Hot property june 2014

Your local property guide June2014

Great first time buyer home Page 5

Extended detached bungalow Page 11

Neill Estate Agents Celebrate 100 years Page 3

Turnkey detached & semi detached in Millisle Page 9

www.

Bangor Auctions.co.uk Have you been under the hammer yet?

Goods accepted for sale Friday & Monday 9.00am - 5pm. Collection service available

600 Lots Sold • Every Thursday 6pm It’s never been a better time to get that room/attic/garage cleared

1 Greenway Business Park, Conlig BT23 7SU • Tel. 028 9145 0494 • Visit our website www.bangorauctions.co.uk • Email: info@bangorauctions.co.uk

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Welcome...

Inside

June 2014 Sarah wants to make art accessible to everyone

Page 4

Ferns are making a revival in people’s homes – the Victorians believed showing their love of ferns demonstrated how cultured they were.

Meanwhile, Shirley Tumelty tells us how architectural features and antiques for the garden have been selling well with the onset of summer. She also outlines how ferns have made a revival inside the house, and how the Victorians believed showing their love for ferns demonstrated how culture they were.

The Historic Monuments Council aims to protect, study and promote the historic environment, and this month we met one of it’s members, Mount Stewart woman Noelle Houston, who told of her concern about the delipidation of historic buildings and the many buildings she feels are at risk. Noelle is also worried about the degradation of town centres, and believes every town and village has its challenges.

Neil Porteous explains how June is a time for transplanting and sowing, while Killinchy couple Joan and Mervyn Warrington take us round their garden set in the valley of a drumlin, and which provides a tapestry of colour and interest. The garden at 48 Comber Road is open later this summer as part of the Ulster Gardens Scheme.

While we were with her, we asked Noelle about her experiences working for the United Nations Centre of Human Settlements in Afghanistan, helping returning communities rebuild their homes.

Ballygowan artist, Sarah Majury, has a delightfully fresh approach to interpreting the environment and its wildlife surrounding her home in the County Down countryside, and her work is currently being exhibited in Killyleagh Library. Sarah outlines how she would like to help make art accessible to everyone.

This month we also visit an historic home in Donaghadee which serves as a reminder of the town’s rich maritime history. The building on Manor Street was once believed to be an inn providing respite to travellers journeying across the Irish Sea to Portpatrick in Scotland.

Jan Hollinger has been taking us through her project bringing life back to another part of our heritage, the old church in Greyabbey. In this issue she outlines the many decisions which have to be made, and how the beautiful stonework of the building has been revealed.

And finally, interiors expert, Jillian Espey, tells us how a lick of paint can help brighten up our homes and furnishings.

Page 15

Editorial

Violet Brown 028 9181 3333 v.brown@ardschronicle.co.uk Advertising

June Mills 07967 512691 j.mills@spectatornewspapers.co.uk A County Down Spectator and Newtownards Chronicle Production

Belvoir Lettings walk the hot coals

44 High Street, Holywood BT18 9AD property@johnminnis.co.uk

15 New Street, Donaghadee BT21 0AG property@johnminnis.co.uk

‘Every town and village has its own challenges’

£215,000

• Recently Built Detached Family Home • Bright and Spacious with High Specification Throughout Including Solid Oak Internal Doors • Large Lounge with Gas Fire • Modern Kitchen with Integrated Appliances Open to Dining Area • Garden Room • Four Bedrooms, Two with En Suite Shower Rooms • Luxurious Bathroom with Freestanding Bath and Separate Shower Cubicle • Oak uPVC Double Glazing • Gas Fired Central Heating • Private Driveway Parking • Front Garden and Enclosed Rear Garden with Patio and Lawned Area • Intruder Alarm System • Within a Few Minutes Drive to Newtownards Town Centre and Convenient for Commuting to Bangor and Belfast • Close to an Excellent Range of Local Schools Including Victoria Primary School, Londonderry Primary School and Regent House Grammar School.

**OPEN VIEWING ON SUNDAY 15TH JUNE 2014 2.30 TO 4.30PM** • Exceptional Detached Family Home of Circa 2800 sq ft • Prestigious and Highly Desirable Residential Location • Magnificent Mature South Facing Site • Through Floor Lift Which the Vendor is Prepared to Remove if Required • Drawing Room with Attractive Marble Fireplace, Marble Hearth • Gas Coal Effect Fire, Ornate Cornice Ceiling and Ornate Ceiling Rose • Family Room and Sliding Patio Doors to Outside • Dining Room and Lift to First Floor • Office with first fix plumbing for conversion to WC/ bathroom • Sun Room with Remote Control Sanderson Blinds and Vaulted T & G Pine Ceiling • Miele Fitted Kitchen with Excellent Range of Miele Appliances and Matching Utility Room • Four Good Sized Bedrooms, All of Which Have Access to En Suites.

