Harmes Turner Brown - Property News

Property February 20198

NEWS

Save money on your household bills Page 2

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Small changes make a big difference

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Castles and museums in the UK

Six nations rugby

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PAGE 12

EDITOR’S LETTER

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elcome to the February issue.

With the new year now in full swing, how are your new year resolutions going?

It can be hard trying to keep on top of your hopes and dreams for the year ahead but when it comes to marketing your property, there’s no need to worry about meeting your expectations: we’re always here to lend a helping hand, wherever you are looking to make your move.

Save money on your household bills

And inside this issue, we hope you find plenty of inspiration to keep you motivated to achieve a great year when it comes to you and your move.

If being green is on your list of resolutions, then there are plenty of ideas inside to get you on the right track to do your bit for the planet. And we have some great tips too on how to save money on your household bills – saving you pounds as well as helping the environment.

But if travel and culture is top of your resolution list, then take a peek at our travel article on castles and museums – there’s plenty of inspiration to get you planning!

With Mother’s Day looming, now is the ideal time too to start searching for that special something for the lady in your life. We feature just some of our favourite finds.

As ever, there is plenty inside to keep you reading, so enjoy and we’ll see you next time.

In the meantime, if you need help with your property move in 2019 – just pop in and see us or give us a call.

Linda McKeown Editor

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There is a vast array of household bills involved with the property you’re living in and, with the right knowledge, you can cut back on the costs more than you thought For many, living a ‘greener’ lifestyle goes hand-in-hand with living a more cost-effective one too. ‘Green living’ is essentially the bringing into balance the conservation and preservation of the Earth’s natural resources, habitats, and biodiversity, with human culture and ways of living.

According to Merriam-Webster, the literal definition of the term ‘eco-friendly’ is ‘not environmentally harmful.’ And as more and more environmentally-friendly, or ‘green’, technologies are developing, so too is the interest and investments in eco-friendly and sustainable housing and living.

As these technologies are growing, the meaning of the term is becoming broader.

You’ll find that many of the items discussed here are both a ‘greener’ way of living, whilst cutting back on your bills at the same time.

Perhaps one of the more obvious points in making sure to keep your household bills down to a minimum is ensuring that all appliances and electronic devices in the home are switched off when they’re not in use.

Although this might sound obvious, we all know how easy it is to leave the computer on once we’ve been distracted into doing something else. Since desktops tend to run directly off the main power supply, it’s probably best to at least put it to sleep or hibernation whilst it’s not in use. Televisions, kitchen appliances – even lights – all contribute to the energy usage in your home and, when combined, the usage can be considerable.

Boilers account for approximately 60 per cent of your yearly energy bills, so finding the right boiler to make sure you’re not spending more than is necessary on your energy bills is vital.

By replacing old model boilers with an A-rated one, you could save around £350 and 1.500kg of carbon

monoxide a year, therefore preventing you from reaching boiling point upon paying the bills. Introducing a more modern appliance into your home could not only help you save on your monthly outgoings, but also provide more security and a guarantee of care with a warranty.

could be the way forward. Heat gain and heat loss through windows are responsible for approximately 25% to 30% of residential heating and cooling energy use, so better windows could easily help the bill at the end of the month and not be a ‘pane’ to deal with.

Light bulbs get used almost, if not every day in your home, and often for long periods of time, so making sure your light bulbs are energy efficient could save you a significant amount of money at the end of the year.

Energy-saving light bulbs, such as LED bulbs, can cost approximately a mere £1.71 to run per year. Therefore, over its lifetime, it could save you around £180 from your energy bills, compared with an older, traditionalstyle bulb. So, see the light, and switch!

Switching energy supplier or energy tariff can make a significant difference in terms of what you spend each year on household bills, and it’s said that you could save up to £300 a year if you switch to the right supplier/ tariff. It pays to shop around, so use price comparison websites and even phone different energy suppliers to get quotes and a more energised perspective on what’s going to be best for you. Don’t just look at cheaper prices either – also keep your eyes peeled for good customer satisfaction scores.

In order to retain more heat in your home, and thus avoid using your central heating system as much as you need to, energy efficient windows

Although perhaps not technically coming into the ‘household bills’ bracket, insurance costs play a big part in your outgoings each year.

Ensuring you get renewal quotes for all types of insurance – such as home, car and even pet insurance – can be an effective way forward.

There are some great comparison websites out there, such as Moneysupermarket.com, which can help you determine the right cover for you.

Additionally, there are several companies which offer money back when you buy via their site, such as Top Cashback. This could be another great way to save money on your monthly outgoings and bills.

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Boilers account for approximately 60 per cent of your yearly energy bills, so finding the right boiler… is vital

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Small changes make a big difference

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With climate change becoming more of an urgent global problem and little seeming to be done to slow this down, is there anything we, as individuals can do to help? The answer is yes; little changes can have a huge impact

Currently the price per bag is 5p but this is set to increase to 10p later this year. This initiative can be easily mimicked at home very simply by re-using old bags or by purchasing bags made from sustainable materials, such as hessian.

It’s no secret that by law, all major retailers and food outlets have had to drastically reduce their plastic waste. This has been achieved by either replacing plastic with more eco- friendly alternatives or charging for every bag used.

Interestingly, you may not know, that if you take your own flask to either Starbucks or Costa coffee you will be charged 25p less for your drink. This not only helps to reduce plastic waste but also saves you money!

Make small changes We all need to clean and heat our homes and wash our clothes. Turning the central heating down by a few degrees or washing on a cooler temperature will not massively affect our well-being but can have a big impact on the amount of energy we are using. It’s also possible to buy eco friendly cleaning products from most major supermarkets. Using phosphate free washing-up liquids and washing powders will reduce the toxins released into the water supply. Phosphates stimulate algal growth in the water which lowers the oxygen levels and can kill both plants and fish.

