Help to Buy Cheshire #2

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EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW FEBRUARY – APRIL 2016

INTERIOR TRENDS SPRUCE UP YOUR HOME FOR 2016

SCHOOL OPEN DAYS MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR VISIT

PLUS P

CHESHIRE EVENTS

P E H

E

E R F

C LP H E TO S H B IR U E Y

IC

K

U

ENTERTAINMENT TO FILL YOUR DIARY

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Reserv ve a stylish h home using sing Help p to Buy

Just a 5% deposit and a 75% mortgage ge - exclusive to new build!

You pay as little as 80% of the full purchase ase price up front

All types of o buyer could benefit b from the Governme ent-backed Help p to Buy Equity Scheme, whether w you are e an existing g homeowne er or a first time buyer.

That includ des just a 5% deposit

A brand new w Bovis Home offers yo ou so much more.

As well as so many inclusive featu ures, you’ll also benefit fit from owning a freshly decorated, low maintenance and energy-e efficient property.

The remaining 20% is an equity loan from the Government Available to all buyers purchasing g their own home Wha W at’s more

w ’ll include we floor oorring ing g throughou plus p l s a Super lus Entter e tainm ment nt P

just a

5% deposit

43” SSm 4 Smart art LED H HD TV iP Pa ad A AIR 2 wifi 16GB and BOSE S SoundTo wireless ess speak

Hellp to Buy B y Crown n Park

L Loachbr ook Meadow

Che ester

Congleton

Cheshire CH3 6EE

Cheshire CW12 4TE

01244 5 554044

01260 718039

3, 4 and 5 bedroom homes h from £241,495

3, 4 and 5 bedroom homes from £208,995

bovishomes.co.uk Photograph depicts a typical Bovis Hom mes interior. Illustrations depict typical Bovis Homes exteriors. ors. *The Help to Buy Equity scheme has specific terms andd conditions and is subject to affordability criteria as prescribed by the Homes and Communities Agency.

Cannot be used in conjunction with anyy other offer or promotion. Subject to specific mortgage lender nder conditions and qualification. †Entertainment packagee and flooring offer is available for reservations on 29th February 2016 only and given upon legal completion. l i YOUR HOME MAY BE REPO OSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YO OUR MORTGAGE. MORTGAGE Pl Please see sales l advisor d i ffor ddetailils. Price P ice andd availability ilability correct at time of going to print.

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EXAMPLE 3 BEDROOM HOME

£169,500 WITH HELP TO BUY ^

£135,600

FROM JUST †

£404 PER MONTH

LA J UN US CH T ED

Beautiful new homes in Cheshire and the North West

Elworth Hall Farm

We build a range of beautiful 2, 3 and 4 bedroom homes with an exceptional specification throughout that many developers only provide as costly upgrades, priced from just £169,500.

Check out rowland.co.uk for your nearest development.

Wrenmere Close, Sandbach CW11 1XS 0844 875 1319• Mon, Thurs & Fri 10.30am - 5.00pm Sat & Sun 10.30am - 5.30pm

follow us online rowland.co.uk *Subject to terms and conditions, please ask the Sales Executive for full details. ^80% Help to Buy prices shown. •Calls costs 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge. † Mortgage monthly rate based on Santander 2 year fixed rate 1.74%, £995 arrangement fee, free valuation, 35 year term. YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP WITH REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE.

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CONTENTS

Help to Buy CHESHIRE

WELCOME

THIS ISSUE

TO HELP TO BUY CHESHIRE MAGAZINE ISSUE #2

FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL

08

EDITOR’S NOTE Welcome to the brand new issue of Help to Buy Cheshire – the first of 2016.

This year is already shaping up to be a busy one with some exciting new housing developments on the horizon for the area, and we can’t wait to keep you updated in our forthcoming quarterly issues.

In this edition we show you how to bring your home up to date with this year’s hottest interior style trends, and if you’re exploring your child’s options for a new school then we’ve got some handy tips for getting the best out of open days.

