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PROPERTY NEWS
LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
S A L E S
A N D
L E T T I N G S
OCTOBER 2020
CREATING YOUR HOME OFFICE WITH GROWING NUMBERS OF PEOPLE WORKING FROM HOME, IT’S IMPORTANT TO GET THE ENVIRONMENT JUST RIGHT HALF-TERM DAYS OUT A LOOK AT FAMILY DAYS OUT THIS AUTUMN
STYLISH WALLPAPER IDEAS THE HOTTEST HOME DECOR TRENDS THIS YEAR
SPORTING EVENTS EXPLOSIVE SPORTS ACTION THIS MONTH
HALLOWEEN RECIPES ENJOY THESE GHOULISHLY GREAT, SPOOKY TREATS
LIFESTYLE
COVER STORY
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Creating your home office It is important to create the right home-working environment for you
PROPERTY
8
Stylish wallpaper ideas The hottest home decor trends this year
16
Our latest instructions Take a look at a selection of our latest properties on the market
20
About us Get to know our team a little better and see why we are your agent of choice
TRAVEL
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Spooky places to visit this year Our guide to 5 of the spookiest locations in and around the UK
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How to carve a pumpkin Here are some hints and tips to help you out
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Half-term days out We take a look at some of the family days out available
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Halloween party at home A great guide to make it a special celebration at home
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Power women at the box office These leading ladies are set to take over the box office
SPORT
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October Sporting Events Let’s have a look at some of the biggest events this month
FOOD
14
Halloween recipes A selection of recipes to ensure your spooky night goes well
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TOP
CONTENTS
SPOOKY PLACES TO VISIT IN THE UK THIS YEAR
It’s that time of year where we are all looking for a good scare and where better to start than some of the most terrifying places around the UK…
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n the build-up to Halloween, some of us get comfy on the sofa with a good horror film, while others are more adventurous. If you are the thrillseeker type, check out our guide to 5 of the spookiest locations in and around the UK.
BUCKLAND ABBEY, DEVON
WELCOME TO THE OCTOBER ISSUE!
S
ummer seems a distant memory already! We have been blessed with warm weather throughout which has been a great benefit in these strange times.
experienced before we have helped create a guide to throwing the perfect Halloween party at home including how to carve a pumpkin, some great games and some spooky recipes too.
With the property market thriving, if you’re thinking about moving but haven’t started the process, we have put safety guidelines in place to ensure your safety. And with our expert local knowledge, we have all the tools you need to get you moving – including a FREE personalised website for you to share on social media.
How is it nearly half-term? Never fear though, we have a selection of great half-term, family days out as well as a guide to the top 5 spooky places to visit in the UK. And finally, we take a look at the Power-Women taking over at the box office this month.
This month’s issue provides you with a wide range of articles including the most stylish wallpaper trends for 2021, how to create the perfect home office and the biggest sporting events this month. It’s Halloween month, and knowing it’ll be a Halloween like we’ve never
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PROPERTY NEWS
Please note, we are doing our best to be accurate, but in these strange times, all the dates and availability at attractions may change, however, were correct at the time of writing.
We’ll start with a celebrity ghost. We all learned about Sir Francis Drake in school. In life, he was a national hero, a sea captain, naval officer and explorer who was famed for his circumnavigation of the world in a single expedition from 1577 to 1580. Buckland Abbey was sold to Sir Francis Drake in 1580 after the expedition and he made it his home. However, many locals feared the intrepid, and recently Knighted explorer, believing he had supernatural powers. Some even said he had made a pact with the Devil which was how he had defeated the Spanish Armada. In death, his ghost is now believed to haunt Buckland Abbey and ride across Dartmoor in a black coach driven by headless horses led by goblins and pursued by barking dogs. Buckland Abbey is run by the National Trust and you can visit it all year round.
Till next time… Jonathan Wheatley Editor
Spooky fact: It has been suggested that the ghost story even inspired Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to write The Hound of the Baskervilles.
CROFT CASTLE, WEST MIDLANDS
TREASURER’S HOUSE,YORK
The Croft family, where the castle got its name, are descendants of the famous Welshman, who is believed to haunt the castle as a seven-foot figure clad in a leather jerkin. Members of staff at the castle have also reported the cries of a wailing baby and a spectral figure wearing a grey doublet. In one of the windows, a woman has been seen wearing a crinoline (a stiff petticoat) who is believed to be a member of the Croft family.
An 18-year old engineer, who later became a policeman, named Henry Martindale has the best-known account of the spooky goings-on in the house. One day, when Martindale was installing a boiler in the cellars, he heard the sound of a trumpet and saw a soldier’s helmet emerge from the wall he was working. As he watched, around 20 further spectral soldiers emerged armed with lances, short swords and round shields.
Croft Castle is also run by the National Trust and you can visit all year round.
Treasurer’s House is also run by the National Trust and you can visit all year round.
Croft Castle is said to be ‘The most haunted house in the Midlands,’ and amongst the seven spectres, it also has a famous resident, Welsh freedom fighter, Owain Glyndwr. Glyndwr was a Welsh leader born in 1359 who instigated a fierce war of independence against the English and was the last native Welshman to hold the title Prince of Wales.
Spooky fact: Members of staff have reported hearing their names being called when no one is around.
