News and views January 2020
Sell your house in any market!
New Year, new home? Wondering if now is a good time to market your property? If this sounds like you, My Place in Cornwall offer some tips to give you the best chance of a sale.
It’s no good marketing your house if the front looks tired and unloved, so the first tip is to work on that kerb appeal! Next is to get the price right first time; it’s so important to get the marketing price right from the start, to generate viewings from the off.
You should always use professional photography; as they say, a picture paints a thousand words. Finally, be sure to choose a good agent – don’t just opt for the cheapest. When it comes to selling your home, you really do get what you pay for! For more advice and to book a free market appraisal, head to the My Place in Cornwall website.
For more information call 01208 813874 or visit www.myplaceincornwall.co.uk
Free learning path launched
Initiated by The Cornwall End of Life Education Group, the free learning path and passport is an accessible education route for staff who are committed to delivering excellent care to patients at the end of life. The learning passport has been developed to guide and support staff working in primary, secondary and social care. It is an electronic learning path supported by a handheld passport which provides a platform for discussion and evidence of the learning achieved.
Cornwall Hospice Care’s Education Lead, Deb Thomas, tells us: “The idea is to combat the significant geographical and logistical issues staff face in Cornwall when trying to attend training. After completion of the path and passport, users are invited to discuss their experience with their local End of Life Lead/Link Buddy, after which they are given a badge to celebrate their success.”
For more information call 01726 839156 or visit www.cornwallhospicecare.co.uk/education
You’ve got to love this day bed!
A versatile addition to the home, this day bed (pictured) – handcrafted by The Cornish Bed Company – is a comfortable sofa during the day and an extra bed by night. Perfect for the spare room, or as a space-saving addition to a teen’s bedroom, it offers flexibility and style with greater comfort than a standard pull-out sofa bed.
The featured bed is from the Pencarrow range, which takes its inspiration from the traditional metal beds of the Victorian era, and the spectacular Pencarrow House, which lies on the outskirts of Bodmin Moor.
Each day bed is handmade by highly experienced artisans in the company’s foundry in Par; visitors are welcome, simply give the team a call to arrange a visit!
For more information call 01726 825182 or visit www.cornishbeds.co.uk
The first national deadline for university applications ends on January 15th, however, if you miss this date, it’s still not too late to apply to study a university level course at the TEF Gold rated Truro and Penwith College. If you thought you missed the deadline, you can still put your application and personal statement in via UCAS.com. If you find the application process daunting, Kate from Admissions advises: “Just think about your UCAS application like a CV. Our admissions team are always happy to give advice and guidance over the phone, the UCAS customer experience centre are always really helpful too.”
Truro and Penwith College provides TEF Gold rated university level courses that are delivered through a strategically condensed timetable, allowing for plenty of time to fit life around lectures. If you want to find out more about the courses and campuses, make sure to book onto a Campus Tour via www.truro-penwith.ac.uk/campustours.
For more information call 01872 267500 or visit www.truro-penwith.ac.uk
Escape to St Ives and relax
Since 2012, Escape to St Ives has been providing high quality self-catering accommodation for the perfect St Ives holiday. The family run business offers a personal service, its team priding themselves on ensuring everything is just right. With welcome baskets, the freshest linen and a 24/7 on-call team, you can relax and enjoy all that St Ives has to offer.
Escape to St Ives has an extensive range of properties, each selected to ensure the best facilities and locations in this beautiful town. As company owner, Louise tells us: “We’re passionate about St Ives and the standard of our accommodation experience. We personally inspect every property before guests arrive.”
If you’re making holiday plans for 2020 and are still in search of your perfect escape, why not give Louise and the team a call?
For more information call 01736 796198 or visit www.escapetostives.co.uk
Why install a handleless German kitchen?
A true handleless kitchen creates a linear, uniform and sophisticated look, which complements contemporary kitchen design. Olivia at Kitchen Kit tells us: “Our two quality German kitchen brands, Nobilia and Ballerina, build a handleless kitchen in a very clever way so that it blends seamlessly into your overall design.”
