Nene Valley Living December 2013 by Best Local Living

HELPING

YOU

GET

THE

MOST

OUT

LIVING

NENE VALLEY LIVING FOOD/FASHION/HEALTH

BEAUTY/HOME

LOCALLY

GARDEN/LIFESTYLE

WATCHING WINTER WILDLIFE Magical local scenes A CHILD’S CHRISTMAS Seasonal events and shows WIN! A New Year makeover

£1.50 DECEMBER 2013 Nene Valley Living WWW.BESTLOCALLIVING.CO.UK

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HOUSE GOODS 4U

Large selection of home accessories & unique gifts for Christmas

BROWSE OUR LATEST

FURNITURE

Why pay more, when you can pay half price

Quality NEW & EX-SHOWROOM furniture from top well known high street brands at a fraction of their prices House Goods 4U has been running its business for 7 years in Peterborough, having firmly established itself as the best place to go for high quality discounted furniture. The store supplies everything you could possibly need for your home, right from photo frames to sofas and bedroom sets to mattresses.

PROMPT UK WIDE DELIVERY AVAILABLE

Big selection of beds and bedroom furniture

Huge selection of accessories, mirrors, pictures, ornaments and much more…

Shop Telephone - 01733 343777 Mobile Telephone - 07974 071803 Email - Housegoods4u@hotmail.com Website - www.housegoods4u.co.uk

Units 1, 2, 3 & 4 - St David’s Square, Fengate, Peterborough. PE1 5QA 2

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N ENE VA L L EY LIVING

Cover painting: CHARRON PUGSLEY-HILL

This Issue D ECEM BER 2013

hope our December issue will help to get you in the festive mood and celebrate in true Nene valley style. As well as our jolly seasonal cover by local artist Charron Pugsley-Hill, we have lots of features to help with your Christmas preparations. There are gift ideas from some of the area’s local shop owners, plenty of ideas for sourcing delicious food and drink, magical destinations to take your children, and when you’re ready for some peace and contemplation, why not go wildlife watching with our feature writer Dave Phillips (on page 29)? Although many people will be stocking up on treats for Christmas, times are hard for some, and we’ve got a really interesting article about how Peterborough foodbank is helping families who have hit a rough patch in their lives. The foodbank is not a permanent solution, just a temporary ﬁx: ﬁnd out how you can donate on page 38. Have a wonderful Christmas and best wishes for the New Year.

Fion a Cu mberpatch Editor • Correction: The Sue Ryder Vintage Fair is on Sunday December 1 in the Town Hall, Peterborough, from 10am. Clothes, jewellery, records and homewares.

5 Editor’s Selection

28 Watching winter wildlife

7 Upfront

30 The Delcor difference

8 Upfront

32 Putting on the Glitz

Plan your holiday to Sri Lanka

Pick a party frock

11 Upfront

34 Health and beauty notes

A Riverford Christmas

All the latest from local businesses

12 Upfront

37 Giving a helping hand

Gifts sourced locally

New shops in Oundle town centre!

Geese, deer and a kingﬁsher

Bespoke furniture in Stamford

WIN: A marvellous makeover with Anglia Co-Operative

Peterborough’s foodbank

15 Upfront

A day at the auction room

The Black Horse, Elton reviewed

41 Going for a song 45 The great cheese chase

17 My Perfect Gift

On the trail of the perfect Christmas cheese

21 The taste of Christmas

Seasonal tips from the expert

25 A master of music

Where to take the children this Christmas

Local retailers reveal their star buys

Putting John Lewis treats to the test

Proﬁle of Robert Quinney, Director of Music at Peterborough Cathedral

49 Adam the gardener 50 Festive fun!

53 Diary dates The pick of local events

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

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

SUBSCRIBE TO Nene Valley Living

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

NENE VALLEY LIVING DECEMBER 2013

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Crackers of Oundle Merry Christmas Ethnic meets Country Living Gifts & Accessories Wooden Toys • JellyCat Traditional Christmas Decorations St Eval Candle East of India & many more

3 New Street, Oundle, PE8 4EA Tel: 01832 274467

www.rutlandwaterflyfishing.co.uk

LEARN TO FLY FISH CHRISTMAS VOUCHERS Activity Gift Vouchers Now Available Online www.rutlandwaterflyfishing.co.uk/ giftvouchers Gift options for everyone; Total Beginners, Improvers, Experienced Fly Fishers, Coarse Fishers. Individuals, Couples, Families, Groups & Corporate Fly Fishing Team Days. Contact Rob Waddington on 01572 722422 or email rob@learntoflyfish.co.uk

Where sweet dreams are possible Making sleepless nights a thing of the past. Whether you need a night nanny to sooth your baby through the night, a good nights sleep yourself, or that ideal person to come in and give practical help and support for a few hours, part time or full time we offer you an exceptional service.

We supply and recruit:

All candidates are screened and interviewed during the recruitment process.

. Night Nannies . Sleep Trainers

. Babysitters . Home Helps

. Maternity Nurses (Newborn Care Practitioners) . Temporary, Part-time and Full-time Nannies London ofﬁce: +44 (0) 2078 872 676

Mobile: (0) 7517 987 182

Peterborough ofﬁce: +44 (0) 1733 248 101E-mail: info@sleepfairies.co.uk

www.sleepfairies.co.uk

Welcome Home Mother & Baby Gift Packages

Sleep Training Packages

from £199/ 24 hours

from £70

Your highly professional Maternity Nurse will do everything to help Mum recover quickly and to establish a good feeding routine, so your family can relax, bond and ‘Welcome Home’ the new arrival. A wonderful gift from Parents or Grandparents!

Your Sleep Trainer will inspire and empower you, with a few tricks of her trade, which if followed consistantly will have your baby sleeping through the night within 3 days.FREE sleep programme given with every ‘Initial Sleep Consultation’.

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GRE AT I DE AS FOR GIFTS A ND TR EATS

Editor’s selection 2

Stainless steel fish flask, £24, Digby and Gunn, Stamford (Tel 01780 754296)

Figgy pudding soap, £3.50 each by Wendy at Heavenly Bubbles, available from Oundle business The Handmade Emporium (great for gift ideas), www.thehandmadeemporium.com

Christmas cake soap, £4.95, from The Handmade Emporium (details as before)

Spiegl Press leather notebooks, hand bound in Stamford, from £12, can be personalised www. spieglpress.com

Helen Moore faux fur stocking, £26.95, Haversham’s Barn, Easton-on-the-Hill (info@havershamsbarn.co.uk)

Bespoke wine racks made in Lincolnshire from reclaimed wood, £110, www. thefallentree. co.uk

Blue and cream Moda fabric heart, £6, handmade in Oundle by Hilly Horton Home www. hillyhorton home.co.uk

Thornback and Peel hankies, £15.50 for three, Paradise Found, Stamford (Tel 01780764439)

Kirstie’s Christmas Crafts, by Kirstie Allsopp, £20, Hodder and Stoughton. Ideas to make, bake and sew. From The Oundle Bookshop (Tel 01832 273523) NENE VALLEY LIVING DECEMBER 2013

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A new destination shop has opened in Oundle selling exclusive gifts for Him, Her and Home. Shopping can now be a pleasure for you! Come and browse, a warm welcome will be waiting for you, a host of lovely goodies to choose from and genuine help where it is needed.

Professional Home Care Service A friendly & flexible home based care service tailored around each individual, to provide: • Companionship • Light Housekeeping • Local Transportation and Shopping • Meal Preparation

• Personal Care • Convalescence Support • Specialist Dementia and Alzheimer’s Care

Our CAREGivers are carefully vetted, fully trained, insured and undergo an enhanced CRB check

www.homeinstead.co.uk/oundle

It shows..... when you have been to Romejo’s 15 Market Place, Oundle PE8 4BA

Tel: 01832 272165 6

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UpFront ROMEJO’S GIFT SHOP ARRIVES IN OUNDLE There’s a stylish new addition to the Market Place in Oundle. Maggie Meigh has just opened Romejo’s, an exclusive gift shop. “I’m focussing on quality items for him, for her and for the home. They’re things to make you feel good,” says Maggie. A former actress with a background in retail, Maggie has always wanted to open a shop of her own and it was while she was recovering from an illness that she decided to make it happen. “When I saw that this building was available, it just spoke to me,” she says. “I love Oundle and I think my shop will fit in well here. The centre of Oundle needs to be a destination and I hope we can add to that.” Maggie’s stock will reflect her love of Italy. “I will source some items there,” she explains. “And I’ll also be stocking interiors pieces by brands including House Doctor and Parlane. There will lots of glassware, make up bags, iPod covers, and as we’ll be open in time for Christmas shopping, decorations for the home, too.” The shop’s name is a combination of her four daughters’ initials, and has a suitably Italian ring. “I think I must be Italian in my soul, because I love everything about the country,” says Maggie. Her aim is to provide “a customer-focussed experience. I want to make this a really pleasant place to shop.” • romejo’s, 15 Market place, oundle Tel: 01832 272165

ENSURE A GREAT NIGHT’S SLEEP Fitzgerald’s Bed Centre has recently opened a new showroom in Hampton, Peterborough. The business, which is already established in Bourne, Stamford and Spalding, offers a wide range of beds and mattresses, from inexpensive brands to top end luxury. Owner Paul Fitzgerald says: “getting the right bed and the correct support can make a world of difference to the quality of sleep that you enjoy. It really is a very important factor. We have something in stock for every budget, and all staff are trained to advise and guide our customers.” Expect to find brands such as Vi-Spring and Harrison, Slumberland and Silent Night. Mattress protectors and accessories are also in stock. “Sometimes people might just want to upgrade their mattress, or maybe they are looking for a bedstead, a divan, or bunk beds,” says Paul, who has 30 years of experience in the industry. “We cater for every aspect.” • Fitgerald’s Bed Centre, Unit 4, phorpres Close, Cygnet park, Hampton, peterborough pe7 8FZ Tel: 01733 891568

HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY

On December 1, it will be exactly 50 years since Carl Norwood bought the hair salon now known as Jaynes in Oundle with his late wife Ruth. The business in Market Place is still going strong with a core of regular customers and a special place in the heart of the town. “In the early days, the salon was split into two sections, with a quarter of the space for gents, and the rest for ladies. This area was divided into five cubicles, with curtains around them - people liked their privacy in those days.” Now, the salon is open plan, unisex, and employs five stylists. Carl admits that he has seen great changes in Oundle over the years. “There used to be three hairdressers, now there are seven!” he says. “The good times are gone, but we are lucky in that we own our property, and we are very well established. I’ll definitely be celebrating my 50 years in business with a party!”

ODYSSEY OPENS IN JERICHO Artist Anita Hunt has just opened a gift shop in her kitchen in North Jericho, just off the Market Place, Oundle. She will be selling hand painted furniture, greetings cards of her own designs, and hand made olive oil soaps. Why not pop in to find an original Christmas present? • Tel: 01832 275078 STop preSS: If your little one would like to meet Santa Claus, why not pop along to the under fives Tea and Tots session at Little Ducklings pre-School, Barnwell on December 20? The session is open to everyone between 1.30 and 3pm and a small admission charge applies. The old School, Church Hill, Barnwell pe8 5pG For more info, check the website, www.littleducklings-barnwell.co.uk

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W H AT’ S NEW T HIS MONT H

UpFront SPOTLIGHT ON SRI LANKA Sri Lanka is a land of phenomenal natural beauty and is home to seven World Heritage sights. From the bustling capital of Colombo to the many wildlife experiences, you will discover breathtaking scenery with pure contrasts from palm fringed beaches to lush tea plantations, all of which are experienced in a tropical climate with the natural charm and hospitality of the locals. Oundle Travel recommends a private island tour with your own chauffeur for a holiday to remember. Several options are available: a shorter three night tour may be combined with a beach holiday, starting in Colombo the capital and travelling to the elephant orphanage in Pennawela, moving on the to the Sigiriya Rock Fortress and the Dambulla Caves, Sigiriya Rock Fortress finishing in Nuwara Eliya. Longer six night and East coast tours are also available and may be combined with relaxation at one of Sri Lanka’s stunning five star properties at the end of your trip. The Fortress in Galle is a particular favourite, offering a choice of contemporary style accommodation and a stunning Spa. Offering a unique experience in a tranquil atmosphere, The Vivanta by Taj has a wide array of facilities with sailing, boating, and windsurfing nearby. Prices are subject to availability, flights are available direct from London Heathrow with Sri Lankan Airlines. Emirates also offer a convenient service from Birmingham Airport via Dubai. The Fortress Resort and Spa, from £1245 per person for a seven night stay in January 2014. The Vivanta by Taj, from £1065 per person for a seven night stay in March 2014. Tailor made tours with a private chauffeur, from £795 per person, depending on the departure date and duration. • For more information, contact Oundle Travel on 01832 273600.