PLUCKLEY, KENT
Pluckley in Kent is in the Guinness Book of Records as the ‘Most haunted village in Britain.’ This quaint village is reputed to have between 12-14 ghosts including the spectre of a highwayman in a tree, the ghost of a gipsy woman who drowned in a nearby stream, a phantom coach and horse, the old miller on Mill Hill, the hanging body of a schoolmaster, a colonel, a man smothered in clay, the Lady of Rose Court, the White Lady and the Red Lady. One of the most famous haunted spots is the pub, The Blacksmith’s Arms, which was previously called The Spectre’s Arms and the Ghost’s Arms because of the number of hauntings and strange occurences. The pub is not haunted by just one, but three ghosts: A Tudor maid, a coachman and a Cavalier. Pluckley, Kent, is a village like any other with two pubs, however, to get the full spooky experience you can book a ghost walk with London Walking Tours
Spooky fact: Nearby, the aptly named Screaming Woods, is a real tourist trap with brave tourists choosing to camp overnight.
Treasurer’s House, nestled in the centre of York, has over 2000-years of history running through its veins. Renovated by Frank Green, a wealthy industrialist and passionate collector, Treasure’s House was used to showcase his collections including antique furniture, art and textiles.
Spooky fact: It was revealed that 18-inches below the current cellar floor, archaeologists revealed evidence of an ancient Roman road.
CANNOCK CHASE FOREST, STAFFORDSHIRE
Cannock Chase forest is a natural beauty spot in Staffordshire, however, it also has a horrid history including murder and chilling sightings of a spectre known locally as ‘The Black Eyed Child.’ First spotted over 30-years ago, the sightings have restarted over the past decade. Recent descriptions of the spectre are eerily similar to those in the 80s, where a child, with coal-black pits for eye sockets, haunts the woods. It is a hot-spot for paranormal investigators who have also heard stories around the world regarding other children with the same eerie eyes, however, only in Cannock Chase do the sightings consistently happen during the daytime. Often the sightings will happen after hearing screams. The child will appear with her hands over her eyes, before revealing her ghastly form. Cannock Chase Forest is run by Forestry England and boasts a children’s play area, orienteering trails and Go Ape.
Spooky fact: During the 1960s three young girls were murdered in what became known as ‘The Cannock Chase Murders.’
LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
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CREATING THE PERFECT
HOME OFFICE SPACE With growing numbers of people regularly working from home, it’s important to get the environment just right
CHOOSE THE RIGHT SPACE
With an ever-growing number of Brits now working from home each week, especially those whom after Covid-19 may not be going back to the office, it is important to create the right working environment. With the benefits from homeworking ranging from saving money on the commute to being in for deliveries and the school run, it is easy to see why so many people have jumped at the chance. But what should you consider when converting a room into a home office?
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Choosing the right space is the first important decision to make. It’s not just about fitting into any space; you will, after all, be spending most of your working day in there! If you’re able, choose a room that has some natural light coming in and that will be big enough to accommodate a desk, chair and storage – depending on your needs, of course. Once in, decide the best layout. For some, a view into the garden is nice, for others, however, it can be a distraction. It is worthwhile trying out a few different layouts before settling on one.
CREATE THE PERFECT ENVIRONMENT
As you will be spending a good deal of time working in your chosen room, it’s vital that you create the perfect environment so that your productivity isn’t impacted. An uncomfortable and incorrectly positioned chair can lead to repeated shuffling to get comfortable, leading to distraction and a lack of desire to lock yourself away in your office and get the job done. Likewise, try to remove other distractions such as TVs. The same ethos applies to your desk. Work out how much space you need. Is it just a laptop you need the space for, or will you be using it to organise paperwork? Perhaps you need two screens? Whatever your needs, ensure you have a desk that is up for the job. When it comes to decorating your room, go for it. A simple, plain room may look like your office back at work, but now you are at home you can install some of your own personality into it. Why not get some printed wallpaper to give the impression of a library or go for your favourite calming colour.
KIT IT OUT
OK, so you know what you need, now it’s time to kit out your office. With internet shopping, you no longer need to rely on a trip to Ikea to get the office furniture you need. It’s always a good starting point but why not try the likes of www.wayfair.co.uk, www.officefurnitureonline.co.uk or www. ryman.co.uk to name but a few. Of course, you can always stay local with second-hand furniture shops or even Facebook Marketplace for everything you need. Again, work out what you need before you buy so you don’t end up buying more than you need. Another handy tip is to invest in some shelves. These are great space savers and also create a really nice,
stylish backdrop for Zoom and Skype meetings when full of books.
STORAGE DELIGHTS
Keep it tidy and keep it simple! There are plenty of storage solutions out there for your home office space. And if floor space is limited, utilise wall space instead with bookcases or wall storage. Buying a desk with storage drawers and cupboards can also be highly beneficial. Also, try to keep your office stuff in your new office. You don’t want to be rushing all over the house looking for stationery equipment or paperwork in the middle of a busy task you need to concentrate on. Folders, units, shelves and drawers are a necessity now that you are working from home to keep organised.
GET CONNECTED If your broadband speed isn’t up to scratch it can be frustrating. Employers are likely to call you back into the office if your speed can’t handle the work you need to do. Alternatively, if you use Skype for business, a poor broadband speed could seriously hinder any meetings you have planned.
