12 films for autumn

As the nights get longer, and bad weather keeps us indoors more often, there's nothing better than settling down on sofa with a classic film with a real autumnal feel.

Autumn is also a time when the movie studios release their new films ahead of the holiday season, so in addition to some cracking classics, we've also listed a few of the new arrivals to look out for, if you prefer to get out to a cinema.

6 classics

• Halloween (1978) – a classic slasher horror movie that still keeps audiences on the edges of their seats. So good, it spawned a whole series of sequels, not to mention a whole sub-genre of films influenced by director John Carpenter.
• Rushmore (1998) – the back to school theme is explored in this movie set in a US prep school over an autumn term.
• Far From Heaven (2002) – a tribute to 1950s melodramas, directed by Todd Haynes, this film is about a house wife dealing with the prejudices of a mixed race affair after her husband admits that he is gay. It's a true classic that oozes autumnal charm.
• Dead Poets’ Society (1989) – another heart-warming movie with an autumnal back to school theme. Robin Williams is superb as inspirational English teacher John Keating.
• When Harry Met Sally (1989) – a quintessential romcom that features leafy walks in Central Park and Meg Ryan’s wool and tweed hats and blazers.
• Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987) – John Hughes’ 1980s comedy classic staring Steve Martin and the late John Candy is all about the chaos of holiday travel and bad weather.

If you haven’t already got these in your collection, you can stream them from an online provider or order the DVD from your favourite online entertainment retailer.

6 new releases

• The Predator – a reboot of the 1980s classic sci-fi creature feature.
• The House with the Clock on its Walls – a children’s gothic horror starring Jack Black and Cate Blanchett from horror master Eli Roth.
• Venom – a Spiderman spin-off about journalist Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy), infected by an alien parasite that gives him superhuman powers.
• Halloween  – a direct sequel to the original 1978 John Carpenter classic.
• First man – a biopic of Neil Armstrong and his journey to become the first man on the moon.
• Bohemian Rhapsody (November 2) – biopic of consummate showman Freddie Mercury starring Rami Malek culminating Queen’s iconic 1985 performance at Live Aid. 

The region boasts plenty of options for your viewing pleasure. Here are local cinemas near Larkfleet developments:

Boston – Savoy, Boston West End
Corby – Savoy, Corby
Peterborough – Showcase Cinema deLux
Spalding – South Holland Centre
Taunton – The Odeon



Follow the links for what's on and screening times.

Fundraising is a piece of cake for Larkfleet Homes

It’s coffee time!

The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning takes place on Friday 28 September and the team at Larkfleet Homes will, once again, be joining in to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Forget Bake Off! Staff at Larkfleet Homes’ Bourne HQ will be baking or bringing in cakes and snacks that will be sold in the building’s main meeting room to raise money for the charity.

You can help by buying a cake and cup of coffee throughout the day at any of our show homes.

Having a coffee morning is the perfect chance to catch up over a cuppa and a slice of something delicious … all for a great cause.

The team will be creating a buzz around the office with posters, bunting and cake cards to make the place look the part. There will also be a raffle with all donations collected going to Macmillan.

We hope that you, and all our visitors, will join in the fun, buy a cake or two and enjoy a cup of coffee in aid of this popular cause.

The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning is Macmillan’s biggest fundraising event for people facing cancer. Since 1990, the Coffee Morning has raised over £200 million for Macmillan Cancer Support. People all over the UK host their own coffee mornings and money raised on the day is given to Macmillan. Last year alone saw a total of £27 million generated for the charity.

This year Macmillan is aiming to raise even more – and the Larkfleet Homes team is aiming to do its bit.

Please bring your cash along if you are visiting our offices or one of our show houses, and help us to help Macmillan!

6 things to do with the kids at harvest time

Harvest time is a wonderful time of year. It’s a season that touches us at Larkfleet Homes because many of our developments are in rural areas and small market towns whose communities and economies depend, in part, on agriculture.

Harvest is an important time for farmers. It’s the culmination of a year's work and investment. And it’s a time of celebration, which is why harvest festivals are important in rural areas.

