Wednesday 21 December 2011

Stairlifts Limerick - Stairlifts Ireland

 
Click here to find new and reconditioned stairlifts in Limerick, Ireland 






If you are looking for the Castle Comfort Stairlifts legendary website





Castle Comfort Stairlifts offers top brand stairlifts, keen prices and fast installs for all those seeking stairlifts in Limerick, Ireland . And all work comes with our no-quibble guarantees and famous customer service satisfaction.
Give us a call today on 021 2363222  If however, you are looking for fascinating facts about the area then feel free to read on.


Stairlifts Limerick – Stairlifts Ireland

Continuing our tour of cities that are served by Castle Comfort Stair Lifts, we arrive in Limerick on the western side of Ireland.

If you are lucky enough to live in this part of the country or have relatives who do then you’ll be pleased that Castle Comfort Stair Lifts can assist with all queries and supplies of stairlifts or other mobility products.

We can advise on the best stairlift to suit your needs, whether it’s straight, curved or perch; we even have reconditioned versions.  If you’d like to know more, why not give our representative a call on 021 2363222 .

Limerick sits at the top of the estuary of the River Shannon and was originally known as King’s Island in pre Viking and Viking days.  When the Normans arrived they redesigned much of the city including building King John’s Castle and St Mary’s Cathedral both of which still dominate today.



Limerick attracts tourists and is served by nearby Shannon Airport.  King John’s Castle and St Mary’s Cathedral are two of the main attractions though there is still plenty to be enjoyed besides these two ancient monuments.



Hunt Museum is housed in the old customs house and contains a collection of antiques collected by dealers John and Gertrude Hunt.  To interest tourists there are several seasonal tours  – boat tours on the River Shannon, an historical walking tour and an Angela’s Ashes walking tour around the places mentioned in Franck McCourt’s famous novel.  And don’t forget St John’s Cathedral, it has the tallest spire in Ireland.



There are two sides to Limerick, the old English on the southern end of King’s Island where you can find King John’s Castle and St Mary’s Cathedral and the Irish town on the southbank which is home to older streets and the new economic district, Newton Pery.

If you’re staying over, there’s lots of places to find a bed and there’s a good night life.

Verses
It’s hard to think of Limerick without considering the humorous verses of the same name.  The links to Limerick the city are tenuous but it is widely believed there is some connection.  Of course they may derive from an earlier form of nonsense poems.

In a limerick the first two and the last (fifth) lines rhyme and the third and fourth lines rhyme.  Here’s an example:

A clumsy young fellow named Tim
There once was a fellow named Tim
Whose dad never taught him to swim.
He fell off a dock
And sunk like a rock.
And that was the end of him.

Or take a look at a limerick penned by Castle Comfort Stair Lifts – just follow this link.

This form of verse was popularised by Edward Lear in the 19th century although he never referred to the verses as limericks.

Famous residents or one-time residents
·         Eamon de Valera, 3rd President of Ireland and founder of the Fianna Fail party is from Limerick as is the current President Michael D Higgins.


·         Richard Harris actor (A Man Called Horse, Unforgiven and Prof Dumbledore in first 2 Harry Potters) was born in Limerick


·         Successful indie band, The Cranberries – very festively named – were formed in Limerick



·         The Rubbberbandits, a hip-hop comedy duo are from Limerick – they are an award winning satirical stage and TV act



·         Comedian Jimmy Carr’s parents hail from Limerick; his father is a self-made millionaire

·         Composer Bill Whelan famous for Riverdance was  born in Limerick; he’s worked with a number of well-known musicians including Van Morrison, U2, The Dubliners, Kate Bush and Richard Harris

·         Broadcaster Sir Terry Wogan also claims Limerick as his home town

·         Limerick is the setting for Frank McCourt’s memoir Angela’s Ashes; although born in Brooklyn, McCourt returned to Limerick his mother’s home town with the family whilst still a youngster

·         Malachy McCourt, Frank’s older brother stood for the Green Party Candidate for governor of New York State in 2006


·         Liverpool soccer player Steve Finnan comes from Limerick; Irish rugby player Jerry Flannery and rugby player Keith Earls too.  Another rugby aficionado, Marcus Horan was educated in Limerick ... Rugby is played at all levels in Limerick.



·         Hurling, the national sport of Ireland which has been played for at least 3,000 years is still a popular Gaelic sport which boasts players Cairan Carey, Eamonn Cregan (who also plays soccer), Eamonn Grimes, Pat Hartigan, Gary Kirby, Johnny Mackey and Mick Mackey all from the Limerick area.


