It's time to get green fingered and in the garden as National Gardening Week kicks off

Today marks the start of this year's Royal Horticultural Society National Gardening Week, bringing with it an array of events and activities taking place across the country, with thousands of people, charities, retailers and culture and heritage organisations getting involved. In light of this, and with the UK sunshine starting to make an appearance and the evenings growing longer, people will be looking outside for their own patch of springtime.

This year's event will introduce the first ever National Open Gardens Day, on the 17th April which will see gardens that usually charge an entrance fee, or those that are ordinarily closed to the public, opening their gates for free, allowing as many people as possible the chance to experience the enjoyment and tranquillity that a beautiful garden can provide. The Royal Horticultural Society's (RHS) Garden Wisley, set in the scenic Surrey landscape will be one of many offering free entry for the day.

There is a wealth of stunning garden space in Surrey. The World renowned Royal Landscape of Windsor Great Park, bordering Virginia Water is location to the celebrated Savill Garden and Valley Gardens.

James Wyatt, Partner of award-winning Surrey estate agents Barton Wyatt located in Virginia Water, comments on the inspiration that can be found in the local scenery,

"As spring approaches we are once again reminded of Surrey's striking landscape and all that its nature has to offer. This is my favourite time of year with fabulous displays of camellias, magnolias and the incredible rhododendrons in the Royal Park starting to bloom. Outdoor space can be a key factor when searching for the right property as the garden and outside facilities are an important extension of a house. From a secluded area of tranquillity to an additional space to entertain, a garden is an asset to any property and the two are often inextricably linked."

Britain is now a nation of budding gardeners, with a 2014 RHS survey showing that 77% of people garden and 82% admit that it does makethem feel happier. With gardens becoming an integral part of home life, their significance when purchasing a new property also increases.

With unlimited potential, Barton Wyatt's detached bungalow, Amraoti, featured on the Wentworth Estate in Virginia Water would be the perfect project for any budding gardener. The property sits in a level plot of approximately 0.42 of an acre and is available for £1,500,000. Surrounded by Surrey's natural splendour, this is the perfect landscape to inspire and create a completely personalised stunning outdoor haven.

Another property within this beautiful estate is Tangle Copse, a charming original Tarrant Wentworth family home set within stunning gardens of approximately 1.6 acres facing due south to the rear. The outdoor facilities also include a tennis court, a pool and a summer house. The property is available for £5,500,000.

In the equally picturesque neighbouring town of Ascot is Winbar, a beautifully refurbished and modernised family house, available for £2,600,000. The rear garden includes a large heated swimming pool, BBQ with kitchen, a Jacuzzi and a wide tiled terrace area that is ideal for entertaining.

For more information please contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843 000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.

Simple Oil Change

Not all the regular car maintenance is complicated. There are a number of things that you can carry out yourself. Checking your vehicle’s oil level and topping it up is one of these straight forward maintenance tasks you can undertake yourself. More importantly, it will help you extend the life of your car's engine.

Most of the cars will have warning light or a message to warn you if the oil gets too low but it would still be worth checking it every few months without relying on any warning lights.

Here are some quick steps to guide you through this process:

First of all, you need to make sure that the car has been turned off for at least 5-10 minutes. This will allow all the oil to settle back in the tank, and it will prevent any misreading.

Second of all, you ought to make sure that your vehicle is parked on a level surface. Again, this can lead to a misreading as well.

Remember, having too much oil in the engine can also be harmful.

Thirdly, open your car’s bonnet and locate the dipstick for the oil; ideally when there is sufficient daylight. The dipstick is a long stick that is designed to deep into the car’s engine to check the oil level. It usually has a brightly coloured handle, and it should be very easy to get to. If in doubt, refer to your car’s manual. When you locate it, pull the dipstick out of its tube and wipe the end clean with a cloth, rag or a towel. Re-insert the dipstick slowly into its tube and making sure that it goes all the way in. Now pull it back out and to see if the oil is between the lower and upper marks. Be careful not to turn it upside down to look at it, which could make the oil run upward and ruins your reading.

If the oil between the two marks, you're good to go. If it's near the lower mark or below it, you need top up your oil. Keep adding the oil in small quantities so that you are not overfilling it.

This 5-minute job will help you keep your engine healthy.