As well as food waste we are all guilty of using too much electricity. To save on our bills there are a few simple steps which can be taken. Turn off lights when you are leaving the room for any length of time and replace standard lightbulbs with compact fluorescent ones – these are estimated to last up to eight times longer and use a fraction of the energy. It’s also a good tip to turn all electrical devices off rather than leaving them on standby mode.

Plastic Products

Transport

Recent studies have shown that our love of plastic is having dramatic consequences for all types of marine life, with more than 8 million tons of all types of plastic being washed into the seas each year. Some of this is broken down and consumed by marine wildlife including the seafood which we ourselves eat.

It won’t come as any surprise that one of the major pollutants in this country is car emissions. In 2017 it was estimated that transport accounted for 34% of all carbon dioxide emissions. Carbon dioxide is toxic and can be hazardous to our health, with it being estimated to cause 3,500 premature deaths in London alone every year.

Many of the plastic bags are, however, mistaken as food by creatures such as whales. And if they swallow enough, they can ultimately starve to death. It might sound a little extreme, however changing your toothbrush can make a big difference to plastic waste.

Billions of plastic toothbrushes are produced every year, most of which end up in landfill sites and take years to decay. Why not try a sustainable alternative?

Many health food shops sell Bamboo toothbrushes.

If you are a driver there are things you can do to help reduce this. Drive slower and if possible, drive less.

Do you really need to do the school run in the car?

For shorter journeys could you cycle or take the bus?

If you slow your speed from 70 to 50 you will use 25% less fuel which may be worth considering on longer journeys.

Recycling items There are other items which will stay in landfill sites for many years such as disposable nappies and sanitary products. Admittedly, not for the faint hearted but it may be worth considering trying reusable nappies – saving you money and reducing unnecessary plastic waste. With the amount of food wasted in this country alone, you could consider creating your own compost heap, to reduce the waste that you, as an individual, send to landfill sites. If you are a keen gardener this can then be used to feed your plants, flowers or vegetables.

So, not only will you have the satisfaction of recycling waste and feeding your garden but also protecting the ever-decreasing peat bogs. Also think about buying a water butt to collect rain water which can be used to water the garden during the dry summer months – ideal for when hosepipe bans are put in place.

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The Everything Chocolate Collection at Hotel Chocolat This carefully curated collection of some of our best-loved recipes will make an effortless gift. Includes: 40% Milk Chocolate Puddles, Nano Slab Milk 50% with Dark Cookies, Nano Slab Dark with Fruit and Nuts, Nano Slab Salted Caramel, Billionaire’s Shortbread Selector, The Brownie Selector, Salted Caramel Puddles and Patisserie Collection.

£27.50 www.hotelchocolat.com/uk

PERFECT GIFTS FOR HER With Mother’s Day coming up on 31st March, here we feature some of our favourite finds that are sure to make her smile!

Sanctuary Spa Be Kind To Yourself Gift Set A trio of indulgent moisturisers to help transform skin from being thirsty, to super hydrated, soft and supple. Includes: Body Butter 50ml, Wet Skin 50ml, Body Lotion 75ml.

£15 www.boots.com

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Mia Fragrance And Nail Polish Set MIANNA in Light Pink Beautifully presented in a bow-shaped box with a pretty floral interior, Ted makes gifting easy with MIANNA. Featuring a miniature perfume and nail polish, this delicate duo is the perfect treat for someone special.

£10 www.tedbaker.com

Personalised Family Necklace Three Hearts Sterling Silver This sterling silver, three heart necklace captures the sentimentality that she is sure to love. Positioned at an angle, the individual free moving hearts of this necklace can be personalised with up to four names and comes complete with gift box.

£65 www.lovesilver.com

Mum’s Survival Kit Surprise her with this novelty survival kit Comes in an eco-friendly box wrapped with rustic twine that will fit through your letterbox! Contains lots of fun mementos to help you show how much you love her.

£5.99 www.amazon.co.uk

Why I Love You Mummy Poem Print Written by Bespoke Verse poet Joanna Miller and designed

by Russet and Gray, this sweet poem can be personalised with a message and it ends with a thank you to your individual and awesome mummy!

Comes unframed.

by Bespoke Verse £7

www.notonthehighstreet.com

Personalised Old Series Map Home Framed Poster Print A unique gift! A stylish and detailed OS map in the shape of a house with a heart to pinpoint your location. The words ‘Home is where the heart is’ appear on all prints, but you can also include a small caption directly under the house; whether this be an address or a special message.

£15

www.notonthehighstreet.com

Katie Loxton One in a Million Pouch The perfect present for your one in a million! A practical pouch by Katie Loxton. With a soft saffiano texture, the sentiment 'one in a million' is embossed on the front in elegant gold capital lettering. Wrapped in sparkly tissue and presented in a Katie Loxton gift bag, it's ready to give right away.

£16.99 www.morethanjustagift.co.uk

Luxury Flowers This pretty bouquet of luxury flowers is a unique selection of antique carnations with heavenly scented white oriental lilies, avalanche roses and finished with fronds of green bell.

From £29.99 www.appleyardflowers.com

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St Patrick's Day celebrations!

On Sunday 17th March, St Patrick’s Day will be upon us and it seems that everyone – not just the Irish – celebrate this day, including in other countries as far away as the US and Australia.

So, who was St Patrick?

St Patrick was a Christian missionary given credit with converting Ireland to Christianity in the AD 400’s. It is estimated that Ireland officially became a Christian country in approximately 432AD. There are many legends around his life, that to this day it is not clear how much is true and how much is a myth.

His exact place and date of birth isn’t known however, it is believed he was born in Scotland around 375AD but was kidnapped and brought to Ireland as a slave, and once freed he became a priest; and it was during this time he converted Ireland to Christianity. It is also said that he died on 17th March, 460AD and this is why St Patrick’s Day is celebrated on this date every year.

