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Welcome to our news archive page containing details of Fenn Wright news. Please scroll down the page to read all of our news, or use the following links: For current news stories click here 2008 News Stories Agent joins bid to boost WaterAid (17.12.2008) Country & Equestrian market ‘bucks’ trends with record sales in August (01.09.08) Prestigious new regional business park at Wherstead Park (11.08.08) Fenn Wright sponsors Winners' Cup (11.06.08) Fenn Wright among winners in RICS five-a-side contest (10.06.08) Kieron gets his goal with Fenn Wright (02.06.08) Taking property to where the money is (26.05.08) Fenn Wright teams up with Mortgages First (16.05.08) Fenn Wright's Essex and Suffolk Property Exhibition reveals the commuters’ best kept secret (14.05.08) Soil Association’s founding farm is for sale in mid-Suffolk (12.05.08) Mark’s Mountain Walk (24.04.08) New Partner for Fenn Wright (01.04.08) Brick and flint cottage has impressive addition (07.04.08) Wee building in Maldon for sale (17.03.08) House to stir a Sheik near England’s newest racecourse (17.03.08) Horses for courses – Fenn Wright supports the Marks Tey races (17.03.08) We are selling property! (07.02.08 ) The signs are looking good – so don’t wait for Spring! (15.01.08) December 17th 2008 Agent joins bid to boost WaterAid Fenn Wright partner Charlie Wright will be flying south to Angola next month to help in a 16,000 mile trans- Europe and Africa drive aiming to raise funds for WaterAid. Chalie, who is head of the residential section of Fenn Wright in Ipswich, will be meeting up with his brother George and a band of friends from the Tendring peninsular in Essex who set out on December 7th on the marathon journey to South Africa in a convoy of three Land Rover Defenders. The trip has already taken them down through France, Spain and the northern–most countries of the African continent through the western Sahara desert. They will continue down the western side, through remote parts of such countries as Mauritania, Senegal, Malia, Nigeria, and Congo, among many others. There are five full-time members of the team, three of whom including George completed a similar run down the east side of Africa in 2005, raising more than £50,000. Charlie hopes to join them towards the end of January as one of a team of co-drivers occupying the sixth place in relays. He will take a turn at the wheel through Angola and Namibia in the final stages of the marathon. “ Every member of the team is paying his own way,” Charlie said, “ so literally every penny that is raised goes directly to WaterAid. We’ve all had some training in off-road driving in difficult terrain, and also in vehicle maintenance and repairs, so we’re hoping we can cope with any problems. But I’m sure there’ll be some hairy moments, and plenty of good tales to tell when we get home.” Before leaving, the team visited Ipswich Town football club, and were given various items of kit to give to football enthusiasts they meet on their route. Fenn Wright are also among the sponsors. “ When I last looked at the website, the amount raised so far was approaching £10,000, which is brilliant,” said Charlie “ but of course we’re hoping we can top the 2005 figure”. To follow the team’s progress, visit the website www.colchestertocapetown.com, which is updated regularly.
December 8th 2008 Stanway sale takes less than a fortnight A new owner has taken possession of a house in Rose Avenue Stanway less than two weeks after agreeing to buy it in a sale through agents Fenn Wright. Negotiator Toby Spencer Campbell said: “ There’s a lot of talk of tough market conditions, and traditionally the market slows in the run up to Christmas. But this just goes to show that when buyers find the right property and sellers can be flexible, a move can be effected in very short order regardless. “ We’ve pulled out all the stops on this one, as have all the other parties involved in the sale. The property was competitively priced at £154,995, and I can’t ever remember a quicker progress from sale agreed to completion. “ Agreement was reached between the parties on Monday, November 24th, exchange of contracts took place on December 3rd, and completion occurred two days later,” he said. The vendors agreed they were absolutely delighted with the speed of the transaction, and the buyer is looking forward Christmas in her new home. Press enquiries to Pippa McLardy 01728 454565 email plmclardy@hotmail.com
SEPTEMBER 2008
Fenn Wright win customer care award Award Presentations Video Fenn Wright, the Essex and Suffolk estate agency with offices along the A12 corridor, have won the Customer Care and Service Award for large companies at the Essex Business Awards 2008. The awards, organised by the Essex Chronicle media group, were presented at a celebration dinner at Braxted Park last week (Sept 18th), attended by Fenn Wright’s managing partner Alan Williams and senior partner Andrew Crayston. The company was also on a shortlist of four for the overall winner of Best Essex Business. After receiving the award, Mr Williams said he was delighted that the firm’s lifelong commitment to providing superlative care and service for all their clients had been recognised. “ Since the firm’s foundation in 1768, Fenn Wright has always put the client's best interests above all else,” he said. “ We are committed to the provision of high quality specialist property skills, the delivery of efficient, effective professional property