All from Limerick
Pioneering surgeon Sylvester O’Halloran was from Limerick and has one of the River Shannon’s bridges named after him; William Brooke O’Shaunessy introduced the use of cannabis as a therapeutic drug to Western Medicine; rebels Cornelius aka Conn Colbert and Michael Colivet, an Irish Sinn Fein politician during the 1916 uprising and Sean South leader of the IRA who was killed in action in 1957.

Mary Jane Kelly also known as Black Mary from Limerick is thought to be the final victim of Jack the Ripper.

There’s absolutely no need for you to be a victim of immobility not with Castle Comfort Stair Lifts to hand.  Our stairlifts are fairly priced and we’ve even done the functionality comparisons for you on our website.  Remember stairlifts are quick to install; they usually take between an hour and half a day.

If you still need some help with financing your purchase, take a look our blog which explains the criteria necessary and how to claim for a stairlift grant.

Still got some questions?  Use our online form or call us on 021 2363222 .

Monday 19 December 2011

Stairlifts Cork – Stairlifts Ireland



Click here to find new and reconditioned stairlifts in Cork, Irleland

Castle Comfort Stairlifts offers top brand stairlifts, keen prices and fast installs for all those seeking stairlifts in Cork, Ireland. And all work comes with our no-quibble guarantees and famous customer service satisfaction.

Give us a call today on 021 236 3222  If however, you are looking for fascinating facts about the area then feel free to read on.


Stairlifts Cork – Stairlifts Ireland

Hello Rebels, that’s all of you who reside in the southern Irish city of Cork also known as ‘Rebel County’ and ‘the real capital of Ireland’.

Castle Comfort Stair Lifts are coming to town – or rather we’re already here.  So if any of you Rebels or Corkonians are looking for a stairlift, please contact our local representative on 021 236 3222.

We can come out and measure up and help you decide which type of stairlift you need.  We won’t give you the hard-sell, just advice; watch our founder Keith’s video for a taster and some information.  We aren’t expensive either as you’ll see when you check our price comparison’s page.

We look forward to hearing from you!  Now let’s carry on with our short tour of the beautiful and interesting city of Cork.

Cork is Ireland’s second largest city down in the south-western corner of the country.  It’s built on the River Lee which breaks into two channels here; Cork is built on the island created by the channels.  At the eastern end of the city the river channels converge and the River Lee flows onto Cork Harbour one of the largest natural harbours in the world.

Cork is a major Irish seaport with docks and quays along the eastern side of the river.  Cork is upstream in the upper harbour which allows ships up to 60,000 tonnes to navigate their way there.  Larger ships – 90,000 tonnes – cannot pass further than Cobh which is in the lower harbour nearer the river mouth and one of the last harbour villages seen before hitting the Atlantic on the way to America.  In fact the Titanic passed this way on her fateful voyage.


Source:Wikimedia Commons

The islands of Cork Harbour
There are a number of islands in Cork Harbour including these inhabited ones:
Great Island where Cobh is situated.  The Island has a population of some 10,000 and contains farming land too.

Fota Island has the Fota Wildlife Park, the golf course and Fota House, once the family Estate of the Earls of Barrymore, sold off when the last surviving family member died in the 1970’s to the University of Cork.  It is now owned and managed by the Irish Heritage Trust.


Source:Wikimedia Commons


Little Island is residential and industrial; Haulbowline Island is the HQ of the Irish navy and former prison Spike Island where prisoners were held before deportation to the penal colonies.

We won’t hold you prisoner, in fact we’d like to free you up to have easier access within your home!  That’s why Castle Comfort Stair Lifts are happy to look at options for you to purchase a stairlift.  We have reconditioned and brand new stairlifts; we can repair stairlifts; our aim is make your home as accessible as possible.  Want to know more, please give us a call on 021 236 3222.

Rocky Island is now home to the Island Crematorium, the first one outside Dublin but it once housed ammunitions for the Royal Navy and was later used for storage by Irish Steel.

Now one island is an oil refinery – Corkbeg Island – and one an Equestrian Centre – Hop Island; there are at least another four that are inhabited: Harper, Weir, Brick and Brown Islands.

