Nene Living May 2016

WALKIES! Reggie sniffs out new routes

NENE LIVING C OV E R I N G

More horsepower for our community police

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A room with a pew

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE...

May 2016

W

HEN was the last time you did something new?

I guess for most of us the daily challenges of work, raising a family and finding time for friends and hobbies leave little capacity (or energy) for anything else.

This month, though, I determined to do something different – and in the process I’ve met some inspiring people, celebrated a birthday in the most unusual way, visited beautiful ancient buildings and committed to a new (and, I hope, healthier!) eating regime. First, I attended a service at Peterborough Cathedral – such a familiar part of our city’s skyline but so easily overlooked, somehow, as we go about our daily lives. I was there to celebrate 50 years of the charity Shine – more about that on p5. Just days later I learned about ‘Champing’ at All Saints in Aldwincle before heading off for my own camping-witha-difference party: read all about it on p28. New in my household this month was the arrival of a Riverford recipe box, prompted by a thought-provoking walk and delicious supper at the company’s Sacrewell farm. Perhaps you’ll be similarly inspired by the report on p23?

Whatever you’re doing in the coming weeks, I hope you’ll experience something that excites you too…

Gillian Bendall Editor INCORPORATING

NENE VALLEY LIVING

5 Upfront

Turning the spotlight on local charities and fundraisers

7, 9, 10 News & Notes

23, 24 Food & Drink

Eating meat-free with Riverford… and other tasty treats for food-lovers

27 Outdoor Living

Helping you make the most of Nene living

The Walled Garden at Elton Hall; plus how to care for your mower this summer

13 Interview: Vito Fierro

Canine correspondent Reggie sniffs out some nice Nene region walks

18 From wasteland to

waterside gem

28 A room with a pew

Champing: it’s the latest concept in quirky getaways

A look at some of the best self-catering holiday options close to home

35 Reaching out

How a local charity is helping leprosy sufferers worldwide

39 Something to smile A new form of horsepower for Oundle’s police force

about

Dentist Saima Rennie adores the variety of work that a general practice offers

Editor Gillian Bendall neneliving@hotmail.com Write to Nene Living, PO Box 208, Stamford, PE9 9FY www.nenevalleyliving.co.uk Advertisement Manager Bridget Steele 01733 707538 bridget.neneliving@ntlworld.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 Warners of Bourne

GET IN TOUCH: neneliving.co.uk

43 Reasons to be cheerful

46 A day out in Huntingdon A stroll around the busy market town reveals some interesting history

31 A home from home

What’s new and who’s who at Oundle Wharf

21 Neighbourhood watch!

National Smile Month starts in May – so how’s your oral health? Plus: campaigns, companies, classes and clinics that will help you look and feel better

A new home and a brand new range of products – there’s plenty to celebrate at Burghley Hair-Beauty-Academy!

A chat with the heir to one of the city’s best-known estate agents

14 It’s a dog’s life

41, 45 Health & Beauty

49 More power to your ride Celebrating Rutland Cycling’s new E-bike Centre

51 Rush hour

Hockey, but not as you know it…

53 Out & About

May events to inspire and entertain all the family

COVER: The beautiful All Saints, Aldwincle is among a number of churches you can ‘Champ’ in this summer as part of the Churches Conservation Trust’s new fun and fund-raising initiative.

For more on Champing, see p 28.

Photo: Joseph Casey www.josephcaseyphotography.com

SUBSCRIBE TO NENE LIVING For £20 (UK only) you can subscribe to Nene 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

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UPFRONT FRONT UPFRONT

Local fundraisers and charities do so much good... here, the editor turns the spotlight on four who’ve caught her attention this month

Riding high

Shine on

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S

ne of the first groups to form in the country, The Peterborough & District Riding for the Disabled group marks 50 years of service in 2016. It’s one of 500 groups countrywide, and the charity helps more than 28,000 children and adults annually.

Kathy Hibbins, group Chairman of the Peterborough branch, told our writer Deborah Pennell: “We ride at Grasslands Equestrian Centre, Helpston and normally have between 20 to 25 children of varying disabilities; anything from autism to cerebral palsy. We keep the children busy playing fun games while they ride, which helps develop their mental health as well as their physical strength.”

With 25 years service for Peterborough & District RDA, Ann Fletcher is due to receive a long service award from HRH Princess Ann during 2016. She says: “I particularly remember one young girl who struggled to walk due to her cerebral palsy; she originally sat on the pony in such a hunched position you could not see her face, but over the weeks her core muscles developed to a point where she could sit up, and we eventually saw her beautiful smiling face. These are the

moments that make RDA so worthwhile.”

To celebrate its 50th anniversary the group is holding a picnic for RDA children in Burghley Park in May, and in June a tea party is being held at The Peterborough School for all past and present volunteers and major donors.

Local artist Michael Gibbison has given an impressionist watercolour, Horses at Burghley, which is on exhibit at The Old House Gallery, Oakham, until the end of June. All funds raised from the sale of this picture – valued at £850 – will go towards riding lessons for the children.

And Chief Instructor Bella Craven has put together a book about the history of the group – titled We Still Ride On Wednesdays, copies are available at £15. Contact Bella on 07951 781636.

• www.peterborough-rda.co.uk

Putting patients first

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hen Lesley Kalina went through treatment for Stage Four Hodgkins Lymphoma she learned first-hand that little things can make a big difference to the lives of cancer patients and their families. Since her diagnosis in 2011 Lesley has raised £12,000, and items she’s bought for Peterborough City Hospital’s oncology/haematology unit include “three very expensive chairs which recline into a sleeping position so visitors can stay with their loved ones.” More recently Lesley’s donated 12 fridges for the unit. She explains: “Cancer patients have lots of issues with food and drink and they don’t always fancy hospital meals – I craved junk food throughout my treatment! Ice helps with ulcers, and other foods help with sickness and energy levels.” Friends and family follow Lesley’s fundraising efforts via her Facebook page.

She can also be contacted via email at: lesley.kalina@btinternet.com

Testing new waters

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eventeen-year-old Emily Tolhurst often feels the need to test new waters – so it’s no surprise to those who know her that she plans to circumnavigate the Isle of Wight by sea kayak this summer. Back in 2010, when Emily’s primary school teacher asked the class “What are you going to go when you’re older?” Emily replied “I am going to kayak the Channel.” Three years later she and her father Ben crossed the English Channel in just over six hours, later presenting the Nene Valley Care Trust with a cheque for £6,700. Now an A-level student, Emily is preparing for her next charitable act, which will raise funds for The Marine Conservation Society, the UK’s leading charity for the protection of our seas, shores and wildlife. The 60-mile challenge is being undertaken alongside a family friend of a similar age and their two fathers, and will take place from Cowes in July.

• For more, see www.justgiving.com/IsleofWightbykayak

hine, the charity first called ASBAH, started back in 1966 to help families with spina bifida and hydrocephalus. It changed its name in October 2011 and today is a community of 75,000 individuals, families, friends and professionals who share achievements, challenges and information on living with hydrocephalus, or spina bifida, and related issues.

Shine’s health and education expertise goes beyond that offered by national services, and ranges from general health advice to one-on-one support from specialist teams. A network of support and development workers around the country provide a reassuring voice to people experiencing the changes and daily challenges that spina bifida and hydrocephalus can bring for individuals and families. And Shine’s education team also work with schools so that teachers understand how spina bifida and hydrocephalus affect daily life and learning, and how to support their young students to reach their potential and feel valued members of their classes. Support and Development Worker Collette Torrance says: “A big part of what we do is helping young families come to terms with a new diagnosis, which can feel so isolating. Our events and Facebook groups help to connect members so they feel less alone.

Sometimes, just knowing someone understands and cares makes all the difference.”

Special events this year include a Golden Anniversary Service which was held in Peterborough Cathedral last month and attended by the charity’s Patron, HRH The Duchess of Gloucester (above), plus a Shine Firewalk and a Heritage exhibition, the first of its kind in the UK. Shine Chairman Richard Astle, who has already raised £40,000 for the new Shine Health Hub, will be undertaking various challenges for the charity, including a 50-mile walk and an overseas trek. He has also been a key player in developing Shine in the City, which aims to develop mutually beneficial partnerships in the city – not least of these is the Go for Gold Challenge to recruit 100 companies to each pledge £500, thereby raising £50,000 in Shine’s anniversary year.

Richard says: “So much has been achieved by the charity during the last 50 years. The service and support it provides is vital so if you are able to help us during 2016 to make sure this is a year to remember, then we would very much appreciate the support.”

• www.shinecharity.org.uk

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NEWS & NOTES Helping you make the most of Nene living

Win tickets to see Bryan Adams

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E’VE teamed up with LCC Live to give one lucky reader and their guest the chance to see Bryan Adams play live in Peterborough, when he comes to the UK as part of his Get Up Tour.

We’ve one pair of tickets to give away for his show at The Embankment, Peterborough on Friday 5 August.

The legendary Canadian rocker will take to the stage under the night sky to perform tracks from his latest album, Get Up, as well as some of his greatest hits.

To be in with a chance of winning

the pair of tickets, simply answer the following question: Bryan Adams is touring the UK in 2016, but what is the name of his UK Tour?

1 Wake Up 2 Get Up 3 Get Down To enter, email the correct answer plus your name, address and mobile phone number to: localliving@btinternet.com. All entries to be received by 31 May 2016 latest. Your details will not be given to third parties.

Join in the Chorus

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Spring into action at Ferry Meadows

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T’S proving to be a busy spring at Ferry Meadows, with the recent opening of the new Badger Play Area, the arrival of two new swan pedaloes and two key events planned for May. OnProject1_Layout Monday 2 1 03/08/2015 May a Wildlife Festival Finale is a day of events and activities all designed to celebrate wildlife. And on Sunday 22 May there’s a Nene Outdoors Open Day which will feature lots of taster sessions for watersports – canoeing, kayaks, rowing boats and stand up paddle boards. Packers Canoe Club, Sailability, Vivacity Adapted Cycles,1Rutland Cycles and Lakeside 03/08/2015 14:16 Page Sailing Club will all be promoting their activities too.

• www.neneparktrust.org.uk

ETERBOROUGH’S Hereward Harmony Barbershop Chorus is looking for new members. Formed 27 years ago as a chorus of men wishing to sing in four part close harmony, the chorus has about 20 members comprising bass, baritone, lead and tenor voices.

“Men tend to think ‘I can’t sing and I can’t read music … so that rules me out’,” says Brian McDonnell. “Not so!

Everyone can sing – some better than others, but everyone can sing.

Don’t think you’re alone and don’t think you’re going to make a spectacle of yourself. All our members felt a little unsure when they first joined, but this quickly wears off. We’re not an elitist, starchy club – our members come from all walks of life. We’re a friendly bunch and we’ll make you feel welcome. You will be taught in the way of barbershop singing and will receive full training with the aid of score sheets, teach tapes and a monthly visit from a professional, well qualified, medal-winning voice coach.”

The Chorus performs 14:16 Page 1 several times a year at a variety of events – birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, retirement parties, fundraising charity events, store events, Christmas shows and funerals. “We also compete in the annual British Association of Barbershop Singers Convention – this year it’s in Harrogate over the May public holiday,” says Brian. “Last year we came top of our division and we hope to improve on this result in May.” • Hereward Harmony Barbershop Chorus meets every Thursday 7.30pm10pm at Napier Place Community Hall, Orton Wistow, Peterborough PE2 6XN. For more info call Brian McDonnell on 07740 987127.

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NEWS & NOTES Win a treat for your feet

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E’VE teamed up with Hotter at Queensgate Shopping Centre to celebrate the launch of the new h92 collection – they’re Hotter’s lightest ever shoes, with each one weighing approximately 140g (that’s the same as two large eggs!). Additionally, every h92 shoe has an extraordinarily light sole, to make your feet feel like they are walking on air.

Available in a variety of colours and styles, the h92 collection has something for everyone and every occasion; enjoy a day out shopping in the h92 Float or head to the gym in the h92 Feather. The full collection is available at Queensgate Shopping Centre, Peterborough and shoes start from just £49.

Hotter is giving one lucky reader the chance to win a pair of their choice. To enter, answer this simple question: What does each shoe in the h92 range weigh the same as?

A Two tomatoes B Two apples C Two large eggs Send your answer along with your name and contact number to info@perception-pr.co.uk by 31 May 2016 to be in with a chance of winning.

A N I M A L A D V O C AT E S

Cats and carriers…

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BAD experience with a carrier may have caused your cat to be worried, hide or become aggressive when you try to get him into it. Teaching your cat to enter his carrier is a step-by-step process. To train cats, you need patience and empathy – don’t rush it.

Place the carrier in an open space where you and your cat spend time together. Ideally, use ‘Feliway’ spray in the carrier before you place it in the same room as your cat. Once he acts as if he doesn’t really care you’ve made a great step forward.

Start feeding him closer and closer to the carrier. If he doesn’t eat next to the carrier or skips more than one meal, move the bowls further away from the carrier until he eats. Gradually move the bowls back toward the carrier until he eats his food comfortably in front of it.

Next, stand by him while he’s eating. Drop some tasty treats into his bowl to encourage him to eat whilst you are near the carrier. Crouch down, place a treat in the doorway and when he leans or steps in say “Get in” or “Enter.” Once he’s happily taking treats from the ledge then place his bowl with some treats just inside the carrier door. Next, place a couple of tasty treats even further back to encourage him to step further into the carrier and continue until he will eat with all four feet inside. He should be confident to enter the carrier and eat happily.

To accustom him to the door closing, scatter in a couple of treats, close it, but don’t secure it.

Wait for two seconds and then repeat scattering treats inside as you open the door. At this point, your cat should be free to leave the carrier through the open door. Very slowly build up the time that you keep the door shut.

Being lifted off the ground and carried around is usually stressful for cats so don’t rush this step. When your cat’s inside, gently lift the carrier off the ground a few inches. Then set it back down, scatter in a couple of treats and open the door. When your cat chooses to eat the treats instead of running out of the carrier, you’ve successfully completed this final step!

• Wood Green The Animals Charity offers a low-fee advice service for dogs and cats. If you would like behaviour or training advice for your pet please call 01480 830014 ext 1281.

Sacrewell celebrates with a spring thirst- Playground for quencher Wansford – at last!

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A

FTER a long wait, the children of Wansford finally have a playground where they can let off steam and meet up with friends.

The new facility is the result of the work of Wansford Parish Council, Nene Valley Tots and the Augean Community Fund.

Becky Eames of Nene Valley Tots, a community group which runs a weekly session in the village hall, says: “We were the only village locally with no play equipment, and it’s fantastic that we no longer need to travel to a park – it’s important to the tots and also parents and carers to have somewhere local to walk to, and meet neighbours. We’re really pleased that the play area has been designed with the input of local residents and we are thrilled with the results.”

