Monthly Archives: October 2017

Upgrade to a Chapelton home with Part-Exchange

With its green public spaces and wide array of house types available to suit different lifestyles, new residents are regularly discovering what life in Chapelton has to offer.

 Now, you could be living in a Chapelton home sooner than you may think with housebuilder Stephen’s attractive part-exchange scheme, available on selected plots.

 Here, Stephen shares more about the scheme which takes the stress out of moving home, and guarantees a buyer for your existing property.

Our part-exchange programme makes it easier than ever before to move into a Stephen property – and you can rely on us to support you through each step.

Buyers qualify for our part-exchange programme if the purchase price of their chosen new home is 30% more than the value of your present property, with the differential in value being no more than 70%. The market value of your home is determined by a valuation report provided by a local chartered surveyor, based on an eight-week sale period.

Househunters simply select a home which we have completed or are due to complete within the next three months and pay a reservation fee of £1,000 prior to having a survey carried out. Don’t worry – should you decide not to accept our offer for your home, your reservation free will be returned less £250 to cover the cost of survey fees.

Once you have accepted our offer of approximately 95% of the value of your home, you enter into a missive and conclude the deal within 21 days, leaving you to unlock the door of your brand-new property in less than eight weeks.

Buyers also have the option to add extras into their home, depending on the build stage, at an additional cost, making the process more flexible for those who wish to put their own stamp on their new property.

We will also offer a bonus of £3,000 to homeowners who help us secure a buyer for their existing property before moving into their new-build, giving new homeowners extra funds to put towards their housewarming celebrations or setting up their new home.

In addition to your personal eligibility, there is a simple range of criteria that your existing home must meet. The property being offered for part-exchange must come with all the necessary consents/certifications to authenticate any work that has been carried out. This includes alterations such as cavity wall or roof insulation. It should also be less than 10 years old, in an area local to the development and not in close proximity to commercial properties.

We offer well-appointed two and three-bedroom single-storey cottages set in peaceful courtyards off Farquharson Street in Chapelton, together with a range of superb three and four-bedroom family homes in one of Scotland’s newest towns.

To learn more about the range of Stephen homes available in Chapelton, please visit http://chapeltonnewtown.co.uk/partners/stephen/.

Ease into Autumn with Life in Chapelton

With the trees turning auburn and the nights becoming cooler, autumn is well and truly here.  Autumn is a beautiful season and the perfect time to explore the outdoors, warm up beside the fire and sip on hot chocolate.

Chapelton, a fast-growing community south of Aberdeen, is the ideal base to start your very own autumn adventure. Here, the local community outlines its top five things to see and do in and around the town and make the most of the season.

Explore the Chapelton Trail

The excellent range of flora and fauna on offer around Chapelton draws wildlife enthusiasts to the area. As the first of several planned footpaths to be realised in Chapelton, this popular walk starts and ends at Hume Square. It takes in many local landmarks, including the picturesque Dubbis Stile, Elsick Burn and Causey Mounth, along its 2.4 mile length.

Walkers should allow approximately one hour to complete the walk, and be sure to wear wellies at this time of year, as well as a warm jacket in case the weather changes. Take in the area’s diverse array of tree species and the grandeur of the imposing beech hedge on the East Drive.

Pamper yourself at The Lounge in Chapelton

There is no better way to relax into the new season than with a soothing spa treatment. The Lounge, Chapelton’s very own hair and beauty salon, offers a full suite of health and wellbeing options including therapeutic and maintenance treatments for both men and women.

The company’s expertly-trained staff will help you feel at home, away from the blustery weather outside. For more information, visit www.theloungeatchapelton.com

Unwind in the comfort of Teacake

Teacake, with views across Hume Square, is the perfect cosy setting to enjoy autumn at Chapelton. The team prides itself on providing fresh treats, prepared daily, using ingredients from local suppliers. The outlet’s menu varies by season, but cosy cups of tea and coffee and an array of delicious cakes, soups and sandwiches are very much the order of the day.

This family-run café is very much the hub of the community. No bookings are necessary, but to learn more about the café see their Facebook page.