As you will be spending a good deal of time working in your chosen room, it’s vital that you create the perfect environment so that your productivity isn’t impacted.
Slow broadband speed is a big turn off. Luckily rural countryside areas are finally catching up with inner-city speeds. Comparison websites such as Uswitch and Compare the Market will show you the best deals and estimated speeds in your area in minutes. Not only do you need a fast broadband speed, but you also want one that is consistently good from morning to evening. So check reviews on websites in regards to reliability and not just speed.
LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
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HOW TO CARVE
A PUMPKIN
THIS HALLOWEEN
With Halloween coming up, there is nothing that symbolizes this holiday better than a carved pumpkin…
W
hether you want to create a simple jack-o-lantern or something a little more artistic, here are some hints and tips that will help you out. As anyone who has ever carved a pumpkin already knows, it can be a messy job and tougher than first expected.
USE THE RIGHT PUMPKIN
When picking a pumpkin make sure you get to the shops early and pick one that is fresh, unbruised and has both a sturdy stem and a flat bottom. You’ll want the flat bottom, especially so that it stays stable when carving and doesn’t roll when you have finished and put it on show.
CUT FROM THE BOTTOM
Yes, you read that right, when making your first cut, choose to create the lid at the bottom of the pumpkin. This will help stop your pumpkin from caving in at the sides and you will also avoid the fiddliness of putting the lid back on after it has been cut.
SCOOP OUT THE PULP AND THIN THE WALLS
Ensure when you are inside the pumpkin that you scoop out all the pulp and seeds. You can get a special
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PROPERTY NEWS
‘pumpkin’ claw for this job, alternatively, a great tool most people have at home already for this job is an ice cream scoop. When scooping out also thin down the inner wall of the ‘face’ area so it will be easier to cut.
When making your first cut, choose to create the lid at the bottom of the pumpkin
SKETCH OUT YOUR DESIGN
On a piece of A-4 paper, sketch out your spooky design. Ideally do this to the size of the pumpkin, covering the whole piece of paper so when the time comes you can tape the sketch onto the ‘face’ of the pumpkin. You will then be able to use this as a guide when it comes to actually cutting out the pumpkin.
MAKE ROUGH CUTS FIRST
Holding the pumpkin in your lap for stability, start by making the largest,
OTHER HINTS AND TIPS Use the scraps of the pumpkin to make a tongue, hair accessories etc, for the pumpkin. Spread petroleum jelly on the cut edges to seal in moisture and keep your jack-o-lantern fresh. Create a chimney. When you first light a candle inside, let it burn for a few minutes and then check where it has blackened. Then simply create a small hole in that area to act as a chimney.
simplest rough cuts using a serrated kitchen knife. By getting the bigger pieces out of the way, you can then go back and neaten up the edges and details later using a small saw or sharp non-serrated knife.
AUTUMN HALF-TERM DAYS OUT With half-term already approaching, we thought we’d take a look at some of the awesome family days out available this year
Treat the little-ones this half term, especially after starting school and the craziest of the past 6-months, with a day out at Legoland, Windsor. Legoland is the ultimate experience for kids of all ages, and let’s face it, what child doesn’t love Lego!
The York Dungeon is a journey through 2000 years of York’s darkest history, bringing together iconic characters, immersive sets and thrilling special-effects in a unique actor-led experience. While there you will meet characters such as the Black Jester, Jorvik and Guy Fawkes, and visit locations such as the Torture Chamber and the Courtroom.
The theme park offers day passes and annual passes as well as mini-staycations and short breaks which are great for half term and getting away. They have also introduced new attractions such as the World’s First DUPLO Coaster, DUPLO Playtown, The Frog Prince at the DUPLO Valley Theatre alongside favourites like LEGO NINJAGO The Ride, Miniland, Viking River Splash and expect there to be spooky goings-on throughout the park in October.
Aimed at older children, the York Dungeon is a great and informative day out, while educational at the same time (just don’t tell the kids) and fits in nicely with Halloween coming up. In all, there are 9 live actor shows, specially designed sets and gripping storytelling from a professional cast. Tickets need to be booked online and cost £11.95 for children (aged 5-15 years) and £15.10 for adults. The Dungeons also offer similar attractions in London, Edinburgh and Blackpool.
incredible underwater world as part of their mission to inspire a love for the ocean and its creatures.
There are a dozen Sealife centres in and around the UK and they are some of the most beloved and well-visited attractions in the UK. Each year, they welcome over 20 million explorers into their
Each centre offers expert daily talks, self-guided tours and workshops and multimedia experiences like Shark Mission and Art Aquarium alongside all your favourite sea creatures including sharks, seahorses, penguins, turtles, clownfish, jellyfish, rockpool creatures and rays. You will need to book online for tickets and they offer general admission, adult and child tickets, annual passes and the Merlin Annual Pass which gets you into other great attractions too.
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STYLISH WALLPAPER IDEAS AND TRENDS
Looking at decorating a living room, home office or bedroom this year? Let’s take a look at some of the hottest trends!
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tylish and trendy wallpapers have never been more popular. A few years ago, the trend was for neutral shades of paint etc, however, times have changed and, as such, so has interior design, with modern design now leaning towards expressions of individuality. And there is no better way to show your individuality than with printed wallpaper.
