20 years ago I bought a beautiful listed building on the seafront. It's a category B listed property which means I am very limited on changes I can make, and all repairs must be done "like for like". I have spent years restoring the inside of the property, uncovering hidden period features and breathing life back into a house that had been underappreciated for a long time.
Fast forward 20 years and my life has changed a lot. A divorce, ill health and financial struggles have meant that the one job which has always needed doing on the house has been pushed back and is at a point where it can no longer wait. The single glazed, wooden sash windows are falling apart and must be replaced. I have asked, in this new age of heat conservation and energy efficiency etc, if the council will allow me to replace them with wood effect plastic double glazed sash windows but this has been rejected. I must replace like for like, at a cost of £3000 per window, plus architects fees etc. This is simply beyond my limited budget now. I can't even get the outside of the property painted until the windows are replaced.
However, my hand has been forced as the bottom window was the subject of vandalism where a rock was thrown through it. The insurers cannot replace the glazing as the frame would not support it and needs to be replaced.
Everyone asks me why I don't just move house. The bottom line is - because I LOVE my house and I can't ever imagine living anywhere else. I fought a long time to finally be able to call it my own house after a divorce, and I don't ever want to leave.
All I'm asking, is that if you ever plan to get me a present for birthdays or Christmas etc, please consider making a fund donation instead as this is something I REALLY need.