Ample food and the freedom from the necessity to work in the fields are two central features of harvest festivals with eating, merriment, contests, music and romance being the main themes in harvest festivals around the world.

The full moon nearest the autumnal equinox is called the Harvest Moon. So, in ancient traditions Harvest Festivals were traditionally held on or near the Sunday of the Harvest Moon. In two years out of three, the Harvest Moon comes in September. In some years it occurs in October.

During a harvest celebration, people bring in produce from the garden, the allotment or farm. The food is often distributed among the poor and senior citizens of the local community; or used to raise funds for charity.

If you'd like to do something with the kids this harvest time, we've compiled a quick list of suggestions.

• Have a look at The Campaign for School Gardening. Run by the RHS, it provides a wealth of practical information as well as running fun competitions such as “Young School Gardener of the Year”.
• The BBC and RHS have teamed up and provide some great tips for gardening with children of all ages. Why not get them interested? 
• Gardening with Children runs a club - membership of which allows access to all sort of useful resources that can help your budding young gardeners get even more enthused 
• Why not make corn dollies? As an old tradition, to preserve the spirit of the corn, the final ears used to be fashioned into corn dollies (also known as 'kirn-babies' (also spelt kern), ivy girls, and mell dolls), and kept in the farmhouse all winter, before being ploughed into the first furrow in spring. Corn dollies can be woven into a variety of shapes including chandeliers, horns and horseshoes. The Eden Project website shows you how to make your own corn dolly.
• You can celebrate the part bread has to play in the harvest by baking a mini harvest loaf with flour that has been milled as locally as possible from the most locally grown grain possible.
• Or you could visit a local wind or watermill. Sacrewell Farm is a great local example or there’s Whissendine Windmill near Oakham or Heckington Windmill near Sleaford.

And while you’re there, why not take a little time to visit one of our show homes in Oakham.

7 essentials for creating the perfect home gym

As Autumn kicks in and the mornings and evenings start to get darker, the idea of lacing up the trainers and getting out for a run becomes less appealing. Shorter days, combined with wet and windy weather, mean the lure of the sofa can be hard to resist. Weekends are great for getting out running in the daytime, but our busy lifestyles often leave us time poor. Exercise can lose out to family and work commitments.

This is where equipping your home with some domestic gym equipment can really help. You can choose when to exercise and you don’t need to worry about failing light or the inclement British weather.

Some people worry about cost and space believing that gym equipment is expensive and will take up loads of space in the home. But the reality is, that’s not always the case and there are plenty of budget options available. And they don’t necessarily need to take up lots of space either.

Larkfleet Homes are generously proportioned and, depending on your family’s needs, have space to install a home gym.

You can kit out a spare room, garage or shed with a few key pieces of essential equipment for around £1,000 - £2,000. There are plenty of places to pick up used gear at a fraction of the cost of new equipment like online auction sites and classified ads.

When you’re looking for gear, go for versatility. This means you’ll need to buy less stuff, saving on
space and your pocket.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Flooring – There are plenty of options for proper rubber flooring, either in tiles or on the roll. It will save your joints and help you to look after your equipment. It will also protect the floor.
• Kettlebells – These are versatile and can be used for a variety of exercises.You will only need a couple. Ensure you choose a weight that is going to push you, but not cause injury or strain.
• Spin bike – A spin bike will help you with your cardio and get you in the fat burning zone. It’s a great way to multi-task too. While you’re gently spinning away, catch up on some telly or make those phone calls that you have been putting off. 
• Treadmill – This is a great addition to a home gym and will help you stick to your running programmes, even in the depths of winter. Don’t completely substitute the outdoors though and make sure you get outside to pound the pavements and suck in some fresh air when you can.
• Bar bells – A bar and barbells are part of the ‘essentials kit’ and will form the basis of your cardio and conditioning exercises such as squats, bench presses, behind the neck Military Press, arm curls – the list goes on.
• Rack – Essential for placing your weights when you bench press, etc.
• Bench – Obviously, you can’t do bench presses without a bench.

