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HOW TO DEAL WITH DODGY BUILDERS!

This is now becoming a very common issue within the Construction Industry. I always get calls about contractors not performing and over charging. It can not only disrupt the work, but can be very stressful for individuals having to manage them, to the point it can quite easily take over their life. Cowboy builders are the bane of the construction industry. There are, on average, at least 100,000 complaints every year about them. They ruin things for perfectly reputable builders, and for all the talk about them, they’re in the minority – it just happens to be a minority that gets a lot of publicity. The best thing is to learn to spot the cowboy builders early, so you can turn them away – it saves a lot of trouble later.

WHAT ARE THE WARNING SIGNS OF A “COWBOY” BUILDER?

1The first tip-off is if they asked to be paid in cash, or cash-in-hand all with a promise on no VAT to be paid. No legitimate business will work off the books like that.

2If they say a contract isn’t necessary, watch out – it’s vital in a business transaction

3Most rogue builders don’t carry insurance, either, which again could work to your detriment if an accident occurred.

4Always ask for a written estimate and costings for the job, as well as a time frame for each stage of the work? A proper tradesman would, quite gladly.

5Where they do offer a quote, it could be unusually low, and they might offer to begin work immediately.

6Do they have references? Do they have premises and a landline number, or simply a van and a mobile?

7Is there timekeeping poor? It is not unusual for builders to juggle multiple jobs, but if your hired professional is disappearing for hours or days at a time – saying they’re going to be a few minutes and then don’t turn up until lunchtime, or they are constantly knocking off early – be wary. Question whether this is the start of a pattern that ends in them never turning up again and your new extension left only half-done. 8A cowboy builder keeps finding extra jobs - unexpected problems can happen, that is what contingency budgets are for, but be suspicious if your builder keeps coming to you with extra issues and offers to fix as a favour while they are on site… for a fee. This could not only stretch your patience too far, but your budget, too. All of the above should raise red flags. You can protect yourself by having everything in writing and ask for a guarantee. Check references, talk to the people who’ve had the work done, and look at the work if possible. Ask your family and your friends for recommendations. Get several estimates and remember, cheapest isn’t always a savings.

FOR ALL YOU DIY LOVERS AND PROFESSIONALS WITHIN THE CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN INDUSTRY

Cowboy builders can ruin a house extension or renovation project, making a large project with a large budget even more expensive. Of course, finding a reliable builder is key to your home project running smoothly and to achieving a result that reflects what you wanted and that will last.

GATHER YOUR EVIDENCE

1Before taking any steps with the trader, you want to be clear on what exactly the problem is, and where you stand.

2It’s a good idea to gather receipts and any paperwork related to the job.

3Supplement this with notes about what exactly has happened. It’s helpful to note dates and times to strengthen your case. 4Take photos of any shoddy work too. With all the evidence at your fingertips, you’ll be in a good place if you need to take the complaint further.

5The next step is to explain the situation to the trader. Even though you may not be happy, it’s important to remain professional.

6If you call the trader, it’s good to send a letter or email afterwards so you’ve got a paper trail. In the message, confirm the problem, what you all agreed, and what the trader should do about it, and by when.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM

You need to know your rights and any defective or poor workmanship can be fixed. Any work that has begun after the 1 October 2015, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 should have your back. If the builder refuses to put the job right, then you can contact the Trading Standards. • This is a regulatory body and will guide you on the correct steps you should take. • Trading Standards runs a Consumer Codes Approval

Scheme, which keeps a list of trusted traders committed to providing the best service to customers. • The Schemes includes a dispute resolution service should you have problems with builders who are signed up to this scheme. • They may even recommend you contact the Citizens

Advice Bureau on 0808 223 1133

• If all else fails, then you can take the matter to a small claims court, which is a relatively simple process, where you can claim up to £10,000 compensation from a company or individual.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL OR SEND AN EMAIL TO: E sajedah@milescc.co.uk N +44 (0) 1772 759 345 N +44 (0) 7581 014 867 D www.milescc.co.uk

FOLLOW US ON: I @milescc2021 T @milescc2021 F Sajedah Maka-Ismail L Sajedah Maka-Ismail

The ArtHouse Gallery

SCA / ArtHouse, 65 Eastbank Street, Southport PR8 1EJ

Man’s Best Friend Becomes A Work Of Art.

Earlier this year, Ainsdale portrait artist, Neil Prior, has been whetting the discerning local art aficionados’ appetite with his 2nd one-man show at The ArtHouse Gallery in Southport.

Originally from Christchurch in Dorset, Neil recently moved into the area with his wife, Martha and their two Bedlington Terriers, Bruce and Herbert, who equally stepped into the limelight by making local news in 2019 due to eating palm oil that had washed up on Ainsdale Beach from the Maltese ship, Kimya, that capsized nearly 30 years ago after storms dislodged its toxic cargo.

Having retired from full service as a police officer with the Leicestershire constabulary in 2018, Neil has now finally swapped his truncheon for his paintbrush, and switched his life-long love of oil painting into a professional business as a full-time Dog Portrait artist.

