Stairlifts Dumfries – Stairlifts Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland

 
Click here to find new and reconditioned stairlifts in Dumfries, Scotland



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

Give us a call today on 0141 278 3929  If however, you are looking for fascinating facts about the area then feel free to read on.


Stairlifts Dumfries

The market town of Dumfries in the southern-most western county of Scotland, Dumfries and Galloway sits on the banks of the River Nith which joins the nearby Solway Firth.  Solway Firth joins the Irish Sea and forms part of the border between England and Scotland.

Source:Wikimedia Commons

The River Nith running through Dumfries splits the town in to East and West.  At low tide the sea recedes so far that it extends the river length to 70+ miles making this river the 7th longest in Scotland.

Several bridges cross the town of Dumfries including the Old Bridge and the suspension bridge.  There is also a weir in the river which is locally known as the Caul.

Source: Wikipedia Tom Donald

Castle Comfort Stairlifts has been providing this mode of transport to the citizens of Dumfries for almost 15 years.  We know that already more than 200 lifts are owned by locals helping them to proceed up and down the stairs independently and safely.

We have a number of models available – straight, curved and even platform – which we can install in hours.  We also provide a 24/7 on-going customer care and maintenance service to ensure you remain mobile.  If you’d like to know more please give our local office a call on   0141 278 3929 .

Queen of the South
This local ‘capital’ of the area is fondly referred to as Queen of the South.  Apparently you can catch salmon virtually in the town centre or play golf on anyone of four local golf courses so it’s a popular tourist town.

Famously Scotland’s ‘national saint’ Rabbie Burns lived here so it has something else to attract visitors.  The house on Burns Street was where Rabbie lived with his wife Jean.  You can see his desk and chair in his study and several old manuscripts.

Source:Wikimedia Commons

Burns died tragically young at the age of 37 and was buried on the day his last son was born.  He was survived by 12 children.  Currently Burns, known as The Bard of Scotland, has more than 600 living descendants.

Burns favourite pub the Globe Inn is still here today.

Camera Obscura
Dumfries is home to its own Camera Obscura which is housed on the top floor of an old windmill tower circa 1836.  It is the oldest working instrument of its kind in the world.  You can see fascinating panoramic views of Dumfries and the surrounding countryside from it.

The museum next door tells the story of Dumfries and its people and other inhabitants!  Look out for fossil footprints left by prehistoric animals, tools and weapons from ancient times, stone carvings from early times as well as Victorian everyday memorabilia.

Sweetheart Abbey
Just 8 miles away you’ll find the conservation village of New Abbey with the main attraction, Sweetheart Abbey which was founded in the early 13th century.  Lady Dervorgilla had it built in memory of her husband John Balliol whom Balliol College Oxford is named after.  A stone effigy of Lady Dervorgilla stands in the south transept of the Abbey.  Dressed in a gown and mantle she is depicted clutching her husband’s embalmed heart to hers.  The effigy you see today was actually built in the 16th century after the original was destroyed during the Reformation.

Caelaverock Castle
This triangular castle is just 8 miles to the east of Sweetheart Abbey along the Solway Coast Heritage trail.  Complete with moat it has a twin towered gatehouse and imposing battlements.  It has stood here for 400 years right on the edge of Scotland and has always been important in Scotland’s defence.

Source:geograph.org.uk user Simon Ledingham

The castle was built by Sir John Maxwell.  Much later in the 17th century, one of his descendants, Robert, 1st Earl of Nithsdale built Nithsdale Lodging in the castle’s courtyard.  Its façade is ornately decorated with Renaissance stone carvings so that it makes an amazing contrast to the earlier and bleaker castle.

Source:Wikimedia Commons

The castle was involved in several sieges; two, both brought about by the English, stand out.  The first in 1300 involved Edward 1 with his army who caused the garrison to surrender within two days.

The second in 1640 was due to Maxwell’s allegiance to Charles I.  This time the castle remained under siege for 13 weeks before surrendering.

Queen of the South
The local Football Club hold the name that also represents the town itself.  They play in the Scottish Football League.

Dumfries has been responsible for a number of professional football players including: Dave Halliday, Ian Dickson, Bobby Ancell, Billy Houliston, Jimmy McIntosh, Willie McNaught and Ted McCinn.  Dominic Matteo was born in Dumfries as were Scotland players Cammy Bell and Grant Hanley.

Three racing drivers claim Dumfries as their town of birth – Allan McNish, David Leslie and Formula one’s David Coulthard from nearby Twynholm.



Other famous people from Dumfries include the TV chef and food writer Gizzi Erskine, author J M Barrie who wrote Peter Pan amongst other things, actor John Laurie who was in Dad’s Army for many years and cartoonist Alex Graham.

Calvin Harris a chart-topping record producer comes from Dumfries as does Ray Wilson of Genesis and tin-flute-playing Geoffrey Kelly and jazz musician Ian Carr.

Broadcasters Kirsty Wark and Stephen Jardine both hail from Dumfries as does author and scientist Dougal Dixon;  author Hunter Davis and James Hannayas and poet John Mayne all come from here too.

Not famous but need a stairlift?
You don’t have to be famous for Castle Comfort Stair Lifts to help!  We can assess what you need and have you up and ‘running’ in no time at all!

You can claim our £50 off voucher which you’ll find at the top of this page towards the cost of your stairlift.  If you need more help than £50, you could apply for a grant or consider a 0% finance option towards the cost of your stairlift.

Just call our local office to get your stairlift fitted  0141 278 3929

Stairlifts Stowmarket – Suffolk Stairlifts

   
Click here to find new and reconditioned stairlifts in Stowmarket, Suffolk



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

Give us a call today on 01473 209 069  If however, you are looking for fascinating facts about the area then feel free to read on.


Stairlifts Stowmarket

Stowmarket in Suffolk is the largest town in its area in Mid Suffolk and it’s still growing; it is expected to increase its population from around the 19,000 mark now to above 60,000 in 2015.  It sits pretty much equidistant from both Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds and is just one and a half hours train journey from London – maybe this could explain the expected expansion?