A veritable hub
Although tucked down in the south west corner, Cork is well connected.  As well as the waterways, there is good access to other parts of Ireland and to other countries from Cork.  There is a ferry service to Wales and to France.  Cork Airport has 68 internal and other destination flights with 60 flights leaving the airport daily.  There are also good road and rail links.

Sunniest city
Interestingly Cork is one of Ireland’s sunniest cities with only 69 days per year when there is no ‘recordable’ sun and an average of almost 4 hours of sunshine a day.  In fact temperatures in Cork are unlikely to go below 0°C or above 30°C.  The downside is there is an average of 151 rainy days every year!

Industry
A little like Dublin, Cork has seen a growth in IT and pharmaceutical companies in the area.  It is renowned as the production capital of those powerful blue pills Viagra.  In the IT world, Apple Inc currently employs 2,000 +, Logitech and EMC Corporation have depots there too.

Heineken have taken over local breweries and continue to brew the iconic Murphy’s Irish Stout and Beamish.  Multi-national company Amazon.com has a base here.

Ford Motor Company used to manufacture cars here until 1984.  Cork was chosen as it was the home of the innovative Henry Ford’s grandfather.


Source:Wikimedia Commons


Known Rebels
It is probably through ‘culture’ in its various forms and sport that most Corkonians are known around the world.

Famous actor ‘Rebel’ Cillian Murphy has starred in several Irish and British stage plays and films before making the big time in films like ‘28 Days Later’ and ‘Inception’.

There are a number of musicians and opera stars who all hail from Cork; the former include folk singer John Spillane, The Frank and Walters, Sultons of Ping, Simple Kid and inspirational rock singer Rory Gallagher who tragically died of liver failure when only 47; the latter include Cara O'Sullivan, Mary Hegarty, Brendan Collins and Sam McElroy.

Writers from Cork include short story and literary critic Frank O’Connor whose short story form is now honoured in an annual festival in Cork and Sean O’Faolain another prolific short-story writer.   Poet and novelist Thomas McCarthy who attended University College Cork, poet Gerry Murphy both still live in Cork; novelist and poet William Wall who also taught English and Drama at Presentation Brothers College where he is said to have influenced Cillian Murphy’s decision to try acting.

Footballer Roy Keane was born in Cobh and played for Cobh Ramblers before his professional career propelled him into the premiership league and his time at Manchester United.  He is now manager at Ipswich Town.


Source:Wikimedia Commons


Well we’re at the end of our brief tour of Cork – we hope you’ve enjoyed it.  Of course there is lots more to tell about Cork ....

In the meantime don’t forget we can help you with your stairlift choices.  Castle Comfort Stair Lifts will be happy to point you in the direction of grants to help with your financial outlay and don’t forget to use our €50 voucher towards the costs.

Please give us a call on 021 236 3222 and we’ll be happy to address any concerns and answer any of your questions.

Friday 16 December 2011

Stairlifts Dublin - Southern Ireland Stairlifts

 
Click here to find new and reconditioned stairlifts in Dublin, Southern Ireland 








If you are looking for the Castle Comfort Stairlifts legendary website





Castle Comfort Stairlifts offers top brand stairlifts, keen prices and fast installs for all those seeking stairlifts in Dublin, Southern Ireland. And all work comes with our no-quibble guarantees and famous customer service satisfaction.
Give us a call today on 01 513 3658  If however, you are looking for fascinating facts about the area then feel free to read on.


Stairlifts Dublin – Stairlifts Southern Ireland

As sure as the River Liffey runs through the centre of Dublin, Castle Comfort Stair Lifts can offer advice to any in the area looking for a stairlift.

Not sure which one you need?  Straight, curved or perched, which will be best for you?  Take a look at our advice and then give us a call on 01 513 3658 if you need more information.  We also have helpful information about grants too.

There’s a romance to Ireland’s capital city that stretches across seas and oceans.  With the Irish good nature, the ‘black stuff’ and the folk music of this country it is little wonder that it beckons visitors from far and wide.

Celtic Tiger
A few years ago, Dublin as the capital of Ireland spearheaded the economic surge; it is known as the Celtic Tiger period (1997 – 2009) named after the East Asian Tigers: South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan who all experienced a similar rapid economic growth period.  Unfortunately since then there has been a downturn as in many other countries and Dublin is no longer as buoyant.

Ireland went from being one of the poorest countries in the world to one of the richest.  At the time, Dublin was one of the most expensive cities (13th) in the European Union.  It was the 10th richest in the world in terms of personal income and 4th in purchasing power.  It was also the 58th most expensive place in the world to live at the peak of this period with house prices soaring.

