CategoriesBlog

Supporting Local Charities

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. 

CategoriesBlog

Five Tips To Save Energy This Winter 

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. 

  1. 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. 

  1. 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. 

  1. 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. 

  1. 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. 

CategoriesNews

Half-Term Activities in Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire

The October half-term break is right around the corner, so whether you’re a parent searching for creative ways to keep your little ones entertained, or family with teenagers looking to make the most out of this well-deserved break, you’ve landed in the right place. 

Derbyshire

Halloween Festival at Matlock Farm Park

Running from the 21st to the 31st of October, the Halloween Festival at Matlock Farm Park. The festival will include a spooky woodland trail, craft workshops with Witch Wendolyn, pumpkin carving stations and prizes for the best fancy dress. Entry starts at £13.95 and tickets can be booked in advance here

Halloween at Chatsworth 

Visit the Chatsworth farmyard this half term and get your little ones involved in a range of Halloween-themed activities! Jump on the spooky tractor and trailer ride if you are feeling brave enough, or visit our pumpkin patch and carve and decorate your own pumpkin to take home. Find out more details and book your tickets here

1940s Market 

Taking place on the 2nd of November, the 1940s market will offer visitors the opportunity to shop for all things vintage from flea market stall holders dressed in period costumes.  

One of the entertainment highlights of the day will be a replica Spitfire, located in Rykneld Square opposite the visitor centre. Throughout the day there will also be street performers, the Kalamazoo dance band, plus other vintage vehicles! 

This event is free to attend, with visitors encouraged to dress up in traditional 1940s attire!  

Fireworks Extravaganza  

Head down to Stand Road Park, Whittington Moor on the 3rd of November for the annual Fireworks Extravaganza including live music, fairground rides and food vendors. 

This year’s firework display will be themed on decades, set to popular sing-along songs from the 60s to the present day. 

Tickets are available from £3, with free entry for under fives. 

Nottinghamshire

Creepy Carnival of Horrors 

Make your way to Mansfield Market Place on the 28th October dressed up as your favourite scary character and take part in the fantastic events organised by Mansfield BID, suitable for all ages. Spine-chilling performers, a haunted house and a scare maze are just a couple of the activities on offer, plus you can indulge in mouth-watering food and drinks from the vendors. 

Pick Your Own Pumpkins 

During October, Nottinghamshire Pick Your Own Pumpkins is open daily from 9:30, with thousands of pumpkins and squash for you to choose from ranging from £3 to £9. There is no need to book in advance and admission is free, so simply head to the farm at Oaks Lane, Oxton to get involved! 

Mansfield Town Annual Fireworks Display 
The spectacular fireworks show is returning to One Call Stadium this year on the 5th of November. Gates to the event will open at 17:30 with a fair and stalls for spectators to enjoy before the show, which will begin at 18:30. This seated event offers a fantastic evening for all the family.  Find out the full details of the event, and book your tickets for the evening here.

CategoriesNews

Welcome to Stocksbridge

Our brand new development Willow Heights is located in Stocksbridge, nestled amongst the picturesque landscape north of Sheffield City Centre. To give you a feel for the local area, we have collated some of our area highlights in this guide. 

A thriving community, Stocksbridge combines rich history with modern living all within touching distance of the Peak District National Park and for day-to-day life the village has everything you need including a post office, pharmacy and supermarket. 

With excellent links to nearby Sheffield city centre and Barnsley, Stocksbridge is in the ideal location to discover everything South Yorkshire has to offer, from premium dining experiences to bars and entertainment for all the family. Locally in the village, Ponti’s Italian Kitchen, Raffina Fox Valley and Zorro Lounge are community favourites, whether you are celebrating a special event, looking for your new coffee stop, or want to enjoy a relaxed meal out with family. 

For those looking to find adventure and reconnect with the outdoors, the nearby Underbank Activity Centre provides thrilling water activities including kayaking, raft building and paddleboarding, plus hiking, climbing, archery and so much more. Home to a football team, a cricket club, plus the beautiful clocktower gardens, the area and local community has so much to offer. Highly-rated local schools are also in abundance in the local area, with Stocksbridge High School, two junior schools and a nursery all within one mile of Willow Heights. 

To find out more about Willow Heights, visit the development page here, or make an appointment with our sales agent by calling 0114 299 4144. 

CategoriesBlog

Net Zero & Low Energy Homes at The Shrubberies

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. 

