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The US Masters
TEE-TIME THE US MASTERS 2020 PREVIEW
The 84th US Masters tees off this April with golf superstar Tiger Woods aiming for a record-equalling sixth win
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The US Masters is the first of the four major golf tournaments in pro-golf. First played 86 years ago in 1934, unlike other tournaments The Masters is always played at Augusta National Golf Club, Georgia. The tournament is by invitation only and the winner is automatically invited to the other three majors.
The Augusta Golf Course was previously a plant nursery and each hole is named after a certain tree or shrub including Tea Olive, Pink Dogwood, Yellow Jasmine, Redbud, Azalea and Chinese Fir amongst others. The idea for the course came from Bobby Jones, a well-known amateur golfer, and was originally designed by Alister Mackenzie, who designed over 50 courses across four continents.
GOLF LINGO
Albatross: A score of three less than par
Birdie: A score of one less than par
Eagle: A score of two under par
Bogey: A score of one over par
Jack Nicklaus has the most Masters’ wins with six, followed by Tiger Woods with five and Arnold Palmer with four. The estimated prize fund is $11.5 million with nearly $2 million going to the winner, as well as the distinctive and iconic Green Jacket – which by tradition is presented to the current winner by the previous winner.
The Masters consists of four rounds of 18 holes each, with the competitors playing in groups of three for the first two rounds. After 36 holes of play, a cut-off score is calculated to reduce the size of the field. To ‘make the cut’, a player must be in either the top 50 places or within 10 strokes of the leader’s score.
Traditions unique to the US masters include the opening tee shot and the Champions Dinner. A custom since 1963, the tournament is officially started when one or more legendary players tees off from the first hole, and the Champions Dinner is held each year before the tournament starts. The dinner is hosted by the current champion who picks his own menu for the company only of previous champions.
Three players are joint favourites moving towards the start of the tournament; World No. 1 Rory Mcllroy, World No. 2 Brooks Koepka and the back-in-form Tiger Woods. If Woods wins, he will match Jack Nicklaus’s record of six US Masters.
Over the final two days, a further 36 holes are played; and should there be no winner after the fourth round, all tied players enter a sudden-death playoff beginning on the 18th hole, followed by the 10th and repeating until one player remains. The most recent sudden-death playoff was in 2017 between Justin Rose and Sergio Garcia.
YOUR ROLE AS A LANDLORD
If you’re looking at letting out a property, it’s important to understand just what your tenant expects from you as its landlord
THE UTILITIES The gas, electricity and water companies should be advised whenever the property is empty so that meters can be read and accounts prepared. During ‘void’ periods, the utility services must be transferred back into your name, by you.
Of course, the tenant is responsible for the gas, electricity and water/sewerage bills generated by their usage during the tenancy, and for changing the gas and electric accounts into their name when they move in. They’re also responsible for the standing charges. However, their liabilities in this respect clearly finish on the date they vacate the property.
TELEPHONE & COUNCIL TAX Generally speaking, telephone companies will only deal with the account holder named on the account. You must tell the telephone company that you are leaving the property and advise them what you want to do with your existing number. The tenants are then responsible for arranging any line reconnections and meeting any costs associated with this.
When it comes to council tax, this is not your responsibility while the entire property is let. However, if you still reside at the property while acting as a landlord, then you will remain responsible for the Council Tax charge.
PORTABLE APPLIANCE TESTING As a landlord, it’s your responsibility to ensure that all electrics and electrical appliances supplied in the property are safe for use. If any portable appliances are going to be left in the property, a portable appliance test should be carried out by a qualified electrician on an annual basis.
GAS SAFETY CERTIFICATE It’s your duty as landlord to ensure that all gas supplied appliances are maintained in a safe condition and are inspected at least every 12 months by a GAS SAFE engineer. A Gas Safety certificate should only be issued by a GAS SAFE engineer.
SMOKE ALARMS The law requires landlords to install working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in their properties. This includes smoke alarms being fitted in all hallway, stairway, and circulation areas that form escape routes from the property. They should be located every 7.5 metres of hallway, and within at least three metres of all bedroom doors.
Properties where HMO licenses apply, a higher specification of smoke alarm installation may be required which is generally mains powered. Landlords are directly responsible for determining whether their properties are eligible for HMO status, and failure to adhere to the regulations may result in a civil penalty and render your insurance invalid.
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We are pleased to offer this outstanding detached residence having been improved by the present owners situated in this very pleasant residential cul de sac just north of Ongar’s town centre.
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ONGAR £439,950 FREEHOLD
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Welcome to the 3rd Ongar Town Festival. The festival this year is on Friday the 8th May 2020 to coincide with the 75th anniversary of VE Day. With this important date in mind, VE day will be our festival theme; so get your costumes at the ready!
There will be a whole host of fun things to do throughout the town, and we will bring you all the information right here!
Plans are in place for re-enactments at Ongar Sports Club; a 1940’s dance in Budworth Hall; Evacuees returning home on the Epping Ongar Railway; Displays in our Churches; A March of Honour; a Giant Street Party and many more activities.