The Dublin area was a source of employment for many and still is.  Although many of its traditional industries from brewing to textiles have dwindled, an influx of financial services, pharmaceutical and IT and communications companies have been attracted to this city and its surrounding areas.

IT capital
One of these companies is Google who opened its offices in Dublin in 2003 and now employs 2,000 people.  They’ve been voted ‘Best company to work for’ three times.  The Dublin Office assists people with using its products across the whole of Europe, the Middle East and Africa.  At any one time you might hear up to 50 different languages spoken on their helplines!  Google make sure their staff have a friendly place to work with bean-bagged break out areas, games rooms and a gym.



Another IT giant, Microsoft also chose Dublin as its European headquarters.  Like Google they have been voted ‘Best place to work’ three years in a row and they employ a staff of almost 2,000 which includes contract staff.  They service the same areas as Google and their operations cover software development and testing, localisation, finance and sales and marketing.

We can’t visit Dublin without mentioning the Black Stuff.  Guinness has been brewed in Dublin since the early 18th century and now more than 1.8 billion pints of this thick stout are sold world-wide every year.  As well as its taste, even non-drinkers are aware of its iconic advertising campaigns.  Remember The Surfer?



If you’re no longer up to riding the surf at least you can still enjoy a pint of Guinness.  Castle Comfort Stair Lifts will help you manage the stairs no matter what state you’re in after a pint or two!

If you’re not sure which one you need, or which will be the best for you, please take a look at the comparisons on our website.  Watch the video of our founders Keith and Anne and give you local office a call on 01 513 3658 for more information.

Castle Comfort Stair Lifts won’t give you the hard sell but will help you define your needs.

Back to the romance
The Dublin accent or brogue, to use an Irish word, and language is captivating.  The Irish language is Gaelic and not many still speak it.  What we hear mostly now is a form of English that is affected by Gaelic.  English was first brought to Ireland during the Norman Conquest (12th century) and is officially known as Hiberno-English.

Irish lends many words to this dialect especially in formal occasions i.e. the Taoiseach or the Head of Government. There are also no Irish words that directly translate yes and no, so the common way of responding is a repetition of the verb in the question either positively or negatively i.e. ‘Are you coming home soon?’  ‘I am.’

Some colloquialisms like craic meaning fun epitomise the Irish language for us.  ‘It’s worth the craic’.

Who do you recognise from Dublin?
Dublin has a long history of famous or well-known residents.  There’s a long line of writers who hail from this fair city including James Joyce best known for Ulysses and The Dubliners, Nobel Prize winner for literature Samuel Becket who took his influences from Joyce and is considered one of the most influential writers of the 20th century.  Playwright George Bernard Shaw, also a Nobel Prize winner for Literature who excelled in satire and black comedy and Oscar Wilde best known for The Importance of Being Ernest, The Picture of Dorian Gray and also his infamous trial for Sodomy and gross indecency for which he was sent to prison.



Bram Stoker also came from Dublin and wrote the famous novel Dracula;  as does another Nobel Prize winner for literature, the playwright and poet W B Yeats.

Two living authors who claim Dublin as their home town are Maeve Binchy and Roddy Doyle;  both write about Ireland.  Roddy Doyle has had several novels turned in films including the most famous, The Commitments.

Irish actor Gabriel Byrne (The Usual Suspects) hails from Dublin as does Colin Farrell who has won Best Actor for a number of appearances in films.

Another Dublin actor Michael Gambon has appeared as Prof Dumbledore in all 6 Harry Potter films.  Jonathan Rhys Myers who starred in Bend it Like Beckham and The Tudors is another one; award winning actress Brenda Fricker (for her part in My Left Foot) is also a ‘Dubliner’.  Hollywood actress Maureen O’Hara long term friend of John Wayne also came from this ‘fair city’.



Musicians and singers abound from this city!  There’s Bono lead singer with U2, Nicky Byrne singer with Westlife and Bryan McFadden former singer with Westlife, Bob Geldof of the Boomtown Rats, Sinaed O’Connor, Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy, the folk band the Dubliners, Siobham Fahey singer with Bananarama and the unforgettable Jedward.



You don’t need to be fans of Jedward to call Castle Comfort Stair Lifts!  We supply brand new or reconditioned stairlifts, mains or battery operated and installation is quick taking between an hour and half a day depending on your choice of chairlift.