Plus we guide you through the latest options to help you onto the property ladder, and bring you a jam-packed roundup of what’s on around Cheshire to keep you entertained from now until May.

hristine CHRISTINE TONER EDITOR

NEWS THE LATEST HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS TAKING SHAPE IN CHESHIRE

SANDY KELLY HELP TO BUY NORTH WEST

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HELP TO BUY: SHARED OWNERSHIP ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

WELCOME The government-backed Help to Buy scheme has been a success for some time now, helping thousands of aspiring home owners to achieve their dreams of purchasing their own property.

It has, in turn, been a catalyst for developers too so it’s no wonder that here at Help to Buy North West we’re seeing more and more fantastic new affordable homes being made available through the initiative in Cheshire.

In 2016 we can hopefully look forward to helping more people make that all important step from renting to home ownership, as Help to Buy broadens its reach with more options to purchase an affordable property.

As the government has recently opened up Shared Ownership to more would-be buyers, we bring you the lowdown on how the latest options will work allowing you to purchase the perfect property in the region in a way that best suits your finances and needs.

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SCHOOL OPEN DAYS GET THE BEST OUT OF THE EVENTS TO MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE

18

2016 TRENDS BRING YOUR HOME UP TO DATE WITH THIS YEAR’S HOTTEST STYLES

Aussie Comedian Adam Hills

22

WHAT’S ON? CHESHIRE EVENT GUIDE

IMAGE CREDITS: COVER IMAGE iStock.com/nyul SHARED OWNERSHIP iStock.com/nyul SCHOOL OPEN DAYS iStock.com/nito100, iStock.com/Halfpoint, iStock.com/AndreyPopov, iStock/SchulteProductions

Follow us...

CONTRIBUTORS

@helptobuymag Add us....

helptobuymagazine CHARLOTTE PEARSON MUMMY FEVER

CLAIRE LANCASTER CHESHIRE MUM

EDITOR Christine Toner EDITORIAL Natasha Young DESIGN & PRODUCTION Mark Iddon Copyright Move Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced copied or transmitted in any form or by any means or stored in any information storage or retrieval system without the publishers written permission. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published, Move Publishing can accept no responsibility for the veracity of the claims made by advertisers. The views expressed are not necessarily the views of the publisher.

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Offices throughout Cheshire with a National coverage

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N E W. BUT WITH ADDED

YOU. When you’ve been building homes for as long as we have, you learn a thing or two about what people want. They want everything to be perfect. They want quality. They want attention to detail.

And they don’t want to worry about a thing, even if it’s long after they’ve moved in. That’s why a Bloor home is built around you.

R E SE A RC H . V I SI T. COM PA R E . C A L L .

H E L P T O B U Y* AVA I L A BL E AT: Pendle Hill View, Clitheroe Parc Jasmin, Broughton Brooklands, Stoke Saxon Gate, Crewe Eastham Green, Wirral Madison Chase, Eccleston The Woodlands, Goostrey Kingfisher Park, Somerford Worsley Fold, Walkden Willow Vale, Warrington Gatewen Village, Wrexham Help to Buy* is all you need to get moving

BLOORHOMES.COM

*Help to Buy and all Bloor Homes’ incentives and schemes are subject to terms and conditions and are available on selected developments and selected plots only. Help to Buy is only available on developments in England, up to the value of £600,000 subject to contract, status and eligibility. Help to Buy – Wales is only available on developments in Wales, up to the value of £300,000, subject to contract, status and eligibility.

Prices and availability correct at time of going to press. Images shown for illustrative purposes only.

Come and see what NEW with added YOU feels like.

Contact our sales advisor:

01477 518 536 10am – 5pm 7 days a week

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HELP TO BUY GUIDE

Help to Buy CHESHIRE

DEVELOPER NEWS CHESHIRE HOMES

CHESHIRE HOMEBUYERS BENEFIT FROM ‘VITAL’ HELP TO BUY Help to Buy has been a “vital tool” for homebuyers at Taylor Wimpey schemes in Cheshire, according to the developer.

The government backed scheme, which allows first-time buyers and second steppers to purchase a property by saving a deposit of just 5%, is said to have assisted 1,100 house hunters across the whole of the North West.

Its Eden Grange site in Cuddington is one particular site which has been welcoming new owners with help from the initiative.

Christine Aitken, sales and marketing director for Taylor Wimpey North West, says: “Help to Buy remains a vital tool for today’s home buyers and, whether you’re a first-time buyer or moving up the ladder, everyone is eligible when buying a new-build home.”