CategoriesLifestyle Other

Woodall Loves: Feel at home this summer!

This summer, we are embracing what it really means to feel ‘at home’ with cosy, neutral interiors putting comfort back at the heart of your home. 

Comfortcore is an emerging interior trend focused on how your home makes you feel, rather than purely focused on appearance. Homes decorated in this style frequently centre around furniture pieces with soft appearances like this Layabout Sofa Squidger from Loaf, paired with lots of natural colours and textures.

Varying textures is a clever way to add visual interest to a room without using overwhelming patterns or colours with accents of linen, wood, rattan and stone all adding to the formation of a serene space. Light fittings are a simple way to make a change to a space and add new textures. The Espiral Rattan Pendant Lampshade from Oliver Bonas is one example of a simple decor piece that could add dimension to your room. 

Comforting pieces in your home should extend beyond just your furniture. The Orkney Loop Pile Rug from John Lewis is an excellent addition for living rooms and bedrooms alike with its soft feel and light pattern. Hand-tufted, this rug could be a beautiful addition to warm your living room floor.  

When we think about creating peaceful spaces, keeping your rooms organised is key. Finding the perfect storage solution to match your decor can be difficult, but we think that this Wooden Cabinet from Søstrene Green is an excellent option for homes embracing neutral interiors. Made from 100% FSC-certified pinewood, the cabinet brings a natural warmth to any space. 

However, it’s not just the visuals and textures of a room that complete a space, but how it smells. The inviting scent of the Black Pepper and Bergamot Candle from Neom at Selfridges could be the dream finishing touch to your relaxing space.

We have a passion for home interiors here at Woodall Homes, so if you are preparing to move into your brand-new property, why not speak to our expert team and let us help you visualise what you could create in your living space. 

CategoriesOther

Sponsored Walk For Pathways of Chesterfield

We were proud to announce during March that Pathways Chesterfield is our charity of the year for 2023. 

Following a successful charity bake sale earlier in the year where we raised over £100 in the office, we are delighted to have recently completed our second fundraising event. On the 14th June, we completed a sponsored walk around Linacre Reservoir, which we can now reveal raised an amazing £1,225 thanks to the incredible generosity of individuals and companies who made a donation. 

We want to say a big thank you to everyone involved whether you took part in the walk or made a donation, it all counts!

A special thanks to our corporate donors: 

FPCR Environment and Design Ltd Consultants

Hexa Consulting

BRM

Planning & Design Practice

Adam Partington

Autofit

Taylor Maxwell

Squirrell Plant & Transport

Wilson Roof Truss Ltd

The Symphony Group

Burbeary Joinery 

Pathways is a fantastic organisation that aims to support the homeless and people at risk of becoming homeless across Chesterfield, North Derbyshire and Bolsover. The charity not only provides practical help to individuals on their housing needs, but aims to deliver a holistic service including mental health support, emergency food and relief for financial difficulties. 

Our next event in support of Pathways is already in the works and we would be delighted to see you there supporting our continued efforts to raise money for a truly worthwhile cause. 

In the meantime if you would like to make a donation to support the incredible work Pathways does, please visit their website here: https://www.justgiving.com/pathways-ofchesterfield

CategoriesBlog

Summer Events In Chesterfield

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!

CategoriesOther

Woodall Homes Host All Saints RC School Careers Cafe

Earlier this month, our land and planning director Chris Dwan attended the All-Saints RC School careers cafe.

This was a brilliant opportunity for us to promote the housing industry as a viable career path to young students and spark their interest in the field.

Following the event, Chris said: “The event was a success with lots of students in attendance, and there seemed to be genuine curiosity about the housing industry –  with the most enquiries from students about bricklaying, closely followed by architecture, engineering, and planning.

“Numerous industries are now actively engaging with young students even before they make crucial decisions regarding their academic paths, which ultimately shape their careers, so it is vital that we showcase the housing industry as a captivating field that offers immense potential for growth and the ability to positively impact lives.”  

Chris is currently a governor at All Saints, where he is continually involved in work to improve operations and protect the well-being of students. As a result, we have a strong relationship with the school and we are looking forward to working with them on their future careers events.

Engaging with the community is a key part of our values at Woodall Homes and we strongly believe in giving back to the areas we operate in as much as possible. To read more about the other community projects we have been involved with, visit our blog here.

CategoriesBlog

Make A Move To The Derbyshire Countryside

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