Country Matters 2019

2018COUNTRY MATTERS

S&ySmaomnpdsson

Established 1858

1CE6L0EBYREAATIRNGS



CONTENTS

Photograph by Chris Cary, Sturminster Newton

7
PROFESSIONAL AND PLANNING

In this section, we bring you our guide to local and neighbourhood plan processes, and
a look at the work of Symonds & Sampson’s RICS registered valuers. We share advice on
lasting power of attorney, and give you the lowdown on letting out surplus farm buildings.
There are clever solutions for stamp duty, advice on how to soften the impact of business
rates, our Brexit forecast for the property sector – and even a word on dealing with damp.

21
RESIDENTIAL AND LETTINGS

On these pages you can discover the appeal of new-build homes, learn the best way to tackle
Japanese knotweed, and take a peek inside the ancestral home of the Earls of Shaftesbury. We reveal
why we believe the best way to buy and sell property is a blend of modern technology and traditional

know-how, and invite you to explore the fascinating history of the Leweston Manor estate near
Sherborne, and Cecil Beaton’s homes in Wiltshire. There’s a light-hearted look at house names, tips for
a smooth check-out at the end of tenancies, and a dip into the world of dog ownership. And you’ll see
why the South West was very much in demand at the London & Country Property Show with just a

taste of the property we sold and let in 2017.

43
AUCTIONS

They say that auctions are the new theatre, so we go behind the scenes at Frome Livestock
Market, look back on the lots, facts and figures of our 2017 farm dispersal sales, and put some
recent farm sales in the spotlight. If the smell of the greasepaint – rather than the hay bales –
is more your thing, we reveal where to raise the curtain on your am-dram career. There’s the
tale of how Stonehenge was auctioned off, an insight into what a property auctioneer won’t
leave home without, the essentials of a contract, and auction costs explained. Plus, a hands-
on view of renovating a former 18th-century inn, and a trip down memory lane as we open

our photograph album to the years 1991–1995.

3

CONTENTS

Photograph by Joe Hutchings, Poundbury (Burraton)

61
AGRICULTURE

Here’s where you’ll find our guide to the farmland market and a selection of farms and land sold in
2017. We also look at ploughing matches from a competitor’s and judge’s standpoint, celebrate our

successful charity tractor rally, and hear from the Young Farmers’ Clubs. We’ve got the update on
changes to greening requirements, meet some young rural entrepreneurs, and discover the enduring

legacy of Manor Farm in Dorset. All you need to know about Wessex Water pipeline compensation,
agricultural tenancy, and what to do if you want to ease back on the farm work but aren’t ready to sell.

81
AND FINALLY

See what we’ve been up to in our efforts to raise money for good causes and compete in sporting
events. A reminder of summer with pages of pictures from the 2017 rural shows, plus an interview with
a cattle commentator, and a glimpse into the world of poultry showing. We have tips on how to take
on the Three Peaks Challenge, our staff reveal their must-see movies and favourite food – and a recipe

to reboot your lunchtime regime.

Editors: Mark Lewis, Marlise Jolliffe, Roger Excell, Imogen Robinson The contents of this publication are intended as guidance and general interest.
It does not constitute legal advice and can be no substitute for considered
Proof Readers: Richard Miller, Marilyn Wright advice on specific problems. Although every effort has been made to ensure
the accuracy of the information printed in this publication, Symonds & Sampson
Artwork: Shaun Hodge LLP cannot accept liability for errors and omissions. The views expressed in this
publication are not necessarily those of Symonds & Sampson LLP.
Show/Farm Sale photos: Rob Nolan

Printed by: Remous Ltd, Glovers Close, Milborne Port, Dorset DT9 5EP

tel: 01963 250920 www.remous.com

4

WELCOME

When I told a friend that I was spending the afternoon in the Purbecks he asked
whether this was on business or pleasure. I thought for a moment and then
replied “both!”
The truth is that the people at Symonds & Sampson enjoy their work and,
although life can be very stressful at times, it can also be very rewarding and stimulating.
I believe that this is because our business is diverse and covers a large area of the south/
southwest, arguably some of the most beautiful countryside in Britain.

We have highlighted many of our disciplines in this magazine as well as giving you a flavour
of what we as people are. One of our greatest strengths is that we have entrepreneurial
individuals of all ages, with sound professional qualifications who can help you with any
property related matter.

It gives me great pleasure to see so many young newly, or soon to be, qualified people
who have joined us in the last year. This strengthens our business and provides a strong
succession for our clients and the next generation.

We have always been judicially expansionist and when we spot true talent and opportunities
we make a move, so we were very pleased to open our twelfth office in Ilminster in 2017,
allowing us to further expand our service to clients into Somerset and Devon.

It is 160 years since Symonds & Sampson was founded. We are a strong and healthy business
able to guide and advise clients in all property matters. We are just a phone call or email away.

I hope you enjoy reading this magazine as much as we have enjoyed putting it together.

Andrew Robinson FRICS FAAV
Senior Partner

5

DORSET SHELLFISH LTD

Est. 2011

Delicious, fresh fish & shellfish, caught by us
off the beautiful coast of Dorset

Dorset Shellfish, is a family run business who fish regularly comment that the handpicked crab meat is “superb”
out of Weymouth Dorset. They provide fresh and “absolutely delicious”. For full calendar check out the
seafood including local Crab, Lobster and Line website www.dorset-shellfish.co.uk or follow them on
Caught Sea Bass.  This is all caught by their own social media @dorsetshellfish
fishing boat Marauder WH22, which is skippered and crewed by
father, son and nephew. They fish up to 8 miles out of Weymouth
all weather and tides permitting (so no guarantee of regular
wages or hours!).

The shore side of the business is run by mother and daughter
Caroline and Stef who handpick the crab meat and produce award
winning Crab Cakes, Dressed Crab, Crab Pate, Crab Soup and much
more. They have received awards from Taste of the West and The
Great Taste as well as being finalists in the Taste of Dorset Awards.
They can be found at Local Farmers Markets around Dorset &
Somerset as well as local food festival, events & shows.

They all really are champions for local seafood, and quality
of their products is at the top of their priorities. Customers

PROFESSIONAL
AND

PLANNING

Scope for

Development

Edward Dyke unpicks the complexities
of the local and neighbourhood
plan processes

F ollowing the introduction of the Localism Act The neighbourhood plan process is running alongside
2011, which aims to transfer the decision-making local plan reviews which many local authorities are currently
powers from central government control to undertaking. If a site allocation can be secured within the
individuals and communities, and the subsequent local plan or neighbourhood plan, it will enhance your asset

publication of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), value considerably.

most local authorities have updated their local plans. In many We are constantly assisting clients with the promotion

cases this has involved the removal of settlement boundaries of their properties through these processes, and regularly

from the majority of small and We are regularly negotiating negotiating with developers and
medium-sized villages. promoters to secure option or

The NPPF has a presumption against with developers and promotion agreements.
new isolated homes in the countryside promoters to secure option If you have a site that may have
(save exceptional circumstances) and
scope for development, please

many local authorities have interpreted contact us.

or promotion agreementssustainability to the extent that they

now endeavour to restrict residential

development to major towns and larger villages in rural areas. The key development plan stages to look
The removal of development boundaries from small and out for include:

medium-sized villages has led to confusion over whether or • Call for sites – the neighbourhood plan groups and

not development can take place in villages that no longer local authorities invite landowners, developers and
have a defined settlement boundary. In simple terms, all such
villages are now treated as being in open countryside with the general public to identify land that may have
a presumption against any development. Infill sites are not
permitted where they might previously have been allowed. development potential.

Although paragraph 55 of the NPPF allows for exceptional • Housing and economic land availability assessment
dwellings in the countryside by way of the reuse of existing
buildings, both listed and traditional, each local authority (HELAA) – this document assesses all the sites that the
has interpreted the issue of sustainability in different ways,
especially in terms of development and proximity of proposed council is aware of, including those identified under ‘call

development to serviced villages and centres of population. for sites’, to consider their suitability for inclusion as a

potential site allocation.

• Local plan – issues and options consultations are

rolling out and landowners should be engaging in this

process. This is the document in which a number of

Depending on which local authority the property lies in, possible site allocations are identified, before refining to

development opportunities will range from straight residential “preferred options” following the consultation process.
conversion to holiday cottages or commercial change of use. Once adopted by a council, the allocations eventually
selected will become part of planning policy and will
The neighbourhood plan process may provide a solution carry significant weight in future planning decisions.
and is now rolling out across the districts under the Localism

Act. It is important to ensure that landowners engage in that

process to promote their property to best advantage. If the Edward Dyke
Sturminster Newton 01258 474261
site is in a village which has lost its settlement boundary, then [email protected]
the neighbourhood plan may reinstate one and allow for the
reintroduction of infill development opportunities.

8

Appraise be!

Rural Partner and Head
of Valuation, Patrick
Woodford, explains
the breadth of
work undertaken
by the firm’s RICS
registered valuers

What have that may be
a Cornish relevant, detailed analysis of
pilchard shed, comparable market evidence,
a racing pigeon
stud, a telephone exchange and a combined with a healthy dose of

large part of Poole Harbour seabed gut feeling about the property that

all got in common? only comes with experience leading to

Answer: they are all properties that have a valuation figure.

been professionally valued by Symonds & Sampson’s The valuation of let investments will take many

RICS registered valuers. of the same factors into account, but in particular the

This is because a core part of the chartered surveyor’s security of the rental income stream, actual and potential,

daily work is property valuation. For most, this is confined having careful regard to lease terms and the strengths
to a particular type of property, usually land and
and weaknesses of the market. This is the
farms in the land agent’s case. But, for
some, the breadth is much wider It is frequently said that case when valuing let agricultural
and encompasses residential property valuation is an holdings but also applies to
property, development land, commercial retail, office
and industrial premises.
leisure and other commercial art and not a science
premises in both town and country. Calculations using yield factors
that reflect the variables then
I believe that, for most valuers, their
provide the valuation figure.
interest is twofold. First, in property for all its variety,
The instructions we receive are for a diverse range of
complexity, history and the challenge of valuing it. And
reasons. Most commonly these are for secured lending or
second, in the people who shape, live and work in these
taxation purposes. A variety of capital taxes touch on built
places, perhaps all their lives and over several generations. property, including Inheritance, Capital Gains and Stamp
So far as the complexity of property is concerned, why
Duty Land Tax. Valuations may be needed to calculate
are two apparently similar properties not worth the same? potential liabilities as part of an estate planning exercise
What impact do occupational leases, planning potential,
where decisions need to be made about lifetime gifts, trust
structural condition and third party rights have on the value creation, will making and the division of assets.
of a property – and how does the valuer balance and assess
When a death occurs, there is a requirement for a
the consequences of each? How do you value a property
probate valuation and the professional valuer will assist the
that, to all outward appearances, is unique?
executors in establishing the extent to which agricultural
Of particular interest to me is the valuation of rural
and business property reliefs may be available, and will deal
estates which commonly comprise a range of property
with negotiations with HMRC.
types including let and in-hand farms, residential property,
Across the firm, our valuers cover it all.
a principal country house and many more unusual features

such as village greens, commercial woodlands, sporting

rights, and land with development potential.

