ON THIS DAY
37 years ago (1984)
Our front page celebrated Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean’s gold medal at the Sarajevo Winter Olympics in the former Yugoslavia. We described their routine as the “greatest exhibition of ice dancing seen anywhere in the world”.
The favourites gained a near-perfect score for their performance to Ravel’s Boléro which was watched by 24 million people in the UK.
79 years ago (1942)
British troops surrendered unconditionally to the Japanese in Singapore. Angered by the defeat, PM Winston Churchill said the fall of Singapore was “the largest capitulation in British history”.
Some 16,000 British, 14,000 Australian and 32,000 Indian soldiers were taken prisoner enduring some of the harshest conditions of the war.
69 years ago (1952)
King George VI was laid to rest in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.
Thousands gathered in London to watch the King’s funeral cortege leave Westminster Hall, where he had laid in state for three days, and make its way to Paddington Station where the royal train waited.
Aries Mar 21 – Apr 20
Your imagination is working overtime.Your boss can’t appreciate the ideas you have for making some jobs more interesting. Granted you haven’t thought it all through, but some are worth developing. People will enjoy your cheerfulness.
0905 789 3701**
Taurus Apr 21 – May 21
Doubts about a relationship will be eased quickly. A surprise someone arranges will prove how much they care for you. It should be fun to put creativity into a project.You have the ability to turn the rough and rugged into a thing of beauty.
0905 789 3702**
Gemini May 22 – June 21
With your encouragement, others will take a more considerate approach towards people who are struggling. Even when all around you seems grey, you will find the bright side. This will help others around you to find a way forward.
0905 789 3703**
Cancer June 22 – July 23
It’s too early to determine whether new plans are going to be successful. Decisions are required and action is happening but this is ongoing until you find arrangements that work best for everyone. Be sure to keep other options on the table.
0905 789 3704**
Leo July 24 – Aug 23
You are starting to accept some changes that have been brought on by the pandemic are going to be permanent. Having been able to adapt routines to suit circumstances is starting to pay off.You have full confidence in your latest ideas.
0905 789 3705**
Virgo Aug 24 – Sep 23
Even though you and a colleague don’t share the same beliefs, there is still a lot you can learn from each other.You are starting to get on with people you have not always understood. Having to spend time together makes you appreciate their skills.
0905 789 3706**
Libra Sep 24 – Oct 23
Be patient if you are trying to get to know someone better. They may seem aloof at first but don’t give up on them. You could be surprised by how much you have in common. Be firm with a friend who tries to steer you away from your chosen path.
0905 789 3707**
Scorpio Oct 24 – Nov 22
Your partner or friend has been feeling neglected. Although you haven’t been deliberately ignoring them, they are justified in hoping you start spending more time together. It will help if you are able to resolve an issue that has caused tension.
0905 789 3708**
Sagittarius Nov 23 – Dec 21
Give a relationship more time, especially if you were hoping it was going to change your life. With all that has been going on, you haven’t had a chance to see each other. Be patient as the two of you could turn out to be amazingly compatible.
0905 789 3709**
Capricorn Dec 22 – Jan 20
There’s a hint of money in the air when you are anticipating a lump sum in the form of a rebate, legacy or bonus to come your way. Just don’t build your hopes up too high as what you thought was a yacht could turn out to be a dinghy.
0905 789 3710**
Aquarius Jan 21 – Feb 19
A friend or partner is making plans you aren’t included in. This will upset you. It could be that they hadn’t expected you to be interested and if you let them know how you feel, they will change things. No one is trying to push you away.
0905 789 3711**
Pisces Feb 20 – Mar 20
Spending time with people who are open, honest and happy to discuss their feelings will encourage you to open up. A friend encourages you to relax and have fun which makes this a wonderful time to abandon yourself to pleasure. 0905 789 3712**
AROUND one in five home buyers who agreed a deal last July when a stamp duty holiday was announced have not completed their purchase.
Rightmove has estimated that around 100,000 buyers will fail to complete by the stamp duty deadline on March 31.
The property website’s analysis suggests that of those buyers who agreed a purchase last July, one in five remain stuck in the “logjam” more than six months later.
Tim Bannister, Rightmove’s director of property data, said: “Whilst it’s too late for the stamp duty holiday, there are good reasons to come to market now, especially if selling a property suitable for a family.
“There are more possible buyers looking and fewer suitable alternatives to divert their attention away from yours.”
Rightmove said that, following three months of falls, sellers’ asking prices increased by 0.5 per cent or £1,522 typically, fuelled by a shortage in supply and growing demand.
A separate report from Halifax showed that the average cost of a detached property in the UK reached £486,595 in December 2020, marking an annual increase of 10 per cent or £43,364.
This compared with an increase of 3.19 per cent or £4,533 for flats,
which have an average price of
£146,717.
Terraced house prices have increased by 5.84 per cent or £11,178 to £202,540 on average, while semi-detached properties became 6.26 per cent or £16,930 more expensive, to reach an average price of £287,313.
Russell Galley, managing director,
Halifax, said: “As many continue to work from home, this has led to a significant increase in demand for bigger properties.”
Rightmove’s report also quoted the views of estate agents, some of whom said would-be sellers are pausing until coronavirus vaccinations are rolled out more widely.
Aldo Sotgiu, managing director of operations at Arun Estates, said: “We’re seeing high levels of buyer activity and demand remains strong, but the number of new listings coming to the market is a concern, with many potential sellers preoccupied with the wider problems associated with the pandemic.
“In addition, sellers now realise that they won’t now complete before the end of March and be faced once more with a full stamp duty bill on their onward purchase.”
Michelle Gallagher, sales director at JDG Estate Agents in Lancaster, said: “Buyer demand is up, fuelled by the need for more space as more people are having to work from home. For many, homes are shrinking with the kids being home due to home schooling.
“The problem now is the lack of supply and we’re seeing inflated asking prices on some properties.”
Richard Freshwater, director at Cheffins in Cambridge said: “As the shortage of supply is unlikely to be addressed until the vaccine rollout is in its later stages, frustrated buyers will continue to struggle to find the type of home they are looking for.”
Kate Eales, head of regional residential agency at Strutt & Parker, said: “Last year we saw demand rise for family homes off the back of people’s experiences in lockdown and this is where we are seeing the biggest shortage of stock.”