M ovin ’
Warrington’s ONLY Property & Lifestyle Magazine
Magazine
MARCH 2009 ISSUE 1
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e n i z a g a m e l y t s e f i l & y t r e p o r p w e n r u o Y
16 years on :
We interview Tim Parry’s mother, Wendy, at Warrington’s Peace Centre
22nd March :
We’ve got some great gift ideas for your mum this Mother’s Day
Should I rent my home out? Our quick guide to renting
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Movin’... words
A note from the Editor... Welcome to the very first issue of Movin’ Magazine, the ONLY property and lifestyle magazine solely dedicated to the Warrington area. And what’s more, it’s completely FREE to the people that live in our town. Written by local people for local people, Movin’ magazine is our way of reminding everyone just how much our town has to offer. Whether it’s the people that live here, the businesses that operate here, the properties we buy and live in, or simply just the events that we have going on, it’s easy to see why Warrington’s such an exciting location to live in at the moment. And what with the huge amount of growth we’ve seen over the last five years, we predict that things are only set to get better: the future looks bright for Warrington.
So if you have something that’s worth shouting about in this great town, then we’re the people to contact. Just get in touch with us using the details below, and we’ll be happy to help promote your business, events, or anything else you think Warrington people should know about. Let’s keep Warrington Movin’!
Movin’ The Movin’ Magazine Team 0800 6129 160 PO BOX 1106 Warrington Cheshire WA4 9JR www.movinmagazine.com info@movinmagazine.com
Advertising If you are interested in advertising in the next issue of Movin’ Magazine, contact our Advertising Sales Team either by phoning us on 0800 6129 160 or by emailing us at advertising@movinmagazine.com for availability and prices. Website Visit our brand new website at www.movinmagazine.com and leave your questions and comments. We promise to respond within 48 hours and answer your queries. You’ll find lots of additional information there, as well as what’s coming up in future issues and how you can get involved. We welcome your thoughts and ideas and would love to hear your news from Warrington.
Editor Adam Young Advertising Sales Manager Peter Clarke Media Sales Executive James McCoy Art Director Sophia Kenwrick-Piercy Picture Researcher Diane Parker Comments editor@movinmagazine.com Content design Orchid Designs Ltd Web Design Orchid Designs Ltd Printed by Warners Midland Plc Promotional Printing by Kwality Printer Subscriptions & Mailing List info@movinmagazine.com Distribution Self Select Distribution; Rendezvous Distribution; Movin’ Distribution Ltd
Copyright Copyright Movin’ Magazine. All rights reserved. Any part of this publication must not be reproduced, copied, or transmitted in any form or by any means. Storage of any information on a storage system or retrieval system is not permitted without the publisher’s written permission. Due diligence is applied to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published, however, Movin’ Magazine can accept no responsibility for the veracity of the promotions and/or claims made by advertisers. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publishers. All views expressed in this magazine are those of the independent journalists. Disclaimer All information, prices and promotions correct at time of publishing, to the best of our knowledge. Movin’ Magazine cannot be held responsible for incorrect details either written by, or published in this magazine.
Movin’ Magazine - Issue 1 - March 2009
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Movin’... contents
Movin’... homes Informa26 Home tion Packs:
Movin’... with the times
8 10
Local news: Stay in touch with all the latest events Cover story: 16-year anniversary of the IRA attacks
Movin’... on the market
16
For sale: Focus on homes for sale in Warrington, featuring Owen Knox estates, New Way Homes, and Courtyard Property Consultants
let: A selection 22 Toof property to rent featuring Black Bear Lettings, New Way Homes, and Lettings from Courtyard
Everything you need to know
29 30 32 34
Movin’... style
36
Movin’... life
Inflation explained: How inflation affects our daily life
38
Shared ownership: Getting your share of the pie
41
Homebuy Direct: Helping first-time buyers onto the housing ladder Should I rent my home out? What to think about if renting your home out
Ten best: Elegant lighting
Get the look: Mixing purple this spring Take five: Credit-crunch busting stylish hoodies
Sapphire: 42 Pink We talk to Rachel Ferguson about her new business
Mother’s Day: Gift ideas to let your mum know she’s special
on: 60 What’s Your entertainment guide for Warrington
Being Green: Help Warrington meet its recycling targets
Healthier 46 AWarrington: New initiative for keeping healthy
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Movin’... people
Movin’... March 58
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50 53 54 56
Tips: Have your question answered by our Advice Team On the web: This month’s best money-saving websites Book review: Two of our favourite books this month Wolves Den: Keep up-to-date with Warrington Wolves In the garden: Blossom in March
Front cover image: © Steve Highfield Movin’ Magazine - Issue 1 - March 2009
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Movin’... with the times
Stay in touch with all the latest news with Movin’ Magazine
ORFORD PARK PROJECT PROPOSAL APPROVED
WARRINGTON TO BENEFIT FROM £4M GOVERNMENT HOUSING SUPPLY FUND At the end of 2008 the Housing Minister Margaret Beckett showcased government plans to increase the country's supply of housing. The scheme dubbed the ‘Nation Growth Points Scheme’ will see Warrington share £4m of investment with neighbouring St. Helens and Halton. The investment is part of a wider fund of £31m ear-marked for the North West. With the recent decline in the UK economy, the government plans are part of wider initiatives to invest in infrastructure projects to encourage longterm recovery of the nation's economy.
A new initiative in Warrington will see a former landfill site transformed into a health, sports and community centre, sat alongside green space with footpaths and a new cycleway. The Orford Park Project is being led by Warrington Borough council in partnership with Warrington Collegiate and The Orford Neighbourhood Project, and will act as a symbol of the exciting and progressive development Warrington’s currently undergoing. The Orford Park project has been developed in consultation with the local community and will provide state-of-theart facilities for local residents, as well as for the wider population of Warrington as a whole. The focus is very much on public health; the centre will offer sports pitches, squash courts, swimming pools, as well as community spaces.
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The Warrington Wolves academy will also be based in the project and will allow the club to further its award winning Community Development Programme. The project received final approval from the council’s Executive Board during the first week of December so Warrington residents can now look forward to shortly enjoying the £32.9m facilities right on their doorstep. The regeneration of Orford and the surrounding area is just one of a number of publicly funded projects which are bringing value and new opportunities to the communities of Warrington. Cllr Terry O’Neill, leader of the Labour group, says: “The Orford Park project is a symbol of what can be achieved by working together with a broad coalition of public and private sector partners to deliver an exciting vision for Warrington”.
Let us know! If you’ve got something you want Warrington to know about, contact us at: info@movinmagazine.com
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PARR HALL TO RECEIVE £1.2 MILLION as new seating plans which will help to accommodate the inevitable influx of new visitors. Architects have also drawn up plans for an outward facing coffee bar, open-plan concourses, as well as new conference facilities for the well-known venue.
Late last year, Warrington Council’s executive board gave the thumbs up to a refurbishment of the town’s much loved entertainment centre. As a celebrated landmark in the town’s Cultural Quarter, the music, comedy, theatre and exhibition centre is set to receive a £1.2 million cash boost to modernise the venue, turning the centre into a cultural attraction for the Northwest. During the past few years, the Parr Hall has attracted big names such as Jimmy Carr, Stephen K Amos, Ken Dodd, Newton Faulkner, as well as enchanting theatre productions, such as the
Christmas classic, ‘The Nutcracker’. And it doesn’t stop there, with many more large acts and attractions signed up for this year. The entrance foyer, changing rooms, bars, corridors and the stage itself are all set to receive a makeover, as well
Cllr Roy Smith, Executive Board member for Community Services, said of the plans: ‘[The] Parr Hall represents a major element in Warrington’s cultural heritage, and this project will help provide a modern, attractive venue for people to enjoy a wide range of performance and theatre-based productions and activities.’
Flick to our Movin’ March section to find out what’s on in Warrington this month.
PETITION AGAINST NEW PRISON PLANS Warrington’s fight to stop the Titan Prison received added muscle last weekend, as Lib Dem Prospective MP, Dr Jo Crotty, passed on hundreds of petitions to Warrington Residents Against Prison Proposal (WRAPP). On Sunday Dr Crotty, along with local Lib Dem Councillors Kevin Reynolds and Trudi Wood passed armfuls of petitions collected from local people opposing the Titan Prison. The Lib Dems were joined by Rosemary Deakin (a member of WRAPP) and Keith Gleave, chairman of the residents group. “It’s vital that the Labour Government sees the local residents of Warrington actively opposing the Titan Prison,” said Dr Crotty. “We felt the best way to make our state-
petitions show, has been staggeringly clear. Warrington doesn’t want a Titan Prison. It will ruin the promise of 25,000 highpaying jobs for the Omega business park, and more importantly – it won’t cut crime.”
From left to right; Cllr Trudi Wood, Cllr Kevin Reynolds, Rosemary Deakin, Chairman of WRAPP Cllr Keith Gleave, Cllr Dr Jo Crotty
ment was to work closely with residents. By adding our petition signatures to WRAPP’s we can demonstrate how deep the feeling against a Titan Prison in Warrington is.” The Government has been looking at Warrington’s Omega site as a potential site to build a controversial super-
size Titan Prison - sparking fears amongst residents that it will tarnish the town and destroy the initial plan for a multi-million pound business park for the site. WRAPP Chairman Keith Gleave said: “The response from local people, as the number of
Dr Crotty added, “Rest assured that, even after the petitions have been delivered, I along with local councilors and residents will be keeping up the fight to say ‘No to the Titan Prison!’ Remember, it’s never too late to have your say – you can still sign the petition at www.jocrotty.org.uk. We will make sure your signature is included in those that go to the Prime Minister.”
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Movin’... with the times
As the 16th anniversary of the IRA attacks in Warrington approaches, we talk to Wendy Parry, mother of Tim Parry
The
e r t n e C Peace
On 20th March 1995, the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) detonated two bombs in Warrington town centre, following an earlier attack on the gas storage plant near Winwick Road. The blasts killed two children: three-year-old Johnathan Ball died instantly while twelve-year-old Tim Parry died five days later in hospital from his injuries. The devastation to the lives of the people involved was, and remains, unimaginable. The spirit of Colin and Wendy Parry, parents of Tim, shone through as they fought for peace in Ireland, often visiting the troubled areas in search of ways to bring the conflict to an end. Warrington Council asked how they could best commemorate the tragedy, but while ideas for statues were suggested, Colin and Wendy wanted a living, breathing tribute to the boys that could grow to help others affected by troubles: Warrington’s Peace Centre was the solution.