It is often said that property valuation is an art and not Patrick Woodford
a science. That is, for the most part, accurate. It requires Poundbury (Burraton) 01305 236573
careful weighing up and consideration of all the factors [email protected]

9

Paldanvniicneg

Are you in breach of the Town and
Country Planning Act 1990? Never
fear – A-J Monro from our Wimborne
Office has the advice you’ll need

Using an agricultural barn for any non-agricultural • The matters stated in the enforcement notice have
purpose requires planning permission in the
form of a change of use. While there is plenty not occurred.
of support within both local and national
planning policy for the re-use of redundant buildings, there • The matters stated in the enforcement notice (if they

occurred) do not constitute a breach of planning

are often situations where clients have pressed on with control.

the desired use regardless. Consequently, there are many • At the date when the notice was issued, no

buildings being utilised for purposes outside of agriculture enforcement action could be taken.

which are in breach of planning. • Copies of the enforcement notice were not served in

If the Local Planning Authority (LPA) becomes aware of accordance with the relevant statutory requirements.

a breach of planning (usually as a result of a disgruntled • The steps required by the notice to be taken, or the

neighbour) it is duty bound to investigate the matter and, if activities required by the notice to cease, exceed

appropriate, serve an enforcement notice. what is necessary either to remedy any breach of a

Prior to doing so, the LPA will serve a Planning planning control or to remedy any injury to amenity

Contravention Notice (PCN) on anyone it believes to have which has been caused by any such breach.

an interest in the property. You are required by law to • Any period specified in the notice falls short of what

complete the questions raised in the notice and return it to should reasonably be allowed.

the LPA within the specified time Appeals may be dealt with by

period. There are many buildings one of three methods – written
During discussions with the being utilised for purposes representations, informal hearing
or a public inquiry – and unless
enforcement officer, a request the inspector has “erred in law”,
for the matter to be dealt with

by way of the submission outside of agriculture which his decision is final. The most
of a retrospective planning are in breach of planning common methods are written
application to regularise the representation and informal

change of use may be accepted. hearing, as a public inquiry is

If this is agreed, then a timeframe prohibitively expensive.

is normally set to deal with the application process. This Our advice would be to avoid a situation where you

may all be agreed prior to the formal issue of the PCN, may have the threat of enforcement action by submitting

which would only be issued if a negotiated way forward is a retrospective planning application. Or, if you have been
not available.
in breach of planning for a long enough period of time, an
If, as a result of the answers you provide (which must
application for a Certificate of Lawful Use or Development
be truthful), the LPA serves an Enforcement Notice, it will
may be the simplest solution. Please contact us to discuss
usually require you to cease the activity and probably
if you have any doubt.
remove the infringing item. You have one month in which

to submit an appeal to the planning inspectorate, with the

appeal being available on the following grounds:

• Planning permission ought to be granted or the Andrew (AJ) Monro
Wimborne 01202 882103
condition or limitation concerned ought to be [email protected]
discharged.

10

PPloeassetMmisatenr

Britain’s post boxes have been a familiar sight for
over 150 years, adding character and colour to our
communities. Ross Willmington tells the story of

these cherished local landmarks

T here are so many different post boxes of all All pillar and lamp boxes now had the distinctive Imperial
shapes and sizes throughout our region, many cypher of Victoria Regina, while the wall-mounted boxes
appearing in what seem to be random places continued to show only a block cypher VR. The new pillar box
along country roads,
design saw out the reign and

so we decided to research the They were painted green to remained little changed until
history behind these iconic make them unobtrusive. Too 1905, when the basic design was
structures. unobtrusive, as it turned out – refined.

Before the introduction of The Edward VII boxes now
pillar boxes, outgoing mail was had the posting aperture as part

taken to the nearest letter- people kept walking into them of the door, rather than the body
receiving house or post office. of the box. That eliminated the

Such houses were usually chance for mail to get caught

coaching inns or turnpike houses where the Royal Mail coach up in the top of the box. This basic design remains the same

would stop to pick up, and set down, mail and passengers. today, having served well throughout the reigns of George V,

Post boxes were Edward VIII, George VI and Elizabeth II.

introduced to the UK To mark the 2012

in about 1853 and one Summer Olympics,

of the first designs can Royal Mail painted a

be found at Holwell pillar box gold in the

near Sherborne. It is home town of each

octagonal in shape, Great Britain team

known as a Penfold, member who won

with a vertical posting a gold medal, and

slot and would have Sherborne residents

been, like all others, are very proud of

painted green to make theirs in recognition

it unobtrusive. Too of Peter Wilson’s

unobtrusive, as it turned achievement in the

out – people kept men’s double trap.

walking into them. So red became the standard colour in So the next time you

1874, although 10 more years elapsed before every box in the post a letter, an alien

UK had been repainted. idea to some younger

A return to cylindrical boxes followed with the Anonymous people, have a look at the design and lettering on the box.

boxes of 1879, so-called because the Royal cypher and the You will see a part of our region’s history.

words “Post Office” were omitted. It took 13 years before this

change was reversed, even though the box had undergone a

major design change during that time. This involved lowering

the position of the posting aperture relative to the top of the Ross Willmington
box – the original High Aperture design was prone to mail Axminster 01297 33122
becoming caught under the rim of the cap. [email protected]

11

Power to the people you trust

Few of us want to think that we might lose our mental capacity or how we would
cope with our financial affairs if we did – but one answer is to create a lasting power of

attorney, as Deborah Escott-Watson of Battens Solicitors explains

What is it? LPAs are also not just for older You can do all this yourself or
clients. Younger people with ask a solicitor to help you.
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) dangerous jobs or risky hobbies
allows you (the donor) to make a should consider making LPAs I don’t have any children
choice now, when you are well, and my friends are
about who you would like to look my age. Who should I
after you and make decisions on appoint?
your behalf (your attorney), if, in
the future you lose the mental You should always choose a
capacity to make them for person who you trust. If you do
yourself. not have children or your family
and friends are elderly, you can
Why do I need one? always consider appointing your
solicitor to act as your attorney.
If you lack the capacity to make
decisions, you cannot deal with What if my attorney
your finances or look after yourself. abuses their position?
There are two types of LPA: a
property and financial affairs LPA If it appears that an attorney
which allows the attorney to make is abusing their position, then
decisions about your finances, anyone can raise a concern with
and a health and welfare LPA the OPG or Social Services, who
which allows the attorney to make will investigate.
decisions for you in respect of your
personal and care needs. A health You can cancel an LPA even if
and welfare LPA can only be used it is registered and you have the
when a person has lost capacity. capacity to do so.

But I am fit and healthy at the moment! I have also heard people
talk about EPA’s – what is the difference?
This is the only time to make decisions about your future!
When you are sick it may be too late to make an LPA and then An EPA, or Enduring Power of Attorney is essentially the
the Court will have to step in and appoint somebody, called a same thing as the Property and Financial Affairs LPA. The law
deputy, to look after you. This person may not be your choice, changed in October 2007 and EPAs were replaced by LPAs.
and it is also a longer and more expensive process. LPAs are There is one main difference. A LPA has to be registered with
also not just for older clients! Younger clients with risky jobs or the OPG before it can be used, whereas an EPA can be used as
young families should consider making LPAs. soon as it is signed and is only registered with the OPG when
a person loses mental capacity. The change in law introduced
How long does it take to organise and what the Health and Welfare LPA which meant that a person could
is the process? enable their attorney to make decisions about the donor’s
person and not just their finances. We recommend that
An LPA is created by completing a form with your and your clients with existing EPA’s, sign a Health and Welfare LPA for
attorney’s details. Both you and your attorney need to sign the complete protection and peace of mind.
form. You also need to have a certificate provider who signs
the LPA form to say that you are fully aware of what signing Deborah Escott-Watson
the LPA means and that nobody has forced you to make 01935 811314
it. A certificate provider is a person who is over 18 and has [email protected]
known you for at least two years or a professional person like a
doctor or solicitor. Once the LPA is completed it is sent to the
Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) to be registered. It takes
approximately two months to register the LPA.

12

New EPC Rules

Do you let out your surplus farm buildings? New rules mean you’re about to enter
a regulatory minefield, warns Jack Edwards

Letting out surplus or redundant buildings for enough, is furnished holiday accommodation, but only where
business purposes has been a useful way of earning the holidaymaker is not responsible for meeting the energy costs.
a few extra pounds to help the profitability of a Therefore, if you let out holiday cottages, you’ll need to make the
farm, but the rules are, unfortunately, changing. rent all-inclusive of energy costs, otherwise you will need to get

From 1 April 2018, if you intend to enter into a new lease or an EPC and make sure it is level E or above.

renew an existing lease on a building that you let out on your Workshops and buildings with low energy demand are

farm for commercial purposes, then One option is to grant a new also exempt, but once again that is a
you might need to get an Energy subjective judgment.

Performance Certificate (EPC). With old Where you have an old building that
is not energy efficient you can apply for
lease or extend an existingand uninsulated farm buildings, getting an exemption but only after you have
them up to standard could be a costly lease before 1 April 2018
challenge. tried to improve the energy efficiency of

If, after 1 April 2018, you either let out a non-exempt building the building. You have to receive this exemption and it has to be

or renew a tenancy and do not follow the regulations, you could registered on the PRS Exemptions Register. The exemption will

face enforcement action, which in turn could lead to a substantial last for five years and, after it expires, the landlord must try again

fine. But there are steps you can take to minimise the impact. to improve the property’s EPC rating.

