There was an interesting piece in The Times on Saturday about the property market dynamics where the opening lines allude to train fare increases affecting the migration route out of London to commuter areas, and that there had been an increase in people moving into the capital. On closer examination and reading the rest of the article, it is further commented that it would hard to conclude that the reduction in commuter towns guide prices was down to this in ANY context. More expensive property prices in London easily outweigh a few hundred pounds additional rail fares from commuting areas….tens of thousands of pounds difference to buy back into London. Indeed the gap between property prices in London and the country, whilst closing, are more compelling than ever, as evidenced in the article where, in 2017 so far, it is claimed that 51,000 have moved from London into the commuter belt and only 10,000 have done the reverse! London IS coming to the country and many are approaching us early on because they discover our brand name which clearly indicates our area of specialisation.
Patrick Glynn-Jones
When I asked a colleague this morning whether she felt the rise in on line estate agencies is a threat to independent, professional companies such ourselves she simply replied that “I put my trust in human nature”. She qualified this by saying that whilst technology has a huge and increasing role in most business sectors it cannot, at the moment in lettings and property sales, replace the security and reassurance of meeting a professional individual. To be able to speak to somebody face to face who knows the property, the market, the legislation and the process is still important to most of our clients and applicants.
We are told that sophisticated robots are just a few years away from being part of our society and online agents are certainly here to stay, but for the foreseeable future we are confident that the professional, individual service we provide will be the preferred choice.
Marishelle Gibson
Fun and uplifting, Honk! is an ideal musical to be performed by the cast of The Petersfield Youth Theatre and a terrific event for The Country House Company to sponsor and support.
The Country House Company is very proud of its long standing association with the Petersfield Youth Theatre and has been main production sponsor for the past 6 years. The Petersfield Youth Theatre was founded in 1990 and is a registered charity working to advance education in music and theatrical arts amongst children and young people aged from 5 to 23 years. The young people involved in PYT are given the confidence and support to be the best that they can be through projects, workshops and productions full of fun and excitement.
There are currently over 250 members many of whom will be performing in Honk! This entertaining musical based on Hans Christian Andersen’s The Ugly Duckling, has won multiple awards including the 2000 Olivier Award for Best Musical.
“imagine the colour and wit of Disney’s Jungle Book, mixed with the vivacity of ‘40’s Hollywood musicals, exuberantly staged, and you still only have some idea of how stonkingly brilliant this treat is…..” (Review of National Theatre Prduction)
Honk! opens at The Festival Hall, Petersfield on Tuesday 19th September and is running until Sunday 24th September with matinee performances on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Tickets available through One Tree Books from Friday 25th August or on line via www.ticketsource.co.uk
For full details on all performance times and on Petersfield Youth Theatre please see www.petersfieldyouththeatre.org.uk
Has the long awaited migration from London to the country started to happen in earnest? Research recently published in the Times claims that 330,000 people, both buyers and renters, moved out of the city last year , a rise of 14% on the number that left in 2012. Maybe that compelling price differential between London and the country is beginning to narrow? To Londoners, we say ‘buy now’ whilst the differential is wide! This should give sellers confidence that we may well have a strong, event free Autumn after the distractions of the election in the height of the typically prime summer season market. Do call us for an ‘on the ground’ assessment of the local market and your chances of a sale by the year end. Patrick on 02392 632275
As a few members of The Country House Company team run to keep fit we were particularly excited to agree to be a sponsor of the Bedales Great South Run Team.
The Country House Company and Pledgit are the only two sponsors helping the team to raise money for two Bedales Charities, John Badley Foundation and Cecily’s Fund.
The John Badley Foundation provides life changing opportunities by funding 100% bursaries to Bedales Senior and Prep Schools for talented new students whose family circumstances mean that a Bedales education would otherwise be completely out of reach. Cecily’s Fund is an international development charity, enabling orphans and vulnerable children in Zambia to gain an education so that they are able to reach their true potential and have better futures.
The Bedales Great South Run Team already has 38 runners including pupils, old Bedalians, teachers, support staff, parents, former parents, other supporters of Bedales and Marishelle from The Country House Company! They are hoping to exceed 40 members so 
anyone with a connection to Bedales can come forward and join the team.
The first official team gathering was on Saturday where photos were taken and the members were presented with their personalised running shirt.
Fundraising in earnest will start in September and training has already begun! The Great South Run takes place on 22nd October in Portsmouth. Watch the blogs, Bedales website and The Country House Company website for the latest updates.
www.countryhousecompany.co.uk
www.bedales.org.uk
www.greatrun.org
Quite a few members of The Country House Company team run to keep fit so we were particularly excited when Bedales recently approached us to sponsor the Bedales Great South Run Team.
The Country House Company and Pledgit are the only two sponsors helping the team to raise money for two Bedales Charities, Cecily’s Fund and John Badley Foundation. Cecily’s Fund was established to support educating vulnerable children in Zambia and John Badley Foundation offers life changing opportunities by funding full bursaries (from 11+) for pupils whose family circumstances mean that a Bedales education would otherwise be out of reach.
