Lion Show, where three fabulous California sea lions show off their amazing behaviour, both in and out of the water. The African Village houses lemurs and meerkats, plus a walk-through area where you can feed the friendly sheep and goats. On the way to the Village, don’t forget to stop by Hippo Lakes to see the pod of wallowing hippos. Indoor animal exhibits, including Lorikeet Landing, Reptile House and Aquarium, remain closed until further notice.
With its combination of amazing animals, exciting theme park rides, awesome exhibits and now eight fantastic luxury lodges, West Midland Safari Park is the ultimate family destination. Tickets cost £20 for children (three to 15 years) and £25 for adults and must be booked in advance. For more information, including opening times, visit www.wmsp.co.uk.
ENGLAND Indoor leisure facilities are open, for individuals, households and bubbles.
MAY
3rd WALES Organised outdoor activities for up to 30 people can take place. Wedding receptions can take place outdoors but are also limited to 30 people.
10th WALES Gyms, leisure centres, and fi tness facilities can reopen for individual or one-to-one training. Two households allowed to meet indoors.
13th WALES NEXT REVIEW AND CONFIRMATION OF DATES
17th ENGLAND Maximum of 30 people allowed to meet outside. Indoors the “rule of six” applies or two households. Indoor hospitality also to reopen, along with indoor entertainment and attractions, and indoor sport permitted. International travel to be allowed, subject to review. Events celebrating “signifi cant life events” allowed with up to 30 guests. Indoor events extend to 1,000 people or 50 per cent capacity, outdoor seated events 10,000 or 25 per cent capacity, and other outdoor events 4,000 or 50 per cent capacity.
17th WALES Children’s indoor activities are able to resume, community centres reopen and organised indoor activities for adults, including exercise classes, allowed to resume limited to a maximum of 15 people.
31st WALES It is hoped that restrictions should ease enough to enable indoor hospitality and remaining visitor accommodation to reopen “in advance of” the spring bank holiday.
JUNE
21st ENGLAND It is hoped that progress will allow all legal limits on social contact to end. This will allow all businesses, including nightclubs, to reopen, international travel to resume and no caps on celebrations and large events.
Soak up s e culture
DID YOU KNOW? Portmeirion was originally called Aber-lâ – meaning glacial estuary – but was changed by Clough Williams-Ellis in 1925
Ironbridge Gorge Museums, Shropshire
The arts and heritage sector has taken a huge hit over the course of the pandemic. We all know a bit of culture is good for the soul so let’s make sure we take in as much as we can once restrictions are lifted. Here are some of Shire’s suggestions for a restorative and reflective day out
You can explore multiple museums at this World Heritage Site, dubbed “the beating heart of the Industrial Revolution”. Rocket back to the age of steam and see life more than 100 years ago in Blists Hill Victorian Town or explore British tile design at the Jackfield Tile Museum. The Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron explains how the area changed the world and, of course, you can walk across the first ever cast-iron bridge, built in 1779 over the River Severn. Marvel at its true strength and delicate beauty and find out more about the fascinating era at any one of the many museums on site. www.ironbridge.org.uk
Arley Hall, Cheshire
Portmeirion, Gwynedd
The slightly weird and definitely wonderful Italianate village of Portmeirion was created by Welsh architect Clough Williams-Ellis from 1925 to 1976 to show how a naturally beautiful site could be developed without spoiling it. Portmeirion is one of Wales’s premier visitor attractions, welcoming more than 200,000 visitors every year. It is home to two hotels, a cluster of historic cottages, iconic architecture, a spa, stylish shops, award-winning restaurants, casual cafés, an Italian ice cream parlour, exotic gardens and sandy beaches. A wander here will inspire and uplift a well as rejuvenate the soul – but for the ultimate post-lockdown treat you could stay over. Portmeirion Village has 13 individually styled self-catering cottages, which are available for three-, four- and seven-night breaks. Guests enjoy free entry to Portmeirion village and gardens and use of the heated outdoor swimming pool. Complimentary transport from the train and bus stations is available on request, and all residents have dedicated parking bays. What better way to get away to somewhere completely different?! www.portmeirion.wales
The magnificent Arley Hall is a place of enormous character, charm and interest. Visitors are frequently struck by the warm and intimate atmosphere and the feeling that Arley is a muchcherished “Portmeirion is one of Wales’s premier family home. Arley has been the visitor attractions, welcoming more than home of Lord and Lady 200,000 visitors every year” Ashbrook and their forebears since the 15th century. The gardens, among the finest in Britain, are outstanding for their variety and historical interest, and are particularly celebrated for the magnificent double herbaceous border. The stunning site also attracts the attention of filmmakers and even took on the role of Tommy Shelby’s home in series three of Peaky Blinders. A visit will certainly leave you feeling like you’re the star on a film set as the buildings and grounds are as the buildings and grounds are immaculate and lovingly tended. immaculate and lovingly tended.
