Nene Valley Living April 2012 by Best Local Living

HELPING YOU TO GET THE MOST OUT OF LIVING LOCALLY

NENE VALLEY LIVING FOOD/FASHION/HEALTH & BEAUTY/HOME & GARDEN/LIFESTYLE

T E A PA R T Y S T Y L E ! Prettiest spring fashion

£1.50 APRIL 2012

@LocalLivingUK

WWW.BESTLOCALLIVING.CO.UK

9 771740 052017

T R A D I T I O N A L TA S T E S T h e b e s t l o c a l b u t c h e r s H E R I TA G E H E A R T L A N D P e t e r b o r o u g h m u s e u m r e o p e n s NVLAPRIL12 copy.indd 1

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Advertisement Feature

EXCITING MULTI-MILLION POUND EXPANSION Zeeco Europe Ltd, an afﬁliate of Zeeco Inc. USA recently announced a multi- million pound expansion and last year they moved into nearly 3,500 sq. meters of ofﬁce space at the Woolfox Building, Great North Road, Stretton, Rutland , LE15 7QT.

dding both office and manufacturing space, the move allows Zeeco Europe to be in a position to manufacture a wide variety of combustion equipment and proprietary products, allowing them to quickly and competitively respond to customer needs across the globe. Both the Managing Director of Zeeco Europe, Nigel Palfreeman and the President and CEO of Zeeco , Darton Zink are excited about the expansion in Stamford and also about the exciting career opportunities it will bring to the Stamford area. RENTAL OPPORTUNITY The majority of the site is already occupied by Zeeco Europe; however there is now an excellent opportunity for rental of the adjoining building which will provide excellent office premises for any forwardthinking company wishing to relocate to a prestigious building with all the amenities already in place to move their business forward overnight. The offices are decorated to an extremely high standard and will give an up to date professional image for any company. The property is a detached office building that provides prestige office accommodation to let and includes: • Office space accessed via a lobby area with stairs and lift, providing a minimum of 8 offices and administration areas, total space of 2,964 sq. ft. • Ground floor office space of 2,141 sq. feet, including a large open plan office and an additional 4 offices or meeting rooms. • ALL the offices are extremely well

appointed and benefit from heat exchange units, CAT 2 lighting, CAT 5 wiring, CCTV, security alarms and generous secured gated parking provision. The property can be let as individual floors or as one unit for a company seeking larger premises with excellent amenities. The building forms part of the Woolfox Depot and, in addition to being situated only 4 miles north of Stamford, it also provides easy access to and from the A1, North and South. IMMEDIATE EMPLOYMENT POSITIONS AVAILABLE. Applications / Contract Engineer – Responsible for putting together Proposals , dealing with customers and seeing through successful contracts – experience in Combustion / petrochemical industries an advantage. Mechanical Design Draughtsman – Responsible for producing manufacturing drawings to a high standard – experience in the combustion / petrochemical industries and working to European Standards an advantage. Field Service Engineers – Responsible for Site installation supervision, start up & commissioning, trouble shooting and aftermarket sales. Ability to travel globally essential. Combustion, electrical, controls / instrument, mechanical / materials experience an advantage however full training will be given. Must be able to work at heights. Various other positions also available in manufacturing. • To find out more, contact Stephanie Palfreeman, Executive Assistant to Managing Director at Zeeco Europe Ltd, The Woolfox Building, Great North Road, Rutland. LE15 7QT Tel: 01780 765077

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NENE VALLEY LIVING

W W W. B E S T L O C A L L I V I N G . C O . U K

This issu e April T

he demise of our high streets is a topic which won’t go away. Some pundits are now suggesting that shops in our town centres should be turned into housing, as the trend for out of town shopping continues. Some independent stores have undoubtedly fallen victim to new ways of shopping, but one sector that won’t go down without a ﬁght is the family butcher. In our area, we have some brilliant butchers, in towns, villages and in farm shops. In Peterborough, which struggles to support independent retailers, Frank Bros in Westgate Arcade is an exception, and if you haven’t tried their chipolatas, then you really should! Oundle has two high quality butchers and the villages of Nassington and Warmington both retain their butchers shops. Read all about it in Dave Phillips’ report on page 19, and most importantly, try them out for yourselves. The quality and service can’t be bettered. Talking of great service, I recently ate at The Chequered Skipper in Ashton, near Oundle. Our party contained two people who follow a gluten-free diet for medical reasons. The waitress and chef could not have been more accommodating: we were offered a wide variety of choices and the kitchen went to a great deal of trouble to double-check labels and make sure that we all enjoyed our meal. It was really impressive. We’ve really kept things local in this issue, proving once again that you don’t have to travel far to ﬁnd something special. Enjoy the month!

Fion a Cu mberpatch Editor SUBSCRIBE TO Nene Valley Living

@LocalLivingUK Cover shot:

Cover shot: Lesley Anne Churchill Styling: Fiona Cumberpatch Floral tea dress from a selection at Jacks, Oundle

5 7

11 BED & BREAKFAST IN BARNWELL

Editor’s selection

Easter treats

Upfront

Garden design and soft furnishings

Upfront

Wedding photography and ﬁnancial advice

11 Upfront

Antique-ing in a stately home

12 Join the spring fashion party English rose style

16 Food news

East and Apethorpe’s Kings Head reviewed

19 Support your local butcher! Where to buy fabulous local meat

12 SPRING FASHION PARTY

22 PETERBOROUGH MUSEUM REOPENS

27 HEALTH & BEAUTY ADVICE Editor Fiona Cumberpatch fiona@bestlocalliving.co.uk Write to Nene Valley Living, PO Box 208, Stamford, PE9 9FY www.nenevalleyliving.co.uk Advertisement Manager Bridget Steele 01733 707538 bridget.neneliving@ntlworld.com Advertisement Director Helen Walton 01780 754801 helen.stamford@btopenworld.com Head of Design Steven Handley steve@locallivingdesign.co.uk Senior Designer Nik Ellis nik@locallivingdesign.co.uk Advertising Copy Rachel Beecroft 01780 765320 rachel@locallivingdesign.co.uk Publisher Nicholas Rudd-Jones 01780 765571 Email: localliving@btopenworld.com Published by Local Living Ltd, PO Box 208, Stamford, Lincs. PE9 9FY www.locallivingltd.co.uk Printed by Warner’s of Bourne

22 Restored to glory

Peterborough museum reopens

27 Health and beauty notes Two new salons for Peterborough

29 A day out in Great Malvern Take a coach tour

31 Walking in BB’s footsteps Proﬁle of the famous children’s author

33 A pub walk

Robin Moore’s local route

34 Motoring page Jaguar roars

37 Diary dates

Our pick of the month’s events

For £20 (UK only) you can subscribe to Nene Valley Living for 12 issues. Please send your name, address and a cheque made out to Local Living Ltd to: NVL Subscriptions, PO Box 208, Stamford, PE9 9FY Or you can subscribe online – go to www.bestlocalliving.co.uk

NENE VALLEY LIVING APRIL 2012

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VISIT US AT OUR NEW LARGE SHOWROOM

We have a large selection of the latest contemporary stoves by all leading manufacturers

NO CHIMNEY? NO PRObLEM! We supply & install Stovax - Twin wall flue systems We also have a large selection of contemporary gas fires, hole in the wall fires, marble & stone surrounds

WE HAVE MOVED 4

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Unit 7 Orion Way, The Constellations, Kettering Business Park NN15 6NL Email: colesforfires@hotmail.co.uk www.colesforfires.co.uk 21/3/12 15:28:05

Editor’s selection Spring ideas for seasonal celebrations

Easter wreath, £18, John Lewis, Queensgate Centre, Peterborough

Embroidered Easter baskets, £12 each, John Lewis, Queensgate Centre, Peterborough

Floating scented candles, £13.50, Reba, Cathedral Square, Peterborough www.rebaboutique. co.uk

Make an Easter bonnet, all craft supplies from HobbyCraft at Peterborough Garden Park

Paint your own herb pots, from a selection at HobbyCraft, Peterborough Garden Park, PE1 4YZ

Mini hot cross buns, from a selection at Marks and Spencer, Queensgate Centre, Peterborough

Photo: HobbyCraft

Plant a David Austin rose now for classic garden style, from £14.99 at The Barn Garden Centre, Barnwell Rd, Oundle PE8 5PB Tel: 01832 273310

Chickens and Bantams in the Garden is a fun learning day at The Old Rectory Award Winning Gardens, Sudborough NN14 3BX on April 19th, 11am-3.30pm. Tickets cost £25, including lunch, and all proceeds go to Marie Curie Cancer Care. Email charlotte. jackson@mariecurie. org.uk or ring 01476 576000 NENE VALLEY LIVING APRIL 2012

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Always wanted to make your own curtains? Now you can. 2012 dates are now available

e run curtain making courses and workshops throughout the year – guaranteed to be rewarding, fun and a great way to gain a new skill. See our curtains website for details

Hand sewn curtains Roman Blinds Roller Blinds Venetian Blinds Vertical Binds Conservatory Blinds Perfect Fit | Panel Blinds Wood Weave Blinds

Cushions Bedspreads Loose Covers Upholstery

For a free design consultation call us

01832 273209

Based in Barnwell

w w w. g r e e n - o l i ve. co m

ANTIQUE CENTRES HAVE PROVENANCE TOO

In antique circles an item’s provenance relates to the history of its ownership; the more impressive its provenance the more value is added. Next year is St. Martins Antiques 20th Anniversary and it’s thanks to regular customers like Lillian Bowering of Warmington and Kay Bamford of Stamford that the Centre has a history of success.

