Nene Valley Living November 2014 by Best Local Living

Cathedral music

City walk

Print Maker

University Tech College

NENE VALLEY LIVING

CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE

F O O D / FA S H I O N / H E A LT H & B E A U T Y / H O M E & G A R D E N / L I F E S T Y L E

Wrap up in

winter

fashion

NOVEMBER 2014 ÂŁ1.50 11

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Nene Valley Living 23/10/2014 09:59

EST.1967 EST.1967

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MAKE A MASTERPIECE

Visit our Stamford showroom, on Bath Row opposite the George Hotel 01780 762579 Visit our new website at WWW.DELCOR.CO.UK 2

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NENE VALLEY LIVING

This Issue

NOVEMBER 2014

w w w. n e n e v a l l e y l i v i n g . c o . u k

e have a packed issue for you this month, which has been great fun to put together. I’m particularly excited about our fashion shoot using clothes from new independent boutique Asha’s Attire in Oundle. It’s great to welcome a new shop to the town (it’s not the only one this month), and we were delighted to be able to showcase the clothes which were photographed for us by Elli Dean and styled by fashion editor Sally Stillingfleet. November and December are months when small towns and their unique businesses come into their own, as people seek an alternative to the seasonal crush on the high street. Read all about alternative Christmas shopping events in Oundle and Thrapston this month (see page 15) and enjoy the run up to the festive period, whilst supporting local businesses. Our annual gift guide also features products from some of the best independents around, so take a look on page 16 onwards before you hit the shops and you might pick up a few ideas. Enjoy what looks to be a busy and entertaining month in the region. • Late in: a concert in aid of Elton Chapel’s roof appeal. Thursday November 20 at 7.30pm. Lest We Forget, performed by the Just Friends choir from Warmington. Tickets £8, available in advance from Ashley@matherholman.co.uk or telephone 01832 280720, or on the door.

F ion a Cu mberpatch Editor

Nene Valley Living

5 Editor’s Selection

Guest edited by student Sophie Hollands from Prince William School

7 Agenda

A new restaurant for Oundle

8 Agenda

Holiday in South Africa

11 Agenda Make a paella

12 Agenda

Rev. Richard Coles’ racy memoir

15 Agenda

Festive fun and shopping

16 It’s a wrap

Beautiful gifts for the whole family

22 Health and beauty notes All the latest on local wellbeing businesses

25 Taking the baton A new director of music for Peterborough Cathedral

26 Food news

The Black Horse, Nassington reviewed

30 Fashion with Asha’s Wrap up for winter

33 Natural dyes from the kitchen garden Capturing the colour of plants

34 Colin Furze Profile of an inventor

37 Interiors

Delcor of Stamford

41 Printmaker Angela Harding Portrait of a Rutland artist

43 City walk

Letchworth Garden City

46 Miranda’s Story

Miranda Ponsonby’s life less ordinary

49 Little Learners The Children’s University

50 Just the job for Peterborough

Post 14 education and beyond

53 Diary dates What’s on this month

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 Cover photo by Elli Dean. Isabella wears clothes from Asha’s Attire, details on page 30

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Editor’s selection Sophie Hollands, an A level student from Prince William School, Oundle, chooses her top high street buys for November

Grey coat, £54.99, by New Look, 62, Bridge Street, Peterborough PE1 1DT

Wine wool floppy hat, £8, Primark, Queensgate Centre, Peterborough PE1 1NT

Red chain clutch bag, from a selection at Accessorize, Queensgate Centre, Peterborough PE1 1NT

Black and grey wrap, £39.50, Marks and Spencer, 54 Bridge Street, Peterborough PE1 1DU

Mesh chain and tube necklace, £10, Freedom at Topshop, Queensgate Centre, Peterborough PE1 1NT

Collette boots, £85, Office, Queensgate Centre, Peterborough PE1 1NT

Jumpsuit, from a selection at Dorothy Perkins, Queensgate Centre, Peterborough PE1 1NT

NENE VALLEY LIVING NOVEMBER 2014

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Oundle’s one stop shop for gifts for Him, Her and Home, is now open in new, larger premises at 14 Market Place. We have a wonderful selection of Italian leather bags, cashmere, candles and candle holders, Helen Moore throws, hats, scarves, capes, slippers and water bottles. We can supply furniture including mirrors and light fittings. We stock what is beautiful, useful or makes you smile. Come and see us - you will be welcomed and be delighted by our range!

It shows..... when you have been to Romejo’s

14 Market Place, Oundle PE8 4BA

Tel: 01832 272165 6

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NEWS, REVIEWS, EVENTS

Tap & Kitchen opens in Oundle W

ith a brewery, an outdoors shop, cycle shop and florist, Oundle Wharf is already an attractive destination. But now the area is about to receive a massive boost with the opening of a restaurant and bar. The Tap & Kitchen opens for business on Monday November 24. “We’ll be serving great, fresh food which is rustic, well presented and modern British,” says general manager Dan Coshan who is working with Nene Valley Brewery owners Dick Simpson and David Burnett on the new venture. “We’re not about fine dining, we want to serve simple dishes done really well, with excellent service. You can expect great Sunday roasts, homemade desserts and pasta, salad boards and cheese boards, and weekend breakfast with pancakes and granola. Where possible, we’ll be growing our own, and if we can make something ourselves, we will. We’ll be smoking and curing our own meats, producing our own ketchup and serving ales, craft beers and cocktails.” Dan has relocated from London to Northamptonshire to head up the Tap & Kitchen

Logs for winter T

(his background is in managing bars and nightclubs). He has overseen the construction of the new restaurant with its industrial upcycled and rustic interior combined with quirky vintage finds. In winter a log burner will keep customers warm, while in summer, the aim is to open up a dining terrace overlooking the water, with room for a further 250 diners and a stone baked pizza oven and rotisserie. “People are welcome for midweek coffee, afternoon tea, Sunday roasts and an evening meal,” says Dan. “We also welcome drinkers. As well as our beers and ales, we’ll have a really broad range of drinks, including lots of different types of gin.” Head chef is Nigel Fish. The Tap & Kitchen aims to be so customerfriendly, it will appoint a ‘chip committee’ to monitor its fries and a ‘coffee committee’ to ensure that it serves the best brew around. “We want people to instantly turn to Instagram and Twitter to tell their friends about us,” says Dan. “We want people to trust us and our menu, and to be involved in what we’re doing here.” • Tap & Kitchen, Station Rd, Oundle www.tapandkitchen.com email dan@tapandkitchen.com

here is nothing like cosying up to a crackling log fire, and Barn Logs, near Wansford, can keep you toasty warm all winter. With the installation of their brand new log drying kilns, they can now deliver logs with a very low moisture content which means you get more heat than unseasoned firewood. Powered by the waste wood from Barn Logs sister company Willow Tree Services, the company uses timber to power biomass boilers that heat the kilns. This is the perfect partnership for the two businesses as it prevents any use of fossil fuels to power the boilers. The kiln dried logs are in great demand as customers recognise the benefits of burning logs that are guaranteed to have a moisture content of 20 per cent or less. “Wood will only burn efficiently once the water within has been boiled away by the heat of the fire,” explains owner Stuart Stimson. “The less water there is, the more heat will be given off into your room. Modern wood stoves are only as efficient as the logs that are King’s Cliffe Christmas Fayre burnt in them which is why kiln dried logs are the ultimate fuel to November 30 11am -4pm. Artisan provide a clean, hot fire with little to no smoke from the chimney. crafts, music, and wonderful food • To find out more, or to place an order, visit and drink. A great place to shop www.barnlogs.co.uk uber-local. King’s Cliffe Village Hall, King’s Cliffe.

Don’t miss:

Romejo’s expands Maggie Meigh has moved her gifts and home store into former greengrocers Normans in Oundle’s market square, and the completely refurbished shop is open for business now. Selling a mix of elegant and carefully sourced Italian cashmere clothing, Italian leather bags, jewellery, lighting and quirky items for the house, Maggie aims to provide a one stop shop for gifts. “I needed more space and we have found it here,” she says. “Eventually, I will expand the shop floor to include room sets. I have so many plans, it’s very exciting.” It’s a great place to source Christmas gifts, and Maggie has a good selection for men as well as women. See more of Maggie’s stock in our gift guide on pages 14 – 19. • Romejo’s, 14 Market Place, Oundle PE8 4BA Tel: 01832 272165

A Cathedral Calendar Need a gift for a difficult to buy for friend or relative? A calendar of Peterborough Cathedral makes a classic present. The A3 calendar, produced in collaboration with PPS Print, shows many aspects of Cathedral life including red robed choristers, beautiful ceilings and views of the cloisters. It costs £7.99 from the Cathedral Shop.

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NEWS, REVIEWS, EVENTS

Spotlight on South Africa

South Africa has something to offer the most discerning traveller and is culturally and scenically inspiring, says Paula Cockcroft of Oundle Travel

osmopolitan, relaxed and with a comfortable Mediterranean climate, Cape Town is the idea gateway into South Africa. Sandwiched between Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean, the city enjoys one of the world’s most spectacular locations. Take a cable car to the summit of Table Mountain for superb Kirstenbosch Gardens views over Cape Town and the beaches beyond: visit Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned or stroll along the attractive Victoria and Alfred Waterfront in the city’s old port area, full of vibrant restaurants, shops and cafes. Extending to the south of the city are many chic and leafy suburbs. Camps Bay is well known for its relaxed atmosphere, beachfront sidewalk and café culture. This area is also close to the magnificent Kirstenbosch Gardens from where hiking enthusiasts can climb Table Mountain. Cape Town is the perfect base from which to explore the Cape Winelands, the Cape Peninsula and the seaside town of Hermanus. Big Five wildlife viewing is available just two hours from Cape Town in the Sanbona Wildlife Reserve. • Oundle Travel offers a nine night fly-drive itinerary through to the Winelands featuring four star accommodation. For current prices, contact Oundle Travel on 01832 273600 www.oundletravel.co.uk

Conservation traineeships deliver for Peterborough Locals and visitors to the area have been reaping the benefits of the skills and qualifications provided by environmental and heritage traineeships organised by green charity Peterborough Environment City Trust (PECT). The 12 month placements provided trainees with qualifications and experience that give employers confidence that the trainees are up to the challenge of improving rural conservation and preserving heritage. The trainees learnt techniques that will bring alive cultural sights and historical collections for schools and communities visiting countryside and urban attractions. The placements created a diverse range of professionals, with some getting their hands dirty in rural conservation and others presenting ornate historical objects. However, they all had a common aim – to make sure the area is presented at its best. The scheme was set up to meet the skills shortages identified by heritage bodies and included graduates and mature students. Scheme participant Peter Hogan worked with Nene Park Trust and went on to secure a permanent role as a Countryside Ranger in the South Downs. “The traineeship set me up perfectly for this new challenge,” says Peter. Over the past four years, the project, funded by Heritage Lottery Fund, has created 18 environmental and heritage conservation work-based placements with organisations such as Peterborough City Council, Peterborough Museum and the Wildlife Trust. The trainees have gone on to secure full time positions locally and further afield. Karen Lawrence, the Communities Team Leader at PECT who was responsible for the project says: “the project has delivered the skills critical to encouraging Peterborough’s environmental sustainability and therefore its attractiveness for future generations.” She added: “We have been delighted with the commitment of the trainees involved, who have grasped the opportunity and used it as a springboard into their new careers.”