SPRING UNVEILING SET FOR EATON MEADOW HOMES

For details about Eden Grange call Taylor Wimpey on 01606 530 356.

A range of new homes will be unveiled in Congleton this spring when Miller Homes opens its Eaton Meadow scheme.

The eight-acre site, located just off Eaton Bank Road, will feature a mix of one, two, three, four and five-bedroom properties.

Ahead of the launch Samantha Johnson, associate director for Miller Homes in the North West, says: “We are excited by this new development and to be able to extend our award-winning customer service and build quality in the area.”

Potential buyers can currently register an interest in the homes, which are available through the government backed Help to Buy scheme and are situated close to local amenities, schools and shops.

The developer is also financially supporting highway improvements in the area and creating open spaces for residents to enjoy views over the River Dane.

For more information visit www.millerhomes.co.uk.

FIRST PHASE LAUNCH FOR ASTBURY PLACE The first affordable homes at a new Congleton development will be made available to buyers in March.

Five two and three-bedroom Shared Ownership properties will be offered in phase one of the area’s Astbury Place scheme, which will also feature a further nine apartments to be offered for affordable rent.

Peak Living, part of Peaks & Plains Housing Trust, is currently working with Morris Homes to deliver the 14 properties, which are located close to the River Dane.

The Shared Ownership homes, which will feature an open plan kitchen and dining area, will enable first-time buyers to get on the property ladder by purchasing just a share of the property.

For more details and to reserve a new home at the site call Peaks & Plains Housing Trust on 0800 012 1311.

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GRAB LIFE BY THE DOOR HANDLES

Looking for your next home? You could afford more space than you think because Help to Buy* is available to second time buyers!

We have a superior range of 3, 4 & 5 bedroom homes in ideal locations around Cheshire, including Cuddington, Tarvin and Tarporley.

EDEN GRANGE Cuddington, CW8 2SX 4 & 5 bedroom homes from £339,995 Tel: 01606 530 363 SAXON HEATH Tarvin, CH3 8NE 3, 4 & 5 bedroom homes from £249,995 Tel: 01829 700 203

MULBERRY PLACE Tarporley, CW6 9HH 3, 4 & 5 bedroom homes from £249,995 Tel: 01829 700 309

BECAUSE YOUR TIME IS NOW Visit taylorwimpey.co.uk/cheshire For information on our opening times, please visit our website.

*Eligible applicants will be offered an equity loan up to a maximum of 20% of the purchase price (based on the open market value). Applicants are required to fund at least 80% of the purchase price by means of a conventional mortgage, savings and any deposit where required. For the first fi ve years there is no fee charged on the equity loan component. At the start of year six a fee of 1.75% is payable on the equity loan, which rises annually by RPI inflation plus 1%. The equity loan is provided by the HCA and held as a second charge.

Terms and conditions apply and full details will be provided on request. This offer is subject to status and only available on selected properties in England only. It is not offered with any other promotion. YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE. Photographs show typical Taylor Wimpey homes. Prices and details correct at time of going to press.

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HELP TO BUY GUIDE

Help to Buy CHESHIRE

SHARED OWNERSHIP A COMPLETE GUIDE

SHARED OWNERSHIP HAS ALREADY BEEN CREDITED WITH HELPING THOUSANDS OF HOMEBUYERS TO TAKE STEPS ON THE PROPERTY LADDER, AND AS THE INITIATIVE IS EXTENDED FURTHER IN 2016 IT WILL BRING NEW OPTIONS FOR MANY MORE. Chancellor George Osborne revealed in his Autumn Statement and Spending Review that he would be opening up the alternative affordable home buying method of Shared Ownership to many more aspiring homeowners and bringing it under the Help to Buy umbrella. But what does this mean and how can it help you?

WHAT IS HELP TO BUY: SHARED OWNERSHIP? Shared Ownership is a part-buy and partrent initiative which has been around since the 1980s, allowing people to get a foot on the property ladder even if they can’t afford to own a home outright. Through the scheme buyers can purchase new and resale homes made available through housing associations in shares ranging from 25% to 75%, with a chance to then increase their equity over time.

