Rutland Living November 2024

RUTLAND LIVING

November 2024

Big Interview: Tim Hart of Hambleton Hall Cosy Autumn Fashion from Boutiques in our Region Gift Guide – Shop Locally this Christmas

HELLO NOVEMBER 2024

As you can see, we’ve been beavering away at the magazine. We decided it was time for a refresh and here we are… We do hope you enjoy it.

One key element, however, remains as solid as it was when we first launched in 2002 – that we are 100% local, firmly rooted in all that’s happening in our beautiful market towns and their surrounding countryside. That’s what this magazine is all about – connecting our lovely readers with the incredible things happening across the region. Our team live and work on this patch, our children go to local schools, and we spend our spare time enjoying the many things that we are showcasing to you every month. It’s just the best place to live and we love to shout about it here!

Some of you may not know that we were the original lifestyle magazine in this region (established by Nicholas – still heading our team!), so we’ve been passionate about all things local for a very long time. Our relaunch has only intensified this passion and we look forward to connecting you with what’s on, what’s in the shops, what’s out there for foodies, what’s happening with local business, etc, for many more years to come!

There’s exciting news, too, on the digital front. We’re relaunching our website and our monthly newsletter, as well as launching our very own app. All our brand new digital contact details are below.

Have a wonderful November.

Editors Clare & Nicholas

Website: www.stamfordandrutlandliving.co.uk

Monthly Newsletter: Sign up via our website

App Store: Living Mags (for Rutland Living & Stamford Living) Instagram: @stamfordandrutlandliving

THE TEAM

This magazine has been created by the team at Local Living, PO Box 208, Stamford PE9 9FY

PUBLISHER & EDITOR

Nicholas Rudd-Jones | 01780 765571 nicholas@bestlocalliving.co.uk

EDITOR & EDITORIAL DESIGN

Clare Rudd-Jones

ADVERTISEMENT SALES

Rutland & Market Harborough

Tracy Watkinson 01572 813187 | tracy@bestlocalliving.co.uk

Stamford Claudia Bayley 07876 171063 | claudia.bayley@btinternet.com

ADVERTISEMENT PRODUCTION

Ad Copy Manager: Rachel Beecroft Ad Designer: Sarah Patterson

Please note that this magazine now also incorporates Nene Valley Living & Market Harborough Living.

This magazine has been printed by our local printers, Warners of Bourne, on paper that is FSC accredited, from sustainable sources.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Annual rate £45 (UK only) for 12 issues. Please write to the Publisher at Local Living Ltd, with £45 cheque payable to Local Living or go online to buy your subscription at www.stamfordandrutlandliving.co.uk

COVER

Stamford Living, Fashion (see p20)

Photo: Elli Dean.

Rutland Living, Hambleton Hall (see p50)

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THE NOVEMBER LANDSCAPE

THIS beautiful image of the Eyebrook Reservoir, with the ground veiled with delicate frost and the auburn leaves still setting the trees ablaze, evokes late autumn. The reservoir was built in the 1930s to supply water to the steel industry in Corby. It was built by a Scottish firm, which perhaps explains why it looks as much like a loch as a reservoir. The reservoir has a famous history, as it was the test area for the revolutionary ‘bouncing bomb’ used in the Dambuster raids during World War II.

Today it is a lovely place to spot wildlife. There is a parking area on the northeast side, and from here you can walk along the quiet shoreline road or take the Rutland Round, which passes a few yards back from the shore.

photo: richard brown

THIS MONTH WE LOVE…

THE PRELOVED CLOTHING SALE AT TOLETHORPE

On Sunday 24 November, 10am–2pm, Tolethorpe Hall will host its third preloved clothing sale. Everyone is welcome, and if you love fashion, it’s a don’t miss! Follow @tolethorpeclothingsales on Instagram for previews of the sellers and their stock. It’s £2 entry on the door, card or cash payment, with proceeds going to Stamford Shakespeare Company Charity at Tolethorpe Hall.

ANGELA HARDING’S ADVENT CALENDARS

Here at the magazine, it’s something of a tradition to have an Angela Harding advent calendar, and we love buying one early in November to be all ready for opening door number 1 at the start of December! This year, our pick is Angela’s lovely Whippet Wonderland design (£12.50). Find this and lots more festive delights at angelaharding.co.uk

COOKERY DEMONSTRATIONS AT THE OLIVE BRANCH

Enjoy a seasonal cookery demonstration at The Olive Branch in Clipsham. The day begins at 10am with coffee, after which there’s the cookery demonstration, followed by a glass of wine at 12.30pm and a wonderful 3-course lunch. The next date is Thursday 28 November. Future dates include Thursday 6 February. £80pp. Book now on 01780 410355 or by email at info@theolivebranchpub.com.

BUBBLE TEA IN STAMFORD

Stamford’s very own bubble tea shop, Jinju Cha on St Mary’s Street, is now open. The perfect after-school treat! A warm welcome to owner Hana.

THE FATSTOCK

Champion pigs, sheep and cattle are primped and preened for this traditional event held in Uppingham’s market square – the only event of its kind in the UK still held in temporary penning in a town centre. It’s on Wednesday 27 November. Livestock arrive from around 7am, judging starts at 10am and prize-giving is at 11.30am.

Photo: Helen Savage Photography

WHAT’S ON

LEFT: the Doric String Quartet (Photo: George Garnier)

BELOW: Ant Law and Brigitte Beraha’s ‘Ensconced’

A SELECTION OF EVENTS TAKING PLACE ACROSS OUR BEAUTIFUL REGION THIS MONTH

1

FAMILY EVENT

Rutland Lions Fireworks Display Celebrate Bonfire Night with the Rutland Lions at Oakham Rugby Club. Magical for all the family.

2

LIVE MUSIC

Orpheus Arts: Ant Law and Brigitte Beraha

7.30pm, £18 (£15)

Orpheus Arts kicks off the autumn/ winter season with London’s guitarist and composer Ant Law and Milan-born singer and composer Brigitte Beraha at Barn Hill Methodist Church. Their brand new collaboration, Ensconced, opens and closes with well-known jazz standards: A Kiss To Build A Dream On (made famous by Louis Armstrong) and Bernstein’s Some Other Time. Contained within are warm, intimate original compositions with a focus on Brigitte’s voice and lyrics, accompanied by acoustic guitar. Find out more at steveandrewsmusic.co.uk and book tickets via Stamford Arts Centre.

LIVE MUSIC

Doric String Quartet at Stamford Arts Centre

7.30pm £26 (£24)

The Doric String Quartet have performed cycles of Haydn, Mendelssohn, Britten and Bartók at famous venues around the world, and their curiosity and flexibility are represented by a discography of more than 20 recordings for Chandos, with whom they have recorded exclusively since 2010, ranging from Purcell to John Adams. They are regular visitors to Snape Maltings and London’s Wigmore Hall, and this month they will be at Stamford Arts Centre, with a programme featuring Beethoven’s String Quartet No.16 in F major op.135, Andrea Tarrodi’s String Quartet No.3 ‘Light Scattering’ and Beethoven’s String Quartet No.15 in A minor op.132. doricstringquartet.com

4

WORKSHOP

Multum Gin Parvo Tasting & Making Masterclass at Woolfox 6–8pm, £30 (members & non-members) Join Multum Gin Parvo and Woolfox for an intimate gin-tasting event

where you will hear the story of how Multum Gin Parvo began and their journey as a brand rooted in Rutland. You’ll have the chance to taste each of the brand’s unique flavours, all inspired by local ingredients and stories from the region.

Meanwhile, Multum Gin Parvo’s master distiller Simon will be creating a special small batch of gin in a mini still, explaining each step of the process.

You’ll be able to sample his creation and even take home a small bottle of this one-of-a-kind batch, distilled just for the event. Book via the Woolfox website.

7

CINEMA

Back to Black at Rutland County Museum 7.30pm, £7.50

The November film from Cinema for Rutland is Director Sam TaylorJohnson’s take on the life and music of Amy Winehouse, through the journey of adolescence to adulthood and the creation of one of the best-selling albums of our time, the ‘Back to Black’ of the title. Starring Arisa Abela, Eddie Marsan and Jack O’Connell.

8–10

FESTIVE EVENT

Frost Fair at Molecey Mill

Fri 8 Nov 5–8pm, Sat 9 & Sun 10 Nov 10am–4pm. Free entry

Imagine the excitement of Londoners waking up to the sight of the Thames frozen over and quickly setting up their stalls and selling their wares in this magical setting! Molecey Mill aims to recreate this special feeling when they open their doors onto a myriad of wintery treats in the glorious setting of the Mill. There’ll be over 30 artisan makers and all manner of wintery delights.

11

FLOWER-ARRANGING DEMONSTRATION

Stamford Flower Club at Stamford Corn Exchange 7pm, £18

Stamford Flower Club invite you to the highlight of their flower-arranging year at the Stamford Corn Exchange on Broad Street, where top national demonstrator and Chelsea judge, Ian Lloyd, will get your Christmas prep off to a great start as he fills the stage with inspirational, seasonal floral designs. All arrangements will be raffled. No need to be a member to attend.

13

TALK

Life Rituals at Fika Talks: The Fertile Years

7–9.30pm, £10 incl. light refreshments

Life Rituals is a base for an impressive team of healthcare professionals offering a broad range of therapies and expertise, providing integrative healthcare for all the family under one roof. The practice is led by Jo George, who in spring 2024 launched a number of healthcare talks, held

at Fika in Oakham. The talks are a fabulous way to find out more about Life Rituals, the holistic treatments on offer there and the practitioners in the team. This month, the team will be discussing the fertile years. Book tickets via Eventbrite.

15

LIVE MUSIC

The Rheingans Sisters at Stamford Arts Centre 7.30pm, £18 (£16)

The Rheingans Sisters – Rowan and Anna – are one of the most visionary acts on the British folk scene today. Their fifth album and new live show is

a sonic and aesthetic development of their live work so far, creating an even more immersive musical journey for their audience. The music shifts from baroque fiddle tunes to trance beats and from metal-inspired arrangements of folk ballads to improvisations with phone voicenotes.

16

FESTIVE EVENT

Winter Fair at Witham Hall 10am–4pm £2 adm (free for children); proceeds go to charity Celebrate the festive season at the Winter Fair at Witham Hall. There’ll

CULTURE, EVETNS, WORKSHOPS

VENUES

• Burghley House Stamford PE9 3JY, 01780 752451, burghley.co.uk

• Fika 10d Mill Street, Oakham LE15 6EA, 01572 352935, fikacafe.co.uk

• Goldmark Gallery 14 Orange Street, Uppingham LE15 9SQ, 01572 821424, www.goldmarkart.com

• Molecey Mill Stamford Road, West Deeping PE6 8JD, www.moleceyestates.com

• Oakham Rugby Club Showground Way, off Burley Park Way, Oakham LE15 7TW

• Ode to Joy 14 Ironmonger Street, Stamford PE9 1PL, odetojoyflowers.com

• Peterborough Cathedral Peterborough PE1 1XS, 01733 355315, peterborough-cathedral.org.uk

• Rockingham Castle Rockingham, nr Corby LE16 8TH, rockinghamcastle.com

• Rutland County Museum Catmos Street, Oakham LE15 6HW, 01572 758440, rutlandcountymuseum.org.uk

• Rutland Hall Hotel Stamford Road, nr Oakham, Rutland LE15 8AB, 01572 757901, rutlandhall.co.uk

• St Peter’s Church North Street, Oundle, Peterborough PE8 4AL

• Stamford Arts Centre 27 St Mary’s Street, Stamford PE9 2DL, 01780 763203, stamfordartscentre.com

• Stamford Corn Exchange Broad Street, Stamford PE9 1PX 01780 766455, stamfordcornexchange.co.uk

• Stamford Methodist Church 11 Barn Hill, Stamford PE9 2AE

• Tolethorpe Hall Salters Lane, Little Casterton, Stamford PE9 4BH, tolethorpe.co.uk

• Uppingham School Uppingham LE15 9QE, 01572 822216, uppingham.co.uk

• Witham Hall Witham-on-the-Hill, Bourne PE10 0JJ, 01778 590222, withamhall.com

• Woolfox Great North Road, Stamford PE9 4AQ, 01780 460330, woolfox.uk

RIGHT: The Rheingans Sisters

WHAT’S ON | NOVEMBER

be more than 60 stalls, hot food, a cafe with cake and a grotto for visits to Father Christmas. Follow the team in the lead up on Instagram @withamhallwinterfair.

23

EXHIBITION

New pots from Nic Collins at Goldmark Gallery Free; launch lunch 1pm, with talk at 2pm Goldmark Gallery is proud to announce a new show from the outstanding potter Nic Collins. The opening, on 23 November, will feature a complimentary buffet lunch with sparkling wine and soft drinks followed by a talk from gallery founder Mike Goldmark. Those attending the opening will also have an opportunity to meet the potter himself. A Goldmark Films walk through of the exhibition will be available 24/7 on goldmarkart. com. The exhibition launches on 23 November and continues into December.

LIVE MUSIC

Rutland Sinfonia at St Peter’s Church in Oundle

7.30pm, £14–15 (£12 conc, £5 for children and full-time students)

The second concert in Rutland Sinfonia’s 2024–25 season is entitled ‘Romantic Austria’ and

features Mozart’s Piano Concerto No.24 and Bruckner’s glorious ‘Romantic’Symphony No.4. With Paul Hilliam conducting and Jeremy Young on piano.

28

TALK

The Arts Society Oakham Lecture at The Victoria Hall in Oakham: Imogen Corrigan – The Glories of Anglo-Saxon England

11am with coffee from 10.30am, £5 for guests

November’s Oakham Arts Society talk is by Imogen Corrigan, a lecturer and author specialising in AngloSaxon and Medieval History and Art, and advisor on memorials and monuments for Canterbury Diocese. Imogen will consider how many peoples over many centuries have wanted to live in England – who came in medieval times, and why.

The many great attractions of England will be considered – not just rich pastures and natural wealth, but also unparalleled education, justice and hierarchy.

theartssocietyoakham.org.uk

FESTIVE WORKSHOP

Festive Wreath Workshop at Ode to Joy Thur 28 Nov, 5pm Sat 30 Nov, 6.30pm

Celebrate the festive season by joining a wreath-making workshop at Ode to Joy’s exquisite Stamford Atelier. Under expert guidance, create your own sustainable Christmas wreath with a fresh moss base adorned with luxurious ornaments and seasonal foliage.

FESTIVE EVENT

Burghley Christmas Fair

Thur 28 Nov & Sun 1 Dec 9.30am–4pm, Fri 29 & Sat 30 Nov 9.30am–7.30pm

Tickets £10 (£5), flexi tickets & priority parking also available Burghley House’s beautiful courtyards and grounds will be filled with festive chalets, pagodas and marquees bedecked in sparkling Christmas decorations for the annual Christmas Fair. Spend the day finding the perfect presents for loved ones and pick up some stocking fillers, handmade decorations, and beautiful homewares.There’ll be lots of fabulous festive food and drink stalls, from warming raclette to traditional mulled wine. A large Victorian carousel, lit up for the season, will add even more seasonal cheer.

