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.
Along with the rest of the UK and maybe the world, many of us here at Colin Batt Removals have been getting involved in the Ice Bucket Challenge to raise money for MND – check out our video here!
Thanks to the members of the removals team who took part and withstood the freezing challenge. All parts of the business took part, removal porters, estimators, office staff and even the managers! We appreciate their support and help with this very worthy charity.
The Motor Neurone Disease Association has challenged us all to throw a bucket of iced water over ourselves in order to raise money to combat a debilitating disease. The campaign has gone viral with each participant earning the honour to challenge three more people who have to complete the challenge within 24 hours. You can turn down the challenge by donating to the charity or just be generous and do both!
The campaign has been a huge success, having raised millions of pounds to help find a cure for this debilitating disease. MND is a progressive disease that attacks the nerves in the brain, motor neurones, causing muscle wasting. This effects everything from grip to breathing, standing to speaking.
Presently there is no cure which is why the funds raised by the MNDA are so important. There research is helping to deliver a better understanding of the disease and we hope will eventually provide a cure.
To find out more about this campaign and the great work MNDA do click here:
KENT RANKS HIGHLY AS ONE OF THE ‘BEST PLACES’ TO LIVE IN ENGLAND AND WALES
Kent has scored extremely well overall in a recent ‘Best Places to Live’ index produced by the The Telegraph. The index was constructed using average weekly incomes, crime rates, health, home ownership, and economic activity.
We know that when moving house local crime rates, health chances and incomes play a big factor in your decisions. This index provides a simple ‘at-a-glance’ overview of the areas where you live. The good news is that Kent has at least 6 areas in the top 10% of best places to live from Tonbridge & Malling to Maidstone and Medway. The table below shows the highlights but he full index can be found at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/11041812/Mapped-the-best-places-to-live-in-England-and-Wales.html
The 8 Best Books to Help Kids and Children Cope with Moving Home
Books are great at the best of times but they can also help children cope with moving home and here we have selected 8 of the very best. Moving house is not just a stressful time for adults, it can also be a very disrupting experience for children. One of the best ways to prepare and help children cope with moving home is to talk about it. We have selected what we feel are the best books to address the natural fears that children and kids have bout moving house. These books act as a great vehicle to highlight and talk through the whole moving process with your kids, making for a much smoother and easier transition into your new home.
The Moving Book – A Kids’ Survival Guide by Gabriel Davis
Age 8-12 Years
This is a great book for all the older kids out there. It is packed full of practical advice and activities to make moving house an exciting adventure, from change-of-address postcards to tips on how to pack. It is well structured and prepares kids for the trials and traumas of moving house. It deals with the all the worries and the full range of emotions involved with moving, from missing friends to new school jitters, to help kids focus on the positive side of moving.
We’re Moving by Heather Maisner
Age 0-8 Years
Heather Maisner has created a wonderful book for infants and toddlers discussing the feelings and fears of moving house – Amy has to wave goodbye to her best friend and the garden she planted with her father. The illustrations by Kristina Stephenson are charming and add real warmth to the story. The book is designed to encourage younger children to talk about and address any concerns they may have about moving home.
Little Princess Story – I Want to Go Home by Tony Ross
Age 2-5 Years
A lovely book to show that home is where your family is, not just bricks and mortar. Packed full of humour with simple language this book helps explain to children that once you move your old house is no longer the same. Great illustrations help tell the story and, if you already have some Little Princess book, your child will feel at home with the character.
My Best Friend Moved Away by Nancy Carlson
Age 3-5 Years
Whilst not solely focused on moving home this picture book deals with one of the biggest fears that children have when moving – losing their best friend. Nancy Carlson’s heartfelt and colourful book highlights friendship in all of its beautiful moods. The story helps sooth the pain of losing a friend and has a positive finish that shows that there is always light at the end of the tunnel.