The Bedales Great South Run Team already has 38 runners including pupils, old Bedalians, teachers, support staff, parents, former parents, other supporters of Bedales and Marishelle from The Country House Company! They are hoping to exceed 40 members so if you know of anyone who is keen to take part and is connected with Bedales do contact Marishelle.
The team gathered on Saturday for the first team photo and to be presented with their personalised running shirt. Fundraising in earnest will start in September and training has already begun! Watch the blogs, Bedales website and The Country House Company website for the latest updates.
Marishelle Gibson Butler
After a week of wind and rain the sun shone on Rogate’s annual village fete. Over 1000 people streamed into the bunting strewn recreation ground on Saturday afternoon.
Anna Lobbenberg, Chair of the Fete Committee said ‘we are thrilled everyone had such a good time. A lot of people have worked very hard to make this a wonderful village celebration. One of the highlights had to be the tug of war, farmers vs the rest of the world! Over £7000 was raised which will be put to good use in our community and beyond.”
The village hall hosted the now famous Rogate teas run by Susie Shepherd-Smith and her wonderful team who worked non-stop offering a delicious range of cakes and cream teas with many people going back for seconds.
The arena was constantly busy with popular children’s races including parent and child three legged race. This was followed by the dog show with Julie Sprakling making the tricky choices, then lovely singing from the pupils at Rogate School. The Marquee hosted the flower show with Rogate’s vicar Revd Edward Doyle presenting the cups.
Highlights around the busy site included traditional favourites with busy bric-a-brac, second hand books, plants and a cake stall. Visitors could wander round the display of beautifully presented vintage cars from Double LL Club, watch demonstrations of weaving and spinning, archery, blacksmithing and beekeeping.
There was never a dull moment with a huge inflatable slide, bouncy castle, jousting, face painting, nails and tattoos, cupcake decorating, chuck-an-egg, nerf gun alley, paint balling, craft corner, marble game, coconut shy, Professor Potty, donkey rides and the human fruit machine.
Visitors enjoyed delicious burgers and sausages cooked by the Rogate PTA, Turkish street food from Cara Gorda Cantina, traditional ice creams, crepes, all washed down with Beer or Pimms from the bar run by Debs Burles and her team.
A huge thank you to the Fete Committee, to the many hard working village volunteers, to the stall holders, to the sponsors who supported us, including The Country House Company and for providing their signs, and to the raffle prize donors. See you in 2018!
The award-winning Hampshire Food Festival will return this July with over 60 tempting food and farming events. The festival is a chance to explore the stunning Hampshire countryside and meet the producers involved in keeping the county so flavoursome.
Discover what goes on behind the scenes with farm, distillery, brewery and vineyard tours. Walk with buffalo, visit the lavender fields, meet the dairy cows, sip the wine and tuck into afternoon tea on the farm. Have a lesson in food with classes from charcuterie making to vegetable talks and cake baking.
Pop-up events featuring Hampshire ingredients will include one with MasterChef winner Jane Devonshire taking place near Winchester where all profits will be donated to Ark Cancer Charity.
The Vineyards of Hampshire Wine Festival will see seven of the county’s vineyards coming together at Cottonworth Vineyard. Guests will be able to tour the vineyard and taste wine from all the winemakers. A perfect way to discover more about the growing Hampshire wine scene!
With so many events to choose from across the county between 1-31 July there really is something for everyone. The well-established food festival is now in its seventeenth year and is co-ordinated by community interest county food group, Hampshire Fare.
Tracy Nash, commercial manager of Hampshire Fare commented: “July’s Hampshire Food Festival is an opportunity for people to go behind the scenes of the county’s thriving local food culture. See where our ingredients are grown and learn more about what our county is so good at producing. There’s a chance to taste lots of delicious things along the way and meet the people behind the food.”
At many of the events visitors will be able to grab the opportunity for a fun family photo at the food group’s photo board. Sponsored by The Country House Company the board depicts a country scene drawn by local artist Simon Chadwick. Hampshire Fare and The Country House Company collaborated on the project to help engage the public, to highlight the people behind Hampshire’s produce and to get as many people as possible showing their smiles in support of the local food scene.
A full list of events can be explored on line at www.hampshirefare.co.uk. Free programmes are also available to pick up across Hampshire.
We were pleased to take two calls in one week from clients returning to us after a considerable period of time. Both said that we had done a great job for them in the past and were delighted to find the staff and service as they remembered. With all the uncertainty there is surrounding the property market in general and the ever increasing amounts of changing and challenging legislation it is important to use a property agent that is a member of a professional governing body with experienced and qualified staff, is well established and known in the area and that deals with all aspects of property. Here at The Country House Company the team covers sales, lettings and management and we work together in an open plan office, constantly discussing clients, applicants and properties. If we have worked with you in the past we will remember who you are so please remember us if you need any advice on property!