At Woodall Homes, our commitment to giving back to the local community is an integral part of who we are. We are thrilled to share with you the impactful contributions we’ve recently made to two deserving Chesterfield-based charities.

Ashgate Hospice 

On Friday 10th November, our Directors attended the Ashgate Hospice Annual Ball where we were proud to make a £500 donation to sponsor a Nurse. 

During the night, the event raised an incredible £63,844 for Ashgate Hospice which will allow them to continue providing palliative and end-of-life care for individuals who are coping with life-limiting illnesses including cancer, neurological diseases, and end-stage heart, kidney and lung disease. 

Alison Ward-Foster, Partnerships Manager at Ashgate Hospice said: “We are extremely grateful to Woodall Homes and all of the contributors who made our Annual Ball a wonderful success. The donations we receive from our supporters help the Hospice nurses to be there for those who need them the most.” 

Pathways of Chesterfield

For 2023, we have been supporting Pathways of Chesterfield as our charity of the year.  Pathways of Chesterfield is a service which supports the homeless and those at risk of homelessness in Chesterfield, North East Derbyshire and Bolsover. 

Through the generosity of our staff members, partners and the local community, we are proud to have raised a total of £1,412.20 in support of the charity through in-office cake sales, a sponsored walk and general collections. 

Helen Day, HR Manager at Woodall Homes said: “The whole team is very proud to have done their part in contributing towards this incredibly worthwhile charity over the last year. 

“During January we will be announcing our charity of the year for 2024 and we can’t wait to reveal who we have chosen to support for the next 12 months! 

“In the meantime, we will be supporting both Chesterfield Hospital and Sheffield Children’s Hospital over the Christmas period and we are looking forward to sharing this next project over the coming weeks.” 

To read more about the good causes we have been involved with recently, click here to see the latest updates, and follow us on social media to be the first to hear about our upcoming projects. 

Although new build homes are highly efficient compared to more traditional properties, there are still additional ways you can save money on your energy this winter. Keep reading for our five top tips on how to create a more energy-efficient home. 

1. Choose Energy Efficient Appliances 

When buying new home appliances, make sure to check the energy efficiency rating. Heating systems in new build homes are typically at the peak of efficiency when they are installed, however other appliances including washing machines and dryers can vary drastically depending on the manufacturer. To ensure you choose the most efficient appliance possible, check the energy rating label either in-store or online. The ratings go from A to G with an A-rated appliance being the most efficient. 

2. Schedule Your Heating 

Smart heating is a very effective way to reduce your energy consumption, this is why all of our properties at The Shrubberies are fitted with Wondrwall, a smart home energy system designed to learn your living patterns. 

However, if you don’t have Wondrwall or a similar system fitted in your property, you can still take advantage of energy savings with your regular thermostat. Setting your heating to turn on only during specific hours will save you money in the long run. For example, setting your heating to come on for the times you wake up in the morning and arrive home in the evening will ensure that you are not wasting money heating an empty home. 

3. Unplug your devices

Did you know that devices that are left plugged in or on standby mode could be costing you £70 a year? “Vampire devices” like TVs, home speakers and microwaves drain your power even when they are not actively running, so make sure to completely switch them off and unplug them when you are not using them to save power. 

4. Insulate Your Windows

In the winter months, thick curtains and thermal blinds will be your best friend. During the night and early morning, keeping your blinds and curtains closed will help to maintain the temperature inside your home. 

When changing your curtains, this is also a good time to check for any loose seals or cracks around your window frames which may be letting in cool air. Small gaps can be easily fixed inexpensively with caulk and could drastically improve the heat retention of your property. 

5. Cook Efficiently 

Don’t waste the heat from your oven cooking! Ovens are often the most energy-demanding appliances in your home and cost roughly 63p per hour to run, so make the most of the heat generated from your cooking. Once you have finished using your oven, leave the door open to allow the heat to warm your kitchen. 

For more information on home energy efficiency in our properties, or to learn more about our net-zero homes at The Shrubberies, get in touch with our team on 01246 575744. 

Located in the heart of Chesterfield our brand-new development of premium bungalows, The Shrubberies, is an exclusive development of just nine properties. Created with our signature design and beautiful finishes throughout, these fantastic homes also include cutting-edge smart home technology from Wondrwall. 

