Local and national Events Calendar 2013

In 2013, we're publishing a helpful leaflet of local and national events and dates.

To help a bit more, we're also blogging the dates as here we can put links to relevant web pages. Don't forget our link to our own website - do get in touch if you're thinking of moving or need help with letting or managing a property - www.edwardashdale.com. 

We will update this list, so do add it to your Favourites and return to it in the future. 

Our list of dates is correct to the best of our knowledge when put together in December 2012:

January - 12 months anniversary since Edward Ashdale Estate Agents was formed.

•  1 - New Years Day – Bank Holiday
•  1-6 - Last days of Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park http://www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com/
•  25 - Robert Burns night
•  27- Holocaust Memorial Day

February

• 12 - Shrove Tuesday (pancake day)
• 14 - Valentines Day
• 15 – Kissing Friday

March

• 1 - St David’s Day
• 7-10 - Crufts Dog Show http://www.crufts.org.uk/
• 10 - Mothering Sunday
• 11 – Commonwealth Day
• 12-15 – Cheltenham Festival horse racing; 15th Gold Cup http://www.cheltenham.co.uk/fixtures/the-festival/
• 15 – Ideal Home Show (runs to 1 April) http://www.idealhomeshow.co.uk/
• 17 - St Patrick’s Day
• 20 - Spring begins
• 23 - Harris HospisCare - Quiz Night , Orpington http://www.harrishospiscare.org.uk/
• 24 - British Summertime starts (clocks forward 1 hour) and Palm Sunday
• 28 - Maundy Thursday
• 29 - Good Friday – Bank Holiday
• 31 - Easter Sunday and the Boat Race http://theboatrace.org/

April

• 1 - Easter Monday Bank Holiday (April Fool’s Day)
• 4-6 - The Grand National meeting (horse racing) http://www.aintree.co.uk/pages/grand-national/
• 6-9 - 2013 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship - Brands Hatch http://www.brandshatch.co.uk/calendar/2012/april/bsb-6-9-april-bh.aspx
• 8-14 - US Master’s Golf
• 21 – Queen Elizabeth’s Birthday and Virgin London Marathon http://www.virginlondonmarathon.com/
• 23 – St George’s Day

May

• 1 – May Day
• 6 - Early May Bank Holiday and May Fayre, Petts Wood http://mayfayre.pettswoodhall.co.uk/
• 11 – FA Cup Final, and Plant Sale - At Harris HospisCare
  http://www.harrishospiscare.org.uk/
• 18 – Rock Choir Concert for Harris HospisCare http://www.harrishospiscare.org.uk/
• 19 – Garden Party for Harris HospisCare and Fun Walk for St Christopher's Hospice http://www.stchristophers.org.uk/
• 21-25 – Chelsea Flower Show http://www.rhs.org.uk/
• 25 - Uefa Champions League Final and Aviva Premiership rugby union final
• 27 - Whit Monday – Bank Holiday
• 31 - Racing – Ladies Day, Epsom http://www.epsomdowns.co.uk/racing/investec-ladies-day

June 

• 6-10 - US Open Golf
• 8 - Summer Fair and Car Show - At the Green, Green St Green – for Harris HospisCare
  http://www.harrishospiscare.org.uk/
• 9 - Bromley Pageant of Motoring http://www.bromleypageant.co.uk/
• 14 - Trooping the colour
• 16 - Father’s Day
• 18 – 22 – Royal Ascot http://www.ascot.co.uk/?page=royal_ascot
• 20 - Bromley Business Expo http://www.bromleyexpo.co.uk/
• 21 - Summer Solstice (longest day)
• 24-30 June - Purley Festival http://www.purleyfestival.co.uk/
• 24 June -7 July – Wimbledon Tennis Championships http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/index.html
• 29 - Family Fun Day - St Christophers Hospice http://www.stchristophers.org.uk/

July 

• 3-7 - Henley Royal Regatta http://www.hrr.co.uk/
• 5-7 - Goodwood Festival of Speed http://www.goodwood.co.uk/festival-of-speed/welcome.aspx
• 12 – 14 - Kent County Show http://kentshowground.co.uk/
• 14 - Emmeline Pankhurst Day
• 15-17 The Royal Open golf
• 19 - 21  -  2013 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship - Brands Hatch GP http://www.brandshatch.co.uk/calendar/2013/july/bsb-19-21-july-bh.aspx
• 30 July – 4 August - Glorious Goodwood http://www.goodwood.co.uk/horse-racing/glorious-goodwood/glorious-goodwood-home.aspx