ABSTRACT WALLPAPER PATTERNS In a digital world, it is no surprise to see geometric, abstract patterns coming to the forefront of interior design. They offer a futuristic, yet stylish dĂŠcor for home offices and bedrooms. Check out this design from www.iwantwallpaper. co.uk by Debona.
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PROPERTY NEWS
ORIGINAL PRINTS With day-to-day life more stressful than ever, designers are advising not to bring the stress home with you. Fill your home, especially your living room, with original wallpaper prints offering custom designs, unexpected colours and unusual textures. Here’s one we think you’ll love from www. contrado.co.uk
ECO-FRIENDLY MATERIAL We’re all trying to do our bit for the environment, so why not try an eco-friendly wallpaper. Naturalism works really well with eco wallpapers and they work perfectly in rooms which receive ample sunlight. www.farrow-ball.com offer some great, naturalist, ecofriendly wallpapers with their handcrafted ‘greener’ options.
LUXURY WALLPAPER Luxury, designer wallpaper is a sure-fire way to add some flair to your home. The wallpaper will immediately turn any room into a sophisticated one. Again, geometric patterns are in favour for the future with lots of golds and dark greens. Head over to www.grahambrown.com to find a huge selection of some of the most stylish luxury wallpaper available anywhere.
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HALLOWEEN PARTY AT HOME H
Halloween will, like most of 2020, be a different experience this year, however, we have a great guide to make it special at home‌
alloween has always been about Trick-or-Treat, pumpkins and decorating your house, however, this year, with Trick-or-Treating all but off the schedule, we thought we would look at the ways to have a great Halloween party at home with your immediate family.
DECORATIONS First things first, you will need to get a whole lot of decorations. Budget shops such as Poundstretcher and B&M are great places to pick up one-off decorations for your house. To make it a family affair, why not make DIY decorations. This is a great way to keep children entertained and build excitement for Halloween this year. Glow in the dark paint and stickers are great to stick onto black paper and then cut off to make dangling decorations such as skeletons, ghosts and witches which look great hanging from doors, in windows and in the centre of the room.
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PROPERTY NEWS
Start putting the decorations up early to create a build-up to the event itself which will help get the kids excited and forget about the potential lack of Trick-or-Treating this year‌
TRICK-OR-TREATING With Trick-or-Treating probably off the menu this year due to social-distancing, why not create an Easter-style egg hunt around your home with a spooky candy hunt? You can set up clues that lead around the house with spooky goings-on around the home, almost like Scooby-Doo. Kids will love finding sweets and treats amidst all the spooky decorations.
FAMILY PARTY GAMES After the Trick-or-Treat hunt, why not have some fun and games as a family, while enjoying those sweet treats.
BEAN BAG TOSS This game is really simple and utilises carved pumpkins and Trick-or-Treat buckets. Each player has three shots to get their bean bags into either the buckets or carved pumpkins for a certain amount of points. And even better, once you have finished, you can add a tealight and put the pumpkin on show!
EYEBALL PONG Similar to beer pong for adults, paint spooky eyes on table tennis balls and take it in turns to bounce the eyeballs on a table and into a cup. Have a prize for the most balls in a cup each turn – obviously not beer if you’re playing with the kids!
GHOST AND PUMPKIN BOWLING Dependant on whether a new toilet roll shortage has started again, paint ghoulish faces onto 10 toilet rolls and stack them in a pyramid. Then, using a pumpkin with a spooky face painted on and with the stalk cut off, see how many toilet rolls you can knock over each go.
PARTY TIME Now is the time for some classic fun and games. Turn the family-friendly, spooky music loud and dance around the house. You can incorporate musical statues at any time, stopping the music and watching who freezes like a ghost! See who can dance like a zombie or a mummy the best and let the kids go crazy working off the sweets in their systems.
CHILLOUT TIME After all that fun and excitement, now is the time to chill. There are a huge number of familyfriendly spooky films on Sky, Netflix and Amazon Prime. Some of the classics include Casper the Friendly Ghost, The Haunted Mansion and The Witches. Perfect for a family cuddle on the sofa under a blanket whilst eating all those sweet treats, including some of the fabulous recipes on pages 14&15. It may not be the same as going out in the local community and Trick-or-Treating with friends, however, with the current, ongoing situation, we hope some of these ideas will help you celebrate Halloween and create a fun evening for the kids this year!
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OCTOBER SPORTING EVENTS With the emergence of Autumn and a busy sports calendar now reopen, let’s have a look at some of the biggest events this month…
LONDON MARATHON
NATIONS LEAGUE
Virgin Money, who host the event, has set up a virtual event this year taking place on the same day. General entries are now closed, however, you can still enter by running for a charity. Entrants will have 23 hours 59 minutes and 59 seconds to complete the 26.2 miles by walking, jogging or running.
England were drawn against Belgium, Denmark and Iceland who they will play both home and away, with the four group winners qualifying for the UEFA Nations League Finals which feature semi-finals, a third-place match and the final. At the end, the ten group winners advance directly to the World Cup finals for 2022.
The 2020 London Marathon will be a marathon like no other due to Covid-19. This year, only elite athletes will run the 26.2-mile course through the capital. The course will be spectator free and follow a different course from the usual one. However, non-elite athletes will still have a chance to compete in the 40th race.