Castle Comfort Stair Lifts supplies and installs stairlifts to those who need them in the area.  Already this has neared 100 – you can see our scrolling counter at the foot of the homepage on our website to see how we keep count of these matters!

We can help anyone who needs assistance to climb and descend their stairs.  We supply a range of stairlifts from all UK manufacturers suitable for most homes at fair prices.  We can also point you in the right direction if you need assistance with the costs; maybe for a for a grant or for 0% finance.

Talk to us about what you need.  We have a local office that will be more than happy to help,  01473 209 069 .

All about Stowmarket
The medieval heart of Stowmarket can still be found in the area around the church of St Peter and St Mary and on down to the river bank of the River Gipping.  The church is Grade I listed and has been classified as of ‘exceptional interest’.  There are a further 130 buildings in the town that are listed reflecting Stowmarket’s history.  Almost whole streets are listed like Bury Street and several properties in Ipswich Street and the Market Place – a Conservation area in the town centre.  Most of the listed buildings are from the Georgian period.

Market by name and market by nature.  Stowmarket still has two markets a week first granted by Edward III in 1347.  Nowadays these two markets have been joined by a monthly Farmers’ Market and occasional continental or other specialist markets.

The Museum of East Anglian Life
Stowmarket is home to this museum which shows off East Anglia’s history and even the ‘natural world’ of the area.  Its exhibits are quite diverse and include details of local crafts, gypsy culture and steam engines.  The buildings at the Museum are themselves interesting – 15 are restored historical ones including the Eastbridge Wind Pump, which used to drain water from the marshes so that the livestock could graze there.  This pump dates back to the mid 19th century.

You can also meet Major, the Suffolk Punch Horse as well as rare breeds of sheep and cattle on this attractive 75 acre site, which includes woodland and nature trails.

Stowmarket’s Chilli Company
Yes Stowmarket has its very own Chilli Company where literally thousands of chillies are grown in the nursery.  You can visit from spring to autumn to see the chillies growing and also visit the farm shop which sells all the produce you’d expect at a shop of this type.  The resident Saddleback pigs and the herd of guinea pigs will keep the kids amused whilst you browse the shop or the recently opened deli and café or the new ‘smoke n spice’ shop.  Here you can actually purchase the chilli plants and a range of chilli infused products like chilli chocolate or beer.


Helmingham Hall Gardens are well worth a visit too.  They surround a Tudor Hall complete with moat in a 400 year old deer park.  The gardens themselves which are open to the public from May to September are beautiful.  From borders of every kind – herbaceous, shrub, grass, summer – to a traditional knot garden and bridges and tunnels through the vegetable garden, they are all worth a look.  Of course there are the obligatory gift shop and tea shop for souvenirs and refreshments and a whole programme of special events from cookery days to Suffolk Dog Day.

Famous faces of Stowmarket
·         The poet John Milton spent a lot of time in Stowmarket as his tutor, Sir Thomas Young had become vicar here

Source:Wikimedia Commons

·         Kerry Ellis the singer and West End star grew up here


·         Delia Smith, TV cook and Director of Norwich City Football Club lives in nearby Coomb

·         June Brown, famously Dot Cotton in Eastenders was born in nearby Needham Market

Source:Wikimedia Commons

·         DJ John Peel lived in nearby Great Finborough until his death in 2004.  Stowmarket has acknowledged his musical career with the John Peel Centre for Creative Arts; John’s widow Sheila is one of a dedicated group of volunteers who have raised funds for this project as the building needed much renovation

·         18th century journalist, novelist and political philosopher William Godwin lived in nearby Debenham.  He married Mary Wollstonecraft and their daughter was Mary Shelley who wrote Frankenstein

Source:Wikimedia Commons

·         Ed Sheeran the young singer/songwriter grew up in nearby Framlingham


Castle Comfort Stairlifts would love to become a famous face of Stowmarket!  In the meantime we’ll settle for helping any residents who want to make their trip up or down the stairs safe and independent.

We can fit a straight stairlift in an hour and a curved one in half a day, so it doesn’t take us any time at all to get you mobile again.  We pride ourselves on great customer service and on-going support.  If you want to hear what others have thought of our service, please follow the link to check out their reviews.

Remember you can use the £50 voucher that you’ll find at the top of this blog or on the website towards the cost of a stairlift.  Get in touch now!  The sooner you call, the sooner we can install!  You can contact us on  01473 209 069 

Stairlifts Newmarket – Suffolk Stairlifts

 
Click here to find new and reconditioned stairlifts in Newmarket, Suffolk


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

Give us a call today on 01473 209069  If however, you are looking for fascinating facts about the area then feel free to read on.


Stairlifts Newmarket

Newmarket is a ... market town as its name suggests in the far western tip of Suffolk where it borders with Cambridgeshire.  It’s relatively small with a population just under 15,000 of which almost 3,000 make up the retired people of Newmarket.  Of those Castle Comfort Stair Lifts is aware that around 75 already own stairlifts from us because we keep count!

If you are a little unsteady on your pins and think we might be able to help by supplying and installing a stairlift for you, please give our local office a call on   01473 209069  .

Newmarket’s racing connections
Newmarket is known as the birthplace of racing, in fact it prides itself on being the global centre of horseracing.  You could be forgiven for thinking that the town is almost all about horseracing – about 1 in 3 jobs are related to the industry.

Newmarket has two race tracks Rowley Mile (for Spring and Autumn racing) and the July Course for summer meetings that are separated by a large earthworks, Devil’s Dyke.  Newmarket also boasts over 50 training stables and is home to over 3,000 horses.  It is the largest horserace training centre in the country, home of the Jockey Club, the administrative body for horseracing and the National Stud, home of thoroughbred horse breeding.

Newmarket’s racing history dates back to 12th century. But it really picked up its link to horse racing in the 17th century when King James I moved court to the town; Newmarket became the unofficial second capital of England!  Charles I & II continued this tradition and the Jockey Club was born in 1752 – racing’s administrative body.  And so Newmarket became the capital of horse racing.

