ISSUE 03
PROPERTY & LAND : ANTIQUES & INTERIORS : FOOD & FARMING
A VERY LARGE AND IMPRESSIVE KHMER BRONZE FIGURE OF SHIVA 18th Century Height 80cm Estimate £20,000-30,000 (Plus buyer’s premium)
ASIAN ART AUCTION
ENTRIES CLOSE OCTOBER 19TH AUCTION COMMENCES 10AM NOVEMBER 28TH
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CONTENTS 5 Homes 18 Fine Art 28 Agricultural Auctions 32 Commercial Property 40 Land & Farming 45 Food
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Winter is Coming‌ And with it we are expecting an exciting run up to Christmas. The launch of our Design Your Dream Home competition is already seeing local children produce some excellent drawings and I am looking forward to judging the winner in December with local artist Beverley Fry and Editor of The Shropshire Magazine, Neil Thomas. Our team are ever increasing and in this issue you can meet the latest additions to our Rural Professional department, Anne-Marie, Josh and David. Our whole rural team were on hand when we were visited by our local MP, Daniel Kawczynski and the Minister for Defra George Eustice. Mr Eustice addressed a packed room at Halls HQ with over 120 local farmers and land
Design: www.creativedifferences.co.uk
owners interested in his thoughts and plans for the future of agriculture in Britain. From the serious to the calamitous. This year Halls entered a team in to the Macmillan World Coracle Championships for the first time, though sadly our skills are clearly better suited to work on land than in water! If you do nothing else as a result of picking up Heritage I suggest you find the time to visit our cafĂŠ at our Shrewsbury head office. Alex, our chef, is creating some lovely food. You can read about it and see our menu at the back of this issue. TOM HUNT, Head of Marketing
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The 11th Macmillan World Coracle Championships
Our team consisted of Hayley Jackson (Oswestry Assistant Manager) Alexander Clement (Asian Art Specialist) Tom Hunt (Head of Marketing) Shaun Jones (Rural Director)
For the first time Halls fielded, or floated, a team at the World Coracle Championships. 4
48 teams raced in 8 heats with each trying to get their four team members safely across the Severn and back in a relay. The Halls team were led out by Alexander and Hayley took second leg. In third was Tom who through overenthusiasm and lack of skill had to swim half of his return leg. Shaun brought the team home in fourth which sadly was not enough to get us further in the competition. However, we were all proud to be part of an event, and a fundraising effort, that raised over ÂŁ37,000 for Macmillan.
Thank you everyone who donated and watch out for next year because we will be back!
We can all remember being young and drawing the archetypal double fronted house with a pitched roof, a path at the front, maybe a car on the drive, a tree and the sun shining above. However, with a little encouragement the creativity of children can far surpass this rudimentary style and we are looking forward to seeing what they will do in our ‘Design Your
Dream Home’ competition. We want kids throughout the region to break down all the conventions and boundaries of what a house is and design something that they would like
to live in. It can be any shape or colour and can be made out of anything. For example it could be a giant gingerbread, unicorn shaped, floating home that is solar powered and has a bouncy castle instead of bedroom. There are no boundaries we just want to inspire creativity and encourage children to have fun. Please encourage any kids you know to enter by visiting our website www.hallgb.com
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Blackmountain FARM
P R E M I U M P RO P E RT Y
Newcastle, Clun, Shropshire, SY7 8PL Guide Price OIRO
£1,250,000
Blackmountain Farm is a beautifully situated residential farm which comprises a superb 17th Century country residence, two separate annexes, a range of outbuildings, arena and productive pasture and woodland extending to over 43 acres.
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• 4 Receptions 7 Bedrooms
• A 3 bed country home • Separate 1 & 3 bed annex
• Purpose built arena, hot tub
• Extensive range of outbuildings
• Pasture & woodland to over 43 acres
Set in the Upper Clun Valley, in an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB), Blackmountain enjoys fantastic views. It is beautifully situated in 43 acres that provide perfect quiet and a haven from light pollution. The land surrounding the property provides an ideal setting for equestrian use with access to a network of bridleways and quiet country lanes directly from the property. Blackmountain Farm has an elevated position and enjoys stunning views along the Upper Clun Valley from Newcastle towards The Anchor. Its tranquil setting will appeal to those seeking a peaceful existence without being too far from civilisation. The village of Newcastle is just over a mile away with its primary school, Church, a fantastic village hall and outreach centre, bowling green and not forgetting the local pub. Clun is 3 miles east, with grocer and garage, and the A49 and the national rail network a further 7 miles. The larger towns of Shrewsbury and Ludlow are within comfortable driving distance.
THE HOUSE This impressive stone farmhouse is thought to date back to the 17th Century and was sympathetically renovated a number of years ago offering characterful and flexible accommodation renovated to provide a 3 bedroom family home, a further 3 bedrooms connected to the main house in the barn extension to provide 6 bedrooms in all. The three bedroom farmhouse with ensuite and family bathroom has a farmhouse kitchen, distinctive dining room and a unique living room with high vaulted ceiling,
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P R E M I U M P RO P E RT Y
minstrels gallery and imposing sandstone fireplace. All three of these have impressive stone inglenook fireplaces with a bread oven in the kitchen. There is also a private study, utility, and large tack room/office with a hobby room/studio above. Approached internally or externally, Upper Barn provides three further bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom and living room with an external veranda and exceptional views. The lower part of the Barn, to the ground floor, offers a selfcontained area with bedroom, kitchen, shower and living room. This would potentially be ideal groom accommodation or could be let as holiday units but would be equally suited to an extended family or home office.
OUTSIDE To the front is an enclosed sun trap of a garden, predominantly hard landscaped with a variety of shrubbery and floral borders and
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features including solid steps up to the elevated veranda. To the rear of the main house is a private sunken patio with hot tub which has steps up to the main gardens, separated into sections of lawns and former vegetable plot and areas of natural habitat with a small stream running through.
FARM BUILDINGS These lie adjacent to the house and yard and are quite extensive. They comprise a four bay Steel Barn (60’ x 35’) with feeding passage, a Steel Framed Barn (85’x60’) with reinforced wall with adjoining Lean-to (40’ x 15’). Around the corner from the house is a Steel Framed Barn (135’ x 30’) with concrete walls and central passage with an adjacent Steel Framed 4 Bay Barn with Mezzanine Store and adjoining 4 Bay Cattle Shed with concrete walls and steel frame. These buildings would be suitable for use for American barn stabling.
Beyond this building is a recently created arena, properly drained and with a specialist wood chip surface.
THE LAND The farmstead lies fairly central to the land which provides productive and useful grazing for sheep, cattle and horses. It is well watered and fenced and divided into a number of conveniently sized enclosures. There is also a delightful compartment of regenerated woodland which contains a number of ancient broadleaf trees but is mostly Holly, Hazel and Birch. Deep in the heart of an area of outstanding natural beauty, much of the land commands stunning views and the potential exists for the promotion of country pursuits.
01588 638 755 bishopscastle@hallsgb.com
P RO P E RT Y F O C U S
8 Darby Close Nesscliffe, SY4 1BE
Darby Close is an exclusive gated development of substantial luxuriously appointed detached country houses with generous sized gardens enjoying views over surrounding countryside, set back from a country lane on the outskirts of the popular village of Nesscliffe.
floor bedrooms (bedroom 1 and 2 with ensuite facilities) and a family Bathroom. The property will have the benefit of an underfloor oil fired central heating system, double glazed windows and doors throughout together with a Professional Consultants Certificate.