Of course, handleless kitchens are not really without handles. The ergonomically shaped recessed rail handles are perfectly positioned on the carcass to enable comfortable access to doors, drawers and pull-outs. This unique design enables you to add LED strip lighting under the worktops to create a luxurious ambience.
To see this style in person, visit the Kitchen Kit showroom on Threemilestone Ind Estate, where the stunning kitchens are on display with live appliances.
For more information call 01872 255990 or visit www.kitchenkitsw.com
A good year…to spend some time in Penzance
Penzance has lots to celebrate in the coming year with the opening of the new geothermal pool at Jubilee Pool in spring, a new art festival in June, followed by the fun and frolics of Golowan. Come and explore the ‘new look’ promenade and take part in the activities for the start of the Tour of Britain cycle race in September. If all this seems a long way off then why not visit Penzance Charter Market? Held on the last Saturday of the month in Marketplace, Penzance from 9.30 am to 1.30pm, you’ll find lots of lovely local wares on offer from artisan producers and makers.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for quality food and drink from local growers and producers, Penzance Farmers Market takes place every Friday from 17th January at St Johns Hall, where you’ll find quality local produce, including artisan breads, jams, cheese, pastries and much more.
For more information visit LovePenzance on Facebook and Instagram or www.lovepenzance.co.uk
A higher standard of roofing
Cornwall Zinc Roofing skipper, Ross Bland, explains to us the benefits of choosing zinc roofing for your home. “As well as providing a contemporary finish, which looks great both with new builds and older buildings, zinc roofing also has a service life of 100 years – two or three times longer than other roof coverings.”
Few materials are as dynamically useful as zinc, Ross tells us. It’s also a more environmentally friendly and natural product. “We work with architects all over Cornwall bringing a much-desired creative approach with unique roofing and cladding that’s visually pleasing with an architectural finish.” So, if you’re looking for a long-lasting and luxurious roofing solution, why not get in touch with Ross and the team and discover the benefits of zinc roofing for yourself?
For more information call 01872 228533 or visit www.cornwallzincroofing.co.uk
Bespoke, unique, craftsmanship
Michael Jenkin has been working with bespoke furniture for over ten years, making anything from fine furniture to custom kitchens and fitted bedrooms. With a passion for fine furniture and a love of surfing, Michael founded Bespoke Surf.
Creating all of his work from start to finish, from selecting the raw timber right the way through to the application and buffing at the end of the line. The timbers are handpicked for the aesthetic qualities, with zero stains, dyes or paint used in the process. Every product is handmade with the utmost attention to detail and passion, making each piece one of a kind.
Head to the Bespoke Surf website and you’ll find a collection of unique, surf-inspired furniture and décor, a collection that’s sure to inspire you to commission your own bespoke piece. All made to order and with fast lead times on items, in no time at all you could have a truly personalised product that reflects you and your love of the seaside lifestyle!
For more information visit www.bespokesurf.co.uk
Kick back and relax with Himolla
Synonymous with ergonomic designs, created entirely for your relaxation and well-being. German brand, Himolla has been manufacturing versatile designs for more than 70 years. But where does their comfort come from? It all starts with a supportive frame and Himolla’s ‘cold cure’ foam seating, which is moulded to the shape of the chair and adjustable head rest, offering superb comfort for optimum relaxation at all times.
Available in static, manual and powered chairs and sofas, and upholstered in an unbelievable 129 quality full-hide leathers and a choice of 25 different wood finishes, Himolla has something for everyone. And for those who think a lift and rise option would be sensible, but don’t want to go down the traditional styling route, Himolla even offers a contemporary alternative! With 25% discount until Saturday 22nd February, it’s certainly worth paying Alfred Smith & Son a visit and seeing the range for yourself!