Plans are to continue to raise funds for more seating, and the local Horticultural Society has offered to help with planting on the site.

The playground is in Nene Close, Wansford PE8 6JJ and can also be accessed from Peterborough Road, where on-street parking is available.

PHOTO: TOM EAMES

ACREWELL is celebrating spring in the countryside with the launch of its own-name real ale at a two-day event this month.

The Sacrewell Spring Fair is an annual event but this year, like the season it represents, it has had a new lease of life. The event on 21 and 22 May will be held at Sacrewell Mill, where visitors will be able to join in Maypole and Morris Dancing, try their hand at milling and bread-making and relax while listening to live music and tasting real ales – including Sacrewell’s new own brew which will be launched at the event.

PR and Communications Manager Megan Allen explains that the farm has been working with a local brewery to bottle Sacrewell own Miller’s Ale. “We have a really good working relationship with The Grainstore Brewery in Oakham and having toured their brewery last year, we decided to create our own bottled ale. The ale and bottle will celebrate our 18th-century Grade II* listed watermill and will be a tribute to the hard working men and women of the mill.”

• Sacrewell is just off the A1 and A47 at Wansford, Peterborough and is open 9.30am-5pm every day. www.sacrewell.org.uk

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Since then she’s been a designer for a high street print company, an artwork co-ordinator, marketing co-ordinator, marketing & design manager and marketing manager.

Lauren says: “I love design, artwork, branding – it’s what I’m good at.

I’ve been the client and I understand what it is you need to effectively propel your brand. I’m now using that experience to offer a professional, honest and transparent approach to creative marketing.”

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NEWS & NOTES Boundary disputes: Crossing the Line?

One of the most frequent issues that arise between neighbours, whether commercial, residential or agricultural, is a dispute over the boundary between their respective properties. As Andrew Hornsby of Hegarty Solicitors explains, every piece of land – whether or not it is registered with the Land Registry – has exact legal boundaries…

T

HE legal boundary is an invisible line that divides one property from another. The physical boundary is a feature such as a fence or a hedge, which may or may not follow the line of the legal boundary and can change over time. There may be many reasons for the physical boundary to change, such as a wooden fence that moves slightly over time and is replaced. The reason for the change is rarely recorded and can easily lead to a dispute. Under these circumstances, The Land Registration Act 2002 allows the exact line of a boundary to be determined and recorded on a registered title, which would avoid any future boundary disputes.

The first stage of dealing with a boundary dispute is to check the title deeds of the property to establish the position of the boundaries. The Land Registry records the general position of the boundaries using the adapted Ordnance Survey Plan, which may not accurately represent the true ground position of the boundaries. The red line drawn around a property on the Land Registry plan only shows the general boundary. Ordnance Survey maps are equally unreliable, because they do not mark the exact property boundary.

Surveyors could be used to survey the land, check deeds and the plans attached to them, and refer to documents and aerial photographs.

However, even with this information, boundaries can be difficult to confirm. An expert may agree with your view of the boundary, only for your neighbour to find an expert that believes it is somewhere else. This division between experts is why boundary disputes do sometimes resort to a Judge making a decision as to where the boundary may lie. However, this should be a last resort, because the costs of such an exercise can be high. It is therefore advisable to consider attempting to resolve matters by correspondence, mediation or a site meeting, to determine the true lie of the land.

To avoid potential disputes, it is worthwhile accumulating documents that establish boundaries, as this will assist if any issues arise.

• Andrew Hornsby is a Partner in the Commercial Litigation department at Hegarty Solicitors. 01733 295635; email: andrew.hornsby@hegarty.co.uk

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Illness cover is… critical Personal finance expert Jonathan Weston is urging readers to check that their dependants would be adequately protected in the event of a serious illness or death.

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HE first priority of anyone with a partner, children or other dependants should be to take out life insurance,” says Jonathan, of Albany Park Finance. “But because this only pays out if you die, either critical illness cover or income protection should be considered too. Critical illness cover pays out a tax-free cash lump sum if you are diagnosed with a qualifying illness listed on your policy – these usually include conditions such as some forms of heart attacks, cancers, strokes or kidney failure, or serious procedures such as a coronary bypass or a transplant. The one-off lump sum differentiates critical illness cover from income protection, which pays a regular income and also covers a wider range of health conditions.

“No-one wants to claim on these types of insurance – but you’ll certainly be relieved you took it out if you need to. Critical illness cover can prove invaluable if you are unfortunate enough to be diagnosed with one of the specified serious illnesses listed on your policy. It offers the reassurance that in these circumstances you will receive a lump sum which can be used to pay off a mortgage or to meet your family’s monthly outgoings while you concentrate on getting better.”

Critical illness cover can be bought as a stand-alone product or in combination with life insurance.

However, Jonathan warns that there can be huge variations between the terms of one policy and another, so it is essential to read and compare details carefully. “Critical illness policies commonly cover more than 40 conditions, but there will inevitably be some serious conditions that are not covered. Some forms of cancer that are included on some policies may not necessarily be covered on others. There are also circumstances in which an illness must have advanced to a certain stage before a payout will be made.

A good critical illness policy will offer guaranteed premiums, so you know where you stand. It will also pay out if one of your dependant children is diagnosed with one of the qualifying illnesses. And it will pay out if you are totally and permanently disabled, regardless of the illness involved.”

• Albany Park Finance, 2 St Osyths Lane, Oundle PE8 4BG. 01832 720691.

Email: jonathan.weston@albanyparkfinance.co.uk

Give golf a try – it’s good for you!

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NE of the region’s leading golf clubs is highlighting the health and fitness benefits of the sport to coincide with the launch of its 2016 Academy.

The Academy at Burghley Park Golf Club is run by Club Professional Mark Jackson and aims to give people an introduction to the sport without incurring the full cost and commitment of membership and equipment. “It can be quite daunting for a beginner to consider joining a golf club; The Academy at Burghley Park offers a perfect opportunity to try the game before you commit to it,” says Mark. “The Academy means you’re fully prepared and equipped to enjoy everything the sport offers. We’ll loan golf clubs and other equipment as required. It also offers excellent value for money.”

An Academy season ticket costs £300 for adults, £200 for intermediates (aged 18-30) and full-time students and £125 for Juniors (under 18). Academy members may access up to 15 professional coaching clinics (12 for juniors) in the 2016 season, which runs until October, and they have exclusive access to Burghley Park’s new three-hole, par three Academy Course,

unlimited use of the club practice ground, clubhouse, and fast track membership if they decide to take up the sport full-time.

Burghley Park Ladies Captain Gail Hunt, who is a retired GP, says golf offers numerous health benefits whatever your age: • Heart health – like all forms of physical exercise, walking and swinging a golf club helps your heart rate and blood flow.

• Brain stimulation – regular exercise may help age-related deterioration in function.

• Weight loss – a male golfer burns about 2,500kCal per round of 18 holes and ladies around 1,500kCal. • Reduced stress – the pleasure of walking in the fresh air, socialising and the added mental challenge means that endorphins help make you happy and relaxed.

• Improved sleep – exercise and fresh air are a powerful combination.

• Low injury – golf is a low-impact activity.

• Live longer – one study found that golfers have a five-year increase in life expectancy.

• To find out more, contact Burghley Park Club Professional Mark Jackson on 01780 753789; email: professional@ burghleyparkgolfclub.co.uk

NENE LIVING MAY 2016

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NENE PEOPLE

Vito Fierro

Jonathan Craymer meets the heir to one of Peterborough’s best-known,family-run estate agents

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NYONE who’s listened to all the media doom and gloom about the property market might not believe their eyes and ears. Step inside the smartly grey-painted frontage of number 6 Cowgate and you’re immediately immersed in an unexpected and almost breathtaking bustle of activity .

This is City & County estate agents, now presided over by Vito Fierro. In an ordinarysized shop there are some 22 people employed, and although it’s only a Wednesday morning everyone seems extremely busy. Most are on the phone. Someone calls out that a property sale has completed just six minutes before deadline! I hear another being instructed in the use of the company’s computer system.

“We realised a long time ago that quality of service and knowing how to deal with customers on a one-to-one basis was our main weapon against the advent of things like online property sales,” Vito tells me. “For this reason we employ full-time staff who do nothing but train their colleagues.”

The firm was originally set up in 1979 as a concession in the then Shelton’s department store on Broadway. Soon after it outgrew that and moved into its own shop across the road. In 2000 there was another move to Cowgate, and in 2008 City & County settled where it is now.

“It’s the best site for an estate agent in Peterborough as it’s so visible from St John’s Square. We get a massive footfall in our present location, which helps with both the selling and letting of properties. As we get so many prospective tenants coming through the door, it allows us to be extremely selective on behalf of landlords. And anyone who tells you prospective property buyers are all sitting at home on their laptops or iPads doesn’t know what they’re talking about!”

This is truly a family firm. In fact his dad Peter and mum Pasqui founded the business, and Pasqui still performs the same role, ensuring that prospective sales progress to a satisfactory conclusion, reducing the possibility of sales collapsing. So how does Vito, in his late 30s, feel about estate agency as a profession City & County’s busy front office being the butt of so

“Anyone who tells you prospective property buyers are all sitting at home on their laptops or iPads doesn’t know what they’re talking about!”

many jokes? “In Britain we love to poke fun at solicitors, double glazing salesmen and yes, estate agents. However in reality it’s certainly not justified. Anyone who doesn’t believe that is welcome to spend the afternoon in our office, drinking a nice cup of coffee and seeing just how hard we work.

“We have a traditional hotel-style desk bell, and every time a sale is agreed, the person responsible punches that bell and everyone applauds. It’s a great feeling because we know it’s a win-win for all concerned, and that bell is sounding all the time. It’s not surprising that we pride ourselves on having the highest rate of turning enquiries into sales in the city.

“We have a great team who obviously love working here. Inevitably as we help to develop their skills to such a high level, people get poached by other firms from time to time, but it’s another source of pride that we welcome so many back,” he grins.

Under Vito’s leadership the company is expanding at a sensible pace. It has a branch in Crowland and is about to open another in Yaxley. There are other irons in the fire he can’t discuss yet. But clearly he feels that Peterborough as a main base is unbeatable.

“This city is cosmopolitan and colourful.

Oddly, incomers seem to appreciate it more than the indigenous population. Ask one of those who have lived here for decades if they’ve been in the Cathedral, or regularly visit Ferry Meadows, and they may say no. Yet we have a wonderful café society here now.”

What about the buy-to-let-market, currently occupying so many column inches in the financial press, driven by Chancellor George Osborne and his tax changes? Vito smiles and pauses before answering, keen not to offend me.

“Journalists love to play these things up, don’t they? Yet the truth is that property is and always will be one of the best things to put your cash into, and as an investment it’s second-to-none.

People have short memories and the rental property market has a great future.”

• City & County is at 6 Cowgate, Peterborough PE1 1NA. 01733 563965 (sales), 01733 561161 (lettings); www. cityandcounty.net NENE LIVING MAY 2016

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It’s a

dog’s life!

Julie Howell and her canine companion Reggie sniff out some of the Nene Valley’s nicest dog-walking locations

Ferry Meadows

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LL dogs need a ‘functional’ walk to answer the call of nature, track the scent of other dogs and leave their own calling card. But many – even those like my Lhasa Apso Reggie, who only has little legs – love a longer, more challenging walk.

Reggie and I are members of the fantastic Dog Walking Group (Peterborough) at www.facebook.com/groups/ peterboroughgroupdogwalk. Free ‘on lead’ walks happen monthly during summer and are organised by dog fanatic Emma Wood. We joined a walk around Ferry Meadows Country Park (Ham Lane, PE2 5UU) where we met lots of other owners (about 30 on the walk we joined), all keen to give their pet some interesting exercise and the opportunity to socialise with other dogs. I asked members of the dog walk group where they like to take their dogs for walkies and, armed with their local knowledge, Reggie and I set off to tackle the most popular recommendations.

The first place we visited was Crown Lakes Country Park, accessible via Haddon Way, Farcet PE7 3BA. Parking is limited but free.

Despite living in Peterborough for a number of years, I had no idea this beautiful nature reserve existed. Like several of the walks we tried, Crown Lakes is a disused brick pit that has been sensitively transformed into a nature

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reserve. Managed by O&H Hampton, the park features several tranquil lakes set in luscious green landscape, with plentiful wildlife to see as you walk its many trails. I was pleased to see ample dog bins about the park and the cinder paths make walking easy (although some were a bit waterlogged when we visited). It’s easy to understand why this is such a popular location with dog walkers. It’s gorgeous.

• www.ohhampton.co.uk/ hampton-outdoors/crownlakes-country-park

I

was extremely curious about our next port of call, Barnack Hills and Holes National Nature Reserve (off Wittering Road, Barnack) and wondered what sort of place this could be. I was expecting something truly bizarre and magical, and wasn’t disappointed!

Hills and Holes used to be a medieval limestone quarry and is best described as ‘hummocky’! To protect the beautiful habitat you are asked to stick to the marked trails where possible. I must point out that you need to be fairly physically fit to If you’re looking for a canine tackle the terrain. Reggie ur next stop was a companion, local dog rescues had no trouble with it, few miles across include Homes4Dogs but I was huffing and Peterborough at puffing along behind another disused brick (www.homes4dogs.co.uk) him! However, I did see pit. Eye Green Nature in Wansford and Wood an older couple walking Reserve (Pershore Green, The Animals Charity their dog through a Way, Eye Village PE6 (www.woodgreen.org.uk) in fairly flat region of the 7QL) is maintained by Godmanchester reserve, so do pay a visit the Wildlife Trusts, and and see how you get on. is teeming with wildlife, Hills and Holes is free to enter including swans and waterfowl with free parking. of various varieties. The narrow • www.fbhh.org.uk path is a circular route around the lake, and although quite near busy main roads, at times you really do feel like you are in the nother lovely area where walking is free countryside. There is limited free parking. is Nine Bridges, which is on the border • www.wildlifebcn.org/reserves/eye-greenbetween Glinton and Northborough (access off brick-pit Lincoln Road). Here you can walk for as long as

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Eye Green

Hills and Holes

Crown Lakes

you like through unspoilt countryside, enjoying views of the Maxey Cut (River Welland). Pick a nice day and just go and explore – there are plenty of places to park for free.

If you like river walks you’re spoilt for choice in the Nene Valley. The Nene Park Trust has established the Nene Way, which enables you to walk for miles along the banks of the River Nene.

Reggie and I live in Orton Northgate, Peterborough, so we walked half a mile to the village of Alwalton and picked up the trail of the Nene Way there (accessible via a public footpath at the end of Mill Lane). We walked for a couple of miles through the area known as Black Dike, but you can walk as far as you like – I’m told some dog walkers trek all the way to Wansford and catch the Nene Valley Railway (www.nvr.org.uk) back to Ferry Meadows!