Kay and Lillian are twins. (As the antiques trade well knows a pair is always more valuable than a one off item!) They have been buying from Peter Light since he first opened, purchasing everything from a long footstool and a chest of drawers to a dining table and chairs. Both love Cranberry Glass and Lillian has a preference for Crown Derby. They also rely on St. Martins for buying presents for the family, often pooling their resources for a special gift. (In the early days they remember leaving the price on items they bought to educate the rest of the family, many of whom have now become customers too.) We’d like to thank all our regular customers for making the years simply fly by and if you read this and decide to visit us for the first time, then here’s to the next 20 years. St. Martins Antiques 23a High Street, St. Martins, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 2LF. Tel: (01780) 481158 Web: www.st-martins-antiques.co.uk 6

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LOCAL NEWS

Upfront What’s new this month

Learn to make soft furnishings Barnwell-based company Green Olive has gained an excellent word-of-mouth reputation for its curtains, soft furnishings and upholstery services. Now you can benefit from its expertise through a series of teaching workshops. The company will be sharing its knowledge through six workshops, starting on June 7th, with a session on making Lined and Interlined Curtains. Future courses include Roman Blinds (June 21st), Pinch Pleat and Goblin curtains (July 5th) Cushions (July 19th), Tiebacks, (August 9th - half day workshop) and Pelmets (August 23rd). Full day workshops run from 10am -3pm and cost £75, and half days are from 10am to 1pm (£30). Materials, tea and coffee are provided, though students should bring a packed lunch. “We love passing on our knowledge,” says company founder Ema Corcoran. “We have had real success, with some former students even going on to set up their own businesses.” Ema started Green Olive in 2007, and, following rapid growth, she moved into purpose built premises in Barnwell in 2009. She now works with a team of four people, and the main bulk of her business is producing curtains, soft furnishings, including loose covers, and providing an upholstery service. Green Olive also makes gazebo covers, trailer covers and even sensory dome covers for children with special needs. To book a place on the workshops, or to find out more about soft furnishings or upholstery, contact Green Olive, Unit 22 Barnwell Workshops, Barnwell, Peterborough PE8 5PL Tel: 01832 273209 or visit the website, www.green-olive.com

Charlotte’s journey Having worked in the Nene valley over the past 20 years on many different types of garden, locallybased garden designer Charlotte Baxter likens her latest concept for a new client to “a journey” – a garden that will contain many separate but adjoining areas of specific interest. The old established garden belongs to a substantial architect-designed house in a leafy area in central Peterborough and was established around 100 years ago. Irregularly shaped, it has been neglected over many years, and contains a number of mature trees and shrubs. Charlotte will develop quiet and shaded areas throughout its 80 metre length. The garden will be completed in stages and include two decking areas; one for sunbathing and entertaining and another offering greater privacy that will feature a Japanese Ofuro soaking tub. Winding through the garden will be a 130m brick path. In one section of the ‘journey’ over uneven ground, Charlotte has planned a walkway of old wooden planks that will pass through tall plants, and an area for quiet contemplation in the heart of a bustling city. To contact Charlotte, call 01733 202229 or email newgardens@gmail.com

Performers wanted!

The Old Stackyard site in Stilton

Savour a brand new slice of Stilton village life

To many, Stilton village, just off the A1, is a perfect example of traditional village life. It has much of historic interest, but is still full of life, with a primary school, pubs and shops. Huntingdonshirebased Amesview Developments identified a small development site of just under half an acre in the centre of the village just over a couple of years ago. The attraction of the location and exclusivity of a site with such a small number of brand new homes ideally suited the Amesview Developments’ portfolio. It acquired the site and began building last year. The development, known as The Old Stackyard, has now been completed and launched for sale. What Amesview Developments has built on this former yard of derelict buildings off Church Street and to the north of Manor Farm House, is, according to Carter Jonas, who are acting as agent in selling the newly completed detached and terraced three and four bedroom homes, a model example of what brand new developments in a village should be. The Old Stackyard, Church St, Stilton PE7 3RF. Prices start from £199,995 rising to £329,995 for the largest four bedroom properties. For more information, contact Louise Fox, Carter Jonas in Peterborough. Tel: 01733 588600 or see www.carterjonas.co.uk/residential

For the second year running, Oundle is having a Fringe Festival, held between July 15th-22nd. In 2011, musicians, performance poets, dancers and singers from all over the East Midlands appeared in venues throughout Oundle, and now the organisers are looking for entertainers for 2012. Trisha Ryan, of the Fringe team, says: “it’s a lot to ask for professional and semi professional performers to put on a show for no fee. We encourage them to put out a hat for donations – and we’ll be delighted to welcome any sort of entertainment we can find a venue for.” Applications must be in by April 15. Download a form from www.oundlefringe. co.uk or email for more information info@ oundlefringe.co.uk

Peterborough’s quiet garden Peterborough Quakers will be opening the delightful garden of their Meeting House to the public on the last Sunday afternoon of each month during spring and summer 2012, starting on Sunday April 22nd, 2-5pm, admission free. Light refreshments available. The address is 21, Thorpe Rd, Peterborough PE3 6AB. NENE VALLEY LIVING APRIL 2012

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LOCAL NEWS

UPFRONT EASTER FOOTBALL CAMPS

Keep the children active this Easter with One Touch Soccer’s Easter Football camps at The Riverside Pavilion, Candy Street, Peterborough. They are open to boys and girls aged four to 14, regardless of ability. The head coach, Glenn Vaughan is a Peterborough United youth coach and scout. The courses run on April 2nd and 3rd and April 10th and 11th, 10am-3pm. Cost is £12 for the ﬁrst day, £10 per day thereafter. For more information, visit www.onetouchfootball.co.uk

REVEAL A NEW YOU Elysia Health and Beauty Clinic in Tansor offers a wide range of solutions aimed at revealing a new you. Whether you want to restore the natural beauty of your skin, remove unwanted hair, wrinkles, pigmentation, acne or acne scarring, thread veins or rosacea, the salon has the expertise and technology to help. The staff specialise in a variety of non surgical treatments, including permanent hair removal with IPL, IPL skin rejuvenation, Microdermabrasion and non-surgical face lifts. Owner Lisa Claypole says that clients are often amazed that such results-driven treatments are also enjoyable and relaxing. The Microdermabrasion and non surgical face lift is a 75 minute treatment and costs £50. You can see a difference after one session, but a course is recommended. If you book a course of 10, you will receive one treatment free. Elysia also offers Jessica nails and GELeration, St Tropez airbrush tanning, waxing, massage, holistic treatments and popular Pamper Parties. “When you visit Elysia, you will not only ﬁnd a safe and professional environment, you’ll be in the capable hands of experienced practitioners trained to provide each client with professional and trusted advice,” says Lisa. Opening times: 9am-9pm, Monday – Friday. 8.30am-6pm, Saturdays. Treatments by appointment. Contact 01832 226328 or visit www.elysiahealthandbeauty.com

POP AROUND PETERBOROUGH If you’d like to raise money for a worthy cause and have fun, Pop Around Peterborough on May 12th. This five mile sponsored walk is taking place in aid of Arthritis Research UK, and is supported by film star and local resident Warwick Davis. All walkers will be given an Arthritis Research UK balloon at the start of the race, to be popped once they cross the finish line to see if they’ve won a prize. These include a night at the Peterborough Greyhound Stadium for up to 40 people (worth £600) and a signed POSH shirt. The walk starts and finishes at Peterborough Greyhound Stadium. To take part, send a cheque for £5 payable to Arthritis Research UK, including contact details, to Michael Clarke, Regional Fundraising Manager, 55 Huntsmans Gate, South Bretton, Peterborough PE3 9AU.

CAPTURE THE MAGIC OF YOUR DAY James Bowyer is a wedding photographer who aims to tell the story of your day through pictures. Specialising in both formal portraiture and a natural reportage style, James works unobtrusively to capture every part of a couple’s wedding as it unfolds. His partner Louise transforms the images in the edit suite, and works with couples to design stunning albums which they can cherish for years to come. “Coverage begins and ends when you want it to,” says James. “We offer a wide variety of packages, including custom designed albums and copyright-free discs.” Wedding photography includes a pre-wedding consultation, a prewedding portrait, a visit to the ceremony and venue locations and a photography assistant on the day. James also offers portrait photography, from £25 for one hour. For more information, call 01733 221318 and visit www.jamesbowyer.co.uk to view samples of James’ work and details of package prices. www.jamesbowyer.co.uk 01733 221318

NEW LANDMARK IN OUNDLE Although Landmark IFA Ltd has operated in Oundle for three years, its presence is perhaps not as well known to local people as it should be. Based at 4, West Street, directors Kevin Mullins and John Kellas-Kelly have built a strong team of professionals to provide independent financial advice to the local community. “We have four qualified financial advisers working out of our Oundle office,” says John, “and they are supported by two qualified staff and an administrator. It’s a strong team and with a further eight advisers and four support staff operating from our Stamford office and Bourne

branch, we are able to offer expertise in all areas of ﬁnancial planning. Landmark’s ethos is to ensure that its clients are always put into a better ﬁnancial position through their association with the company. “We want our clients to feel reassured by our professional approach yet be entirely at ease with our advisers.” Landmark’s advisers are happy to meet clients at their own homes, and they offer complimentary preliminary meetings to

ascertain how they may help clients to achieve their goals. The business started in Stamford in 2004 and is now well respected in the area. “It’s a business built on trust,” says John, “and we’re really looking forward to working closely with more clients and fellow professionals in and around Oundle.” Contact: 01832 274273 www.landmarkifa.co.uk

NENE VALLEY LIVING APRIL 2012

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Your local Oundle branch is at:

4 West Street, Oundle, Peterborough, PE8 4EF Tel: 01832 274273 We are proud to be Independent Financial Advisers and our allegiance is to our clients. Whilst our primary focus is to provide independent to private individuals and smaller businesses, we all aspects of pensions, investments, insurance Why not call us now for a complimentary initial

wealth creation and management services are authorised and qualiﬁed to advise on and mortgages including equity release. meeting to see how we may help you?