Page 10

Offers Around

2A HELENSVIEW DRIVE, NEWTOWNARDS, CO. DOWN, BT23 4YE

16 MILLBANK, BANGOR, COUNTY DOWN, BT19 7PL

Find it, Paint it, Love it...

Tel: 9042 8888

Open Viewing this Sunday 15th June 2.

Offers Around

£359,950

30-4.30 pm

Tel: 9188 8881

“Jackie and Trevor Burns of Belvoir Lettings, Bangor, conquered the coals at a Firewalk and raised £415 for Cancer Focus Northern Ireland. All money donated to Cancer Focus is used to support cancer patients and their familes in Northern Ireland. Anyone who has concerns about cancer can speak to a specialist nurse on the Cancer Focus free Helpline, 0800 783 3339.”

hotproperty June2014

100 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE This year we are joining a very select club in celebrating 100 years in business. We are very proud of this milestone event and of our heritage in providing our clients with a personal, professional and quality service.

Some of our Facebook friends may even have seen the Northern Ireland Secretary of State Theresa Villiers call into our Bangor office to congratulate us.

Over the years Neills have continually grown and evolved and today we are leaders in the property industry and at the forefront of implementing the latest technologies in property management, marketing and sales.

We are always responsive to the changing needs of our clients and have unrivalled expertise and knowledge built up over generations which has proven to be invaluable. Neills are also the only agency in North Down which is regulated by the Royal Institution of Charted Surveyors. This strict regulation protects both our clients interests and money which has to be a high priority for anyone when choosing a property consultant.

We have seen a lot of changes change over the years in an industry that has always been cyclical in nature.

We all recognise that indicators at the moment are pointing to improving conditions with buoyancy and confidence returning to the market. One of the few things in the market that has remained is constant however is Neills presence. Before you make your next property decision, why not call in for some impartial advice and see why Neills are tried and trusted as your local property experts.

We have a fresh new look for 2014, award winning sales offices, and a dynamic team of 14 enthusiastic and experienced staff. We are all excited about the future and look forward to helping you meet all of your property needs in Sales, Rental and Surveys.

46 TOWERVIEW CRESCENT, BANGOR, £149,950

39 THE HILL, GROOMSPORT £155,000

254 DONAGHADEE ROAD, BANGOR, £167,500

221 BALLYWALTER ROAD, MILLISLE, £335,000

28 SPRINGFIELD ROAD, BANGOR, £129,950

22 THE PARADE, THE CAPTAIN’S TABLE, DONAGHADEE, £350,000

SALES / RENTALS / SURVEYS 98-100 Main Street, Bangor, Co. Down, Northern Ireland, BT20 4AG T: 028 9127 0283 F: 028 9127 0441 E: enquiries@neillestateagents.co.uk

www.neillestateagents.co.uk

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hotproperty June2014

Sarah wants to make

art accessible to everyone She works with different mediums – oils, water With a mother and older sister pursuing colours and acrylics – and is also a print maker. “It careers as artists, art is very much in depends on what you are painting,” Sarah the blood of Ballygowan woman, Sarah explained.

Majury, whose dream is to make it accessible to everyone.

Currently, Sarah is studying towards a degree in

Living in the County Down countryside, her work is influenced by this environment and its wildlife.

After attending Killinchy Primary School, Sarah moved to Victoria College in Belfast, before doing a degree in Fine and Applied Art. “I always loved animals and initially wanted to be a vet. I went to art college without thinking of the end point,” she said.

Although Sarah works from photographs, she also walks about in the countryside to capture her subjects, and goes out deer tagging with the British Deer Society. Through Facebook, she came across a woman who has a tame hare, after caring for its injuries. “She sends me photographs and I am very lucky to get access to amazing pictures of hares. I also get pictures of hounds from North Down Hunt and meet different animals at game fairs,” Sarah continued.

speech and language therapy, and undertakes print making workshops with people suffering from dementia, where they come together to socialise.

“I would like to combine speech and language therapy with art,” she outlined. “A lot of people think they can’t do art, but it’s all about finding the right medium and making it accessible to everyone.”

Sarah is a member of Kilmood Art Club which are mother helped to form, and she also exhibits at The Yard gallery in Holywood, and is part of the Creative Peninsula. Previously she has exhibited at Castle Espie and is currently showing her work at Killyleagh Library.

To find out more, visit sarahmajury.co.uk or follow her on Facebook at /sarahmajuryart.