The Nene Way is 110 miles long, offering plenty of interesting walks in relatively quiet surroundings. Have a look on a map and pick a starting point.

We took an additional stroll along the Nene Way (Splash Dike) at Castor, parking in the free car park in Splash Lane (Castor PE5 7BD). It was on this walk that I bumped into another dog walker who looked like he knew his way around.

The advice he gave me proved extremely useful: look at an Ordnance Survey map of the area and pick out public footpaths as they tend to be

Lyveden

excellent for dog walking – what a great idea! moated garden of breathtaking beauty. Dogs Another useful feature of our area is the are welcome but must be walked on the lead.

‘Green Wheel’ – 50 miles of cycle paths that We spent a wonderful day here, exploring the encircle and criss-cross Peterborough. If you gorgeous surroundings and I enjoyed homedon’t want to walk your dog near to the river, baked cakes in the Cottage Tea Room. Check this provides miles of safe walking. the website for opening hours and Places of historic interest can prices. also be lovely for dog walking, • www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ though be careful to check lyveden whether dogs are actually Other walks to try... permitted – in most s I did my tour Barnwell Country Park: ornamental gardens of the best www.barnwellcountryparkfriends. they won’t be! places to walk your org.uk We visited Deene dog I kept my eyes Cuckoo’s Hollow Nature Reserve: Park (Corby NN17 3EW) open for wheelchair off Fulbridge Road, Werrington, which is open to visitors accessibility.

Peterborough PE4 6QZ on certain days of the I’m afraid to say Fineshade Woods: year (check the website that few of the free www.forestry.gov.uk/toplodge for opening hours and places we visited looked prices). Although I couldn’t particularly hospitable take Reggie into the gardens to wheelchair users. Crown we were allowed to walk together Lakes might be okay (but not in the extensive estate grounds, which are when the paths are flooded) and lovely. the path around Eye Lake is flat but narrow.

• www.deenepark.com Hills and Holes is definitely inaccessible, but both Deene Park and (to an extent) Lyveden have areas that a person using a wheelchair inally, we paid a visit to a very special could probably get around. Ferry Meadows place near Oundle. Lyveden, a National is definitely the most accessible of the walks Trust property, is an extraordinary place.

I visited. My advice is to do a bit of research Set in acres of unspoilt countryside, it is the before you travel. site of an unfinished Elizabethan lodge and

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From wasteland to waterside gem One of the town’s most talked-about developments,Oundle Wharf stands on former wasteland.Nick Rennie finds out more about the flourishing satellite business park

I

T was a derelict eyesore on the outskirts of Oundle just four years ago. But now, after an investment of more than £1million, it is transformed into a thriving social and business hub.

We are talking about Oundle Wharf, where new development has provided five extra shop units and 3,000 square feet of office space to add to the restaurant, brewery, bike shop, florist and adventure holiday company already there.

The scheme is the brainchild of site owners Dick Simpson and David Burnett, who own Nene Valley Brewery and the neighbouring Tap & Kitchen. Excited by the potential of the development, Dick insists it complements businesses operating in the town centre.

“This was a derelict site before and it was an eyesore,” he says. “But we thought we could do something with it. The aim was to provide somewhere for businesses which would not detract from those in town. It’s not a money-grabbing exercise – I live in Oundle and I want it to be a nice place for people to come to.”

New arrivals include award-winning Hambleton Bakery – the company has returned to Oundle to open its sixth shop here – and Amps Fine Wines. Philip Amps says: “The Wharf will make us more visible and stop us being one of Oundle’s best-kept secrets.” It’s an expansion for the business as Amps’ Market Place shop is to remain open, although with a new focus – Philip says larger and more regular tasting events will be held there.

The Gorilla Firm, whose specialist road cycle shop was the first tenant on the site, have knocked through from their existing premises to take up one of the new units. There’s a sense of luxury as you walk through the door and see the racks of high-end bikes. There is also a special machine which customers sit on so staff can build them a new bike based on their body size and shape.

Justine Perkins, who co-owns the business with husband Linds Moules, says: “Oundle Wharf provides a great location for our business. Our customers come from all over the country for our custom bike builds, bike fits and service. Not only is Oundle a beautiful market town, the Wharf has such a buzz about it that people are happy to come and take advantage of all the facilities including the brewery, restaurant and river walks. Many of our customers are so pleased to have discovered a little gem of a location in the middle of Northamptonshire that they come back, often bringing friends and family with them.”

“Wander around the site,which is bordered by pleasant fields and rippling water, and it’s difficult to imagine it ever being an eyesore” Nene Valley Brewery, which produces and sells a range of cask and bottled ales, has also expanded into a unit to ensure it can now triple its capacity.

The offices, which have spectacular views across the countryside around Oundle, are available for let. They are roomy and light and high speed internet has been installed.

Dick says: “The businesses we have here are not suitable for the town centre because Oundle has a problem with parking, as everyone knows. Hopefully people will see the site as somewhere they can come and shop and have a pint and a meal while they are here.”

This is a special time for Nene Valley Brewery, which has recently brewed its one-millionth pint since being founded in the summer of 2012. It sells beer all over the country, its most popular brews currently including the colourfully-named Release The Chimps, Australian Pale and the trademark Nene Valley Bitter.

Dick is happy with progress. “It’s been very hard work and we’ve had to really work to grow sales,” he explains. “This is a tough business to be in, with a lot of competitors. We have now brewed one million pints and we are tripling our capacity. But there is a limit that small businesses get tax relief on and we don’t really want to go over that.”

Wander around the site, which is bordered by pleasant fields and rippling water, and it’s difficult to imagine it ever being an eyesore. Big crowds are expected this summer when – as part of the Oundle International Festival – the site hosts music festival Party at the Wharf on July 9 and an outdoor cinema showing of Grease on July 16.

“People in Oundle have thanked us for what we are doing here,” says Dick. “There are 40 jobs which weren’t available before the development started. Hopefully everyone is happy with it and they come along to support the businesses.”

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Four years ago the site was a derelict eyesore (top left and above left); now it’s a thriving social and business hub (above) where companies including Hambleton Bakery (above right) have taken up residence. Specialist cycle company The Gorilla Firm have expanded into one of the new units here (right and below right). Dick Simpson, owner of Nene Valley Brewery and the Tap & Kitchen (left) believes the development complements existing businesses in Oundle town centre and says: “Hopefully everyone is happy with it and will come along to support the businesses.”

NENE LIVING MAY 2016

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20/04/2016 14:14

NENE PEOPLE

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH! Bringing a new form of horsepower to Oundle’s police force – meet Cody!

WORDS: GILLIAN BENDALL PHOTOGRAPH: TIM SANDALL

H

ELPING to keep our communities and countryside safe, nine-year-old Cody is a regular sight with his owner and Oundle-based Police Community Support Officer Natasha Fountain. The pair patrol the villages of East Northamptonshire weekly – their patch stretches from Apethorpe to Aldwincle, Harringworth to Warmington – and are proving a real asset to the force’s crime prevention efforts, as well as a talking point for all they meet.

“Intelligence-gathering is a big part of my job as a PCSO,” says Natasha, “and Cody is a great ice-breaker. People will talk to me because they want to know about him, and as we become familiar faces in the community, a sense of trust is established.”

Natasha has been a Police Community Support Officer for seven years, and is one of a team of seven working from the Glapthorn Road station in Oundle. Alongside two Police Constables, they are the eyes and ears of the Northamptonshire force in 43 villages covering an area of 290 square miles. Civilian in rank, the PCSOs have a duty to act in the same manner and to the same standards as a Police Constable, though their non-confrontational role means they are not expected to intervene in high-risk situations. They can, however, make a ‘citizen’s arrest’ and have the power to detain a suspected offender.

Locally, an ‘agile working’ approach and mobile technology means our PCSOs spend much of their time in the community. In uniform and equipped with laptops, radios and forward-facing cameras, they’re a reassuring sight and an essential part of the Safer Communities Team.

Natasha bred Cody herself – his mother was a Warmblood and his father an American Appaloosa – and was asked whether she’d take him out on patrol by her constabulary bosses in January last year.

“In just the same way that you see different things when you’re out on foot or on a bike as opposed to when you’re in a car, being on horseback gives me a different perspective on what’s going on,” Natasha says.

“Patrolling on horseback means I can look out for issues with bridleways and footpaths of course, but I’m also able to see where there’s been flytipping and I can spot potential rave sites – I get to know the farmers and can alert them if I think field entrances have been interfered with. We’re also watching out for countryside crimes such as hare coursing and poaching – working with Cody gives a heads-up on so many things.”

Standing at just over 16 hands high, Cody is handsome and happy in his work. It’s important that Natasha demonstrates best-practice in horse welfare too, so for duty Cody dons hoof and leg protectors and there’s even a little flashing light on his tail to alert approaching traffic.

“He loves the attention,” says Natasha. “He’s a real townie in fact. If anything, the things he likes least are grassy fields and muddy gateways… but put him in the centre of Oundle for an afternoon and he’s very happy!”

Thankfully when the going gets too ‘tough’ for Cody, Natasha has another horse she can call into action – Jay, her 18-year-old Appaloosa absolutely loves going out for a day’s work too.

• Oundle Police Station is at Glapthorn Road, Oundle PE8 4JA; 03000 111 222. You can follow the work of the Futures Policing team on Twitter – search for @OundlePolice.

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19/04/2016 15:55

FOOD & DRINK Food for thought…

How much meat do you eat? It could be more than is good for you – and the planet – according to organic farm and food box business Riverford REPORT: GILLIAN BENDALL PHOTOGRAPHY: TIM SANDALL

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CCUSATIONS of a ‘Nanny state’ abound as we’re told what we should and shouldn’t eat. But organic farm and food box business Riverford takes a more gentle approach with its latest campaign – a debate on the health and economic issues surrounding our modern diet, particularly how much meat we eat (see p24 for facts and figures that explain why).

Founder Guy Watson built the business on his obsession for veg, but now the Riverford team say there’s mounting evidence that we’re cultivating too many animals and we’re eating and producing more meat than is good for us and the planet. Their message is simple: eating meat should be considered a privilege rather than a daily practice.

“There is little doubt that in the developed world we eat more animal products than is good for our health, for the environment

and for the well-being of the less affluent,” says the Sacrewell farm’s James Negus. “We think veg should be the star of the plate, with a little bit of good organic meat as a garnish.”

Born and raised on the family farm at Riverford in South Devon, in the 1980s Guy Watson converted to farming organically. His antipathy to selling to supermarkets led him to set up a weekly veg box scheme and he started out delivering by wheelbarrow to 30 friends locally.

Today, Riverford delivers around 47,000 boxes every week to homes around the UK with veg grown at four regional farms, supplemented by a number of independent organic farmers and growers. An average of 7,500 boxes are delivered weekly from Sacrewell, where 45-50 staff are employed to handle customer orders, distribution and to farm the 450 acres there.

Crispy roasted potatoes and purple sprouting broccoli (serves two as a main, four as a side dish) • 300g waxy potatoes, peeled and cut into 2cm dice • 200g purple sprouting broccoli, cut into even-sized florets • 3tbsp sunflower oil • 1 cooking chorizo, skin removed • Juice of half a lemon • 2tbsp olive oil • Salt and black pepper • Preheat the oven to 200C. Put the sunflower oil in a deep roasting tray and put in the oven for 2-3 minutes to heat up. When it’s very hot, carefully remove the tray from the oven and put the potatoes in the roasting tray and season with plenty of salt and pepper. Place in the oven to roast for 25-30 minutes, turning frequently to brown and crisp the potatoes all over.

• Meanwhile, place the purple sprouting broccoli in a separate roasting tray and toss with the olive oil and season with a little salt and pepper. Cover in aluminium foil and roast in the oven for 5-6 minutes.

• While the broccoli and potatoes are roasting, cut the chorizo into rough chunks and cook in a frying pan over a medium heat until cooked through and crispy in places.

Drain on some kitchen paper.

• Once the potatoes and broccoli are cooked, drain the potatoes on some kitchen paper to remove the excess oil and layer on a platter with the chorizo sprinkled over the top. Drizzle with the lemon juice and serve with wild garlic mayonnaise.

Wild garlic mayonnaise

• 3 organic egg yolks • 1tsp Dijon mustard • Juice of half a lemon • 400ml mild olive oil • 2 handfuls of wild garlic, washed thoroughly • Salt and black pepper • Put all the ingredients except the oil in a food processor and blend for 10-15 seconds until well combined. Slowly pour in the oil while the motor is running until the mixture has thickened and goes glossy. Season to taste.

Nene Living visited Sacrewell Farm when ‘seasonal star’ purple sprouting broccoli was at its best. Vigorous, wild and woollylooking, PSB appears when other greens are in short supply and is enjoying something of a renaissance in recent years. It’s a good source of caretenoids, folic acid, calcium, fibre, vitamins A and C and iron – so a great all-rounder for those who like to have a healthy diet. Serve simply with olive oil and lemon, drizzle with creamy hollandaise, dip into a soft boiled egg or try Riverford events co-ordinator Anna Shepherd’s delicious recipe below.

See and sample…

• Guided tours of Riverford’s Sacrewell Farm take place every last Wednesday of the month throughout summer – the next one will be on 25 May and the last on 28 September. Tickets are £6 and, after a walk around fields full of seasonal produce, guests get to enjoy a tasty selection of Riverford goodies including pies, soups and salads.

Full details are at: www.riverford. co.uk/pet/aboutus/ events-home/ events-walks/ walks-sacrewell • If you’re visiting Devon, the Riverford Field Kitchen is open every day for lunch and most evenings for supper. Expect a feast of freshlypicked seasonal produce straight from the fields, with organic meat and fish options.

The Riverford Field Kitchen is at Wash Farm, Buckfastleigh TQ11 0JU. • Alternatively, for a City treat try the Duke of Cambridge in London. Britain’s first and only certified organic pub, founder Geetie Singh married Riverford’s Guy Watson in June 2014 and, inevitably, their businesses followed suit! Whether you want an intimate table for two or dinner with business colleagues, the restaurant here offers a daily-changing a la carte blackboard menu based on what’s at its best in the fields.

The Duke of Cambridge is at 30 St Peter’s Street, Islington, London N1 8JT; 020 7359 3066. www.dukeorganic.co.uk

refresh your diet with a weekly organic vegbox delivered free to your door

www.riverford.co.uk/sacrewell 01803 227227 NENE LIVING MAY 2016

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FOOD & DRINK

Veg takes a starring role in the Riverford kitchen at Sacrewell Farm

The facts behind Riverford’s ‘How Much Meat?’ campaign • The livestock sector is the world’s largest user of agricultural land: crop- and pasture-land account for 50 per cent of the world’s ice-free land. Pigs, poultry and intensively produced (grain-fed) cows compete with the world’s poor for grain produced on fertile arable land.

