Peter Smith

An old story as relevant to day as it was then: Many years ago a company of tradesmen united themselves into a guild and each one had to relate what he could contribute to its support. First the blacksmith came forward and said:— "Gentlemen, I wish to become a member of your organisation." "Well, what can you do?" "Oh, I can make springs and axles for your carriages, shoe your horses, and make all kinds of implements." "Very well, come in, Mr. Blacksmith." The mason applied for admission into the society. "What can you do, sir?" "I can build your barns, bridges, houses, and stables." "Very well, come in; we cannot do without you." Along comes the shoemaker and says:— "I wish to become a member of your society." "Well, what can you do?" "I can make boots and shoes for you." "Come in, Mr. Shoemaker; we must have you." In turn all the trades and professions a...

A certain popular wildlife Conservationist was on the BBC’s top house price ramping programme, ‘Escape to the Country’ this week. The Wildwood Trust attracts hundreds of thousands of people each year, keen to experience the many animals it protects, such as these very cute baby beaver and rescued dormice which were featured on the programme. Clip from the BBC 'Escape to the Country' This programme shows very well how property prices are affected by the community that surrounds the houses. The infamous phrase; LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION tells us the largest part of a ‘property’s price’ is the location value, i.e. that which is created by the whole community. Now that means that, with all probability,  the popular tourist destination and conservation charity Wildwood Trust is adding many thousands, if not millions, of pounds to the land prices of the houses & businesses in the area, these landowners (free-loaders) have enjoyed this ...