Words – Violet Brown. Photo – Jonathan Coates

Sarah’s work is influenced by the countryside environment and it’s wildlife

hotproperty June2014

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PROFESSIONALISM WITHOUT COMPROMISE Now open late Thursday to 8pm 4 Briarwood Nook, Bangor • 3000 sq ft over 3 Floors • Master Floor with Dressing Room & Luxury Bathroom • 4 Double Bedrooms (1 Ensuite) • Luxurious Family Bathroom • 3 + Reception Rooms Large Kitchen/Dining Area Outside: Landscaped Gardens to Front and Back Double Garage

56B Gransha Road, Bangor

18 Seacliff Road, Bangor • Substantial Town Terrace • Excellent Potential • Spacious Accommodation • 4 Bedrooms • 3 Reception Rooms • Sea Views • Rear Garden • Immediate Possession

• Substantial Det Property • Oil Fired Heating • Double Glazing • Individual Design • Private Aspects • Large Detached Garage • Convenient Location

O.A. £350,000

6 Dixon Road, Bangor

O.A. £275,000

• 3 Bedrooms • uPVC double glazing • 3 reception rooms • Large site/cul de sac • Phoenix gas heating • Garage

O.A. £179,950

O.A. £175,000

1 Stonebridge Square, Bangor

2 Green Road Millisle

• 4 Bedrooms (Ensuite) • 2+ Reception Rooms • Upvc Double Glazing • Maple Kitchen • White Sanitary • Oil Fired Central Heating • Tastefully Decorated Throughout.

• Corner Site.

• Modern Specification • Sea Views • 4 Bedrooms (Ensuite) • Lounge/ Dining Area • Oil Fired Central Heating • Oak Kitchen • White Bathroom Suite • Pleasant Location

O.A. £164,950

O.A. £165,000 13 Morston Park, Bangor

27 Cove Hollow • Semi Detached Villa • 4 Bedrooms Master Bedroom with Ensuite • Kitchen/ Dining/ Family • White Bathroom Suite • Phoenix Gas Central Heating •Views Over Countryside • Utility Room • Cul de Sac • C69/C73

• Detached Bungalow • 2 Bedrooms Lounge • Kitchen/ Dining • Sun Room • Oil Fired Central Heating • White Kitchen • Enclosed Rear Garden • Detached Garage

O.A. £145,000

O.A. £149,950 6 The Pines, Bangor • Flexible Accommodation • 4 Bedrooms • 2 Reception Rooms • Oil Fired Central Heating • Upvc Double EPC E45/D65 Glazing • Shower Room / Bathroom • Garage • Cul de Sac • Immediate Possession

20 Robinson Way, Bangor • 3 Bedrooms • 1 + Reception • Conservatory Shower room • Oil Fired Central Heating • Upvc Double Glazing • Spacious Site

O.A. £140,500

O.A. £124,950

6 Hamilton Road, Bangor

75 Grays Hill, Bangor

• Substantial commercial property • Mostly double glazed • Town centre location • rear garden/garage • Oil fired central heating (partial) • Immediate possession • C45/D65

• 4 Bedrooms (Ensuite) • Lounge • Modern Kitchen • Phoenix Gas Heating • Bathroom/Shower Room • Double Glazing • Handy Location • Immediate Possession

O.A. £99,950

O.A. £99,950

4 Meadowvale Park, Bangor

42 Primacy Road, Bangor

• 4 Bedrooms/ Ensuite • 2 Reception Rooms • Kitchen/Dining Area • White Bathroom • Upvc Double Glazing • Oil Fired Central Heating • Immediate Possession • F37/D67

O.A. £90,000

• 3 Bedrooms • 1 + Reception Rooms • Upvc double glazing • Oil fired Central Heating • Immediate possession • EPC Rating: E51/C71

O.A. £85,000

7 Victoria Drive, Bangor • Spacious Terrace • Lounge/Dining Area • uPVC Double Glazing • Oil Fired Central Heating • Large Outside Store • Front & Side Gardens • Handy Location

O.A. £119,950 3 Cranley Avenue, Bangor • 3 Bedrooms • 1+ Reception • uPVC Double Glazing • Immediate Possession • Corner Site • Garage • F38/D61

O.A. £95,000

10 Erindee Gardens • 3 Bedrooms • Lounge • Upvc Double Glazing • Oil Fired Central Heating • Upvc Facias • Cul de Sac

6 Maryville Road, Bangor • 4 Bedrooms (Ensuite) • 2+ Reception Rooms • Upvc Double Glazing • Maple Kitchen • White Sanitary • Oil Fired Central Heating • Tastefully Decorated Throughout • Corner Site

O.A. £110,000

O.A. £109,950

2 Brook Lane, Bangor

17 Albany Road, Bangor

• 3 Bedrooms • Lounge • Spacious Kitchen • White Bathroom Suite • Double Glazing • Oil Fired Central Heating • Large Site • D64/C72

O.A. £95,000

• 3 Bedrooms • 1+ Reception • Maple Kitchen • White Bathroom Suite • uPVC Double Glazing • Phoenix Gas Heating • Garage • C68/C75

O.A. £90,000

50 Silverstream Drive, Bangor 24 Holborn Avenue, Bangor 11 Shrewsbury Drive, Bangor • 3 Bedrooms • 1+ Reception • Pine Kitchen • White Bathroom Suite • Upvc Double Glazing • Oil Fired Central Heating • Detached Garage • Spacious Rear Garden EPC: F37/E54