Admire the coastline of Stonehaven Beach

The pretty coastal town of neighbouring Stonehaven is popular all year round due to its rugged coastline and array of local shops and eateries. The beach itself is just over one kilometre in length, and enjoys a popular boardwalk for walkers, joggers and pet owners to enjoy. Here you can see the River Carron’s majestic confluence with the North Sea, and take in the jagged cliffs which make up this historic part of Kincardineshire.

The walk along the beach is best enjoyed by heading north. Once you’ve completed the walk, you’ll come across The Bay – a multi award-winning fish and chip shop or Aunty Bettys next door if a coffee and a sweet treat is more your thing.

Taste the freshest fruit at Castleton Fruit Farm

Just a twenty minute car journey for residents travelling from Chapelton, Castleton Fruit Farm grows strawberries, cherries, raspberries and blueberries for household brands, such as Marks & Spencer and Tesco as well as supplying a plethora of local businesses Scotland-wide. It’s home to a popular farm shop and café in the small community of Fordoun, which is open seven days a week.

Castleton’s locally-famous Strawberry Tart Jelly is a great topping for your home bakes as it consists entirely of locally-grown strawberries, with no added artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. There’s even a Click and Collect service from which you can order a great range of gift hampers, frozen fruit and platters. To find out more, visit www.castletonfruit.co.uk.

A Guide to Hapa Zome

For those that love the colours of autumn, Hapa Zome is the perfect way to capture the season in time.

Using fallen leaves, the traditional Japanese technique involves hammering plants onto fabric or paper to create a wall hanging or pennant.

Here, local artist Rebecca Struthers, who is set to host Hapa Zome workshops in Chapelton on Saturday 14 October, provides a helpful guide on how to make the most of Hapa Zome this autumn. 

fall-foliage-1740841_1920-300x200 A Guide to Hapa Zome

Hapa Zome is a Japanese word meaning ‘leaf dye’ and is given to the process of transferring the natural pigments from leaves and flowers onto fabric or paper to create a botanical image. The activity is incredibly relaxing and very simple, making it of interest to people of all ages and abilities.

Step One

Choose your selection of leaves or flowers. The best floral to use are those with bright colours and juicy petals or leaves.

Next, lay a piece of fabric or cloth flat onto a surface and arrange your selection of plants into a design of your choice. Once you are happy with the design, cover it with paper or another piece of thin fabric.

Step Two

Using a hammer or a rounded pebble, bash where the plants lay. Keep hammering across your design in a methodical way to produce the best results.

craft-2798848_1920-300x208 A Guide to Hapa Zome

Once you’re finished, peel off the top layer. Your leaves and flowers will resemble a bit of a mushy mess but don’t worry – once you peel off the foliage your design print will be revealed. You can keep adding new leaves or petals to your image by repeating the process.

Step Three

When you’re happy with your image you can then iron the design. The steam will help set the colours and prevent them from fading.

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You can then use your fabric or paper any way you choose, either kept intact as artwork or divided to use in other craft projects.

To book your space at the Hapa Zome workshop for kids or autumnal Hapa Zome workshop, visit www.beestruthers.com 

Get Cosy with Hygge this Autumn

The leaves are beginning to fall and the nights are darkening meaning that autumn is almost here.

For many this is an exciting time of year, full of nights by the fire, cups of hot chocolate and woodland walks amongst colours of burnt orange and deep red.

21731367_766398890197720_2119800023323227097_n-300x200 Get Cosy with Hygge this Autumn

Providing plenty of cosy inspiration is the popular Danish trend of hygge. Pronounced “hoo-guh’, the term has no direct translation into English but does derive from a sixteenth-century Norwegian term hugga which means to ‘comfort’ or to ‘console’ and is related to the English word ‘hug’.

Embracing the trend, Chapelton has provided the ultimate hygge checklist helping you to make your home cosy this autumn.

Create a Cosy Snug

One of the first rules in the Hygge book is to get cosy. Create a warm and comfortable spot in your home that can be enjoyed with family and friends, or just yourself.

This is often a corner of a living room or nook of a bedroom where layers of cushions and throws can be added to create a retreat of peace and quiet. Snuggle in with a good book, cup of hot chocolate and enjoy a little time away from everyday life.

book-2179211_1920-300x199 Get Cosy with Hygge this Autumn

Light More Candles

The Danes light more candles per head than anywhere else in Europe, according to Culture Trip. The warm glow of simple candles create a cosy and intimate atmosphere that helps the eyes relax from artificial lighting and the mind switch-off.

