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COULD this be the idyllic property project you’ve been looking for as we come out of lockdown?

A trio of derelict barns, in the heart of rolling Monmouthshire countryside but not far from the county town on Monmouth, have come on the market.

Tumbledown Cefn Garw Barns, at The Hendre, Monmouth, are listed with Newport-based Paul Fosh Auctions with a guide price of £380,000 plus.

Gemma Vaughan, who is selling the property on behalf of Paul Fosh Auctions, said: ‘The detached barns are well configured around a central courtyard providing the opportunity to develop three separate dwellings, subject to planning.

“Situated in the rolling Monmouthshire countryside, the barns offer an exciting development project. Planning consent has previously been achieved for two of the barns but permission for a third has expired.

“The redundant barns are located in a superb setting with the town of Monmouth approximately six miles away. These kinds of properties, in the beautiful but accessible location, are becoming increasingly rare and hard to find. This could well be a perfect, post pandemic project for someone looking for a really rural renovation.”

The next Paul Fosh Auctions online sale, when the three Monmouthshire barns are among some ninety other properties will be offered for sale, starts at 12 noon on Tuesday, April 27 and ends from 5pm on Thursday, April 29.

www.paulfoshauctions.com

COULD this be the idyllic property project you’ve been looking for as we come out of lockdown?

A trio of derelict barns, in the heart of rolling Monmouthshire countryside but not far from the county town on Monmouth, have come on the market.

Tumbledown Cefn Garw Barns, at The Hendre, Monmouth, are listed with Newport-based Paul Fosh Auctions with a guide price of £380,000 plus.

Gemma Vaughan, who is selling the property on behalf of Paul Fosh Auctions, said: ‘The detached barns are well configured around a central courtyard providing the opportunity to develop three separate dwellings, subject to planning.

“Situated in the rolling Monmouthshire countryside, the barns offer an exciting development project. Planning consent has previously been achieved for two of the barns but permission for a third has expired.

“The redundant barns are located in a superb setting with the town of Monmouth approximately six miles away. These kinds of properties, in the beautiful but accessible location, are becoming increasingly rare and hard to find. This could well be a perfect, post pandemic project for someone looking for a really rural renovation.”

The next Paul Fosh Auctions online sale, when the three Monmouthshire barns are among some ninety other properties will be offered for sale, starts at 12 noon on Tuesday, April 27 and ends from 5pm on Thursday, April 29.

www.paulfoshauctions.com

WINNING Paul Fosh Auction bidders are almost as happy with the exclusive goody bag that they are handed after the sale as with the property they have bought.

Paul Fosh, owner of Newport-based Paul Fosh Auctions says: “The Paul Fosh Auction goody bag, something we introduced as a small thank you to our customers, has gained a kind of cult status.

“You can only get one of the PFA goody bags  if you’ve bought a property at one of our auctions so they’re pretty exclusive. The bags are filled with a whole range of Welsh produce and branded products, such as our unique Paul Fosh Auctions water bottle.”

Extreme athlete Paul, who lives in Monmouthshire,  said: “They’re highly prized.  I was out on my regular training run recently and was delighted to spot a fellow runner taking a short break and drinking from a Paul Fosh Auctions water bottle. I naturally stopped and had a chat while drinking from mine.”

Paul Fosh Auctions rigorously maintains the high standard and quality of the contents of the bags by  ensuring  only very best Welsh produce is included.

“People really value the bags. We’ve had a number of comments from clients for example complimenting us on the choice of goodies, in particular the biscuits and Aberffraw Biscuit Co. butter and chocolate chip shortbread. I’m always on the look out to add to the contents and to include even more, high quality, Welsh products.”

To mark Paul Fosh Auctions’ twenty years in business every twentieth goodie bag includes a £20 John Lewis voucher.

Paul said: “The new owner of a really quite expensive lot who popped by to pick up the keys to their new property seemed almost as excited to get the Paul Fosh Auctions goody bag as they were to take possession of the deeds to the house.”