Unbelievably, Neil only began painting in 2008 following a oneday workshop on ‘How to Paint like Bob Ross’ facilitated by Jayne Goode using the wet-on-wet technique. He followed this up with a weekend course with professional artist Mike Skidmore on Fine Art technique. During the next decade, Neil developed his own signature portraiture style and techniques with oils, resulting in two solo exhibitions in 2017 and 2018 back in Hinckley, Leicestershire.

His life-like portrait of ‘Kinta the Tiger’, which is currently on display at The Barrel House in Birkdale Village, admirably shows his impressive skill in articulating the animal form in oils.

“During my first solo exhibition in June 2017, I completed the portrait of the Malaysian Tiger and entitled it KINTA, which was an anagram of the exhibition venue (ATKIN’S BUILDING) and just happened to be the name of the river that runs through Malaysia where these beautiful animals are from.”

Neil always enjoys pushing his painting skills to the limit to achieve as realistic an interpretation to as possible. He invariably begins by painting the eyes of his subject believing that this then aids him building up and completing a more realistic representation: “I believe painting the eyes early on gives me a better understanding and feeling of the subject, almost an empathy with the animal.“

Neil and Martha’s longstanding devotion to all things canine also took another turn earlier this year, when they opened Southport’s own ‘Pooch Perfect’ grooming parlour in the town.

“During lockdown we found a premises (a previous sandwich bar on Shakespeare Street) that we set about turning in to a Dog Grooming Salon (‘Martha’s Groomies’). We designed, refurbished and kitted it out with all the essential dog grooming facilities. It has been up and running since the February, as the then Covid restrictions permitted dogs with welfare issues.”

Neil explains how the salon has taken off since opening in February 2021: “As the pandemic came upon us, both of us made the decision for Martha to up her grooming qualification to enable her to groom independently and during lockdown she achieved the level 3 status. Martha started working from home prior to the opening of the salon which now has a doggy client base of 140 plus.”

Although Neil doesn’t get involved with the grooming, in between working at his easel he helps out as Martha’s assistant, washing the dogs and sweeping up! A section of the salon is now dedicated to a gallery of Neil’s pet paintings, prints and greeting cards of a number of local dogs that he has captured in oils.

Neil’s work is always available to view on Facebook via Neil Prior Artist and he can be contacted for commissions@neilprior.com.

“COLOUR AND COLLAGE” Amanda Clark-Price Solo Show

28th September – 9th October 2021.

No stranger to the local art scene, mixed media artist, Amanda Clark-Price, will finally be stepping into the spotlight with her first solo exhibition that represents her own work in progress to date.

Originally from Liverpool but now living and working in Burscough, Amanda has always been keen to pass her skills onto others at her classes at Southport Contemporary Arts and in on-line workshops. After many years developing artwork in others, Amanda is now really enjoying having the space to focus on producing her own distinctive work for the exhibition.

Amanda explains: “I had always produced artwork to support my teaching practice but now have the time to develop work for myself. Most of the work in this exhibition is abstract in nature. I wanted to explore layers, colours and mixing of media. My style of work ranges from abstract, semi-abstract and realism - often brightly coloured and layered with collage”.

Her toolkit for reinvention is all embracing: “I use drawing, collage, print, acrylic, watercolour, papiermâché, pencil and pen in my mixed media pieces and I also enjoy ‘just’ pencil”.

Amanda operates like a prospector seeking out the hidden ‘gold’ in the discarded ephemera of life, attacking each project with the serendipity of the unchartered traveller, with open arms to the consequences: “I do little preparatory work. I start literally with a blank canvas then look for scraps of paper amongst my worryingly large collection of discarded music manuscripts, old maps and books to use as collage. The pieces usually develop organically and seem to grow as I work. I stick things on with tape until I like the composition then glue them down. Next, I sometimes look for words or phrases in the text to outline. Some of them relate to the work or have simply made me smile or captured my imagination. The pieces of maps are usually Lancashire, Sefton and Merseyside with certain places highlighted”.

The rhythm of the assembled imagery within her complex compositions runs parallel to her love of music as can be seen in ‘Unfinished Journey’ and her latest composition, ‘Triptych’: “I often break up the spaces with a mixture of curved and straight lines. I often use the treble clef symbol in my work either in collage form or as a motif. It has become my signature calling card”.

Colour remains paramount to the development of each artwork: “I take my inspiration from a variety of sources. From the natural world, the changing colours of leaves and sky, rain on metal and painted surfaces. I often aim for contrast of colour and look back to the support of good old colour theory. I work initially with acrylic paint, adding it in washes then more thickly in layers before adding spattered areas of texture. I sometimes add permanent marker to sharpen and highlight shapes or add drawn detail”.

Recently, Amanda joined with the Ainsdale Discovery Centre as part of the national “Back From the Brink” programme with their own “Gems in the Dunes” project along the Sefton coast.

“I ran three online workshops during lockdown designed so that people who had little or no art equipment and materials could take part. One was drawing just using pencil and kitchen roll or tissue, another painting with coffee and the last one scribbling with black pen. We had some great results. I supplied images of the dunes at Ainsdale and we completed the work over Zoom.”