• Livestock numbers have increased in the last 12 years, with cattle up 23 per cent, pigs up 13 per cent and chicken numbers increased by 106 per cent. Sheep numbers have remained almost static.

• Between 1963 and 2014, meat production rose from 78 million tons to more than 300 million tons.

• UK diets, according to the government, currently stand at an average of 3,450 calories a day and protein at 70.6g a day (132 per cent of the recommended daily intake, of which 23 per cent is from animal sources). The consumption of beef has increased by 28 per cent from 1961.

• Ruminants (cows, sheep, goats and grass-fed cows) release large quantities of methane (about 20 per cent of the world total). As methane is 21 times more potent as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, it’s been argued that ruminants contribute substantially to global warming – 18 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions are estimated to be the result of farm livestock, compared to 13 per cent for transport.

• For more on the How Much Meat? campaign, log on to: www.riverford.co.uk/pet/how-much-meat

Sweet treat in store this summer

The ultimate doughnut experience arrives in Peterborough this summer when Krispy Kreme opens one of its trademark Hotlight stores at Cygnet Green, Hampton. The 40-cover restaurant will be one of 11 in the UK. Facilities will include a ‘drive-thru’ lane and a Hotlight store which will supply fresh doughnuts to all Krispy Kreme in-store cabinets within a one-hour radius, and also allow consumers to watch the doughnuts being made.

Judith Denby, Chief Marketing Officer for Krispy Kreme, says: “Our Hotlight stores provide the ultimate way for doughnut lovers to experience the joy and excitement of Krispy Kreme, and we can’t wait to open the doors in Peterborough later this summer. It will allow customers to see and smell the magic at work in its unique doughnut theatre – a true sensory experience.”

From hand-dipping doughnuts to sprinkling and piping the decorative finishes, Krispy Kreme’s skilled production teams will work around the clock to ensure each doughnut in its 16-strong range tastes delicious.

The store will also offer customers two great doughnut companions - Krispy Kreme coffee, made from 100 per cent freshly ground Arabica beans and served however you like it by the store’s dedicated baristas, and its delicious and creamy Kreme shakes.

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Have your cake – and eat it!

Dieters no longer need to feel deprived when they’re out with family and friends thanks to a tasty new offering at Wadenhoe’s rustic Old Barn tea room and café. Much of what’s served there is made on the premises with fresh and local produce, and owner Andrea Neal says: “I have so many friends who are on diets – many of them in Slimming World – and they were complaining that they couldn’t eat cake, so I thought I needed to do something.” Her solution? “I have designed a full luxury afternoon tea to include healthy finger sandwiches, tasty mini scones with low-sugar jam and low-fat creme fresh and sugar-free mini cakes – all within the ‘syns’ allocation that Slimming World members are allowed each day.”

Booking for the Slimming World afternoon tea is essential as the goodies are made to order and the cost is £13 per head for a minimum of two people.

• The Old Barn at Wadenhoe is open Monday-Sunday: 9.30am-5.30pm. Mill Lane, Wadenhoe PE8 5XD; 01832 721129. www.theoldbarnatwadenhoe.co.uk

The Côte is clear…

Late summer has been suggested as a possible opening date for Côte Brasserie, which will create around 40 jobs in what used to be the Santander bank in Church Street, Peterborough.

The French bistro-style restaurant will seat more than 140 diners on the ground and first floors and there’ll be seating for a further dozen diners outside.

Hoardings went up as work got under way on the conversion of the former city centre bank into a £1m bistro. Côte champions relaxed all-day dining and serves authentic French classics made from quality, fresh ingredients. Career opportunities at the new Peterborough brasserie are now being advertised on Côte’s website.

• www.cote-restaurants.co.uk

NENE LIVING MAY 2016

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THE GARDEN COOKHOUSE COMPANY S P E C I A L I S T S I N O U T D O O R C O O K I N G A N D E N T E R TA I N I N G

• Over 20 years’ experience of creating outdoor cooking and eating spaces • Design and build available from a modest barbecue to a full-blown outdoor kitchen

• Design and fabrication of bespoke cook-fires, braziers and firepits

• Wood-fired pizza ovens built to our own design or full installation of an Italian manufactured system To discuss options for outdoor cooking in your garden, please drop us a line by email or visit our website.

Contact: The Garden Cookhouse Company Phone: 07950 234497 • Email: mail@gardencookhouse.com Web: www.gardencookhouse.com

THE RED LION LUNCHTIME SPECIALS £9.95 - Tue – Sat Early Doors Buy ONE meal & get another HALF PRICE Tue – Sat (table clear by 8pm but only if required) The Famous Red Lion Sunday Lunch Serving at 12.00 noon, 1.00pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm

Warmington Tel: 01832 280362 A Great Country Pub • Real Home Produced Food • Homemade Desserts • Quality Real Ales • Candles, Fresh Flowers & Linen Napkins

(booking essential)

Book the Marquee for your Summer event!

Closed Mondays theredlionwarmington@gmail.com www.theredlionwarmington.co.uk

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19/04/2016 15:55

Visit Ben Burgess Coates for a full range of grounds care equipment including lawn mowers, chainsaws, hedge trimmers & gardening supplies

Open 7.30am - 5.30pm Mon-Fri, 8am - 12.30pm Sat Eldernell Lane, Coates, Peterborough PE7 2DD 01733 840777 | www.benburgess.co.uk

07 0 2 7 6 1780

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OUTDOOR LIVING Driven to succeed As mid-life crises go,Nick Smith’s was unusual.Weary of the motor trade he changed direction altogether, and now he’s restoring one of the area’s loveliest walled kitchen gardens

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HERE can be few more pictureperfect settings for a business – Nick Smith and his wife Christine took over the lease of The Walled Garden at Elton Hall in November 2013 and now are making their own mark on the historic site.

Previously, Nick had worked in marketing and sales with the UK importers of Volvo, Saab, Peugeot and Hyundai. “I was made redundant twice in fairly quick succession, fell out of love with the car business and decided to ‘follow my dream’ by finding some way of owning and running my own garden centre,” says Nick. “My ‘mid-life crisis’ was to buy a business, rather than the more traditional one of getting a motorbike or sports car!”

The couple took over an existing tea room and farm shop in 2003, setting up a new garden centre on the same site and more than doubling the size of the tea room. They bought a second very rundown centre in 2006, which they also built up. So why the move to Elton? “I first saw this site about eight years ago – just looking at local competition, as I sometimes do – and quite honestly I wanted to run it immediately,” says Nick. “It is just the best location for a garden centre I’ve seen. Being in a walled garden (which I’ve also always wanted) and in the countryside, it has a great atmosphere.”

Now in its third year and with a really happy, helpful and knowledgeable team on board, the business is clearly doing well. But it wasn’t an easy start. “Most people in the area thought the site was closed – mainly because the previous tenants ran an eight-month long ‘closing down sale’ before we took over. That made for a difficult first year,” says Nick. “Before that a series of tenants had tried to make it work. However, we have moved the focus back to plants and trees, and we are seeing significant growth. The tea room is also becoming very successful.”

Since Nick’s arrival, the whole site has been refurbished and the plant display expanded. “Our vision is to bring fruit, herb and vegetable production back to the walled garden,” says Nick. “We’ll use the ‘secret garden’ – a half-acre walled area which is hidden behind the walls you

can see from the garden centre. We’d like to appoint a new head gardener (probably the first one for 40-50 years) and recruit some volunteers to help us in the restoration.

“We’ll also try out some of the gardening tricks and techniques used by the Victorians, and grow some heirloom fruit and veg varieties.

The produce will be used in the tea room, so customers can eat what we produce as well as see it being grown.”

And when he’s not busy in the garden, Nick is researching the Elton Hall and Proby family archives to find out about the history of the walled garden. “We’ll display some of the archive images and papers, and put up some displays showing how the walled garden was used,” he says.

For now, though, there’s a buzz of activity as the team get the newseason stock into place. Nick’s picks for outdoors include: • Lots of lovely rhododendrons and azaleas, including new dwarf varieties ideal for containers.

• A much bigger range of shrubs than last year, great value – big plants for £7.99, three for £20!

• A new range of ferns including Dropteris crispa ‘The King’ – 90cm high, regal, dark green fronds.

• Paeony ‘Sarah Bernhard’ – big billowing double pink flowers in early summer; not new, but still a favourite.

• David Austin rose ‘The Poet’s Wife’ – strong yellow colour, fantastic scent and repeat flowering.

• Bergenia ‘Dragonfly Sakura’ – semi double pink flowers over green/ red foliage.

Every gardening essential can be found in the shop too – from a wildlife-friendly range of feeders and safe-havens to outdoor games, tuned windchimes and a new range of Fiskars secateurs, pruners, loppers and shears.

• Open 9am-5.30pm Monday-Saturday, 10am-5pm Sunday, The Walled Garden is at Elton Hall, Elton PE8 6SH. 01832 280058; www.eltonwalledgarden.co.uk

Keep your mower in top condition

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ITH the grass-cutting season upon us, it’s important to take care of your mower. Ben Burgess GroundsCare Equipment explains how…

Before cutting: • Fill the mower with fresh fuel – any left in the tank through winter storage may have degraded, making it hard to start the engine.

• Check your lawn for branches, twigs, stones and pet’s toys to avoid any damage to your mower blades.

• Replace the air filter if it has not been changed over winter. A clean air filter prevents dirt, dust and debris from getting into the engine.

• Brush away dry grass from the exhaust area and from the air filter before starting the engine.

After cutting: • Wash your mower down, especially after cutting damp grass, as excess wet grass under the deck can be corrosive and cause rust. Do not use a pressure washer as this may cause damage to seals. Always allow the mower to dry before storing it.

• Regular maintenance is essential to maximise the life of your equipment. Changing oil costs less than £6 for an average engine – it’s well worth the minimal investment.

• Keep your cutting blades sharp at all times. Damaged or blunt blades can cause an uneven grass cut and vibration, making your lawn appear tired and worn.

• Once the season is over, take your machine for a thorough service and some professional care.

Ben Burgess will be exhibiting its major agricultural, construction and grounds care brands at Huntingdon Racecourse on Thursday 12 May, 3-8pm. See the website for details.

• Ben Burgess GroundsCare Equipment, Eldernell Lane, Coates PE7 2DD; 01733 840777. www.benburgess.co.uk NENE LIVING MAY 2016

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STAYING LOCAL

A room with a pew

Travellers and trend-setters take note: ‘glamping’ is so last year! The new thing for those seeking experience and escapism is Champing… and you can do it right here, in the Nene Valley WORDS: GILLIAN BENDALL PHOTOGRAPHY: JOANNE MANN

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IRST there was camping, then came glamping. Today the art of ‘glamorous camping’ is more popular than ever with yurts, tree houses, shepherd’s huts and gypsy wagons all available as stay-thenight locations. But now there’s a new concept for those who want a really quirky getaway – sleeping overnight in a church.

The Churches Conservation Trust, which takes care of 347 churches around the UK that are no longer used for regular worship, is offering overnight stays for holidaymakers who want the ultimate unique experience. Named Champing – a portmanteau of ‘church’ and ‘camping’ – the concept was trialled last year and has now been rolled out to 10 churches across the south-east for summer 2016.

Almost two million people a year visit the parish churches cared for by the CCT – they include irreplaceable examples of architecture, archaeology and art from 1,000 years of history. Now those who want to linger longer can book a stay in these Grade I or II listed buildings, and help generate cash for their upkeep in the process.

Here in the Nene Valley, the handsome All Saints at Aldwincle (pictured on our front cover and at the foot of these pages) was one of the first Champing churches. Set at the edge of the village, the pinnacled and carved 15th-century tower dominates the landscape, while its elegant Medieval interior is cavernous with few furnishings, offering a rare chance to appreciate its beautiful limestone arcades and arches up-close. The 17th-century poet John Dryden was born in the rectory (now a private home) opposite, the eldest of 14 children, and baptised in the church where his grandfather was rector. He is buried in Westminster Abbey.

Creator of the Champing concept was Peter Aiers, Director of the CCT’s South East region.

Together with a small team of champing champions which includes wife Jessica, he’s created the last word in pop-up hospitality.

“Everything is set up ready for your arrival and put away when you leave,” explains Jessica. “It really is a one-off experience, and a great way for us to raise funds for the upkeep of these ancient buildings.

“The accommodation is basic, but that’s inkeeping with the atmosphere of the churches.

All Saints at Aldwincle was the original inspiration for the concept of Champing and is already a firm favourite with Champers. It’s truly magical at dusk and as the moonlight comes in through the clear glass windows… it’s very peaceful and not at all spooky.”

Champers arrive to find All Saints set up with ample camp-style seating, battery-operated candles and lanterns, good-quality camp beds,

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rugs, cushions and a supply of water. As with most of the Champing churches, there’s no heating but there is a new type of composting loo which works on solar power and is hygienic, non-whiffy and comfortable! “You really wouldn’t know the difference,” says Jessica “but for the system to be fully functional, it’s essential that every user sits down at all times – that includes the lads!”

The fee of £55 for each Champer aged 16 and over (£20 per child aged 15 and under) includes a slap-up feed the morning after, delivered fresh to your church door from nearby Pear Tree Farm. And if you’re feeling active, local company Canoe2 can supply canoes and all the essential equipment needed for a trip on the nearby River Nene.

• Everything you need to know about Champing, and the churches where you can try it for yourself, is at www.champing.co.uk.

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Let us stay...

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The beds are ready, the bubbly is open and the Champing party begins...

VERY morning when I peer out of my bedroom window I look across an historic walled garden and onto one of the most beautiful redundant churches in our region. It’s a romantic scene which, whether bathed in sunlight or mistfilled and moody, never fails to lift the spirits.

Waking up within such a church and looking at the view from inside-out was equally stunning – though after a night of birthday celebrations and little sleep due to the snore- and giggle-enhancing acoustics of St Cyriac & St Julitta in Swaffham Prior (top left), not all of my party were best-disposed to appreciate it.

The chance to try Champing a couple of weeks ago was perfect – my daughter was home from Uni, friends were free to join us after work, and my ever-patient partner proved expert at cramming the car with duvets, sleeping bags and other essentials.

Perched on a hill in a leafy churchyard, St Cyriac & St Julitta shares its space with the neighbouring church of St Mary’s. Both buildings have occupied the same Cambridgeshire churchyard for centuries and shared mixed fortunes along the way. By 1806 much of St Cyriac’s was a ruin with no roof; when the building was knocked down and a new structure built, the result was an elegant Georgian interior (main image) with slim columns, clear glass windows and acres of space.