8 Darby Close is an architect designed five bedroom detached property with an attached garage, drive and surrounding gardens. The property has been constructed by highly reputable award winning developers Gratton Oakes. The accommodation has been designed with a high degree of flair and imagination to provide a sociable and family friendly layout extending to over 2700 sq ft.
Uniquely the purchaser will be given the opportunity to liaise with a representative of Gratton Oakes to have an input in to the finish of the property internally. The sale of 8 Darby Close does, therefore, provide an excellent opportunity for a purchaser to acquire a most attractive architect designed property, situated in this select development, with the unusual opportunity of being able to ‘finish’ the property to their own preferred tastes and preferences.
The ground floor accommodation includes, a super kitchen/breakfast room, dining room, living room, sun room, study, utility room and downstairs cloakroom. Upstairs are five first
01691 622 602 ellesmere@hallsgb.com
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Considering Your Next Step? Your home tells your story and when you are ready for your next chapter Halls are here to help. ‘We received a first class service and would happily recommend Halls to family and friends and would definitely sell through them again in the future.’ Sophie Williams
SEVERN OAKS FARM, BARKERS GREEN, WEM SY4 5JW 4 Bedrooms, 3 Reception Rooms, 3 Bath/Shower Rooms In all about 8.764 Acres, Shippon with P.P. for conversion
Guide Price
£699,500
01743 236 444
DUDLESTON GROVE, DUDLESTON HEATH, ELLESMERE SY12 9LN Handsome country house, Range of outbuildings with PP First class surrounding farmland, Ext. to approximately 80 acres Potential equestrian property, Super rural location
Guide Price
£1,250,000
01691 595 001
Whitchurch Ellesmere
You can view all our properties at
hallsgb.com
but we would prefer to meet you so please visit us at your nearest local branch
Oswestry
Shrewsbury
Welshpool
Bishop’s Castle
With an enviable network of branches throughout the region you can be sure we can help you find the perfect home in the perfect location. When you are ready to sell our local and digital marketing will present your house at its best to the widest possible audience.
Selling A House Kidderminster
One bedroom or ten, it doesn’t change our service. We offer you our whole team and we’ve been selling property in this region for 173 years.
Buying A House We are local people with local knowledge so you can visit us for help and advice six days a week.
‘A fantastic service from the initial valuation to conclusion of sale. Our property was sold within 3 days and they also assisted us in purchasing our new home. Undoubtedly the best agents we have ever used.’ Hugh Evans
THE COTTAGE, 30 SUTTON ROAD, SHREWSBURY SY2 6DG 4 Bedrooms, 2 Reception Room 2 Bath/Shower Rooms
Guide Price
£575,000
01743 236 444
EARDISTON FARMHOUSE, WEST FELTON, SY11 4AH
5 Bedrooms, 3 Reception Rooms, 2600 sqft of accommodation Gardens and grounds, Double garage
Guide Price
£550,000
01691 670 320
P RO P E RT Y F O C U S
DUDLESTON GROVE Dudleston Heath, Ellesmere, SY12 9LN Dudleston Grove has been in the Morgan family for over 100 years and is a most individual and superbly situated small farm, comprising a handsome double fronted period residence of great charm and character, together with a separate range of traditional farm buildings which have the benefit of planning permission for conversion in to two residential units, set in nearly 80 acres of first class surrounding agricultural farmland. GUIDE PRICE 12
ÂŁ1,250,000
The property is situated in an unspoilt rural location, yet is still convenient to the nearby villages of Dudleston Heath and St Martins, which have good day to day local amenities. It is also within easy motoring distance of the larger towns of Ellesmere (3 miles) and Oswestry (9 miles), both of which, have a wider range of amenities of all kinds. For those looking to commute, the county towns of Shrewsbury (20 miles) and Chester (27 miles) are, also, easily reached via the A5.
P RO P E RT Y F O C U S
The handsome farmhouse offers spacious and versatile internal accommodation of great charm and character which retains many original features and offers great potential for modernisation and refurbishment in to a first class residence of great style. Outside, there are attractive surrounding gardens, predominantly down to lawns, together with a tarmacadam forecourt area which has room for parking and manoeuvring a good number of vehicles.
The farm buildings are worthy of note and are situated a short distance from the residence but have a separate vehicular access. They have full planning permission for conversion in to two residential dwellings. The land is a major feature of the property and lies within a ring fence, principally to the side and rear of the homestead, retained in convenient sized enclosures of grass, ideal for the grazing of all kinds of livestock, particularly horses.
The property extends, in all, to nearly 80 acres. It is most unusual for such a well situated and well-appointed small farm, such as this, to become available for purchase in this area, and Halls, the sole selling agents, strongly recommend an immediate inspection to appreciate its unique nature, location and the huge potential that it has to offer. 01691 622 602 ellesmere@hallsgb.com
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Lettings Advice We’ve talked about the legislation changes coming in the market, and how things will change. But we haven’t really talked about what it is you actually get from a good Management service. You know all of the usual things; We advertise the property, we find you a Tenant and we try to make sure they will pay the rent and bills, keep the house tidy and not burn the place down. We collect the rent and get contractors out for things that are broken. But that’s just the beginning... Over the last year, I have found myself elbows deep in a cistern trying to help a Landlord stop a leak that had brought down the kitchen ceiling. I later broke a nail helping him rip up the bathroom floor to help the floor dry faster so that the Tenants could move in on time, as they were relocating from the other side of the county and had nowhere else to go. I have helped a Tenant catch their escaped chickens; I just hope no-one took a video of the crazy brunette in a suit and high heels chasing a chicken across a field! When a Tenant who was broken into last year called me in a panic to say that she was away and her burglar alert had told her someone was creeping around outside the house that morning, I found 10 minutes to go and check the car was still there and that it seemed secure. I’ve spoken to elderly Tenants who are worried about what is a minor issue, but that has thrown their routine out so far, they are struggling to see how they will cope. I’ve reassured them that it will be sorted, I’ve updated them on when I have spoken to the contractors, made sure they know who is coming round and when, and generally tried to hold their hand.