www.arleyhallandgardens.com www.arleyhallandgardens.com
Blists Hill Victorian Town (far left), one of the Ironbridge Gorge Museums, and Arley Hall (left)
Be kind to y rself
As we emerge from this diffi cult time, we need to make sure to look after ourselves. Luckily there are many places in the area that can help you relax and recover, including these Shire favourites The Wave Garden Spa, Conwy
Adventure Parc Snowdonia is best known for its incredible surf school, thrill-seeking experiences and outdoor exploits, but it has launched a new venture, the Wave Garden Spa. With views over the waves of the site’s inland surf lagoon, the spa has been designed with every aspect of your wellbeing in mind. It’s the perfect place to check in for a romantic break, some indulgent solitude or quality time out with your friends. Whether you are looking for a day, half-day or overnight break, there’s a spa experience to suit. www.adventureparcsnowdonia.com/stay/wave-garden-spa
The Spa at Carden, Cheshire
Nestled in the heart of the countryside just outside Chester, the newly built Spa at Carden is a five-star destination for wellbeing. The team at the award-winning spa believe everyone should have the opportunity to feel good – for an hour, a day or an entire weekend. That’s why every aspect of the spa experience is designed to be distinctive, catering to opulent celebrations as well as relaxing retreats.
All the spa day experiences start with welcome refreshments. You can then enjoy access to Elements restaurant, a comfy robe to use throughout your day and a pair of flip-flops to take home. The stunning venue is part of a multimillion pound investment and has already won a Best New Spa award, with the limited places selling out fast for the coming season.
www.cardenpark.co.uk/spa/days
Wilde Lodge, Shropshire
Just a short drive from Ludlow, Wilde Lodge is a private accommodation venue that’s perfect for family gatherings and parties. New for this year, the historic house is now also running several exclusive retreats. After the year we’ve all had, escaping for the weekend yoga retreat would be perfect for bringing back
Wave Garden Spa (left) and the Spa at Carden (right)
the balance as well as a great opportunity to soak up the surroundings and truly relax.
Perched on the River Teme and surrounded by the stunning countryside of Shropshire, Herefordshire and Wales, the property centres around a beautifully restored 19th-century lodge that features thoughtfully designed accommodation and quirky areas for entertaining. Just what we all deserve as we get back to normality! www.wildelodge.com
Travel in style
Many forms of transport have been off-limits during lockdown. Here are some that are back on the itinerary
ChesterBoat This family-owned company has more than 40 years’ experience of welcoming visitors to the beautiful River Dee in Chester. The team is delighted to be back in action offering daily adventures on the water, including half-hour city cruises and trips to the city limits with an informative sightseeing commentary. In May ChesterBoat welcomes back the two-hour Ironbridge Cruise and Fish & Chip Fridays, and when remaining restrictions are lifted – hopefully on 21st June – it will start to rock the boat again with private charters and Party Nights Afloat. www.chesterboat.co.uk
Bala Lake Railway Enjoy the bygone era of train travel with Rheilffordd Llyn Tegid (Bala Lake Railway). The company offers a delightful nine-mile return journey alongside Bala Lake, through the beautiful Snowdonia National Park. The line runs from the peaceful village of Llanuwchllyn, just off the A494, to the outskirts of the market town of Bala, four and a half miles away, and you get excellent views of the lake from the narrow-gauge steam trains.
