Family shocked at rental costs in Guernsey
A man who left Guernsey said he was shocked to find the cost of rental accommodation had doubled when he returned 10 months later.Tom Pinsard and his family moved to Australia in 2022 but after his wife was hurt in a car accident they decided to come back in June 2023.Although they had arranged a rental house for their first day back, Mr Pinsard said the property was in such poor condition they could not live in it - but they could not then find an affordable alternative.A report recently published by the Guernsey Community Foundation found young families were being "driven away" by rising living costs.
Mr Pinsard said when the family had left Guernsey in 2022 they had been paying £1,300 per month for a two-bedroom house near the beach on the west coast.He said that in September 2023 they rented a "cramped" two-bedroom in St Sampsons that cost £2,600 per month.Mr Pinsard added that he had found it "shocking that in such a short period of time, nine to 10 months, rental cost actually doubled".The government's Property Prices Bulletin showed the average local market rental price was £2,068 a month in the first quarter of 2025.That figure is 1.5% higher than the previous quarter, 8.2% higher than the first quarter of 2024 and 51.7% higher than five years ago.
'Lots of sacrifices'
Mr Pinsard said the family had been forced to live in temporary accommodation which had drained their savings."We got to the point where it was either we have to buy to get on to the property market or leave the island again," he said.The Pinsards managed to buy a house, which needed renovation, thanks to "lots of sacrifices".Mr Pinsard said his wife worked extra shifts at the hospital and he had a side business he ran at the weekends to ensure they had a home."It is possible but only through many, many extra hours which takes time away from the children and family," he added.
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No manufacturer ever sees Telegraph Recommended reviews before publication and we don't accept payment in exchange for favourable reviews, nor do we allow brands to pay for placement in our articles. All reviews are based on independent expert opinion and our hands-on testing. Visit our Who We Are page to learn more. The best fire pits of 2025 1. Best Buy Fire Pit: Recycled Kadai Score: 9/10 We like: Family-made from recycled oil drums in India A kadai is a traditional Indian cooking vessel designed for curries, with curved sides and a deep, flat base. The company Kadai has taken inspiration from the silhouette and transformed it into an authentic fire bowl. This one is made from recycled oil drums by family workshops in India. The result is a rustic-looking fire pit made from metal plates welded together, with drop handles at the side. The handles don't get hot, so you can move the fire bowl without burning yourself. The kit also comes with Kadai beads, which makes it unique. 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The log capacity is not huge and there's no easy way to remove the ashes, except by waiting until they're cold and scooping them out. As a barbecue, there's no form of ventilation control, so you are basically cooking caveman-style over the embers. But the price is reasonable, the build quality is decent and you can bolt it together in 20 minutes. The perfect family fire pit on a bargain budget. Key specifications 3. Best Smokeless Firepit: Winnerwell Secondary Combustion Portable Grill Minimal smoke and convenient heating are top priorities for a firepit at home or on the campsite. This portable model from Winnerwell delivers on both. Its legs fold out, bringing the top up to camping chair height. You can also purchase some extension legs (£65.98, Amazon). All of the components feel robust and nicely finished. Speaking as someone who's not much good at lighting fires, this makes it easy work. The tall walls provide good protection against strong breezes, while the bottom vents let helpful airflow feed the fire. It burns brilliantly, providing plenty of warmth at a distance of several meters. I cooked a classic: Flump Minis, which toasted quickly over the flames. This model burns cleaner than most and produced relatively little smoke, even when I used scrap wood with a high moisture content (although performance was best when I burned seasoned firewood). This is all thanks to its secondary combustion. The effect, common to most 'smokeless' fire pits, is produced by a two-walled design which directs airflow to both the bottom and the top of the firepit. So, it burns your wood fuel inside the firepit and also combusts escaping smoke and ashes. It kicks in when the firepit gets hot, after around 10 to 20 minutes of heating. The extra flames are visible around the top edge of the firepit. Overall, I'm thoroughly impressed with this firepit. It's highly convenient, lights easily and looks great on the paving. As with other firepits, it's important to wear heat-resistant gloves during use. Save the toasting for your marshmallows (or Flumps). Key specifications 4. Best Fire Pit and BBQ: BioLite FirePit+ Score: 7/10 We like: The excellent hibachi grill function We don't like: The noise of the fan £187.93, Amazon The BioLite is a compact and portable fire-pit-and-cooking grill combination that can burn either firewood or charcoal. It arrived beautifully packaged and was simple to assemble – just two handles to screw in. The instructions on how to get it working are detailed, but very user friendly. It's small, so you wouldn't want many more than two or three people sitting around it. It would be ideal for small spaces like an urban back yard or a balcony. It's not as pretty as some others, but it has a unique selling point: a rechargeable battery that powers 51 air jets inside the chamber. These jets create a more uniform temperature and improve combustion. That means more reliable heat, but also less smoke – a common issue with fire pits – so your neighbours might