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Firework Spectacular Goes off With a Bang!
3rd November 2008
Hundreds of people wrapped up and braved the cold weather to enjoy Ludlow’s spectacular annual festival of fireworks, which McCartneys is proud to sponsor.
The crowds cheered as the night sky above Ludlow Racecourse was lit up by a fantastic display of fireworks, all set to music.
In addition there was a sumptuous Fawkes Feast, and a charity auction – overseen by McCartneys auctioneer Michael Thomas - of a wide variety of lots, from a night in a local hotel to a lorry load of gravel!
The entire evening was in aid of Action Medical Research, a charity which funds research into serious conditions and diseases.
“It was a great evening and lovely to see so many families enjoying it,” said Debbie Anderson of McCartneys. “The event has become an annual fixture for Ludlow, and we at McCartneys are delighted to be a part of it – especially as it’s raising money for such a deserving charity.” -
New Face at Worcester Market
3rd November 2008
McCartneys is pleased to announce the appointment of a new member of staff at Worcester Market.
Giles Drew joins the company as a rural professional and trainee auctioneer. He’ll deal with all rural matters from land management to diversification projects, and will also gain experience as an auctioneer in the livestock market.
“We’re delighted to have Giles on board,” said Clive Roads, McCartneys’ partner-in-charge at Worcester Market. “He’ll be straight in at the deep end, doing all types of rural professional work as well as auctioneering. But I’m sure he’ll rise to the challenge.”
Giles, who gained a degree in Rural Enterprise and Land Management from Harper Adams University, grew up in Cheshire, where he worked on farms and kept his own stock from a young age. In 2003 he won the title of Cheshire Young Farmer of the Year.
“I’m really looking forward to my new role,” said Giles, 23. “I’m keen to put my training into practice and gain further valuable experience at a busy market.”
Giles can be contacted at Worcester Market on 01905 769770 or on his mobile 0787 669 6259. -
Chance to Buy a Slice of History
27th October 2008
As famous couples go, King Arthur and Guinevere have to be up near the top.
Guinevere brought the romance to the legend of King Arthur, famed for his sword ‘Excalibur’ and his Knights of the Round Table.
And now there’s a chance to own a bit of that legend - the site where Guinevere is said to have married Arthur is up for sale.
The place is Knucklas Castle in Powys, although little now remains of the actual castle. The land makes up part of Castle Hill, which is to be auctioned by McCartneys.
“The castle has a fascinating history,” explains Jenny Layton of McCartneys. “It was believed to have been commissioned in 1240 by the Norman knight Ralph Mortimer, of the famous Mortimer family. He did not stay in the area to see the construction of the castle, choosing rather to leave his 11 year old son, Roger, to oversee the work.”
Evidence suggests the castle was of a square construction with substantial stone walls and a circular tower at each corner. Its purpose was to remind the more or less hostile Welsh population who was in charge.
The castle was attacked and destroyed by the forces of Owain Glyndwr – the charismatic rebel of part one of Shakespeare’s Henry IV - in 1402 during his rebellion.
“This is a rare opportunity to purchase a really unusual site with breathtaking views,” commented Jenny. “You don’t get many castle ruins for sale on the open market – especially ones with such historic importance.”
The land at Castle Hill – which is just over 21 acres - is for sale by auction in two lots on 27th November.
For more information contact Jenny Layton at McCartneys on 01547 528621. -
McCartneys Expands in Tenbury
7th October 2008
There’s a new face at McCartneys in Tenbury Wells as the company expands its rural professional department.
Jon Bury has moved to the Teme Street office to cover all rural professional matters, and will work alongside the property team.
“I’m delighted to be in Tenbury and excited by the expansion of McCartneys and the challenges ahead,” said Jon, 25, who has previously worked at McCartneys’ markets in Ludlow and Worcester.
“I’ll be covering all aspects of rural professional work – from letting and selling land, to compensation claims, to planning appraisals and applications – across Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Shropshire.
“Anyone with any queries can just pop into the office or give me a call on my mobile.”
Jon joined McCartneys after gaining a degree in rural land management at Reading University and is currently working towards membership of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and fellowship of the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers.
“I’ve always loved the countryside and wanted a career that enabled me to make the most of it,” says Jon who is a keen rugby player and is interested in all country sports. “When I’m not at work I’m still out and about in the fields, more often than not trying to train my 18 month old black Labrador Archie – which is proving to be the biggest challenge of all!”
Jon can be contacted in the Tenbury Office on 01584 811999 or on his mobile 07968 870124. -
The Government Giveth and the Government Taketh Away
17th September 2008
The much-vaunted change in Planning Regulations comes into force in October.