St Cyriac & St Julitta was an ideal setting for our first Champing experience, not least because this church has a kitchen, loo and free Wi-Fi – the latter so essential, apparently, for the 20-somethings amongst us! The village of Swaffham Prior is chocolate-box pretty and close to the delightful Anglesey Abbey – a lovely stop-off en route.

Once we’d set up and shared a bottle or two of birthday bubbly, we headed to the nearby Red Lion pub for food, before returning to the candle-lit (all batterypowered for safety!) church for post-prandial drinks and, later, a cheese supper. Then it was time for bed.

The Champing season runs from May to September for good reason – these ancient buildings get very cold! With a sleeping bag and duvet each, plus PJs, socks and, in one case, a woolly hat, we were warm enough… just.

Despite some fears (will our graveyard neighbours object to us being here?) we all fell asleep soundly, though at various times throughout the night each of us awakened – as we whispered and giggled, memories of childhood sleep-overs flooded back.

Watching daybreak through the elegant tall windows was breathtaking – silent for hours, the churchyard sprang into life as birds chattered and the outlines of ancient yew trees became evident once more through the mist. Despite the huge space of the church interior, witnessing the birth of a new day here was a cosily intimate experience.

Yes, there were complaints of cold feet and aching joints, and without the home comforts of a shower and hair straighteners some of us felt decidedly more trampy than glampy as we packed up to leave. But it was an unforgettable night, and Champing is something we’ll do again, soon!

NEED TO KNOW

ALL SAINTS PHOTOGRAPHY: JOSEPH CASEY

• Champing prices drop to £45 per adult and £16 per child for groups of eight or more, and a 33% deposit at the time of booking secures the church of your choice for a night. Alternatively, if you’d prefer to go it alone, a £20 single supplement is payable for a sole Champer.

• Champers are expected to bring all their own bedding, which includes pillows and sleeping bags, duvets and blankets. Pack plenty!

• It’s OK to bring snacks and drinks… and yes, alcohol is allowed!

• Up to two well-behaved dogs are welcome.

• Champing churches remain consecrated, and welcome people from all faiths, creeds and cultures.

• A supply of water is left for you where there is no running water. None of the churches have shower facilities, but a water basin or jug and bowl are provided for washing, as is hand sanitiser.

NENE LIVING MAY 2016

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STAYING LOCAL

A home from home

Can’t bear the thought of travelling too far for your summer holiday this year? Or maybe you don’t have room to put up your guests at home? Lucy Banwell looks at some of the best self-catering accommodation our area has to offer

BEST FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS

LADY ROTHSCHILD DAIRY, ASHTON Situated deep within the historic Ashton estate, four miles east of Oundle, the Lady Rothschild Dairy offers truly stunning accommodation for parties of up to 30 people. The pretty, horseshoeshaped dairy buildings are set around a courtyard and have been lovingly converted to create three luxurious holiday homes. Constable House, the biggest of the three, can accommodate up to 12 guests and has a double-height kitchen and living area, underfloor heating and a vast master bedroom with a Juliet balcony overlooking woodland. A communal garden lies just across the lane with each house having its very own shepherd’s hut and barbecue area. The properties are awash with period features and offer all mod cons – from Tassimo coffee machines to massive Rangemaster cookers. A stay here comes with the right to roam the woodlands and meadows which surround the Dairy. Deer, rabbits and red kites are a common sight and Ashton’s excellent pub, The Chequered Skipper, is a two-mile walk through the estate – just far enough to work up an appetite for chef patron Ian Campbell’s outstanding food!

Price for a week: £1,750 for a five-bedroom house 01832 272406; www.ashtonestatecountryholidays.co.uk

BEST FOR COUPLES

HALL FARM, KINGS CLIFFE

BEST FOR BIG GROUPS

LILY PAD COTTAGES, NASSINGTON A warm welcome is guaranteed at Lily Pad Cottages which offers comfortable, spacious accommodation in eight holiday cottages of varying sizes. “Our guests love our cottages,” says owner Jane Thorpe-Codman. “They are great for big groups because we can sleep 50 guests if all the cottages are booked together.”

The cottages are stocked with lots of useful items such as olive oil, salt, pepper, tea bags and tea towels, and there are luxurious Hypnos beds, fluffy towels and gallons of hot water. The indoor heated pool is also a big draw here. The attractive, airy pool room comes complete with table football and table tennis as well as the eight-metre pool. Guests with mobility issues are also well catered for, with many of the cottages offering wheelchair-friendly bedrooms and bathrooms. A walk into the village to sample Moulds Butchers’ ‘Famous Recipe’ sausages is essential, as is a visit to Nassington Stores which stocks all the supplies you might need including delicious rolls and bread from Kings Cliffe Bakery.

Price for a week: From £1,000 for a five-bedroom cottage 01780 784394 www.stamfordcottages.co.uk

Stylish accommodation in a country setting makes Hall Farm the perfect destination for discerning couples. Set alongside a working stables, Archway Apartment and Stables Cottage each offer luxury quarters for two guests with a high-spec kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and sitting room. “We offer a home from home with real attention to detail,” says owner Sarah Winfrey. “People come here to have a quiet, restful time, maybe to explore the local area or to visit friends. We have a lot of repeat custom and we work really hard to build relationships with our guests.” Stables Cottage has a chic country theme with quirky textiles and a red Aga, while Archway Apartment has a more modern feel with an open plan living area featuring some of Sarah’s own colourful artworks.

Price for a week: £390 for a one-bedroom apartment 01780 470796; www.hallfarmkingscliffe.co.uk

BEST FOR LIFE ON THE FARM

PAPLEY FARM COTTAGES, LUTTON Joyce and Tom Lane have been running a holiday cottage business on their working farm near Lutton for more than 30 years. A warm welcome awaits at their two holiday homes - Chestnut Tree Cottage and The Bungalow – both of which have three bedrooms, a kitchen, a sitting room and a bathroom. Enjoy country views, walks and abundant wildlife in this peaceful spot six miles from Oundle.

Price for a week: £530 for a three-bedroom cottage 01832 272583 www.papleyfarmcottages.co.uk

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STAYING LOCAL

BEST FOR VALUE

A home from home

ELINOR COTTAGES, ALDWINCLE Set on Pear Tree Farm in Aldwincle, Elinor Holiday Cottages offer simply furnished accommodation with stunning views.

Price for a week: £675 for a two-bedroom cottage 01832 720614 www.peartreefarm.net

BEST FOR FAMILIES

NENE VALLEY COTTAGES, WIGSTHORPE Stunning views and a family-friendly atmosphere await guests at Nene Valley Cottages. Set in lovely open country in Wigsthorpe, which lies halfway between Oundle and Thrapston, there are three holiday homes to choose from, all of which offer TVs and DVD players in the sitting rooms and bedrooms, and high chairs and cots if required. Complimentary pasta, bread, fruit juice, milk, butter, sausages and bacon are provided when guests arrive, as well as a bottle of wine.

Price for a week: £695 for a two-bedroom cottage 01832 733125 www.nenevalleycottages.co.uk

Our favourite B&Bs

Let’s not forget that the Nene Valley has some cracking country homes offering accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis. Here’s our selection of the best…

BEST FOR NATURE LOVERS THE ARC CABIN, ELTON

Reconnect with nature by staying at the Arc Cabin – a luxury, timber-built retreat nestled in an idyllic piece of Cambridgeshire woodland near Elton. Kenneth Grahame is said to have stayed nearby and drawn inspiration for The Wind in The Willows from this stunning setting beside the River Nene. Sit on the verandah with a glass of wine and watch red kites as they swoop over the river, or curl up by the woodburning stove with one of the many books which line the Arc’s shelves. Puzzles, board games, art and knitting materials are also provided in this peaceful country haven.

Price for a week: £1,010 for up to four people 077470 11701 www.thearccabin.co.uk

BEST FOR PETS

OUNDLE COTTAGE BREAKS Set within a pretty walled garden in the centre of Oundle, these three self-catering cottages offer simple accommodation and a warm welcome for well-behaved dogs. This former coach house and stables has been sympathetically converted to provide charming holiday homes in a prime location.

Price for a week: £450 for a two-bedroom cottage 01832 275508 www.oundlecottagebreaks.com

BEST FOR LUXURY

OUNDLE BESPOKE APARTMENTS Tucked behind the Talbot Hotel car park in the heart of Oundle lie a series of attractive barn conversions which house a range of stylish apartments on offer for holiday lets or furnished rentals. This boutiquestyle accommodation aims to offer the luxury of a five-star hotel including a concierge service which will assist with all catering, travel and event requirements.

Price for a week: £635 for a two-bedroom house 07771 770011 www.oundlebespokeapartments.co.uk

BRIDGE COTTAGE This well-established B&B in Woodnewton is well worth a visit. Luxurious bedrooms, a warm welcome and a top notch breakfast come as standard. From £82.50 per night for two people sharing a double room.

01780 470860 www.bridgecottage.net LOWER FARM Ten beautifully furnished en-suite rooms are on offer here, set around a pretty courtyard on a working farm in Barnwell. £90 per night for two people sharing a double room.

01832 273220 www.lower-farm.co.uk CASTLE FARM GUEST HOUSE This B&B offers five comfortable rooms set in a stunning, wysteria-clad farmhouse on the banks of the River Nene in Fotheringhay.

From £90 per night for two people sharing a double room.

01832 226200 www.castlefarm-guesthouse.co.uk THE HORSESHOES Great value rooms set in a converted coach house in the heart of Titchmarsh. £54 per night for two people sharing a double room.

Breakfast £5.75 per person.

01832 733033 www.thehorseshoes.info PEAR TREE FARM Comfortable B&B rooms await in the farmhouse or adjacent converted stable block on this charming farm in Aldwincle. £60 per night for two people sharing a double room.

01832 720614 www.peartreefarm.net MILL HOUSE, ALWALTON This pretty cottage offers two stylish B&B rooms. From £75 per night for two people sharing a double room.

01733 236520 www.millhousealwalton.co.uk

All prices are based on a seven-night stay in July 2016

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The Lady Rothschild Dairy

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Family Fun Day Sunday 22nd May, 11am-3pm Nene Outdoors, Lakeside Centre, Ferry Meadows

Present th is advert at the Open Da yo May to b n 22nd e entered into an e xclusive prize dra w

COUNTRY HOLIDAY HOUSES

hree luxury self-catering holiday houses located on the famous Ashton Estate surrounded by wildflower meadows, rolling farmland and magical woodlands – the perfect country retreat. The houses are finished with an emphasis on quality, in a style that is both comfortable and elegantly modern. The solid oak finishes and natural features make each house individual. The Lady Rothschild Dairy is of exceptional architectural interest and has been awarded Grade II* listed status.

The Constable House – Sleeps 9 + 3 The Turner House – Sleeps 8 + 2 The Gainsborough House – Sleeps 8

Sailing Windsurfing Kayaking Canoeing Pedalos Paddle boarding A range of activities will be on offer and our instructors will be on hand to help - so why not come along and try out something new?

Like us on Facebook or check out our website for further details – www.neneoutdoors.co.uk

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Sunday 15th May 11am – 3pm

Website: www.ashtonestatecountryholidays.co.uk Email: estateoffice@ashton.ohllimited.com Tel: 01832 272264 / 07831 855206

m E o S r A C f IT E U L S Pitc hes A a

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To book your pitch please ring Paula 01832 272055 Or email paula@oundle.gov.uk 33

• NVL May ADS.indd 33

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19/04/2016 15:56

Reaching out Shocked to discover how many new cases of leprosy are diagnosed each year, Sue Dobson talked to a Peterborough-based charity working to improve the lives of affected people in Asia and Africa

The Leprosy Mission England and Wales is at Goldhay Way, Orton Goldhay, Peterborough PE2 5GZ. 01733 370505; www.leprosymission.org.uk and www.tlmtrading.com

Kalpana Yadov was forced to leave her home in order to protect her younger sister’s marriage prospects.

She found refuge in a leprosy colony in Allahabad and was cured, but late treatment meant she was left with a clawed hand and deformed feet. With the charity’s support she has rebuilt her life. She is now married and runs a stall selling bangles and tea from a little wooden hut on the banks of the River Ganges

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VERY two minutes, somewhere in the world a person is diagnosed with leprosy. One of the oldest and most cruel afflictions known to humankind, it came as a shock to hear that so many people continue to suffer from it in the 21st century. I’d seen the disfiguring effects of this devastating disease while travelling in Africa and Asia but had thought that, since a cure had been found, it was well on its way to being consigned to history. Not so. World Health Organisation figures reveal that around a quarter of a million new cases of leprosy are diagnosed each year.

While the disease is easily curable with multi-drug therapy – and if diagnosed in the early stages it can be cured without the lasting consequences of disability – leprosy is slow to show itself. Often it is not recognised until the damage it causes to the nervous system is irreversible. What’s more, the stigma attached to the disease means that even when it is recognised, the sufferer may be too afraid to seek treatment.

I learned all this from the team at The Leprosy Mission England and Wales, an international Christian development organisation based in Peterborough that diagnoses, treats and offers specialist care to leprosy patients.

Working closely with local staff across 11 countries in Asia and Africa, they provide and evaluate projects to help transform the lives of leprosy-affected people as well as working towards eradicating the causes of the disease. Their work spans health, rehabilitation and disability care as well as providing housing, clean water and efficient sanitation, education and job training in communities affected by leprosy.

Sian Arulanantham is Head of Programmes at The Leprosy Mission England and Wales. While she is based at the Peterborough office, the bulk of her time is spent travelling to the countries where the charity supports programmes to help leprosy-affected people. That includes a number of hospitals where patients are cared for and provided with reconstructive surgery and physiotherapy, also vocational training centres and community-based programmes that offer skills training.

“Many people assume that leprosy no longer exists,” Sian says. “Unfortunately, in countries where it was a problem 20 years ago, it still is today. The tragedy with leprosy is that there is little awareness of the facts in places where it is prevalent. Families are routinely driven out of their homes because others believe their children will catch it simply by living in the same village. It means people who are affected suffer terrible discrimination, even after they are cured.

“An important part of our job is to make people understand that you cannot catch leprosy simply by touch, that it is easily curable, and to provide training and access to employment so those affected can be self-sufficient and valued members of their community.”

Clawed hands, the result of leaving leprosy untreated

WHAT IS LEPROSY?

Leprosy is a mildly infectious disease occurring in areas of extreme poverty, where lack of clean water, sanitation and health care, inadequate nutrition and poor living conditions allow the bacteria to thrive in people whose bodily resistance is already low. It cannot be caught by touch.

Causing nerve damage to the extremities of the body, left untreated it leads to loss of feeling in the hands and feet. Without pain, sufferers are numb to injury, so burns, cuts and infections go unnoticed. Fingers and toes start to curl inward, limbs shorten, eye nerve damage can lead to blindness and motor nerve damage to paralysis.