The smaller scale of the railway’s operation, of the old buildings and the locomotives, means the railway has all the charm of an old-fashioned narrow-gauge railway, and it remains a place where the staff and volunteers have time to deal with passengers on an almost individual basis. www.bala-lake-railway.co.uk
Homes&Interiors Local firm wins architecture award
A Shropshire architect has scooped two prestigious honours in the Daily Telegraph Homebuilding & Renovating Awards
The Forge in Whixall, before (right) and after (above) The new extension brings in plenty of light
Studio Bloc, based in Whitchurch, Shropshire, is the brainchild of locally born and raised Philip Handley – but with a recent haul at the Daily Telegraph Homebuilding & Renovating Awards, the firm is having an impact far and wide. The company entered the competition with its work at The Forge in nearby Whixall, coming away with both Best Conversion and Home of the Year.
“We are delighted to have won these two national awards – it’s a huge honour,” says Philip. “The awards showcase the very best self-build projects, providing inspiration for those hoping to build their own home. Studio Bloc is very proud to have been judged the best of the best. The awards are the ultimate thank you to everyone who supported the project and worked on the house.
“The design for this conversion centred around the contrast between old and new – balancing the preservation of the industrial character of the old blacksmith’s forge with creating a light, contemporary extension.
“We focused on sensitive restoration of the original features, including preserving the timber beams, salvaging the original window frames and rebuilding the brick forge. Where original materials couldn’t be saved, new and reclaimed products sensitive to the building were used. “The restored brick walls and industrial features contrast with the high ceilings, large windows, rooflights and bifold doors in the modern extension, which is filled with natural light. To celebrate the union of the old and the new, a brass strip on the external wall and roof was chosen to reflect the building’s metalwork past.”
The home retains original features throughout
Expert opinion
The judges’ report on The Forge explained their reasons for deeming it worthy of the title: “This conversion and reimagining of a former blacksmith’s forge is an absolute triumph. There’s a wonderful forensic and sympathetic touch here, which sees layers of history unpacked while stitching in new contemporary elements with real skill and determination. “Delivering this project for £85,000 is a masterclass in how to reinvent an ageing structure; it’s what we should all be doing in response to the climate change emergency. This type of project is not for the faint-hearted, and it has been handled with professionalism and nerves of steel!”
Philip founded Studio Bloc in 2014 and now works all over the UK. He grew up in Whitchurch and attended Bishop Heber High School in Malpas. After graduating from the University of Manchester with a degree in architecture, Philip achieved a first class honours in his master’s in architecture at the University of Liverpool.
Philip went on to gain a broad range of experience, working in renowned architecture practices around the world including under architect Rem Koolhaas at the internationally acclaimed Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) in Rotterdam. He returned home from Singapore to the north Shropshire countryside to establish Studio Bloc, where he now designs bespoke contemporary homes. For more, visit www.studiobloc.co.uk.
Builders bringing 1,300 jobs and 700 homes to Cheshire
Warrington-based housebuilder Barratt & David Wilson Homes North West has revealed exciting plans for 2021 across the North West region
The popular homebuilding firm Barratt & David Wilson Homes North West is continuing to support local employment by underpinning more than 1,300 new jobs in the North West thanks to its Robert Holbrook, managing director of plans to build more Barratt & David Wilson Homes North West than 674 properties across the area this year. With new sites in Appleton Cross, Formby and Preston, alongside new phases at existing developments including the Kingsbourne site in Nantwich, the teams are going to be on their toes. As the housebuilder typically sources local contractors and subcontractors, a total of 1,348 new jobs have been created across the four developments.
“As the leading housebuilder, we have an obligation to provide support and facilities for the local community,” says Robert Holbrook, managing director at Barratt & David Wilson Homes North West. “This can take the form of open spaces for wildlife, playgrounds for children, beneficial amenities for residents or charitable donations for the wider community.
“The sheer amount of jobs that are underpinned from the very early stages of development right up until our sales staff leave the site provides a crucial boost to the local economy. We hope that our continued plans to develop the region should support employment through what has been a difficult time for Britain, and well into the future.”
Business boost from start to finish
The addition of a housing development in a growing town increases footfall in the local areas and also provides vital services to those passing through. Even during the construction stages, workers will often visit local cafés and shops – instantly increasing their customer base.
“As the pandemic continues to disrupt the local economy, it is more important than ever to shop local,” says Robert. “Businesses in rural areas have been hit hard by the coronavirus and hopefully by bringing a wider customer base to these locations, we can help support the businesses most heavily affected.”