We are Moving by Mercer Mayer
Age 4-8 Years
The Little Critter series are a big hit with children and this book focuses on Little Critter dealing with the challenges of moving. Mercer Mayer has being writing and illustrating children’s books since 1966 and his experience and skill are clear to see. Little Critter faces his fears – what if his new school is full of bullies? What if his new neighbours are monsters? – and learns that moving isn’t so bad after all.
The Berenstain Bears’ Moving Day by Stan & Jan Berenstain
Age 3-7 Years
An easy-to-read book written in a language that toddlers and infants will understand. By leading the reader through the issues of moving house the book provides a platform for parents to talk through their children’s own concerns about moving. It provides reassurance that some things will remain the same and that all their possessions, toys, clothes and books, will be coming with them. A delightful book that helps children learn that every cloud has a silver lining.
Alexander, Who’s Not Going to Move by Judith Viorst
Age 4-8 Years
Another book in the Alexander series which sees him dealing with the trials and tribulations of moving home. Judith Viorst skilfully uses her trademark humour to discuss the issues surrounding leaving friends, favourite teams and generally being separated from all he knows. It covers a wide range of feelings that kids may be going through and addresses their fears and frustrations.
Big Ernie’s New Home by Teresa Martin
Age 2-6 Years
Teresa Martin has written a great little book about moving house for pre-schoolers. Whilst young children cannot grasp the permanent change of moving home the different sights, sounds, smells and even tastes of a new abode can be unsettling. Big Ernie’s New Home normalises the extraordinary situation that moving can be for kids by addressing the fears, anger, sadness and anxiety that children feel during and after a move. The book promotes the positives of new opportunities and adventures that a move can bring. In addition Dr Jane Annunziata gives extensive ‘Notes for Parents’ on moving and provides a plethora of suggestions for smoothing the transition.
We are here to help you and your children cope with moving home. Please get in touch if you have any questions before, during or after your house move. We have more guidance and advice if you’re moving with children here –
Here at Colin Batt Removals we trade on our reputation, it is something we are very proud of and work hard to maintain and grow. However, it is not what we say about ourselves that matters but what our customers think. The good news is our customers really appreciate our service quality and attention to detail, in fact over 99% of all of our customers would recommend us to their friends and family. You don’t have to take our word for it, Referenceline independently collate our customer feedback and this is what our customers are saying:
99% of our customers would recommended us to their friends. Colin Batt Removals – the trusted movers.
A big thank you to all our customers who have taken the time to complete the feedback forms. We really appreciate it and we wouldn’t be where we are today without your support, the majority of our work comes from referrals and recommendations. So thank you and we hope we can help you or your friends move again soon.
Here are some moving home top tips and handy hints to help you plan your house removal. Remember prior planning and preparation really does pay dividends when it comes to moving home.
Moving Home Top Tips #1 -Timing
Fridays, the last week of every month, and around Bank Holidays are a removal companies busiest time and so tend to be the most expensive. Moving house outside of these times will reduce your costs and improve your choice. Work with your solicitor to fix a date that suits you as soon as possible and let your remover know.
Moving Home Top Tips #2 -Declutter
Removing unwanted items before you house move always saves money. Local charities are always grateful for everything from shirts to sofas, DVDs to desks. You don’t want to pay to move some items of furniture that you know won’t be needed at your new property.
Moving Home Top Tips #3 -Packing
Packing yourself will help save the pennies but you’ll need to factor in your time, the stress and extra hassle. You should also bear in mind that items packed by the owner are not covered by removals insurance. In the long run it may work out cheaper to ask your removal company to do the packing for you, it is definitely less stressful.
Moving Home Top Tips #4 – Quotes
We always recommend getting at least three on-site quotes from members of the British Association of Removers (BAR). Online quotes may seem cheaper but they lack detail and you can get late notice charges if all the information hasn’t been provided upfront. Also it is worth remembering that the lowest price doesn’t always mean the cheapest removal in the long run – damages and delays can increase your costs. Always choose a reputable company and see what their previous customers have said about their service. You can find all our reviews at Referenceline, a third party independent company that tracks our reputation and provides customer feedback.
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