The Christmas Fair is run in association with the Angel Committee to raise funds for the Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice in Peterborough.

FESTIVE EVENT

Victorian Christmas at Rockingham Castle

Thur–Sun: 28 Nov–1 Dec & 5–8 Dec 11am–4pm

Experience Christmas Eve as it would have been in 1849 at Rockingham Castle – a wonderful way to start the festive season. Guides will transport you back in time to a Victorian-era Christmas celebration, complete with candlelit Christmas trees, roaring fires, and beautiful period costumes. There are two different types of tours on different days of this event: private guided tours and free-flow tours. See website for full details of what’s on when.

Traditional carousel at Burghley’s Christmas Fair

WHAT’S ON | NOVEMBER

29

LIVE MUSIC

Craig Charles at Peterborough Cathedral

6.30pm, £47.50

DJ and actor Craig Charles is bringing his electrifying DJ set to Peterborough Cathedral on 29 November. The event promises a night of unforgettable music and vibrant energy, featuring live PAs from The Kubricks and Zkeletonz, along with a special set by DJ Sam Flanagan. Supporting the main acts are Mark Goodliff (Shock, Attic) and Pat Unwin (Dig Deep, Beats on the Barge).

TALK

Ajay Tegala – Wetland Diaries: Ranger Life and Rewilding on Wicken Fen

7.45pm, £8 (£7)

Tucked away in the flat lands of rural East Anglia lies Wicken Fen, loved for its big skies and tiny creatures, boasting over 9,000 recorded species. For 125 years, this wildlife sanctuary has been cared for by the National Trust.

Published in 2024, ‘Wetland Diaries’ is a seasonal account of ranger life on Wicken Fen, restoring

a once widespread landscape and the spectrum of emotions experienced. Author, Ajay Tegala (also a tv wildlife presenter), shares the spirit of the Fens, offering insight into the privileges and pressures of managing semi-wild animals in one of the country’s first wetland restoration projects.

This event is brought to you by the recently launched Authors in Oundle. Founder Helen explains her mission in setting up the organisation: ‘Firstly, it gives me the opportunity to provide a wide range of authors from different genres, that I know will entice people to explore subjects, cultures, and ideas that they may not be familiar or comfortable with, and enjoy a great time out at a live event.

‘Secondly, Oundle is a very vibrant and exciting market town, with a long history and a thriving cultural way of life. I want to support this and encourage more people to visit.’ authorsinoundle.co.uk

to a festive world filled with the iconic music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, blended with holiday cheer. This unique event will feature a cast of accomplished performers who have graced international stages and prestigious productions, ensuring a night of exceptional entertainment. Guests will be welcomed with a festive Christmas cocktail, setting the tone for a memorable evening. The experience includes a two-course dinner, and guests will be treated to two 40-minute live shows featuring Jersey Boys’ songs and Christmas classics, making it a perfect blend of nostalgia and holi-day spirit. The night will culminate in a lively disco, where guests can dance the night away.

LIVE MUSIC

Stile Antico at Uppingham School 7.30pm, £25 (£20, £10)

Stile Antico recounts the journey to the manger in a glorious sequence of music from medieval and Renaissance Europe. Highlights include Victoria’s intimate ‘O magnum mysterium’, thrilling motets by Byrd, Lassus and Sheppard, medieval carols, and irresistible dances from Spain and Germany.

LIVE MUSIC

Stamford Chamber Orchestra at Stamford Arts Centre 7.30pm, £13.50 (£11.50/£6)

FESTIVE EVENT

The Jersey Quartet Christmas Experience at Rutland Hall Hotel 6.30pm, £65pp

The Jersey Quartet Christmas Experience will transport audiences

Stamford Chamber Orchestra’s first performance of the season is Chabrier’s irresistibly sweet and funny chamber opera, ‘Une Education manquée’. The piece explores the comic predicament of a newly married couple who don’t know what to do on their wedding night. It will be sung in English in concert staging by a trio of brilliant young singers, Madeline Robinson, Joanna Harries and George Robarts, conducted by Mark Austin. A charming piece not to be missed. The orchestra will also be performing Fauré’s Pavane and Farrenc’s Symphony 3. Suitable for all the family.

Book tickets via Stamford Arts Centre. Also find out more at stamfordchamberorchestra.org

LEFT: the acclaimed Stile Antico (Photo: Kaupo Kikkas)

Barnack

COSY AUTUMN FASHION

stylist: sally stillingfleet

photography: elli dean

model: leonie at stamford botanics

striped

blue-and-white

‘ohhhh’ sweater, £45, with kick-flare jeans, £79, both white ginger

COSY AUTUMN FASHION

green sweater by saint tropez, £59.99, energy; green studded fabienne chapot belt, £44.99, both energy; jeans as before.

cornflower blue, cashmere-blend ‘sally’ sweater, £69, white ginger.

cream bow-tie ‘maggie’ cardigan, £54, and knitted pencil skirt,£59, both white ginger; ‘eyes’ cross-body bag by anya hindmarch, £250, arch label agency.

When in doubt wear denim

COSY AUTUMN FASHION

missoni wool twin set (top and cardigan in medium), £80, and small ‘millie’ tote in nightfall by mulberry, £500, all arch label agency; jeans as before.

COSY AUTUMN FASHION

outfit as before (see p20)

‘midnight tromso’ sweater by haven, £75, energy.

sweater, £80, floral blouse, £60, scarf, £44.99, all energy; jeans as before; small ‘islington’ mulberry bag in black cherry, £850, arch label agency.

pink lambswool roll-neck sweater, £95, tom lane.

COSY AUTUMN FASHION

STOCKISTS

Anna Couture Boutique 17 St Mary’s Street, Stamford PE9 2DG @anna.couture.boutique

Arch Label Agency 43 St Paul’s Street, Stamford PE9 2BH @archlabelagency | www.archlabelagency.com

Energy 9 Ironmonger Street, Stamford PE9 1PL @energyclothingstamford | www.energy-clothing.com

Tom Lane 42 St Mary’s Street, Stamford PE9 2DS @tomlane.co | www.tomlane.co

White Ginger 7 High Street St Martin’s, Stamford PE9 2LF @whitegingeruk | www.white-ginger.com

THANKS

A big thank you to our talented photographer Elli Dean (07932 055548, @ellideanphotography, www.ellideanphotography.co.uk) and stylist Sally Stillingfleet, for creating this fabulous feature.

Huge thanks, too, to the wonderful Leonie at Stamford Botanics on St Paul’s Street for modelling for us and letting us use her beautiful houseplants shop as the location for our shoot. Find out more about Stamford Botanics and shop now at www.stamfordbotanics.co.uk and follow Leonie on Instagram at @stamfordbotanics

ANNA COUTURE BOUTIQUE SHARE TWO FAVOURITE BRANDS CURRENTLY IN STORE

second female –available at anna couture boutique this gorgeous, super-soft ‘tarin’ knit cardigan is £115

suncoo is also a favourite of anna’s. this stylish palmeros top is £105

Henri Matisse

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

BROOKE HILL ACADEMY

Brooke Hill is a vibrant and happy school which sits on the edge of the Woodland Trust. It is a unique school which not only achieves very high academic standards but also offers a full and engaging curriculum that enables all children to flourish.

At Brooke Hill, we plan our journey on the mindset of ‘Excellence’ from the very start, that is personalised for children, families, staff and governors. We place high value on all children attaining at least national outcomes, whilst ensuring our extensive offer of enrichment supports learning opportunities and outcomes both inside and outside of the classroom enabling children to achieve and experience success in all areas of school life. This includes making full use of the Woodland Trust to facilitate learning and exploration opportunities through regular Forest School sessions.

Our children have very strong starts with a teacher led pre-school. This enables the children to start their Reception year with very solid foundations. Our recent Ofsted inspection (2024 - Good) stated that we were ambitious for what all our children can achieve and learn. Our phonic results last year were the best in the history of the school with 97% of children achieving the expected national standard.

It is our vision to ensure that all children in our school are inspired by our excellent provision to secure excellent futures. We are proud of our curriculum which

is relevant to our children and has strong learning intentions in each subject. It is progressive and builds upon prior learning through quality first teaching. Our recently renovated classroom environments are inspiring and innovative which enable our children to thrive and succeed.

We offer extensive wrap around care from 7:45AM to 6PM and also school holiday provision in partnership with Rhino Sports Academy.

Please make contact with the school to book a personalised tour with the Headteacher Mrs Anna O’Shaughnessy. Tel: 01572 724214

Email: office@brookehillacademytrust.education Brooke Road, Oakham, LE15 6HQ www.brookehillacademy.com

Co-curricular Clubs Flexi Boarding Extensive Bus routes

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Scan the QR code or visit our website for more details

THROUGH THE KEYHOLE

SET in the heart of Market Overton, a highly regarded Rutland village, is this exceptional family home finished to a high standard throughout and built to an individual design from local stone, offering over 400 sq metres of internal floor space. The accommodation is arranged over three floors to include a stunning open-plan living/dining/kitchen, three further reception rooms, a principal bedroom with separate fitted dressing room, six further bedrooms (four of which are ensuite), a mature garden, parking for several vehicles and a detached double garage with WC and first-floor games room.

This fabulous family home is on the market with Newton Fallowell for offers over £1,100,000.

We asked the vendor a series of quick-fire questions about their home:

What do you like most about the house?

Laura and I love the flexibility offered by the house. Having so much ground-floor space, with the open-plan living/kitchen/dining area at the rear and three further reception rooms, it offers us a great space for entertaining whole families and for hosting parties and then for sneaking off to the snug TV room to watch a film, along with the great home office and a home gym. It’s like we don’t need to be anywhere else.

What makes it a great family home?

The flexibility of space and the garden. We chose the house not only for the looks, the village and internal space, but for the size of the plot. We didn’t want an acre to have to maintain, as we enjoy going out and being away at weekends and over the school holidays. The garden, which is a bit of a sun trap. allowed us to have a mature, private space that we can enjoy and that’s easy to maintain.

Tell us about a quirky/unusual feature that you especially like?

There are two things we particularly love: the staircase and the dressing room. The stairs form a central feature to the house, letting light pour in through the three floors, and the big landings around them provide space for bookcases and the family wall of art. The dressing room was an internal alteration we made, creating a bright space with so much storage and a bespoke central island. It gives a great excuse to go shopping!

What do you like about living in Market Overton?

The village is so friendly. People here always wave, say good morning and chat whether you meet them in the street, at the village store or in the pub (both pretty good, meaning you don’t have to drive to Oakham or Stamford to get the essentials and/or have a glass of wine or two).

FIND OUT MORE: Contact Newton Fallowell now (see box, opposite) to find out more and book a viewing.

7 Main Street, Market Overton, Rutland LE15 7PL

NEWTON FALLOWELL LETTINGS

KEY FEATURES

• Seven double bedrooms

• Four en-suite bath/shower rooms

• 12.9m open-plan living/kitchen/ dining area, featuring a large kitchen island and Aga

• Principal bedroom with separate dressing room & 4-piece en-suite

• Cinema room/snug

• Office

• Home gym

• Detached double garage with games room & WC

• Mature private gardens with southern aspect

• Popular Rutland village location with village shop

OPPOSITE PAGE: the spacious kitchen/ diner, including large island and Aga. THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: sitting room; bird’s eye view of the property; the stairs, which are a favourite feature of the current owners.

Newton Fallowell don’t just specialise in sales… they also have one of the region’s strongest lettings teams, who bring their local experience and expertise to bear on the lettings market. There are 13 dedicated professionals in the lettings team altogether, including a Lettings Manager and Compliance Manager.

Group Managing Director Jason Treadwell, along with his business partners, Laura Treadwell, Peter Ledger, Kieran Arthur and senior management team, recognises that there is a different skills profile for this team, where loving attention to detail, always keeping up to date with the myriad laws around lettings and maintaining a fair balance between landlord and tenant is key. Combined with honesty, integrity and a determination not to mislead, this is a winning formula.

Lettings have become a complex area, and it is vital to ensure that you choose a professional team who are always at the forefront of the industry. Newton Fallowell has over 1,300 properties under management, including residential, commercial and industrial units. The company also provides management services for larger holdings, such as Southfields Parade, where they collect rents, manage the tenancies and manage the maintenance. You can opt for different levels of service right up to the Fully Managed Plus, where everything is taken out of your hands, so there is no hassle for you. The team was recently rated Excellent in Lettings at the British Property Awards.

Just get in touch if you are looking to buy, sell or rent. Newton Fallowell have offices in Stamford, Bourne, Oakham, Melton Mowbray and Peterborough within this group.

• 4 Ironmonger Street, Stamford PE9 1PL, 01780 754530, www.newtonfallowell.co.uk/stamford-estate-agents/

• 24 Catmos Street, Oakham LE15 6HW, 01572 335005, www.newtonfallowell.co.uk/oakham-estate-agents/

As individual as you

A local home improvement company managing contemporary and traditional bespoke projects from concept to completion for over 35 years.

All trades covered such as plumbing, heating, tiling, and electrics – creating beautiful bespoke bathrooms, wet rooms, kitchens and bedrooms.

The Offices, Glaston Road, Uppingham, Rutland LE15 9EU

Next to Welland Vale Garden Centre

T: 01572 824004 M: 07702 293455 www.allwatersolutions.co.uk

spaces for contemporary living

info@biophiliacreative.com

www.biophiliacreative.com

info@huntersinteriors.co.uk www.huntersinteriors.co.uk

photography: lucy glen

Spaces By Design Transforming Spaces

Nicholas Rudd-Jones visited a recent kitchen installation by Spaces by Design in the Recreation Ground area of Stamford and was bowled over by the results

‘It was the VR experience that really sold it to us… It was mind-blowing. We couldn’t believe it was the same house’

HOMEOWNERS Nuala and Paul greeted me warmly at the door of their well-constructed new house, carefully designed to blend in beautifully with the surrounding Victorian buildings within a conservation area. They have furnished and decorated their home very much in the style that suits their lifestyle, creating an outdoor space for fun and entertainment and an indoor space for chillaxing, work and entertaining.

The kitchen, however, had begun to look rather tired (it was the original fitted kitchen from 15 years or so ago), and Nuala and Paul found that the space wasn’t working as well for them as they would have liked. They tried a couple of kitchen companies, but found that both essentially came back with updates of what was already there. They felt that the kitchen area could work much harder than that. Then Andrew Pope, owner of Spaces By Design of Scotgate in Stamford, arrived on the basis of a friend’s recommendation – and he soon came up with a plan that totally transformed the space.

‘Andrew’s plan completely reconfigured the room space,’ Nuala and Paul explained to me, ‘fully taking into account the flow of footfall and the light and views.’ This resulted in the cooking area being turned round by 90 degrees, so that everything was facing the view, and the dining table became the centrepiece of the room, tucking under the island neatly for everyday use for two, but expanding out when necessary to seat up to 10 people!

And how did you have the confidence to go with this radical design?