Please keep in mind that most car maintenance tasks are not as easy as this, and unless you know what you are doing, you may cause yourself and your car some serious damage. For your car servicing Maidenhead, Bracknell, Ascot, Reading, London and the surrounding areas, please call NVS on 01344 429 149 (50 Mile Radius of Ascot), 01189 783 977 (50 Mile Radius of Reading) or get in touch with our HQ on 0870 850 6651 for the other areas. Alternatively Book Online Here.

Is Hiring After Dinner Speakers Worth the Money?

For every event that one organizes, it is always a good feeling to leave the audience feeling much more satisfied. The event can either be a corporate dinner or a banquet. Such like occasions have always worked to expose the company to the outside world and make its brand more recognized by the target market.

Hiring a reputable after dinner speaker can always go a long way in making the evening much more memorable and fun. Good after dinner speakers are those people who are known to have a large pool of experience in their respective fields. For instance, we can speak of the famous Dr Kevin Jones. He is a consultant physician and has his own way of connecting to his audience through public speaking.

David Gunson is also another equally good after dinner speaker. He is humorous and a smooth narrator. He has had a job as air traffic controller. He is a good choice for after dinner speeches.

Most people would only be interested in listening to those who have been successful in their respective fields or have a reputation worth talking about.

For anybody planning to host a dinner event, it is very prudent that he or she teams up with a management company. This is due to the fact that most of these companies have a list of big names in their roster. An annual business dinner will be well suited with a speaker from the business sector. This ought to be somebody who has succeeded in the business field and therefore would be a good example to motivate any upcoming business man or woman in the audience, with so much humour and insight. That speaker should not be there to conduct an employee training program. He is there to motivate and emphasize on the value of teamwork.

Looking at the benefits of engaging the services of an after dinner speaker, the cost is something that one does not really need to worry about. The kind of service that a good and experience speaker will deliver to the audience is something that is worth the expense. A good after dinner speaker has people scrambling for his or her speeches. He or she will therefore attract more people and consequently market the business more.

If you want to hire an after dinner speaker, go for a veteran speaker – one whose track record speaks for itself. It is always wise that you work closely with the speaker. This is a good way of ensuring that he or she includes all the important things in the speech. A good meal is never enough for the dinner event. There is also the need to entertain the guests.

An after dinner speaker can be compared to the best man in a wedding. He or she should be part comedian and partly public speaker. He should be someone the audience is anxious to listen and see.

After dinner speakers can always come from all the possible fields. Talk of sports cars, celebrities, politicians, musicians and even mountain climbers. They are people who are used to facing large audiences and will therefore not suffer stage fright.

Things to Know about Property Search Agents in Surrey

Most home buyers work with property search agents in London. These agents typically charge a commission. The buyers are the one who pays the commission and the amount is negotiable. The terms are normally set in the sales contract.

More often than not, the home buyer hires his or her own search agent. A search agent is a person who helps buyers to look for a property for sale. The property typically is a residential home, commercial building or a rental apartment. The agent must know the value of the property and be able to assess the downsides and upsides of the property. They also ought to know how to negotiate a sale.

The Benefits of Search Agents in Surrey

To help you purchase a house, the search agent first will need to know what kind of a property you want, the location that you would want and the price of the property that you can afford. After which, the agent will find a property that meets your requirements. After finding the house, he or she will take you to the site so that you can have a look at the house. The agent will explain the positive and negative aspects of the property. In this way, you will be able to know whether the house is worth your money.

Handling Paperwork

Before the purchase is completed, the property search agent usually works with other people in the real estate to make sure that all processes have been followed properly. He or she will ensure that the buyer has enough money to purchase the property. This often involves working with a number of professionals, including mortgage brokers, home inspectors, lenders and bank managers. The search agent then finds out how his client will sign all the documents and get the keys to his/her new property.

Many property search agents in Surrey have their own companies. However, there are others who prefer to work independently. Many of them perform other roles aside from searching for properties. For example, he or she will make sure that the buyer is aware of the right market price that the property can be purchased for. Any wrong quote would compel the agent to tell the buyer that the property is overpriced and it is not worth the money. As a result, he or she will take the buyer to other properties that are worthy enough of being purchased.

The property search agent’s main role is to identify the location of the property and take the buyer around the place. The agent will show the buyer around where shopping malls, schools, universities and other facilities are available. He ensures that you get what you want. He will find a home that will suit your requirements.

Why you should hire property search agents

Being in the property search business for years, the agent is conversant with his or her job. He or she will find your dream house in less than no minute. He knows all the places where great homes are located and are also familiar with social facilities available there. This way, you will end up making an informed decision.