INSPIRED BY THE ALLOTMENT Gardening on Peterborough allotments inspired a local journalist to write a novel which is now being sold worldwide. Neil Patrick came to Peterborough more than 20 years ago to work on magazines, and followed his gardening passion in the city, along with his career as a writer. The Healing Hut, a bittersweet family drama, brings both together. Neil has drawn on some of his allotment experiences to create and book which has been praised for the richness of its characters and comical events. Neil, who lives in Oundle Road, Peterborough, says: “Allotments are precious and some are under threat from developers. I think of allotments as little communities within communities, places we can retreat to when we need a break from modern life. Although my book is about people, love and hope, a secondary theme is the need to protect our green spaces.” • The Healing Hut, published by Touching Tales, ISBN 9780957608306, is available at Waterstone’s, Peterborough. The book is also available via Amazon, as a Kindle version.

ASK THE

expert

Working from home The boundaries between home and work are becoming increasingly blurred for many UK workers. Now over 3.8 million people are regular home-based workers*, of which 1.4 million are employed and 2.4million are self-employed. Kerry Hilliard of Peterborough Accountants, Stephenson Smart & Co, answers some of your questions about being employed and working from home. Are there any tax allowances I can claim if I work from home? If you are employed specifically to work from home and have no alternative, you may be able to get tax relief on some of your household expenses. Typically these include: • the extra cost of gas and electricity to heat and light your work area; and • business telephone calls. You can’t claim relief for expenses that would be incurred anyway, such as rent, insurance, mortgage interest, council tax or telephone line rental. How much relief will I get? You can claim either: • a flat rate £4 per week for each week you have to work from home, plus the cost of business telephone calls; or • a larger amount if the additional expenses are higher than £4, but you will have to show how the figure is calculated. This can be claimed though your self assessment tax return or, if you don’t have to complete one, by contacting your local tax office. What if I volunteer to work from home? You might volunteer to work from home as part of a homeworking arrangement – essentially an agreement with your employer that you’ll work at home on a regular basis. You don’t have to work at home every day, but there must be a regular pattern e.g. two days per week at home, three days at your employer’s premises. Under such an arrangement your employer can contribute, free of tax and national insurance, towards your home expenses - £4 per week, or more if you can show that you had to spend more than that. However, if your employer doesn’t contribute, you can’t get tax relief for the extra costs incurred as you are working from home by choice. Is it different if I’m self employed? Yes, different tax rules apply if you are self employed or run a business from your home address. *Office of National Statistics 2012

NENE VALLEY LIVING DECEMBER 2013

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LUXURY PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLE SERVICE Starting January 2014

SERVING THE NENE VALLEY AND SURROUNDING AREAS GUARANTEEING:

• Prompt, reliable service with enhanced CRB status and Local Authority approved to work transporting children. PCC Licensed • Corporate driver service and contract work welcome • Long distance destinations • Airport runs - all hours • Quality vehicles only used • 24/7 pre-booked availability • Friendly, discreet and smartly dressed English speaking drivers • Account facilities (monthly invoicing) • Credit & debit card accepted

For more information contact UK Passenger Direct

Email: ukpd@hotmail.co.uk Tel: 07050 092421

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THE OUNDLE BOOKSHOP

Based at Market Place, housed in one of Oundle’s historic Georgian buildings, we stock thousands of titles with a further 180,000 available for next-day ordering - order today & read tomorrow! We keep an in-depth selection in the following categories:• Biographies • Food & Drink • Gardening • Sport • Travel Guides • Fiction • Humour • History • Poetry • General Knowledge • Childrens’ Avid Reader? Ask for one of our Regular Reader Discount Cards. Spend £10.00 & get a stamp collect 10 stamps & we give you a £5.00 voucher. Need a Christmas Gift? Then come & see us - in addition to books we stock language, audio & classical music CD’s, bookmarks, magnifiers, giftwrap and some fabulous, original gift items!

13 Market Place, Oundle. T: 01832 273523 E: oundlebookshop@colemangroup.co.uk

Calling all care workers! Are you looking for a new start for the New Year? Do you want to work for an organisation that really cares about you? Join us for a career that offers: • a starting salary of more than the Living Wage. • a pay increase after successful probationary period. • regular, contracted hours to suit you. • paid training and development opportunities. • generous paid annual leave entitlement. • on-the-job travel costs and time reimbursed. • the ability to increase hours of work. • free uniform. • 24 hour a day support. If you are an experienced care worker with a full driving licence and a passion for helping people to lead independent lives, who is looking to work for a new type of care service, call us today!

01733 396484 val.stokes@crosskeyshomes.co.uk www.crosskeyshomes.co.uk

Join our team today!

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UpFront THE RIVERFORD FOOD MAGIC Nicholas Rudd- Jones became an instant believer in a different way of sourcing and enjoying food after a visit to Riverford at Sacrewell Farm

FROM THE RIVERFORD KITCHEN This month, try a vegetarian canapé, perfect for your Christmas party. Parsnip blinis, Cropwell Bishop, Walnuts and Honey Makes 12 This is a classic blini recipe, replacing one root vegetable for another. • 3 large parsnips • 2 large eggs, separated into yolks and whites • Dessert spoon of rice flour • 30ml crème fraiche • 30ml milk • Butter and olive oil • 100g Cropwell Bishop or another good quality blue cheese • handful of toasted walnut halves. • 1 tablespoon honey • Salt and pepper Chop the parsnips into 1/2 inch chunks, removing any bits of core that feel horribly woody. Sauté gently in

a pan of butter and olive oil until nice and soft. Purée in a food processor, season with salt and pepper, leave to cool in the fridge. Mix the egg yolks, rice flour, cream and milk with the parsnip purée. Whip the egg whites until they form soft peaks. Fold the egg whites gently into the parsnip mix trying to maintain a much air as you can. Heat a frying pan of olive oil and butter until the butter starts to foam. Drop a few spoonfuls of the mix into the pan, smoothing each in to a 2-3 inch disc. Cook until golden brown on one side and flip over to finish the other. Cook in batches. To serve, top with some crumbled blue cheese, mix the walnuts into the honey and pop one on top. These blinis can be cooked and frozen ahead of time. Defrost and warm through in a low pan or oven to refresh.

e were lucky enough to be invited for a walk around the farm followed by lunch prepared by the Riverford team. There is no quicker way to becoming a convert! Riverford sources its organic vegetables from the farm in Sacrewell, Thornaugh, and sister farms in the surrounding area which grow to the same organic principles. If you sign on for a veg box, your choice is flexible, ranging from the small veg box, through the salad box and combi boxes to meat, cheese and even milk and special seasonal boxes. Riverford boxes will make you more adventurous with food, but at the same time, you have complete control over the order each week, and you can tailor it in exactly the way that suits you, if no one likes swedes, if you have guests for the weekend, if you are planning a dinner party, for example. Where Riverford stands out is that they are keen to engage with the customers at a food level, recipes, recipe books, apps, and suggestions to bring the veg box to life each week. Not sure what to do with salsify? Just put it into the Riverford app and it will come up with a delicious recipe! Just for the record, we had a divine vegetable tart for our lunch, with roasted parsnips sprinkled with harissa and yoghurt, roasted beetroot, potato gratin and black kale stir fried with garlic. I never knew that curly kale could taste so good! We loved the meal so much we signed up for a weekly organic box then and there. We sat next to a couple who were on their 400th box. They told us: “we love the experimentation, the freshness, the fact that the produce is always in season, the flexibility of the ordering, in fact just about everything. We couldn’t dream of living without it. And our sons, who have left home and are married now order their weekly boxes where they live!” • To do the same, visit www.riverford.co.uk and check out the wonderful Christmas selection.

Riverford Christmas

start your festive shopping today 01803 762059

www.riverford.co.uk

fdrelieveery

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W H AT’ S NEW T HIS MONT H

UpFront WIN! A FANTASTIC MAKEOVER WORTH £400 With a New Year on the horizon, how do you fancy a stunning new look? One lucky Nene Valley Living reader will scoop a complete makeover worth £400, courtesy of Stylistics hair and beauty salon, Westgate Optical and the Beales department store in Park Road, Peterborough. Begin your new look with a visit to Stylistics on the first floor of Beales. Salon manager and senior stylist Nik and his team will style your hair to your choice, with a classic or up-tothe-minute look. You may also choose to treat your feet in our in-house chiropodist to complete that top-to-toe pampering. Westgate Optical, also on the first floor in Beales department store will help you to choose new frames or contact lenses to add to your transformation. Then browse the store’s fashion section to choose a party dress from their Beales Collection range and accessories including a Juno handbag. Let the Estee Lauder experts help you with your make up to put the finishing touches to your new look, together with a great free Estee Lauder gift! It’s a truly fantastic prize which will really make our winner’s new year start on a high note. To enter*, answer this question and email to fiona@bestlocalliving.co.uk What is the name of hair salon on the first floor of Beale’s department store? a) Stylistics b) Supremes c) Hair Express Closing date: December 20 *You must agree that your makeover can be photographed and featured in a forthcoming issue of Nene Valley Living magazine.

25 YEARS OF THE LAMPSHADE WAREHOUSE This coming year, The Lampshade Warehouse, Peterborough, is celebrating 25 years in business. We’ve come a long way from the days of a dome shaped, fringed shade shielding a 100 watt bulb in the middle of the lounge ceiling. Now people are seeking sparkling crystal fittings, subtle ambient lighting, chandeliers, wall lights, floor and table lamps. In the Lampshade Warehouse’s 2000 square foot showroom, there are hundreds of items on show and most can be illuminated at the flick of a switch. There are products for every room in the house, as well as an entire wall of outside lighting. Mike, Andy and their staff spend a lot of time talking to customers to understand their exact requirements. With the demise of incandescent bulbs, it’s now possible to choose from three technologies: halogen, CFL (compact fluorescent lamps) or LED. If you find these baffling, don’t worry: the Lampshade Warehouse staff can explain and demonstrate the pros and cons of each. A new website is planned for 2014, so you can still order even if you can’t visit in person. A massive clearance sale starts on Thursday January 2. • The Lampshade Warehouse Lighting Outlet, 10 Saville Rd, Westwood, Peterborough PE3 7PR Tel: 01733 264391 www.thelampshadewarehouse.co.uk

ADD A LITTLE CERTAINTY TO YOUR FUTURE The threat of further recessions, unemployment and a second banking crisis have left many people with less money in their pocket to spend. Often, we will have some level of life cover in place, typically to pay off the mortgage. However, protecting your family is about more than buying a simple life insurance policy. Although it’s something we’d prefer not to think about, statistics show that we are likely to be close to someone who gets a serious illness. Taking out a critical illness policy can offer some financial reassurance. These policies promise to pay out a lump sum not when you die, but on diagnosis of a specified condition, for example, a stroke, cancer or heart attack. It’s not just younger people who need to consider protecting their family, wealth and health. You may have seen adverts for whole of life assurance for older people selling over 50s plans to cover funeral costs. However, whole of life assurance policies do more than simply cover this. They can, for example, help against a potential inheritance tax (IHT) bill. Inheritance tax is currently paid on the excess of an estate worth more than £325,000 or over £650,000 if you are married or have a civil partner, where the full benefit has been passed to the surviving spouse. A common way to prepare for IHT is to take out a whole of life assurance policy in trust, which provides a sum of money that can be used to pay the IHT bill after you die. The proceeds of the policy do not form part of your estate, provided it is in a trust*. Many people think of financial planning as creating wealth, but it’s also about protecting what you already have. The future may be unknown, but with some expert guidance you can add some certainty to your financial future. *Trust funds are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. • To receive a complimentary guide covering wealth management, retirement planning or inheritance tax planning, produced by St James’s Place Wealth Management, contact Ian Gornall, Partner Practice of St James’s Place Wealth Management on 07889226225 or by email, Ian.gornall@jpp.co.uk or visit www.iangornallfinancialplanning.co.uk • The Partner Practice represents only St James’s Place Wealth Management Plc (authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the Group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the Group’s website www.sip.co.uk/products The St James’s Place Partnership and title Partner Practice refer to St James’s Place representatives

NENE VALLEY LIVING DECEMBER 2013

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Anglia Co-operative together we make the difference You can earn membership points in all our businesses The co-operative food part of Anglia Co-operative Society

The co-operative travel at Anglia Co-operative Society

Start enjoying all the benefits that membership brings - dividend points and exclusive offers. Join Anglia Co-operative today.

