#SupportLocal: Moving with the times - Lincolnshire's hot properties attracting interest from south

Many are being attracted by an area which has always been thought of as a hidden gem, with overall sales of more than £6.5 million reported by Robert Bell & Company at their offices in Horncastle and Woodhall Spa.

The upturn as the nation gradually comes out of lockdown has been welcomed by the company, with its history in the heart of Lincolnshire stemming 200 years.

It now boasts a very traditional broad-based land and estate agency, including land and house sales, management and lettings, commercial property, auctions and surveys by Chartered Surveyors.

However, the past few years have been challenging, said land agent Robert Bell

"The 2008 recession hit hard," he said. "We made 10 people redundant and I swore I would never do that again.

" So there was great trepidation in going into lockdown and the devastating affect it was likely to have on our business, staff and clients lives.

"We furloughed 22 staff on March 24, closed all four offices and the other staff worked from home (with all the logistical nightmares that that entailed from a standing start).

"House sales did fall drastically, but we nurtured nearly all that had been agreed at the time of lockdown, on towards exchange: Lettings similar.

"All arranged auctions had to be postponed. Surveys stopped dead, but our Agricultural department had one of its busiest times ever, with April year-end valuations, BPS claims, stewardship advice etc.

"We have had to learn to work computers better, to have 'zoom' meetings, to observe social distancing measures, wear personal protective equipment, carry out 'virtual viewing' films for both sales and rentals, online auctions, etc..

"As sunny April progressed into May the market eased and by mid-May the emails and telephone lines were bursting.

"We had to bring more staff back to help those who had had no break so as to deal with the unremitting pressure.

"I am thinking there will be a shortage of cash, a slowing of the economy, but the interest in property whether to buy or let is generating more telephone calls and emails now than I have ever known. "Surveys are booked up well ahead into the foreseeable future.

"We are blessed to live in such a rural county as Lincolnshire. Its huge skies have been clear and quiet during lockdown. The silence has been deafening.

"The sunshine in April and May resulted in a wonderful vibrant spring for animals birds and flowers.

" It is as if 'Nature' under pressure from global warming, has taken a deep breath and shown us what life could be like in the countryside."

According to Richard Graham, Residential Sales Valuer at the company, 60 per cent of enquiries have come from outside the county In the past few days

"I have met a number of viewers from Essex and one as far afield as Cornwall looking to escape the crowds of holidaymakers," he said.

One property attracting much interest is historic Stockwith Mill, near Hagworthingham - with the house and eight acres on the market for £650,000, and additional 70 acres of land, ponds and woodland also available for sale through Robert Bell & Company.

Loved by Tennyson and immortalised in his poetry, Stockwith Mill at Hagworthingham, the property is set in the heart of the Wolds,

An extract from 'Tennyson Land' published over 100 years ago records it as “the scene of Tennyson’s homely and touching poem The Millers Daughter”.

Tennyson’s birthplace at Somersby is just two miles further upstream along “The Brook”, the River Lymn, which Stockwith Mill adjoins.

In recent years, the Mill has been a teahouse but is now a family home owned by Helen Parsons.

Until estate agents were allowed by the government to re-open and viewings resumed, Helen has been able to enjoy lockdown in this idyllic setting.

She said: "I have been very fortunate to have enjoyed lockdown at Stockwith but have been delighted with the amount of interest since Bells re-opened.

"I was initially concerned about how viewings would take place with the social distancing restrictions but Bells have been very professional and thoughtful."

Mr Graham said both viewers and vendors are embracing the new guidance to protect them from Covid-19.

"We have seen masks become a fashion accessory and statement," he said:

"I have met vendors wearing masks made by volunteers at the local scrubs project, supporting the NHS, and other masks adorned with designs, including one with 101 Dalmations worn by Helen Parsons of Stockwith Mill."

Other viewing guidelines put in place include children being asked to remain outside the property; door handles and surfaces to be wiped down prior to and following the viewing; all doors and windows to be opened prior to the viewing; two-metre social distancing at all times; any questions following the viewings to be made outside; face masks to be worn during the viewing; viewings to be re-arranged if any member of the household shows any symptoms of coronavirus; and a maximum of two people to attend a viewing.

"The reality of the here and now is that people are adapting well to the new world," said Richard.

"We arrive to find vendors, if they are at home, sunning themselves in the garden quite happy to be socially distant from ourselves and viewers.

"Viewers are respectful of the distancing, with perhaps a socially distant exchange of pleasantries at the end of viewing in the garden.

"From a personal viewpoint, you become accustomed to the distancing but in the current warm weather the masks and gloves are at best uncomfortable.

"Overall the rules we have laid down are for everyone’s protection and the majority are entirely respectful."