So how do people celebrate the date?

In Dublin they have a huge parade to celebrate St Patrick’s life. There is also a website dedicated to the celebrations (www.stpatricksfestival.ie) with all the events going on in and around the city over the weekend from the 14th to the 18th March, including Irish culture nights, turning all the city lights green and lots of traditional singing and storytelling.

The weekend ends with the annual Festival 5K Road Race on Monday 18th March.

In New York there is also a big parade that thousands of people flock to watch, with the first St Patrick’s Day parade

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held in 1766. Last year, even the fountain outside the Whitehouse had green dye put in it to celebrate the date!

Fun facts about St Patrick's Day Approximately 13-14 million pints of Guinness are expected to be sold around the world The celebration ranks among the biggest drinking days of the year behind New Year’s Eve, Christmas and the 4th of July One of the Irish traditions is to pinch anyone who is not wearing green on St Patrick’s Day. Also, as we all know, the Shamrock, is the official flower of Ireland. Why? Because it is said that St Patrick used it as a metaphor for the Christian Holy Trinity so there are Shamrock’s everywhere when it comes to the celebrations St Patrick’s Day is a way for the people of Ireland to celebrate their pride and heritage. If you find yourself celebrating for St Patrick’s Day, you’ll be celebrating with roughly 33 million others around the world!

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St Patrick was a Christian missionary given credit with converting Ireland to Christianity in the AD 400’s

2019 Six Nations Championship To celebrate one of the biggest months on the rugby union calendar, we take a look at the history of the Six Nations, previous winners and what to expect from this year’s championship

The 2019 Six Nations Championship is the 20th series of the Six Nations Championship, the annual northern hemisphere rugby union championship and it’s, without doubt, the world’s greatest rugby tournament.

Each year collective fans of six proud nations – England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales – share in the passion and excitement of this feast of rugby.

The Six Nations is the successor to the Home Nations Championship played between teams from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. With the addition of France, this became the Five Nations Championship, which in turn became the Six Nations Championship with the addition of Italy.

Since the Six Nations era started in 2000, only Italy and Scotland have failed to win the Six Nations title, although Scotland were the last winners of the Five Nations. England have won the most Six Nations with six wins, France have five title wins, while Ireland and Wales both have four.

Ireland are the current reigning champions, after claiming the Grand Slam and Triple Crown in 2018.

Joe Schmidt’s men picked up 26 points in total – 11 more than secondplace Wales. Ireland won the title in the fourth round, and Victory over England at Twickenham on St. Patrick’s Day securing their third-ever Grand Slam.

England, who had been going for their third Six Nations title in a row, ended up finishing a disappointing fifth. Scotland finished third with 13 points, France were fourth with 11 points, and bottom of the table Italy only managed one point.

France and Wales kick off the championship on Friday, 1st February at the Stade de France and all matches will be shown live on either BBC or ITV – every Wales game will also be shown on S4C. The competition runs until 16th March when all three fixtures of Round 5 take place on the same day, known as ‘Super Saturday’ which starts with Italy v France in Rome, followed by Wales v Ireland at the Principality Stadium and culminating in England v Scotland in Twickenham.

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The competition runs until 16th March when all three fixtures of Round 5 take place on the same day, known as ‘Super Saturday’

Full Fixtures ROUND ONE February Fri 1 France v Wales 8.00pm Sat 2 Scotland v Italy 2.15pm Sat 2 Ireland v England 4.45pm

ROUND TWO February Sat 9 Scotland v Ireland 2.15pm Sat 9 Italy v Wales 4.45pm Sun 10 England v France 3.00pm

ROUND THREE February Sat 23 France v Scotland 2.15pm Sat 23 Wales v England 4.45pm Sun 24 Italy v Ireland, 3.00pm

ROUND FOUR March Sat 9 Scotland v Wales 2.15pm Sat 9 England v Italy 4.45pm Sun 10 Ireland v France, 3.00pm

ROUND FIVE March Sat 16 Sat 16 Sat 16

Italy v France 12.30pm Wales v Ireland 2.45pm England v Scotland, 5.00pm

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91 st

academy awards

Here’s a quick look at everything you need to know about the 91’st Academy Awards, commonly known as the Oscars

Held on the 24th of February at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, this year’s ceremony is predicted to be the best yet. However, who will be presenting the awards is currently unclear, after confirmed host Kevin Hart dropped out. Hart was branded homophobic after a series of old tweets re-surfaced and, following backlash from the public, stepped down from the position. Reports now suggest that several high-profile stars will take the comedian’s place; however, at the time of going to press, this has yet to be confirmed by organisers.

The Oscars are known for their unpredictability and after a year of outstanding films and performances, it’s difficult to predict who will come out on top. However, here is the run down of the current favourites to receive this year’s coveted awards.

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the nominees best picture It’s no real surprise that the hugely successful, ‘A Star is Born’, has led the way in most Oscar predictions since its release. Featuring Lady Gaga in her film debut, along-side Bradley Cooper, the film has been a worldwide box office hit – even though it’s the third remake of this tear jerker.

Another film that has been creating an Oscar buzz since its release in February 2018, is ‘Black Panther’. The film smashed box office records for that month and has continued to gain popularity since. Noted for its predominantly black cast, Black Panther could be the first super hero movie to ever win an award at the Oscars.

Steering away from the front runners, could there be a surprise win? According to Forbes, absolutely, with the dark horses ‘BlacKKlansman’ and ‘Beautiful Boy’ named as possible victors.

best actress It’s a strong night for us Brits in the category for Best Actress, with nominations going to; Oliva Coleman and Rachel Weisz in ‘The Favourite’ and Emily Blunt in ‘Mary Poppins Returns’ and ‘A Quiet Place’. The top forerunner, however, is Glenn Close for her leading role in ‘The Wife’. Based on the best-selling novel by Meg Wolitzer, the film follows an under-appreciated wife of 40 years. Close is predicted to win her first Oscar despite this being her sixth nomination. She recently received the Golden Globe award for her performance; normally this is a good indication of Oscar success.