Globally, some three million people are currently living with irreversible disabilities due to the late treatment of leprosy.

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Reaching out BEATING THE STIGMA Back in 1873, a Norwegian physician identified the bacteria that cause leprosy, giving a lie to the aeons-old belief that it was caused by past sins or a curse from God. However, that is still a powerfully-held belief in societies worldwide, perpetuated by myth and misunderstanding. As a result, sufferers are rejected and abandoned by family, and feared and shunned by their community.

“The stigma of leprosy ruins people’s lives,” explains programmes officer Gareth Shrubsole.

“The myths and fears are so strong that often people will hide their symptoms, knowing that if they are discovered their entire family will be ostracised, their jobs, education and marriage prospects all destroyed. Sadly, if left untreated, it leads to deformities.”

Gareth is currently co-ordinating a threeyear project in India (where over half of all new cases of leprosy are diagnosed annually) to tackle the stigma, which is a major obstacle in the fight to eliminate the disease. Launched in the state of Maharashtra at the end of January, known as CREATE and funded by a €1.3m (£925,000) European Union grant, its aim is to inform and educate people at grass-roots level, work with local governments, forge links with major manufacturers – employers routinely turn away job seekers even if they have been cured of leprosy, Gareth says – and provide vocational training for young people to improve their job prospects.

Advocacy is an import part of the Leprosy Mission’s work. In Bangladesh, it was advocacy that brought about the repeal of the 1898 Lepers Act, a law that had confined people affected by leprosy to State-run institutions.

“We are working to challenge anti-leprosy legislation in India and secure better rights for those affected by the disease. In Mozambique, our community partnership project is helping

In Bangladesh, Lovely hand-paints silk scarves for TLM shoppers in the UK

Members of a foot care group in a poverty-stricken province of Mozambique help look after each other’s numb feet and hands

leprosy-affected people to access identity documents so they can benefit from social security for disabled people.”

One of the projects in Sri Lanka involves digging wells for families in remote areas so they can grow crops to earn a living. Without the wells they have to walk for miles to get water

SHOPPING HELPS! The Leprosy Mission (TLM) has one of the best home shopping catalogues around.

With four seasonal editions each year, not only are they packed with useful and appealing buys, they include high quality goods hand-made by leprosyaffected and disabled artisans, including beautiful silk scarves from Bangladesh, stylish jewellery made in India, colourful hand-painted boxes from Kashmir and lovely leather bags from Nepal.

“We work with artisan groups to develop top quality products that are exclusive to us,” says Jo-Anne Thomson, CEO of TLM Trading. “It’s a positive way to restore people’s dignity and rehabilitate them into their communities.”

I was happy to hear from Jo-Anne that they work closely with the programmes team to ensure that when Gifts for Life are bought, the money for the gift really does go to a project where it is most needed. The virtual gifts, which can be ordered though the TLM catalogue or website, start from as little as £10 for a pair of custom-made sandals to protect numb, leprosyaffected feet, and go beyond medical care to restore dignity, hope and independence to lives affected by leprosy.

One of the smart leather bags hand-made in Nepal

Bagwati makes leather bags at the Nepal Leprosy Trust

Silver and blue necklace and earrings crafted in India

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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Something to smile about Dread going to the dentist? Stamford’s Saima Rennie dispels all such fears with a clear dedication to client care and commitment to her own Continuing Professional Development

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orn in Glasgow and raised in Edinburgh, Saima Rennie comes from a large, careerminded family - among her siblings there are lawyers, dentists, accountants, a teacher, pharmacist, oncology consultant and an MSP. “Being the child of immigrants – my father was a tailor and my mother joined him in Glasgow in 1969; she went from having two factory jobs to running her own post office/ shop – it was expected of my siblings and I to do better for ourselves,” she explains.

“My parents and my guidance teacher, the former Scottish Green Party Leader and first UK Green Party parliamentarian, Robin Harper, wanted me to do medicine. To their disappointment I chose dentistry – it took my mother years to get over my decision, she was so nervous of dentists!”

Saima combined her studies at Glasgow University with working every weekend and holiday in her parents’ business. Despite being offered a Masters place to study Endodontics (root canal treatments) and then Orthodontics, she chose General Practice and started her first job in Sleaford just three days after graduating in 1998. A move to St Neots and locum work back in Scotland followed, before a return to Sleaford in 2002. It was while working there secondtime-round that Saima visited Stamford on a day out, eventually buying a house here in 2004. Since then she’s invested heavily in more training. “In 2007 I gained a Certificate in Cosmetic and Aesthetic Restorative Dentistry with Advanced Dental Seminars, a Postgraduate Certificate in Contemporary Restorative and Cosmetic Dentistry with Professor Dominic Hassall , a Certificate in Implantology with Nobel Biocare and most recently I completed a six-part Periodontal Disease Diagnosis and Management course with the President of the British Society of Periodontology, Phil Ower,” she explains.

After eight years of practice in Peterborough Saima had just started working in Oundle last October when a position closer to home, with Raymond Richardson and Paul Williams at the St Mary’s Street Dental Practice, came up. “I absolutely love it here, Raymond and Paul are just great guys to work with,” she enthuses.

Saima adores the variety of work that general dental practice offers. She says: “I love dentistry and I’m passionate about my profession. There’s the satisfaction of creating and maintaining beautiful smiles, interacting with patients and being able to practice a skill that I love daily. Dentists

are becoming one of the few healthcare professionals where clients see the same face every time they visit, which is invaluable for building a trusting relationship.”

Constant advances in science and technology mean all dentists are expected to keep extending their knowledge, with an average of 50 hours a year of Continuing Professional Development the industry norm.

“It’s amazing the developments and progress in dentistry over the last 18 years alone,” Saima says. “We’ve gone from looking at the mouth, to the head and neck, to now the bigger picture. We are asked to do a general health screen as that has a huge impact on oral health. The ‘sugar tax’ on fizzy drinks is an important first step – not only does sugar cause tooth decay, but it has such damaging effects on the entire body.

Diabetes type II is making headlines and although we are restoring and keeping teeth for longer and then implanting if necessary, the inflammatory effects of sugar are contributing to the failure of the supporting structures of our teeth. With this and the rise of childhood caries and tooth loss, educating parents and taking the time to discuss their concerns is vitally important.

“And who would have thought 15 years ago that you could have a tooth bank, where a child’s deciduous and wisdom teeth are stored so that, if something serious should happen to them later, stem calls can be harvested?”

So what’s ‘the next big thing’ in her profession? Saima says: “We are trying to save natural teeth more than ever, rather than opting for implants straight away; the

10-year implant survival rates are a lot less than the 98 per cent that is quoted for five years. Having completed the first level in implant training I can tell whether a client is suitable, and explain the personalised pros and cons.

“If you want the perfect smile, why not?

We not only offer Smile Makeovers with crowns, veneers and onlays in the latest in very strong pressed ceramics, but we’re also very excited to be able to offer Invisalign – an orthodontic alternative that uses clear retainers with ‘smart force’ technology to move teeth. It has the power of tilting, rotating and bodily moving teeth into alignment, with the beauty of being nearly invisible. It is a worldwide system that has been around since 1998 and I’m now an accredited Invisalign Provider.”

St Mary’s Street Dental Practice is at 34a St Mary’s Street, Stamford PE9 2DS Tel: 01780 755005.

A full range of treatment is offered privately for adult patients, either under the Denplan Care or Essentials scheme or independently on a ‘pay-as-you-go’ basis, and private treatment is also offered for children, as well as a Denplan Children’s scheme for more one-to-one care. www.st-marys-dental.co.uk

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HEALTH & BEAUTY Compiled by Gillian Bendall

Council campaign aims for a healthier city

Saima Rennie

Martyn Hayward

Dental health under the microscope National Smile Month begins on May 16.Now celebrating its 40th birthday, it’s the biggest and most effective annual reminder of the importance of good oral health, but there’s still more work to do…

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he figures are startling: according to the Oral Health Foundation, a third of all children starting school have tooth decay, around a quarter of all adults say they have not visited a dentist in the past two years, three in every ten adults suffer from regular dental pain and over four-fifths of the population have at least one filling.

Poor oral health doesn’t just cause problems inside the mouth. A smile is hugely important to our self-confidence, relationships and general wellbeing as studies continue to associate poor oral health with serious health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, strokes, pneumonia, premature birth and other major conditions.

It’s a serious subject... so we asked two local experts for their top tips on dental hygiene.

Saima Rennie of St Mary’s Dental Practice, Stamford – featured on p39 of this issue – says: • Make sure that you brush your teeth last thing at night and at least one other time in the day. Effective cleaning only happens if you clean in between your teeth as well, so make sure you floss or use interdental brushes.

• Drink plenty of water, especially first thing in the morning as it can help with bad breath.

Brushing your tongue and chewing menthol gum may also help.

• Don’t brush your teeth within an hour of eating or drinking anything acidic as this can accelerate tooth wear.

• Eat a varied diet. Varying the colours of the foods you eat is not only important in preventing oral cancer, but gum disease too.

Martyn Hayward of Oundle’s Townley House Dental Practice agrees that diet and health education have long been the big issues in dentistry. “The sugar tax has been welcomed as a positive step in addressing the current children’s dental health crisis and ‘obesity epidemic’,” he says. “However, regular dental visits are needed to maintain oral health, as dentists can create an individually-tailored dental care plan with the patient, or their parent or carer. This will combine strategies to prevent, as well as to treat, oral health problems.

“One of these is the use of fluoride. The Peterborough area doesn’t add fluoride to the drinking water supply. However, there is naturally occurring fluoride present in the drinking water supplies. The average fluoride concentration for this Public Water Supply Zone from January 2015 to December 2015 was 0.279mg per litre (the legal limit is 1.5mg per litre). Obviously additional flouride is present in the use of toothpastes and certain clinical treatments may provide additional fluoride to combat decay.”

He adds: “Smiles are hugely infectious.

And a smile can really have a big effect on relationships – more than half of people say a smile is one of the first things they notice about others, and one of the most attractive features people can have.

“A smile is seen as friendly and trustworthy; interviewers are likely to find candidates far more appealing if they go for a job interview with smile on their face.”

A new campaign led

by Peterborough City Council aims to help residents prevent and tackle common health problems and live healthier for longer.

Peterborough: Creating a Healthy City sees the city council offer residents medicallyproven information and advice on how to kick poor health into touch by making simple lifestyle changes. Each month the campaign will focus on a different health issue; it includes heart health, stroke awareness, mental illness, alcohol intake, healthy eating and smoking.

Dr Liz Robin, Director of Public Health for Peterborough City Council, says: “Improving the lives of all our residents and tackling the health issues that they face is one of the council’s biggest priorities.

“We want to give local people trustworthy and medically-proven advice on how to stay healthier for longer. By making simple changes, such as eating less fat or doing 30 minutes of brisk walking five times a week, people can make a big difference to their own health and increase their overall life expectancy.”

• Find out more at www.healthy peterborough.org.uk. There are health tips on the Healthy Peterborough Facebook page and Twitter @HealthyPboro.

After nearly 50 years in Alexandra Road, Peterborough, Prestons Health are moving on 9 May to a newly converted unit within the Virgin Active Health and Racquets Club at Thorpe Wood Business Park.

The unit will have a fully-manned reception and waiting area with four bespoke treatment rooms which have been specifically designed to make patients feel relaxed and at ease. Additionally, patients attending for physiotherapy will be able to use the extensive exercise equipment onsite with their physiotherapist to ensure optimal results from their rehabilitation programme. Services on offer include physiotherapy, podiatry, sports massage and soft tissue therapy, acupuncture and mindfulness. There’ll also be a new gait lab where a multi-disciplinary team will offer a cutting-edge biomechanical assessment of walking and running gait.

• 01733 565911; www.prestonshealth.co.uk

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Advertisement Feature

Reasons to be cheerful…

A new home and the launch of a bespoke skincare range – there’s plenty to celebrate at Peterborough’s Burghley Hair-Beauty-Academy!

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here’s a sense of excitement in the air at Burghley Hair-Beauty-Academy. And with good reason: the family-run business has relocated from Cumbergate – its home for the past 20 years – to St Peter’s House in Bishops Road, and it has launched a brand new range of innovative skincare products, all formulated and developed in-house. Burghley Hair-BeautyAcademy was established in 1981 by hairdresser Chris Parsons and his wife Tina, an awardwinning lecturer, author and Principal of the training academy. A year later daughter Alexa was born. “The business is a bit like a sibling to me, it’s always been a big part of our family life,” she says. It was inevitable, perhaps, that Alexa would follow in her parents’ footsteps and – now married with a daughter of her own – she’s very much the driving force behind today’s business development. “The Cumbergate building was beautiful, but at 600 years old it presented us with some challenges – not least the lack of heating!” says Alexa. “I heard that St Peter’s House might become available so my husband and I did a bit of ‘homework’ before presenting mum and dad with the idea that we take on the lease; it’s the perfect home for our business, giving us about 25 per cent more space, filled with lots of light and character… everything about it feels right.” Tina agrees: “The move has given us a fresh lease of life, and it’s time to let Alexa take on more ownership of the business now. It was never taken for granted that she would join us, but it’s so wonderful that she has.”

Along with a receptionist, Burghley HairBeauty-Academy employs six therapists and eight hairdressers. The Academy – which offers bespoke training courses leading to internationally-recognised qualifications in hairdressing, beauty and holistic therapies – generally has up to 15 students at any one time, with a maximum of six in a class. “We’re now training some of the children of our first trainees,” says Tina. “That, and the fact that many of our students go on to establish their own businesses, makes me very proud.”

Loyalty to the brand is common among clients too. “We have a wide range of ages among the staff within our hair and beauty business, and that means clients of all ages feel comfortable coming to us,” says Tina. “We’re now looking after the third generation in some families – that’s a real privilege.”

Whilst Alexa spearheads the development of Burghley Hair-Beauty-Academy, it retains a very clear vision. “We never forget that people make a choice when they come here,” says Alexa.

“Whether they’re having an eyebrow wax or a hair colour, we appreciate the fact that they’ve chosen us and we want them to feel good about that throughout their treatment and afterwards.”

• Burghley Hair-Beauty-Academy is at St Peter’s House, Gravel Walk, 1 Bishops Road, Peterborough PE1 1YE; 01733 341878. www.burghleyacademy.co.uk

Two years in the development and with decades of experience and knowledge packed into every product, the B Skincare range was first used by Burghley Hair-Beauty-Academy therapists late last year and is now available for retail sale to clients. It’s a compact range of six innovative products that can be layered according to skin type and needs, plus three prescription masks and three massage candles. Formulated by mother and daughter Tina Parsons and Alexa Hillier, the range is made in the UK with ingredients mainly from France. “Nothing is tested on animals and everything is as natural as it can be,” says Alexa.