There are three training gallops in the area: Racecourse Side is just as it says, next door to the Rowley Mile track and is predominantly flat; there are 3 all-weather canters on Warren Hill which overlooks the town.  The area next to Bury Road and the rail track is Bury Side.

Most of the training stables can be found near the centre of Newmarket so that they have easy access to the gallops.  The town even has special routes for the horses so that they reach the gallops safely.  Approximately 70 licensed trainers operate here including many of the top trainers in the profession.  Out of town most of the land is used for breeding – there are somewhere in the region of 60 stud farms here.

Historic records
It’s only fitting that Newmarket is also the home to the National Horse Racing Museum.  They hold a lot of information about the racing world and its background.  They also organise ‘tours’ so that you can see the horses train on the gallops and visit a yard and of course a tour of the museum.  A company called Newmarket Experience also offers a variety of packages which include a variety of these options if you want to get up close and personal with the racing world.  Of course you could just go to a race meeting ...

Jockey Frederick Archer was sent to Newmarket as an apprentice; he rode his first winner when he was 13 and went on to win many races.  He died tragically young at the age of 29 from pneumonia.

Successful jockey Frankie Dettori has made his home in nearby Sketchworth with his wife and five children.

Source:Wikimedia Commons

There are some claims that world famous jockey, Lester Piggott was born in Newmarket whilst others say he came from Wantage in Oxfordshire; he started racing early and had his first win when he was just 12.  When he retired in 1994 he had won 1,493 races.

Newmarket is also home to famous trainers Sir Michael Stoute, John Gosden and Sir Henry Cecil.

Keeping mobile
If you aren’t in any shape to go galloping up those stairs, Castle Comfort Stair Lifts would be more than happy to assess your home for a stairlift.  Castle Comfort Stairlifts represent all UK manufacturers and can offer fair and unbiased prices.  Your staircase will determine which stairlift is best for you, straight or curved; once you’ve made your choice we can install a straight stairlift in an hour and a curved one in half a day.  Please call our local office to discuss your options on   01473 209069  .

Newmarket sausage
The Newmarket Sausage is made to a local traditional recipe said not to have changed since the reign of Queen Victoria.  Two local family butchers claim to be the inventors of the Newmarket sausage; both varieties are immensely popular and are sold in all manner of outlets throughout the country.

Both recipes originate from the end of the 19th century; one, Musk’s has been awarded Royal Warrants by George V, Prince Edward of Wales, the late Queen Mother and the last one in 2005 by our present Queen.  Powter’s on the other hand at one time had a larger presence around the country.  Attempts have been made for the companies to merge their recipes but no both firmly hold onto their tradition!  The main difference between the two recipes: Musks use bread and Powters use rusk as fillers.  But both companies have a secret spiced mix which is included in the sausage recipe.

Famous connections
William Tutte was born in Newmarket and was one of the team at Bletchley House who broke the German Enigma Code in World War II

Three painters were influenced by the horseracing scene in Newmarket too: John Wotton who lived in Newmarket for many years, James Seymour who also frequented racetracks including Newmarket for his love of horses and the third is Peter Tillermans.  The three were the founders of the sporting school of painting centred around Newmarket.

Getting a Stairlift in Newmarket
If you live in the Newmarket area and need to consider a stairlift, please give us a call.  Checkout our website for all the details first but if you are left with any questions or uncertainties then please let us help.

If cost is preventative, check out the possibility of  a stairlift grant or 0% finance option and remember you can use the £50 voucher at the top of this page towards the costs.  Give us a call on   01473 209069  , we’ll have you up those stairs in not time!

Castle Comfort Stairlifts Helps Students with Exam Revision Guide

For immediate release

A light hearted article giving tips about exam revision for students.

With the exam season in full swing in the UK, Castle Comfort Stairlifts who are known for helping older family members through difficult life stages with the help of mobility equipment like stairlifts have released an Exam Revision Guide to help younger members of the family through their stressful time.

This article takes 5 easy actionable tips from their guide to help students who are readying themselves for A Levels or Degree Exams shortly. Castle Comfort are known for their unique marketing approaches and feel that people of all ages should be aware of stairlifts, not just the elderly or disabled. With increasing life expectancy most people will be living a lot longer, and hopefully in their own home with aids such as stairlifts to help them.

“Castle Comfort aim to help all the family to easily achieve their goals for an independent life, whether they are young or old.”

Here are their top 5 tips

1) Get plenty of rest. Cramming until the morning of an exam through the night will not help any information to stay in your mind. Facts and information need time to percolate so take naps and get plenty of sleep in the approach to exam time.

2) Stay hydrated. Water not wine. Even though the student union bar may be calling you it is advisable to avoid too much alcohol in these important days and weeks of exams. As we are 80% water we function best when we maintain the fluid balance in our bodies so drink plenty of juice, water or cordial.

3) Stretch yourself. Light exercise and stretching can give a switch off from the purely mental processing of study. Gently rolling your head around your shoulders, circling the arms and shaking the wrists and fingers can help to avoid laptop slump when studying and writers cramp in the actual exams.

4) Boil it down. Skim read all of your notes and try to reduce them down to the main topics. Then do the same with them until you have a few headings that sum up the information. Like this you will find that on the day of the exam the topic headings will springboard to all the other in-depth information you had previously noted about the subject.

5) Prepare your plan. Knowing in advance what you will wear on the day, and laying it out the night before helps to get you set. Gather the equipment and stationery you will need, including spares too, which will help to ensure there is no last minute stress.

Stairlifts are now so commonplace that most people will not believe that there is probably a stairlift installed on every street in Britain. 

Choosing a stairlift can be a stressful time for the whole family, just like exam time, and the right advice can positively help all those involved. Castle Comfort aim to help all the family to easily achieve their goals for an independent life, whether they are young or old. For a free copy of their exam guide or their stairlift guide fill out the coupon on their contact page.