What you will receive: • Personal, professional and courteous service • Advice upon which you may rely • Reassurance, as we take responsibility for our advice

LOCAL, INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVICE FROM A TEAM YOU CAN TRUST

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Küchen Kraft w w w. k u c h e n k r a f t . c o . u k free planning full installation

PEACE OF MIND WITH OUR VVVVV DEPOSIT PROTECTION

worktops flooring tiling Showroom, 81 West Street, Oundle, Northamptonshire PE8 4EJ 01832 270300

Kitchen,Bedroom and Bathroom showroom with the areas largest selection of working kitchens and bathroom displays under one roof.

25% OFF ALL GERMAN KITCHEN FURNITURE PLUS A FREE SIEMENS DISHWASHER WORTH £500 WITH ALL KITCHENS BOUGHT IN APRIL

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LOCAL NEWS

Upfront

Bed and breakfast in Barnwell The charm of a traditional farm is combined with modern, well-equipped rooms at a new bed and breakfast business in Barnwell. Lower Farm Bed and Breakfast has ten en suite bedrooms in its newly converted stables and milking parlour, all arranged around an attractive courtyard. Caroline Marriott is running the business on her family’s arable farm in the gently pretty Northamptonshire countryside. “We knew that our buildings had great potential, and we also knew that there was a demand for accommodation in this area,” she explains. “Thanks to a grant, we were able to go ahead with plans for a bed and breakfast business.” Guests can enjoy a traditional breakfast, with locally sourced sausages, bacon and eggs, but Caroline is also offering smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, steak and eggs, as well as porridge and muesli. All rooms contain flat screen TVs and have WiFi access. The Marriotts hope to attract business travellers as well as keen walkers (the Nene Way runs through the farm) and tourists. For more information, there’s a helpful website at www.lower-farm.co.uk or call 01832 273220.

A tailor made holiday T

he team at Oundle Travel are perfectionists when it comes to creating tailor-made holidays that include two or more destinations. The benefit of combining two contrasting cities adds enormously to your holiday and by using the expertise of Oundle Travel with their private transfers and attention to detail, you make the best of your time. “Many of our hotels provide complimentary upgrades and our concierge service offers restaurant recommendations, a private guide or perhaps a ticket for the opera or ballet,” says Paula Cockcroft from Oundle Travel. An ideal combination is a holiday that combines a few days in a city with a short stay in the countryside, lakeside or a coastal property, providing a balance of culture and relaxation. Rome, Florence and Vienna A seven night holiday combining three of our favourite hotels in Italy, staying for three nights at the 4* D’Inghilterra in Rome, two nights at the 5* Helvetia Bristol in Florence and two nights at the Grand Continental in Siena. A complimentary three course dinner in Rome, lunch in Florence and wine tasting in Florence is included. We recommend a late June departure to sample Italy at its best at the beginning of the season From £1690 per person. Madrid, Seville and Andalucia A ten night holiday combining the cultural splendour of Madrid, the Moorish charm of Andalucia’s capital and our favourite countryside property. Stay three nights at the 4* Ambassador in Madrid, three nights at La Rabida in Seville and then four nights at The Hacienda de San Rafael, a relaxing country inn. Prices include the high speed AVE train between Seville and Madrid and a hire car to explore the Andalucian countryside. May or September departure is recommended to avoid the summer heat. From £1995 per person Cappadocia, Istanbul and the Lycian Coast This holiday starts with an unforgettable three night stay in the Anatolian Houses ‘Cave Hotel’ in Capadocia. After absorbing the incredible scenery, take a short flight to Istanbul for four nights at the 4* Sultanhan Hotel in the heart of the Old Town. Finally, fly to the coast of Fethiye for a three night stay at the 4* Ece Saray. A June or late September departure will avoid the high summer heat. From £1264 per person For more information, call Oundle Travel on 01832 273600 www.oundletravel.co.uk

Afternoon tea A day out at Lamport Hall in Castor Pop along to the Village Hall in the pretty village of Castor for a spring tea on April 14th, any time between 2.30-5pm. A selection of home made treats are on offer, for £5 per adult, £2.50 child. Tickets or group tables are available in advance. Contact Eileen on 01733 380773 or Jennie on 01733380303.

What could be more absorbing than browsing for antiques in the grounds of a stately home? Lamport Hall, near Northampton, will be the setting for an Antiques and Collectors Fair this Easter weekend, Sunday 8th and Monday 9th April. Furniture, jewellery, pictures and smaller collectables will be on offer during the Fair, which marks the reopening of Lamport Hall after winter. The house and its gardens will be open on the same days, from 2pm-4pm (separate admission charges apply), making an appealing day out. Lamport Hall was home to the Isham family for over 400 years, and the 3rd Baronet is responsible for much of the collection. Admission to the fair: £3.50 adults, £3 seniors, children free. Admission to the Hall and Gardens, £8, seniors £7.50, children 11-18, free. Gardens only, adults £4, children 11-18 free. For more information about Lamport Hall, visit www.lamporthall.co.uk NENE VALLEY LIVING APRIL 2012

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FASHION

SPRING FASHION PARTY Street parties and patriotic celebrations will be everywhere this season - and we’re joining in with some classic English rose style. Photographs: Lesley Anne Churchill Styling: Fiona Cumberpatch

Above s, pink tea dres Meli wears igan, rd ca ks, pink £99.95, Jac t ar he , pink £39, Jacks 10.99, Reba £ , ce la ck ne s, blue tea dres Poppy wears £11.95, e, ol is m ca ue £89.95, bl from Jacks £8.50, cakestand, Cardboard d... ass cakestan Crackers, gl s y shop from charit at a selection om fr , ng ti Bun k, oo N d undle an Crackers, O Stamford and ln Antiques China, Linco et, sk ba . Flower Home Show at es ri urse Wothorpe N m in arket, blosso M rd fo m ta S e dl un O Lilly, jug, Foxtail

9, Reba, t bag, £8.9 Blue croche 45, Jacks £ , an ig t card cherry prin

tal heart, ce with crys Pearl neckla y Tweel £50, Harve

NENE VALLEY LIVING APRIL 2012

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LEFT Meli wea rs heart top, £7.9 Oxfam, S 9, tamford, gingham £5.95, S skirt ue Ryder Vintage Retro and

ON LA DDE

Striped b ag, £8, M atalan, jewelled pumps, £ 75, Jack rose san s, red dals, £65 , Jacks, plimsolls navy , £10, Ma talan

Bangle w ith blue ro se, £12.9 Reba 9,

NENE VALLEY LIVING APRIL 2012

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FASHION

Above original Poppy wears £19.95, Sue s, es 1950s dr , ge and Retro Ryder Vinta h Peterboroug lection s, from a se em it ge Vinta of al ugh Festiv at Peterboro iques nt A ln d Linco Antiques an how and Home S

CONTACTS:

RIGHT t cherry prin Meli wears jeans, , ks ac J , 5 4 cardigan, £ int pr n, cherry model’s ow s, le ea B £7, scarf in hair, als, h. Rose sand ug ro bo er et P £65, Jacks .95, chinos, £74 Poppy wears f, £19, ar sc , r, £89.95 blue jumpe acks 5, all from J sandals £6

Jacks, 20 Market Place, Oundle Tel: 01832 270033 Harvey Tweel, Unit 1, The Bazaar, Oundle, PE8 4EJ Tel: 01832 272444 Reba, Cathedral Square, Peterborough PE1 1XH Tel: 01733 319606 www.rebaboutique.co.uk Sue Ryder Vintage and Retro, 97-99 Bridge St, Peterborough, PE1 1EH Tel: 01733 345405 Crackers, 3 New St, Oundle PE8 4EA Tel: 01832 270033 With special thanks to our models, Poppy Mathieson and Meli Rushen. Shot on location at Bulwick Village Centre, which is available to hire.

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Fantastic Wedding Package Available for 2012 Red Carpet on Arrival Ceremony Room White Chair Covers, Linen & Napkins Three course wedding breakfast Drinks package consisting of reception drink, wine and toast

T h E F i n EST E n g l i S h C u i S i n E AT

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Bacon and sausage rolls for evening guests Hire of function room

Reservations Essential

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Packages from only £2750 to cater for 50 guests throughout the day. Extra day guests charged at £32.50 & evening guests £7.95 Offer available on selected dates. Terms and conditions apply.

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The Bridge Hotel

Bridge Street, Thrapston, Kettering, Northants, NN14 4JP Tel: 01832 732128 - www.thebridge-hotel.com

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FOOD & DRINK

Food

Nene Valley Living recommends THE KING’S HEAD, APETHORPE

news All the latest on local food and drink

Nene Valley Living recommends EAST, UPPER DECK CHARTERS

ining at East on a Tuesday held two surprises…firstly finding the restaurant truly buzzing so early in the week; secondly, the excellent value of the Tuesday two courses for £10 menu. East is a popular restaurant and is always a reliable choice, whether eating with family, large groups of friends, in a couple, or just for a quick lunch time bite. While it’s close to the city centre, it offers an opportunity to escape from the hustle and bustle. To start, the three of us chose Tempura Prawn salad, drizzled with a creamy honey and Mizo dressing. East’s tempura is always extremely light and crunchy. Then we had Sambal Chicken Wings tossed in Malaysian Sambal and sprinkled with Kaffir lime leaves – spicy, juicy and flavoursome. Our third choice was the Kanom Pang Na Muu - this is finely chopped pork marinated with pepper and coriander served on French toast with a cucumber relish - a delicious combination.