“The whole subject of skincare can be daunting and expensive,” she says. “But we believe it is much simpler – and that’s why we’ve come up with just six multi-functional products which can be adapted to suit everyone.”

The range combines Alexa’s knowledge of what’s current with Tina’s years of experience as a beauty therapist and teacher. Tina says: “Beauty is about getting to know your skin, and using products with knowledge and understanding. Your skin will tell you what it needs and when – it has nothing to do with your age.”

Priced from £21.50 to £32.50, the range features bespoke packaging and self-explanatory names – there’s B Cleansed, B Balanced, B Refined (an exfoliator/polish), B Hydrated and B Nourished – both moisturisers – and ‘super-serum’ B Timeless. Derivatives of rice feature as a brightening agent – “great for pigmentation and ageing” according to Alexa – and a honeybased gel in the cleanser means each user can vary its consistency to suit his or her own complexion. B Skincare is totally exclusive to Burghley Hair-Beauty-Academy.

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HEALTH & BEAUTY Compiled by Bridget Steele

Fitness for mums Annie Faith is passionate about fitness. As a mum of three – two of whom are pre-schoolers – she knows how hard it can be to get back into exercise after having a baby. “There is so much conflicting and poor advice out there for preand post-natal Mums,” she remarks.

Annie offers one-to-one personal training and small group sessions – these can be inside or outdoors, and are a great way to take your exercise up a gear, or if you are returning to exercise and need a bit of confidence before going it alone!

Annie’s sessions include: • Circuits classes – a popular evening class to really push your limits and improve your fitness.

• The Pulse month – this includes a private

one-hour consultation, then two weekly classes for four weeks to help you focus on your fitness, create some great new fitness habits and achieve your goals.

• Specifically for pre- and post-natal mums, Annie offers Pregnancy Fit with CV work and strength training, Core Rebuild for post pregnancy and Mummy Fit – a post-natal class with the facility to bring baby along, focusing on core strength, toning and gently returning to CV exercise when appropriate.

• If you are returning to exercise after having had a baby, or you need a focus or a bit of motivation contact Annie: 07974 808766; www.anniefaithfitness.co.uk

Qualified Psychotherapeutic Counsellor and accredited member of the National Counselling Society, Jackie Cairns can offer support with a wide range of issues including loss, selfesteem and relationship issues. She has experience in working with victims of domestic abuse and can provide a listening ear in a confidential, neutral space without judgement using an integrative approach tailored to a client’s specific needs. Jackie offers flexible evening and weekend appointments and can be contacted for a no-obligation consultation.

• 07967 314621; e-mail: jackiecairns@sky.com or via Facebook page Jackie Cairns Counselling

Glowing reference Beauty and holistic therapist Rebecca offers a fantastic range of treatments and excellent personal service at her Orton Waterville salon, and so beautiful. I asked her what’s up to date in tanning – she recommends some fabulous products and treatments which will leave you positively glowing.

Sienna X Spray Tanning From £14, there is Sienna X Spray Tanning.

“Containing only natural active ingredients with different shades of tan, Sienna X gives you the best natural-looking spray tan possible,” says Rebecca. “The products are paraben-, alcohol- and crueltyfree and this is a market-leading professional UK-based brand.”

The salon also stocks Sienna X products to help you prepare and prolong your tan.

Decléor Tanning Treatments For a more relaxing and indulgent treat,

Rebecca suggests one of the Decléor Tanning treatments, such as The Sun-kissed Mediterranean Glow for just £50, or the The Sun Burst Caribbean Tan at £60. These treatments prepare the body first with gentle full body exfoliation and essential oils, so your skin is a perfect base for tanning products.

The treatment then includes a soothing massage followed by application of an aromatherapy balm to boost the skin’s natural sun defence system by stimulating melanin production.

Finally the treatment finishes with the salon’s top-selling self-tanner.

With the Mediterranean Glow treatment, clients are also given a 250ml Gradual Glow product to take home and maintain colour. The Caribbean Tan requires a second application four hours after the first treatment to ensure a deep glow.

A Decléor Sunset Face and Body Repairing After Sun treatment is also available for £60.

• and so beautiful, 36 Cherry Orton Road, Orton Waterville Peterborough PE2 5EQ. 07905 926902 or book online at www.andsobeautiful.co.uk.

Say goodbye to cellulite, scarring and stretchmarks Lisa, owner of Elysia Health and Beauty, has a passion for bringing the latest, innovative and proven treatments to clients at her Tansor salon. Recently she has trained in using a new medical-grade treatment that is perfect for removing cellulite, scarring and stretchmarks.

On seeing the machines demonstrated and observing for herself the results that can be achieved, she knew this treatment would be popular with her clients – it’s no-risk, noninvasive, pain-free and needs no downtime.

BTL X-Wave uses medical acoustic waves – extremely strong, non-focused sound pulses that induce vibration. In aesthetic medicine, the acoustic radial soft waves have been modified for the clinical needs of cellulite therapy, scarring and stretchmarks. X-Wave is FDA approved, scientifically proven, clinically tested and award-winning.

The acoustic waves break down adhesive fibrous bands in the skin which lead to puckering and dimpling of cellulite. X-Wave treatments improve not only the visible signs, but also treat under the skin – blood and lymph circulation is improved, leading to better collagen production, skin texture, elasticity and effectively treating dimpled skin. A session takes around 30 minutes, depending on the area being treated, and approximately six sessions are recommended at weekly intervals to give optimal results in most patients.

• Elysia Health & Beauty, Tansor, Oundle PE8 5HP. 01832 226328 or 07879 620196; www.elysiahealthandbeauty.com

Sunscreen in store A John Lewis premium skincare brand, Sisley have now added a tinted facial sunscreen to their range with SPF30 protection.

There are four shades to choose from and the anti-ageing formula also contains vitamin E and edelweiss extract. Sisley have their own in-store rep who has a wealth of knowledge on the Sisley brand.

• John Lewis, Queensgate Peterborough; www.johnlewis.com NENE LIVING MAY 2016

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All Saints church

DAY OUT

Huntingdon A stroll around this busy market town reveals some interesting history, as Sue Dobson discovers

W

ATCHED over by the elegant façade of the 18th-century Town Hall, Market Hill is at the heart of historic Huntingdon. On the north side of this broad market square, medieval All Saints Church stands on the site where Saxons and Normans built their churches. An arch opening onto the square leads to the entrance of The Falcon, a restored 16th-century coaching inn, said to have been used as a recruiting centre by Oliver Cromwell in 1643 and as a base for the Parliamentary Commissioners in 1649.

Its oriel window looks across to the Thinking Soldier, a powerful war memorial in bronze by sculptor Kathleen Scott, widow of the ill-fated polar explorer Robert Falcon Scott.

You can’t go far in Huntingdon without being aware of the town’s most famous son, Oliver Cromwell. The reviled and revered MP, farmer, soldier and statesman, whose revolutionary beliefs changed the course of British history, was born here in 1599 and became the Member of Parliament for Huntingdon in 1628.

The erstwhile grammar school that he

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attended (as, sometime later, did diarist Samuel Pepys) now houses the Cromwell Museum, a small and interesting museum devoted to the Lord Protector. Interpreting his life and history in documents, miniatures, arms and armour, it contains many of Cromwell’s personal possessions, including his hat, riding boots, swords and seal, portraits of the man and his family, even a death mask.

Across the road, All Saints Church (currently closed for restoration) holds the record of Oliver’s birth and its font – originally in St John’s Church, which was demolished after irreparable Civil War damage – is probably the one in which he was baptised. Cromwell’s father and grandfather are buried in the crypt.

It’s possible that young Oliver would have seen the coffin of Mary, Queen of Scots, when it rested in the chancel of the church on its way from Peterborough to London for reburial in Westminster Abbey.

Turn left up the High Street and you’ll find The George Hotel, which dates from 1574 and was bought at the turn of the 17th

century by Henry Cromwell, Oliver Cromwell’s grandfather. Charles I made it his headquarters in 1645 and the notorious highwayman Dick Turpin is reputed to have visited when it was Huntingdon’s premier coaching inn. For over 55 years, the Jacobean courtyard and its balcony have been the setting for summer open-air productions of Shakespeare’s plays by a talented local theatre company, Shakespeare at the George. Just beyond The George look for Royal Oak passage, the best preserved of the many alleyways that once led off the High Street.

Dotted through the historic centre of the town there’s an intriguing trail of quotations, taken from the writings of men who knew Oliver Cromwell personally. Inscribed in Caithness stone and set in the pavement, they link sites with Cromwell connections.

Huntingdon received its market charter from King John in 1205. If you go to the market square on a Wednesday or Saturday you’ll find traditional street market stalls in place.

A farmers’ market is held there on alternate

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More to do…

• The Purvis Marine boatyard on the River Great Ouse has motorboats for hire by the day, half day or by the hour, from little four-seaters up to a 12-seater launch (full instruction is given).

In summer, rowing boats and canoes are also available to hire.

Open daily, Easter to the end of September, 9am5.30pm. The Riverside Car Park, Hartford Road, Huntingdon PE29 3RP; 01480 453628. www.purvismarine.co.uk

Castle Hill House

Take a break…

• The Falcon Tavern, in the heart of town and laden with history, is a traditional real ale pub that has a Victorian beamed tea room upstairs.

10 Market Hill, PE29 3NR; 01480 457416. www.falconhuntingdon.co.uk

• Huntingdon Racecourse is a family-friendly National Hunt racing venue that’s been holding steeplechase racing since 1886 and is home to 17 Jump race meetings from January to May and October to December. This month’s events are on the evening of 17 May (Ladies Night, a feature race day) and Newcomers Day on 30 May. Admission to the main enclosure costs from £15 per person (£13.50 in advance), children under 18 have free entry with a paying adult. There are several bars and eateries and restaurant packages are available.

Huntingdon Racecourse, Brampton, Huntingdon PE28 4NL; 01480 453373. www.huntingdon.thejockeyclub.co.uk

• Samuel Pepys Bar and Restaurant for classic favourites, pasta dishes, burgers, salads, real ales and international lagers in a light, modern setting.

146 High Street, PE29 3TF; 01480 459708. www.samuel-pepys-huntingdon.co.uk • The Old Bridge Hotel, on the riverbank, ivy-clad and distinctive in every way – it even has its own awardwinning wine shop – for fine dining in the Terrace restaurant or afternoon tea in the lounge.

1 High Street, PE29 3TQ; 01480 242300. www.huntsbridge.com

Fridays. In a narrow passageway just behind the Town Hall, the Market Inn retains its original timber-framed upper storey.

TOWARDS THE RIVER The High Street is lined with shops, pubs and eateries. Look up to see 19th-century bowed shop windows and spot decorative corbels.

The impressive early 18th-century front at 29-30 High Street hides a 16th-century timber framed interior. A plaque records that the poet William Cowper lived here in 1765. At number 26, the charming Found and Future shop stocks interesting and unusual furniture, gifts and home accessories.

Heading south towards the river, many of the buildings are timber-framed with brick fronts.

Step inside Niche Comics bookshop at 147 High Street and you’ll see a beautifully restored 16th-century shop interior.

Founded in 1109, St Mary’s Church is Huntingdon’s second surviving medieval church. Opposite and set back off the road, elegant Castle Hill House was the wartime

headquarters of the RAF Pathfinder Force. Air campaigns were planned and plotted here.

Huntingdon Castle, built for William the Conqueror and refortified during the Civil War, is long gone, but its site is a scheduled ancient monument. The mound where it stood overlooks the River Great Ouse and is worth climbing for the view out over Godmanchester, which the campaigner William Cobbett described as “the most beautiful scene and by far the most beautiful meadows that I ever saw in my life”.

Godmanchester was a major settlement in the Roman era (when it was known as Durovigutum). Built to guard the river crossing and the important crossroads of the London to York (Ermine Street) and Chester to Colchester (Via Devana) roads, it became one of England’s first boroughs in 1212.

The six-arched, 14th-century bridge that links the two towns has some strange anomalies in its architecture. Walk across the adjacent pedestrian bridge to spot them and enjoy the river views.

• Hinchingbrooke House on the edge of town was home to members of the Cromwell family and then to the Montagus, the Earls of Sandwich, where from 1661 to 1663 diarist Samuel Pepys was secretary to Edward Montagu. Three reigning monarchs stayed there – Elizabeth I, James I, who was a frequent visitor, and Charles I. Now a State school, it is open to visitors on Sundays from 2-5pm (last tour at 4.15pm) from 19 June to 28 August (except 24 and 31 July) also Bank Holiday Monday 29 August. Admission: adults £5, children/concessions £4, including tea and cakes served in the Old Dining Room or on the terrace.

Brampton Road, Huntingdon PE29 3BN; 01480 375678. www.hhpac.co.uk/tours.html • See Shakespeare’s play The Tempest performed in the courtyard of the George Hotel from 28 June to 9 July at 7.30pm. Visit the Shakespeare at the George website for details and tickets. www.satg.org.uk NENE LIVING MAY 2016

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ADULTS

OUNDLE TENNIS CLUB Sat 7th May 2-6 pm

FREE FAMILY FUN DAY

FAMI LI ES

Lessons, Games, Workouts, Touch Tennis, Assault Course, Healthy Snacks & Fun OundleTennisClub.co.uk

OUNDLE TENNIS CLUB Sat 7th May 2-6 pm

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Occupation Road, beside the Rugby Club

Book your FREE lesson on 7th May at ClubSpark.lta.org.uk/OundleTennisClub

Introducing TouchTennis to the area!

What is Touch Tennis?

A game that everyone can play within seconds of picking up a racket! Played on a smaller court with smaller rackets and foam balls it’s a game of rapid-fire fun. Bring the whole family and give it a go.

Welcome to Tennis!

• Weekly lessons for kids and adults • Holiday camps and performance coaching • Club play: ladies, gentlemans, singles & doubles.

• Tournaments: Fast 4, doubles, charity & local leagues • 10% membership discount during our Great British Tennis Weekend Events!

There’s lots on – all year round - at Oundle Tennis Club

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SPORT

MORE POWER TO YOUR RIDE

E

Rutland Cycling have launched a dedicated e-bike centre at their Whitwell store, with over forty electric bikes now available to buy or hire

LECTRIC bikes are a common sight in European cities such as Amsterdam and Berlin, providing all the advantages of a regular bike whilst reducing the strain on the body by giving you an assisted electronic boost. Whether you are using them to ride faster, keep up with friends, help you up hills, improve your time around the woods or get to work, e-bikes are increasingly light, versatile and easy to use. They’re also great if you’re coming back from injury or struggle to ride longer distances, as they can allow you to cruise with ease and enjoy the pleasure of riding a bike.

