The Old Post Office - What would you like to see here?

We want to hear from you! What would you like to see here? Perhaps a wi-fi cafe or artist's gallery? This is a rare opportunity to rent this unique Grade II Listed former Post Office in the heart of Overbury Village.

The building is surprisingly spacious and has a flexible layout which would be ideal for a growing company, or a smaller business using the space upstairs for residential/ancillary purposes.

It has 1589 sq ft over two floors, off street parking for up to 12 cars and could be used for commercial/residential use. We are looking to support a commercial, artistic or cultural project to enhance the character of the building and for it to serve/work alongside exisiting households and businesses.

The Old Post Office was originally a house, which was converted in 1879 by Norman Shaw and extended to its current layout in 1905 by Ernest Newton. It was then operated as a village store and Post Office until 1998 when it was transformed into an office and was used this way until earlier this year, when the previous occupiers moved to another Overbury property.

Please do get in touch with Alex at the Estate Office on 01386 725 118 or alex@overburyestate.co.uk.

Building Plot for Sale - Auction Date 29th September

Always wanted to build your own house? Or just fancy a project? Now could be the right time!

We are pleased to be offering this building plot at Teddington Fields, just off the A46 between the Teddington Cross Roads and Teddington Hands Roundabout.

The plot has has full planning permission for a two bedroom dwelling with spacious garden, agricultural barn and a fantastic rural outlook back across the vale to Bredon Hill.

The property is being sold at auction on 29th September 2011 at 6pm at The Beckford Inn.

For further details, please contact Fisher German LLP, worcester@fishergerman.co.uk, 01905 453 275 or Alex at the Estate Office on 01386 725111.

The Trapp family lived at Teddington Fields for several generations dating back to the late 1800's and the green tin shed is all that now remains of the former bungalow that was located on the site.

We also discovered an old railway carriage in the garden, which has been donated to the North Gloucestershire Railway Co. who have been investigating it's history. They believe that it is the only remaining one out of an original eighteen carriages built in 1924 to convey passengers at The British Empire Exhibition at Wembley and suspect that it was purchased at a sale after the exhibition was closed.


To the left is a photo of a similar carriage, showing what it would have looked like originally.

If you have any further information about these carriages or are interested in their restoration, Stephen Mourton at North Glos Railway Co. would love to hear from you and can be contacted on 01242 234646. http://www.toddington-narrow-gauge.co.uk/

Summer Photo Competition Winner

Our photo competition is now closed. We have had an amazing selection of over 40 photos, so a big thank you to everyone who took part. The theme was Work, Rest and Play and we are pleased to announce that the winning entry was 15 year old Lottie Cooper of Teddington (showing her 'at rest' with her dog in Overbury Park).

The runners up were Tom Horton, with 'At rest - Sophie'

and Andrew John with 'At play - Mulled Wine at Parsons Folly' and 'At work - Simon and Alan'. Book vouchers for Alisons Bookshop in Tewkesbury are on their way to the two runners up.

Photo Competition - revised deadline Friday 19th August

We have received a number of excellent entries into our photo competition this summer. July is a busy month and we recognise that a number of people have been away on holiday. We are therefore extending the deadline date by which photographs need to be submitted to the Estate Office to Friday 19th August. We look forward to receiving your entries!

Summer Photo Competiton

We are running our very own photo competition this summer!

We are looking for photos that showcase Overbury, Conderton or Bredon Hill, demonstrating the benefits of living and working in this area.

The theme is: Work, Rest and Play - so if you are out and about over the next 4 weeks and enjoying the summer sunshine and light evenings, take your camera with you and send us your pictures.

1st Prize is a fully catered private picnic for 4 on Bredon Hill - a delicious hamper and icebox will be taken to and collected from a private spot of the winners' choice on a date and time to be agreed with them.

The competition is open to anyone and you can enter a maximum of 4 photos per person. These should be emailed via clemmie@overburyestate.co.uk or provided on disc/memory stick to the Estate Office (Opening hours 9am - 5.30pm.)

We may use submitted photos, including the winning shot, for publicity purposes. This could be on the website, in leaflets or possibly via other media, although the copyright of the photo would remain with the photographer. Therefore, please remember to have the permission from anyone in the photograph that it can be taken and displayed on our website.

Photos must be high resolution. The closing date is Friday 29th July.

GOOD LUCK!

Attractive 2 bed cottage in Overbury - available end of August - £600 pcm (unfurnished)

We have a pretty 2 bed cottage becoming available towards the end of August. It is in the heart of Overbury Village, close to both the Church and First School.

8 Church Row is an end of terrace, Cotswold stone cottage which was originally re-modeled by the celebrated Victorian architect Norman Shaw.