Melissa McCarthy has, however, been tipped as a surprise winner for her role in, ‘Can You Ever Forgive Me’. This is a film based on the true story of Lee Israel who forged letters from literary figures and sold them to unsuspecting buyers. Critics have praised her performance as a move away from the slapstick comedy she has previously been associated with.

best actor

meant he is now the bookies’ favourite to scoop the award for best actor, edging ahead of previous favourite, Bradley Cooper – who not only played the lead role in ‘A Star is Born’ but also directed the movie.

Also in the running for best actor are Christian Bale for his performance as Vice President Dick Cheney in ‘Vice’ and Viggo Mortensen for his role as a racist bouncer hired to drive a black musician through the deep south in ‘Green Book’.

Less likely but still possible to cause a surprise in this category could be Willem Dafoe for ‘At Eternity’s Gate’, John David Washington for ‘BlaKkKlansman’ or even Robert Redford for ‘The Old Man and the Gun’.

best animated feature Twenty-five films were reportedly submitted for this gong. However, the award for best animated feature is likely to be a head-to-head fight between Wes Anderson’s ‘Isle of Dogs’ and Pixar’s long awaited ‘The Incredibles 2’.

Another contender is Sony animation pictures ‘Spider Man: into the Spider Verse’. Although tipped for success in this category, Spider man faces strong headwind. Namely that it’s a Marvel superhero film and voters have traditionally been reluctant to reward previous super hero characters.

the best song A big part of any film is the music, so it is not surprising that the best song award attracts a lot of attention. This year there is a wide variety of musical styles represented, from country to hip hop via epic ballads and feel good classics.

The favourite to achieve success is ‘Shallow’ sung by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper in ‘A Star is Born’. However, another close contender is Suspirium. Written by ex-Radiohead member, Thom Yorke, it features in the foreign horror film ‘Suspiria’ Others in the running are ‘All the Stars’ by Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Sounwave and Al Shux from the film ‘Black Panther’.

A surprise win at the Golden Globes was for Rami Malek, who plays Freddie Mercury in the hugely successful, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, has

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CASTLES & MUSEUMS IN THE UK England and Wales are both famous for their castles and, wherever you are in the country, there is a beautiful castle or fascinating museum not far around the corner Castles and museums make for interesting and historical days out, and are a great, interactive way to get children to learn about history.

After all, which child wouldn’t like running up a castle and pretend to be a king or a princess for the day!

Many castles up and down the UK host themed-events with entertainment, live-displays and theatres to keep everyone of all ages entertained. For a fun day out with the family, check out our list of some of the UK’s top museums and castles.

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Highclere Castle, Hampshire Anybody who has watched Downton Abbey would instantly recognise this Victorian castle, set amidst 1,000 acres of spectacular parkland.

Highclere is not far from London, just to the south of Oxford and north of Winchester. Visitors can experience the splendid rooms all decorated in Victorian Deco, the kitchens and the wonderful grounds surrounding the castle. There are also special guided tours and events available throughout the year. www.highclerecastle.co.uk

Windsor Castle The setting for last year’s Royal Wedding, Windsor castle overlooks the landscape of the picturesque town of Windsor. It is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. It is open to visitors all year round. Founded

by William the Conqueror in the 11th

Century, it has since been the home of 39 monarchs. Today the queen spends most of her private weekends at the castle. The castle hosts private and public events throughout the year, ranging from interactive afternoons and classes on history. www.rct.uk/visit/windsorcastle

Leeds Castle, Kent Billed as one of the loveliest castles in the world, families can discover 900 years of history at Leeds Castle and explore the maze and grotto and even go punting on the lake. There are also adventure playgrounds, over 500 acres of beautiful gardens and a falconry centre, running daily free-flying demonstrations. This year, Leeds Castle celebrates its 900-year anniversary with special events and a brand new playground opening in April! www.leeds-castle.com

Warwick Castle

Wales

Originally built by William the Conqueror, and now owned by entertainment group Merlin, Warwick Castle offers a day of fun with daily shows and battle re-enactments. With magnificent attractions such as the Horrible Histories maze, the Castle Dungeon and the Princess Tower, there is something for small and big kids of all ages. Brand new for 2019, there is The Falconer’s Quest – the UK’s ultimate Bird of Prey Show. There are also 64 acres of rolling landscaped gardens and an island with a secret past.

Conwy Castle

If you fancy staying the night, there is medieval-themed accommodation fit for royalty. www.warwick-castle.com

Farleigh Hungerford Castle The city of Bath and its surrounding areas enjoy an array of museums, castles and the Roman Baths. Placed in the beautiful valley of the river Frome, only nine miles from Bath, stands the remains of Farleigh Hungerford Castle.

Started in the 14th Century and occupied for 30 years, it still has much for visitors to enjoy and provides a great day out for families with children, couples and even walkers enjoying the beautiful surrounding countryside. www.english-heritage.org. uk/visit/places/farleighhungerford-castle

This is a little-known fact; Wales has more castles per square mile than any other country in Europe!

Wales’ history has left a landscape scattered with Roman ruins from Medieval Welsh Princes and English Kings. With 600 castles in Wales, wherever you go on holiday, you won’t be far from a historic castle. Here are just a few of some of the country’s many castles.

(North Wales) is amongst the finest surviving medieval fortifications in Britain.

