MANAGE YOUR LIFE

You get what you pay for

Moving house can be extremely stressful, but it doesn't need to be. Mary finds out why you should stick to a local agent

SELLING YOUR HOUSE is easy isn’t it? You find an online seller, pay your money up front, usually just a bit shy of £1,000; take a few photos, they put it on rightmove and Bob’s your uncle, you have an offer in a couple of weeks. Job done.

But it’s not quite as simple as that as many of you who have sold a house know. If it’s in a chain things can go wrong, sellers and buyers can have meltdowns and pull out; searches and surveys can show up real horrors, or what would initially appear to be real horrors, so you lose your buyer; solicitors can go AWOL just when you need some really quick answers or the chain just grinds to a halt and no one seems to want to do anything about it. And the list goes on and on and on. So you ring your online agent for help, but they’re not interested. You are speaking to someone in a call centre and they’ve already seen the colour of your money so you can clear off and sort it out yourself, they’ve got someone else to get a fee off. Hard luck if your sale falls through, you’ve already paid your fee and you won’t be getting a refund. This is when most of us would have to go and lie down in a darkened room.

Death, divorce and house moving are classed as some of the most stressful moments in our life, and unfortunately they can sometimes coincide. Buying and selling a house is up there on the top of the list of stress related moments in your life, and most of us do it more than once. Many of us numerous times. And we do not want to experience that dreaded scenario I’ve just written about, but sadly many of us do. And very interestingly, it’s more often than not a case of ‘once bitten, twice shy’ if you have ever tried selling through an online process as you quickly find out you get what you pay for. So initially you pay less with your fee but realistically it’s probably going to cost you more in solicitor’s fees, complications and a much slower transaction. Can your stress levels really cope with that?

Sowden Wallis have had a high profile in Stamford since Emma Sowden and Tom Wallis set up the business in May 2014. They had worked together previously as estate agents and when the company they worked for was bought by a large chain they decided to go it alone. ‘We didn’t want to work for a large chain of estate agents,’ says Emma. ‘We wanted to be independent so we could make our own decisions and offer the type of service we wanted to; the large corporate world wasn’t for us.’

And it’s paid off. Sowden Wallis are rightly proud of their reputation for excellent customer service. And because of this reputation they get a lot of referrals and repeat business. Basically they will hold your hand from the minute you instruct your sale to the moment you hand your keys over to the new buyer. As Emma said: ’we don’t get paid until the money is in the bank so it is in our interest - as well as the seller's - to make sure the sale goes through as smoothly as possible. This is what we are here for. Many problems that occur in a chain are usually easily sorted by a few phone calls. We usually know the solicitors and other agents in the chain so are on top of what is going on. You really do need a ‘human being’ to sort things out, keep the

M ANAGE YOUR LIF E

'Sowden Wallis have had a high profile in Stamford since Emma Sowden and Tom Wallis set up the business in May 2014.'

seller calm and keep the buyer on board.

‘Selling a house - and buying, to be fair - can be an emotional time,’ says Emma. ‘Not all sales are for happy reasons; death and divorce, break ups, money troubles are all up there to help add more stress which we can help alleviate where we can. Buying a house is probably going to be the biggest transaction of your life so it’s really worth paying that bit extra to have a familiar voice at the end of the phone or face in the office that you can rely on and trust and who can help make everything easier for you. You know we will recommend solicitors who are effective, keep you updated with progress and make sure that your sale goes through efficiently.’

The housing market has always been pretty volatile and since the pandemic things have been hectic. Pre-pandemic the market was quite subdued but since Covid houses are flying off the market, ‘we just can’t get hold of enough stock,’ says Emma.

Everybody had to shut for seven weeks right at the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020 but since reopening Emma and Tom and their six staff have been rushed off their feet. Many people decided to move as they wanted more outside space, an office, or wanted to be nearer to parents or grandchildren. And when stamp duty was abolished the market took off in a huge way. ‘I have been in the industry for 17 years and have never known anything like it,’ says Emma with Tom nodding in agreement. ‘And solicitors nearing retirement say exactly the same. The last 18 months has been phenomenal which has been great for us, if rather stressful!’