‘Well, it was the VR [virtual reality] experience that really sold it to us,’ Paul told me. ‘It was mind-blowing. We couldn’t believe that it was the same house, but the really amazing thing was that the 3D-images created by Spaces By Design at the design stage were exactly how it looked when it was finished – hope and expectation really did meet reality!’ Andrew explained how he went about his design work: ‘I look carefully first at how a room flows, where people are moving, and where the views and light are. The old kitchen had its back to everything. I then increased the sense of space by adding larger glass doors to increase the light, and a floor-to-ceiling mirror at the other end again to give the impression of more space.’

Kitchen equipment and fittings

The kitchen worktops are by Dekton, while the distinctive kitchen units are from Daval, a family-run manufacturer from Huddersfield. The breakfast bar and dining table are by SPEKVA, a Danish company established in 1971. Then there are so many clever design features… The magnetic wall from Ronda Design allows you to hang anything you like from it, from a television to shelves and lighting. The oven, from Elica, is an integrated steamer/air fryer/microwave oven – so incredibly practical and space-saving. As well as a conventional fridge, there is an ingenious cooling unit from Fisher & Paykel that can be fridge or freezer, depending on your seasonal and entertainment needs.

Another very notable benefit of this installation is the crisp smartness of the kitchen fittings and equipment. Cupboard doors recess into the wall to take up minimal space. The floor, by Ca’ Pietra, was laid on top of tiles with underfloor heating below them, causing minimum disruption and fitting in perfectly. Little details are vital: Spaces By Design added an extra trim to the skirting board, for example, to make it look ‘just right’.

THIS PAGE: two views showing the fullheight kitchen units with the doors open for access and also closed to create a sleek, clutter-free finish. Note how the doors recess into the wall to take up the absolute minimum of space.

‘I increased the sense of space by adding larger glass doors to increase the light, and a floorto-ceiling mirror at the other end again to give the impression of more space’

ABOVE: the versatile magnetic wall from Ronda Design is a brilliant design feature. It allows you to hang anything you like from it, which in Nuala and Paul’s home includes a television and different types of shelving.

ABOVE RIGHT: the floor-to-ceiling mirror cleverly gives the impression of more space and enables light to flood the room. The flooring, by Ca’ Pietra, is SPC-based, with stone and resin mixed together for extra durability. This flooring runs through to the living room, giving great continuity and cohesion to the whole ground-floor space.

How did you find the installation process?

‘Well, we had complete trust in the team and went away for three weeks!’ Nuala and Paul explained. ‘We believed in letting them get on with it, and they didn’t disappoint. The installation team was phenomenal – always very respectful of working in other people’s space, very tidy and conscientious.’

Was the end product all that you wished for?

They both unanimously declared: ‘It’s transformed our space!’ Paul continued: ‘I can now sit at the centre of this room, and everything is easily and logically arranged around me.’ Nuala added: ‘For me it is now such a calming room. First and foremost it’s a room we can relax in, a hangout room that is also perfect for cooking, not the other way round as it used to be. It’s contemporary and modern, but not “in your face”.’

What will you do next?

‘Ask Andrew and his team to look at the master bedroom and ensuite!’

spaces by design, 22–23 scotgate stamford pe9 2yq, 01780 481850

www.spacesbydesign.co.uk @_spacesbydesign 40 | spaces by design

How have friends and visitors reacted?

‘People who have come round have uniformly said “SO you! You’re never going to move now, it’s so calming and luxurious.” And the man who came to install the blinds asked if he could take some pictures to show his wife, as he absolutely loved it, and they needed some inspiration for their own kitchen!’

Bonnie Kirkwood Textile Designer

Louise Goss speaks with Bonnie Kirkwood, who has moved from the London design world to the rural setting of Rutland. Bonnie has recently launched her own brand of textiles, weaving together high-quality design, traditional craftsmanship and sustainability

photography: yiannis katsaris & yeshen venema

‘I want to keep it in the UK and I want to keep it to a limited run, as I don’t want to have waste’

FROM her home in Rutland, textile designer Bonnie Kirkwood is showing me her newly launched collection of beautifully crafted, colourful woven throws and cushions. Her products are all made from pure wool, with this latest collection using a Yorkshire lambswool and a Donegal yarn that she says adds a little fleck to the design. She took time sourcing the materials, including cushion pads from a family-run business in Suffolk, and experimenting with different wools and patterns.

In fact, meeting Bonnie is an education into what goes into creating her textiles, which are all designed on her hand loom. From initial concept to finished product, there are many skills and processes involved. Bonnie’s keen eye for detail and focus on quality means that everything, from selecting the yarns and the colours to the weaving and finishing of the products, is done with a commitment to craftsmanship, UK sourcing and minimal waste.

Inspiration

‘It took a lot of tests to get all the colours right, the weave structure and colour combinations,’ says Bonnie of her new range, which was inspired by the artist Sonia Delaunay. ‘I saw her exhibition at Tate Modern. They are inspired by her use of colour and pattern.’

Bonnie finds inspiration all around her, and this particular weave was also influenced by trips to the beach. ‘I was initially inspired by the patterns on the sand, where the waves leave a ripple effect. I wanted to explore this weave structure, and it reminded me of those patterns from our holidays.’

Investment Pieces, Designed to Last

These are high-quality products, designed to last. They are certainly beautiful and soft, and the two colourways – a blue peacock and a vibrant multi-colour with fuchsia – add warmth and cheer to any grey autumn day. ‘They are an investment,’ says Bonnie, ‘and I hope that with all of the details, storage bags and boxes we include, people will look after them and store them away over summer if they don’t want to have them out. I’d hope they would be kept and passed down to the next generation. It is very much not a throwaway product.’

Greenwich Collection

This new Greenwich Collection is so-called because Bonnie originally designed it when living in that part of London. However, she grew up in our local area, living in Witham on the Hill and attending Stamford High School. After moving away to study, gaining a Masters from the Royal College of Art, then working for the likes of Designers Guild and Paul Smith, she set up her own studio in Greenwich, designing fabrics for different brands and textile mills.

The collection is an exciting new venture for Bonnie, allowing her to put her own name into the world after designing textiles for clothing, homewares and even packaging for perfumes, for other high-profile design houses. ‘I’ve always designed for other people,’ she says. ‘I’ve taken the opportunity with having the children to use this time to develop my own brand and put my own name on it.

‘It is hard, as you are competing against brands who are mass producing in other countries. I don’t want to do that, I want to keep it in the UK and I want to keep it to a limited run, as I don’t want to have waste,’ explains Bonnie.

Rutland Life

Bonnie has now moved back to the local area, working from her home in Empingham, around raising her two young children. ‘We really wanted to get some space out of the pollution, the noise and the busyness… We looked around the whole of the UK trying to find somewhere we wanted to live. Nothing was really sticking when we were visiting those places, but we were coming up here to see my parents and we loved being close to Rutland Water… We explored lots of different villages, but decided we really like it here.’

It has become a homegrown, family affair, with Bonnie’s mum, Janet, herself a designermaker, sewing all the cushions, dust bags and labels. Bonnie hopes to find local stockists for her products and expand her range to include woven scarves and rugs. ‘I’ve also got some woven art pieces that I’m developing at the moment, which I’ll get framed.’

Now that Bonnie is happily settled in the area, I wonder if there might be a ‘Rutland Collection’ in the near future. ‘I think so,’ says Bonnie. Watch this space.

studio@bonniekirkwood.com | 07813 666907 www.bonniekirkwood.com | @bonnie_kirkwood

‘I wonder if there might be a “Rutland Collection” in the future… Watch this space’

Tim Hart

Restaurateur & Hotelier

Nicholas Rudd-Jones met with Tim Hart, proprietor of Hambleton Hall, which next year celebrates its 45th anniversary

portrait by dorte kjaerulff

ARRIVING at Hambleton Hall on a wet autumn day, I am reminded instantly of two of the key requirements of a successful establishment: to be cosy and welcoming. There was a big smile from everyone as I passed through the porch, a fire in the grate and coffee soon at hand.

For our conversation, we settled down in the bar, which still has corners of it styled by the original designer, Nina Campbell, all those years ago in 1980, when the Hall first opened its doors. It is a reminder that it has always been an evolution rather than a revolution; and in many ways it is steady evolution, combined with what a journalist once described as Tim and Stefa Hart’s ‘defiance against complacency’, which have been key to its success.

So Tim, how did it all begin?

I had spent 10 years in merchant banking, but was starting to get itchy feet and thinking about business ideas that I could launch. I wanted to run my own business and do something I loved doing at the same time – namely hospitality, food, wine, gardens and country living.

Like many things in life, of course, the actual choice of spot came somewhat by chance. I wanted to buy a horse for hunting and was referred to George Rich, who lived in nearby Thorpe Satchville. I came up from London one Saturday morning and was asked to report to the Cottesmore Hunt meet at 10.45am, when George and the proposed horse were waiting for me.

I got to know other members of the hunt, including Anna Vinton, who had recently launched the Reject Shop. She was looking for a property in the area and had come across Hambleton Hall, which she felt might be just right for my hospitality ambitions.

And so it was that my wife Stefa and I bought Hambleton Hall in 1979 for £110,000. We then spent £440,000 renovating it, which seemed a lot of money at the time!

We opened in 1980, and I was always optimistic about its prospects. We were lucky to secure a brilliant cook, Nick Gill, who managed to combine terrific tastes with a slightly ‘flashy’ presentation, which was the right fashion for the times.

We soon came to the attention of the Michelin guide, and in 1981 achieved a Michelin star, which we have been able to hold on to ever since. Our room occupancy steadily climbed, helped greatly in those early years by the importance of the US market.

One of your business strengths seems to be your willingness to try out hospitality formats far removed from the country house hotel. Is that right?

Above all, I am interested in ideas – hence I studied Philosophy at Cambridge. I like chewing over ideas to see if they might work. In 1986, we launched the Ram Jam Inn on the A1, trying to create that rare beast, a roadside restaurant with food worth eating.

‘I wanted to run my own business and do something I loved doing at the same time – namely hospitality, food, wine, gardens and country living’

It was perhaps a bit ahead of its time. In 1997 we launched Hart’s restaurant in Nottingham, and then in 2003 opened a new hotel in a striking modern building designed by architect Julian Marsh, which continues to thrive.

In 2008 we launched the Hambleton Bakery, which in many ways has been our biggest success. We now have eight shops and over 100 wholesale accounts. [Typical of Tim’s long-term business outlook, the new bakery premises were built on some of the land still owned from the Ram Jam days.]

The length of service of many of your senior team is remarkable. How have you achieved that?

My core team have been with me for a combined total of over 140 years. This includes restaurant director Graeme Matheson (39 years), head chef Aaron Patterson (31 years), sommelier Dominique Baduel (24 years), general manager Chris Hurst (20 years) and marketing manager Carolyn Turner (20 years). Also Julian Carter who heads up Hambleton Bakery – he was at Hambleton Hall for several years and has now been at the Bakery for 16 years.

It’s hard to say what the secret is really, other than I give them lots of control and, also, I am lucky to have a very even temperament, and I think they find that the consistency is helpful. We are always on the lookout for ways to improve things and to make sure that the establishment has a fresh feel, keeping us on our toes. And we are lucky to have continuing success and growth in the businesses.

It is notable how many others you have supported in the hospitality industry.

We have never felt competitive with other businesses; rather we have tried to embrace them and support them. The ‘Lunch for Less’ offer each year, where we team up with five other restaurants in the area to offer great lunch value in the post-New Year period, is a good example of that.

We love to stay in touch and encourage others. A few years back, for example, Aaron hosted a protégés’ lunch here to celebrate those who had passed through our kitchen. Many chefs attended from far and wide, including Gareth Ward of Ynyshir in Wales (2 Michelin stars) and, locally, Neil Hitchen, who runs Hitchen’s Barn in Oakham (Michelin Bib Gourmand).

Ben Jones, who runs The Olive Branch, worked here for 7 years front of house, and we stay in touch. [In a recent issue of this magazine Ben described Tim as his ‘friend and mentor’.] And Julian Carter, of course, came from a family of bakers and confectioners that stretches back over 10 generations. He was ready to return to his roots, and together we conceived the idea of the Hambleton Bakery to produce top-quality, traditionally made bread. It is really very gratifying to see people move on and start up successful businesses on their own.

And your sons, Sam & Eddie, have gone into the hospitality world too?

Yes, they are very well established in the London market now with the Harts Group, which runs Barrafina, Parrillan, El Pastor, Quo Vadis, Bar Daskal, The Drop and Two Drops. And, more recently, Eddie has launched El Camino and Caminito in Palma, Mallorca. But they keep me well away from the business! They did it very much under their own steam. If I contributed anything it was: enthusing them about working for themselves; giving them an innate knowledge of the restaurant business from growing up in and around Hambleton Hall; and sharing a finance director, who was already an expert in the hospitality industry.

And tell us about Hambleton Hall’s gardens, which are such a special feature of the place.

Well, of course, we start by being blessed with the finest of views across Rutland Water, and the garden has always been a great love of mine. The Parterre, designed by Neil Hewertson in 1995, provides year-round pleasure with architectural plants and shrubs.

I am especially proud of the cork oaks on the edge of the terrace, which have become something of a signature for the Hall, as we have fashioned them into cloud forms over many years. Gardening is about ‘constant tweaking and tickling’, rather like hospitality really. [Bunny Guinness recently interviewed Tim Hart and Hambleton Hall’s head gardener Rob Skinner. You can find it on YouTube entitled ‘Fabulous Food, Fabulous Gardens!’ In the interview, Bunny describes how Tim learnt to become a tree surgeon himself with the help of a mountaineering expert who happened to be a guest!]

And wine?

It has always surprised me what a vast range of wine you need to stock in the cellars to create a strong wine list. All the time I am looking for wines that taste delicious but are not quite like what our guests may have tried before. After all, if we serve them the same wine they drink at home, but at twice or three times the price, they will probably be disappointed. I often say, I buy the wine and Dominique sells it.

As you look back over nearly 45 years here, what is it that gives you most satisfaction in what you have achieved?

Well, hospitality doesn’t change the world as perhaps a career in science might. I think the most satisfying feedback I get from guests is when they say, ‘What a wonderful part of our lives Hambleton Hall is.’ We have been able to please a lot of people over a long period of time, and that is very gratifying to the whole team.

Tim Hart

Restaurateur & Hotelier

Key Moments

1979 Tim & Stefa Hart buy Hambleton Hall (HH).

1980 HH opens its doors.

1981 HH gains a Michelin Star, which it has held ever since, the longest now in the UK.

1982 HH becomes a member of Relais and Châteaux.

1992 Aaron Patterson rejoins HH from Le Manoir as the new Head Chef.

1997 Hart’s Restaurant launches in Nottingham.

2003 Hart’s Hotel opens in Nottingham.

2008 Hambleton Bakery launches in Exton.

2023 Raymond Blanc comes to HH to cook with Aaron Patterson, one of his protegés, to celebrate the Hall’s 40th anniversary (delayed due to Covid).