Simon & Charlotte and the whole village of welcoming scene greeted us asthat we stepped inside the King’s Head on a chilly Apethorpe, are proud to announce night.isAreopening, cheery log firethan wasever. burning in the grate, candles were lit on the Thespring Kings Head better

tables, a couple were playing dice, and there were two parties of diners making their choices from the menu. Landlords Simon and Charlotte have clearly worked hard to create a welcoming ambience, and their formula works. We browsed the relatively concise menu over drinks; my husband was keen to try the local real ale. When we’d made our choice, Charlotte took us through to the adjoining dining room, which also had a glowing real fire. My starter was fresh salmon marinated in dill, lemon and honey, served with plenty of fresh pumpkin bread. This came on a board with a lidded pot of butter. The dish was homely but a bit special, too, with the zesty dressing cutting through Kings Head 1/4 RL Sept.indd 1 15/8/11 16:16:49 the richness of the salmon. Perry’s warm salad of smoked chicken and oyster mushrooms served with a raspberry vinaigrette was another great choice. For our main courses, I had chicken breast in tarragon sauce, and Perry opted for salmon en papillote served with a chive butter sauce. Charlotte brought us a dish of new potatoes, broccoli and carrots to share. The chicken was moist and tender, a classic combination with the tarragon. Perry really enjoyed his chive butter sauce, which had obviously been made with a light hand. Service throughout was efficient, unobtrusive and thoughtful: it’s a good idea to leave the bread from the starter on the table, for instance, and we appreciated the jug of iced water. For dessert, Perry chose the sticky toffee pudding, served with a toffee walnut For mains, we chose the Massaman Beef Curry, beef sauce and vanilla ice cream. He made very short work of this, and said it tasted cooked slowly with spices, herbs, new potatoes and roasted superb. My coffee was a little lukewarm, but it came with a shortbread biscuit, which peanuts. We also had Chicken Rice, which is flavoured with was another nice attention to detail. ginger and garlic, topped with steamed chicken breast, served This is a lovely venue for a cosy supper. The menu offers pub favourites, such as with a ginger and yellow bean sauce and a side dish of clear sausages and mustard mash, alongside classic French bistro favourites, competently soup. The chicken was delicately flavoured and the sauce cooked by head chef Mellanie Peel. You can buy a bottle of house wine for under complimented it perfectly. We also tried Ginger Red Snapper, £15, and there’s a great cocktail menu, too. Simon and Charlotte are a young pan fried with ginger, yellow bean sauce, garlic, chilli and couple, whose enthusiasm shines through. They have a wide programme of events, celery. This was light and fresh, and a pleasant contrast to the including themed evenings (Spanish, Chinese and Jamaican so far) and a popular other selections. Sunday lunch menu. Check out the excellent website, where you can find out all The food was beautifully prepared and presented with flair. about events and deals, such as two courses for £15.95 on the evening menu, and We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to a restaurant which offers discounts for pensioners on certain days. such a good choice of Far Eastern cuisines and represents Fiona Cumberpatch excellent value. With all the tables full during our visit, many others clearly feel the same! Food served 12-2.30pm and 6-9.30pm. Tuesday to Saturday Bridget Steele Sunday roast menu 12pm-3pm The King’s Head, King’s Cliffe Rd, Apethorpe PE8 5DG Tel: 01780 470627 East, Upper Deck Charters, Town Bridge, Peterborough www.kingsheadapethorpe.co.uk email enquiries@kingsheadapethorpe.co.uk PE1 1FP Tel: 01733 315702

8 NENE 16 NENE VALLEY VALLEY LIVING LIVING APRIL July 2012 2008

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THE

Kings Head

APETHORPE

EASTER EGG HUNT Saturday 7th April

11.30 start, suitable for all ages. £1entry /child EASTER LUNCH Sunday 8th April

Sunday Lunch 2 courses for £14.95, suitable for all the family! Thursday 26th April - Japanese Night (All you can eat buffet for £15.95) Food from 7.30 pm

We are OPEN on the following MONDAYS in April... Monday 9th Open 12pm - 3 pm for high tea, evening menu served from 6pm Monday 23rd Open 6pm-11pm - 2 pies for £12

01780 470627 or enquiries@kingsheadapethorpe.co.uk www.kingsheadapethorpe.co.uk Would you like to receive a free bottle of wine? Simply quote Nene Valley Living when booking your table of 4 or more, enter 4 valid email addresses & hand to a member of staff on arrival. 1…………………………………………………………. 3……………………………………………………….. 2…………………………………………………………. 4………………………………………………………...

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EA B BO ST EIN OK ER G IN SU TA GS N KE NO DA N W Y FO LU R N C H

Bulwick

S Tel: 01780 450272

ituated in the picturesque village of Bulwick, a few minutes’ drive off the A43, 9 miles from Stamford and Oundle, the Queens Head is a traditional, dog friendly village pub offering CAMRA awarded real ales, a selection of good wines and excellent food

EARLY DOORS OFFER TUESDAYS - THURSDAYS 6PM – 7.30PM

SPECIALLY SELECTED MENU

2 COURSES £12, 3 COURSES £15 Visit our website:

HAPPY HOUR

EVERY SUNDAY 3PM – 6PM

REAL ALES £2 PER PINT, HOUSE WINE £2.50

www.thequeensheadbulwick.co.uk

For details of our special offers, menus and opening times.

The Queens Head Main Street Bulwick Northamptonshire NN17 3DY

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FOOD & DRINK

Support your

local butcher! PHOTO: DAVE PHILLIPS

The Nene valley is a stronghold for traditional local butchers, but they are under threat, says Dave Phillips

Simon Mould and shop manager David Bretherick

he butcher’s shop used to be a staple of every town and village in the country, but in recent years it has become an endangered species. According to the Meat Trades Journal, there are now just 6,553 high street butchers, compared to more than 22,000 in the mid-1990s. An estimated 27 are closing every week. Some blame the rise of the supermarkets with their pre-packed, cut-price meat. Others believe the advent of out-of-town shopping centres has caused a decline of our high streets, which in turn have seen thousands of town centre butchers shut up shop. But it isn’t all doom and gloom – at least in this area, where we still enjoy an excellent choice of butcher’s shops, all specialising in meat raised from animals raised on the lush pastures of the Nene valley. But it’s not easy, as

Rosemary Morton, of Willowbrook Farm Shop explains. “The financial climate has changed a lot in the last 18 months and we have to take that into account. People still want quality meat, but a lot are seeking cheaper cuts – and asking for advice on those cheaper cuts.” “Some cuts, like shin of beef, are delicious if cooked slowly. It is up to the butcher to suggest those cuts and explain how they need to be prepared. If the end result is tasty and economical, the customer will be back again next week.” Many first-time visitors to Rosemary’s farm shop at Helpston Heath are surprised to find a butcher’s shop on site. “But to my mind a farm shop should sell what the farm produces and in our case that includes meat,” she says. “The majority of the meat we sell is our own, the

rest is from local producers, including game like venison, partridge, pheasant, rabbit and hare.” Farm to fork Using local meat means less food miles – a theme that continues at Seven Wells Butchers on West Street, Oundle, where the beef was raised on the family’s farm just two miles away, at Stoke Doyle. “We pride ourselves on the fact that it’s a very short journey from farm to fork,” says owner, Sally Knight. “The beef is from our own herd, which we take to the abattoir and then bring back ourselves to be butchered. Our other meats are sourced locally, too.” Sally and her staff are also on hand to offer advice on recipes to get the best from their meat. “We’re always delighted to help with recipes and meal ideas,” she says. “We’re very  NENE VALLEY LIVING APRIL 2012

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FOOD & DRINK

proud to help you put delicious food on your table.” Traceability is an important factor at Moor Farm Meats Farm Shop at Decoy Road, Newborough. “We sell our own lamb and beef and locally-sourced pork,” says owner, Judith Jacobs. “We make our own sausages, in several different varieties, and we also sell other local produce, including eggs, potatoes, preserves, apple juice and cakes.” “Our meat incurs low food miles as it is born and grazed on our farm. We are proud to meet the British Farm Standard – Red Tractor Farm Assurance. We are a friendly team, always willing to offer advice to serve you with the right meat for the occasion. We have special offers available to give everyone the chance to eat well.” Moor Farm is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 5pm and at Peterborough Farmers’ Market on the second and fourth Thursday of the month. They also have fresh meat on sale at Hill Farm, Chesterton, during the pick your own season. Judith is eager for new customers to sample the quality of her produce – so much so that visitors on Saturday mornings are given a complimentary sausage sandwich! Quality and choice Martin Trendall, who owns Trendall’s on Oundle’s Market Place, believes one of the secrets of his success is the wide range of produce on display. “We offer something better and different,” he says. “The choice we offer in meat, deli and the rest of our lines is huge – as good as anything you’d find in the West End of London. We don’t just sell meat; when a customer comes in we will offer advice on how to prepare, cook and serve it – the whole package.” At J, R, G and S Mould in Station Road, Nassington, the emphasis is on quality. The business was started in the 1890s by the greatuncle of the present owner, Simon Mould, who says that local people are prepared to support the traditional butcher who supplies the best possible meat. “We wouldn’t sell anything we wouldn’t eat ourselves – and we are very particular,” says