DID YOU KNOW?
Just over half of all students (54%) rent rooms or houses from private landlords and estate agents
Students key to rental sector
Some students need help fi nding a guarantor
The government’s International Education Strategy has a target of hosting 600,000 international students by 2030, despite the current complexities of the Covid-19 pandemic and
Brexit. Hitting the target would mean the industry’s economic impact reaching £35bn a year, making it an attractive aim. The 2019/20 academic year was certainly a good one for non-EU student numbers, with enrolments shooting
“The UK has up by 59,000, taking non-EU total an interesting enrolments to 556,625. This has spread of student placed huge pressure on student accommodation” accommodation in university areas. UK rental guarantor service Housing Hand has been working with both domestic and international students since 2013, helping them to secure accommodation by acting as their guarantor. “The UK has an interesting spread of student accommodation, with some university cities suffering from a deficit of suitable homes and others a sizeable glut,” says group MD Jeremy Robinson. “The accommodation sector needs to prepare to house increasing numbers of talented young people over the years ahead and to do so in an affordable way.”
Housing Hand has seen a sharp rise in the number of domestic students using its services too. In the year to
November 2020, demand from UK students increased by 12 per cent. While international student numbers dropped over the same period, the long-term prospects remain bright.
Holly’s home is where her heart is
International interiors expert Holly Johnson has opened the doors of her fabulous new showroom in Knutsford, bringing art, antiques, décor and design to local homes
Antiques expert Holly Johnson
Holly Johnson has spent nearly 30 years in business, showing exhibition-quality antiques at major international art and antiques fairs, and meeting the needs of an established worldwide client base. She trained at Christie’s, went on to develop her career at Philips and then worked with David Dickinson showing 19th-century exhibition furniture at the major London fairs.
“My love of antiques and interiors led me to set up my own business in 1996, and my husband Ben joined me in the business in 2010,” says Holly. “Ben is the fourth generation in a long line of highly regarded antique dealers based in The Hague. Over the years, we have exhibited at the major London fairs, as well as international
shows including Palm Beach, San Francisco and Chicago. For two years we also ran a retail outlet at the New York Design Centre. Our website has allowed us to cultivate a large online following especially with the American interior designer fraternity.”
Holly’s latest step in an exciting interiors career has been to launch Holly Johnson Antiques from a large two-storey showroom in the centre of Knutsford, Cheshire. “We have immensely enjoyed the journey that the business has taken us on, and we were incredibly excited to open the UK showroom in our home town of Knutsford last year,” says Holly. “We all have a great passion for beautiful, wellmade things, and searching them out for clients. We love nothing more than to assist people locally in choosing these special items for their homes. We will be holding exhibitions and informative talks at the showroom on a regular basis.”
Celebrity shopping
Holly, together with her husband Ben and their specialist team, has supplied all the leading international interior designers over the years, with a particular following in America, regularly shipping items over to grace many luxury homes throughout the US. She also supplies many London-based designers for private and hotel projects. There have been many celebrity clients along
the way, including Oprah Winfrey, Woody Allen, Janet Jackson, Marco Pierre White and the Beckhams to name a few.
Holly Johnson Antiques is one the largest dealers of vintage Piero Fornasetti, a much-acclaimed Milanese artist and designer who has lent a number of his early works to the Louvre and other international museums and art galleries. Another specialism is the English Arts and Crafts movement, and it regularly works to supply clients with pieces by Edward Barnsley, Gordon Russell, William Morris, Peter Waals and Ernest Gimson. Modern British art is also a major focus – it sells naturalist artworks by Charles Tunnicliffe, which are particularly sought after – and the collection
also includes works by a number of northern artists, including Harold Riley, Liam Spencer, Arthur Delaney and Peter Brook.
Holly is also keen to deal directly with individuals and help them make their home their own with a bespoke interiors service. “There has also been a lot of interest in our design service, so we’ve extended this, and are now working with all the newest collections straight from the leading luxury fabric and wallpaper houses,” says Holly.