Whether you’re fully equipped, or choose a few essential pieces, having access to some gym equipment at home can mean you are able to keep you exercising through the worst that the British weather has to throw at you.

For more ideas on home gyms visit Houzz or Pinterest.

Autumn running for charity

At Larkfleet we believe that putting something back into the community is vitally important. That’s why we support several different charities throughout the the year.

This year we are giving our support to Anna’s Hope, Shine, Greater Peterborough UTC, MacMillan and the Peterborough City Hospital Breast Care Unit.

Anna’s Hope is the leading children’s brain tumour charity in the East of England. It was inspired by Anna Olivia Hughes, who tragically died from a brain tumour aged only three years and eight months. It was set up by Anna's parents, Rob and Carole Hughes, and her five Godparents in October 2006.

There are lots of different ways in which you can help the charity. If you are feeling sporty you could sign up for the Anna’s Hope 5k Fun Run, which takes place at the Great Eastern Run in October. You can sign up to run here.

Runs are also the most popular way to support Peterborough-based charity Shine, which provides specialist advice and support for spina bifida and hydrocephalus in the UK. They have loads of information about signing up on their website.

Of course, the most popular distance run in this region is the Perkins Great Eastern Run. You can get a charity place or start your own Just Giving page and sign up for the race here.

Running is a fantastic way to get fit and you can use your new-found fitness to benefit others in the community by entering challenging events for a good cause. But it’s important to maintain your fitness, eat the right food and not over do things to avoid injuring yourself.

Here are a few training tips to help you along.

Top toys for Christmas

It is some time off we know – 12 weeks more or less – but with the kids back at school, Striclty on the telly and the nights drawing in it might be a good idea to start thinking about Christmas.

We’re thinking here mainly about what pressies to get the kids.

Argos has already made its predictions for the top toys for Christmas.
2018 is the ‘Year of the Unicorn’ with the mythical steeds set to dominate the toy scene having already taken over social feeds and the food and design worlds.

Four unique and innovative unicorn toys are expected to fly off the shelves this year, including the My Lovely Unicorn Electric Ride-On (£229.99) which makes a great high-impact gift, to the quirkier Poopsie (£49.99), the unicorn who poops glitter.

Other predicted bestsellers for 2018 include the latest innovations from LOL Surprise and Fingerlings, such as dinosaur-themed Fingerlings and the LOL Surprise Under-Wraps (£14.99) which is the first cylindrical-shaped case from the collectible favourite. TV stars Paw Patrol also feature with the brand-new Rescue Fire Truck Playset (£69.99).

Boxer (£79.99) the playful robot is a fantastic choice for those looking for toys that encourage children to be interactive and imaginative. Kids who prefer something more hands-on will also love the Treasure X 3-Pack Chest (£29.99) which lets you dig for gold-dipped treasure. And construction fans will be delighted with the City Arctic Mobile Exploration Base from perennial favourite LEGO
(£84.99).

You can shop for toys online here.

Top tips for getting your home ready for winter

While many of us are enjoying some late summer sun, it’s worth remembering that Autumn is on its way. And winter is just around the corner.

With colder temperatures and worsening weather not that far away, now is good time to have a look around the house and garden and see what needs preparing to see you through the winter.

We have pulled together this handy guide to plugging up the gaps and sealing your home against the worst that the British weather has to throw at it.

Check your heating – Give your heating system a trial run before you actually need it in cold weather. You’ll be able to identify any problems and get them sorted out now before you really miss it. If you have open fires, make sure you get chimneys and flues cleaned and swept.

Heating service – If it’s been a while, now would be a good time to organise a boiler service. Once the cold weather really starts to bite, competent heating engineers can be hard to find as this is a really busy time for them. Have a look at Checkatrade or Trustatrader for recommendations.