Amanda’s enthusiasm has also recently been directed at the SCA Young Creatives who rallied to her callout: “I ran weekly sessions during term time for ages 7-15 (pretty much full following current guidelines) and they have just completed a mixed media Cubism project and will be looking next at Frida Kahlo, Dia de Los Muertos and self-image”.

This exclusive showing is certainly not one to be missed. Amanda’s distinctive artwork will be on display at the ArtHouse, Eastbank Street from 28th September – 9th October 2021. The gallery is open Tuesday – Friday 10.00-15.00. Saturday 11.00-16.00.

In line with current Government guidance, the SCA team have introduced strict measures to keep visitors to the Gallery as safe as possible: There will be a policy of 2 visitors at a time, with social distancing once inside, and hand sanitize dispensers at the door to use on arrival.

“FROM THE LAND: A PLACE IN TIME” Kate Tidmarsh Solo Show 2nd – 13th November 2021

Local experimental collagraphic printmaker, Kate Tidmarsh, will be mounting an exciting new exhibition this month at the ArtHouse Gallery in Eastbank Street. It will provide a much-anticipated opportunity to view Kate’s latest artistic exploitations using her versatile hand printing techniques that includes monoprint, drypoint, lino print and collagraph printing using oil-based inks across a variety of surfaces.

Kate explains, “I started my artistic journey many years ago as a freelance woven textile designer, designing and selling to the contract furnishing fabric trade. Now living in West Lancashire, I am at a point in my life when I have more time to devote to what I like doing best - creating images through exploration and experimental printmaking.”

Adding, “Printing, like weaving, has a lot of problem solving and practical considerations, which I have always found satisfying. In parallel with this, I also enjoy the process of developing concepts or ideas, exploring variations and producing work in a series, which printing allows me to do easily.”

Kate is using the current exhibition as a chance to take stock of her characteristic artistic style and method: “This exhibition is a chance for me to celebrate how far I have come in my printmaking journey and the work I have produced along the way, while also highlighting my current work, focussed on my immediate environment.”

Latterly, Kate has been increasingly drawn to documenting the route she takes when pursuing her ideas through a personal cycle of exploration, process and consequence.

“I work in equal parts from the distilled memory of a place and in response to the colour and pattern in my immediate environment, producing unique or very small editions of hand pulled prints. I develop what I see through my minds eye - combining my observations with the memory of previous places and journeys. I am very fortunate to live in such a beautiful part of the country, with access to both the coast and wonderful inland countryside to serve as inspiration.”

Undeterred by any technical applications involved, Kate always rises to each new challenge with her customary enthusiasm for the media: “Printing has a lot of problem solving and practical considerations running alongside constructing and creating. I am particularly drawn to the experimental (and slightly unpredictable!) aspects of printing, using unusual materials and starting points to develop interpretations of the world around me. I enjoy the process of developing concepts or ideas, exploring variations and producing work in a series, which printing allows me to do easily. Documenting this journey of exploration is an important part of my work.”

Because all Kate’s prints are handmade and individually inked there is always an element of surprise when pealing back the plates.

“I am most happy combining these technical skills with a ‘what would happen if’ approach, resulting in unique exciting investigations and outcomes. This can include folding, overlays, marbling or collage. Currently I am experimenting with a variety of recycled plate materials (‘Tetra Pak’ packaging), as well as exploring layering of colour with printed acetate collage enclosed in a perspex block. Using these techniques, I aim to capture both what I see and what I remember.”

This exclusive showing is certainly not one to be missed. Kate’s distinctive artwork will be on display at the ArtHouse, Eastbank Street from 2nd – 13th November 2021. The gallery is open Tuesday – Friday 10.00-15.00. Saturday 11.00-16.00.

In line with current Government guidance, the SCA team have introduced strict measures to keep visitors to the Gallery as safe as possible: There will be a policy of 2 visitors at a time, with social distancing once inside, and hand sanitize dispensers at the door to use on arrival.

Understanding Inheritance Tax

Inheritance Tax (IHT) has come under the spotlight over the past few years, due largely to the continued rise in house prices.

These days, you don’t have to be hugely wealthy to be affected by IHT. More people than ever before are calculating the value of their estates and finding they have a greater liability to IHT than they’d first thought. IHT can cost your estate thousands of pounds when you die; however, the good news is that expert financial planning with a Financial Adviser can legitimately mitigate this tax, meaning you can pass on assets to your family as you’d intended.

WHAT IS IHT?

IHT is a tax payable on money, savings or any other assets you pass on when you die, and potentially on some gifts you make during your lifetime. The amount payable is calculated after debts and funeral expenses have been deducted.

WHO PAYS IHT?

When someone dies, the distribution of their estate will fall to their executors if they’ve made a Will, or their administrators if they die intestate. If the estate is liable for IHT, it is usually payable at 40%. Your executor will be responsible for paying the tax, which can only come from the deceased person’s estate with the prior agreement of HM Revenue & Customs. Once the tax has been paid, then the Grant of Probate can be made, allowing the assets or their proceeds to be distributed to the beneficiaries. 

The current threshold is £325,000 for an individual and £650,000 for a married couple or civil partners. Any unused portion of the nil-rate band can be passed to the surviving spouse or civil partner on death.