MARATHON & VIRTUAL EVENT
The Nations League kicks off again this month. It is the second edition of UEFA’s newest national-team competition. 55 teams have been split into four leagues according to their position in the 20/21 UEFA Nations League Access List and the teams were then split again into four pots in each league.
FIXTURES
Virgin Money London Marathon 4th October 2020.
England V Belgium 11th October 2020 @ 17:00
CORRECT AT TIME OF GOING TO PRINT
England V Denmark 14th October 2020 @ 19:45
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PROPERTY NEWS
FORMULA 1
The Formula 1 season is in full swing and is showing no let-down in October, with three races over the month. As it stands, Lewis Hamilton is top of the driver standings closely followed by Valtteri Bottas and Max Verstappen, while Mercedes are top of the Team Standing ahead of rivals Red Bull. First up this month is the Eifel Grand Prix on the 9th to the 11th October. The race will be held at the Nürburgring this year. After this, we have the Portugal Grand Prix which will be held on the 23rd to the 25th October at Portimao. Before finishing with the Italian Grand Prix on the 31st October till the 1st November in Imola.
RACE LIST Eifel Grand Prix. 11th October 2020. Nürburgring. Portugal Grand Prix. 25th October 2020. Portimao. Italian Grand Prix. 1st November 2020. Imola.
POWER WOMEN AT THE BOX OFFICE October is the month where some of the most powerful women in the world are taking over at the Box Office.
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t’s been a strange year, especially for cinema where most movies stopped production during the Covid-19 pandemic. With cinemas now open, studios are finally ready to unleash their big guns. And there are none bigger than the following leading ladies.
WONDER WOMAN 1984
First up is the long-awaited Wonder Woman sequel, Wonder Woman 1984. Patty Jenkin’s sequel has been delayed due to Covid-19 more times than anyone cares to remember, but as of writing, it is due to be released this month. Wonder Woman 1984 will pick up in the 1980s, where she will be united with Chris Pine’s Steve Trevor from the first film. When released it will be the second DC film of the year after February’s other girl-power blockbuster Birds of Prey
starring Margot Robbie. This time, Diana Prince, aka, Wonder Woman will be facing off against Pedro Pascal, from Game of Thrones fame, as Max Lord, and Kristen Wiig, from Bridesmaids, as Cheetah. Gal Gadot is back as Woman Woman after her previous outings in the first Wonder Woman, Justice League and Batman V Superman. Warner Bros is hoping the sequel will do similar business as the original which took $822 million worldwide in 2017.
BLACK WIDOW
Next up is Marvel’s Black Widow. Scarlett Johansson has played the character since she was first introduced in Iron Man 2 way back in 2010. Since then she has appeared in 8 further MCU movies, where we have had clues to her background, but nothing
concrete. Black Widow promises to change that with an in-depth look into Natasha Romanoff’s background. For the movie, we are going back in time, for obvious reasons, (spoiler alert) to the aftermath of Captain America: Civil War from 2016. New characters are going to be introduced including David Harbour, Stranger Things, Rachel Weisz, The Mummy, and Florence Pugh, Little Women. Originally due to be released in May, the official release date now is the 28th of October. The bad guy has already been announced as Taskmaster, a character more famous from the comics as he has yet to be seen on the big screen. He can mimic any physical movement he sees, except anything supernatural. But who is the actor behind the mask? That is a question that is still yet to be answered.
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Make the most of your Halloween party this year with these ghoulishly great, spooky recipes.
SPOOKY HALLOWEEN RECIPES
N
o Halloween party is complete without a scary selection of creepy cupcakes, candy apples and devilish dinners. Here we have put together the best selection of recipes to ensure your spooky night goes off without a hitch.
70g butter 50g peanut butter 150g golden caster sugar 1 medium egg 1tsp vanilla extract 180g plain flour ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda 20 peanut butter cups, Maltesers or Rolos 100g milk chocolate Icing sugar 8 red apples 400g caster sugar 1tsp lemon juice 4tbsp golden syrup 8 sticks, chopsticks and lolly sticks
SPIDER BISCUITS Preheat oven to 180c/160c fan and line two baking sheets with parchment. Cream the butter, peanut butter and sugar together until fluffy, then beat in the egg and vanilla. Once combined, stir in the flour, bicarb and ¼ tsp salt. Scoop 20 tbsps of the mixture onto the trays leaving enough space between each. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until firm at the edges but soft in the middle. Leave to cool before topping each biscuit with a peanut butter cup, Malteser or Rolo. Melt the milk chocolate before scraping into a piping bag and then add the legs onto each spider before finally adding icing eyes.
CANDY APPLES Remove the stalks from the apples and put them in a heatproof bowl. Pour over boiling water and cover and leave for 3-4 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and pat dry. Push the sharpest end of each stick into the stalk-end of each apple. Tip the sugar into a large saucepan, add the lemon juice and 100ml water. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sugar has dissolved. Add the golden syrup and simmer again. Test the toffee by dropping a small amount into cold water, if it doesn’t harden immediately and become brittle when removed, it’s not ready yet. Dip each apple into the toffee. Lift out and allow any excess to drip off before placing on baking parchment to set.