One option is to grant a new lease or extend an existing It is important to note that before you can get an exemption,

lease before 1 April 2018 for as long If you let out holiday cottages, you have to carry out energy efficiency
as possible, but note that with effect make the rent all-inclusive of improvements or demonstrate that
from 1 April 2023 even continuing carrying out such energy efficiency
tenancies have to meet the minimum improvements would be prohibitive

standard. Therefore, you might want from a cost perspective and would
not significantly improve the energy
energy costs, otherwise you’llto have a lease that ends on 31 March efficiency of the building.
need an EPC of level E or above2023 as a long stop date.
Some properties are potentially It is interesting to note that the

exempt from the regulations, including those that are listed or in government’s guidance on the non-Domestic Private Rented

a conservation area. The exemption is defined in the regulations Property Minimum Standard Regulations run to 71 pages. It’s a

as: regulatory minefield, not to be entered into without caution and,

“buildings officially protected as part of a designated environment as such, proper professional advice should be sought. The letting

or because of their special architectural or historical merit, in so of surplus agricultural buildings can still provide a welcome

far as compliance with certain minimum energy performance diversification income but you must now think before you act. In

requirements would unacceptably alter their character or the first instance, we recommend that you speak to one of the

appearance;” Chartered Surveyors at Symonds & Sampson, who will be best

Who makes the judgement call on whether the character or placed to steer you through the red tape.

appearance would unacceptably altered? As matters stand it is

not entirely clear, and there is a degree of ambiguity throughout

this part of the regulations. The official advice is to seek guidance Jack Edwards
from the local authority conservation officer, but clear parameters Salisbury 01722 334323
seem woefully lacking. Another exemption, interestingly jedwards@@symondsandsampson.co.uk

13

Stamp duty

solutions

Worried the increase in stamp duty
has put your dream property out
of reach? Take heart – Elinor Davis,
Associate Solicitor at Moore Blatch,

may have the answer

In March 2016, the government overhauled the
stamp duty land tax rates, ostensibly to “reform” and
“make fairer” the process for “hard working families”
– that oft-used phrase beloved of politicians, but in
fact resulting in significant increases in the amount of tax paid
on properties over around £250,000, on second homes and on
properties bought in the name of trustees or companies.

The actual rates can be found on the free Moore Blatch app

(download it via https://www.mooreblatch.com/news-media/

mobile-app/), but suffice to say that for anyone looking to commercial or agricultural element to them, provided that

invest in buy-to-let property, or purchase that new country use is existing at the completion date, then the property

house, then the costs have There are some legitimate could be classed as mixed use

substantially increased so that in and the significantly lower

some cases if one were to buy mixed use rates apply.

ways that it may be possiblea residential property for more If one is planning to put their
country home on the market, it
than £1.5m, and one owned is worth looking at it with fresh
eyes to see if it can be marketed to make it clear that either
to utilise existing lawful reliefsan interest, beneficial or legal, multiple dwelling relief or the mixed use rates can apply.
The property may sell that bit more readily.
worth more than £40,000, in any
property anywhere else in the world, they could be paying up
to a crippling 15% top rate on the value over £1.5m and 13% on
the portion from £1m to £1.5m.
This is an area where one has to tread carefully and
There is no doubt that the top end of the residential market has appraise each purchase on a case by case basis. Not
slowed down as a result. However there are some legitimate every house with ancillary accommodation will qualify for
ways that it may be possible to utilise existing lawful reliefs. multiple dwelling relief but if you find your dream home or

Let’s say someone has decided to buy a large home in the investment opportunity, only for the new SDLT to put it out
country with gardens and a lodge in the grounds, but it is not of reach, there may be a way to make that dream property
a farm, nor does it have any commercial element to it. Where yours after all.

the overall purchase price is £3m and the buyer already has an

interest in a property that will not be sold, the SDLT would be

£363,750. That is nearly three times the price of my first flat!

However, if multiple dwelling relief is calculated, the purchase Elinor Davis
price is divided by the number of dwellings and the mean Associate solicitor
average is then used for the price. So the SDLT using the same 023 8071 8052
criteria would be based on an average price of £1.5m, being [email protected]

£138,750, then multiplied by the number of dwellings being Ed Whittington
bought. In this case it is multiplied by two, giving an SLDT Managing partner
liability of £277,500. A considerable saving! 023 8071 8026
[email protected]
Other possibilities are where properties have a genuine

14

Commercial breaks

Nick Rymer on how to soften the impact of non-domestic rates

Business rates in one form or another have relief available for properties in eligible areas (where the
been collected in England for over 400 years. population is less than 3000).
Only they’re not business rates, they’re non-
domestic rates – a tax on any property that Vacant property is now rated, although there are some
short-term reliefs for empty property (three months for

isn’t domestic. In essence it is an occupier’s tax based shops and offices, and six months for industrial). Empty

upon the rental value of the Recent additions to the listed property is exempt until
rateable list include car boot
property. The rateable value (RV) the property is reoccupied.
is comparative to the market Thankfully, there is also
rental for most types of property
relief on agricultural land and

as it would have been in April sales, festivals and even buildings, but one must be sure
2015. point-to-points to consider the implications,
in terms of rates, for farm
In 2013, central government diversification activities. Clearly,
made alterations to how these

are collected, allowing local authorities to keep up to 50% the conversion of agricultural buildings to industrial or

of rates collected, whereas previously it was all transferred commercial activities will become liable for rates, but so

to a national ‘pot’ before being re-allocated. This has given too can agricultural land used repeatedly for festivals and

local billing authorities a new wave of enthusiasm to events. Even activities like off-road driving courses and

collect as much as they can. paintballing sites can be trapped.

As a rule of thumb everything is rateable, with a few The Supreme Court has also made a landmark ruling

exceptions, and authorities can backdate payments if in relation to properties undergoing refurbishment

they decide to investigate a property. Even seemingly and development. This ruling states that properties

occasional uses of land can lead to rating. Recent additions undergoing substantial renovation works (that prevent

to the rateable list include car boot sales, festivals and even the premises from being occupied) should qualify for a

point-to-point courses. However, it’s not all doom and reduction in their rateable value.

gloom as there are a number of reliefs that are well worth

knowing about.

Small businesses, with a rateable value of less than Nick Rymer
£15,000, may be eligible for small business rate relief (100% Wimborne 01202 882103

relief below an RV of £12,000) and there is some rural rate [email protected]

15

Promotional Feature

Sue Smith, Individual Banking Manager, and Jonathan to help us; visiting the site, offering advice and problem solving along
Fillery, Account Manager Support, greet us in the the way. Handelsbanken offer a genuinely personalised service and
welcoming reception area of Handelsbanken, Yeovil pride themselves on building strong relationships with their clients.
to talk about why Handelsbanken has become the They liaised directly with our solicitors and the valuers and kept us up
bank of choice for individuals and business owners looking for to date with each step of the process. As novice self-builders it has
tailored mortgage solutions that are often not available on the been incredibly reassuring to know that we are in the hands of such a
high street. professional team and we can’t recommend them highly enough.”

Founded in Sweden in the 19th century, over 200 of And it’s not just in self build where Handelsbanken excel. “New
Handelsbanken’s worldwide network of 800 branches are in clients of ours had been searching for their dream property for
the UK. Despite its international outlook, the bank’s success has over five years, but were frustrated by their high street bank even
been built on a philosophy of providing an entirely local service, though they had been customers for over forty years. ‘’We just
tailored to the needs of each individual customer. didn’t fit their restrictive criteria. We had effectively given up hope until
we met with Handelsbanken. It was so refreshing to talk to people
Sue explains the success of Handelsbanken“Our branches who had the vision and flexibility to understand our requirements
across the South West have built up expertise by supporting local and the enthusiasm to help us achieve our goals”
business owners and individuals with their mortgage needs, as
well as dealing with a range of more complex lending such as Sue continues: ’’Our approach involves taking the time to
self-build projects, holiday home and‘hobby farm’funding, and understand each customer’s full financial picture in order to
residential properties, set in over an acre, which often come with deliver the right long term solutions, however complex their
agricultural or equestrian ties’’ needs. Importantly, every step of the mortgage process is
managed within the branch, allowing customers peace of mind
“One of our clients near Dorchester recently undertook a self- knowing that their local team is there to support them from the
build project, and found difficulty securing funding. They said: first point of contact, through to completion and beyond’’.

‘’When we were looking for a bank to help us to fund our self-build This is certainly what their customers say, and perhaps no
project, Handelsbanken were able to offer a mortgage that was coincidence, therefore, that Handelsbanken has been ranked top
completely tailored to our needs. From the initial phone call, to the for customer satisfaction amongst British banks’business and
ongoing contact with our individual banking manager Kath Ayres, personal customers for the last nine years running (EPSI Rating,
the service has been nothing short of outstanding. The bank were 2009–2017).
genuinely interested in our unique project and went out of their way

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

Please note that our lending facilities are only available to persons aged 18 or over and are subject to status. Written quotations and terms and conditions are available on request.
Handelsbanken is the trading name of Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ). Registered Office: Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ), 3 Thomas More Square, London, E1W 1WY. Registered in
England and Wales No, BR 000589. Incorporated in Sweden with limited liability. Registered in Sweden No, 502007-7862. Head Office in Stockholm. Authorised by the Swedish Financial
Supervisory Authority (Finansinspektionen) and the Prudential Regulation Authority and subject to limited regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority.

Details about the extent of our authorisation and regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority, and regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority are available from us on request.

