Avon Reflections

History

Avon Reflections was built as a family home in the early 1970's, as one of 10 houses developed on the site of Silver Gates, a former rectory and school, which mysteriously burnt down.  Silver Gates was bounded to the front by a high wall, with a range of outbuildings to the side and terraced gardens to the river at the rear. Early pictures show the layout of the old rectory with a number of mature trees, some of which exist to this day.

A New Chapter

We moved to Worcestershire from Somerset in November 2001, following an earlier job move and several years commuting. With two rivers in the area, thoughts had already turned to boating and when Avon Reflections came on the market, we were pleased to be able to snap up the opportunity to have our own river frontage.

B&B - a good idea

The decision to undertake B&B at Avon Reflections was taken in May 2009, with much encouragement from friends and family, who could see the potential of such a business in this location.

After looking carefully at the layout of the property, which had already been extended on both sides, we realised that no structural work was required and set ourselves a two week target to prepare the first room and set up a website.

We were very pleased therefore, to achieve our target, allowing us to nervously welcome our first guests in  June 2009, from which we have not looked back...........

Fladbury

Fladbury is a traditional English village with a Church, School, Village Hall and Social Club, together with two Pubs, a Pie Shop and a Hairdresser.

Located within the Vale of Evesham, market gardening and orchards are prolific, with a Community Orchard and very productive allotments in the village.

At the recreation ground, Cricket, Football and Tennis are regularly played, and at the Paddles Club, canoeing activities range, from novice and recreational, to world and olympic standard. Events are also held regularly in the village, including the annual Walkabout, Pantomime, Charity Christmas Fayre, Fun Run and Bell Boat Regatta.

Many other organisations meet in the village on a regular basis, including Vale Harmony (barber shop) the WI, Fladbury Friends and TULIP (TUesday Lunch In the Pub).

Environmental Intitiatives

At Avon Reflections we strive to be a 'Green' B&B, working in sympathy with the environment and assessing our progress with 'Better Tourism', to secure a sustainable future for our business. We have also taken action to keep in touch with developments and opportunities by joining RELACS, a European project for REnewabLe energy for tourist ACcomodation buildingS.

Initiatives we have adopted so far are: -

Ongoing initiatives include: -

Water source Heat Pump - We are examining the possibility of generating renewabl heat from the River Avon, using Water Source Heat Pump Technology. Initial enquiries with the Environment Agency and Avon Mavigation Trust indicate no difficulty with permissions. It has taken some time though, to identifying anyone with first hand rather than theoretical experience, with whom we can check out the technical viability and cost.

Flat Roof Insulation - Built as a 'link detached house', Avon Refelections is joined to its neighbour by a flat roofed double garage on one side and a flat roofed utility room, cloakroom and study on the other.  As originally built, these flat roofs have no insulation and we would now like to remedy this.  However, ripping down the ceilings, or removing the roof deck to insert insulation are not attractive options at the moment and we must be careful not compromise moisture control in these 'cold roof' spaces.  Cost effective suggestions welcomed!