“The choice we offer in meat, deli and the rest of our lines is huge – as good as anything you’d find in the West End of London.” Martin Trendall, Trendall’s, Oundle

Simon. “This is a very sociable job, where you get to meet a lot of people and your customers become your friends. I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night if I sold them anything but the very best.” For Simon, that means scouring the country for the very best meat, resulting in beef from the Highlands of Scotland and outdoor-reared pork from Yorkshire. It also means sticking with tradition. “Customers come from far afield to buy our famous chicken liver pate and our sausages, which are still made to the same secret recipe used by my great-uncle George more than a century ago. The only difference is that we use a little less salt.” Simon can remember when there were ten butcher’s shops in Stamford. Today there are

only two. The situation is even more drastic in Peterborough, where there is only one family butcher left in the city centre – Frank Bros, in Westgate Arcade. The business was started in 1876 by the great-grandfather of the present proprietor, Andrew Frank, who still specialises in pork products. “It is the most adaptable meat,” he says. “And every part is used.” To generations of Peterborough folk, Franks has been most famous for its traditional English sausages, pork pies, haslets and brawn, but the latest wave of newcomers to the city has resulted in a new demand for pigs’ heads and hocks– a feature of Eastern European cooking – while pigs’ trotters are popular in AfroCaribbean households. “I’m confident of the future,” says Andrew. “Supermarkets with their rubbish meat, emulsifiers, flavour enhancers and artificial colourings can’t compete with how we do everything traditionally, with the finest natural ingredients.” Roger Kelsey of the National Federation of Meat Traders, agrees: “The independent craft butcher is someone who is highly regarded, has high levels of skill and is associated with high quality products.” “They have the ability to communicate to the customer vast amounts of knowledge, particularly with regard to the provenance and the preparation of the product they sell – something which often elude other High Street retailers. But some butchers are under threat in these difficult trading times. Town centre butchers are particularly vulnerable – not always due to their own failings, but due to a combination of high costs, limited access and parking for customers.” But Sally Knight at Seven Wells remains confident. She says: “If we maintain the supply of good quality meat to a high standard, with great customer service, then there will always be a demand for butchers.” One thing is clear. In this area we are particularly well served by proper butchers. But unless we support them, they will go the same way as some many village shops, post offices and pubs. In other words: use them or lose them.

J, R, G and S Mould’s popular cold meats.

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Delicious Local Meat From Farm to Fork Visit us at: 8 West Street, Oundle Tel: 01832 273522 www.sevenwells.co.uk

For a truly unique experience come and see us…

Join us on Saturday mornings for a FREE complimentary sausage sandwich Our shop stocks free range home grown beef and lamb that comes from our own farm. Totally traceable and farm assured.

Open Friday & Saturday 10am till 5pm Other local produce available - pork, vegetables, jams, chutneys, eggs, apple juice, cakes and more…

MOOR FARM AR M SH O F S T A P ME at:

Moor Farm, Decoy Road, Newborough PE6 7QD

01733 810229

www.moor-farm.com 21

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ACTIVITIES

Restored to glory

Peterborough Museum is ready to open after a £3.2million makeover. Sue Dobson is thrilled by the transformation

n ‘aquarium’ of Jurassic sea monsters stands centre stage in a room where clever lighting and sound effects give you the sensation of being surrounded by water. Peterborough Under the Sea is just one of the eye-catching new exhibits in the Peterborough Museum, re-opened after a £3.2million redevelopment project that has taken 15 months and made the museum an inviting destination. Renovation of the interior has revealed what a lovely building this is. With its Georgian features restored and period paint colours providing restful backgrounds in the rooms, the historic house has been returned to its original elegance. Interactive displays and galleries tell the story of Peterborough from pre-history to the present day and many of the collections are world class. “We wanted to create a hands-on museum that local people can be proud of,” says Stuart Orme, Vivacity’s Heritage Interpretation Manager, “and attract many more visitors from far afield. Tourism brings in £27million a year to the city and heritage is an important part of the local economy.” Original Georgian columns and pediments frame the airy entrance hall. To the left is the museum shop. On the right, a new café serves coffee, cakes and light meals. Paintings by local artists, available for sale, hang on the walls. Sit in one of the café’s leather wing-backed chairs and you can listen to recordings of local oral

“With its Georgian features restored and period paint colours providing restful backgrounds in the rooms, the historic house has been returned to its original elegance.” history through small speakers set into the wings. Down the hall, the main temporary exhibition gallery offers space for changing displays based on history, science and popular culture. It opens with a touring exhibition of comic book art. The Vikings will be the subject of a major summer exhibition. Next to it, the Art Gallery shows off contemporary art and sculpture from the museum’s fine permanent collection. It’s also the setting for an opening exhibition by Peterborough photographer, Chris Porsz. Telling a story Portraits, landscapes and an array of historic paintings and prints are displayed throughout the building. “Having restored its grandeur, we wanted to make a feature of its 500 years of history and focus on some of the remarkable people who lived and worked here,” says Stuart. There’s a geology lab tucked away on the ground floor where volunteers from the Stamford Geological Society work on

the conservation of fossils, in particular the museum’s important collection of Jurassic sea monsters. A glass door gives visitors the opportunity to watch them at work. Hands-on galleries A sweeping staircase invites you up to the first floor galleries to discover that 150 million years ago, Peterborough lay under the sea, with some remarkable prehistoric marine life to prove it. Move into the Ice Age gallery to see 10,000-year old animal bones found in the area, including those of a mammoth, and on to the wildlife area which showcases animals and birds from the founding museum collection 130 years ago, brought thoroughly up to date by touch screens and learning play for children. In a pretty room with an original fireplace and Georgian furnishings, scrolling touch screens interpret the story of the museum building down the centuries, including its use as a hospital, a charitable institution that was Peterborough’s first proper hospital. Its operating theatre, dating from 1897 and newly opened to public view, is upstairs on the second floor. The layout has been reconstructed to include a surgical trolley and the smell of carbolic. “It is nationally important as it’s one of only three still existing in the country, and the only one of its period,” Stuart explains. The world’s first purpose built prisoner of war camp, housing up to 7000 prisoners and 1000 British guards, was constructed on the

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New Heritage Pass

Vivacity has launched an annual Heritage Pass. At £10 for an individual (adult) and £35 for a family (2 adults and up to 3 children), the Pass gives unlimited entry to selected exhibitions at the Museum as well as to Bronze Age Flag Fen and medieval Longthorpe Tower, which Vivacity is managing on behalf of English Heritage.

Art on display: local galleries to look out for

A business park is not the first place you’d think of to house an art gallery, but Julie Fisher of The Gallery is thrilled with the 6m high ceiling and expanse of white wall space she has to hang her eclectic mix of affordable artworks, all by local artists. Also on display, crafts including ceramics, mosaic glass, hot cast (pure) bronze figures, textile art and turned wood. The Gallery has a relaxed atmosphere and constantly changing exhibitions. It also offers picture framing. Unit 3, Aston Business Park, Shrewsbury Avenue, Peterborough PE2 7BF. Tel: 01733 306246. Open Wednesday to Saturday, 10am-5pm. Admission free. http://thegallerypeterborough.com

two world wars. A small cinema shows Pathe News footage, a 1950’s kitchen has Hotpoint appliances, there are children’s toys, photo archives to scroll through and listening posts for reminiscences from Peterborough people..

outskirts of Peterborough in early 1797. The Norman Cross gallery tells its story, explains the context of the Napoleonic Wars and the impact of the camp on local people. There’s a clever reconstruction of a barrack room and displays of artefacts crafted by prisoners from wood, bone and straw marquetry. From small market town to the city of today, Changing lives – the story of Peterborough over 200 years, explores everything from John Clare and the changing landscape to the coming of the railway, industries, and the effects of

A major undertaking The museum was attracting around 80,000 visitors a year when it closed its doors in December 2010 and work began on the redevelopment project. Funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Peterborough City Council and Vivacity, it’s been a major undertaking. “With so much structural work to be done, the chaos of removing a heating system that could have been out of the museum’s collection and replacing it with modern central heating, installing air conditioning, strengthening floors and major electrical work, the only solution was to pack up everything before the builders took over last year,” Stuart Orme explains. Four months of moving everything back in followed as fitters worked flat out to have the building ready for its grand opening, by Time Team’s Tony Robinson and the Mayor of Peterborough, Councillor Paula Thacker, on 31 March. Three of the four exhibition galleries have been revamped. “We’d like to re-do the archaeology gallery, restore the wall tiles in the old operating theatre and open up the cellars. £3.2million is a lot of money, but there was a limit to how far it could stretch,” says

Paintings by local artists line the walls upstairs at Andronicas Café, creating a colourful backdrop to the popular paintyour-own ceramics studio. Exhibitions change every two months. Peterborough Garden Park, PE1 4YZ. Tel: 0207 749 4791. Open Monday to Friday 9.30am-5pm, Saturday 9.30-5.30pm, Sunday 10am-4pm. Admission free. Norman Cross Gallery. Converted stables of the Napoleonic prisoner-of-war camp provide a picturesque setting for changing fine art exhibitions, featuring local and international artists. Norman House, Norman Cross, Peterborough PE7 3TB. Tel: 01733 245189. Open Friday 11am-3pm, Saturday 11am-4pm, other times by appointment. Admission free. www.normancrossgallery.com