The next Paul Fosh Auctions online sale, after which the next batch of Paul Fosh Auctions goodie bags will be handed out,  starts at 12 noon on Tuesday, April 27 and ends from 5pm on Thursday, April 29.

www.paulfoshauctions.com

LEADING manufacturing and contact centre recruitment specialist, Clear Sky Recruitment, is celebrating its seventh anniversary with the launch of a bespoke jobs App.

Shaped with the user in mind, the Clear Sky Recruitment App is free to download.

Seasoned recruitment entrepreneur, Ross Porter, who established the jobs business in 2014, said: “The app we’ve developed and launched offers a more visually engaging and interactive experience between candidate and the agency. It makes it easier than ever before for candidates to locate suitable jobs, design CV’s, live chat with the agency, upload documents, virtual inductions, registrations are more.

“The new App is just one of the ways that Clear Sky Recruitment wanted to mark our anniversary while evolving our offering to make it as relevant and user-friendly as ever.”

Established for seven years and based in Caerphilly with centres in four UK cities, Ross says  the vision for the company was to establish long-term partnerships with clients.

“While this might seem obvious, that was not the standard practice at the time. Having previously been at the helm of what evolved into a multi-branch recruitment business for 13 years, I knew how crucial it was to fully comprehend not only the businesses I was working with, but how the industries functioned as a whole.”

Ross started his career in recruitment when he set up what was Caerphilly’s first ever recruitment company, Draig Personnel in 1999. A business he later went on to sell in 2011 to a national recruitment company for an undisclosed sum. Having taken a few years out to pursue other business interests, Ross returned to the recruitment arena in 2014 with the launch of Clear Sky Recruitment.

Ross said: “I had worked as a temporary worker for an agency in my younger days for an agency who placed me in multiple assignments, so I feel that gave me the core principles of recruitment and what clients expected of their workers. I remember being paid £3.00p/hr and having to work daily from 4am to midday on one particular assignment which lasted for three months.”

The entrepreneur said the founding principles of Clear Sky Recruitment were devised and clearly set out at its inception and have stayed intact across the years that have followed.

“Building strong relationships with both clients and candidates, Clear Sky Recruitment focuses on getting it right first time for clients and providing a first-class recruitment service.”

Headquartered in Caerphilly with offices in Newport, Bristol, Birmingham and Manchester, Clear Sky Recruitment has experienced steady growth over the last seven years. The business  grew that quickly between 2016 to 2017, it was ranked as the 4^th fastest growing business in Wales in the Wales Fast Grow 50 listings achieving growth of 517% in that year.

Now employing over 200 temporary and permanent staff, the company has launched its very own App to assist candidates find their desired jobs across the UK.

The Clear Sky Recruitment App is available to download from the Apple Store or Google Play.

Newport and Pontypool based solicitors’ practice Everett Tomlin Lloyd and Pratt have confirmed the appointment of solicitor Paige Moseley.

Paige joins solicitors Robert Twigg and Susie Marsden-Allan at the firm’s commercial property department based at the practice’s office in the Gold Tops district of Newport.

Robert Twigg, Head of Department, said: “We are delighted to welcome Paige to the department. Paige  has an excellent academic background achieving a first class honours degree from the University of South Wales and winning the Blake Morgan prize for best performing legal practice course student. She  has joined us after working as a commercial property solicitor in a local,  well-regarded  firm and I’m sure she will  have a successful  career with us.

“Paige has been involved in a wide variety of transactions with her previous firm and has experience in dealing with a variety of commercial property matters including  the sale and acquisition of land and commercial property, acting for landlords and tenants in the drafting of leases and has dealt with  commercial and residential property auction transactions.  Paige very much strengthens our team and ensures we can continue to give an excellent service to our clients.”

Paige, aged 27, from  Cwmbran,  said “Everett Tomlin Lloyd and Pratt has a strong reputation and long history of providing legal services in South Wales.  I am looking forward to working with both Robert and Susie and hope I can  help develop the department while  assisting local people and businesses in some of their most important transactions.  I pride myself in my ability to tailor my advice to the client’s specific needs. I believe in providing a friendly and professional service to look after their interests and  achieve their  objectives.”