advice and the achievement of best value property solutions. “ For many years, clients have utilised our services on the basis of trust and recommendation, making the Fenn Wright brand synonymous with quality and customer care. “Our dedicated teams offer friendly experienced advice at all levels with in-depth local market knowledge and the skills and enthusiasm to make our clients' property assets work for them”. Mr Williams added: “ We achieve this by recruiting and retaining staff of the highest calibre to ensure the effective delivery of a professional service at a high level, and all the firms’ partners would like to thank the dedicated team members whose hard work and commitment to providing the best in care and service has resulted in this splendid tribute. “ Looking to the future, Fenn Wright subscribe to the principles of continuous quality improvement and aim to be the preferred source of professional property advice throughout Essex and Suffolk.” Country & Equestrian market ‘bucks’ trends with record sales in August (01.09.08)
“Over the years, we have established excellent relationships with several finding agents. Two of our country houses were sold recently to Premiership and International footballers, one exchanging within 10 days of the sale agreed, and property-finders Garrington, acting on behalf of their high profile client, remarked on how refreshing it was to deal with such a proactive country agent. " Several sales have been agreed on a part-exchange basis. Often we have a client downsizing, perhaps wishing to retire abroad, who recognises the difficulty of buyers selling in certain price ranges. A part-exchange allows the seller to move on and the buyer the ease of moving up market without the woes and worries of a long chain. “I believe much of our success is due to our positive attitude. I don’t tolerate the doom and gloom talk of some agents. As a consequence, we are now so busy we are often booking a week ahead to visit country houses for pending sales, and the best properties are attracting buyers. “The message from the Country & Equestrian team is that serious buyers are out there and the shrewd ones are not waiting for the media to report an ‘upturn’ in the market, as according to Zoe ‘that will be too late!’. The Country & Equestrian team were also keen to advise that buyers should not rely on just browsing the web and waiting for a suitable property to ‘pop up’ Speak to the agents, as those who do, often get a preview appointment and a sale can sometimes be tied up before even going onto the open market. Contact either Zoe Napier or Eve Reed on 01376 530135.
__________________________________________________________________________________________ AUGUST 2008 __________________________________________________________________________________________ Prestigious new regional business park at Wherstead Park (27.08.08) Fenn Wright recently acted for the East of England Co-operative Society in relation to the Freehold acquisition of Wherstead Park to the south of Ipswich town centre. The property was formally occupied by E.On and comprises a total of about 88,000 sq.ft. of high quality offices and ancillary accommodation, within attractive landscaped grounds extending to 17.5 acres. The main building totals approximately 68,000 sq.ft. and is arranged over three floors, around an impressive full height central atrium.
The East of England Co-operative Society will operate Wherstead Park as a prestigious regional business park. Wherstead Park will also provide a new headquarters for the Society and the total workforce on the site is expected to be between 400 and 500. The property also includes an impressive fully refurbished Grade I Listed Georgian Manor House which will be used as a training and conference centre. There will be some 33,000 sq.ft. of modern office space available to let to other businesses. Fenn Wright have been instructed to let this accommodation and already have interest from a number of companies. Alistair Mitchell comments “the property is in an excellent strategic location adjacent to the A14/A137 intersection and within easy reach of both Ipswich and Manningtree railway stations. There are extensive on site facilities and the property offers some of the best quality accommodation in the area.”
For further information please contact Alistair Mitchell 01473 417714
__________________________________________________________________________________________ JUNE 2008 __________________________________________________________________________________________ Fenn Wright sponsors Winners' Cup (11.06.08) Stanway Villa Football Club held their annual 5-a-side competition on the village playing fields on Sunday 8 June with over 700 children aged between 6 and 14 competing in 8 age groups. The U9s competition was contested by 12 teams and was won by Maldon Town who defeated Lexden Saints in the final. Fenn Wright sponsored the Winners' Cup and Steve Wright, Partner from Fenn Wright Lettings department attended to watch the final and present the cup. Stanway Villa run teams from U6 to U18 with the teams competing in the Colchester & District Youth League.
Steve Wright with the winners of Stanway Villa's annual 5-a-side competition
Fenn Wright among winners in RICS five-a-side contest (10.06.08) A five-man team from Fenn Wright came third out of twenty teams in the annual Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors five-a-side tournament at the Old Street Powerleague centre in London recently.