be pleased if you choose this one. The fan is fairly noisy, so this model is better for a lively urban environment, rather than quiet spots. It really comes into its own if you fill the unit with charcoal instead of wood and use it as a hibachi-style grill. It cooks well and it was fun to bring grub to the fire pit experience. By combining the functions of fire pit and BBQ, the BioLite cuts down on expense and space. Those who love to have technology connected with everything in life will enjoy controlling it remotely from their phones. However, others might find that the design – a bit like a robotic dog – and the technology run against the spirit of the fire pit, which is communing with nature. Key specifications 5. Best Luxury Fire Pit: English Country Fireball (800mm) This is a very pricey fire pit and I was curious to see if it had the x-factor to justify the cost. The makers have hand-crafted beautiful countryside scenes into into a 6mm-walled steel ball, forming silhouettes of foxes, stags and trees that seem to move against the flames. The way the smoke swirled around the art evoked a late summer/early autumn woodland evening, making an enchanting focal point for the garden. In short, it is both of use and an ornament. The first downside you'll discover is that it's very heavy – my lower back was crying out the moment I began to lift it. It also needs a lot of wood, so the expense continues after you've forked out for the pit itself. However, the sculpture is so stunning that you're getting value out of this one even when it's not lit and it would be the perfect centrepiece to a large garden. You can buy an LED lighting kit so that it glows at night. The company also offers comfortable matching stools so you can look the part as you while away the evenings and dozens of other Fireball designs, including bespoke creations. (One wag commissioned a Death Star.) Key specifications Fire pit FAQs Are fire pits legal in the UK? Yes, fire pits are legal in the UK. 'But you do need to be respectful of your neighbours and be sure that you are not causing a nuisance with smoke,' says garden designer Martyn Wilson. He also recommends checking local legislation to see if you are in a smoke free zone. What is the best fuel to use in a fire pit? 'Try to use woods with a low moisture content, such as kiln-dried woods or well seasoned hardwoods,' says Wilson. Bio-ethanols formed from plant-based materials such as fermented sugar and plant based starches are also used for some more contemporary fire pits. 'They will tend to burn with less smoke,' Wilson says. Other units use gas or coal. How should I look after my fire pit? The good news is that most fire pits can be left outside. 'If you have a fire bowl, try leaving on its side or upside down in the winter to prevent rainwater building up inside,' says Wilson. He also notes that a layer of sand in the bottom of a fire pit can help radiate heat and prevent burn of the metal. However, he suggests that we avoid leaving ash or embers in the bottom. Once fully cooled, the ashes should be removed and disposed of safely. 'Wood ash can be good for the garden!' he said. With that said, some fire pit models will benefit from indoor storage, especially if their materials are prone to rusting. What safety precautions are needed when using a fire pit? Never leave a lit fire pit unattended. Wilson suggests keeping a bucket of sand nearby, in case you need to extinguish the fire in a hurry. 'In light of the recent record temperatures, it is really important to be mindful of the weather and make sure there isn't any dry grass or foliage nearby that could ignite from embers,' he says, 'particularly so if it is windy and there hasn't been any rain.' It is also important to consider the space around the fire pit and allow plenty of room to move around. Keep children and pets away, and always read and follow safety instructions. Are gas fire pits better than wood-burning ones? Gas fire pits have some advantages over wood-burning fire pits; they tend to be easy to use, with an in-built ignition that should light the propane/butane fuel from your connected gas canister (which will be sold separately) at the flick of a switch. Gas produces a 'clean burn' with little smoke or airborne ash, so you and your guests can enjoy the fire without worrying about singed clothing, eye irritation or smoky smells. 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Gas-fuelled fire pits also produce little smoke relative to a traditional wood-fuelled fire pit, so they can be considered as an alternative 'smokeless' option. How long will a cast iron or steel fire pit last? The lifespan of a cast iron or steel fire pit can vary depending on the thickness and quality of the material, as well as on your usage habits, storage and maintenance. Retailers' estimates on the longevity of high-quality models range from around seven years to 25 years and longer. Steel and cast iron are both susceptible to oxidation, and the level of rusting often greatly influences the lifespan of a fire pit. The material will be likelier to rust if it is left in wet conditions or filled with moisture, or if the surface is scratched, dented or otherwise damaged. Try to find out the warranty terms via the manufacturer or retailer. This will guarantee a minimum lifespan, although many cast iron and steel fire pits can comfortably outlast the warranty period given proper care. Should I cover my fire pit when I'm not using it? Water and detritus can easily accumulate inside and on top of an uncovered fire pit, leading to rusting and uncleanliness. So, most models will benefit from being covered while not in use. To ensure effective coverage, choose a suitably sized waterproof cover that can be secured tightly over the fire pit. Many fire pit manufacturers offer purpose-made covers as an additional purchase, while generic covers are available via retailers such as Amazon. Allow your fire pit to cool down completely before you handle or cover it.
