Young children in Guernsey “saved” by double glazing

There really are some idiots around. Who in their right mind would shoot at windows, behind which sleeps a five month old child? Well according the the Guernsey Press webite, John Loveridge’s bunaglow in St.Martin’s has been the target of vandals with an air or BB gun.

Whilst double glazing is obviously not bullet proof, it has proved a blessing on the two mindless attacks so far, as Mr Loveridge comments “It is a good job that we have double-glazing because if we did not, the whole window would have shattered, which could have seriously injured my daughter or grandchild.”

Lets hope the States of Guernsey Police catch the misguided thrill seekers before they severely injure or kill someone.

Could Woolworths’ end up being to the High Street, what Northern Rock was to Banking?

Today marks the start of the closure of Woolworths’ 800 High Street retail stores in batches. More than 200 Woolworths stores to close later today.

Locally the Woolworths in Aylesbury, Maidenhead and Uxbridge close today, Amersham and Windsor Woolworths’ close down on 30th December 2008, Slough and Watford on 2nd January and the Woolworths’ stores in Beaconsfield, Bracknell, High Wycombe, Reading and Thame close in the final batch of closures of Woolworths high street retail stores on Monday 5th January 2009.

Unless a last minute buyer is found over 27,000 jobs will go by Monday 5th January, not the greatest start to the New Year. However my concern is that just like Northern Rock was the tip of the iceberg for the banking industry, is Woolworths simply the start of our High Streets changing forever? Since Woolworths announced £385m worth of unsustainable debt, MFI and Zavvi (formerly Virgin Megastores) have gone into administration, with another 15-25 chains under threat. When will we learn that you can not build a successful business on debt? Something that is coming home to roost big time in not just the UK but the Western World.

Today is an extremely sad day for all the employees in Woolworths retail chain, but also for the entire retail industry, as I fear it will lead to the reshaping of the High Street in this country, and possibly affect how, when and where we shop in the future. When the banking crisis at Northern Rock became apparent, not even the City was expecting the Worldwide implosion of the banking system requiring governments across the globe to step in to prevent financial meltdown. It would not be prudent for the UK government to step in, as the management failures of Woolworths are now evident for all to see.  The difference between Northern Rock and Woolworths is that we now probably expect a collapse in the High Street? Deflation here we come?

Londoners could cut emissions by 25% through insulationing their homes and fitting double glazing

According to an article on the Energy Saving Trust’s website in December 2008, a report entitled “Lagging Behind” commissioned by the London Assembly Environment Committee, states that Londoners could cut energy emissions by a quarter, simply by fitting insulation and double glazing to homes that do not have it.

Assembly member Darren Johnson, Chair of the Environment Committee, said: “Our report estimates that between 40,000 and 55,000 insulation’s were carried out in London in 2007. While this sounds like a significant number, London has a lot of catching up to do if it is to match the rest of the country.”

He noted that insulation was not as attractive for “glossy magazines” as new bathrooms or kitchens but that it did save money and cut carbon emissions. The Energy Saving Trust’s own statistics prove that homeowners can reduce energy bills by 50% by fitting double glazing. So, if 25% of Londoners are not to continue lagging behind and paying higher energy bills they will need to insulate their homes and install replacement double glazing.

A prosperous New Year in prospect for the Hazlemere Group and their customers?

Another year nearly gone, and another highly successful one for the Hazlemere Group, which as every year, is entirely down to the thousands of Hazlemere customers, without whom the company would not be the leading home improvement specialists they are today. When George Braham and Stuart Braham co-founded the Hazlemere Window Company Ltd in 1985, I am sure they could not have dreamed how successful it was to become.

Hazlemere’s success is based on its customers, who collectively have ordered over 20,000 installations and double glazing repairs since the company’s inception. 2008 has been another record year for the family business, plus the order book for 2009, includes a £2.2 million pound commercial contract to fit all the new aluminium windows, doors and curtain walling for the new Bideford College in Devon. Click here for a birds eye view 3D virtual fly through video of this exciting sustainability project on the Bideford College website.

One of the secrets of Hazlemere Window Company’s success has been its diversification over the last two decades, whilst remaining independent manufacturers of bespoke aluminium windows, doors and conservatories in a choice of aluminium glazing systems. The Hazlemere Group also supply and fit manual or remote control garage doors, as well as UPVC cladding, gutters, downpipes, fascias and soffits, plus a wide range of UPVC windows, doors and conservatories, along with many other products.

All that remains is to once again sincerely thank our thousands of customers and wish every one of them a happy and prosperous 2009.

The Heritage Range of aluminium wood effect windows, doors & conservatories can restore individuality to homes in Bucks, Berks, Herts, Middlesex and Oxon

The benefits of the choice of colours and aluminium wood grain effect finishes offered by the new Heritage Range, enable homeowners throughout the UK to choose window, door and conservatory finishes to match local preferences, thereby restoring the option to make their property more individual. In the past some homeowners have been dissuaded from fitting aluminium windows by the wrong perception that all they could have was white or silver anodised frames.

Whilst painted finishes in other colours have been available for a considerable time, they usually came with very long lead times and deemed as “specials”, making repeat ordering onerous. The Heritage Range offers all its 10 different finishes as standard, so all have the same lead time. Also large colour samples of the actual product are available so customers can see what the colour will actually look like on the frames, rather than choose from a printed colour book, whose reproduction properties might not be reflective of the finished product. Looking for replacement windows, doors or a conservatory with a high quality, durable and lifelong finish? Why not check out the Heritage Range, which uniquely offers walnut, rosewood and oak aluminium wood grain effect finishes, enabling your home to have both individuality and a traditional look and feel, or a finish in a contemporary colour.

