Latest news with #Weybridge
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
We were thinking about downsizing - but instead decided to splash out on a £3million mansion on an abandoned private island on the Thames
A couple who briefly considered downsizing their home have made a dramatic U-turn - by splashing the cash on a River Thames private island mansion worth £3million. Andy and Sheila Hill first spotted the overgrown D'Oyly Carte Island, near Weybridge, Surrey years ago while kayaking along the Thames. They were immediately intrigued by the 'ridiculous' patch of land and its eye-catching derelict property, but the house was not for sale at the time. But their patience soon paid off, with the owner's agent getting back to them in 2021 and the couple eventually buying the island and home. Instead of downsizing their house in Richmond, southwest London, they took on the ambitious task of renovating the 13-bedroom mansion. The music entrepreneur, 67, and his wife, 66, described how they got drawn in by the colossal project to 'bring it back to life'. Andy said: 'My wife is very creative and she could see through what was essentially a derelict property. Every window was smashed and boarded up, the garden had metres of brambles in it. 'She turned to me and said, "that is so sad, we should do something about it." After they bought the property, Andy said the family felt up to the challenge of restoring the place to its former glory, with Sheila being a former student of the Royal College of Art and their two children both architects. He added that it was the 'best decision they ever made' despite the dust and construction noise. 'It would have been so sad to see it demolished as it has such a rich history and culture,' Andy said. 'When we told them that we were interested in this ridiculous house on this ridiculous island my family were very excited because it was quite a different project. 'It gave us a lot of confidence to take the plunge and give it a go. 'You just have a gut feel. It is so unique, there aren't many private islands on the Thames. 'We had no idea what to do with it. We just wanted a nice family home. We thought it would be a great place to have family reunions.' The couple have had their work cut out since they started work in the mansion, from repairing a shattered glass dome which was responsible for flooding in the hallway to converting a 'horrible' former boat house at the end of the island into a lively bar called D'Oyly's. Indeed, the private land has become something of a party destination for family events, music concerts, and even Pilates classes. The pair are now able to host their three children and three grandchildren regularly, as well as throwing grand family birthday parties. Their new home was even visited by Princess Anne in February to thank them for their efforts to restore the cultural landmark, which is named after the late 19th century owner Richard D'Oyly Carte, a London theatre impresario who Andy described as the 'Simon Cowell of the 1800s'. Mr D'Oyly Carte also built the Savoy Hotel and produced the first operettas from Gilbert And Sullivan. Andy added: 'I think the expression no pain no gain is very true. 'It is great being here and watching the place improve. We are seeing lots of progress every day. It is fun to see what was a dead island and house be brought back to life. 'It is a lovely place to live, but we do have to work around the renovations. I have no regrets whatsoever. If I had to do it all again, I wouldn't change a thing.' Inspired by the island's rich music history, Andy has also decided to host summer concerts as part of the Weybridge Festival. After a successful run last year, he has planned for the three-day event to come back on July 4-6 with live music, a hog roast, a Pimm's tent, face paint, and other activities. The entrepreneur met with many representatives to discuss how to make the event safe, and said he invested around £35,000 to ensure the island passed all the necessary requirements. Elmbridge Borough Council had originally opposed plans, but has now given the green light after escape plans were put in place in case of emergency. There is a secure footbridge from the mainland to D'Oyly Carte, which is only about 50 yards away and Andy claims his island is safer than the mainland as there is no traffic and it is much harder for people to sneak in. He said: 'It is not dangerous. Nobody is going to burn to death on an island 50 yards from the mainland. 'It is an amazingly calm place to live. It really does feel like a party house and a fun house. We have the perfect balance. 