Everett Tomlin Lloyd and Pratt , which can trace its history back more than 200 years,  has offices in Newport, Pontypool and Usk,  employs more than 40 solicitors and staff. The practice holds both the Law Society Excellence Mark and the Conveyancing Quality Mark.

An “unusually high uncertainty” surrounding the economic outlook means  we can perhaps expect a bigger package of measures in the Autumn Budget says Newport-based Kymin Financial Planners Managing Director Robin Hall.

Mr Hall was commenting after the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak delivered his Spring Budget.

After opening his speech with comments about Ukraine, he then commented that the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has said there is “unusually high uncertainty around the economic outlook”

Currently, the OBR is forecasting growth of 3.8% this year (sharply down on its October forecast), followed by 1.8% in 2023 and 2.1% in 2024. However, there was some good news, the lower growth outlook has not affected jobs performance, with unemployment currently at 3.9% and predicted to be lower in every year of the forecast.

The Chancellor stressed that the Government was meeting its new fiscal rules, with both debt and borrowing as a percentage of GDP reducing over the period of the forecast. In cash terms, the OBR estimates that the Budget deficit will be £127bn in 21/22 and £99.1bn in 22/23. This is significantly down, however, on the prediction that borrowing would be £183bn in 22/23.

Although Rishi Sunak has benefited from higher-than-expected receipts in several areas, he has resisted calls for higher public spending.

The focus on the current cost of living crisis, it was no surprise to hear that the Chancellor’s first announcements addressed this directly, with an immediate fuel duty cut of 5p per litre, VAT relief for the installation of Energy Saving materials (ESM) such as household solar panels as well as targeted support to vulnerable households, with the Household Support Fund being doubled from £500mn to a total of £1bn, both from April 2022.

The Chancellor announced what he called “a principled approach to cutting tax” which was delivered as a separate 12-page document. Some of these measures would be delivered sooner, much of the Tax Plan would be delivered as part of the Autumn Budget later in the year. This would plan would, help families with the cost of living, create the conditions for higher growth and more fairly share the proceeds of that growth.

As part of this, from July 2022, the National Insurance threshold would increase to £12,570 to align with the income tax personal allowance, meaning that the first £12,570 of earnings would be completely tax free. This £6bn tax cut, would now mean that 70% of workers would now pay less National Insurance, even after the introduction of the Health and Social Care Levy from April.

He also announced there would be a cut in the basic rate of income tax, from 20% to 19%, by the end of this parliament in 2024. This would deliver tax savings for 30million workers, pensioners and savers, with the average taxpayer being £175 per year better off as a result.

There were also some ideas talked about taxation changes to encourage business investment which would take effect from the Autumn Budget in 2022 and April 2023, along with research and development tax credits for business. Currently UK companies invest just 10% of GDP each year, compared with 14% in our competitor countries – so our tax system doesn’t reward investment as much as other countries do.  Until the Autumn Budget is announced these are, of course, merely ideas, but it was very clear from the Chancellor’s statement and subsequent documents that there would be further major announcements coming later in the year.

From April 2022, there is an increase in the Employment Allowance of £5,000, up from £4,000 currently, this is therefore a tax cut, worth £1,000 per employer, per year. This the Chancellor said would see 50,000 businesses taken out of paying NICs and the Health and Social Care Levy entirely.

The Government had already announced freezes on business rates for 2022-2023 from April, amounting to a tax cut worth £4.6bn over the next five years. The hospitality sector, meanwhile, which has been particularly impacted by the COVID pandemic, will benefit from a new temporary 50% Business Rate Relief.

He also announced that the green reliefs for business rates due to start in April 2023 would be brought forward to April 2022. These targeted business rate exemptions apply to “eligible plant and machinery used in onsite renewable energy generation and storage”, whilst a 100% rate relief applies to “eligible low-carbon heat networks with their own rates bill”.

