We’re committed to producing flourishing communities and can now announce that we are investing £15,000 in planting trees and creating a new community woodland at our Skipton development, The Alders. We’ve once again partnered with the amazing Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT) and invite the community to participate in our tree-planting initiative.
The tree-planting initiative aligns with our mission statement, which includes a commitment to creating thriving communities. By investing in the environment and working with the community, we aim to create a sustainable and vibrant neighbourhood at The Alders.
“We are thrilled to partner with the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust and invite the community to participate in our tree-planting initiative,” said Caroline Van Niekerk Sales and Marketing Director at Skipton Properties. “As a responsible housebuilder, we are committed to creating thriving communities and investing in the environment. We believe this initiative will benefit the environment and bring the community together and create a sense of pride in The Alders development.”
Caroline Van Niekerk, Skipton Properties Sales, Design and Marketing Director
The tree-planting scheme will take place during the next planting season, early next year and will be open to members of the public who want to participate. The YDMT will provide all the necessary equipment and guidance to ensure that the trees are planted correctly.
Contact: Vanessa Benson, Marketing Manager, to get involved!
We’re turning our final three-bedroom Foster into a beautiful View Home at Bolton Gardens
Our Silsden homes sold like hotcakes, and because of that, we missed out on creating a beautiful show home, but fear not, our last stunning three-bed Foster will be decorated in a classic, timeless style as a View Home. This being our last new-build home in this phase, we wanted to showcase our commitment to excellence and invite you inside…
What can you look forward to? Luxurious flooring throughout, a shaker kitchen with quartz and a master suite with fully fitted wardrobes, custom-designed to fit the space perfectly, thanks to DF Cabinetry. A well-planned wardrobe saves time, reduces stress, AND helps you feel and look your best! Say goodbye to awkward pre-made wardrobes and enjoy a personalised design that suits your needs.
We are pleased to announce that we have been patrons of The Principle Trust for a year and are thrilled with our impact on the lives of underprivileged children in our region. This remarkable charity, founded by the incredible Mike Davies, MBE, in 2011, goes above and beyond to support families throughout Yorkshire by providing free respite holidays to children facing adversity, disability, or life-threatening illnesses.
Reflecting on the past year, in May, we participated in The Dragon Boat Race, volunteered at The Yorkshire Dales Food and Drink Festival in July, and completed the gruelling Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge in September. We also attended The Charity Ball in September and The Santa Fun Run in November. Our hard work, combined with the generous patronage contributions from Sarah, helped us raise an astonishing £14,285 for the charity!
This amount has had an enormous impact on the lives of 28 families, and we are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to such an important cause. We are excited to continue our patronage and see what the future holds for us to make a difference.
Here, you can see Mike, the founder of the charity, and Sarah, our Managing Director, proudly wearing their personalised PPE gear and a snapshot of some of our team’s efforts throughout the year.
“We are indebted to Skipton Properties for their generous support over the past twelve months.Thanks to people like Sarah and all the team, we’ve helped thousands of disadvantaged, disabled and poorly children to escape their everyday troubles and create happy memories with their families.Every penny Skipton Properties have raised will help us to support more children across the Yorkshire region.“
The Principle Trust is a cherished charity based in Skipton that supports numerous families across the Yorkshire region. Their mission is to enhance the well-being of children who are suffering from prolonged, life-threatening or disabling illnesses, struggling with mental health problems or living in impoverished conditions. To achieve this goal, they provide cost-free, week-long respite breaks for these children and their families in their holiday homes located in Blackpool and the Lake District.
As committed patrons of the charity, we were delighted to attend the grand opening of their four new vacation homes at Haven Marton Mere Holiday Park in Blackpool. We remain committed to backing the organisation with our monthly contributions and various fundraising events throughout the year.
During our visit, we were able to take a tour of one of the charity’s newest caravans and catch up with Kerry, who looks after us patrons 😉 You can pop over to our reels to see these. We even got to cheer Simon Thomas, charity trustee, over the finish line as he completed his gruelling 50-mile fundraising walk.
The Principle Trust expressed their excitement about the official opening of their four new respite homes and their eagerness for families to start enjoying them and the bustling holiday park. In 2023, 132 families from underprivileged and disadvantaged backgrounds will have the opportunity to experience a life-changing respite break, many of them for the first time. And annually, they provide 228 families with a holiday across both locations, Blackpool and the Lake District. The organisation expressed gratitude to all those who made this possible through grant funding, donations, patron contributions, fundraising challenges, volunteer efforts, and event attendance. They were overwhelmed by the support shown by referring partners, patrons, supporters, and funders on the opening day.
