cover photo © JohnJoe photography
COUNTRY & TOWN IN THE Spring 2024 The Property & Lifestyle Magazine
Start Your Easter Weekend House Hunting
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Within This Issue...
P.52 Hartley Wintney, Hampshire Guide £1,300,000
P. 72 Gino D’Acampo’s creamy risotto recipe
P.40 Hartley Wintney, Hampshire Guide £750,000
DUE TO THE OPEN MARKET SOON magazine exclusive PREVI EW
P. 8
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P. 76 How to pollen-proof your home with allergy season in full swing
P.34 Fleet, Hampshire Guide £1,700,000
P. 96 First Drive: Can the new Mercedes E-Class deliver the classy experience this saloon is known for?
P. 18
P.65 Hartley Wintney, Hampshire Guide £550,000
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A collection of exquisite properties and engaging editorial
P. 49
P. 68 Gino D’Acampo: Food waste is a ‘crime to humans’
P.12 Guide Offers In Excess of £3.250m.
P. 84 Rock chick Jo Whiley on how she’s keeping her aches and pains at bay as she gets older
P 86 SHOWBIZ Film Reviews Film View – March 25
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P. 22
P. 80 How comedian Katherine Ryan recovered from her son saying her cooking ‘tastes like dirt’
DUE TO THE OPEN MARKET SOON magazine exclusive PREVI EW
P. 30 - Finchampstead, Hampshire / Berkshire Borders. Guide £2.5m.
P. 12
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IN THE COUNTRY &TOWN Welcome to
Creating the inspiration to move
Quarter One 2024 - Join The Up-tick
What an exceptional quarter one!
There is no doubt that the house market is on the move and all of our trading results support that statement with a 20% uplift in performance.
The most active market sector is the £2.0m to £7.0m. with enquiries well up on last year and sales being achieved at an impressive rate so far in 2024.The property shown below is one example, a £5.250m. property which exchanged and completed in March and with an exchange performance of 28 days from the sale being first agreed. Our invitation to anyone thinking of selling their property is to join the up-tick with a free no obligation valuation, and discover not only the likely price you will achieve but also the level of buyer demand. In the February edition of this magazine our advice to home owners contemplating a house sale this year was to go to the market early and benefit from the buyer activity being experienced by McCarthy Holden and this has proved to be sound advice.
We are please to bring you this edition of In The Country & Town, providing an opportunity to provide our readers with market insights and also showcase some great properties to buy or to rent for those starting their 2024 property search
SOLD EXCHANGED & COMPLETED agreed to exchange in a month
Finchampstead Ridges - Berkshire
Published by Kilbricken Publishing and John Joe Photography Limited,Telephone: 07470 707275, email jjtopshot@outlook.com, web johnjoe.co.uk. Publishing 2022 - All rights reserved. Reproduction is forbidden except by express permission of the publishers.The content of this magazine is believed to be correct but its accuracy is not guaranteed and it does not form part of any offer or contract. John Joe Limited cannot accept responsibility for any omissions or errors.
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Take A Look!
There are many fine properties to see within these pages and you will see the wonderful interiors of some of the finest properties on the Berkshire / Hampshire borders, so we hope you will enjoy exploring the pages of In The Country & Town.We also hope you will enjoy reading some of the editorial features.
We hope you enjoy reading this edition of In The Country & Town and we look forward our next edition, when we will give our readers further market insight and will again showcase some of the finest properties for sale or to let.
John Holden - Chairman McCarthy Holden
the property magazine creating the inspiration to move
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Crookham Village, Hampshire Guide Price: £1,250,000 Telephone 01256 704851
• Exceptional Family House • Exquisite Interior • Equestrian Facilities •
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DUE TO THE OPEN MARKET SOON magazine exclusive PREVI EW
See the following pages for more details
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Crookham Village, Hampshire Guide: £1,250,000
• Wonderful Interior • Stables Yard Sand School & Paddock • C. 3.24 Acres •
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Set in grounds of around 3.24 acres, this charming Grade II listed cottage, full of character and boasting many original features including original fireplaces with log burners, latch doors and beamed ceilings, is situated in Crookham Village within the heart of Hampshire countryside.The exquisite interior features a superb kitchen/breakfast with integrated Miele appliances, and granite work surfaces.There is a utility/boot room which leads to a spacious, contemporary wet room.The masterbedroom on the first floor is light and airy and benefits from views over the garden and fields. For the equestrian enthusiast there is stables, yard, sand school and paddock. EPC n/a - Telephone 01256 704851
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Hampshire / Berkshire Borders Guide Price: £3,000,000 Telephone 01252 842100
• Exceptional Family House • Stunning Indoor Swimming Pool • Just Over 3 Acres •
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See the following four pages for more details
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Finchampstead, Berkshire / Hampshire Borders Guide: £3,000,000
• C.7,000 sq. ft. of Exquisite Space • Superb Kitchen • Indoor Swimming Pool •
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This exceptional country house dates from the mid 19th Century and beautifully fuses historic character with contemporary additions, especially seen in the breathtaking indoor swimming pool complex and the exceptional luxury kitchen/living room. Overall this fine property provides impressive spaces of around 7,900 sq. ft. and this property has been in the same family ownership for 30 years, making this a rare opportunity. EPC E (53) - Telephone 01252 842100
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Church Crookham, Hampshire Guide: £450,000
