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Paul Fosh of Paul Fosh Auctions is interviewed by Claire Summers on the BBC Radio Wales breakfast show. The interview is about Paul competing in the 2023 Yukon Arctic Ultra.

31/1/23

 

A piece of pure Welsh history coming up for auction in the next few weeks could offer a life changing opportunity for the new owners.

The charming dilapidated Welsh longhouse offers land and outbuildings and the chance of a dreamed of life changing opportunity  to escape

True,  the historic rural idyll does need more than a bit of modernisation requiring plenty of elbow grease but once complete the stone built detached longhouse could be a real gem.

Being sold by Newport-based Paul Fosh Auctions,  Caeau Meinion Farm, in Bedwellty, near Blackwood in the county of Caerphilly, Gwent, has a guide price of 145,000-plus.

Sean Roper, of Paul Fosh Auctions, said: “This truly is a very rare opportunity to acquire a Welsh longhouse with land and outbuildings (approx. 0.7 acres 3055 m2). The property will require full modernisation but once completed could be an ideal family home or may offer scope for redevelopment of the site, subject to necessary planning.

“I’d say this property would also suit persons looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of town or city life and those looking for land for small livestock or agricultural use or potential for a holiday let business, subject, again,  to necessary planning.”

Currently there is an entrance porch/storage kitchen, 1/2/3 inter connecting reception rooms on the ground floor. On the first floor there is attic space which was in the past used as a bedroom. Outside there are garden areas to front and rear and land with outbuildings including stables and storage unit (approx. 0.7 acres).

The former Welsh longhouse is included in the Paul Fosh Auctions online sale which starts from 12 noon on Tuesday January 31 and ends from 5pm on Thursday, February 2.

www.paulfoshauctions

LOOKING for a substantial property project to get your teeth into in 2023?

Well how about giving consideration to this 160 year old former south west Wales chapel?

Sardis Chapel, on Heol Giedd in the bustling village of Ystradgynlais, near Swansea, is being sold by Newport-based Paul Fosh Auctions.

The sizeable former chapel, dating from 1861, is listed with a guide price of £68,000-plus

Sean Roper, of Paul Fosh Auctions, said: “This is a golden opportunity for an investor or developer to get their hands on what is a substantial grade II listed former chapel in the sought after village of Ystradgynlais.

“The property would be ideal for conversion to residential, either for private or tourism use and may also offer scope for flats, subject to the necessary planning consents.

“The village has a bustling centre with both national and local retailers and a good range of amenities and transport links. The Brecon Beacons national park is only a few miles to the north of the village making it ideal for those with an interest in the outdoors and tourism.

“The church retains many original features including the altar and pews, it has gallery seating around three sides and there is also a wonderful wooden panelled ceiling, large stained glass windows and an organ with far reaching pipes.”

“Currently the building, which is being sold with vacant possession, offers lobby with stairs to each side leading to the balcony and a  main congregation area. Outside there is land to front and side which may offer scope for further development subject to necessary planning consents.”

The former chapel is among some seventy properties being offered for sale by Paul Fosh Auctions in its online sale which starts from 12 noon on Tuesday, January 31 and ends from 5pm on Thursday, February 2.

www.paulfoshauctions.com

THE balcony from the front of a west Wales property offers arguably some of the best views in the county.

The futuristic detached three bedroom home in an elevated spot has far reaching views over the village of Llandre, near Aberystwyth and the awesome surrounding countryside

The partially stilt-supported property, Allt Y Coed, on Bow Street, Llandre, is being sold by Newport-based Paul Fosh Auctions. It is listed with a guide price of £190,000-plus.

Gemma Vaughan, of Paul Fosh Auctions, said: “The individually designed house does require some renovation work to bring it up to date but when that is completed it’ll make a gorgeous family home. It has a stunning rural location with some of the best views you’re likely to find anywhere in the area.

“The university town of Aberystwyth with all its facilities and eclectic range on intriguing independent shops, the historic sea front with the oldest pier in Wales, is just 15 minutes away

“There’s already been quite some interest in the property which as well as appealing to owner occupiers could also be a draw from those looking to renovate and resell or it would also make an ideal holiday let once improved.”

The house currently has entrance hallway, a bedroom (4.1m x 2.3m), utility/shower room on the ground floor with landing, living room (4.81 x 4.70), kitchen (4.64 x 2.36), two bedrooms (3.68 x 3.58) & ( 4.81 x 2.30), bathroom and access to the attic with pull down ladder. Outside there is parking for two vehicles, garden

This house, along with some seventy other properties, is included in the Paul Fosh Auctions online sale which starts from 12 noon on Tuesday, January 31 and ends from 5pm on Thursday, February 2

www.paulfoshauctions.com

A Gwent accountancy firm’s support for a local hospice has added up to many thousands of pounds over the years.