We interviewed Wendy Parry at the the Peace Centre in Great Sankey, Warrington to find out more about the centre and the work that goes on there. Movin’ Magazine: What inspired you to start the Peace Centre? Wendy Parry: The Council wanted to do something in the town; they wanted to change Bridge Street so that when
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people were there, they wouldn’t always be thinking about what happened. They made a memorial in the ‘River of Life’ to Tim and Johnathan, and to everyone who was involved, but the thought of a statue seemed to be a waste of money, and we wanted something that would benefit other people. It was around this time that we were asked to do the ‘Panorama’ programme and we went over to Colerain in Ireland to visit the Peace Farm
(founded in 1976 as a protest movement to the ongoing violence in Northern Ireland). These were young people, Catholic and Protestant, who went to the farm at weekends and were really good friends, but when they went back home, they went back to different sides of the wall. When we saw this scene of peace within the conflicts, we decided then that this is what we wanted to do.
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Movin’... with the times
As the 16th anniversary of the IRA attacks in Warrington approaches, we talk to Wendy Parry, mother of Tim Parry a card from 10, Downing Street with a list of names of people who could help. We rang one of them, and they donated £1 million straight away, which was exactly what we needed to get started.
MM: What kind of work goes on at the Peace Centre? WP: The Peace Centre is a place for young people to come together from different religions and different backgrounds to see that they’re really all the same. They all dress the same, like the same music, but are separated by views on religion and race. A lot of people think that we’re a religious organisation, but we’re not: we’re really just saying, instead of fighting, use your mouth. We’re just starting a new programme in Northwich, working with groups of people who aren’t getting along to try and identify why, and then try to find a way of resolving their differences peacefully.
We went to a school in Leeds that was having a lot of problems after it was revealed that one of the 7/7 bombers went to the school. Once people knew, there was a lot of segregation in the community and the children at the school were beginning to suffer quite badly. After we’d run a course there, the number of incidents of conflict went from over a hundred a day to virtually nothing, as people used the techniques and teachings of our course to overcome their differences in a non-violent way. Colin gets invited to do talks in various places and it’s because of these that we get invited into a lot of schools and communities.
MM: Can anyone help with the fundraising for the Peace Centre? We don’t just go in and run a programme: we follow up the results and ensure that the measures that we install are still in place, and we also try to get local support to make sure that the good work continues.
WP: If people want to run fundraising events for us to fund our work then we’d very much like that! We can support fundraisers with resources, contacts, and ideas to help raise as much money as possible.
MM: How was the money raised for the Peace Centre?
(See details at the bottom of this page)
WP: We started fundraising to get
“We [again] extend our sympathy to the families of all those victims of the troubles.
enough money to build the centre. We had a brick wall and started selling bricks. Don’t worry – I know it looks like the centre is made out of wood, but the bricks are underneath! We also met (Dr) Mo Mowlam (former MP and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland), at one of the anniversaries. She took us to one side and asked how long it would take us to raise the money: we said that we didn’t know, and that it could be several years. She then said “I challenge you to do it in twelve weeks – and I’ll help you to do it.” She got us into the G8 summit in Birmingham in 1998, where we met Tony Blair. He said he’d get in touch with us, and then later, we received
If you would like to run a fundraising event to help support the work done by the Peace Centre, please contact the centre on 01925 581 231, or visit www.foundation4peace.org
In respect of Colin and Wendy Parry, I think they have shown a quite extraordinary spirit of forgiveness, of determination to promote reconciliation, and I think they can be very very proud of the work they have done over the years. In the end, it is interesting that, ultimately, the spirit that they represent has triumphed over the hatred and discord and the conflict. And that surely should give us hope for the future.” Former Prime Minister Tony Blair speaking in the Commons in March 2007
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Movin’... with the times
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ELAN HOMES’ GRAND PLAN FOR GRAND CENTRAL Elan Homes is helping people to rekindle their home buying plans by unveiling its Grand Plan for its Grand Central development in Warrington. People trapped by the current market conditions may find that they can move into a beautiful, brand new home a great deal more quickly and easily than they first thought, by taking advantage of one of the many packages that Elan Homes is offering: • Elan Homes will match your 5% deposit, penny for penny. • Live free for a year with no mortgage repayments or monthly bills. • Part exchange, with the possibility of selling your house within just seven days.
“The development of one- and two-bedroom apartments has been incredibly successful since it was launched and only six apartments remain available in the final phase. The development has been attracting a lot of interest from young couples and commuters who want to take advantage of its excellent nearby rail links between Liverpool and Manchester, and the availability of part-exchange will really help to get people moving in the coming months.” Prices start from just £94,995 for a one-bedroom apartment. The marketing suite is open Monday to Friday 10am–5pm. For more information please call the sales team on 01925 413979 or visit www.elanhomes.co.uk. The scheme is located off Winwick Street, Warrington, WA2 7TT.
Elan Homes Sales Director, Marie Wilkinson, tells us more: “The Grand Central development ticks a lot of boxes for buyers in terms of proximity to the town centre, the cost of the apartments, build quality, and even the history of the scheme. “We know that there are plenty of people locally who would like to move but who just can’t sell their houses at the moment. As part of our Grand Plan, we are fortunate to be in a position to be able to buy properties from them and help them to make the move they want. It takes away the stress of being in a chain and means that homebuyers are not left with their home sitting on the market just waiting for a buyer.”
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Movin’... with the times
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WARRINGTON GOES GREENER The latest new homes to be built in Warrington’s Whittle Hall are the greenest ever constructed in Warrington, according to directors at Cheshire based building company Charter Homes.
£373 per year for lighting and heating based on an average family usage as outlined in the Energy Performance Certification.
Voted the best development in Cheshire by a prestigious panel of judges at The Daily Mail property awards, Charter Homes’ Willowbrook Park’s 22 new homes comply with exacting Secured by Design and BREEAM eco standards.
These high standards ensure developers deliver high quality eco-homes with enhanced levels of security, insulation, acoustics, increased boiler efficiency, water saving and recycling methods, PVCu windows and external doors – all of which result in reduced running costs when compared to a non-eco home. These savings are estimated to be £100 per year for hot water and
As Managing Director, Steve Ratcliffe explained: “Eco-friendly homes are seen to be “the must have” for a new generation of informed purchasers. Buyers of our new homes in Whittle Hall are not only making a contribution to reducing harmful carbon dioxide emissions, but they are also saving themselves significant amounts of money. When you combine the running cost savings of our new eco homes with the massive price reductions we have just announced – as high as £50,000 from our December 2008 pricelist – then it is a fantastic opportunity for people in a position to buy. We are also offering part exchange options on selected plots to help buyers to quickly move to a brand
new home with the minimum of stress and without the worry of trying to sell their current property!” Homes are available at this select development from spacious 2 bedroom apartments to five bedroom detached family homes, all with massive savings. For example, a ground floor two bedroom, two bathroom apartment previously costing £169,950 is now being offered for £30,000 less, at £139,950. A four bedroom, two bathroom detached home has had £50,000 slashed from its asking price – from £324,950 to £274,950.
The Marketing Suite is open Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 11am to 5 pm. Further details can be obtained from the Sales Manager, Bernard Bates on 07725 794 369 or visit www.charterhomes.net
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Movin’... with the times
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CONFIDENCE IN WARRINGTON’S ENCOURAGING HOUSING MARKET Sales and visitor figures released by a Warrington homebuilder support the positive housing market news from the Halifax, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, and housing minister, Margaret Beckett. McInerney Homes saw the number of visitors to its two Warrington developments more than treble in January compared with December, and the homebuilder sold 16 new homes during the month. In such a tough market, this is a superb sales rate and Warrington’s property market is an indication of a national increase in activity, says Carol Nomdedeu, Sales Manager for McInerney Homes North West. Carol says: “Against the odds, January proved to be a busy month and our Warrington developments – in Great Sankey and Thelwall – were some of our strongest performers. There is real interest by Warrington homebuyers and February visitor levels remain strong – buyers just seem to be biding their time.” Margaret Beckett would agree with Carol’s comments after the housing minister suggested there were signs of a property market ‘upturn’ in January. The housing minister even warned there was “considerable pentup and growing demand” for houses and urged first-time buyers and young families to start researching their options now, predicting a “mad rush” when the economy picks up. January also saw the price of UK homes rise by 1.9%, according to the Halifax. Brigid O’Leary, a senior economist at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), said: “The Halifax report is consistent with
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the recent modest rise in activity as shown in our own surveys.” Estate agents have also been reporting more would-be homebuyers registering with them. Dennis Hunt of Edwards Grounds – one of the region’s oldest established estate agents with four offices in the north Warrington area and offices in Runcorn and Widnes – confirmed that all of their offices have also seen a definite upturn in viewings and general interest since the turn of the year with more first-time buyers now looking to get their foot on the property ladder. Carol adds: “We’re making home ownership affordable with part exchange, swift move and our 25–75 shared equity scheme. This is not shared ownership. You own 100% of your new home while McInerney loans you 25% of its value for 10 years and you pay no interest or rent in that period. Basically it’s
a free loan for 10 years, with no catch.” McInerney’s prices in Warrington start from £81,000 for an apartment to £164,995 for a three-bedroom home. Briarswood Village features a wonderful community of three and four-bedroom family homes in a peaceful semirural location on Sycamore Lane. View the show home between 10.30am and 5pm, Thursday to Monday, or for more details call 01925 428 523. Williams Wharf is a collection of one and two-bedroom apartments overlooking the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal next to the Knutsford Road Swing Bridge. Visit the show apartment Thursday through to Monday, from 10.30am to 5pm, or call 01925 654 892. Alternatively, log onto www.mcinerneyhomes.com for more information.
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HUNDREDS DO IT ‘MiWAY’
If you started the new year worrying about your finances and think there is no way you can afford a stylish new home, then Miller Homes is urging you to think again. After helping hundreds of buyers across the UK move into a brand new home in 2008, the multi award-winning housebuilder is affirming its commitment to homebuyers in the North West and continuing to make new homes more affordable by extending the availability of its successful MiWay scheme across 17 of its 21 developments in the region. Almost 270 homebuyers were able to move into a new Miller home last year, thanks to the initiative which enables purchasers to buy a new home without having to pay the full purchase price upfront, but still own 100% of the property from day one. The scheme allows buyers to pay 75% now and 25% later with help in the form of long term equity loan from Miller Homes, with no interest or rent to pay (see www.millerhomes.co.uk/ miway for details).
Buyers who found their perfect home with MiWay are David Bailey and Rachel Weightman who were looking to buy in Warrington. They bought a new three bed ‘Wolsey’ home at Miller Homes’ “Saxon Park” in Sankey Bridges. David says: “MiWay helped us to buy our first home together. I had previously owned my own home but this is the first time for Rachel. We found buying using Miller Homes’ MiWay scheme straightforward and I would happily recommend it to other people. For us it was a really simple, easy process. We originally reserved a plot at the end of August and moved in once the property was completed in December. “Of all the new home developments we looked at in Warrington, Saxon Park offered the best value for money. What we really liked about the Wolsey house design was the master bedroom suite having its own floor at the top of the property. The location is also a good base for commuting as Rachel works in Newton-le-Willows and I travel to Bury. Since we moved in, the house has been everything we expected and wanted from our new home.”