If you’ve got any questions for us don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01 513 3658 and your life could be made easier before you can say ‘in Dublin’s Fair City’.

Wednesday 14 December 2011

Stairlifts Didcot – Oxfordshire Stairlifts


Click here to find new and reconditioned stairlifts in Didcot, Oxfordshire 

If you are looking for the Castle Comfort Stairlifts legendary website






Castle Comfort Stairlifts offers top brand stairlifts, keen prices and fast installs for all those seeking stairlifts in Didcot, Oxfordshire . And all work comes with our no-quibble guarantees and famous customer service satisfaction.
Give us a call today on 01865 477 004  If however, you are looking for fascinating facts about the area then feel free to read on.


Stairlifts Didcot – Stairlifts Oxfordshire

The once sleepy village of Didcot in Oxfordshire has grown some.  Now Didcot is far bigger than all the surrounding villages and is a hub for atomic scientific research.

If you or a loved one lives in this futuristic town and if you are looking into the acquisition of a stairlift, then look no further, Castle Comfort Stair Lifts are ready to help.  We won’t experiment with your mobility; we know what’s needed and can recommend a stairlift for you.

Please call our local office on 01865 477 004  for more information.

Yes there is a plethora of scientific laboratories in the area.  The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) have their base at nearby Culham; the UKAEA is a government research body which has been responsible for the UK’s nuclear programme both civilian and military since it was opened in the 1950’s.  However, since the 1970’s its functions have been reduced.

Harwell Laboratory, the Science and Technology Facility which explores particle and nuclear physics, space science and astronomy is based at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory at Harwell in Chilton, the Diamond Light Source also based at Chiltern is the science facility for the country’s synchrotron science.

Synchrotron science produces an intense beam of light which is used in many areas of science including investigating intricate properties of protein and engineering components, in fan blade aero-engines and in conservation.  Famously it helped to conserve The Mary Rose, the flagship belonging to Henry VIII.

Henry VIII seems to be the forefather of stairlifts.  When he became so obese that his movement was extremely limited, he had his servants move him on a huge chair that they hauled his 30 stone weight around using a sort of block and tackle system.

Stairlifts now are much more sophisticated than that!  Castle Comfort Stair Lifts can give you a comprehensive guide to all stairlifts available as they are the national agents for all manufacturers.

Why not give them a call on 01865 477 004  to see how they can help?

After all of the information about the scientific sites in Didcot, you won’t be surprised that they have a power station.  It uses coal, oil and natural gas to produce power for the national grid.  In 2003 it was voted the third worst eyesore in Britain by Country Life Magazine though some locals refer to the towers as ‘the cathedrals of the Vale’ – referencing the Vale of the White Horse of Uffington which we mentioned in an earlier blog about Abingdon.  Having noted that you may be surprised to know that the Power Station A building here won awards for its architecture!

Award winning writer Kit Wright who was educated at Oxford wrote ‘Ode to Didcot Power Station’ parodying the early romantic poets.

Nearby villages and towns
Surrounding villages include Chilton, Culham, Little Wittenham, Long Wittenham and Dorchester-on-Thames.  Chilton not only hosts Harwell Laboratory but can also boast Grim’s Ditch part of an old earth works attributed to the Iron Age settlement of the area.



Grim’s Ditch forms part of The Ridgeway National Trail which is described as Britain’s oldest road.  It follows a chalk ridge for 87 miles covering parts of Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.

The long established village of Dorchester-on-Thames has existed here since Neolithic times.  The Norman Dorchester Abbey is its main attraction these days.  Saint Birinus and Wulfrig two previous Bishops of Dorchester are buried here.

Dorchester-on-Thames’ famous people
Jonty Hearnden the antiques expert and TV presenter was brought up here and retired footballer and football manager Mark Wright was born in Dorchester-on-Thames and started his career playing for Oxford United.

The market town of Wallingford is close-by; one of its claims to fame is being the location for a Midsomer Murders episode!  Other attractions include Wallingford Castle, Wallingford Priory and the Cholsley and Wallingford Steam Railway which still runs on selected dates usually weekends and bank holidays, but disappointingly pulled by diesel engines.

Didcot’s finest
William Bradbery who was born in Didcot in the 18th century was the first person in the UK to grow watercress commercially.  He moved to Kent after his marriage and it is there that he began.  Bradbery gets a mention in an article for the London Horticultural Society saying that Bradbery was cultivating watercress for the London markets at a site near Gravesend.  He had placed young plants in the shallow running water at the nursery with ‘a small proportion of wet earth’; he found that they spread like wild fire over the water.