Stuart. The project has undoubtedly been a huge success and Peterborough now has a very family friendly museum of which it can be suitably proud. Peterborough Museum, Priestgate, Peterborough PE1 1LF. Tel: 01733 864663. Open 10am-5pm Tuesday to Saturday and Monday during school holidays; 12noon-4pm Sunday and Bank Holidays. On Mondays during school terms it is open to pre-booked groups only. Admission free (some special events and temporary exhibitions will attract an entry charge). www.vivacity-peterborough.com NENE VALLEY LIVING APRIL 2012

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• NVL April ADS.indd 24

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Advertisement Feature

PURE HEALTH & BEAUTY Spring is here and it’s time to refresh your face and body for the new season. Pure Health & Beauty, based in the pretty village of Glapthorn, near Oundle, has everything you need for a rejuvenated look, all delivered in the most relaxed and peaceful surroundings…

ver the last four years, Jayne Reading and her team have created a beautiful salon offering the latest antiageing techniques, beauty therapies and holistic treatments to suit women of every generation. You can see for yourselves on April 25th, as the salon celebrates its fourth birthday with an open day, from 9.30am8pm. “We’ll have lots of special offers available on the day, and let people see what we do here,” says Jayne. “Our main aim is to make everyone feel comfortable and relaxed. Pop in for a tea or a coffee with a friend. There’ll be no hard sell.” Visitors can have a free 45 minute makeover throughout the day (bookable in advance), demonstrating the salon’s new Italian make up range, RVB Colour Therapy, as well as the chance to take advantage of lots of exclusive discounts. TOP TREATMENTS Always up to speed with the latest beauty treatments and techniques, Pure Health & Beauty is one of the only salons in the area with a CACI ultra machine, which delivers the popular non-surgical facelift. Perfect for lifting, toning and restoring a youthful glow, this unique system combines ultrasound, micro current, light therapy and ultrasonic peeling all in one painless treatment. You’ll see results after one session, although a course is recommended for longer lasting results. As well as boosting more mature skin, and smoothing away ﬁne lines, it’s an effective treatment for calming acne and reducing acne scarring, as well as stretch marks and pigmentation. At the open day, you can get a great discount when you book a CACI ultra treatment. There will also be

demonstrations of how it works at 11am, 2.30pm and 6pm. Pure therapist Becky Postlethwaite is an expert at Pure’s sought after eyelash extensions, a beauty must-have for many women. The Lash Perfect system offers thicker, darker and longer lashes which are painlessly applied, and stay put for up to a month. You can shower, swim, and play sport without giving them a second thought, and there’s no need for mascara or eyelash curlers. You choose the length and colour, so you can opt for full on glamour, or a more natural look. No-fuss treatments are every woman’s goal, and Jessica GELeration Nail Polish was an instant hit for that very reason since its introduction in 2010. The soak-off gel polish has a ﬂawless ﬁnish which lasts for up to three weeks, and it won’t chip or smudge. Better still, GELeration can be incorporated into any manicure or pedicure, combining pampering with practicality. INTRODUCING ADVANCED ELECTROLYSIS Getting the best for her clients is Jayne’s goal, and she is proud to be the only local salon offering Advanced Electrolysis, which enables the removal of beauty bugbears such as skin tags,

thread veins, moles, warts, milia (tiny white spots on the skin’s surface), age spots and verrucas. “If anyone has any queries about this, or any of the treatments we offer, they can pop in for a free consultation. We would never make a promise to treat something if we can’t deliver,” says Jayne. • Pure Health and Beauty, The Old Stables, Church Farm, Main Street, Glapthorn, Oundle PE8 5BE Tel: 01832 272310 or email pure@farming.co.uk

MULTI-TASKING MAKE UP Imagine a make up range that nourishes and protects skin - as well as making you look great! Those are the unique properties of RVB Colour Therapy make up, which has been developed with professional expertise to combine the latest formulas with an enriching format your skin will love. “We’re really excited to be carrying the fabulous new range of professional make up,” says Jayne. “These products are internationally renowned and we’re pleased to be bringing a little bit of Italian chic to Glapthorn. Everyone at the salon has been so impressed that we’re wearing it ourselves!” • Pure Health & Beauty is set in a converted barn, half a mile from Oundle. Parking is free. Disabled access. Pamper packages are available, including a light lunch – just ring or email with your requirements. • The open day takes place on April 25th, from 9.30am-8pm. All welcome. Makeover sessions with a professional make up artist bookable in advance only.

• NVL April ADS.indd 25

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Let us treat you E X P E RI E NCE OUR E X P ERIENCE Natural Nails & Beauty | 42-46 School Road | Newborough | Peterborough | PE6 7RG

Tel: 01733 810071 - www.naturalnailsandbeauty.co.uk

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The latest news from local health and beauty businesses. By Bridget Steele

HEALTH & BEAUTY

New season’s nails

Natural Nails and Beauty have some beautiful new summer season colours available. These include the “Colour me up” statement shades of electrifying purple, coral red, vibrant orange and vitalising green. A Free your Mind selection focuses on shades to lift your spirits and encourage you to relax, and these include dreamy pinks and pale silver sky shades. This established salon in Newborough is owned by Tracy Maddox and specialises in Gel Nails and Recolution polish by LCNand it is the exclusive agent for Real Diamonds for Nails. The salon also offers natural nail care, waxing, tinting, eye lash extensions, massage and facials. Permanent make-up is offered by Thea Pearce. For more information contact Natural Nails & Beauty, 42-46 School Road, Newborough, Peterborough, PE6 7RG Tel: 01733 810071 www. naturalnailsandbeauty. co.uk The salon is also on Facebook.

health & beauty notes New salons in Peterborough

• The Old Forge Hair and Beauty Salon opened recently in Yaxley, Peterborough. Louise Sharpe and Penny Roberts will run the beauty side, offering LCN nail extensions, Recolution Gel Polish, eyelash extensions and perming, waxing, manicures and pedicures. The specialist Caci Non-surgical Face Lift treatment is also available. This uses micro currents to firm facial muscles and the salon is offering a trial Caci treatment for £30. Adam Tylee joins the team to offer hair dressing services for men and women. The Old Forge Hair and Beauty Salon can be contacted on 01733 245392. Parking is available at the front of the shop. A price list is available on the salons Facebook page. • The Beautiful Truth is now open in Cowgate, Peterborough. This is a Medi-spa, which combines aesthethic medicine with traditional beauty therapy. Owner Anna-Lisa Phillips comments: “the Medi-Spa concept is from America. Clients prefer a less clinical environment for aesthetic medicine treatments which can sometimes be intimidating.” Anna-Lisa is a trained Aesthetician and has worked in Peterborough for many years, specialising in semi-permanent makeup and skin rejuvenation. Fore more information contact Anna-Lisa 07525 747502, 40, Cowgate Peterborough (above Antony James Hair Salon), PE1 1NA www.spa-peterborough.co.uk

Cycle rides for women Women who fancy a cycle ride along quiet lanes in the beautiful Northamptonshire countryside should contact Eileen and Alison from Breeze, a group from British Cycling which organises bike rides for women. The group meets once a month and cycles for a maximum of two hours. All abilities are catered for. Stops and drinks are allowed and afternoon tea and cake are well earned at the end. For more information, contact www.goskyride.com or e-mail breeze4me@hotmail.co.uk

Smooth your skin The first signs of ageing skin are often the formation of fine lines around the eyes and upper lip due to a decrease in skin collagen and elastin. Medical Microneedling or Derma Rolling is a form of Collagen Induction Therapy which is intended to smooth wrinkles, improve acne scarring as well as improve the appearance of stretch marks. It is one of the newest, easiest and most effective skin treatments available. The process is carried out with a roller that is covered with numerous tiny sterile needles which are used to penetrate the upper layers of skin to a depth of up to 2 mm. The process claims two major benefits: it effectively stimulates collagen formation at the same time as providing a clear channel for topical gels and creams to be absorbed more effectively through the top layer of skin. Microneedling creates a very minor (almost microscopic) trauma which lasts for a short period of time and does not result in bruising or swelling. Depending on individual skin condition, one to three procedures every four to six weeks are sufficient to resurface the skin and generate a significant improvement. An annual maintenance treatment is then recommended to keep the skin in good condition. The treatment can also be used to treat the neck, upper chest area, arms and legs. Body Laser Clinic offers a free consultation to see if the treatment is right for you and to answer any questions. The treatment is performed by Registered Nurses with special training in this technique. The Body Laser Clinic, 58 Broadway, Peterborough PE1 1SU Tel: 01733 555200 www.bodylaser.co.uk NENE VALLEY LIVING APRIL 2012

