Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2014 | Page 108

BUSINESS LIFE Protect thatch - urges NFU McCarthy & Stone Church Road, Bembridge, IW, PO35 5ND w.www.mccarthyandstone.co.uk t. 0800 201 4742 M ake a resolution to protect your thatched property from fire! That’s the message NFU Mutual, the UKs leading rural insurer, is sending to thatched property owners on the Isle of Wight. Thatched properties are treasured gems of English rural heritage, However, although no more likely to catch fire than a home with a conventional roof if the right precautions are taken, a thatched roof fire is difficult to control, and results can be devastating. Any steps a homeowner can take to reduce the risk of a thatch fire could help to avoid the inconvenience and heartache of dealing with the aftermath of such an event. . So make sure you are fully protected. John Heather, branch manager at NFU Mutual’s office, Newport, said: “There are many things people can do to minimise the risk of fire including having the chimney swept on a regular basis, checking the pointing on the chimney stack and having mainsoperated smoke detectors. “A high proportion of thatch fires relate to the excessive use of wood burning stoves, faulty flue linings and very hot embers landing on a dry thatch roof. Although only a small percentage of fires relate to electrical faults, even electric blankets and tumble driers, if not checked, may cause a fire. It is important that people make sure they have the right level of cover in place and at what point it comes into effect.” NFU Mutual has produced a number of online guides about buying and caring for a thatched property. To view the guides visit the Thatch Insurance page on their website: www.nfumutual. co.uk 108 www.visitilife.com Roach Pittis 60 - 66 Lugley Street , Newport, IW, PO30 5EU t. 01983 524431 w. www.roachpittis. co.uk e. [email protected] McCarthy & Stone M cCarthy & Stone, the UK’s leading developer of retirement apartments, now has two developments on the Isle of Wight, offering a wide range of facilities for the over 60s to enjoy a care free and relaxing retirement. Featuring the high build quality which comes as standard across all of McCarthy & Stone’s properties, the developer is currently building a collection of 40 one and two-bedroom Signature Retirement Living apartments in Bembridge and 58 one and two-bedroom Assisted Living apartments at Somers Brook Court, Newport. The Bembridge development has been designed exclusively for the over 60s to promote an active and independent lifestyle. Homeowners will also benefit from a low maintenance, new build apartment that offers a range of specialist design features to add to homeowners’ comfort and security as they get older. Somers Brook Court is ideal for those who are looking for additional assistance with daily life, but are not yet ready, or wanting to consider residential care. This Assisted Living development offers a number of enhanced features, exclusively for the over 70s, to give homeowners the extra support they are looking for such as a table-service restaurant offering a hot meal 365 days of the year, an hour of domestic assistance each week and personal care from the on-site care team, should the need arise. In addition to all the features of a Retirement Living apartment, all apartments at Somers Brook Court are fully wheelchair accessible throughout. Roach Pittis L ong-established Island solicitors Roach Pittis pride themselves on providing clients with a professional, yet friendly and personal service on all aspects of law. Roach Pittis is one of the oldest solicitors firms on the Island. The first record of a Pittis involved with the law is an Edward Roach Pittis, practising as an attorney in Newport in c