Built for Edward I, by Master James of St George, the castle boasts eight massive towers and a great bow-shaped hall, all sitting within its distinctive elongated shape. www.cadw.gov.wales/daysout/ conwycastle

Caerphilly Castle is the biggest castle in Wales and is surrounded by a series of moats and watery islands. Climb to the rooftop of the massive east gatehouse, and from here you can see the rings of stone and water

defences that made Caerphilly so strong. Don’t forget to look out for the south-east tower, which out leans Pisa’s famous tower! www.cadw.gov.wales/daysout/ caerphilly-castle

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Many castles up and down the UK host themed-events with entertainment, live-displays and theatres to keep everyone of all ages entertained

Museums There are a great range of museums in the UK, offering a great day out for all the family.

Yorkshire features the immersive, free-toenter National Railway Museum, as well as the great Yorkshire Museum. www.yorkshiremuseum. org.uk If you’re looking for museums a bit further south, then look no further than the capital! London is the hub of museums including the Natural History Museum, V&A, art galleries and the London Transport Museum, to name a few. Find out more by visiting www.visitlondon. com/things-to-do/sightseeing/london-attraction/museum/freemuseums-in-london Hampshire is home to Beaulieu which features the National Motor Museum, Palace House and Gardens, and the World of Top Gear, offering one of the best days out in the heart of the New Forest.

Beaulieu hosts special events throughout the year, and 2019 sees a celebration of 50 years of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. www.beaulieu.co.uk

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ST. PATRICK’S RECIPE SPECIAL

Steak and Guinness Pie With St Patrick’s Day not too far away on Sunday 17th March, what better way to celebrate the national holiday than creating a traditional dish with one of Ireland’s biggest exports. Many pints of Guinness will be drunk over St. Paddy’s weekend; however, adding it to a steak pie is a great, family-friendly alternative.

3 tbsp vegetable oil 750g (1 1/2lb) stewing beef steak, cubed 1 onion, chopped 1 large carrot, cut into chunks 2 tbsp plain flour 1 x 440ml can Guinness 1 beef stock cube sprig thyme leaves ready-rolled shortcrust pastry 1 egg, beaten Heat half the oil in a large casserole pan. Cook the beef, in 2 batches, for 7-10 mins until browned all over.

Remove from the pan and set aside.

Add the vegetables to the pan and cook for 5 mins until soft.

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Stir in the flour until well coated. Pour in the Guinness and stir around the pan, scraping up all the caramelised bits at the bottom of the pan. Crumble in

the stock cube, then return the beef to the pan with the thyme and top up with water if necessary. Cover and simmer for 1½hrs until the beef is really tender. Then leave to cool. Can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in the fridge.

Preheat the oven to Gas Mark 6/200°C/ Fan 180°C. Spoon the beef and enough juice to cover it, into a large pie dish, removing the thyme sprig.

Irish Coffee Wash down your dinner with some traditional Irish coffee. Black coffee served with whipped cream and whiskey, it’s the perfect end to a great meal!

2 tbsp double cream 150ml freshly brewed black coffee Place the pastry on top and cut away any 50ml Irish whiskey ½-1 tsp brown sugar excess with a sharp knife. Then use your pinch freshly grated nutmeg fingers to crimp around the edge of the pie. Make a small slit in the centre of the Lightly whip the cream just so it’s very pie for air to escape. Brush all over with slightly thickened, then set aside. the egg.

Pour the hot coffee into a mug or heatproof glass, then add the whiskey and sugCook for 30–40 minutes until golden and crisp. Heat any remaining beef liquid ar. Stir until the sugar has dissolved. Gently float the cream on the top and sprinkle the and serve alongside with some mash nutmeg over the cream. Serve hot! and greens.

Short-term

V Long-term lets

Are you a landlord trying to decide on whether to offera short term or a long-term contract? Take a look at our guide to help you make your decision Renting property is a competitive market and as a landlord you will naturally want to make the best, most shrewd decision you can in opting to make the property you’re letting out available as either a long-term or a short-term contract.

There are a variety of factors involved in helping a tenant decide on where they want to rent, and the type of contract attached to the property is, in fact, amongst the most important.

When it comes to short-term contracts, these generally last for less than a year before it then has the option of being renewed by you, as the landlord, if required. As short-term lets are more flexible, their popularity can result in them being hard to find by tenants, particularly in lesser populated towns and cities.

If, as a homeowner, you are not planning on using your property for a certain amount of time, a short-term letting agreement with a prospective tenant could be ideal. During peak holiday seasons especially, such as December, as

a landlord (if you have a second property you can live in during the meantime) you could rent your property out for a short duration, and thus a short-term let would be a suitable agreement.

Long-term lets A long-term contract is usually for a minimum of at least a year.

This contract could mean that a tenant would be required to pay rent for the entire duration of their minimum required serving time at the property, even if they decide to leave early. However, this of course depends on the conditions within the contract. This is because a longterm contract enables you as a landlord to spend less time tending to contractual obligations, allowing you more free time and less hassle.

This can be particularly beneficial if you are letting out several properties. It also helps those with buy-to-let mortgages calculate their return on investment more accurately, since their income will be guaranteed for the entire duration of the tenancy.

However, long-term contracts can be rigid, both in tying a landlord down to what could be a problem tenant, and also in preventing them from taking advantage of increasing rental prices in the area.

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Need help in deciding whether to offer a short or long-term let of your property? Give us a call or pop in to see what we can do for you 15

Walton on Thames

01932 222266

45a High Street, Walton on Thames, Surrey KT12 1DH CALL US TODAY FOR A FREE NO OBLIGATION VALUATION

Meet the team WALTON ON THAMES

Steve Turner Director

Beata Lukasiewicz Senior Negotiator

Shaun Screen Negotiator

Bea joined HTB in May 2017 as a negotiator at our Walton on Thames office. Bea has learned the area very quickly and has gained so much experience in her time with us. Bea has a fantastic relationship with all our clients and her bubbly personality always shines through. Bea moved to the UK from Poland in 2006 when she worked as a sales administrator with a luxury retailer. Bea lives locally with her mum and gorgeous son, Aleksander.