16

Opportunity

knocks

Brexit presents opportunities for the
property sector, says Jan Merriott

Brexit – one of the ugliest words in the English • The stock market has followed a generally upward trend.
language. Many people, as soon as they see or
hear the word, switch off. We need a stronger, • Unemployment is at an all-time low.
more powerfully positive word and mine
would be “opportunity”. We will no longer be exclusively • We have a good labour supply (supplemented by people
European but instead globalist – giving China, India, Japan from all over the world).
and America a big welcoming smile. So how does all this
affect commercial property? • House prices have continued to rise in all but a few very
overheated areas in central London.
When we are qualifying as chartered surveyors, we are
• Commercial property investment has remained steady
and kept its gains of last year.

trained to observe, question, interpret and advise. Getting In my opinion, the news commentary these days is biased,
background information is vital and includes not just research generally unresearched and just made up. Please stop. The
on the property, but the marketplace for the property, the British are better than this.
urban economics, and how this will affect its future.
As we go to press, I feel pretty
Surveyors are lucky to have good about being British. Fly the
their own dedicated institution, flag, sing the national anthem with
gusto, and be proud of our heritage
My forecast is: business as usual,the RICS, and we also have an and our talented population both
the best is yet to comeindependent property press young and old. We have got to stop
being made to feel bad for being patriotic!
and an industry that constantly Everyone in this world wants to be part of what we offer –
analyses the sales and letting data and other information history, freedom, ingenuity, music (but perhaps not improvised
for trends. The industry is extremely good at researching jazz!), a sense of fair play and, above all, a sense of humour. It
data. It is, after all, most young graduates’ daily activity as itadds up to a safe haven for investors’money. And, as the popular
is this information that underpins “valuation” and determines press suggests, in a world of risk we are the least risky by far!
the rest of their lives. We have a system that is recognised So my forecast is: business as usual, the best is yet to come.
globally and a standard that is sought after. Sure, interest rates will probably rise again, and the pound
will have to follow (for a while) which can only mean a slowing
From this data we can see how the micro environment of growth in the UK stock market.
is affected by macro decisions. Governmental decisions Commercial property investment will continue to meet a
through legislation can have immediate impact. For instance, wider audience as bank finance improves in this sector.
the removal of interest relief on residential property letting Lack of supply will continue to affect the market, particularly
had the immediate impact of further reducing the letting in the industrial sector.
supply (not quite as intended). The increase in small business The secondary retail market will, however, remain “patchy” in
rates relief had an immediate benefit in the uptake of smaller certain towns with a large supply.
commercial properties with a rateable value below £12,000. And I dare say some business decisions will be held up by
listening to speculation and conjecture – the thing we used to
With the rise of internet data and how it is analysed, we call “news”!
can stay ahead and give good advice. However, there is a
sinister side to all this information. The art of “disinformation”
for political or financial gain. Fake news if you like!

Ultimately, business decisions are made from how certain
we feel collectively about the future. The popular press

seems to be trying to sensationalise every situation so that

headlines can help them sell a few papers, or get stronger Jan Merriott
ratings, but against the backdrop of the negative headlines Poundbury 01305 251154
this year: [email protected]

17

Dealing
with damp

Concerned about rising damp, water penetration or condensation?
James Shapland from our building surveying team may have the answers

Oh, the joys of owning older property, or in fact water as vapour. It condenses indoors when the warm, damp
any property. Modern construction techniques, air meets colder building components and is exacerbated
materials, sealants – even modern living – may by poor ventilation. This can be seen in mould growth
exacerbate problems of damp, particularly in in corners where there is poor air circulation and around

older properties. windows, particularly where uPVC replacements have been

In short, rising damp comes up through the walls and floors installed in solid stone walls. It can also occur within the

by capillary action. How much it rises depends on a variety building’s materials, and the hazard with mould and timber

of factors and it is often visible It is better to have the heating decay in a roof space is that it
by salt deposits and staining left might remain unseen until the

behind. on low all day, keeping the damage is done.
Until around 1875, buildings So what to do about

did not have damp courses. temperature above the dew condensation? The good thing
After that varieties of damp point, than switching it on is that simple lifestyle changes
courses were introduced, can result in improvements

the most obvious being slate when everyone comes home with little, if any, expense.
courses in Victorian terraces. in the evening Simple actions include not
By the 1960s, damp proof leaving stove kettles and pans
membranes were common. We boiling unnecessarily, closing

often see courses breached by the build-up of high ground kitchen and bathroom doors to keep the vapour in (but

levels externally and cavity walls failing where rubbish opening windows to these rooms), not drying wet clothes

remains in the cavity. The automatic ‘cure’ these days is an in front of radiators, and ensuring mechanical ventilation is

injected damp proof course but it is not always the best working, and turned on. Too often replacement windows

answer, particularly in an older building. are installed but occupants don’t open the trickle vents or

Rain penetration is pretty obvious but exactly where it open the casements. It is better to have the heating on low

is getting in may be more difficult to identify. Overflowing all day, keeping the temperature above the dew point, than

gutters are common, but weak points in flashings may be less switching it on when everyone comes home in the evening.

easy to see and with poor pointing where do you start to find If you ignore any of these three types of damp the building

that hole? fabric and contents can be damaged and, in the worst cases,

Sealants are sometimes recommended for damp elements of the structure can fail. Taking time to study and

penetration through walls but can tend to seal in the moisture record the issues before action could save you money in the

which has to – and will – find a way out somehow. In one long run.

client’s house it resulted in the water filtering through Nobody likes the problems associated with damp, but

the rubble walls and out along a beam 6ft into the sitting there’s nothing worse than a problem apparently solved but

room and dripping on his head. We looked for a different which then reoccurs. Careful consideration by an expert in

solution. Older buildings need to ‘breathe’ and the answer the first instance might provide a more lasting solution.

was to replace the hard cement pointing with a lime-based

mortar which would have been used in the original building.

Studying the problem when the rain is pouring and a few

days afterwards might give you a simple solution. James Shapland
Wimborne 01202 639407
With condensation there are a myriad of causes but put [email protected]
simply it occurs when air cools and loses its ability to hold

18

PLANNING

EXPERTS

ments • Permitted De ns • Barn Conversions
• Strategic Planning
velopmen • Listed Bu
ing Appeals • Enforce
useholder Applicatio
ilding Consent • Plann • Farm Expansions • Ho

Working in tandem with our clients we
provide a bespoke professional service.

Whatever it is
Wherever it is
We can help you secure planning permission

Edward Dyke on 01258 472244 or your local o ce

In 2007 Robin and Jane Cannon purchased Newton House, a beautiful historic Jacobean Manor, which was in a
sorry state of repair and they began a ten year restoration project of the house and grounds.

With gardens now abundant with flowers, herbaceous borders, botanicals and colourful edible flowers for
cocktails, Newton House was the perfect place to create a gin.

Newton House Gin is a small batch, hand crafted London Dry gin made in Somerset. The gin is made from English produced
grain spirit and twelve botanicals, some of which are grown in the walled garden. The process is completed by using
refreshing spring water from the estate, which has seeped gently from the hills surrounding the house for centuries.

The gin was originally created in Hermione, a 10 litre copper still and after
much trialling, the unique recipe was finally agreed and Newton House Gin
was born. Our delicious gin is now distilled in Henrietta, a 60 litre copper still
and has recently been joined by three further 60 litre stills in the distillery
which is located in the Carpenters Workshop in the grounds of Newton House.

The overall flavour is clean, zesty citrus with notes of juniper with underlying
mint and peppery spice, further softened by peaches and blueberries giving the
hint of English garden fragrances. A Newton House G&T is refreshing, distinctive
and delicious, creating a completely harmonious flavour for the purist.

For an absolutely perfect serve, and to make the flavours of Newton House Gin
sing, serve with ice, bruised mint leaves, a slice of lime and Fever-Tree Tonic.

Visit newtonhousegin.co.uk

Email: [email protected] Tel:  01935 471388

RESIDENTIAL
AND

LETTINGS

Ring in the new

New-build homes are a great option whether you’re a first-time buyer, have a
growing family or are “right sizing” in later years, says Andy Wakinshaw

Anew-build home is fresh, clean and untouched only are new homes more energy efficient, they generate
by any previous owners’ choice of decor. It is approximately 60% less carbon emissions, saving you money
a blank canvas on which you can stamp your and doing your bit for the environment.
own style and personality. A new-build also
means no onward chain, making the process quicker and Luxury living in Poundbury
easier – you can move straight in as soon as it completes and
get started making your own mark. At Symonds & Sampson, we offer a wide range of
new-build properties of all styles and prices. Recently
Lots of ways to buy on the market is the impressive Royal Pavilion
which has set a new benchmark for luxury living
Sometimes buying a home can seem like an impossible in Poundbury. These exceptional apartments and
dream but with innovative new purchase schemes it’s easier penthouses have been designed with beautiful
than ever. Many builders offer an assisted move scheme interiors, generously proportioned rooms, high
whereby the builder will help with the fees for selling your ceilings and French doors that open on to individual
own property, or offer a part exchange. private terraces for 'al fresco' dining.

High build quality The accommodation has been designed for
contemporary living with luxury kitchens, en-suite
New homes come complete with brand new fixtures and bathrooms and dressing rooms, underfloor heating,
fittings and the most up-to-date technology. Strict building private parking and a full concierge service.
regulations mean that new homes are built to exceptionally
high standards, so expect state-of-the-art kitchens with These stunning apartments are a development
energy efficient appliances, the highest levels of insulation, by award-winning C G Fry & Son. For further details,
and a home builder’s guarantee. The costs required to contact the Symonds & Sampson Poundbury Office on
upgrade an older property to the standards of a new-build 01305 251154.
can run into tens of thousands.
Andy Wakinshaw
Cheaper to run Sherborne 01935 814488
[email protected]
New homes are built to the latest environmental standards
and can, in some cases, be almost 60% cheaper to run.  Not

22

Knot a good plant
for your garden

Japanese knotweed is Britain’s most destructive
invasive plant – and it’s eating up property values

Japanese knotweed is a hardy, bamboo-like burying a root barrier membrane and
perennial plant that grows quickly. It spreads using chemical control. It can be a
through its underground roots – or rhizomes – long and expensive process and proper

and thick clumps professional advice must be sought
so that the management plan can
While this invasive plant can soon reach a height of
can be difficult to control,
over two metres. timely and persistent be agreed.
It was introduced to the UK in the While this invasive plant can

mid-19th century and was initially be difficult to control, it should

popular with landscapers because treatment programmes can be recognised that timely and
of its ability to grow quickly and minimise its impact persistent treatment programmes
form dense screens. However, it can minimise its impact. If you
soon became a problem because know that you have the plant, now

of its ability to out-compete indigenous flora and their may be the time to start the plan to eradicate it, especially if

associated fauna. you are thinking of selling your property in the future.