2025 HH set to celebrate 45 years!

‘Gardening is about “constant tweaking and tickling”, rather like hospitality really’

Find out more at hambletonhall.com and follow at @hambleton_hall

Local Lowdown

When did you move here? We came up here when we bought Hambleton Hall in 1979 and settled in Market Overton in the 1980s, where we have lived ever since.

What do you most like about the region? The landscape and the rolling hills. I like the description ‘The Cotswolds without the crowds’.

Favourite spot: The aspect looking south from our garden with views of Catmose Vale and Burley on the Hill in the distance; and, of course, the view over Rutland Water from Hambleton Hall.

Favourite restaurant (other than Hambleton Hall!): The Olive Branch, Clipsham.

Favourite activity: Well, I’ve had lots of fun cycling recently in London on the Lime e-bikes – they go at roughly the same speed as a horse, with the same division of labour: two thirds them, one third me!

It turns out that Tim’s descriptor on (formerly Twitter) sums him up rather well: @TimofRutland; Owner of Hambleton Hall, Hart’s Nottingham, Hambleton Bakery. Loves food, wine, gardens, birds, trees and @stefahart. We would probably just add – interested in ideas and very even-keeled.

Favourite local causes: We recently had 20 children from the Country Trust visiting Hambleton Bakery to learn about baking bread – the trust aims to help deprived youngsters learn more about the countryside. And every year we support For Rutland (raising funds for Citizen’s Advice Rutland); and the National Garden Scheme (NGS) at our home.

Lilystone have been building new homes, extensions, carrying out conversions and breathing the life back into homes for over 17 years.

Our strength is in tackling complex projects with architectural merit providing a single point of contact service in the private sector to busy professional people with busy family lives, who lack the time to dedicate to their project.

Please

EXTENSIONS & REFURBISHMENT

NEW BUILD

OAK FRAME

Hambleton Hall & Us

Birthdays, anniversaries, festive stays, this magazine, local business relations and a wedding!

In our interview, Tim Hart notes how satisfying it is that so many of his guests say what a wonderful part of their lives Hambleton Hall is. Editors Clare and Nicholas Rudd-Jones reflect on their own connections with the Hall to see how their experience of it compares.

Clare: ‘We have so much to thank Hambleton Hall for in our family… When I was younger, we used to travel through Staffordshire on the way to visiting relatives. On special occasions we stopped at a beautiful restaurant in Waterhouses called The Old Beams, which had a Michelin star. My parents once asked the couple who ran the restaurant where they chose to eat if they had a rare day off –the answer was “Hambleton Hall in Rutland”. Intrigued, this led to my parents travelling to Hambleton Hall to experience it for themselves – the first of many visits to what became a favourite place, especially for special occasions: birthdays, anniversaries, exam celebrations, Christmas, etc.

‘My parents, who at that time were based in Nottingham, subsequently fell in love with Rutland, and in 2015 they moved to Oakham. At that time, I had just relocated back to the Midlands from London to be near to them with my young children, so the kids and I made the move to Oakham too. In 2017 I got the job of editor of Rutland Living magazine, which turned out to be a blessing both professionally and personally! And it all started with Hambleton Hall!’

Nicholas: ‘I first tentatively enquired in 2002 as to whether Hambleton Hall might like to advertise with us. I met with the marketing manager at the time, Debbie Cottam, and she asked if I would like lunch. To my surprise the table was set for three, and Tim Hart joined us. He was fascinated by my idea for a lifestyle magazine and gave me the confidence to go ahead and launch it. How fitting that we feature Hambleton Hall again in our relaunch issue.’

Clare & Nicholas: ‘How appropriate that we got married at Hambleton Hall in 2019, bringing Rutland Living and Stamford Living together! It’s still such an incredibly special place for our family.’

Clare’s parents

Clare & Nicholas

J WILSON PLUMBING & HEATING LTD

In the fifth in a series

of articles about J Wilson Plumbing’s expanding client base, Nicholas Rudd-Jones met with founder Justin Wilson to discuss the growing amount of work the company is now doing in renewables

Justin Wilson founded the business nearly twenty years ago and it has quickly become one of the leading plumbing companies in the region. Justin is by nature an entrepreneurial, people person and he is always looking for ways of developing his range of services further.

Growing expertise in renewables

J Wilson was one of the first companies in the UK to design and install the Daikin reversible heat pumps with their fan convectors, capable of heating and cooling. These have been installed in both new and older homes.

Justin told me: ‘We are now a leading installer of renewables in our area. We install nearly as many heat pumps these days as we do gas

boiler installations, and we offer a trusted and experienced installation using leading brands, including Daikin, Mitsubishi and Hitachi. ‘We have trained our engineers in heat pump installation and servicing and gained PAS 2030 certification to go alongside our company being registered MCS certified installers.

Furthermore, we have joined as partners with AgilityEco, Carbon Rewind and Alto Energy to help towards achieving net zero targets in and around our community. This has involved a very big effort from our office staff.’

The BUS scheme is a grant of £7,500, up from £5000, to change from fossil fuel boilers or storage heaters, to heat pumps in homes and

small non-domestic buildings. Eco4, warmer homes and Flex are to help families out of fuel poverty by making their homes more efficient and cheaper to heat. J Wilson can advise on which of these schemes may be relevant to you.

The installation team has just completed all the plumbing and renewable energy requirements at a distinctive new build site at Teigh Rd, Market Overton that has won multiple awards.

To Justin’s mind, the future is ever more looking to renewables and his company will continue to lead in serving it.

Background to J Wilson Plumbing & Heating Ltd

The company is a first-class provider of domestic plumbing, heating & renewable energy services.

Domestic

JWP carry out a full spectrum of heating and plumbing services, including:

• Emergency callouts • Safety checks • Boiler repairs

• Radiator installation • Gas and oil heating systems

• Central heating system upgrades and full installation

• General plumbing

The engineers are supported by a dedicated customer service team who are on hand to provide guidance throughout the job.

Commercial

The highly qualified plumbing and heating engineers are commercial Gas qualified and registered and offer clients a professional service regardless of scale or specification.

Having worked on a wide breadth of nationwide commercial heating and plumbing contracts, they are well placed to offer guidance and support as well as a quick and reliable service.

With a wealth of technical knowledge they are able to work closely with architects, project managers and developers to ensure plans are fully met. Close links with trusted suppliers and tradesmen means they also have the ability to source and supply subcontractors as well as negotiate the most competitive prices.

Renewable Energy

J Wilson Plumbing and Heating provides commercial and domestic renewable energy services. They specialise in ground & air source heat pumps and solar thermal energy.

J Wilson Plumbing & Heating Ltd, Unit 8, Casterton Road Business Park, Old Great North Road, Stamford PE9 4EJ 01780 766138 www.jwilsonplumbing.co.uk

FROST FAIR

AT MOLECEY

All manner of wintery treats! GARDEN

Fri 8th Nov 5-8.00pm Sat & Sun

9th & 10th 10-4.00pm

Free Entry Stamford Rd., West Deeping PE6 9JD

Enjoy a truly novel

Christmas

Celebrate the Christmas season with a day in beautiful rural Leicestershire, experience the finest shopping for gifts, toys, gardening, home, fashion and lifestyle. Savour a tasty treat in one of the cosy eateries, join a seasonal event and delight in the locally sourced produce in Gates Farm Shop, including the finest beef and lamb from Gates Farming.

Christmas at Rutland Nursery

We caught up with the lovely team at Rutland Nursery to find out what’s happening over the festive season at their beautiful HQ in Manton. From workshops at The Loft to late-night shopping in their spectacular store and special dining events at The View, there is something for everyone. We take a look, too, at some highlights from their beautifully curated selection of books, many of which we are hoping will appear on our own Christmas list. There’s also news of the children’s department, which has moved into its own gorgeous building at the Nursery.

words: clare rudd-jones

rutland nursery, manton, rutland le15 8rn www.rutlandnursery.co.uk @rutlandnursery

THE VIEW, THE SHOP & A NEW CHILDREN’S DEPARTMENT

Rutland Nursery’s restaurant, The View (pictured), will be host this month and next to fabulous festive events including Eats + Beats, with food, drinks and dancing, and an exclusive shopping/dining evening. For the list of what’s on when this festive season, see p60.

Adjacent to The View is The Shop, with a beautiful range of gifts, stationery, cards, books, homewares and footwear for discerning tastes. Brands here include Addison Ross, Merry People, Multum Gin Parvo, Nkuku, Shepherd of Sweden and Yeti. There’s a stunning selection of Christmas decorations, too.

Exciting news this season is the opening of a new Children’s Department, which means more space for JellyCat and other lovely soft toys, more beautifully designed children’s books, more pens, pencils and other pocket-money toys, and, all in all, more FUN! Find it to the right of the entrance as you go into the Nursery (opposite The Glasshouse).

Christmas all wrapped up!

BOOKS

We absolutely love the selection of books at Rutland Nursery, so we asked the buying team to pick out a few highlights – perfect festive gifts!

• Honey by Amy

a Beekeeper’s Kitchen

• The Seed Hunter by Mitch McCulloch, £27. Discover the World’s Most Unusual Heirloom Plants • British Designers at Home by Jenny Rose-Innes, £35. What Sort of Spaces do British Designers Live In? • The Garden Apothecary by Becky Cole, £16.99.Transform Flowers, Weeds & Plants into Healing Ingredients • Hello Tiny World by Ben

£20. An Enchanting Journey into the World of Creating Terrariums • The Winter Garden by Naomi Slade, £25. Celebrating the Forgotten Season • Vegetables by Mark

£27. Easy and Inventive Vegetarian Suppers.

• The Seasonal Gardener by Anna Pavord, £34.95. Creative Planting Combinations

Newsome, £27. Recipes from

Newell,

Diacono,

WHAT’S ON | NOV & DEC

LEFT: The new Children’s Department, housed in its own building, just to the right of the entrance and opposite The Glasshouse. Brands stocked include JellyCat, as well as Huckleberry, Moulin Roty and Trixie, plus there’s a gorgeous range of books. Resist if you can! BELOW: Rutland Nursery at Christmas.

A SELECTION OF EVENTS AT RUTLAND NURSERY THIS FESTIVE SEASON

The wonderfully inviting festive calendar of events at Rutland Nursery has something for everyone, from giftwrapping masterclasses to late-night shopping. Here’s what’s currrently scheduled for November and December. Follow Rutland Nursery on Instagram and check out the website to keep up to date and to book!

NOVEMBER

1

GIFT-WRAPPING MASTERCLASS

Fri 1 Nov, 6.30–8.30pm

A gift-wrapping masterclass that promises to turn your gift-giving into a visual masterpiece. It will be led by Jane Means, a gift-wrapping specialist and advisor to luxury brands including Fortnum & Mason, Dior, Selfridges, Tiffany & Co. and Victoria Beckham.

7

AN EVENING WITH MARK DIACONO

Thur 7 Nov, 6.30–9pm

An exclusive interview with Mark Diacono in The View, hosted by Chris Young and covering all things food, writing, gardening and more. Ticket price includes a cocktail and canapés from Mark’s own recipes.

8

CALLIGRAPHY – FESTIVE NIB WORKSHOP

Fri 8 Nov, 7–9.30pm

Join Vicky Daws from Inviting Writing and get into the festive spirit with this sparkling calligraphy workshop. Learn how to use a nib to create beautiful gift tags, labels and seasonal cardswith a focus on fabulous metallics!

28

LATE-NIGHT SHOPPING –OPEN TO ALL

Thur 28 Nov, 6.30–9pm

Late-night shopping with mulled wine, mince pies, live music from Zach Ball and artisan local brands, plus visit Hoggy’s Grill for festive nibbles. No need to book.

29

WREATH-MAKING WORKSHOP & LUNCH

Fri 29 Nov, 12.30–3.30pm (see also wreath-making dates in Dec)

An afternoon of festive wreathmaking followed by a delicious twocourse lunch in The View.

EATS + BEATS

Fri 29 Nov, 7–11pm

Drinks, food and dancing – a fabulous festive evening in The View.

30

CALLIGRAPHY – FESTIVE BAUBLE WORKSHOP

Sat 30 Nov, 10am–12.30pm

Vicky Daws from Inviting Writing will teach you the basics of calligraphy and how to adapt your skills to rounded surfaces. By the end of the workshop, you’ll have your own custom baubles –perfect to keep or give as gifts.

DECEMBER

1 & 2

WREATH-MAKING WORKSHOPS

Sun 1 Dec, 2pm & 6pm Mon 2 Dec 2pm & 6pm

(See also 29 Nov)

Festive wreath-making workshops, with choices of afternoon or evening sessions on both days, all with a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie.

5

EXCLUSIVE EVENING DINING & SHOPPING

Thur 5 Dec, 6.30–9pm

Come and enjoy fizz and canapés in the beautiful shop at Rutland Nursery at an exclusive shopping experience, with a 2-course meal in The View afterwards. Tickets required.

Are you gardening sustainably?

Nick Bailey

Based in our region, Nick Bailey is an award-winning garden designer and plantsman with over 30 years’ experience creating and managing gardens on four continents. His company, Nota Bene Horticulture, provides garden design, consultancy and management services across the UK from tiny courtyards to large estates. Find out more at nickbailey365.com

Discover how to make your garden more sustainable with useful tips from our regular columnist and BBC Gardeners’ World presenter

Nick Bailey

DID you know 8% of global carbon emissions are generated by concrete production? Or that 3% of emissions come from plastics and their disposal? Pretty shocking, right? And the sad truth is that gardening is a major contributary factor to this thanks to the extensive use of concrete paving and plastic products, such as pots, labels and cheap tools.

So what can we all do to make our gardens more sustainable? Well, it’s not as hard as you might think. In fact, I reckon it’s possible to create and maintain an entirely carbonneutral garden with the right materials and practices. And I’m going to try and prove it next summer. I’ve been asked by the BBC to create their main show garden for BBC Gardeners’ World Live at the NEC, and the theme is sustainability. For me this covers several key areas including: material sourcing and transport; material longevity; easily propagatable plants; self-generated consumables such as compost and rainwater; and plants to feed and support other plants. My idea is that, as in nature, a garden can be a self-sustaining closed-loop system without the need for plastics, artificial fertilisers or concrete. I’m planning to call it the plant-based garden, which might sound a bit nuts, but I genuinely believe that it is possible to build, sustain and produce from a garden that has nothing but plants and plant-derived products in it.

PLANT-BASED MATERIALS

When it comes to hard-landscape elements, timbers such as UK-grown western red cedar are about as sustainable as you can get. This material is high in resin and therefore has the capacity to last decades outdoors without the need for treatment. Everything from decks, sheds and fences to furniture, pergolas, walls, raised beds and ponds can be built from western red cedar. And if you’d like to extend its lifespan of 30+ years further still, then it can simply be treated with the Japanese technique known as Shou Sugi Ban. Translated this means ‘burnt planks’, and it is simply that. By super heating and charring the surface of timbers such as western red cedar, it creates a dramatic look while also extending the lifespan of the timber by many decades. Alternatively, one of the most sustainable garden materials that is often overlooked, is cork. Harvested from Quercus suber (the cork oak), this material is available as weather-resistant tiles, in its raw peeled-off form as features and chipped into a long-lasting mulch.