July dates to be confirmed -  BBC Proms - Chislehurst Rocks http://www.chislehurstrocks.co.uk/ - Chelsfield Fair http://www.chelsfieldfair.com/

August 

• 3-10 – Cowes Week, Isle of Wight
• New - 7-11 - Great British Beer Festival, Olympia, london - gbbf.org.uk 
• 9 August – 1 September – Edinburgh Festival
• 25-26 - Notting Hill Carnival http://www.thenottinghillcarnival.com/
• 26 - Late Summer Bank Holiday

August dates to be confirmed - Pettswoodstock http://www.pettswoodstock.com/ – Party in the Priory http://www.partyinthepriory.co.uk/, Orpington
 September 

• 23 - First Day of Autumn

September dates to be confirmed -  Harvest Festival - Crystal Palace International Film Festival http://cpiff.co.uk/
 October

• 5 - Harris Hospiscare - Quiz Night - Orpington http://www.harrishospiscare.org.uk/
• 7-13 - National Curry Week http://www.nationaleatingoutweek.com/peters%20old%20site/contents3.html
• 12 - St Christophers Hospice Midnight Walk http://www.stchristophers.org.uk/
• 18 - 20 - 2013 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship -    Brands Hatch GP (triple header) http://www.britishsuperbike.com/
• 21- Trafalgar Day
• 27 - British Summertime Ends - clocks go back 1 hour
• 31 - Hallowe’en

October dates to be confirmed - London Honey Show - London Restaurant Festival - Brockwell Park Music Festival

November 

• 3-7 – Diwali
• 5 - Guy Fawkes night
• 9 - Lord Mayor’s Show, London http://www.lordmayorsshow.org/
• 10 - Remembrance Sunday
• 11 - Armistice Day - 2 minutes silence at 11 a.m
• 30 - Christmas Festival - St. Christopher's Hospice; and St Andrew’s Day

November dates to be confirmed - London to Brighton Veteran Car Run

December

• 1 - Remembrance Tree, St. Christopher's Hospice
• 5 - Great Christmas Pudding Race, London http://www.xmaspuddingrace.org.uk/Home.html
• 21 - Winter Solstice - shortest Day of the year
• 24 - Christmas Eve
• 25 - Christmas Day – Bank Holiday
• 26 – Boxing Day – Bank Holiday
• 31 - New Year’s Eve; and Hogmanay (Scotland)

 

House price reports

This week news is out on what everyone believes to be the catalyst for an emerging economy… House building activity in London and property prices. In our industry we’re peppered weekly by various sources with information on house prices. Sometimes local, sometimes regional, sometimes national, but when switching the television on to hear news bulletin’s reporting house prices have fallen, alarm bells ring and the attention is drawn. Apparently this reduction of 0.2% is narrowing the north south divide. At that rate it could take a while to level out! Reporting a house price on a national level applicable to all is just around the corner??? Unlikely. House price falls are set to grab attention and on both audio and print versions the same tactic can be used to maximum impact, but the underlying fact is house prices have fallen by just 0.2%. Take some consideration of facts, sources, figures and abject calculating to determine that in our view, but there it is 0.2%. In reality it is unlikely that house prices in the South East will neither fall or increase, and if we look at the wider picture house prices should be measured not only on a concentrated regional basis, but also in terms of the property denominations. 0.2%!! Who cares about that? So why don’t they just say house prices have remained stable you may ask? The house price sources usually manipulate figures for it’s own political interests and the media is like a powerful hypnotic like tool used to control our thinking. There are different levels of house market. One bedroom properties are more likely to be harder to sell as they require first time buyers, against three/four bedroom properties for instance, which are in demand due to lack of supply and are easier to obtain finance being higher up the ladder. 

*There is 38% less property on the market than there was last year. Families are more commonly relocating from region to region within the London area (inside M25). A result of better transport facilities is one reason. House prices should be split into those markets, it really can be that that focussed in the reporting. Take the postcodes of central London for instance, which is boosted by the Russian and Chinese investors with their spare cash wanting to live or invest in what is a trendy City with 100’s of sights and attractions, seeing prime property as cheap. Totally immune to the rest of the London house market, it’s own micro climate. Foreign investors lured by the lights and the promise of economic recovery, because let’s face it we should be on the up by now, because we’re ‘bumping along the bottom.’ Cyclical history proves it. What is the driving force behind house price activity? Mortgages and finance, and there is no indication of a recovery by the banks in the foreseeable future. The view therefore should be taken that there will be no change in house prices for the foreseeable future.