A local businessman writes….

Ian Simmons, owner of Dexters in Oundle, responds to some recent shop closures in Oundle…

“T

he shops and restaurants that have recently closed are now new businesses and frankly I’m amazed at how much Oundle has going on. People often overlook what’s on their doorstep and perhaps we (the traders, shop keepers and restaurateurs of Oundle) should make more of an effort to market our town and its multitude of great facilities not only to its residents but to a wider audience, particularly the beautiful villages which surround it. I can’t think of a better way of conveying what’s here than simply listing some of it: Oundle boasts two butchers, two bakers, three florists, five coffee shops, six hairdressers, two beauticians, a jewellers, a travel agent, a sweet shop, wool and haberdashery shop, two interiors shops, a post office, a tailor, two ladies’ clothes shops, four gift shops, a model shop, a pet shop, bridal shop, clock/antiques shop, electrical store, and kitchenware/hardware shop. There’s also an award winning wine merchant, a brewery, a builders’ merchant, reclaims yard, childcare, cabinet makers, plant tool hire, shoe shop, bookshop, second hand book shop, newsagent and art gallery, theatre/cinema. Which sounds good but when you realise that these are all independent businesses, it’s great! For health matters, we have doctors, dentists, chemists, acupuncturists, osteopaths, masseurs ad chiropracters, and then there are the clubs: tennis, gym, bowls, football, rugby, rowing, squash, swimming, golf, performing arts, languages etc etc. If you venture further from the town centre, you’ll find a great bike shop and outward bound store, car dealership, tyre centre and petrol station. There’s also a country park and recreation ground, fringe festival, food and drink festival, theatre and museum. Assuming that you wander around a while and work up an appetite, you can grab some food in one of the four pubs, the hotel, the Indian, the Chinese, or come and see me in Dexters and I’ll explain where to find all the other stuff that makes Oundle such a great town. I hope to welcome you soon!

NENE VALLEY LIVING NOVEMBER 2014

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quality ingredients, good food, great service restaurant opening late November in Oundle sign up for news www.tapandkitchen.com follow us @tapandkitchen

christmas menus available for download, bookings being taken dan@tapandkitchen.com

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CafĂŠ Clarkes at the Key Theatre Christmas reservations now being taken.

Serving modern British cuisine.

Choose from a full A la carte menu every evening or for larger groups a Christmas Party menu is available.

Enjoy fresh British cuisine in a modern and vibrant setting while enjoying the views over the River Nene

Introductory offers available on Clarkes website. Bookings now being taken on 01733 561465

www.cafeclarkes.co.uk

Doorstops, draught excluders and much much more! Purchase locally at: Lakeland l Van Hage l Dobbies l John Lewis Sinclairs l Burghley House l Jupes Portess of Oakham l Gates Garden Centre Sarah Harding Interiors l Waterside Garden Centre or contact Dora Designs directly

w: www.doradesigns.co.uk l t: 01733 305452 l f: 08432 161879 l e: enquiries@doradesigns.co.uk

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NEWS, REVIEWS, EVENTS

From the Riverford Kitchen Chicken and chorizo paella

aella rice is widely available, but if you can’t find it, use arborio risotto rice instead, it’s quite similar. If you double the mixture to feed more people, make sure you have a large enough pan to hold it all, or try using a large flame-proof metal roasting dish, if you have one. Ingredients: • Pinch saffron threads • 3 tbsp oil for frying • 1 skinless chicken breast, sliced • 1 chorizo sausage, cut into chunky pieces • 1 onion, peeled + sliced • 1 clove garlic, peeled & finely chopped or crushed • 1 red pepper, deseeded & sliced • 1/4 tsp smoked sweet paprika • 200g paella rice • 600ml hot veg or chicken stock

• 2 tomatoes, roughly chopped • 100g frozen peas (or try using finely sliced runner or French beans) • Sea salt & freshly ground black pepper to season • Lemon wedges to serve

Method: 1. Put the saffron threads in a small heatproof bowl and add a couple of tablespoons boiling water. Leave to infuse. 2. In a large flat bottomed, heavy based frying pan or paella pan if you have one, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil. Cook the chicken pieces on a medium heat until browned. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon to a plate and leave to one side. Add the chorizo to the same pan and fry until browned. Remove to the chicken plate. 3. Add the other 2 tablespoons of oil to the pan. Add the onion and fry gently for a few mins to soften, without allowing them to brown. Add the garlic, pepper and paprika. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2 mins. 4. Add the rice, stock and saffron, along with the infused water. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 12 mins, stirring every now and then to stop the rice from catching (keep an eye on the liquid and top up with a tablespoon or two more if needed). 5. Add the chicken, chorizo and tomato. 6. Simmer for another 4-5 mins until the chicken is cooked through. 7. Add the peas and simmer for 2 mins (if you’re using beans, add them a minute or two earlier, they take longer to cook than the peas). 8. Season with salt and pepper to taste and garnish with lemon wedges to serve.

Clarification Dora Designs In our profile of Dora Designs in the October issue, our introduction referred to the fact that company founder Angela Stevens once made soft toys at her parents’ kitchen table. Dora Designs have asked us to make it clear that their products are not toys, they are functional items such as door stops and draught excluders, and not suitable for young children.

eat well

with Riverford

get a free cook book with your vegbox

try a seasonal organic vegbox today with free delivery

Peterborough Innovation Week

A series of events designed to celebrate and encourage creative thinking in Peterborough will take place from November 8 - 15. Peterborough Innovation Week is aimed at local people and businesses and is run by Peterborough DNA. Steve Bowyer of Opportunity Peterborough explains: “Peterborough DNA is all about shaping a smarter, more sustainable city, a better place to live and work. Encouraging new ways of thinking to address local challenges is a key part of our work. Through advice, funding and the development of new tools, we’re already supporting communities, entrepreneurs and businesses to take ideas and turn them into reality.” Events include a Brainwave Innovation Workshop, which will get a cross section of people from the local business community to think creatively about specific city challenges, and a Smart Supper Presentation Evening, where young people are given the chance to pitch their ideas to a Dragon’s Den style audience. The winning team will get £150 to help launch their idea. On November 15 there will be an Open City Hackathon. There are a number of funding opportunities available through Peterborough DNA designed to support the development of innovative ideas. • For more information on this, and the events taking place during Peterborough Innovation Week, visit www.brainwaveinnovations. co.uk/peterborough-innovation-week

free

cook book* (worth £16.99)

*Free book on your 2nd delivery when you place a regular vegbox order. New customers only.

call 01780 789700 or visit www.riverford.co.uk/FFB14 NENE VALLEY LIVING NOVEMBER 2014

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NEWS, REVIEWS, EVENTS

From the charts to the Church T

he Vicar of Finedon is the only parish priest in Britain to have had a Number 1 hit single. The Reverend Richard Coles, his voice now most recognisable as a presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Saturday Live, was one half of the pop duo The Communards when their disc Don’t Leave Me This Way topped the UK music charts for four weeks and became the biggest selling single of 1986. He tells his story, with few holds barred, in Fathomless Riches, Or How I Went From Pop to Pulpit (published by Weidenfeld & Nicholson, £20). The psychedelic cover gives a clue to the book’s contents, for the hedonistic, sex-and-drug-fuelled rock and roll years of the Eighties are vividly recounted, but the telling of his journey from a sheltered middle class Northamptonshire upbringing to gay activist pop star to Anglican clergyman makes compelling reading. The link is music, which he has loved in all its variety for as long as he can remember. At Wellingborough School, where he was Head Chorister, he’d been immersed in church music and the Anglican choral tradition. Twenty years later, after celebrity had waned and he’d hit a crisis point in his life, he remembered the peace he’d experienced sitting in chapel when he was young. So began a tentative exploration of religion, which he initially fought against, until “the moment that changed everything” when, on a Sunday morning in 1990, in St Alban’s Church, Holborn, “it was as if iron bands, constricting my chest, broke and fell away and I could breathe; and a shutter was flung open, and light flooded in, and I could see. And I wept and wept.” A year later he started a degree course in theology at King’s College in London. The journey to the pulpit had begun. Sue Dobson

Changes to A levels for new Sixth Formers A

levels are changing. Students moving into the sixth form in September 2015 will be the first to experience the reformed A levels, but only in certain subjects. An initial list of subjects which will be affected by the reforms for courses starting in September 2015 has been published and includes: English Language, English Literature, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, History, Art, Business Studies, Economics and Computing. All other subjects will adopt the new format from September 2016. Jonathan Maddox, Headteacher at Bourne Grammar School explains what these changes mean for students: “Reforms to A levels mean that the AS examinations taken at the end of Year 12 will be ‘free standing’ and will not contribute to the final A level grade achieved at the end of Year 13; the final A level grade will be determined entirely as a result of the students’ performance in their examinations at the end of Year 13. The increased breadth of the new syllabus means

that students may be better prepared to study a given subject at degree level. Under the present arrangements, marks achieved at the end of Year 12 when students take their AS examinations do count as part of the final A level grade and this will continue to apply to the subjects yet to be reformed for courses starting in September 2015. Bourne Grammar School has opted to continue AS examinations for all subjects, but each school and college must make its own decision. If you are looking at Sixth Form options, it is worth checking what is being offered where you are looking in the light of the changes. Choosing which subjects to study beyond GCSE is possibly one of the biggest decisions a young person has to make. Those who hope to go to a top university in a few years’ time will need to research whether any specific subjects are needed as an absolute requirement for a particular course. It is worth finding out which exam board syllabus is being offered for each subject being

considered as these tend to vary from school to school and the content for a particular A level can differ. Some schools cater for a vocational/ academic mix, while others focus on academic subjects that give the best potential for achieving a place at one of the most sought after universities. While changing schools may seem like a daunting prospect, many students make that choice and join Bourne Grammar School each year. The best advice is to attend sixth form open evenings where you can ask students what it’s like to attend that particular school. Don’t rely on exam result league tables to make your choice as you may not be getting the full picture or may not be comparing like for like. The most important question to consider is whether you feel you will be happy at your chosen post-16 school or college. If you miss an open evening, contact the school to arrange a visit. The more you know, the more informed your choice will be.” • Bourne Grammar School Sixth Form open evening is on November 13, 6pm-9pm. For more information, visit www.bournegrammar.lincs.sch.uk

NENE VALLEY LIVING NOVEMBER 2014

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Sixth Form

Sixt h Fo r m O pen Even in g Thursday 13 November 2014 6 PM - 9 PM Bourne Grammar School, South Road, Bourne, Lincolnshire, PE10 9JE Telephone: 01778 391646 Fax:01778 394872 Email: sixthform@bourne-grammar.lincs.sch.uk Website: www.bourne-grammar.lincs.sch.uk 13

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STAY FESTIVE. Celebrate this festive season with us at the Holiday Inn Huntingdon Racecourse. We can cater for your seasonal family or friends gathering throughout December, with our Festive Group Menu, or join in the fun at one of our Christmas Party Nights and dance the night away with friends or colleagues. For a Christmas Day to remember book your Celebratory Lunch in our restaurant and let us take care of the cooking, sit back and enjoy the sparkle of Christmas Day. We offer a special Christmas Children’s Menu for under 13’s. To book or make an enquiry please call us on 01480 277 277 or email reservations@hihuntingdon.co.uk Thrapston Road, Brampton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE28 4NL T: +44 (0) 1480 277 277 F: +44 (0) 1480 277 278 Email: reservations@hihuntingdon.co.uk www.holidayinn.com/huntingdonrc

Festive Group Menu

Christmas Party Nights

Christmas Day Lunch Why not take advantage of our bed and breakfast accommodation add on packages from £55.00, available when you book one of our Festive dining menus.