According to Sue Warwick, National Sales and Marketing Director at Miller Homes, the success of the scheme shows that confidence isn’t the biggest issue for most house hunters – it is affordability: “We believe in creating opportunities for all homebuyers and our MiWay scheme goes a long way in helping homebuyers move into their dream home. MiWay strikes a real chord with purchasers, as buyers generally find themselves able to access some of the more competitive mortgage deals on the market. “People know that new homes represent great value for money and we are committed to assuring people that buying a stylish, high quality property is affordable with Miller Homes. New homes have never been more affordable, in fact there has never been a more opportune time to buy a new property, making it the best investment you’ll ever make.” For further information on MiWay and the range of properties available at Miller Homes’ 17 developments in the North West, visit www.millerhomes. co.uk/miway or contact the regional office on 0870 336 4722.
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Movin’... on the market Halton Road, Great Sankey, Warrington, WA5
“This four bedroom Charles Halton semi-detached property is located in the sought after area of Great Sankey. The property briefly comprises: entrance hall, lounge, dining room, kitchen, utility room, cloakroom and conservatory. To the first floor lies a master bedroom (with ensuite) plus three further well-proportioned bedrooms and family bathroom. There is parking for two cars, two large patio areas and a fully enclosed garden.”
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£189,950 Extended Charles Halton Semi-detached 4 bedrooms Ensuite facilities Conservatory
The agent’s description ... Jenny Linaker
New Way Homes 81 Meeting Lane Penketh, Warrington, WA5 2QU
01925 790 555
Double Glazing GCH
newwayhomes@hotmail.co.uk
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Movin’... on the market
Movin’ Magazine takes a look at what’s for sale in Warrington
Culcheth Hall Drive, Culcheth, Warrington, WA3
“This 5/6 bedroom detached house is in a prestigious cul-de-sac location in Culcheth. It provides luxury hi-tech living featuring a reception hall, dining area, guest WC, and open-plan living area. The magnificent lounge is open-plan, with a contemporary fitted kitchen and utility room, overlooking the large rear garden. There is a long, private driveway, double garage and delightful gardens to the front and rear.”
£950,000 5/6 bedrooms 4 reception rooms 3 bathrooms Large front & rear gardens
The agent’s description ... Paula Bennett
Owen Knox 443 Warrington Road Culcheth, Warrington, WA5 5SJ
01925 768 200
Double garage Private driveway
csales@owenknox.co.uk
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www.movinmagazine.com Movin’ Magazine takes a look at what’s for sale in Warrington
Movin’... on the market Culcheth Hall Drive, Culcheth, Warrington, WA3
“Courtyard Property Consultants are delighted to offer for sale this stunning detached property situated on a prestigious road within Culcheth village. With extensive private gardens, private driveway and garage. The property has recently been renovated and decorated by the current owners to an extremely high standard and specification and must be viewed to be appreciated.”
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£625,000 3 bedrooms Bespoke dining/ kitchen room Private enclosed garden GCH & DG Views over the Cheshire countryside
The agent’s description ... Jan Haywood Courtyard Property Consultants 26 The Courtyard, Common Lane, Culcheth, Warrington, WA3 4HA
01925 767 000 info@courtyardproperty consultants.co.uk
Your rent could be better spent! Grand Central, Warrington 1 bedroom apartments from £94,995 2 bedroom apartments from £112,995
Just 6 Apartments Remaining
Why rent when you could buy a beautifully stylish apartment at this central location? • ToWn CenTRe loCATion • AmAzinG quAliTY & vAlue Choose from this range of amazing special offers • We’ll match your 5% deposit – penny for penny* • live free for a year, with no mortgage repayments or monthly bills* • Have all your moving, legal and valuation expenses paid*
it’s all part of the elan Homes Grand Plan to help home buyers GRAnD CenTRAl off Winwick Street, Warrington WA2 7TT
Call 01925 413979 Show Apartment: open Sunday to monday 11am to 6pm, monday 1pm to 6pm
or visit elan-homes.co.uk *Offers available on selected properties and subject to Elan Homes terms and conditions. Monthly mortgage repayments based on typical 25 year mortgage up to a value of £500 per month. Monthly bills include utility, council tax, home and contents insurance and redundancy cover for 12 months.
grand plan
feel spoilt for choice Discover our range of amazing offers on these 3 stunning developments! Bewsey
Great Sankey
Warrington
Beaumont Grange Bewsey Road WA5 0AF
Briarswood Village Sycamore Lane WA5 1JN
Williams Wharf Off Knutsford Road WA4 1LJ
3 bedroom “Sunningdale” home
3 bedroom “Lincoln” home
“Barton” apartments
only
£139,995
• Buy your dream home now • Available from only £104,996* through our FirstStep scheme • Part exchange available† • £1,000 towards legal fees†
only
£169,995
• Part Exchange into your dream home now† • Available from only £127,496* through our FirstStep scheme
only
£108,250
• Move into your new apartment now • Available from only £81,188* through our FirstStep scheme • £300pm towards your mortgage for 12 months† • £1,000 towards legal fees†
Call 01942 768 025 or visit www.mcinerneyhomes.com Pictures are of a typical McInerney development. Individual features of the dwelling house may vary from time to time, please contact head office for current specification. These particulars do not form part of a contract or warranty. Offer is subject to exchange of contracts. Prices and information correct at time of going to press. * Terms and conditions apply and full details will be provided on request. This offer is subject to status and only available on selected developments and properties. It is not offered with any other promotion. †Available on selected plots. Terms and conditions apply.
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Movin’... on the market
Movin’ Magazine takes a look at what’s for rent in Warrington
Williams Wharf (Clearwater Quays), Latchford, Warrington, WA4
“A stunning 2 bedroom apartment overlooking the Manchester Ship canal in the popular Williams Wharf development (off Thelwall Lane). It comes fully furnished to a high standard (including flat screen TV), secure parking and entrance. Located on the first floor, it briefly comprises of: 2 double bedrooms, open-plan living room and dining area, separate fully-equipped kitchen and modern bathroom (shower over bath). Available immediately.”
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£595 pcm High specification Fully furnished Brand new
The agent’s description ... Nick Ashworth
Black Bear Lettings 746 Knutsford Road Warrington WA4 1JW
Secure parking Secure entry
01925 44 55 29
Fully equipped kitchen
info@blackbearlettings.co.uk
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Movin’... on the market
Movin’ Magazine takes a look at what’s for rent in Warrington
Castle Green, Westbrook, Warrington, WA5
“A detached house with integral garage, set in a quiet crescent in a good residential area. Spacious lounge through dining room, fitted kitchen and separate utility room with washing machine. The main bedroom has an ensuite with a further three bedrooms and family bathroom. The property is newly decorated with new flooring throughout, driveway parking, garden to the front and a large rear garden with a fine lawn and a sun trap.”
£795 pcm Alarm system
The agent’s description ... Sue Adamson
Garage
Ensuite
Hampsons Lettings 198 Knutsford Road Warrington WA4 1AU
Front & rear gardens
01925 419 676
Driveway
Unfurnished
lettings@hampsons.co.uk
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Movin’... on the market
Movin’ Magazine takes a look at what’s for rent in Warrington
Deacons Close, Croft, Warrington, WA3
“Lettings From Courtyard are proud to offer to let this spacious family home located in the semi-rural village of Croft. The property is only a short drive away from the shops and amenities of nearby Culcheth village, while being ideally situated for convenient access to the motorway network. Offered unfurnished, the property features 4 bedrooms, 3 receptions rooms along with a fully-fitted kitchen and a superb conservatory.”
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Movin’ Magazine - Issue 1 - March 2009
£1,200 pcm 4 bedrooms 3 reception rooms Private garden
The agent’s description ... Lee Houghton
Lettings from Courtyard 26 The Courtyard, Common Lane, Culcheth, Warrington, WA3 4HA
GCH Double glazing
01925 767 000
Detached double garage
info@lettingsfrom courtyard.co.uk
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Movin’... on the market
Movin’ Magazine takes a look at what’s for rent in Warrington
Bushels Farm, Clock Face Road, Widnes, WA8
“New-Way Homes are delighted to offer for let this well presented three bedroom mews barn conversion set in a semi-rural location. It offers spacious living with entrance hall, cloak room, lounge, fully-fitted kitchen and dining room. To the first floor there are three bedrooms and the family bathroom. Externally, the property offers a single garage, plus parking and communal gardens, inclusive of decking area with pond feature.”
£600 pcm
The agent’s description ...
Mews barn conversion
Jenny Linaker
3 bedrooms
New Way Homes 81 Meeting Lane Penketh, Warrington, WA5 2QU
GCH Double glazing Garage Private parking
01925 790 555 newwayhomes@hotmail.co.uk
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www.movinmagazine.com Your quick guide to what’s new in the world of property
Movin’... homes
HOME INFORMATION PACKS
Q
A
Home Information Packs (HIPs) were introduced in 2007 in order to make it quicker and easier for you to buy your house. They were designed to help buyers and sellers, as well as estate agents and solicitors, through the buying process by providing upfront and relevant information about a property.
Q
Answers Q
Why were HIPs introduced?
A
&
Questions
What’s the purpose of a HIP?
Where can I get a HIP?
A
In the past, problems could pop up at any point during a solicitor’s search of a property’s boundaries, water supply and drainage facilities. In an attempt to reduce the number of sales that collapsed, HIPs were introduced in the hope that no nasty surprises, such as unlawful ownership of a property, could crop up along the way.
An estate agent will be able to help you with arranging a HIP, and some will even order it for you to take the hassle out of selling your home. Estate agents will probably be the experts on HIPs by now, so it’s a good bet that you can turn to them for any information and advice on HIPs that you may need when selling your home.
Q
Q
How do HIPs change the way I sell my home?
A
Because they provide certain information to prospective buyers before they instruct their solicitor, HIPs should reduce the likelihood of your sale falling through. For instance, if the buyer discovers something about the property that they dislike, then they won’t instruct a solicitor and incur costs on a property that they’re not really interested in.
Q
Does everyone have to get a HIP if they’re selling their home?
A
All residential sales require a HIP. There are only a few exceptions to this, such as if the property is due for demolition or being sold with a tenant living in the house. Look at our table opposite for a list of exceptions.
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What’s in it for the seller?
A
Because you have to obtain a HIP before putting your property on the market, it’s a good way of showing prospective buyers that you’re serious about selling. So in the long-run, it does actually help you to progress with your sale by suggesting that you’re not merely speculating for a good offer.
Q
A
How can I see the HIP for a property that I’m interested in?
All you have to do is ask the estate agent for a copy. Although a seller and their agent, by law, have to provide you with a copy without charge, they may ask you to cover the reasonable postage and packaging costs, or ask you to see the HIP in their office if the agent owns the HIP.