O.A. £85,000

• 4 Bedrooms • 1+ Reception • Oil Fired Central Heating • Upvc Double Glazing • Convenient Location • Ideal Investment • Immediate Possession • E48/C76

£79,950

• Extended • 2 Bedrooms • Lounge/ Dining Area • Cream Kitchen • White Bathroom Suite • Handy Location & Immediate Possession • D59/C71

O.A. £65,000

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hotproperty June2014

Vintage, Retro and Antique with Shirley Tumelty, Goldfish Antiques

Some people look to the inside of their houses and some to the outside! Architectural features and antiques for the garden have been selling well with the onset of summer, even if we havn’t yet had the good the weather we should at this time of year.

There are many demands for cast iron seat ends, with or without wooden slats, as many DIY enthusiasts can add their own. If you get a really good set of cast iron decorative sides it might even be worth getting them sandblasted to lose the many coats of old lumpy paint.

The old watering cans, many of which have unfortunately lost their large roses, are painted in jolly colours while others like them the natural metal tones best.

Decorative tall Victorian chimney pots are sold now purely as plant pots. Some of these are very beautiful – I saw some recently in Bangor with heart motifs.

While a lot of general antique shops like the 11 we have in Greyabbey village always have some garden antiques, there are also specialist architectural salvage businesses like Ballyalton House on the Ballyregan Road outside Newtownards who offer a very wide selection.

Vintage watering cans

W SE ON NELEA SO RE ING M CO

love for ferns showed how cultured they were.

Local antique fairs coming up include one at the Ramada Plaza, Shaws Bridge, Belfast on Sunday, June 15, and the BBC Antiques Roadshow is coming to Hillsborough Castle on Thursday, June 26.

BBC Antiques Roadshow invites members of the public to have their antiques and collectables examined and valued by experts. Days are free to attend and no ticket or registration is required. Doors open at 9.30am and anyone joining the queue up until 4.30pm is guaranteed a valuation.

I have also seen some beautiful Victorian cloches/small greenhouses in gardens around the They can sometimes assist with transporting difficult Peninsula, but have rarely seen them for sale. The items. If you need to you can email them at Victorians loved their flowers, with many books being antiques.roadshow@bbc.co.uk for details. written on their meanings and symbolism. Ferns have had a revival inside the house with books, boxes, china, engraved glasses now being sought out after a popular antique magazine catalogued what is available. And it was widely thought the Victorians believed showing their

Bridge Lea Green Road ~ Bangor

Now Available - The Kingston Semi Detached and Detached - from £129,950

Chimney pot

Crawfordsburn Road, Newtownards

New Release of Henleys now available

The Station House - from £212,000

Gardener’s Cottage Keepers Lodge

The Chiswick II

PRICES RANGING FROM

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£110,000-£145,000

£132,000-£249,950

VISIT OUR SHOWHOMES ON ALL OUR SITES OPEN EVERY SUNDAY FROM 2pm - 4pm

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1 Stonebridge Avenue, Conlig, Newtownards, Co. Down, BT23 7QL

T: 028

T: 028 9147 9277

T: 028

www.northlanddevelopments.co.uk

9146 3721

NEWTOWNARDS OFFICE

9181 4144

www.reedsrains.co.uk

hotproperty June2014

NEW RELEASE

SHOWHOME OPEN SUNDAY 2PM – 4PM

Blackwood Manor off Mountain Road Newtownards

3 Bedroom Semi-Detached from £132,500 3 Bedroom Detached from £157,500

Telephone Lagan for further information on 028 9026 1026 Selling Agent Reeds Rains 028 9181 4144 www.reedsrains.co.uk

built in trust

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hotproperty June2014

A reminder of

Donaghadee’s past A property which serves as a reminder of Donaghadee’s past as one of Ulster’s main ports when, during the 18th century, many people travelled to the town to make the crossing to Portpatrick in Scotland, has come onto the market.

Numbers four to six Manor Street were at one time one large house, which was believed to be an inn for passengers journeying through the port, before being deployed by Ormeau Bakery to house the horses and carts used for delivery bread.

Behind the Georgian facade lies two completely different homes, each retaining a lot of their original character. No 4 is an intriguing end of terrace property, with quarry tiled flooring through the kitchen and living area, and exposed stone walls and antique fireplace in the living room, and original sliding sash windows to the front. The three bedrooms, with a dressing room off the master, lie over two storeys.

Meanwhile the extended No 6 has a contemporary finish and features a minstrel gallery. There are two bedrooms with shower rooms on the ground and first floors.

Both properties open out onto an enclosed sunny courtyard, with the secluded setting perfect for al fresco entertaining. There is a further surprise with a modern building at the rear, currently being used as a studio, but which could also be used as an office or living accommodation.

