Author: Colin Batt Removals

About Colin Batt Removals

We have over 40 years' experience providing removals and storage services across Kent, London and the UK. We specialise in piano removals and have moved Beethoven's piano on a European tour. Our facilities in Ashford include container storage, piano storage and document archive.

Piano Removals News

Gold Treasure found in Antique Piano

Colin Batt Removals Comment

A couple found a hoard of gold when they got their antique piano tuned. The current owners had been gifted the upright piano and they had commissioned some repairs and tuning. It was during these repairs that the piano tuner made an incredible discovery. Inside the upright piano was a hidden stash of gold.

Broadwood & Sons Upright Piano

The piano was built by Broadwood and Sons of London and was sold to a piano dealer or music shop in Saffron Walden, Essex. This was in 1906 but very little else is known about the piano. The only other records are when the piano was purchased by an Essex family in 1983 who later moved to Shropshire.

This is quite an extraordinary find. Over the decades of moving pianos we have found some interesting items but nothing like a bag of gold. Our finds include loose change, bottles of wine, mice (unfortunately), jars of water and books. Whenever we move a piano we always check the interior of the instrument to check there is nothing there that could damage it during transit.

Gold Hoard History

So far the origins of the gold have not been ascertained. It is believed that the hoard was deliberately hidden over a hundred years ago for safe keeping and was, for whatever reason, forgotten about.  The find was immediately reported and the gold has been taken to the British Museum for investigation. Ian Richardson, Treasure Registrar at the British Museum, said:

The artefacts might be older but they were hidden in the last 100years. We know that because of the age of the piano.

An inquest is ongoing in Shropshire to find the owners of the gold. Details of the hoard are being withheld so that would-be claimants can prove any link to the treasure is genuine.  If you know anything about the gold or the history of the piano please contact the Coroner in Shropshire or the British Museum. The inquest will be concluded on 16 March 17.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/antique-piano-shropshire-gold-treasure-hoard-discover-family-shrewsbury-coroners-court-new-owners-a7525301.html

House removals

ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE – UPDATE

Colin Batt Removals Comment

Do you remember the viral phenomenon that was sweeping the world back in 2014 called the Ice Bucket Challenge? Ice cold water was tipped over the heads of wiling volunteers in order to raise awareness and money for research into a cure for Motor Neurone Disease or MND.  We are proud to say that we also took part in the ice bucket challenge and are also pleased to say that our combined efforts have made a breakthrough in the journey to find a cure.

MND Gene Breakthrough

We at Colin Batt Removals, as did everyone else, took the ice bucket challenge to raise money to find a cure for Motor Neurone Disease. Motor Neurone Disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal and rapidly progressive degenerative disease that affects the spinal cord and brain. The good news is that the research funded by the challenge has identified a new gene that contributes to the disease.

Worldwide Phenomenon

Millions of people took part in the challenge. 17 million people uploaded videos of the Ice Bucket Challenge to Facebook and those videos were watched by 440 million people. $115 million was raised worldwide, an amazing achievement which was all down to the generosity and good will of people from all around the globe. It is quite amazing to feel we were a very small part in a worldwide phenomenon that has touched so many lives.

Some people viewed the Ice Bucket Challenge as a stunt but the money from the challenge has funded six separate research projects. This research has made a break through that could eventually lead to a cure. A gene, NEK 1, has been found to contribute to inherited cases of MND. Scientists are now working on a gene therapy to treat this debilitating disease.

Time for A Cure for MND

Unfortunately, Motor Neurone Disease kills around a third of all people within a year of diagnosis and over half in 2 years. Something needs to be done and a cure cannot be found quick enough for all the people affected by the disease. We hope that our small actions combined with those of the rest of the word will make a difference and move us forward in our fight against Motor Neurone Disease.

Well done to all who took part in and generously donated to the Ice Bucket Challenge. Learn more about the disease and the fight for a cure at these two sites https://www.mndassociation.org https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/jul/27/how-the-ice-bucket-challenge-led-to-an-als-research-breakthrough

House removals

House Removals Reviews 2016

Colin Batt Removals Comment

We received some great feedback on our house removals service over the Christmas period. We always try and deliver a house move that exceeds expectations so it is always great to hear that our customers think so to. Whatever type of house removal you need you can be sure of a great service from Colin Batt Removals; just read the feedback.

Removals Reviews

Tonbridge, Kent

One man, Wilfred arrived in a van on Thursday and quietly packed the contents, finishing at 1.30pm. On Friday Steve and his partner packed everything quickly including many pots of plants. They worked hard & efficiently, and were finished about 11.15am. I was impressed with the care taken in the packing and emptying the contents in my new home quickly but carefully, finishing quite early in the afternoon. I am glad I chose Colin Batt Removals.