Emma and Tom have found that many people have been returning to Stamford during the pandemic as well as people buying locally who have no connection to the area. Many people’s lifestyles have changed so their property needs have as well. Stamford and the surrounding villages have benefitted from this. ‘We are crying out for four bedroomed houses at about the £500k mark,’ says Emma. ‘We are finding that we have to cut off viewings as we have so many people wanting to look round it’s just not feasible.’ They are also finding that many properties are being sold off market, people either want to sell privately or properties are being snapped up before they come to the market. So if you are seriously looking it’s sensible to register with an agent so they can contact you if something suitable comes up.

Sowden Wallis pride themselves that they will never over value to get business, nor will they drop their fee to silly levels, again to secure business. ‘It’s foolish to do either,’ says Emma. ‘We don't need to buy business and it’s wrong to over value as then a seller’s expectations are raised to unrealistic levels and they end up being disappointed.’

As well as selling properties Sowden Wallis also have a lettings department. And again have many more prospective tenants than properties. ‘I have never known the rental and sales markets be so buoyant at the same time,’ says Emma. ‘It’s usually one or the other, but not any more!’

Sowden Wallis, unlike some letting agents, never add a percentage to bills that landlords have to pay. ‘The landlord only pays what they are invoiced from a tradesman, so everything is completely transparent. Landlords pay us a management fee and that is the only charge we make to them.’

‘We pride ourselves on being independent and being able to make our own decisions. We are known in the town and surrounding villages as offering excellent customer service, know the property market well and can be trusted. All of which is very important to us, and because of this we get a lot of repeat business, which of course is what we want,’ say both Emma and Tom.

Sowden Wallis have a vacancy for a weekend accompanied viewer so do get in touch if you are interested.

www.sowdenwallis.co.uk

WILL’S WALK

The Chater valley

Three villages in the heart of Rutland and blissfully quiet countryside make for the perfect Sunday stroll. By Will Hetherington

The Chater valley here is good for the soul.

Difficulty rating

ACTIVE INFO

I PARKED ON Morcott Road at the eastern end of Wing, but you can park anywhere along the main road in the village. Walk eastwards out of the village and just after you pass the last houses on the left you will see a lane running downhill to the left. Don’t walk down the lane but you will see a footpath sign in the trees just after the lane on the left. Take this path and follow it through two small fields, past a farm on the left and then across another larger field. You will then cross the minor road that runs down to Lyndon and keep heading east across the next bigger field. If the path is not clearly visible (it wasn’t when I last walked this way) aim for the left hand edge of the block of trees ahead. You will find the next stage starting in a gap in the hedge to the north of this wood. From here there is a path with a tall hedge on the left and a fence on the right, which leads to Pinfold Lane on the edge of Pilton. It’s worth a very short stroll into Pilton, one of Rutland’s very quietest settlements, but to continue the walk turn left on Pinfold Lane and head downhill along the road. You will soon pass the signposted entrance to Chater Valley Farm on the left and then go underneath the railway before reaching the junction. Turn right here, cross the bridge and continue uphill along the magnificent tree-lined avenue towards Lyndon. Just as you reach Lyndon take the path on the left and pass one stunning red brick house and then Just off Glaston Road in Wing there Lyndon Hall itself. Perhaps you can allow yourself is a turf cut maze, one of just eight a few delusions of grandeur as you do so. remaining in England. Technically it’s a Follow the path into a narrow band of labyrinth, 14 metres in diameter, with one woodland and then turn sharp left, followed by grass path that winds and backtracks before a right turn along the next hedgerow. Another leading to the centre. There are many theories about the origins of these turf mazes, including references to the classical Cretan left turn at the end of this field will put you on the farm track which winds down to the bridge labyrinth. The Wing maze follows the over the Chater, a good spot for the dogs to have Chartres pattern which copies the a dip and a drink. Cross the bridge and now you design of pavement mazes found have a choice. You can keep going straight uphill in European cathedrals. (over the railway) on the farm track, which will bring you out on the eastern edge of Wing. Or you can turn right immediately after the bridge and then left in 100 metres and follow the path over the railway and then up into Wing where Church Street meets Bottom Street. This second option is more scenic but there are often cattle in the last field before you get into the village. Either way you will end up in the vicinity of the wonderful King’s Arms, which is never a bad thing. The heart of Rutland.