Shaun has worked locally as an agent since 2011 having moved to Walton in 2007 with his partner and son. Shaun is well known locally with his connections at Ashley Primary School. When not in the office, Shaun enjoys cycling, running and is a member of the local gym.

Shaun likes to move house regularly and has recently moved to a lovely family home backing onto the river Thames – who better to ask about the selling process? Through his many moves, Shaun has become a true expert!

Charlotte Dover Property Manager

Monique Alexander Negotiator

Charlotte is a big asset to us and joined the team in 2013 as Property Manager. Prior to this, Charlotte worked within the Repossession Department for an established Asset Management company. Originally from Buckinghamshire, Charlotte moved to Surrey and studied locally at Rydens School, Brooklands College and attended the University of Surrey, where she studied Business and Marketing. Charlotte lives locally with her boyfriend and their Bulldog puppy, ‘Frank’.

Monique recently joined the Harmes Turner Brown team as a negotiator.

She grew up in West London, living there most of her life until 2013, when she moved to Walton–On–Thames in search of a better quality of life for her young family. Until recently, Monique worked in London commuting by train and bicycle 5 days a week.

Her children are now both at Ashley school and since giving up her full time London job has become a beekeeper at school and a part-time member of the HTB Team.

Steve has worked as an estate agent in the local area since 1990. Steve also grew up in Walton and Hersham and attended Rydens School, therefore not only has great property knowledge, but he knows the local area inside out too.

Peter Brown Director Peter began his career in property as a negotiator in 1994 and worked for two local estate agents before opening HTB in 2003.

Peter now lives in Effingham with his wife, two daughters and Baxter the labradoodle!

sales@htbproperty.com | lettings@htbproperty.com

Harmes Turner Brown Silverdale Avenue, Ashley Park ÂŁ1,799,000 Freehold

Five bedroom home situated within the Ashley Park private estate, close to the town centre and mainline station. The lounge opens onto the family room with views to the rear garden.

The kitchen/breakfast room is open to a utility area. There is a dining room and a notable feature on the ground floor is the one bedroom annex. Upstairs the master has an en suite, there are three further bedrooms and luxury shower room. Outside there is ample parking while the rear backs onto playing fields.

Kings Road, Walton on Thames ÂŁ999,950 Freehold

Kings Road offers a central position from both Walton town centre and Walton mainline station. The extended accommodation includes a living room, study and utility room. The designer kitchen/dining room boasts a central island and bi-fold doors to the rear garden.

On the first floor the master bedroom includes an en suite. The bathroom has a feature free standing roll top bath The second floor offers two further double bedrooms. There is another bathroom with feature skylight. Externally there is parking and southerly rear garden.

htbproperty.com

01932 222266 Molesey 0208 001 8385 Walton on Thames

CALL US TODAY FOR A FREE NO OBLIGATION VALUATION

Cranbourne Close, Hersham Village £765,000 Freehold

Four bedroom home located just off the picturesque ‘Back Green’ close to Hersham village. This exclusive cul de sac was built to a particularly high standard. The ground floor includes access to the integral garage, study/family room and modern kitchen/dining room. Upstairs has a living room measuring approx 20’ in length, master bedroom with en-suite shower, a further double bedroom and family bathroom. The second floor offers two further bedrooms and another modern shower room. Externally there is a rear garden, off street parking and a garage.

Hersham Road, Hersham £750,000 Freehold

Completely refurbished four bedroom period home located within easy reach of Walton on Thames station and Hersham village centre. The accommodation includes sitting room and the principle reception area - open plan kitchen/living room with bi-folding doors to the rear garden. The kitchen has quality units, integrated appliances and stone work surfaces. Upstairs has three bedrooms, one of which with a luxury en suite shower room and the family bathroom.

The top floor provides another double bedroom and en suite shower room. Outside includes a front and rear garden, and off road parking.

sales@htbproperty.com | lettings@htbproperty.com

Harmes Turner Brown

Don’t just take our word for it...

“

TRUST, COMMUNICATION AND AN UNDERSTANDING OF OUR NEEDS The level of service from Harmes Turner Brown was fantastic and they delivered everything we needed. Letting your home can be daunting, we trusted HTB to find the right tenants for us within our timeframe and they did.

They are very personal, you’re not just a sale - they are realistic, listen to your requirements, and go above and beyond to ensure they are met. I’ve recommended HTB to a few friends now and wouldn’t hesitate to do so again after the service we have just received.

Adeline Van den aardweg Landlord

“

COMMUNICATION WAS FANTASTIC

We originally met Harnes Turner Brown as they have a prominent location within the High Street, so when we were looking for a property we said hello to the guys!

The communication with Harmes Turner Brown was fantastic. They handled the process between the buyer and the seller fantastically.

“

Anish Sabherwal Seller

IT’S JUST AN EASY PROCESS The level of service I’ve received from Harmes Turner Brown, for me personally, has been excellent.

It’s really nice to be able to talk to the girls in the office. They are very friendly, doing everything you ask them to do and it’s just an easy process.

Karen Obeney Landlord

htbproperty.com

Molesey 0208

001 8385

45 Walton Road, East Molesey, Surrey KT8 0DP CALL US TODAY FOR A FREE NO OBLIGATION VALUATION

Meet the team MOLESEY

Richard Harmes Director

Sherrie Edwards Senior Negotiator

Julie Mellish Senior Negotiator

Having worked in real estate in Australia, Sherrie did a little travelling before settling in Walton on Thames in 2010. Sherrie joined HTB in 2012 originally at the Walton on Thames office, and in that time has gained valuable experience and knowledge of not only the UK housing market, but the local area too. Sherrie is now a valuable member of the team at the East Molesey office and is now involved in both sales & lettings. In her spare time, Sherrie enjoys time with her partner James and their beautiful daughter, Ella.

