CONTENTS LIFESTYLE
COVER STORY
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2
UK attractions to visit Check out our guide to the oldest and most beautiful castles in the UK
6
PROPERTY
13
Stamp duty holiday We explain what the announcement means for sellers and buyers
16 20
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Our latest instructions Take a look at a selection of our latest properties on the market
12
About us Get to know our team a little better and see why we are your agent of choice
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FOOD
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Jams and chutneys Some fantastic jams, preserves and chutney recipes to make at home
Upcycling for the garden Household cast-off’s can be transformed into great garden features Protecting yourself in the sun Top tips for staying safe during the hotter months Fruit foraging It’s time to hit the hedgerows and roadsides for nature’s free feast Inspirational Books We’ve picked five books, of the 21st century that are worthy of comment Online distance learning A look into the endless possibilities of distance learning
HEALTH
4
Lose the lockdown weight We take a look at some workouts and exercises to get you fit for the summer
WELCOME TO THE AUGUST ISSUE!
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here has this year gone? This month, on pages 4&5, we have a guide to help you lose any weight you may have put on over lockdown. We also have fantastic upcycling ideas for your garden using materials readily available. It may not have been as hot as expected so far, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t look after your skin in the sun – check out page 6 for our handy tips. Has the Stamp Duty Holiday got you in a muddle? On page 13 we have a breakdown of what it means for you… Looking for interesting days out with the family now the school holidays are here? Check out our article on the most interesting
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PROPERTY NEWS
castles to visit in the UK this year. We have also put together some recipes for stunningly simple preserves and chutneys. At the end of the day, when you’ve had enough sunshine, you can relax with our breakdown of the most inspirational books of the 21st century and a guide to online distance learning. So, sit back and relax with your copy of this months magazine… As we are all getting used to the new normal, remember to Stay Safe and Stay Alert at all times. Jonathan Wheatley Editor
I
t doesn’t work now. There’s a hole in it. It’s not fashionable. I don’t need it anymore… bin it. No, hold that thought. Whatever ‘it’ is probably doesn’t need to be dumped in a skip, it could become a decorative feature to brighten the backyard. Thousands of inventive gardeners have been breathing new life into household items by rescuing them from an uncertain future at the local dump by upcycling to create practical – and whimsical – focal points among the shrubs. For instance, an old chest of drawers can be repainted, the drawers lined and filled with potting soil to show off just about everything from trailing bedding plants to flowers and ferns. Got a lot of paint pots leftover from those DIY projects during lockdown? Why not paint them and use them as colourful planters for spring bulbs or herbs? And if you are having a new kitchen or bathroom fitted, why not rescue the porcelain pieces? There’s nothing quite like a cluster of phlox or geraniums in a white cistern, shower tray, or basin to brighten even the shadiest of corners in your plot. You could also, quite literally, throw the kitchen sink at the garden to make a quirky – and colourful talking point. Although