Until this year though, there have been restrictions on who is eligible to take advantage of the scheme. For instance, household incomes were limited to £60,000 a year or less outside of London to meet the criteria and tenants who already rent council or housing association

properties were given priority along with armed forces personnel when it comes to securing a home through Shared Ownership.

Councils also had the option to add further priority groups based on local housing needs.

The government has now removed those limits to make the option available to more people seeking a way to buy their own home.

The government anticipates 175,000 more buyers across the country will have access to the initiative, and has also pledged £4.1 billion to develop 135,000 Help to Buy: Shared Ownership homes in the coming years.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU? Here in Cheshire you could be eligible for Help to Buy: Shared Ownership if you have a household income of up to £80,000.

Under the new relaxed criteria for the scheme, priority will only be given to military personnel over other groups too.

Judging by the price of a typical Shared Ownership property in the North West, hopeful homeowners could purchase a 25% share of a new home through the scheme by saving a deposit of as little as £1,913.

SHARED OWNERSHIP: THE STATS

£80,000 THE MAXIMUM HOUSEHOLD INCOME TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR HELP TO BUY: SHARED OWNERSHIP IN CHESHIRE

iStock.com/nyul

25%

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HELP TO BUY: SHARED OWNERSHIP, VISIT WWW.HELPTOBUYNW.ORG.UK

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THE MINIMUM SHARE YOU CAN PURCHASE TO STEP ONTO THE PROPERTY LADDER

£1,913 BASED ON A TYPICAL NORTH WEST SHARED OWNERSHIP HOME, YOU PAY AS LITTLE AS THIS FOR A DEPOSIT ON 25%

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Get on the property ladder with Shared Own nership from Pe eak Living Reserve your future home today t Astbur A b y Place Pl ĞǀĞůŽƉĞĚ ďLJ DŽƌƌŝƐ ,ŽŵĞƐ

A b Astbury Pl Place Place, C Co ongleton ongleton, l CW12 2AB -T Two wo and thre ee bed homes, h available Marc ch 2 2016 - Prices starting fro om m £60,000

Octavia Gardens, Chapel-en-le-Frith, SK23 S 9SR -T Two wo and thre ee bed homes h available Marc ch 2016 2 - Thre ee bed homes av vailable June 2016 - Prices starting fro om m £60,000

0800 012 1311

Call Email development@peaksplains.org Web www.peak-living g.org Part of

Octavia i Gardens d ĞǀĞůŽƉĞĚ ďLJ ĂƌƌĂƩ ,ŽŵĞƐ

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Luxury living in the finest locations

Chatsworth Park

Cheerbrook Gardens

Four Oaks

Rope Lane, Shavington CW2 5DA Telephone: 01270 567277

Off Cheerbrook Road, Willaston, Nantwich CW5 7EN Telephone: 07747 840622

Chester Road, Oakmere CW8 2HB Telephone: 07747 840622

Located in the sought after village of Shavington, this superb scheme offers a collection of stunning 3, 4 and 5 bedroom family homes.

Cheerbrook Gardens is a charming residential development offering a range of 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom family homes situated in a prime location in Willaston, just three miles from Crewe and two miles from the market town of Nantwich.

Four Oaks at Oakmere is a charming residential development of 3, 4 and 5 bedroom executive homes designed to reflect the local architecture and style of neighbouring properties, located in the heart of the Cheshire countryside adjacent to Delamere Forest, with excellent rail and road links to the wider North West.

The development is also ideally placed for commuting with the A500 trunk road giving access to the national motorway network and the mainline railway station at nearby Crewe offering direct links to London Euston, and all the major towns and cities throughout the UK. Prices from £279,950

The village of Willaston boasts a vibrant local community and provides all the local amenities you would require including school facilities.

Prices from £179,950

• Buy with as little as 5% Deposit using the Government backed Help to Buy* scheme.

• Part Exchange† and other schemes available.