Tree-lined roads are a feature of this walk.

Essential information

WHERE TO PARK On Morcott Road (the main street) in Wing.

DISTANCE AND TIME Three and a half miles/an hour and a half.

HIGHLIGHTS The peace and quiet of the Chater Valley, the tree-lined avenue into Wing and the grandeur of Lyndon Hall.

LOWLIGHTS None spring to mind.

REFRESHMENTS The King’s Arms in Wing.

DIFFICULTY RATING Two paws. Half the walk is on farm tracks and country lanes and the rest is not challenging.

THE POOCH PERSPECTIVE The Chater comes in handy at the right time. There can be cattle in the fi eld below Bottom Street in Wing at the end of the walk, but you can take the farm track back into the village (after the bridge over the Chater) if that’s a problem.

For your own safety and navigation make sure you have an OS map with you when you go out walking. You won’t regret it.

The way to Pilton START/ FINISH

ActiveBody

EDITED BY KATE MAXIM

Heartless arthritis

There is more than one type of arthritis; physio Sarah Babbs explains

MANY PEOPLE COME to physiotherapy for help with their arthritis and there can be confusion around the different types as well as the different types of management that can be offered. The name comes from the Greek ‘arthro’ meaning joint and ‘itis’ meaning inflammation. But often pain and swelling can be present without active inflammation present. Inflammation is the normal response of the body’s immune system to harm - be that physical; a cut or sprain, chemical; a bee sting, or infection. It serves to isolate the injury, remove damaged tissue and lay down new tissue to rebuild.

Acute inflammation generally lasts a few days while chronic inflammation can be affected by many factors including poor diet, smoking, stress, leading to diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

The most well known arthritides are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. In osteoarthritis (OA) the inflammation causes build up of fluid in which chemical factors are present. These chemicals called cytokines can become overwhelming and cause damage to the lining of joints, usually the larger ones such as knees, hips and shoulders. There is often a familial factor, most of those with hip OA will report the same in a parent or sibling. Weight is often quoted as a factor but it is thought that the inflammatory factors in fatty tissue are increasingly to blame rather than the mechanical load put through the joints. This is part of the argument why those who regularly run a reasonable distance, so loading the joints, have less OA than those who are sedentary.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) has chemical inflammation at its source causing redness, swelling and pain at the smaller joints. This leads to damage and often disfiguring joint changes, particularly the hands and shoulders. There are effective disease modifying drug treatments which limit these changes and are often used sooner rather than later in the disease.

Gout is usually a single joint problem, can be incredibly painful and is due to uric acid crystals occurring in the joint. Uric acid is naturally occurring but if it is not adequately excreted by the kidneys, crystals form and pain and swelling occur. Gout can be affected traditionally by dietary factors, port being the most famous but also some medications. Medication is usually the first line of management.

Spondyloarthropathies are joint diseases which occur generally before the age of 45, the most famous being Ankylosing Spondylitis. The flags for this are stiffness of the joints lasting more than half an hour in the morning and blood tests sometimes reveal a genetic marker. Over time this can cause a stooping posture but exercise can limit this.

And what can physiotherapy do to help? One of the first questions I am often asked is: ‘Will I need a new hip/knee?’ This can be the case, but is a last resort. Exercise has enormous effects on pain, stiffness and mobility. Years ago a gentleman asked for help with his hips as he was unable to lift his leg over the motorcycle he had stored over winter. He was concerned his hip stiffness meant a new hip or at the least a new motorbike. Strength and mobility exercise ensued and over ten years later he is still riding on his very own hips, a good result we think.

