Securahome Newsletter Q2 2015

Customers, staff and suppliers of Securahome jumped at the chance to support a charity skydive by MD Jason Jenkins that raised funds for a youngster with a rare condition.

Following a social media appeal asking which cause could best benefit from Securahome’s support in 2015, a groundswell of followers nominated the Go Felix campaign.

The campaign aims to raise money for three-year-old Felix Forbes, who has a rare condition called Lissencephaly and Miller-Dieker Syndrome, which means he has difficulty swallowing food and even holding up his head.

Securahome staff wasted no time in nominating Jason for a skydive at Swansea Airport.

The parachute jump raised an impressive £5,000 thanks to the generosity of customers, staff and suppliers.

Felix’s mother, Alex Forbes, thanked Jason for his support and explained how important the funding would be to her son’s quality of life.

She said: “It has been overwhelming to receive this support.

“At the moment we are paying for two private therapy sessions a week and after just a few weeks I could see the difference it was making to Felix.

“Even the NHS staff members who look after Felix’s care commented on how much he has come along.

“He is progressing well and his general health has also improved.”

Although initially nervous Jason admitted that the jump was an ‘unforgettable experience’.

He said: “There was a groundswell of support for the Go Felix campaign, and having met him and Alex I understood how much the money raised can make an impact on his quality of life.

“I have to thank all of the people who sponsored me to take part in the sky dive – suppliers, staff, customers, family and friends all gave generously.

“I’d also like to thank those who had no personal connection with me but read about Felix’s plight and decided to make a donation.”

Jason’s skydive raised £2,500, which was match-funded by Securahome to make the £5,000 total.

Sky’s the limit as Go Felix charity fundraiser raises £5,000

Kestrel Way, Garngoch Ind Est, Gorseinon, Swansea, UK, SA4 9WN t | +44 (0500) 212224 f | +44 (01792) 224099 e | [email protected] w | securahome.co.uk

Summer 2015 /securahomeCoUk@securahomeltd/securahomeltd

Ffordd o FywThe Securahome Newsletter

As we come into our 21st year of trading, at Securahome our aims haven’t changed – to deliver good quality products and services in an honest and straight forward manner.

Those may sound unremarkable

aims, but operating in an industry

that is sadly often dominated by

unbelievable discounts and gimmicks,

it has helped Securahome stand out.

I started in this industry almost

30 years ago as a teenager

working alongside my father and despite those decades, I am often exasperated by the gimmickry and hard sell tactics that are still commonplace.

For example, at the time of writing you will find national companies promising 50 per cent, and more, off windows, conservatories and doors.

Those incredible discounts seem too good to be true.

The reality is that while the size of the discount may be genuine, the starting price will have been inflated.

Quite simply it has to be as, in this industry, the margins of profit are not so high that retailers have the ability to discount that heavily on a realistic installation price.

While I’m aware that many of our customers wouldn’t fall for this kind of practice there are more vulnerable members of society who can be taken in by a deal that seems too good to be true.

Sadly those people find themselves signed up to a contract that isn’t such a great bargain after all.

Please be assured that the quotes given by our team are genuine,

at the best value we can offer to ensure that our customers get the quality they demand. Hwyl,

Jason Jenkins

Jason Jenkins

Too good to be true?

Jason Jenkins: MD of Securahome.

Five thousand reasons to celebrate: Securahome staff, suppliers and customers clubbed together to raise an incredible £5,000 for the Go Felix fund.

Richard Burton called it the ‘Welshman’s caviar’, while others cringe at the thought of swallowing seaweed.

Whatever the difference of opinion, there’s no doubt that laverbread – or ‘bara lawr’ – remains a popular delicacy in restaurants not just throughout its homeland but further afield.

However there’s no getting away from the fact that it deserves better recognition given its nutritional profile and unique flavour.

At Bwyty Sosban Restaurant in Llanelli, head chef Ian Wood knows only too well the popularity of this Welsh superfood, which he serves as a garnish, in sauce or as an addition to the main meal itself.

He said: “We source our laverbread locally from the Gower and it is a popular item which we tend to serve as a sauce with muscles from neighbouring Penclawdd.

“It is also something I use with sea bass and cockles because the flavours complement one another so well.”

Made from seaweed, washed and pureed, then cooked to make a soft greenish black paste, laverbread is nutritious and filled with health benefits.