Ipswich commercial property negotiator Stuart McDonald’s kick slipped wide of the right-hand post, and the match went to a penalty shootout. With two penalties already to Fenn Wright’s credit, Stuart atoned for the earlier miss with a fine shot into the net as the team progressed through to the semis 3-0 on penalties. Battling Thomas and Adamson’s eight-strong squad, Fenn Wright’s five-man team took an early 2-0 lead, but their lack of substitutes began to take a toll, and in the dying moments of fierce and frenetic game Thomas and Adamson struck twice in quick succession to seal their progression to the final with 5-3 victory. They went on to beat DTZ in the final seeing Fenn Wright take third place. Team organiser Rob Windus, graduate surveyor in Fenn Wright’s commercial office in Colchester, said he was pleased at the outcome. “This was our first outing as a team, and three of the squad dropped out at the last minute owing to injury or pressing prior commitments. The whole team’s contribution is commendable and given that we played approaching two hours of fast paced matches over a four-hour period, Fenn Wright can hold our heads high. We look forward to continued success on and off the field.” he said.
Caption: (left to right) Daniel Wye, Robert Windus, Michael Gillespie, Steve Wright and Jon Barker. Stuart McDonald does not appear. More information from Robert Windus 01206 216558
Kieron gets his goal with Fenn Wright West Ham and England International Kieron Dyer has recently completed the purchase of a stunning property through Fenn Wright’s Country and Equestrian team.
__________________________________________________________________________________________ MAY 2008 __________________________________________________________________________________________
Taking property to where the money is (26.05.08)
Fenn Wright team up with Mortgages First(16.05.08) Fenn Wright are delighted to announce that they have teamed up with Mortgages First who can offer a bespoke mortgage service to their discerning private clients.
For further information please call Alan Williams on 01206 216551
Fenn Wright's 'Essex and Suffolk Property Exhibition' reveals the commuters’ best kept secret (14.05.08) Announcing Fenn Wright’s exclusive 'Essex and Suffolk Property Exhibition' in the City of London
Thursday 22nd & Friday 23rd May 2008 - 11.00am to 3.00pm M², Global House, 5 Sandy’s Row, London, E1 7HW Fenn Wright have teamed up with Square Mile to offer London City dwellers the bespoke route to a complete lifestyle change, or just a weekend country retreat in the rural charm of Essex and Suffolk. Square Mile has offices in key London locations including Liverpool Street, Canary Wharf and St. Pauls, and 'The London Connection' gives Fenn Wright the power to take their properties right to the heart of the City of London. Whether the requirement is for a new, character, period or equestrian property, the smart money loves Essex and Suffolk, so drop into our exhibition to join us for a glass of wine and see what we have to offer. For further information telephone Alan Williams on 01206 216551 or email acw@fennwright.co.uk
Soil Association’s founding farm is for sale in mid-Suffolk (12.05.08)An historic moated farmhouse, home and testing-ground for Lady Eve Balfour during her founding of The Soil Association nearly 70 years ago, is for sale for offers in excess of £2.75m.
Somewhat larger than in Lady Eve’s time, New Bells Farm at Haughley Green today consists of a Grade II* listed farmhouse offering six bedroomed family accommodation, 312 acres of land, equestrian facilities including a manège and stabling, a Grade II listed traditional timber-framed barn, and extensive well-maintained agricultural buildings.
The niece of Conservative Prime Minister Lord Balfour, Lady Eve was just 21 when she bought New Bells Farm with her sister in1920. In the years following, she struck a deal with her neighbour, Miss Alice Debenham of Walnut Tree Farm, to conduct a long-term experiment into the relationship between healthy soil and the production of healthy food. Her definitive book “The Living Soil”, based on the research at New Bells Farm, was published in 1943. For the last 17 years, New Bells Farm has been home to the Freeman family who, whilst running it along conventional lines, have retained much of the legacy passed on from Lady Eve through subsequent owners. There are about 200 acres currently under the plough and the land has been farmed on a 50% wheat, 50% fallow rotation for a number of years. In 2007 the Freemans entered the Suffolk Farms Competition for the first time, coming second in the Small Farms section and taking the Conservation Prize.
