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Warm Front Energy Help Scheme
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The Warm Front energy help scheme is
getting a frosty reception.
Consumer Focus and National Energy Action are warning
that the Government’s flagship scheme to help the
poorest households in England to make their homes warmer
and cut their energy bills, is set for up to a £30
million underspend this year. This means many older
people, families and people with long-term health
problems will miss out on much-needed help.
The Warm Front scheme - which offers heating and
insulation improvements to households living on low
incomes – is expected to see up to a fifth of its £143
million worth of funding for this year going unclaimed.
This money could help up to 16,000 households struggling
to afford their energy bills to cut their costs by a
potential £650 per year.
Warm Front has seen a dramatic decline in applications
for help this year. In April to December 2011 less than
40,000 people applied for a Warm Front grant compared to
over 130,000 applications in the same period in 2010.
The scheme was oversubscribed in 2010 but the funding
was cut by almost two thirds this year.
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A combination of factors are
likely to have led to this fall in applications. The
eligibility criteria were made stricter and the
Government did not advertise the scheme as it was
anticipated demand would again exceed supply.
The milder winter weather may mean not as many people
have been driven towards the scheme, but it is also
seems that the number of advice organisations referring
people to the scheme must have dropped significantly.
They are likely to have been concerned people would end
up not getting the grant given eligibility restrictions
and the much smaller funding pot.
Consumer Focus and National Energy Action are urging
people to put in a claim now before the funding for this
year ends on 31 March. People on certain income-related
benefits and living in homes that are poorly insulated
or do not have a working central heating system are
eligible for Warm Front grants. Anyone who is eligible
for Cold Weather Payments can claim the grant such as:
older people receiving pension credit; families with a
child under five and in receipt of Income Support,
Income Related Employment and Support Allowance or
income based Jobseeker’s Allowance; and people with
higher rate disability premiums.
Audrey Gallacher, Director of
Energy at Consumer Focus says, "The poorest pensioners
and families will have been hit particularly hard by
high energy prices. Many are living in cold homes, which
could put their health at risk. It is very disappointing
that people who need Warm Front help to make their homes
warmer and cheaper to heat are likely to miss out. We’d
urge anyone who thinks they may be eligible to put in a
claim. This help is free and can make a big difference
in affording your energy bills and keeping warm and
well."
Jenny Saunders, Chief Executive of
National Energy Action explains, "The best way to
protect yourself from high energy bills is by making
your home more energy efficient through insulating the
loft and walls. The Warm Front Scheme is there to help
if you are living in an un-insulated property and
receive certain benefits. It can also provide a new
boiler if yours is broken down. Please come forward and
find out what might be available free of charge as soon
as possible before the funding is withdrawn."
Full details of who can claim help under the Warm Front
scheme and how to apply are available from Directgov.
Click on
www.direct.gov.uk/warmfront
for more details.
You can also apply for the scheme online, by post, or by
phone on 0800 316 6004 (or textphone 0800 072 0156),
Monday to Friday 8.00 am to 6.00 pm and Saturday 9.00 am
to 5.00 pm.
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Coastal Charm
for your Home
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Bring
home the beach and
create a seaside theme
in your house or garden
with these beautiful
decorative accessories
from homehomehome.
From display units to
nautical ornaments,
these stylish
accessories are perfect
for adding seashore
style to your interior.
The handmade Boat Shaped
Shelving Unit is perfect
for pushing the boat out
in your coastal themed
room. Lovingly hand
crafted and painted,
this wooden boat comes
with two shelves for
displaying books,
picture frames and other
seafaring objects.
Boat Shaped Shelving
Unit is 146cm height x
43cm width x 29cm depth.
Price is £79.95.
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If coastal decoration is
the catch of the day
then this Shoal of 3
Wooden Fish is the ideal
accompaniment to add to
your living space. This
shabby chic design
features three fish
attached to a white
wooden base and is
completed with a
distressed finish.
The Shoal of 3 Wooden
Fish are 17cm height x
24cm width x 5cm depth.
Price is £5.95.
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Set sail for a nauti-cool
journey to a stylish
home with the Wooden
Boat With Striped Sail.
This charming sailboat
features a wooden and
red stripe base with a
blue striped sail and
finished with cute
bunting and makes the
perfect accessory for
the bathroom or a little
boy’s room.
The Wooden Boat With
Striped Sail is 26cm
height x 19cm width X
2cm depth. Price is
£5.95.
For more information on
homehomehome click on
www.homehomehome.co.uk
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Kylie Minogue
At Home Collection
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Pop princess
Kylie introduces her beautiful
bed linen designs for Spring
2012. The new 'At Home'
Collection includes the
following five designs, all with
the signature Kylie look of
luxury.