Julie has recently joined our new office in East Molesey. Having had 22 years’ experience as an estate agent in the local area, Julie is keen to assist with making our new branch in Molesey as successful as our office in Walton – we have no doubt she will be a huge success. Julie has lived most of her life in the area and currently lives in Walton with her husband, two children and their Labrador puppy, Lottie.

Karen Glands Negotiator

Pam Stringer Negotiator

Karen has lived locally all of her life, growing up in Teddington and moving to Hersham in 1990 when she purchased her first bungalow. Karen then travelled the world, and lived in New Zealand for two years before returning to Walton. She currently lives in Walton with her husband and two teenage children. Both of her children attended primary school in Walton, and now keep her busy with their social schedules.

Pam enjoyed an extensive career as part of the senior management team with Camelot, the founder and operator of the U.K. National Lottery, before her career took her towards property. Pam has a keen interest in property having renovated many houses over the last 20 years. Pam lives locally in West Molesey where she is currently busy revamping her latest house whilst also managing her recently acquired allotment.

Pam also has two young grandchildren and a very active black Labrador, so just as well she loves being busy!

Richard began his career in property at just 18 years of age in 1988 and by the age of 21 he had worked his way up to become branch manager.

Working with large national corporate estate agencies has given Richard the skills needed in the industry, whilst working with independent market leaders has given him the passion, drive and winning mentality that has helped him succeed in today’s market.

Richard grew up locally in Lower Sunbury and bought his first house in Walton on Thames at the age of 21.

He now lives in Weybridge, where he and his wife, two children and their Golden Retriever, Wilson, have lived for the past 18 years.

sales@htbproperty.com | lettings@htbproperty.com

Harmes Turner Brown SO ST L C D

Faraday Road, West Molesey SOLD - similar required

This four bedroom semi-detached home has been extended at both the side and rear. Briefly comprises lounge with a fireplace, second reception room, kitchen/dining room, third reception room, downstairs shower room and a utility room. Upstairs is a master bedroom with built in wardrobes and en-suite, two double bedrooms, a single bedroom and the family bathroom includes a roll top ball and claw feet bath tub. There is a garden, mainly laid to lawn, with a paved patio area to the side. To the front is a private driveway.

Seymour Road, East Molesey ÂŁ1,850,000 Freehold

This detached Victorian period villa was the 1st house built in Seymour Road on new plots on Molesey Park part of the Poynz estate. Many attractive features, including original Victorian tiled floor in the entrance hall as well as a cellar. Over three floors with three reception rooms, kitchen with separate utility room and cloakroom. On the first and second floors, are five double bedrooms, all with an en-suite. The garden, approximately 150ft in length, is laid to lawn, with an enclosed front garden, driveway and a garage.

htbproperty.com

01932 222266 Molesey 0208 001 8385 Walton on Thames

CALL US TODAY FOR A FREE NO OBLIGATION VALUATION

SO ST L C D

Vine Road, East Molesey SOLD - similar required

This detached period home is spread over three floors and includes a kitchen/breakfast room, dining room with bi-folding doors and solid oak flooring throughout. The drawing room has a fire, bay window and double doors opening onto the kitchen. The principle bedroom has a dressing room and en-suite with free-standing bath. The three double bedrooms also feature en-suites and a further bedroom has access to the loft conversion. There are two garden areas to the side and rear of the property, a home office and off street parking.

Tufton Gardens, West Molesey ÂŁ575,000 Freehold

This four bedroom home is presented in excellent order having been refurbished throughout. The property enjoys a mews setting within a very short distance on the river Thames. Accommodation over three floors including open plan kitchen living area with bi folding doors to the rear garden.

First floor includes a lounge and a bedroom with an en-suite whilst on the second floor there are three further bedrooms and the family bathroom. Externally the rear garden is approximately 50ft in length and to the front there is a small courtyard garden.

sales@htbproperty.com | lettings@htbproperty.com

Our Community

The Values of Esher Church of England High School Education is forever evolving. Yet at the heart of education is the ageless optimism of preparing the next generation to contribute and improve a vibrant, challenging world in whatever avenue they choose. As a parent it can therefore be a minefield negotiating the significant recent national changes to the system as well as deciding on the different types of school, catchment areas, and outcomes.

Certainly, choosing a place at secondary school is not to be taken lightly.

At Esher Church of England High School our values are rooted in those of the Church of England’s values for all church schools, then interpreted them for our own unique setting. We educate our students to embrace our values of; • Wisdom, knowledge and skills

enable our students to make excellent progress in their studies as well as live their lives as responsible citizens. Students enjoy a variety of extra-curricular activities which strengthen their character and develop their broader abilities. We are proud to be a school community representing the local community.

Our teachers and students work together in a stimulating and engaging atmosphere of respect and trust to ensure that every child learns new skills and knowledge, whatever their previous experience. Our curriculum offers students a wide mix of academic and practical opportunities, meaning that they can explore and discover where their passions lie and learn new and exciting things.

We value every child as an individual, and we seek to develop their expertise both in the classroom and the wider life of the school.

At the same time, we have high expectations of our students at all times and we will work alongside parents to help the students meet them. We believe that with this support they will become confident, ambitious and responsible citizens, ready to face the challenges of the adult world.

• Hope and aspiration • Community and living well together • Dignity and respect We apply these through a culture of high expectations with a supportive and cooperative approach. We work very hard with our students to enable them to shine and celebrate their achievements wherever possible.

Esher Church of England High School has always been committed to helping the young people of Elmbridge’s community grow and develop in knowledge and skills so they can contribute to society effectively as adults. We like to think creatively about how we can

Our school is growing in success and our children achieve superb grades as well as enjoying a broad, exciting curriculum. If you would like to know more about the school, you’d be very welcome to come and visit any time. Please email our Admissions Team on Admissions@esherhigh.surrey.sch.uk or visit our website on www. esherhigh.surrey.sch.uk .

