Andy Rowden, MD of Taunton based financial advisers, The Financial Detectives talks about the growth of equity release products.
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Andy begins by talking about how modern equity release products are different from the past.

‘The principal is still the same: using some of the money tied up in your home to fund things you want to do in later life. You may remember horror stories of the past, where people inherited a significant debt as well as losing their parents’ property. That can no longer happen. All policies now come with a ‘no negative equity’ guarantee.

At Spaeda we’re passionate about making a difference to the lives of children and young people through creativity and the arts. The arts inspire and engage, raise confidence and aspiration.

We believe that all children are entitled to a creative education and access to arts and culture.

The current squeeze on the arts in schools is unprecedented. Teacher recruitment and retention is under enormous pressure and we are seeing a mental health crisis in children and young people.
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At Spaeda we believe that putting the arts and creativity at the heart of education supports the well-being of staff and pupils and provides space for rich learning experiences.

I made my first Will eight years ago, when times were simpler. My only concern was who would receive my David Campese-signed World Cup Final program and Fender Telecaster. Since then I have married, own a property with my wife and have two young children. There are now three people more important than anything else. More important than a Fender.

I’ve lived in Taunton for just over 14 years now. In that time I’ve moved house 10 times in different areas of the town. Needless to say if there are traffic jams I’m pretty useful at using all the back street as short-cuts.
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As a kid I grew up in the sunny town of Minehead. It was a pleasant place to live and explore. But, when we came to Taunton it was always VERY exciting. You had BIG shops and that hussle and bustle. We had a Woolworths, WH Smiths and Boots. You had BFG giant size versions of them.

It’s been 6 years since I first picked up a trowel to excavate an Anglo-Saxon cemetery and how far things have come since then. In my former life I was a Royal Marines Commando, a job that I had wanted to do since before I can remember. I enjoyed nothing more than going in the field or deploying on operations, knowing that whatever public opinion was, I was doing my part to ensure the safety and security of other. Several incidents in Afghanistan unfortunately cut my career short after only 17 short years.

One of the most remarkable events of the First World War concerns the ‘Christmas Truce’ of 1914, in which the soldiers of the Western Front laid down their arms on Christmas Day and met in No Man’s Land, exchanging food and cigarettes, as well as playing football.

The cessation of violence was entirely unofficial. There had been no prior discussion and troops acted spontaneously from goodwill, not orders.

The most famous account of events involves British and German forces; however, French and Belgium troops also took part. No-one really knows what initiated it. There were some reports that British troops heard their German counterparts singing Christmas carols and joined but there were also reports of German and British soldiers erecting signs wishing each other a ‘Merry Christmas’.

Driven by feelings of goodwill, home-sickness and combat-weariness some men crossed the lines with their hands up, and troops from the opposing side went to meet them. Commanders either turned a blind-eye or joined in. Food and supplies were exchanged and tools and equipment were borrowed. Games of football were played and bodies trapped within No Man’s Land were buried.
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In many areas the truce lasted for the whole of Christmas day but in some places the peace lasted much longer and it was several weeks before the bloody conflict resumed.

You boost the local economy
For every £1 spent with a small or medium-sized business 63p stayed in the local economy, compared to 40p with a larger business.

You increase the value of your home
High streets populated with thriving independent businesses boost the prices of nearby homes. Discount stores and charity shops decrease home values in the area.

It is more ethical
When you shop at local butchers, bakers, farm shops and green grocers, it is likely that a decent percentage of the produce has had a short field-to-fork journey.  As a bonus it means the food is likely to contain more nutrients and have less packaging.

You support local entrepreneurs
Head for your local artisan market. These help foster the talents of the next generation of British designers and retailers. There is a constant turnover of new products, and sellers listen to customers’ demands. From food to fledgling clothing designers there will be something for everyone.

You help to build your local community
Bookshops, cafés and craft shops often drum up custom by hosting events, from reading groups to knitting clubs and children’s events. If local businesses are not supported, these fun local groups tend to disappear too.
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You might get a better deal or some good advice
Local independent businesses can use their discretion to reward regular custom. Butchers will give advice on cooking times, and how large a joint you might need to feed a family get-together, with some leftovers. Get to know your local traders.

This, to me, is the most remarkable image I have ever found. I was rifling through a stock at a London postcard fair when it came up. I will tell you why. Featured are my grandfather Albert Heny Yarde b.1887. My grandmother with the dog Mabel nee Mutter b 1888. My uncle on the wall Charles b. 1912. My great grandmother with the pinney Sara Mutter b c 1860. Next to her is ‘Aunt Jane’ Parsons who with no children of her own who took on some of the large Yarde brood. The cottage they lived in is Rose Cottage owned or rented by my great grandfather William Mutter baptised 1853 at Yarcombe. In the background is the Crown Inn now housing. Grandfather was a bombadier during World War One but survived though sadly dying in 1934. I never knew either of my grandfathers.

Clearly a nice day here on a Wednesday or Saturday when the Parade market was held. The ladies have their parasols. The livestock market was held on Castle Green and fruit and vegetables and meat sold in the Guildhall on the left. A new market site was opened at Priory Bridge Road in 1929 and everything was moved there into purpose built accommodation.

There are many images of The County Hotel from its days as The London Hotel around 1900. I have chosen this image as it shows the hotel in the mid 1920’s when it also incorporated a cinema. I love the film posters as they tell a story though I have not been able to trace the film mentioned. “ The Mormon and His Wives “. Most Mormon missionaries were recalled to America in World War One. In the mid 1920’s a large number returned to continue their work in the UK.

I have lived in Galmington for some 40 years though now we think of the area as Comeytrowe. This image shows “The Galmington Inn” before its Art Deco conversion and series of name changes. Now “ The Shepherd’s Rest “ though it must be a long time since shepherds loitered here. Between the pub and “ The Manor “ we see the end of “ The Rank “, mostly agricultural workers dwellings, only part of one wall remains.

I thought we would look at something topical this time. We are all probably fed up with seeing this big derelict site over the last ten years but it does have a little bit of history.   
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The lime kilns were connected to the canal which joins the river Tone at Firepool. The name Firepool dates back at least to the 1880’s and probably just reflects the turbulent nature of the weir there. The Bridgwater and Taunton Canal was opened as far as Huntworth in 1827 though the connection with Bridgwater was not finally achieved until 1841.