For more information and to find your nearest store or branch visit our website

www.angliacooperative.co.uk 13

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THE LAMPSHADE WAREHOUSE LIGHTING OUTLET Est.1986

The Largest Independent Lighting Showroom in Cambridgeshire

Opening Hours - Tues-Fri 9-5 Sat 9-4 The Lampshade Warehouse 10 Saville Road, Westwood, Peterborough, PE3 7PR

0 1 7 3 3 2 6 4 3 9 1 - w w w. t h e l a m p s h a d e w a r e h o u s e . c o . u k

Shutting it in or shutting it out - Whatever you need we have the solution... Garage Doors

New, Repairs & Servicing. All types supplied including Roller & Sectional. Automate existing doors.

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ALSO STORES IN Bourne, Spalding and Stamford

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W H AT’ S NEW T HIS MONT H

UpFront NENE VALLEY LIVING

recommends THE BLACK HORSE, ELTON

The Black Horse, Elton has undergone a complete transformation under new ownership and with a new management team. Jade Rose and her father Herbie Rose are running the business along with restaurant manager Lesley Cheney, and their vision is for a village pub which is part of the community, yet also has the facilities for weddings, business meetings and conferences, parties and special occasions. The new interior, which took six months of renovation, is rustic with a sparkle of sophistication. There are statement chandeliers over the bar, contrasting with the beams and stone. The old parquet floor in the bar glows, and there is fresh, softly coloured paintwork, glittering glassware, white lilies, silver candelabra and burning candles. Furnishings have been sourced ingeniously: lights from The Dorchester, for example, and one off pieces from eBay. It’s cosy and accessible, but smart, a difficult trick to pull off. We visited on a midweek lunch time and the pub was buzzing. There are lots of different areas, but it’s no longer a warren of rooms. Spaces have been opened up to let the light through. There was large party in one room, a couple of businessmen chatting earnestly, and several small, lively groups enjoying hearty sandwiches and snacks in the bar (tapas are served after 5pm). I chose crayfish and salmon fishcakes with Asian salad and a spicy lime mayo to start, while Bridget opted for duck parcels with fig chutney and baby leaves (both were recommended by restaurant manager Lesley, who looked after us brilliantly). My fishcake was moist, with juicy chunks of crayfish, and a lovely spicy bite in the salad. Bridget enjoyed her shredded duck inside crispy pancakes with grated carrot and onion. We followed this with two substantial main courses: Bridget loved her sea bass on a bed of lentils with butternut squash and courgette. “It tastes really fresh, with a hint of chilli, and it’s a healthy choice too,” she said. My chicken was full of flavour, with a crispy golden brown skin, a rich truffle and porcini mushroom sauce, new potatoes and green beans. Jade Rose designed the menu (she has a strong food background, having run kitchens in five star ski chalets), with chef Bogdan Dinu, who is, she says, “very creative, and a joy to work with.” The food is hearty in terms of portion size, and includes staples such as homemade burgers and fish and chips, but there are plenty of more unusual and sophisticated choices, too, including some healthy eating options. We were full after our mains, so we shared a dessert of ginger and lime tart with a berry compote and ordered two coffees. The tart was absolutely delicious with a crisp ginger biscuit base and creamy, sharp topping. Jade, Lesley and Herbie have many special events and plans in the pipeline, and this pub is always wonderful in the summer months, with its very large enclosed garden overlooking rolling fields (a perfect setting for a wedding reception). It’s great to see the heart restored to a village pub that is so full of potential. Fiona Cumberpatch • The Black Horse, 14 Overend, Elton, Peterborough PE8 6RU Tel: 01832 281222

CHRISTMAS COMES TO HAMBLETON BAKERY Julian Carter of Hambleton Bakery was recently voted Baker of the Year in the prestigious BIA trade awards. Whilst you will probably know Hambleton Bakery best for its range of organic, real bread, the company is also becoming renowned for an indulgent range of Christmas goodies that will add enormously to the gastronomic pleasure of the festive season. These products are available from the start of December. Especially notable are the Christmas puddings, very rich and rather alcoholic, based on an 1844 recipe handed down through Julian Carter’s family. Also of great distinction are the Christmas Crowns – six buns in a pan, with ginger, calvados apples, golden raisins, sultanas, peel and glaze. Here is just a selection of what is available in store now: Sweet Christmas pudding £7.50, £14.50 Mince pie (puff pastry) £1.10 Mini mince pie with frangipane 60p Cranberry and white choc cookie £1.00 Christmas crown £7.50 Chocolate brownie £1.50 Savoury Stilton & Celery Scone 90p Sausage Roll £1.50 Seasonal Quiche £2.10 Cheese Straw 50p The full range of breads will be available as usual in all the shops. Order for Christmas by 16th December. • 44 Jericho (off Market Place) Oundle PE8 4AU To order: 01832 275157 www.hambletonbakery.co.uk

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PE OPLE

My perfect gift Haven’t done all your Christmas shopping yet? Help is at hand as we ask six local retailers to choose the ideal present. Words: Lucy Banwell. Photos: Lesley Anne Churchill

Emma Turner, Devines Deli, Oundle What’s the perfect Christmas gift? A Devines Deli ‘Best of British’ Christmas hamper, containing artisan made Christmas pudding, fine British wine, a selection of local real ale and cider, hand-made chocolates, chutneys, jams and marmalades, and a selection of British cheeses. Do you enjoy Christmas shopping? Christmas is my favourite time of year. I love taking my time and really thinking of which present to get for those I love. What do you love most about Christmas? I’m still like a big kid at this time of year! I love how everything sparkles and glitters. I also love my annual visit to the pantomime on Christmas Eve with my little boy Riley, who’s seven. What’s the best Christmas present you’ve ever received? When I was eight, my mum and dad bought me a little red record player with flashing disco lights in the speakers!

Natasha Fierro, Tahlia’s Closet, Peterborough What’s the perfect Christmas gift? Our pave crystal necklace which comes in silver or gold. It’s an absolutely classic piece which sold out within a week. But we’ve got more in stock now both in store and online. Do you enjoy Christmas shopping? Yes. My mum has exactly the same taste as me and we’re not a big family so it doesn’t take too long. I love shopping for Tahlia, my fiveyear-old, and seeing her excitement building as Christmas gets closer. What do you love most about Christmas? I love the buzz in the lead up to Christmas and the fact that however busy your lives, you stop and make time for each other. What’s the best Christmas present you’ve ever received? The greatest gift I have is being able to share Christmas with my daughter while she’s still young. I love reliving the magic of Christmas through her. NENE VALLEY LIVING DECEMBER 2013

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Rachel Parkin, Reba, Peterborough

What’s the perfect Christmas gift? A Goodworks leather bracelet. I love these: they’re positive, inspirational, sparkly and colourful, and the company donates money to charity for each one sold! What’s not to love?! Do you enjoy Christmas shopping? I’m so busy at work in the run-up to Christmas I’m not very organised when it comes to shopping. I’m the oddball doing the food shopping at 3am because there aren’t enough hours in the day! Where possible I support independent retailers because I like the community aspect to Christmas shopping. What do you love most about Christmas? All the Christmas traditions - the sherry, the sleigh bells, the food, dodgy TV shows and board games. You make an effort to see people that you really should see more of and you always feel better for it. Christmas is like a crazy fast forward season followed by a long pause button. What’s the best Christmas present you’ve ever received? The iPad my husband bought me a couple of years ago.It saves me carting a chunky laptop around and it does pretty much everything except make the tea!

Judy Hibbins, Crackers, Oundle

What’s the perfect Christmas gift? An Earth Squared tweed ‘Lucy’ bag and scarf. The scarf to keep you snug and warm, and the across-the-body bag to keep your hands free to deal with excited children! Do you enjoy Christmas shopping? I enjoy the atmosphere and the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping locally. What do you love most about Christmas? Spending time with my grandchildren who are aged between eight weeks old and four. I also love opening my Christmas tree decoration box. It’s like a story book, each decoration holds such special memories for me. What’s the best Christmas present you’ve ever received? A plastic doll I was given when I was five. My children think it’s horrific! It’s one of those Fifties plastic dolls with blonde curls. I woke up on Christmas morning to find it lying next to me in bed. I loved it immediately!

Joel Lewis, Designer Leathers, Peterborough What’s the perfect Christmas gift? A purple leather satchel by Yoshi. They’re really popular at the moment, but it’s also a really classic style which would suit anyone. We stock them in all sorts of colours. Do you enjoy Christmas shopping? I get a bit anxious about it because I don’t have much time as we’re so busy in the shop at the moment. But I do really enjoy Christmas shopping when I get down to

Anne Clayton, Sweet Perfection, Peterborough

What’s the perfect Christmas gift? One of our retro hampers which contain sweets like Sherbet Fountains, Dip Dabs, Fruit Salads, Black Jacks, Pear Drops, Bon Bons, Sherbet Lemons, Love Hearts and Parma Violets. Do you enjoy Christmas shopping? Yes I do, but because the shop is so busy in the run-up to Christmas I tend to blitz the shopping in one weekend in the middle of November. I make lists and make sure I get the right present for everyone. What do you love most about Christmas? I love spending time with my four grandchildren who are aged between six months and four years old. We experience the magic of Christmas again through them. I enjoy taking them to the pantomime and having family get togethers. It’s such a happy time! What’s the best Christmas present you’ve ever received? A holiday in South Africa which was a present from my husband last year. We went on safari and saw white rhinos, cheetahs and ostriches. It was an amazing experience and one I would dearly love to repeat!

it. I take hints from my wife and daughters regarding their gifts and usually head to Stamford or London. What do you love most about Christmas? Watching the children happily opening their presents. My girls are 15, 12 and nine. And I love getting together with all the family. There will be 12 of us around the table this year. What’s the best Christmas present you’ve ever received? A pair of yellow skis I got from from my family a few years ago. I don’t ski anymore because I can’t afford it, but I used to love it and went every year.

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We open for lunch & dinner or just for a drink

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Let our chefs and their dishes take your taste buds travelling to the Orient through a tantalizing variety of dishes from the diverse cultures and ﬂavours of Southeast Asia.

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01733 315700

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NORMANS

GREENGROCERS AND FLORIST MARKET PLACE - OUNDLE Come to Normans for all your fresh Christmas Decorations at reasonable prices. We have daily deliveries of good quality plants and flowers throughout the year . We make to order individual Door Wreaths , decorated Holly Wreaths, Fireplace Garlands, Table Centre Arrangements ,Candle Arrangements and beautiful Hand Tied Bouquets . Good quality Cyclamen plants , Azaleas and Hyacinth bulbs, Orchids and other Seasonal Plants. Call in now for a Christmas Order Form or telephone 01832 273545 to discuss your requirements e: normansoundle@hotmail.co.uk www.normansoundle.co.uk

Stu-Pots

36 Market Place Oundle 01832 275414

The Wansford Cakery • Specialising in homemade cakes and traybakes • Cupcakes and candy cones made to order - birthdays, weddings, all occasions! • We also make fresh coffee and filled baguettes to take away • Find us on Facebook

Look for the Cooks Companion Leaflet coming through your door

Sodastream stockist Council approved bio-degradable bags in stock

Full key cutting service: Cylinder, Mortice, Chubb, Union, Yale, Safe, Car and Padlock

07754 321895 - thewansfordcakery@gmail.com 31 Elton Road, Wansford, PE8 6JD

THE OLD BARN WADENHOE Set in the beautiful village of Wadenhoe

Hambleton Bakery’s Christmas Range Hambleton Bakery will be baking their Christmas goodies as well as their full range of breads, savouries and cakes throughout December. Christmas Puddings, Mince Pies, Morello Cherry Tarts, Cranberry & White Chocolate Cookies, Florentine Tarts, Cheese & Rocket Muffins, Stilton & Celery Scones....