'It was always going to be an expensive project and we were happy with that.' The left-field decision to move on to an island is becoming more popular with one young couple revealing how they're saving a whopping £20,000 a year on renting in London - by moving to an island only accessible by boat. Adventurous couple Sacha Pritchard, 25, and Matt King, 28, moved to their island in Hampton on the River Thames after spending seven years in 'cramped seven-person flat shares'. Three months on, they said it was the 'best decision' they had ever made, and would never have been able to afford their spacious one-bedroom bungalow in the capital's centre. Their new home boasts a front garden with beautiful riverside views, while a boat to get them to shore is included in the rental price. However, as the island doesn't have a bridge, Sacha and Matt are completely reliant on their little motorboat, and have been stranded when the engine has failed. They also have to pile all their bags onto the boat after doing a food shop, and have to make the journey to the mainland at least every other day to take the bins out. Sacha also uses the boat to commute to her 9 to 5 job four days a week. Taking to her TikTok account @LondonIslandLiving, Sacha explained that their new living situation 'isn't for everyone', but that she and Matt 'love it'. Last June, an island in the middle of the River Thames went on sale for just £75,000 - far less than the price of an average London flat. The pair are completely reliant on their little motorboat, and have been stranded when the engine has failed The property is close to the homes of celebrities including Hollywood heartthrob Orlando Bloom and rock star Liam Gallagher. Images show an island listed as 'land for sale' measuring about 2,000sq ft in the 1,099-population village of Bisham in Berkshire, near Marlow in Buckinghamshire. The seller previously used the site, which comes with a fetching stone pergola, for mooring a private vessel as well as private entertainment and fishing. Temple Weir Island was being advertised for sale by estate agent Savills. Property agent Richard Maby has told how the property which provides 250ft of river frontage would make the 'perfect spot' for rest and relaxation. He said: 'The seller has used the island for mooring a private vessel and recreational use, such as private entertainment and fishing. 'One side has a built-up mooring, the other a more natural tree-lined bank. A domed stone pergola also stands in the middle of the island, which makes for an interesting and attractive feature. 'It's a rare opportunity for someone to purchase their own off-grid sanctuary. 'For those with a spirit for adventure, who are looking for somewhere they can escape to after a busy day, it's the perfect hideaway.' A handful of intriguing small private islands on the Thames in Surrey house some of the world's most rich and famous, alongside ordinary Brits looking for an idyllic escape from the city. However, island life, while beautiful, carries an element of risk. With these small pockets of land only accessible by boat or a narrow path, there is no guarantee emergency services will be able to reach residents in time during a crisis. For Andrew Philip, who lives in one of just 23 homes on Pharaoh's Island, Surrey, this unfortunate drawback is something he is all too aware of. Mr Philip's dream riverside home he bought with his wife in 2001 was engulfed by flames in April last year and suffered severe damage as a result. With no bridge connecting the island to the mainland, fire services struggled to access his home and both he and his family have been living in rental accommodation ever since. Holding his 18-month-old baby, the island's youngest resident, he said that he felt 'lucky' to have escaped. As work on rebuilding his home gathered pace in January, he was eagerly anticipating returning to his beloved waterside residence with his young family. Mr Philip added: 'It is slightly nerve-wracking living so close to water, we've got to be really careful and keep a close eye on him (his son). 'Every few years our lawns will get flooded. But, it is a really lovely community, the other day somebody lost power on one of their boats and everyone messaged to try and help.' Many Brits searching for peace and quiet and a cheaper life have been flocking to a quaint seaside town that has become the new downsizing capital of Britain. In the lovely town of Exmouth, Devon, homes remain on the market for just 26 days on average before they are sold, MailOnline can reveal. Purplebricks analysis has revealed the town as the most desired place to downsize in, with homes being snapped up less than a month after they've been put on the market on average. That is despite homes costing a whopping £73,000 more than a typical house in the rest of the UK. The average price of an Exmouth home is £341,268, which is well above the UK average of £268,087. Exmouth: The downsizing capital of Britain Exmouth United Kingdom Average Price - £341,268 Average Price - £268,087 Detached Price - £493,538 Detached Price - £440,190 Terraced Price - £299,947 Terraced Price - £223,808 Flat Price - £242,895 Flat Price - £196,361 Yet locals speaking to MailOnline said they weren't surprised Exmouth had become the downsizing capital. They said the beautiful sea air was a draw to many people of differing ages, both those looking for somewhere to retire but also young parents looking to bring up their children somewhere peaceful. Local primary school teacher and mother-of-two Georgia Wright, 34, said: 'It is a gorgeous place to live and it's relatively safe and nice to bring up your kids in. 'We've talked about moving and we just don't want to leave the beach.'
