Homes & Gardens

The Most Common December Pests and How to Stop Them?

When temperatures drop and winter sets in, many pests begin searching for warm places to hide. Unfortunately, that often means moving into homes, garages and workplaces. December might feel too cold for insects and rodents to be active, but it’s one of the busiest times of the year for pest control callouts. Understanding which pests are most common at this time of year, and knowing how to deal with them, can help protect your home and stop infestations before they become serious. This guide explains the top December pests, why they appear, and the steps you can take to prevent them....

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Sowing the seeds of remembrance - Centenary Poppy Campaign is rolled out nationally

The Royal British Legion has announced that the Centenary Poppy Campaign, which originated in the Greenhithe and Swanscombe Branch of the Legion, will be rolled out nationally in partnership with B&Q.

The national campaign will see the Legion asking the public and local authorities to purchase Flanders poppy seeds from B&Q to plant on their own land. The funds raised by the campaign will go towards the £1.6 million the Legion spends each week on vital care and support to the Armed Forces community.

The idea for the campaign was initiated by members of the Greenhithe...

Information centre now open at new Redrow development in Ottery St Mary

Award-winning homebuilder Redrow has announced that the early information centre at its new development, Otter Grange, is now open. Located on the eastern edge of delightful country town Ottery St Mary, this stylish development is surrounded by open farmland, making for an idyllic setting.

The marketing suite and showhomes will officially open in early December. Redrow is encouraging house hunters to pop along to find out more now and learn about the benefits of purchasing off plan.

Emma Solman, area sales manager for Redrow (South West) said: “Buying off plan has proved...

Sellers return to the South West housing market in record levels

Rising prices and burgeoning buyer demand have led to significant increases in homes coming onto the South West property market, says the August RICS Residential Market Survey.

During August, 68 percent more chartered surveyors reported increases not decreases in new instructions in the region (from +42 percent in July). This is the highest number since RICS started to record these indices in the South West, and with positivity starting to return, it seems that those who may have been waiting for the right time to sell are choosing now to do so.

The number of would-be...

First residents move into award-winning development

Jenny Brown and Paul Colebourne are the first residents to move into their new home at Wyndham Place, Tisbury built by independent developer C G Fry & Son, well-renowned for their triple-award winning Wyvern Park in Exeter. Site manager Adrian White was recently awarded a Quality Award in the ‘Pride in the Job’ 2013 for the development organised by the National House Building Council (NHBC) for the South West region. A ‘Pride in the Job award’ is the highest industry accolade a site manager can receive.

Jenny together with partner Paul own a house in London and are looking to...

Pickles “Bring Back Bungalows” – "We are!" says developer of Exeter retirement village

Developer Urban Renaissance Villages, which is behind Exeter’s first retirement village Millbrook Village, is welcoming Eric Pickles’ advice issued last week to planners, urging them to build more ‘bungalows and retirement villages of 100 or so houses with activities for residents’ to deal with the predicted housing crisis for the over 65s.

“We totally support Eric Pickles and Nick Boles! This is what our aging population needs – a mixture of property types covering a range of prices - and we have been providing it for upwards of 30 years,” comments Bill Gair, CEO of Urban...

Devon housebuilding firm welcomes strong start to 2013

The managing director for Devon’s leading housebuilder has reported a strong start to 2013, as increased demand for new homes and improved mortgage availability combine to deliver a more positive outlook for the housing market in the region. As the company released its results for the first half of 2013, Simon Perks, managing director for Persimmon Homes South West, says the company has made an excellent start to the year. “Underlying pre-tax profits for the group are up 40% on last year at £135.3m (2012: £96.9m) and legal completions in the UK are up 7% to 5,022 (2012: 4,712) compared to...

Have your say on £850 million proposals to improve your water and sewerage services

South West Water has revealed more of its plans to improve the region's water and sewerage services between 2015 and 2020.

Customers and businesses are being asked to comment on its draft WaterFuture proposals, which could see around £850 million being pumped into the regional economy supporting more than 4,000 jobs, before they are submitted to water industry regulator Ofwat later this year.

Investment highlights include:

Construction of a £50 million-plus new water treatment works for the Plymouth area using a new energy-saving process not used in the UK

How a HIL can help you out of a hole

Since 2010, East Devon District Council has provided eligible private home-owners with subsidised finance totalling £56,140.

The Home Improvement Loan (HIL) scheme is still available to eligible private homeowners across East Devon needing to make essential repairs to their homes.

Summer can be a good time to make repairs to your home to ensure it is safe, suitable for your needs and warm for the winter. Work included under the scheme ranges from roof repairs, boiler replacement, essential electrical, plumbing and structural works, damp remediation and any other works...

The Rise of the 'LBK' (Little Black Kitchen)

Every woman loves her trusted ‘Little Black Dress’; perfect for any occasion as it goes with just about everything in the wardrobe. This season, however, expect to hear a new phrase – The ‘Little Black Kitchen’ (LBK) – as kitchens across the UK are given some love and change to a desirable gloss black. The UK’s largest home improvement retailer, B&Q has already seen a rise in its black kitchens as trendsetters transform their kitchens with a look that is as dramatic as it is neutral – easily working with any colour scheme in the home.

Specifically, the LBK offers...

New launch.....Designers Guild children's furniture

Cocobaci Furniture

Back in 2012 we started our hunt for the perfect partner to help us create our wonderful range of Cocobaci furniture. A year on we are proud to have found a wonderful factory right here in the heart of England.

All of our chairs and sofas are handmade here in the UK by skilled craftsmen and we are thrilled to be able to offer you this superb collection of children's furniture in stunning Designer fabrics from leading brand Designers Guild.

Check out the latest addition to our Cocobaci portfolio... we are so excited to announce the launch of our...

Homes & Gardens

The Most Common December Pests and How to Stop Them?

Sowing the seeds of remembrance - Centenary Poppy Campaign is rolled out nationally

Information centre now open at new Redrow development in Ottery St Mary

Sellers return to the South West housing market in record levels

First residents move into award-winning development

Pickles “Bring Back Bungalows” – "We are!" says developer of Exeter retirement village

Devon housebuilding firm welcomes strong start to 2013

Have your say on £850 million proposals to improve your water and sewerage services

How a HIL can help you out of a hole

The Rise of the 'LBK' (Little Black Kitchen)

New launch.....Designers Guild children's furniture

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