A MAN who bought a crumbling house has transformed the ruin into a retirement fortune worth millions.

Richard Morris and his wife, Joy, got their hands on the Newton Court Farm in Monmouth after finding retirement too boring and struck gold with their decision.

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The 72-year-old told WalesOnline how he built Ancre Hill estate piece-by-piece with the winery now consisting of three vineyards totalling 22 acres.

Richard has now made the decision to put the site, which produces around 30,000 bottles a year, up for sale for a whopping £3.4 million.

Originally looking to retire in his 40s, Richard sold his transport and logistics company to travel with his wife and visit as many vineyards as they possible could.

However, the retiree “soon got bored” and “felt it was too early to call it a day” and so bought a seven-bed house surrounded by vacant fields.

He even returned to school, achieving a diploma in viticulture from Plumpton College, Brighton, to learn about the technical processes of vineyards.

Richard said: “It’s been fantastic. Instead of being stuck behind a desk all day or sitting in a car all day, I’m out in the fresh air in the vineyard or I’m in the winery but I can’t go on forever.”

Being one of the most sustainable wineries in the world, the structure was originally made from straw and rendered lime mortar.

The first vines were planted back in 2006 and since then Richard and his wife have developed the site to what it is now.

Describing the original farm house as “basically falling down” the money the couple have spent to renovate has clearly paid off in the long run.

Their venture in producing wine has developed beyond a retirement hobby with the pair establishing sales in Michelin star restaurants and others across the globe.

Richard even found a South African winemaker, Jean Du Plessis, to oversee the incredible feat ensuring the smooth-running of the wine produce.

Despite the challenging weather that the UK climate can bring, Richard continued to explain how much he enjoys the process.

Beyond the environment, Richard has other factors that are out of his control including the steep levy which UK wine is subject to.

From February 1, the number of tax bands for wine is expected to increase from one to 30 and Richard claims that supermarkets have been frustrated with the move to hike up taxes on the products.

Despite the few negatives, he still works three days a week across the different vineyards which have pinot noir, chardonnay, albarino and other hybrid varieties planted.

With the wine being particularly popular amongst young people, the business has been exported to Canada, Singapore and Hong Kong.

They now hope to find further buyers elsewhere, including Scandinavia.

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A MAN is facing homelessness after he was evicted from the house where he has lived for 50 years – because his mum died.

Neville Pass, 53, has lived in the three-bedroom semi in Shrewsbury since the 1970s.

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After Neville’s four siblings moved out and his dad died, he was left alone with his mum Doreen.

For the past three years, Neville was Doreen’s full-time carer as she slipped into poor health – before she died in June aged 83.

As he was coming to terms with her loss, Neville was slapped with an eviction notice.

Neville was told he was no longer classed as a carer for his mum and the semi was “too big” for his needs.

He slammed housing bosses for “coldly” booting him from his childhood home when he has little money after years caring for his mum.

Neville said the eviction notice also demanded he emptied the house, so he was forced to take all of his mum’s belongings to the tip.

The council has since told Neville they are unlikely to be able to find him a new home because he is not classed as disabled.

‘NOT APPRECIATED’

Neville said: “My mum was a lovely lady, very kind, and put up with a lot of pain in the last years.

“But we always managed to smile about something and enjoy the local countryside.

“For the last three years I was her full-time carer. But she passed away earlier this year, after years of heart kidney and liver problems.

“Housing Plus have now asked me to leave because it is a three-bedroom house and I am not a carer any more.

“They said I could stay only in ‘special circumstances’ but they don’t consider my situation as a ‘special circumstance’ .

“I have lived here all my life. As a full-time carer you can’t get a full-time job or a mortgage or save much money.

“So to be asked to leave a house after nearly 50 years is uncaring and cold.

“They said I had to empty the house, so I had to take all of my mum’s things and throw them in the tip.

“They have allowed me to stay temporarily in the house but I have to go soon.”

Neville added: “I’m paying full rent – I’m on benefits so can’t even afford the heating.

“I asked the council for help and they said they would try to help me find a house.

“But because I’m not disabled they they said it was unlikely they would be able to find me one.

“I spent more than 10 years with my mum helping her, especially at night.

“She was always breathless because of her heart problem. I helped calm her down and gave her oxygen.

“I was told people like me save the NHS millions – but now I’m coldly being told to leave.”

Neville said: “I guess carers are not appreciated as much in Shrewsbury.

“I hope rules can be put in place to help carers readjust to life instead of being told you’re not a carer anymore and made homeless.”

‘HUGE DEMAND’

Housing Plus’s Les Clarke said: “I am sorry to hear about this situation which I understand is very upsetting for our customer.

“We are supporting and helping him to find a suitable home and he is remaining in the current property whilst this process takes place.”