PLANTS

The idea of a closed-loop, self-sustaining garden relies on a series of extremely useful plants. High up on this list are borage and nettles. Both extract nutrients from deep in the soil and can have their leaves composted or rotted down in water, ready to feed the rest of the garden. Equally useful are coppiced willow and hazel. Both plants can be hard pruned annually or biennially to produce stems used for everything from creating living screens, fences, arches and plant supports through to sculptures and baskets. It’s also important to select species that support a wide range of wildlife which then goes on to support the garden in terms of pollination, nutrient entry into the soil and protection of plants from problematic predators. These plants might include fennel, which supports parasitoid wasps (pest hunters) and hoverflies, or larger specimens, such as trees, which can support myriad animal and insect species.

The key to all of this is establishing your garden as its own unique eco-system, which operates as a closed loop but sits in the wider ecoweb of other gardens and the countryside to provide a net gain in terms of species diversity, carbon sink and true sustainability.

‘My idea is that, as in nature, a garden can be a selfsustaining closedloop system without the need for plastics, artificial fertilisers or concrete’

CLOCKWISE FROM OPPOSITE PAGE, TOP: fennel flowers support parasitoid wasps and hoverflies; salix (willow) is a hugely versatile addition to a garden; cork can be used for weather-resistant tiles, mulch and for design features; a pollinator on a borage flower.

Commercial / Domestic / Difficult Access

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BEAUTY | WELLNESS

HEALTH |

Spotlight on… local beauty, health & wellness

WITH BECCA & ALICE

Rebecca Chantrell and her friend and fellow makeup artist Alice Snell have teamed up as a dynamic duo for this health and beauty page

Becca: Hey, I’m Becca I’m back at the magazine after a little break after having my second child. I’m a career makeup artist with 20 years’ experience in the industry, including Head of Education for Shiseido, a Japanese skincare and makeup company.

When I’m not doing makeup or hair I’m plotting our next getaway in our campervan and entertaining my energetic kids. I also adore interiors and cooking vegetarian food.

A little more about me: my favourite book is East by Meera Sodha. I recently found out she grew up in Lincolnshire.

Alice: I’m Alice, I’m a makeup artist and I predominantly work in fashion. When I’m not on set you’ll find me getting a gorgeous bridal party ready (or baking, pretending to be Mary Berry). I’m so lucky that my job is also my hobby. I’ve always been a creative chatterbox, so I feel like I really landed on my feet with my job!

What’s a career highlight?

Becca: Travelling to Japan for work. I love the incredible hospitality over there and the Eastern approach to wellness and beauty, with facial massage and double-cleansing being the main focus.

Alice: My career highlight is a recent global socials campaign for JLO fragrances. I’ve been lucky enough to work both in the UK and internationally and for a wonderful makeup brand, where I worked on the educational team touring the UK doing college and university makeup demonstrations.

What we can expect from your beauty page?

Becca: Honesty! Alice and I have a no-nonsense approach. The beauty industry is a brilliant, fun and fascinating place, but there are many VERY unrealistic/unattainable beauty ideals that jar with us. We will cut through the noise and celebrate the best bits!

Alice: You can expect expert, triedand-tested product recommendations, insights into new treatments, local salons and spas, and gifting ideas.

You can’t live without…

Becca: My microbladed eyebrows. It saves me a lot of time! Eyebrows also frame the face. Mine are by Lucy at LRPRO, who is based locally.

Alice: DR Paw Paw ointment – this isn’t just an amazing lip balm, but such

a handbag staple. It’s great for sore/ dry lips, nails and cuticles, smoothing down those pesky baby hairs in your slick-backed hairstyles, eye brow gel, a gorgeous natural-looking highlighter on the skin… the list is endless!

A product in your professional kits you can’t live without?

Alice: Weleda Skin Food, it’s such a nourishing and rich moisturiser for the face and body. It’s a great base for makeup that gives the skin that extra bit of grip for your base products. It can also be worn alone for a gorgeous ‘lit from within’ glow that’s treating your skin to that extra boost of hydration at the same time.

Becca: Glossier Stretch Concealer. I can use it under the eyes or as a foundation. It’s flexible and hydrating, comes in a pot and lasts forever.

Rebecca Chantrell makeupbybecca.co.uk @rebeccachantrellmakeup

Alice Snell alicesnellbridal.com @alicesnellmua

becca

alice

photo: sarah carter

photo: georgi mabee

WELLNESS

HEALTH, BEAUTY & WELLNESS NEWS FROM ACROSS THE REGION

EMFACE at Elysia

EMFACE simultaneously treats facial skin and muscles without needles, which is revolutionary in skin treatments. It uses synchronised Radiofrequency (RF) and HIFES™ (high-intensity facial electrical stimulation) energies, emitted at the same time. The RF heating increases collagen and elastin fibres, while the HIFES™ emits thousands of pulses per session to contract and tone delicate facial muscles. During the treatment, pads are applied to the areas being treated (forehead, cheeks, chin). Each treatment takes just 20 minutes, with no downtime. The end result is fewer wrinkles, more volume, a more refreshed, smoother, tighter complexion, more lift – and very happy clients!

‘I’m getting such good feedback and results on this,’ says Lisa Claypole, owner of Elysia Clinic in Tansor, near Oundle. ‘There is nothing on the market like EMFACE. It is a complete game changer. It’s been in clinic now for 6 months and it’s far exceeded my expectations – and those of my clients. The positive feedback from regular patients and new ones is superb. Everyone is loving the fact that there’s no downtime and just how naturally refreshed and energised you look, even immediately after a treatment. From a results and skin-health perspective, it’s fantastic.

‘We understand the importance of working and maintaining muscle in our bodies but neglect our faces. We all age and, as a result, lose muscle tone. EMFACE futureproofs against this. It helps to restore the scaffolding and structure. I really can’t express how worthwhile this treatment is. I’m using it lots with my Morpheus8 clients, and I would say this is the ultimate. For best results, it’s important to address the four areas of ageing: skin, muscle, volume and bone. We take all of this into account with a multifaceted approach. EMFACE certainly fills the missing link.’

ELYSIA Skin:Body:Laser:Aesthetics, Fotheringhay Road, Tansor, Oundle PE8 5HP 01832 226328 / 07879 620196 www.elysiaskinbodylaser.co.uk @elysiaskinbodylaser

WITH DANIEL SANDLER

EACH MONTH THE INTERNATIONAL MAKEUP ARTIST AND FOUNDER OF DANIEL SANDLER COSMETICS, WHO IS BASED IN OUR LOVELY REGION, ANSWERS YOUR BEAUTY AND SKINCARE QUESTIONS. THIS MONTH DANIEL FOCUSES ON FOUNDATION.

What’s the best way to apply foundation?

The best method depends on which tool you like using. If you like using hands to apply a lightweight formula, slightly dampen the tips of your fingers with a little water from under the tap, then apply your foundation. Increasing the slip of the foundation will really help with blending and create a natural-looking, even finish. If you like more coverage with a medium-full weight foundation, use a dry sponge to increase coverage, whereas a dampened sponge will leave a sheerer finish. Remember to blend past the jawline and down on to the neck.

Any specific tricks for mature skin?

I prime a foundation brush with a little moisturiser, then apply base. This really helps speed up application, plus using a brush doesn’t grab as much base as a sponge would, so there’s less wastage. A brush also leaves a sheerer, more natural-looking finish on skin.

And foundation on acneic/blemished skin?

Using a dry makeup sponge, lightly pat and press your base onto the skin until you’re happy you have the right amount of coverage. You may find that mixing concealer with foundation will give you a better finish on specific areas of concern.

www.danielsandler.com @danielsandlermakeup

If you have a beauty or skincare question for Daniel, he’d love to hear from you. Just email your question to us at nicholas@ bestlocalliving.co.uk. Our favourite question each month wins one of Daniel’s fabulous multi-awardwinning products.

Fungal Nail Infection

Are your toenails: Discoloured? Thickened? Crumbling? Do you have a fungal nail infection?

A breakthrough treatment offering a simple solution to a complex problem. One quick & single procedure.

Revolutionary, safe & pain-free treatment. No need to be embarrassed any longer. Start treatment now and be ready for next summer!

Do

you have

Plantar Fasciitis (severe heel pain)?

Contact Annette Robinson (Chiropodist/Podiatrist, Muscle & Joint Specialist)

Tel : 01832 272200 or 07905 167944 www.injuries-clinic-oundle.co.uk

The method of treatment I offer for this is highly successful. Using computerised Gait Analysis & Orthotic Therapy (medical insoles). Also to alleviate Achilles, Foot, Bunion, Knee, Hip & Back discomfort and pain. Kind, supportive, honest

Do any of these resonate with you…..

A feeling of being stuck, not sure what to do? Put everyone else's needs ahead of your own? Find it harder to cope than you used to?

Work really hard, but never seem to get recognition? Find your relationship with your children/partner increasingly difficult?

Lost a partner or close loved one?

Feeling low, anxious or depressed?

Get in touch for a free introductory call

Improving skin

health and aesthetics for over 20 years: a holistic approach to ageless skin

For over two decades, we have proudly pioneered a unique approach to health care and aesthetics, blending a passion for skin health with a deep understanding of holistic wellness. Our private, discreet clinic is tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the high street and o ers ample on-site parking.

We focus on the connection between gut health, nutrition and the skin’s vitality. This holistic perspective ensures we treat the whole person, promoting youthfulness and optimal function from the inside out.

At the core of our philosophy is a commitment to restoring your skin’s natural radiance. While we o er a range of injectable llers, muscle relaxing treatments and skin boosters our true passion is helping your skin to thrive. We work closely with you to meet your speci c goals. Whether it’s tackling common conditions like acne, rosacea and pigmentation, or improving overall skin tone, muscle and textural issues.

ADVANCED, NON-SURGICAL TREATMENTS

To bring our philosophy to life, we have invested in the best technologies on the market. Many of these are not available unless you travel to London. Our treatment menu is extensive, and we o er everything from Lasers to treat pigmentation, vascular issues and hair removal to Cryotherapy and PLEXR broblast to remove skin tags and unwanted lesions.

A personal favourite is MORPHEUS8, the gold standard in needling and radiofrequency. MORPHEUS8 delivers exceptional, natural looking results, tightening and lifting the skin while boosting its overall health and appearance. MORPHEUS8 also delivers exceptional results for scarring and on the body, concerns such as stretch marks and laxity.

A treatment such as EMFACE is groundbreaking in the industry. When you think it’s improving muscle tone, strength and lift in the face and neck – this is essential. It’s the building blocks, the foundation. We understand the importance of muscle strength for our bodies but it’s essential for the face too. We are incredibly proud to have EMFACE in clinic.

Lisa at Elysia

treatments are perfect for anyone wanting to regain con dence, whether it’s feeling comfortable in a short-sleeved top again or combatting that leg wobble as you’re walking!

HOLISTIC HEALTH MEETS INTIMATE WELLNESS

Our approach to aesthetics doesn’t stop at skin care. We o er solutions to improve intimate health for men and women. The EMSELLA chair has provided life-changing results by strengthening pelvic floor muscles. This treatment is ideal for addressing common issues like frequent urination, incontinence, erectile dysfunction not to mention post childbirth recovery. The pelvic floor muscles, like any other muscle, weaken with age- but EMSELLA o ers a simple way to strengthen and restore functionality. For women experiencing discomfort due to internal dryness, sensitivity or lack of libido, our EMFEMME 360 improves quality of life naturally, without masking symptoms.

FOUNDATIONS OF SKIN HEALTH: PREVENTATIVE CARE

While our treatments are designed to deliver visible results, we are truly passionate that preventative care is just as important. We would always recommend something like SKINADE to stimulate collagen and hyaluronic acid production from within – the building blocks. When the underlying health of your skin is optimised, everything else naturally falls into place.

Stress has a massive impact on us. Common disorders such as psoriasis, cold sores, atopic eczema are often influenced by stress mediators that trigger skin inflammation and disrupt hormone levels. This disruption weakens the skins barrier function. Chronic stress can even accelerate the ageing process.

MEDICAL GRADE SKINCARE FOR LASTING RESULTS

In addition to our in-clinic treatments, we emphasise the importance of medical-grade skincare to maintain and improve your results. We o er a range of products to ensure your skin is receiving the best care. Skin is the largest organ of your body – nurture and protect it. We can work with you on your journey to healthy skin and renewed con dence.

Whether you’re seeking solutions to treat speci c skin concerns, improve intimate health, or simply maintain a youthful glow, we’re here to help you feel and look your best. At our clinic, your well-being is our priority, and we are committed to delivering the best.

Local Champion Becky Sheppard wins Gold

A proud member of the Team GB squad, Peterborough physiotherapist Becky Sheppard won Gold, Silver and Bronze medals at the 2024 Tang Soo Do World Championships held in North Carolina, where she was in competition with over 1,400 global practitioners of the classical martial art that’s often dubbed Korean Karate. Sue Dobson talked to her

BECKY was just six when she started taking lessons. ‘I grew up in Bristol, and the Tang Soo Do club was close by our home. When my sister Alice was having a tough time at school, my mother thought the classes would help build her confidence; in my case, she enrolled her “high-energy” daughter to aid my concentration!’

Becky’s parents also took up the sport, and they all trained together as a family. ‘Alice teaches juniors at a club in Bristol, but I’ve got the competitive gene!’

Having taken a break in her early teens, Becky started training seriously while studying for her GCSEs, competing in the UK and gaining her 1st Dan Black Belt while in her first year at Cardiff University. However, it was the Covid-19 pandemic that really brought home the value of her training.

‘Looking after people who were critically ill in intensive care wards was very stressful,’ she says. ‘It was a big responsibility, a lot of pressure. I’d often work with the same patients every day and get quite close to them. When we saw people recover eventually, it was very rewarding, but many didn’t make it, and that was hard. It took its toll, physically and emotionally.

‘I found Tang Soo Do helped me focus on the moment, release mental and physical stress, and sleep better at night. We had to train on Zoom at that time. I moved the table out of the kitchen, laid mats on the floor and practised the martial art when I came home from work. It helped me cope.’

Training with a Master

Now specialising in critical care and respiratory rehabilitation at Peterborough City Hospital, Becky trains a minimum of four times a week at the Huntingdon & St Ives Tang Soo Do clubs, part of the World Tang Soo Do Association, which boasts over 200,000 members worldwide.

Becky at the Tang Soo Do World Championships 2024

‘I’m very fortunate to be able to train there with Grand Master Khan, who is the regional director for Great Britain and Europe. He worked closely with the founder of the Association, who brought the martial art from Korea to the United States back in 1968 and has so much knowledge to impart.’ Becky has competed nationally and internationally – and, as she shyly confirms, has won a large number of medals along the way. At her first entry into the Tang Soo Do World Championships in 2022, she came away with two Gold medals and a Silver. Last year, at the European Championships held in Sweden, she won Gold in each of the three categories she entered and took the trophy as European Grand Champion 2023. ‘It was a nice feeling,’ she smiles. ‘There are some very good clubs and training opportunities in the Peterborough region. The clubs are very family oriented, and I’m glad I began learning this traditional martial art at a young age.