HUNTINGDON - RACECOURSE

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NEWS, REVIEWS, EVENTS

SShhh, the Secret Vintage Fair returns

Oundle Food Festival will once again be joining Oundle Town Council to fill the market place with over 60 stalls selling a diverse range of Christmas food, gifts and crafts on Saturday December 6. With everything from cards, to cakes and charcuterie, the market opens at 12 noon and the fun goes on until 7pm, with the Christmas lights switch on at 6pm. Father Christmas will be joined by some of his reindeer in the grotto, and there will be a host of choirs, a fire juggling stilt walker, children’s fairground rides and music from Nassington and Yarwell Brass Band. Mulled wine and mince pies will be on sale, and the town’s fabulous independent shops and cafes will be open for late night shopping. A park and ride service to the Market Place means that you can relax, soak up the atmosphere and tackle some Christmas shopping. Oundle is one of a growing number of towns and cities across the UK that organise an annual Christmas market for friends and locals to meet, enjoy traditional entertainment and stock up on

Christmas goodies. Often thought of as being predominantly German, Christmas markets were very popular in the UK until Oliver Cromwell banned the celebration of Christmas. Thankfully, times have changed and Oundle Christmas Market is set to be a memorable highlight of the festive season. • Keep an eye on the website for continually updated details, www.oundlefoodfestival.co.uk

More Christmas shopping dates for your diary • Thrapstons’s Christmas Lights Festival is on Saturday November 29, 2.30pm – 6pm in the High Street. Traditional festive entertainment, carol singing, winter wonderland, mini petting zoo, snowboard simulator, a living crib, food stalls and a magician, plus the chance to meet Santa! • Crowland Abbey Craft and Food Fair is on December 6, 10am -3pm. Stalls will include locally produced meat, cakes, preserves and honey, Christmas decorations, handmade cards, leather goods, jewellery and gifts. Light refreshments including homemade soup and mulled wine with mince pies. A lovely setting and chance to see the newly opened visitor centre. Admission: 50p. For more information contact Mrs Rosemary Briston on 01733 810320 • Foxtail Lilly in Oundle is holding two events. A Winter’s Tale Evening on November 14, 6pm-9pm, with festive food and warming tipples as well as Christmas inspiration, fresh wreaths and gifts. Free entry. And on December 13th, 10am – 3pm, there will be a Christmas Brocante, with outside traders in the barn selling artisan goods, seasonal items and vintage finds. Mince pies and festive drinks on offer. Free entry.

A Cherry House Christmas The Cherry House at Werrington has been refurbished and is celebrating this Christmas with a wonderful lunch and dinner menu. The Christmas party lunch menu combines British food with a French influence, and costs £23.95 for three courses, plus homemade desserts or French and English cheeses, coffee and mince pies. The evening Christmas party menu is £27.95 per person and includes homemade petits fours and stollen, with party hats and poppers. Expect Christmas trees, decorations and beautiful lighting to create a Christmassy atmosphere. • The Cherry House, 125 Church Street, Werrington, Peterborough PE4 6QF Tel: 01733 571721

The Secret Vintage Fair is coming to the Tap & Kitchen in Oundle on December 6 for a special festive event. Co-organiser Lucy Craymer says: “We’re so excited to be teaming up with the Tap & Kitchen. We are also fortunate this time round to be sponsored by Tilly’s Vintage Garden Party Hire.” As well as a host of vintage and handmade stall holders, there will be retro music and vintage games and the Tap & Kitchen is putting on a festive feast. Charlie from the SVF team says: “we always make sure that we create the right atmosphere at our events and we only choose the finest vintage purveyors to trade with us, so as a customer you can be sure of finding only quality vintage, pre-loved, handmade and upcycled goods at our fairs, and you get to enjoy a wealth of nostalgic atmosphere too!” The best way to stay informed about the SVF events is to sign up to the mailing list, as future fairs will be at secret locations. Email info@secretvintagefair.com You can also visit the Facebook page www.facebook.com/ TheSecretVintageFair or the website at www. secretvintagefair.com • Admission to the fair is £2, free for accompanied under 16s, but NVL readers can get £1 off by presenting this voucher at the door. Open 10am-4pm.

Festive fun at Oundle’s Christmas market

Name

Email address

This voucher entitles you to

£1 off admission at The Secret Vintage Fair at the Tap & Kitchen at Oundle Wharf, Station Rd, Oundle, on December 6.

NENE VALLEY LIVING NENE VALLEY LIVING NOVEMBER 2014

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SHOPPING

It’s a w We’ve taken the hard work out of your Christmas shopping by searching the region’s independent businesses for some gorgeous gifts. Compiled by Fiona Cumberpatch. Photos: Lesley Anne Churchill

Horn mug, £28.50, horn cuff links, £28.95, clock cufflinks, £28.95 all Romejo’s. Leather wallet from a selection at Peterborough Designer Leathers.

M I H FOR

Scenes Around Oundle calendar, with shots taken by local amateur photographers, produced and sold by the Friends of Oundle Library, £7, from Oundle Library and various shops in Oundle town centre. Leather briefcase, Peterborough Designer Leathers, folio bag, £79, Designer Leathers, print wash bag from a selection at Romejo’s.

Stack of books, from a selection at The Oundle Bookshop.

Labrador print tray, £12.50, and dog print canvas, £7.50 from Romejo’s.

Tie pin, £3 2, and cuff links, £45, Harpur’s of both from Oundle

NENE VALLEY LIVING NOVEMBER 2014

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a wrap! Cashmere beanie, £52, Romejo’s, and earrings in cute gift bag, £12.50, Romejo’s

Journal, £19. 99, The Oun dle Bookshop

Bracelets, silv er, pearl and turquoise crys £55, and silv tal, £38, silver er, rose quar tz, turquoise, and coral, Oundle. £58, all from Harpur’s of

R E H FOR

Soy wax candles in beautiful seasonal scents, custom made for Asha’s Inspired Living, £18.95 each. Christmas elf decoration, £11.95, Asha’s. Button heart wreath, £6.50, Crackers of Oundle Handmade silver bracelet, £200, Harpur’s of Oundle

Necklace, £8.50, scarf, £8.50, both from Crackers

Turquoise satchel, £65, and fox print bag, £32.95, Radley Brolly, £22, and notebook, £12, all from Peterborough Designer Leathers. Patterned scarf, £8.50, Crackers. Picture in background, Newark Antiques Fair. NENE VALLEY LIVING NOVEMBER 2014

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E M O H

SHOPPING

vintage baking all, £1 each, and sm , les ub Lilly. ba le Vintage sty £1 each, Foxtail ht holders, from lig tea s as ue ed tiq us An s val of mould terborough Festi Wooden box, Pe

Caroline Gardner floral tins, £7.50 each, Stu-Pots, wire egg holder £15.95, Stu-Pots, vintage pots from a selection at Peterborough Festival of Antiques

Letterpress Christmas cards, £2 - £2.50 each, from a selection at Foxtail Lilly

Golden Shred sign, £1 4.95,

Asha’s Inspired Living

Mugs designed by local artist Sam Purcell, £11 each, to order from www. sampurcell.co.uk

5 for four, Slate place mat, £18.9 n board, ode wo h, eac £6 , napkins on £18.95, spo d £19.99, pickle fork an ing. Liv ed pir Ins ’s all from Asha the items), der (un rd boa za piz Large of Antiques Peterborough Festival

NENE VALLEY LIVING NOVEMBER 2014

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Circles of Yaxley Chapel Studio Chapel Street Yaxley Peterborough PE7 3LN

Ladies High Class Fashion Agency

Tel: (01733) 242539 Est. over 20 years

A wonderful range of New Seasons garments now in stock at a fraction of the original cost Discover the secret of saving £££'s From Casual Wear to Special Occasions and Ball Gowns Good quality fashionable clothes always welcome and sold on your behalf.

Labels from Designers to well known High Street - all under one roof! Come and find something different. Open Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 4pm

8 Queen Street, Peterborough - 01733 348917

• Handbags, Accessories, Leather & Sheepskin Jackets • Now stocking Yoshi Satchels

Stu-Pots

36 Market Place Oundle 01832 275414 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

www.designerleathers.co.uk

WETLAND BINOCULARS FOR THE TOUGH OUTDOORS.

WATERPROOF AND WITH HIGH GRADE ROOF PRISMS FOR GREAT CLARITY 0 AND COLOUR. VARIOUS 1 E £ HIS T T MAGNIFICATIONS TO SAV H T WI DVERnds SUIT ALL ASPECTS OF A ffer e 015 O an 2 WILDLIFE VIEWING. J 11 SHRIVES CHEMIST, 14 WESTGATE, PETERBOROUGH 01733 554319

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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

I Wooden Boxed Art Sets

Organisers

Paper Shredders From: £19.99

In stock or to order

IIO M Christmas gifts for all the family

£24.99

• SAVE 30%!

Brother MultiFunction

A4 Printer, Scanner, & Copier Wireless

Prestige Pens Jigsaws Puzzles From Parker, Cross, Waterman & Sheaffer

Open Monday to Friday

Christmas gifts for all the family

£69.99

Executive Chair

• SAVE 20%!

Horrible Science Kits

£69.99

IIO M Christmas gifts for all the family

SAVE £50 OFF RRP!

Nassington Playing Field, Fotheringhay Road, Nassington, PE8 6QU

From: To: £10.49 £22.49

Oscar Deskware From: £3.99 To: £19.99

Sessional or All Day Care Available Session Times 9-12 & 12-3

For More Information Please Call

01780 783844

From: To: £5.99 £15.99

•Stamford -1-2 St Paul’s Street & 39 High Street

I I •Oakham - 46 High Street •Oundle - 10 New Street O O M I O I O I I I I I I M Please I see www.colemans-online.co.uk for full branch details M 20

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SHOPPING

Tea party game, with real tablecloth and beautifully illustrated playing pieces, £15, Jollys Toys and Games, Thrapston

The m a selection at 5, and books, fro .9 ndle £6 , Ou ug of m rs sy ke es Mr M 0.50 Crac , pink zip bag, £1 Oundle Bookshop Wooden stac king robots , £12, Jollys Toys and G ames, Thrapston

FOR

N E R D L CHI

Sweets, from £1 per 100g, hamper, £7.50 empty (fill with your choice of sweets), rose creams, £4.75, all from The Oundle Candy Co.