Wondrwall are the world leaders in intelligent home management and renewable energy technology. This is why we have partnered with them to create energy-efficient net-zero homes at The Shrubberies. Every bungalow at The Shrubberies includes a complete home energy management system as standard, which adapts your heating and lighting according to your needs using a smart thermostat and light switches. By optimising your energy usage, plus storing any additional power generated, Wondrwall will help your property achieve net zero. 

Buying a home at The Shrubberies can save buyers money on their energy bills every year, with Wondrwall’s smart home system reducing energy usage by up to 90%. For the average household, this equals a saving of approximately £1040 annually.  

Our bungalows at The Shrubberies are perfect for a huge range of buyers, from young families to downsizers. With generous bedrooms, open-plan living areas and high-end integrated kitchens, you will find everything you need for modern life. 

The Shrubberies show home is now open! Join us for our open weekend on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th of September from 10:00 – 16:00  to discover more about the development. 

The school holidays are fast approaching and if you have just moved to Chesterfield, you might be wondering how to keep the whole family entertained over the next six weeks. 

Luckily, there are plenty of family-friendly events taking place, whether you want to watch a big-screen film in the open air, or enjoy some fantastic street food. 

We have pulled together some of the best events in this helpful guide for you, so keep reading to find your next family activity! 

Medieval Fun Day -25th July, Market Place & Crooked Spire

A brilliant way to kick-start the summer holidays, the Medieval-themed fun day invites you to step back in history to witness what Chesterfield would have been like during the Middle Ages. Ready for some action? Head down to the grounds of the Crooked Spire to see the Medieval encampment and watch the knights battle it out. Authentic goods will also be on sale throughout the day at the market with a huge range of traders already announced. 

Open Air Cinema – 29th July, The Meadow at Ashgate Hospice

Always wanted to watch a film under the stars? This summer, the Open Air Cinema at Ashgate Hospice is showing Top Gun: Maverick. The sunset screening will be held in the hospice’s Meadow and you’ll be able to enjoy gourmet pizza and drinks on the night all while raising money for a brilliant cause. 

Chesterfield Children’s Festival – 29th & 30th July, Queen’s Park

Junction Arts is introducing a brand-new family event to Chesterfield this summer including music, theatre, storytelling, dance and art workshops. Entertainment announced so far at this free event includes a silent disco tour, an interactive game zone, a comedy club, a circus, storytime yoga, tie-dye workshops, face-painting and a brass band playing Disney tunes. Funded by Arts Council England, the event hopes to bring “excitement and colour” to Chesterfield for the summer holidays. 

Eat in the Park Festival – 5th & 6th August, Queen’s ParkDelicious food, show-stopping tribute acts and children’s entertainment is what you can look forward to at this year’s Eat in the Park Festival. Acts include tributes to some of the world’s biggest bands including ABBA, Take That, The Killers and Arctic Monkeys, plus a selection of local Chesterfield bands. Tickets are already on sale for this fantastic event, so make sure to grab yours soon!

Ever thought about embracing rural living? You’re not alone! During the last 12 months, thousands of people across the UK have searched for “rural homes for sale” on Google, including over 1,300 searches in April alone – an increase of 32% from February

With the weather beginning to warm up, it is not surprising that more and more people are looking to spend more time in the great outdoors. In the UK, we are fortunate enough to have hundreds of miles of beautiful countryside to explore, with some of the most picturesque scenery located right on our doorstep in Derbyshire.

From our Tansley Gardens development, you will find yourself surrounded by outstanding views towards Matlock, Lumsdale, Lea, and Ashover, with plenty of local beauty spots to explore. Just a short walk through the village, you will find Lumsdale Falls. This superb waterfall is nestled next to historic 18th and 19th-century buildings which were previously a grinding mill and bleach works. Of course, this is just one of the many fantastic trails you can take from Tansley. 

Moving to this outstanding part of the world means that you have plenty of time to explore every inch of the valley, but finding the right home for your family is just as important as the location you choose. 

At Tansley Gardens, all of our homes are finished to the highest standard using luxury materials and premium fixtures. The final properties we have available at this development are built with locally sourced Birchover stone and grey slate-effect tiled roofs, in keeping with the rest of the village. 

Whether you are looking for a large family property or the ideal home for your transition to single-level living, our remaining two properties at Tansley Gardens could be perfect for you.

If you’re ready to make your move into the country, you can find out more about the final properties remaining at our Tansley Gardens development here.