This well presented three bedroom property is situated on the popular Crookham Park Development.The ground floor features a fine living room and a kitchen with wood effect, eye and base level units with integrated appliances, and space for a dining table and chairs.To the first floor are three bedrooms. EPC B (88) - Telephone 01252 620640
• En-Suite To Bedroom One • South Facing Garden • Garage & Driveway Parking •
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SALE AGREED MARCH
Fleet, Hampshire Guide: Offers In Excess Of £1,000,000
This impressive four bedroom detached property is presented in excellent decorative order and offers accommodation in excess of 2,400 sq. ft. Features include a superb kitchen/dining room with sitting area to the rear of the house with a comprehensive range of solid wood wall and base mounted units with oak work surfaces and a selection of integrated appliances including extractor fan, two integrated fridge/freezers, dishwasher and wine fridge. EPC C(75)Telephone 01252 620640
• Close To Fleet Mainline Railway Station • Open Plan Kitchen •
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Odiham, Hampshire Guide: £550,000
Situated within close proximity of the desirable Odiham village centre, this immaculately presented, two-bedroom, former 19th century malthouse barn conversion, has been finished to a high standard creating
spacious and flexible accommodation. EPC C(78) Telephone 01256 704851
• Two Bedrooms • Two Bathrooms • Close To Village •
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Odiham, Hampshire Guide: £975,000
Situated within close proximity of the desirable village of Odiham and the local schools, this well-presented, four- bedroom detached family home offers flexible living and includes four bedrooms, three reception rooms, kitchen, utility and externally; ample driveway parking leading to an integral garage and an enclosed mature private rear garden. EPC D (61) - Telephone 01256 704851
• Four Bedrooms / Two Bathrooms • Excellent Garden • Double Garage •
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Fleet, Hampshire Guide Price: £1,100,000 Telephone 01252 620640
• Exceptional Family House • Exquisite Interior • Double Garage •
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See the following two pages for more details
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Fleet, Hampshire Guide: £1,100,000
• Wonderful Interior • Superb Kitchen / Diner • No Onward Chain •
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This wonderful home boasts immense character and exquisite interior spaces with accommodation spread over three floors including four bedrooms and two bathrooms. Excellent plot providing a sizeable driveway and garden. The property is located in close proximity to Fleet town centre, Fleet mainline train station, several schools and multiple woodland areas including easy access to Oakley Park,Velmead Woods and Basingstoke Canal where you can enjoy long walks, bike rides, fishing and take in breath taking views. EPC E (50) - Telephone 01252 620640
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Fleet (Blue Triangle) - Hampshire Guide Price: £1,825,000
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SOLD stc GOING TO PRESS
See the following two pages for more details
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SALE AGREED MARCH
Fleet (Blue Triangle), Hampshire Guide: £1,825,000
This immaculately presented and substantial family home sits on a delightful half acre plot on one of the most sought- after roads in Fleet.The property has been completely redecorated with new carpets, beautifully re-fitted bathrooms and underfloor heating to the ground floor.There is also planning permission granted
for a single storey extension to the rear. EPC C (72) - Telephone 01252 620640
• Half Acre Grounds • Beautifully Presented • Sought After Location •
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Finchampstead, Hampshire / Berkshire Borders Guide Price: £2,500,000 Telephone 01252 842100
• Around 5,700 Sq. Ft. Including Garage • Four Car Garage • C. 2.3 Acres •
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DUE TO THE OPEN MARKET SOON magazine exclusive PREVI EW
See the following two pages for more details
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Finchampstead, Hampshire / Berkshire Borders Guide: £2,500,000
• Wonderful Location • Five Bedrooms • Six Reception Rooms •
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Approached through remotely operated gates, the sweeping driveway rises gently through the front gardens arriving at a property designed specifically to fit into the stunning grounds of around 2.3 actres. The split-level accommodation provides spacious rooms, all of which enjoy views of the fabulously landscaped gardens and beyond. There is additional space above the four-car garage which can be used as hobby rooms, a gym or a home office, which has in the past held planning consent (now lapsed, although we would assume easily re-instated) for a self-contained annex. EPC C (71) - Telephone 01252 842100
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Fleet (Blue Triangle), Hampshire Guide: £1,700,000
Constructed 5 years ago to a high specification, this spacious family home offers accommodation in excess of 4,000 sq ft.The property is situated in a prime position within the Blue Triangle where Fleet high street and Fleet main line train station are within a short distance. EPC B86 - Telephone 01252 620640
• Luxury Interior • Double Garage • Blue Triangle Location •
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3.Totally Tropical Table Runner, £25,Totally Tropical Pack of 4 Placemats, £25, and Perfect Pineapple Pack of 4 Napkins, £15 (items from a selection), Joe Browns We’ve gone Tropiloco over this exotic tableware collection, with its lush palm leaves, verdant vegetation and prize pineapples to signal salsa dishes.
Serene green: 7 ways to breathe new life into your decor this spring By Sam Wylie-Harris, PA
If you long for a sense of being at one with nature, green could be your go-to hue this springtime.
And if you’re looking to give your interiors a quick refresh and switch things up as the seasons change, there really is no more suitable shade than serene green. Whether you want to create a tranquil scheme to sink into at the end of the day, or breathe new life into your decor for chilled-out get-togethers, here are some of our top picks…
1. Nina Campbell Set of 4 Meadow Pasta Bowls, Green, £45, Next
This eye-catching stoneware with glossy green glaze will make everything look that much lovelier… think creamy spinach pasta sauce for small soirées.