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I’ve had people I know who rent from other agents contact me as their Agent isn’t getting repairs done, or they think that the Agent isn’t doing something they should. Although this may seem all biased towards the Tenant, I’m sure you have all heard the old saying “Happy wife, happy life”? My less poetic version, is “Happy, safe Tenant, good investment”. If a Tenant feels happy in a property and that it will be a safe home for them then they are much more likely to take care of the property. You don’t mind putting a hot drink down on a hotel’s Ikea coffee table but there is no way you would do it on your own solid-oak table! Don’t just look for the Agent who is going to get you the most money for the least cost. You will most likely end up with new tenants in and out so often you might as well install a revolving door. The Agent won’t mind however, as they will get their set-up fees every 6-7 months, with the Management fees in-between. Look for Agents who care about the property, about you and the Tenant. Property is a long-term investment; you need someone you can trust and feel like you would still want to deal with in 5 years. For help and advice letting a property speak to Amy Hyde-Fynn 01562 820 880 kidderminsterlettings@hallsgb.com
ESTATE AGENTS:
TRADITIONAL V. ONLINE
Hayley Jackson BSC (hons) MNAEA DipDEA
Halls is one of the best known and trusted estate agents in Shropshire and surrounding counties. After all we have been is business here and selling houses since 1845. That business heritage, combined with a vastly experienced team of staff, gives us the edge when it comes to marketing a property and attracting prospective purchasers. We like to think that, with the benefit of all our experience, we know our buyers and have the ability to match them to their ideal homes. It’s not about the number of viewings you achieve; it’s about selling and getting the right people through the door. We don’t get paid until we achieve a completion on a property, unlike some online estate agents who are paid upfront for a seemingly small cost. Consider us as your safety net, offering you a full package from the market appraisal to your moving day. We offer a personal service because we recognise that we are selling your single biggest asset – your home. Compare that to the only question asked by an online agent: ‘Do you
want to buy this house? My advice to every seller is talk to your local estate agent, as you will find their knowledge invaluable and they will tailor the fee to match your budget. You will find that they are able to offer the same, very basic service as an online agent at a fraction of their normal commission, because it’s a fraction of their normal work. The main advantage of selling your home with an online agent, aside from the cost, is that you are free to schedule viewings and answer queries whenever you wish. However, as it is you who will be dealing direct with prospective purchasers, it’s essential that you have the time to do this. We at Halls are trained to sell houses to people looking for their ideal home and believe it’s all about the professional, personal touch. Talk to us first without obligation before signing up with any online agent.
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HOME IMPROVEMENT IDEAS THAT ADD VALUE TO YOUR HOME With the prices of UK homes ever increasing, it’s never been more important to put your proverbial ‘head above the parapet’ in property terms to stand out above the crowd and add as much value to your most valuable asset as possible. We’ve tried to put together some information and some of the best ways to add value to your home.
Restore Original Features
Upgrade Your Glazing
This can bring out the character of the property, and therefore increase its appeal to future buyers. Restoring original elements is especially effective in period properties, where so many beautiful features are often found - the key is to think about the way your building was originally constructed and acknowledge its history.
While this is not the cheapest of options, it can certainly save you money in the long run. Not only can it lower your future heating bills, but it can increase the potential sale price of your property.
SOME OF THE BEST EXAMPLES ARE:
• Restoring original fireplaces • Polishing wooden floorboards • Revealing concealed timber beams • Restoring decorative mouldings 16
While there is no fixed figure on how much value improved glazing will add to your home, it has been reported in recent years that 79% of UK homes are now fitted with double glazing which suggests properties without may be seen as less desirable?
James Hickling Kidderminster Residential Manager
Give Your Kitchen a Makeover
Storage Solutions
It has been said that the primary feature that a future buyer looks at when deciding upon their future home is the kitchen. With this in mind, to create greater appeal it would be sensible to make sure your kitchen is looking at its best.
This can be a real selling point, as a lack of storage can put buyers off and reduce value, especially so if your property is a family home.
IDEAS TO ADD VALUE TO YOUR KITCHEN:
HERE ARE SOME GREAT STORAGE SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR HOME:
• Add a kitchen island • Replace or paint over drab looking cabinets • Add a splashback • Change the lighting • Install improved countertops
Gardens & Outdoor Space This is a home improvement that does not require much effort at all and it can all be done at little to no cost. An attractive, well-kept garden can add value to any property, and can be quite the selling point if you’re showing your home to buyers in the summer months. If you’re lucky enough to have a garden, there are countless ways to show it off, whether it be repairing the lawn, adding colourful plants, or cleaning and tidying dead shrubs. If you live in an area with lots of gardens around yours, another idea could be to make your outside space more secluded. In this day and age, privacy can be seen as a real benefit that could add value to your home.
• Inbuilt bookshelves • Alcove shelving • Swivel out kitchen cabinets • Walk in wardrobes • Floating shelves
This can be particularly beneficial in any property, especially a family home where storage needs and requirements can be a high priority. Any and all home improvements can create a more sought after property and increase saleability and possibly value. Maintenance is essential and any additional improvements will always be appreciated by buyers and will move toward securing a good sale within a reasonable timescale.
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Every object we sell in the Fine Art departments has a story, some longer and more complex than others. The life of an antique, its history and previous owners, is often referred to as ‘provenance’ and this can be a critical factor in how it performs under the hammer. Alexander Clement Asian Art specialist
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This is especially true of Asian art when there are so many fakes and forgeries floating around the market. Buyers like to have confidence in what they are bidding on and a great story gives them just that.
Among the best objects I have sold in recent years, all have had terrific stories to them. The first really impressive lot that I came across in my tenure here was a pair of turquoise ground vases and covers, brought in by a retired Shropshire couple. It was a typical Monday valuation day at our Battlefield showroom and I was asked to go and look at something ‘Chinese’. There on one of our consulting tables was a truly magnificent vase which just got more impressive the closer I got to it. Then,
from a hessian farm shop bag, carefully wrapped in a towel, came its pair. The owner’s late wife from his previous marriage had bought them in a Shropshire country auction in the 1950s, as part of the estate of Dr Wilfred Watkins-Pitchford. The vases hadn’t sold first time around and so she offered an after-sale bid which was accepted. They were always highly prized and enjoyed on display for many years. But a recent break-in at the family home had prompted the owners to consider selling them.
My research revealed that Watkins-Pitchford had been a prominent physician, specialising in bacteriology and spending much of his career in South Africa before retiring in the late 1920s. He returned to the UK, settling in Shropshire where he took up the pastime of exploring local history, particularly that of the Bridgnorth area. The vases carried a reign mark for the emperor Daoguang (1821-1850) and given their provenance there was no reason to doubt it. The quality of the decoration was superb with auspicious flowers and ‘double joy’ symbols on a pale turquoise ground, they were clearly of the highest order. Our estimate of £20,000-30,000 was quickly exceeded on the sale day with intense bidding eventually reaching £85,000 plus premium.
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The same year I was once again asked to have a look at a ‘Chinese pot’ which the owner was rather curious about. This time a single item, cylindrical in shape and of a rich, sealing-wax red colour, the surface entirely carved with the most intricate decoration. It was a brush pot or ‘bitong’ and the finest example of cinnabar lacquer that I had ever handled and immediately I could see that this was another incredibly rare and special item.