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PROPERTY NEWS
135g pack of lime jelly 700ml apple juice 300ml lemonade 435g can lychees in syrup 10 cocktail cherries 10 raisins
EYEBALL COCKTAIL Make the jelly following the pack instructions and chill until set. Combine the apple juice with the lemonade in a large jug and chill. Drain the lychees and poke a hole in each cherry with one of the cocktail sticks. Put the cherry inside the lychee, then push the raisin into the cherry. These are your eyes. Press each one onto the end of a cocktail stick and set aside. When the jelly has set, use a whisk to break it into small chunks. Spoon the cocktail into glasses and tup up with the apple and lemonade mix. Put an eyeball into each glass before serving.
TO DECORATE:
HAUNTED GRAVEYARD CAKE
1 egg white 50g icing sugar 200ml single cream 200g dark chocolate 125g rich tea finger biscuits 100g double chocolate cookies 25g white chocolate silver balls to decorate
Preheat the oven to 110c/90c fan. Whip the egg whites in a bowl until stiff
FOR THE CAKE:
Turn the oven up to 180c/160c fan. Tip the cocoa powder, self-raising flour
85g cocoa powder 200g self-raising flour 375g light brown muscovado sugar 4 eggs 200ml milk 175ml vegetable oil
peaks form. Whisk in the sugar a tbsp at a time and keep whisking until the mixture is thick and resembles shaving foam. Spoon the mixture into a large freezer bag and cut a 1.5cm hole in one of the corners. Cover a baking sheet with some baking parchment and carefully squeeze a small circle of whipped egg white out of the bag, pulling upwards as you do to make a ghost shape. Repeat until you run out of the mixture. Bake for 1 ½ hours until crisp. and sugar into a large bowl, breaking up any sugar clumps. Mix together the eggs, milk and oil in a bowl then pour over the dry ingredients and stir evenly until smooth. Grease and line a deep baking dish with parchment and then pour the mixture in and bake for 30 minutes. Leave to cool and turn out onto a serving plate. Heat cream in a saucepan until just boiling. Place the dark chocolate in a large bowl and pour over the hot cream. Stir until melted, then use a clean brush to paint a layer over 7 rich tea finger biscuits, then set aside to cool. Pour the remaining chocolate over the cake and smooth over with a knife. Whizz or bash the chocolate cookies until small crumbs form and then sprinkle over the cake. Place the white chocolate in a bowl over a pan of simmering water. Once melted, spoon into a freezer bag and wait for 10 minutes until it is no longer runny. Put a tiny hole in the corner of the bag and pipe two blobs onto each ghost and place a silver ball onto each to make eyes. Write on the gravestones, leave to set and then push the biscuit gravestones into the cake.
All recipes are from the www.bbcgoodfood.com website Images for illustrative purposes only
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bee residential S A L E S
A N D
L E T T I N G S
Baldwin Drive, Sugar Way, PE2 £300,000
The current owners have sadly outgrown this spacious family home which they bought in 2006 as a new build. The south facing rear garden was one of the main attractions for them, also the location of the cul-de-sac on the Sugar Way Development. This versatile property briefly comprises of, entrance hallway, cloakroom, utility room, bedrooms three and four (which can be used as reception rooms), stairs to first floor landing, lounge with opening to the study area with a door through to the dining room leading through to the kitchen, on the second floor there is the master bedroom with dressing room and en-suite shower room, bedroom two, bedroom five and the family bathroom. Outside the property has gated carport leading to the single garage with up and over door, side gate into the fully enclosed rear garden. Council Tax Band D £1,583.00. The owners bought and installed solar panels at the cost of £10,000 in 2014, they take quarterly metre readings and get quarterly cheques back from the government. Two Daikin air conditioning units, one in the entrance hallway and the other in the lounge have also been installed at a cost of £6,000 in 2016, these can also be used as heaters if required. The property has uPVC double glazing and gas central heating throughout. (New Ideal Echo Boiler with a 10-year guarantee was fitted November 2018).
Iris Drive, Sugar Way, PE2 Offers over £260,000
This four-bedroom semi-detached house would make a great family home. Located in a cul-de-sac in the popular area of Sugar Way, the proper ty was formerly run as a house of multiple occupancy so therefore requires cosmetic updating. Briefly comprises; entrance hall, cloakroom, living room, study, dining area, utility, kitchen, first floor landing leading to bathroom and four bedrooms with two en-suites. Outside, there is an enclosed, easy to maintain rear garden and to the side there is a driveway and single garage. The proper ty is a great location as easy walking distance to the town centre and train station, schools, shops, bus routes. Nene Valley Railway is also close by. Viewing is recommended.
sales@beeresidential.co.uk • lettings@beeresidential.co.uk
01733 552 366
call us today for a free no obligation valuation Ledham, Orton Brimbles, PE2 £180,000
Immaculately presented! This three-bedroom house would make an ideal family home. Located in the desirable area of Or ton Brimbles, the proper ty benefits from three good sized bedrooms and also has a South facing rear garden. Briefly comprises; porch, entrance hall, kitchen/diner, cloakroom, living room, three bedrooms and bathroom. Outside there is an enclosed rear garden and to the front there is communal parking. The proper ty offers easy access to Hampton, Peterborough City Centre and the A1. Be quick to book your viewing as this home won’t be around for long! Close to shops, schools, bus routes and all amenities.