• Light Lunches & Set 2 Course Daily Special • Afternoon Tea - Home Made Cakes & Preserves • Gluten free sandwiches, cakes & scones available • Inside & Outside Seating

Luxury Afternoon Tea £12pp

GIFTS • IRONWORK • CRAFTS • PLANTS SHRUBS • BAY TREES • OLIVE TREES New winter menu available, including our delicious breakfasts

Christmas Gifts & Hampers Now in Stock

For Christmas orders, please order by 16th December Exton Bakery - Cottesmore Road, LE15 8AN Oundle - 44 Jericho, Market Place, PE8 4AU Oakham - Gaol Street , LE15 6AL Stamford - 1 Ironmonger Street, PE9 1PL

www.hambletonbakery.co.uk 01572 812995

Open 7 days a week 9.30am - 5.30pm

All enquires welcome, please call:

01832 721129

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FOOD & DR INK

Tastes of Christmas This year, John Lewis has brought together a collection of tempting festive foods which are ideal for gifts and treats. The Local Living team put some favourites to a taste test Tasting team: Lucy Banwell, Nicholas Rudd-Jones, Antonia Scott, Helen Walton, Fiona Cumberpatch

PRoDuCT sHoTs: TIM sTEELE

e were invited to sample a selection of the foods which are in store this Christmas. Delicious chocolates, spicy biscuits and crisp savoury snacks were tried, debated and assessed and then awarded a star rating (five being the best). Cottage Delight Savoury Christmas Trees £3.50 Antonia: Very herby and cheesy, would be delicious served with cheese and a drink.  Helen: Love the festive tree shape, and the crumbly texture  Nicholas: Would like these with a slab of soft cheese such as Brie. I like the shape and texture.  Cottage Delight Cinnamon Straws £3.20 Lucy: Cinnamon is the essence of Christmas, and you can really taste the spice  Helen: These would be lovely with some hot chocolate, eaten by a roaring log fire.  Fiona: Flaky and more-ish.  Traditional Italian Panettone, £4 Nicholas: Moist, light and fruity – everything a panettone should be  Lucy: Buttery, fruity, squidgy, would be lovely for a festive breakfast  Helen: Light and delicious, lovely packaging, would make a great gift.  Charbonnel et Walker Champagne Truffles £9.75 Helen: Beautiful pink box, feminine and elegant. The chocolates are gooey on the inside, and just delicious  Lucy: I love the vintage style packaging, and the truffles taste expensive. 

Fiona: Rich and delicious, I like the dusted outer coating and the silky texture inside the chocolates. Great box, too.  Chocolate marbles £5 Fiona: No wow-factor with the packaging, but good chocolate  Nicholas: A good choice for the whole family  Helen: A more masculine chocolate. They have a nice firm texture.  Lucy: A praline filling, they taste quite nutty. A good gift for unexpected guests  Mini gingerbread men £5 Helen: Visually excellent, but I’d like a bit more spice  Lucy: Good bit of chew in the biscuit, tasty, not too gingery, they’d be ideal for my sons aged six and four.  Fiona: A cute size, with pretty piped face and buttons. Nice syrupy taste, and chewy texture. Good for Christmas tea. I really like these.  Pfeffermusse £5 Antonia: Good to accompany mulled wine. Beautiful blue and white packaging.  Helen: Very authentic taste and traditional flavour.  Godiva Signature Truffles £23 Lucy: Rich and indulgent  Fiona: Lovely chocolates, but the dated packaging lets them down.  Helen: Gorgeous, moussey inside, crisp outside, and not super sweet. A real treat. If it wasn’t for the packaging, they’d get full marks from me. 

Butler’s Chocolate Assortment £10 Fiona: Excellent presentation, love the box with a red ribbon, and a real mix of fillings, even a fruit cream.  Nicholas: Fantastic white chocolate flake, crunch outside and soft in the middle.  Soft Amaretti, £8 Nicholas: Lovely with sweet white wine. Natural flavour, like marzipan. Delicious.  Helen: Very gorgeous. They’re encased in cellophane inside the traditional paper wrapping, so they taste extra-fresh and moist.  Fiona: A large, attractive tin and great value, they’d be an excellent gift. 

fter trying the festive foods, each tester nominated their favourite. Nicholas: Soft Amaretti Lucy: Charbonnel et Walker champagne truffles Helen: Pfeffermusse Fiona Gingerbread men Antonia: Cinnamon Straws • All the items tested are available to buy individually. John Lewis also offers great value hampers, with prices starting at £25. These make great gifts for clients, colleagues and family members. You can build your own hamper, choosing from a selection of drinks, cheeses, savouries and sweet treats, or choose from a selection of pre-selected choices such as Winter Warmer Hamper and Family Fun Hamper. • John Lewis, Queensgate Centre, Peterborough PE1 1NQ Tel: 0844 6931752

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PEOPLE

A Master of Music

predecessor both here and in Westminster, I was aware that Peterborough Cathedral has a very supportive attitude to music (strangely, perhaps, that is not universal!). I’ve been very encouraged by the enthusiasm of the Dean and Chapter to develop music to meet the needs of the 21st century and make Peterborough a centre of excellence for church music.”

Choir matters

The Director of Music at Peterborough Cathedral talks to Sue Dobson about that royal wedding and making Peterborough a centre of excellence for church music. Photo: Matthew Roberts

or someone hailed as a star among the firmament of British organists, with rave reviews for his recitals and recordings, Robert Quinney seems remarkably down to earth. Of his role as organist for the marriage of Prince William and Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey in 2011 he says: “I’m very proud of being part of that and will remember it vividly, but really it was just an extension of what we do every day – providing excellent liturgical music.” An estimated two billion people worldwide watched the televised royal wedding, and while he’s not likely to reach similar audiences anytime soon, it’s excellence that’s at the forefront of Robert’s mind as Director of Music at Peterborough Cathedral. He took over the post in April this year, after eight years as Sub-Organist at Westminster Abbey. No stranger to the east of England, he

Westminster Abbey has a specialist music school dedicated to the Abbey Choir. There, “music is wrapped around the choristers.” In Peterborough, pupils from The King’s School, together with adult male lay clerks, form the Cathedral Choir. “We have about 50 young choristers, roughly equal numbers of boys and girls aged between seven and 13, who during term time sing weekday Evensong and three services on Sundays. They don’t all sing together, there’s a choral rota with various different configurations of voices, but they do all join forces for special occasions like the Advent Procession.” With Christmas on the horizon, and a host of services and concerts on the Cathedral calendar, Robert says he’s particularly looking forward to conducting Handel’s ‘Messiah’ on 7th December. “It will be a wonderful event, bringing together the full forces of Peterborough Cathedral music, with the Choir, the Festival Chorus, the new Youth Choir of former choristers, four fantastic soloists and a period instrument orchestra, the kind that Handel himself would have known.” One of those soloists will be his wife, the soprano Cecilia Osmond. Much in demand as an oratorio soloist and recording artist, Cecilia frequently performs with such renowned vocal ensembles as The Sixteen, The Cardinall’s Musick and The Tallis Scholars. The couple have three children. “Beatrice, who is nine, joined the Cathedral Choir when I did and six year old Alexander will be auditioning this year. Eleanor, who is just one year old, is a little too young at present!”

Recording success read music at King’s College, Cambridge, where he was Organ Scholar from 1995 to 1998, and from 2009 spent five years as Director of Oundle for Organists. After university he headed to Westminster, first to the Abbey as Acting Sub-Organist, then in 2000 to Westminster Cathedral as Assistant Master of Music. He returned to Westminster Abbey four years later “for the number two job in the music department,” which included being principal organist and working closely with the Abbey Choir, performing with them on several international tours and on an acclaimed series of recordings. “I loved working at Westminster Abbey, exciting things were happening all the time, but to develop personally and in my career, the move here seemed a natural step,” he says. “Because I knew Andrew Reid, my

Named Royal College of Organists Performer of the Year in 2002, Robert has a busy freelance career as a soloist, ensemble player, composer and writer on music. Concerts and recitals have taken him around Britain and across Europe, to the USA, Canada, Australia and Russia, and his numerous CD recordings have all been widely praised. November saw him giving the opening recital at Llandaff Cathedral, “on the largest new, entirely British, cathedral organ since Coventry” and an Organ Extravaganza on home ground to publicize and raise funds to re-pitch Peterborough Cathedral’s 1894 Hill organ. “It is major work and expensive, but vital for the future development of music here at the Cathedral.” The charismatic Robert Quinney has the vision and determination to make it happen. www.peterborough-cathedral.org NENE VALLEY LIVING DECEMBER 2013

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NOW IN Oundle & Thorpe Wood

To find out more and book your free appointment: Owen, Marion, Lesley, Tabitha or Tina Huntingdon & Peterborough 01480 437772 or 01733 246459

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Static MRI Scanner Our static MRI scanner is now up and running in our newly expanded Radiology unit. Staffed by a team of experienced radiographers and radiologists we have excellent reporting times and expert opinions. The Optima MR360 Advance 1.5T scanner increases patient comfort and has a broad array of state of the art clinical applications. For more information please contact Morag Wilson, Radiology Manager Tel: 01733 842317.

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PE R SPE CT IVE S

Watching winter wildlife

Dave Phillips takes us on a tour of the countryside to show you where to see – and photograph – the creatures of winter. Photos: Dave Phillips

he rolling countryside and woods of the Nene valley are wildlife-rich and there’s no better time to see it than in winter. Now, with the trees bare of leaves and the undergrowth died back, you’re much more likely to catch sight of the elusive creatures of woodland and meadows. The fallow deer was introduced to this country by the Norman conquerors in the 11th Century. The deer soon made themselves at home in Rockingham Forest, which once covered much of our area. In the remnants of that great ancient forest, large herds of fallow deer still roam. The best time to see them is at dawn and dusk, when they venture out of the woods to graze on the verges of the surrounding fields. If you want to go deer watching, walk softly, because the deer’s acute sense of hearing will soon see them running for cover. They also have a highly-developed sense of smell, so try to keep downwind of the herd at all times. Fallow deer vary in colour, which just to complicate things will change in shade through the year. Coloration varies from near-white to almost-black, with varying shades of brown in between. You’ll also see the classic white spots on medium-brown background, so typical of this shy creature. To see them, go to virtually any of our woods such as the Fermyn Woods complex, and the woodland around Southwick.

The perfect picture As it is so difficult to approach deer, to photograph them you’ll need a camera with a telephoto or zoom lens that will allow you to take close-ups even though you are a hundred yards away or more. My favourite outfit is a Canon 100-400mm telephoto zoom mounted on a Canon 50D DSLR camera. The smaller sensor size on this digital model gives the big telephoto even more of a magnifying effect. Modern cameras and lenses have built-in

stabilising systems that help eliminate camera shake from spoiling your pictures, but it is still handy to keep the camera as steady as possible. Obviously you don’t want to be lugging around a cumbersome tripod, but a simple, lightweight monopod is useful. Always carry a camera of some description. Small modern cameras with built-in zoom lenses are capable of surprisingly good images. They can never manage the superb quality of a big camera and lenses, especially at the higher telephoto settings, but I’ve taken some great images with my £130 Canon compact. While you’re in the woods, look out for other wildlife, too. Foxes are plentiful in our area and are most likely to seen at the same time as the deer – early in the morning and at dusk. Like most predators, they prefer to go hunting when light levels are low and they’re less likely to be spotted by their prey. Be very quiet and stand as still as possible. If they don’t see you as a threat, foxes will venture quite close.