6.99, Soft toy dog, £1 le Crackers of Ound

Tractor signs, £5.50 each, Crackers, Tractor Ted lunch box, £9.99 and Tractor Ted story book, both from The Oundle Bookshop WHERE TO BUY: Peterborough Designer Leathers, 8 Queen St, Peterborough 01733 348917 www.designerleathers.co.uk Romejo’s, 14 Market Place, Oundle PE8 4BA Tel: 01832 272165 Crackers, 3 New St, Oundle, PE8 4EA Tel: 01832274467 Harpur’s of Oundle, 5A West St, Oundle PE8 4EJ Tel: 01832274050 Asha’s, The Bazaar, West St, Oundle Tel: 01832 275605 Stu-Pots, 36 Market Place, Oundle Tel: 01832275414 Jollys Toys and Games, 28a High St, Thrapston, Tel: 01832 358915 www.jollystoys.co.uk The Oundle Bookshop, 13 Market Place, Oundle PE8 4BA Tel: 01832 273523 Foxtail Lilly, 41 South Rd, Oundle Tel 01832 274593 The Oundle Candy Co. 10a West St, Oundle PE8 4EF Tel: 01832 275017 NENE VALLEY LIVING NOVEMBER 2014

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WELLBEING

Health & Beauty Notes Treatments, exercise and beauty therapies. By Bridget Steele

ZUMBA WITH SONJA S

onja Allen is a fun and inspirational instructor teaching Zumba in Peterborough who offers classes for all levels of fitness and ages. Here are just a few comments from people who attend Sonja’s classes:Sam Spencer - Hampton “Healthy eating, Zumba with Sonja and determination! I managed to wear my wedding dress with pride. In four months I lost 3 stone and gained friends along the way!” Kerran Johnson - Hampton “I work hard all week and often late into the evenings: my hour with Sonja allows me to be me, have fun and get fit at the same time. I’ve lost a stone since starting and feel better than ever.” Lisa Kesson - Hampton ‘Not only have I lost weight since going to Zumba, its really boosted my self esteem! A fun way to work out, Sonja cheers you up with her fun way to work those pounds off’ !” Samantha Patey - Hampton ‘I’ve been doing Zumba since Febuary and lost 3.5 stone. Being a plus size girl I was very self conscious and scared but Sonja makes you feel very comfortable. I’ve made some lovely friends and it’s definitely a fun way to lose weight’. • Contact Sonja for further details: Mobile:07799792201 Email: zumba@zumbawithsonja.com Facebook: zumba into shape

Find your Christmas sparkle Christmas time is a whirl of office parties, family gatherings and social functions but sometimes if you aren’t feeling 100% comfortable about your appearance it can ruin what should be an exciting time. The Beautiful Truth Medispa on Cowgate in Peterborough City Centre has put together a special Christmas Package of 3D Lipomed non surgical liposuction treatments to help you feel your best this Christmas. “We have been offering 3d Lipomed Non Surgical Lipo now for 6 months and have seen some amazing results,” says Annalisa Phillips, Director at The Beautiful Truth “It’s extremely rewarding to give women confidence back in their bodies with typical results being down a dress size, improvement in skin texture and cellulite appearance.” So much so the Medispa has managed to gather a collection of client testimonials that they are happy to share during a new client consultation. “It speaks volumes when it’s the client themselves who are happy to talk about their experience of 3D Lipomed with us, the before and after photos give an accurate picture of what a potential client can expect,” says Annalisa. “It’s these types of results from client feedback all over the country that have led to 3D Lipomed being shortlisted as for The Aesthetics Awards 2014 Treatment of the Year.” The Beautiful Truth Christmas Sparkle 3d Lipomed Package offer includes a dual session of Cryolipolysis (fat freezing) and 8 session of Ultrasound Cavitation (for inch loss) for £499 (usual price would be £650). Call now to book your free of charge consultation. • The Beautiful Truth Ltd, 40 Cowgate, Peterborough, PE1 1NA 01733 555540 annalisa@beautiful-truth.co.uk

Looking for a second opinion on your pain? Prestons Health (based in Peterborough and Oundle) is a private multidisciplinary clinic that specialises in treating pain. “There has been significant improvement in science’s understanding of pain in recent years” explains Helen Preston, Clinical Lead Chartered Physiotherapist. “At Prestons, we are increasingly being asked for second opinions by patients regarding painful musculoskeletal conditions such as back and neck pain and other muscular and joint pains. There is a huge body of research that shows that pain is a multiple system output activated by the brain, based on perceived threat. Actual tissue damage can be only part of the story. Of course that threat can be real (in the case of acute injury) and the body’s protection mechanisms can be really helpful at that stage. However, persistent pain problems often continue beyond normal expected times and this is where our skills in understanding pain science is helping us to help our patients overcome longer as well as shorter term pain problems. There is a strong evidence base for the methods that we use. Changing direction can bring hope and looking at the whole person is our strength. We commonly see that persistent pain can and does change. Improving sleep, limiting rest and establishing regular activity can be key to this change. However, this has to be specific to the individual as no pain is the same. That is where we come in! Our job satisfaction seeing people make real life change is immensely rewarding.” Such is the popularity of the second opinion service, Helen Preston is now offering a triage service to clients looking for a second opinion regarding ongoing pain. Helen is happy to take calls to discuss your case on an individual basis prior to signposting you to the appropriate clinician to deal with your problem. • To arrange a triage call from Helen, please call the clinic on 01733 565911. For more details, see www.prestonshealth.co.uk

Don’t miss… Pure Health and Beauty in Glapthorn’s popular Christmas shopping event with free taster treatments all day Thursday November 13. There will be lots of gift ideas as well as a raffle in aid of Hospital at Home. For more information, contact Jayne or Becky on 01832 272310 or e-mail: pure@farming.co.uk

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Advertisement Feature

Elysia Health & Beauty GET THE BODY YOU WANT IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS – WITH LIPOFIRM PLUS

IPOFIRM PLUS gives a non-invasive, non-surgical, no downtime solution to create inch loss, body contouring and face and body skin tightening. It can be performed on most areas of the body and on men and women. It’s a common problem that despite diet and exercise our body holds on to fat in stubborn areas. LIPOFIRM PLUS uses proven technology of ULTRASOUND CAVITATION and MONO POLAR RADIO FREQUENCY that gives outstanding results. Relax in the knowledge that you are in very safe hands with a team that have a wealth of experience and pride themselves on offering the latest and best technology and treatments. They specialise in advanced facials and offer everything from CACI, ENVIRON, RADIO FREQUENCY, MEDICAL MICRODERMABRASION, SKIN PEELS, COLLAGEN STIMULATION THERAPY, SKIN ROLLERS to a cosmeceutical skin care range which gives outstanding proven results. JESSICA GELeration and polishes are the chosen range for manicures and pedicures, LASH PERFECT EYELASH EXTENSIONS, mii MINERAL MAKE UP, BODY MASSAGES, HOT STONE MASSAGES, ADVANCED WAXING, along with holistic treatments such as REFLEXOLOGY, INDIAN HEAD MASSAGE AND HOPI-EAR CANDLES.

• PROFESSIONALISM, PASSION AND GENUINE CARE – CALL ELYSIA Elysia Health and Beauty, Tansor, Oundle. Tel 01832 226328 or 07879 620196 LATEST INFO ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE OR www.elysiahealthandbeauty.com

Christmas Sparkle Package £499 (RRP £650) 1 session on Dual Fat Freezing & 8 Session of Ultrasound Cavitation BOOK YOUR FREE CONSULTATION 01733 555540

The Beautiful Truth - 40 Cowgate, Peterborough, PE1 1NA E: hello@beautiful-truth.co.uk W: www.beautiful-truth.co.uk T: 01733 555540

Treatments from £80, call now to book a free of charge consultation 23

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CHARITY CHRISTMAS SHOPPING EVENT 13TH NOVEMBER 2014 FREE TASTER TREATMENTS ALL DAY We will be offering express facials or you could have your Make up done on the day, giving handy tips and techniques.

We will also have jewellery, handbags and scarves and of course our Thalgo and Jessica gift boxes on display Tea, Coffee, Fizz and Nibbles

PUT THIS DATE IN YOUR DIARY NOW AND RING TO BOOK A FACIAL OR MAKE UP Please pop in with family or friends for a look round or book yourself a Facial or Make Up for the festive season.

BUY ANY GIFT VOUCHER IN MULTIPLES OF £5, FOR £25 OR OVER, AND WE WILL ADD £5

Charity Rafﬂe, with some fantastic prizes to be won. All proceeds of the rafﬂe tickets sold will be donated to Hospital At Home.

Pure Health & Beauty, Church Farm, Glapthorn, Oundle, Peterborough, PE8 5BE, Tel: 01832 272310 or 07807 879459 Email: pure@farming.co.uk WWW.PUREBEAUTYGLAPTHORN.CO.UK

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PEOPLE

Taking the baton

Sue Dobson meets the Director of Music at Peterborough Cathedral

TEVEN Grahl bounds down the wooden stairs from his office and guides me through the scaffolding encasing the Music Department’s building. As we cross the Precincts he confides: “The children are very excited, we’re going to the POSH ground after school to check out the sound system and see if we can do a Christmas carol concert there. I hope we can make it happen, it would be a great thing to do.” Since taking up the baton as Peterborough Cathedral’s new Director of Music in September, Steven has approached every aspect of the multi-faceted job with characteristic warmth and enthusiasm. He’s keen to continue his predecessors’ work in making Peterborough a centre of excellence for church music and firmly believes that the young choristers deserve the very best musical education, finding the equality of opportunity at Peterborough “very appealing.” “We have two choirs here, the boys choir and the girls choir, and they work on an equal footing. Being a chorister is very demanding, for the children and their supportive parents, but it’s a priceless adjunct to school education. As well as engaging with wonderful music, everything from 15th century to modern composers, they learn the kind of team building, time management and social skills that stand them in good stead for the future. Choristers tend to do well in life.” With a musical career that has spanned

keyboard player (organ, piano, harpsichord), conductor, accompanist, choral director, singer, recitalist, composer, arranger, teacher and examiner for the Royal School of Church Music, Steven brings with him an impressive range of skills, knowledge and experience that leaves even the most accomplished professional musician a little breathless. “It’s good to have a craft,” he says modestly. “You can draw on your own skills to bring everyone together.”