The owner consigned it for auction so that I could begin researching it. I first discovered that the subject was a scene depicting Wang Xizhi contemplating geese in a pond. Wang Xizhi was a highly gifted Chinese calligrapher who lived in the 4th Century AD, so skilled at his art that he is regarded today in the same light as William Shakespeare. He was, by all accounts, inspired by nature and in particular the graceful curve in the necks of geese. This led me to discover an identical lacquer brush pot in the collection of the National Palace Museum in Beijing, confirming it was of Imperial quality. Ours had been originally bought by the owner’s mother while she had been a student in Oxford during the 1950s and while it had been admired ever since, neither she nor her daughter had contemplated what it might be worth. We took the brush pot along with other selected objects for exhibition in London during Asian Art Week which takes place every November. It was intensely viewed by many but one collector in particular, who specialised in brush pots, was incredibly keen. Several telephone lines were
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booked on the piece during the auction and bidding climbed well beyond the £20,000-40,000 estimate, much like the Daoguang vases had. This time our brush pot collector who had viewed in London was the winner, capturing the prized object for a magnificent £155,000 plus premium. The brush pot featured prominently in advertising, naturally enough, which resulted in a very successful valuation day in Southport, Merseyside, thanks to one client. They were semi-retired from the furniture business, their sons having taken over running the family firm. But when active they had bought regularly at auction for the shop as well as their own collection. This included a host of fine quality Chinese and Japanese art sourced from local sales as well as trusted clients. One piece stood out as being of particular interest, in part due to its unusual size. It was a very large blue and white decorated bottle vase decorated with a profusion of auspicious flowers and foliage. One problem – it had a broken rim. Looking over the piece in our saleroom we found it half filled with pot-pourri, inside which was a collection of porcelain shards; pieces from the damaged top. We
emptied everything out and began painstakingly re-assembling the pieces which completed half of the missing rim. This was of great significance because it gave us a precise height for the vase as well as useful evidence to help in dating it. It also meant that the eventual buyer would have the perfect reference with which to complete a restoration. Sadly the remaining missing pieces were not present and, indeed, never had been. The vase had been bought by the owner from a retired headmistress along with other blue and white pieces and was always in its present condition. In spite of this, though, the quality and dating of the piece, estimated to have been early 18th Century, was enough to generate a great deal of pre-auction interest. Several bidders came to preview the object from London and mainland China, suggesting that the cautious ÂŁ7,000-10,000 estimate might well be exceeded. The owner, accompanied by one of her sons, attended the auction and when the lot came up a hush of
anticipation descended on the room. We all knew this was going to be an exciting lot but there was no predicting where we would end up. As with the brush pot there were several phone lines booked as well as eager bidders in the room. Bidding jumped in several thousand pound increments and the battle was well under way. Finally the hammer fell at ÂŁ150,000 to one of the telephone lines, a bidder from China. The owner was delighted and surprised, spending a few minutes after the auction to thank me and Halls for our efforts. Indeed the owners of the Daoguang vases and the brush pot also came to watch their respective auctions and took time later to say how much they had enjoyed the experience. That, for me, is the finest outcome and one that closes a chapter on their provenance. It is what we all strive for as auctioneers and is one of the greatest thrills of our job. We handle such beautiful and, at times, historic objects and it is quite a privilege to be part of their extraordinary stories.
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Caroline Dennard European Ceramics and Glass specialist If you want to discuss ceramics Caroline Dennard is available to help. You can send her a photo of your item(s) or bring them on a Monday to our head office in Shrewsbury for a free valuation.
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Wedgwood Jasperware & Basalt
From the Antique to the Modern Vases such as this were produced by Wedgwood and Sons, Stokeon-Trent, from the mid-eighteenth century onwards in response to a growing market in neo-classical decorative interiors. Josiah Wedgwood joined the pottery industry in Staffordshire in the 1750s and was largely responsible for modernizing the industry, not only in terms of its working practices and technology but also in terms of design. In the 1770s, after an extensively relentless and carefully documented experimentation, Wedgwood developed the jasperware for which he is best known today. This vase is made of a white jasper stained with a cobalt blue. It was created to cater to the bourgeois fascination with classical antiquity and the romantic love of ruins, a cleaned-up, regularized Roman version of Hellenistic sculpture and architecture mediated through drawings and engravings that is copied in ceramic form here.
Slightly later in the eighteenth century came the invention of black basalt by Wedgwood. Based on the appearance of classical Greek, Roman and Etruscan red-figure vases, it was similarly decorated to the jasperware in a neo-classical style. This style was brought up to date in the 1930s when Keith Murray at Wedgwood produced a range of immensely elegant, sparsely designed modernist table ware in matt black basalt. Seemingly functional, they purport to be everyday use, yet their austere elegance suggests they are above such considerations and the plainer style was in response to the prevailing fashions and modernist trends of the time.
Greece itself was still considered part of the ‘badlands’ of the Ottoman Empire during the eighteenth century, a region viewed as both dangerous and unexplored. The mass production of these commoditized vases allowed many members of the newly wealthy, fashionable and self-consciously ‘modern’ middle classes to have a piece of crumbling, magnificent, ancient architecture and a hint of classical educated taste for the mere price of 21 shillings a piece.
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FINE ART AUCTIONS CALENDAR
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Wed 9th January Collective
Wed 3rd July Collective
Wed 23rd January Books, Medals, Militaria & Toys
Wed 17th July Summer Fine Art
Wed 6th February Collective
Wed 7th August Collective
Wed 20th February Spring Fine Art
Mon 12th to Mon 26th August Timed Auction – Jewellery
Wed 6th March Collective
Wed 21st August Books, Medals, Militaria & Toys
Wed 20th March Fine Pictures, Silver & Jewellery
Wed 4th September Collective
Wed 3rd April Collective
Wed 18th September Fine Pictures, Silver, Jewellery & Watches
Fri 12th to Sun 28th April Timed Auction Modern & Contemporary Art
Wed 2nd October Collective
Wed 1st May Collective
Fri 11th to Sun 27th October Timed Auction Modern & Contemporary Art
Wed 15th May Asian Art
Wed 16th October Autumn Fine Art
Tues 21st to Fri 24th May Art Exhibition
Wed 6th November Collective
Wed 5th June Collective
Wed 20th November Asian Art
Wed 19th June Silver, Jewellery & Watches
Wed 11th December Winter Fine Auction
Jack Merriott
RI ROI RSMA RWS (1901-1968)
A delightful painting consigned to our selected fine art auction on the 24th October is this harbour view titled ‘Lowering tide, Woodbridge’ by Jack Merriott. The artist built his career between the wars designing iconic posters for The Great Western Railway so his paintings from that period are quite rare. Estimated at £1500-2500 the work demonstrates thick impasto combined with a sharp palette and makes for a very evocative work from the inter war period.
James Forster Pictures Specialist For further details on this and other works in our fine art sale please contact James Forster jamesf@hallsgb.com
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It is not uncommon for some of our fondest childhood memories to be associated with a favourite toy, its associated play and our companions. Toy collecting sometimes grows from these early-sown seeds, or for model collectors it is often the appeal and desirability of the full-size which piques the interest.