About Castle Comfort Stairlifts Ltd, 88, Hatton Garden, Holborn, London EC1N 8PG
020 7717 9797 The company started 15 years ago when the founder and proprietor Keith Simpson needed to get a stairlift for his own mother. Researching the many manufacturers and suppliers in the UK and abroad he discovered that one could be secured for nearly half the quoted cost of some of the other stairlifts he had been offered. Keith and his team aim to offer quality branded lifts at affordable prices.

Stairlifts Bury St Edmunds – Stairlifts Suffolk

 
Click here to find new and reconditioned stairlifts in Bury St Edmonds, Suffolk




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

Give us a call today on 01473 209069  If however, you are looking for fascinating facts about the area then feel free to read on.


Stairlifts Bury St Edmunds – Stairlifts Suffolk

This once royal Saxon town, Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk is steeped in history.  Its historic buildings include the 7th century ruined abbey once a Benedictine monastery; a 12th century cathedral named after the King of East Anglia, Edmund who’s buried at the Abbey and 12th century St Mary’s Church the third largest parish church in England with its amazing ‘hammer-beam angel roof’.


Castle Comfort can’t claim to be that old – a mere baby compared to Bury’s historic buildings at just 15 years – but we can claim to add to the town!  We bring stairlifts to those who need assistance to make the stairs in their homes more accessible.

More than 170 retired people in the area are already benefiting from the help of a stair or chairlift.  We keep count you see; we have a minute-by-minute scrolling counter on our website which records every stairlift sold.  If you or a loved one need this kind of help in the Bury St Edmunds area please read on.

A stairlift ensures safety on the stairs when unsteady feet or legs make getting up and down them a problem.  A stairlift gives back that independence we all need.  At Castle Comfort Stairlifts you can find comparisons of all UK manufacturers and of course the all-important costs of stairlifts so that you can do your calculating.  Don’t forget that you can use a 0% finance deal or maybe even a grant to help you purchase your own stairlift.  And of course if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call our local office on  01473 209069 .

Royal and famous
As we mentioned Bury St Edmund was a ‘royal’ town in Saxon times.  King Edmund was slain by the Vikings or martyred hence his canonisation and was buried at the Abbey.  Many people made pilgrimages to the grave of this saint and many miracles were performed at his graveside bringing this market town much fame at the time.

Its royal connections continued.  In the early 13th century the barons of England possibly met in the Abbey and swore to persuade King John to accept the Charter of Liberties, a document which influenced the creation of the Magna Carter.

The town was granted two fairs by Henry III later changed to two markets, one on Wednesdays and one on Saturdays, by James I.

Historic landmarks
St Edmundsbury Cathedral (originally St James Church)
Originally built as the parish church of St James in the 11th century within the Abbey complex, and largely rebuilt in the 16th century, it didn’t become St Edmundsbury Cathedral until the early 20th century.

The Norman Tower
The 12th century Norman Tower was built as the gateway to St James Church and also as its bell tower.  It has a set of 10 bells – soon to be joined by two more – that still ring for the Cathedral every Sunday and also for special occasions including weddings.

Source:Wikimedia Commons

The 10 bells were made in the 18th century.  The heaviest bell ‘The Tenor’ weighs more than 27 cwts and makes a C sharp sound.

St Mary’s Church
The third largest parish church in England, St Mary’s church was built as part of the original Abbey.  Its famous roof is a masterpiece of wooden beams and carved angels.  Mary Tudor, sister of Henry VIII – did you know he had a very early form of stairlift – is buried here or reburied here; she was moved from her resting place in the Abbey after her brother’s famous dissolution of the monasteries.  Much, much later Queen Victoria had a stained glass window put in the church in memory of Mary’s interment here.

The Guildhall
Bury’s Grade I listed Guildhall has ‘reigned’ over town proceeding for more than 8 centuries.  In its time it has been a courtroom, a library, a meeting place and an assembly house.

Source:Wikimedia Commons

Pillar of Salt sign
A modern Grade II listed monument is the Pillar of Salt sign on Angel Hill in the town.  Built in 1935 it is thought to be the first internally lit road sign!

Did you know?
·         The 14th century Black Death probably killed half of Bury’s population?

·         Witch trials took place in the town during the 17th century?

·         And 18 ‘witches’ were hanged in 1645?

·         There are chalk-working tunnels beneath the town?

·         The UK’s largest brewery – British owned – Green King has its HQ in Bury St Edmunds?

·         It’s also the home of the country’s smallest pub, The Nutshell ... and it’s haunted?

·         Some days you can smell burnt sugar?  This is the result of processing of sugar beet at the British Sugar factory.



Know anyone famous from or connected with Bury St Edmunds?

·         Well known DJ John Peel had made Bury St Edmunds or at least nearby Great Finborough his home; this is where he is buried and where his widow still lives.  He had lived here for 33 years until his death in 2004.  His funeral service was held at Bury’s Cathedral

·         Actor Bob Hoskins well known for playing cockney characters was actually born in Bury when his mother was evacuated from London during the war.  The family returned to London whilst Bob was still a baby

Source:Wikimedia Commons

·         Super model Claudia Schiffer owns an Elizabethan mansion – Coldham Hall – near to Bury St Edmunds

Source:Wikimedia Commons

·         Theatre director Sir Peter Hall was born here

·         Author Norah Lofts bases many of her stories in Bury St Edmunds, fictional name Baildon

·         Actor John Le Mesurier grew up here

·         Actor Brian Capron best known as serial killer Richard Hillman in Coronation Street was born in nearby Eye



So remember if it’s a stairlift you need Castle Comfort Stairlifts can help.  Castle Comfort Stairlifts can assess you and your house to see which stairlift is best for you – a straight stairlift or a curved stairlift or even a reconditioned one – and get you up and running (almost) within 24 hours.  Straight stairlifts can usually be fitted in an hour and curved in an afternoon.  Of course we also offer a superb after-installation service so that you don’t need to worry about being out of action!


Even if you carry more weight then Castle Comfort Stair Lifts have ones particularly designed to assist you too.  Whatever your needs just get in touch to see how we can help.  Call us on  01473 209069 .