Clarke added: “We always work to support our customers in these circumstances.

“We do our best to find suitable alternative accommodation for them.

“However, it is important that we use our housing stock as efficiently as we can. There is huge demand for larger properties in this area.

“We have many people on our waiting list including people living in temporary accommodation.”

RACHEL Reeves is under pressure to soften a Budget tax raid on bosses amid warnings it would strangle growth.

Insiders believe the Chancellor could now back away from raising employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs).

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It comes amid furious claims such a rise would breach Labour’s manifesto.

Ms Reeves was instead said to be considering a lesser move to levy NICs on firms’ pension contributions.

She was also believed to be eyeing a £1billion inheritance tax grab on shares in small and medium-sized firms currently exempt from the levy.

Ministers are considering raising fuel duty despite warnings it would contradict their vow to protect working people.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the mooted employer NIC rise would not break Labour’s election pledges.

He did not deny that an extended freeze to income tax thresholds would drag an extra million workers into paying higher rates.

It came as a report warned taxing businesses would further damage UK competitiveness on the world stage.

Britain ranks 30th out of 38 OECD nations for competitiveness and could plunge further.

Daniel Herring, from The Centre for Policy Studies, said: “There’s a real danger that Britain could end up with one of the least competitive and most anti-growth tax systems in the OECD if the expected tax rises come to fruition.”

Tina McKenzie, from the Federation of Small Businesses, said the Budget must deliver “on the growth promises in the election”.

She said: “The Chancellor should back small firms to deliver more jobs, better pay and fire up our economy.”

AS Halloween draws near, planning for the October 31 fright fest goes into overdrive.

But it doesn’t have to be all about pumpkins and lollipops – the supermarkets also have some splendidly spooky cakes.

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Prices are often not too scary either, and they are a great option if you do not have the time to bake.

Lynsey Hope tasted some and gives her verdicts and ratings out of five . . . 

Marks & Spencer Mini Halloween Pumpkin Cakes, £4 for four: 4/5

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DESCRIBED as “mini” but these are quite substantial, even for a chocolate lover like me.

The chocolate sponge is moist and delicious and is filled with a sweet orange buttercream which I could not get enough of, though there was plenty of it.

The cakes are then dipped in orange icing so they look like pumpkins.

Not as cheap as some other own brands but delicious.

Fun and tasty party treat.

Iceland Giant Eyeball Dessert, £7: 4/5

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A REAL showstopper, this stand-out creation is most impressive.

A Victoria sponge with layers of raspberry and white chocolate mousse, it comes frozen and is designed to look like an eyeball – all at a competitive price.

The kids were delighted and it tasted fab. The sponge is moist and the cake is covered in a yummy white chocolate shell.

You need to defrost in the fridge for 12 hours or so before eating.

Sainsbury’s Spooky Tray Bake, £7: 5/5

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HALLOWEEN version of one of those rectangular chocolate birthday cakes.

The sponge is really tasty – moist and not too sweet – and it is topped with a creamy chocolate butter- cream, white drizzle and sugar-paste eyeballs.

The design is simple but just the thing for scare season.

The kids scoffed it eagerly and I reckon it would go down a storm at any party.

Fiona Cairns Seasonal Fairy Cakes, £7 for six, Waitrose: 3/5

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DELICATE-looking delights in pretty pastel colours, these are dainty as can be and not as scary or spooky as other offerings.

They taste lovely, though.

The sponge is light and moreish and the icing is spot on. Also, they were not as sickly as some cakes can be.

A tasty option if you are not too keen on the thought of little ones gobbling ghouls or eyeballs and other scary bakes for their Halloween party tea.

Lidl Sticky Toffee Halloween Muffins, 99p each: 3/5

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GREAT to have an option that is not chocolate.

These muffins have a lovely flavour that is perfect for this time of year.

The taste was subtle enough for the kids to enjoy and the sponge was moist and moreish.

The muffins did not exactly stand out on the shop shelf against some prettier cakes, with just a splodge of toffee sauce and a chocolate ghost on top.

But they did taste delicious.

Morrisons Super Scary Cupcakes, £5: 2/5

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I LOVED the look of these scary cakes – especially the eyeball ones, which really put you in a spooky mood.

They would be fabulous as part of a Halloween party spread, and the kids and I could not wait to tuck in.

The sponge was pretty good but the icing tasted just a little artificial, and too sugary.

These cakes score well for appearance, not so well once in the mouth.

Asda Horror Emporium Miles The Millipede Cake, £7.50: 1/5

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MILES’ sponge tasted a little dry and flavourless and the chocolate coating separated from the cake as I cut into it.

He looks cute, though, and the sugar decorations are a delight without being overpowering.

Pack says this serves 12 but I reckon that is a bit tight.