Traditionally eaten fried with bacon and cockles as part of a Welsh breakfast, it is also commonly used as a sauce to accompany lamb, crab or monkfish and can even be made into soup.

Rich in vitamins, minerals, protein and low in calories, it is a rare plant source of vitamin B12, that also includes iron and iodine.

Ian, the former head chef at Terence Conran’s Boundary and Islington’s Almeida explained: “Laverbread really is a superfood in that respect and is a versatile ingredient which can be used creatively in restaurants and in traditional home cooked recipes alike.

“Although it doesn’t appear on our menu every day of the week, there’s no doubt that our customers enjoy the taste.”

Bwyty Sosban Restaurant is based on North Dock, Llanelli.

For further details visit www.sosbanrestaurant.com

Whether an avid walker who enjoys the lush Welsh landscape, a ghost hunter, or simply looking for somewhere to enjoy a relaxing meal, Craig y Nos Castle is a fascinating landmark.

Situated between the upper Swansea valley and the beautiful National Park of Brecon, Craig y Nos is a haunting mid Victorian landmark with a colourful past, notably as the home of once ‘Queen of Song’ Madam Adelina Patti.

Walkers will find it is central to a host of enthralling trails, rural lanes and off-road tracks in the stunning hillsides and vales. There’s also a restaurant and bar for some well-earned refreshment.

For anyone with a ghoulish or ghostly disposition, this is regarded as one of the most haunted castles in Wales and provides a perfect visitors’ destination with guided walks at the witching hour!

This neo-gothic castle was built in 1843 by High Sheriff of Brecknock, Captain Powell, the family’s tragedies began soon after, with the loss of his young son of cholera, followed by his wife and daughter within just a few years.

In 1878 the castle and its setting captivated the world’s leading opera star of the day, Spanish-born Madam Adelina Juana Maria Patti who bought the entire estate for £3,500.

It was a small price compared to the fortune earned by the acclaimed singer as she demanded fees of £5,000 paid in gold before every concert – almost £1milllion in today’s terms, which is even more than Madonna!

The prima donna spent more than £100,000 renovating and enlarging the estate, complete with a miniature “La Scala” theatre that could house 150 people. It was designed as a private auditorium where she would entertain her guests.

Such was her extravagance that Patti even funded a railway station so her glitterati guests could enjoy an easy mode of transport to her home.

Since her death stories have been told of her presence being seen or felt, gliding through rooms and drifting around the courtyard.

For further details visit www.craigynoscastle.com

• Craig y Nos (Rock of Night) Castle was built in 1843 by Captain Powell.

• It became the home of worldwide opera star Madam Adelina Patti from 1878 to her death in 1919, who was the highest grossing artist of her era.

• Craig y Nos was the first private house in Wales to be wired for electricity.

• From 1921 to 1986 it became a hospital for those suffering with tuberculosis.

• The Welsh Office maintained Craig-y-nos Castle and its unique theatre until it was sold into private ownership.

Welsh caviar, a true superfood

The stunning castle with a haunting past


Traditional Welsh Laverbread Breakfast Cake

– 225g laverbread – 4-6 slices of streaky bacon – 2 tbsp oatmeal

1. Take a small pudding basin and tip in the oatmeal. Shake to coat sides.

2. Tip in laverbread and toss several times until the laverbread is coated with the oatmeal.

3. Fry the bacon until crisp. Remove bacon from the pan and tip the laverbread into the hot fat.

4. Keep shaking the pan until the laverbread is cooked.

Delicious!

Fascinating: A trip to Craig y Nos Castle reveals its colourful history.

Once the preserve of the wealthy who wanted to cultivate exotic species of flora, today it’s estimated that around one in five UK homes have a conservatory.Offering additional light, with relatively fast construction times, up to 200,000 conservatories were built per year during the height of their popularity.

However, some homeowners found that the full glare of the sun in summer and chilly temperatures in winter made older conservatories uncomfortable, with the only solution being a costly rebuild.

The good news is that building technology has moved on and, as with glazing, there are some thermally efficient roof options now on the market that can be added to the existing conservatory structure.

‘Activ’ glass roof

A straightforward upgrade for those who want to keep an uninterrupted view of the blue skies up above is to opt for a modern, low emissivity (low-e) ‘Activ’, energy efficient glass roof.