Photographing birds Winter is not the best time of the year for taking pictures of most woodland birds, as so many of our feathered friends are summer visitors that head for warmer climes in autumn. But the ever-increasing numbers of big birds of prey are with us throughout the year and whenever you go wandering in our local woods you can

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be certain that there are always a few red kites around to keep you company. They are naturally inquisitive birds and will approach quite closely to investigate you. As scavengers, they’re no doubt checking out whether you’re likely to be leaving any titbits of food behind. Also on the increase in our area is the buzzard. Unlike kites, they are not outright scavengers but feed on live prey – mainly rabbits. You can differentiate the two species very easily as the buzzard has broader wings and a shorter, curved tail. The kite has thinner wings and the distinctive forked tail that gives it its name. Finally, the kite’s feathers have a red tinge, while the buzzard is a grey-brown. Winter is a good time to see the birds of the waterside. You may see the electricblue flash of a kingfisher as it dives into the shallows to catch small fry. A great place to spot one is from the white footbridge over the mill stream of the River Nene at Wadenhoe, as they hunt from the branches of the adjacent willows. If you’re lucky, you may see a heron or its smaller relative, the egret. The latter is unmistakable – it’s bright white in colour – and has been present in the Nene valley for over a decade now as it makes its steady progress north from mainland Europe. It loves hunting in marshy rough ground and one place to see them is the mouth of the River Nene, where it enters the

sea near Sutton Bridge. The marshes here are a favourite hunting ground for egrets – and well worth a visit.

Walking near The Wash The sea wall around the Wash is a brilliant venue for a bracing winter walk with wildlife in mind. Hundreds of thousands of migrating birds make the Wash their home for the winter and you can

see some spectacular sights – especially at high tide as the vast flocks of knots and similar small waders come ashore as the exposed sandbanks in the middle of this shallow sea are covered by the rising tide. The astonishing shapes these big flocks make as they twist and turn above the waves is a photographer’s delight. It’s like a living Spirograph, and you can find them all around the Wash shores at various times in winter. Of course you don’t have to venture that far to see winter wildlife. In fact you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your own home if you have feeding stations in your garden for wild birds. It is at this time of year, when natural food is scarce, that they come to rely upon the offerings we put out for them – and of course they are very easy to photograph at this time. Tits – blue, great, coal and long-tailed – will be frequent visitors, along with various finches and other species, including woodpeckers. Meanwhile, in the meadows by the river, there are waterfowl galore. Thanks to the many gravel pits along the valley, numbers of wild geese have increased greatly in recent years. There is no more evocative sight and sound early on a winter’s morning than watching a v-shaped flight of greylag geese honking as they fly above the water, silhouetted against the glowing red sky of dawn in the Nene valley. NENE VALLEY LIVING DECEMBER 2013

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DES IGN INT E R IOR S

The Delcor Difference Delcor has been hard at work developing new additions for its Autumn – Winter range. These include the Georgian Chair, a winged high back chair, and The Ambassador, a Knole-style sofa with drop down sides

ust like all its other models, the Georgian Chair and Ambassador Sofa are constructed on a hard wood frame that carries a 20 year construction guarantee. They can be made longer, shorter, taller, wider and in any choice of fabric including leather.

The Ambassador The Ambassador is based on the classic Knole-sofa design, dating back to the early 1600s. There are many theories as to the origins of this design with its drop down sides. Most popular theory is that the high sides were designed to eliminate draughts on your back and neck, while the sides were adjustable to accommodate the large dresses worn by ladies in the 1600s. Delcor’s Ambassador has come a long way from this original design and is available in a Scatter back or Formal back (2 back cushions) option. The Ambassador pictured here is covered in the Red House collection from Warwick, with a formal back.

Modern Velvet Georgian Chair The Georgian chair shown here is in William Morris velvet. The style of this ‘Forest Velvet’ is based on a tapestry designed by William Morris, Philip Webb and J. H. Dearle in 1887. This adaptation, designed by Alison Gee, depicts scrolling acanthus leaves, a lion, peacock, hare and fox, amongst bunches of wild flowers, making it an exultant choice for those traditionalists at heart.

The Prezzo might not be a new addition to the range, but with its sleek lines this modular corner unit will complement any contemporary interior. Linwood’s new and luxurious Italian velvet, Omega, is a great choice for the modern family with its washable, stain repellent finish. There are 53 fabulous velvet colours swatches to choose from.

• To see these, and many other beautifully hand crafted sofas, come and visit the Stamford showroom at 30 Bath Row, Rear of St Mary’s Hill, PE9 2QX. Monday – Saturday, 10am – 5pm and Sunday, 10am – 4pm www.delcor.co.uk For more details call 01780 762579 or email stamford@delcor.co.uk

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FASHION

Putting on the glitz at Havershams Words & styling: Sally Stillingfleet Pictures: Elli Dean

Delia (left) navy draped back sequined dress by Luke Lovely £199 from Jacks. Claire (right) Blue sequined mini dress £50 from Energy, Ayala Bar earrings £140 from Jules by the Riverside. Roger Vivier black courts £120 (Delia) Balmain suede courts £120 (Claire) both from Arch Label Agency.

t’s not often that the perfect backdrop for a Christmas shoot falls into place so easily; but such was the case with Havershams Barn in Eastonon the Hill, which provided the most sparkly setting and shopping experience. A rare cornucopia of fantastic vintage finds and lovingly sourced homewares, cleverly displayed with stunning Christmas decorations packed with vintage character and liberally sprinkled with glitter. The most eclectic setting for sequined dresses, lacey outfits and lovely jewellery guaranteed to make you stand out this Christmas. Thanks to Havershams owner Delia Calder and Claire for modelling.

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Midi-dress £29 from Baubles & Bangles, Ayala Bar earrings £140 and crystal clutch bag £52 both from Jules by the Riverside.

claire: Sequined jumper by Oui £129, with silver lurex vest by Rosamunde £40, Silver print cigarette trousers by Oui £129 and stilettos by Sam Edelman, £170 from cavells. Ayala Bar earrings £140 from Jules by the Riverside. Delia: Black Jacinta lurex dress by Josephine & co £179, patent court shoes by calpierre £115 all from cavells.

Lindsey Baker from Will Wheelwright suggested two sophisticated ‘Up-Dos’ for models Delia and claire. Lindsey is a creative and experienced wedding specialist and is very experienced in creating hairstyles in keeping with up to the minute trends, whilst working with the style of the clothes we have chosen. keeping the hair up allows the clothes to be shown off and the intricate weaving and shaping has created two wearable but ‘vintage’ styles. Delia’s shoulder length hair gets a soft up-do, which is both elegant and romantic. claire’s one length hair with a fringe appears to be thicker but with backcombing claire’s hair is teased to one side and is all ready to party! Will Wheelwright – Tel: 01572 757137 www.willwheelwright.co.uk

Many thanks to Liza Smith, a freelance professional make-up artist, who has created two pretty but sophisticated party looks for both models with lots of shimmer - perfect to highlight and accentuate features and perfect for the glitzy dresses. Liza Smith – Tel: 07788 421401 liza@professionalmakeup-artist.com

Almost Famous lacey peplum top £90 with navy Esprit camisole £15, burgundy Mac jeans £100 all from Attic. Michal Negrin floral long earrings £149 from Jules by the Riverside. Valentino sandals £250 from Arch Label Agency. Right: Delia Black velvet mini dress from Energy £30, worn over Tim Ryan cardigan with sleeve fringing £190 from Arch Label Agency. Bill Skinner necklace £125 from Jules by the Riverside. Left: claire cream vintage-style dress £65 from Seaweed with gold Anya Hindmarch clutch bag £100 from Arch Label Agency.

Havershams – Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday - 26 High Street, Easton-on the Hill, Stamford. Tel. 01780 766655 www.havershamsbarn.co.uk info@havershamsbarn.co.uk STOckiSTS: Jules by the Riverside – Wharf Road, Stamford. Tel. 01780 755948 www.julesofstamford.co.uk Energy – 9 Ironmonger St. Tel: 01780 765633 Attic – 33 St Mary’s Street, Stamford. Tel: 01780 766667 Baubles and Bangles – 10 St Mary’s Hill, Stamford. Tel: 01780 763633 Arch Label Agency – 43 St. Peter’s Street, Stamford Tel: 01780 764746 cavells – 16 Mill Street, Oakham. Tel: 01572 770372 Seaweed – 8 St Mary’s Hill, Stmford. Tel: 01780 767878 Jacks – 16 Church Street, Market Harborough. Tel: 01858 431396 NENE VALLEY LIVING DECEMBER 2013

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HEA LTH & BE AUT Y

Health & Beauty Notes All the latest on local health and beauty businesses. By Bridget Steele PARTY PERFECT Louise Sharpe of The Old Forge Hair and Beauty in Farcet has a great Christmas beauty package to prepare you for the party season. The package includes a spray tan, gel polish on the ﬁngers or toes, and outer corner eyelash extensions, all for £40. • For more details contact The Old Forge Hair and Beauty, 12 Cross Street, Farcet, Peterborough PE7 3AL Tel: 01733 235392. www.oldforgehairandbeauty.co.uk

SLIM YOUR BODY

FREE HEALTH ADVICE IN PETERBOROUGH Four Peterborough Libraries (Orton, Hampton Werrington and Peterborough Central) are running free sessions to discover the online resources that can help you and your family to make changes to gain a higher quality of life. There will be support on healthier eating, exercise, stopping smoking and reducing alcohol intake. • For more information contact Peterborough Central Library on 01733 864280 or e-mail centrallibrary@vivacity-peterborough.com.

AIMING FOR OPTIMUM HEALTH

Fit for Life is a business which aims to provide you with help and advice on how to achieve optimum health for you and your family. • Fit for Life can offer information on how best to manage symptoms of disease such as circulatory problems, stress, IBS, diabetes, arthritis and natural solutions which may help these conditions. Advisors are happy to discuss safe alternatives and provide advice on natural organic vitamin and mineral supplements that can also complement prescription medications and may reduce their side effects. • Fit for Life run eight week daytime, evening and online weight management courses to help you to understand why dieting is only a short term solution and how to manage your weight, long term, by understanding the other factors that affect why we always put the weight back on. • Fit for Life also offers general nutritional support for anyone who wants to boost their immunity naturally. • Fit for Life can also offer you a free lifestyle analysis (a simple questionnaire that will pick up any gaps you may have in your nutrition). • For more information and free advice contact Gill and her team at Fit for Life today: Tel: 07956058107 email: stayﬁtforlife@btinternet.com

If you have you got a special dress that you want to ﬁt into or want to jump start a new and slimmer you, you could try a Shrinking Violet body inch loss wrap. Shrinking Violet body wrap works by lipolysis, a method which claims to remove unwanted fat from difﬁcult areas such as the thighs, buttocks, abdomen and upper arms. The amount of fat reduction depends on your build but a minimum of four to six inches may be lost in just one body wrap, which will continue to work for 72 hours. The procedure is effortless and painless. After taking measurements and preparing the skin, the therapist wraps you up in a heat inducing ‘wrapture’ and asks you to relax for 60 minutes on a heated bed. The wrap is removed and measurements are taken again. Shrinking Violet is great as a one off treatment although a course of treatments is advisable for longer lasting results. • For more information please call: The Limes on 01733 311554 www.thelimestherapies.com

CHRISTMAS GIFTS AT ELYSIA Need some last minute gift ideas? Try these from Tansor salon Elysia: Jessica Glitter Nail polish sets £15.50 Spa Finders Face or Body product bags £35 Environ facial products start at £15 • For more information on gifts from Elysia and treatment packages contact Elysia Health and Beauty, Tansor, Oundle, Tel: 01832 226328 or 07879 620196. www. elysiahealthandbeauty.com

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Advertisement Feature

Elysia Health and Beauty wishes you a Very Merry Christmas

The build up to Christmas is a hectic time so, let the girls at Elysia Health and Beauty make life a little easier.