Some ten kilometres of ancient hedgerows have been retained and improved, with field enclosures hardly altered across the centuries. While there are three big fields (the largest is 31 acres), the average size is between nine and 11 acres, though allowance has been made for today’s large machinery. There is good accessibility to all the land, owing to the six metre grass field margins planted under the Country Stewardship scheme. Old woodland has been cleared of scrub, and new areas planted, including a three-acre spinney known as Nappers, and several stands of black walnut and cricket bat willows, some of which are nearing maturity and will be ready for harvesting in the next few years. Additional income is derived from the occupation of some of the farm buildings by local craftsmen and a fishing bait company. DIY livery has also been offered in the past. With the Eye Brook (a tributary of the Gipping) running through the property, the land is a magnet for a huge variety of wildlife and birds. Release pens and game cover are provided, and three or four small shoots a year are organised for friends and neighbours, the record bag amounting to 121. The farmhouse itself dates from the early 1500s with 17th Century additions, standing on the site of an earlier dwelling, and is completely surrounded by a moat originating in around 1150. There is approximately an acre of water surrounding a one and a half acre island. It has earned its Grade II* listing by dint of a wealth of period features including herringbone brick nogging and a fine jetty, moulded timbers, and back-to-back inglenook fireplaces in two of the principal reception rooms, one of which also contains a rare dragon beam. A splendid red four-oven Aga stands in the large breakfast/dining room, adjoining a bright and cheerful working kitchen, leading in turn to a utility room, pantry and boot room. Two staircases rise to the first floor, where there is a landing/playroom, four bedrooms and a family bathroom, the large master bedroom also having a spacious en suite bathroom-cum-dressing room. Two more bedrooms are in the attic – an ideal teenager’s retreat. A farm office with WC and kitchenette occupies one end of the superb, traditional (and, originally, thatched) barn, which stands well away from the front of the house on the far side of the moat. Informal discussions with the local planning authority have indicated that there may be potential for a sympathetic conversion to provide separate residential accommodation. Keen horsewoman Caroline Freeman says that, with the extensive grass margins, it is possible to ride for a couple hours without leaving the farm, but there is also easy access to more extensive riding country in the locality. “Here at Haughley Green, we are one of a handful of small farms in an area surrounded by much larger farming enterprises, which is an ideal situation. We have immediate neighbours who share many of our farming and conservation interests, but the big concerns are on hand to undertake the contracting – there are several who would willingly take on New Bells Farm, should the new owners not wish to farm it themselves.” “With the A14 only a couple of miles away, and Stowmarket station some four miles to the south, we are well-placed for relatively easy access to London, Cambridge, the Midlands and beyond. Several notable prep and public schools are within easy driving distance, and there are local primary and middle schools in Haughley or Bacton, both of which are well-served with a range of shops, pubs and restaurants covering general day-to-day needs.” David Ward, Fenn Wright partner and agricultural expert says: “This is an attractive farm with an interesting history and which provides numerous opportunities for potential purchasers to further develop the farming, amenity/conservation and equestrian opportunities, or simply to enjoy the lifestyle offered. We expect that there will be a significant level of interest from a broad spectrum of potential purchasers.” For further information telephone David Ward on 01206 216550 Click here for further sales details __________________________________________________________________________________________ APRIL 2008 __________________________________________________________________________________________ Mark’s Mountain Walk (24.04.08)
Mark Sargeantson, from Fenn Wright's Ipswich office, is walking the GR10 Coast to Coast (Atlantic to Mediterranean) Trail during June and July this summer, 2008. This route follows the length of the Pyrenees on the French side. The total distance is about 560 miles (900kms) and height gain 164,636 feet (49,714 metres), about five times the height of Mt. Everest. He aims to complete this walk in 50 days and hopes to raise £50,000 for the Cancer Campaign in Suffolk.
Click here to follow Mark's progress throughout his walk
New Partner for Fenn Wright (01.04.08)
Alistair Mitchell, 39, has become a full partner of Fenn Wright chartered surveyors and estate agents after 17 years with the firm. Alistair began his career spending four years working as a land agent for a national firm in Chelmsford.
______________________________________________________________________________ MARCH 2008 ______________________________________________________________________________ A brick and flint cottage has impressive addtion (07.04.08) A brick and flint detached cottage in the heart of Great Maplestead has an unexpected secret – though appearing quite compact at first sight, a substantial extension has added an impressive master bedroom suite with vaulted ceiling and French doors to the garden.
For sale through agents Fenn Wright at £365,000, Number 7 Stone Cottages lies in Church Street and retains much original character. Both the sitting room and dining room have attractive fireplaces, and there are some exposed timbers throughout the house. In addition to the two main reception rooms, there is a cosy family room or study, kitchen, and utility room. This in turn leads through to a shower room and tiled lobby into the master bedroom. At 21ft 3ins by 13ft 3ins, this is a splendid room with high vaulted ceiling, long windows on two sides and French doors out to the garden. There are two more good-sized bedrooms upstairs plus a family bathroom. Fenn partner Colin Metcalfe says the house is very well presented with the extension adding an attractive extra dimension. "It’s quite a surprise to discover the attractive barn-style extension to the rear, looking out across a paved courtyard with the garden beyond,” he said. “ Great Maplestead is a popular village, being very handy for Halstead, about two and a half miles away, and not far from Sudbury”. Click here for further details or contact Fenn Wright on 01376 516464.