Part Exchange

Only three 4 and 5 bedroom homes remaining Prices from £369,950 “Pride in the Job Award” Winner

STUNNING SHOWHOMES AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING. For further information please contact the Sales & Marketing Suites open Thursday to Monday inclusive 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday & Wednesday contact Head Office on 01925 859650 or visit www.wainhomes.net. (for Cheerbrook Gardens please contact the Sales Office at Four Oaks) *Help to Buy is available on selected plots only, subject to qualifying criteria. Full details available from the Sales Executive on request. †Part exchange is available on selected plots only, subject to status. Terms and conditions apply. Ask Sales Executive for full details.

Prices correct at time of going to press. Photographs for illustrative purposes only.

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SCHOOLS

SCHOOL OPEN DAYS MAKING THE MOST OF CHESHIRE EVENTS

listening on your part, the process doesn’t have to be stressful.

It might be helpful to think of an open day or open evening as an interview. You and your child are essentially interviewing the school to see if it will be a good fit with their needs and personality. Not all schools will suit all children and that’s ok. That’s why open days exist, for you to get a flavour of what life might be like for your child.

Whether your child is moving schools because you are relocating to another area, or they are just moving onto the next stage of their education, it can be a daunting process for both children and parents.

This can also be a really exciting time however, and with some careful planning and organisation, lots of talking to your children and more importantly lots of

SO HOW CAN YOU MAKE THE MOST OF AN OPEN DAY?

iStock.com/nito100

BANISH ANY HANG UPS

First things first, find out all the details of the open days for the schools on your shortlist.

Most schools will have the dates and times on their website but if you are unsure, a quick email or phone call to the school can confirm everything for you.

You can often request a prospectus to be posted to you at the same time. Some schools have the prospectus’ available for download from their website but bear in mind that no doubt you will be given a copy at the open day as well.

Are you against a particular school because of the neighbourhood it is in? Do you dislike a particular family whose children attend the school? Do you dislike the uniform?

Have you ‘heard stories’ about a particular school?

Put those thoughts to bed, they aren’t helpful when you are choosing a school. Your child is likely to be aware of these and might end up choosing the school they think YOU want them to go to not the one where THEY feel they will be happiest.

iStock.com/Halfpoint

FIND OUT ALL THE DETAILS

DO YOUR HOMEWORK Have an idea in your head of what the key points about each school are. Talk to other parents and children you might know who attend the school, have a browse around the website and flick through the inspection report BUT go with an open mind and be prepared to change your view.

It’s possible that you and your child could feel completely different about a school having visited. Just because a school has an all singing and all dancing website and a good inspection report does not automatically mean your child will be happy there.

iStock.com/AndreyPopov

LET YOUR CHILD TAKE THE LEAD Try to avoid dragging your children around the various open days. It should be an exciting and interesting process NOT a tedious one.

Let your child lead in terms of where you visit first, give them the map to see how well they can navigate their way around and don’t leave until they have seen everything they want to.

If your child is rather resistant to the whole process, put the groundwork in at home beforehand to avoid wasting time on the day.

Pick two or three things that they are really interested in and start with those.

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BE PRESENT We are all busy parents but walking around an open day on the phone or responding to emails is not cool! You’ve made the time to attend the open day so embrace it and switch the phone off.

ASK QUESTIONS If you have questions then ask. Don’t leave wishing you had found something out as you are just making more work for yourself later on.

The staff and pupils who take part in open days are waiting for your questions and are normally thrilled to answer anything you want to know.

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BY CHARLOTTE PEARSON MUMMYFEVER WWW.MUMMYFEVER.CO.UK

iStock.com/SchulteProductions

Help to Buy CHESHIRE

“ARE YOU AGAINST A PARTICULAR SCHOOL BECAUSE OF THE NEIGHBOURHOOD IT IS IN? DO YOU DISLIKE THE UNIFORM?...PUT THOSE THOUGHTS TO BED, THEY AREN’T HELPFUL WHEN YOU ARE CHOOSING A SCHOOL.” OBSERVE AND FEEL Sometimes so much can be gained by just watching, listening and feeling.

How do you feel as you walk around the school? How do you think your child feels?

What is the expression on their face like? Do the staff and pupils look happy? How are they interacting with each other?

PROS AND CONS When you have visited all the schools your child wishes to consider, sit down and make a list of pros and cons.

Are there any schools you can rule out straight away? Reconsider the list and compare and contrast until you have reduced your list to three schools.

You will then normally need to pick a first, second and third choice to enter onto your application form.