‘It’s a good foundation for life, builds confidence, boosts strength and fitness and teaches situational awareness and self-defence, though fortunately I’ve never had to use it for that reason. It’s all very social, too. I’ve made so many friends through the sport.’

The Tang Soo Do Association is a non-profit organisation, there’s no prize money to be won, and all the travel and learning is selffunded. Looking to the future, Becky plans to share her knowledge and experience by teaching and perhaps running her own club. Her longterm goal is to gain her Masters belt. ‘I enjoy competing at a high level. It encourages you to push yourself physically and mentally and offers the opportunity to meet new people and travel. Winning a world title is also pretty nice. The art itself, which promotes respect, discipline and all-round personal development, is very important to me.’

There’s still more to do. ‘I have my eye on the Grand Champion trophy at the next Tang Soo Do World Championships in 2026!’

Available 1st-30th Nov 2024

Your Christmas Gift inspiration starts here

This Christmas, come and treat yourself from a collection of over 300 pieces of original art and handmade sculpture from over 40 national and international artists all under one roof here at Wingates Gallery.

Our family-owned, awardwinning, independent art gallery is proud to provide our customers with high quality, original art at affordable prices with something for every taste and budget.

Warm, No-Hassle, Friendly Service

We believe in treating our customers as we expect to be treated so we offer all a very warm welcome and then leave you to enjoy your time with us but always on hand to provide help, advice and information when you are ready. No pressure and no hassle - just the way you like it.

Come in and see us - make this Christmas one to remember.

44a St Mary’s Road, Market Harborough LE16 7DU 10-6pm Tuesday to Saturday Tel: 01858 465455 www.wingatesgallery.co.uk

LOCAL GIFT GUIDE

Treat your loved ones to something special this Christmas whilst supporting the local independent stores in the region who need your customer loyalty to ensure they thrive. This is the first of two gift guides that we’re featuring in the magazine – look out for the second one in our December issue. Festive shopping all wrapped up!

dried-flower glass bauble, £38, Ode to Joy of Stamford. odetojoyflowers.com

Handmade

Diamond line bracelets, range of metals & carat weights, price on application, Lanes Fine Jewellery, Stamford. lanesjewellers.com

Hand-blown ‘Autumn Sunset – Tall Oval’ by Phil Atrill, £570, Wingates Gallery of Market Harborough. wingatesgallery.co.uk

FOR HER

Nude hat, £349, Rebecca Couture Millinery of Oakham. rebeccacouturemillinery.co.uk

Asta aquamarine and diamond cluster ring £7,925, Heidi Kjeldsen of Oakham. heidikjeldsen.co.uk

Merry People ‘Tully’ boots in red (other colours available), £99.95, Rutland Nursery of Manton. rutlandnursery.co.uk

UNOde50 Gold Amarrado Bracelet, £160, RUBIROX of Stamford. rubirox.co.uk

Mini ‘Whitney’ bag by Max Mara (new with tags), £250, Arch Label Agency of Stamford. archlabelagency.com

Fleece-lined, furry pom-pom hat, available in various colours, £45, Anna Couture of Stamford. @anna.couture.boutique

Sterling silver, fresh water pearl earrings £105, and pendant, £95, all Harpur’s of Oundle. harpurjewellery.com

‘Cave’ stacking ring by Ruth Wood, range of handcrafted metals, from £40, Ada Gallery of Market Harborough. adagallery.co.uk

Elizabeth Scarlett everyday pouch in Enchanted Elephant, £32, Murano Silver of Stamford. @murano_silver

ETHICAL | ECO-FRIENDLY | HANDMADE

14 St Mary’s Hill, Stamford

info@ankole.co.uk @ankole.co.uk

Premium homeware & jewellery made from up-cycled Ankole Cow Horn 32

MURANO SILVER

Bottle green Stamford hoodie with white lettering, £45, Energy of Stamford. energy-clothing.com

RM Williams, Belt and Buckle Boxed Gift Set, £169, Anand Shoes of Stamford. anandofstamford.com

Novelty Fender socks, £12.99 per pair (range of styles available), Stamford Music Shop. stamfordmusicshop.co.uk

English handmade watches from £9,850 at Loomes of Stamford. robertloomes.co.uk

Tribal Steel recycled men’s leather bracelets, different styles, £19 each, Love It of Stamford. loveitshop.co.uk

Whippet in reconstituted stone (range of finishes available), £74, St Martin’s Antiques of Stamford. st-martins-antiques.co.uk

guide

Fine Shoes

(RM Williams, Cheaney & more)

Luxury Leather Goods (Barbour, Ashwood & more)

Brilliant

(Scarves, belts, mugs, notebooks, Steiff bears and many more)

FOR LITTLE ONES

Lanka Kade deluxe wooden ark and 24 characters, £150, Marcia May of Stamford. marciamaystamford.co.uk

Little Dutch play kitchen, £126.95, Bumble & Twig of Oundle. bumbleandtwig.co.uk

FOR PETS

Dog mattress, from £87, Taylor & Tails of Stamford. taylorandtails.com

Tonies Starter Set, for 3+, from £79.99, Gates Garden Centre, nr Oakham. gatesgardencentre.co.uk

New book by Stamford author and illustrator, Beach £7.99. From local booksellers.

LeMieux hobby horse, £59.95, R&R Country, Ashwell, nr Oakham. randrcountry.com

Silver Cross vegan leather changing rucksack with mat and thermal bottle holder in ‘cocoa’ (also comes in tan and black), £130, Olivers BabyCare, Deeping. oliversbabycare.co.uk

Dog advent calendar, £22.99, Pet Stop of Deeping. petstopmarketdeeping.co.uk

‘Fetch’ dog walking bag, £20, Sophie Allport of Stamford. sophieallport.com

Stunning artwork of Stamford Scenes on Mugs, Coasters, Fridge Magnets, and more by Artist Phil Clements.

FOR THE HOME

Plum & Ashby bath essence foam, £19, Hunters Interiors of Uffington, nr Stamford. huntersinteriors.co.uk

Luxury home fragrance hamper (room spray, candle & reed diffuser), £60, Freckleface of Stamford. frecklefacehomefragrance.com

Spiced Rose scented soy candle, £32 (Midi 220g, comes gift boxed), The Wick & Wax Co of Stamford. thewickandwax.co

Hand-painted red keepsake box, £75, Laura E. Jekyll Decorative Artist. Bespoke projects from £150. laurajekyll.com

Branche d’Olive diffuser, from a range at Sarah Harding Interiors of Uppingham. sarahhardinginteriors.co.uk

Glass paintings of insects, fish, etc, £18–65, Claire Langley of Stamford. clairelangley.co.uk

Set of four cow-horn coasters, £45. Ankole of Stamford (brand new at 14 St Mary’s Hill). ankole.co.uk

Dutch-style blue-and-white vases, from £12 to £28, Hilly Horton Home of Thrapston. hillyhorton.co.uk

Greenhouse sewing box, £48.90, The Stamford Fabric Company of Stamford Walk. thestamfordfabriccompany.com

ART & LITERATURE

Pablo Picasso, Côte d’Azur print, £2,950 Goldmark Gallery of Uppingham. goldmarkart.com

Emma Gibbons, ‘Addiction No5 III’, £2,500, Trent Galleries of Oakham. trentgalleries.co.uk

‘Dancing in Harmony’ A4 silk screen print, £45 unframed, £110 framed (P&P extra), Lis Naylor of Leicester. lisnaylorart.co.uk

Set of Jane Austen’s works, published in 1898, illustrated by CE Brock in colour, £1,250, St Mary’s Books & Prints of Stamford. stmarysbooks.com

FESTIVE

‘High Street, Stamford’ by Peter van Breda, £1,650, Gladwell & Patterson of Stamford. gladwellpatterson.com

SHOPPING: SELECT DATES FOR YOUR DIARIES

Boughton House: Christmas Craft Fair, Sat 30 Nov & Sun 1 Dec, 11am–4pm; Christmas Gift & Food Fair, Sat 7 & Sun 8 Dec

Burghley Christmas Fair: Thur 28 Nov–Sun 1 Dec (see p16 – our What’s On Listings – for more info and times)

The Crafters Market Christmas Fair: Sat 14 Dec, 10am–4pm, Stamford Arts Centre

Frost Fair at Molecey Mill: Fri 8 Nov, 5–8pm, Sat 9 & Sun 10 Nov, 10am–4pm (see p15 for more info)

Laxton Artisan Fair: Sat 16 & Sun 17 Nov, 10am–4pm, Village Hall

Market Harborough Christmas Fayre: Fri 6 Dec, 4.30–9pm

Oakham Late-Night Christmas Shopping: Mon 9 Dec, 4–9pm

Oundle Christmas Shopping: Sat 7 Dec, 10am–5pm

Preston Christmas Market: Sat 30 Nov, 11am–5pm, Village Hall

The Rutland BIG Christmas Market: Fri 15 Nov, 4–8pm, Sat 16 & Sun 17 Nov, 9.30am–4pm at The Barnsdale (tickets at rutlandcreative.co.uk)

Stamford Christmas Market: Sun 24 Nov, 10am–5pm

Stamford Green Quarter Winter Fair: Thur 21 Nov, 5–9pm

Stamford Late-Night Christmas Shopping with #ShopStamford: Thur 21 Nov (Christmas lights switch on) & Thur 19 Dec, both 5–8pm

Uppingham Late-Night Christmas Shopping: Thur 5 Dec, 5.30–9pm

Witham Winter Fair: Sat 16 Nov, 10am–4pm (see p15 for more info)

Dates/times can change, so always re-check online/with the organiser before travelling.

Clock & Watch

FOR FOODIES

Square Christmas Cake (sold in a gift-wrapped tin with cake for 4), £7 Hambleton Bakery, shops regionwide. hambletonbakery.co.uk

Gift bag with 3 Christmas chutneys, £15, The Pickled Shop, Bulwick. thepickledshop.com

Brewery beers, Farndon Fields Farm Shop of Market Harborough. farndonfields.co.uk

Fine Belgian chocolates (left), available gift boxed, from a range at Madame Chocolat of the Market Place in Oundle.

Palmer & Co Champagne Vintage (above right), £59.95, from urbangrapes.co.uk

BEAUTY GIFTS

SkinCeuticals crackers, £150 each (20% off in Nov), Flawless Body. flawlessbody.co.uk

Gisella Graham Daisy Mug, £7.99, shown here with Joe’s Tea, New Lodge Farm Shop, nr Bulwick. newlodgefarm.co.uk

Festive Mini Gifts (bespoke), £22.50 each, Vom Fass of Stamford. vomfassuk.com

Medik8 Nighttime Renew Gift Set, £89, Nu-U Skin. nuuskinspecialist.co.uk

Langton

Bon Parfumeur 601/Vetiver scent, from a range, £45, Cavells, Oakham. cavells.co.uk

Whatever you want to say to your team, clients or suppliers – be it hello, thank you, sorry, Merry Christmas or congratulations, hampers are a wonderful way to send your best wishes.

We deliver individual hampers along with personalised handwritten cards – using cards from our hand-illustrated range or something customised for you.

We offer three differently sized hampers filled with a selection of pickles or preserves, crackers, chocolates, cookies, tea or perhaps something a little stronger! Or course, if you would prefer something smaller, larger, rounder, or flashier then we can make that happen too.

The fabulous Finch’s Arms

Nicholas & Clare Rudd-Jones visited recently to try out the new autumn menu at this iconic Rutland pub

DRIVING along the road to Hambleton, then round the sharp bend and up the hill into the village, always seems to create an expectation of something good to come, often involving a quick stroll around the peninsula but always finishing with a drink, perhaps something to eat and, in winter, a log fire. The Finch’s Arms delivers all of these with aplomb. You enter through the quaint 17th-century bar area, with a fire in the grate, a low-beamed ceiling and blackboards with hand-written winter cocktail suggestions and details of Christmas parties and wreath-making workshops. The vibe of the front bar immediately communicates a spirit of conviviality, and that was added to when we were warmly greeted by Charlotte Maulik, who co-owns this family business with her parents Colin and Celia Crawford and brother Jordan Crawford.

Charlotte took us through to the dining area, which contrasts markedly with the old-world charm of the bar; it is spacious and designed in a beautifully elegant, classic, contemporary

photos: neeve photography

style. The tables are well spaced and immaculately presented with fresh flowers on every one. Although it was evening, it wasn’t yet dark, so we took a quick look outside to admire the beautifully presented terrace with stunning views over Rutland Water to the north. Delightful. This must be one of Rutland’s largest restaurants, but it loses nothing in terms of the personal touch. Throughout the evening we were made to feel very much at home and well looked after.

New Head Chef & Autumn Menu

The Finch’s has a new head chef, Duane Dane, and his growing influence has already been expressed through the autumn menu, which brings many new dishes to the Finch’s for the first time but remains very much in the style that the restaurant has enjoyed for many years, using fresh, local and seasonal produce wherever possible.

Duane kindly came out of the kitchen briefly to say hello, and we learnt a little about his background and culinary ambitions. He received a classical Italian culinary training in London, then moved back to the Nottingham area where he had been brought up, working in, amongst other places, the Hammer & Pincers in Wymeswold and The Plough at Normanton on the Wolds, both classic gastro-style pubs. Duane is well versed in the importance of sourcing locally and producing the sort of meals that a sophisticated rural clientele are looking for. He described his style as ‘creating good hearty dishes that are well refined’.

The new autumn menu offers a set menu, available from Monday to Thursday at lunch and dinner and on Friday at lunchtime. It is very well priced, at £28 for two courses and £32 for three. At the weekend, and for more special occasions, or just because you are adventurous and love your food, there is an impressive à la carte menu, which includes more complex dishes such as Galician octopus with baby chorizo, cherry tomatoes, preserved lemon, baby spinach and parsley mayo to begin; roast duck breast and duck leg with puy lentils, roast pumpkin, mange tout, roast beetroot and orange and pink peppercorn sauce for a main. There are also some pub classic tucked away on the menu – this included The Finch’s Arms burger (which we could see was popular with our fellow diners) and a choice of fillet and flat-iron steak. This menu has something for everybody, and good vegetarian and vegan options too, so a great place to bring a larger group.

‘His style is creating good hearty dishes that are well refined’

THIS PAGE: scenes from The Finch’s Arms, including the beautiful dining room and a range of dishes from the new autumn menu created by head chef Duane Dane (below).

‘We felt really special being here and would come again in a shot’

ABOVE: winter cocktails lovingly prepared by the fabulous team; salmon dish from the autumn menu; the cosy bar area.

Our Evening Meal

We elected for the three-course set menu, which had plenty of choices that appealed to us. To begin, Nick chose the ham hock terrine with mixed olives, artichokes, parmesan and a rocket salad. The meat was beautifully soft, and the toppings successfully provided contrasting tastes and textures. Clare loved her smoked salmon with pickled cucumber, parsley mayonnaise and focaccia. It was lovely and light, beautifully presented and really well balanced.