It is said that the revised Planning Regulations are expected to significantly reduce the number of Planning Applications handled by Local Authorities as well as saving homeowners money because they will no longer be liable for planning application fees. In fact it is understood that under these reforms the majority of homeowners will no longer require Planning Permission when they extend their house.
The new rules will now give both loft conversions and rear extensions automatic planning permission, which should result in 80,000 fewer Planning Applications annually, however it must be noted that Local Authorities can curb this automatic right where they feel fit.
By unclogging the Planning System the overworked Planning Authorities can now spend more time appraising planning issues of greater importance. However, and as indicated in a previous article, the Government have published new Planning Regulations designed to reduce flood risks caused by surface water run-offs. One example of this is that work to proposed driveways of more than 5 sqm incorporating traditional impermeable surfaces (i.e. tarmac) now require Planning Permission! -
Energy Performance Certificates (EPC’s)
10th September 2008
With affect from 1st October 2008 everyone selling or letting property should provide an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for all residential and commercial buildings or parts of buildings that are on the market.
An Energy Performance Certificate gives prospective buyers, or tenants, information on the energy efficiency and carbon emissions of a building and they must be provided “at the earliest opportunity”. EPC’s should not be confused with the Home Information Pack (HIPS), which is a much more comprehensive and expensive exercise already in place for more recently marketed residential properties.
This recent tranche of Government legislation means that Landlords and Vendors alike will incur additional costs to market their properties but it is the view of the Government that the benefits outweigh said costs. As to my view? I’ll remain silent on the subject.
McCartneys have been proactive in addressing this legislation and have a team of qualified professional surveyors who can carry out a survey on your property and provide you with an EPC. The Government position is changing daily with U turn upon U turn taking place but at the time of writing this article the Government had just changed tack from stating that “all properties must” to “all properties should” have an EPC by 1st October.
So if we can be of assistance in this respect please contact your local McCartneys office where our staff can update you as to the current position.
Remember the position is changing daily but the day that the EPC will be a requirement coming. You may even wish to be ahead of the game and arrange for this work to be carried out now!
Please call us if we can help. -
Flying High With McCartneys
19th August 2008
The crowds were out in force at this year’s Burwarton Show, and, for most of the day, so was the sun - which was especially good news after last year’s wash-out. A couple of late downpours didn’t dampen spirits and it was standing room only at the McCartneys stand throughout the day.
At the front of our stand was the McCartneys Mini, full to bursting (!) with balloons. The competition to guess just how many balloons were in it proved to be a great success.
The entry fee was £1 per guess with every penny taken going to The County Air Ambulance. We’re delighted to report that we raised just over £300 for this worthwhile charity – so thank you very much to everyone who entered.
And for those who were wondering there were in fact 166 balloons squeezed into the Mini.
Prizes up for grabs, donated by McCartneys, were vouchers of £50, £25 and £10.
One person got the number spot on – that was Mr C Quayle of Bewdley. Runners-up, who were just one balloon out, were Clare Briggs of Bridgnorth and Mr E Morgan of Elton near Ludlow. Congratulations to all three winners, and once again a big thank you to everyone who took part. -
Relief for Rates
5th August 2008
Following on from my June article I have noticed recent press criticism of the Government highlighted the inadequate promotion of the multi-million-pound small business rate relief scheme.
The scheme is only taken up by a fraction of those eligible and it is estimated that more than £200m remains unclaimed each year across England alone since its introduction in 2005.
The Government has been urged to tackle the low level of awareness among companies and it has also been argued that councils should be allowed to automatically deduct the relief from eligible firms’ rates bills.
Meanwhile, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has warned that rogue ratings agents are contacting small firms in England and Wales promising significant reductions – upon payment of an “upfront” fee!
So if you are a small business with a rateable value of under £15,000 per year you could very well be eligible for “Small Business Rate Relief” which in certain circumstances could be a reduction of up to 50% in your rates bill.
I was told many years ago that there are two ways of making more money – simply earn more or spend less, so you never know that 5-minute telephone call could be one of the most important business calls you make this year. -
The Acre - Rest in Peace
4th August 2008
Following on from the banning of pounds and ounces the ever increasing tide of European Directives has now identified the British Acre which I am informed from January 2010 will become insignificant as all land areas will have to be described in hectares.
In my professional capacity I still sometimes have to work in the old methods of area measurement, namely acres, roods and perches. As land and property Agents we already know that one mans idea of an acre is different to another’s and this new directive will only add more confusion to the subject.
Come what may I will always ask for a pint of beer and not half a litre or .568l to be precise when I call in to my local Hostelry!
I wonder what of my five year old when he comes of age? -
Rural Matters Issue 10 - Summer 2008
21st July 2008
The latest edition of the McCartneys Rural Matters newsletter is available to view.
Please click on the 'view document' link below to open up the newsletter.