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ACTIVITIES

A GRAND DAY OUT PHOTOS: FIONA CUMBERPATCH

A trip to Great Malvern with an optional tour of the Morgan Motor Company is just one of the delightful day trips on offer from local company Shaws coaches. Fiona Cumberpatch climbed aboard…

oach travel is relaxing, cost effective and convenient. It’s often been seen as the sole preserve of senior citizens, but now a new generation of travellers have switched on to the fact that this is a fun and economical way to explore our heritagerich towns, cities and countryside. Living in the Nene valley means that there are plenty of day destinations within comfortable reach, and when Shaws invited me to try one out, I was spoiled for choice. You can, for example, travel to London to see a show and take in the sights (and you’ll be dropped off outside your venue), take a shopping trip to Bluewater, explore the RHS gardens at Wisley or the Harrogate Flower Show, or visit the Derbyshire Dales. I opted for Great Malvern, a pretty spa town on the eastern slopes of the Malvern Hills. I boarded the coach at Stamford bus station shortly before 9am, and we made two more pick ups along the route. Coach driver Graham Knott welcomed us aboard and outlined our itinerary. The promise of a tour around the Morgan Motor Company had clearly attracted a lot of men on the trip, and there was a buzz of excited chatter about the day’s activities. After an hour and a half, we had breakfast at Corley Services, before arriving in the centre of Great Malvern around 12. Those on the factory tour had an hour for lunch, while those of us who were planning a leisurely day exploring this graceful, largely Victorian spa town, were free until 5pm. Seeing the sights Despite fog shrouding the hills, Great Malvern’s charms were undiminished. There are parks and landscaped gardens aplenty (thanks

to a noblewoman called Lady Foley, fourth daughter of the Duke of Montrose, who married Edward Foley of Stoke Edith Park in 1832. She was largely responsible for planning Great Malvern with its huge prestigious houses and landscaped areas). Walking shoes are advisable (as is a strong pair of knees!) as most of the streets are on a steep incline. The main shopping areas, Church Street and Worcester Road, combine small independent shops with a few big names, but the town has retained its character beautifully. I liked the Malvern Hills Gallery, with its selection of local arts and crafts, the second hand book stores and interesting, browsable antiques shops. It was Great Malvern Priory which was the biggest surprise. Dominating the centre of town, it was founded as a Benedictine Priory in 1085. We marvelled at the medieval wall tiles, in over 90 designs, all of which were manufactured locally, and the misericords (mercy seats), ancient, carved objects showing scenes of mythology and domestic life. Another must-see in the centre is a statue of Elgar, one of the town’s most famous sons. There’s no shortage of tea shops, but our highlight was Lady Foley’s Tea Room, half a mile out of the centre in the stunning Victorian station. Tea and crumpets and light snacks are on the menu, in a setting that could be straight out of the classic movie Brief Encounter. The station was restored in 1986 after a fire, and it is simply superb, especially as it still functions efficiently as a modern service. Graham arrived to pick us up at 5pm on the dot, outside the impressive Malvern Theatres (which also house a large, modern café). He

was very happy to accommodate the large 1930s trunk which I’d managed to acquire, even stopping the coach to check that it was safe. We had a smooth, seamless ride home, with another stop for refreshments, and arrived at Stamford bus station just after 8pm. • The Great Malvern trip cost £35, including the Morgan Museum. Shaws offer a wide variety of day trips and longer holidays both in the UK and abroad. For more information, or to request a brochure, call 01778 342224, email enquiries@ shawscoaches.co.uk or visit the website, www.shawscoaches.co.uk

The Morgan Motor Museum

For over 100 years, the Morgan Motor Company have been making sports cars in Malvern. The Shaws day trip includes the chance to take a factory tour and see skilled craftsmen at work as they hand make these beautiful bespoke sports cars. There’s also chance to visit the Morgan museum and see cars from the past, present and the future. NENE VALLEY LIVING APRIL 2012

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PERSPECTIVES

WALKING IN BB’S FOOTSTEPS

Denys Watkins-Pitchford, one of Britain’s greatest naturalists and children’s writers, was local to this area. Dave Phillips reports

ntering the sleepy village of Sudborough from the A6116, the first house you see is a distinctive former toll house, known as the Round House. It was once the home of one of Britain’s greatest children’s authors, who wrote under the pen-name ‘BB’. His best-known book was The Little Grey Men, published in 1942, which won him the prestigious Carnegie Medal for children’s literature in the same year. It was about the last gnomes in England and was among 20 children’s books he wrote and illustrated, although he signed his illustrations with his real name, Denys WatkinsPitchford. His other children’s books included Brendon Chase (1944), about two young brothers who run away from home to live in the woods – a cracking adventure story that has delighted generations of youngsters, myself included. That alone would be enough of a legacy for most writers, yet ‘BB’’s list of achievements goes way beyond writing books for children. He was also a talented artist, inspirational fisherman, one of the country’s best-loved wildfowlers and a spearhead of the butterfly conservation movement. And, better still, he was a local man – and you can visit many of the places that inspired his writings. Denys Watkins-Pitchford was born in 1905 at Lamport, near Northampton, the son of the local rector. As a boy he loved to wander the fields and brooks, and it was during his early years that he insists he once came across real gnomes by a local stream. They would later be his inspiration for The Little Grey Men. As ‘BB’ grew older, he began to draw and write about what he saw. He eventually studied at the Royal College of Art and in 1930 became an art master at Rugby School. His first book, Wild Lone, the story of a fox, was published in 1938. At the same time, he penned a weekly column in the Shooting Times, which he was to continue writing for half a century (his pen name ‘BB’ came from a size of lead shot). Also a keen angler, in 1950 he wrote Confessions of a Carp Fisher, which was the catalyst for a new movement in the world of angling. Before his book, nobody fished for carp because they were considered “uncatchable”; today the carp is Britain’s most popular fish. ‘BB’ married his wife Angela in 1939 and the couple had two children. Angela died in 1974, but ‘BB’ carried on living at the Round

House, which was just a short walk from Fermyn Woods. Dismayed at the decline in butterflies due to the use of pesticides, ‘BB’ made it his personal mission to reintroduce the magnificent Purple Emperor butterfly to Fermyn, by collecting the eggs and hatching them at home in special breeding cages. His efforts were so successful that Fermyn Woods became the Purple Emperor’s greatest stronghold in the UK and every June butterfly fans from all over the country flock there to see these remarkable insects. The local countryside was always his inspiration. In 1967 he wrote A Summer on the Nene about a boat trip on his local river and

his 1961 book The Badgers of Bearshanks was based upon the real wood of the same name, near Lyveden New Bield. Close to his cottage runs a tributary of the Nene, Harper’s Brook, about which he wrote: “Standing on the old stone bridge the other day and looking over at the brown stream where the minnow shoals were spawning, I began to think about this little stream, how it has run down the centuries way back into the mists of time. Trees die, as does all life, but this bright water runs eternally, truly as old as the hills.” ‘BB’ was awarded the MBE for his services to children’s literature in 1990. He died the same year, aged 85, but his legacy lives on, including 59 books illustrated with his distinctive scraperboard images… and those Purple Emperor butterﬂies, of course.

From ‘BB’’s former home the Round House at Sudborough (OS map reference SP 971821) there is a public footpath that crossed the A6116 to Fermyn Woods. The best time to spot Purple Emperor butterﬂies is late June and the best places are at SP 966855 and SP975840. Bearshank Wood (SP 998858) is best approached from Pilton, or by foot from Lyveden New Bield (SP983854). To stand where ‘BB’ stood to watch Harper’s Brook ﬂow under the stone bridge, go to Sudborough (SP 965820). NENE VALLEY LIVING APRIL 2012

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Activities

A pub walk in the Nene valley Robin Moore suggests a companionable route with plenty of pit stops Start and Finish: Rose & Crown pub, Market Place, Oundle. Tel: 01832 275968. Transport: X4 bus Milton Keynes to Peterborough; no. 25 bus village route. Walk: (6.5 miles, easy, moderate) formed from the Oundle Pilgrimage, Nene Way and byways. The journey crosses the bypass and some main roads – please be careful! Inns: The Rose & Crown, Chequered Skipper, King’s Arms, Montagu Arms, Oundle Mill, The Ship Inn, The Angel Inn.

aking in nearby hamlets and villages, this little journey sets off from the Rose & Crown along the thoroughfare to North Bridge, entering the pastures midway across at a stile on the right (marked Riverside Trail). Immediately, the journey transforms into miles of beautiful river scenery comprised of meadows, sporadic crops and ancient woodlands stretching as far as Oundle Mill. Passing under the bypass, the river meanders through pastures and the wooded banks adjoining Ashton Estate. After half a mile, the trail crosses a large green bridge and then follows the Nene Way to Ashton Mill and village. The mill was converted by the Rothschild Family to supply water to the residents after the reed-thatched village was developed in the 19th century. Since its origin, Ashton has lived on in ageless prosperity enjoying its rural surroundings and rich location beside the Nene. Stop awhile at The Chequered Skipper on the village green. Continuing beyond the village, the byway on the right (formed from a mud track) crosses Ashton Estate as far as the Barnwell/Polebrook junction (one mile). The two miles to Polebrook are dominated by agriculture which provides a habitat for native fauna. Foxes, badgers and game birds are among the species that frequent the estate; even the red kite, once deemed a relic, majestically soars aloft again. From the byway, there’s a paved section to Polebrook culminating at the popular King’s Arms which is an excellent pit stop for ramblers. This traditional stone-built inn is not only a well-frequented dining venue but also a Mecca for real ale drinkers; it hosts theme nights, beer festivals and folk music. Leaving the pub via the Oundle Pilgrimage, follow the road through the village passing the church on the way to Polebrook Circus. Walk 300m along the back of the circus perimeter to a footbridge where the trail climbs a crop field on the right. Looking back atop of the hill affords unobstructed views of Polebrook with church aloft. Away to the left are flat green meadowlands shaped by the circuitous winding of the Nene. As the river disappears behind the woodlands, the path descends through the pastures to Armston Estate which is reached from a byway to the left of the gate. At the top of the estate, cross the donkey paddock and follow the pilgrimage route beside Barnwell