In 1905, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) was warning

its readers against planting Japanese knotweed in their

gardens unless “it is kept in check” and even the famous

landscaper Gertrude Jekyll advised that it should be “planted

with caution”.

It became such a problem that Japanese knotweed was

included in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, making it

an offence to “plant or otherwise cause Japanese knotweed to

grow in the wild”.

Home owners have encountered major problems with

Japanese knotweed and a number of lenders claim they

are unable to obtain insurance cover for property affected

by the plant. Where Japanese knotweed originates from a

neighbouring property, insurance companies are likely to Combat the enemy
pursue others for the costs of the damage caused.
The Environmental Protection Act 1990 contains a number
The damage can be extensive, affecting drains and other of legal provisions about Japanese knotweed. All parts of
buried services where the roots exploit existing cracks and the plant and any soil contaminated with it are classified
gaps in the pipes in their search for water, causing disruption as controlled waste and must be removed and disposed of
to terraces, drives, boundary walls, outbuildings and by a licensed waste control operator. For a list of approved
treatment firms, go to www.property-care.org
conservatories.
It can be controlled

but, once it is established,

managing Japanese With thanks to RICS and Phil
knotweed can be Parnham BSc, MRICS, Director
challenging. As the RHS at BlueBox Partners
states on its website:

“eradication requires steely

determination”.

A management plan Jeremy Smith
may include the removal of Beaminster 01308 863100
the plant and soil, possibly [email protected]

23

If walls

could talk

As the ancestral home of the Earls of Shaftesbury, St Giles House in Dorset
is a Georgian gem with a tale to tell

Iwas fortunate enough to grow up in Wimborne 10 when his father
St Giles, a very beautiful Dorset village which has died. Much of his
been the home of the Earls of Shaftesbury for inheritance was
centuries. St Giles House, the family seat, has to be squandered due to
one of the most magnificent houses in England. the incompetence
of his trustees, but
However, from my childhood, I remember it rather the uncertainties of
differently. I would often play in the gardens, whilst my childhood shaped the
father worked in the estate office which was located in man. “Sagacious, bold
the basement of the house. At the time the garden was and turbulent of wit,”
overgrown and unloved and the house was scarred by the he grew into one of
removal of the north wing and part of the south wing many the most influential
years earlier. I used to imagine how impressive it all must statesmen of the late
have looked in its heyday. 17th century.

Fast forward twenty years, and no imagination is required. First signs of his
The 12th Earl, Nicholas Ashley-Cooper, has restored the house, strength of purpose became apparent in the Civil War. Initially
gardens and park to their former glory, winning a number a Royalist and Governor of Weymouth and Portland, in
of awards for the restoration, including the RICS Building 1644 he changed sides, leading the Parliamentary attack on
Conservation Award in 2015. Wareham and the much more ferocious onslaught on Sir John
Strangways’ house at Abbotsbury.
The following are excerpts from St Giles House History by
David Burnett, The Manor Houses of Dorset, Dovecote Press Here he showed a crueller side of his character, later
admitting that he not only intended to refuse quarter to
The same family has lived at Wimborne St Giles the garrison but did his best to burn them alive. Perhaps
since the 14th century but one of the most colourful understandably, Sturminster Newton and Shaftesbury offered
no resistance to his forces.
descendants was Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper,
later the 1st Earl of Shaftesbury. Born in 1621 Some 10 years later he changed sides again, resigning from
he was only Cromwell’s Council of State in protest against his dictatorial
policies.

Four years later he played a key part in the restoration of
Charles II and was duly rewarded by being made Baron

Ashley and appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer. In
1672 he became Lord Chancellor and was created Earl
of Shaftesbury.
Aligning himself with the Duke of
Monmouth against the succession
of the Catholic Duke of
York, he fell from

24

favour. He was twice imprisoned in the Tower of London. In women and children working underground in collieries. He
1681 he faced a charge of high treason. Although the charges told a stunned Parliament how, in darkness and for up to 18
were later dismissed, he fled to the Netherlands where he hours a day, bridled children as young as five dragged trucks
died two years later. of coal through mine shafts on all fours.

The bare facts do not do justice to his achievements, or Thanks to his efforts, an Act was passed excluding anyone
his failings. He was unscrupulous, bore grudges and made under 13 working underground, and in 1847 the first of the
enemies more readily than friends. But as the founder of the Factory Acts limited the working day to a maximum of 10
Whig party and a brilliant parliamentary debater he was also hours.
perhaps the first truly modern politician.
He next championed the Ragged School movement,
He was anti-monopolies, pro-immigration, in favour of whose Union he chaired for nearly 40 years, and thanks to
religious toleration and the supremacy of parliament (“the which 300,000 of the great invisible army of
power of the King does not extend further than the laws vagabond street children were given a basic
Parliament determine”). He had the tastes of a country education.
gentleman, dabbled in alchemy and horoscopes, and had
three wives, two of whom predeceased him, and to all of The building of model housing in inner
whom he was devoted. cities, the setting up of children’s refuges,
the treatment of apprentice chimney-
He also built the nucleus of St Giles House. In his diary of sweeps and “shoeblack” boys, the work of
19 March 1650, he wrote: “I laid the first stone of my house at the Church Missionary Society, hospital
St Giles. He had been born in Wimborne St Giles, and it is quite sanitation and the reforms advocated
probable that the previous house was incorporated into the by Florence Nightingale, the evils of
new one. St Giles House is architecturally among the most the Chinese opium trade, the building of
complex of all Dorset’s great houses. Successive generations of training ships – few causes escaped his
Ashley-Cooper have both added to it, and subtracted from it. attention.

The 7th Earl of The public rewards were many and
Shaftesbury was included the Freedom of the City of
born in 1801, his London, but the one that gave him
mother Anne was most pleasure was the gift of a donkey
the daughter of from London’s costermongers, which
the 3rd Duke of saw out its days grazing contentedly in
Marlborough. He Dorset.
entered Parliament
in 1826, succeeded The memorial to this great
to the earldom statesman is one of
in 1851 and died London’s most loved
in 1885. Tall, icons. Alfred Gilbert’s
handsome, quietly fountain of the Angel of
spoken, troubled Christian Charity, better
only by deafness known as Eros, stands
and gout in old age, at the end of Shaftesbury
the 7th Earl was one of the great philanthropists of Victorian Avenue in the heart of
Britain. Piccadilly Circus – his
arrow points in the
Writing in his diary aged 25, he described himself as direction of
“neither wise, nor good, nor useful”. The impetus for his Wimborne
transformation from landowning earl to social reformer was St Giles.
an 1828 inquiry into mental asylums, whose cruelty and often
inhuman conditions awoke his conscience.

A visit to the industrial North brought him face to face with
the appalling injuries suffered by those working long
shifts in mills and factories, and the plight of

Nick Rymer
Wimborne 01202 882103
[email protected]

25

From
clicks to

bricks

The internet may have changed the way we buy and sell property, but never
underestimate the value of the personal touch. Jon Summers puts the case

for a blend of modern technology and traditional know-how

Over the past 15–20 years we have seen a revolution as exciting but, in practice, buyers need to visit the property
in how we buy and sell properties. Since the launch and meet the agent.
of the major property portals such as Rightmove
and Primelocation, a 24/7 shop window is available When marketing your home for sale, the face-to-face contact
between agent and buyer is invaluable. As agents we can gain

for agents to promote their stock, and buyers to search for their a better understanding of what prospective purchasers like or

next home. The websites are taking dislike, and feedback accordingly.
When selling, it is easy at the
For us, the internet is not soover from the regional press as the first
port of call for prospective purchasers. much a revolution, more beginning to get consumed by
At Symonds & Sampson, we another string to our bow technology but it must not be
forgotten that before making a firm
constantly review our marketing decision to offer, buyers still revert
strategies and invest in the latest

technology to ensure we are progressive and offer our clients back to the traditional method. They want to speak to a

an unrivalled service. knowledgeable, experienced agent, view the property two or

Our new website provides a wonderful medium for clients three times, feel comfortable with the process and have trust

across the firm. Property sellers and buyers will benefit from in both the seller and agent before committing to what is likely

our new features such as improved search results, mapping, the biggest, most expensive purchase they will ever make.

area information and the ability to open your own private Once a sale is agreed, the experience of our agency teams to

account which will enable saved searches. Account holders will see the sale through to an exchange of contracts is invaluable.

be informed of the latest new instructions before they reach Ensuring we remain accessible to all and provide modern,

the major websites. welcoming offices to meet both clients and purchasers remains

Our branch network runs a live IT system which allows an essential part of our service.

cross-referrals of property and buyers throughout the region, For us, the internet is not so much a revolution, more another

including The London Office. A prospective buyer can visit string to our bow. We strive to maintain the highest service

any one of our branches and be furnished with all the latest standards, putting our clients’ best interests first.

property information from across the region. As a seller, We feel strongly that we must continue to blend our

the system can track your property’s interest and generate traditional, valued methods with modern technology, but not

individual marketing statistics. allow the latter to overpower what makes us so successful.

In the main, the latest technology is very much buyer-led. We will continuously invest in our IT systems to remain at the

For example, the likes of Rightmove and Zoopla provide historic cutting edge of the industry and employ only the best property

marketing information and previous sale prices, which is not professionals to ensure our service remains of the highest order.

always beneficial to the seller as it can be outdated and will not

reflect improvements.