MAKING A DECISION As parents we can present the options, we can support the process, we can give our views, providing we are reasoned and thoughtful about it, but ultimately, if a child is capable of making a case for a particular school and exercising a preference we should support that.

Children do their best where they are their happiest and whilst many children can leave friendship groups and make new friends successfully, why should they if it isn’t necessary?

You might think that school A is a ‘better’ school than school B, but ask yourself what you are basing that on.

If you are just looking at results you may be missing the bigger picture and providing school B isn’t a failing school, chances are your offspring will do just fine.

Don’t over think it and don’t pile on the pressure without being able to give a good justification. School can be a difficult place for some children, but with added parental pressure your intended concern could actually make things worse.

Keep it exciting and keep it child centred and child focussed.

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“ ”

ABOUT CHARLOTTE Charlotte lives in North Wales and is a mum of four children. As well as being a freelance strategic consultant in the health and social care sector she writes the parenting and lifestyle blog “Mummy Fever”, which covers a range of topics.

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Weaverham High School Lime Avenue, Weaverham, Northwich, Cheshire, CW8 3HT

T 01606 852120 | W www.weaverham.cheshire.sch.uk

Why Weaverham?

77% of pupils achieved 5 A*-C including English and Maths in 2015 Top 10% of schools nationally for value added Outstanding extra-curricular provision Over 100 pupils every year complete Duke of Edinburgh awards

“ A number of very significant strengths including students’ high attainment and outstanding achievement... ...The after school clubs are amazing, they really enhance the formal learning.

- Ofsted

”

To arrange a visit to the school contact 01606 855926

ORE

TM FIND OU

scan me

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RATED 5+ FOR CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

Discover your dream home with Miller . . .

Stunning new sites in Cheshire, coming soon from Miller Homes.

Weaver Grange, Moulton. Standing in the picturesque village of Moulton, Weaver Grange offers an exclusive and exciting range of 3, 4 & 5 bedroom homes in beautiful surroundings.

Eaton Meadow, Congleton. Sheltered by mature woods alongside the River Dane, Eaton Meadow is an attractive selection of 3, 4 & 5 bedroom homes that integrate traditional appeal with modern, energy-efficient design.

Heathlands, Sandbach. Heathlands is an exclusive development of 3, 4 & 5 bedroom traditional homes in a variety of styles, built to accommodate the needs of both first time buyers and families alike.

Don’t miss your opportunity to experience one of these beautiful developments for yourself. Call 03300 375 729 to register your interest now or visit www.millerhomes.co.uk to find out more.

You can count on us for the best service, standards and levels of customer satisfaction.

We call it the Miller difference.

03300 375 729 | www.millerhomes.co.uk Availability correct at the time of print. Artist’s impression for illustration purposes only. Photography represents a typical Miller Homes’ interior. Carpets and floorings are not included in our homes as standard.

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INTERIOR DESIGN

HOME TRENDS

BY CLAIRE LANCASTER CHESHIRE MUM WWW.CHESHIREMUM.CO.UK

BRING INTERIORS UP TO DATE FOR 2016

IT'S A NEW YEAR AND A WHOLE NEW SERIES OF INTERIOR TRENDS ARE SET TO LIVEN-UP OUR LIVING SPACES. FROM EXOTIC JUNGLE PRINTS TO QUIRKY SEVENTIES FOLK TOUCHES, WITH GLAMOROUS METALLIC ADDITIONS AND ELEGANT PASTEL HUES. THE TRENDS AND COLOURS THIS YEAR ARE VARIED, BOLD AND FUN.

SO WHAT ARE THE KEY TRENDS OF THE YEAR? HERE’S A ROUND UP OF THE LATEST FROM THE WORLD OF INTERIORS AND HOW TO BRING THE LOOKS OF YEAR INTO YOUR HOME.

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SEVENTIES FOLK

GET THE LOOK >> • Brown Faux Fur Bean Bag, £79.99, www.beanbagbazaar.co.uk • Seventies Geometric Triangles Aurora Framed Print, £47, www.redcandy.co.uk • Concrete Fluted Porcelain Vase, £49.95, www.madewithlovedesigns.co.uk

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EXOTIC JUNGLE

• Forest Cushion, £42, www.redcandy.co.uk

An Olympic summer is approaching and interiors fans can be first off the starting blocks with Rio inspired prints combining florals and fauna with a clashing colour palette.