Helping to reduce the variations in temperature associated with older, traditional glass or polycarbonate roofs, ‘Activ’ low-e glass helps cut solar glare, protect furniture from fading and keep heat in during the winter months.

For even greater insulation there are now two solid roof options that can be retrofitted to an existing conservatory, without the need for significant structural modifications.

Tiled roof

The new, lightweight, tiled roof takes its design cues from the slates and tiles found on most UK houses. As a result it works well on most properties and comes in a range of finishes to match any existing architecture.

Created using aluminium panels, with Kingspan insulation, these roofs can achieve a u value of just 0.18, similar to that of a normally constructed, modern roof.

With this option, the interior of the conservatory can include a plastered ceiling with down-lighters or even roof windows to keep the view of the stars.

LivinRoof

For a more contemporary feel, there is a third option called the LivinRoof. This modern roof combines the sleek lines of a glass roof with the shade and thermal efficiency of a solid conservatory roof to create something that looks and feels very contemporary.

With the LivinRoof, entire panels can be replaced with glass to create a hybrid solid and glass roof meaning the homeowner can choose where to have shaded areas and where to have more light.

Once again there is the option to plaster the interior ceiling and add down-lighters. The LivinRoof also comes with the option of adding orangery detailing to enhance the interior and exterior styling of the conservatory.


Raising the roof to upgrade conservatories

Mounting fuel bills have focused many a home-owner’s minds on energy efficiency, both as a means of saving money and ‘future proofing’ their property investment.

In recent years glazing products have seen huge strides forward in terms of window thermal efficiency, and now a new product looks to do the same to the conservatory extension.

Loggia (pronounced ‘lodger’) columns can be twice as energy efficient as a traditional conservatory walls, but are still quick to build.

The energy efficiency of a Loggia column comes from its innovative, insulation: A typical Loggia column has a TOG value of 23.3, almost five times the 4.7 achieved by traditional bricks.

Added to this, at Securahome A-rated, thermally efficient glass is used throughout as standard to enhance the conservatory’s

thermal efficiency. To further maximise its heat retention, there is even an option to choose a highly insulated solid roof (see page 3 for more details).

This energy efficiency means that unlike a traditional conservatory, there may be no need to have interior doors. This gives a Loggia column conservatory great versatility, meaning it can be used to extend an existing room, for example, to make a dining kitchen for more family or entertaining space.

Inside, the Loggia column gives a conservatory the look of a contemporary, single storey extension, with plastered walls, and options for cleverly concealed heaters and modern lighting.

Best of all, this is an extension that can be quick to construct, taking far less time than a traditional orangery or extension, in many cases without the need for planning permission. In fact you could be opening the doors of a Loggia conservatory in just a few months.

The next generation of home extension


Thermally efficient: A typical Loggia column has a TOG value of 23.3, almost five times the 4.7 achieved by traditional bricks.

Inside story: The cleverly concealed heater on the Loggia column ensures the conservatory stays warm all year round.

Securahome staff are getting on their bikes for charity in September to – once again – raise funds for the Go Felix campaign.

Three-year-old Felix Forbes has a rare condition called Lissencephaly and Miller-Dieker Syndrome, which means he has difficulty swallowing food and even holding up his head.

He is not expected to survive beyond childhood and his parents hope to raise up to £50,000 to pay for specialist equipment and further therapy sessions.

As you read on page 1, MD of Securahome Jason Jenkins recently raised £5,000 for the appeal with a fundraising skydive.

Now he will join fellow Securahome staff for the ‘Four Castles Sponsored Bike Ride’ on September 5.

Starting at Dryslwyn Castle the 50 mile journey will go on to Kidwelly, then Loughor and finish in Oystermouth.

Once again we hope that you will consider sponsoring or even joining us. All proceeds will go to the Go Felix campaign.

Fundraisers get back in the saddle Training: The Securahome team are getting ready for the Four Castles Sponsored Bike Ride, all money raised will go to the Go Felix campaign.

For more information or to make a donation go to: www.justgiving.com/felixskydive

If you would like to join our sponsored cycle ride email Tony Crutcher at: [email protected]

Summer 2015 /securahomeCoUk@securahomeltd/securahomeltd

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Securahome Newsletter Q2 2015