There was one further plan for the future with reforms to the apprenticeship levy, as in the UK, just 18% of 25-64 years olds hold a vocational qualification, a third lower than the OECD average. We can expect an update to this in the Autumn Budget.

Rishi Sunak speech lasted for just over 40 minutes and in his closing remarks, he said that by 2024, “inflation will be under control, debt will be falling, and our fiscal rules will have been met”. Taxes would be cut; debt would be falling and public spending increasing – all part of a plan. “A plan to grow the economy, to level up and deliver the biggest net tax cut in a quarter of a century” he said.

However, the OBR sees inflation peaking at 8.7% and therefore expects real household incomes to fall this year by 2.2%, the fastest rate since comparable records began in the 1950’s.

So, given the uncertainty surrounding the conflict in Ukraine, and that both the Chancellor and OBR acknowledge the current uncertainty is “unusually high”, we can perhaps expect a bigger package of measures in the Autumn Budget.

KEEN cyclist John Wheat is encouraging riders to get on their bikes to help support Newport-based St David’s Hospice Care at the most challenging period is its forty plus year existence.

The Newport Social Cycling coordinator, a staunch supporter of the hospice,  is taking part in the Sand to City Tenby to Newport cycle ride and is urging others to follow suit.

Sand to City, sponsored by Newport-based Parker & Co. Accountants and Business Advisors, is a 158 mile sponsored cycle ride to be staged in the month of April.

The popular, free to enter event, usually staged over two days with an overnight  stop in Swansea, has had to be made ‘virtual’ this year due to the pandemic.

John said: “The ride will be a lot different this year but that doesn’t mean it can’t be as much fun for those taking part virtually. The Sand to City routes are always such a great challenge and provide some spectacular scenery along the way.

“It’s left to the riders to think about raising the funds for a great cause, St David’s Hospice Care, who carry out the most phenomenal work in our community. I have and always will be a great believer in the work that St David’s Hospice Care provides to those patients most in need, facing very difficult times in their lives. I’ve heard and witnessed the difference they make and would encourage everyone to consider getting involved in the Sand to City virtual challenge this year.”

Global adventurer Gary Parker, of sponsors Parker & Co. is preparing to take part in the event again this year. Gary said: “Sand to City is a testing, challenging and ultimately a very rewarding cycling event.”

Encouraging people to sign up for the virtual event Gary said: “Sure, it’ll be different this year due to restrictions due to the pandemic but the challenge of  the fantastic route,  from Tenby to Newport, remains the same.

“The virtual Sand to City will be staged from  April 1-30 . Entrants will be able to ride the course at any time during the month. Staging the event virtually  means riders can cover the 158-mile Sand to City, Tenby to Newport,  ‘course’ at any location using a road bike, static or E-Bike.

“To make things more competitive we will be using Challenge Hound which will have a leader board and track everyone’s progress over the course of April. For those who use Strava or Garmin you will have to link these to Challenge Hound via their website.

“After we get the results at the end of the month we will be able to make awards to various category winners.”

Event organiser, Tania Ansell, of St David’s Hospice Care, said: “Gary has been a huge supporter of the hospice over very many the years not only as a sponsor, a supporter and by taking part in a variety of our events. We’re delighted he’s stepped forward to sponsor Sand to City and now hope many others will get on their bikes to take part in this fabulous event and make it a huge success

“Although we will miss seeing all riders this year, we hope the virtual ride will encourage more people than ever to saddle up and help raise some sponsorship to support the hospice.

“The virtual ride is free to enter and if you raise more than £25 in sponsorship you will receive an exclusive snood and Sand to City medal in the post in May.

“We implore you to get involved and help to raise vital funds for us to continue providing care throughout our community in these very difficult times.”

For more details call 01633 851 051 or email hello@stdavidshospicecare.org

Stephens Wilmot Solicitors has moved its office to Mamhilad Park Estate, near Pontypool.