If one partner has already died, the survivor’s total allowance could be the full £650,000. In response to the continuing rise in house prices, the government introduced an additional nil rate band when a residence is passed on death to a direct descendant. This was introduced in April 2017.

This nil-rate band will apply if you want to pass your main residence to a direct descendant like a child or grandchild (including step, adopted or foster children). It’s important to note that as only direct descendants can benefit, not everyone will be able to rely on it for IHT planning purposes.

The nil-rate band increased to £175,000 from 6/4/20. When added to the existing threshold of £325,000 this could potentially give rise to an overall allowance of £500,000 for those who are single or divorced, or £1m for those who are married or in civil partnerships. However, it’s important to be aware that

larger estates will find that residence relief is tapered; it will reduce by £1 for every £2 of value for estates valued over £2 million.

WHAT IS THE 7-YEAR RULE, AND HOW DOES IT WORK?

To reduce the amount of IHT payable, many families consider giving their assets away during their lifetime. These are called ‘potentially exempt transfers’. The catch is that for these gifts not to be counted as part of your estate on your death, you must outlive the gift by 7 years. If you die within 7 years and the gifts are worth more than the nil-rate band, taper relief applies so that if you die say within 6 years, the tax will be less than if you were to die a year after making the gift.

Gifts must be outright, and you can no longer benefit from them. So, if you were to gift your home, but continue to reside there without paying a commercial rent, HMRC would consider this to be a ‘gift with reservation’ and include the value as part of your estate.

CAN I MAKE GIFTS THAT ARE AUTOMATICALLY FREE FROM IHT?

Yes, you can. Each financial year you can make gifts of up £3,000 (in total, not per recipient) and if you don’t use this in one tax year, you can carry over any leftover allowance to the next year.

If you do this, you have to use up all your allowance in the next tax year, you can’t accumulate several years’ worth of allowance and use it up in a single gift.

Gifts of up to £250 per person per financial year to any number of people are exempt. Each parent of a bride or groom can give up to £5,000; grandparents or other relatives can give up to £2,500 and any wellwisher can give £1,000. Gifts to registered charities and political parties are also exempt from IHT.

There is another simple way of passing money to the next generation which allows for gifts to be made from surplus income. Conditions apply, and advice would be needed to ensure that the gifts are made in the right way.

WE’RE HERE TO HELP

IHT is an integral part of financial planning which is why it’s important you seek advice so that you can legitimately mitigate this tax, allowing you to pass on any assets to your family as you’d like.

We’re only a phone call away, so if you have queries or would like to discuss any aspect of inheritance tax planning, please do get in touch on 01772 787011 or come and visit us in person, at Tenet&You, 327 Garstang Road, Fulwood, PR2 9UP. You can also find out more about Tenet&You on our website, www.tenetandyou.co.uk

Information is based on our current understanding of taxation legislation and regulations. Any levels and bases of, and reliefs from taxation, are subject to change.

The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate Inheritance Tax planning.

Statements Regarding Climate Change

Today, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s climate report gives a stark warning that a global temperature increase of at least 1.5C by 2040 is now largely inevitable, with consequent increases in extreme heat, flooding, sea level rise, drought and wildfire. However, the report also says that global emissions reductions to Net Zero by 2050 is extremely likely to keep global temp rise below 2ºC.

STATEMENT FROM THE WILDLIFE TRUSTS

Kathryn Brown, Interim Director of Climate Action at The Wildlife Trusts says:

“Climate change is already affecting people, places and nature in every region of the world, and is having profound effects on wildlife in the UK – yet nature, when it’s restored, will contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving resilience to inevitable change.

“This is hugely urgent – we need to act right now to stop burning fossil fuels, and restore nature at scale as fast as possible. The Wildlife Trusts are repairing habitats and creating new ones across the UK – nature-based solutions can help tackle the climate crisis and increase our ability to adapt to it. But nature needs time to store carbon on the vast scale that’s needed which is why we need to restore 30% of our land for nature by 2030.

“Organisations that are putting nature into recovery need support to do this work – and a new designation known as Wildbelt is vital to protect land where nature is being repaired. All government departments must agree that we are fighting both a climate and nature crisis. Currently we risk being undermined by destructive infrastructure projects such as HS2 and the £27 billion being spent on road building – as well as plans for new coal mines and further oil and gas in the North Sea. The Government cuts to foreign aid have had a negative impact too, by undermining our diplomatic negotiating power ahead of COP26.

“We can all do something to help tackle the crisis – but the Government must change its ways, show stronger leadership, and enable everyone to play their part.” Statement from the Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside:

“We are concerned about the warning of a global temperatures increase and how it will affect our local wildlife. We are already facing a biodiversity crisis and it could mean extinctions both locally, nationally and internationally.

“In the North West we are combatting change with our work in the Irish Sea, woodlands and peatlands. Our peatlands, Little Woolden Moss, Cadishead Moss, Astley Moss, Winmarleigh Moss and Heysham, in particular, are and, will continue to be, important in capturing and storing carbon. At the same time the work that we are doing will create amazing habitats for wildlife, some of which has not been seen in these areas for more than a century.