Manor, which was once the home of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. A little further on is the Montagu Arms. Having enjoyed past associations with Royalty and nobles, Barnwell appears serene and olden as if trapped in a web of time. The enchantment of its castle, interspersing brook, fords and medieval stone bridge portray it as a timeless village. Uphill from the bridge is the church of St Andrew, a grocery shop and Barnwell Cricket Club; situated at the foot of the village is the old train station and the bypass which was once part of the Nene Valley Railway. Use the island to cross the bypass and then walk the pavement to Oundle Mill (1.5 miles). The beautifully restored mill at Barnwell Lock stands in solitary majesty enjoying its waterside setting which has practically made it an island. Predominantly a restaurant, it is also a popular inn. As the journey resumes along the Nene Way, it follows the river bank to Lower Barnwell Lock and a disused swimming pool. After crossing two bridges, adjoining pastures and a small stile, it’s time to head back to Oundle. At the top of Riverside Close, turn left and walk to Ship Lane. Ramblers are now only minutes away from refreshment at the Ship Inn, the first of four characterful inns in the town centre. Other inns contained in the walking guide are: The Talbot (due to reopen soon) the Rose & Crown and The Angel Inn. In summary, one could say: ‘a thirst endured is one to be enjoyed!’ NENE VALLEY LIVING APRIL 2012

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MOTORING

Peter Muffett

BUILDING ON TRADITION Jaguar is closing in fast on other premium car manufacturers and Peter Muffett, General Manager of Marshall Jaguar of Peterborough, is keen to tell you why. Words and photos: David Corfield

REAT BRITISH ICONS don’t come much better than Jaguar. The very mention of the name is enough to turn men of a certain age weak at the knees, with images of E-Types and glamorous film stars drifting through the semiconscious. Peter Muffett knows all about this. He’s the General Manager of Marshall Jaguar in Cambridge and Peterborough and is not only in the business of selling cars, but selling dreams too. “I love people. I love getting to know a customer and I love looking after them,” he smiles. “I’m lucky in that I am with a brand that is re-energised, with new models and new customers coming in to see what all the fuss is about. It’s a brilliant time to become a Jaguar owner and I can’t tell you how excited I am about what’s coming up in the future. We sell a brand that has been built on luxury, speed and quality; and selling that dream ticket, in today’s trouble-filled world, is not only a pleasure, but also a privilege. I like to make people happy.” Peter’s enthusiasm is infectious, and clearly this is a guy who has his finger very much on the local pulse. A Cambridgeshire guy, with family roots in Newmarket, he started off as a young apprentice with Ford before embarking on a business studies course and working his way up the corporate ladder. “I’ve worked with a few different car makes over the years, but Jaguar is the best and the one that I am most enthusiastic about.” We walk around the dealership and I see why he’s so excited. The cars positively ooze quality,

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Marshall Motor Group was founded over 100 years ago in Cambridge and now has 71 dealership businesses across the country from Cumbria to Hertfordshire. Marshall remains family-owned and privately-funded and has over 2,000 colleagues. With a current annual turnover of more than £700m, Marshall is a Top 10 Dealer Group in the UK and the second largest privately owned.

with glossy paintwork and immaculate interiors inviting you to touch, stroke, and enjoy. The cat may be just a symbol, an icon indeed, but in the cars the feline qualities of a Jaguar definitely connect with you as you soak up the mood. “Jaguar is the strongest it has ever been and we’re now starting to bring a younger customer into the arena, but that’s not at the expense of our existing ones. Loyalty and after-sales care is absolutely key to the success of Marshall and we work hard in making sure that the customer feels valued, cared for and understood. One of my most loyal customers has been with us for 35 years, always buying Jaguar, and we are seeing more and more of that now as people discover not just how good the car is, but, I hope, how good we are as a company. We are now sixth in the country in terms of quality and satisfaction, and I’m very proud of that fact. Our customers keep on coming back.” Peter has only recently been in charge of

the Marshall Peterborough dealership, starting there in September last year, and as a general manager he is responsible for extending the reach of Jaguar and working with local businesses in creating exciting after-sales events which allow people to get close to the brand, and to experience the thrill. “It’s all about the experience,” he reveals. “And that’s the secret to selling cars – offering an experience that a customer will never forget. We frequently take our customers to evening shows and weekend events such as track days and factory visits – and they love it. When you buy a premium niche car such a Jaguar, you’re buying yourself a passport to luxury. We are always looking to communicate with our customers and even if the purchase is a year away, we want to get to know them and offer them the best possible car for their needs.” Peter’s care over his customers is just as evident with his colleagues, too. Marshall is a forward-thinking company with family values and it’s clear that every member of the team is as enthusiastic as Peter about both the product and the business. “I’m not sat here managing behind a PC or an email,” he points out. “I treat my employees as I would a customer. The best way of communicating is to walk the floor. And I tell you what, looking out there at those fantastic cars, it’s not a bad floor to be walking on, is it?” Marshall Peterborough, Mallory Road, Boongate, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire PE1 5AU. Tel: 0844 334 9130 www.marshallweb.co.uk

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WHAT’S ON

Diary dates Tuesday 3 April EVENT: The Great Clare Cottage Egg Hunt! 2.00pm – 3.30pm Join an eggstremely entertaining hunt around Clare Cottage and its gardens.

Wednesday 4 April

WORKSHOP:The Main Hattraction… 2.00pm – 3.30pm Make a festive Easter bonnet!

Thursday 5 April

EVENT: Beautiful Buns Bake-off! 10.00am – 11.30am A session of creative cakeness! • All the above sessions: £4 for ages 7 – 12. Book at Clare Cottage Woodgate, Helpston, Peterborough PE6 7ED on 01733 253330. www.clarecottage.org/

Catch up on events for April

April 1 SUNDAY 2

MONDAY

WEDNESDAY

3 TUESDAY

5 THURSDAY 6

FRIDAY

7 SATURDAY

Saturday 7 April TALK: All about William Horwood, the Master Freemason and Architect of Fotheringhay Church 7.30pm Michael Lee speaks about the man who signed the contract in 1434 with Richard, Duke of York to build Fotheringhay Church … you can also visit the “secret room”… • Tickets: £7 (£6) from St Mary’s and All Saints’ Church, Fotheringhay, PE8 4AA or call 01733 241784 evenings.

Saturday 14 – Sunday 15 April MARKET: Burghley Fine Food Market. 10am-4pm browse, buy and taste fine, local foods including Burghley venison and champagne - all against the magnificent backdrop of the House and glorious spring gardens. • Free admission. www.burghley.co.uk; 01780 752451; burghley@burghley.co.uk. Burghley House, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 3JY

Thursday 19 April WORKSHOP: Making Boxed Cushions

Saturday 21 April

WORKSHOP: Fabric Coil Pots. 10.00am – 4.30pm Two special days courses to compliment Rowantree Craft Studio’s popular weekly sewing classes, knitting surgeries and after-school club. £60/£30. • Contact Margaret Rowan, 24 Station Road, Nassington, PE8 6QB on 01780 784442 or 07962 320653; margaret@rowantreeworkshops.co.uk. www.rowantreeworkshops.co.uk

Sunday 22 April EVENT: Newborough Young Farmers’ spring competitions On the look-out for new members – who may or not be young or farmers - the newly re-launched Newborough Young Farmers get stuck into a host of fun, farming- related spring competitions. • To find out more info@newboroughyoungfarmers.co.uk or www.newboroughyoungfarmers.co.uk/

Wednesday 11 April

8 SUNDAY 9

MONDAY

10 TUESDAY



11 WEDNESDAY 12 THURSDAY

Saturday 14 April FAIR: Merge Contemporary Craft Fairs. 10am-4pm Well established fair, offering gorgeous hand-made jewellery, pottery and more… • Admission £2 (under 16s free). The Queen Victoria Hall, West Street, Oundle, PE8 4EF. Contact www.mergecontemporarycraftfairs.com; mergecraft@hotmail.co.uk or 07860 783 635

13 FRIDAY

14 SATURDAY 15 SUNDAY

16 MONDAY

Saturday 14 April

17 TUESDAY 18 WEDNESDAY 19 THURSDAY 20 FRIDAY 21 SATURDAY 22 SUNDAY

24 TUESDAY 25 WEDNESDAY

27 FRIDAY 28 SATURDAY 29 SUNDAY 30 MONDAY

BALL: Spencer’s Roman Ball 2012. 6:30pm-1am In aid of Friends of Phoenix School, enjoy a live 14 piece swing, jazz band, cocktail reception, three-course meal, complimentary wine, casino and charity auction. • Tickets: £65 full event; £25 without meal. Contact Liza Schwarz on 01733 324568. East of England Showground, Oundle Road, Peterborough, PE2 6XE.

Thursday 26 and Friday 27 April

23 MONDAY

26 THURSDAY

EVENT: Teddy bears’ picnic at Ferry Meadows Country Park 12 noon – 2pm Bring your own teddy to picnic with Barney the Bear. • Free. Booking essential on 01733 234193 or e-mail visitor.services@neneparktrust.org.uk. Nene Park Trust, Ham Lane, Orton Waterville, Peterborough, PE2 5UU.

PLAY: Blackeyed Theatre presents The Servant of Two Masters by Carlo Goldoni. 7.45pm A celebrated Italian period farce in a new production by young actors. • Tickets: £5.00. The Stahl Theatre, West Street, Oundle, PE8 4EJ. Box Office: 01832 273930. www.stahltheatre.co.uk.

 Friday 27 April

WORKSHOP: Beginners’ photography at Ferry Meadows Country Park. 1.45 – 3.45 Learn some top tips at this indoor event - you don’t even need to bring a camera! Free. Meet at Visitor Centre. Ham Lane, Orton Waterville, Peterborough, PE2 5UU. • See above. NENE VALLEY LIVING APRIL 2012

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