The property is being marketed by John Minnis 15 New Street, Donaghadee – phone 028 91 888881.

Violet Brown

£580

LIVE IN

SIZZLING BBQ HUT

£3,500 N.IRELANDS LOWEST PRICE

BARBEQUE HUTS 2 Hogstown Road Donaghadee BT21 0NL

MOB/TEXT: 07720 377 778

028 9124 0140

Behind the Georgian facade lies two completely different homes

hotproperty June2014

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hotproperty June2014

Find it, Paint it, Love it...

with Jillian Espey BA (Hons) Design and Applied Arts www.alanespey-interiors.co.uk

When we think about decorating and adding colour to our homes, we tend to focus on the walls, leaving the interior trim and furniture as an afterthought. But when it comes to creating beautiful interiors, it pays to get creative with paint.

sand back any varnish or top layer of a factory finish to remove the sheen; after sanding make sure all surfaces are thoroughly clean, dry and free from dust; depending on how rustic you want your furniture to look, fill any cracks, holes and open joins with the appropriate flexible filler, then when hardened gently sand to smooth the surface.

By custom painting furniture Priming pieces or introducing colour to your interior trim such as skirting Now that the hard work of preparation is finished, priming is boards, dado rails, banisters, vital as it helps to fill small defects and doors and door frames, chairs, create an even finish, and also provides tables or sideboards, you can inject personality and interest to the perfect base for your topcoat to your decor. adhere to.

Whether your style is bold and bright or soft and subtle, a There are often different colours of freshly painted dresser, chair or table will revive your interiors and primers and undercoats depending on the introduce a splash of your favourite hues to you home. colour of your paint (topcoat) selected.

Farrow & Ball have four tones which are Preparation is key all water based – White & Light Tones, Mid Spending time properly preparing your furniture or trim will Tones, Red & Warm Tones and Dark Tones. ensure a longer lasting finish on your items that you can be proud of.

If the wood has any resinous knots – Please follow these few prepping tips – this tends to be an issue for newer wood remove any knobs, handles, drawers and doors for your rather than older furniture – scrape off items; any excess resin and clean with methylated or white spirit. Allow the area to dry then patch prime the area using a wood knot resin slightly sand bare wood to improve paint adhesion; blocking primer. previously painted items remove as much old, flaky paint Tip – allow at least four hour for undercoat and primer to dry as possible;

Custom Kitchens Donʼt buy a new kitchen until we give you a price

The top coat All of Farrow & Ball paints are water based, low odour, environmentally friendly and child friendly, meaning the paint is safe to be used on childrens furniture.

Estate Eggshell – this extremely robust and durable eggshell finish is ideal for interiors wood and metal. It has a low sheen level –20% – and is easily wiped and washed clean Full Gloss – a traditional high gloss finish with a 95% sheen level, is extremely versatile and robust and is suitable for both interior and exterior wood and mela surfaces

REPLACE YOUR DOORS AND WORKTOPS AT A FRACTION OF THE COST!!

Also:

New Kitchens and Sliding Mirror Robes Call NOW for a FREE estimate: Unit 6, 96 Abbey Street, Bangor BT20 4JB T: 9145 5404 E: info@customkitchens.info

Tips on application For best results use a quality fine-tipped synthetic bristled paint brush – especially with water based products; load the brush well and apply a generous first coat, and brush first vertically then horizontal directions until an even coat is applied; try not to overwork water based paint or attempt to brush it out in thin even coats as you would a traditional solvent based paint, as it may create excessive brush marks; allow to dry for a minimum of four hours before applying a second coat in the same way.

Your furniture can be given a new lease of life by reviving your chairs, tables and cupboards with colour, or you can upcycle bargain finds from charity shops and flea markets.

To give you a few idea’s Try painting a chair in fresh St Giles Blue no.280 to add colour, or paint drawers in grey tones graduating from Wevet no. 273 right through to Mole’s Breath no.276 for subtle sophistication. Or why not paint a table Incarnadine no. 248 for a bold look, or for a contemporary feel paint an ombre effect on a laundry bin using Brassica no 271 and Blackened no 2011.

Whether you want to turn a tired piece of furniture into a piece of art, or just refresh items with a new colour, Farrow & Ball has a fantastic range of tones to work with.

Again for a matt finish use Estate Eggshell, a robust and durable finish that is easily wiped clean. Alternatively, highshine Full Gloss is an extremely versatile and robust finish that will add instant glamour. Or you can combine the two – try painting a dressing table Calamine Estate Eggshell with Full Gloss Middleton Pink drawers to add rich colour and texture!