4. Green ‘Poppies’ 30cm Straight Empire Printed Cotton Shade by Ellen Merchant, £51 (lamp from a selection), Pooky
Even if you think you’re lighting is spot on, the longer, balmy days ahead call for a stylish table lamp to highlight all your details and decos.
2. Manual Beech Wood Pepper Mill in Fern Green (available soon), and Boreal Manual Beech Wood Salt Mill in Sage Green, £44.99 each, Peugeot Saveurs A swanky salt mill and plush pepper mill to spice up your spring tablescape. We’re in – and these soft shades will complement any kitchen style.
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5. Graphical Green Gallery Wall – featuring: Il Giardino Dei Sapori Poster (30 x 40cm), Green Colour Blocks Poster (30 x 40cm), Van Gogh – River Bank In Springtime Poster (50 x 70cm), with Dark Oak Frames, currently £113.94 (was £146.65), Desenio A favourite for feel-good vibes, colour drenching a room in the same green accents and creating a gallery wall themed to botanical plants is a fast route to style and positive energy.
7.PortloeWoven Gingham Green Duvet Cover & Pillowcase Set, from £30-£50, Dunelm
A green gingham check has lots to offer, especially when teamed with co-ordinating solids and matching curtains, against a backdrop of bleached wood and mini olive trees for a dreamy, Mediterranean ambiance. Made from 100% washed cotton.
6. John Lewis ANYDAY Spindle Desk in Bowling Green, £159.20, and ANYDAY Whistler Dining Chair in Bowling Green, £99, John Lewis Whether you’re in the throes of a spring clean and reorganising your WFH space, or introducing a cosy corner aesthetic for managing life admin and hobbies, this bijoux desk will make it all a breeze.
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Wonderful grounds of circa one acre
Long Sutton, Hampshire Guide: £1,695,000
Superb Kitchen / Diner • Wonderful Setting & Grounds • Four/Five Bedrooms
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Set in grounds of around one acre, this substantial four/five bedroom detached family home, is nestled within the heart of the desirable village of Long Sutton enjoying uninterrupted countryside views. The location and outlook is exceptional and the property has been extended by the current owners and provides flexible living accommodation of around 3,750 sq. ft. EPC D (63) - Telephone 01256 704851
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DUE TO THE OPEN MARKET SOON magazine exclusive PREVI EW
Hartley Wintney Hampshire Guide: £750,000
• Sought After Hunts Common • Walking Distance Of Hartley Wintney Village •
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A charming character cottage in a wonderful location just a short walk away from Hartley Wintney Village. This delightful property features a superb kitchen, a fine living room and three bedrooms. Outside there is an excellent garden. Further details to follow. Telephone 01252 842100
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Hartley Wintney Hampshire Guide: £1,300,000
• Sought After Bracknell Lane • Walking Distance Of Hartley Wintney Village •
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DUE TO THE OPEN MARKET SOON magazine exclusive PREVI EW
A superb example of a well proportioned 1950’s built five bedroom family home in a plot of just over 1/3rd of an acre, a short distance from the charming high street of Hartley Wintney.. Further details to follow. Telephone 01252 842100
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Fleet (Blue Triangle), Hampshire Guide: Offers In Excess Of £1,050,000
This exquisitely presented five bedroom detached home has been refurbished by the current owners to offer luxurious accommodation throughout. Measuring approximately 3,000 sq. ft. over three floors, the property offers flexible living for the modern family.The property is located on the popular Edenbrook development in Fleet which is ideally situated for local school, leisure facilities, country walks yet within easy access of Fleet town centre and Fleet mainline railway station EPC C (71) - Telephone 01252 620640
• Beautifully Presented • No Onward Chain • Open Plan Living •
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EXCHANGED MARCH
Fleet (Blue Triangle), Hampshire Guide: £1,250,000
Superb Kitchen / Diner • High Specification New Build Home
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SOLD EXCHANGED this week
McCarthy Holden are delighted to offer to the market this newly built executive home constructed to a high specification by the renowned local builders North Hants Homes.The property sits on a generous plot measuring approximately half an acre within the prestigious Blue Triangle area of Fleet. EPC B (88) - Telephone 01252 620640
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Farnborough, Hampshire Guide: £785,000
This stunning four bedroom detached property has been extended by the current owners and is beautifully presented in a contemporary style.The 25 ft. living/dining room has a bay window, feature fireplace with wood burner, a superb conservatory leads off the dining area and the kitchen has been fitted to an extremely high specification EPC D (60) - Telephone 01252 620640
• En-Suite Shower & Dressing Room To Bedroom One • Studio Office / Gym •
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Fleet, Hampshire Guide: £875,000
An extremely attractive four/five bedroom detached house in good decorative order.The property sits in a cul-de-sac location within the popular residential Pondtail area of Fleet.This extended family home offer generous and
flexible accommodation over two floors. EPC C (71) - Telephone 01252 620640
• Five Bedrooms / Three Bathrooms • Excellent Garden • Double Garage •
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Odiham, Hampshire Guide: £595,000
Situated within the historic Bury at the heart of the desirable Georgian village of Odiham, this Grade II Listed three- bedroom cottage is offered to the market with a wealth of charm and character throughout. Benefits to this property include courtyard gardens front and rear, exposed beams, three reception rooms, feature fireplaces, within close proximity of Odiham High Street and no onward chain. EPC D (56) - Telephone 01256 704851
• Charming Character Cottage • Three Bedrooms • Central Village Location •
