Homes & Gardens

How to optimise small spaces for remote working

Working from home sounds brilliant until you realise your only available workspace is a cramped corner of the living room. Many of us don’t have the luxury of a spare bedroom to convert into a sprawling private office. Instead, we are left trying to squeeze our laptops, notebooks, and endless cups of tea onto whatever flat surface we can find.

However, you do not need a massive room to be productive. With a bit of strategic planning and the right furniture, even the tightest spots can become highly effective work environments. This guide explores practical ways to transform your...

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How to choose the right home heating

The summer is officially fading, and it is now time to start thinking about how to make your home nice and warm for the colder period of the year.

Central heating is a really good choice because it warms your whole home, and can ensure you don't feel the cold even in the wintry months. However, radiators can be kind of ugly looking, so it is important to choose the right central heating and not end up with your home décor ruined by ugly radiators!

Modern Radiator Styles Look Great!

One of the first things to consider when you really want the warmth central heating...

SW house prices continue to rise

Acceleration in house price growth in the South West continues with 63% more respondents seeing a rise in prices over the last three months, according to the latest RICS UK Residential Market Survey. This is the highest level since April 2002.

The South West region, along with Yorkshire, is also the most confident of price rises in the near term, with 52% more respondents expecting to see a rise in prices over the next three months. Across the UK, the RICS price indicator reached a 16 month high in August, with a net balance of 53% more respondents reporting price rises and firm...

Is your chimney ready for winter?

With summer drawing to a close, and the evenings starting to get noticeably cooler you might be tempted to light a fire, rather than put the central heating on.

Are you be sure your chimney is clean and ready to light?

From 7-13 September, Chimney Fire Safety Week takes place providing a timely reminder to make sure that your chimney is ready for the winter months ahead. Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service are supporting this Fire Kills campaign by encouraging householders to ensure their chimney is safe and swept by a registered chimney sweep.

Marc House...

Helmores announce Name a Street winner

Being able to name a street is usually reserved for VIPs but one lady from Devon has been lucky enough to do just that.

Following a competition launched by Crediton based estate agents, Helmores, Wendy Jelier from Chagford has had her name chosen for a development of five brand new homes in Lapford.

Announced by BBC Radio Devon’s Simon Bates live on Monday morning Wendy found out that her name, Canterbury Drive, will now be immortalised on the map of Lapford.

Lapford's church, St Thomas of Canterbury, dates back to the 12th century and is believed to have been built...

UK set to be besieged by swarms of wasps

Britain is ‘under attack’ from swarms of winged creatures.

Large numbers of airborne common black garden ants have been spotted everywhere this summer and now; thousands of wasps are also set to come out in record numbers for the next few weeks.

Following a huge uplift in sales of insect repellents, Wyevale Garden Centres is forecasting September to be an insect battleground for UK gardens. Britain’s summer of insect invasion has paved the way for a 300 per cent year on year rise in sales of Ant control products. Plus, wasp control products peaked last week with an increase...

Grants available to keep Devon homes cosy

Homeowners and private-rented householders in selected areas of Devon are being offered grants of up to £7,000 to help insulate their homes.

Teignbridge, North Devon and Torridge district councils are working with Cosy Devon and E.ON to provide new 'Pioneer Places' grants towards the cost of solid wall insulation. The funding has been awarded by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, with North Devon Council leading the project.

This month, letters will be sent to 13,000 prospective householders in selected areas of each district: Newton Abbot and Kingsteignton in...

Young gardeners throw in the trowel

Gardeners in the South West are losing their green fingers as nine in ten young people struggle to identify common garden plants, new research reveals.

A study of 2,000 Brits aged 25-35 found that time pressures and lack of knowledge meant that the majority struggle when it comes to nurturing their gardens.

Over three quarters of those living in the region couldn’t identify a tulip when shown a picture of one, while 84 per cent struggled with a geranium.

Perhaps that’s why just over 2 per cent of those polled described their gardening skill as ‘very good’.

...

Recycling roadshow rolls into Exmouth

Scores of people came along to East Devon District Council’s Feniton recycling road show on Saturday to pick up top tips on how to recycle more and throw away less.

The event was held in the village to help householders prepare for the new improved recycling collection service which is being trialled in the area, and in Exmouth (The Colony), from mid-September.

Next Saturday (August 29) the road show rolls in to the Imperial Recreation Ground in Exmouth from 11am to 2pm and everyone is invited to come along and have a chat with the council’s recycling and waste team....

Houses with history

Thinking about buying a listed property? From getting to know your local conservation officer to undertaking a background check, Chris Davey, Luscombe Maye Estate Agency, gives his top tips on getting the best out of listed properties, as well as things to consider before purchasing. From the humble thatched cottage, to grand period homes, and even a bus station, listed properties are of great significance and beauty. With over 376,099 listed building entries in England, they are the jewels in the property crown, and are a marked sign of the country’s heritage and history. Laws and...

Stove manufacturer launches Exeter showroom

Leading Devon-based stove manufacturer, Dean Forge, is launching a new showroom in Exeter, with an open day on Saturday 12 September.

Customers will be able to take advantage of a fantastic one-off promotion of up to 50% off selected stoves and huge savings on leading brands, including Dean Forge’s own range. The new venue – located in Marsh Barton, near the Porsche Garage – will celebrate local craftsmanship, stocking products hand-made in its factory in Buckfastleigh, Devon.

To mark the launch of its second showroom, Dean Forge is also unveiling its latest innovation, The...

Homes & Gardens

How to optimise small spaces for remote working

How to choose the right home heating

SW house prices continue to rise

Is your chimney ready for winter?

Helmores announce Name a Street winner

UK set to be besieged by swarms of wasps

Grants available to keep Devon homes cosy

Young gardeners throw in the trowel

Recycling roadshow rolls into Exmouth

Houses with history

Stove manufacturer launches Exeter showroom

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