If you want to know about local market house prices speak to your local Estate Agent. We do not charge for telephone conversations or visits and you’ll get a good over view of what is happening in your area. Just make sure you speak to the right person! 

* Source-National Association of Estate Agents

Schools in focus 6 - Worsley Bridge Junior School, Beckenham

Worsley Bridge Junior School is a two form mixed gender entry junior school in Beckenham catering for pupils between the ages of 7 and 11 years.  There are currently 168 children. 
Pupils are admitted at the beginning of the academic year in which they will reach their 8th birthday.  

The school is situated on Brackley Road, with its pupil entrance along Worsley Bridge Road.  It is also close to both Beckenham Junction and New Beckenham rail stations and are on a number of different bus routes.  Together with other facilities, playground and field, the school enjoys having a Forest School, an outdoor learning environment which encourages children to develop skills and to have fun.


The Head Teacher is Mrs Jacqueline Pike.

Worsley Bridge Junior School______Tel 020 86502977
Brackley Road                          ______E-mail: admin@worsleybridge.bromley.sch.uk
Beckenham
Kent BR3 1RF

Website here.

Ofsted reports here.

We value being friendly

Some time ago, we described our values, and since then we've posted about aspects of our innovative approach and our professionalism. We also said one of our values is friendliness.

Sam Samuel

It would be easy to assume that would apply to all businesses when they relate to their clients and others. Everyday experience would, however, suggest otherwise. Just think of a few recent shopping trips or calls to bigger businesses or institutions and you will probably see what we mean.

At Edward Ashdale, we like to make things straightforward and enjoyable for the people we deal with. So, regardless of what kind of day we're having (and property transactions and management can have some interesting moments), we know we need to "Keep calm and carry on" and be friendly, because that's the way we are and the way we like to be treated too.

So, if you drop in or call us to discuss a property matter, you can be sure we'll be friendly and the experience will be a good one.

You can see how friendly we are - and say hello - if you follow us on Twitter - @edwardashdale. 

After all, a bright smile, like Sam's above right, is part of our brighter approach to moving.

Our community: St Christopher's Hospice

We know it is helpful to people moving home to have an insight into the community they are looking to move into. So we have already started a series of postings about local schools, and we will be writing about other things including, on this occasion, a very deserving charity.

St Christopher’s is the first modern hospice, founded by Dame Cicely Saunders in 1967. They say that:

"Our vision is of a world in which all dying people and those close to them have access to appropriate care and support, when they need it, wherever they need it and whoever they are."

Comedienne Jo Brand joined the recent Midnight Walk

"We care for around 650 people on any one day serving a population of over 1.5 million in the London boroughs of Southwark, Lewisham, Lambeth, Bromley and Croydon. Our services include palliative care from specialist doctors and nurses, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, social work, bereavement and psychiatric support, creative therapies, complementary therapies and spiritual care. We also carry out extensive research and education, training over 12,000 health and social care staff a year."

"To continue these services costs £15 million each year, around £10 million of which must come from fundraising activities. The St Christopher’s Group comprises St Christopher’s Hospice in Sydenham and Harris HospisCare in Orpington."

We also asked for a few words from the people the hospice helps.

“I feel safe, I love it. Before I came here it took me a while to accept what was wrong. I was very frightened. When I came here all my fear went, I completely changed. You forget that you’re ill, it’s nice not to be thinking about being ill. The only day that my family don’t worry about me is the day I come here” (patient)

“I have been lucky enough, following the death of my wife, to have received bereavement counselling. I would just like to register my thanks for your help in easing me through a very difficult period of my life. Whilst my grieving continues I now feel much better equipped to face all of my tomorrows” (widow)

If you have any time to spare to raise money for a good cause, remember this one.

Website here, Facebook here, Twitter here

Harris Hospiscare website here, Facebook here, Twitter here

Our team: Hayley Mortimer

The latest member of our staff to be featured in this blog is Hayley Mortimer, who joined us in Summer 2012.

Hayley pictured at her desk

Hayley is based in our Tulse Hill Branch in the role of administrator, providing support to one of our Directors, John Adamthwaite (himself yet to be featured in our blog, but you can read about him here).