Winning ways Steven grew up in Derby, where he was a chorister at Derby Cathedral and later the sixth-form Organ Scholar there. His gap year was spent not backpacking around the world but acquiring more skills as Organ Scholar at Norwich Cathedral. Time well spent, it seems, for he then won the Organ Scholarship to Magdalen College, Oxford, studying for a degree in music and playing for the daily chapel services. Winning the Betts prize for further study, he took up a Scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music, graduating with distinction (having won all of the available organ prizes) in 2003, by which time he was already Organist and Director of Music at St Marylebone Parish Church in London, famed for its fine professional choir. His new job has meant having to relinquish that post but he plans to continue as Principal Conductor of the Guildford Chamber Choir and working with the Guildford Chamber Orchestra and Guildford Baroque, a period instrument ensemble, both of which he founded. “The choir

is project based, with rehearsals and concerts programmed in for the year, so I’m keen to keep that up for as long as possible.” Steven comes to Peterborough from Oxford, where for the past seven years he has been the Assistant Organist at New College, one of England’s top musical foundations. There he played for the daily choral services, accompanied the Chapel Choir in concerts, broadcasts, webcasts and recordings and was responsible for the choral outreach scheme, delivering high quality singing to children in three Oxford primary schools. As a member of the Oxford University Faculty of Music he tutored undergraduates in keyboard skills and techniques of composition. Somewhere in between all this he has made numerous recordings and broadcasts, given concerts and solo recitals in cathedrals across Britain, toured in Europe and America and even contributed to several film soundtracks, including Lord of the Rings: Return of the King and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, activities he intends to continue from Peterborough. In fact as soon as he arrived in the city he began work on recording a CD of contemporary organ music, which contains several pieces written especially for him and a number that have not been recorded before. His interest in the work of modern composers saw him participating in the 2009 Festival of New Organ Music and the 2014 London Festival of Contemporary Church Music. To relax, Steven listens to and plays jazz. www.peterborough-cathedral.org.uk www.peterborough900.org.uk NENE VALLEY LIVING NOVEMBER 2014

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FOOD & DRINK

Food News Loch Fyne, Elton reviewed - and the renaissance of a local pub

ENDS NENE VALLEY LIVING RECOMM The Black Horse, Nassington Once a popular eating destination, still fondly recalled by many, The Black Horse at Nassington had suffered mixed fortunes in recent years, with a succession of landlords failing to make this appealing village pub an attractive proposition to residents or visitors. Now, to the delight of many locals, a change of management and the arrival of an experienced team (who also run The Lamb and Flag at Welney) is putting the pub back on the map. We went along for Sunday lunch, tempted by the boards outside offering a selection of roasts and ‘fresh Fenland vegetables.’ The interior has been pleasantly refurbished, with newly painted walls, a carpeted floor, dark beams and wooden tables and chairs. On a chilly day, you’ll find not one but two fires lit, creating a very cosy atmosphere. We were greeted warmly by front of house manager Gary, before being shown to our table by landlady Gina. The restaurant was fully booked and buzzing with family groups. The Sunday lunch menu is exactly what we’d hoped for: a straightforward choice of turkey, beef, pork or lamb, sourced from a local butcher. At £9.95 per person, with a children’s roast at £4.95, it is excellent value. There was a specials board, offering lamb shanks or vegetable lasagne, but we opted for a traditional lunch with all the trimmings. Perry chose the beef, I went for lamb and our 16 year old son Carey opted for turkey. There are at least three real ales on the bar, and a good wine list too. Although the pub was busy, our lunch arrived promptly and was a huge feast. Thick slices of meat piled on hot plates, with roast potatoes and a giant Yorkshire pud, and special mention must go to the vegetables, which included a vast platter of perfectly cooked carrots and broccoli and

another of Colcannon mash, and the most appetising leek and cauliflower cheese. We also received an extra jug of gravy (without requesting it) and a tray of sauces, horse radish, and mint included. Carey’s turkey came with stuffing too. For pudding, Perry chose a calorie-busting sticky toffee pudding with ice cream, which was pleasant, but Carey really struck gold with his syrup sponge pudding. It was a great rendition of a comfort food classic. This is excellent pub food rather than fine dining, but with a full restaurant, the appeal speaks for itself. We’ll definitely return. Fiona Cumberpatch Booking highly recommended • The Black Horse, Fotheringhay Rd, Nassington, Peterborough PE8 6QU Tel: 01780 784835

Loch Fyne Seafood and Grill, Elton This restaurant in Elton used to be a dairy, and it has a delightful rustic feel. We loved the attractively arranged fresh fish counter that greeted us as we walked through into the restaurant on a Friday evening. We were shown to our table and browsed the menus. There are plenty of offers and meal deals. Every day until 6pm diners can have a two course set menu for £10.45 or three courses for £12.45, and each main course includes a complimentary side dish. We had

arrived later so our waitress, Becky, showed us the specials menu as well as the usual a la carte. We decided on rollmop herrings cured with Madeira, amaranth and a brunoise sauce, a deliciously light and flavoursome starter. A classic Lobster bisque arrived with saffron aioli and fresh granary bread and was rich and satisfying. For our main courses, we opted for a recently introduced option which is for customers to choose their fish and decide how it is to be

cooked. You can also select a sauce and two side dishes. My husband Tim tried the cod and chose for it to be pan fried and served with Hollandaise with sautéed new potatoes, with green beans and samphire. I went for an old favourite, poached smoked haddock with Colcannon mash, mustard and crème fraiche sauce and a soft poached egg, served with green beans. Perhaps the new system is experiencing a few teething troubles as we did have to wait a long time for our mains, although the waiting staff were very apologetic. Desserts included creme brulee, treacle tart or chocolate fondant. A two course meal from the a la carte menu with drinks came to just over £50. There are plenty of choices for non-fish eaters and vegetarians too. NVL readers can get a 20 per cent discount from their food bill. Book ahead, quoting the NVL offer. Bridget Steele • Loch Fyne Seafood and Grill, The Old Dairy, Elton Hall Estate, Elton, Peterborough PE8 6SH Tel: 01832 280298 www. lochfyneseafoodandgrillelton

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Go East for your Christmas party and New Year celebrations

Celebrate in style this Christmas with our great festive menus. Our enchanting setting provides you with the perfect backdrop for all your magical celebrations.

Call us now for your reservation

Christmas menus available from 26th Nov - 24th Dec 2014

Lunch 12-2:30pm Mon-Sat 12-3:30pm Sun (Buffet) Dinner 5:30-11pm Fri & Sat 5:30-10:30pm Sun -Thurs

Upper Deck, Charters, Town Bridge, Peterborough PE1 1FP

Tel 01733 315 702 www.east-restaurant.co.uk

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The Queens Head, Riverside Inn, 54 Station Rd, Nassington, near Peterborough, Northamptonshire PE8 6QB

THe ReD LioN Warmington

Tel: 01832 280362

A Great Country Pub • Real Home Produced Food • Homemade Desserts • Quality Real Ales • Candles, Fresh Flowers & Linen Napkins LuNCHTiMe SPeCiALS £8.95 - Tue – Sat early Doors Buy oNe meal & get another HALF PRiCe -6.00 - 6.30pm Tue – Sat (table clear by 8pm but only if required)

Bookings are coming in thick and fast - have you made yours yet?

The Famous Red Lion Sunday Lunch Serving at 12.00 noon, 1.00pm & 2.30pm (booking essential)

· Christmas Menu lunches from £13.25

New Garden Room Restaurant open

· New Years Eve Dinner Dance - £75.00

Bookings now being taken for Christmas

· Open on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and New Years Day.

Closed Mondays

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

· Christmas Party Nights from £30.00 · Christmas Day Lunch £66.00

· Download our brochure from our website.

Awarded two AA Rose tte for culin ary excellen ce

Tel: 01780 784006 Email: info@queensheadnassington.co.uk Web: www.queensheadnassington.co.uk

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Welcome to Clarkes Cookery School If you have ever wanted to learn to cook like a real chef then this is your chance. Clarkes Head Chef Lee Clarke and his team are opening up their kitchen on regular Sundays and Monday mornings to teach and cook with a handful of students each week. EACH CLASS WILL HAVE A DIFFERENT THEME AND CLASSES COMING UP ARE -

November 3rd â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Learn how to make the perfect Wellington November 10th â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The perfect Christmas dinner. November 24th â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Egg based desserts December 1st - Desserts NOWÂ TAKINGÂ BOOKINGSÂ FORÂ CHRISTMASÂ &Â NEWÂ YEAR

VIEWÂ OURÂ CHRISTMASÂ MENUSÂ ONLINE

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

e-mail: bookings@clarkespeterborough.co.uk

Tel: 01733 892681

www.clarkespeterborough.co.uk. 29

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FASHION

Fashion with

ASHA’S

Asha’s Attire opened in Oundle in October, offering a range of easy to wear clothes, and excellent customer service. Here, fashion editor Sally Stillingfleet picks some easy winter pieces from the current collections in store Photography: Elli Dean Model: Isabella Hamnett

Grey Braintree waterfall cardigan £60, worn with Sandwich charcoal skinny jeans, £69. Necklace from a wide selection in store.

Sandwich printed sweatshirt dress, £89, worn with Ochre pure cashmere wrap, £199.

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Above: Suzy D sweatshirt, £39, worn under jersey blazer, £119 and skinny jeans, £69. Scarf by Sandwich. Left: Printed blue dress with under slip, Sandwich. Right: Suzy D pale grey cowl neck jumper, £69.95, worn with navy Braintree loose fit trousers, £49.

• Pictures shot on location at Asha’s Attire, The Bazaar, West St, Oundle PE8 4EJ Tel: 01832 275605 www.ashas.net Open Tuesday – Saturday 9am – 5pm NENE VALLEY LIVING NOVEMBER 2014

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ASHA’S SHOPPING EXPERIENCE Incorporating Asha’s Inspired Living and Asha’s Attire

THE ONE STOP DESTINATION FOR UNIQUE INTERIORS AND CLOTHING

Asha’s Inspired Living for Annie Sloan Chalk paint, painted furniture and interior accessories.

PAINTING & LAMPSHADE WORKSHOPS

Asha’s Attire for ‘Sandwich’, Braintree and Susy D clothing. Quality leather goods, scarves, jewellery and watches

OPENING HOURS: TUESDAY - SATURDAY 9.00AM - 5.00PM

Asha’s, The Bazaar, West Street, Oundle, PE8 4EJ Telephone 01832 275605 Email: barbara@ashas.net - www.ashas.net

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Arts and crafts

Natural Dyes from the Kitchen Garden J Botanist Jackie Murray is a natural dyer working creatively with plant based colours gleaned from the kitchen garden at her home in Little Bytham. Sarah Lyon reports ACKIE Murray has been fascinated by textiles and the natural world since she was a child. Influenced by her mother and aunt who were incredibly good seamstresses, Jackie could stitch and embroider before she went to school. “My aunt got me making little felt toys, tiny artisan things that you would have on your Christmas trees these days,” she recalls. She studied plant biology at university and went on to teach it, but she always continued with sewing. “Traditional embroidery is so satisfying and calming; you can sit and listen to the radio. Rain might be pelting down outside but nothing matters. It is intricate and satisfying,” she says. Now retired, Jackie says: “I want to be more free spirited now. Since retiring I have become a sort of lunatic fringe embroiderer. I am dying the silks and inclined to let the fabric speak and guide as I put a few stitches in here and there.” Friends who are textile artists encouraged Jackie to think about how fabrics were dyed. “Old textiles like the Bayeux tapestry are thousands of years old and still the blues, yellows and tans remain strong and vibrant reflecting an abundance of colour from the natural landscape. How is that possible? I started looking at old textiles like these and those in National Trust properties and places like Burghley House. The textiles at Burghley House are amazing and yet being hundreds of years old they haven’t faded. I began delving into the history of dying - when they hadn’t got a bucket full of chemicals - and to investigate the plants that would do it.” Combining her love and knowledge of the natural world with her passion for textiles,

Jackie began to cultivate and collect plants for dyeing fabrics. “I started growing woad and madder. Weld grows by the roadside. Then there are oak galls from the oak tree. Sometimes you see little marble shaped, corky textured blobs left by a hatch of wasps on the tree branches. It took me two years to gather a jar of them. They were like gold nuggets picking two or three at a time. I crushed them up to make a powder and then soaked the powder for weeks to start it mixing with the water before boiling it up. The result was the most gorgeous dark dye which dyed the silk a beautiful amber colour.” Some colours are harder to source. “There is so much green in nature that you would quite naturally think it an easy enough colour to come by for dying but it is not and in fact highly prized,” says Jackie. She explains that the only way to get green is to use weld which dyes bright yellow, and then over dye with indigo or woad for the blue. “Your dye is the chemicals in the plants and this is why they are so unpredictable. You don’t actually know if the chemical (which is the dye)

is actually going to be present in the plant when you start the process. For example last year we had an awful growing summer. I grew and prepared the woad but the dye just wasn’t there because of the lack of sunshine.” “Furthermore, to get the woad to dye blue you have to apply some quite complex chemistry to the process. It involves taking the oxygen out of the liquid for the dye to stick to the fabric. In past times they would have used fermented urine. When full of bacteria the urine worked to take the oxygen out of the liquid. Now we can just add in a chemical! A chemist would call it an oxidation reduction reaction. The science side is absolutely fascinating and another reason for my interest,” enthuses Jackie.