“We are indebted to Skipton Properties for their generous support. Thanks to Yorkshire businesses like you, we’ve helped thousands of disadvantaged, disabled and poorly children to escape their everyday troubles and create happy memories with their families.”
The team and supporters at the grand openingWhat a nice touch, a basket of essentials to kick-start the holiday 🙂Keith, Mike and Simon cutting the ribbonOne of the brand new caravans
Introducing Sandor & his family, new residents of ‘The Foster’ in Silsden
“The Foster is perfect for our family’s needs, with its spacious open-plan living area on the ground floor and the upper floors offering ample space for family living too, with two double bedrooms and an expansive master suite on the top floor; that really was the icing on the cake for us! “.
We love to hear from returning customers! What brings you back to a Skipton Properties home?
Over two decades ago, we purchased a house from Skipton Properties, and since then, we’ve been keeping an eye out for any new projects you had in the works. When we learnt about Bolton Gardens in Silsden, we didn’t hesitate to express our interest!
Our ‘Foster’ home is quite unique. What was it about the design that drew you to it?
We’ve previously owned two three-storey houses and were in search of another when we came across Bolton Gardens. We spotted this particular plot right at the beginning before construction had even begun, and now we’re happily living in it. The Foster is perfect for our family’s needs, with its spacious open-plan living area on the ground floor and stunning views of the surrounding fields and countryside. We’re a sociable family that enjoys outdoor living, so it suits us perfectly. The upper floors offer ample space for family living too, with two double bedrooms and an expansive master suite on the top floor, which really was the icing on the cake for us!
Tell us, why Bolton Gardens, and why Silsden?
Having previously resided in Silsden it was a no-brainer for us. Bolton Gardens is a truly unique development that’s been built to an exceptional standard. Unlike your average constructed housing estate, this development has been thoughtfully designed with different levels and house types. Even at an early stage, we could see the attention to detail that had gone into everything, from the retaining walls and landscaping to the overall build quality, regardless of the size or type of house, and it was a significant factor in our decision to move here.
As the winter months may have left it in disarray with fallen leaves and debris. Don a pair of gloves, grab a rake from the shed, and tidy up your garden before moving on to other tasks.
2 – Out with the old
To increase the likelihood of blooming again this summer, it’s essential to trim the plants from last year that have survived the winter.
So what does our move-in ‘essential guide’ inform us on pruning?
Spring pruning (before flowering)
If your plant’s flower is deciduous from July- October, then you can prune these plants in spring. Food reserves from the roots will soon send out new shoots that tend to flower at the ends of the new growth.
Prune last year’s growth to just two or three buds above healthy, thick stems to provide a good framework for new growth.
If your plants flower from November – June and are deciduous, then you can prune these plants immediately after flowering. This will remove much of the food reserves in the green leaves and prevent the strong and flowerless growth you would get from spring pruning. Flower buds are not formed on the new growth but on existing branches.
Summer pruning (after flowering)
Prune flowered stems back to a strong upright shoot as low as possible. Older branches which flower weakly are best removed. Remove one stem in three, e.g., a shrub with five stems would have the two largest and oldest shoots removed down to 25-45cm (10-18in) above the soil
3 – In with the new
After tidying up your existing plants and shrubs, it’s time to introduce some new ones. During this season, consider adding plants like pansies or tulips to add a vibrant burst of colour to your spring garden
4 – Be a cut above the rest
It’s crucial to tidy up the lawn; to achieve this, you must ensure that your lawn mower is a cut above the rest! Have it serviced and the blades sharpened to ensure a clean cut, which will help your grass to grow healthily
Here’s a little more from our Essential Guide on mowing your lawn ~
As you know, mowing itself is relatively straight forward! It is the mowing height that can cause problems. Follow these tips to get the correct height:
Set the cutting height to the highest setting for the first mowing in spring or after allowing the grass to grow long. Thereafter, gradually reduce the height of the cut until the desired height is reached. This will be 6-13mm (¼-½in) for fine lawns. For ordinary ornamental lawns, this will be 13-25mm (½-1in) in summer and up to 40mm (1½in) in spring and autumn.