Stairlifts Felixstowe – Suffolk Stairlifts

Click here to find new and reconditioned stairlifts in Felixstowe


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

Give us a call today on 01473 209069  If however, you are looking for fascinating facts about the area then feel free to read on.


Stairlifts Felixstowe – Stairlifts Suffolk

The County of Suffolk which is bordered by Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Essex and the North Sea does not have a city!  But it does have some great towns including Felixstowe on the North Sea coast.  Felixstowe stands on the Estuary of the Rivers Orwell and Stour with Harwich in Essex on the other shore.


Felixstowe’s history is interesting.  It got its name as late as the 13th century even though a settlement/village had been there for at least 1,000 years.  Its earlier history is linked to the village of Walton which is in fact completely separate from Felixstowe itself ... although there are still some 19th century terraced houses in Walton High Street only yards from the centre of Felixstowe!

At Castle Comfort Stair Lifts we have been supplying and installing stairlifts in the area for about 15 years.  Our online minute by minute scrolling counter records how many people own stairlifts in the UK and we know from these calculations that at least 150 people who are retired in Felixstowe already own stairlifts.  If however you don’t but feel that a stairlift would help you to cope with the stairs in your property, then please get in touch with our local office on  01473 209069 .

We are the UK agent for all UK stairlift manufacturers – checkout out the stairlift comparisons at Castle Comfort Stairlifts – so our advice is completely unbiased.  Castle Comfort Stair Lifts can supply straight stairlifts, curved chairlifts and we have reconditioned chairlifts too.  Like we said, just give us a call for more information.

Felixstowe – the seaside town
Felixstowe makes the most of its 4 miles of sand and shingle beaches with colourful and traditional beach huts and a garden-lined promenade not to mention a pier.  All the things you’d expect to see at an English seaside town.

Source:Wikimedia Commons

There is boating on the lake and indoor and outdoor golf to amuse when the weather isn’t warm enough for the beach.  There are traditional English seaside treats of ice cream and fish and chips along the front as well as more upmarket bistros and beachside kiosks offering freshly caught local fish.

Felixstowe Pier
Felixstowe Pier was built in 1905 primarily as a steamer dock and was the longest pier in East Anglia at 2,640 ft (800m).  There was a large pavilion at the shore end of the pier and an electric tramway running the length to the steamer docking point.  You could catch this tram at the beginning of the 20th century for the cost of one old penny!

In the Second World War, the pier was sectioned in a bid to protect the east coast from invasion by the Germans.  With the tramway closed, the pier was shortened to a mere 450ft (136m).

It wasn’t until the end of the 20th century that plans to refurbish and develop the pier were put into place.  Because the funds could not be raised, Felixtowe Pier remains mainly closed to the public with a few attractions at the shore end.

The Port of Felixstowe
The Port of Felixstowe just a few miles from Felixstowe itself is the biggest container port in the UK and handles 35% of container traffic.  It has three terminals including a ‘roll on/roll off’ one.  A third Southern Terminal is being developed to facilitate extra large containers.

Right now the dock side is over 2.3 km and has 29 ship-to-shore gantry cranes for moving the containers.

Felixstowe landmarks
Landguard Fort is one of Felixstowe’s most well known landmarks.  The fort is an ancient monument and visitor attraction set in a nature reserve.  It was originally built to protect the entrance to the estuary and specifically Harwich.  It was originally built in the 16th century but had several changes, the last one in the 19th century.

In the Second World War it was the launch point for balloons in Operation Outward – an attack on Germany by hydrogen balloons.  Part of the fort – the left battery – was used as an anti-aircraft room during WWII too.  It is now open to the public during the summer months as an English Heritage property.

South Beach Mansion on the cliffs at Felixstowe is Italianate in design and was once host to the Empress of Germany and her family in the 19th century who stayed for a few weeks.  About half a century later Mrs Wallis Simpson stayed in the adjoining cottage for 6 weeks waiting for her divorce so that she could marry the abdicating King of England, Edward VIII.  She is said to have invented the Club Sandwich whilst staying here – or maybe reinventing this double-decker American sandwich.

Source:Wikimedia Commons

Another famous guest was T E Lawrence or Lawrence of Arabia.  He spent two years here during the 1930’s incognito and calling himself variously Ross and Shaw.

Source:Wikimedia Commons

It became army HQ during the Second World War and Felixstowe Town Hall afterwards.  It is now in private ownership.

People of Felixstowe
As we’ve already mentioned Felixstowe has had its share of famous people associated with the town.  And there are more:

·         Actor Jeremy Kemp probably best known for his role in Z-Cars

·         English actress Megs Jenkins lived in the area until her death; she appeared in a number of British films including The Cruel Sea, A Woman of Substance and many more

·         Actor John Mills lived in Felixstowe for a time

·         Hollywood actress Dawn Addams was born here and appeared in a number of film productions like A King in New York opposite Charlie Chaplin

Source:Wikimedia Commons

·         Musician Brian Eno grew up in Woodbridge (about 13 miles away) where he still has a house


·         John Constable was born nearby to a wealthy mill owner.  The area of South Suffolk and North Essex has since gained the name, ‘Constable Country’ as it was the subject of many of his paintings

Source:Wikimedia Commons

·         Another great painter Thomas Gainsborough was born a little way from Felixstowe too at Sudbury.  Gainsborough undertook portrait commissions – his bread and butter – and painted more than 500 of the aristocracy during his lifetime.  His love was landscape painting

·         Author Ruth Rendell lived at one time in Polstead and has featured areas of Suffolk in many of here detective novels.  She was made Baroness Rendell of Babergh (Aldeburgh) in 1997

Source:Wikimedia Commons

·         Another crime writer P D James has a second home in Southwold near Ipswich; she too often sets her novels in Suffolk

·         TV’s hotel inspector Ruth Watson has run a number of hotels in Suffolk; she currently co-owns the Crown and Castle in nearby Orford.

Would your home stand up to Ruth’s inspection or is it more like the setting for one of Ruth Rendell or PD James’ murder stories?  Do you need to make it safer with the installation of a stairlift?  Remember we can help!