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Ruth Langsford, 65, shows off her Pilates skills in tight black gym gear as she declares: 'I stretched things I didn't even know could stretch!'
Ruth Langsford showed off her Pilates skills in tight black gym gear as she posted a new clip to her Instagram on Sunday night. The Loose Women presenter, 65, was getting in her toning exercises at the end of the weekend as she joked: 'I stretched things I didn't even know could stretch!' Taking on a Reformer Pilates session she showed off her impressive control taking on a series of moves. She penned in the caption: 'Yes, ACTUAL Pilates!! Back at it again with my wonderful teacher & friend @siobhanklloyd This is called the Down Stretch….it stretched things I didn't even know could stretch!! 'A great feeling when it's over! Thanks Siobhan… and for cooking me supper afterwards! @jojameswellbeing Pilates & Yoga Studio #pilates.' And her pals were impressed, as Alison Hammond wrote in the comments: 'This is so hard ! Well done Ruth.' The Loose Women presenter, 65, was getting in her toning exercises at the end of the weekend as she joked: 'I stretched things I didn't even know could stretch!' Lizzie Cundy added: 'Go girlfriend!' It comes after last month it was reported that Ruth has taken legal action to ensure her estranged husband, Eamonn Holmes, will not receive her share of their £3.6 million marital home. The former This Morning presenters, both 65, stunned fans last year when news broke in May that they had separated after 14 years of marriage and were heading for divorce. Following the split, Eamonn moved out of their six-bedroom home in Weybridge, Surrey, which the couple bought in 2014. And then last month The Sun reported that Ruth has been granted a severance of joint tenancy on the property. The publication said that public documents state that if Ruth were to pass away, her share of the house would not go to GB News host Eamonn. Sarah Dwight, of the Law Society, told the outlet: 'One of the first things divorce lawyers do is to give their clients the option to sever the joint tenancy, so they can leave their share of the house to whoever they want. 'This move protects Ruth in that if she were to die, she can leave her wealth to whoever she wants, rather than Eamonn getting everything.' MailOnline contacted representatives for Ruth and Eamonn for comment at the time. The news came after Ruth finally ditched her wedding ring almost a year after announcing her split from Eamonn. The beloved TV presenter had resolutely kept her wedding and engagement rings on, even once declaring to a fan that she wouldn't remove them 'because I am still married.' But on an episode of her ITV show Loose Women last month, Ruth revealed the rings were off. Ruth has been enjoying the single life, recently jetting off for a girls' getaway for her 65th birthday. Eamonn and Ruth's marriage reportedly ended after she made the 'shock' discovery that he was 'sharing intimate chats with another woman'. The Loose Woman star also reportedly found messages on his laptop, with The Sun reporting that the discovery was a 'real kick in the teeth'. A joint statement issued by the pair announcing their split simply read: 'Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes have confirmed their marriage is over and they are in the process of divorcing.'
BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Fox lured from seven-storey Weybridge rooftop using sardines
A fox stranded on the roof of a seven-storey building in Surrey has been rescued by the found the fox on a rooftop in Manor Court, Weybridge, after she chewed through a fire door in the apartment building, but was unable to get back officers were unable to catch the fox using a "grasper" so instead laid a trap with food and water, but she showed little interest until some fresh sardines were used as fox was eventually brought to safety and was successfully released into the wild on Tuesday. Ben Fitzcosta and Meg Lloyd were the officers who saved the day."We tried to catch her with the grasper first but she was very scared, and we feared she would jump over the scaffolding. So we left a trap out with food in it overnight and some water for her," said Mr Fitzcosta."Unfortunately she wasn't tempted at first, but when I replaced the food with sardines she went straight in."Safely in the trap we got her back down to ground level and assessed her. Thankfully she was in really good condition, so I released her at the nearby cricket club."She shot out of the basket at such a speed I dropped my phone and missed filming the release. It's a great sign that she has bounced back from the ordeal."The RSPCA said anyone who finds an injured or sick fox should not try to handle it and should keep a safe distance.