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Movin’... homes Do I really need a HIP? You don’t need a HIP for: • properties where there’s no marketing (e.g. selling to a member of your family) • non-residential properties (e.g. a shop unit) • properties limited by law to use as holiday accommodation, or occupation for less than 11 months per year
So, what’s in a HIP? Compulsory
1. The HIP Index The index is basically the checklist for sellers, buyers, estate agents and enforcement authorities. It gives a summary of the HIP itself: if a compulsory document is unavailable, the index must say so, giving the reason why it’s missing, and list what steps are being taken to get it.
2. EPC (Energy Performance Certificate)
• ‘right to buy’ schemes • sales of portfolios of properties (e.g. rental properties with tenants in situ) • properties due to be demolished
Our summary It’s too early to tell whether HIPs have had a positive impact on the process of selling a house: we’ll have to just wait until the future when historical research can be done and trends in sales can be analysed to find out whether or not they have actually made the act of buying a house a quicker and easier process.
One part of a HIP, namely the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is an important part of reducing energy wastage. It provides information on how we, as homeowners, can save money on our fuel bills and also reduce our carbon emissions through heat loss as a result of identifying poor insulation, for example.
One thing is certain though: HIPs affect everyone involved in the sale of a house, meaning that we all need to accept that they are legally required, and familiarise ourselves with exactly what we need to do.
If you put your home up for sale and it doesn’t come under any of the exemptions outlined our guide above, then seek advice from your estate agent on your next steps.
Communites Minister, Baroness Andrews, commenting on the introduction of HIPs, stated that “HIPs and EPCs can help families to save hundreds of pounds on their fuel bills, and cut a million tonnes of carbon a year. They also have the potential to reduce the millions of pounds wasted by consumers when buying and selling a home, by increasing transparency and competition in a process that hasn’t changed for a generation.”
Your quick guide to what’s new in the world of property
One thing to remember though is that HIPs do have an infinite life as long as you keep your property on the market. If you take it off the market for a period of more than 28 days, then the HIP will start to expire and you’ll need to replace parts of it in order to keep it up-todate. For free and confidential advice on HIPs, speak to your local estate agent or visit www.homeinformationpacks.gov.uk
The EPC gives home owners, tenants and buyers information on the energy efficiency of their property. It gives the building a standard energy and carbon emission efficiency grade from ‘A’ to ‘G’ (where ‘A’ is best) and provides advice on cost-effective ways to improve the rating.
3. Sale Statement This statement provides basic information about the property, including the address, the title (freehold or leasehold), whether the property is registered or unregistered, whether or not the property is being sold with vacant possession, and who‘s selling the property.
4. Title Deeds This section proves who owns the property by retrieving the sale deeds from the Land Registry. If any documents are missing, you must talk to your solicitor and arrange to get them replaced.
5. Searches Local searches include: a search of the local land charges register for the property being sold; a search of the records held by the local authority on matters of interest to buyers (such as planning decisions and road building proposals); and details on the provision of drainage and water services to the property.
Optional
1. HCR (Home Condition Report) A Home Condition Report contains information about the physical condition of a property, which sellers, buyers and lenders will be able to rely on legally as an accurate report. It’s similar to a Homebuyer Survey and makes the seller and buyer aware of any works or repairs that are needed on the property.
Movin’ Magazine - Issue 1 - March 2009
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support@westcoasthips.eu
www.hipacks.net
West Coast HIPs
HIPs from £199 EPCs from £50
Special offer for estate agents:
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www.movinmagazine.com Your quick guide to what’s new in the world of property
Movin’... homes Every month we look at what’s happening in the economic world, and ask the really important question: What does it all mean for me? This month, we focus on the buzzword that’s floating in the air at the moment: Inflation.
So, what is inflation? Basically, inflation measures the increase in your everyday cost of living. You may wonder why the UK, one of the world’s largest economies, is affected by rising inflation. Well, the answer lies in something called ‘Gross Domestic Product’ or GDP for short. Although a bit of a mouthful, it’s actually just a way of measuring how much our economy is worth, by valuing goods and services produced in a country in a year. When the price of essential everyday things rises, such as food and car fuel, it means that we all have less money to spend in the shops. This lowers our country’s GDP because manufacturers make less products when there isn’t the demand there to sell them. When there’s less demand for goods and services, unemployment looms because there’s simply less work to go around.
“When times are hard, the MPC reduces interest rates to encourage us to borrow money and then spend it in the shops.”
The group of experts who control whether interest rates go up or down are called the Monetary Policy Committee, or the MPC. They’re responsible for increasing interest rates in times of economic boom, so that we then pay more interest on the money we borrow. But this also encourages us to save rather than to spend money, because we then make more money on our savings. However, when times are hard, the MPC reduces interest rates to encourage us to borrow money and then spend it in the shops.
An example A prime example of government intervention into economic activity came last year, as £100 billion was given to our banks. This financial cushion has allowed the banks to reduce the interest rates on their mortgage products, and in theory, it could increase the number of house purchases in the UK, as more people could get approved for mortgages. A story you might recognise from Germany’s past illustrates just how bad inflation can get if it’s not managed properly. It says that a man had to take a wheelbarrow full of money to the bakery simply to buy a loaf of bread, as inflation spiralled out of control. As if this wasn’t bad enough, while inside negotiating with the baker, someone stole his wheelbarrow. The thief then emptied the worthless money and left with the new, empty wheelbarrow. At the moment in Zimbabwe, a loaf of bread costs $16 million and a bucket of peanuts, $700 million, due to inflation being at 100,000%. When governments print higher value money to try to stimulate businesses and to save citizens from bankruptcy and debt, it does nothing but devalue that very same money, simply meaning that more of it needs to be spent to buy the same amount of goods.
“At the moment in Zimbabwe, a loaf of bread costs $16 million and a bucket of peanuts, $700 million”
And finally... Inflation is something that’s actually a part of everyday life, but you often only hear about it when an economy’s performance is repeatedly in the spotlight, like ours is right now. Depending on what you read, the current economy in the UK is either bulletproof or riddled with holes.
“With a smaller population in
the UK, we may be able to better withstand tough economic times”
Several things, however, are certain: we’re watching the US intently as if surveying a crystal ball to predict the events that could unfold here in the coming months. However, we should bear in mind that the US is 38 times larger than the UK, with 303 million residents as opposed to our 60 million. And although we’re a more densely populated nation, it’s ultimately the people’s reaction to the changes in financial stimulus which determines the effect on our currency’s value. Therefore, with a smaller population in the UK, we may be able to actually better withstand these tough economic times than our neighbours across the pond. Movin’ Magazine - Issue 1 - March 2009
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Movin’... homes
Your quick guide to what’s new in the world of property
What’s it all about? Shared ownership schemes seem to be becoming more popular as first-time buyers find it harder to get on the ladder. We look at what the scheme involves, and whether shared ownership is the right option for you. In a nutshell, shared ownership schemes mean that you own the biggest proportion of a property but the original seller still owns a small share of that house, which they can then charge you rent on. Rather than borrowing the whole purchase price from a mortgage lender, it’s as if the owner is lending you the remainder of the money needed, which you then get charged interest on as you would a normal loan. The benefit is that, as you own the larger share of the house, you’re not a tenant. Then at a later date, when you can afford to, you could buy the remaining share from the owner, meaning that you’ll then own 100% of your home.
Sha owne
Why not save money and just rent? There are those who aren’t keen on shared ownership schemes, claiming that they can cost more in the long run than just renting a home in the short term. Because you’re paying out for a mortgage, albeit smaller than the full value of the home you jointly own, plus being responsible for the basic related costs of home ownership such as insurance, maintenance and legal fees, some would say, ‘Why not save money and just rent?’. However, the big bonus to consider is that this option might work out cheaper than renting in the long run if the value of the property goes up. This could pay back the cost of buying the house in the first place, but could also make you a nice profit as well. In this scenario, a shared ownership scheme is simply a way of getting a leg-up onto the property ladder, with the added chance to make a sizeable profit in the future.
Explain! Imagine you want a house with two bedrooms and two reception rooms. In the case of shared ownership, it’s like buying three of the four rooms and then having the option to buy the extra room when you have enough money in the future. So in the mean time, you rent the fourth room and buy it when you’ve saved up more money. There are plenty of benefits to being a homeowner rather than just a tenant, which is why these schemes are proving more and more popular among first-time buyers. One major benefit is that in order to be called a ‘home-owner” by a bank, credit card company, car company etc., you must have a mortgage on a property – something that you obviously get the chance to more easily achieve with shared ownership.
Getting shar the
By owning a home in this way, it shows that you’re quite simply considered a low-risk customer by a reputable lender, i.e., the mortgage provider, and that you should therefore should pose less of a risk to other lenders.
With developments in Warrington by George Wimpey, Countryside Properties, Charter Homes, Miller Homes, Gladedale, Elan Homes, a
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www.movinmagazine.com Your quick guide to what’s new in the world of property
Movin’...homes
“
We consider shared ownership to be becoming the norm for first-time buyers or any buyers looking to re-enter the property market for whatever reason. Clearly, recent price rises are accelerating faster than incomes and, as a result, shared ownership remains the only real option for the average buyer to gain a place on the property ladder. Purchase of property via this route also provides less of a risk in more difficult market conditions, with the facility to purchase a higher percentage of the value when their financial circumstances allows them to do so.
Are you getting more interest on your site?
“
We have seen a considerable increase in activity that has resulted in a larger amount of enquiries being passed to owners of properties eligible for shared ownership schemes. For 2005–2006, enquiries were up by 8%; 2006–2007 were up 112%; and in 2007–2008 enquiries grew by 163%. Perhaps most significant is the demographic profile of the buyers we see, which reflects the demand in the first-time buyer market, with 87% of internet searches by people between the age group of 25–45 years, with 65% of these buyers looking in the price range of £50,000– £250,000.
“
How do you see the future of shared ownership?
“
Despite a downturn in recent market conditions, it’s difficult to foresee prices changing to a big enough degree to allow buyers in need to buy without over extending themselves. With this in mind, shared ownership remains the only real option and a vital tool in underpinning the rest of the property market.
“
g your re of pie
We interviewed Chris Browne of Smart New Homes to give you an insight in to what’s really happening in the market in your area at the moment.
“
ared ership
What are the benefits of shared ownership?
With many buyers regarding property as an investment first and foremost when buying a house, the need for detailed and lengthy research has never been so important. “Location, location, location” is the motto of the experienced developers, but this can be a case of easier -said-than-done when that desirable location isn’t offering any shared ownership schemes and the second homes are just too expensive. Luckily, many new-build homes are available in Warrington and surrounding areas, and this may well be the time to pick up a great bargain. With such great investment, design and development in Warrington, you’re certainly in with a chance of finding a fresh, new home at a bargain price while still not having to take on the liability of a full value mortgage.
nd McInerney Homes to name but a few, there are houses, plots and incentives available for every type of buyer popping up in Warrington.