Hayley attended Bullers Wood School in Chislehurst through to Sixth Form. Hayley went on to further education at Orpington College, leaving to enter the IT Recruitment world. 

Hayley lives in Bromley with her 3 year old daughter, who keeps her very busy and highly amused. 

Useful post: South London local online

At Edward Ashdale we enjoy communicating and being part of local life.  One of the nice things that you can do with a blog is to be helpful, which is why we already have posts giving information about local schools - we will be updating those and adding to them -, and a "property related services to consider" post.

This "South London local online" post combines social media (well, we are 21st century estate agents) and local communities. It's not always easy to find the online communities where people get together online in South London, so we thought we'd offer some helpful links here. Want to find local people socialising and contributing to local life online? This is a blog post to add to your Favourites, and if you think we should add an online community we've missed, let us know. More will be added as we discover them.

In alphabetical order:

Beckenham

Beckenham Town us - Website here, Twitter here

Crystal Palace

- Crystal Palace People - website here, Twitter here

Norwood

- Virtual Norwood. Website here, Twitter here

Orpington

- Orpington Community. Website here, Twitter here

Tulse Hill

- Tulse Hill Forum. Website here, Twitter here

In the news again

With the publication of the latest Bromley and Bexley Property Mart magazine, we're in the news again.  Following one of our properties being on the cover of the magazine earlier this year here, and the last issue carrying a featured property, this time there is a profile which talks about the way we work, and also about our innovative (and fun) series of community-inspired, recipe card leaflets.

You can view the magazine here. The page pictured to the right, together with our latest page showcasing our properties for sale and lettings, is on pages 20 to 21. 

In an exclusive to this blog, we can confirm that the next recipe flyer will be a recipe for cheese biscuits from the Cookery Club of the Worsley Bridge Junior School in Beckenham.  We're grateful to the Head Teacher, staff and pupils of the school for helping us and we're already looking forward to testing the recipe for ourselves. 

And we must again thank the Blackbird Bakery of Herne Hill, Crystal Palace, East Dulwich Grove, and West Norwood, which contributed the lemon tart recipe which was in the leaflet that included the tasty picture in the Property Mart page above. And also for the use of their brand to the left, which moves!  Just watch it closely.

Why not drop into our branch in Bromley or Tulse Hill and pick the recipe leaflet up? If you need to find us, just look at our website.

And of course, we're here for you if you need to buy, sell, let or rent a property or if you require a property management service.  As the Property Mart said, we're a Recipe for Success.

Great estate agents blend the old and the new

You may have noticed that we call ourselves 21st century estate agents with traditional values.

22 years of service and counting

We believe that by putting things that have worked in our business for many years together with new approaches and technology, we will succeed for ourselves and for our clients.  A lot of our succcess is based on everyday, friendly contact with people in our branches, in their streets, and in the homes we're helping to sell, buy, let or manage. We do like a coffee and a chat. That will never change. 

At the same time, we innovate. We have this blog, our Twitter account @edwardashdale, and we've been using Quick Recognition (QR) codes before many other estate agents. 

We have other things going on or planned that will build on our success. What success? Look no further than our tweet just two days ago:

Safe - in black and white. And blue

"Another happy #Landlord. Referred by father this morning, keys given, viewing, offer, 12 months in advance, accepted! 3hrs approx #lettings" 

And another tweet that shows our commitment to our clients:

 "New paper work confirming we are @Safeagent for another year just arrived in post. 3:42!!! #RoyalMail pic.twitter.com/uWQhewZ"

For the record -  SAFE Agent is a Government endorsed mark denoting firms that protect landlords and tenants money through client money protection schemes - http://www.safeagents.co.uk 

So, if you use Edward Ashdale you can be assured of a quality service and of our strong commitment to our  clients (and to coffee). 

Professional photography: an essential part of our service

Without a professional

At Edward Ashdale, we use professional photographers to take the interior and exterior photographs of the properties we are engaged to sell or let.  A number of estate agents take their own photographs, and it shows in their windows and brochures.  

We could join those estate agents and take photos with our own cameras or mobile phones.  We won't be doing that, because the benefit of professional photography is that it helps us let or sell homes, which is why people choose us. 

Professional results

Put simply, professional photography produces professional results. And being professional is one of our values.

Professionally taken photos show homes in their best light. Literally, in fact because one of the things that a professional photographer does is to ensure that his or her photos are well lit.  This is often one of the things that shows whether or not a professional has taken photos. 