David Lewis Toys & Models Specialist
Frank Hornby 1863 - 1936
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So, when playability is combined with the desirability of a scaleddown full-size subject, success would seem to be assured. For many years this prescription has perhaps been most adequately filled by the Hornby train set. When he died Frank Hornby was an industry giant; his company’s products cheering children of all ages, all around the globe. But it was not always so, nor was he even initially associated with model railways. Frank was born a Liverpool merchant’s son in 1863 and left school at 16 with no formal engineering training. However, no scion of Victorian Britain would let this hinder him, so in 1899 he set to making construction toys for his two sons using sheet metal with regularly-spaced ½ inch holes. His merchant genes divined a marketing opportunity as he patented “Improvements in Toy or Educational
Devices for Children and Young People” in January 1901. The Head of the Engineering Department at Liverpool University enthusiastically endorsed Hornby’s “Mechanics Made Easy” construction sets which were duly proffered in 1902. Five years later he left his day job at a meat importer and registered the famous “Meccano” trademark, probably derived from “make and know”. The brand forged on and in 1914 the Binns Road factory was opened, eventually alongside facilities in France, Spain and even Argentina. The first red and green sets were produced in 1926, initially pale-coloured and extremely rare – so
beware of throwing away sets you might think have faded. 1920 saw the introduction of a new accessory for the construction sets – a model train in O gauge. Export markets eagerly lapped up Binns Road’s railway output; whence sometimes distinctly-British trains appeared in exotic foreign garb. The French factory made some uniquely Gallic subjects like Bugatti’s railcar which often command impressive prices. A range of miniatures was produced to complement the railways, leading to the Dinky range in the mid-1930’s. The now-legendary brand name may have derived from a nickname of Hornby’s daughter Patricia or an exclamation of one of his daughters-in-law (“Oh! What a Dinky little car!”), personally I prefer the latter as it conjures a flavour of the interwar ambience from which it arose. Frank died in September 1936, aged 76, self-made millionaire and former Member of Parliament for Everton. In 1938 his son,
Roland Hornby, launched the brand which became synonymous with his name in response to German competition. “OO” was, and remains, a very British passion (where else could a scale of 4 millimetres to 1 foot exist?), a somewhat-fudged scale intended to render British subjects at similar physical size to their larger European cousins whilst utilising standard track. However this deterred no-one, and children all over the country immediately found these in their Christmas stockings, even though it soon transpired that Father and Uncle Bob were going to do most of the driving. War stopped play at Binns Road, production switching to more serious wares. From the late 1950’s intense competition from Corgi, Matchbox, Lego and particularly Tri-ang led to Hornby’s demise, selling out to their rivals in 1964. The appeal of Hornby’s products is that they always represented the spirit of their times: heavy construction, railways, cars, tanks
and aeroplanes were all part of a now-bygone era. Sadly the final zeitgeist descended on the giant Binns Road facility in 1979 when it fell silent under the thenfashionable weight of industrial action. It is now the site of a shopping centre. Although some brands still cling on in different family trees, Hornby’s heyday should be considered from 1930 to 1955; this is reflected in the collector’s market where pre-war Meccano and Hornby O command better prices than their younger siblings and nothing so evocatively evokes its era as 1950’s Dinky and Hornby Dublo– but keep the boxes!
David Lewis is our toys and models specialist and is at Halls every Monday to help value any items you may want to sell. 01743 450 700 fineart@hallsgb.com
FINE ART
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Auction Ca Shrewsbury Auction Centre Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY4 3DR 01743 462 620 hallsgb.com/auctions
WEANLINGS, COWS & CALVES AND YOUNG BULLS
DAIRY YOUNG STOCK
STORE CATTLE
BREEDING SHEEP
Thursday 11th October
Tuesday 2nd October
Tuesday 9th October
Tuesday 30th October Tuesday 27th November
Thursday 1st November
Tuesday 16th October
Thursday 15th November
Tuesday 30th October
Tuesday 23rd October Tuesday 6th November Tuesday 20th November
Thursday 6th December Thursday 20th December
Tuesday 4th December Tuesday 18th December
Halls Rural Professional team is delighted to have been named as a Finalist in the Midlands “Best Rural Professional Services” category of the Rural Business Awards 2018/19.
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alendar
Kidderminster Bishops Castle The Gallops, Stanklyn Lane, Stone, Kidderminster, Worcs. DY10 4AR
Station Street, Bishops Castle SY9 5DD
01562 820 880 / 820 990
01588 638 639
hallsgb.com/auctions
hallsgb.com/auctions
PLANT AND MACHINERY
PLANT AND MACHINERY
Friday 5th October
Friday 30th November
Saturday 6th October
No Sale In December
STORE CATTLE
Friday 7th December Items For Catalogue Please 2 Weeks Prior To Sale Date.
Friday 26th October
Catalogue Entries: 12 Days Prior To The Sale. Catalogues Can Be Downloaded From Our Web Site: www.hallsgb.com Delivery Of Items To Be On The Thursday 8am – 5pm Prior To The Sale Day All Items Must Be Removed Before 12 Noon Saturday Following The Sale Day
The Rural Business Awards aim to give recognition to businesses operating right across the Rural sector, to acknowledge the breadth and depth of opportunity presented by the Great British countryside, as well as to celebrate the achievements of rural businesses. Louise Preece, a Rural Chartered Surveyor in our Head Office team said “We are thrilled to have been shortlisted for the award. The service our team offers is specifically targeted at the rural and agricultural community and we work hard to help our clients to
BREEDING SHEEP (At love Lane)
Thursday 4th October Thursday 18th October Thursday 25th October Thursday 8th November Thursday 22nd November Thursday 13th December
understand and react to changes to rural policy and legislation. The awards recognise this and the work of all rural businesses”. The Midlands region awards ceremony is being held on 11th October in Nottingham.
Wish us luck!!
AUCTIONS
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MACHINERY SALES Our monthly collective sale at Kidderminster and bi-monthly sales at Shrewsbury are still proving ever popular with large crowds gathering. Genuine kit direct from farms still has the highest demand, with buyers ever keen to get hold of machinery that has been looked after and well maintained. We have just enjoyed a busy couple of months offering a large amount of grassland equipment, meeting a buoyant trade. Seasonality is key to selling used machinery and by selecting kit ready for the coming season, farmers should see a boost in the price received. If you are looking to sell we offer a free and comprehensive valuation of your items and advice on when and where to sell them. If you want up to date information on our sales and the items being sold please go to our website and download the catalogues or ring us on:
Shrewsbury 01743 450 700
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Kidderminster 01562 820 880 / 820 990
David Giles Managing Director
MINISTERIAL VISIT TO HALLS HOLDINGS HOUSE
On Thursday 13th September 2018 we were privileged to host a visit by the Defra Minister, George Eustice MP who travelled to Shrewsbury specifically for this purpose following an invitation from our local MP, Daniel Kawczynski. The visit could not have been better timed coming the day after the land mark Agriculture Bill to deliver a green Brexit was published. This ensured a very large attendance of farmers and land owners in our Darwin saleroom who were treated to an excellent presentation from the Minister speaking entirely without notes and who impressed everyone with his clear delivery and entire understanding of all matters agricultural. The Bill sets out the Government’s post Brexit policy to invest in the environment and take back control for farmers after almost 50 years under EU rule. It is intended to deliver a cleaner and healthier environment for future generations, hence there will be considerable changes to what we have become used to in respect of the Single Farm Payment and the Basic Payment Scheme.
The agriculture bill sets out how farmers and land managers will in future be paid for “public goods” such as better air and water quality, improved soil health, higher animal welfare standards, public access to the countryside and measures to reduce flooding. These elements will replace the current subsidy system of direct payments and it is intended to reduce payments to the largest land owners also. The new Environmental Land Management system will start from next year with payments for the next two years being basically the same but then transitioned from 2021 to 2027. George Eustice kindly answered many questions from the floor on the above and various other subjects and I think everyone went home thinking why can’t politicians always be so clear and concise. Perhaps the overriding thought that came out of the meeting is that going forward farmers and land owners will have to put together a scheme to provide environmental benefits if they want to secure a reasonable subsidy payment. The agricultural team at Halls will be ready and willing to take the lead on this very important change.