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SALE AGREED MARCH
Odiham, Hampshire Guide: Offers In Excess Of £300,000
Situated within the sought-after village of Odiham, in a central location, this three-bedroom cottage requires full renovation throughout and is offered to the market for the first time in over 100 years with no onward chain.The property includes; three bedrooms, two reception rooms, kitchen, bathroom and downstairs W.C. EPC E(53)Telephone 01256 704851
• Full Renovation Project • Three Bedrooms • Central Village Location •
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Hartley Wintney Hampshire Guide: £1,300,000
• Gated Driveway Parking With Garage • Grounds C. 0.8 Of An Acre •
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An outstanding Grade II Listed manor house conversion in a truly unique setting, less than a mile from the centre of Hartley Wintney Village. Comprising of the original central section (including the main entrance) of the historic Hartley Grange manor house and formal grounds of approximately 0.8 of an acre. Originally built in the 17th Century and now Grade II listed as part of local Hartley Wintney History, this is a truly unique property. Telephone 01252 842100
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Hartley Wintney Hampshire Guide: £700,000
• Beautifully Updated • Overlooking Woodland To Front • Drive Parking •
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A rare opportunity to acquire a uniquely positioned and well-proportioned four-bedroom family home on the popular St Marys Park development. Having been recently extended and modernised throughout to a high specification by the current owners creating a
comfortable and modern family living space. EPC C (79) - Telephone 01252 842100
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Finchampstead Ridges - Berkshire sold on guide £5.250m.
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SOLD EXCHANGED & COMPLETED agreed to exchange in a month
EXCHANGED MARCH
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Rotherwick, Hampshire Guide: £1,500,000
• Annexe / Studio • Stunning Kitchen / Diner • Fine Living Room •
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Having been extensively renovated in recent years, this quite unique home forms part of the former Tylney Hall Estate’s model farm. The spacious family accommodation is complemented by a 3 / 4 bedroom annexe and further studio, providing the option to offer a revenue. EPC F (23) - Telephone 01252 842100
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South Warnborough, Hampshire Guide: £650,000
This spacious, three-bedroom family home is situated in the desirable village of South Warnborough providing flexible living accommodation and is offered to the market with no onward chain.The property offers an ideal opportunity to further extend subject to planning permission. EPC D (67) - Telephone 01256 704851
• Countryside Views • Three Bedrooms • Possible Planning Potential •
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North Warnborough, Hampshire Guide: £495,000
Situated in the centre of the popular village of North Warnborough, this well-presented, characterful, three bedroom home is set back from the road in a desirable location.The property is offered to the market with no onward chain. EPC C (69) – Telephone 01256 704851
• Three Bedrooms • No Onward Chain • Superb Interior •
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Eversley Centre, Hampshire Guide: Offers In Excess Of £1,100,000
• Rural Views To The Rear. • Character Features Throughout • Gated Drive Parking •
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A truly unique four bedroom detached character property in the heart of Eversley Village. Built in 1812 and extended and modernised throughout Centre Cottage offers modern living, stunning interior design and character charm.With a generous rear garden including a summer house, breeze hut and large patio areas, all complemented by views over adjoining countryside. EPC D (56) - Telephone 01252 842100
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Fleet, Hampshire Guide: £900,000
This six bedroom double fronted detached property is situated on the ever popular Elvetham Heath development, close to local amenities.The property is offered to the market in excellent decorative order with accommodation
measuring approximately 2,260 sq. ft. EPC C (71) - Telephone 01252 620640
• Open Plan Kitchen • Converted Double Garage • Close To Local Schools •
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Hartley Wintney, Hampshire Guide: £590,000
OPEN DAY BY APPOINTMENT ONLY - SATURDAY 30th MARCH - CALL TO BOOK YOUR SLOT
A charming three bedroom character cottage, on a quiet lane in the Phoenix Green area of Hartley Wintney. Full of period features and character charm, offered to the market with no onward chain. EPC tbc - Telephone 01252 842100
• 3 Bedrooms • Superb Interior • Driveway Parking •
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Sale Agreed In 3 Weeks - In Excess Of Guide multiple offers received similar equestrian property wanted
SOLD stc
Hampshire / Berkshire Borders Anticipated Guide Price: £2,000,000
• Family House & Equestrian Enterprise • Set in Around 42 Acres •
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Situated within in a highly regarded location between Sandhurst and Finchampstead, this is a rare opportunity to acquire a significant freehold with mixed use benefits of a family home and a significant equestrian yard. The detached family house is of generous proportions and provides 5 bedrooms and 4 reception rooms and a double garage.The equestrian enterprise / yard includes a mix of stables, open bay barns, indoor riding school, outdoor sand school and storage spaces. The entire property is in circa 42 acre of land. EPC - Telephone 01252 842100 or EMAIL FOR FURTHER DETAILS
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“The majority of people need one or two peppers, but they go into the supermarket, they go into the corner shop and they pick up a bag where there are seven, eight peppers. They use three and then they throw away six.
Photo: Big Zuu
“I’m thinking: do you really know what you’re doing here? Do you know how much money you’re wasting?”