“Seeing Manchester argus butterflies, lesser bladderwort, sphagnum moss and rare dragonflies on a moss means it is recovering and becoming carbon stores, which are helping the environment.

“We are also working with partners to create carbon farms in the region and in Europe. These could offer a way for farmers to join the fight against climate change and for businesses to ‘do their bit’ by aiming for zero carbon emissions.

“The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside has a duty of care for the wild plants and creatures in our beautiful region and our work will make a difference for the environment by restoring these areas for wildlife.

“But we need to work together – the Wildlife Trust, industry, retail, farmers, decision makers and everyone who is concerned about the climate and biodiversity crisis. Please join us, together we can save our planet and everything that lives here.”

The Wildlife Trusts

The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside is dedicated to the protection and promotion of the wildlife in Lancashire, seven boroughs of Greater Manchester and four of Merseyside, all lying north of the River Mersey. It manages around 40 nature reserves and 20 Local Nature Reserves covering acres of woodland, wetland, upland and meadow. The Trust has 30,000 members, and over 1,200 volunteers.. To become a member of the Trust go to the website at www.lancswt.org.uk or call 01772 324129

Redrow Restocks Scholl Library in Little Sutton

LITTLE Sutton C of E Primary School received a special delivery from Redrow – new books for their library.

Above Left: Little Sutton C of E Primary School received new library books with help from Redrow. Redrow’s Olivia Cook and parent governor Katie Sykes are pictured reading with children. Above Right: Redrow’s Olivia Cook joins parent governor Katie Sykes at Little Sutton C of E Primary School, where funding from the homebuilder has helped purchase new books

It follows a successful application to the homebuilder’s West Cheshire Community Fund, which saw the school awarded a £500 grant.

Parent governor Katie Sykes explained: “I volunteer at school to listen to children read in years one and two (aged five to seven) and applied to Redrow for help as the library of books was outdated and didn’t match the programme of phonics. This meant that some children struggled when reading, as they were coming across words with sounds they hadn’t learnt yet.

“Being able to purchase new books with Redrow’s help, has made a huge impact on the learning and progress our children make. Now they can learn the phonemes (sounds) and graphemes (associated letters) in class and then practise them when reading their books, both in school and at home.”

Diana Boycott, (English Lead), commented “We are so very happy and grateful to have received this donation from Redrow. Our children are keen readers and are looking forward to enjoying these new books when they arrive.”

The donation to the school was made via a £10,000 West Cheshire Community Fund linked to new Redrow homes at Ledsham Garden Village and The Pastures at Backford Cross.

Redrow area sales manager Amanda Hollins said: “Reading is such an important skill for children to learn and having the right tools for the job makes it much easier. We were pleased to be able to help Little Sutton C of E Primary School restock their library with an up-to-date range of books that matches their learning programme.”

Redrow’s West Cheshire Community Fund is in addition to the homebuilder’s investment in the wider area linked to two local housing developments.

Ledsham Garden Village is a scheme of circa 2,000 homes set amid 100 acres of open space, with Redrow having committed to investing £13 million to support the growth of the neighbourhood.

The Pastures is a 100-home development that will also see almost £250,000 invested in local education, healthcare amenities and towards sports pitches in the area.

Visitredrow.co.ukfor more details.

New Garden Village Show Home Unveils a Crop of Stylish Homes

REDROW unveiled its latest show home at Ledsham Garden Village over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

A new Grantham style property opened on Saturday August 28th at Hawthorn Court, an integral part of Redrow’s flourishing garden village.

It gives customers the chance to view the professionally styled, fully furnished home and appreciate its high specification, as well as the housebuilder’s award-winning standards and design expertise.

The Grantham townhouse is a truly versatile design, offering superb amounts of space over three floors, along with style and practicality to ensure an enviable lifestyle for couples and families alike.

Simon Bennett, interim sales director at Redrow NW, says: “The Grantham is a much sought-after home because of the flexibility it has, along with all the must-have features wanted by today’s homeowners.

“Visiting one that’s been dressed and furnished gives would-be customers the chance to see it close up and view first-hand the unbeatable quality and finish of a Redrow home. It offers a far better insight into the layout and flow of the Grantham, and how they might adapt and use each room.”

Offering value for money as well as the very best in townhouse living, the ground floor of the Grantham boasts an open plan kitchen/dining room, a generous lounge with French windows opening out onto the garden, and a cloakroom; while on the first floor are three good-sized bedrooms and a bathroom.

The top floor has a magnificent bedroom suite, complete with its own shower room. Left: Redrow’s Grantham house style, now featured as a show home at Hawthorn Court.

“And it’s this space which is perhaps the most flexible,” says Simon. “It can provide the perfect sanctuary for mum and dad – like checking into their own hotel room suite every evening – but it would also make a great hideaway for a grown-up son or daughter still living at home, or a luxurious guest suite.”

And he adds: “One of the other bedrooms might make a great home office – something that’s becoming increasingly essential nowadays - and can be fitted out ready for work with bespoke office furniture via the My Redrow online design tool. Those who frequently work from home or use streaming services regularly will also be pleased to know that our homes come with fibre to the premises for ultrafast broadband.