The natural beauty of Brazil with its golden beaches and lush jungles full of flowers, exotic birds and animals brings bright, brilliant colours together with tropicalinspired leaf patterns for a statement effect.

To make this look work in the home, keep the scheme neutral or use light/dark contrasts and pick key accessories as a psychedelic focal point in the room. Jungle greens, zingy limes, sea blues, sunshine yellow and hot pinks are the shades of choice. Add in animal and bird prints and accessorise with just-for-fun parrots or flamingos which are no longer just for summer parties!

GET THE LOOK >> • Palm Jungle Wallpaper by designer Cole & Son, £77.95 per roll, www.limelace.co.uk • Flamingo illustration handmade silk cushion, £100, www.lovemyrte.com

We constantly look to the past for interiors inspiration and Seventies Folk is all about surrounding yourself with texture and colour. Seek out seventies-inspired pieces that combine a retro and modern feel to capture the freedom of the era through texture and print.

The more textures the better;

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put linen next to metal, next to wood, next to glass, next to plants, next to mirrors. Crochet is set to be the hottest craft of the year and, along with faux fur, is a perfect addition to statement furniture. When it comes to prints, anything goes - geometric, paisley and floral all sit well with the look.

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Help to Buy CHESHIRE

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METALLIC

Metal hues continue to be everywhere. Copper, gold, silver and bronze – metallics are a must have for industrial inspired interiors, space age themes or for adding a glamorous edge. Luxe metallic finishes look shiny and rich together and continue to be on trend (particularly when set against increasingly popular dark walls).

Any colour of metal will work but after Dulux announced its colour of the year as “Cherished Gold”, gold shades win the metallic crown in 2016.

Try this trend to the more “unexpected” pieces and fittings for windows and door accessories that can give a room an instant update.

GET THE LOOK >> • Roller Blind in Silver Leaf, www.apollo-blinds.co.uk • Metallic Telephone, £49, www.redcandy.co.uk • Geometric Copper Light Pendant, £69.95, www.madewithlovedesigns.co.uk

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ROSE QUARTZ AND SERENITY

There’s a much softer take on colours in 2016 compared to the bold shades that have become the feature walls and accent colours of previous years.

Rose Quartz is a pretty pale pink. Serenity is a muted blue hue. Both shades lend themselves to cushions, throws, linens, window dressings, wall colours, and even statement chairs. The idea is subtle shade use - a whisper pink wall when paired with modern furniture is super neutral and clean. A statement chair or scatter cushions in either shade is an elegant interpretation on the trend.

The key to success is keeping your furniture and accessories modern and streamlined with these vintage colourways.

ABOUT CLAIRE

GET THE LOOK >> • Lorena Sofa, £1743.97, www.darlingsofchelsea.co.uk • Murmuration lamp with Rose flex, £139, www.annajacobsart.com • Pink glass vase, £25, www.tikamoon.co.uk • Made to measure roller blinds in Rose, www.stylestudio.co.uk • Chatham rug, from £75, www.kelaty.com

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Claire Lancaster is a North West based blogger who writes at www.cheshiremum.co.uk.

Originally starting life in 2007 as a personal parenting blog cheshiremum.co.uk has now graduated into a lifestyle site featuring places to go, shows to watch, events to attend and restaurants to try.

There is plenty of homes and interior inspiration as Claire redevelops her family home in Cheshire.

HTB magazine 24pp.qxp_x 29/01/2016 16:25 Page 20

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Rural living redefined – DISCOVER YOUR DREAM HOME AMONG THESE FOUR-BEDROOM LUXURY PROPERTIES

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Purchase Price: £535,000 Id Wdd` V k^Zl^c\! XVaa BZaaZg 7gV\\^ch

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HTB magazine 24pp.qxp_x 29/01/2016 16:25 Page 21

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w HTB magazine 24pp.qxp_x 29/01/2016 16:25 Page 22

CHESHIRE EVENT GUIDE

WHAT’S ON? NORTHERN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA: WINDS OF CHANGE 9 APRIL THE OLD SUNDAY SCHOOL, MACCLESFIELD This charming, effervescent work showcasing the bassoon and other wind instruments is an eloquent way to spend an evening.