Wee building in Maldon for sale (17.03.08)
Situated opposite the car park of the Blue Boar Hotel, Fenn Wright graduate surveyor Robert Windus (who declines to predict that he will be flushed with success when a sale is concluded), says the building is suitable for various business uses. “The architects and engineers of the Edwardian period, like their forebears in Victorian days, were encouraged by local authorities to construct Public Conveniences of high standard,” he said. “Great importance was given to appearance and the quality of their finishes. This is an attractive little building, and something of an historic landmark. Its original purpose ended many years ago, though, and today potential buyers will find a pretty, well decorated and handy little office or shop on offer, with no lingering whiff of the past.” Informal tenders should to be submitted by noon of Friday 18th April. For further information, contact Robert Windus, at Fenn Wright Commercial on 01206 216558. Click here to download a brochure
House to stir a Sheik near England’s newest racecourse (17.03.08)
“It could be that someone in the racing fraternity will snaffle up this extraordinary property, but, equally, it could be someone with an eye to future gains. In terms of cutting edge up-to-date facilities, Woolmers Farm seems to have it all, and is exquisitely presented both inside and out. It may be that we will have a race to the finish, as houses of this calibre are like Classics winners - few and far between.” For full information, contact Zoe Napier on 01376 530135. or click here for Fenn Wright's Country & Equestrian Website
Today, the brothers train National Hunt steeplechase champions at their stables in Lambourn and Bromyard in Herefordshire and carrying on the family tradition, Simon’s son Jack, 16, has just obtained his point-to-point licence. David still very much enjoys his equestrian connections, which have multiplied since the founding of Fenn Wright Country and Equestrian with Zoe Napier in 2005. “The point-to-points area great family day out, and I try to get there when my own childrens' commitments make it possible. I enjoy seeing the point to point course prosper having been set up all those years ago by my father.” he said.
There are meetings at Marks Tey on Easter Monday March 24th and Saturday April 5th . Further information from David Sherwood on 01206 763388 ______________________________________________________________________________ FEBRUARY 2008 ______________________________________________________________________________ ‘Well you would be wouldn’t you? You are an estate agent!’ I can hear you say. Well, yes, but the last few months of 2007 gave the property market quite a battering with the credit crunch, Northern Rock saga, jittery stock markets and the rolling out of Home Information Packs.
With the market stabilising, first time buyers are being encouraged to step on the ladder. So if you are thinking of buying or selling, come off the fence and contact one of our friendly team! We will guide you through the process and you could soon be feeing the excitement of moving! Alan Williams, Managing Partner
______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ The signs are looking good – so don’t wait for Spring! (15.01.08) Interest rates coming down, activity levels in the market up, quality rules over quantity. Early signs for the 2008 property market are ‘very promising’, according to Zoe Napier at Fenn Wright Country & Equestrian.
“ As far as selling goes, whilst there may appear to be fewer people viewing properties compared with a year ago, it seems that the majority are actually buying as opposed to just browsing, and there is keen competition for the ‘good buy’. For the seller preferring quality viewers through their door rather than quantity, now is definitely the time to get that property on the market. “ It’s a good time for buyers, too. At this time of year, sellers are usually committed to moving, are generally willing to listen to ‘sensible’ offers from buyers – particularly those in a position to proceed - and recognise the importance of offering a chain-free situation where possible”. Zoe also advises that with Easter coming early (Good Friday is March 21st), it is not too early to make preparations for marketing a property over that crucial period. "A good reputable agent will need time to prepare and present a property for the market so contacting them to arrange an appraisal should ideally take place during January or February for a Spring launch,” she says. “But don’t hang on until Easter if you are buying,” she urges.” Now is the time to take a ‘warts and all’ look at your proposed new home. Study how exposed the garden is with all the leaves off the trees, and how well drained - or otherwise - the land is, particularly if there is acreage. “Inside, winter is the time to see how warm a house really is, to detect draughts, assess howeffective the central heating is, and whether that inglenook draws smoke up the chimney or belches it out into the elegant drawing room. If you can fall for a house in this weather, imagine how much more you will like it when the sun shines! “
Fenn Wright will be having a Spring London Property Exhibition, to be held at their associated offices just off Liverpool Street. More information will be released and advertised soon in this respect. Click here for Fenn Wright's Country & Equestrian Website
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