We have seen the introduction of Google Street View Jon Summers

which is a fantastic tool but can often be, equally, out of Poundbury 01305 251154
date and misleading. Virtual reality tours were initially seen [email protected]

26

Liquid assets Once owned by the Rose family of lime
cordial fame, Leweston can trace its
history back to the Middle Ages

Many people know Leweston as the well- The manor house had 18 principal and guest bedrooms,
regarded girls’ school on the edge of boudoir, five bathrooms, 10 secondary and servants’ bedrooms
Sherborne, but it boasts a long history as far (eight for maids and two for men), smoking, justice and gun
back as William the Conqueror’s reign and rooms as well as ample cellarage and a first-floor billiard room.

has rarely changed hands in all this time. The grounds included the gardener’s house. There was

Leland, in his Itinerary of 1538, observes that “the Lewestons garaging for four cars, chauffeur’s and coachman’s flats as well

of Leweston were in estimation about Blackmore” and as the groom’s quarters and the keeper’s house. The 1926 sale

the succession remained unbroken until 1584 when John brochure mentions that the Blackmore Vale Hunt hounds ‘were

Leweston, for lack of a male heir, settled the estate upon his hunted from Leweston for some 20 years’.

stepson Sir John Fitzjames, who built the chapel. The pleasure gardens included a cypress avenue and Italian

A century later the male line terrace, now known as the Belvedere,
preserved to this day.
The Roses remodelled in theagain failed and it passed by
marriage and was sold to Sir art deco style, complete with The estate was bought by the Rose family,
Stephen Naish. who made their fortune from the sale of
In 1800 it was bought by a Lalique glass handrail on Rose’s Lime Cordial, after Lauchlan Rose
William Gordon, who built the the main staircase patented a process to preserve the citrus
present manor and passed it juice without the addition of alcohol. The

through the family to George family remodelled the manor house in the

Hamilton Fletcher, a lay rector who decided to sell the art deco style, complete with frescoes, angular door frames and

whole estate – 1,087 acres including three “capital dairy a Lalique glass handrail on the main staircase. Girls who moved

farms” – in 1926. to the building when it became a school in 1948 recalled

A look at the sale particulars provides a glimpse of life in glamorous bathrooms with mirrored ceilings, a sunken bath

the country, which included an invitation to hunt practically and a shower of solid silver. This decadence, however, was not

every day of the week and an opportunity to play polo at to the nuns’ taste and more sober fittings soon appeared!

Spurles Farm, Milborne Port, now home to the well-known Symonds & Sampson had the pleasure of auctioning one

Tizzard stable. of the properties for the school in 2017. The house was called

White Roses and many people assumed it was named because

the house was white and must have had roses growing outside.

The ‘rose’, however, was on the inside as Mrs Rose, the matriarch

of the family, lived in the property! So, some 91 years after

the Leweston Manor estate was last offered for sale, the gavel

fell again on part of the estate, starting a new chapter in its

fascinating history.

With grateful thanks to Lucie Dillistone and Dorset Life for
part of the text

Richard Taylor
Dorchester 01305 261008
[email protected]

27

On the Beaton track

Cecil Beaton photographed the beautiful
people of the 1920s and 30s – and

entertained them on a lavish scale at his
homes in Wiltshire

Sir Cecil Walter Hardy Beaton CBE (14 January
1904 – 18 January 1980) was an English fashion,
portrait and war photographer, diarist, painter,
interior designer and an Academy Award–
winning stage and costume designer for films and the theatre.

He also had a strong link to Wiltshire.

When he visited Ashcombe House, in the Cranborne Chase,

he was later to write of his first impressions as he approached

it through the arch of the gatehouse: Beaton’s lease expired in 1945, and he was heartbroken to

“None of us uttered a word as we came under the vaulted be forced to leave the house as it had been quite a magnet
ceiling and stood before a small,
for outrageous behaviour. During
compact house of lilac-coloured
brick. We inhaled sensuously the During Beaton’s tenure Beaton’s tenure there was a fête
strange, haunting – and rather there was a fête champêtre, champêtre, films were made and
haunted – atmosphere of the place... films were made and many many a beauty posed on the
I was almost numbed by my first lawn. There were weekend parties,
romps, tiffs and moments of
encounter with the house. It was as
blissful happiness tempered with
a beauty posed on the lawnif I had been touched on the head by abject hopelessness.

some magic wand.”

Beaton took a lease of Ashcombe House for £50 a year,

a very small rent, on the condition that he would make

improvements to the property, which was all-but derelict.

The artist Rex Whistler designed the Palladian front door

surround, with its pineapple made from Bath stone. Urns

were positioned on the roof and the orangery was converted

into Beaton’s studio.

Beaton entertained lavishly and his house guests included

actors and artists such as the American actress Tallulah

Bankhead, the glamorous social figure Diana Cooper, the

model and actress Ruth

Ford and the artists

Whistler, Salvador Dalí,

and Augustus John.

Little remains of the Cecil Beaton bought Reddish House in Broad Chalke near

Beaton-era interior Salisbury in 1947. The upper floor had been equipped for

design, although in illegal cock-fighting at the beginning of the 20th century,

the circus room, which but Beaton used the cages as wardrobes to store the Oscar-
once contained a
winning costumes from his set design of My Fair Lady. He
Whistler-designed bed remained at the house until his death in 1980 and is buried in
shaped like a carousel,
the churchyard.
one mural of a lady on
a circus horse remains, Excerpts taken from Cecil Beaton: The Authorized Biography by Hugo Vickers

painted during a hectic Anabel Merriman
Sturminster Newton 01258 473766
weekend party when [email protected]
all guests wielded
paintbrushes.

28

What’s in a Name?
When we are asked to sell a property the name
can immediately tell you what you will be year called Sea View and I was looking forward to a stunning
viewing. The Old Stables tells me it will be vista but unfortunately the house had been named many
a conversion, Crossroads should be on an years before a housing estate had been built in front so there
intersection whilst The Old Red Lion could be a former pub weren’t even sea glimpses anymore.
and Windy Ridge may have a good view. Cobblers Cottage
speaks for itself. Some names are not the most inviting; ‘Labour in Vain Farm’
does not bode well, the ‘House at Hell Corner’ conjured up a
But why name a house at all? It is the preserve of the hammer horror story whereas ‘Misery Farm’ just had to have a
suburbs or the country and suggests individualism that name change. It was surrounded by lakes and far too wet for
cities with their numbered properties do not have. Statistics commercial farming so we plumped for Little Watercombe
tell us that the most popular property names are quite and it seemed to do the trick as buyers thought it sounded
varied including ‘Avalon’, from Arthurian legend, to the less idyllic.
imaginative ‘The Cottage’ , ‘The Bungalow’ and intriguingly
‘The Nurses’ Home’. Some names are totally unique especially when people put
their Christian names together and amalgamate, for example,
My present house is called The Old Orchard which tells you Reginald and Anne might call their house Regann. I even sold
that the garden used to be covered in fruit trees, there are a property called Bryngo and I was very pleased to meet the
still a couple left, and I have also resided at Rose Cottage with owners Bryn and Margo.
beautiful flowers over the front and a Rue Cottage which my
wife named after her parents’ farm. When I was at college I So when I was invited to value a house called Gladimere
rented a property colloquially known as ‘Park Sleaze’ because it which was situated on a very busy main road, where you had
was so run down and filthy, nothing to do with me, and then to keep your wits about you when you opened the front door,
it was called Nookie Cottage, but that was after I left! I assumed I was going to meet a lady called Gladys although I
couldn’t work out what the husband’s name would be. When
We are marketing a number of houses with iconic names I asked the question the lady chortled, “No, it’s not any names
at the moment; The Lodge, The Old Post Office, Manor put together I’m just ‘Glad I’m ‘ere’!”
Farm, The Mill House, Yew Tree Farm, The Old Vicarage
and The Old School House. If I counted up the number of Mark Lewis
Hambledon Views or Abbey Views that I have sold it would Sturminster Newton 01258 474266
be considerable. I went to see a property on the coast last [email protected]

29

End of tenancy

Rachael James, Head of Lettings,
offers tips for a smooth check-out

and deposit refund

Returning deposits at the end of residential Recommendations to tenants
tenancies can be a minefield for landlords.
Using a managing agent reduces the risk of Keep the property clean
a dispute and many of our landlord clients
have changed from our let-only and rent collection services Landlords expect the same cleanliness as shown in the
to management for this reason – preferring to rely on the inventory at the start of the tenancy. Don’t forget the
experience, legal knowledge and negotiating skills of our appliances.
lettings team to agree a deposit refund.
Maintenance
The majority of Symonds & Sampson’s tenants are reliable
and responsible – remaining under the management of the Report any maintenance issues in a timely manner to the
firm for many years. Once an ideal tenant is found, we seek to agent or landlord WHEN it happens. Damage caused
ensure that our landlords look after them. due to, for example: an unreported water leak can be the
tenant’s expense for rectification.
Landlord claims against the deposit arise mainly because
the tenants are disorganised and have run out of time Ensure the garden is kept tidy throughout the tenancy
at the end of the tenancy. As managing agents, we can especially between March and September. Gardens need
ensure tenants are well organised with a full list of vacating to be winterised In October/November.
instructions, and are made fully aware of their contractual
obligations when ending their tenancy. Take all your belongings with you

Some of the most common deductions from deposits The landlord will charge for removing items and it will be
are for oven and carpet cleaning, non-payment of the cheaper for you to do it yourself.
last month’s rent, and gardening. There are also frequent
claims for redecoration due to condensation mould – so If the property is not left in a satisfactory state on
tenants would be well advised to open the windows and vacation, the tenant will be liable for the cost of works
let the air circulate! Taking a pragmatic approach is also required. A tenant has no lawful right to return to the
key to an amicable resolution and managing the landlord’s property after vacating to finish cleaning.
expectations in relation to fair wear and tear of the property
during the tenancy is a skill borne by experience. The moral of the story: plan your move well in advance
and ensure the property is ready for key handover.
A photographic and written inventory will be taken at the
start of the tenancy but, to avoid any misunderstanding at the Rachael James
end of a tenancy, a full independent check-out report should Blandford 01258 452670
be carried out compared to the tenant-signed inventory at [email protected]
the commencement of their tenancy.