Take a look at our pricing of stairlifts on our website and if it will help, see if there is a grant available; otherwise you might consider a 0% finance option.  If you need the aid of a stairlift to make your staircase journey safe then these options will help you get it sorted sooner rather than later.


We can come and assess which stairlift will suit you and your home best and we can often get it installed within 24 hours of the contract signing.  Our after care service is good too – we work hard to make it easy for you.  If you’d like to purchase a stairlift or just want more information, please call our local office on  01473 209069 .

Stairlifts Lowestoft – Suffolk Stairlifts

Click here to find new and reconditioned stairlifts in Lowestoft 


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

Give us a call today on 01473 209 069  If however, you are looking for fascinating facts about the area then feel free to read on.


Stairlifts Lowestoft – Stairlifts Suffolk

Lowestoft in Suffolk is the most easterly town in the UK with Ness Point aka Lowestoft Ness marking the most easterly point in the UK.  Here you’ll find the euroscope and flat, ground level direction pointer.  It marks the direction and distance of a number of places in Europe from this point.

Another fact about Lowestoft is that it has a very long history.  Evidence of a settlement here dates back 700,000 years!

Now we’re not suggesting that the population of Lowestoft is full of old fossils, but we do know that its population favours the retired and that more than 300 of those 12,500 retired living in the area already own stairlifts.  You can see the figures notching up on the scrolling counter on our website.

Castle Comfort Stair Lifts can’t claim to be nearly as old either; in fact we are mere babies with 15 years experience of supplying and installing stairlifts in the Lowestoft area.  We’ve brought a lot of relief and contentment to those who have had a stairlift installed.  Now they can deal with the stairs painlessly and safely.

If you or a loved one is thinking about getting a stairlift, please give us a ring to discuss how we can help you, on  01473 209 069 .

About Lowestoft’s Industry
Lowestoft is on the North Sea coast on the edge of the Broads some 38 miles north of Ipswich and 22 south east of Norwich in Norfolk.

Lowestoft’s industrial history since the middle ages has been fishing mainly for herring right up until the last century.  It competed with nearby Great Yarmouth for size and industry.  Now there are just a few small fishing boats – no trawlers – left.  One thing that does remain is the research centre, the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) which is based in Lowestoft.

It also had a substantial porcelain industry during the 18th century.  The factory where the soft-paste porcelain was made was the longest operating in the UK after Royal Worcester and Royal Crown Derbyshire.

Until a couple of decades ago there was a boat building industry centred around the docks.  There is still some ship building and repairs carried out there today but most of it has since gone.

Modern Industry
More recently industry in Lowestoft centred around the oil and gas industries.  Shell’s Southern Operations were based in Lowestoft Harbour employing hundreds of people in the area until 2003.  Oil and gas are still important in the area but Lowestoft is developing as a centre for renewable energies: it has a wind farm about 15 miles offshore, the Orbis Energy Centre has been set up to attract business to the town interested in green energies and featuring solar powered thermal energy.  They are also trialling prototypes of tidal and wave power.

Source:Wikimedia Commons

Of course its other main industry is tourism.  Bathing in the sea here began back in the middle of the 18th century and Lowestoft remains a popular tourist destination to this day.  Lowestoft is on the Sunrise Coast.

It has two ‘Blue Flag’ beaches, two piers, a theme park plus an Africa Alive attraction just a little way from the town and of course a Pontins Holiday Camp.

Pleasurewood Hills theme park was started in 1982 and has a number of attractions to thrill holiday makers including 3 roller-coaster rides, 3 ‘thrill’ rides, 2 water rides and many more.

Source:Wikimedia Commons

Just 4 miles south of Lowestoft is the village of Kessingland where Africa Alive can be found on the site that used to be Suffolk Wildlife Park.  It is now identified as an Africa-themed zoo where you can see a number of primates including a variety of Lemur – Mongoose, Black, Ring-tailed, red bellied etc.  There are also Common Chimpanzees and Vervet Monkeys.

There are birds, mammals and reptiles to be seen too.

Looking at traditional costal attractions, there are the two piers that offer more entertainment for holiday visitors; there’s also Lowestoft’s High Lighthouse which was originally built on the cliffs above the Denes in the mid 17th century.  It’s original lights were candles!  The lighthouse that is there now was built in the 19th century and is 16 metres high; its lights show their warning beams for 23 nautical miles and has been automated since 1975.


Stairlifts for Lowestoft
If getting up your stairs feels as big a problem as climbing to the top of the lighthouse it’s time you got in touch with us at Castle Comfort Stair Lifts.  We can assess you to see what sort of stairlift is right for you – a straight stairlift or a curved stairlift.  We can have it fitted the next day in all probability.

If it’s the cost that concerns you, you can check our stairlift prices and compare stairlifts; remember we also supply reconditioned ones which cost somewhat less.  And of course there’s always the possibility of a grant or a 0% finance package to make the purchase possible.

Call our local office for more information on  01473 209 069 .

Lowestoft’s claims to fame
Lowestoft has seen a few famous faces in its time including composer Benjamin Britten who was born here.  Sir Christopher Cockerell who invented the hovercraft lived in nearby Oulton Broad.  Admiral Sir John Ashby who commanded HMS Victory in 1692 and fought in the Battles of Barfleur and La Hogue grew up and is buried here.  Thomas Nashe known as one of the ‘fathers’ of modern journalism’ was born here; he was an Elizabethan phamphleteer and one of Shakespeare’s primary reference sources.

More recent famous faces of Lowestoft include:
·         Three members of the band The Darkness

·         Michael Caine appeared in repertory theatre here and it is where he met his wife

·         Ex-England football captain and Ipswich Town player, Terry Butcher comes from Lowestoft

·         Actress Dame Judi Dench lives at nearby Southwold

·         Footballer Darryl Sutch who plays for Norwich City grew up here

·         Boxer Anthony Agogo lives here

Source:Wikimedia Commons

·         Author Joseph Conrad first set foot in the UK at Lowestoft


Contact us
If you want to be the first to put a foot on your very own stairlift then please give us a call.  We won’t go for the hard sell and you won’t regret it.  Don’t forget you can use the £50 off voucher at the top of this page towards the cost – give us a call today on  01473 209 069 .