Farrow & Ball Estate Eggshell and Full Gloss paints are available to buy at Alan Espey Interiors, 41 High Street, Newtownards – 028 91815076

hotproperty June2014

NO UP FRONT FEES Contact us for more informa on

O/A £295,000

O/A £259,950

8 COVE CRESCENT, GROOMSPORT, BT19 6HW

36 BEECHFIELD AVENUE, BANGOR BT19 7ZY

Beautifully presented and spacious detached villa • Tastefully decorated throughout with little to do but move in • Bright and airy dining hall with solid wood flooring • Family Room with French doors to garden • Spacious living room with solid wood flooring and feature fireplace • Modern kitchen with ample space for dining • Four well proportioned bedrooms, master with ensuite shower room • Family bathroom with contemporray white suite • Beautifully landscaped south facing rear garden • Ample parking for two cars leading to large attached garage

Deceptively spacious family home • Five bedrooms • Three reception rooms • Conservatory • Recently fitted luxury kitchen • En suite shower room • Double garage • Mature gardens with beautiful aspect

O/A £189,950

O/A £159,950

19 ASHDALE CRESCENT, BANGOR, BT20 4XL Well Presented Detached Home • Living room with feature cast iron multi fuel burning stove • Separate dining room • Fitted pine kitchen • Four well proportioned bedrooms • Extensive brick pavior driveway with parking for several cars • Detached garage with car port • Generous rear garden • Gas fired central heating

O/A £125,000

17 BALLYHOLME VIEW, SEACLIFF ROAD, BANGOR BT20 5HT Luxury Penthouse Apartment with lift access • Two bright and airy double bedrooms • Modern high gloss fitted kitchen • Kitchen open plan to family / dining area with sea views • Feature first floor mezzanine living room • Contemporary shower room and bathroom • Gas fired central heating • Allocated and visitor parking

O/A £119,950

18 ALBERT STREET, BANGOR, BT20 5EF

60 ASHBURY ROAD, BANGOR, BT19 6TN

Deceptively spacious townhouse • Four/five generous bedrooms • Two plus reception rooms • Recently fitted modern kitchen • Downstairs WC • First floor family bathroom • Second floor shower room • Phoenix Gas central heating • Enclosed rear garden with decked area • Town centre location • No onward chain • Well presented throughout

Semi detached property • Living room with feature fireplace • Separate dining room • Modern fitted kitchen • Three well proportioned bedrooms • Gas fired central heating • Upvc triple glazing, soffits and fascia boards • Generous site with gardens in lawn to the front, side and rear • Brick pavior driveway • Ideally suited to the first time buyer, professional couple or young family alike

Bangor Office: 028 9147 9797 Belfast Office: 028 9066 1111

O/A £239,950

3 ARDMILLAN PARK, BANGOR, BT20 4NG Detached family home • Four bedrooms • Three reception rooms • Spacious kitchen • First floor bathroom • Ground floor shower room • Popular residential area • Enclosed rear garden • Garage • Oil fired central heating • Double glazed windows • Flexible accommodation

O/A £199,950

31 BAYVIEW ROAD, BANGOR BT19 6AR Extended detached bungalow • Four bedrooms • Three reception rooms • Deluxe kitchen with marble floor tiling • Modern bathroom and shower room • Detached garage • Enclosed rear garden with patio area • Popular residential area • No onward chain

O/A £152,500

44 LINEN ROAD, BANGOR, BT19 7JJ Superb Three Storey End Townhouse • Four Generous Bedrooms & Study • Spacious Lounge • Luxury Kitchen / Dining Room • Ensuite Shower Room • South Facing Garden • GFCH / Double Glazed • Popular residential area

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O/A £185,000

28 PRINCETOWN ROAD, BANGOR, BT20 3TA Extended End Townhouse • Three Generous Ensuite Bedrooms • Bright Living Room • Contemporary Fitted Kitchen • Dining Area with Vaulted Ceilings and Balconette • Family Room with Cast Iron Stove • Utility Area / Rear Storage Room • Separate WC • Gas Fired Central Heating • Double Glazed Windows • Off Street Parking to Rear • Enclosed Forecourt in Loose Pebbles • Within Close Proximity to Local Amenities, Schools and Transport Links

O/A £119,950

O/A £85,000

45 MONEA WAY, BANGOR, BT19 1AN

45 CHESTER PARK, BANGOR, BT20 3JE

Extended semi detached property • Flexible accommodation • Three/four bedrooms • Spacious lounge • Kitchen/dining area • Enclosed rear garden • Phoenix gas central heating • PVC double glazing, soffits and guttering

Mid terrace property close to the town centre • Spacious front and back gardens • Three bedrooms • Lounge with open fireplace • Ground floor shower room • Oil fired central heating • Double glazed windows • Ideal for first time buyer or investor • Immediate possession

69 High Street, Bangor, Co. Down, BT20 5BD 485 Lisburn Road Belfast BT9 7EZ t: 028 9147 9797 f: 028 9147 9794 e: info@fetherstonclements.com w: www.fetherstonclements.com

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hotproperty June2014

Decisions decisions, decisions Jan Hollinger takes us with her through her restoration project No matter how many renovation and restoration projects I have undertaken in the past, it still never ceases to amaze me just how many decisions there are to be made about finishes for a building.

windows which will be painted in Farrow and Ball’s Lichen coloured paint. They will totally transform the place and I can’t wait to see them in place.