Exercise can help to keep the joints supported and strong and can be both specific as well as, according to the WHO guidance, more general with 150-300 minutes of moderate or 75-150 minutes of vigorous exercise per week being the most recent advice as well as two or more sessions of weighted exercise for strength. This includes the more inflammatory arthritides though respect must be given during a painful flare up when the management will include the updated POLICE principles (protection, optimal loading, ice, compression and elevation). Exercise can include simple loading and aerobic exercise done at home or in a gym, walking, cycling, always remembering that the best exercise is the one you enjoy and especially the one you actually do.

To contact Sarah ring 07780 900201.

Vital Vitamin C

Gary Trickett knows vitamin C is not just about keeping colds and flu at bay, although it does help

VITAMIN C IS a water-soluble vitamin, meaning it dissolves in water. Because the body can’t produce it and can only store a small amount, we need to source vitamin C on a daily basis. This isn’t too hard to do as there are plenty of food sources of vitamin C and lots of vitamin C supplements to choose from. But why do we need it in the first place?

Vitamin C is important for many reasons but especially so for immune health, collagen synthesis and wound healing. It’s also an important antioxidant.

Vitamin C deficiency is a well-known cause of scurvy, historically associated with sailors being at sea for a long time. Scurvy is relatively rare today, but a poor diet, smoking, alcoholism and eating disorders can all lead to low levels of vitamin C. This causes symptoms such as fatigue, dry or bumpy skin, slow-to-heal wounds, bleeding gums, painful joints, hair loss and, of course, poor immunity.

One of the main reasons people take vitamin C supplements is to boost the immune system. Vitamin C is welldocumented for aiding the prevention of colds and other infections. One way it does this is by encouraging the production of white blood cells that help protect the body against infection.

Not so well-known is the role it plays in helping the body to absorb iron, which in turn is needed to transport oxygen around the body, keeping cells healthy and fighting fit.

Vitamin C is also important for the production of collagen, the main component of connective tissue, which is needed for healthy joints and mobility. Collagen is also important for healthy skin, which contains large amounts of vitamin C, especially in the epidermis, or outer layer of skin. Vitamin C also helps to keep skin healthy by protecting it from oxidative damage.

And since vitamin C is needed for collagen production, low levels of vitamin C can slow the rate of tissue formation, so wounds heal more slowly. Research has shown that people with chronic, non-healing leg ulcers are significantly more likely to be deficient in vitamin C. Slow wound healing is one of the more advanced signs of vitamin C deficiency and typically not seen unless you’ve been deficient for some time.

The good news is there are lots of dietary sources of vitamin C. From brassicas to berries there are plenty of foods that are naturally rich in vitamin C. Strawberries especially are an excellent source of vitamin C, pipping the average orange to the post when it comes to total vitamin C content. Other good food sources are acerola cherries, blackcurrants, kiwis, red peppers, Brussel sprouts, broccoli and kale. All of these foods contain good amounts of natural vitamin C.

But what about supplements? There are, of course, plenty of vitamin C supplements to choose from but do try to source your vitamin C from food first. Your body recognises vitamins in their natural food state best. Many vitamin C products are made synthetically and the body has a hard time recognising and absorbing synthetic vitamin C.

If you are looking to top up, a natural vitamin C supplement can help.

A Vogel’s Nature-C provides naturally occurring vitamin C sourced from real fruits, including acerola, gooseberries and blackcurrants, in a chewable tablet form. It’s perfect for gently supporting your immune system and great if you’re not keen on swallowing tablets. An equally natural Nature-C for Kids is also available for children as young as four – perfect for when that curly kale just isn’t hitting the spot!

For further information visit Gary and his team at Healthy Route, 18 Silver Street, Leicester.