D’Acampo, 47, isn’t one to hide his feelings, and his outrage about food waste is clear – which is why he’s teamed up with Love Food Hate Waste for this year’s Food Waste Action Week, encouraging people to buy loose fruit and veg. According to Love Food Hate Waste, 60% of food waste comes from UK homes, which results in 18 million tonnes of CO2. It suggests that the average household of four is wasting the equivalent of £1,000 per year on food that ends up in the bin. “And yet, we have people in the world who are dying of starvation… How wrong are we? Sometimes you just need someone like me to slap you in the face and go: wakey, wakey! Don’t you see what you’re doing?” D’Acampo says.
“It’s insane to throw all this food away – I think it’s a crime to humans, to humanity, to do what we do.”
And according to D’Acampo, the problem is getting “100% worse”.
“In the shops, every single thing that you buy is wrapped in plastic,” he says. “Where is the excitement, the spirit of smelling an apple or an orange?” For D’Acampo, the issue isn’t just food waste – but home cooks could benefit from paying a bit more attention to the fruit and veg they buy. “That’s another thing people don’t understand – I always tell them 50% of the job when you cook is about buying, it’s not about cooking. If you buy the right ingredients, you’re 50% there, and the food is going to taste much, much better.” D’Acampo’s strong opinions around food waste stem from his upbringing. “I didn’t have a family with money, I was brought up on a farm,” he says. “For me, it’s normal… In my house growing up, there was no throwing stuff in the bin. There was no buying things unless you really needed them. So in my mind, it’s always like: OK, what do I need to do to make sure this doesn’t happen? I want my family, my children, everybody to understand the amount of food the we are wasting.” So what can you do to minimise waste in the kitchen? Buying loose fruit and veg is a start, so you only have what you need.
Gino D’Acampo: Food waste is a ‘crime to humans’ By Prudence Wade, PA
After over 30 years in the UK, there’s something Gino D’Acampo can’t get used to: the food waste.
“We are used to going to the supermarket and going to places to buy our food – to touch it, to smell it,” the TV chef says of his hometown in Naples, Italy. “In the last 30 years that I’ve been here, I’ve always been thinking: why do these people buy everything in a plastic bag? Why do they buy so much stuff they don’t need?” For D’Acampo – who is a regular face on This Morning and fronts Gordon, Gino And Fred: Road Trip alongside Gordon Ramsay and Fred Sirieix – it’s “crazy” to buy your fruit and vegetables wrapped up in plastic. “It’s crazy to think that anyone would go and buy a bag of peppers, without touching them, without smelling them – and without even thinking what they’re going to do with these backup peppers.
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D’Acampo’s adds: “The best thing that anyone who is in the kitchen [can do] is to learn recipes that you can use leftovers [in]. “Let me give you an example from yesterday: we had lunch, a lot of roasted vegetables, roasted chicken… Usually, what do you do with the leftovers? You’re going to throw them in the bin, or you’re going to give it to your dogs if you have animals. “Or, you’re going to come up with something that you can use that with. There are so many recipes, like risotto or a frittata – like a big omelette.That’s what I did yesterday, I got old roast potato, vegetables, everything else, [and I thought] I’m going to make a lovely frittata. Because the flavours are already in the vegetables, the flavours are already in the potato – it’s only the technique of putting the eggs together and there’ll be Parmesan cheese on top, then the job was done.” If you think you’re too busy to go to the supermarket or greengrocer to pick out individual veg, D’Acampo has an answer for that too. “Yes, yes, yes – but you do have the time to go on social media. You do have the time to mess around watching a series on Netflix, movies and stuff like that.You do have the time for drinking in the pub, you do have the time to do millions of other things – but yet you don’t have the time to feed yourself properly.”
your beautiful car, but when it comes to putting petrol in it, you’re going to choose the cheapest petrol you can get.That doesn’t work, does it?” Embrace buying loose fruit and veg to help tackle food waste. Find out more on how to ChooseWhatYou’ll Use this Food Waste Action Week via the Love Food Hate Waste website: lovefoodhatewaste.com/fwaw Gino D’Acampo’s creamy risotto recipe “We have risotto on the family menu at least once a week,” says chef Gino D’Acampo, who has teamed up with Love Food Hate Waste for this year’s Food Waste Action Week. “I particularly love this quick version, and it gets lots of vegetables into the kids. My daughter Mia is not that keen on peppers, and yet, when they are in a creamy risotto, she never complains. “This is a meal in itself, but I sometimes also top it with grilled balsamic chicken or some pan-fried garlic and chilli prawns. If, like me, you love adding a little kick to your meals, my tip is to either buy or make some chilli-infused olive oil and drizzle it over the top.”
Risotto cremoso con zucchine, piselli e peperoni
For D’Acampo, it speaks to a wider issue about the food ethos in this country.
Ingredients:
(Serves 4-6)
“It’s like driving a Ferrari and putting the s******** petrol you can think of in your car. What’s the point? You have
8tbsp olive oil
1 large red onion, finely chopped
1tsp roughly chopped thyme leaves
1 large yellow pepper, deseeded and chopped into 1cm cubes
1 large courgette, chopped into 1cm cubes
500g Arborio or Carnaroli rice
150ml dry white wine
1.5L hot vegetable stock, made with stock cubes
200g frozen peas, defrosted
60g salted butter
Continued on following pages >
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60g finely grated Parmesan cheese
4. Reduce the heat and continue to cook and stir until all the stock is absorbed. At this point, please stay with the saucepan, because you need to keep stirring the risotto. 5. Stir in the peas. Pour in the rest of the stock, a little at a time, cooking until each addition is absorbed before you add the next. It will take 18–20 minutes and you may not need to add all the stock. 6. Once the rice is cooked, take the pan off the heat and add the butter, Parmesan, two teaspoons of salt and half a teaspoon of pepper.
Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Method:
1. Pour the oil into a large heavy-based saucepan, place over a medium heat and fry the onion, thyme, pepper and courgette for 10 minutes until soft, stirring with a wooden spoon. 2. Add the rice and fry for three minutes, stirring to allow the hot oil and vegetables to coat the grains. Stir in the wine and cook for a further minute, allowing the alcohol to evaporate.
7. Stir all together for 20 seconds, allowing the risotto to become creamy and all the ingredients to combine properly.
3. Pour in a couple of ladles of hot stock and bring to a simmer.
8. Serve on warmed plates and enjoy.
Gino’s Italian Family Adventure by Gino D’Acampo is published by Bloomsbury Publishing,priced £22.Photography by Haarala Hamilton.Available now.
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tablespoon of salt and bring to the boil over a high heat.Add the pasta and cook for two minutes less than instructed on the packet, giving you a very al dente bite, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat, drain in a large colander and rinse under cold water to stop it cooking. Leave to drain in the sink while you prepare the vegetables. 2.Fill the same saucepan with water and one tablespoon of salt and again bring to the boil over a high heat.Add the broccoli and boil for one minute. Add the beans and boil for a further two minutes. Meanwhile, pour the drained pasta into a large bowl. 3. Remove the broccoli and beans from the heat and drain in the same colander you used to drain the pasta. Rinse under cold water and leave to drain in the sink. 4. Place the mayonnaise, pesto, red onion, apple, basil, chicken, ham and half a teaspoon of pepper into the bowl with the pasta. Sprinkle in one teaspoon of salt and mix well with a wooden spoon. Stir in the cooled broccoli and beans. 5. Place the pasta salad on a large serving platter. Sprinkle over the spring onions and drizzle over the extra virgin olive oil. Serve immediately, or place in the fridge until needed. Please remember always to serve this at room temperature, to appreciate the flavours of each ingredient. Gino’s Italy: Like Mamma Used To Make by Gino D’Acampo is published by Bloomsbury Publishing, priced £25. Photography by Haarala Hamilton.Available now.
Gino D’Acampo’s pasta salad recipe “I love a pasta salad and this is a really tasty one,” says chef Gino D’Acampo, who has teamed up with Love Food Hate Waste for this year’s Food Waste Action Week. “I must admit, it came about just before we were off to Sardinia for the summer; the night before, I threw everything we had left over in the fridge or kitchen cupboards into it (which explains the apple and onions) and the outcome was delicious. “That’s what I love about pasta salads: anything goes and you can be as creative as you like. This is perfect for lunch on the go, it’s filling and so versatile.”
Insalata semplice di pasta con pollo, prosciutto e pesto rosso
Ingredients:
(Serves 4-6)
400g dried fusilli pasta
150g broccoli florets
100g green beans, trimmed and halved
5tbsp good-quality mayonnaise
3tbsp good-quality shop-bought red pesto
1 large red onion, peeled and finely sliced
1 large red apple, cored, cut into 1cm chunks
8 basil leaves, torn in half
150g cold chicken breast, cut into 1cm chunks
150g thick slice of ham, cut into 1cm chunks
5 spring onions, trimmed and finely sliced
4tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Method:
1. Fill a medium saucepan with water, add one
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over a medium heat and fry the onion, thyme, pepper and courgette for 10 minutes until soft, stirring with a wooden spoon. 2. Add the rice and fry for three minutes, stirring to allow the hot oil and vegetables to coat the grains. Stir in the wine and cook for a further minute, allowing the alcohol to evaporate.
Gino D’Acampo’s creamy risotto recipe “We have risotto on the family menu at least once a week,” says chef Gino D’Acampo, who has teamed up with Love Food Hate Waste for this year’s Food Waste Action Week. “I particularly love this quick version, and it gets lots of vegetables into the kids. My daughter Mia is not that keen on peppers, and yet, when they are in a creamy risotto, she never complains. “This is a meal in itself, but I sometimes also top it with grilled balsamic chicken or some pan-fried garlic and chilli prawns. If, like me, you love adding a little kick to your meals, my tip is to either buy or make some chilli- infused olive oil and drizzle it over the top.”
3. Pour in a couple of ladles of hot stock and bring to a simmer.
4. Reduce the heat and continue to cook and stir until all the stock is absorbed.At this point, please stay with the saucepan, because you need to keep stirring the risotto. 5. Stir in the peas. Pour in the rest of the stock, a little at a time, cooking until each addition is absorbed before you add the next. It will take 18–20 minutes and you may not need to add all the stock. 6. Once the rice is cooked, take the pan off the heat and add the butter, Parmesan, two teaspoons of salt and half a teaspoon of pepper. 7. Stir all together for 20 seconds, allowing the risotto to become creamy and all the ingredients to combine properly.