Nine points clear, could it be Wycombe’s year?

Yesterday’s 1-0 away win at 3rd placed Shrewsbury Town sent Wycombe Wanderers Football Club 9 points clear in Coca-Cola League Two, bringing much need Christmas cheer to the thousands of Blues fans who have seen us top the table several times before at Christmas (notably under former England Assistant Manager John Gorman), but then fall at the last hurdle and miss out in the play-offs. Could this season be different under former England Under 21’s Manager Peter Taylor? The signs are promising as Peter Taylor has gone for a younger side, giving it longer term potential should promotion be secured. However, it is not potential energy that matters, but kinetic energy, so lets hope Wycombe Wanderers can maintain the momentum into 2009 and secure automatic promotion this season and avoid the dreaded play-offs!

“Installing double glazed windows can save you as much as £170 a year” (Nigel Peel, Architect Your Home)

“The recent sharp rise in the cost of energy in our homes has left many of us out in the cold. But there are plenty of ways we can use less energy and save money on our bills. Nigel Peel, of Architect Your Home Manchester (www.architect-yourhome.com ), gives his top tips on how to renovate your home and save energy and reduce bills in the process.” (www.propertyconfidential.com) Click here for all Nigel’s Energy Saving Tips

Nigel Peel’s advice is to “change your windows and doors” if you do not have energy saving, energy efficient glazing or entrances. As he quite rightly says “We’ve grown too used to having relatively low cost energy — so much so that many of us simply allow much of our heat to escape. When it comes to windows and doors double-glazing is a must for retaining heat, meaning you can turn your central heating down and have it on for less time. Installing double-glazed windows can save you as much as £170 a year. Even better is triple glazing. As an added bonus, double or triple glazing will also cut down the amount of noise that filters in.”

“If you don’t like the look of uPVC double glazing, or you live in a period property, you can get wonderful timber-framed double glazing that does the same job without compromising on the design. The process involved in making uPVC windows is also not very environmentally friendly. Timber is much more sustainable and better for the environment.” (Nigel Peel, of Architect Your Home Manchester)

Whilst Hazlemere Windows does not currently supply timber only windows, it does supply and fit windows with timber frames and aluminium sealed double glazed unit inserts, as sometimes local planners insist on timber framed windows within conservation areas or on certain listed buildings. This highly specialised product is known as odd leg into timber frame, not something that Hazlemere Windows has advertised much over the years, but a service to customers they are more than happy to provide to help customers get the appropriate bespoke windows for their property.

The Last Samurai and a double edged sword!

According to a recent article on the Wiltshire Times website, Federick Henry Stokes of East Street, Warminster, Dorset, allegedly entered into a dispute with builders over replacement windows. Mr Stokes seems to have threatened the developers with a Samurai Sword, which is surely not the best way to go about securing energy saving improvements! Hopefully he will be the Last Samurai trying to improve his home with energy rated windows using sharp practices! 

In a funny sort of way, I think you could view replacement double glazed windows and doors as a bit of a double edged sword. On one side of the equation one can not get away from the fact that they require a substantial up front investment. However, on the other side of the equation, this must be balanced against the massive improvements they give any property. Yes, the energy saving are lifelong, so as long as you stay in the property you invest in you will get a good return via energy efficient cost savings. Also modern replacement double glazing improves homes aesthetically, plus reduces noise and draughts.

Our fitters are not as quick as Kwik-Fit fitters!

You will not be surprised to discover that Hazlemere’s experienced expert installers are no where near as quick as Kwik-Fit fitters! Replacement double glazed windows and doors take considerably more time to remove and fit than an old and new exhausts! One thing is for sure, they are far better for the environment, particularly aluminium windows and doors, as aluminium can be recycled again and again.

Hazlemere’s trusted brand is underpinned by their team of expert installers who have a wealth of experience, and collectively mainly responsible for the company excellent reputation for high quality craftsmanship. Their dedicated workmanship is backed by Hazlemere’s 10 year guarantee, which in turn can be further “protected” by taking out optional additional deposit and guarantee insurance provided by the Independent Warranty Association.

Brothers Alan and John Layton (see above) work as a team, who have both been with Hazlemere over 16 years installing UPVC and aluminium windows, doors and conservatories. Several of Hazlemere’s fabricators and fitters have given over 20 years service to the Hazlemere Group. This includes Dave Payne (see above), who along with the dozens of other staff and installers, have made Hazlemere the leading Home Improvement Specialists they are today.

All good things come to an end……eventually

During the very enjoyable time I worked for Wycombe Wanderers Football Club (from 1992 – 2004) as Sales & Marketing Manager, the Club won four out of four ”Wembley” Finals and lost 2-1 to Liverpool FC in the 2001 FA Cup Semi-Final at Villa Park in front of over 20,000 very proud Blues fans. Sadly, all good things do come to an end eventually, yet I still make it to most home matches at Adams Park and have been very encouraged by Peter Taylor side’s start to the Coca Cola Football League Two campaign.

Remaining unbeaten in the League till December is a great start, but will mean nothing if the lads do not now press on and secure promotion. As Wycombe Wanderers are not involved in any Cup competitions, there will hopefully be nothing to district the teams focus this season. Now ”our” unbeaten run is over, we must endeavour to keep the six point lead we have in the League and maintain the hunger and desire that has got us this excellent start. As the saying goes “Champions don’t give up, they get up!” Come on you Blues!