30

Investment
Advice

Landlords Legal
Welcome Updates

lettingmatters

Come to one of our coffee mornings
and learn all about lettings

Ilminster 25 January Poundbury 3 February

5pm – 7pm 10am – 12noon

Bridport 10 March Sherborne 14 April

10am – 12noon 10am – 12noon

Axminster 3 May Sturminster 9 June

5pm – 7pm 10am to 12noon

Yeovil 1 September

10 am to 12 noon

Choose the right dog

Dr Mark Newton Clarke a vet in Sherborne and Yeovil has advice
on finding the breed for you

All puppies are cute, cuddly and irresistible and so My advice for puppy selection
are the softest sell in the world. Go for a casual is choose the friendly – but not
look-see and you’ll be putting down a deposit
before you know it. So be selective, do some over-friendly – quieter one
homework and only visit a litter of the right breed. The same
applies if it’s a rescued dog. So what’s the right breed for you? Middle-sized dogs have recently become much more
popular, with cross-breeds such as cocker spaniel/poodle
Most people start with thinking of the breed of dog they (cockerpoo). The first generation of this cross is fairly
would like to own. Good idea, as they are fairly predictable predictable, but if two cockerpoos produce puppies, the
thanks to centuries of selective breeding to produce groups second generation is much more variable and may look
of very similar individuals that, when bred together, produce more like the grandparents than the parents. If puppies
equally similar offspring. In general, this applies well to from this generation are selected for breeding and then their
physical characteristics but less so for behaviour, which can be offspring in turn, in three more generations the physical
less predictable. characteristics become more stable and predictable. Clearly,
to accurately predict what your puppy will grow in to, you
Terrier temperaments need to know its family history.
are split 50/50 into
As for behaviour, my advice for puppy selection is choose
psychopaths and pacifists the friendly – but not over-friendly – quieter one. Not the
puppy that cowers in the corner or refuses to be cuddled,
Let’s start with the physical. How big is your home and and neither the puppy that throws itself into your face.
garden? Town or country? It might seem obvious but big,
hyperactive dogs are unhappy in small urban homes and toy The younger your children, the quieter the puppy should
breeds cannot run tens of miles cross-country (in general). be as kids and pups wind each other up – often with tears
as a result. Young children must learn to treat puppies with
So first decision, how big, how active? That depends on respect and allow them time to rest and be left alone. Of all
your domestic situation and time/space to exercise. Working the lessons a young dog needs to learn, the most important
spaniels and collies need hours per day, but sight-hounds one is human attention and affection must be earned by
(whippets, greyhounds and lurchers) are sprinters. Easier in being obedient. The best way to achieve this is by ignoring
some ways, but they will chase anything that runs. And they your dog a proportion of the time so that when attention is
will not stop for fences, hedges roads or railways. So be warned. given, it’s a real treat.

If you go small, terrier breeds are well-named as they are Mark Newton Clarke
often very territorial. Protect your postman. They do have Newton Clarke Veterinary Surgeons
big personalities, though, and love the sofa – especially if 01935 816228
that means the humans are pushed on to the floor. Terrier
temperaments are split 50/50 into psychopaths and pacifists,
and the best guide you have comes from the parents. Like all
breeds, try to see both the mother and the father, although this
is often tricky with professionally-bred dogs as the stud dog
may well be some distance from the bitch’s home.

32

Working A ‘picking up’friend, Gill Yates, encouraged me to join her at
training classes and my eyes were opened to what a well-trained
retriever could achieve. It wasn’t long before I was competing
in working tests and field trials. I was totally committed and
although at times training and competing can be frustrating
and emotionally draining, it is so satisfying when it all comes
together.

You will need plenty of drive and
enthusiasm...and more patience

than you could ever imagine

Gundogs Gundog working tests artificially simulate shooting day
conditions without game being shot. Blanks are fired and 1lb
Nigel Sheppard tells us about training canvas dummies, in realistic scenarios, replace game. These
gundogs and explains the mysteries dummies are then retrieved from grassland, woodland cover,
root crops and water. The working abilities of the various
of working tests and field trials gundog breeds and their handlers can be assessed at every
level.
We have always had dogs and on Sunday
lunchtimes my mother would dispatch our Some dogs progress, with their handlers, through to field
labrador, Jess, to the village pub with a note trials. The shoot is run much as it would be on any other day,
telling my father that lunch was ready. My other than the majority of
father would exchange the note for a packet of crisps, which the retrieves (in a retriever
Jess would carry home, telling my mother that the message was trial) are allocated to the
safely delivered. Father would finish his pint and return for lunch. competitors and presided
over by experienced
Although at times training judges appointed by the
and competing can be Kennel Club.

frustrating and emotionally The shooting may be
draining, it is so satisfying walked up with the dogs
when it all comes together in the beating/gun line,
or driven where the dogs
At the age of ten I was given an old and unreliable 12 will sit up behind the guns. The dogs can encounter all types of
bore shotgun and I immediately started to train my mother’s game and sometimes pigeon and rabbits. Wildfowl including
Airedale terrier, Mandy, to flush and retrieve our neighbour’s snipe, woodcock and geese can be part of the bag on the day.
pheasants for me. With untimely shot whistling about her Around 12–14 dogs are usually in the line up for a one-day trial.
ears, Mandy soon decided that being a gundog wasn’t for her
and whenever she saw me coming with the gun, she slunk off As the days progress, dogs will be eliminated for failing to find
growling back to her kennel. game and for other faults such as ‘hard mouths’(when a dog
damages the game) or ‘squeaking’(whining).
I was nevertheless hooked and with more suitable gundog
material I soon progressed to picking up on local shoots. My Winners of open trials can be made up to field trial
canine team included a pointer, spaniel and labradors and they champions – both dogs and bitches – and it is from these top
didn’t miss much between them. dogs that the breed continues to improve and flourish. The
objective of field trial competitions is to produce the ultimate
shooting dog and to improve the breed.

If you would like to get involved, you will need a puppy bred
from healthy working stock but your working gundog will
require more of your time for training, working and competing
than a conventional pet or show dog. You will need plenty of
drive and enthusiasm to match that of your new puppy and
more patience than you could ever imagine.

I am always delighted to offer advice or point people in the
right direction.

Nigel Sheppard
Blandford 0101258 45670
[email protected]

33

London Property Shows

Launch of The Royal Pavilion, Poundbury, to the London market
L to R: Richard Taylor, Millie English (TLO), Bob Bickersteth (TLO), Pete Grout-Smith, Nigel Sheppard

“Over the years we have found that, despite the internet, there is Dorset/Devon borders
no substitute for vendors talking face to face with a local agent was very much in
who is able to impart advice on schools, villages, pubs and demand.
commuting times”says Bob Bickersteth from The London Office
“Our region is blessed
“As a result for the last 11 years our member agents have come
up to London for the annual London & Country Property Show. with some of the finest
Last year it was held at the Old Chelsea Town Hall and twenty
nine leading firms of Estate Agents and Chartered Surveyors independent schools
from across the country, including Douglas & Gordon from
London, were on hand to offer their advice to homeowners together with some very
planning to make their move into or out of the Capital. From
rectories to Country Estates, from farmhouses to ‘chocolate box’ sought after schools
cottages, from bedsits to large London family homes, from ski
chalets to villas, a broad spectrum of properties were available to from the state sector.
buy or rent. ”
Schooling was in some
Anabel Merriman from Symonds & Sampson said “The South
West remains one of the most favoured locations for those cases the driving factor
buyers wishing to escape from the rigours of life in the capital.
Our stand was made even more attractive by the local products for buyers to move
generously supplied by House of Dorchester chocolates, Olives
Et Al and Thomas J Fudge’s Remarkable Bakery and visitors away from London.
tucked into cheese, crackers and chocolates, local beers and ales,
all of which were very well received. London & Country Property Show Competition for school
places within the capital
“Buyers who registered were mainly London based with some
from Scotland and Switzerland and price spectrums ranged is now so high that parents are relocating to our region as they
from £250,000 - £2.5million.  Demand seemed mainly for larger
town and country properties and holiday bolt holes. Property have a realistic chance of gaining a place for their child at a
close to the coast from Bournemouth in the east through to the
school of their choosing. The areas between Sherborne in the

west and Poole (with its Grammar School system) in the east

were particularly in demand. There is a growing demand for

property in the rented sector as a first step to relocation and

interest in our property auctions was very evident.

“Both clients and buyers gain a real advantage from this
initiative. Ultimately we are able to increase our pool of buyers
by personal contact which increases our chances of maximizing
the sale of our clients‘ property. Whilst the internet is an
important and essential tool ours is very much still a ‘people’
business. A thoroughly enjoyable and productive day. ”

34

Let us take your property
to the London market

Poun1d5bFuebrryuaOry ce The London O ce London The1L6oOncdtoobnerO ce

21 March May

Bob Bickersteth 0207 839 0888

Just a taste of...
Property we sold in

2017

From country retreats to trendy town houses and everything
in between, we have sold it all.

Beach Life

From beach huts to
luxury flats along the

Devon and Dorset
coastlines

36

Country Life

From cosy cottages to
magnificent Manors,
the Wessex countryside

is one of the most
beautiful settings you

could ask for.

I just wanted to thank
you for all your efforts

on my behalf, in
selling Buckley House
and finding me the
perfect new house – I

am so grateful and
much appreciate your

endless patience.

37

Living in Town

From fancy flats, tiny
terraces, bungalows
and modern homes
to the classic period

town house.

Having had fairly regular
experience of companies
both buying and selling, it
made a pleasant change
to deal with Symonds &
Sampson. Small things
like people actually ringing
back when they say they

will does make a real
difference

38

Period Homes

From thatched
cottages to unusual
conversions, rectories
and listed buildings,

we sell them all.

Thank you for
your friendly &
professional service
in the pursuit of the
sale of May Cottage
& the purchase of

110 East St.

39

On Trend

Eco homes to fabulous
interiors, updated

houses and bungalows
to classic style.

We initially chose you
because we did not
get the notorious
‘estate agent sales-
speak’! We felt you
were seeing our house
as our home and not
just your commission.

40

A small selection of...
Property we let in

2017

From country cottages to studios, town houses and flats
we let and manage them all.

It’s been really
refreshing after 25
years of renting to
find such wonderfully
‘human’ approachable,
compassionate and
efficient letting agents.