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www.movinmagazine.com Your quick guide to what’s new in the world of property
Movin’... homes
HomeBuy
a government-led initiative
The scheme also helps house builders by enabling more first-time buyers to be in a position to actually buy the newly built properties they’re offering. The scheme will be offered on specific new-build properties nominated by developers. Buyers will be offered a loan of up to 30% of the purchase price, co-funded by the Government and the developer. We asked Carol Lavender of Warrington’s Homebuy representative, Riverside Home Ownership, to summarise what this new scheme is all about.
Movin’ Magazine: What is the idea behind the Homebuy Direct Scheme? Carol Lavender: HomeBuy Direct is the latest version of a number of different schemes that fall under the general HomeBuy label. Back in 2005 the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister came up with the HomeBuy concept to encourage and support affordable home ownership. The new scheme is being overseen by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) with local agents across the country implementing it. Up to 10,000 first time buyers could be offered an equity loan for a number of properties at specified developments across the
“
country. This loan could be up to 30% of the full purchase price with equal contributions from the HCA and the Developer. There is no fee on the loan for the first five years and it can be redeemed in instalments, if the purchaser wants, by buying up to 100% equity. The loan is repayable when you sell your home. Anyone who wants to participate in the scheme must take out a first mortgage for a minimum of 70% of the purchase price. A scheme’s aim, in summary, is to stimulate the housing market by helping first time buyers get a new home. People currently priced out of the market can be prised back into it through HomeBuy Direct.
Up to 10,000 first time buyers could be offered an equity loan of up to 30% of the price of a newly built house they would like to buy. Carol Lavender – Riverside Home Ownership Director
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“
HomeBuy Direct is a new ‘shared equity’ scheme designed to help up to 10,000 first-time buyers into affordable home ownership, and those affiliated with the scheme have been allocated £300m of Communities and Local Government funding.
www.movinmagazine.com Your quick guide to what’s new in the world of property
MM: How is Riverside Housing involved with the scheme?
MM: What does the initiative mean for home buyers, and who is eligible for the initiative?
CL: Riverside Home Ownership is the Homebuy agent for Cheshire. We used to be called the “zone agent” but I think everyone felt that was a little too Doctor Who so now we are a plain old agent.
Riverside Home Ownership is the Homebuy agent for Cheshire. At the moment we are gearing up for the launch of Homebuy Direct. We act as a one-stop-shop for people interested in the scheme. We do assessments of the eligibility of would-be buyers. Being the agent also means we are now involved in the Mortgage Rescue Scheme, so, we don’t only help first time buyers onto the property ladder, we also support them after they have taken this step.
“
“
CL: The first homes under the new scheme will be available early this year. If you are thinking of buying a house but cannot afford the full open market purchase price the scheme can make it easier to secure a mortgage. A buyer would only have to get a 70% mortgage because of the equity loan available.
ll be eligible if you “ You’ are a first-time buyer
“
Movin’... homes
with a household income of less than £60,000 per year.
You will be eligible to apply for this scheme if you are a first-time buyer unable to afford a suitable property on the open market without assistance and your household has an income of less than £60,000 pa. The scheme could also help people who have previously owned their own homes but whose circumstances have now changed as a result of relationship breakdowns , for example. Carol Lavender, Riverside Home Ownership Director
Where can I find out more? Riverside Home Ownership’s Sales Team will be happy to help and advise you on the scheme. Call us on 0845 112 8800. Or you can visit www.cheshirehomebuy.org.uk. A click of the mouse will show you the areas we cover, the properties available and an explanation of the various HomeBuy schemes. The Homes and Communities Agency is also a good source of information – www.homesandcommunities.co.uk
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www.movinmagazine.com Your quick guide to what’s new in the world of property
Movin’... homes
Should I rent my home out?
Part One: Insurance & liability Over the next few issues of Movin’ Magazine, we’ll take a look at a few things we think it’s well worth bearing in mind if you’re thinking about renting your home out. In part one, we look at the different types of insurance cover you’ll need to think about when renting your home out.
Why do you need insurance? As a landlord of a rental property, probably the most important thing is to protect your investment by insuring its buildings and contents.
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Movin’ Magazine - Issue 1 - March 2009
While traditional home insurance may still cover your home, there are some extra risks involved when tenants are occupying your property, which means you may want to consider getting specialist landlord’s insurance.
You need to let your existing insurer know what you’re planning to do, or your policy could become null and void When you’re letting a property that used to be your home, it’s pretty obvious that you need to let your existing insurer know what you’re planning on doing with the house, or your policy could become null and void. Insurers are usually fine with this, but they may want your tenants to meet certain criteria, and may offer you the updated cover for the same premium. “If your existing insurer says it will cost more, look around for another policy.” [advises Malcolm Harrison, spokesman for the Association of Residential Letting Agents.]
Contents insurance If you’re going to rent your house with some furniture and belongings left inside, i.e. as a ‘furnished’ property, you’ll probably want to get contents cover. This will insure you against theft and damage, which is reassuring, but we would suggest that you pay close attention to the exceptions with this. If your tenant leaves a door or window open, for example, then sometimes this can mean that your belongings are no longer covered.
Buildings insurance Buildings insurance is the sure-fire option to make sure that if your home is damaged by fire, for example, then your insurer will repair the damage. Some insurers also include replacing some of the rental income that you would lose [as your tenants find temporary accommodation], but you may need to specifically request this.
www.movinmagazine.com Your quick guide to what’s new in the world of property
Movin’... homes
Public Liability insurance
Rent guarantee insurance
Public liability insurance can be a fairly cheap way of covering all the bases. If a tile falls off your roof and hurts a passer-by, for example, you’d be covered. This type of insurance also insures you, for example, if your tenant trips over tools that you’ve left in the house and hurts themselves in the property. Although claims under public liability insurance are often few and far between, if you’re the type of person to lie awake at night thinking about these things, then it’s probably the option for you!
Rent guarantee insurance, although often expensive, can provide further peace of mind if you’re not 100% confident that your tenants will pay their rent on time. This type of insurance policy works in a similar way to your car insurance: you can pay an excess towards the claim and if you don’t receive your rent then they’ll provide you with the missing rental payments. When you think that this kind of insurance means you don’t have to worry about being able to afford the mortgage repayments, then it starts looking like a pretty good investment.
tents
Con ldings Bui ty c Liabili lity li b u P bi yer’s Lia lo p m E arantee u g t n e R
Employer’s liability insurance If you do any renovations or invite trades people and contractors into your property, you may want to consider getting employer’s liability insurance. This time, the cover is to protect any hired help you employ. If you’re doing a full-scale renovation, for example, then this can be particular worthwhile when you consider the fact that you, as landlord, are solely responsible for preventing any injuries on-site.
Look out for Part Two of this feature in the next issue of Movin’ Magazine Movin’ Magazine - Issue 1 - March 2009
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Movin’ Magazine - Issue 1 - March 2009
Movin’... style
Black birdcage pendant shade, Wilko Elisse, £20
Harveys the furniture store, £54.99
Contemporary duck egg base lamp
‘Paris’ floor lamp, Marks and Spencer, £79
Vintage rose 5 light chandelier, BHS, £100
www.movinmagazine.com Movin’ Magazine looks at the hottest trends this month
‘Lyra’ rose pendant, Littlewoods Direct, £35
BEST
elegant TEN LIGHTING
www.movinmagazine.com Movin’ Magazine looks at the hottest trends this month
Jungle Shade, Debenhams, £30
Movin’... style
Porcelain Floral Pendant, Next, £35
Ele gan t
lea
f la
mp
,M
ata
lan
Acc
ess
orie
s, £
20
White 4 flame chandelier, Dotcomgiftshop.com, £29.95
‘Influence’ floor lamp, Matalan, £65
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www.movinmagazine.com Movin’ Magazine looks at the hottest trends this month
Movin’... style
...
Get The Look
Ultra Violet Don’t be afraid to mix shades of purple this spring. It’s a bright enough combination to take you through to the summer months, but sultry enough to wear on cool March evenings too.
Left: Purple Satin Clutch Bag, Lipsy Accessories, £30
Above: Purple stone stretch bracelet and ring, House of Fraser, £18/15
Left: Limited lace lilac lingerie, Marks & Spencer, £14/6 Right: Black Gardenia satin concealed platform court with frill detail, Barratts, £40
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Movin’ Magazine - Issue 1 - March 2009
Right: Purple enamel flower ring, Accessorize, £15
www.movinmagazine.com Movin’ Magazine looks at the hottest trends this month
Movin’... style Left: Purple crochet trim dress, ASOS.com, £30
Right: Grecian Maxi dress, Evans, £60
Above: Purple maternity dress, Holly Willoughby, Littlewoods Direct, £35
Left: Verona Parma violet chiffon dress, Long Tall Sally, £88
Right: Purple Suzy dress, Monsoon, £55
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01935 812 138 enquiries@binends.com
EXCEPTIONAL WINES ONLINE Thinking twice about the price before buying good wines? At www.binends.com we bring you the very best of wines at really quite silly prices! Visit the site and discover the tempting offers, and while you’re there have a ‘rant’ on the Blog page about one of the wine topics under discussion. Also you can call us on 01935 812138, or write to enquiries@binends.com
THIS MONTH’S “SPECIAL” Yellowglen Yellow sparkling wine. Established in 1971, Yellowglen was named after a gold mine that was discovered in the middle of what became premium vineyards. Today Yellowglen delivers treasures of another kind, their quality wines. Yellow is all about bubbly fun. It’s vibrant and fruity with the zing of melon, pineapple and citrus fruits. This non-vintage wine is crafted predominantly from Chardonnay with some Pinot Noir, and sourced from SouthEastern Australia. Binends.com has got its hands on a parcel of this marvellous party wine at a price not to be missed. Bottle size: 75cl Bottles per case: 6 Recommended Retail: £42.00 Binends saving: £15.00 Binends Case Price: £27.00 Equivalent price per bottle: £4.50
www.movinmagazine.com Movin’ Magazine looks at the hottest trends this month
Movin’... style
Hoode d
Top, G eorge at Asd a, £10
Soul Cal stripe zip, Republic, £19.99
TAKE
Soul Cal SD Hoodie, Republic, £19.99
FIVE
Duffle coat, Topman, £40
Who says hoodies can’t be stylish too? This month we take a look at 5 on-trend hoodies that won’t break the bank this spring.