Interested? Here’s how to find out more • Felting workshop with Jackie at the Botanic gardens in Cambridge – Tuesday, November 18 - wool felting workshop. Contact details: 01223 331875, Cost: £60.00 • Natural dying courses (seasonal to summer and autumn months) - It’s an old fashioned Blue Peter day of fun. Wear old clothes and full shoes. You never know exactly what’s going to happen! • For further information on these and Natural Dyeing Lectures – contact Jackie for further details on 01780 410078 NENE VALLEY LIVING NOVEMBER 2014

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PROFILE

Colin Furze

“It will not be safe, but it will be amazing – Furze will make it happen!” Antonia Scott caught up with local Stamfordian, Colin Furze, a man with a passion for the unusual and thrill seeking!

“I’m very proud of the internet following I’ve achieved and the way I seemed to have carved a style of my own that is fresh in a world where seemingly everything has already been done.”

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T’S not every day that you get to meet a multiple Guinness World Record holder, less common still for the accolades to be for the ‘World’s Largest Bonfire,’ the ‘World’s Longest Motorbike,’ the ‘Fastest Mobility Scooter’ and the ‘Fastest Stroller.’ Who knew Stamford had such a secret talented resident?

The Man behind the Inventions Colin describes himself as a plumber, inventor and filmmaker, having left school at 16 and trained as an apprentice plumber before morphing into a risk-taking inventor and filmmaker in his spare time! He has been called a ‘crazy genius’ by many after a few close calls and injuries, but this doesn’t seem to deter him. “I am 34 years old and have a two-year old called Jake, who is showing promising signs of following in his father’s footsteps - he likes tools and wants to take stuff apart! I’ve noticed over the past few years that as we have moved into a disposable society, our knowledge of fixing things is being left to computer programmes and a few skilled tradesmen. With this in mind, I would like to hope that my son will grow up with a better understanding of how things operate, rather than simply knowing if it’s ‘broken’ or not. So the best way for him to learn, is to watch me doing what I do......from a safe distance of course!” Who or what got you into making things? “I’ve always been interested in making things, but it wasn’t until I got my own shed that I could really expand my projects and make whatever I wanted, not just what I could manage to fit into my bedroom! (I did have a metal lathe in my bedroom at one point, but I don’t recommend this!)” Did you do well at school in the practical subjects? “Yes and no - I could make some amazing things, but I didn’t necessarily want to write about them and all practical subjects normally have a written part too. In schools today, I think there are so many Health and Safety issues that impede teaching practical subjects properly, which is one reason why I will try to encourage my son to watch what I’m doing in the shed! It’s a real shame, as kids leave school with very few practical skills and then wonder why it’s hard to get an apprenticeship when they leave formal education.” How did you go from Plumber to Inventor? “Before I started working as a plumber, I was into BMX biking and used to make all sorts of adaptations for my bike. Then while I was ‘doing the day job’ I decided to design some plumbing tools (some useful, some not!) and

it all grew from there. Ultimately, I just like to fiddle with stuff, even if it’s not always for the better!” What is your ‘best’ invention? My ‘best’ invention is a tough question, as some are better for different reasons. Here are my top 3: The ‘Jet BBQ’ is probably the best-made, The ‘Jet Bike’ gets the biggest wow factor, but I suppose the ‘Fastest Scooter’ should be top of the list as it gained the most publicity and set off so many other things for me as an inventor and stuntman.” What are you most proud of? “I’m very proud of the internet following I’ve achieved and the way I seemed to have carved a style of my own that is fresh in a world where seemingly everything has already been done. It was an accomplishment to receive a ‘Silver Award’ from Google for passing 100,000 subscribers and I am now looking to reach 1 million and get a Gold one. I’m also proud of achieving despite the odds - the things I invent are made with tools that proper engineers would no doubt laugh at, but I’m living proof that you don’t need an expensive lathe or a huge welder to create something amazing. What you do need though is a workplace to get creative in and the right people to ask for help when it’s needed. I also found having people tell me that I’d fail, actually made me drive on just that little bit more, to prove them wrong.” What is your next project? “I previously worked on Gadget Geeks on Sky and am currently working on some really interesting TV projects with the Discovery and National Geographic Channels on recreating the X-Men super powers which is proving fun. ‘BECOMING X-MEN’ is a new series of videos which went live in May, where I will look at some of the abilities and powers of different X-Men and try to replicate them myself.”

Any advice to budding Inventors? “My advice would be to buy some tools and just make anything, no matter what other people think of you. Also, to all shed owning Dads and Granddads out there - let your sons and daughters into your sheds! It may well help them become the next future generation of inventors!”

• Check out Colin’s You Tube channel for some extraordinary film clips, though please be advised the infamous slogan, “Don’t Try This At Home!” really should be applied here! For more information: www.colinfurze.com

Quick Fire Favourites…

Favourite spot in the region The spot with the most memories is the old swimming pool/skatepark now car park as I started my BMX days there and spent hours in that spot even after the park was pulled down as I rode flatland BMX on the smooth surface. Favourite day out Digging biggest hole possible at the beach A favourite shop Lambs gas shop in St Peter’s St, Stamford A favourite café / restaurant Bombay Cottage, Scotgate, Stamford Best kept local secret It’s a secret!! Wise advice Petrol mobility scooters are not road legal

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Christmas Menu Served Mon 1st Dec to Wed 24th Dec 2 courses £14.50 (available lunchtime only) 3 courses £18.50 (lunch & evening) Cream of Cauliﬂower Soup with walnut croutons

Food served in December

Hot Smoked Salmon with horseradish cream and watercress

Mon-Fri 12.00 noon – 2pm 6pm – 9.30pm Sat 12 noon – 9.30pm Sun 12 noon – 8pm

Char Grilled Pears with roasted beetroot and feta

New Year’s Eve

Chicken Liver & Brandy Pate with festive chutney and toast

Hot Buffet & Glass of Fizz £10 per head £5 deposit required Carriages 2pm

Prawn Cocktail with fresh bread & butter

Stilton Mushrooms served en-croute Roast Breast of Turkey with pigs in blankets, cranberry & sage stufﬁng, roast potatoes, fresh veg & gravy Slow Roasted Beef in Red Wine with horseradish mash and roasted root vegetables

Pan Roasted Cod Fillet with a warm salad of new potatoes, green beans & chorizo Roasted Butternut Squash, Courgette, Celeriac and Potatoes tossed in chilli flakes, served with grilled Halloumi and finished with Harissa sauce. Christmas Pudding with brandy sauce and rum & raisin ice cream Rich Chocolate Mousse with pistachio biscuit Brandy Snap Basket filled with vanilla ice cream and winter berry compote Classic Sherry Trifle

Pre ordering required. 10% discount for tables of 6 and over for Mon to Wed. Deposits will be required for Peak Evenings.

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DESIGN INTERIORS

Delcor Furniture – Designed around You Delcor Furniture has become one of Stamford’s really well established stores, offering British-made, handmade sofas and chairs, tailored size-wise and finish-wise to your exact needs. Tailor-made Their business is going from strength to strength as more and more people become familiar and comfortable with their high service levels and ability to offer tailor-made products. “We have noticed recently that as we have become better known, people are coming in with a specific purpose and the conversation is already starting some way down the decision line,” Kathleen Wilkinson, the Stamford’s store very experienced and helpful manager, told us.

New brochure and website Delcor has had a burst of growth this year, and has recently re-launched its brochure and website. Pick up a copy of the sumptuous new brochure and take it home with you to help envision how your new piece of furniture would look in your home. Or go on the website at www.delcor.co.uk and clickon to the fabric swatches to see what colour-way would work best for you and to create your own style board.

Designed around you Kathleen explained: “We build our business around the customer. We aim to meet the individual needs of every customer – one size fits all is not our style. All our products are tailor-made.”

Accessories Although a much smaller part of their business, Delcor are always worth popping in to for accessories – lights, mirrors, ornaments, side tables etc. And at the moment they have a couple of really interesting pieces in – a red post box which acts as shelving; and a wellie boot holder. • Delcor, 30 Bath Row, Stamford, PE9 2QX Tel: 01780 762579 www.delcor.co.uk Opening Times: Mon-Sat 10-5 Sun 10-4 NENE VALLEY LIVING NOVEMBER 2014

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LOCAL ARTISTS

Angela Harding

Painter and Printmaker Jean Orpin and Sue Lee visited Angela Harding in Wing, Rutland to see her working in her studio.

ngela began her career by taking a degree in Fine Arts at Leicester Polytechnic. On completion of her studies she travelled, cycling round Britain initially and then doing Voluntary Service Overseas in Bangladesh and subsequently travelling in India and Nepal. On her return she spent some time teaching and first came to Rutland as Artist-in-Residence at Uppingham School from 1988 to 1990. The school provided her with accommodation and she taught part time, also setting up a printing workshop there. The press is still in use. She studied for her M.A. at Nottingham and has also worked as a part time lecturer at a number of Higher Education Colleges. She admires the work of Eric Ravilious, Edward Bawden and Clare Leighton and has specialised in print making since her college days. Starting with an original drawing she uses tools to make different textures and build up an image on vinyl. The printing process requires accuracy and patience. For some time she was Director of the Leicester Print workshop, a regional print-making centre. Painting is more spontaneous and many are of the birds she sees in her garden or on visits to Norfolk.