Check your loft – Have a look at the water expansion tank in your loft and check the ball valve on the water inlet to make sure it’s working OK. Move the ball up a down a few times to see if the water flows and then shuts off. While you're up there, inspect your insulation and top it up if needed to the required depth of 270mm. Also check that any pipework in your loft is insulated; you don’t want frozen or burst pipes in cold weather.

Draft proofing – Check your doors and windows for draft proofing. Adding a threshold strip or a letterbox draft excluder are cheap and quick ways to improve draft proofing and save yourself some money on your heating bills this winter.

Check ventilation – Because we tend to shut up the house at this time of year, a resulting lack of ventilation can cause condensation problems. Condensation can be removed by ensuring that your rooms are well ventilated and extractor fans fitted in areas such as the kitchen and bathroom.

Check outside – A bright sunny day in autumn is a good time to check your walls and brickwork for any damage. Flaking and cracks can allow water to penetrate, so you’ll need to get these repaired. Also make sure there’s no soil or debris piled against the walls that could cause a breach of your damp proof course. Also check air vents and air bricks are clear and free from debris to ensure adequate ventilation indoors.

Clear drains and gutters – In late autumn, once most of the leaves have fallen, clean out drains, gutters and downpipes of any blockages. You should also repair any leaks you find in gutters and down pipes.

Check your roof – Get out a pair of binoculars and inspect your roof to make sure there are no damaged slates or tiles. Replace any damaged or missing tiles and make sure and damaged flashing is also repaired.

Outdoors – Check external pipes and taps and insulate them to prevent freezing. Clean paths and patios and treat external timber.

Exterior lighting and homes security – You could fit some motion sensitive lighting outside your home to ensure you have some welcoming light when you come home from work on the darker evenings. Good quality external security lighting also helps to deter would-be burglars.

The colder months aren't here yet, but by getting ahead of the game with a few 'prep jobs', you can sit back and relax and enjoy a stress free winter.

Ways you can get involved and help a charity

Charities, by their very nature, do good deeds for other people. Their work is tireless, often heroic, and intended to be at no cost to the recipient. Their efforts are for the good of those who are in need (in one way or another) of money, food, care or just some time.

But charities themselves often need some help too.

With over 160,000 charities in England and Wales alone, it's easy to see why funds are, generally, in short supply and why resources for day-to-day operations, which are largely dependent upon volunteers, can be sparse.

Still, they somehow achieve success in being a central mainstay in many local communities. They not only provide a lifeline for those in need, but a purpose for those who volunteer. They can be a reason to get out of the house each week, meet new people and get involved in a wide range of activities and events.

For others, of course, volunteering is simply a way to give something back.

And with charities ranging from huge nationals to small locals, there'll be lots of opportunities in your area too. It's not about giving huge donations, or dedicating 5 days a week every week, it's about playing a part in fulfilling the purpose of a charity in whatever way you can.

Here are four simple ways that you could get involved and help:

1. Remember strangersMake donations to local or national causes, taking into account the time of year and how others less fortunate could be affected. In the months running up to winter, take old coats, woolly jumpers, hats, scarves and blankets to charities that help the homeless.
   
   Your cupboards are probably full of excess tins, jars and packets too so let someone else make good use of them. Food banks are ever-increasing in popularity (and impact) so hunt down your local one and make a delivery. They may even require some man-power, you never know.
   
   In 2017, 50 per cent of people helped a stranger, let's keep this moving.
2. Offer your time
   
   Volunteer in local charity shops, just a few hours will help to tick some jobs off the list. Or if an event is more your thing, help on the day with the organisation and marshalling. You could even take part in the event yourself. Charity fun runs, monthly initiatives (Movember!) or fitness challenges are great ways to raise funds and provide you with the ultimate feel-good factor.
   
   For the less active (but equally willing) think about selling any unwanted items you have. Tackle eBay or local selling sites to declutter your house or garage and donate the proceeds to a cause close to your heart. There's even the option all over the UK to donate your blood, it's quick, simple and always needed.
3. Part with your cashOne-off lump sums aren't the only way to give money, and generally don't work for a lot of people. What is more successful (and manageable) is making regular donations in smaller amounts, especially if you can donate from your pre-tax salary; you'll never know it's gone. Or you could simply set up a monthly direct debit. Many smaller, local charities rely upon these regular donations as part of their budgeting.
   