Navy Adamsky Hoodie, Monsoon, £35 Movin’ Magazine - Issue 1 - March 2009
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Movin’... people
Warrington people make a difference at Movin’ Magazine
Your name: Rachel Ferguson Your business’ name: Pink Sapphire Designs Where do you work from : I work from my home in Lymm but I’m hoping to open an independent office where I can hold all our no-obligation consultations. Where did it all begin : It all started when I helped to design my sister’s wedding stationery: she wanted a design that was unique and suited the theme of the wedding so I produced a set that was specific to her style, and then it just grew from there. What’s it all about: We create personalised, hand-made wedding stationery to suit each couple’s personality and wedding theme. How long have you been up and running for: We began to produce our range in October of last year. We put on our first exhibition at a wedding fayre at the Statham Lodge Country House & Hotel in Lymm in November 2008. What’s your proudest moment so far: Completing my first order! It included everything from the wedding invitations to the table plan and was a very modern design.
What’s the hardest aspect of starting a new business: I’d have to say that the hardest part has got to be the start up costs, you spend much more than you’d expect. Where do you take your inspiration from : I read wedding magazines and
Sunday supplements regularly, and I also used my design experience from University. Any advice for new starters: Research into your specific area of expertise and set realistic targets about what you want to achieve from the start. What are your ambitions for the business: To produce a wider range of products to include christening and anniversary stationery, and to expand my customer base within the UK. Where can we find out more: We’ve just set up a brand new website (www.pinksapphiredesigns.co.uk) which shows a selection of the products we’ve produced, along with a clear price list. You can also contact me personally with any questions at pink.sapphire@ymail.com
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Get the most out of life in Warrington this month
At Movin’ Magazine, we’re dedicated to helping Warrington stay green...
Over the past few years, Warrington as a forwardlooking town has started to increasingly focus on recycling and waste management, and when you think that over 65%* of the contents of your bin could be recycled, then there’s probably a little something extra that we can all do to help our town become a greener place to live.
If you missed your collection of your old blue paper bin (with SULO printed on it), then you can still take your old bin to any of Warrington’s three Community Recycling Centres at Gatewarth, Woolston and Stockton Heath.
Source: Cheshire Districts, Warrington and Halton Unitary Authorities, Household Waste Composition Report 1999/00
*
Blue bins – a great place to start! At the moment, Warrington residents are recycling and composting over 32% of their household waste, but the remaining waste we all produce is still going to landfill. With this is mind, a new kerbside recycling scheme was brought into play last year by Warrington council in the hope that more and more Warrington people would be encouraged to recycle their waste. The scheme saw the introduction of the new blue bins, which were delivered to houses across Warrington from late last September to sit beside the green and black bins that we’re already familiar with. The launch of the blue bin replaced the old paper recycling scheme that we used to use, giving us a new larger bin, the same size as the other bins we already own. So how does it work? In a nutshell, when the bins are collected, all the materials we put in there are then taken to a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), where our rubbish is loaded onto conveyor belts for sorting. The materials themselves are sorted using different sorts of specialist machinery, including magnets, sieves and air jets–which is why we’re asked to place all our waste loose directly into the bin, rather than in plastic carrier bags or black sacks. Once the materials are sorted into their different types then they’re ready to baled and sent off to be recycled into new items and products. So what kind of things can we recycle that’ll go towards these new products? Well we thought you might find this quick guide put together by Warrington council useful to refer to. You could cut it out and attach it to your fridge to help you remember what things can and can’t go into your blue bin on dustbin day. And remember, it’s a fortnightly service, but you can also check out when your specific local bin collections are by visiting www.recycleforwarrington.co.uk
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Movin’... life
Get the most out of life in Warrington this month
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Movin’ Magazine - Issue 1 - March 2009
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Movin’... life
Get the most out of life in Warrington this month
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www.movinmagazine.com Get the most out of life in Warrington this month
Movin’... life
Would you like to see a healthier Warrington? Thanks to the A Healthier Warrington initiative, it looks like our town is on the right tracks towards becoming exactly that: a healthier place to live with a better overall standard of local health services. Early in 2008, A Healthier Warrington was launched to find out what local people, organisations and the NHS staff themselves think of the services offered by NHS Warrington. When you consider that every year, Warrington’s NHS spends over £250m on health services for local people* then it’s no wonder that the initiative has had such a great uptake. As part of the first stage of the discussion, in 2008 Warrington Primary Care Trust (WPCT) sent a Health Survey to houses across Warrington; an amazing 10,000 completed surveys were received back, providing a range of diverse local views on the current health services in Warrington and suggestions for future improvements.
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Residents were also invited to take part in several face-to-face events and to sign up to an online forum, where the overall health of the town was the main focus. Following all of these discussions, the following pledges for 2008/09 were agreed:
alth a nd To d eliver bett er he ne in wellbei ng fo r everyo Warri ngto n by: th in equa lit ie s 1. red ucin g heal acro ss Warri ngto n ore ch oice an d 2. give pe op le m se rv ices co nt ro l over health ive, high qu ality 3. prov id e ef fe ct ildin gs se rv ices in bett er bu e ho sp ita l, GPs 4. en su re th at th profession als an d all health togeth er in co nt in ue to work pa rt ne rs hi p ucia l pe rs on al 5. en su re th e cr n pati ent re lation ship betwee ned an d GP is m ai nt ai est st an d ard of 6. en su re th e high an d re spect clea nlin ess, dign ity fo r all. r m on ey se rv ices To d eliver va lu e fo arri ngto n. fo r th e pe op le of W
The next stage for A Healthier Warrington is to work out how to put these pledges into practice. In the winter of 2008, local residents were again invited to discuss the plan for how these pledges were actually going to be achieved. The latest of these public meetings took place last month, but you can still view the full strategy document, plus access more information about this latest stage of A Healthier Warrington, by visiting www. ahealthierwarrington.org.uk or by phoning 01925 843636. We’ll have all the latest when the results are announced, but until then, look out for monthly features in Movin’ Magazine on how we can all contribute towards leading a healthier life in Warrington. *Source: A Healthier Warrington website. http://www.ahealthierwarrington. org.uk
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Calling all mu ms-to-be! Did you know that from April this year, if you’re more than 25 weeks pregnant, then you’re entitled to a one-off, tax-free payment called the ‘Health in Pregnancy Grant’?
Who can claim the Grant? You can claim the Grant if: • your due date is on or after the 6th April 2009 • you’re more than 25 weeks pregnant • you’ve received health advice from a professional, i.e. your midwife or doctor • your main home is in the UK, and you’re not subject to immigration control.
How much can I claim? Here’s the good news: the Grant will be a one-off payment of £190. The Grant isn’t taxable and won’t be income-assessed, meaning that no matter how little or how much you earn, every woman will receive the same amount for each pregnancy.
What’s the purpose of the Grant? The Grant was introduced as part of the Health and Social Care Bill in 2007, and is there to help women with the costs of leading a healthy lifestyle and keeping a healthy diet in the later stages of her pregnancy. During these last few months of a pregnancy, it’s widely-recognised that the well-being of the mother is essential to the development of her child in later life.
How do I claim for the Grant? You need to speak to your midwife or doctor who’ll be able to give you your claim form, which they’ll need to fill in before giving it to you. Don’t forget to get your form back to the Health in Pregnancy Grant Office within 31 days of your midwife or doctor signing it, though, or you might miss out on your payment.
If you’re not yet 25 weeks pregnant, then you can go to the Directgov website (www.direct.gov.uk) where you’ll be able to sign up for a free text to be sent to your phone on your 25th week to remind you to make your claim.
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Movin’... life
Movin’ Tips... Got a question you need answering? If you want advice on how to get rid of cat hair from your sofa, where the cheapest place in Warrington is to buy curtain fabric, or simply what the best recipe is for cooking braised lamb, you can trust the Movin’ Magazine Advice team for expert answers. SEALANT TROUBLES I’m having problems with sealing round my bath in our bathroom. There still seems to be a leak, although I’ve put several layers of sealant on now and just can’t see where the leak can be coming from. Have you got a solution?
Unfortunately, applying new sealant over old layers never seems to do the job. It’s the actual adhesion of the original sealant that matters, as this is what’s keeping the holes closed off between the bath and the tiles. Removing sealant can be a fiddly task though, so we’d advise getting the right tools for the job. You’ll need to buy a sealant removing tool which you can get from most DIY stores for as little as £2.00.
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LIGHT UP DARK AREAS When I get home from work in the evening, it can be a real struggle to find my keys and open the door in the pitch black. I’d like to put a light in our porchway but I’m worried about the cost of getting an electrician in to get an exterior light fitted. Are there any cheaper alternatives? We think these great stick up bulbs from JML are the perfect answer. You simply stick them onto any surface where you need an instant lift, and click them on and off when you need an extra bit of brightness. They’re battery operated and just take a normal light bulb, so there’ll be no need to call the electrician in, and they last for up to 10 years too so you won’t have to worry about being caught out in the dark any time soon. They retail for about £9.99 and you can get them at Wilkinson’s, Boots and ASDA’s.
Get the most out of life in Warrington this month HOW CAN I BEST LOOK AFTER MY OLD PHOTOS?
We have hundreds of old photos that we want to keep safe, but be able to look at more easily as well. Do you know of a way of storing our old albums more effectively? Old photos can be one of your most valuable possessions, but we all know how easy it is for them to get damaged or to forget about them. A great new service is being offered online to those people who want to opt for a way of safeguarding their old photos digitally, allowing them to access and view old albums more easily. The service works by scanning in your old photos to a CD or DVD, and to then send this back to you for a charge. The only downside is obviously having to part with your photos and relying on the mailing system to deliver, but if you use secure mail then you should get your old photos back within a matter of days, as well as a CD or DVD with which you can view all your old photos on your computer. Search for www.scanero. com or www.iphotoscanning. co.uk to find out more.
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Movin’... life GOLFING CLOTHES ON THE HIGH STREET I’m due to go on a golfing trip with some friends in the summer, but I’m concerned about the cost of getting hold of some proper golfing gear. Do you know where I might be able to get hold of some good quality clothes without having to spend a fortune by going to a specialist shop?
The good news for the male golfers out there is that Tesco have just brought in their new Stone Bay Golf range where you can pick up stylish golfing attire without having to pay a huge price. In fact, they have a great water resistant golfing jacket for just £30, and we think that this cotton polo for £14 is a bargain that won’t leave you feeling out of place on the course.
INVENT YOUR OWN SCENT
I find it really hard to get hold of the exact perfume my wife likes, and that won’t give her a headache after a full day of wearing a new scent. Is there an option out there so she can just pick her own scent that won’t cost an arm and a leg? We think this is the right solution for her: The Body Shop have got a great ‘Invent your own fragrance’ kit that lets you experiment to your heart’s content. The kit comes with five vials of fragrance which are all designed to complement each other perfectly from the offset; it’s then up to you how you choose to mix up that perfect signature scent. And what’s more, you can always be reassured with The Body Shop that all their ingredients are cruelty free and don’t involve any animal testing.