She has always lived in the country and her studio overlooks the Rutland countryside where she sees fields, hedgerows and wildlife such as hares, foxes, red kites and other birds. The subjects for her pictures are often these things she sees from her studio or that she encounters on her walks with her dogs. Angela’s two dogs, Syd and Ami, also appear in some of her pictures. In most of her paintings she uses the same palette of soft colours: greens, blues and greys with reds and stronger colours for autumn. She is now self-employed and although it requires dedication and she does work seven days a week (even on days out to Norfolk), she has shown that it is possible to use her creative skills to be successful in business. She has provided illustrations for Gardens Illustrated and BBC Country File magazine and has featured in Country Living magazine. Images are also published by Art Angel Publishing and Cannes Down Press as greeting cards. A new addition produced by Angela are attractive tea towels. • See more of Angela’s art at www.angelaharding.co.uk.

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URBAN RAMBLES

Letchworth Garden City: The Best of Town & Country Letchworth Garden City is the country’s, indeed the world’s first Garden City, and it’s only an hour down the A1. Planned in the 1900s to combine the best of ‘town and country’ living, Letchworth Garden City offers something quite different, a unique heritage and some interesting places to explore, including an impressive range of architecture, from Arts and Crafts to Art Deco. Nicholas Rudd-Jones takes a look around

THE CONTEXT The industrial growth of the nineteenth century meant that British cities, especially London, were filthy, unpleasant places to live and bursting at the seams. Ebenezer Howard, visionary and planner, started to envision a type of city which combined the best of both town and country. In his words “There are, in reality, not only two alternatives - town life and country life - but a third alternative, in which all the advantages of the most energetic and active town life, with all the beauty and delight of the country, may be secured in perfect combination.” Out of this belief came the Garden City Movement and Letchworth Garden City, which was founded in 1903. Its driving architectural principles were lower density housing than in a city, zoned areas for industry away from housing, the separation of pedestrians and motor cars, plenty of green spaces and easy access to the countryside. Letchworth was followed by Welwyn Garden City and then the New Towns of the post-war years, which were all heavily influenced by the Garden City Movement, including of course Peterborough.

The route 1

Head south from the Hillshott Car Park (SG6 1NY), crossing a small road into the second half of Howard Park; bear right just after the Bowling Green to join Norton Way South and pass the International Gardens City Exhibition (a thatched building) on your left. Cross over the roundabout (the intersection with Pixmore Way) and after 50 yards or so turn right into Meadow Lane, and then next left into Lytton Avenue, then left again along South View. You will pass the Quakers’ House on your left (they were a big influence on the town) At the end of South View, cross straight over into Cloisters Rd and follow this road until you reach the strangely-shaped towers of Cloisters; turn left, then right (S) into Willian Way, which you follow until its end Then keep heading south on a footpath signposted Willian and Cycle Route 12. Pass through a kissing gate into a meadow and head down to All Saints’ Church From the pub/restaurant (The Fox) just this side of the church, head W along Willian Church Rd, bear right up Willian Rd at the junction with Wymondley Rd and then shortly you will see a gravel path on your right, heading N, which you take (also signposted Cycle Route 12). Follow this path N and you will reach the kissing gate you went through at Stage 3. Just after that the tarmacced path forks; you take the left fork (you had previously come in the other direction along the right fork); this path goes pleasantly through housing estates, then alongside St Christopher’s School playing fields, then in to Muddy Lane and the tennis club on your right until you reach the Baldock Rd

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Cross straight over, past the village stores and up Spring Lane. You will soon be rewarded by the most amazing views north and south along Broadway, Letchworth’s most impressive piece of civic design. Head N and follow the Broadway all the way, past the fountains and shopping centre until you reach the station Turn left along Station Way, and shortly right along Bridge Rd, crossing the railway (the fabulous Spirella building on your left). Take the first right into Nevells Road, then the first left (N) along the quaint Quadrant On reaching Norton Common, take in as much or little of it as you have time and inclination for, and exit slightly further E and head south down Cross St, then left along Nevells Rd once again, with ‘The Settlement’ on your right. On reaching Norton Way North, head right (south) and over the next roundabout into Norton Park. Go past the ponds, fountains and shop/ toilets and you will be back at the car park.

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Broadway The Spirella Building

The Settlement

POINTS OF INTEREST Download www.letchworthgc.com/galleries/see_letchworths_history if you possibly can, it has lots of interesting details about the houses that you will see along the route.

Cloisters

WALK DATA Distance: 3.4 miles (5.5Kms) Height Gain – none Typical time: 2 hours (lots of things to look at on the way) Map: Explorer 193 Luton and Stevenage Start & Finish: Hillshott Car Park (SG6 1NY) Terrain: Almost all on pavements How to get there: By car down the A1, turn off at Junction 9; or one change by train from Peterborough

Aerial View of Letchworth

The International Garden Cities Exhibition (296 Norton Way South), only a couple of minutes into the walk, has a good display of the history of the Garden City Movement and would be an ideal way of starting your walk. But note that it is only open on Saturdays or Sundays, or by appointment. Visit www.gardencities-exhibition.com for details. For much of the route you will walk through Letchworth’s residential areas, and see a range of houses with Arts & Crafts, Lutyens and Art Deco influences. They are at perhaps their most impressive in Broadway, the ‘poshest’ address in Letchworth. The Cloisters is an historic Grade 2* listed building. Built in 1907 by Miss Annie Lawrence as an open air school dedicated to Psychology, it is an extraordinary building designed according to the Arts and Crafts Movement. Another of Letchworth’s claims to fame is that it has the UK’s first roundabout, as you reach Broadway, built in 1909. There were only 53,000 cars registered in the whole of Britain that year, so it can’t have been very busy! Broadway is the centrepiece of Letchworth, a tree-lined boulevard running north south, culminating in Broadway Gardens; originally planned to be the grand centre of Letchworth and house its civic buildings, the ‘Town Square’ failed to come to fruition, but was much improved in 2003 to celebrate the town’s centenary, with a beautiful fountain, gardens and high quality paving. The space is lovely. The Spirella Building is a reminder of the attention given to all architecture in the new town and the importance of zoning. Created for the famous Spirella corset company, the ‘factory of beauty’ (no smoke of course) promoted good working conditions and leisure facilities for their ‘Healthy Happy Workers.’ Built in three stages between 1912 and 1920, this magnificent building is now grade II* listed. Norton Common is a beautiful 63-acre Common and park in the heart of the town, within easy walking distance of the town centre and railway station, offering unspoilt grass and woodland, tennis courts, Bowling Green and a 1935 lido style outdoor pool. Built in 1907, The Skittles Inn, Letchworth’s famous ‘pub with no beer’ provided the facilities and atmosphere of a pub without the temptations of drink. In 1925, The Skittles Inn became The Settlement, a centre for adult education and local activities which is still in use today. The ban on alcohol in the Garden City lasted until 1958, and it was partly this that gave it a reputation for Letchworth people being slightly otherworldly. George Orwell rather caustically spoke of ‘every fruit juice drinker, nudist, sandal wearer, sex-maniac, Quaker, nature cure quack, pacifist and feminist in England’ as living there. The delightful Howard Park is named after Ebenezer Howard. As part of a £1.84 million Lottery-funded park restoration project, a statue of the Greek poet Sappho was placed at the heart of the renovated gardens.

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PEOPLE

Miranda’s Story Gretton resident Miranda Ponsonby was born into a farming family as a man. She tells Lucy Banwell why she made the decision to change her life

OR as long as he could remember, Rhodri Davies felt like a girl trapped in a boy’s body. But, born as he was into an aristocratic military family, he had no choice but to follow the traditional male path assigned to him: public school, the Household Cavalry and then on to run his family’s farm in the Welland Valley. But when his marriage ended, Rhodri finally found himself in a position to achieve his dream of becoming a woman. “For the first time in my life I had no responsibilities, so I was free to do what I wanted,” says Miranda Ponsonby, the woman Rhodri became. “When I set about having gender reassignment surgery, it all happened very quickly. I found a private surgeon in Rotherham who agreed to do it the following week for £6,000.” Now, the NHS supports transgender people with a programme of counselling and treatment options, but when Miranda, now 81, was seeking help, the subject was less understood. With Miranda’s new life came a new career. The time was right to pass the family farm onto her eldest son and as she’d always harboured a desire to become a doctor she approached several medical schools with that aim in mind. Unfortunately her age – she was now 56 – ruled her out, so she decided to train as a nurse instead.

Having taken 10 years off her age to put her in better position to be accepted as a student nurse, the only thing standing in Miranda’s way was her gender status. “Trying to get into nursing was an almost impossibly difficult task,” says Miranda. “It took 25 interviews and there was a constant fear that someone might spill the beans about my sex change. But eventually Guy’s Hospital took me on and I ended up becoming the oldest ever student nurse to qualify at the age of 60.”

A nursing career A role on Kettering General Hospital’s Coronary Care Unit followed and Miranda is now a wellknown figure in the area having looked after so many patients during her 17 years at the hospital. “I found nursing incredibly rewarding,” says Miranda, who is now a governor at Kettering Hospital. “In a way it’s very similar to the army because you’re dealing with life and death. And then there’s the camaraderie you feel. I’ve always got on awfully well with all the other nurses. I’m proud to say I worked jolly hard and in my 20 years of nursing I never missed a single shift.” Miranda did enjoy relationships with men, but she’s now single. “I’m too old for romance now, but it was important for me to be with a man, to establish my new identity as Miranda.” She

has written a book telling the story of her life. “I wrote it as a cathartic experience,” she says. “I sat down under the apple tree in the garden one summer and it just poured out.” Her only regret in life is the sacrifices she’s had to make in order to make her gender transition. Sadly, she no longer sees her two sons or her grandchildren, and many friends have fallen by the wayside. “I very much hope that one day my grandchildren will get in touch with me,” she says. “There have been advantages and disadvantages with this whole thing, as there are in everything in life. I’ve lived on my own now for more than 20 years. I don’t relish it, but I’ve adapted to it. I have a Lassie dog called Teddy who is great company for me. “It’s helped that I’ve always been very determined in whatever I’ve done. I might not have always made the right decisions, but I’ve always succeeded in whatever I’ve chosen to do. And I’ve always had a sense of humour which is I believe is the main thing which has carried me through.” • Miranda’s memoir ‘The Making of Miranda’ can be purchased via www.themakingofmiranda.com or www.amazon.co.uk For details about transgender issues, contact Transgender Peer Associates www.tgpals.org

NENE VALLEY LIVING NOVEMBER 2014

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PERSPECTIVES

Little learners

In the first of two features on new educational opportunities in the area, Lucy Banwell finds out how local children are being inspired to learn through an innovative educational scheme called the Children’s University…

HE air is buzzing with excitement as a host of pint-sized ‘graduates’ file into the hall at University Centre Peterborough. Bedecked in splendid royal blue gowns, bronze sashes and mortar boards, the youngsters aged between seven and 14 are here to receive certificates in recognition of their achievements as part of the Children’s University. When they join the scheme, each child receives a special ‘passport’ which gives them access to a huge variety of after-school activities in and around Peterborough. With every activity they attend they gain an extra stamp in their passport which add up towards their certificate – 30 stamps for bronze, 65 for silver and 100 for gold. “The Children’s University aims to promote out-of-hours learning for children,” says Laura Hawkey, Children’s University Manager for Peterborough. “It’s a nationwide charitible trust which encourages children to take on new learning opportunities outside of the classroom. Peterborough decided to adopt the initiative about 18 months ago and it’s been incredibly successful.” A whole range of local providers in and around Peterborough have signed up to the scheme including sports and dance clubs, museums, galleries and parks. There is a oneoff administrative payment of £5 per child to join the Children’s University, and then the cost of the activities themselves varies, although many are free of charge. “The scheme is available to all children between the ages of seven and 14,” explains Laura. ‘The children have an online passport as well as the paper one, so they’re able to blog

about their experiences and rate the activities online. So if there’s a club which the children don’t think is providing very good learning, I can then go to that learning destination and try to find ways for them to improve. The approach is all about what can the children of Peterborough do to help create better and more accessible learning opportunities.”