In stores from February, Kylie's
'At Home' collection is
available as quilt covers in
single, double, king and super
king sizes with either square or
housewife pillowcases and a
selection of throws and
cushions.
Voda
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Bring a touch of sophisticated
elegance to your bedroom with
the gorgeous Voda bed linen.
White satin ribbon is
embroidered onto crisp white bed
linen and delicate patterns are
created inside the ribbons with
an intricate embroidered detail.
Tiny diamantes are scattered
across the embroidery to add
some Kylie sparkle. A
beautifully quilted white velvet
throw with crystal detailing
adds to the elegant feel.
Cushions in soft grey and crisp
white velvets with crystal and
bead embellishments complete the
sophisticated look.
Safia
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Make a bold statement in your
bedroom with Safia bed linen.
Panels of glistening metallic
silver sequins create a sense of
drama against the dark sumptuous
black satin. Add the black satin
quilted throw, embellished with
beautiful metallic silver
sequins for a further touch of
luxury. Complete the look with a
gorgeous selection of cushions:
Cluster, adorned with a cluster
of tiny metallic beads, Tassel,
with elegant beaded trim and
Safia, heavily embellished with
sparkling metallic sequins.
Yarona
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Sumptuous soft oyster and warm
caramel satin with a hint of
sparkle, this bed linen is chic
and simply enchanting, creating
an understated look of luxury.
For added opulence adorn with
velvet and diamante cushions.
Gianna
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Inject subtle glamour and
sophistication into your bedroom
by dressing your bed with Gianna
bed linen. The tactile waves and
pleats of sumptuous truffle
satin create beautiful movement
and depth.
Complete this lavish look with
the coordinating quilted satin
throw, adorned with delicate
cream pearls. Layer this design
with luxurious contrasting
velvet cushions, each
embellished with their own
unique diamond encrusted
brooches.
Erin
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This stunning flock design
displays a striking contrast
between the soft gold satin and
the strong black detailing,
creating a bold yet
sophisticated statement,
combined to produce this elegant
design.
The Kylie Minogue
At Home collection is available
throughout the UK at major
department stores including
Debenhams, House of Fraser,
selected Fenwicks, NEXT and BHS.
To find your nearest stockist
click on
www.ashleywildegroup.com
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Cute Doorstops
for Cat Lovers
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Cat lovers will adore the
gorgeous range of doorstops from
Juju & Bubba. They're a
delightful way to liven up your
home and give it a little fun
and character.
This adorable doorstop is called
Miss Florabunda, and is the
epitome of Boho chic. Made from
striking floral, vintage, velvet
and complemented by antique
buttons. She's very particular
you know - especially when it
comes to owners!
Introduce quirky details within
a room setting with these
humorous, functional, decorative
items. Individually handmade
with beautiful natural, vintage
fabrics, stuffed with hollow
fibre and weighted with a sealed
sand bag and exclusive to Juju &
Bubba. Clever owners have so far
used them for all sorts of
purposes such as decorative
objects and even bookends!
Wherever you place them, they'll
look cute and steal the
limelight. Items are
individually handcrafted by
Jules in her studio, so there
will be some very slight
variations in pattern placement,
appliqué, and vintage
buttons guaranteeing you a
unique item. Price is £34.
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Tigger is another adorable cat
in the range. With a striking
retro design and dapper
whiskers, Tigger is a bit of a
1960's wild cat, and despite the
name he's quite a little
sweetie. He's not a fussy cat
and will devour almost anything.
A purrfect present for all cat
lover's who don't want the mess
or the vet bills! Introduce
quirky details within a room
setting with these humorous,
functional, decorative
doorstops.
Made with beautiful natural
fabrics, stuffed with hollow
fibre and weighted with a sealed
sand bag - but don’t tell them…
they think they’re real! You can use them for all sorts of
purposes.
Wherever you place them, they're
sure to cheer up your home. Price is £34.
For more information
about the range click on
www.jujuandbubba.co.uk
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Give Your Kitchen a Facelift with Dream Doors
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If you
knew you could swap your old kitchen doors and
drawers with made-to-measure replacements and
that the work could be completed in less than a
day, would you be interested?
What about new worktops, appliances or a sink?
With a new kitchen facelift you will still save
£1000s off the cost of a new kitchen and a Dream
Doors kitchen makeover will take just a few
days. Even if you want to start from scratch
with a total kitchen refurbishment, your local
Dream Doors kitchen showroom can supply and fit
everything from top-brand appliances to granite
worktops.
All replacement kitchen cupboard doors are made
to the highest quality and our fitters can be in
and out of your home within a day! The average
kitchen carcass can last as long as 20 years, so
why replace it all when you can just reface it?