STYLISH SOLUTIONS FOR WIDE FEET Because I’ve got quite wide feet, it can be really hard to get hold of stylish shoes that don’t end up feeling like I’ve put my feet through torture by the end of the night. Do you know of anywhere on the high street that caters for us wider-footed females? I can’t be the only one out there?! Rest assured, you aren’t alone – hence why Evans provides a great range of smart and casual shoes in wide fittings without having to break the bank! Every pair is available in sizes 4–10, and what’s more, they put a 4mm padding into their shoes just for that added bit of comfort. We love these metallic wedge sandals that are in store now for just £30.
Ask our experts...
If you have a question you need answering, email our advice team at info@movinmagazine.com
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Movin’ on the web...
This month we take a look at some of the best money saving sites we think you can find by surfing the web at the moment. Whether you’re looking to save money on your utility bills, trying to find a cheap deal on a holiday or just hoping to find your next good read – our breakdown covers it all.
www.moneysavingexpert.com You might already recognise the name as the alter-ego for Martin Lewis, the presenter of It Pays To Watch (Channel 5) and the resident expert on ITV1’s GMTV. His site is a virtual bargain basement, giving you a regularly updated breakdown of all the best deals Martin Lewis can find for anything and everything, from restaurant deals to template letters for reclaiming unfair parking fines. The site also offers a free, weekly email that lets you see the most up-to-date bargain tips in a completely ad-free format.
www.quidco.com We only heard about this site recently, and we were pretty blown away by the concept – and we think you will be too. Basically, just by registering with this site and then shopping at one of the 1200-plus listed shops that you may already shop with online, you’ll be able to earn cashback. How does it work? Well, they simply get paid a percentage when you buy products from those shops after following the link through Quidco’s website, but they’ll then share part of this money with you. A (very small) downside is that they do take £5 out of your earnings a year, although if you end up not buying a sausage, then they just won’t take the money – simple.
www.giveortake.com Giveortake works on pretty much the same premise as quidco.com, but with an added bonus – instead of simply taking that cashback for yourself, it also provides you with the option to give that money to one of their charity partners. You can claim money back on a great range of well-known shops, including eBay, Next, Marks & Spencer, Boden, and Play.com. Whether you choose to save the money or donate the money, we think that this has got to be the new guilt-free way to shop!
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Get the most out of life in Warrington this month
www.petrolprices.com With 8,000 daily updates, this site allows you to compare up-to-date prices of petrol in your area by searching for your postcode. It’ll let you know the highest price in the area, the average price and, most importantly, the cheapest price in the area. We searched for our closest station in Warrington and found a 6p difference per litre – it may not sound like a lot but it all adds up!
www.readitswapit.co.uk This is a great website for the thrifty booklover! ReadItSwapIt is the UK’s largest book swapping website, with over 200,000 books available for you to swap. On average, a book is swapped every 90 seconds, and the best thing is: the site’s totally free to use.
www.saynoto0870.com www.fatfingers.com
The saynoto0870.com website lists many well-known companies, and their equivalent, cheaper geographical numbers. It’s not just 0870 numbers though; the site also offers alternatives for 0800, 0808, 0844, 0845, 0870 and 0871 numbers. We would say add this website as a favourite to your computer and refer to it like you would with Yellow Pages to make some great savings on your telephone bill.
Not only is it a great name for a website, but FatFingers is also a brilliant concept for a moneysaving website. It works by searching for common misspellings of terms searched for on eBay, then linking directly to the search result page on eBay’s site. So for instance, put in the search term ‘chandelier’ and FatFingers will bring up a search result on eBay’s site showing ‘chandliers’ or ‘chandeleirs’, for example. Those terms that are misspelt won’t come up in ordinary searches, so they obviously won’t get as many bids – meaning that you can bag yourself a great bargain!
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07796 267 315
Cuts, blow drying, hair curling, hair up, colour is a speciality, as is bridal hair and party hair. Childrens and mens cuts also available. Trained to NVQ levels 2 & 3 Stef has been cutting hair for seven years and has worked in several professional salons. Phone 07796 267 315 for appointments consultations absolutely free.
Price List Colour from £25.00 (prices vary) Cut & Finish £15.00 Dry Cut £10.00
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Hair Up £15.00 Blow dry £10.00 Wedding prices given upon consultation.
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If you’re looking for a modern, chilling ghost story then this definitely isn’t the book for you. Mantel instead does a great job of turning what ought to be the formless and elusive world of the ethereal into an uncomplicated and frank discussion of life and death in her latest novel that follows on from her much praised Giving Up the Ghost. True, Beyond Black is frequented by a variety of entertaining, if eccentric, ghosts from the past of the main character Alison, but Mantel also manages to tell an analytic and deeply revealing tale of one woman’s neglected childhood in a seedy suburbia. At times the book is garishly funny, often fringing on the vulgar, but at others it gives an emotive insight into a woman’s attempt to come to terms with her inner demons, as well as those more tangible ones that we get to know throughout her haunting in the book. It’s not necessarily a feel-good read, but it’s definitely a book you can sink your teeth into, and probably unlike anything you’ve read before. £7.99
We can usually rely on Marian Keyes for her lighthearted, romantic novels, with a few laughs thrown in for extra measure. This Charming Man still delivers on all these fronts, but her latest novel also manages to deal with the grittier, more down-to-earth side of romance and life this time round, taking a close look at how domestic violence and alcoholism crosses the lives of four very different women. It’s definitely not your typical easy-read novel, and it’ll certainly last longer than a week with its 700-plus pages. With all this in mind though, its ability to tackle harsh subjects while still managing to put a smile on your face means it’s definitely a page-turner that’s worth a recommendation. £12.99
Do you love to read? If so, did you know that there are several reading groups that meet at our libraries across Warrington? A poetry club is also held at Warrington library monthly, as well as book clubs for younger library members. Visit www.warrington. gov.uk/leisureandculture/libraries or email library@warrington. gov.uk to find out more. Movin’ Magazine - Issue 1 - March 2009
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ENGAGE SUPER LEAGUE’S OPENING ROUND IS A RECORD BREAKER The record-breaking total set over the recent weekend is also only 973 supporters behind the record attendance for any round of matches in the 13-year history of the competition (78,917 for Round 25 of the 2007 season).
The opening round of the 2009 engage Super League season was a record breaker with the seven matches attracting an all-time high aggregate attendance of 77,944 (an average of 11,132 people per game). That figure comfortably beats the previous best aggregate for an opening round, which was 69,499 set by the six matches in the opening week of the 2004 season. Super League was a 14-club competition in 1999 but, on the opening weekend of that campaign, the round one aggregate only reached 47,758!
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Commenting on the news, the RFL’s Chief Executive Nigel Wood said, “This is a tremendous start for the engage Super League and clearly demonstrates that the competition continues to grow and develop at a healthy rate. We believe the League offers a unique family sporting entertainment experience and supporters are responding to this in ever increasing numbers. “The players and the coaches have worked extremely hard in the off-season and have already produced some exciting and gripping contests.”
“We feel there will be many more exciting occaissions as the 2009 engage Super League progresses. Indeed, the Round 8 fixtures staged over Maundy Thursday and Good Friday have the potential to attract tremendous gates and possibly set a new all-time record. “The combination of a set of highly attractive fixtures, including many huge local derbies and the traditional heightened enthusiasm supporters have for the engage Super League at this point of the season, is set to generate massive gates. “The message to all supporters has to be that if you’re not a season ticket holder, stay in close touch with your clubs regarding ticketing arrangements in the build-up to what will be a series of huge games.”
Wood added, “We would also like to thank and recognise the tremendous efforts of the marketing and PR staff at all the clubs who have worked so energetically and productively to promote and organise what was a highly successful opening weekend.” James Lowes, Wolves’ newly-promoted coach
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Movin’... life
RUGBY LEAGUE: BEST VALUE FOR MONEY Warrington Wolves fans have something extra to cheer for with the season ahead in 2009, amidst the signing of former Wigan hero, Mickey Higham. A survey commissioned by The Co-operative to compare match ticket prices of different sports showed rugby league as having the best value for money tickets. This means that you can ultimately watch a better Warrington Wolves team for less! The average cost of an adult season ticket for a Super League side is less than half the football equivalent. In addition, Opta, a sports statistics company, discovered that the ball stays in play for between 63–69% of the match, compared with between 38–44% for rugby union, and 56% in football. Liz Markin, The Co-operative’s Sponsorship Manager, said: “At a time when every pound in a consumer’s pocket counts, the statistics show that rugby league is the best value for money out of these three major spectator sports.”
Warrington Wolves Fixture List 2009
M ovin ’
Magazine
8th March Leeds Rhinos
Home
3:00pm
14th March Harlequins RL
Away
3:00pm
22nd March Hull KR
Home
3:00pm
29th March Celtic Crusaders
Home
3:00pm
10th April Salford City Reds
Away
3:00pm
13th April Castleford Tigers
Home
3:00pm
17th April Bradford Bulls
Away
8:00pm
26th April Huddersfield Giants
Home
3:00pm
Murrayfield
6:30pm
16th May Hull FC
Away
8:00pm
22nd May Wigan Warriors
Home
8:00pm
Away
3:30pm
14th June Bradford Bulls
Home
3:00pm
20th June Catalans Dragons
Away
8:00pm
28th June Hull FC
Home
3:00pm
Away
6:00pm
12th July St Helens
Home
3:00pm
19th July Huddersfield Giants
Away
3:00pm
26th July Salford City Reds
Home
3:00pm
31st July Leeds Rhinos
Away
8:00pm
14th August Wigan Warriors
Away
8:00pm
23rd August Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Home
3:00pm
Away
3:00pm
Home
3:00pm
3rd May Hull KR
7th June Castleford Tigers
4th July Celtic Crusaders
6th September Hull KR 13th September Harlequins RL
All fixtures are provisional and subject to change. Always check with the stadium before leaving home. In addition to these Engage Super League fixtures, there will be Carnegie Challenge Cup fixtures and, depending on table position, Super League Playoff matches. Matchday tickets start from £17 (adult) and £11 (concession). Season tickets start from £201 (adult) and £131 (concession). For ticket enquiries, call 0871 622 1879, or visit the website at www.warringtonwolves.org
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ISSUE 1
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Movin’ in the garden With Spring just around the corner, March is a busy time in the garden while you get all those jobs done that you’ve been putting off since Christmas. And with British Summer Time starting this month, there’s an extra hour of daylight in the evening to get all those jobs done! Spring-flowering perennials such as snowdrops, witch-hazel and begonia will start to be making an appearance in the garden, as well as those first few daffodils telling us that spring is definitely on its way. St. Patrick’s Day is usually regarded as the date to remind you to prune your bush roses. The old branches need to be cut out close to ground level, getting rid of the thin shoots as well. Cut any of the younger growths back to about 15–20cms above the outwardpointing buds.