Homes fit for a princess

Article provided by Barton Wyatt estate agents in Surrey.

With speculation rife that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting the arrival of a little princess on 25 April, despite the official party line being that the new baby's gender is unknown, the world is watching and waiting for the patter of tiny Royal feet at some point this month.

The new princess (or prince, if the rumours and the bookies turn out to be wrong) will reside with her parents and older brother Prince George in the ten bedroom Anmer Hall, close to the Queen's residence at Sandringham in Norfolk.

The luxury homes of the British Royal family are part of the country's heritage, but you don't have to be blue blooded in order to live in sumptuous surroundings. In Surrey, which is home to some of the most exclusive properties that England has to offer, £3.5 million is sufficient to purchase an eight bedroom, four bathroom Ascot house, from Surrey's leading estate agency Barton Wyatt. The tastefully restored, unique Victorian home boasts a cinema, pool and gym, as well as a large sunny garden for making the most of the British summertime.

On the nearby Wentworth Estate, a brand new Georgian style five bedroom, five reception room home set in an acre of grounds costs a cool £4.6 million. Arranged over three storeys, the house is perfect for a family looking to house their little princes and princesses in style. For those with a nanny in tow, the Wentworth Estate offers a fantastic contemporary home with annex, for £4.95 million. The six bedroom detached home is ideal for those looking to accommodate a nanny on site, while the extensive gardens and 'secret clearing' in the woodland would be fantastic for older children.

But it is not just the UK that is attracting buyers of luxury homes, as Chris White, founding director of boutique estate agency Ideal Homes Portugal, comments,

"Many British families are taking advantage of the current excellent exchange rate to purchase a palatial second home overseas and Portugal is one of Europe's best destinations when it comes to luxury homes that don't cost the earth. A south facing seven bedroom villa with sea views and pool, with under-floor heating, Jacuzzi and tennis court will set you back just €1.75 million, which really is incredible value."

Martin Dell, director of leading Spanish property portal, Kyero.com, which lists more than 200,000 homes from 3,000 estate agents, has noticed that prestigious Spanish homes are also attracting the interest of buyers from the UK. He comments,

"Both high end city apartments and luxury coastal villas are piquing the interest of international buyers right now. Spain has a lot to offer those looking for peace and serenity in luxurious surroundings. For €1.2 million you can pick up a five bedroom, four bathroom villa with pool on the coast near Barcelona. Terraces and a summer veranda enjoy stunning sea views, while the basement provides a gym and home cinema for those rare days when the Spanish weather doesn't oblige."

For buyers who want to preserve the environment for the future, as well as provide the perfect home for their family in the present, Istanbul offers some fantastic eco homes, such as Oceanic Bay View from prime property agency Universal 21. An exquisite family home spread across three floors on the outskirts of Istanbul, the detached villa with pool combines eco friendly building materials with features such as reclaimed rainwater and solar power. Contemporary features such as earthquake resistance, ergonomic design and a smart house system complete this stunning dwelling.

Whether it's a palace at home or abroad that your family needs, the right home is out there, just waiting for your little princes and princesses to make it their own.

For more information please contact Barton Wyatt Surrey estate agents.

Holiday homes for mums - make relaxation the ultimate Mothers' Day gift

Mums do it all these days. Since 1996 the number of working mothers has leapt by almost 800,000, to a total of 5.3 million according to a study by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The figures show that the number of women in the workplace with dependent children has leapt by almost a fifth in just one generation.

The change is partly thanks to government initiatives to encourage single mothers to work, but even the number of non-single mothers who work has jumped by 10% since 1996. ONS data shows that just 10% of women now stay at home after having children.

Though many mothers feel guilty about leaving their offspring in order to work, successive studies have shown that the impact on children is actually a positive one. The latest, from economics professor Silvia Mendolia at Australia's University of Wollongong, has shown that children of women working more than 35 hours per week are actually more likely to pursue higher education.

The pressure is certainly on for mums to achieve it all and balancing full time work and childcare responsibilities is without question a tiring feat. So, this Mother's Day, make relaxation the ultimate gift, as working mum Dawn Cavanagh-Hobbs of luxury fractional ownership company Appassionata explains,

"I feel lucky that my business allows me to balance time with my children and grandchildren, but not all mums have the flexibility to do so. Demanding careers and parental responsibilities can be exhausting and I know so many mothers who are lucky if they even get five minutes to themselves during the day. It means that the times when they do get to relax are so important."