Wallingford’s rich and famous
Writer Agatha Christie lived in Wallingford after her second marriage.  Christie’s catalogue of well known plays is long but she may be best remembered for the Hercule Poirot mysteries – all 33 novels and 54 short stories - which have been captured so well by David Suchet in the TV series.  All of the novels have been turned into films with Murder on the Orient Express perhaps the most memorable.



Author Jerome K Jerome (Three Men in a Boat) lived near Wallingford.  It is also the home of comedian and writer Charlie Brooker known for his shows Screenswipe, Gameswipe and Newswipe all on BBC Four.  Actress Dulcie Grey went to school here.





Wallingford is also the home of sculptor John Buckley who is best known for his untitled sculpture of a shark impaled in the roof of a house in Oxford.

Interesting statistic
In the last census the average lifespan for men and women in the UK was listed as 67 and 68.8 respectively.  Citizens of Didcot however could expect to exceed this with an average life expectancy of 86 healthy years!

If you’re still young or ‘young at heart’ but need help to get to the top of the house to make sure there are no strange fish there, let the team at Castle Comfort Stair Lifts help.  We can advise on the best stairlift for you and your property.

Please take a look at our video for information and then give us a call with any questions on 01865 477 004 .

Don’t forget you can use the £50 voucher towards the cost of a new or reconditioned stairlift.

Sunday 11 December 2011

Stairlifts Bicester - Oxfordshire Stairlifts

 
Click here to find new and reconditioned stairlifts in Bicester, Oxforshire 











If you are looking for the Castle Comfort Stairlifts legendary website





Castle Comfort Stairlifts offers top brand stairlifts, keen prices and fast installs for all those seeking stairlifts in Bicester, Oxfordshire . And all work comes with our no-quibble guarantees and famous customer service satisfaction.
Give us a call today on 01865 477 004  If however, you are looking for fascinating facts about the area then feel free to read on.



Stairlifts Bicester – Stairlifts Oxfordshire


Hello Bicester in Oxfordshire – today we’re taking a look round this market town situated in the north east of Oxfordshire.

Castle Comfort Stair Lifts will be happy to advise anybody with mobility difficulties no matter your age.  So if you live in the area and are looking for help in this department, please give us a call to see what we can do for you.

There’s no hard sell, just friendly advice.  We can even point you in the direction of funding help either in the form of a grant or a ‘0’ finance deal.

Please contact us now on 01865 477 004.

As we mentioned Bicester is located in the north east of Oxfordshire and like Banbury 17.5 miles to the north, is experiencing some growth due to its proximity to the M40 which links London with Birmingham via Oxford.  In fact Bicester is the halfway point with London 65 miles to the south east and Birmingham 61 to the north west.

Bicester can be traced back to Saxon times and was recorded in the Doomsday book.  The name Bi-cester maybe attributed literally to the meaning ‘two forts’.  Alchester an old Roman Settlement and military encampment – described in a guide to the area as ‘a sort of Roman Aldershot’ - have been found just 2 miles south of Bicester near to the village of Wendlebury.



Bicester’s links with the military still exist today; the Army’s Royal Logistic Corps are located just outside the town.  This general ordnance depot even has its own military railway!

Just to the south lies Bicester Village, the designer outlet shopping village deemed the number one destination of its kind in Europe and attracting more than 3 million visitors every year.  There are 130 shops in the Village mostly selling end of range, high quality, designer brands.  These include Ralph Lauren, Dolce and Gabbana, Aquascutum, Gucci, Dior, Prada, Alexander McQueen, Missoni, Armani, Diane von Furstenberg and many more.

Bicester Village attracts a number of famous names too including David Cameron spotted in Ralph Lauren, Liz Hurley, Claudia Schiffer, Tess Daly and Vernon Kay, David Seaman, Anne Robinson, Richard Branson, Emma Watson and Ricky Gervais.



Four miles north of Bicester is Fringfield fictitiously known as Candleford Green in Flora Thompson’s semi-autobiographical stories Lark Rise to Candleford.

In the mid 19th century the local newspaper noted ‘there aren’t enough dwellings to shelter the poor’ in Fringfield.  At the time there were a number of trades people living in the town who probably made up many of the ‘poor’, these included 5 blacksmiths, 3 sawyers, 3 brickmakers, a stonemason, a shoemaker, 3 decorators, a carrier, a coal haulier, 2 bakers, 2 grocers and a butcher.  At nearby Shelswell House, Tusmore Park and Swift House a further 2 grooms, 2 footmen, 6 gardeners and a coachman from Fringfield found employment.