The Independent
04-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Increasing risk of animal diseases prompts dire warning for UK
A National Audit Office (NAO) report warns the UK Government is not prepared for the increasing risk of animal diseases and would struggle to manage a major outbreak, potentially costing billions. The report highlights that long-term resilience is undermined by focussing on frequent outbreaks without a long-term strategy. Contingency plans are outdated – for example, the foot and mouth strategy has not been updated since 2011. Only 5 per cent of live animal imports undergo physical checks, raising the risk of exotic diseases, and there is a shortage of vets at the Animal and Plant Health Agency, along with a high risk of failure at the Weybridge animal science lab. The NAO found that Defra acknowledges a "very high" risk of being unable to respond effectively to an outbreak but lacks a long-term strategy and action plan to improve resilience.
Telegraph
03-06-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
UK ‘not ready' for major animal disease outbreak
Britain is not prepared to handle a major outbreak of disease in animals like bird flu, foot and mouth or African swine fever, the government's spending watchdog has warned. The UK would be 'unable to respond effectively' to an animal outbreak, which could cost the UK economy billions in lost livestock and pose a significant risk to human health, according to a new report from the National Audit Office (NAO). The report examines the readiness of the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and has found significant shortcomings in its contingency planning. There is a 'very high risk' of Weybridge, the government's biosecure containment labs responsible for testing animal diseases, being unable to cope with the demands of testing and tracing in the event of a major outbreak, it said, noting that the issue 'has worsened' in recent years. DEFRA rated the likelihood of such a failure at 25 out of 25, the maximum rating that can be given. 'The site is in poor condition, with ageing buildings that need major repair and replacement, and a lack of capacity to carry out research and testing,' the report says. While a £2.8 billion redevelopment programme at Weybridge was now underway, the main new laboratory facilities will not be delivered for another 10 years, it added. Plans for how outbreaks of several major diseases including bird flu, which has already killed more than seven million birds in Britain since 2020, have not been updated in more than a decade. The government came under similar criticism during the Covid inquiry after it was revealed the UK did not have an up-to-date pandemic plan or strategy. The last one was published in 2011 and has not been revised since. The risk of 'exotic' animal diseases entering the country is also rising, partly because only five per cent of live animal imports are being physically checked at the border – far below the target of 100 per cent set by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), an arm of DEFRA, which was meant to be reached last year. Adding to the concern, around 20 per cent of veterinary positions at APHA are currently unfilled, further weakening the UK's ability to respond swiftly to a crisis. DEFRA also lacks a comprehensive livestock tracing system, which is 'crucial to responding quickly and effectively to contain an outbreak,' the report says. The systems currently in place are 'fragmented' and 'run on outdated legacy systems,' including a cattle tracing platform which was set up in 1998 and has 'significant reliability issues'. During recent outbreaks of H5N1 bird flu, APHA and local authorities had to distribute flyers in areas where the infection was present and send out teams to find farms at risk of contracting the virus, because the government agency did not have a complete list of poultry farms and bird keepers. The government department has also failed to test its response capabilities in any meaningful way, according to the watchdog. Exercises to test outbreak contingency plans have been increasingly 'table-top' exercises – meaning they are conducted online rather than in the field – which would better simulate a real outbreak scenario. As it stands, a major animal disease outbreak would cost the UK economy hundreds of millions, or even billions, of pounds. The NAO cited the 2001 foot and mouth outbreak, which resulted in an estimated £13.8 billion in economic losses. 'A long-term strategy and action plan are urgently needed, to protect national economic resilience as well as food security, human health and rural communities,' said Gareth Davies, head of the NAO. Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, chairman of the parliamentary Committee of Public Accounts, said: 'Despite some good work to identify new threats, Government's preparations for a future major outbreak are being hampered by a lack of capacity, skills and long-term strategy. 'The government's failure to carry out checks on animal imports is also threatening biosecurity at the border. Resilience to a severe outbreak has not been tested in recent years, but the threat remains ever increasing as our livestock become more susceptible to disease. 'Without changes to the current operating system, there is a very real risk that the Government would not be able to respond effectively.'