Last month I mentioned the next step was to have the stonework sand blasted, but since then Simon has cleaned all the stonework in a more gentle manner, using a little weak brick acid followed by a hot power washer. The stonework has come up a treat as you can see in the photo, and this method has meant the lime mortar has not been damaged, therefore less will need to be re-pointed. We are now really looking forward to the stone masons starting to repair all of the damaged areas and bringing the stonework back to how it should be without making it look new.

This is due to take three to four weeks and then we can eventually start to put the whole building back together.

Whilst waiting for the planning approval to come through we have had the chance to search for great antique and salvage pieces for the our project. For example, Simon spotted eight beautiful antique curved glass uplighters on ebay and had them shipped over so they can take up their new places between each pair of gothic windows, highlighting the exposed stonework and beams above.

Choice of flooring in such an expansive area can make a huge difference to the overall look of the place so we have considered all manner of materials.

Initially we thought about using reclaimed French Oak flooring but worried that, being so close to the coast, the moisture levels in the air might end up with us having wonky floorboards. I didn’t think the combination of uneven flooring, ladies in killer heels and wobbly tables would really add to any occasion. After considering all the options we choose to go for limestone paving both inside and out – the slabs come in a variety of beautiful natural colours and will give us a smooth, hard wearing surface which will be able to withstand dancing stilettos and red wine inside, and the ravages of a costal location on the outside.

www.diamondbedroomsystems.co.uk

Then there were the windows – what a saga that has been. Is it just me or is it not reasonable to think if you ask a window company to give you a quote for windows you could expect them to come back with a price?

Apparently not as out of eight window companies who made a visit to our site, only three ever came back with a quote. Now I know that Gothic shaped windows aren’t the most straightforward to make but I kind of expected window companies to be able to make windows. Thankfully we have found a company who can make some lovely and affordable wooden sash

So it’s back to the grindstone to keep the project moving forward so we make our target of completion by the end of September. We are already taking bookings for weddings and functions and if you would like to come and have a look around we would be delighted to see you.

You can follow our progress on Facebook at www.facebook.com/orangetreehouse and find more details on our website www.orangetreehouse.co.uk As always if you have any history or photos of our old church or surrounding area we would love to hear from you at food@orangetreehouse.co.uk

hotproperty June2014

Gardening Gems

with Neil Porteous, Mount Stewart Gardens

June in the garden

Traditionally, June was a time for ‘looking after what you had got’, but today we enjoy longer growing seasons than those of the past by three to four weeks. Today, June is still a time for transplanting and sowing and maybe, July should be the modern month for looking after what you have.

Many half hardy or sub-tropical plants are best transplanted now – the temperature is as good as it gets. These plants are really useful for filling any spaces you may have, but they also give the garden an exotic lift. I like the exotic half-hardy Fuchsias, like F. boliviana with red slender tubular trumpets and long velvety leaves, or its white and pink variant F. boliviana ‘Luxuriens Alba’ better in cooler, more shaded positions. These plants overwinter with very little maintenance in a cool glasshouse.

Another favourite is F. arborescens with hundreds of tiny small pink, star-like flowers in late summer. All these exotic Fuchsias are easily propagated by cuttings. Sometimes, the glasshouse Fuchsias, throw out shoots in whorls of three leaves instead of two – these are especially useful for making standards. The trick with making a standard or half-standard

of any kind is to keep the plants growing for their first winter. A minimum of 70ºC is required, but a regime between 120ºC and 80ºC is ideal – these plants will always break above each subsequent year, while those which have not been treated with winter heat, will retrench and break at the base and you are back to square one!

Last month I mentioned sowing seeds of biennials, and I would include the following plants to sow now and treat as biennials, although they may flower in their third year instead of the second. All the lovely Echiums, from the huge E. pininiana to the more well behaved, but no less spectacular E. candicans are easy to start from seed now. The ‘Giant Scottish Thistle’, Onopordum acanthium is a wonderful plant which flowers tall, usually in its second year. This plant comes not from Scotland, but from Europe and Asia, wherever there are dry summers. But keep it away from Donkeys – the Greek components of Onopordum means Donkey and fart!

Water lilies, Asparagus, Restios, Phormium and Bamboos are growing strongly now and this is the best time to lift and divide these plants – they will hardly notice the disturbance, whereas at other time of the year, they sulk –

sometimes terminally! A great way to display established bamboo is to thin down the haulms to half, removing the old and gnarled stems and any weaklings. Feed heavily with pelleted chicken manure, high in Nitrogen, water and mulch heavily with well rotted manure and you will be surprised how tall and thick the haulms become during the growing season.