Our Annual Petanque Tournament will be going ahead with all the Pubs and Restaurants joining in the VE Day Celebrations, as well as lots of stalls and children’s activities.
Be sure to grab a copy of our Ration Bookstyled brochure for lots of great offers from local businesses and to find out more about what’s going on. Join in and be part of a great day!
VE 75TH Anniversary
When VE Day dawns on 8th May 2020 it will be 75 years since the guns fell silent at the end of the war in Europe. Years of carnage and destruction had come to an end and millions of people took to the streets and pubs to celebrate peace, mourn their loved ones and to hope for the future, but not forgetting those still in conflict until the 15th August when it was announced that Japan had surrendered unconditionally to the Allies, effectively ending World War II.
Date: Friday 8th May 2020 Time: 9:45am to late Location: High Street, Ongar, Essex
WHATS GOING ON?
Ongar High Street
This year we are planning to bring the high street alive and create a real party atmosphere.
We will have a live PA System with local artists performing throughout the day.
Instead of a raffle, there will be a grand tombola in the high street with prizes donated from Ongar Businesses and all money will be going back into the community to nominated causes.
We are hoping that everyone will help with red, white and blue decorations and shop fronts being decorated to support the Ongar Town Festival. With shops being open and bars and restaurants all having that party atmosphere.
On the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, we are encouraging people to raise a toast to those who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Second World War at 3pm; we want people around Ongar to raise a glass to our war heroes. Shortly before this, there will be a parade through the street.
Ongar Sports Club
At the Love Lane sports fields there will be fun and
entertainment for all the family throughout the day including a range of military vintage vehicles on show along with WW2 reenactment teams and memorabilia stalls; Entertainment in the form of Punch & Judy, a Merry Go Round, Bouncy castles for both children & adults, Arts & Craft stalls and plant stalls to name a few.
Also, there will be an opportunity for people of all ages to try out some of the sporting activities at the club such as squash, tennis or croquet. There will be musical entertainment and the piecede-resistance will be a show by the Essex Caledonian Pipe Band. We are delighted that the band has been sponsored by Balgores Hayes and Mulberry House.
Ongar Scout Group
The 3rd Ongar Scout Group will be celebrating by hosting a “Garden Party” in their grounds. Join them for food and drinks, pull up a chair and enjoy the party! They are continuing their fundraising to build a new Scout Hut. The 3rd Ongar Scouts were lucky enough to be a beneficiary of the first Ongar Festival and last year also held a garden party raising over £600. The 3rd Ongar Scouts are hoping to do even better this year raising money for our ‘Big Build’!
Ongar Pentanque Our Ongar Festival 2020 will once again feature the game of Petanque, and we are delighted to have our main Sponsors – John Sear Estate Agents – supporting us for the 3rd successive year.
Already over 40 players from the top Petanque Clubs in the Eastern Counties, have signed up to enter the John Sear Petanque Pairs Challenge Cup 2020, including our own Ongar Players, and we expect still more. We look forward to welcoming these experienced players back to Ongar – and it will be a great opportunity for all our visitors to watch the 32 teams in action. We will be right in the hub of all the festivities, with 12 pistes for the players in the Library Car Park, at the centre of the High Street, surrounded by market stalls, a food court, and entertainment.
In the afternoon we will pause the competition to join the VE Day National Toast to our Veterans, remembering all those who gave so much to our Country, and we will celebrate together the 75th Anniversary of our Victory in Europe. The Competition Finals will follow this, plus there will be a chance for all ages and abilities to try their hand at the game, under the guidance of some of our local players. Come along and join the fun right next to the Library, opposite the Budworth Hall.
Meet The Team
John Sear Propertier
Carol Perry Negotiator / Administrator
James Sear Negotiator Victoria Sear Negotiator
Client Testimonials
Mr & Mrs Rich Purchasers
Our overall experience with John Sear has been pretty much fantastic from start to finish. He is a really nice person to deal with, professional at all times and he is local to the area so he knows about the property and gave us good advice from start to finish as did the other staff. I would describe my overall experience with John Sear as easy, due to him being a wealth of knowledge.
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‘‘ Mr Smith Purchaser & Vendor The level of service was excellent throughout, great communication and very professional. We very much appreciated John Sears work at buyer stage, we valued their experience to give us all the information for us to make that decision. John Sears differs from other agents because they are professional. They are much more tailored to your needs than other estate agents. Mr & Mrs Dawkins Purchasers & Vendors The level of service was excellent throughout, great communication and very professional. We very much appreciated John Sears work at buyer stage, we valued their experience to give us all the information for us to make that decision. John Sears differs from other agents because they are professional. They are much more tailored to your needs than other estate agents. Mr & Mrs Dutnall Vendors Our overall experience with John Sear has been pretty much fantastic from start to finish. He is a really nice person to deal with, professional at all times and he is local to the area so he knows about the property and gave us good advice from start to finish as did the other staff. I would describe my overall experience with John Sear as easy, due to him being a wealth of knowledge. ‘‘
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