Stairlifts Ipswich – Suffolk Stairlifts

Click here to find new and reconditioned
 stairlifts in Ipswich

Castle Comfort Stairlifts offers top brand stairlifts, keen prices and fast installs for all those seeking stairliftsoffers top brand stairlifts, keen prices and fast installs for all those seeking stairlifts in Ipswich. And all work comes with our no-quibble guarantees and famous customer service satisfaction.
Give us a call today on 01473 209069  


If however, you are looking for fascinating facts about the area then feel free to read on.

Stairlifts Ipswich – Stairlifts Suffolk

About 650 of Ipswich’s retired population already own stairlifts to help them access the higher floors of their homes.  Castle Comfort Stair Lifts have been supplying and installing stairlifts in the area for around 15 years and are happy to help anyone who is currently looking for one or just advice about stairlifts.

We are the agent for all UK stairlift manufacturers which means we offer completely unbiased recommendations and stairlift comparisons.


Take a look at our straight stairlifts, curved stairlifts and reconditioned ones as well our stairlift prices then give our local office a call on   01473 209069 for more information or advice.


How Ipswich got its name
Ipswich’s name comes from the medieval name Gippeswick probably taken from the non-tidal part of the River Orwell – Ipswich is at the estuary of the Orwell.  Geographically Ipswich is situated in the south east of Suffolk some 43 miles from Norwich and less than 20 miles from Colchester in Essex.

Ipswich’s famous connections in history
Probably Ipswich’s most famous son is Thomas Wolsey who was born here in 1475; later he was to become Cardinal and a close confidant of Henry VIII.  About a century before Wolsey’s birth the city merchants made an appearance in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales.  Later the painter Thomas Gainsborough lived in the town and completed much of his work here whilst Charles Dickens stayed in Ipswich and used the town as the backdrop for scenes in The Pickwick Papers.  Dickens stayed at an old inn known as The Tavern – later known as The Great White Horse Hotel – and described his physical surrounding as part of the same novel referring to the inn’s winding corridors and stairs.

Source:Wikimedia Commons

Today the building has a much less well known clientele as it houses Starbucks and Cotswold Outdoor; that is unless any budding author is sitting drinking coffee whilst putting down their masterpiece like Dickens and J K Rowling did!  Can we mention them in the same breath?  They both earned a good living from writing.

Historic Ipswich
Under the Romans Ipswich was on the route into mainland England.  A Roman Fort was built about 12 miles away near Felixstowe at the mouth of the estuary to protect the coast and the remains of a large Roman Villa has been found at Castle Hill just north of the town.

Ipswich is reputedly one of England’s oldest towns dating back to Anglo-Saxon times when the town, Gippeswick grew up around the dock area.  The port was an important trading point with Europe; early imported ‘treasures’ date back to England’s supreme ruler in the 7th century King Redwold.  It is his treasure that was found in nearby Sutton Hoo; replicas of the find – weapons, jewellery and artefacts - are now housed at the Ipswich Museum alongside those of another Suffolk treasure, the Roman Mildenhall treasure (Roman silver tableware).  The originals of both finds can be seen in the British Museum.

In the 7th and 8th century many Dutch potters settled in the area bringing the set up of large scale potteries to England.  This pottery was traded across Europe and remained unique to Ipswich for around 200 years.

By the 13th century King John had granted Ipswich with a Royal charter and the town’s prosperity grew as it traded Suffolk cloth with Europe.  As the town grew with a number of religious houses – Franciscans, Dominican, Carmelites, Augustinians, so Ipswich became a place of pilgrimage.

Two of its most famous pilgrims must be Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon, Henry’s first wife.  Did you know that Henry VIII or at least his household is said to be the original inventor of the stairlift?  They used a block and tackle system to move his obese body up and down stairs when he became plagued by illness and injury.

Stairlifts make movement up and down the stairs much easier and safer than that now as they are usually electronically or battery operated.

By the 17th century Ipswich was one of the main set-off ports for emigration to New England.  Ipswich, Massachusetts was named after Ipswich UK by two local brothers, one of whom became the first Minister in the new town.

Ipswich also became one of the main departing ports for Puritans heading to the New World.

The most modern Grade I listed Building
At one time the Willis Faber Dumas Headquarters held the title of the most modern building in the UK to hold a Grade I listing.  The building which is clad in smoked glass and exemplifies modern building techniques was an early design of Norman Foster (1975).

Source:Wikimedia Commons

Right next door stands Ipswich’s oldest surviving Grade I building the Unitarian Meeting House which was completed in 1700.

Ipswich Town FC
We can’t fail to mention Ipswich’s professional football club; not only does it have a strong rivalry with Norwich City but it has also been home to two of England’s finest managers: Sir Alf Ramsey who is now buried in the town’s Old Cemetery and Sir Bobby Robson.

Of course they have also seen their fair share of good players too including: Mick Mills, John Wark, Frans Thijssen, Terry Butcher, Marcus Stewart and Luke Hyam.


Famous connections
Ipswich has its share of citizens who have gone on to great things.

·         Legend suggests that Geoffrey Chaucer was born in Ipswich

·         Lord Nelson was made Steward of Ipswich

·         The actor Ralph Fiennes was born in Ipswich and has gone on to have a successful career in the theatre and films.  Ralph is a 3rd third cousin of the explorer Ranulph Fiennes and an 8th cousin of the Prince of Wales

·         The cartoonist Giles lived here

·         The journalist Suzanne Moore was born here

·         Theatre and film actress Jane Lapotaire also comes from Ipswich

·         Trevor Nunn, film, theatre and Television director also hails from the town; Nunn has hundreds of credits to his name

·         British author V S Pritchett was born here

·         Elena Baltacha originally from the Ukraine lives in Ipswich and represents Great Britain at tennis; her father played football for Ipswich Town FC

·         Karen Pickering, a former Olympic freestyle swimmer is sports ambassador for Ipswich

If you’d like to know more about the stairlifts that Castle Comfort Stair Lifts supply, or how long they take to install or about financing your purchase either with a grant or via a 0% finance package or anything else, please give us a call on   01473 209069 .