Dim any lighting in your living room or bedroom and add plenty of white, unscented candles to your hygge snug.

Get Rid of Clutter

Organisation is a key element for feeling relaxed and banishing clutter is one of the best ways to start.

Embrace hygge by investing in clever storage solutions that hide unwanted mess such as clothing, paperwork or stationery to create a serene space that you’ll want to enjoy.

socks-1906060_1920-300x200 Get Cosy with Hygge this Autumn

Photo of CSG socks

The photo above shows socks which are available from https://cheapsnowgear.com/

Enjoy Treasured Memories

Hygge is all about an environment full of happiness. Add token yet creative displays of family pictures to your hygge space to remind you of happy times.

These can be small prints and paintings, photographs or memorabilia displayed in a simple yet effective way.

 

We would love to know what other tips and tricks that you would like to see on the Chapelton blog. Comment here or on the Chapelton Facebook page to tell us. 

New Calendar of Events Launches in Chapelton

A calendar of events has launched offering both Chapelton residents and those from neighbouring areas the chance to try their hand at a new activity.

Run in partnership with local businesses and themed to suit a variety of interests and ages, the first of the events include:

Hapa Zome Workshop for Kids with Bee Struthers Fine Art

Saturday 14 October, 10am – 11:30am

The Cabin, Chapelton

This is an opportunity for children to enjoy a different form of arts and crafts using the traditional Japanese technique of Hapa Zome. With the help of local artist Bee Struthers, children will be able to select their leaves before hammering onto paper or fabric to create an autumnal collage ready to take home.

All materials will be provided and children must be aged three years and above and accompanied by an adult. There are limited spaces for this event and booking in advance is recommended.

Cost: £6 per child (includes adult supervision)

21728189_766403790197230_1174850516222907873_n-300x225 New Calendar of Events Launches in Chapelton

Autumnal Hapa Zome Workshop with Bee Struthers Fine Art

Saturday 14 October, 1pm – 3pm

The Cabin, Chapelton

Learn the Japanese art of Hapa Zome with artist Bee Struthers. Using fallen leaves, attendees will have the opportunity to practice the traditional Japanese technique of hammering plants onto paper or fabric to create an autumnal wall hanging or pennant ready to take home.

All materials will be provided. There are limited spaces for this event and booking in advance is recommended.

Cost: £15 per person (aged 16 or over only)

21728450_766443620193247_6335108679560571293_n-300x225-300x225 New Calendar of Events Launches in Chapelton

Children’s Chocolate Creation Workshop with Cocoa Ooze

Saturday 11 November, 10:30am – 12pm

The Cabin, Chapelton

Let the little ones get messy with Chapelton’s chocolate creation workshop. Hosted in partnership with popular chocolatier Cocoa Ooze, the event will offer children the chance to make their own personalized chocolate bar, marshmallow goodies and chocolate lollipops to take home and share with friends and family.

All materials will be provided. There are limited spaces for this event and booking in advance is recommended.

Cost: £15 per child

21740587_766447030192906_2683878655460097834_n-300x300 New Calendar of Events Launches in Chapelton

Festive Wreath Decorating with Kim Dalglish

Saturday 02 December, 2pm – 4pm

ZeroC Showhome, Chapelton

Get in the festive spirit with this wreath decorating class with popular florist Kim Dalglish. Whether you’re a beginner or a horticulture expert, the workshop will offer the chance to make the perfect hanging wreath which can be taken home to fill your house with Christmas cheer.

All materials will be provided including a pre-made wreath which can be decorated with festive accessories.

Cost: £30 per person

Visit the Chapelton Facebook page for more information about how to book your space at one of the events.

Chapelton Bike Ride Success

The Chapelton Bike Ride returned for its second year on Sunday 3rd September and was a great success raising over £6,300 of much needed funds for local charity North East Sensory Services (NESS).

More than 250 people completed the bike ride and walking challenges with many others joining the celebrations of the events. Participants also enjoyed plenty of great food, art and craft stalls and live entertainment.

The teams at Chapelton and NESS would like to thank everyone who took part, volunteered or donated and we look forward to welcoming you all again for another great event next year.