Risotto cremoso con zucchine, piselli e peperoni
Ingredients:
(Serves 4-6)
8tbsp olive oil
1 large red onion, finely chopped
8. Serve on warmed plates and enjoy.
1tsp roughly chopped thyme leaves
1 large yellow pepper, deseeded and chopped into 1cm cubes
1 large courgette, chopped into 1cm cubes
500g Arborio or Carnaroli rice
150ml dry white wine
1.5L hot vegetable stock, made with stock cubes
200g frozen peas, defrosted
60g salted butter
60g finely grated Parmesan cheese
Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Method:
1. Pour the oil into a large heavy-based saucepan, place
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SALE AGREED similar property required
Hartley Wintney, Hampshire Guide: £1,100,000
• Close To Village Centre • Refurbishment Opportunity • No Onward Chain •
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Yateley, Hampshire Guide: £695,000
This well presented four double bedroom detached house is situated in a non-estate location within walking distance of local schools, shops and amenities. The property has a great layout and benefits from being on a corner plot and would make an ideal family home EPC C (69) - Telephone 01252 842100
• Four Bedrooms • Outdoor Entertainment Area with Bar • Driveway Parking •
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Photo: young woman WFH suffering from aller-gies.
How to pollen-proof your home with allergy season in full swing By Sam Wylie-Harris, PA
Enhancing your sleep environment further by adorning your windows with blackout curtains, not only creates a cosy ambiance, but also acts as a barrier against pollen infiltration, he says. “Invest in hypoallergenic bedding to experience luxurious sleep while minimising exposure to allergens – bedding made from materials like organic cotton or bamboo are gentle on the skin and are naturally resistant to allergens.”
While some of us welcome beautiful buds on trees, others approach springtime with trepidation.
Kicking off with tree-pollen season – now in full swing – mother nature then turns her hand to grass-pollen season from mid-May; with weed-pollen season gaining momentum from the end of June… and so the cycle goes.
Opt for allergy-friendly materials in home furnishings
Gluhovsky says that opting for allergy-friendly materials such as leather, vinyl and hardwood for furniture and flooring will reduce pollen retention, compared to fabric and carpets.
Our natural instinct is to seek refuge inside, but how safe is your home if you’re suffering from hay fever?
“Choose washable curtains and blinds for easy pollen removal and maintenance,” he continues. “These simple
Here, experts share their top tips for pollen-proofing your surroundings….
Create a pollen-free zone
“Transforming your home into a pollen-free safe-place is not just about cleanliness; it’s about creating a lifestyle that prioritises your wellbeing, especially during peak allergy seasons,” says Alex Gluhovsky, spokesperson at iWardrobes. With over half of hay fever sufferers stating the allergy disrupts their sleep, your bedroom should be free from the intrusion of pollen, advises Gluhovsky.“So begin by keeping windows closed during high pollen seasons to prevent allergens from drifting indoors.”
Photo: hypoallergenic bedding.
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choices not only enhance your home’s style but also promote a healthier living environment.”
is less pollen circulating in the air.”
If you’re still suffering,he says it’s worth consulting a gardener about the specific plants in your garden or street, as they can advise on their pollination timings so you know when to keep your windows closed.
Alex Williams, from Tiger Cleaning and member of Checkatrade agrees: “Pollen can make its way into your home and nestle into the fibres of your carpet. “Although hoovering will help, one of the best ways to reduce pollen in your home is to install hard flooring. You can keep hard floors clean with a damp mop, meaning that pollen particles aren’t floating around in the air.”
Invest in air conditioning or air purifiers
Air conditioning comes in handy not just for keeping cool in the summer, but also when it comes to hay fever…
“Rather than cooling your home by opening all your doors and windows, using air con means the air coming into your home is filtered from pollen particles, helping you breathe easier throughout hay fever season,” says Williams. Depending on your budget,Williams says air purifiers work by taking the air from your home, filtering it and removing the pollen particles, and pumping out clean air.
Keep your home as clean as possible
Everyday cleaning jobs to keep on top of include hoovering, carpet cleaning, cleaning windows and seals, cleaning hard floors and dusting regularly,
Photo: use hard flooring
Strategic indoor greenery placement
suggests Williams.
“While indoor plants can enhance the aesthetics of your home, certain species can exacerbate pollen allergies,” notes Gluhovsky.“Some plants release high volumes of pollen into the air, which can contribute to allergies and respiratory issues for hay fever sufferers.” Think low-pollen indoor plants such as ferns, palms and orchids, as they produce minimal amounts of pollen compared to others, suggests Gluhovsky.
“Changing the way you dust and using a damp cloth instead of a feather duster will help collect more of the dirt and pollen – and stop this from filtering through the air.
“Additionally, strategically place these plants away from windows and doorways to minimise pollen intrusion.”
Know when to air your home
“If you don’t know exactly what type of pollen you are allergic to, it can be difficult to know what time your allergens are the highest; however most flowers pollinate in the morning, between 5am and 9am,” advises Williams. It’s recommended to keep your windows closed at these times and rely on ventilation to keep the temperature down, says Williams.“If needed, you can open your windows towards the end of the day to let air in, which is when there
“When dusting, start from the top and work your way down so any dust that hasn’t been picked up yet falls on unclean surfaces. “For the best results to pollen-proof your home, it’s worth combining solutions to help keep the sneezes at bay!” adds Williams.