   And if you're sponsoring others to complete a charity event, make sure you gift aid. The charity will receive an extra 25p for every £1 donated from all UK taxpayers.
4. Organise a fundraiserThere are lots of opportunities to piggy-back national events with your own local variation, the World's Biggest Coffee Morning by Macmillan being a perfect example. You can create a real community spirit by encouraging local people to come along and get involved. You'll soon learn of a whole host of skill sets (and enthusiasm) in your area.
   
   You could even take the initiative and organise your own event. Bring and buy sales, bingo nights, a swishing party or pamper evening are all full of fun and largely successful in generating the crowds and raising the funds. All you need is a small team of helpers!

There are so many ways that you can get involved and support charities, locally or nationally. You just need to tap into one (or a few) that you'd like to support and take it from there. There's a role to suit everyone in the world of volunteering.

Steering the future of house-buying

The UK housing market is one which is always under much scrutiny, and even more so since Brexit.   

How will house prices be affected in the years ahead? Will they continue to rise? 

After all, they have gone up by an astonishing 259% since 1997. Maybe it’s time to see them fall... even just slightly.    

This could mean that the housing market is opened up to a wider audience. People need to strike while the iron’s hot and,  if the right property comes along at the right price, you need to be ready to buy. 

What will the impact of this be on the rental market? As it is financially beneficial (in most cases) to pay a monthly mortgage instead of a monthly rent, those able to make the move onto the property ladder will do so. Some even plan years ahead to build their savings pot into a sizeable deposit. 

But still, the problems associated with an on-going housing shortage could work against any positive impact Brexit may have. Even if we see a soft (or limited) fall in house prices, the theory of demand exceeding supply could see them shoot back them up again. 

So, no matter how much we obsess about the economic possibilities of UK house prices, there really is no certainty. The best we can achieve is opinions and predictions from those in the know (and those buying and selling).   

Lynne Fitzpatrick

At Larkfleet, we aim to keep up-to-date with the latest trends and work hard to understand what our customers, and future customers, are thinking.     

Our recent house buyer research, conducted in partnership with some key industry names, provided us with valuable insights into the whys and wherefores of the current UK housing market. 

We look forward to sharing these results with you very soon. But, in the meantime, we’d like to congratulate the winners of our prize draws. Participant input into this type of research is fundamental if we are to deliver results that are both accurate and reliable. The more people who take part, the more representative our findings are.    

Anne Bladon

So, a huge thank you to everyone who completed the research survey, and the telephone interview, your input is very much appreciated.   

And a special congratulations to both Lynne Fitzpatrick and Anne      Bladon who each won £500 in our prize draws.     

We hope you enjoy spending your winnings ladies! 

Join us for morning coffee!

The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning is once again coming to Larkfleet House. 

This year’s event will be held on Friday 28 September in support of Macmillan’s biggest fundraising event for people facing cancer.  

And it’s no half-baked job.  

Staff across the business, including those at Larkfleet House and at our individual sites, will be busy baking or buying delicious cakes and snacks to add to the mix. And they’ll all be available to purchase on the day as part of the mammoth fundraising efforts.  

So why not pop along to Larkfleet House, or your nearest show home, to join in our Macmillan coffee and cake bonanza. There are no limits to what you can enjoy (because no one will be counting) so join us for a piece of cake (or two, three or four) and a cup of coffee and know that you have done your part to support Macmillan.  

The success of these events is crucial to everyday people all over the country and since the first ever coffee morning in 1990, they have raised in excess of £200 million for the charity. One in two of us will face cancer at some point and this staggering amount of money will make sure no one has to face it alone.     

Last year’s combined coffee morning efforts saw an unbelievable £27 million raised and so the bar is set for 2018.  

We’re going to be a part of this phenomena once more and we’d like you to join us.  Who can really say no to coffee and cake on a Friday morning?