Just been to collect my cat's ashes from the vet. Not as bad as I thought it would be. Just need to choose a nice spot in the garden now to bury them. Think I will need to take up a plug in the lawn as I concreted under the seat in the garden 2 years ago when I buried the ashes of the last cat that I lost. They came in a lovely little urn with his name engraved and a lovely card. Life goes on doesn't it?
'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
I am on for a rant ! you may want to switch off now!
10 years ago when we bought this place there was a run down old cottage, 15 paces from the back door. We had no idea what to do with it until 4 years ago when I decided with OH s full support to convert it into a small studio, therapy room with associated cloakroom, loo and kitchen facilities, relaxing lighting, heated floors, calming music.
I wanted it to be more of a holistic space than a gym and as such I spent ages finding the right teachers for pilates, yoga , mindfulness training etc we were also lucky to find an excellent therapist for massage reiki hot stone etc etc. Local people were slow to respond but are now living regular attenders and finding life more agile, those who had body issues are now more confident and happKer than they were before. Everyone who comes here loves it. The therapists pay a peppercorn rent. The studio doesn't even wash its face but I am happy to have enriched so many people's lives.
When we opened we had full planning granted and all the kerfuffle that goes along with that. We are rated as non rateable. I did everthing by the book. In Scotland you only pay water rates if you are a business, household rates are included in council tax.
I think you know what's coming, last week I received a bill for water that was exorbitant and a total surprise. We have no water meter as the studio runs off the house supply. Also we have a septic tank so no sewage costs. I have spent every day trying to talk to someone following up witch letters, trying to get the bill frozen until resolved, going to the CAB, talking to other small businesses and I am getting Nowhere because Nobody listens, or reads emails properly or replies to letters. It is driving me Mad!
the saddest thing is I just can't afford to pay it. We are going to have to close. 3 people will have their jobs and income affected about 50 local people who dont all drive will lose a much needed relaxation centre. Plans for Christmas "do's" may have to be cancelled. And the studio will sit empty! I can't tell anyone as I don't want to upset them incase a miracle happens, haven't even breathed a word to my "girls" I will fight it and fight and fight but experience has taught me the big guys usually win
What has this country become? I used to value my British passport.! All I wanted to do was enrich the village.
thank you for listening
Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.” A A Milne
Lilyp. Very sorry to read about your problem. It seems ridiculous and typical of local council/government type behaviour.
We got a letter from our council some years ago advising that since we had a historical ruin on our property, we'd have to be declared a heritage site and would be restricted in doing many things on our property. Hubby, who at one time had worked in the Heritage Commission in Canberra got on the phone and gave them an ear full. Not least of which was that the property with the ruin of an "rammed earth hut" was at least 10km further along our road and that since he knew much more about heritage sites than they obviously did, they'd better check their information. We didn't ever get an apology either. One of the funny things about this is that we drove past that property recently, and the new owners have horses and the ruin is almost demolished by horses rubbing/leaning of the old walls. I had good laugh about that! Stupid council!
i hope you can get through to someone with a bit of common sense soon.
I used to work for a small charity here in Norfolk which provided a similar service to the community, although it was an Early Music Centre and art gallery, it developed a much wider remit.
I know several people who run small businesses as a Social Enterprise, supporting the local community and putting any profits back into the business so it becomes self-sustaining.
Who initially rated you as 'non rateable' LP? That's where I'd start, although, if they didn't understand it was a business and were under the impression it was for your own use, that's where the problem will lie.
It won't matter that the water comes from the household supply - if it then supplies a business, it's no longer domestic.
Hope you can get some resolution - I know how frustrating it is when you no one wants to listen, and doesn't read your correspondence
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Posts
A plug in the grass would be fine. Hogweed.
life does go on and I am sure there is a cat with your name on him just waiting for a good home.
Hugs Hogweed, I know how you are feeling
its a perfect time of year to plant some pretty Spring bulbs with the ashes?
A A Milne
Heartfelt hugs Hogweed and what a lovely idea Lily xx
I am on for a rant ! you may want to switch off now!
10 years ago when we bought this place there was a run down old cottage, 15 paces from the back door. We had no idea what to do with it until 4 years ago when I decided with OH s full support to convert it into a small studio, therapy room with associated cloakroom, loo and kitchen facilities, relaxing lighting, heated floors, calming music.
I wanted it to be more of a holistic space than a gym and as such I spent ages finding the right teachers for pilates, yoga , mindfulness training etc we were also lucky to find an excellent therapist for massage reiki hot stone etc etc. Local people were slow to respond but are now living regular attenders and finding life more agile, those who had body issues are now more confident and happKer than they were before. Everyone who comes here loves it. The therapists pay a peppercorn rent. The studio doesn't even wash its face but I am happy to have enriched so many people's lives.
When we opened we had full planning granted and all the kerfuffle that goes along with that. We are rated as non rateable. I did everthing by the book. In Scotland you only pay water rates if you are a business, household rates are included in council tax.
I think you know what's coming, last week I received a bill for water that was exorbitant and a total surprise. We have no water meter as the studio runs off the house supply. Also we have a septic tank so no sewage costs. I have spent every day trying to talk to someone following up witch letters, trying to get the bill frozen until resolved, going to the CAB, talking to other small businesses and I am getting Nowhere because Nobody listens, or reads emails properly or replies to letters. It is driving me Mad!
the saddest thing is I just can't afford to pay it. We are going to have to close. 3 people will have their jobs and income affected about 50 local people who dont all drive will lose a much needed relaxation centre. Plans for Christmas "do's" may have to be cancelled. And the studio will sit empty! I can't tell anyone as I don't want to upset them incase a miracle happens, haven't even breathed a word to my "girls" I will fight it and fight and fight but experience has taught me the big guys usually win
What has this country become? I used to value my British passport.! All I wanted to do was enrich the village.
thank you for listening
A A Milne
Lilyp. Very sorry to read about your problem. It seems ridiculous and typical of local council/government type behaviour.
We got a letter from our council some years ago advising that since we had a historical ruin on our property, we'd have to be declared a heritage site and would be restricted in doing many things on our property. Hubby, who at one time had worked in the Heritage Commission in Canberra got on the phone and gave them an ear full. Not least of which was that the property with the ruin of an "rammed earth hut" was at least 10km further along our road and that since he knew much more about heritage sites than they obviously did, they'd better check their information. We didn't ever get an apology either. One of the funny things about this is that we drove past that property recently, and the new owners have horses and the ruin is almost demolished by horses rubbing/leaning of the old walls. I had good laugh about that! Stupid council!
i hope you can get through to someone with a bit of common sense soon.
LilyP, so sorry to hear this.
I used to work for a small charity here in Norfolk which provided a similar service to the community, although it was an Early Music Centre and art gallery, it developed a much wider remit.
I know several people who run small businesses as a Social Enterprise, supporting the local community and putting any profits back into the business so it becomes self-sustaining.
I wonder whether looking here http://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/about/about-social-enterprise
would be the first thing to do. There may be all sorts of help you can get.
Good luck
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
LilyPily, so sorry to hear this, sounds like red tape gone mad. I do hope you sort it, keep at it until someone listens. Very best of luck.
Who initially rated you as 'non rateable' LP? That's where I'd start, although, if they didn't understand it was a business and were under the impression it was for your own use, that's where the problem will lie.
It won't matter that the water comes from the household supply - if it then supplies a business, it's no longer domestic.
Hope you can get some resolution - I know how frustrating it is when you no one wants to listen, and doesn't read your correspondence
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...