Love is in The Air in Knutsford

MOVING into a new home checklist: removal van booked, switch gas, electricity, broadband, and… pop the question!

Above: Nolan Brew with his family at their new home at Tabley Park, Knutsford

On the drive of their brand new Redrow ‘forever home’ at Tabley Park, Knutsford, down on one knee, Nolan Brew proposed to his fiancée Gosia.

“This was our new start, a new home, so a new ring seemed appropriate too,” said Nolan, a company director of a soft furnishings company.

“We’ve been so busy with life, we’ve had three daughters, Lillianna, 11, and eight-year-old twins Erin and Elissa, and we’ve been working hard to grow our business.

“We’ve had a great journey, but we’ve never got round to tying the knot, now seemed the perfect time.”

The Knutsford couple had been looking for a home for over three years and even after selling their previous property hadn’t found ‘the one’, so began renting.

Although in a better buying position because they were chainfree, Nolan, 46, and Gosia, 37, soon found themselves in “bidding wars” when looking at second-hand properties and admitted it all got “a little out of control”. “The market was crazy, we were outbid on properties that were going for thousands over the asking price, and we wouldn’t have been in a ‘move in and put the kettle on’ situation either; all the properties we viewed needed updating, including new bathrooms and kitchens,” said Nolan.

“Gosia always wanted a brand new home and whilst we were away on holiday in Tenerife, just before the pandemic hit, our friends sent us a picture of a coming soon board at Tabley Park. I sent over an email there and then.”

Nolan and Gosia soon met the sales team at Tabley Park and quickly fell in love with a particular Redrow home and made a reservation there and then.

“It was a huge relief,” said Nolan.

“The price was the price, there were no hidden costs, and we wouldn’t be involved in any bidding wars or looking for extra money to bring the property to the standard we wanted.”

Nolan and Gosia chose The Marthall a four-bedroom detached family home, with a thirty-six foot family/dining and kitchen

area, separate lounge, en-suite to two of the bedrooms and a double garage.

“This was the first time we’d bought a new-build and, in all honesty, we were blown away by the service we received from Redrow,” said Nolan.

“Mel and Rachel from the sales team were amazing, this is where their expertise really came into play.

“We had a blank canvas, so we were able to choose everything, our floor tiles, carpets, style of kitchen, appliances and fitted wardrobes.

“They held our hands throughout, I called myself the friendly stalker as I think I called them with a different question every day!”

Having moved into their new Redrow home, the family is already seeing the advantages of buying brand new, including turning down their thermostats and potentially saving on bills.

“The house is so well insulated, we have our thermostat four to five degrees lower than we used to set it in our previous house, which was built in the 80s. A new homes is so much more efficient.” Nolan and Gosia are now looking forward to their wedding day, in the summer of 2023.

Tabley Park, the development which won Nolan and Gosia’s hearts, is located off Northwich Road, within walking distance of the centre of Knutsford. It will eventually feature 190 new homes, with everything from two to five bedrooms.

Individual house styles are based on Redrow’s Arts & Crafts inspired Heritage Collection with some design modifications and there will also be 10 bespoke properties at the entrance to the development. Tabley Park will also include a large area of open space, a football pitch, allotment areas, orchard and children’s play area.

Anna Evans-Kerr, head of sales at Redrow NW said: “We are delighted that our homes at Tabley Park provided the perfect backdrop for this wonderful proposal.

“May I wish them all the very best for the future.”

Three beautifully furnished show homes and a customer experience suite are open seven days a week, usually from 10am – 5.30pm. For more information call 01565 859509 or visit www.redrow.co.uk/tableypark

Hi I am Janet and I am your resident Positive Change Coach bringing you techniques and insights to help you navigate the changes in your life positively. I have 15 years experience and now work globally from Costa Rica to New Zealand and everywhere in-between.

“I can’t meditate”, so often I hear this because there is a misconception that meditation is sitting crossed legged and being told to empty your mind – well if you can do that you are a first!

Meditation is being in the moment, so you can be sat crossed legged, or sat on a chair or walking or standing or lying down. You are not expected to empty your mind but to bring your concentration into the present moment, so letting go of the intrusive thoughts. Equally, if those intrusive thoughts come into your mind there is no need to follow them down the rabbit hole. You are in charge of your thoughts so if the mind wanders (and it will!) you don’t have to follow it, you take control of your thoughts and bring yourself back to the present moment. Mentally thank the thought and say, “I will deal with you later”. What does Being in the Present Moment mean and how is it achieved? You distract the brain, so it can be counting, staring at a candle flame, a walk in nature concentrating on each flower, tree, bird etc, a guided meditation whereby you listen to someone taking you on a journey, keeping your attention on the movement of your breath, moving slowly and purposefully – the practice of yoga is a moving meditation. Like any new skill, it has to be practised. My first experience was 25 years ago, I was in a stressful job and the company I worked for arranged a Health Week, I had gone to a presentation and at the end, the presenter led a guided meditation, as the rest of my some 30 colleagues went to a peaceful place I was eyes wide open, had no idea how they could imagine a beach when we were sat in the conference room. I had no clue why they felt so relaxed – who would imagine then that I would be teaching yoga and meditation!! So, I have been where some of you are full of disbelief that meditation can be for you or that it is possible.

01

Create a space and time for regular meditation. a. The ideal space:

Comfortable temperature.

No telephone/TV/computer or similar distractions

Shawl kept only for meditation

Seated/standing/walking - Comfortable seating position for you – chair ensure your feet are at the right height, support them on a cushion or block.

If on the floor crossed legged or legs out in front if necessary supported against a wall or similar.

If inside candlelight or low lights and gentle music or guided meditation CD.

If in nature, out of direct sunlight, away from disruptions such as traffic or neighbours. b. The ideal time is when you know there will be no disruptions.

02

Choose a form of meditation that suits your needs, with a candle, walking, guided, standing.

03

Begin with steadying the breathing, always direct the breath in and out through the nose. Breathe steadily to begin with then take your breathing a little deeper. Gentle lower your lids either to close them or to let them rest their attention on a candle or on the floor just ahead of you.

04

Take time to relax your body first, simple tensing and releasing of the body, start with the feet and work up the body, back and front, as you tense - breath in, and on a breath out, release.

05

Accept your thoughts may become distracted, acknowledge them and release and return to them later. Return your attention to your breath, in and out.

06

When you are ready to complete your meditation, first become aware of the room and then where you are, feel the chair, the floor, the grass. Take your breathing deeper. Gently wiggle your fingers and toes and stretch gently. Rub your palms together to create warmth and place them over your eyes allowing the warmth to gently massage your eyes. Slowly open your eyes into your palms before gently removing your palms. • Reduces pain and enhances the body’s immune system

• Reduces feelings of anxiety, depression, anger, and confusion

• Increases blood flow and slows the heart rate

• Provides a sense of calm, peace, and balance

• Helps reverse heart disease

• Helps control thoughts

• Increase energy

• Reduces stress

Wouldn’t you like to achieve even one of these benefits? Practised on a regular basis meditation can do all of this for you. Because so many of my yoga students said after Meditation “I wish I could take you home with me” I recorded two Guided Meditation CDs. You can purchase these on my website. Happy Meditating.

Head to my website for more information D thepositivechangecoach.com

For a complimentary 30 min., 1-1 Positive Change Discovery Session contact me E janetbroughton@ thepositivechangecoach.com

DRU Yoga classes available live online or via YouTube Y Janet Teaches DRU Yoga

Claim your FREE Positive Change Personality Quiz to discover your Change personality, how it affects your life and how we can empower you to live your Best Life.