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Thatcham, Berkshire Guide: £995,000
Within an exclusive development of four new build houses, Bluebell Barn has been finished to a high standard, offering spacious and flexible accommodation throughout. Benefits to this property include a 34ft kitchen/living room, double garage with ample parking, a separate cottage to the rear and the roof has been cut (with a guarantee/warranty) to create a first floor under permitted development rights.This would increase the property by 743 ft.² and would create two double bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms. EPC tbc - Telephone 01256 704851
• Double Garage • 34ft Kitchen/Living Room • Separate One Bedroom Cottage •
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North Warnborough, Hampshire Guide: £530,000
Situated within a small private development in the sought after village of North Warnborough, this four bedroom home has been extended by the current owner to offer flexible and spacious accommodation over three floors. Benefits to this property include a private rear garden, three bathrooms. Carport with allocated parking EPC C (70) - Telephone 01256 704851
• Four Bedrooms • Three Bathrooms • No Onward Chain •
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absolutely nothing,” Ryan jokes.
How comedian Katherine Ryan recovered from her son saying her cooking ‘tastes like dirt’ By SPrudence Wade, PA
She adds:“Fred’s taught me a lot about life, about men, about myself.” London-based Ryan had her first child when she was 25, and says having two more over a decade later was a completely different experience.
Katherine Ryan knows all too well how savage kids can be, particularly after her toddler said her food tastes like “dirt”.
“He said, mummy’s cooking is disgusting. Her cooking tastes like dirt was a real blow,” the Canadian comedian recounts of her toddler, Fred. Ryan has three children – Violet, 14, from a previous relationship, Fred, two, and Fenna, 15 months, with her childhood sweetheart and partner Bobby Kootstra. Fred is her most difficult child to wrangle at dinnertime, and she’s gone to desperate lengths just to get him to try her food. “I’ve made a deal with him – I’ve said you can taste it and if you want to spit it out, you’re allowed and you won’t be in trouble. Just put it in your mouth and taste it and see if you like it.Then he’ll be like, OK, and he’ll allow himself to take a bite.And even if he spits it out, everyone in the kitchen goes, ‘Really well done, Fred.Wow! Great. Did you see how Fred tried that? That was really cool’.
Now she’s 40, she admits to having “less energy” than before, but adds: “I’ve learned this time that every child is so different and you have to reserve your judgement.Violet just happened to be this wonderful, amenable, happy all the time and do whatever I said and eat whatever I fed her type of child. “And then my son came along and Fred is a tricky customer – he is such a fussy eater and such a high-maintenance guy in general, that I have had to pivot a bit as a parent, especially at mealtimes.”
“So basically, I’m raising a toxic male and rewarding him for
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And that’s not the only thing that changed for Ryan.
Ryan says Gousto’s new Bluey-inspired range of meal boxes helps cut through the chaos of dinnertime, engaging the little ones in what they’re eating – particularly as they’re superfans of the CBeebies show. “Involving [Fred] in the preparation of meals is what helps him feel safer about trying a variety of food,” Ryan explains – and some of the meals she’ll dress up for adults later, for example adding pine nuts to a cheesy asparagus and tomato orzo dish: “It means we don’t have to make dinner three separate times and dirty every pot in the kitchen.”
“I have a husband now, so it’s not just all up to me. My husband is such a softy and he will feed Fred pasta for breakfast, lunch and dinner, because that’s what Fred wants, but I really have to dig my heels in and be like, no, that’s not appropriate.At some point, we need to offer him other sources of nutrition and branch him out.” When it was just Ryan andViolet, she says:“We were eating out a lot, or I was getting takeaway a lot, and I wasn’t proud of that. It didn’t make me feel confident that my daughter was getting the right kind of nutrition, that I was getting the right kind of nutrition. Our choices were really limited. “Especially around 2019, when my husband came into our lives and my daughter started to get bigger and be able to cook herself, I really wanted to prioritise family mealtimes.” Initially, the two younger kids were eating around five,Violet would eat on her own when she got back from school and social commitments, and Ryan and Kootstra would finally have dinner around 9:30pm,“Which is a really unacceptable time to eat unless you are European.” Ryan worried that Violet was missing out on “really useful, essential conversation that accidentally comes out around the dinner table”, so now the schedule has changed a bit, particularly as the family uses Gousto recipe boxes.They’re now “making dinner just the once – when Violet is home, she sits down with her brother and sister and eats at five. When she’s not home, we have dinner already ready, so we’ll sit with her for a bit before we do bedtime, bathtime, and then we’ve eaten ourselves.
Ultimately, her advice for parents is simple: keep as calm as possible.
“We’re all doing our best, especially when you’re juggling children and your relationship and your time for self-care and work. I am not under any delusions that my job is a job – I know people have it a lot harder than I do.”
Particularly around feeding kids, all you can do is your best.
“But if it doesn’t go your way, don’t stress – because I have put my kids to bed without dinner. Not by choice, but just because they wouldn’t eat something. I’ve offered them a few snacks and they still drink milk and they still keep growing. “So worst-case scenario, toddlers seem to be able to exist on a pack of raisins a day – don’t stress if they’re not eating, because that will make them more stressed. I think it’s great to offer a variety of healthful, delicious options.Then if they don’t want it, if you have a meltdown – they’re definitely not going to want it the next time. “My only advice to parents is to stay as calm as you can, as often as you can.” Gousto ambassador, comedian and Bluey-superfan, Katherine Ryan, is celebrating the launch of Gousto’s Bluey’s Family Dinner range in partnership with BBC Studios
“I think in the modern world, we lose sight of how important it is to have a traditional family dinnertime.”
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