A Dream Doors kitchen facelift will save you
£1000s, but that’s not all you’ll save. What if
we could give you something that can’t be
bought? What if we could free up your time to do
more of the things you love? Dream Doors can
save you time. Time to be with your family. Time
doing what you love. Time to enjoy your new
kitchen.
A Dream Doors kitchen facelift will typically
take just a couple of days to install and that
is all. Replacement kitchen doors and new drawer
fronts can be fitted in just one day. Add new
worktops and a sink, then give us an extra day
to have it professionally fitted and of course
tidy up afterwards!
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By choosing a kitchen makeover you won’t be
spending time living in a building site saving
you from the dust and disruption that comes with
a total kitchen refurbishment. There is less
stress and less mess with a kitchen facelift.
You won’t have to empty all of your cupboards,
and we won’t be pulling out old units creating
unnecessary upheaval.
No living with clutter for weeks and no need to
trawl through takeaway menus every night. You
will be up and running and enjoying your new
kitchen before you know it. In many cases you
can eat your breakfast in your old kitchen and
your dinner in your new one.
Your kitchen makeover has to have substance to
go with the style. With years of expertise
providing replacement kitchen doors and kitchen
facelifts across the nation and tens of
thousands of satisfied customers to testify to
that, Dream Doors will ensure your kitchen
makeover gives you an enjoyable space to live
and work in for many years to come.
Why not visit your local Dream Doors kitchen
showroom and speak to our friendly helpful staff
to see a selection of stunning displays and
bespoke kitchen doors or visit
www.dreamdoorsltd.co.uk
for more information.
Trust Dream Doors to help you find the quality
kitchen refit that you are looking for, saving
you time and money. New life for your old
kitchen.
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RSPB Urges You to Feed
Goldfinches
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RSPB
urges support for the Capital’s growing number
of goldfinches.
London’s goldfinches are on the increase and the
RSPB is asking the Capital’s residents to help
keep them in peak condition to survive the lean
Winter months.
Since 2005, goldfinch numbers in Greater London
have risen from a low average of 0.3 recorded
per garden in the conservation charity’s annual
Big Garden Birdwatch, up to 0.93 per garden last
year.
“There’s been no study of the rise but there are
indications that many countryside goldfinches
are moving in to our urban gardens,” said RSPB
London’s Tim Webb, adding. “Goldfinches move
south in winter and this also helps explain the
swollen numbers.”
Tim Said, “The air temperature is slightly
higher in London compared with the surrounding
rural areas, and that means it’s easier to get
through freezing conditions. What we think we’re
seeing is learned behaviour as goldfinches adapt
to survive.”
“The as yet unanswered question is whether the
elevated temperatures are enough for goldfinches
to thrive. Having found a more comfortable
climate, will there be enough food or fresh
water for them? We know that other urban
species, such as house sparrows and starlings
are struggling, so here’s where Londoners can
help; by putting out food for goldfinches.”
Goldfinches are quite possibly our most
brilliantly coloured garden birds, with red
faces and yellow wing stripes. They like to feed
on insects, and small seeds like those commonly
found on wasteland where thistles grow.
Londoners can help by supplying Nyjer (thistle)
seed. Nyjer seed is high in calories and oil and
is widely available in special feeders to
prevent the small seeds spilling out.
For more information click on
www.rspb.org.uk
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It's a Bird's
Life
with Nordic House
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Take
care of your feathered friends with our
selection of bird houses and seed feeders that
are big on design as well as practicality. Sleek
lines, bright colours and clever features make
each of these an asset for any garden.
Stockholm Bird Feeder
Taking inspiration – appropriately enough - from
the natural form of the egg, this hanging
porcelain feeder will look after the bird life
in your garden in the utmost style.
The feeder comes in a choice of black and white,
both of which are weather-proof for peace of
mind. Size is 20cm height x 14cm width. Price is
£19.95.
Contemporary Danish
Bird Feeder
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With all the ingenuity we have come to associate
with Danish design, this feeder is filled from
the top, which makes the walls into a seed store
that automatically replenishes the tray. It has
a removable magnetic roof and comes in four
on-trend colours – lime, white, black and
purple.
Hang it from a wire (supplied) or attach it to a
pole that’s specially designed to screw into the
base (available separately). Size is 21cm width
x 31.5cm height. Price is £39.95 and £7 for the
pole support.
Danish Designer Bird
Feeder
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A design icon that has earned itself a place in
the Museum of Modern Art in New York, this
feeder has clean, simple lines, a pleasing
simplicity and oodles of Scandi style.
Whether you suspend it from a wire (included) or
screw it into a clever wooden pole (available
separately), it’s bound to be a hit with the
wildlife in your garden. Height is 25cm x 17cm x
19cm. Price is £32.50 and £7 for the pole
support.
For more inspirational home accessories from
Scandinavia click on
www.nordichouse.co.uk
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February 2012 