41

Blackbury Farm is a family-run honey The farm is the base for our beekeeping, and we have opened a shop
farm set in the beautiful East Devon and tearoom on site. We keep some of our beehives at the farm, for
countryside. We began beekeeping demonstration and teaching, and also for pollinating our flowers and
in 1972, purely as a hobby. Little did orchards. The remainder of our beehives are sited on farms around East
we know then that it was to take over our lives and Devon where our busy little bees help to pollinate food and seed crops. As a
that now, all these years later, we would still be result of our bees working the fields and hedgerows of East Devon, our honey
doing it. Moving to this beautiful little farm a few is a delightful floral mix.
years ago meant that we could bring everything
together in one place and invite people to share it Visit our website www.blackburyfarm.co.uk telephone 01404 871600,
with us. email [email protected]

AUCTIONS

The Life in a Day at

Frome Livestock Market

From dawn to dusk it’s all go at Frome Market, the South of England’s
premier market to buy and sell livestock

I Auctioneers may take thet is 7am and the sun is beginning to rise. Trailers
and lorries full of cattle, sheep and pigs are
reversed on to the 20-
plus loading bays which
café. A huge pile of sale sheets, licences and cattle passports
are handed over the front desk to experienced office staff,

who efficiently check and enter
information into the computers.

stretch the length of the market. limelight but it is the yard and Meanwhile, account managers
Tailboards drop and livestock come office staff who should be carefully check the debt lists and
forecast the day’s trading.
rushing out to the sorting pens.
Buyers arrive from across the
Yard staff sort them into lots. Sheep recognised. Their hard work country as auctioneers assess the
are graded, weighed and penned

ready for sale, while cattle are and dedication enables the value of the livestock as it is sorted
sorted and ticketed with individual market to thrive and penned, considering possible
lot numbers. buyers for each lot. Vendors

Sheet runners make their way talk to auctioneers about their

from the busy yard to the market office, passing the market consignments, gauging sale expectations.

stalls and taking in the smell of freshly cooked bacon from the After a good breakfast while setting the world to rights,

buyers make their way from the café to the yard to view

the livestock. The auctioneers greet them on the way, both

parties speculating on the trade depending on current affairs.

Buyers attempt to soften the auctioneers’ expectations of a

good sale. It never works!

It is now 10.30am and the first auction is due to start.

Auctioneers become restless as they psyche themselves up

for the rostrum, rustling though sale sheets, checking reserves

and taking one last look at the livestock.

In the first ring, calves are ushered in front of the rostrum,

overlooked by almost statue-like buyers, hardly moving as

the auctioneer catches their bid. In the sheep yards, the

auctioneer and clerk hover over pens of sheep and pigs,

44

Symonds & Sampson’s Lester Williams in action at Frome Market Live and kicking

More than 93% of farmers surveyed use
auction markets to buy and sell livestock

Prompt payments and a wider customer base attract farmers
to the live auction ring, according to research conducted by
the Livestock Auctioneers Association (LAA) during the Royal
Welsh Show and South West Dairy Show 2017.

More than 200 respondents cited the convenience and
networking opportunities as other primary factors in choosing
the auction ring, rather than other routes to market.

High on the list of benefits is the support of the auctioneer,
with access to professional staff and marketing advice
recognised as key triggers to achieving the best possible
market price for stock. “The auctioneer is always best placed
to guide on market trends and requirements,”explains Chris
Dodds, LAA executive secretary.

Symonds & Sampson’s auctioneers are proud to bring their
considerable depth of knowledge and experience in livestock
marketing to Frome Livestock Market. For expert advice,
call Symonds & Sampson's Frome Market Office on
01373 830033.

balancing on a wooden plank while attempting to scribble Back in the office, the staff are busy collecting payments,
names and prices as each pen is sold. licensing stock movements and balancing sales ledgers.
Records of the day’s trading are crammed into large files,
At the other end of the market, dairy cows are being dated and shelved. The yard staff collect lists of livestock to
washed with warm soapy water, their tails fluffed and udders be loaded before making their way back to continue work.
cleaned as they are presented for sale. Buyers study each cow Their day does not end until dark as they load the last of the
in the flesh, taking note of the catalogued details of each lot animals, before washing down the rings, yards and pens ready
before the cows are walked one by one through the sale ring. for the next sale. Auctioneers may take the limelight but it is
the yard and office staff who should be recognised. Their hard
Simultaneously, the auctioneer’s voice echoes around the work and dedication enables the market to thrive.
beef cattle ring as each animal is weighed before doing a lap
of the sale ring, exiting through the second gate. Only a few The last of the lorries head out of the market as the sun
bids are taken from the seemingly motionless bidders before sets, leaving the yard staff to finish washing down before the
the gavel falls and the cattle are penned. gates are shut. Another successful day at Frome Market.

As the gavel falls on the last lots, livestock is loaded on to Bradley Towell
lorries destined for farms and abattoirs across the country. Sherborne 01935 814488
Buyers check their invoices against the purchased livestock [email protected]
in pens chalked with each buyer’s initials. The sale rings fall
silent while auctioneers and buyers reconvene in the café,
analysing the day’s events over a good lunch.

45

All the
world’s
a stage

Ever had a hankering to tread the boards? Our region has plenty of opportunities for
you to raise the curtain on your am-dram career

Amateur dramatics can be defined as“theatre and start rehearsals straight after. If you have a principal role,
performances in which the people involved are you can expect to rehearse at least twice a week and, in the
not paid but take part for their own enjoyment” weeks immediately preceding the show, rehearsals will step
and the Symonds
up dramatically, with costume calls,

& Sampson region is full of The outgoing nature of estate photo calls for the programme, full
opportunities for people who want agency staff lends itself to show runs without costume, full
dress runs, let alone the “get-in” on
to don the greasepaint.

Georgie Garrett from our Ilminster treading the boards the Sunday before the show starts,
Office has been involved in local where you can expect to be in the

musical theatre groups all her adult theatre all day and late into the

life, having picked up a love of singing and acting from school night while a tech run is carried out for the benefit of the stage

and the village pantomimes. What has struck her is the number manager, lighting and all the technical crew.

of estate agent colleagues she has met through various Locally organised

societies over the years. Clearly, the outgoing nature of estate theatrical events

agency staff lends itself to treading the boards! provide a source

Georgie has been involved in many shows locally, mostly for of entertainment

Taunton Amateur Operatic Society and smaller local groups. for the community,

Her favourite roles so far have been Katisha in Hot Mikado (a and can be a

modern jazz version of the original Gilbert and Sullivan classic) fun and exciting

and Sister Mary Robert in Sister Act. hobby, with strong

In fact, our bonds of friendship

Georgie is quite the formed through participation. But you don’t have to be a

star, having been budding actor to get involved. There is admin, the making of

nominated in the Rose costumes, painting scenery and the ever-important prompt!

Bowl Awards – one of So whether you are 17 or 87, there may be a part for you to

the most prestigious play and we are lucky to have so many friendly societies and

accolades in the South groups locally who are always grateful for new members.

West. This awards

ceremony, along with Did you know?
the Phoebe Rees

awards for plays, and David Beech awards for musical theatre, The amateur royalty rate to use scripts is 12.5-15% of box-
both from the Somerset Fellowship of Drama, promote healthy office receipts, which nets rights-holders £4m-£5m a year.
competition between local societies.

Inevitably, there is always a delicate balance to be struck Theatre is the only amateur art form in England not to
between remembering that people give up their own time receive funding from the Arts Council.
for free to take part in these performances as a hobby, but still

delivering a professional looking product that will sell tickets.

Different societies and groups have different approaches to this,

with some much stricter than others! Georgie Garrett
There’s no doubt that it takes an awful lot of commitment Ilminster 01460 200790
[email protected]
and teamwork. A show in April will usually audition in October

46

Farm dispersal sales
by numbers 2017

• Total number of lots sold 6,345
• The largest sales of standing straw in the south west
• 29 farm dispersal sales
• Buyers from 18 counties and 8 countries
• 9,000 acres of standing crops sold in 4 counties

Fodder
Number of bales sold in 2017
Silage: 5,956
Straw: 11,991
Hay: 6,864
Total: 24,811 with over 100 farms visited

Most interest in an auction

50,000 hits on various social media platforms and the
Symonds & Sampson website

Most interesting lot sold Mark Northcott
Yeovil 01935 382909
1948 Field Marshall with a cab sold at Mrs Mary [email protected]
Osmond’s sale on behalf of her late husband Mr Bill Greg Ridout
Osmond. The tractor had been on the farm from new, Yeovil 01935 382909
with all of its original paperwork and was driven out of [email protected]
the shed before selling for £18,300 to a private buyer
from North Wales.

47

48

Farm Sales

49

Bid me, please,
for Stonehenge

On 21 September 1915, a barrister went to auction to buy some chairs –
and came away with one of the world’s most important historical sites.

A lesson to us all!

Aman walked into a property auction and Stonehenge had been a popular attraction since the
came out £6,600 poorer and the owner of middle ages but, by the late 19th century, tourists were
Stonehenge. No,
regularly chipping away at

it’s not the start the monument for souvenirs.
In 1900, one of the upright
Cecil Chubb thought the lot mightof a convoluted joke but the true
be a good present for his wife. sarsen stones fell and a massive
story of how Sir Cecil Chubb, a

wealthy Shrewton resident, came horizontal lintel snapped in
two, leading to the monument
Apparently, she was unimpressedto own one of England’s most

famous monuments. being fenced off and an

So how did it all come about? Stonehenge had been in the admission charge introduced towards the upkeep. The stones,

hands of the Antrobus family since the early 1800s, but when however, remained in perilous condition.

the heir to the baronetcy was killed in the opening months

of the First World War, the estate was divided into lots and Stonehenge
auctioned on 21 September 1915.
One of the most famous landmarks in the UK,
Lot 15 was Stonehenge, described as “a place of sanctity Stonehenge is regarded as a British cultural icon. It was
dedicated to the observation or adoration of the sun”. It was built in several stages: the first monument was built
offered with 30 acres, 2 rods and 37 perches of adjoining about 5,000 years ago, and the unique stone circle was
downland. erected in the late Neolithic period about 2500 BC. It has

been a legally protected Scheduled Ancient Monument

since 1882 when legislation to protect historic

monuments was first successfully introduced in Britain.

The site and its surroundings were added to UNESCO’s

list of World Heritage Sites in 1986. Stonehenge is

owned by the Crown and managed by English Heritage;

the surrounding land is owned by the National Trust.

50