AUCTIONS
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C O M M E RC I A L P RO P E RT Y F O C U S
ELM LODGE
Fishmore, Ludlow, Shropshire, SY8 3DP A stunning Georgian property with an excellent business set up, stunning views and parkland. Reception Hallway • Dining Room • Snug • Sitting Room Morning Room • Kitchen/ Breakfast Room • Utility Room Laundry Room • 7 Bedrooms • 3 Letting Rooms 2 Family Bathrooms • Cellar • 3 Bedroom Lettings House Golfshop/Offices • Views • 13.7 Acres 32
THE PROPERTY Elm Lodge comprises a rare opportunity to acquire a substantial property which is located on the edge of the sought after town of Ludlow. The property is currently arranged to provide a 7 bedroom residential home with an additional 3 B&B letting rooms, a commercial yard area, and detached Coach House featuring a further 3 B&B letting rooms. The total grounds extend to approximately 13.7 acres (5.56 hectares). The property is accessed by a part shared road which leads to the owned driveway to Elm Lodge. The original property is thought to date back to circa 1718 and benefits from a wealth
of historic features internally. The ground floor comprises a good sized kitchen/breakfast room, which opens out to a patio area perfect for seasonal alfresco dining. There are 4 excellent reception rooms and a useful utility and laundry room. The master bedroom is located on the first floor along with a further 3 bedrooms, one with a dressing area and newly fitted en-suite. There is also a family bathroom. The second floor has 3 further bedrooms, one with a good sized balcony area, which benefits from stunning, far reaching views. There is also a family bathroom. The detached two storey Coach House provides office accommodation and houses the former golf shop. These rooms could be used as games rooms or subject to the necessary consents provide further residential accommodation. The first floor occupies three letting rooms used in conjunction with the current bed and breakfast business.
THE BED & BREAKFAST BUSINESS The property is currently used for commercial businesses as well as a residential house. The B&B business provides 6 beautifully presented letting rooms, all with en-suites. Three letting rooms are connected to the residential house and have their own separate external access. The Coach House provides a further 3 letting rooms (one with kitchenette) to the first floor level with offices and golf shop (with toilets) on the ground floor. The current owners successfully rent the stunning parkland to provide a venue for weddings and events. The grounds also incorporate a golf course, which is currently not in use. The property has significant potential for further intensification of the leisure and profitable B&B business. Planning has been granted (subject to conditions) for 12 residential holiday pods to be located on the former golf course - (Ref: 8/00815/
FUL). There is an additional planning application for 12 log cabins to be located in the commercial yard area, which is subject to approval. The property and grounds provide excellent scope for a variety of uses, subject to statutory consents. The property extends to approximately 13.7 acres and incorporates within its ownership gardens serving the residential house, a commercial yard area (used by the vendors for vehicle parking and external storage purposes) and a golf course. This is an excellent opportunity to acquire a superb property in a beautiful area of Shropshire along with a business that has yet untapped potential for growth. To discuss and view the property contact James Evans on 01743 450 700 or email james.evans@hallsgb.com
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY
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C O M M E RC I A L P RO P E RT Y F O C U S
Dolforwyn Hall Abermule, Montgomery Sy15 6Jg
A substantial Grade II listed building, sitting in 4.05 acres (1.64 hectares) of wooded grounds overlooking the scenic Severn Valley. OFFERS IN THE REGION OF
• Site area 4.05 Acres (1.64 Hectares)
• Significant scope for business growth
was built around 1830. It stands in 4.05 acres (1.64 hectares) of wooded grounds overlooking the scenic Severn Valley.
Dolforwyn Hall offers a Grade II listed building, described as an exceptionally good example of a picturesque Gothic Villa.
The property at present offers to the ground floor, large open reception, restaurant for circa 30 covers in the main dining room, commercial kitchen to the rear, two further reception rooms and male/female welfare facilities.
The earliest structure on the site was a timber formed house dated 1595. The second range was constructed at the rear in the 1700s and the 3 bay front
To the first floor, accessed by a sweeping central staircase, the property is arranged to provide 8 en-suite letting rooms, an office, laundry room and a
• Profitable b&b business • 3 Star guest accommodation
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£725,000
2-bed apartment forming the owner’s accommodation. Potential redevelopment to the office space and owner’s accommodation could offer further letting rooms. To the exterior of the property a walk-in chiller, and large log store is accessed via the kitchen. The property offers extensive basement space, and is currently used for storage purposes. It was previously utilised as a functional cellar for the bar/ restaurant offering cask/draft ales and lagers. To discuss and view the property contact James Evans on 01743 450 700 or email james.evans@hallsgb.com
Halls provide a comprehensive commercial property service. Whether you are looking to buy, sell, rent or develop, the Halls commercial property team will help you achieve your business objectives in a way that is appropriate for your situation.
Sales Lettings Valuations Property Investment Auctions Building surveying Development Consultancy Property & Asset management
STAFFORDSHIRE
NORTH WALES
SHROPSHIRE
WEST MIDLANDS
WORCESTERSHIRE
Halls Commercial: Halls Holdings House, Bowmen Way, Battlefield, Shrewsbury, SY4 3DR 01743 450 700 commercialmarketing@hallsgb.com hallsgb.com/commercial
C O M M E RC I A L P RO P E RT Y F O C U S
FOR SALE
6 Tower Street BUSINESS FOR SALE
Bakers Of Tower Street
Ludlow, Shropshire A rare opportunity to acquire two businesses comprising a café /restaurant and holiday letting business in the sought-after town centre of Ludlow Substantial freehold property together with two businesses, comprising the café/ restaurant business known as “The Bakers of Tower Street” and the holiday letting business Part of the premises benefit from a valuable A4 Planning Consent to the commercial section of the property Further significant asset management opportunities in the future within the property including the potential use of the residential accommodation for owner occupation Offers in excess of £150,000 (exclusive) + SAV are invited for the business
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Ludlow, Shropshire A rare opportunity to acquire an investment opportunity comprising a property in use as a café /restaurant and for a holiday letting in the sought-after town centre of Ludlow Substantial Grade II Listed building arranged currently as a coffee shop/restaurant and a two bedroomed apartment Part of the property benefits from a valuable A4 Planning Consent to the commercial section of the property and a long established business trading as “The Bakers of Tower Street” Also comprises an attractive self- contained two bedroomed apartment from which the vendors have established a holiday letting business Further significant asset management opportunities in the future within the property including the potential use of the residential accommodation for owner occupation and expansion of the property subject to statutory consents An opportunity to acquire a prestigious property in the town centre Secure rental income of £32,000 per annum For Sale: £750,000 (exclusive)
FOR SALE FOR SALE
15 Cheshire Street Woodside Lodge
Worcester Outstanding residential investment property Initial yield of 9.25% (after allowing for normal purchasers costs) 19 bedroom HMO with additional one bedroom apartment and two bedroom penthouse apartment Offers in excess of £1,200,000
FOR SALE
Green St
Kidderminster Significant residential/commercial development site Site area 0.877 acres (0.35 hectares) Prominent corner location on Green Street/ Dixon Street Offers in the region of £1,300,000
Market Drayton, Shropshire A commercial investment opportunity currently producing £30,000 per annum Prime retail location Located in the town centre of the market town of Market Drayton Further asset management potential Offers in the region of £400,000 showing a net initial yield of 7.25%