Your business will feel right at home in Shire Magazine
Expert homes & interiors advice, and fabulous shopping pages filled with inspiration Add sparkle this spring
Spring has always signified the beginnings of new life in the natural world. Maryanne Lineker, silver and jewellery expert at auctioneers Halls, looks at how it has also influenced jewellery design over the centuries
For thousands of years, the natural world has provided the perfect inspiration for all types of art, and it especially lends itself to jewellery design and creation. Floral sprays and bouquets of flowers are often depicted in brooches, using various diamonds and coloured stones.
A particularly fine example of jewellery representing this theme is a diamond and enamel brooch by Boucheron, a French luxury jewellery brand founded in the mid-19th century, which is part of Halls’ summer Boucheron’s diamond and enamel brooch auction. Its centrepiece is a stunning flower formed of blue enamel petals with central diamond buds, mounted on three pavé-set diamond leaves. The setting is made from 18ct white gold and platinum to best display the stones and enamel work.
Also offered in the auction is an 18ct gold Boucheron brooch in the form of a duck. Our enduring love and fascination with animals means that any jewellery pieces related to fauna prove popular on the open market. We also have a menagerie of three other animal brooches, depicting a squirrel, a dog and a fox. It is not just brooches, however, that are used by jewellers to interpret the natural world. Necklaces, rings and bracelets also provide the perfect canvas. Snakes, with their sinuous sleek bodies, have often been used as inspiration in Maryanne Lineker jewellery, their forms entwining around the wrist or neck. A particularly beautiful example of this is a Victorian diamond and turquoise snake necklace we sold in 2019 for £4,200. Snakes also make an appearance in our summer sale in the form of an 18ct yellow gold diamond set ring.
One of the positive things to come out of the last year is the impact lockdowns have had on nature. Both flora and fauna have thrived and our natural environment has become even more cherished. I’m sure that in the future we’ll find even more ways to embody its beauty in art and precious jewellery.
For a free valuation of your precious items, please contact Halls Fine Art department on 01743 450700 or email fineart@ hallsgb.com. For more visit www.hallsgb.com
A duck brooch by Boucheron
Shocking costs of lockdown DIY
More of us than ever embarked on home DIY projects over the past year, but experts are warning it could end up being a costly hobby
According to Google Trends, which DID YOU KNOW? UK homeowners have spent £55bn on analyses the popularity of top search queries in Google searches, there was a huge increase in searches for “house DIY” during the Covid renovations to their pandemic – particularly during homes since the start the first national lockdown, which of the pandemic saw a 59 per cent rise. It’s believed that 61 per cent of homeowners carried out a DIY project during lockdown, but with a lack of knowledge, failed reparations could be monetarily devastating.
HomeHow.co.uk asked 3,142 households what projects they have undertaken and, in consultation with construction experts KielMur Construction, discovered how much these dodgy DIY jobs could cost.
Top jobs – and top costs!
Knocking down a wall Pick the wrong wall, and this could be very dangerous as well as costly. If you didn’t employ a structural engineer to see if the wall was a supporting one your whole house could fall down, with resulting costs in the hundreds of thousands.
Electrics Messing up your wiring can put you at risk of electrocution and fires. Fixing your mistakes and rewiring the whole system could set you back around £2,000.
Flooring Badly fitted flooring – whether you’ve tried to lay a carpet and trimmed it poorly, or installed laminate tiles that are wonky or loose – will leave your home looking a mess. Hiring a professional to refit it would cost around £1,200.
Heating It might seem a simple task to fit a new radiator, but do it wrong and you could be left with a leak that goes on to cause more damage throughout the home. The cost to come and sort your mistake and fit a new radiator would probably be around £450.
Decorating Even a simple paint job can go wrong – mess it up and it will end up more expensive in the long run to get a professional to paint over what you’ve done, and can easily set you back £400 or more.
Call the experts
“DIY is certainly the cheaper way of getting a home improvement job done – until it goes wrong, that is,” says Lisa Evans from HomeHow. co.uk. “During lockdown, we’ve all had extra time to stare at our home interiors, and it can be compelling to want to redecorate or fix various aspects of our home ourselves.
“However, when these DIY projects go wrong they usually prove to be money-draining as well as time-consuming to rectify. Although more expensive in the short run, hiring a professional to carry out small and big renovations will almost definitely be cheaper in the long run, with a reduced chance of big mistakes.”