Enthusiastic response Some 23 schools in the Peterborough area have signed up to the scheme so far, but Laura is keen to encourage more to join up. “The scheme has proved incredibly popular,” says Laura, who’s based at Dogsthorpe Junior School. “Not only do children enjoy the activities, it’s also been great for encouraging improved school attendance. Children who attend engaging after-school clubs are much more likely to attend school because they don’t want to miss out on their extra activities. “We’ve also had loads of parents tell us they’ve seen a noticeable improvement in their children’s behaviour and enthusiasm because of their participation in the Children’s University. The kids are tugging at their parents’ sleeves on a Saturday morning, saying: “Let’s go and do this,” rather than just staying at home watching telly.” Laura has been working with Opportunity Peterborough and hopes to bring local businesses on board to offer children the chance to experience life in the workplace. “I’d like Children’s University to act as a tool for children to be able to access the wider world,”

she says. “They can’t dream of doing something they’ve never heard of. So the more the children experience while they’re young, the more likely it is that they’ll come across something they’d like to do as a job.” On graduation day, parents proudly look on as their excited children head up to receive their certificates. “It’s a brilliant occasion for the children,” says Laura. “It’s a twofold celebration. We’re celebrating everything that Peterborough destinations are providing for children and we’re also celebrating the achievements of the children who choose to take part in this extra learning.”

‘It was so much fun!’ Sebastian Higgins, aged 9, from Wittering Primary School, explains what the Children’s University means to him: “When someone from the Children’s University came to our school to talk about it I thought it sounded really interesting, so my brother and I joined up. We have really enjoyed trying some new activities, particularly the ‘Hunt Fun’ treasure hunts in which you follow interesting trails around the city. And it was fun learning things we don’t normally get to do at school. On graduation day, I felt very proud to be one of the first children in Peterborough to get their gold certificate. I felt really grown up in my graduation gown and cap, and had a great sense of achievement.” NENE VALLEY LIVING NOVEMBER 2014

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PERSPECTIVES

Just the job for Peterborough In its heyday, Peterborough with its historic engineering and railway heritage had a huge and highly skilled labour force to call on. But now, as with many other industrial towns and cities across the UK, that level of practical expertise has made way for new technologies. Peterborough is now taking steps to reverse the trend. Jonathan Craymer reports

REPORT by a major think tank earlier this year said it all. Britain had fallen behind most of the Western world when it came to practical skills. The independent think tank Demos reported that just 6.6% of 16 to 24-year-olds were learning practical skills and because of this, the country was in danger of losing the “global race”. The report also said 54 per cent of school-leavers would like to take up an apprenticeship, but couldn’t find places available. Prime Minister David Cameron told Parliament recently that the answer to this problem is the creation of University Technical Colleges (UTCs). He said: “I think they represent the filling-in of one of the missing links in our education system that was left after the Second World War, when ironically we helped the Germans establish good technical schools, but did not put them in place here in the United Kingdom.” He pledged to put this situation right. Peterborough decided to be one of the first cities to leverage this opportunity, and plans for the Greater Peterborough University Technical College – otherwise known as GPUTC - have just been approved by the Department for Education.

Hands on education The new £10m building, planned to open in September 2015, will in effect take over schooling for 14 to 19-year-old students who would like the opportunity of ‘hands on’ training in sustainable construction, sustainable engineering or software engineering disciplines.

Fast-growing industries such as these have a great need for skills and resourcing which in turn provides a greater prospect of employment for the student at the end of their education. This is further supported with the UTC’s sponsor relationships with local and regional businesses in these sectors and as such, the curriculum will be shaped to meet these employers’ needs. Angela Joyce, acting chair of the GPUTC Trust said: “We can now focus on attracting students and local employers, furthering the relationships that we’ve been working so hard to build. These relationships will be crucial, and we look forward to facilitating strong links between our students and local employers, allowing our learners to practise the skills they have learnt through the mentorship and encouragement of local business and industry.” Richard Olsen, vice-chairman of Peterborough Chamber of Commerce added: “There has been a need for something like this for years. This will really help the city to rebuild its skills base. The students will effectively change schools at either year 10 or 12 and will dedicate at least 40% of time to the technical specialism including working in teams and problem solving.. They will leave with GCSEs, ‘A’ Levels, an industry specific route for progression, and there will be opportunities for higher education if they want that too. “However for many students this kind of combined hands-on education will be far more suitable and enjoyable for those not suited to pure academia but nevertheless have a lot to offer the world of employment. It’s our

understanding that employers will be offering jobs at the end of the programme, which is also great news for all concerned.” At present the scheme is sponsored by Anglia Ruskin University, Anglian Water Services, Larkfleet Group, Marshall Aerospace and Peterborough Regional College. The organising Trust hopes this distinguished list will continue to grow as the opening of the new facility approaches and the UTC’s courses prove their worth. Eventually the new UTC – to be sited on the Peterborough Regional College’s Park Crescent campus - will offer 500 places, and it’s expected to reach that capacity within about three years. Initially just over 100 places will be available for year 10 and 12 students within a 25 mile range of Peterborough. “They will work in an almost 9-to-5 type of environment,” explained Richard Olsen. “As well as core subjects like sciences and mathematics, students will learn team-working and a host of other skills which will make them more attractive to employers in the future.” • An open evening was held in October at Peterborough Regional College as we were going to press for current year nine students and their parents (year 10 intake September 2015). However a similar evening is to be held on Tuesday, 11 November (from 6-8pm) for current year 11 students and their parents (year 12 intake September 2015). Or to register your interest to study at GPUTC go to www.gputc.com/who-can-apply. • Stop press: Dr Alan McMurdo has now been appointed as Principal of GPUTC

NENE VALLEY LIVING NOVEMBER 2014

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DIARY DATES

What’s On Yasmin Bradley selects interesting events for November Saturday 1 November Halloween Horror Night Tours 6.30pm and then every 30 minutes The Museum’s scariest ghost stories brought to life in candlelight with special effects. Not for the nervous! £7 (£5) Over 14s only. Pre-book. Peterborough Museum, Priestgate, PE14 1LF. 01733 864 663. museum@vivacity-peterborough.com. www.vivacity-peterborough.com. Sunday 2 November String Day 4.30pm Massed strings come together under the guidance of Mark Messenger from the Royal College of Music. Free. Great Hall, New Street, Oundle, PE8 4GH. www.oundleschool.org.uk/dates. Monday 3 November Art in the Heart VIP Christmas Shopping Evening 5pm – 8pm Get first dibs at one-off gifts by local quality artists or sourced ethically at Peterborough’s award-winning art gallery. £3 (including a free gift). Art at the Heart, 47 Bridge Street, Peterborough PE1 1HA www. artintheheart.co.uk. info@artintheheart.co.uk.

Friday 7 – Sunday 30 November UnEarthed Discover innovative insights into John Clare’s work at this contemporary art exhibition commemorating the 150th anniversary of his death. Peterborough Museum, Priestgate, PE14 1LF. 01733 864 663. museum@vivacity-peterborough.com. www.vivacity-peterborough.com. Sunday 16 November Book Fair 10.00am - 4.00pm Eighteen stalls of second-hand and outof-print books plus legendary home-made refreshments. Adults £1.00. Highgate Hall, Overend, Elton, PE8 6RU. 01245 361609 www.missingbookfairs.co.uk.

Saturday 22 November. Rutland Sinfonia Remembering the Fallen 7.30pm Butterworth’s ‘A Shropshire Lad’, Vaughan Williams’ Pastoral Symphony and Elgar’s Cello Concerto – exquisite. £12 (£10) Under 18s/students £2. St Peter’s Church, Oundle, PE8 4EE. www.rutlandsinfonia.org.uk. Oundle Box Office, 4 New Street, Oundle, PE8 4ED. 01832 274734. www.oundlefestival.org.uk

Monday 17 November Not About Heroes 7.45pm Blackeyed Theatre presents the unforgettable story of two Great War poets, Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon’s told through poetry and letters. £9.50. Age 13+. Stahl Theatre, West Street, Oundle, PE8 4EJ. 01832 273930. 01832 273930. stahltickets@oundleschool.org.uk. www.oundleschool.org.uk/arts/theatre/tickets Wednesday 19 November Afternoon Tea Talks: Unbuilt Peterborough 2.30pm – 3.45pm Local historian, Stephen Perry talks about previously unseen and unrealised development plans. £2.00. John Clare Theatre, Peterborough Central Library, Broadway, Peterborough, PE1 1RX. www.vivacity-peterborough.com/event/ afternoon-talks-by-stephen-perry Friday 21 November Folksworth PTA Christmas Shopping Event 3.15pm Lots of lovely, super-local stalls including Liz’s Cakes and Bakes, Truly Madly Baby, Sarahk’s Handmade Cards, Bath Bombs and Cosmetic Candy. Free. Folksworth School, Apreece Road, Folksworth, PE7 3TY. 01733 240562. Saturday 22 - Sunday 23 November Crowland Abbey Festival of Art 2014 11 am - 3 pm (Saturday)/ 1 pm - 3 pm (Sunday)

NOVEMBER 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

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 WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY

Exciting winning entries depicting Crowland. Free. Crowland Abbey, East Street, Crowland, PE6 0EN. 01733 211763. crowlandabbey.org.uk. Saturday 22 & Sunday 23 November Soke Military History Fair 10am-5pm Displays of militaria, costumed soldiers and participatory wargames. Free. Peterborough Museum, Priestgate, Peterborough, 01733 864 663. museum@vivacity-peterborough.com. www.vivacity-peterborough.com. Saturday 29 November The Teenager Black and White Ball in aid of Addenbrooke’s Teenage Cancer Trust Unit, 7pm – 1am Drinks reception, 3-course dinner, raffle, auction and live entertainment. £65 (discount on table of 10). Holiday Inn, Thorpe Wood, PE3 6SG www.truly-scrumptious-events.co.uk. 07788 931633. www.teenagecancertrust.org Sunday 30 November Glasshouse Acoustic 3pm Brighten up Sunday afternoon listening to upand-coming and established artists in the lovely glass-enclosed riverside bar. Free. Key Theatre, Embankment Road, Peterborough, PE1 1EF. 01733 207239. www.vivacity-peterborough.com/venues/keytheatre. NENE VALLEY LIVING NOVEMBER 2014

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