St Peters Walk, Yaxley, PE7 £229,995
Wow! Internal viewings are a MUST for this exceptionally well presented three-bedroom detached family home, located in the popular village of Yaxley. If you work from home, the proper ty has the benefit of having an office/bedroom with a shower room off it and would be ideal for a beauty therapist. Much improved by the current owner, the proper ty is close to local shops, schools and bus routes. Briefly comprises; entrance hall, lounge/ diner, kitchen, office/bedroom with shower room (par t of the garage has been conver ted to accommodate this) three bedrooms and fantastic fourpiece bathroom suite. Outside there is an enclosed front and rear garden. There is a driveway to the rear and par t of the garage which hasn’t been conver ted is used as a storage area.
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Church Street, Deeping St. James, PE6 £415,000
This character Grade II Listed Cottage dates back to 1688 is set in the hear t of the village (rumoured to be one of the oldest cottages in the street), stone built with a Collyweston Slate roof and lovingly restored and refurbished by its current owners this character home offers entrance hallway with flagstone floor, dining room with Inglenook Fireplace and exposed beams and flagstone floor, refitted kitchen, re-fitted downstairs shower room, re-built sun room with under floor heating, living room with exposed beams & wood burner and wood floor, study with exposed beams, first floor landing leading to four double bedrooms and en-suite bathroom off bedroom two. The proper ty benefits from gas central heating with replacement boiler installed in 2017. The owners have restored and retained many original features which were hidden when they bought the cottage. Outside there is potential to have off road parking for one vehicle, however this is currently a front garden which is gravelled with plants, there is a rear access gate to a fully enclosed rear garden which is mainly laid to lawn, large patio area, mature borders with trees and shrubs. An early viewing is recommended to appreciate the accommodation on offer.
Lewes Gardens, Werrington Village, PE4 £400,000
Perfect home for the growing family! Internal viewings are a MUST to fully appreciate this well presented four-bedroom detached home. Offering versatile accommodation, the property also benefits from a one-bedroom self-contained annex, which has its own entrance, living room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Occupying an enviable plot, the property also provides off road parking and a double garage. The area is served well with local amenities and services including schools, convenience stores, bus links, tea rooms, restaurants, public houses, community centre and a range of local health services. Just a short walk to Werrington shopping centre with supermarket, library and sports centre under half a mile away. It’s a close-knit community with its own annual fete and Christmas Carols on the Green to name a few.The property is just four miles away from Peterborough City Centre and Cathedral and the Train Station with the East Coast main line providing links into London’s Kings Cross with a journey time of approximately 46 minutes. The historic town of Stamford is situated around 12 miles to the North West and offers a wide range of amenities, eateries, leisure facilities, as well as state and private schooling.
sales@beeresidential.co.uk • lettings@beeresidential.co.uk
01733 552 366
call us today for a free no obligation valuation Penyale, Longthorpe, PE3
£450,000
Located in a small cul-de-sac just off the highly desirable “Holywell Way Longthorpe” is this extended detached versatile family home has been maintained to a very high standard. The proper ty comprises of entrance hallway, lounge, open plan to the dining room, two fur ther reception rooms, re-fitted kitchen, utility room, cloakroom, first floor landing leading to bedroom one with re-fitted four piece en-suite bathroom, bedroom two with en-suite shower room, bedroom three and family bathroom. The proper ty benefits from gas central heating and uPVC double glazing. Outside the proper ty is block paved to the front providing off road parking to the side. The private rear garden is fully enclosed by a brick wall and fencing with double gates to the side, the garden is mainly laid to lawn, with block paving and decking, large cabin/summerhouse. Viewings are highly recommended to appreciate the accommodation on offer. The proper ty is within easy reach of the A47/A1, close to all local amenities, shops and schools.
Boroughfield Road, Hempsted, PE2 Offers Over £200,000
Perfect first home or investment! This semi-detached home is located in the popular area of Hempsted and offers three double bedrooms as well as a good size rear garden, two parking spaces and an integral garage. An early viewing is essential to avoid missing out! Briefly comprises; entrance hall, living room, downstairs cloakroom, kitchen/diner, bathroom and three double bedrooms with en-suite to the master. Outside there is a rear garden which is mainly laid to lawn with a timber decking area and to the front there is a driveway offering parking for two cars and an integral garage. Close to local shops, schools and bus routes, the proper ty is within easy reach of the Railway Station, City Centre, Hampton and the A1. Leasehold - 994 years Annual Ground Rent is £150 per year and NO SERVICES CHARGES.
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bee residential S A L E S
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KARL FRENCH
LISA MCNAMEE
VALUATIONS MANAGER
SALES MANAGER
Karl started his Estate Agency career in 2009. He joined the Bee Residential Team in October 2019 and has a vast knowledge of the Peterborough Property Market. His friendly personality makes clients feel at ease and he also takes pride in great customer service.
Lisa has been an estate agent in Peterborough since 1991 and opened our Sales Office in August 2018 she always goes above and beyond for her clients and her attention to detail is second to none. Having helped thousands of people move during her 25 year career, many come back to her for her personal approach and experience.
GRANT BIDDLE DIRECTOR
dentia MANDY WYER
Grant has over 35 years’ experience in property, finance and the letting industry, specialising in HMO’s. And for 20 years he has been involved with the local property market as an investor and agent. With a long-standing interest in sport, Grant has played cricket for the county and, for the last two seasons, has been involved as Chairman of Peterborough Sports F.C., who are the premier non-league team in the area.