Phil Bessant Accountants chose to support Newport-based St David’s Hospice Care as its charity of the year.

And over the past few years the colleagues have raised a phenomenal £82,435.95 through staging an ingenious array of fund raising events and roping in friends family and clients along the way.

Phil Bessant, who at one stage locked up as part of a fund raising stunt, together with his colleagues have raised the thousands of pounds, said: “We wanted to support the local community and in particular a charity that was not directly related to personal benefit and so we decided to support St David’s Hospice Care.

“We now typically arrange six to seven fund raising events a year which range from quiz nights and golf days to a Beaujolais event, wine and cheese evenings, staging a beer mile and a stalwart, the annual raffle of a home-baked and iced Christmas cake.

“Initially we simply put on events like golf days that we knew would be supported, now we chat among ourselves each year to see if we can come up with something new and different.

“The hardest time was trying to put on events or to fundraise during Covid. Then we had staff and clients and even my grandson and granddaughter, doing events. Rhys, aged 11, did a series of events throughout one month to raise money including keepy ups, running and cycling while Sophie,  also 11, previously had her long hair cut which she donated to charity and raised funds for St David’s Hospice Care at the same time. This fund raising can become quite addictive!

“All our events are fun but I guess the one that stands out is the first one when I was locked in my boardroom and not let out until I had raised £1000. In the end we raised over £3000. We’re still aren’t sure if the money pledged was to let me out or keep me locked in!

“A stand out moment was when we hit £50,000 as we really could not believe we had reached this milestone. We had a fabulous cheese and wine evening to celebrate and raise even more funds for the hospice.

“We have a superb team who rally round and support the events as they happen. Without this team spirit none of this would have been possible. It’s essential that you have this support from your team. I believe people want to give they just need someone to make it easy for them to do so by arranging various events in which they can get involved like the ones we stage.

“I’d encourage other businesses and organisations  to go down the route we have of adopting a charity for the year such as we have done with  St David’s Hospice Care. The need from organisations, such as the hospice, is always there and people really want to support the hospice but often aren’t sure how they can go about doing this and don’t necessarily realise that even a relatively small donation can make a big difference.

“Along the way we have had one or two events, particularly this last year, when they haven’t been as well supported as we would have liked, but the view is that any money raised is money the hospice didn’t have beforehand and will  be grateful to receive.

Phil said: “We don’t pressure colleagues to get involved with the fund raising. We have always been quite clear that just because Phil Bessant Ltd. wishes to support such a cause there is no pressure on the team to participate but the real position is that if they can they do, and we all love the reaction we get when we hold the events. This does seem to bring us all closer together as a team.

“Out supporters have been with us every inch of the way. Without our supporters we wouldn’t have raised anywhere near the amount that we have so we are very grateful. Our supporters, as well as being clients, have become very close friends because of the charity work which is a marvellous bonus for us all. Long may it continue.

Emma Saysell, chief executive of St David’s Hospice Care, said: “Phil and his team are marvellous supporters of the hospice. I’m sure it’s the enthusiasm and commitment to the events they stage which has seen them able to raise such a wonderful amount of money  for the hospice over the years.”

Hospice chairman, Jim Thompson, said: “Phil and his colleagues are fabulous in all that they have done to support the hospice over the years. The unbounded effort and hard work they put in to arranging and then staging all their fund raising events is staggering.”

Phil Bessant said he and his team are committed to carrying on with to its fund raising for the hospice. Among events planned for 2023 are a Quiz Night at Fugitives Crickets Club, Newport, on Friday March 24; a Golf Day at Woodlake Golf Club, Pontypool, on Friday, May 12;  a Beer mile in July; a wine and cheese evening in September; a black tie celebrity dinner in October and a Beaujolais day in November.

AN impressive three storey, semi-detached building of brick and stone in the historic docks area close to the centre of Newport looks set for a new life as apartments.

Most recently used as offices the historic building of 75/76 Lower Dock Street, close to the George Street Bridge, with planning permission for conversion to flats,  has been sold by Newport-based Paul Fosh Auctions.

Listed with a minimum opening bid guide price of  £185,000 the impressive property sold to a local investor for £220,000.

Debra Bisley, of Newport-based Paul Fosh Auctions, said: “The property has most recently been used as office space but now benefits from planning consent for the creation of twelve flats. It is my understanding that the new owner intends to activate the existing planning permission and convert this fine old building into residential flats.