FOR SALE
The Great Western
Worcester Outstanding residential HMO Net initial yield of 7.2% (after allowing for normal purchasers costs) Comprising in total 25 bedrooms, and a ground floor retail unit Offers in the region of £2,000,000
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY
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C O M M E RC I A L P RO P E RT Y F O C U S
FOR SALE
Crew Green
SY5 9AT Residential Development Site With Planning Permission For 8 Houses An Opportunity To Buy An Attractive WellLocated Residential Development Site In The Village Of Crew Green Sy5 9At
FOR SALE
Space Mobiles Ltd
Glebe Farm Cottage, Stanton Long, Much Wenlock, Shropshire Business For Sale Well-established, family-run business Supplier of portable toilets through Hereford, Shropshire and Worcester Strong client base with further growth potential Offers in the region of £350,000 (exclusive)
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Planning consent for 8 residential homes (three 3 bedroomed houses and five 4 bedroomed houses) Site within proximity of the town of Shrewsbury, Oswestry and Welshpool Panoramic views over the surrounding rural countryside Offers in the region of £400,000
TO LET
Ground Floor
10-12 Farrier St, Worcester Suitable for a variety of commercial uses Total Site Area of approximately 5,600 sq ft (520 sq m) City centre location with excellent access to local amenities and public transport Extensive frontage to Farrier Street Rent £56,000 per annum
TO LET
Unit 6, Cobnash Industrial Estate
Kingsland, Herefordshire, HR6 9RW Modern Commercial Unit Total Gross Internal Floor Area 187.38 sq m (2017 sq ft) Suitable for a variety of commercial uses Forming part of a sought after commercial estate between Leominster and Ludlow Rent £9,080 per annum
TO LET
The Forum Building
Stourport-on-Severn High Quality Self-Contained Offices Total Gross Internal Floor Area of approximately 5,876 sq ft (545.9 sq m) 40 parking spaces Available in whole or floor by floor Rent £60,000 per annum
TO LET TO LET
Arley Estate Office
Bewdley Self-Contained Commercial/Office Building NIA 911 sq ft (85 sq m) Suitable for a variety of commercial uses 10 parking spaces Rent £6,600 per annum
26 Comberton Road
Kidderminster High quality self-contained commercial property 1960 sq ft (182 sq m) Close proximity to Kidderminster train station 6 parking spaces Rear garden Rent £18,000 per annum
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY
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RU R A L A DV I C E
Shaun Jones BSc Hons MRICS FAAV Rural Director
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT In recent months our Planning and Development Team have been involved in the following projects:
• Advising Landowners on Option Agreements and Promotion
Our Planning and Development Department have recently secured Full Planning Consent for conversion of traditional barns to 6 units at Kempton Farm, Lydbury North. One big issue was to agree a suitable foul drainage scheme because the site is near the River Clun which contains the protected Fresh Water Pearl Mussel. Shaun Jones co-ordinated the whole process. The barns are now on the market for £250,000 and are generating good interest.
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agreements for major housing sites in several towns across the Midlands, involving our Shrewsbury and Kidderminster offices
• Securing detailed approval for 25 houses at West Felton, followed by the sale of the site to a developer.
• Numerous applications for residential schemes across the Midlands. • Securing consent for Affordable Homes for individuals. • Removing an Agricultural Occupancy condition consent without needing to advertise the property.
• Securing consent for a remote-controlled car track near Hadnall. • Advising farmers on livestock buildings, poultry and other farm buildings.
If you would like advice and guidance from our planning department you can contact Shaun Jones in Shrewsbury or Sarah Hulland in Kidderminster by emailing: shaunj@hallsgb.com
shulland@hallsgb.com
Louise Preece BSc (Hons) MRICS FAAV Rural Chartered Surveyor
Land Registration What is it and why is it important? The Land Registry is a record of ownership of land and property in England and Wales. By registering such property, the extent of ownership is recorded along with any rights relating to the property and any legal charges over it. Historically, all land was un-registered and documents transferring ownership from one person to another were handwritten, along with related rights and reservations. The documents would form the property deeds that we are so familiar with but often deeds would be misplaced resulting in it being difficult to prove ownership and rights. This led to the introduction of the Land Registration Act and the eventual launch of the Land Registry. In 1990 it became compulsory to register un-registered land when freehold ownership was transferred by way of sale. The Land Registration Act extended compulsory registration further in 2002, making it compulsory to also register land transferred by gift, new or existing leasehold interests of 7 years or more, and first legal mortgages. Compulsory registration has resulted in over 85% of land in England and Wales now being registered.
If property is un-registered it can be registered voluntarily, prior to the occurrence of the above events. There are many benefits to registering land including:
• Proof of ownership and security of
title, particularly where there is a risk of deeds being lost. Registrations are accompanied by a title plan showing the legal boundary of a property.
• Protects land from property fraud and
adverse possession by neighbours and squatters.
• Simplifies future transactions- selling/
gifting/transferring land, particularly where deceased estates are concerned and information is not readily available and also if the property is to be used as security for borrowing in future.
If you would like further information on land registration, or to find out whether your property is registered, contact Halls.
OUR PLAN PREPARATION SERVICE We have the facility and expertise to prepare Land Registry compliant plans, to accompany applications for land registration. Contact us for further information.
RURAL PROFESSIONAL
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WELCOME TO OUR SHREWSBURY OFFICE:
Anne-Marie
BRETTELL
Anne-Marie is new to Halls and joins our Rural Professional department as a Rural Chartered Surveyor. Tom Hunt, Head of Marketing, met up with her to hear her story… Welcome to Halls, what’s your background? I’m a farmer’s daughter and grew up just down the road in Yockleton where my family have an arable and poultry farm. I was an active member of my local Young Farmers Club and after doing my A-levels knew that I wanted a career which would be based in the countryside so I went to Harper Adams to do a Rural Enterprise & Land Management degree.
Do you still get involved in farming? Absolutely, I’m now married to a local farmer and my husband and his brother run an Organic poultry and arable farm between Hadnall and Harmer Hill, on the Sansaw Estate. I help to collect the eggs when I can but my little boy Charlie takes up most of my time as he is only one.
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Where have you been since you graduated? I spent 6 months down in Gloucester working for the CAAV (Central Association of Agricultural Valuers) but for the last 10 years I have been a Rural Surveyor at Nock Deighton in Bridgnorth. It’s been a great ten years and it’s flown by. However, now I have a family of my own I’m ready to move closer to home and am looking forward to working on my home turf. Growing up in the farming community you get to know a lot of people so it will be nice to re-establish those networks professionally as well as personally.
How do you think you will fill your time at Halls? I have had a lot of experience with BPS applications and will no doubt be busy with those in the Spring but I will also be involved in all aspects of rural professional work particularly planning applications, property and land sales and lettings and valuations too.
What else should our readers know about you? I love being outdoors and as a family we spend a lot of time in Wales as my husband’s family have a caravan in Abersoch. I also enjoy walking, eating fish & chips by the seaside and when I get the opportunity I listen to a bit of Fleetwood Mac.