With 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, an open plan kitchen/reception room and small landscaped garden to the rear, this Grade II Listed cottage would suit a young professional or couple.

If you would like to find out more or arrange a viewing, please contact Clemmie at the Estate Office on 01386 725 111

Pretty 3 bed house to rent in Conderton - Available July

Available from July, this attractive 3 bedroom Cotswold stone house in the heart of Conderton, has a pretty mature garden and wonderful entertaining space.

It has a pretty reception room with open fire, dining room with open fire, kitchen, separate larder, utility/boot room with off road parking, three bedrooms and a bathroom.

Rent: £925 per calendar month (unfurnished)

The house was designed by the renowned architect Norman Shaw and has many unusual original features such as the round window on the first floor landing and pretty archway into the garden. Set back from the road at the front it overlooks mature apple and pear orchards at the rear; with easy access onto a wide network of footpaths on Bredon Hill nearby.

The house is a short walk from The Yew Tree, a traditional village pub and nearby to Toff Milway's Pottery at The Forge.

The house currently has night storage heaters, but is due to be upgraded to an electric heating system before being re-let.

We apologise that this property is not currently showing on our website, as this is being altered at present but we should be able to update it again soon. In the meantime, please keep a close eye on our blog as all available properties will be shown here.

If you would like any further information on this property, please do not hesitate to contact Clemmie at the Estate Office on 01386 725111 or email: lettings@overburyestate.co.uk and we will email you full particulars.

Vale Arts Trail - 21st to 30th May 2011

We are delighted to announce that three of our local artists and crafts people are opening their doors for The Vale Arts Trail on 21st - 30th May 2011. Please do come and have a look at their wonderful work and help support our local businesses!

Please continue reading for more information or check out http://www.valeartstrail.org/.

Leigh Charman, Conderton

http://www.lilacgallery.co.uk/ilacgallery.co.uk/

07783 429 640

Open All Days, 10 - 5

Leigh uses a progressive technique blending spray and acrylic, his latest work is a reflection on the countryside and wildlife that surrounds him.


Toff Milway, Conderton
www.toffmilway.co.uk

01386 725 387

Open All Days 9 - 5 (Closed Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th)

Handmade pots created especially for lovers of food and gardening, made in the beautiful Cotswold stone village of Conderton.

Alexandra Churchill

http://www.alexandrachurchill.co.uk/

01386 725 385

Open from Sunday 22nd May onwards 12-5

Paintings and prints to suit a country house from this international artist. Equestrian a speciality with animals, flowers and landscapes.

Little Grass Snake

My jack russell, Poppy, spotted this little grass snake whilst we were out for a lunchtime walk today. Grass snakes look very like adders in colour and form, but have a white collar just behind their head, which sets them apart. The snake stood right up to look at the dog and they both did a quick dance, but unfortunately I couldn't get the camera out fast enough to catch it on film!

Overbury Estate Joinery - launching our supply and fit service

The Overbury Estate Joinery Department make beautiful bespoke woodwork for all our buildings including houses, cottages, offices and farm buildings.

We are delighted to announce that our father and son team; Alan and Simon Whitaker are now branching out with a supply and fit joinery service for third parties.






Just take a look around the village of Overbury to see many fine examples of their work, including:-

Architectural joinery, Staircases, Windows and doors, Cabinets, Panelling, Garden gates and many other bespoke items.

To discuss your requirements further or obtain a quotation, please contact the Estate Office on 01386 725111.

Magnificent Magnolia

Spring is finally here and the Magnolia tree in St Faith's Church Yard is in full bloom. Amazingly it wasn't caught by the late frosts and has been at its most magnificent for several years.

We thought you might like to see some pictures...

Mill Cottage - Open House - Tues 5th April

Join us any time between 2pm and 7pm next Tuesday afternoon for refreshments and to look around our latest refurbishment project; Mill Cottage. Which has already been let (from Wednesday next week). Before.... Come and see for yourself the work that our building maintenance team do and the style and quality of our cottage renovations and what the cottage looks like now... All are welcome.

Small Business Rate Relief Extended

Good news in Wednesday's budget; the current temporary increase in Small Business Rate Relief, which was due to end on 30 September 2011 will now continue for a further year (from 1st October 2011 to 30th September 2012).

Therefore ratepayers with rateable values below £6,000 pay no rates at all for the period and those with rateable values between £6,000 and £12,000 receive tapered relief from 0-100%.

More information is available on line at http://www.communities.gov.uk/ or you can contact your local authority Business Rates department.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has also welcomed a number of announcements in the budget; see their website for more information http://www.fsb.org.uk/