Christmas Events & Offers

• Wreath-Making & Lunch

Thur 28 Nov & Mon 2 Dec, 10am–2pm

Come for a creative festive lunch and make your own unique wreath with Maddy.

• Festive Party Menus

Enjoy a festive party menu at £32 for three courses or £36 for three, including a festive cracker and novelties.

• Christmas Carolling Dinner

Thur 19 Dec, 7pm, £55 per person

Sign up for a 3-course dinner and carols around the Christmas tree.

• Key Festive Dates

There are also Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year events. Check out The Finch’s Arms’ website and social media for more details.

Staying Over

The Finch’s Arms also has 10 boutique bedrooms if you’d like to make it a stayover.

To follow, Clare chose the pan-fried cod with herby crushed potatoes, green beans and a mussel cream sauce. Again, it was lovingly presented, with crispy kale on the top that was delicious, with great texture, and with perfectly cooked beans.

Nick was delighted with his roast pork belly, which was served with creamed potato, kale and a wholegrain mustard jus – definitely a hearty dish, well suited to the colder season. A fabulously crispy crackling and the punchy mustard jus worked beautifully with the pork.

To finish, we decided to share our desserts, and for once there was no hogging the favourite, as we liked them both equally. The yoghurt panna cotta with berry compote and raspberry sorbet was delightfully smooth on the palette and provided a gratifyingly sweet contrast to our mains. The Stilton cheese, from nearby Colston Bassett, served with chutney and crackers, melted in the mouth and provided a lovely way to finish the meal.

Inviting Ambience

With a happy mix of diners around us – couples, larger groups and one birthday celebration – we really felt special being here and would come again in a shot. It is very much an establishment that feels well staffed and resourced – there is always someone on hand to help and make your meal a success.

Highly recommended.

the finch’s arms, oakham road, hambleton le15 8tl, 01572 756575

www.finchsarms.co.uk @thefinchsarms

| the finch’s arms, hambleton

Bex Goddard Head Chef at Milly’s Bistro, William Cecil

Q&A with Bex

Background

Two years here, before that The Exeter Arms in Easton-on-the-Hill, and Burghley House.

How would you describe your style of cooking?

Good food done well.

Favourite current dish on the menu

Sea bream with crab risotto and samphire –simple and delicious!

A favourite ingredient?

Sesame seeds – great flavour, I love eating them!

A cooking ‘trick’ to share with readers Take time over pre-prepping. It saves time later.

A bit about Milly’s Bistro

We just retained 2AA rosettes for the second year running. Milly’s offers tasty bistro food in a classic Georgian setting, with luxurious lounge and elegant dining room. There are great-value set menus (£19 at lunch, £23 at dinner for two courses, add £5 for a third course), as well as à la carte.

Ingredients:

600g ground almonds

600g icing sugar

2g powdered food colouring

220g egg white

600g sugar

200g water

200g egg white

60g caster sugar

1. Place the ground almonds, icing sugar, powdered food colouring of your choice and the 220g egg white into a mixing bowl. Mix with a paddle attachment for 5 minutes until a smooth dough is formed.

2. Meanwhile place the sugar and water into a heavy-bottomed pan and boil until it reaches 121ºC on a sugar thermometer.

4. Once the sugar syrup has hit 121ºC, and the meringue is ready, turn the mixer down and slowly stream in the sugar syrup. Turn the mixer back onto full speed and whisk the meringue until cool.

5. Place the almond/icing sugar dough into a large mixing bowl, and fold in one third of the meringue until the dough has softened. Add the remaining meringue and fold in –keep doing this until the mix resembles lava as it falls.

6. Place the mixture into a piping bag with a round nozzle, and pipe it onto parchment paper in circles around the size of a £2 coin. Leave them on the side and allow them to form a skin for one hour.

Ingredients:

420g milk

60g egg yolk

50g sugar

24g custard powder

6g gelatine (soaked)

250g butter

200g steamed Christmas pudding

1. Bring the milk to the boil.

2. Combine the egg yolk, sugar and custard powder, then pour the hot milk over the mix

3. Return mix to the pan and cook until thick.

4. Add the soaked gelatine.

5. Blend in the butter.

6. Add the Christmas pudding and blend.

3. Place the remaining egg whites (200g) in a clean mixing bowl and whisk them until they are stiff. Add the caster sugar to the stiffened egg whites in three batches of 20g each.

7. Set your oven to 135ºC (gas mark 1 or 275ºF) and cook for your macaroons for 22 minutes. Once the cooking time has elapsed, open the oven door and leave the macaroons in there for 5 minutes before removing them.

Finally, fill the macaroons with the crémeux. Voilà!

Milly’s Bistro, William Cecil, St Martin’s, Stamford PE9 2LJ. thewilliamcecil.co.uk @thewilliamcecil Bex’s Recipe: Christmas Pudding Macaroons Christmas Pudding Crémeux

Lake Isle

Indie Food & Drink

Starting this month, our food correspondent Ellie Clark will be searching high and low for indie food and drink producers and outlets across our region to share with you

words: ellie clark

SPECIAL READER OFFER!

Nicolle and Robert of Lily & Honey are kindly offering Rutland Living and Stamford Living readers a free tote bag with a spend of £15 or more in store between 31 October & 30 November 2024.

LILY & HONEY

Nestled away in the heart of Oakham is the award-winning artisan bakery, Lily & Honey. Following their recent appearance in the Sunday Times Style magazine, owners Nicolle Bradbury and Robert Lilley share their story.

In 2019, just before the pandemic, Nicolle and Robert took a huge leap of faith. With support from family and friends they left their corporate lives behind to pursue their dream of running an artisan bakery in the heart of Rutland. Like most fairy tales, their story started in a rather unglamorous way, baking initially from their dining room. Roll forward to 2024, however, and they have established not only a shop but also a bakery in Oakham, from which they sell to customers and supply various local businesses including Rutland Nursery and the café at Picks Barn.

Exquisite sourdough bread has become their signature product, and it is their personal mission to convert as many non-sourdough eaters in the region as possible to what is now known as the ‘healthy bread’, with many studies claiming it is easier to digest than standard bread, as well as tasting delicious. Lily & Honey produce three varieties: poppy seed, which won a ‘Great Taste Award’ in 2021; a white variety; and a seeded loaf. They also stock a range of speciality breads including brioche rolls, cheese-and-marmite buns, plus olive and cheese jalapeño sourdoughs, to name a few.

However, what makes this bakery unique and entices customers from across the region is the mouthwatering range of innovative cakes, bakes and pastries that change seasonally. Robert previously worked as a development chef and, thankfully for the residents of Rutland, he has rechannelled his creative genius to create a unique product range for Lily & Honey.

As I step into their Oakham shop, my eyes go straight to the cakes (no change there). The variety is overwhelming. Their best sellers are the cardamom and cinnamon buns, a heady mix of sweet sticky dough with cardamom and cinnamon butter delicately wrapped in a knot. Other delicacies include pecan pies, Guinness cake, Bakewell slices, berry pudding porridge cake with mascarpone crumble, ginger cake, mini apple pies and pumpkin-spiced brulée tart.

If that wasn’t enough, they also produce a Basque cheesecake, made to an original Spanish recipe, with a rich caramelised top. Then there are the pastries: croissants, pain aux raisins, and pain au chocolate made with three times the chocolate of most supermarket varieties! Plus their humungous cheese scones, made with huge chunks of cheddar, cheese straws and freshly made New York-style thick, chewy bagels, available on Wednesdays only. The list goes on and on…

Last but not least, we must mention their infamous mince pies on sale from midNovember. They are extra deep, with a crunchy crumble topping, and available individually or in packs of 12, if you trust yourself with that many!

Now all you need to do is plan what to buy when you visit. Highly recommended!

5 Knights Yard, Gaol St, Oakham LE15 6AQ, Wed–Fri 9am–2pm, Sat 9am–1pm lilyandhoneybakery.co.uk | @lilyandhoneybakery

RENNET & RIND

An exquisite artisan cheesemonger gracing Stamford’s High Street. After recently celebrating their shop’s first birthday, owners Perry Wakeman and Mark Hulme share their personal cheeseboard favourites

For those of you who’ve not yet ventured into Rennet & Rind, prepare for a sensory overload. As you open the door to the shop, the first thing that strikes you is the incredible range of different British cheeses: over 90 in total. The beautiful displays of other delicacies and the bustle of eager tasters make visiting this gem of a shop an unforgettable experience.

Perry Wakeman and Mark Hulme met 12 years ago, and since then their partnership has gone from strength to strength. Between them they have amassed multiple international awards and they now run a thriving wholesale and retail business, sourcing astonishing artisan cheese from the best independent UK cheesemakers. Today I have a private tasting session with Perry (photographed right), who is taking me through his perfect cheeseboard with accompaniments, something he assures me can easily be recreated at home to impress family and friends.

Perry’s Perfect Cheeseboard & Pairings

Baron Bigod – with Saffron Grange Classic Cuvee

First up Perry introduces me to Baron Bigod, an artisan brie made to a traditional French recipe. Smooth, creamy, with an earthy mushroom flavour, it melts in the mouth. In terms of accompaniments, Perry explains that most people automatically pair red wine with cheese, but with a flavour this delicate, he recommends Saffron Grange, an English sparkling white wine.

Spenwood – with Rosebud British Quince Paste

Next up is Spenwood, a hard washed sheep’s cheese. Washing is a technique whereby cheese is bathed in brine to accelerate the maturing process and enhance taste. Spenwood has a salty nutty flavour, similar to Pecorino, and a granular texture that pairs perfectly with the figgy sweetness of British Quince paste.

Old Roan Yoredale Wensleydale - with Cherry Amaretto Jam

We then move to a British classic, Wensleydale, made to a traditional pre-war recipe. Perry explains that most mass-produced versions don’t adhere to the original recipe and are too moist. This authentic version, however, has a beautiful cleanness about it – slightly buttery with a mild tang, a great palette cleanser when eaten halfway through a tasting session. It pairs perfectly with a divine cherry amaretto jam that Perry introduces me to.

Sparkenhoe Vintage Red Leicester – with Steeplechase Pale Ale or Smoked Apple Butter

No tasting would be complete without Red Leicester. Cloth bound and made from raw cow’s milk, this variety, in Perry’s opinion, is the only true Red Leicester in the UK. It’s a muted nutty tone and a beautiful pumpkin hue, best paired with real ale, such as Steeplechase Pale Ale; however, if like me you’re not an ale drinker, their smoked apple butter is an exquisite alternative.

The Duke – with Sichel Sauternes Dessert Wine

Then to The Duke, a beautiful blue cheese made entirely by Rennet & Rind. Matured in clingfilm to ensure no loss of moisture, it tastes heavenly. Similar to blue brie, it’s creamy but with a slight bitterness, and pairs perfectly with the sweetness of Sichel Sauternes, a white dessert wine.

Rachael & Rachael Reserva – No Accompaniment Needed

Just when I think it’s all over, Perry produces two final slices of cheese, Rachael and Rachael Reserva, both vintage goat’s cheeses, identical apart from their maturity. Rachael, matured for 6 weeks, tastes sweet and smooth with a gentle nuttiness. Rachael Reserva, however, matured for 3 months, packs one almighty cheesy punch and illustrates the power of maturation.

So there we have it, six cheeses hand-picked by an internationally acclaimed affineur for your Christmas cheeseboard. Enjoy!

16 High Street, Stamford PE9 2AL, Tue–Sat 10am–4pm rennetandrind.co.uk | @rennetandrind

‘As you open the door to the shop, the first thing that strikes you is the incredible range of different British cheeses: over 90 in total’

ARTISAN BAKERY

SOURDOUGH BREADS I BUNS I PASTRIES I CAKES CELEBRATION CAKES TO ORDER I MINCE PIES AVAILABLE MID-NOV

OPENING HOURS

WEDNESDAY - FRIDAY 9AM-2PM, SATURDAY 9AM-1PM

5, KNIGHTS YD, GAOL ST, OAKHAM LE15 6AQ INFO@LILYANDHONEY.CO.UK @ LILYANDHONEYBAKERY WWW. LILYANDHONEYBAKERY.CO.UK

FREE tote bag to Rutland & Stamford Living readers when spending £15 or more in store between 31.10.24 and 30.11.24 with this voucher. (While stocks last)

Lunch for Less

SERVED MIDWEEK LUNCHTIMES 12-3PM, MONDAY TO SATURDAY

One Course - £12.00

Two Courses - £17.50

Three Courses - £23.00

FESTIVE CELEBRATIONS 2024

Christmas Menu

Festive menu served from 28th November to 23rd December

Two Courses - £38 Three Courses - £45

Sat 2nd November from 10pm High energy entertainment to the people and covers for all generations.

Sun 3rd November from 3pm Solo acoustic act with a range of genres through the ages!

Sat 9th November from 10pm A female fronted covers four piece band. Metal, rock, punk and pop!

Sun 10th November from 3pm Christian Smith is Americana Rock Singer/Songwriter based in Cambridge.

Sat 16th November from 10pm Peterborough based covers band, famed for the wide variety of music.

Sun 17th November from 3pm the front man of Austin Gold.

The Rug Studio

Rachel Bassill, owner of The Rug Studio in Stamford, reflects on 30 years of studying culture through a passion for rugs and considers what this brings to interiors

WHEN life is all about experiences and travel, we step into the unknown. So often we travel through a country and tick the box to show that we’ve been there, as we move on to the next place. But after 30 years studying Oriental carpets, and predominantly Persian, Afghan and Indian cultures, I’m left asking: what does this really teach us and does it give us as an understanding into a lifestyle, culture and depth to a country? This is my experience...

Beginnings

My passion for rugs started at just 16, with my mum taking me to the wonderful overflowing department as it was then in Liberty & Co. The whole experience was magical… my visual paradise. The shop was bursting at the seams, hanging over the staircases, tumbling from the ceiling, and adorning the walls in layers. It gave me a sense of hunting and seeking out that one special piece that would talk to you. With rugs and carpets, I started by buying Afghan flatweave camel saddle bags and kilim rugs. I was hearing tribal names

such as Ersari and Belouchi, learning that these peoples would keep all their belongings in items of this kind, with different sizes for different things. I learnt too that there would have been an unspoken message as to what the various weaves were used for, whether as an under rug/blanket for the more skilled ornate rugs to go on top of, or for bedding, salt bags, bread-making cloths, eating cloths or even opium bags. The weave would tell a story regarding the migratory movement of the people.

One such rug is woven in two halves, at the typical width for the Belouch people. It is clear to see where the weaver started bottom left, then, as she realised she would run out of time, the borders became simpler, and the rest of that half and the other half of the rug all became much simpler.

Restoration

Restoring tribal rugs, I always say, involves getting inside the mind of the weaver. Start with the smallest holes and learn when the weaver became tired, as the tension becomes a little ‘interesting’. Or when a rug has beaten hard, was it first thing in the morning or when the weaver was in a bad mood? All these emotions are learnt and

MAIN PHOTOGRAPH: ELLI DEAN

‘Restoring tribal rugs, I always say, involves getting inside the mind of the weaver’

expressed throughout the rug – or they can be. A workshop rug, on the other hand, is more of a mathematical count, as there is usually an area to copy. Both are equally mesmerising and absorbing.