Mike Boddington Headteacher

htbproperty.com

01932 222266 Molesey 0208 001 8385 Walton on Thames

CALL US TODAY FOR A FREE NO OBLIGATION VALUATION

Thinking of letting your property?

Find out more from our expert teams at HTB.

BY LE HT T B

I

f you are considering letting

your home, why not contact our Lettings team to find out more

about the outstanding service we offer.

From full management, rent collection or our standard intro service, we offer

exceptional advice at a competitive fee.

We have a large database of private &

corporate tenants looking for both long term and short term lets.

People become Landlords for many

reasons and regardless of your reason, you need a letting agent you can trust.

Trust to give you accurate advice, clear

guidance on the process, legislation and tax, find you a reliable tenant and look after your property.

You need to know your investment is in safe hands. And you can rest assured with Harmes Turner Brown you and

your property are in safe hands with us.

We have a dedicated team of experts at both our branches, for further details contact:

Lettings, Walton on Thames 01932 222266 (option 2) Lettings, East Molesey 0208 001 8385 (option 2)

Albany Road, Hersham LET IN HERSHAM VILLAGE This beautifully presented character home is conveniently located within easy reach of both Walton on Thames & Hersham mainline stations. The landlord has updated the home to a particularly high standard throughout and briefly includes two reception rooms, large family room/kitchen, three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The rear garden faces south and backs the playing field behind, whilst the front provides off street parking on the private drive.

sales@htbproperty.com | lettings@htbproperty.com

Harmes Turner Brown Lettings

T LE HTB BY

Rosemary Avenue, West Molesey LET IN WEST MOLESEY

BY LE HT T B

Annaleigh Place, Hersham LET IN HERSHAM

T LE HTB BY

Ashley Road, Walton on Thames LET IN WALTON ON THAMES

htbproperty.com

Exclusively At Harmes Turner Brown

Giving you peace of mind every time Our innovative approach to marketing, together with our unrivalled customer care, makes us the right choice to market your property and guide you through your move

I’m marketing my property with Harmes Turner Brown How long have you lived there?

11 Years

Why did you buy the house?

Because of it’s location near the school

What is the best feature?

The open-plan kitchen dining space great for entertaining

Elizabeth Carter-Smith Write a message

Upload a Photo or Video

Tell us a bit about your property and its benefits...

ADD MESSAGE

Whether you’re looking to sell or put your property up for rental, when you choose to market your property with Harmes Turner Brown, you can be confident that we’ll ensure that everything goes smoothly.

Selling your property A leading independent agent covering Walton on Thames, Hersham, Weybridge, East Molesey, West Molesey and Esher, the name Harmes Turner Brown is synonymous with trust, excellence and integrity.

With decades of experience, specialising in all aspects of residential property, our friendly, enthusiastic and professional service ensures that our clients continually return to sell and buy through us.

We also recognise the importance of marketing, so your property will be advertised on the major online property portals, our website and social media sites, as well as traditional placement in our window display.

Exclusively to us in our area, your property will receive its very own FREE microsite showcasing a property video, OFSTED reports, and a property brochure. Sharing your personalised website across the social

networks widens the audience for your property, to find the right buyer and increasing the chances of a quicker sale.

Our qualified database of home buyers will be notified of your property coming to market on their dedicated search websites where they can book viewings and offer feedback.

through us, your property will be advertised on the major online property portals, our website and social media sites, as well as traditional placement in our prominent window display.

Quite simply we endeavour to sell your home for the best price, in the shortest possible time, providing you an outstanding service, with a personal and friendly approach.

Letting your property When it comes to letting, as Harmes Turner Brown are members of certified accreditations, you can have peace of mind that your property is in safe hands as we ensure you are fully compliant with your landlord duties.

We offer a comprehensive range of services for you to choose from including areas such as Tenant Introduction, Rent Collection, Gas Safety Checks, in-depth Inventory reports, Deposit registration, insurance-based Rent Guarantee and Legal cover policies.

As with selling, when you choose to let

sales@htbproperty.com | lettings@htbproperty.com

The power of social media Your property will also receive its very own FREE property website showcasing a property video, OFSTED reports, and property brochures; something that we are proud to say is exclusive to Harmes Turner Brown in our area.

In addition, our qualified database of tenants will also be notified of your property coming to market on their dedicated search websites where they can book viewings and offer feedback. All our tenants are fully referenced and vetted, making sure the highest of standards are met to find the right tenant for you.

By sharing your personalised websites with family and friends across the social networks you will be widening the audience to find the right buyer or tenant for your property, increasing the chances of a quicker sale or rental.

High street window display

Print marketing: Property brochure, photography and floorplans COMMON MARKETING

Accompanied viewings (Drones, 360 tours)

Want to find out more about our range of exclusive services?

Portals and websites

Then please feel free to pop in or give us a call and we’ll be more than happy to help. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Video microsite on our website

Rightmove featured property advertising* Feature in our monthly magazine

UNIQUE with Harmes Turner Brown

When you choose to market your property with Harmes Turner Brown, you can be confident that we’ll ensure that everything goes smoothly

“

“

1

ACTIVATE

2

RECEIVE YOUR VERY OWN

EXCLUSIVE PERSONALISED

SHARE

PROPERTY WEBSITE

SOLD

3

SELL Feature on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Property video

htbproperty.com

All our applicants receive your property on their own search for a home website

Looking for

the perfect home?

Whoever you are, wherever you’re looking to move; we’ll be on hand every step of the way. We’ll even give you your own FREE personalised property website to tweet to family and friends!

Tel. Walton 01932 222266 | Molesey 0208 001 8385

Email. sales@htbproperty.com | lettings@htbproperty.com Web. htbproperty.com

Harmes Turner Brown