And what better way to relax than on a holiday in the sunshine? Appassionata's latest fractional ownership holiday home, Casa Tre Archi, is perfectly located for families with young children who want to experience life in Italy while having everything on hand that they might need. Owner Chris Everard was delighted with how beautifully the house had been set up when he visited recently with his daughter and brand new granddaughter,

"The thoughtfulness, unrestricted kindness and generosity of spirit displayed by the Appassionata team in the setting up of a beautiful new baby's cot, a selection of mats, toys and baby equipment was a true act of empathy and kindness."

For mums with older offspring who might like to relax on the golf course with their family this Mother's Day, Portugal offers an ideal destination. Caroline May of boutique estate agency Ideal Homes Portugal comments,

"Portugal's Algarve region is home to some stunning golf courses and many women who holiday here enjoy a round in the sunshine with friends and family members. It's a great way to relax, socialise and stay fit at the same time."

As Cascatas, at Vilamoura, is particularly keen to attract lady golfers and specialises in breaks for them, describing itself as "one of the Algarve's most female friendly golf resorts." For those who prefer being pampered, it also has the largest spa in the Algarve. The Vilamoura area offers holiday accommodation to suit every mother's tastes, from a newly renovated apartment with communal pool priced at €120,000 to a majestic, five bedroom villa with its own pool for €1,575,000.

Mothers returning to the UK after their holidays need not despair that their fun is over. Prime Surrey estate agency Barton Wyatt specialises in properties that have luxury features that mothers can enjoy. Wilton, on the Wentworth Estate in Virginia Water, Surrey, for example is a superb seven bedroom family home, which comes with a large gymnasium on the ground floor - perfect for shedding those post-pregnancy pounds. It also has a staff flat over the three-car garage, which is ideal for a nanny, ensuring that mum has all the help she needs just a stone's throw away. This fantastic property is priced at £4,950,000.

James Wyatt, Partner of Barton Wyatt estate agents Surrey comments, 

"Mothers are finding themselves more and more pushed in terms of their time commitments these days, so a house like Wilton is the ideal solution. The on-site gym is perfect for mums who want to keep in shape, while just a short walk away is Virginia Water with its spas, salons and boutique stores. Relaxation really is at a premium in the modern world and I'm sure mothers around the country will be delighted to enjoy it as the ultimate Mother's Day gift."

What We Can Learn From Sir Ranulf Fiennes - Speaker And The World’s Greatest Explorer

Sir Ranulph Fiennes speaker

One of the best and inspiring speakers today is perhaps none other than Sir Ranulph Fiennes. Sir Ranulph is not only a speaker and a published author but also an explorer having been touted as “The World’s Greatest Explorer” by the Guinness Book of Record in 1984. Sir Ranulph's life is not only an inspiration to many but also a humbling one. Below are just some of his quotes and what we can learn from these.

In 2008, Sir Ranulph failed to reach the summit of Mt. Everest thus abandoning his attempt to become the oldest Briton to climb the mountain at that time. Even though he suffers from heart problems and vertigo, in 2009, despite his fear of heights, he successfully reached the mountain’s summit and was thus able to finally achieve the distinction of being the oldest British to reach the summit.  In this scenario, Fiennes teaches us to never focus on our fears. One cannot easily forget one’s fears but one can prevent them from taking hold of oneself.

After 7 failed expeditions, Sir Fiennes was finally able to discover the lost city of Ubar in 1992. In the span of 26 years, he never gave up the thought of finding the lost city and he was right to do so. Here, he taught us that we should not linger over past mistakes but rather to learn and avoid repeating the same mistakes again.

Sir Fiennes and his team was able to successfully circumnavigate the world along its polar axis with careful planning and excellent communication skills between team members. Becoming the greatest explorer comes with a price just like in real life. Intricate planning and developing good communication skills especially among team members are the keys to becoming successful in achieving one’s goals.

Suffering from a massive heart attack in 2003 did not discourage Sir Fiennes from completing seven marathons in seven days in all seven continents. This teaches us that even if we suffer major setbacks in our lives, we should not let this dishearten us and prevent us from getting back on our feet and starting all over again. The roads maybe tough but there is always something better waiting at the end of the rainbow.  

If you are thinking of a world-famous after dinner speaker, Sir Ranulf Fiennes would certainly be your best option.