SHIRLEY BARTLETT
SENIOR SALES NEGOTIATOR
SALES SUPPORT
Mandy has been with the company since May 2019 and previously worked for corporate and independent estate agents during her sales career she enjoys working closely with her clients giving good customer service. She is extremely enthusiastic, and we often find her showing properties on her day off.
Shirley started her estate agency career in the late 1980’s and then spend 22 years working for the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) in a customer service role. She is very down to earth and makes people feel at ease, clients have commented that they feel like they have known her for years. Her support to the sales team is essential.
sales@beeresidential.co.uk • lettings@beeresidential.co.uk
01733 552 366
call us today for a free no obligation valuation
ANGE JOWETT
STEPH
LETTINGS MANAGER
PROPERTY MANAGER
Ange has vast knowledge and experience in both the private sector and social housing market and has worked for Grant Biddle for 13 years. Ange is focused on providing an excellent seamless service and has built up good relations with our stakeholders.
Steph has over 14 years of property and tenancy management experience, previously working for a Housing Association she has built up positive relationships with professional partner agencies. Now utilising her transferrable skills in the private housing sector.
MEGAN LETTINGS ADMINISTRATOR
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Megan joined the company in 2015 as a lettings administrator and looks after day to day running of the lettings department. She has excellent communication and organisational skills and is calm under pressure.
MARISA
KAREN
PROPERTY MANAGER
REFERENCING MANAGER
Marisa joined the company in 2015 and deals with customers face to face on a daily basis showing and letting out Bee Properties. She has excellent customer and communication skills.
Karen has been with the company since 2003 carrying out internal referencing dealing with applications first-hand. Her great organisational skills and nononsense approach means she gets the job done swiftly.
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SHARON
FIONA
PROPERTY MANAGER
PROPERTY MANAGER
Sharon has over 17 years in private sector housing from lettings to local government housing enforcement. A wealth of knowledge & experience brought to the BEE team.
Fiona joined the company in January 2016 and has excellent people skills dealing with our tenants on a day to day basis. She has excellent organisational and people skills.
MICK PROPERTY MANAGER Mick has over 40 years’ experience in housing management with Councils and a Housing Association. He now works part-time for Bee Residential Property Manager, carrying out all aspects of lettings and housing management. He is also closely involved in ensuring that properties are licensed where necessary and that they comply with the standards required by the Council. organisational and people skills.
ANNE
MARIE
MAINTENANCE MANAGER
PROPERTY MANAGER
Anne joined the team in 2017 having come from a commercial maintenance background, she deals with ‘day to day’ repairs and maintenance of properties under our vast portfolio. Anne is driven by ensuring this service runs smoothly and is compliant.The contractors we use are all locally sourced as we endeavour to support small local businesses.
Marie has been working with various Housing Associations nationwide since 2006. Providing a wide range of services to support tenants to acquire suitable properties.
sales@beeresidential.co.uk • lettings@beeresidential.co.uk
01733 552 366
call us today for a free no obligation valuation
COMMUNITY DRIVEN BEE RESIDENTIAL Peterborough Sports Football Club are a local team who currently play in the Southern League Premier Central which is at level seven of the complete English football pyramid (with the Premiership being Level 1). Bee Residential are a main sponsor of the Football Club and our ground at Lincoln Road, Peterborough has recently been renamed as the Bee Arena in recognition of that. Grant Biddle, owner of Bee Residential is one of the two main shareholders of the Football Club and Chairman. The football club play at 651 Lincoln Road on leased grounds and as we progress through the leagues (five promotions in a decade) we are continually enhancing the ground to the required grading standards as we develop.
The Parkway Sports and Leisure Club (PSL) is privately owned and they have a commercial offer from the adjacent Medical Centre to buy the property which may well then be demolished. As part of our lease arrangements on the pitch areas, the football club have a right to use one of the rooms in the PSL for hospitality, match officials and feeding of the players – all three of these elements are requirements for our standard of league football. We therefore now need (with the impending sale of the PSL) to consider our options and one of those is to fund raise for our own clubhouse, where we can benefit from bar sales and external hiring, but to also cover the league requirements. On the current specification and allowing for various
football grants we may be £36k short of the full build costs, hence the fund raising. The club has a first team, under 18’s and associated teams at adult level and Under 13’s and below.
FUNDRAISING FOR FACILITIES We’re raising £36,000 to help part fund the new Peterborough Sports Football Club clubhouse. We are proposing a 14.6m x 12.2m build. This is the next phase of work. With the recent closure of the privately owned Parkway PSL club, Peterborough Sports Football Club need to build a permanent club house for use both on match days and non-playing days. We are currently completing another phase of
our build that costs £61k and have spent £311k in the past seven years on ground development. We are looking to raise £36k for a proposed 14.6m x 12.2m development. The cost will be significantly more but the football club is in the process of reviewing football grants but this has an upper available limit. If we are able to raise more than £36k plus the grants this will allow that proposed size to
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increase proportionally. There will be social events from which any raised funds will be placed into this account. This clubhouse will help all aspects of the football club from the 1st team down. It will allow a more permanent bar facility than our current cosy offering following the closure of the PSL facility. https://www.justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/pbsportsclubhouse
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