The TV series of Lark Rise to Candleford which highlighted this poverty, starred Olivia Hallinan as Laura, the main character of the series.  Olivia has also starred in several popular TV dramas such as Holby City, Casualty and the drama series Moving On.  Others in the Lark Rise series included Dawn French as Caroline Arless, Julia Sawalha as Dorcas Lane and Liz Smith as Zillah.



A little further on lies Woodstock, some 14 miles south west of Bicester – this is not the home of the famous 60’s festival, but where you will find Blenheim Palace, the birth place of Winston Churchill.  The origin of the name Woodstock in old English ‘means clearing in the wood’ and the place was noted as ‘a royal forest’ in the Doomsday book.

Woodstock Palace perhaps most famous for being the prison where the future Queen Elizabeth I was held during the reign of Mary 1, was destroyed during the English Civil War and Blenheim Palace was later built on the site.



Geoffrey Chaucer known as the ‘father of English literature’ is probably best known for The Canterbury Tales a series of stories in verse about a group of pilgrims and written in Middle English, lived in Woodstock.

During the 17th century a bell foundry was in operation in the town.  Although closed as long ago as 1703, these ancient bells can still be found in a number of churches including Asthall, Charlton-on-Otmoor, Chesterton, Kiddington, Merton, Milton, Oddington, Steeple Aston, Steeple Barton, Stratton Audley and Woodeaton – all in Oxfordshire and in Stowie in neighbouring Buckinghamshire as well as Martley in Worcestershire.

If you have to burst into explanatory verse about your predicament or ring the bell to get help going up or down the stairs, it’s time to think about getting some more permanent help!  If a stairlift might make life altogether easier for you, then spare a moment and contact Castle Comfort Stair Lifts to see how we can help.

As national agents for all stairlift manufacturers we are in a great unbiased position to offer you sound advice about which stairlift is right for you, your house and your budget.  Please give  us a call on  01865 477 004.

Whilst Bicester itself claims few celebrities either past or present, there are a number of notable people connected to the surrounding areas.

Head south of Bicester and you’ll find Great Milton once home to two mills and now best known for Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons.  This restaurant/hotel run by French chef Raymond Blanc has two Michelin stars – a great accolade for its quality and standard in the food world.



Great Milton is also home to Sir Tim Rice best known for work with Andrew Lloyd Webber on a number of West End musical productions including Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita and with Elton John on The Lion King.



A short distance away is the home of author Colin Dexter, in Summertown.  Dexter is responsible for the books that feature Inspector Morse played by John Thaw in the long-running TV series.

And ...
·         TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson lives in Chipping Norton
·         England’s one time tennis hope, Tim Henman grew up in Weston-on-the-Green
·         Rowan Atkinson has remained in Oxfordshire after university days, with a home in Waterperry



That just about wraps up Bicester but before we go we’d like to remind you that you can use the £50 voucher towards your purchase of a stairlift from Castle Comfort’s offerings.  You’ll find helpful comparisons on our website and of course founder Keith’s short and informative video at the top of this blog.

Don’t hesitate to contact Castle Comfort Stair Lifts with any of your mobility queries: 01865 477 004.

Friday 9 December 2011

Stairlifts Witney - Oxfordshire Stairlifts


Click here to find new and reconditioned stairlifts in Witney, Oxfordshire 








If you are looking for the Castle Comfort Stairlifts legendary website





Castle Comfort Stairlifts offers top brand stairlifts, keen prices and fast installs for all those seeking stairlifts in Witney, Oxfordshire . And all work comes with our no-quibble guarantees and famous customer service satisfaction.
Give us a call today on 01865 477 044  If however, you are looking for fascinating facts about the area then feel free to read on.



Stairlifts Witney – Stairlifts Oxfordshire


Here we are in the Tory safe-seat of Witney in Oxfordshire.  Their current Member of Parliament is none other than the current Prime Minister David Cameron.  Cameron studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Oxford before becoming Special Advisor to first Norman Lamont and later Michael Howard.



Cameron was preceded as Witney’s representative by MP Shaun Woodward who won the seat for the Conservatives and shocked everyone by defecting to Labour after being thrown off the Conservative front bench.