“Looking around a Grantham before you purchase gives any customer a far better idea of how they might use the space and storage, so they can plan everything before they move in.”

Current prices start from £263,995 for a Grantham Mid property, and those with an existing home to sell can use Redrow’s Help to Sell scheme for practical and financial support.

Hawthorn Court is part of the already-thriving Ledsham Garden Village, off Ledsham Road, which will eventually feature 2,000 homes as well as a shop, community building, allotments, meadow parkland and an orchard.

Within easy reach is the Cheshire Oaks designer outlet village with a wealth of shopping and leisure opportunities; and Eastham Woods, ideal for walks and the chance to enjoy the great outdoors, is just a few miles away. Commuters can be assured of its excellent access to Liverpool, Chester and Manchester via road and rail links.

The new Grantham show home will be open seven days a week, usually from 10am to 5.30pm. For information about viewing the show home or to find out more about Hawthorn Court and all homes available, speak to the sales team on 0151 391 5238 or visit www.redrow.co.uk/hawthorncourt

Art loving couple Tim and Denise Hardy bring over 40 years of experience to their galleries where they display and sell an array of original fine art, with examples of wildlife, still life, landscapes and specialist paintings available.

Each piece exhibited is unique and can only be found at Fitzwilliam Galleries. Over the decades the gallery has forged some strong connections with some very talented artists, with their business relationships spanning over three decades. It is the work of these incredible artists that line the walls of the galleries where their work can be admired, appreciated and purchased with free worldwide delivery. These artists include the award winning Carl Whitfield and his collection of finely detailed wildlife paintings, Alfredo Navarro who was born into a successful art family and now hosts his own magnificent collection demonstrating a unique skill of depicting the sea in all its many forms and Ric Duffield, a recognised artist for his work recreating stunning landscapes and wildlife.

The galleries are proud to also host an array of exclusive paintings from the Georgian and Victorian Era alongside authenticated signed prints from names such as Sir William Russell Flint R. A. in their specialist paintings archive. Together Tim and Denise source these paintings from all over the world, they then restore them to museum quality by re-framing them, before they are made available to the public at their galleries. The incredible talent featured in their collection includes:

Alfred Heaton Cooper: Alfred’s watercolour paintings were renowned for their beauty, depicting some of the most exquisite landscapes across the lake district.

Edward H Thompson: born in Cumbria, Edward took inspiration from the wonders of nature around him recreating scenes of the lakes in stunning watercolour creations.

Furthermore, if you have interest in a particular artist the gallery are happy to use their extensive list of contacts to see what is available on the market.

Below: Original Chalk drawing by Sir William Russell Flint R. A. 1880 - 1969

Say Hello to the Older Generation Taking Over TikTok

By Larry Muzondo

At what point do you start to feel ‘old?’ Well, according to the World Health Organisation, you become old the moment you turn 60.

However, we believe that the phrase ‘you’re as young as you feel’ is far truer than this statistic from the WHO. And we have a ton of evidence to back up our claim! Instagram, TikTok, and the like are social platforms that have taken the world by storm, and with it, influencers and the money they make. Heralded as a platform for ‘young people’, many who would be considered ‘old’ by the WHO’s standard find tons of success as ‘granfluencers’.

WHAT IS A GRANFLUENCER?

A granfluencer is essentially a ‘senior’ influencer – somebody who has an enormous amount of online followers who engage with their social videos and posts. Granfluencers also use their popularity to make money. Who says retirement has to be dull? 

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If you think you’re too old to learn how to use the tech and use it well enough to gain enough followers to become a granfluencer, think again! Amy Hawkins is 110 years old and has, on average, 3,343 views on each video she publishes on TikTok of her singing. WHO IS THE HIGHEST-PAID GRANFLUENCER?

That would be Helen Ruth Elam, who, at 93 years old, is the most followed senior influencer on Instagram with 3.5 million followers. She earns £32,000 a year, which is around £6,790 for every fashion and beauty post. 77-year-old Lynn Yamada Davis takes second place with her cookery account on TikTok, where she charges £3,480.73 per post. The Chainz Family takes bronze for their TikTok account, where they also publish music videos and make £3,414.91 for every post. THE TOP 10 HIGHEST EARNING OLDER TIKTOK INFLUENCERS

There’s plenty of Granfluencers taking over TikTok, but who can earn the most from the platform? We’ve crunched the numbers to work out potential earnings per post based on their following and average engagement rate. THE OLDER STARS OF TIKTOK:

@cookingwithlynja At 77 years old Lynn Yamada Davis shares cooking videos with her followers. On average her videos receive 1.5million views, allowing her to charge £3,480.73 per post. @thechainzfamily The Chainz Family feature their 93 year old grandma in many of their TikTok videos, appealing to over 93million people! With a following like that, it’s no surprise they can charge £3,414.91 per post. @grandadjoe1933 Joe Allington, aka Poppa Joe shares his day to life with over 4.5million followers. From his horses to lunches at Maccies, he’s become a fan favourite, earning £2,829.92 per post. @lilihayes 73 year old Lili Hayes loves to share her comedy chops with her 4 million followers. Her videos have racked up over 119million views, allowing her to charge £2,727.54 per post. @charlesmallet Charles and his family share his life with his 4.8million followers. From his health journey to stories about his wife, it’s no surprise Charles has a legion of fans and can charge £2,654.42 per post. @Reggie1936 84 year old Reggie shares his journey of life with a disability with his audience, earning him over 80K likes. His charm and zest for life is the perfect pickup to your day. @grandma_droniak 90 year old Lillian Droniak, aka A Lill wonder has over 3million followers on TikTok and often answers fan questions about her life. The grandma from the USA knows how to get the likes on her videos, resulting in a sponsorship of £1,937.80. @dolly_broadway Dolores Paolino, aka Dolly Broadway knows how to live her best life! Her comedy and dance videos are loved by her 2.3million followers, giving her a post value of £1,557.55. @its_j_dog Jenny Krupa is nearly 90 but is as spritely as someone less than half of age. Even we feel tired watching her. With nearly 2million followers, this granfluencer can earn up to £1,330.87 per post. @rosssmith Pauline Kana, aka Gangster Granny features heavily on Ross Smith’s channel – it’s a fantastic channel for a good chuckle and a reminder that you’re never too old to have fun. With over 18million followers and a 3% engagement rate, Gangster Granny can take home £1,273.91 per post. HOW DO YOU BECOME A SENIOR INFLUENCER? While it will take a considerable amount of time and effort to reach the type of income Helen Ruth Elam makes, these fantastic seniors have more than proved the WHO wrong – age really is just a number. More than that, platforms like TikTok and Instagram aren’t just for young people. We easily found 40 granfluencers across the USA and UK who are having tons of fun posting videos. So, if you’re interested in trying something new, why not give becoming a granfluencer a go? Here are a few ways to get started. Download the apps and create an account Before you start posting any videos, you need to choose a platform to post on. Start by downloading both TikTok and Instagram and scroll through some videos. Which platform do you prefer to engage with? Which is easiest to use? This will most likely be the platform you use to launch your granfluencer account properly. Choose a theme and run with it What is your favourite hobby? We recommend choosing this as your theme, as your passion will shine through the most. Your chosen theme may also have an impact on the platform you choose. Our research shows music, dance, and cooking granfluencers are most successful on TikTok, whereas if your hobby is related to fashion, beauty or travel, then Instagram may be the best platform for you. Have fun The most important secret to granfluencer success is to have fun! Although you may be able to make some money from your account, this should be an enjoyable experience for you first and foremost. If it starts to feel like work, you’re doing it wrong. 

for movies, photoshoots, and aesthetics, nothing can compare to the charm of witnessing Country Woodlands the copper foliage firsthand as you take a walk along the enchanting woodlands. The pla with maximum tree trails is the place where this season is most prominent and observabl Woodla nature, to Visit in Autumnnd walks are a fine and refreshing way of exploring the outdo especially during the Autumn months when these places are ors exp to reconne loding with ct wit color The area of woodland in the United Kingdom as of March 31, 2019, is estimated at 3.19 million hectares. This represents 13% of the total area in the country. Therefore, we have curated a list of beautiful trails that one must visit to witness the beautiful woodlands blanketed with leaves and spectacular sights.

By Megha Seth

Autumn marks the transition of summer to winter. Although shortlived, Autumn teaches us to seize the moment while experiencing and embracing the impermanence of things. Nature plays a beautiful role in adding warm tones to this time of the year as leaves turn into beautiful hues of tangerine, red, rust, and yellow.

While autumn has been an inspiration for various poets and artists and a perfect scenic spot for movies, photo-shoots, and aesthetics, nothing can compare to the charm of witnessing the copper foliage first-hand as you take a walk along the enchanting woodlands. The place with maximum tree trails is the place where this season is most prominent and observable.

Woodland walks are a fine and refreshing way of exploring the outdoors to reconnect with nature, especially during the Autumn months when these places are exploding with colours.

The area of woodland in the United Kingdom as of March 31, 2019, is estimated at 3.19 million hectares. This represents 13% of the total area in the country. Therefore, we have curated a list of beautiful trails that one must visit to witness the beautiful woodlands blanketed with leaves and spectacular sights. Fairy Glen in Lancashire

This woodland walk is said to be one of the most picturesque walks with astonishing views.

Filled with woodland trees changing colours during Autumn and calm brooks crossing through the forest, this walk will remind you of the views straight out of a fairytale.

The two gorgeous waterfalls are the hidden jewels of this place. The view certainly lives up to the name. If you are in an adventurous mood, willing to explore the entirety of the woodlands, you can wrap up the walk within three to four hours. A short woodland walk, but pretty engaging nonetheless! Hurst Green Woodland in Lancashire Fairy Glen in Lancashire Inspiration for the world-acclaimed author, J.R.R Tolkien, most commonly known for the Lord Of The Rings trilogy and The Hobbit, Hurst Green is This woodland walk is said to be one of the most pictur every bit as enchanting as mentioned in the adventures in his books. Most esque walks with astonishing view Filled with woodland trees changing colors during Aut people travel down the “Tolkien Trail” umn and calm brooks crossing thro the forest, this walk will remind you of the views straight as they walk through these woods. out of a fairytale. Embrace the striking scenery while you explore your way around the trail. The lush woodlands brims with warm colours during autumn with which you can capture the majestic view of Pendle Hill in the distance, the calming waters of Rivers Hodder and Ribble that meander across the route. 

