DRAWING ON EXPERT ADVICE

We love to work with locally based experts to ensure our homebuyers get the best possible service, and Brian Masters at Fast Calc Ltd, specialist structural engineers, is a shining example. His association with Chinneck Shaw goes back many years, meeting Neil Shaw Senior back in 1979 when Brian was working in the engineering department at Portsmouth City Council and Neil was with the city estates team.

“He was a true gentleman and when he told me he was going to buy Chinneck’s, I was really pleased for him.

“I left the council and taught at the

Southampton Institute before setting up Fast Calc in 2002.

“And I’ve been working with Chinneck Shaw on and off since 2005,” he said.

Cracking in buildings is Brian’s field of expertise and when the Chinneck Shaw team needs expert advice on a property, Brian is the man they call. It doesn’t take long for prospective homeowners looking at property in Southsea to come across the term, the Great Morass.

Brian explained it was an old creek, probably fed by springs and the infill for the creek extends some 20 metres.

Canoe Lake is part of the Little Morass and the upshot is that the Great Morass can cause instability in foundations.

Having Brian on hand is definitely comforting, as he has an expert understanding of the geography covered by the Little Morass and Great Morass and how to find solutions.

The effects of bombing during World War II can also still be seen in Portsmouth.

“We’ve got maps of the bomb sites but basically every area of the city was affected.

“We are still seeing the effects of bomb damage from the second world war. A bomb fell outside St Cuthberts Church and it knocked the ceilings and windows out of the house that I now own in Baffins and it was 200 yards away,” he said.

“Drainage failure will be the most common reason for cracking in Southsea,” said Brian.

“I get two to three mortgage reports a week on houses that are cracking and I always say to look for drainage failure.

“Often but not always, it is easy to sort and you can repair drains by lining them without escalating them. Often for less than £5,000 these issues can be resolved,” he said.

Victorious returns this month for the August Bank Holiday weekend (25th-27th August), with an even bigger line-up and three full days! Huge headliners Jamiroquai, Kasabian and Mumford & Sons top an impressive bill including British Mercur y Prize winners Alt-J, Raye, Kaiser Chiefs, Ben Howard, DJ legend Pete Tong who will deliver his Ibiza Classics with the Essential Orchestra, Sigrid, Ellie Goulding, Natalie Imbruglia and so much more!

It’s a good job it’s a Bank Holiday! Victorious has so much to do as the ultimate family-friendly, music fans festival, with over 13 stages packed with entertainment There is more than just the music; take your mini festival goer to our Kids Arena filled with FREE activities, then stop by Southsea Skatepark for a roller disco! Have a laugh at our comedy a nd cabaret big top with performances from famous comedians including Omid Djalili, Jason Manford and Dara O Briain Stop by the perfect sundowner spot at Southsea Castle Shop for the perfect festival souvenir amongst tons of unique market stalls and visit the World Music Village to be transported across the globe Plus loads more!

Victorious is always finding ways to give back to the community. Last year they introduced Neighbourhood

Eats, an area dedicated to showcasing the city’s amazing local businesses which offered subsidized pitches to those in the PO postcode Victorious has taken this a step further and this year introduced The People’s Choice Award An online vote was held for people to choose their favourite local catering business to win a FREE pitch in the Neighbourhood Eats area! Family-run food truck Cornish Cookhouse was chosen this year, so will be bringing their tasty, fresh street food to Victorious this Summer! Make sure you ’ re hungr y for this year ’ s festival so you can enjoy the delicious range of food on offer!

Big News! Victorious has recently launched a new app! Download it to start planning your incredible weekend at Victorious 2023! Check out the line-up times and build your own schedule so you don't miss a moment of music, read all about the amazing artists and entertainers performing across our 13+ stages! Plus, the site map will be coming soon!

If you ’d like to find out more, please visit www victoriousfestival co uk or check out their new column in Portsmouth News

Remaining day and weekend tickets are available at victoriousfestival.co.uk

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