2017 was yet another busy year in our support of local community events and we are delighted to have been a part of their success.

Fonthill Dog Show

In June we were principle sponsors of the South West Wilts Hunt Supporters Dog Show, a very well attended event on the Fonthill Estate where very serious classes mix with fun. There were a lot of beautiful and handsome dogs and some very proud canine owners left the competition happy. For more information visit:  http://www.thefonthilldogshow.co.uk

Deverills Performing Arts

We have been enthusiastic supporters of Deverills Performing Arts, ‘an inspiring mix of music and drama across the seasons’ since its founding Festival in 2014. This year saw a varied line up of true talent performing to packed venues along the length of the charming Deverill Valley.  Visit the Deverills website at:  http://www.deverillsfestival.com

Chilmark Fete

We provided signage for our local village Fete in June. This year the sun shone throughout the afternoon and as always the village community stepped in with, among other things, Maypole dancing, a Band and the obligatory Pimms tent. An archetypal picture of English summer at its best.

Chilmark Show

Another sunny day in Chilmark, this time in early September where the annual show took place in the Fairmead Field opposite the Black Dog Pub. We were delighted to advertise in the programme and to see a fun packed day with some serious horticultural competition. A significant donation went to Chilmark based charity Team Rubicon, the disaster relief agency. Find out more by visiting their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/ChilmarkVillageShow

East Knoyle Village BBQ

A great day was had at Moors Farm in early September where a village BBQ was the successful alternative to the Fete. Very well attended, with Tisbus ferrying revellers to the event, and we were more than happy to design and print the advertising fliers for distribution.  Find out more about this event at: http://www.benofbart.org.uk/index.php/east-knoyle/199-ek-bbq-sep17

Teffont Show

More signage was provided by Rural View for this lovely August Show, set in probably the most attractive location of all in the grounds of Teffont Manor. Here Teffont Evias and Teffont Magna combine to produce a large and memorable event every year and we were again very proud to be a part of it.  Visit the village website for more information: http://www.teffont.com

Donhead St Andrew Fete

A huge annual event which we have provided advertising signage for over the last few years. As with last year this took place on August Bank Holiday and really pulled in the crowds who enjoyed an extensive array of attractions, among which was another classic and vintage car and bike show.

Middle Down Kite Festival

This was the first Kite Festival to be organised by the Friends of Wardour School and we were very pleased to be principle sponsors. Taking place in mid September on the chalk ridge to the south of the A30, it attracted a great turnout, despite the mixed weather, and the kites could be seen for miles around. Next year looks to be bigger and even better.  Pop over to their Facebook page for more details about the event:  http://www.facebook.com/middledownkitefestival

SWW Huntertrials

This is always a good September day out in Fonthill Estate, with numerous competitors and a mini course. Rural View again sponsored the ‘thatched house’ jump and we witnessed some lovely hunters being put through their paces through both sun and rain.  Why not follow them on Facebook to see photos from the event and keep up to date with future events: http://www.facebook.com/fonthillhuntertrials

‘Escape or Die’ Illustrated Talk

Presented by Paul Cordle in November, this was a fascinating and informative talk on the escape of the future Charles II from the clutches of the Parliamentarians after the Battle of Worcester and his fraught journey to temporary exile in France. Dinton Village Hall was packed to hear this story and we were delighted to sponsor it in aid of local village churches.

The answers to our Name the Christmas Artist Competition were: A. Vincent van Gogh, B. William Turner, C. Joseph Farquharson, D. Fra Angelico, E. Peter Rubens, F. Claude Monet, G. Leonardo da Vinci, H. Rembrandt van Rijn, I. Pieter Bruegel (the Younger) & J. Paul Gaugin. The tie breaker – Salvator Mundi sold for $450.3M (£341M). Thank you to everyone who entered. As there were several correct entries, the winner & runner-up were chosen by way of a draw.

Here are 10 winter & Christmas scenes, some are more familiar than others but who painted them? Name as many artists as you can!

1st Prize – 12 Bottles of Wine

2nd Prize – 6 Bottles of Wine

TIE BREAK – How much was Picture G sold for at auction in 2017?

Email your answers & contact details to: admin@ruralview.co.uk

or send them to Rural View, Unit 5, Manor Farm, Chilmark, Salisbury SP3 5AF

CLOSING DATE – Tuesday 2nd January 2018

For full competition rules email admin@ruralview.co.uk

It has been on the cards for a while now, but legislation has a habit of creeping up on us and EPC changes in residential lettings is on the horizon.

Government guidance states that:

‘ From April 2018, landlords of privately rented domestic and non-domestic property in England or Wales must ensure that their properties reach at least an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E before granting a new tenancy to new or existing tenants. These requirements will then apply to all private rented properties in England and Wales – even where there has been no change in tenancy arrangements – from 1 April 2020 for domestic properties.’ 

So landlords of properties with EPC ratings below E are now on notice that their properties must be improved before signing up a new tenant, or renewing an existing tenant’s contract. There are exemptions to this, most notably listed buildings, although those landlords will have to show that energy efficiency improvements have been made to the extent that they are permitted within the planning rules. This exercise would preferably mean taking advice from their local authority and the conservation officer, and the property would also have to be registered.

One cannot argue that tenants should not have the opportunity to live in relatively energy efficient houses and this legislation will no doubt press rogue landlords into action, but as yet another squeeze on the private rental sector many period properties will have to see significant expenditure if they are to continue to be let.

It had been suggested that an initial cap of £5,000, which landlords would be expected to spend to bring a property up to standard, would be applied. Until the government publishes more detailed guidance, however, this cannot be confirmed.

In the meantime landlords should be checking their EPC’s and taking note of the improvements that are suggested. If in doubt, you should speak to your local authority and maybe to an energy consultant who can advise on where and how to invest in improvements. Let us know if you need some contacts.

Nervous about marketing current property before finding your next home?

We often conduct market appraisals where owners are not comfortable with putting their own properties on the market until they have found somewhere to move to. This is understandable, especially in a market where there is little to choose from. If they have been in their home for many years the decision to move in itself can be difficult, but if there is also nothing on the open market to look at, the whole process can become very demoralising.

Finding your next home – we’re here to help

We see our role as estate agents, not only to sell property for our clients, but also to try to help wherever we can in the house moving experience. It can be a stressful and frustrating time, so our clients appreciate all the help we can give them. As a boutique firm, our ethos is all about service and we want to be able to provide complete assistance if we can, so we are now actively helping our clients to find their next property as well as selling theirs.

All Part of the Rural View Service

There is no extra fee. All we ask is the loyalty that comes with being fully retained, so that when the right house becomes available we are then instructed to market our client’s property. This ideally means that all ducks have been put in a row and the brochure is prepared in advance, so that no time is lost when it really matters.

In the meantime we work alongside our clients to really get to know what they are looking for and to use our many contacts and years of experience in the marketplace to uncover the right house for them.

While it is generally better to find a buyer first before finding a house to move to, this service greatly assists those who are nervous of never finding the right property and we are genuinely happy to be that helping hand.