Book early to avoid disappointment!

Contact James Epps 01273 688881 jamese@oakleyresidential.com

The event raised £2,000 for Rockinghorse, which James presented to Dr Ryan Watkins, Consultant Neonatologist at the The Trevor Mann Baby Unit and Ryan Heal, Rockinghorse Chief Executive on 27 February 2013.  They were also joined by James’ sister, Heidi Epps, Lee Underhill and their baby Alfie, who was born 11 weeks premature and spent time in the unit, under the care of Ryan Watkins.

Ryan Heal said, “We are delighted to have the support of the BHEAA, especially with such a strong link between James Epps and his family. Thank you so much to everyone who attended the event and donated on the night.”

For more information about Rockinghorse and the work that they do to help sick children across Sussex, please visit www.rockinghorse.org.uk, or call 01273 330044.

Brand Vaughan wins gold in Sunday Times Estate Agency of the Year Awards

We’re thrilled to have won gold at the prestigious Sunday Times Estate Agency of the Year Awards, giving us the title of best single office in the south east.

This top prize, handed toDavid Vaughanby Olympic swimming medallist Rebecca Adlington at a ceremony in centralLondon, follows our shortlisting in last year’s awards, recognising the improvements we’ve made to our service.

Central to our award was our position as the highest-selling office inBrighton*, a position we’ve held for at least two years now.

The judges’ report also said that Brand Vaughan have “gone from strength to strength […] partly due to the recruitment of a specialist copywriter for sales particulars, which includes both the positive aspects of properties as well as proactively addressing those points which may be seen as negatives”.

The judges also carried out a ‘mystery shop’ in which they posed as customers, and found our response times, quality of information offered and customer care standards “truly impressive”, as was our “market share in a very competitive market”.

This prize recognises a very busy year for us in which we’ve completely overhauled our service including how we market properties, launched a new website and totally rebranded the company, whilst maintaining the top spot as the highest-selling office inBrighton.

We are really pleased to win this, particularly in the competitive south east. And 2013 is going to be even better – we’re opening our second office, onPreston Roadin January, and also taking on an expert photographer to capture all properties in their best light. What’s more, we’ve just launched a new ‘video tours’ service enabling buyers to watch a slideshow of a property’s photos accompanied by a professional narration of our lovingly crafted descriptions.

Peter Knight, Chairman of the event organisers Estate Agency Events commented “when we set up the awards our goal was to encourage, identify, highlight, reward and promote best practice in Estate Agency. A decade on we now have a competition that is without question the most sought after prize in the industry. Each year the quality and quantity of entries considerably increases and the winners can be very proud in the knowledge that they have beaten some seriously good competitors”.

The 2013 President invites you to The Grand Brighton on Friday 8th February 2013.

Drinks Reception: 18.30
3 Course Dinner
Dress Code: Black Tie
Tickets: £55 per person – tables 8 – 12 individuals catered for.

Contact: James Epps 01273 688881 jamese@oakleyresidential.com or Andy Garth 01273 570242 andy.sales@barriealderton.co.uk

The event was well supported being attended by no less than seven former Presidents; a sight to drive one to drink, hence the desire of the writer to take wine with all of them after dinner.  Regrettably, we were not graced by the current incumbent of the office asVictoriawas somewhat under the weather.  However, in her absence, her father organised proficiently the event which has always been the happy hunting ground of the stalwarts of the Southover Golfing Society, hence a field of semi-professional golfers such as Graham Rand, Graham Jasper, Brian Woodiwiss (previous winner 2009), Dave Roberts, Phil Graves (winner 2011), Tim Fenton, Tony Uden, Chris Weatherstone, Hugh McShane, Spencer & Leigh, Richard Dyson and Tony Sanford. Previous winners hoping to reclaim the title included Andy Lees (2003) and his father Geoff (2010) and Barrie Alderton 2004. Given that Bob Thatcher has won it more times than most (1989-he must have been still at school?-1996 and 1997), he was the bookies’ favourite. We were as ever also blessed with many guests including a former Association Solicitor, Harvey Osler.Harvey’s claim to fame at Mid-sussex in years gone by was to snap hook a drive on 18 and smash a windscreen to a car belonging to an ex-copper! Bang to rights one might say! There were other celebrities such as Robin Gibb (Paul Little), Freddie Flintoff (J M-Ball) and Paul Newman to name all of them.  The wise money was on guest, Duncan George who previously won this twice before.  All in all, the strongest field in recent times. It would take a golfer of outstanding talent one at the top of his game to outplay them all.  The only shame was that the organiser could not organise himself to play with us but he did manage to join us for the meal afterwards.  The scores show that many people enjoyed the course which is a fair challenge.  ‘Nearest the pins’ were won by Harvey Osler, David Aspey and two by Leigh Brand (bit greedy).  The guest prize was won by Scott Gair. As for the President’s Cup itself, it was second place for Leigh Brand who had amassed 31 points with 4 holes to play. Sadly, the pressure got to him and left the door open to the winner and former President 2009, David Aspey who spookily won the cup in 2007 at……Mid Sussex!  All were relieved that, unlike Mike Davis, I can deliver an acceptance speech without losing my trousers.  The evening concluded with a toast to absent friends and in particular one who would have especially enjoyed the company and the game itself, Mr Glen Mishon

These special gifts inspired great loyalty in those Glenn came into contact with. As the company he founded with his partnerAlex Mackaygrew from its first office atChurch Roadinto a network of six acrossBrightonand beyond, the seemingly limitless friends of Glenn, or FOGs, as they were known affectionately at Mishon Mackay, became legendary. Occasionally even Glenn himself couldn’t remember when he had met them, and his staff, announcing their calls or impromptu visits to his office were sometimes met with an anxious whisper of ‘Dolly, how do I know them?’

Glenn was president of the BHAEA in 1996, a role he treasured, and was thrilled to receive its Lifetime Achievement Award. Glenn died in 2012 as Mishon Mackay celebrated its 25^th year in business, but his greatest joy – other than his devotion to the Seagulls and to the golf course – was his family. He delighted in the times he spent with them, and especially in his love for his wife Barbara and their new grandson William. His happy family life was without doubt what he regarded as his greatest achievement.

I have been contacted by the Guild of Professional Estate Agents, who have some members take part in this impressive charity event. The Estate Agency Foundation/Zoopla Charity Bike Ride. Details here:

http://eafcharity.org/propertycycle.html

Some riders are passing through Brighton on Saturday 25th (about 5-7 riders, I’m told) and are making a pit stop at our Portslade Office (10 Station Road) at around 1-2pm for refreshments. The Guild are trying to arrange for some press to be there and I think that the Estate Agency Foundation are keen to meet some local agents to see if they would like to join there worthy cause. They asked me to invite some local agents to attend.

I know Saturdays are manic for everyone but I wonder if anyone would be interested in attending?

Kind regards

Adam Farrell Dip Surv Pract CPEA FNAEA MARLA
Director

Portslade Office: 10 Station Road, Portslade, BN41 1GA
T: 01273 383830 F: 01273 383850
E: Adam@sawyerandco.co.uk W: www.sawyerandco.co.uk

The cost of the day is £52 which includes coffee & bacon rolls, 18 holes & 2 course dinner (Pork Belly & Syrup Sponge)

If you would like to play please contact Barrie Alderton directly on 01273 570242 barrie.sales@barriealderton.co.uk