Canterbury, Kent

I can’t praise Colin Batt’s staff highly enough. The xxxx men arrived promptly at 8 a.m. on our moving day, they introduced themselves and were all smartly dressed in the firm’s t-shirts and trousers, and each one of them was extremely polite. Amazingly, all our possessions were carefully loaded and then equally carefully unloaded and then equally carefully unloaded at the new house by approx 4 p.m. The boys were good humoured, polite, very careful with our property and I would recommend them unreservedly.

Dorking, Kent

The move went very smoothly and the guys were polite & helpful – thank you.

Canterbury, Kent

The team from Colin Batt Removals moved us very recently to our new home and they were absolutely amazing. Everything went like clockwork from start to finish and this was a massive help during a quite stressful time. The boys were wonderful, taking much care of our furniture and belongings. We would honestly employ them again should we need to and we can highly recommend this professional, caring and just brilliant removal company.

To guarantee we have the skills and experience to deliver on any type of removal, we conduct regular removals training covering every aspect of the job. You may need a piano moving, your china and glass packing, fine art or antiques storage, export and shipping or just a normal house move within the UK. Whatever you need we are dedicated and committed to be the best removal company in the UK. We feel this is why we get such great feedback from all of the house moves we do.

Happy New Year to everyone from Colin Batt Removals, may 2017 bring you health, wealth and happiness.

 

 

Company News

British Association of Removers Audit 2016

Colin Batt Removals 1 Comment

We have just passed our annual British Association of Removers audit with flying colours. The audit is the yearly check of our house removals service, people and processes. The audit ensures we are delivering quality house removals to each and every customer. I am pleased to say we achieved a great result with very positive feedback. You can rest easy when you move house with Colin Batt Removals.

BAR Logo

The British Association of Removers (BAR) is your sign of quality and professionalism. They check everything from our warehouse and storage facilities, training schedules, complaints procedures, removals vehicles, advertising and after sales services. The BAR look into every aspect of our house removals services. They check we meet the required standard in every area before we can display the BAR logo. No stone is left unturned to ensure that each and every removal company that is awarded BAR membership is reputable, professional and offers you a safe house move.

We are very proud of the quality service we provide and the long history we have with the British Association of Removers. It is not only the BAR that recognise our excellent services but most importantly our customers. 99% of our customers would recommend all removals services, whether that is house removals, piano removals, container storage and climate controlled storage for fine art and antiques.

Team Effort

A big thank you to the whole team who constantly deliver brilliant removals. Every team member goes above and beyond for every one of our customers. Without their dedication and passion we would not be the outstanding removals company that we are nor would we have such a good reputation.

Look no further than Colin Batt Removals for a superior removal company that is recognised by professional bodies and customers alike. Colin Batt Removals have the removals skills, passion, dedication and expertise, whatever your house removal, piano move or storage need.

Learn more about the BAR here – http://www.bar.co.uk

Company News

Nepal Earthquake – One Year On

Colin Batt Removals Comment

Just over a year ago the Nepalese people suffered immensely when the Nepal Earthquake hit the country killing 8000 people and making 3.5 million homeless. In every measure this was a huge tragedy that affected all walks of life. Last month the Kent Messenger wrote an article on the continued supported that Nepal has received from the people of Kent, specifically those in Folkestone. We are proud to say we have helped in a small way. We provided storage for emergency supplies at our store before they were shipped out to Nepal.

Immediately after the earthquake the Rotary Club of Folkestone began fundraising and gathering donations to help the Nepal Earthquake victims. We were able to donate storage space to allow the Rotary Club to gather the essential supplies before they were transported to Khathmandu Airport and beyond to the disaster zones. Others from Kent and Shepway have donated clothing and goods, the Rotary Club has raised more than £15 000 so far. A big thank you to all who have helped and donated their time, money or goods.

Whilst the initial emergency has passed the people of Nepal still have a great need for help and the Rotary Club continues to conduct fundraisers. Essential supplies such as food, shelter and medical supplies are still required as floods and landslides continue to displace people from their homes.

Nepal EarthquakeIt is easy to donate. Send a cash or a cheque made payable to ‘Help for Nepal Earthquake Disaster Relief Appeal’ to Independent Church Services, Church House, 136 Sandgate Road, Folkestone. Alternatively, an electronic bank transfer can be made directly to the Rotary Club of Folkestone using the reference ‘Nepal’. Their back details are Lloyds TSB, Folkestone Rotary Club, Sort Code 30-93-34 and Account Number 00575212.

Thank you to all have donated, your support has and will continue to make a big difference to the people of Nepal. They have lost lives, families and homes and need all the help we can provide.

Read more about the Nepalese disaster from the Kent Messenger here –http://www.kentonline.co.uk/search/?q=nepal