For more information call 01736 363134 or visit www.alfred-smith.co.uk
The Black Pearl announces charity ball
Set to take place on Friday 24th April, The Black Pearl in Falmouth is delighted to announce its second charity ball in aid of Cornwall’s Sunrise Centre for cancer treatment. The family run business have experienced first-hand the wonderful help given to their own family by the Sunrise Centre, and last year, their charity ball raised an incredible £700!
Kelly from The Black Pearl tells us: “After extremely sad news a few weeks ago that one of our lovely customers passed away after her battle with cancer, and with a few others currently going through it even now, we want to give something back to help the incredible care that the Sunrise Centre has, and continues to give to so many people, including our own family.”
So, pencil the date in your diary and dust off those party dresses – this is not one you’re going to want to miss. For tickets, be sure to call 01326 315400.
For more information email kelly@theblackpearlfalmouth.co.uk or visit theblackpearlfalmouth on Facebook.
A wild way to wed
A winter wedding can be a truly memorable event, full of rich scents and stunning backdrops. We catch up with Wild Tipi owner, Sam Moore, and discuss the perfect winter celebration. “There is something truly magical about a winter wedding and we absolutely love being a part of them,” says Sam. “The beauty of our tipis is that they are so versatile. They can be put up virtually anywhere, and we have worked in some breathtaking winter wonderland settings. The only limit is your imagination.”
Of course, a winter celebration doesn’t have to be a wedding – Wild Tipi has hosted a range of other glorious festive parties, from corporate events to carol services, so make sure to get in touch with the friendly team for a winter wonder of your own.
For more information email sam@wildtipi.co.uk or visit www.wildtipi.co.uk
Turn your walks into workouts with Instepp®
When ex PE teacher, Julie Ford, overcame breast cancer she realised that the gym wasn’t where she wanted to be. She wanted to be out walking by the ocean but although walking fulfilled her aerobic exercise requirement, it didn’t provide the resistance training that she needed. However, instead of returning to the gym she decided to develop a product that allowed her to combine aerobic and resistance training. This product is Instepp®.
Instepp® allows you to get out and about with resistance bands and train your whole body anywhere, meaning you can trade in those gym days for a walk along the coast and still receive a vigorous and enjoyable workout. Julie tells us: “Beating cancer and starting the business in my 60s has been so exciting – I just want everyone to feel as good as I do with Instepp®!”
For more information call 07967 791533 or visit www.instepp.co.uk
Achieve your goals through relaxation
Dance has long been recognised as therapeutic, which is why Khalid Beg – instructor at St Ives’ Institute of Endrian Yoga – believes firmly in the benefits of yoga dance.
Endrian, which derives from a Sanskrit word meaning ‘all the senses, anything you can experience’ and ‘energy in the organs’, is the name given to this particular yoga discipline, which Khalid teaches in order to help rekindle youthful movement. Being a master healer and qualified Kinesiologist, Khalid’s understanding of muscle and movement puts him in prime position to help you improve your balance and co-ordination, but not just that. Endrian yoga will also encourage you to exist in the moment and to focus, giving you a raised level of mindfulness that will stay with you long after the class has finished. So if you could use a boost – be it mental or physical – why not try Endrian yoga for yourself?
For more information call 01736 757919 or 07979 606851
Looking back on an exciting 2019
Bodrugan Barton has had an exciting time installing a new studio, for yoga, writing or stitching and textiles retreats. This wonderful facility can be booked alongside high-quality cottages and/or cosy wooden en-suite cabins.
Nestled on a family farm, Bodrugan enjoys a wonderful coastal location within one mile of Mevagissey, making it a very special place to stay. The heated indoor pool, stunning scenery, clifftop walks, cafés and beaches all add to the experience. The team also offer a special venue for barn suppers, cooking up a storm and entertaining guests – perfect for those who fancy an informal night of delightfully cooked homegrown produce.
To find out more or to book your stay, simply visit the website, give the team a call or email them on stay@bodrugan.co.uk. To be in with a chance of winning a free stay, turn to page 69 and check out this month’s competitions!
For more information call 01726 842094 or visit www.bodrugan.co.uk