You get better value with the Sainsbury’s tray-bake, which is 50p cheaper, and Iceland’s offering is a bit more fun.

Aldi Halloween Mini Cupcakes, £1.75 for nine: 3/5

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SMALL but tasty. And their modest size means these are not too much of a sugar overload for little ones – though you will want to tuck in too.

They were pretty good value for a pack of nine.

Nothing really blew me away, tastewise, but they were decent enough. And the decorations were sufficiently spooky.

Maybe just a bit too middle of the road.

Sweet treat shoppers have been clearing M&S shelves of this sweet and salty snack that has recently made a return to stores.

Described as ‘divine’ and on offer for just £2.50, the indulgent snack has been made available just in time for the run-up to Christmas.

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Available in-store and online when shopping from Ocado, M&S have offered customers the chance to try out their Milk Chocolate Cinnamon Sugar Tortilla Rolls.

Perfect for the festive season, the crunchy snack has been dipped in creamy milk chocolate and has been listed as suitable for vegetarians and as gluten free.

Social media users have been quick to react to a post from one bargain buyer who spotted the delight and shared on Facebook.

The photo has since gained over 5k reactions with a further 5k Facebook users flocking to the comments section.

One user said: “I’ve waited all year for these beauties!!!”

Another wrote: “Oh I love these, I’ve been looking for them.”

Someone else put: “They are delicious xxx”

A fourth commented: “omg! Remember how many times I’ve eating these… so lovely.”

Someone else said: “the way I would eat a whole bag!”

Those hoping to head in-store to make their purchase may want to phone up ahead to avoid disappointment due to stock levels.

Whilst those heading online should consider the added delivery fees.

One bag has been advertised as weighing 175 grams and offers around five servings – if you’re feeling generous.

Party planners and sweet snackers have been offered far more than just the cinnamon treat with M&S revealing their Christmas range.

An incredible list of 450 new items has been unveiled, showcasing the supermarket giant’s finest festive food.

Other indulgent offerings include hot honey over halloumi in blankets, brie brulée and Turkey feast dip.

Shoppers hoping to bring the festive spirit into their home could even purchase a battery-powered snow globe or wind up biscuit tin.

HOT chocolate season has officially arrived.

If you managed to grab Aldi’s Ambiano hot chocolate maker (a budget-friendly dupe of the pricey Hotel Chocolat velvetiser) you are in for a treat.

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But these handy gadgets can do so much more . . . 

MILKSHAKE MASTERPIECE: Turn your hot choc maker into a milkshake machine.

Whip up your drink as you normally would. While it’s blending, fill a chilled glass with ice and pour in 100ml of cold milk.

Once the hot chocolate is ready, pour it over the cold milk and ice. Use a straw to stir the mixture, creating a thick, creamy milkshake.

To take it to the next level, add a scoop of ice cream and a drizzle of chocolate syrup.

MARTINI MAGIC: Elevate your cocktail game with a decadent chocolate espresso martini — perfect for dinner parties.

Begin by making hot chocolate in your frother, then pour 50ml of it into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.

Add a shot of espresso, a shot of vodka and, for an extra touch of indulgence, a nice dash of Irish cream liqueur.

Shake vigorously until well mixed, then strain the cocktail into a martini glass. Dust the top with a little cocoa powder for a professional finish.

DELICIOUS DESSERT: Satisfy your sweet tooth with a rich, velvety chocolate mousse. Warm 100ml of whole milk in the frother, then add two servings of hot chocolate.

Pour the mixture into a dish and pop it in the fridge for a few hours to set. Once chilled, you will have a luxurious, fluffy mousse to feast on.

COOL COFFEE: Why pay for expensive lattes when you can make your own? Just froth up some cold milk while brewing a shot of espresso.

Pour the espresso into a large glass filled with ice, then top it with your frothy milk. You could also add a few spoons of caramel or chocolate syrup and a sprinkle of cinnamon for a tasty autumn twist.

The result? A smooth creamy iced latte, made in the comfort of your home for a fraction of the price.

• All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.

Deal of the day

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AT home for half-term? Pick up this 1,000-piece Clementoni Harry Potter puzzle, RRP £15.99, currently £6.99 at Home Bargains.

SAVE: £9

Cheap treat

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CREATE the perfect autumn display with a cute munchkin pumpkin, usually 79p, now 49p at Asda.

SAVE: 30p

Top swap

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WISH you could splash out on the Bottega Veneta Hop tote bag, £3,670 from bottegaveneta.com?

Head to Marks & Spencer for its braided tote bag, for a much more reasonable £45.

SAVE: £3,625

Shop & save

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SERVE up tea on these blue beautiful plates from Dunelm. The Hampton 12-piece dinner set was £30, now £15.

SAVE: £15

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