Round up of 2019 for Forge Property Consultants

2019 has been a busy year for all of us here at Forge and has seen steady growth of our property business across both our offices in West Felton and Eccleshall. Here’s a quick rundown of the Forge year.

January

The start of the year saw our appointment of Andy Lowe as a graduate surveyor, delivering the full range of property services we offer, from valuations, sales and lettings to planning, utilities and estate management. He’s a much-valued member of our team. 

February

We’ve given our networking a big push this year with further involvement in our local BNI chapter. BNI is the largest global networking ‘club’ and it works so well for us on a local level. We have made some excellent connections and look forward to many more next year.

March

We were very excited to launch our long-awaited new website, which showcases some of our best work and has been attracting increasing numbers of visitors.

April

As part of our ongoing commitment to preserving and nurturing the countryside and its inhabitants, we had an owl box installed close to our office by Shropshire Barn Owl Group. We’re hoping it’s going to provide a safe haven for a pair of owls soon. 

May

This year’s Basic Payments Scheme (BPS) application deadline fell on 15 May. We’re continuing to keep a watching brief on the Government’s farming policy and the future of farming subsidies to help keep our farming clients informed and prepared. 

June

Many of our landlord clients were affected by new legislation brought in this month for the lettings market, banning letting agents and landlords from charging tenants admin fees.

July

Summer means show time for many farming businesses. July saw the 100th Royal Welsh Show, described as the pinnacle of the British agricultural calendar, take place at Llanelwedd, near Builth Wells, in Powys. It’s been running every year since 1904!

August

Keeping it a little more local, the Oswestry show and the Flint & Denbighshire Show were as well-attended as ever and great opportunities to connect with like-minded enthusiasts.

September

Some rather unseasonal downpours meant September’s usual Cheshire Ploughing Match and our local Cruckton & District Ploughing Match were rained off. What a disappointment but fingers crossed we’ll be luckier next year!

October

We were delighted to secure the sale of the Woodland Park Lodges site, nine years after we started working with the original owner and assisting them with developing unused woodland into the successful leisure enterprise it is today. This is a great example of rural diversification. We wish the new owners all the very best. 

November

One very interesting project we have completed this year was plotting a boundary across some remote moorland in North Wales. The historic boundary had been lost, there was no fenceline between the private land and the common land and no visual reference points. We managed to set out an accurately plotted 4.5km boundary line, getting very muddy boots in the process! 

December

With Christmas nearly upon us, it’s been a great experience to reflect on the last twelve months. We are excited to see what 2020 - our tenth anniversary year - will bring!