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A REVOLUTIONARY BODY INCH LOSS WRAP • Non-invasive • Pain free

elax in calm and indulgent surroundings without the worry of parking or traffic and, enjoy the very best in treatments. Here’s a few idea’s we’ve put together for you but, if you want us to create a personalised treatment package please give us a call. LITTLE BLACK DRESS PARTY PACKAGE • Jessica GELeration manicure • St Tropez Tan • Lash Perfect Eyelash Extensions • ONLY £50. Why not add a make up for an extra £5 CHRISTMAS SPARKLE – ULTIMATE ANTI-AGEING • CACI or ENVIRON … Ultimate anti –ageing facial. • CACI Facial treats fine lines, wrinkles, eye area, sagging skin and the jowl area. Immediate results. • Environ Facials treats sun damaged skin, dryness and signs of ageing • Amazing offers on courses booked in December

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DE-STRESS • Let us take you on a wonderful journey and give you the ultimate deep and relaxing massage experience. • Choose from one of our fabulous massages. As an extra present to you, spend over £50 in December on treatments or vouchers and we will give you a £10 gift voucher to use in January. Also don’t forget our newly launched loyalty cards, which are a thank you for your support. Like us on Facebook for amazing offers to come over the festive period and the New Year, as well as our new website for exclusive offers and updates. We look forward to seeing you for a mulled wine or a glass of bubbly and delicious cupcakes in the salon during December. RELAX, REWIND AND FEEL ALTOGETHER BETTER. • Elysia Health and Beauty, Tansor, Oundle, 01832 226328 or 07879 620196 www.elysiahealthandbeauty.com

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• Laser Hair Removal

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Afternoon Tea with a Twist £35.00 per person Choose 1 treatment from the list below

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• Microdermabrasion • Botox and Fillers • Dermaroller

Christmas Pic ‘n’ Mix - £45.00 per person Choose 2 treatments from the list below Mini Gel Manicure • Mini Gel Pedicure ½ Body Fake Bake • Gloss Blowdry Eyebrow Wax & Tint (skin test required) Decleor Massage – 20 min massage of either back & neck, shoulder & scalp or legs & feet Decleor Facial – 20 min teaser facial to deep cleanse the skin using Decleor products This package includes cupcakes, complimentary glass of bubbly, tea, coffee & refreshments. Gift Vouchers Available

Tel: 01780 781102 The Haycock Hotel, Wansford

• Age and Brown Spots • Chemical Peels

The BodyLaser Clinic Peterborough Clinic 60 Broadway, Peterborough, PE1 1SU Tel. (01733) 555200

Cambridge Clinic Essex House, 71 Regent Street, Cambridge, CB2 1AB Tel. (01223) 464171

www.bodylaser.co.uk

Introducing the Silhouette Soft Thread Lif t for the face – no downtime just instant results

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PE R SPE CT IVE S

Giving a helping hand The Peterborough foodbank has been in operation for a year now. Sue Dobson tells its story

ll over the UK, foodbanks are providing emergency food for local people in crisis. Since the Peterborough foodbank opened at the end of October last year, donated food has fed over 4000 people, many of them children. Juliet Welch, Community Action Manager at KingsGate Community Church in Parnwell and the Peterborough foodbank Project Coordinator, says that around a tonne of food a week is currently being distributed. “The economic downturn and changes in the benefits system have caused the number of people needing foodbanks to grow significantly. With rising prices and higher energy bills, we are expecting to see more people in crisis this winter.” Set up with advice, support and guidance from the Trussell Trust (see box below), the Peterborough foodbank is a community project under Christian governance, open to people of all faiths or none. It started with three distribution centres; now there are nine, spread across the city, ensuring that there’s at least one centre open for a few hours every day. “Filled with non-perishable products, carrier bags of food are very heavy to carry, especially if they are supplies for a family, and transport can be a problem, so it’s important that the centres are located near where people live. The busiest centres are Dogsthorpe on Friday and Westgate Church on Saturday, perhaps because of their proximity to the Citizens Advice Bureau and the town centre.”

Help in a crisis Using a voucher system, the foodbank is designed to help individuals and families in crisis, through the provision of emergency food supplies. Professional care-workers and other agencies in the Peterborough area refer them, with a food voucher, to a distribution centre where they are given enough nutritionally balanced supplies to last three days, a cup of tea or coffee, and help to find other organisations that can assist them in resolving the underlying problem. Entitlement is limited to up to three consecutive foodbank vouchers per client. “We rely on the professionals to assess need,” Juliet says. “The foodbank is intended to be crisis management, perhaps when benefits are delayed or illness strikes the wage earner. Often people are very upset to find themselves in this situation and we can offer a listening ear and help them move forward. If they are open to prayer, we pray with them.” Being run for the community by the community means that all the food is donated, by individuals, schools, businesses and churches, and all the people who help by sorting, packing and distributing the food, are volunteers. “Peterborough people have been so

generous. Tesco Distribution has been very helpful to us, and Tesco, Waitrose and Asda have allowed us to do collections in their stores. Without such generosity, and without our volunteers, there’d be no foodbank.” Co-ordinating all this is a huge organisational and logistical jigsaw puzzle, as I discovered when I visited the foodbank warehouse at the back of the Herlington Centre in Orton Malbourne, where all the donated food is gathered and sorted.

Getting sorted The unit looks small from the outside, but it opens out, tardis-like, into a hive of industry. Long runs of shelves groan under the weight of tins, jars, cartons and boxes; stacks of full crates cover practically all the available floor space. I’m there just after Harvest Festival and the warehouse is bulging at the seams. It was last year’s crop of Harvest Festival donations from churches and schools that allowed the foodbank to start its operation sooner than originally planned. This year the response has been overwhelming and looks likely to far surpass the 40 tonnes of food donated in 2012. Storage has raised a few difficulties, but with perfect timing the adjoining unit became available and the warehouse has expanded to occupy every inch of space there, too. “You’re here at the busiest time of the year, it’s not always like this,” smiles Warehouse Manager Rev Linda Elliott, who has been involved in the project since its inception. She’s there three mornings a week and works with “fantastic teams. Different people come in every day, but it all works brilliantly.” The system operates like this. The food received is weighed, the expiry date checked

(any out of date goods are removed) and each item is given a coloured sticker to indicate the year of its shelf life. It is then stacked on shelving by type, which flags up if stocks are running low. There are times when demand outstrips supply and some purchases have to be made, so donations of money are also welcome. The volunteers then collect together the items requested by the distribution centres, weigh them out and crate them up. Looking around, I see 17 crates prepared for Gunthorpe alone and lose count as all around me the numbers are mounting for the other eight centres.

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PE R SPE CT IVE S What’s nee d

(all food dona e d? te d mus t be n on-per ishable and preferabl y with a long use-by date) Milk (UHT

Support hubs All is calm at the Stanground Baptist Church distribution centre. The kettle is on and plates of biscuits are set out on tables where volunteers are chatting quietly with clients. In an adjacent room, Sue and Annie are busy picking from cupboards stacked with nonperishable foodstuffs and ﬁlling carrier bags. They work from standard food lists with a designated allocation of items for single people and for families with children. Rev Ray Smith tells me that when someone comes in with a voucher, it’s necessary to know a few basics before packing can start. “We always check what cooking facilities they have. Here we see people who are living in tents and

or p o Sugar (500g) wdere d) Long life f r uit juice (carton) S o up Pas ta sauce s Sponge puddin g Tomatoe s (t in (t inne d) ne d) Cere als Rice pudding (t in Te a bags/Ins t ne d) a n t c o f fe e Ins tant mash po tato Rice /pas ta Tinne d me at/ ﬁ Tinne d f r uit sh Tinne d vege ta ble s Jam Biscuits or sn ack bars

single young men surviving in a room with just a kettle.” Most clients are low income families hit by a crisis that is not their fault, such as redundancy or reduced working hours. Higher living costs and lower earnings can leave a family unable to make ends meet. An unexpected bill can tip them over the edge. Others are victims of domestic violence, people experiencing beneﬁt delays, facing debt problems or hit by illness. It seems that as the gaps in the system get ever wider, the support offered by the Peterborough foodbank will become a lifeline to an increasing number of local people in crisis.

• There will be supermarket collections for the Peterborough foodbank on December 1 at Tesco in Werrington and Hampton, and on December 7 at Waitrose, Queensgate. • To ﬁnd out more, donate or volunteer, visit www.peterborough.foodbank.org

About the Trussell Trust Founded in 1997, the Trussell Trust is a Christian charity that provides assistance to people of all backgrounds and all faiths or none who are found to be in genuine need. Not affiliated to any political party, it receives no government funding. Part of the Trussell Trust, the UK foodbank network was launched in 2004, teaching churches and communities nationwide how to start their own foodbank. In the 2012-13 financial year, 2,462 tonnes of donated food was given to people in crisis and fed 346,992 people, a third of them children. Government indices of deprivation reveal that over 13 million people (one in five of the population) live below the poverty line in the UK. The Trust’s stated vision is: “A foodbank in every town; a nation where no-one needs to go hungry.” www.trusselltrust.org

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Treat someone with unique, UK made gifts this year! Available online at

www.thehandmadeemporium.com From natural soaps to one of a kind jewellery, bags, cushions, perfect gift sets and more.

Visit us online at any time day or night for perfect present shopping. Winner of the Small Business Sunday awards! Read more at thehandmadeemporium.com

Free delivery to all our local customers using the code LOVELOCAL on our website at : www.thehandmadeemporium.com

Welcome to Clarkes Clarkes is a family run restaurant in Peterborough offering high-level dining in the relaxed atmosphere of a local neighbourhood restaurant, we have recently moved from Lincoln Road to our new home by Cathedral Square Peterborough. Our modern British food is freshly cooked to order using locally sourced ingredients along with daily home-made bread and hand-made desserts. Inspired by farms and produce around the local area, our cuisine – pioneered by chef Lee Clarke – is confidently sophisticated with creativity balanced against tradition. We are open for lunch and dinner Tuesday to Sunday.

8 Queen Street, Peterborough - 01733 348917

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Beautifully decorated and formally run by a husband and wife team. Ambitious, tasty, modern cooking… - Michelin Guide 2013 NOW TAKING BOOKINGS FOR CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR

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Clarkes Restaurant, Peterborough, 10 Queen Street, St Johns Square, Peterborough PE1 1PA

e-mail: bookings@clarkespeterborough.co.uk

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Tel: 01733 892681

www.clarkespeterborough.co.uk. 39

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OUNDLE MILL

DINE FOR £18.95 ON THURSDAYS Every Thursday from January 2nd, for lunch or dinner, you can experience our delicious Mill menu for £18.95 for 3 courses. During lunch times only you can enjoy 2 courses for £15.95.

TASTING MENU Our Head Chef, Gavin Austin, has created a fabulous Tasting menu inspired by local farms and produce. The Tasting menu is priced at £38.50 per person and is available on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings.

AFTERNOON TEA • Tea and scones £5.50 • • Tea and Oundle Mill’s mini cakes £7.50 • • Full afternoon tea £17.50 • • Champagne afternoon tea £24.95 • Available on Fridays and Saturdays between 3pm and 5pm, pre-booking is required.

Barnwell Road • Oundle • Northamptonshire • PE8 5PB www.oundlemill.co.uk • 01832 272621

Asha’s, The Bazaar, West Street, Oundle, PE8 4EJ Telephone: 01832 275605 Email: barbara@ashas.net - www.ashas.net Opening Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 9.00 am - 5.00 pm

Stockists: Coffee Bag Company - cubes and cushions Annie Sloan Decorative Chalk Paint | Furniture Painting Courses Keith Brymer Jones - Word ceramics Ian Mankin Fabric | Furniture | Soft Furnishing | Gifts

ENTER ST. MARTINS ANTIQUES NEW USE FOR OLD COMPETITION & YOU COULD WIN A £50 VOUCHER

So many of yesterday’s useful objects can still be useful today. With a little imagination a redundant laundry ponch becomes a stylish home for toilet rolls, a log basket, looks great full of magazines and even a Victorian milk churn takes on a new life, full of umbrellas. Buy something from us that you find a new use for, take a photograph of it and email it to info@st-martins-antiques. co.uk with a brief description of its new use and you could win a £50 antique voucher. Make the subject of the email ‘Competition’. Entries must be in by December 20th. They will be judged by the staff at St. Martin’s Antiques and their decision is final. You can enter as many times as you like. The winner will be notified in the new year. St. Martins Antiques is open to ideas 7 days a week, from 10am until 5pm Monday to Saturday and 10.30am to 5pm on Sunday. Whether yours is a traditional home or has a stylish modern interior come and take a look. You are sure to find something to inspire you. St. Martins Antiques 23a High Street, St. Martins, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 2LF. Tel: (01780) 481158 Web: www.st-martins-antiques.co.uk

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L OCA L BUSINE SS

Going for a song Oundle auctioneers Goldsmiths have moved to new premises. Dave Phillips went along to their latest sale to join the bidders

ntil very recently I had never been to an auction. It’s a bizarre confession: after all, I’ve been an eBay fanatic for nearly 10 years and have whiled away many long hours and acquired too much rubbish bidding online for stuff I didn’t really need. But I had never been to a real, live auction. Perhaps it was the fear of the unknown: you know, the tales you hear of unsuspecting auction virgins scratching their nose and unwittingly buying something they didn’t want. Or maybe I didn’t think I had the skills to compete against the experts to bid for a bargain. Either way, it was a case of all change when I heard that Oundle auctioneers Goldsmiths were opening a new auction centre. My nextdoor neighbour and auction fanatic Sylvia Neal told me about it – and added the fateful words: “So why don’t you come along?” Goldsmiths’ new Auction Centre is in Eastwood Road, Oundle, just round the corner from the new Waitrose store. And as we neared the auction, I realised just how popular it was. Even though we’d left in good time, the roads around were clogged with cars. “I love the thrill of an auction,” Sylvia confessed. “I suppose it all started when I was a child, back in Cornwall. My parents moved into a big farmhouse and it seemed really empty as we didn’t have enough furniture and stuff to ﬁll all the rooms. “But Dad changed all that. He started going to local auctions and ﬁlled the house with furniture he’d bidded for and won. He used to go every week and I went with him, as I loved the atmosphere – and I’ve been going ever since.” It’s a useful skill to have. Sylvia runs the Old Barn at Church Street, Wadenhoe, which is a garden centre as well as a gift shop and tea room. Most of the stock in her garden centre comes from the weekly plant auctions at Spalding at Wisbech, along with the fresh fruit and produce she uses to make delicious homemade jams and chutneys for her tea room.