Amateur efforts are frequently gloomy, dull, and ill-lit, whereas professional photos are sharp, bright and attractive. 

We like to say that with Edward Ashdale, our clients enjoy "a brighter approach to moving".  

When it comes to our use of professional photography, this is especially true.

Our team: Sam Samuel

Sam Samuel, MNAEA CRLM, is one of our three Directors, and is the third of our team to feature in our blog, following John Campolini and Derrick  Boyce.

Sam is a man of many talents, and definitely enjoys the innovative aspects of our approach to being a 21st century estate agents with traditional values, frequently tweeting as @edwardashdale.  Though he does seem to use this to celebrate or bemoan his status as a supporter of Milwall FC quite a lot, you can also find useful links and observations about property matters through his tweets.

Sam left St Josephs Academy School in Blackheath to join the Royal Navy in 1989. Following six years of service, he made the switch from serviceman to civilian and began employment with Southwark Housing as a Housing Assistant. After achieving the Higher National Certificate in Social Housing & Management, Sam was promoted to Housing Officer. In 1997 he was approached by an outside associate for a role as Letting Agent in a start up lettings business in Bromley. 

Sam gained invaluable experience off the back of the ‘Buy-to-Let Boom’ era. After 10 years, in 2007 he formed the business Ashdale Estate Agents. In 2011 Ashdale Estate Agents were approached by W Edwards Property Consultants with a view to merging the companies. Thus Edward Ashdale Estate Agents were born.
 
Sam is 39, lives with his wife Michaela in Kent, has a four year old daughter, and an eight year old Bull Mastiff. Sam is an avid sportsman; he has played football, boxing, rugby and basketball, all at a high level. More recently, Sam has become a golfer with a handicap of 18. Sam still plays seven a-side football with old team mates, is a member of Shortlands Golf Club and attends charity golf events when the time allows, but he is committed to his role in business.

Take comfort in accompanied viewings

Not all estate agents offer accompanied viewings, where someone from their team is always present when a property is viewed, as a standard feature of their service.  

At time of writing, we could accompany you here

We do. Why? 

In general, it is because we take pride in our professionalism.

Encouraging people to pop off on their own to view properties for sale or to let doesn't feel professional. Here's why. 

Our accompanying people when a property is viewed is reassuring for all involved.  It shows that we believe there is a point to the viewing, that it is worth the time for the viewer and any vendor or landlord waiting in for the viewer, as well as our own time.

It also means that anyone viewing a property has the benefit of our instant expert advice on the property, the local property market, and the local area when any questions occur to them during a viewing. 

It also means that we can listen to and better understand the needs of our clients by listening to them and their questions as they view a property. So even if they don't wish to pursue the property we have suggested, we will know more to help us recommend something closer to their needs the next time.

You can read more about what sets our service apart here.







 

 

Our team: Derrick Boyce

As we said when we posted our first staff profile, we're proud of everyone who works for us.  

The second of us to be featured is sales negotiator Derrick Boyce, who is based in our Tulse Hill office. 

Derrick began his career in estate agency as a Saturday driver before becoming a full-time sales negotiator. 

Derrick joined Edward Ashdale in January 2008, after gaining several years of experience working for some of the major Estate Agencies in South London. He has experience of both residential sales and lettings and also gained some knowledge of the commercial market. 

His blend of enthusiasm, professionalism, experience and a friendly, but no nonsense attitude has made him a firm favourite with tenants and landlords alike. 

On the downside, he supports Arsenal FC.

You can also find brief staff profiles on our website, as well as other posts in this blog. Just use the search box and look under "team" or a name. 

My Dream Home Art Competition

Our Bromley branch recently tied up with the Headmaster of Valley Primary School and decided to test the pupils imagination and creative skills. The result was the "My Dream Home" Art Competition.

The competition covered years one and six and there were first, second and third prizes awarded in the form of water colour pencil drawings sets with pads.

In the main there were some innocently humorous ideas, from viewing towers, to Irn Bru river fountains and lifts! 

Here we display a couple of the winners, but most will be displayed in our office for the start of the new term.

Sam visited the classes in each year and awarded the prize winners with their gifts which were gratefully, if a bit curiously, received.

Links:

Valley Primary School: here

Previous blog re. Valley Primary school (n.b., due to be updated): here

The winner!

Our thanks to all the entrants and to the school for taking part in this competition.