If you’re planning on planting sweet peas you’ll need to dig a trench just under a meter deep (if you can), filling the bottom of the trench with old, wet newspapers and some manure to retain moisture. Then fill in the trench with compost and topsoil, and leave it to settle ready for planting.
Make your first priority cutting the grass; it’s a good bet that it’ll be in a bit of a mess by now if you’ve not been able to tackle it since last autumn. Wait for a day of dry weather, and cut it to about double the height you’d usually aim for, remembering to get rid of any of the cuttings. Then, if you have time on that same day or a few days after, cut it down again to the height you want. If you’ve been putting off sowing a new lawn then the next 8 weeks are probably the best time to get the job done. The first thing to do is cultivate the soil and then level out the ground, making sure any debris is sifted out first of all. A good tip, if you have the time, is to wait for the first lot of weeds to come to full fruition, then kill them off with a good quality weed killer. This gives your lawn a head start before the weeds even have a chance to grow. 56
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Movin’... life as Pe pa ra g u s A s a rb ub R h ra dis h rs e o H ich o k e s rt A in a ch Sp a g e bb a C u lif lowe r a C w be rri e s St ra e rri e s eb Blu la dio la G ie s il L hli a s Da s e s m ro Pri s n s ie Pa e et pea s Sw
To p l a nt th t his m on
If your snowdrops aren’t flowering very well then they’re probably just overcrowded. If you divide the bunch into smaller clumps then you can make sure that you’ll have a better growth next year. Plant the clump straight away, making sure not to damage either the foliage or the bulb.
Your pond will need a quick inspection now just before it’s due to come back to life. Check the pump and clean out the filters, making sure that the oxygenating plants are thinned out and separated. For the kids, it’s an exciting time as frogs are busy in the pond and toads will start to lay their eggs a little later.
If your garden’s in desperate need of some instant colour, try planting some primulas (or primroses) in the borders. They’re easy to plant and come in a range of bright and vibrant colours. Tulips are also a great way to brighten up the garden. If you visit a garden centre at the moment they should have some contemporary pots in that you can plant straight away for some great colours. Don’t forget to use your green bin to recycle any garden waste and help the environment. Look for your green bin collection dates at www.recycleforwarrington.co.uk
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Movin’... March Vintage 3-tier cake stand We think any Mum would feel like a domestic goddess serving treats on this cakestand: move over Nigella. BHS, £12
Black Floral Vase This vase is a complete bargain at £6 from Wilkinson’s, leaving you with some money left over to get a beautiful bunch of flowers to present it with! Wilkinson, £6
Want to show your mum how much you care this Mother’s Day? We’ve got some great gift ideas to really treat her this year.
Hand Painted Teapot This hand painted teapot from Next is sure to go down well this Mother’s Day, and we’re certain it can brighten up any kitchen shelves this spring. Next, £10
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Clutch Bag For the glamorous Mum, pop down to Debenhams and pick up this gorgeous clutch bag. It’s not cheap at £40 but it’ll see her right through those summer and winter parties. Debenhams, £40
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Movin’... March
Vintage-style notebook We just love this vintagestyle French notebook from Dotcomgift.shop. They’ve got a lovely range of products perfect for mums, and this notebook is sure to add a bit of glamour to her shopping lists and note taking. Dotcomgiftshop.com, £6.95
Black and white footstool Help your mum put her feet up this Mother’s Day, quite literally, with this luxurious footstool. TK Maxx, £24.99
Moringa Body Butter Body Shop Body Butter is a popular treat for most women, and we think this Moringa version is the perfect Mother’s Day gift with its elegant, floral scent. The Body Shop, £12.50
Oversized corsage Mums will love either wearing it attached to a lovely spring jacket or simply pinned to a handbag. Either way it’s a pretty, floral gift any mum would love. Dorothy Perkins, £12
Morrocan Mosaic Lantern This Moroccan lantern makes for a gorgeous Mother’s Day present, and in the summer she’ll be able to use it in the garden for evening parties. Matalan, £4
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Movin’... March Britain’s favourite funny man, returns with his unique DATE: Sunday 8th March brand of zany humour. ‘ReasVENUE: Pyramid & suringly outrageous’; don’t Parr Hall miss this legendary enterTICKETS: £17.00/18.50 tainer. Music, mayhem and trouser droppin’ madness guaranteed. FREDDIE STARR
Warrington Wolves v Leeds Rhinos KICK OFF: 3:00pm WEDDING FAYRE DATE: Sunday 8th March 12.00–4.00pm VENUE: The Lymm Hotel 2 catwalk shows at 1.00pm and 3.00pm respectively. Free entry and free parking, as well as complimentary Bucks Fizz on arrival. Liverpool Reserves v Manchester United KICK OFF: 7:30pm DATE: Tuesday 12th March VENUE: Halliwell Jones Stadium TICKETS: TBC
DATE: Sunday 8th March VENUE: Halliwell Jones Stadium TICKETS: £17.00–£24.00 (Adult) £11.00–£16.00 (Concession)
MR SMITHIES AND THE LOST TOMBS OF PERU! Journey through ancient Peru as Victorian archaeologist Mr Smithies takes you on a free adventure to uncover one of the largest collections of Peruvian artefacts in Britain. Find out how the former assistant manager of a Warrington cotton mill came to amass this unique collection of pots, skulls, mummies and metalwork. DOVES, the Manchester three-piece, release their fourth album ‘Kingdom Of Rust’, in April with a single of the same name out the DATE: Until 21st March week before. VENUE: Warrington MuDATE: Thursday 12th March seum & Art Gallery VENUE: Pyramid & Parr Hall ADMISSION: Free TICKETS: £18.00 JIMMY CARR DATE: Saturday 14th March VENUE: Pyramid & Parr Hall TICKETS: £20.00 Since leaving work as psychotherapist and becoming a standup comedian in 1998, Jimmy has won over audiences in the top comedy clubs all over the country. His lovingly crafted one-liners deconstruct modern living and confess to his most middle-class tendencies. According to Jimmy himself, “This show is exactly the same as last year’s except every single word. It’s rude, crude and offensive but those aren’t the only reasons you’ll enjoy it. Not for the fainthearted (the faint-hearted should also avoid salt).”
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Movin’... March
Warrington Wolves v Hull KR
MARK WATSON DATE: Saturday 21st March VENUE: Pyramid & Parr Hall TICKETS: £15.00/13.00
KICK OFF: 3:00pm DATE: Sunday 22nd March VENUE: Halliwell Jones Stadium TICKETS: £17.00–£24.00 (Adult) £11.00–£16.00 (Concession)
In 2008, Mark Watson won Best Show at the Adelaide and Sydney Comedy Festivals, completed a 100-date tour of the UK, Australia and New Zealand, recorded the second series of his cult Radio 4 show Mark Watson Makes The World Substantially Better, trained as a climate change lecturer under Al Gore, performed another 24-hour show, published his third book, Crap At The Environment and continued his regular appearances on the likes of BBC2’s Mock The Week.
WEDDING FAYRE DATE: Sunday 29th March VENUE: The Daresbury Park Hotel Free entry and free parking, with a complimentary drink on arrival.
He is one of Britain’s most talked about comedians, but also, is quite tired and a bit stressed. He returns to the road with a brand new show where he describes his attempts to reclaim his sanity. SPRINGWATCH Will spring be late or early this year? Which plants and creatures will be stirring from the long winter sleep? Will any early migrant birds be with us from foreign shores? Liverpool Reserves v Newcastle United KICK OFF: 7:00pm DATE: Tuesday 24th March VENUE: Halliwell Jones Stadium TICKETS: TBC
The only way to answer these questions is to join the Rangers today and allow them to guide you round this eighty acre Nature Reserve and find out. Please dress according to the weather. Stout footwear is essential. Toilet and cleaning facilities available at the centre. DATE: Sunday 29th March VENUE: Rixton Claypits Local Nature Reserve (Manchester Road, WA3 6EB) ADMISSION: Free
Warrington Wolves v Celtic Crusaders KICK OFF: 3:00pm DATE: Sunday 29th March VENUE: Halliwell Jones Stadium
TICKETS: £17.00–£24.00 (Adult) £11.00–£16.00 (Concession) Ticketline: 01925 248888
All information is subject to change. Details correct at time of going to press. You should always check with promotor and/or venue before leaving for the event.
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What has this month got in store for Warrington?
Movin’... March
Warrington Entertainment Directory...
Venues... The Bridgewater Players 0845 331 2958 Thelwall Parish Hall & Lymm Village Hall Warrington Cheshire www.bridgewaterplayers.co.uk The Pyramid & Parr Hall 01925 442 345 Palmyra Square South Cultural Quarter Warrington Cheshire WA1 1BL www.pyramidparrhall.com Warrington Rhytmn ‘n’ Blues 01925 636 450 Warrington Town FC Loushers Lane Warrington Cheshire WA4 2RS www.wrbcblues.co.uk WA1 Venue Bar 01925 638 776 c/o The White Hart 56 Sankey Street Warrington Cheshire WA1 1SB www.toxictea.com/wa1
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Movin’ in... Catalyst Science Discovery Centre 0151 420 1121 Mersey Road Widnes Cheshire WA8 0DF www.catalyst.org.uk The Cycle Museum 01928 711 395 Walton Hall Gardens Walton Lea Road Higher Walton Warrington Cheshire WA4 6SN
Northwest Face Indoor Climbing Centre 01925 650 022 St. Ann’s Church Winwick Road Warrington Cheshire WA2 7NE www.northwestface.com Warrington Museum & Art Gallery 01925 442 733 Museum Street Warrington Cheshire WA1 1JB museum.warrington.gov. uk
Movin’ out... Arley Hall and Gardens 01565 777 353 Arley Northwich Cheshire CW9 6NA www.arleyhalland gardens.com
Rixton Claypits Local Nature Reserve 0161 777 9726 Moat Lane Rixton Warrington Cheshire WA3 6ED
Gulliver’s World Theme Park 01925 444 888 off Shackleton Close Old Hall Warrington Cheshire WA5 9YZ www.gulliversfun.co.uk
Walton Hall and Gardens 01925 601 617 Walton Lea Road Higher Walton Warrington Cheshire WA4 6SN www.warrington.gov.uk/ waltongardens
Movin’ Magazine - Issue 1 - March 2009
Nightlife... The Cottage Restaurant 01925 241 888 90 Church Street Warrington Cheshire WA1 2TF www.thecottagerestaurant.co.uk Spirit Restaurant 01925 232 527 Victoria Park Knutsford Road Warrington Cheshire WA4 1DG www.spiritrestaurant.co.uk Tom at 101 Restaurant, bar & grill 01925 212 660 101 London Road Stockton Heath Warrington Cheshire WA4 6LG www.tomat101.co.uk The White Apron 01925 444 894 27 Church Street Warrington Cheshire WA1 2SS www.thewhiteapron.co.uk
Movin’ Magazine - Issue 1 - March 2009
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