Partner Dan Wilmot said it was the best move the firm, which handles property conveyancing, litigation and wills and probate, had made since it was established in 2017.

The joint partner in the business, with fellow director Rob Stephens, said: “At our former location there was limited scope to network with other businesses and potential clients. While we source some work nationally, we saw the relocation to Mamhilad as an opportunity to highlight awareness of Stephens Wilmot and foster some relationships with some of the businesses in the local community.

“We currently employ 16 staff. We are taking on two more for conveyancing team this spring and will be taking on a further two people in administrative roles. We think our new location will be more attractive to potential staff due to the on-site facilities such as the café, gym and nursery; the free parking and easy access. And the well-maintained grounds give the surroundings a lovely feel.”

He added: “In addition to all of the above, a big factor was Johnsey Estates themselves, who were clearly, genuinely interested in our business and keen to help us get set up and running on site. They invested time in us at the outset which we really appreciated and which in our minds set them apart from other potential landlords we had spoken to. We hope to enjoy a long relationship with them.”

With more than 180 occupiers on site, Johnsey Estates-owned Mamhilad Park Estate offers 1.5 million square feet of office and industrial space including the former grade II*-listed Nylon Spinners complex

Johnsey Estates operations manager Peter Downes said: “We have been very pleased with the sustained buoyancy of our enquiries.  We have grown our income by about ten per cent during the last year, despite the pandemic, by listening to our occupiers and adapting their space to suit circumstances.

“The fact that we work with our occupier is a key feature in setting us apart from the market, not least as we are based on site.”

[from Insider Media Limited]

A derelict 200-year old rural South Wales former cow shed cottage sold for more than seven times its guide price at auction.

Stone-built Cwm Crenig Cottage, on Llwyncelyn Road, Glanamman, near Ammanford, was listed for sale by Newport-based Paul Fosh Auctions with a guide price of just £19,000-plus.

The derelict rural 1800’s property which has been empty for some timed  attracted a total of 256 bids before being sold at the online auction for £144,750.

Auctioneer Paul Fosh, who was managing the online auction from his office in Newport, said: “This was just one of many truly phenomenal results during the auction with bids coming in from across the UK and the rest of the world.”

The auction realised a total of £5.8m in sales.

Paul, who is celebrating a year of hosting property auctions completely online, said: “And what an auction that was! It was by far our best online auction to date. It’s a whole year since we moved the auction solely online. I’ve run out of superlatives to describe the results on the online auctions. Online is most definitely the future for Paul Fosh Auctions.

“We had a total of 94 properties listed with 85% of these sold. We had 946 registered bidders and a total of 3,060 bids placed during the three days of the auction from people in 67 different countries.”

Gemma Vaughan, of Paul Fosh Auctions, said: ” Cwm Crenig Cottage is a former family home which has been empty for a period and over time has fallen into disrepair. The stone-built cottage, which dates from the early  1800’s,  was previously a pair of attached cottages  which had been fashioned out of what was originally a cow shed.

“The property will require a fair amount of work but could prove to be an ideal project in an idyllic setting for someone looking to create their own slice of, off the grid good life in the heart of the beautiful south Wales countryside.

Set in a quarter of an acre with approximately half an acre opposite which borders a fast-flowing stream the rural property requires full modernisation and improvement work

The cottage is situated on the outskirts of the village of Glanamman in a secluded position. Due to the condition of the cottage and health and safety concerns the auctioneers were unable to conduct internal viewings prior to the sale at auction.

The next Paul Fosh Auctions online sale starts at 12 noon on Tuesday, April 27 and ends from 5pm on Thursday, April 29.

SUPPORT groups have been the lifeblood of St David’s Hospice Care over the decades – none more so than one started in Cwmbran which in 40 years has raised more than £205,000.

Founding member Sallie Slade, of Cwmbran Support Group, said: “It’s my understanding that Cwmbran was the first support group to be set up. The first appointed nurse was in Newport and the second nurse was allocated to the Cwmbran area.”

[from South Wales Argus]