Castle Comfort Stair Lifts can be your ‘special advisor’; we have all the information about stairlifts and all other mobility aids.  Please give us a call on 01865 477 044 to find out how we can help you choose the best stairlift for you be it brand new, reconditioned or even in part exchange for your old one.

Witney is a true market town; one has been held every Thursday and Saturday since the Middle Ages.  The Buttercross built about 1600 which stands in the Market Square got its name as this was where villagers from neighbouring towns bought their butter and eggs.  The clock was added some 80 years later.

Witney’s Town Hall was built in the 18th century and is rumoured to be the work of Sir Christopher Wren although there is nothing to support this belief!

Witney had produced woollen blankets since the Middle Ages using water drawn from the River Windrush which was also purported to be the ‘secret ingredient’ that made Witney’s blankets such fine quality.  The 18th century Blanket Hall on Witney High Street was where blankets were weighed and measured.  There were 5 blanket factories in Witney; the last one closed in 2002.



Eagle Maltings in Witney was the long-time home of Witney’s Brewery which was bought out by Courage and closed down.  Fortunately this is one industry in this small town that has survived as Refresh UK opened a new real ale brewery on the site in 1983, The Wytchwood Brewery.  Refresh also brew beers for Brakspear and the Prince of Wales’ Duchy Originals.

Nearby towns and villages
Carterton is about 5 miles south west of Witney and is well known for growing tomatoes!  When RMS Titanic sank it was carrying tomatoes from Carterton!

Brize Norton the RAF base is nearby; with the closure of RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire, Brize Norton is now responsible for the repatriation of service personnel.  RAF Lyneham used to have this honour and the processions of fallen soldiers returning from the conflict in Afghanistan through the streets of Royal Wootten Bassett on their way to Lyneham have become famous over the last few years.

In Burford just 8 miles west of Witney, stands Burford Priory built on the site of an Augustinian Hospital.  Built in the 1580s Tudor style, Burford Priory was remodelled in the 16th century into Jacobean style!  In the middle of last century it became the home of a group of Christian nuns, the Society of the Salutation of Our Lady.  As the numbers of nuns depleted it joined forces with a community of Church of England Benedictine monks (1987).  The property was sold in 2008 and it is now a private house once again.



Another nearby manor house, Bradwell Grove and grounds is now the home to the Cotswold Wildlife Park.  Here you can see a variety of animals such as camels, mongoose,  meerkats, prairie dogs, squirrel monkeys, sloths, llama and birds such as cranes, speckled mousebirds, ibis and Kookaburra.



Do you want to feel as free as a bird and not as lazy as a sloth?  Let Castle Comfort Stair Lifts give you a helping hand.

We are the national agents for all stairlift manufacturers so we are in an informed place to give you advice.  We can also point you in the right direction to apply for funding grants or 0% finance if these seem like preferable or helpful options.

Please call our local team based in Oxford on 01865 477 044for more information.

Who’s who in Witney?
Considering Witney’s size (population 22,765) there are a fair few famous or notable people who come from or are connected with the area.

Let’s start with sport; retired footballer Robbie Mustoe who played last for Sheffield Wednesday was born in Witney and so was another retired footballer David Moss.  Still very active - Gillingham footballer Simon King (on loan to Plymouth Argyle) also hails from Witney.

Another sportsman Darrell Griffin, rugby league player who plays for Leeds Rhinos was also born here.

Another notable hailing from Witney is the sculptor and artist Andrew Logan.  This colourful character trained as an architect at Oxford’s School of Architecture but branched out into other artistic pursuits.  He had a studio in Butler’s Wharf in London where Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood hosted their much talked about Valentine’s Ball in 1976 introducing the Sex Pistols to the world!  Logan now exhibits his sculptures and jewellery all around the globe.

Actor Robert Llewellyn who starred as the Android in Red Dwarf went to the Henry Box School in Witney.  Concert pianist Martin Jones comes from Witney – he has played with many of the big orchestras including the London Festival and the Halle Orchestra.  He also played the piano parts in the Oscar nominated score to the film Howards End.



Witney was also the home of famous author Miss Read who wrote the Thrush Green novels and the Fairacre Chronicles – social commentaries of village life!

Don’t become part of the social commentary of Witney!  Get in contact with Castle Comfort Stair Lifts right now to sort out your stairlift.  You can use our £50 voucher towards the cost; watch our video and then please give us a call on 01865 477 044 with any questions you  might have.