Avoid excessively close mowing, as although attractive, it can weaken the grass, encouraging shallow rooting and making the lawn more susceptible to drought, weeds and moss. Close-mown lawns need more frequent feeding and watering. Extremely low cutting may scalp the lawn, leaving bare patches where bumps or tree roots are protruding above the surface.
On the other hand, lawns regularly cut too high can suffer from loose, weak growth that is less durable as a surface.
If you are unsure of what height to use, the general guideline is never to remove more than one-third of the leaf shoots in any mow.
And finally, here’s a little advice on how to care for your new lawn, again from our own handy essential guide ~
After laying a turf lawn, avoiding using it for 3-4 weeks is important. The exact duration may vary depending on factors such as weather, time of year, and root establishment. During the first few weeks, taking good care of the lawn is crucial. Doing so will reward you with a healthy and vibrant lawn in the coming months and years.
Newly laid lawns can be fed like established lawns. They need regular watering, but should not be over-watered, as this may result in shallow rooting and poor establishment.
Frequent watering may be necessary in dry weather to keep the new turf constantly moist. During dry periods in mid-to-late summer, water every five to 10 days. In other seasons water during dry periods every 14 days.
Be careful not to over-water, as this can lead to shallow rooting and encourages the weed grass, and annual meadow grass.
Mow with the blades set high as soon as the grass has grown to about 5cm (2in)
5 – Get planning!
With summer just around the corner, you may ponder what to do with your garden. It’s worth noting that putting in a little extra effort now can reap significant rewards in the long run!
We hope to have shared some valuable insights on spring gardening that will prove useful for you. As the first day of spring marks the beginning of the season, it presents the perfect opportunity to start planning and preparing your garden for a flourishing harvest. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, there’s always something new to learn and explore in the world of gardening. So, let’s embrace the new season and enjoy the joy and beauty of gardening! Happy first day of spring to everyone!
Featured below is a snapshot of stunning outdoor spaces that our expert team have crafted for us in the past.
Before you go all in and splurge on a new bed, let’s ensure you’re armed with all the knowledge you need to make a savvy decision.
In honour of World Sleep Day, we’ve got your back (literally) with a guide on what to remember when you’re in the market for a new bed. And while we’re doling out advice, let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit some of our previously showcased bedrooms (below)
Choosing the right bed is a major life decision – you’ll spend a third of your existence in it, after all! Before you take the leap, here are some key factors to remember to ensure you make a dreamy decision.
SIZE
While weight and build are important considerations, a larger bed means less partner disturbance and a more restful sleep! Trust us, a double bed may seem spacious enough for two, but a king-size bed is where it’s at for ultimate relaxation and the sweetest of dreams.
COMFORT
A good night’s sleep can make all the difference between feeling like a zombie or a superhero the next day! But when it comes to finding the perfect bed, it’s all about personal preferences. For some, a firm mattress is the holy grail of comfort, while others prefer to sink into a cloud-like softness. It’s like Goldilocks and the Three Bears, except there are seven billion bears, and they all want a different bed!
Kearns Village, RossendaleVictoria Fold, Sabden
QUALITY
Getting a good night’s sleep is not just a luxury; it’s a necessity for maintaining physical and mental health. And let’s be real, a comfortable bed with the perfect mattress is the VIP ticket to achieving that. Don’t underestimate the power of a supportive mattress that’ll cradle your body in all the right places and leave you feeling like you just woke up from a 5-star hotel nap.
MATTRESS AND PILLOWS
If you think about it, we spend about a third of our lives in bed, so it’s not surprising that investing in a good mattress is crucial for our well-being. It’s like choosing a good pair of shoes – you want something that fits well and provides support. And just like shoes, the right pillow can make all the difference in preventing pain in the neck (literally). So if you’re ready to upgrade your sleep game, go for a mattress and pillow that make you feel like you’re sleeping on a cloud – without the risk of falling off.
Ebor Mills, Haworth
SUPPORT
When it comes to testing out a bed, don’t be shy – think of it as a sleep audition! You wouldn’t hire a performer without seeing them in action, so why settle for a bed without trying it out? Get cosy, and don’t be afraid to roll around a bit; finding the right fit for your body type is the most important thing.
MEDICAL CONDITIONS
The right bed is crucial if you suffer from a debilitating medical condition. Your bed should be supportive, cushiony, and able to alleviate the pressure off your affected areas. If that’s not enough, throw in a built-in massage therapy system to help you say goodbye to all your health woes.