David Middlemiss, Managing Director, says: “Here at Rutland Cycling we’ve been fortunate enough to be able to test ride some of the latest models and have seen the benefits of electric bikes first-hand. We’re excited about the potential they offer for getting more people out riding bikes more often. E-bikes are a great way to get everyone involved in cycling, and with the broad range of e-bikes now on the market, there are models to suit everyone from commuters and leisure cyclists, through to mountain bikers looking for that extra boost and excitement on the trails. We’ve invested heavily in our e-bike range, and we’ve also added e-bikes to our hire fleet for this season – so for just £20, you can come and try out an electric mountain bike or hybrid bike for a couple of hours, and see what it feels like to do a lap of the lake with some power assistance.”

Electric bike technology has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years. Electric bikes are now much lighter, quicker to charge and have longer battery life than their predecessors. You also have more flexibility to control the amount of power you’re using as well as visibility on charge, remaining mileage and other vital stats.

Lithium-ion batteries are used on e-bikes – the same technology as is used to power electric cars.

Rutland’s e-bike range includes the more casual e-hybrid bikes from Raleigh, Haibike, Giant, SCOTT, Trek, Electra, Cube and Ebco, which are perfect if your ride or commute is just that little bit too long or hilly, or if you’ve got to carry a lot when you ride to and from where you need to be. They’re a great way

to pedal about town or explore the local countryside, enjoying all the sights and sounds without getting out of puff – you do still need to put some work in, but the battery power will give you a boost when you need it. And some electric hybrid bikes come fully equipped with integrated lock, light, rack and mudguards, so you’re ready to go!

Also featured in Rutland’s range are highperformance electric mountain bikes from Specialized, SCOTT, Giant, Trek and Cube, which are set to be the ‘next big thing’ in off-road riding. While some people may think an electric bike is cheating, that stigma is evaporating fast as more and more riders discover just how much fun it is to have some turbo boost in your back pocket – conserving more of your time and energy means you can conquer that big hill, take on another lap of the woods, challenge yourself to ride harder and faster and get more riding into your session.

• With this new exciting range in store, Rutland Cycling will be running fortnightly led e-bike MTB rides at their trail centre at Fineshade/Wakerley through the summer.

Visit www.rutlandcycling.com/rides for more information or pop into the new e-bike centre at Whitwell to try one for yourself.

NENE LIVING MAY 2016

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RIDGEWAY GARAGE DOORS Local family run business specialising in the supply and installation of manual & automatic garage doors.

Fireplace and Stove Specialist Multi-Fuel and Wood Burning Stoves Flue Systems Fireplaces, Gas and Electric Fires Hand Crafted Stone Fireplaces Established family run business experienced in offering a complete package from survey through to design and installation with our fully qualified team.

Visit us at our diverse showroom where we have an extensive range of fires and fireplaces on display

We promise you the warmest of welcomes!

37 Market Street, Whittlesey, Peterborough, Cambs PE7 1BA Tel/Fax 01733 202220 Email: aspectfires@aol.com Opening Times: Mon – Fri 9am-1pm & 2pm-5pm, Sat 10am-2pm CLOSED Thursdays, Sundays & Bank Holidays

• Steel, Timber and Glass Reinforced Plastic Doors Also available Security Shutters, Spare Parts & Repair Service

Tel: 01733 772934 Email: info@ ridgewaygaragedoors. co.uk

We pride ourselves on great customer service

As we are a family run business, we would kindly request that you phone our office and check that we are open before making a special journey to our showrooms - Thank you.

The below image shows the Nordpeis Uno 2 currently on display in our showroom

R J Warren Ltd

QUALITY LANDSCAPING: • Garden Design & Construction • • Hard Landscaping, Paths, Block Paving, Patios, Driveways • • Soft Landscaping, Grass Seeding, Turfing, Planting, Tree Works • • Garden Clearance, Renovation & Maintenance •

www.aspectfires.co.uk Stockists of Charnwood, Chesney’s, Dovre, Heta, Jetmaster, Stovax, Stuv and many more...

Drakes Farm, Blackbush Drove, Whittlesey, Peterborough PE7 2LJ

Phone: 01733 350692 www.rjwarren.co.uk

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SPORT

RUSH HOUR

Think you know hockey? Think again… there’s a new game in town WORDS: GILLIAN BENDALL PHOTOGRAPHY: TIM SANDALL

D

O you love the excitement of a team sport, but don’t have the time to commit to playing regularly? Fast, furious and fun, Rush Hockey could be the game that fits around your life. And it’s played once a week at KC Active, the volunteerled 12-acre sports and recreation complex in Kings Cliffe.

“It’s hockey, but not as you know it!” according to Simon Fairhall, KC Active’s Chairman and a regular at the hour-long Thursday night sessions. He’s wielded a hockey stick since the age of 10 and played, coached, managed, umpired, organised and administered for a variety of clubs and associations, as well as having worked full-time as a regional and then national Development Officer for England Hockey from 1994-2001.

“I can’t now afford the commitment to a club week-in week-out through a season, coaching or playing – not to mention my declining skill and pace! That would require attending evening training (including time travelling to get to the club) and being available at weekends from the start of September to Easter (often a whole day’s commitment for, say, an away fixture in Lincolnshire),” says Simon. “So Rush Hockey is ideal. It’s local, it only takes an hour, it’s not a problem if I can’t attend every week, and I can play in any – or every – position.”

Aside from the flexibility of a ‘pay and play’ set-up, what else makes Rush Hockey so attractive? “Bigger ball, small goal, reduced rules,” says Simon. ”It’s basically hockey’s attempt at two jumpers on the grass!”

Put simply, Rush Hockey aims to get people playing quickly and is ideal for those who don’t

Simon Fairhall

necessarily want to play 11-a-side games. It’s played with a standard hockey stick, but the larger, lighter ball means men and women of all ages and abilities can play together.

And smaller goals mean there is no need for goalkeepers.

“We’ve had dads and daughters, dads and sons, an ice-hockey player, someone brand new to the game, some retired players and some existing club players,” says Simon. “We play every week irrespective of the number of people that turn up – three versus three can be hard work, but a good work-out!”

Meg Forader

As reported in last month’s Nene Living, the KC Active complex at Station Road, Kings Cliffe is to have new tennis/netball courts thanks to a grant of £23,387 from waste management specialist Augean Plc. The site already has two fullsized football pitches, a floodlit multi-use games area, play areas with equipment

Mum-of-one Meg Forader travels from Kettering to play. She took up hockey at school aged 10 and played for Cambridgeshire from 11-16, also taking part in performance training camps and playing for the East region.

She’s played at lots of local clubs including Wellingborough and Northampton Saints; currently she plays for Kettering.

“I had four years out of playing hockey while I travelled with my husband and we had our son,” she says. “I started playing Rush Hockey just before Christmas. The session is only an hour long so it fits in really well with my day and other sports activities. Rush Hockey is great because it’s fun as well as being a really good fitness workout. Everyone I play with is very friendly and the matches are competitive as well as playful.”

Kings Cliffe resident Tim Pollard, a journalist at Bauer Media, says: “Hockey’s my main sport.

I used to play at City of Peterborough Hockey Club when I first moved to the area, but it became too onerous a commitment with the birth of my children – Rush Hockey is a perfect way to keep my sport going, but on a school night.”

Tim was one of the founding members of Rush Hockey in Kings Cliffe and has been playing it now for just over three years. “It’s the cornerstone of my hockey playing nowadays!” he says. “Rush Hockey is very friendly and fun; we have all ages and abilities, from secondary schoolchildren to more senior members, firsttimers to more experienced players, men and women alike. It’s truly mixed, and all the better for it.”

• www.kcactive.co.uk; www.rushhockey.co.uk

Tim Pollard

and a pavilion with changing facilities and a community room. The grant, along with £74,000 from Sport England Inspired Facilities and £35,000 from East Northamptonshire Community Facilities Fund, means the new courts should be in use by summer.

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Garden Open Day

Milton Hall (Peterborough PE6 7AH)

By kind permission of Sir Philip and Lady Isabella Naylor-Leyland

Sunday 8th May 2016 In conjunction with

MILTON SHOW Gardens open from 11am – 4pm.

Lakeside Walk – Formal Walled Garden – Kitchen Garden Plant Stall

SUMPTUOUS CREAM TEAS IN THE ORANGERY Admission £5 per car including driver. £2 each extra Adult.

Children free.

Includes entry into Milton Show (Gate opens from 8:00 am)

DOGS WELCOME INCLUDING: Horse & Pony Competitions, Dressage, Dog Agility Demonstrations, Mini Clear Round Cross Country, Vintage Tractors, Family Dog Show, Trade Stands, Tours of the Hunt Kennels and more.

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OUT & ABOUT May events compiled by Yasmin Bradley

Sunday 1 - Monday 2 May Stamford Pottery Market Grace your home with hand-crafted ceramics, purchase a gift for someone special or simply browse a stunning array of pots, jewellery, tiles and sculpture.

11am-5pm. Free entry.

27 St Mary’s Street, Stamford PE9 2LD. www. stamfordartscentre.com Wednesday 4 May Pentabus Theatre Company and Salisbury Playhouse present: This Land More superb theatre from the Stahl! A young couple attempt to rekindle their relationship as a fracking company plans to dig up their village.

7.45pm. £12 (£10). The Stahl Theatre, West Street, Oundle PE8 4EJ. www.oundleschool.org.uk/ Stahl-Theatre Friday 6 May Katherine of Aragon: The True Queen, an illustrated talk by Alison Weir Best-selling historian and novelist Alison Weir launches her new book, Katherine of Aragon: The True Queen – the first in a new series Six Tudor Queens here at Peterborough Cathedral.

Be quick – tickets are selling out fast.

7.30pm. £11 (£5.50 U18s) including a glass of wine or a soft drink after the talk. Tickets available online or at Oundle Box Office, 4 New St, Oundle PE8 4E; Peterborough Information Centre, 9 Bridge Street PE1 1HJ; and Peterborough Cathedral Shop, 12a Minster Precincts, Peterborough PE1 1XS. www.peterboroughcathedral.org.uk

Saturday 7 - Sunday 15 May Oundle Art Group Summer Exhibition A wide range of work from talented local artists including traditional, abstract and contemporary paintings in many different media.

10am-4pm daily (12.30 Sunday). Free entry. St Peter’s Church, Oundle Church St, Oundle PE8 4EE Sunday 8 May Milton Show and Garden Open Day By kind permission of Sir Philip and Lady Isabella Naylor-Leyland, the glorious garden at Milton Hall will be open from 11am-4pm in conjunction with the Milton Show.

Enjoy cream teas in the Orangery, show jumping classes and a family dog show.

Gates open at 8am for the show, admission £5 per car and driver, £2 each extra adult, children free.

Milton Hall, Peterborough PE6 7AH. www.miltonshow.co.uk

Friday 20 May The Sixteen, Choral Pilgrimage: The Deer’s Cry Internationally-renowned choral ensemble The Sixteen and conductor Harry Christophers return to Peterborough Cathedral with a programme of music by William Byrd and Arvo Pärt, with a talk at 7pm before the concert.

Tickets: £10-£22 available online or at Peterborough Information Centre, 9 Bridge Street, PE1 1HJ. Peterborough Cathedral, 12a Minster Precincts, Peterborough, PE1 1XS. www.tickets.ncem.co.uk

Loomes Championship announced for Rockingham Horse Trials Friday 20 May Music in Quiet Places: FB Pocket Orchestra with Blues, Ragtime, Hot Jazz, Songs and Dances from Long Ago! A vibrant and contemporary slant on popular acoustic music from the late 19th and early 20th centuries in an atmospheric setting.

7.30pm. £14 (£12) (U18s £4) St Mary the Virgin & All Saints Church, Church Street, Nassington PE8 6QG. Oundle Festival Booking Office, 4 New St, Oundle PE8 4ED. www.oundlefestival.org.uk Saturday 21 May Talk by Nigel Hill from Harpur’s of Oundle A fund-raising evening for St Andrew’s Church, Cotterstock.

Nigel will talk about the history of his family jewellery and antique business, his years as a drummer and his work as a qualified goldsmith.

7pm. £8. Cotterstock Village Hall, Cotterstock PE8 5HD. Tickets available from Harpur’s of Oundle, 5A West Street Oundle PE8 4EJ Saturday 21 May Brooks Williams in concert American acoustic guitarist and singer/ songwriter Brooks Williams has released over 20 albums and tours extensively both in the US and the UK. 7.30pm. £12.50 in advance, £15 on door.

St Mary’s Church, Warmington PE8 6WJ. 01832 280828 or 07521 643479; email John Sime: jcs12@hotmail.co.uk

The cream of eventing gather on 20-22 May for Rockingham Castle International Horse Trials. Event timekeepers Loomes & Co will award one of their hand-made British wristwatches to the rider who comes closest to the optimum time over the crosscountry course. The Championship is deliberately designed to reward the most experienced professional Event riders – an enthusiastic amateur might get around well under optimum time but risk their horse to do so, whereas an experienced rider knows that using every second of the optimum time (around seven minutes) allows the horse to stay as fresh as possible for the final, showjumping element of the competition.

The winner in 2015 was Sir Mark “I couldn’t be more delighted” Todd (above), who maintains that the Loomes watch is his most valuable prize in 40 years of competition.

Loomes & Co are a traditional firm of watchmakers based in Stamford, hand-producing around a hundred watches a year, each one entirely manufactured in this country. Managing Director Robina Hill says: “Rockingham is the perfect event for us to work with.

Some of the best riders in the world are competing here with style, timing and precision. It is a stunning showcase for what we do in watchmaking.”

• www.rockinghamcastlehorsetrials.com; www.robertloomes.com

BOOK NOW FOR…

Early Bird tickets are on sale for the 184th Rutland County Show which takes place on Sunday 5 June.

There’ll be lots to see and enjoy at this year’s show with Main Ring attractions including a scurry driving competition,sheep dog trials and birds of prey,culminating with a magnificent Grand Parade of livestock champions.

Rural exhibitions and demonstrations feature Leicester Poultry Group alongside the traditional cattle,sheep,goat and equestrian classes.

Browse over 100 trade stands and craft stalls,watch the farrier competition run by Leicestershire’s own Stephen Hill,try your hand at pétanque with free advice from a professional coach and enjoy vintage vehicle displays.Early Bird tickets are £10 for adults and £8 for concessions,children 14 years and under go free • www.rutlandcountyshow.com

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In association with Rutland Cycling Please enclose a cheque for £3.50, made payable to Local Living, and return to: BLBR PO Box 208, Stamford, PE9 9FY.

Or order online at:

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Loomes Championship at Rockingham Horse Trials 20th to 22nd May 2016

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