Daily Mail
6 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Mel C flaunts her sizzling six-pack as she shares slew of snaps from recent trip Down Under - including a loved-up display with new boyfriend Chris Dingwall
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Her abs were again on show in an later photo, with Sporty Spice unsurprisingly enjoying a visit to the gym in a matching shorts and bra combo. It wasn't all sports and yoga for Mel Down Under however, with the slew revealing that she had taken in a Dua Lipa performance during her trip away. And the 50-year-old seemed to be having a whale of a time watching the British superstar's Radical Optimism tour, with Mel filmed dancing the night away in the crowd. In another video, Mel revealed exactly how she manages to wear stilettos for an entire day - by taping her toes together. The footage showed a man - presumably her stylist - prepping the Spice Girl to slip into a pair of heels while explaining exactly how the method works. 'The science says that by taping toe two and three together, it will redistribute the pressure on the foot meaning Melanie can do a full day in the world's most heeled high heels,' he said. '(Our inspiration is) Vanessa Williams while performing in The Devil Wears Prada, she told the world that this was the secret to getting through a full day in stilettos, and let's see if she's a liar.' Mel also put on a loved-up display with her film director boyfriend Chris, who is believed to be in his 40s, in a selfie shared to her Instagram on Thursday. While it remains unclear how the couple met, they confirmed romance rumours last June when they attended Glastonbury together. Chris - who stands at around 185cm tall - is a model who has also tried his hand at acting, writing and film directing. During their time together in Australia, the couple were pictured sharing a cheeky kiss while enjoying a day on the beach. Since going public with their romance, Mel and Chris have also enjoyed a summer break in Ibiza together. They were seen sharing a steamy kiss during a PDA-filled boat ride on the island. In July, Mel also cosied up to her new partner as they enjoyed a day out at Wimbledon in south west London. The singer keeps her love life largely out of the spotlight but previously spoke about how she was banned from dating in the early days of the Spice Girls - while her bandmates were free to pursue romances. 'Looking back what struck me was it was one rule for one and another for the others, right?' she previously told Australia's The Project. 'I think when you are vulnerable as well, people go, I don't think it's good for you'. Mel said the rule for the other women was, 'she is fine, she can have a boyfriend, she can cope with having a boyfriend, she is strong enough but you are not'. 'It makes you question yourself when you are already vulnerable,' Mel added. On Thursday, it was reported that Simon Fuller – the man who managed the band, created Brand Beckham and helped found Victoria Beckham's fashion empire – is keen to organise a tour to mark the group's 30th anniversary next year. He has the support of Mel C, Mel B and Emma Bunton, and has spent more than a year trying to win Geri Halliwell-Horner round to the idea. A source told The Mail's Alison Boshoff: 'Geri isn't interested in stepping foot on a stage again.' So the plan she agreed to was for Abba-style avatars of the girls, which would 'perform' in concert. But Victoria is being left out of discussions and will not be part of the virtual line-up. A source said: 'Simon Fuller planning a tour has caused yet another schism. Victoria is f****d off that they have gone with him and there is no way that she will be a part of it. 'The bad feeling seems to go back to her and David having to spend millions on buying him out of Beckham Brand Holdings. He still has a stake and board seat on her fashion business. There is resentment there. 'Geri wants to do the avatars idea. She isn't interested in coming back and doing a tour. She doesn't need to. This is the one idea which Simon has had which has tempted her.' The source added: 'Simon Fuller is the only person who could get Geri to rejoin the Spice Girls, but he is the one person in the world who could never persuade Victoria.' No wonder only Mel C and Emma Bunton went to Mel B's 50th birthday celebrations in Leeds last weekend. All of the 'girls' showed up for Victoria's 50th birthday last year, but it seems that they are in separate camps once again. In fact, there has not yet been a meeting to discuss plans with Geri and the other Spice Girls in the same room because 'at any given point