“The majority of the property is comprised of open space and has been stripped back ready for development. Currently located on the ground floor of the property is a garage space with inspection pit. The property may therefore be suitable for alternative use, subject to the relevant consents.

“It is within walking distance of Newport city centre and is within easy reach of the Friars Walk development and the recently rejuvenated Newport market. The property, close to the award-winning Hatti restaurant, is ideally situated within a 10 minute walk from Newport bus station, and a 20 minute walk from Newport train station.”

Planning has been granted for first and second floor rear extension, alterations to front elevation and new roof to create twelve flats. For further information contact Newport City Council, planning reference 19/0095.

The next Paul Fosh Auctions online auction starts at 12 noon on Tuesday, January 31, 2023 and ends from 5 pm on Thursday, February 2.

AN idyllic detached Pembrokeshire character cottage has been wrapped up at auction just in time for Christmas.

The double fronted, three bedroom period property, situated in the highly sought after estuary village of Cosheston, Pembroke Dock, Pembrokeshire, sold for £275,000.

Whitewashed Carpenter’s Arms, on Point Lane, Cosheston, has three reception rooms, fitted kitchen and shower room and is  positioned on a large mature plot offering excellent potential.

The cottage, sold by Newport-based Paul Fosh Auctions, had a guide price of £230,000-plus.

Sean Roper, of Paul Fosh Auctions, said: “The property, which will be lived in by the new owners, sits on a mature plot with an excellent large garden to the rear, side driveway providing ample off road parking and access to the rear.

“The charming and popular village of Cosheston,  situated on an inlet of the Daugleddau Estuary, offers  a well-regarded village pub/restaurant, primary school and is within a short drive to the outstanding coastal village of Saundersfoot and Tenby.

“The property is in need of improvement but offers excellent potential for the owners to make their mark, adding their unique stamp on this awesome piece of history. Detached properties  like this and with such huge potential in the village of Cosheston are rarely available. It will make a fine family home.”

The next Paul Fosh Auctions online sale starts at 12 noon on Tuesday, January 31, 2023 and ends from, 5pm,  on Thursday, February 2.

A former Gwent day care centre which was forced to close its doors due to the pandemic is set for a new life after being bought at auction.

Pendragon, Oak Street, Abertillery, in a prominent location in the town, sold for £135,000. The property was listed by Newport-based Paul Fosh Auctions with a guide price of £130,000-plus.

Debra Bisley, of Paul Fosh Auctions, said: “Pendragon, a three storey, semi-detached property with basement, was most recently used as a day care centre but ceased operating during the pandemic.

“The ground floor and first floor of the property is set out as a day care centre with playrooms and various store rooms, a kitchen and wc’s. The top floor comprises a five bedroom flat with living room, dining room, kitchen, four piece bathroom and utility cupboard/cloakroom.

“The flat can be accessed internally but also has a separate entrance to the rear. There is a car parking space to the rear of the property suitable for one vehicle. Subject to the relevant consents, the property may be suitable for development.

“The property is in a prominent position, on the junction of Alma Street and Castle Street, Abertillery and benefits from being located close to local amenities, including a public car park opposite.”

The next Paul Fosh Auctions online auction starts at 12 noon on Tuesday, January 31, 2023 and ends from 5 pm on Thursday, February 2.

A former Gwent primary school sold for more than six times its guide price when it went up for auction.

Queen Street primary School, Queen Street, Abertillery, has been sold by Newport-based Paul Fosh Auctions for £303,500 after being listed with a guide of £50,000-plus.

Gemma Vaughan, of Paul Fosh Auctions,  said: “There was phenomenal interest before the sale in the former school site which was reflected in the figure achieved from the online auction. The bidders must have done their sums prior to auction and taken a view on what this site was worth.

“Bidding started at £50,000 and just rocketed from there with five  bidders vying for the property who between them made a total of 140 bids.

“The buyer, who is local, hopes to develop the site but hasn’t revealed any details as yet.”

“The former primary school, which closed a few years ago, dates from 1896. We were selling the school, which is located approximately a quarter of a mile south of Abertillery town centre, on behalf of Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council.

“The half acre site, which doesn’t currently have planning permission,  offers a number of potential of uses including development or conversion, subject to any necessary consents.

“The former school previously suffered vandalism and, as a result, has water damage. There is an overage clause so potential buyers will need to check the legal pack for more information.

“The town of Abertillery offers good local amenities with schools, modern leisure facilities and excellent road links to the M4 and the A465, Heads of the Valleys. There is a direct rail link to Cardiff from the station at Llanhilleth which is just a short drive away.”

The next Paul Fosh Auctions online sale starts at 12 noon on Tuesday, January 31 and ends from 5pm on Thursday, February 2, 2023.