Aira Force is best known for its thunderous waterfalls. Experience these woodlands at their best in autumn as you pass through the lush and dense green ferns transitioning to their warmer tones.

Enjoy the view of evergreen specimen conifer trees that tower above the expansive and open meadows. You can also trek up to the summit of Gowbarrow to take in the enthralling views of Ullswater Lake.

George Harrison Woodland Walk in Liverpool

What can be better than a blend of nature and music? Liverpool is set to inaugurate its new memorial devoted to the legendary musician, George Harrison, famously known as one of The Beatles’ icons for his 77th birthday this year. The woodland will feature art installations that have been directly inspired by Harrison’s lyrics and life. This woodland will also encourage local artists to submit their original ideas for artwork that will be featured here. A separate ‘nature classroom’ will also be featured alongside to help school children learn about the essence of the natural world. This is certainly a must-explore for all nature and music enthusiasts!

Delamere Forest and Old Pale Hill in Cheshire

Delamere Forest is one of the most convenient woodland walks when it comes to connectivity. Barely a 15-minute drive from Cheshire, with hourly trains leaving from Manchester. Following up the gravelled tracks and stoned paths up the hill, you are certainly headed for a beautiful reward of the never-ending views and vast open skies. The paths are very trek friendly as there are plenty of spots where you can rest, stop and take it all in. After all, the journey is as important as the destination.

The grand Old Pale Hill is a spot filled with beauty in abundance. It is also a haven for wildlife, with a valley of wildflowers, and has a natural amphitheatre for events. The standing stones at the viewpoint represent the seven counties that are visible from the top of the hill.

This woodland walk begins right at the Alderley Edge railway station, making it very convenient when it comes to accessibility. It lies 12 miles south of Manchester.

The woodland is the site of both archaeological and geological significance. It is set around an impressive sandstone hill. You can find your way around the rolling hills of Cheshire farmland dotted with mature Scottish pine and beech forests. The mesmerizing views, captivating lores with an ancient mining history of the Edge will certainly keep you captivated throughout the walk. The route of the Alderley Edge Woodland walk consists of 4.5 miles of beautiful woodlands with a few peaks and troughs along the way. It also gives a stunning view of both Cheshire and Manchester which is incredibly satisfying.

Arnside Knott

The “Knott’ is a place of national significance for wildlife such as wood ants, butterflies and is an abode of rare and beautiful wildflowers. It is a beautiful blend of limestone grasslands and mixed woodlands, that looks breathtakingly captivating in the autumnal seasons.

If you happen to be here early in the morning around this time of the year, you can see the mists hanging below you with treetops peeping out and watch the sunset across Morecambe Bay. There are various paths that lead you to Red Hills Wood or Heathwaite. Immerse yourself in the sounds and sights and enjoy the atmosphere around you.

Storeton Woods in Liverpool

Storeton Woods is on the site of what was originally an old Roman quarry. Not too far away from the city of Liverpool, all it takes is a 20-minute drive from the city to begin your woodland expedition.

It is indeed blissful to be able to enjoy a serene haven for wildlife in an urban landscape.

Fossilized prints of dinosaurs were discovered here in the 1920s, so this is indeed an ancient spot that could Lantern Wood in Manchester

Lantern Wood is a little hidden prize in the treasure hunt game of Manchester. More so in the Autumn months, when the woods are bursting with auburn, earthly and warm hues. The views from this spot are a blend of the surrounding captivating views of nature as well the Manchester cityscape that one can visually feast upon throughout the route. This woodland walk will also have you spotting certain animals like deer and certain species dotted throughout the trail.

Blackley Forest Nature Reserve

The Blackley Forest Nature Reserve is one of the underrated spots in Manchester generous in flora and fauna. The woodland was planted by the community in the 1950s. Rich in wildlife like deer, minks, and other animals, the forest is beautifully nestled between the River Irk, which flows along both sides of the forest. It is a perfect mini escapade from the monotony of your hectic life and the closed concrete walls of urban buildings. Just across the woodland lies the delightful Heaton Park, which you can also take a quick tour of as you enjoy the local sights.

As we get engaged in our everyday lives of fixed schedules and concrete landscapes, the heart craves getaways in the lap of nature. But the getaways do not have to be luxurious long trips in a race against time. It can be as simple as a walk in the enthralling woods, where nature is glimmering at her best beauty.

The importance of tiny breaks and getaways must not be overlooked. This is the time when a walk in the woodlands can rejuvenate the heart, mind, and soul so that you can return as fresh as new. While every season has its own beauty and significance, Autumn gives us hope for new beginnings. Autumns are like sunsets of seasons. What better way to enjoy this season than being where it’s the most prominent and can be seen and felt all around? 

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