Plan ahead for colder, costlier times
We may all be appreciating the warmer days of early summer and the subsequent reduction in our home heating bills, but now is the perfect time to make sure your costs are reduced next winter. The energy usage in your home increases by 36 per cent in winter compared with summer, and with more people working from home in 2021, that number is only expected to rise.
Here’s how we can all make our homes greener and save some money this winter with tips from MyJobQuote.co.uk.
• Improving insulation can save the average semi-detached home £260 a year. • Think about upgrading your windows – 35 per cent of heat in the home is lost due to a lack of decent glazing on windows. • A dripping tap could waste 5,500 litres of water annually. • Installing solar panels could save you £100 to £240 per year. • Smart heating solutions give you the ability to control the temperature when absent and in different rooms. • Underfloor heating, as opposed to wall-mounted radiators, can reduce energy usage by up to 40 per cent. • Turning down your thermostat by a couple of degrees and putting on a jumper will save money. • Having a shower uses less water and power than running a bath.
Alpaca yarn now online
Mulberry Alpacas, a family-run alpaca farm in Higher Penley near Wrexham, has launched an online store selling a variety of handmade items made from luxurious alpaca wool.
The farm’s small herd of beautiful huacaya alpacas have friendly teddy bear faces and an amazingly fine warm fleece. Mulberry Alpacas can trace the yarn it produces directly to individual animals on the field. They have a range of colours: cream, grey, foxy brown, chocolate brown and black.
A variety of items are now available, including knitted hats from £20, mitts from £18, scarves from £25, and tea cosies and cafetière covers from £21. Alpaca socks are also available in a range of sizes and colours and cost from £13.50 to £20. You can even treat yourself to a Penrose Product luxury duvet from £144 or a hypo-allergenic alpaca pillow from £49.
With the new online shop now up and running, customers can take advantage of some great offers. These include needlefelting kits for £10 and felted moon-gazing hares for £20. Crafters can also buy bags of alpaca fleece for spinning from £5, while locally spun double knitting alpaca yarn costs £18 per 100g.
For more information, visit www.mulberryalpacas.co.uk. If you would like to visit the farm – and the alpacas – in person, it is currently accepting visitors with appointments only. Call 01978 710224 or 07713 639447 for more details.
The wonder of Welsh wood
One fl ooring company is championing the best of Welsh wood in its latest range of beautiful bathroom fl oor styles
Traditionally, wooden floors and bathrooms don’t mix. But Woodpecker Flooring’s next-generation Stratex collection has all the aesthetically pleasing looks of traditional wood flooring and is also resistant to humidity. The Brecon range is waterproof too, making it the perfect Nature-inspired look choice for stylish bathrooms. Brecon is a high-performance floor available in 20 realistic wood finishes. It is strong and durable, and not only resistant to humid climates but also compatible with underfloor heating. The waterproof features and high durability results in minimal expansion, making it a practical choice for modern homes. However, it’s not just performance where this collection excels. Lookswise it can more than hold its own against its hardwood counterparts thanks to its embossed, woodgrain-effect vinyl upper layer.
Family firm
Woodpecker is a family-run business based in Caerphilly, with a heritage in the timber industry that goes back three generations. It was founded nearly 50 years ago by Bruce Ker, a skilled craftsman who loved teaching people how to work with wood and the Woodpecker tradition is continued today by his son, Nelson, and grandson, Darwyn.
Since the very beginning, Woodpecker has been passionate about designing and sourcing Suitable for all rooms the finest wooden floors. Its dedication starts in the forest. Woodpecker only uses responsibly sourced wood with full FSC or PEFC certifications, selecting the trees before they are felled and paying close attention to how they are sawed, stacked and dried. The dry wood is then kilned twice for maximum stability before being machined. Centuriesold hand-finishing techniques – such as lacquering, oiling and antiquing – further enhance the wood’s natural beauty.
Stockists include Cook’s Carpets in Mold, Rhosddu Carpets in Wrexham and Aspect Interiors in Colwyn Bay. For more information, visit www.woodpeckerflooring.co.uk.
DID YOU KNOW?
The estimated average cost of installing a new bathroom is £6,500
Blinded by the light
UV rays enter through our windows at all times of the year, even through those not directly affected by sunlight. The damage these rays cause can be permanent, and include the fading of fabrics, furnishings, paintings and furniture.
