Shooting for gold
When you’re vying for a place in Britain’s Olympic team every little helps, like finding that perfect new home and being sponsored by the people who built it. Michael Peart, who has recently moved into a home at Redrow’s Oakside Park, in Kesgrave, near Ipswich, is one of Great Britain’s elite archers training for a place in the Olympic team for next year’s Games in Beijing.
And thanks to his move, Michael and partner Nicky, a fellow archer, are now closer to their training facilities at the Suffolk Show Ground, while a link up with Redrow has provided Michael with some much needed support for his bid.
Michael, a former world number two with the ‘compound’ style bow, says: “The move to Oakside Park was great for both our training and social needs. We previously lived in a tiny one-bedroom flat, straight after Nicky graduated from university. We needed somewhere bigger, close to her job at Ipswich hospital and preferably close to the Show Ground.
“Oakside Park ticked all the right boxes. We looked at lots of homes but this one met all our needs and it’s got some great unique features – like the huge lounge. It’s covered in our archery gear at the moment though, as is one half of our double garage – another great feature of the home.”
Michael, originally from Stowmarket, is now part of the British Archery Team and has recently returned from the fourth leg of the Archery World Cup in Dover. He continues: “Early next year there will be three selection trials for the Olympic team where they’ll pick a team of six – three men and three women. I first represented Great Britain in 1994 in Belgium as a junior and have been in the side ever since – doing about three or four tournaments a year. It will be fantastic if I can get into the Olympic team for Beijing.
“I’ve currently taken some time off work to concentrate on my shooting in preparation for the trials. The sponsorship from Redrow is a big help and will go towards my travelling costs from the tournaments I go to each weekend. By attending these tournaments it gives me a chance to run through my game plan and builds my confidence.”
Michael aims to shoot around 300-400 arrows per day in practice and also runs most days. Luckily, he says, there are no strict diets for archers.
Beryl Williams, area sales manager for Redrow Homes (Eastern) says: “It’s great to see that Michael and Nicky are enjoying life in their new home and have found somewhere big enough to house all their archery gear! With such a wide selection at Oakside Park it is no wonder that they have found their ideal home. We wish Michael all the best in his bid to represent Great Britain in the Beijing Olympics.”
If you’re ‘aiming’ for a new home, Oakside Park ‘targets’ buyers looking for three-, four- and five-bedroom houses in detached, semi detached and terraced styles. Some of the homes have accommodation arranged over three floors, so buyers get more space and versatility for their money.
The setting for Oakside Park is ideal for those who require a good transport network. Just a short drive away lies the A12, connecting motorists to Colchester and London to the south and much of Suffolk to the north. Rail users are well catered for with frequent services from Ipswich Station. Colchester can be reached in approximately 20 minutes and London Liverpool Street in under an hour and a half away.
For your chance to go for gold with a beautiful home at Oakside Park visit the show home today, on Wilkinson Drive, Kesgrave, between 10am and 5.30pm.
Alternatively log on to Redrow.co.uk.