Mozart’s gentle horn quintet is almost a mini concerto, full of sweet duets with the violin and a spirited finale.

Tickets are priced at £16 for the main auditorium, and £13 for the balcony.

For more information go to www.ncorch.co.uk.

CATS!

CIRCUS OF HORRORS 21 ST ANNIVERSARY TOUR

2 – 5 MARCH THE BRINDLEY THEATRE, RUNCORN Multi award-winning company CODYS presents the world-famous musical ‘Cats!’ composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and based on T. S. Eliot’s novel Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats.

The musical follows a tribe of cats called the Jellicles on the night they make ‘the Jellicle choice’, which is the decision of which cat will ascend to the Heaviside Layer (Heaven) and come back to a new life.

This fascinating tale is in town for four nights only and promises to captivate the whole family.

For tickets and information visit www.thebrindley.org.uk.

19 FEBRUARY PARR HALL, WARRINGTON In 2015 Circus of Horrors became a West End hit as the first circus performance to grace London’s ‘theatreland’ in a century.

This year is set to be another spectacular year for the act as it celebrates its 21st birthday, and to mark the occasion a nationwide tour will stop off at Warrington’s Parr Hall.

Circus of Horrors’ latest incarnation is set in Victorian London and features dramatic twists and turns with grisly murders and sensational shocks. For more information visit www.pyramidparrhall.com.

THE SHADOW CATCHERS UNTIL 19 MARCH WARRINGTON MUSEUM & ART GALLERY Offering the chance to see Warrington and its people through the lenses of local photographers, this exhibition features images from important historic collections dating back to the mid-19th Century.

The display is accompanied by a newly published book and programme of gallery events, as well as an opportunity for you to capture images.

To find out more go to The Dream of Modern Living? - Guy Ben-Ner www.warringtonmuseum.co.uk.

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Help to Buy CHESHIRE

ADAM HILLS: CLOWN HEART 6 MARCH CREWE LYCEUM THEATRE Star of Channel 4’s ‘The Last Leg’, Adam Hills will be swinging by the Lyceum Theatre as part of his new Clown Heart tour.

Dubbed ‘the nicest man in comedy’, the Aussie funnyman has become one of the most popular comedians in the UK. His sharp wit and amusing anecdotes have seen him receive wide acclaim and gain a legion of fans across the world.

For further details visit www.crewelyceum.co.uk.

LAMBING FORTNIGHT AT THE FARM 2 – 10 APRIL THE FARM, TATTON PARK, KNUTSFORD

EASTER BUNNY RUN 19 MARCH BLAKEMERE VILLAGE, SANDIWAY

In April, Tatton Park is offering you the opportunity to catch the birth of a lamb or two.

This year the farm has synchronised its ewes to lamb within a 10-day period, meaning with a bit of luck you’ll witness the arrival of a new-born.

There will also be informative talks on the imminent signs of lambing by the farm staff and a quiz on all things sheepish.

Log on to www.tattonpark.org.uk.

This fun run for all the family, supported

by Thorntons, will boost funds for the NeuroMuscular Centre (NMC) when it takes place in March.

From 11am there will be a selection of stalls and a chance for the kids to meet special guest and Thorntons’ resident, Harry Hopalot.

At 12 noon, the run will commence.

Registration is required prior to the event but participants don’t have to decide between a distance of 3K or 5K until they arrive on the day.

To find out more about the event and how to register, visit www.nmcentre.com.

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COMEDY TOUR

WAYWORD FESTIVAL 2016 13 – 19 FEBRUARY CHESTER TOWN HALL AND LIBRARIES This family-friendly festival is designed to cure the boredom of primary school children during the February half term.

Chester Town Hall and libraries across the region will host a variety of events including CBBC’s animated favourite The Clangers, a day dedicated to den-building and the chance to learn how to make the perfect paper plane.

WayWord Festival offers children the unique chance to explore the world from Chester’s public buildings.

More information is available at www.chesterperforms.com.

HTB magazine 24pp.qxp_x 29/01/2016 16:25 Page 24

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