STYLE
Sure, a bed’s primary function is to keep you comfy while you catch some z’s, but let’s not forget about the aesthetics! Whether you’re into classic or contemporary, there are bed styles out there to fit your personal flair. And don’t even get me started on the decorative headboards – these can really make a statement and tie your whole bedroom together. If you’re feeling fancy, check out the modern, low-profile beds – they’ll make you feel like you’re sleeping on a cloud.
From top left to bottom right ~ The Rise in Harden, Kearns Village, Rossendale, Ebor Mills in Haworth and The Alders, Skipton
Hopefully, we’ve given you some handy insights into the world of bed shopping. Keep these tips close by; you never know when they’ll come in handy! So go ahead and rest easy, have some sweet dreams, and a very happy World Sleep Day to all the sleep lovers out there!
Last year, Skipton Properties committed to support The Salvation Army in Keighley, and we’ve followed through by sending not one but two food deliveries to help replenish their stocks during these difficult times. Our first delivery arrived back in January, and just last week, our second one was safely delivered to their door last month.
The Keighley Salvation Army Foodbank plays an integral role in supporting the community and relies heavily on donations from the public. Unfortunately, the ongoing cost of living crisis has led to declining donations, making it harder for the organisation to continue its critical work. That’s why we felt it important to step up and do our part to help.
Penny Southgate, Keighley’s Salvation Army general manager, expressed her deep gratitude for our donations, saying, “We’re so grateful for Skipton Properties’ kind donations. They make a significant difference and enable us to give back to the community in meaningful ways. Thank you again for your support.”
We’re humbled by the opportunity to support such an important organisation, and we hope that our contributions will help to make a positive impact in the lives of those who need it most.
Your Journey
Buying a home needn’t be difficult to navigate. Your Sales Advisor is always ready to guide you through each phase of the process, and to provide you with a better understanding, we’ve documented some key steps to anticipate when purchasing a new home from us.
We’re excited to introduce the New Homes Quality Code, replacing the Consumer Code, to further enhance our commitment to excellence. This code complements the 10-year New Homes Warranty provided by the LABC for your added protection.
Without our customers we wouldn’t be in business. We’ve interviewed a few of our homeowners so you can hear directly from them about their experience of buying a Skipton Properties home, from the design to their experience of buying.
Navigating the mortgage market can be confusing.That’s why we have partnered with the Mortgage Advice Bureau. They have many years of experience in finding mortgages on new-build properties that work perfectly for their clients.
We’re over the moon to share the news that Ebor Mills, Haworth has nearly sold out, with just one stunning home left! Our journey at this development has been a true labor of love, and we’re thrilled to see it come to fruition. We’ve breathed new life into historic buildings and added some breathtaking new homes to the site, all nestled amidst the gorgeous countryside and the tranquil Bridgehouse Beck in Haworth.
Our team takes immense pride in the transformation we’ve achieved at Ebor Mills. We’ve blended history with modern living in a way that we believe is truly exceptional, and we’re excited to see the amazing community that has sprung up here. Now, just one four-bed home is left, and we’re offering a part-exchange option for a limited time. Plot 3 of The Spinning Mill is a one-of-a-kind converted home waiting for the perfect buyer to make it their own.
Karen L is available Thursday – Monday. Contact her to discuss this further at 01535 288000 / [email protected]
Ebor Mills in August 2021Ebor Mills in November 2022Plot 4 view homePlot 4 view homePlot 4 view homeThe Spinning Mill
We are thrilled to announce that we are adding a touch of rustic charm and practicality to our ‘little extras’ collection by reintroducing Belfast sinks to our new homes. These classic sinks are a great addition to any kitchen, providing both style and functionality.
We are offering a fantastic promotion to celebrate the Belfast sink’s return. Anyone who includes quartz in their kitchen specifications for ‘The Curlew’ home in Skipton will receive a free Belfast sink! This is the perfect opportunity to add character to your kitchen without breaking the bank.
In addition to the free sink, we have upgraded the kitchens in these homes by providing an 80cm induction hob and extraction fan, completely free of charge. These upgrades will enhance your cooking experience, making spending time in the kitchen even more enjoyable.
Currently, we have two 3-bedroom ‘Curlew’ homes available, with plot 96 ready to move into this Spring and plot 98 available this Summer. These homes offer the perfect opportunity to upgrade your kitchen with this stylish and practical addition, so don’t miss out on this limited-time offer!
Karen D is available at The Alders, Skipton, all weekend! Pop in to discuss further or call to book an appointment ~ 01756 636633 / [email protected]