Stairlifts Corby – Stairlifts Northamptonshire

Click here to find new and reconditioned stairlifts in Corby

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

Give us a call today on 01604 269919  If however, you are looking for fascinating facts about the area then feel free to read on.


Stairlifts Corby – Stairlifts Northamptonshire

Corby in Northamptonshire has the fastest growing population not just in Northamptonshire but in England!  Is it something in the water?

Most of the mix of retired residents in Corby still have a spring in their step; when they do find that the spring has sprung and getting up and down those stairs is a problem, Castle Comfort Stair Lifts step in!  We’ve been supplying and installing the people of Corby with their stairlifts for almost 15 years.  We are agents for all UK stairlift manufacturers so can offer an unbiased recommendation depending on your needs and your staircase.

If you need to join the 250 retired people in Corby who already own stairlifts, then please give us a call on  01604 269919 .

Corby’s residential cocktail
Corby’s development as a new town was led by architect William Holford back in the 1950’s. He had been heavily involved in town planning following World War II and instrumental in the draft of the Town and Country Planning Act of 1947.  By the middle of the 1950’s the influx of new residents to Corby came mainly from Glasgow, Scotland.  This has been reflected in Corby’s accent which is called Corbyite and has a Glaswegian twang.

This link with Scotland remains to today.  In the 2001 Census almost 19% of the population were Scottish born with a further 33% with Scottish ancestry.  This heritage is kept well and truly alive with social and sporting clubs, supporters of the two Glaswegian football teams Celtic and Rangers (currently in administration).  Corby is actually home to the largest Rangers Supporters Club outside of Glasgow and Northern Ireland.  As well as being able to buy Scottish foods in the town, they also host a Highland Gathering every year mirroring the games in Scotland and featuring traditional Scottish music and dancing.  Corby also has two Church of Scotland churches and is the only town in England apart from London to have this.

Did you know?
... that the song Steeltown by Scottish 1980’s band, Big Country was about all the migrant Scottish workers who came to Corby but then found themselves unemployed when the steelworks closed down.

Source:Wikimedia Commons

It was the steelworks that brought the Scottish contingent to Corby; when Scottish company Stewarts & Lloyds set up in the 1930’s so the influx started.

The steelworks grew up in the area because Corby and the surrounding area had been mined for iron-ore since Roman times; by the 19th century with the railways providing the logistics to transport it and the discovery of more ironstone beds, the industry flourished.  The ironstone works – producing one of the core ingredients of steel – joined up with Stewart & Lloyds in the 1930’s causing the first influx of workers.  As Stewart & Lloyds was a Scottish firm and as much of Clydeside’s industry had closed, it is not surprising that many of the workers came from Scotland.

Cloud cover
Craftily by burning latex which produced dense black, low-lying clouds to cover the steel works, Corby’s plant was protected from bombing raids by the Germans.  Corby only suffered a couple of small attacks – mainly unexplained bullet holes which can still be seen in some buildings.

Meanwhile Corby steelworks manufactured the steel pipe line which was fed under the sea to reach the continent and supply Allied troops with fuel.

You don’t need to hide under any clouds if you’re in need of a stairlift – in fact we’d love you to come out in the open about it.  If you are considering buying one, please take a look at our stairlift prices.  Remember we also offer reconditioned ones too at a reduced price.

If you need some help with the prices there are grants available and also 0% finance to ease the strain – just like the stairlift does!  And if you need any further advice just contact our local office on 01604 269919.

Rockingham Castle and Forest
Rockingham Castle was first built by William the Conqueror as a wooden construction.  It was named after the nearby village.  Subsequent kings built it in stone and added the gatehouse towers.  The last monarch to stay in the castle was Edward III in the 14th century.  Having fallen into disrepair it was sold to Sir Edward Watson by Henry VIII.  Parts of the castle were replaced with a Tudor mansion and gardens whilst the remainder remained as a hunting lodge for visiting royalty.

The woodland that surrounded the castle became known as Rockingham Forest.  Parts of this remain today although it is described as a ‘patchwork’ because only small patches are still intact.  The forest was designated as a Royal Hunting Ground favoured by Elizabeth I.

Today Rockingham Forest is home to a growing population of Red Kites; these birds of prey were reintroduced in the area in 2000.

Source:Wikimedia Commons

Did you know?
A crater discovered on Mars in the 1970’s was named after Corby!  The reason is allegedly down to a transcript from the Apollo 11 mission in 1969 when the crew were told of a man in Corby who had won the World’s Porridge Eating contest by eating 23 bowls of instant porridge in 10 minutes.  The crew in Apollo replied, “I’d like to enter Aldrin in the next porridge eating contest as he’s already eaten 19!”

Source:Wikimedia Commons

The rich and famous of Corby
·         The author Colin Dexter was born in nearby Stamford and lived in Corby; his ‘local’ was the Candle Pub.  Dexter wrote the Inspector Morse novels

·         TV presenter Johnny Vaughan once lived in Corby

·         Echo and the Bunnymen’s manager, Bill Drummond grew up in Corby – his father was the minister at the Scottish church on Beanfield Road.  Drummond also managed Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

·         Another author, Andrew Cowan is from Corby; he wrote a book about the town called Pig picking up awards including new writer of the year in its wake


·         Actress Emma Kennedy was born in Corby.  She recently starred in the film Notes on a Scandal


·         TV and film actor Brendan Coyle was born in Corby.  He has been in a number of TV series including Silent Witness, the Lynley Mysteries and The Glass Virgin.


If you want to join them, just contact us for any information you need or watch our founder Keith’s video at the top of this blog for some background information about stairlifts.  Remember we can supply, install and offer you the best after-care service.  Get in contact now for an assessment – we’ll have you up and running in no time.  Call us on  01604 269919 .