WELCOME TO OUR KIDDERMINSTER BRANCH:
JOSH BALSDON
Title: Graduate Rural Surveyor
I have just graduated from Harper Adams University where I studied Rural Enterprise and Land Management. Within my studies I did a 12-month placement in Leicestershire where I worked on behalf of two large utility companies. What do you love about your job? Although relatively new to the job, the variety of work that I am able to do and the variety of people I meet is what I enjoy. No two days are ever the same and you never know what the day holds when you leave the house each morning.
What other jobs did you consider? I’ve considered a number of Jobs over the years. I used to want to be a PE teacher and then an agricultural machinery sales rep. Looking back I don’t think either of those jobs would’ve suited me!
Do you have ambitions in your role at Halls? My immediate ambitions are to pass my professional qualifications, after that I would like to gain my own client base and grow it. If you would like to discuss any rural issues you have you can contact AnneMarie at our head office in Shrewsbury on 01743 450 700
What was the last thing you watched on TV? Football – England v Switzerland
Desert Island Disk: Probably a Ministry of Sound Annual, I like a variety of music so it’s difficult to pick!
RURAL PROFESSIONAL
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WELCOME TO OUR SHREWSBURY OFFICE:
David HAUGHTON Dave has recently joined Halls at our head office in Shrewsbury. He has taken up the role of draftsman and will be on hand to help our planning department with applications and building regulation submissions for a variety of projects. Dave is a local lad. He was born in Shrewsbury and now lives in Baschurch. He has 35 years experience and started at the tender age of 16 working on the drawing board before advancing to CAD. During his career he has worked for architectural practices and local authorities so he has a thorough understanding of projects large and small. The Halls planning department is always busy so Dave is already getting stuck in helping the team provide plans for everything from small extensions to barn conversions. In his spare time, Dave is a keen fisherman. He writes for national magazines and is involved with various angling clubs and associations in and around Shrewsbury. He also helps local angling clubs apply for grants with The Angling Trust to improve angling facilities locally. If you like your football and go down to the New Meadow at weekends you will probably bump in to Dave supporting his beloved Shrewsbury Town. He is a regular at games and has been supporting The Shrews man and boy.
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Tom Hunt Head of Marketing
BREAKFAST HASH
My wife and I have a caravan in Wales and one morning, after a very long walk the day before, I woke up starving with only toast for breakfast. I immediately started Googling places to get a hearty breakfast and came across a country pub, come restaurant that claimed to have won awards for its breakfasts. Scrolling through the menu I came across ‘Hash’. I read the description and then carefully read it again...
‘Refried baby potatoes, onions, garlic, pastrami and parsley with two fried eggs on top’ Within minutes I was in the car, sat nav barking instructions, on my way to eat this marvellous sounding dish. I don’t want to list endless adjectives for how it looked, what the smell was like or how I felt whilst and after I ate it. I will just say this:
The obvious one being the often bland and boring corned beef version that our mother’s forced us to eat when we were young because they didn’t have anything else in the kitchen. The breakfast hash does not compare though. It is a pleasure to eat something so hearty and heart-warming in the morning. I know plenty of people will say ‘too much food’ ‘too heavy’ but it really isn’t. It’s definitely not light but it’s also not like eating a full English.
Our chef Alex and I got together to discuss new dishes for our menu at The Auction House Café at Halls HQ and The Breakfast Hash just had to be on it. His superb take on this old classic is nothing short of amazing and I implore everyone to try it. It has:
‘It was the best breakfast I had had for years’
‘Smoked bacon lardons, pieces of black pudding, onions and sautéed potatoes on a bed of spinach with a fried egg on top (you can have sausages instead of black pudding if you prefer).’
Such a simple dish made so special by great ingredients consumed at just the right time of day. Now, there are of course many hash recipes.
If you are within 5 miles of Shrewsbury and hungry between 9am and 12 noon you have to stop by and try it, you won’t be disappointed. Come on, look at it!
FOOD
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Lunch Menu
Soup of the day with crusty bread
£4.50
The Shropshire Pasty Local lamb, potatoes, onions and swede in freshly made buttery shortcrust pastry Takeaway Eat in with coleslaw and a side salad
£4.00 £5.50
Breakfast/Brunch Menu
Sandwiches and Wraps on white or granary bread, a wrap or gluten free All served with homemade coleslaw and a side salad
Served until 12pm
Cheese and pickle
Toast £1.50 white or granary bread, with jam or marmalade G.F. available
Egg mayonnaise Tuna mayonnaise
£4.00
Prawn marie-rose
Bacon and sausage bap or wrap
£5.00
Sweet chilli chicken
Add a fried egg
£0.60
£5.00 BLT crispy bacon, lettuce and tomato with mayo on white or granary bread, wrap or ciabatta Eggs on toast fried, poached or scrambled
£4.50
Baked beans on toast
£4.50
Mushrooms on toast
£5.50
Toasted bagel with smoked salmon and scrambled eggs
£6.00
Coronation chicken
£5.00
Or choose any of the above fillings as a salad £5.50 £6.00 Toasties/Panini All served with homemade coleslaw and a side salad Ham and cheddar Bacon, brie and cranberry Three cheese and red onion Tuna, cheese melt Cheese and tomato Tomato, basil pesto, mozzarella (panini only) £8.00 Halls’ steak sandwich Served in a ciabatta roll with sweet red onions and mustard mayo, chips and dressed leaves Jacket potatoes Served with homemade coleslaw and a side salad
£6.50 Breakfast burrito bacon, sausage, mushrooms, fried egg and melted cheese in a tortilla parcel
Baked beans
£8.00 Full English breakfast Bacon, sausage, egg, potatoes, tomatoes, beans, mushrooms & toast
Tuna
£8.00 Full vegetarian breakfast avocado, tomatoes, mushrooms, poached eggs, watercress on toasted sourdough
£4.50
Ham and tomato with mustard mayonnaise
Bacon or sausage bap or wrap
£6.00 Alex’s Breakfast Hash Sautéed potatoes, onions, smoked bacon lardons and black pudding pieces on a bed of buttery spinach served with a fried egg on top (substitute black pudding for sausage if you prefer)
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Served from 12pm onward
Alex and his team prepare fresh, traditional favourites using local ingredients. The menu is honest and unfussy so you get exactly what you want with no surprises. We hope you can join us to enjoy your choice from the menu soon.
Coleslaw Cheese £5.50
Prawn marie-rose Coronation chicken Spicy chilli
£6.00
Chips
£2.80
THE SHROPSHIRE PASTY
Alex Miles, our chef at The Auction House Café, knows how to make a great pasty. When he moved to Shropshire Alex wanted to localise the well-known Cornish Pasty and so has created the Shropshire Pasty. Essential to his pasty is homemade pastry. You can use the frozen or preprepared stuff but it’s just not the same. Alex makes a buttery shortcrust pastry and hand makes every pasty. The filling is a closely guarded secret but you can probably work out that it contains lamb rather than beef, Alex’s nod to the farmers of this region, onions, potatoes and swede. If you like a pasty then you have to try Alex’s Shropshire Pasty. You can drop in to our café and take one away or have a seat and enjoy it with a little coleslaw or piccalilli and a side salad. The pastry will melt in your mouth and the filling will keep you warm on the cold autumn and winter days.
FOOD
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