Inspecting the wares Even though the new auction centre is bright and spacious, it was soon packed with wouldbe buyers, browsing among the lots. Although bidding starts at 9.45 am, the doors open 45 minutes earlier to give everyone a chance to inspect the wares. It can be quite a poignant experience. In one cardboard box there was a collection of scrapbooks from the 1950s, full of newspaper and magazine clippings of ﬁlm stars and local sporting heroes, pasted in, I imagined, by a NENE VALLEY LIVING DECEMBER 2013

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L OCA L BUSINE SS star-struck teenager who is now probably a grandmother herself or, more likely, passed away – and this box of memories is now part of a house clearance. Many of the lots were cardboard boxes filled with a miscellany of stuff – some practical (lots of gardening and kitchen tools), others eclectic collections of china, textiles, pots, pans and gardening tools. No doubt among the junk were a few gems, because there were people in the crowd who definitely had the air of knowing what they were doing. “They’re dealers,” whispered Sylvia. “You see them at every auction, taking notes. They know what they want and how much they are prepared to bid.” To me, that was a bit daunting. I neither knew what I wanted, nor how much I would be prepared to bid. Nor did I know how to properly differentiate between junk and gems. I made a mental note to devote this, my first trip to the auction, to watching what everyone else did and learning how it all worked. And that, I decided, would be fun.

Going, going… Indeed, the fun started at 9.45am precisely when auctioneer Ian Goldsmith climbed on to his rostrum and started the bidding. To me, a novice, the bidding was conducted at a giddying pace, but the seasoned bidders took it in their stride. Nods, winks and the occasional waved hand from the crowd indicated who was bidding for what. Sylvia was in the thick of the action and was soon the proud new owner of a box containing what appeared to be half the contents of a kitchen. “I bid for it because there were some old pudding dishes in there that I liked. The rest is a bonus,” she explained. The “bonus” bits included a brand-new carving set, baking tins, assorted plates, cups and saucers, Pyrex casserole dishes, pastry cutters and brushes, paring knives, wooden spoons... and a handbag. And all for a ﬁver (plus 20 per cent commission). Obviously this auction lark could be fun. And so the morning progressed – in a blur to me, but by the end I was getting the hang of how it all worked. Somehow I resisted the temptation to join the bidding, but I’ll be back and next time I’ll be conﬁdent enough to slog it out with the rest of them. In the meantime, there was the serious business of carrying Sylvia’s assorted lots back to the car. She wore the smile of a winning warrior of the auction house. And who can blame her? • Goldsmiths Auction Centre is at Eastwood Road, Oundle PE8 4DF. There are regular general household and antique sales.Go to www.goldsmithsofoundle.co.uk or phone 01832 272349.

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FOOD & DR INK

The Great Cheese Chase Jonathan Craymer seeks the perfect addition to his seasonal cheeseboard

n a couple of trips to France recently, I noticed that every café, restaurant and even supermarket offers Camembert in perfect eating condition. Even if you’re not a fan of this particular cheese, the point is that a soft cheese like Camembert takes a bit more looking after than many of its harder cheeseboard fellows. So if a retailer presents one of these cheeses in prime condition, the establishment is likely to be a good place to buy cheese of any kind. Danny Marshall, head chef at the Falcon Inn in Fotheringhay (runner up in the Restaurant of the Year category of the 2013/14 Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards) agreed to join me on my quest to source the perfect Camembert in the Nene valley. We found a UK-made Tunworth Camembert at Devines Deli in Oundle, and a Camembert de Normandie at the Stamford Cheese Cellar. We felt supermarkets and larger distributors ought

to be represented in our search, and found ourselves quite impressed by the little round Camembert sold in Marks and Spencer, and the Tesco Finest range. I picked up one of each in Peterborough. I also took delivery of an organic St. Eadburgha Camembert, made by hand in the Worcestershire village of Broadway by Gorse Hill Abbey farm, and sold locally by Riverford, the organic specialist based at Sacrewell Farm, Thornaugh. Farmer and cheese-maker Michael Stacey of Gorse Hill Abbey explained why some Camembert cheese sometimes have an undesirable chalky inside: “That’s probably because it’s been sent out under-ripe, as so many supermarkets demand long sell-by dates. If it’s refrigerated too early before the bacteria has had a chance to do its work, it can go chalky. Once this has happened, it’s sometimes possible to bring it back to life again, but not always.”

“A cheese is a living thing,” stressed George Brammer who with wife Karen runs The Stamford Cheese Cellar. “The ideal temperature for storing a Camembert is 10-14 degrees Centigrade, and if refrigerated it shouldn’t be below four to six degrees. At home I keep my own cheeses in the garage.”

Pasteurised or unpasteurised? Another controversial area is over the use of pasteurised or unpasteurised milk. Many purists argue in favour of the latter. Some health and safety arguments lean towards putting milk through pasteurisation (heating it to kill bacteria), and indeed there are warnings on some unpasteurised cheeses that pregnant women shouldn’t eat them. But there’s another factor. Unpasteurised milk apparently stands more chance of originating on the farm where the cheese NENE VALLEY LIVING DECEMBER 2013

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FOOD & DR INK Danny Marshall

is made. “Pasteurised milk can come from anywhere, whereas ‘artisan’ cheeses made from unpasteurised milk tend to be made right there on the farm where the milk was produced, with all the local flavourings,” says George Brammer. “The taste will reflect the type of grass the cows eat and other factors. Some farmers use rare breed cows to help the flavour of the cheese, and one or two of our cheese producers have kept the same herds going for generations.” So how do you select a good Camembert off the shelf? His tip is to look for the words ‘Artisan cheese – hand-made’. “A lot is made of smelling soft cheeses before you buy, but unless you’re going to unwrap it, which many shops won’t like, you don’t get much aroma coming through the paper.” Michael Stacey suggests giving a Camembert a little squeeze from the edges. “It should give in the middle under gentle pressure.” He admits that making soft cheeses by hand can be hitand-miss. ”One famous French Camembert maker I know only considers 30% of what he produces to be good enough for top end shops. 50% can go to supermarkets, and the remainder is sold under another name. In other words when you’re hand-making cheeses, you don’t get it right all the time. We’re still learning. We’ll know better what we’re doing in about 100 years’ time!”

Karen & George Brammer, The Stamford Cheese Cellar

Our taste test So which of the ﬁves cheeses we selected tasted best? Danny and I sat down in the Falcon’s dining room and tucked in. The results were in some cases surprising, and in more than one case showed that pasteurised milk can produce a good Camembert (I would stress that this was not an exhaustive sample, and that changes in ‘out of the fridge’ time and temperature can make a lot of difference to a particular cheese’s ﬂavour and consistency). Marking the cheeses out of ten, we ended up with the joint favourites being the Tunworth Camembert (dubbed the best Camembert in the world by Raymond Blanc!), served by the Falcon and sold over the counter at Devines - together with the St. Eadburgha organic available from Riverford. A bit of an eye-opener for Danny this,

but he especially praised the St. Eadburgha’s taste and texture. He gave both cheeses nine points. Both are made from pasteurised milk. Next was Tesco’s Finest-range (unpasteurised) Camembert which we decided deserved seven out of ten, closely followed by Marks and Spencer’s very pleasant compact cardboard-boxed pasteurised product, to which we awarded six points. The latter again offered plenty of taste and a nice squidgy texture. Danny reckoned it would also bake well. The most ‘authentic’ of the ﬁve, a Camembert de Normandie (which if so described would have to have been made in Normandy under EU ‘AOC’ regs, as this one was) was the least interesting. Maybe with a bit more nurturing at the right temperature it might have been tastier, but on the morning of the taste test, it was overtaken by the others on ﬂavour – but it has to be said it was still absolutely gorgeous. And you thought cheese was something to just sling in the trolley, take home and absentmindedly munch while watching TV? Think again. It can become an obsession. Now, where’s that therapist…

ON OUR CHEESEBOARD: St. Eadburgha Camembert www.gorsehillabbey.co.uk Riverford Organics www.riverford.co.uk Devines Deli www.devinesdeli.co.uk The Stamford Cheese Cellar www.stamfordcheese.com The Falcon Inn www.thefalcon-inn.co.uk More info on Camembert www.cheese.com/camembert-denormandie

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GAR DE NING

Adam the Gardener

Adam says: “December is a great time for a bit of “armchair gardening” – there’s nothing I like better than flicking through seed catalogues on a Sunday evening, working out what I want and getting ready for next year’s vegetable garden. I also love retreating to potter in my shed - washing the pots, trays and cleaning and mending my tools ready for the fun to begin next year.” DECEMBER JOBS

ocal gardening talent, Adam Frost has worked with many of the garden design greats, including our dearly loved, Geoff Hamilton at Barnsdale Gardens. Adam won his fifth Gold Medal at this year’s Centenary RHS Chelsea Flower Show, with his Homebase sponsored garden entitled, “Sowing the Seeds of Change”.

December is a great month to sit down and reflect on the gardening year, and this year has been one of contrasts. It started with a long, cold spring that seemed never-ending – a particular worry when you’re designing and building a garden at Chelsea in May! However, once the sun finally arrived it bloomed into one of the best summers that we’ve enjoyed for many years, followed by a gorgeous autumn where we enjoyed a fantastic bumper harvest of fruit – perfect for making jams, chutneys, cider and if you’re really lucky, perry. However, now that winter is definitely with us it’s a great excuse to sit indoors with a good book. To be honest, when the weather is wet and cold even the keenest gardener thinks twice about being outdoors! Winter gives both the garden and gardener a bit of a rest and time to recover and start planning for next year. It’s been a busy few months for me, so this is the first time I’ve had a chance to breathe. There are still things to be done in the garden, but the pressure eases, the days get shorter and there’s not so much warmth in the air. When you’ve finished pruning and tidying your borders, have a look at them and decide what you’ll change, what you liked and what didn’t work so well. Think about crop rotation in your vegetable patch to avoid pests and diseases. I love to do long family dog walks in December and spend time cooking and working on plans for next year’s gardens. Talking of which, here’s a sneak peek of my Chelsea 2014 garden.

GREAT GARDENING GIFTS: I did say that I would give a list of my top 10 Christmas gifts, but as this is about the only time of year that I get a spare moment to read, all my gifts are books: RHS Encyclopaedia of Perennials by Graham Rice This is an essential one for me as it’s a practical guide to choosing, planting and combining herbaceous perennials.