Neil Porteous

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hotproperty June2014

A tapestry of

colour and interest The garden of Joan and Mervyn Warrington on the outskirts of Balloo, Killinchy, is a veritable cornucopia of plants and shrubs.

Set in the valley of a drumlin, the garden which covers roughly an acre, includes shrubs, flowering plants, soft fruits, vegetables, fruit trees, miniature conifers and its own Monkey Puzzle tree.

The garden was started by Mervyn’s aunt over 50 years ago. He explained: “When she bought it, it was covered in blackthorn and shrubs, she got a farmer to pull them all out.

“She had a lot of spring flowering plants. I have put a lot of shrubs

in and try to have things flower right through the year with a roll of bloom.”

Throughout the garden, no two similar plants are sited beside each other, creating a tapestry of colour and interest. There are a collection of pathways around the garden to make for easier viewing of the many different plants.The garden is also home to several bee hives which pollinate the garden as they collect nectar.

Mervyn grows plants from seeds and cuttings but admits he ‘can’t resist buying the odd plant’.

The garden at 48 Comber Road, Killinchy will be open under the Ulster Gardens Scheme on Saturday and Sunday, August 9 and 10 from 2 to 5pm.

Words – Violet Brown. Photos – Bob Torrens

BEFORE

AFTER

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‘Every town and village

has its own challenges’ Historic Monuments Council member, Mount Stewart woman Noelle Houston, brings a wealth of different experiences to the role.

Noelle went to Victoria College in Belfast, and then went on to study architecture at Edinburgh university. “Both my parents are architects, and I have always been aware of the built environment and design. I always wanted to marry the social aspect with design, how our landscape was formed, urban planning and how we create our spaces,” she related.

After university, Noelle moved to London, where she was employed by Harrowgate Council, before moving into private practices.

“After a while I had had enough of London. I wanted to travel and I went to West Africa and looked at mud mosques and generally at mud buildings. While there, I was involved in a bus accident travelling back to Barnako, the capital of Mali, and had to come home to my parents to recouperate,” she recalled.

“I then decided to return to study, and went to the University of York where they had an Institute of Advanced Architectural Studies and completed a course on one world studies. I got work with the United Nations and went to Afghanistan to take part in a resettlement programme for returning refugees,” Noelle related. Three weeks after she arrived in Kabul, President Architect Noele Houston from Mount Stewart is a member of the Historic Monuments Council Najibullah stepped down, and she and room and would have all been sitting on the floor on cushions. I other UN employees were evacuated to India. They returned to would have got a tap on the shoulder and would be asked to the country, reorganised at the come and meet the family. I went round to the back which was United Nations Centre of usually a courtyard where all the cooking was done, and got to Human Settlements, and all meet the women and children,” she recalled. travelled to different areas.

Noelle returned to Northern Ireland in 1994, and, along with Noelle was sent to the north of an architect friend, completed a Heritage Regeneration Strategy Aghanistan to Mazar-i-Sharif. for Mallow in County Cork, and then with the same friend, did “It was before the Talliban an historic environment resurvey listing buildings in Jersey. came up from the south and

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was a time of civil war when different warlords were fighting each other, and it wasn’t a secure time. We were always very conscious of danger,” she related.

“I became aware of the value of our historic buildings and environment. I have always been concerned about the lack of appreciation of our built heritage and hate all these isolated buildings within the countryside which I believe is just bad planning. It means we don’t have the advantage of either vibrant villages or unspoilt countryside,” she remarked.

While there, she organised help for returning communities to rebuild their homes in villages. The UN helped find finance for different things such as timber, beams, doors and dooms in earthquake areas. “We took a holistic view to the problem and worked with other UN agencies. We did infrastructure work, such as redigging irrigation tunnels, building culverts and small bridges. I did feel it was a drop in the ocean,” Noelle said.

She applied for a voluntary role in the Historic Monuments Council which she joined in 2000 and is in the second year of a second three year term.

“I had wonderful experiences and everyone treated us extremely well,” Noelle related. As a woman in a male dominated society she believes she saw both sides of society. “Professionally, I was treated as an honorary man.

However, when we went as guests into people’s homes we were shown into the main

“We advise on the listing of buildings and also the impact of new developments on them,” she explained.

“I am concerned about the delipidation of historic buildings and the many buildings at risk. I am concerned about the degradation of town centres and, especially in this economic climate, there are many empty shops. Even without the downturn there is the threat of out of town developments. There is a lack of appreciation of cohesion of our historic fabric and urban spaces,” Noelle believes.

“Every town and village has its challenges. In Portaferry, I hope the Heritage Lottery Fund goes towards reutilising some of the old buildings,” she said.

In Newtownards, Noelle believes the development by the Hearth Housing Association in Court Street has been a ‘success story’. It is still fresh and lived in, and is really nice,” she concluded.

Words – Violet Brown. Photo – Bob Torrens

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hotproperty June2014

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