Lewis & Holmes, which sells blinds, curtains and gifts from its showroom in Protect your furnishings Oswestry, Shropshire, offers multiple solutions to such problems, as well as helping with temperature control and glare. It recommends the following to help protect your home interior:
• Internal blinds and shutters A good screen roller blind will filter out up to 97 per cent of UV rays.
• External awnings A well-placed patio awning is a practical and stylish way to reduce sunlight through your windows, as well as providing an al fresco living space that’s usable come rain or shine. Optional LED under-awning lighting and instant infra-red heating are also available so you can create a pleasant terrace that can be enjoyed all year round.
• UV-reflective film There has been a significant advance in UV-reflective films that can be applied direct to glass, and many shops now offer a wide range of designs. Lewis & Holmes’ Clarity range reduces up to 99 per cent of UV while maintaining a clear view through windows. It doesn’t affect the look of the property, making it particularly suitable for listed properties and traditional period buildings.
For more information about the solutions Lewis & Holmes provide, visit the showroom on Castle Street, Oswestry, call 01691 680111 or email shop@rollerblinds.co.uk
Sustainable water-heating solution available
For the past eight years North West Heating Solutions, based in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, has been helping people to replace outdated storage heaters and move away from carbon-heavy fossil fuel heating systems by installing Smartcore Elkatherm electric radiators. It is now also an approved installer of Sunamp UniQ Heat Batteries. The UniQ is a thermal store that uses energy to store heat. This heat can then be released on demand to provide fresh DID YOU hot water throughout the home. It works with almost KNOW? any energy source, from gas boiler to solar and heat If every household in the UK took one minute o one shower every day, it would pumps, and can be tailored to your requirements. Because there is no stored water, the unit is up to four times smaller than a traditional cylinder. The core save £215 million a is made up of phase change material, which has great year nationwide heat retention properties, and is packaged in a superinsulated unit. You can charge the unit during off-peak hours with a smart tariff to further minimise costs. For more information about North West Heating Solutions water heating options and Smartcore radiators, call 01244 371445 or visit www.northwestheatingsolutions.co.uk.
You’ll be hooked!
Griffiths Hire Shops, the largest independent tool hire business in Shropshire and north Wales, has a new addition to its hire fleet – the Hooka tracked crawler crane. The innovative piece of equipment takes the strain out of moving heavy materials.
“Our Hooka mini tracked crawler crane is only one metre wide and 2.05m high, making it perfect for restricted access sites,” says director Kevin Griffiths. “It enables safe and easy moving of bulk materials on construction, building or landscaping sites, and can lift and carry materials on pallets across uneven terrain with minimum impact. The rubber track system provides stability and a go-anywhere capability.”
The Hooka has a unique load-lock system that is designed to hold bulk bags safely when moving over uneven ground and can deliver materials from the roadside to the point of use on any building site or landscaping project. “It be used to move and position hot tubs, garden features and heavy pizza ovens in an outdoor area.” says Kevin. “It is also the ideal solution when lifting large steel beams into place, commonly used when fitting bifold doors to a property.” For more information, visit www.griffithshireshops.co.uk.
The Hooka mini tracked crawler crane is perfect for garden work
Keep on top of your boiler maintenance
We all rely heavily on our boilers, but do you ever give your appliance much thought? Regardless of fuel type, regular servicing can help detect and alleviate the risk of any problems causing unnecessary loss of heating and hot water when it matters most. A faulty boiler can be incredibly dangerous – there are more than 250 hospitalisations a year from carbon monoxide-related illness – and annual servicing also ensures your boiler is “Annual servicing ensures your boiler is operating at maximum operating at maximum efficiency, saving money on fuel bills, and reducing the chance of unexpected breakdowns. Total Boilers’ managing director Chris Jones worked alongside his father at long-established firm PH Jones and has 35 years’ experience in the industry. e ciency” He knows that inspecting the combustion chamber during service gives you the chance to spot early telltale signs of degeneration within the boiler. The combustion process leaves deposits that, if left for long periods of time, can decrease the efficiency of the appliance and even become impossible to remove, leading to costly repair bills. Total Boilers, which is based in Wrexham, offers an array of services. Call 01978 664358 or visit www.totalboilers.co.uk.