RHS Take Chelsea Home by Chris Young I’ll admit that I’m a bit biased as it’s by my pal Chris, but it’s a great book showing how you can take inspiration from Chelsea into your own garden. I think there might even be a photo of one of my gardens in it! RHS Encyclopaedia of Plants and Flowers by Chris Brickell This is another book that I’m always referring to. It’s an easy to read guide with pages and pages of beautiful pictures to get inspired by. Natural Garden Style by Noel Kingsbury My copy of this is well-thumbed as I’m always dipping into it. It has wonderful photography and a great guide on natural-style gardening. Ode to Countryside by Samuel Carr This is a wonderful book to dip in and out of – really inspirational poetry with gorgeous prints from old transport posters. Spirit - Garden Inspiration by Dan Pearson I love this book by Dan as he explains where and what he gets in inspiration from for his own projects. Landscapes in Landscapes by Piet Oudolf This glorious full-colour volume features twenty-three of Oudolf’s most beautiful public and private gardens. It looks impressive on the coffee table! Proper Pub Food by Tom Kerridge I’ve managed to catch a couple of his programmes and love his style and food. This book is a must-have as it showcases proper winter comfort food for Christmas! Eat – the Little Book of Fast Food by Nigel Slater I love anything that Nigel does and this book is no exception – it’s a really beautiful and simple to use book with loads of every-day recipes. River Cottage Fruit Everyday by Hugh Fernley-Whittingstall This is a great one to use up the fabulous fruit harvest this year. Really inspirational way of using seasonal fruit in surprising ways and I love how Hugh is passionate about getting children growing their own. • For more information: www.adamfrost.co.uk Adam Frost was speaking to Antonia Scott NENE VALLEY LIVING DECEMBER 2013

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A CTIV ITIES

Festive fun! The Christmas holidays are fast approaching but what are you going to do with the children over the yuletide period? Here’s our round-up of a whole ho-ho-host of festive events on offer for youngsters in the local area. Compiled by Lucy Banwell

Meet the main man Santa will make his grand entrance to Sacrewell Farm via horse and carriage at 11am on Saturday November 30. From then on he will be in residence in front of a roaring fire in the Mill House, ready to meet children and give them a special gift. There will also be free Christmas craft activities on offer in which youngsters can make their own ‘stained glass windows’ or a Christmas angel. HOW MUCH? Entry to the farm costs £8 per child which includes a tractor ride, a visit to Santa and a present. Under 2s enter free but will need to pay £5 to see Father Christmas. Prebooking is advisable. WHEN? 10am – 4pm every Saturday and Sunday from November 30, and then daily from December 14-23. MORE INFO: www.sacrewell.org.uk Tel: 01780 782254 Stanwick Lakes will also be hosting Father Christmas (what a busy man he is!) over the weekends of December 7, 14 and 21. He’ll be ready in his magical grotto with a smile and a gift for visiting children. There will also be Christmassy crafts in the Discovery Zone.

HOW MUCH? £3.95 per child for a visit to the grotto and a gift from Santa WHEN? 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22 December 11am – 4pm MORE INFO: www.stanwicklakes.org.uk Tel: 01933 625522

A magical market Oundle’s annual Christmas lights switch-on event is getting a whole new lease of life with the town’s first ever full-scale Christmas Market. Oundle Town Council has joined forces with Oundle Food Festival to create a lively market on December 7 with up to 80 stallholders selling festive gifts, foodie treats and drinks. With live music and fun fair rides, there will be lots for kids to see and do. The lights will be switched on by a mystery guest at 6pm and Father Christmas will be welcoming visitors to his grotto in Greetings card shop on West Street. HOW MUCH? Free entry to the Market Square! WHEN? Midday until 8pm, Saturday December 7 MORE INFO: www.oundlefoodfestival.co.uk

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Seasonal in Stamford The Christmas festival takes over the streets of the gorgeous Georgian town of Stamford. As well as the Christmas lights switch on, there will be Christmas carols, Santa’s Grotto, Punch and Judy, face painting and lots of festive hustle and bustle. HOW MUCH? Free WHEN? Sunday December 1, 10am-4.30 MORE INFO: Stamford Town Council Tel 01780 753808

Oh, no he isn’t! EastEnders’ favourite Ricky Groves and Big Brother 2013 star Jackie Travers star in ‘Beauty & The Beast’ at Peterborough’s Cresset Theatre this Christmas. Kids and adults alike will revel in this dazzling production of a panto classic. Ricky Groves, best known as Albert Square’s Garry Hobbs, received rave reviews in last year’s ‘Dick Whittington’ and now he’s back to work his magic once more. HOW MUCH? From £11.50 per person WHEN? December 14 -30. For times see website MORE INFO: www.cresset.co.uk Tel: 01733 265705

Send in the clowns Van Hage in Peterborough will be hosting an impressive Winter Circus this year which will see clowns and entertainers wowing the crowds in a big top erected at the rear of the store. Why not combine some good-value entertainment for all the family with a spot of shopping at Peterborough Garden Park in the run up to Christmas? HOW MUCH? £5 per person WHEN? Midday, 2pm and 4pm on December 14 and 15, December 21 - January 1 (Closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day; no 4pm showing on Christmas Eve & New Year’s Eve) MORE INFO: www.vanhage.co.uk Tel: 01733 221400

It’s showtime Oundle gets its very own festive family show this year in the form of ‘A Christmas Cracker’ at the Stahl Theatre. When Mrs Claus wakes up on Christmas Eve to find Santa has been kidnapped, the race is on for her and the elves to find him before it’s too late! This professional production comes from panto specialist Simon Aylin who’s previously penned shows for stars such as Keith Chegwin and Linda Bellingham. Custard pies, catchy songs and a lot of laughs are guaranteed! HOW MUCH? £12 per adult, £10 per child, family ticket £35 WHEN? 11am, 3pm and 6pm on December 21 and 22 MORE INFO: www.stahltheatre.co.uk Tel: 01832 273930

A Christmas classic A spectacular adaptation of Dickens’ classic tale, Scrooge, played out with huge puppets, fine actors, great songs and ingenious staging at Stamford Arts Centre. Expect lots of audience participation. HOW MUCH? Tickets £8 (family ticket £28). WHEN? Saturday December 21 11.30am and 3pm MORE INFO: www.stamfordartscentre.co.uk Tel: 01780 763203

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BULL HOTEL

Westgate Peterborough PE1 1RB

Family Lunch with Santa

SUNDAY 15TH & 22ND DECEMBER Served in our Brasserie & Broadway Suite 12.00 noon arrival 12.30pm lunch served A three course meal with a Children’s Entertainer and a gift for each child (under 10 years old) from Santa himself! Celebrate the festive season with friends and family whom you may not be able to be with on the big day. £23.50 per adult & £14.95 per child under 10 years old

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Come and join us for a relaxing and hassle free

Christmas Day & Boxing Day Lunch With attentive service and menus to tempt everyone’s taste buds all you need to do is enjoy the festive season.

CHRISTMAS DAY LUNCH

Champagne and canapé reception on arrival, musical entertainment, an extra special visit from Santa for all the children (under 10 years old) and a four course festive lunch £70.00 per person £38.50 per child under 10 years old

BOXING DAY LUNCH

After the big day cooking and opening presents, come and join us. With musical entertainment and a four course meal £32.50 per person £21.50 per child under 10 years old

FOR ALL ENQUIRIES AND BOOKINGS PLEASE CALL 01733 561364

events@bull-hotel-peterborough.com www.peelhotels.co.uk

BULL HOTEL Westgate Peterborough PE1 1RB

4 1 0 2 E L A S Y R A U N A J Whether you missed the chance to party before Christmas or fancy a night out to chase the January blues away, come and join us at one of our events.

Friday 17th January TRADITIONAL POST CHRISTMAS PARTY WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGS & DECORATIONS. A three course festive meal followed by a disco until 1.00am £25.95 per person

Saturday 25th January

Christmas Themed Murder Mystery & Disco With actors delivering cryptic clues to help you solve the murder in between courses, this is a great alternative for a night out. A three course festive meal followed by a disco until 1.00am £25.95 per person

FOR ALL ENQUIRIES AND BOOKING PLEASE CALL 01733 561364

events@bull-hotel-peterborough.com www.peelhotels.co.uk

The Bull Hotel

Westgate • Peterborough

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D IA RY DAT E S

DECEMBER 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY

Longthorpe tower

What’s On

Yasmin Bradley selects sparkling seasonal events from around the region 1 December - 24 December Nene Valley Living Santa Specials Various times Every child receives a gift, then boards the festively decorated train drinks for drinks, chocolates/mince pies and a chance to meet Santa again; First Class and Premier First Class options available. Nene Valley Railway, Wansford Station, Stibbington, Peterborough, PE8 6LR. 01780 782833. www.nvr.org.uk/events/santaspecial. nvrorg@nvr.org.uk Sunday 1 December Christmas around the World 10.30am-12.30pm. Learn about Christmas traditions and make decorations such as a Lithuanian Christmas tree ornament or an Italian La Befana broom. £5 per child (aged 5+); accompanying adults free Peterborough Museum, Priestgate, Peterborough, PE1 1LF. 01733 864 663. museum@vivacitypeterborough.com; www.vivacity-peterborough.com

Saturday 7 December Rhapsody UK Chorus: T’was the night before Christmas 2.30pm/7.30pm Beautiful barbershop Acappella, solos and lovely Christmas tunes tell the story of two lonely people who meet by chance on Christmas Eve and fall in love. £6/£8. 01733 752119. Ormiston Bushfield Academy, Peterborough, PE2 5RQ. rhapsodyenquiries@ gmail.com. www.rhapsodychorus. org.uk. YouTube www.youtube.com/ watch?v=6fTU7t-AAP8 Saturday 7 - Sunday 8 December Medieval Merriment at Longthorpe Tower 10am-5pm Experience medieval Christmas traditions and cuisine, take part in a Mummers’ Play and the election of a boy bishop. £4 (£3) under 5s- free; families £10. Longthorpe Tower, Thorpe Road, Longthorpe, Peterborough, PE3 6LU. 01733 864663; museum@ vivacity-peterborough.com; www. vivacity-peterborough.com Saturday 7 December A Clare Cottage Christmas at John Clare Cottage Music, mulled wine, children’s activities and stalls combine for the perfect Christmas event with a local poetic twist. John Clare Cottage, 12 Woodgate, Helpston, PE6 7ED. 01733 253330. www.clarecottage.org Saturday 7 December - Saturday 15 December Whisper through the Trees 10am - 4pm Browse or buy stunning work by local artists. Look out for Pip Rawlings’ woodcuts; Rob Bibby’s home ware; Jane Catherine Sanders’ ceramic jewellery and Jackie Pringle’s local wildlife and military photography. Free. Yarrow Gallery, Glapthorn Road, Oundle, PE8 4JF. 01832 226495. 01832 226495

An indulgent programme under the baton of new Director of Music, Quentin Thomas. Free. The Great Hall, Oundle School, 12 New Street, Oundle, PE8 4EE. 01832 277132. music@oundleschool. org.uk. Tuesday 10 December C-12 Dance Theatre’s Shhh! 7.45 pm Flying books, moving shelves, four seasons and five performers create an innovative and powerful piece of dance theatre as a closed-down library gloriously returns to life. £9.50. Stahl Theatre, West Street, Oundle, PE8 4EJ; 01832 273930. www.stahltheatre.co.uk. oscar01. savoysystems.co.uk/stahltheatre.dll/ Saturday 21 December Family Film Ice Age 4: Continental Drift (U) 1pm. More mayhem from the Ice Age characters when Scrat’s pursuit of the cursed acorn has worldchanging consequences. 93 minutes. £4 from your local library. 01733 864280; centrallibrary@vivacitypeterborough.com; www.vivacity-peterborough.com. Christmas in Peterborough Featuring the Fairey Band; Mezzo Soprano, Lynnette Alcantara with Celebrity Chef Brian Turner compering in support of the East Anglia Children’s Hospice. Tickets: £16 (£12) and £14 (£10). 0800 140 4678. Peterborough Cathedral, Minster Precincts, Peterborough, PE1 1XS. www. peterborough-cathedral.org.uk Thursday 26 December Peterborough Morris Day of Dance 10.45 to 12:00 Traditional Boxing Day English Morris dancing. Free. Peterborough and surrounding towns & villages. www. peterboroughmorris.co.uk/.

Sunday 8 December Oundle School Symphony and Chamber Orchestra: Overtures and Openings 4pm

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