I learnt that geographical lowland and mountainous terrain typically have contrasting soil conditions, which produce different staples in the length of fleece, and this in turn affects the durability and lifespan of the rug. Availability of water and terrain have played an impact on the colours produced since the 1920s. The Qashqai loved using the orange and turquoise of the bright new anolin (chemical dyes) – well, who wouldn’t, when one is surrounded by desert?! Colour, design, weave, material accessibility – all of these play a result in the finished product.

Back in 1880 wool was shipped from Manchester to Iran to produce the exquisite Motasham Kashanvelvet finish rug. Its medallions are based on mosque domes. Sometimes we look at a rug purely as a match to curtains and soft furnishings, but when you are next thinking about travel, look instead at a rug. It offers the same escapism.

the courtyard, brownlow st, stamford pe9 2el open mon, tue & fri 9–11am, sat 10am–4pm or by appointment.

07885 757796 | 01780 239594 www.therugstudio.co.uk | @therugstudio

FUEL. FOCUS. CONNECT.

Serving great coffee whilst inspiring productivity in a vibrant community workspace.

Whether you're looking to fuel your day with a delicious breakfast, enjoy a leisurely lunch after a long bike ride, or grab a quick coffee and cake with friends, our café has you covered seven days a week, with both sit-in and takeaway options available.

We are your go to spot in the heart of Oakham to meet, eat, relax or get working

It's not often you find that perfect place but this is one of those places. Staff are friendly and welcoming. Service is fast and efficient and the food is spot on, top quality fare.

The Hub & Spoke offers a unique combination of café charm and workspace functionality, providing an ideal setting for professionals to thrive and connections to be made.

Fuel your workday or your next adventure, or simply sit and watch the world go by in our comfortable and stylish indoor and new outdoor spaces.

The Rural Detective

This is a new occasional series, in which Nicholas Rudd-Jones investigates interesting features in our local natural or man-made landscape and tries to understand them better

THE NORTH FEN PROJECT

ONCE UPON A TIME the fens were Europe’s biggest wetland, but since the drainage of them began in the 1700s, 99.9% of the original fen habitat has been destroyed. The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, in collaboration with many partners including the Richardson farming family who run Thetford Farm Estate, had the vision of restoring at least a small part of the fens back to how they used to be. And so the North Fen project was born: 55 hectares given over to environmental groups to start to get at least an area of land back to how it would have been before the fens were drained. This fen, in common with most others, has sunk by 4.25 metres or so (around 14 feet) since the 1800s, a combination of drying, oxidisation of the peat and soil erosion.

The first step was to stop cultivating the land and let nature re-establish itself. The day we went, we saw giant hogweed, and the previous day several cranes had been spotted sussing out the site to see if it might be suitable for them longer term. Tammy Smalley, Head of Conservation at the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, told us: ‘At Bourne North Fen we aim to restore a little piece of the county’s lost peat-fenland. The site will become a home for a wide variety of wildlife; linking up important nature reserves, creating a multi-purpose wetland that will store water for agriculture and improve water quality for consumers, and underpin a local eco-tourism economy.

‘This ambitious plan will boost Lincolnshire’s endangered fenland habitats by 30%, supporting iconic species return to the area such as bittern, crane, swallowtail butterfly, spined loach and greater water parsnip. The new wetland will be connected via two rivers, the Bourne Eau and the River Glen, to form part of a nature recovery network that will tackle long-standing local water management issues in the driest region in the UK.’

Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust is leading this project, but within a broader partnership approach through the South Lincolnshire Water Partnership (SLWP), which represents environment, public water supply, flood risk management, agriculture, business, tourism and leisure sectors. Take a look at a You Tube video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZtAmyXKizE to find out more.

ABOVE: Swallowtail butterfly.

BELOW: Bourne North Fen Project Manager Mark Tarttelin and Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Head of Conservation Tammy Smalley at the launch of the North Fen project.

‘AND

I TOOK THE PATH…’* THAT DOESN’T REALLY GO ANYWHERE

*’The Path Not Taken’ by Robert Frost

One of the oddities of our (wonderful) footpath system is that there isn’t an unwritten rule that every path has to actually go anywhere. Having walked around the region for many years, I am surprised how frequently I come across paths that just well… peter out! But how can that be?! It doesn’t really make any sense. Well, I have done my best to get to the bottom of this, and these are my conclusions. Big infrastructure projects trump footpaths, and, when they are constructed, they seem to literally eviscerate them. So many of the dead-end paths set out promisingly and then come to a sudden and abrupt end as they reach the new structure. Good examples of this are:

1

2

Airfields. Wittering Airfield. A path sets out quite confidently from Wothorpe Groves and comes to an abrupt stop (Grid Ref: TF 01773 02646) as it reaches the outer runway.

Quarries. Spanhoe Quarry. This path survived the World War II runway, but not the subsequent quarry, marked by the jagged teeth on the map that ate it up (Grid Ref: SP 93644 97123).

3 Reservoirs. Rutland Water. Two paths roll headstrong down the hill from Manton and then suddenly terminate as they reach the perimeter of the reservoir (Grid Ref: SK 88742 05309).

4

Channelised Rivers. The Greatford Cut. Work was done on straightening the river here in 1954 to divert flood water from the West Glen River at Greatford into the River Welland, and the path became truncated (Grid Ref: TF 09524 13314).

5

Large Roads. The A1. It sliced paths in two in a multitude of places along its route. A notable example of this is the path from Tinwell to South View Farm in Stamford, which now terminates at the A1 (Grid Ref: TF 01358 06275) but used to continue on to the allotments. I recall a zealous footpath preserver trying to persuade me to continue using it, which just involved the little challenge of crossing the dual carriageway. Definitely one to avoid!

Paths that peter out: There are also many of what I’d call ‘peter-outerers’: paths that stop for no apparent reason in the middle of nowhere. This must be because a landowner in the distant past has successfully obliterated the route, or for some reason it has simply been forgotten or become impenetrable, or wrongly recorded. A good example of this are the two paths that lead to Owston Woods from Owston village and then stop suddenly where the trees begin (Grid Ref: SK 78507 06820); or even more curiously, a path south of Manthorpe that stops in the middle of a field at the point it reaches a parish boundary (Grid Ref: TF 07474 15085). 2 3 1 4 5

DID YOU KNOW?

Local authorities were required, under the 1949 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act, to publish Definitive Maps of public footpaths and bridleways. Before that there was no legal record of public footpaths. The Ordnance Survey agreed to show these rights of way information on their maps from 1960.

‘Big infrastructure projects trump footpaths, and, when they are constructed, they seem to literally eviscerate them’

Bergamasco Shepherds

Seeking a companion for their youngest son, Paul and Jo Sandford discovered the delights and unique qualities of Bergamasco Shepherd dogs

WORDS: AMANDER MEADE

PHOTO COURTESY OF PAUL & JO SANDFORD

‘

WE became involved with the Bergamasco breed when we had lost our much-loved family dog and needed to fill the void. We focussed on finding an informal therapy dog for our son, who is autistic, and was particularly affected by the loss of his constant playmate, homework assistant and bedroom guardian.’ Paul and Jo’s search led them to a breed whose temperament seemed ideal: the Bergamasco Shepherd dog. Independent, intelligent and loyal, the dogs also enjoy very robust health and their unusual and rare appearance immediately put them at the top of the list.

‘We met lots of UK owners and were completely sold. The biggest hurdle to obtaining a Bergamasco, however, was the low number available, with only 60 in the country.’ Long, investigative hours online led to a litter of puppies from the original source of the breed in Bergamo, Italy. Paul travelled there, but due to import regulations, bringing new pup Alfie home to the UK meant accompanying him on a plane, trains, a ferry and a car journey, which Paul describes as a ‘saga in itself’.

Lovable and Fun

‘We quickly found out how lovable and fun Bergamasco are. They are especially receptive of their owner’s mood and make great therapy dogs. We now have six and they have certainly filled our lives and our house. Having had Alfie for around a year and becoming completely enamoured with the joy he brought, we tried to find a female puppy with a view to breeding and raising the number of Bergamascos in the UK. We found a Danish breeder and agreed to acquire new puppy, Storm. However, just before Storm’s scheduled arrival, we were approached by a British breeder who persuaded us to add one of her puppies to our line.’

Unable to resist, the family unexpectedly obtained two female puppies within a month of each other. Two years later, discussions with an American breeder made them aware of a litter there whose

bloodlines might be appropriate to mix with their own. ‘The low number of Bergamascos globally means that it can be very difficult to find suitable matches for breeding, and the more local dogs are to each other, the more likely they are to be too closely related to cross responsibly. While importing a dog from the USA might appear extreme, it makes perfect sense if the aim is to broaden and strengthen a very narrow gene pool. So, Gemma became number four in our ‘pack’ with numbers five and six being Tala, who lives with our daughter’s family and Elmo.’

Jo and Paul report that Bergamascos make great family dogs, but their original purpose and history as herding dogs means they thrive in the countryside or on a farm. ‘We would love to see future Bergamasco work with livestock in the UK as they do in Europe. Their coats usually result in people thinking they require lots of maintenance and pampering, but that is not the case. Their coats are naturally slow-growing and do not shed. We show our dogs but intervene as little as possible with their coats, just brushing head and tail to keep those areas flock free. We avoid using harsh shampoos or cleaning products, as dirt and debris are usually despatched easily with a slicker brush when dry with spot-washing when necessary.

‘Owning such a rare breed means we feel a duty to support the breed by liaising with reputable breeders globally and have been extremely diligent to ensure that the matches we make produce healthy stock that will only enhance the breed’s future.’ With Kennel Club Assured Breeders Scheme status and huge success showing their dogs both at Crufts and internationally, Jo and Paul have advice for potential owners. ‘If you are considering a Bergamasco, we highly recommend speaking to owners and breed clubs and reputable breeders. We consider the Bergamasco to be the Italian supercar of the dog world. They are rare, so it’s our mission to promote and preserve the heritage of this wonderful breed.’

www.bergamasco.uk

Local briefing

News from the region this month

Christmas Silent Discos at Burghley

Get ready to dance the night away with friends, family and colleagues at a a brand-new event – the Christmas Silent Disco – in the historic grounds of Burghley House. A huge Christmas marquee bedecked in sparkling lights and decorations will house the dancefloor for a feel-good night of party tunes and seasonal cheer.

With state-of-the-art headsets, party-goers can tune in to one of three DJs battling it out for the largest following with the very best music from the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s, as well as much-loved Christmas songs. There’ll be guaranteed snow flurries and plenty of festive fun in store, ensuring that this is one Christmas party not to missed.

An array of festive food will be on offer to fuel the partying, including loaded fries, hotdogs, and sweet and savoury crêpes. There will also be a fully stocked bar featuring festive favourites such as mulled wine, fizz and Baileys hot chocolate. A choice of great value food and drink packages are available to pre-order.

Christmas Silent Discos at Burghley are on Thursday 5 and Friday 6 December, 7–10pm. Early bird tickets are available until 31 October and cost £27 per person (over 18s only), full-price tickets from 1 November are £29 per person. A group package price is available for parties of 10 or more at £50 per person and includes entry ticket plus one hot food voucher and three drinks vouchers. Parking is free of charge.

Burghley House, Nr Stamford PE9 3JY

www.burghley.co.uk

@burghleyhouse

Josiah Hincks Expand into Stamford

Josiah Hincks recently completed the acquisition of Stapleton & Son Solicitors in Stamford. James Buxton (Partner of Stapleton & Son) and his team have joined Josiah Hincks to expand the firm’s offering throughout the Midlands. Stapleton & Son has been providing legal advice to individuals and families throughout Lincolnshire and Rutland from its base in Stamford. This includes residential property matters as well as wills, probate and trust services. The Stapleton & Son team will still provide these services but under the management of Josiah Hincks.

This exciting move will also allow the team to offer the full spectrum of legal services provided by Josiah Hincks, from the office in Stamford. This includes residential conveyancing, commercial property, wills, trusts & probate, family law, litigation & disputes, employment law, company & commercial land and agricultural law.

Josiah Hincks are an award-winning, Legal-500 recommended law firm with several offices throughout Leicestershire. Known for high levels of Client Care, they were awarded the Leicestershire Large Law Firm of the Year Award in 2024, having also received the award for Small Law Firm of the Year in 2023 and 2022.

James Lyon, Partner at Josiah Hincks, said: ‘We are delighted to have completed this acquisition and to now have a presence in Stamford. James Buxton and his team have built an excellent reputation in the local community, and we are excited to build on this. We look forward to working with and helping the individuals, families and businesses in the Stamford area.’

14 Sheep Market, Stamford PE9 2RB, 01780 751226 www.josiahhincks.co.uk | @hincksagram

Local briefing

BJC Electrical & Solar: Sustainable Solutions

BJC Electrical & Solar is a family-run company driven by a commitment to excellence, innovation, and sustainability. Led by husband-andwife team, Ben and Daisy Cunnington, BJC specialises in providing renewable solutions for both homes and businesses, tailoring each project to meet the unique needs of every client. ‘Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do at BJC Electrical & Solar, both within our company and our family. As parents, we feel a responsibility to protect the planet for our children and future generations, which is why we’re committed to offering heating solutions that not only lower energy bills but also reduce carbon footprint,’ explains Ben.

Ben and Daisy are always exploring new technologies that support their sustainability mission, offering maximum efficiency and costeffectiveness. They recently discovered the ZEB, a new breed of boiler that’s redefining home heating, powered by electricity without the cost. The Tepeo ZEB is a greener alternative to gas and oil, more affordable than traditional electric boilers and easier to install and maintain. ‘We believe in practising what we preach, and the best way to recommend a product to our clients is through personal experience. The ZEB stands out for its ease of installation, especially compared to other low-carbon heating options like air source heat pumps,’ says Daisy.

If you’re ready to transform your home or business with bespoke renewable solutions, contact BJC now – they are dedicated to helping you harness the power of renewable energy tailored to your needs.

Waterside Garden Centre, King Street, Baston, Peterborough PE6 9NY | 01778 243180 bjcelectrical.com | @bjc_electrical_solar

The March Hare at Grimsthorpe Castle

Amy and her team at The March Hare tea trailer at Grimsthorpe Castle will remain open over the winter months this year, offering breakfasts, lunches and tasty treats to visitors to the estate and new farm shop. Amy, who has built The March Hare catering over the past six years, and last year launched the inaugural Grimsthorpe Christmas Fair, is also rolling out a brand-new menu using local produce from the new farm shop and local businesses, including Stamford Coffee. Both indoor and outdoor seating are available, and dogs are always welcome. The trailer is located at the visitor entrance, close to the car park, and those wishing to visit the trailer but not enter the Park, can do so as it is situated before the ticket hut.

The tea trailer, along with the new farm shop, are part of ongoing improvements to the visitor experience at Grimsthorpe Castle and Gardens. Having both businesses under one roof is an asset to the estate and the surrounding area. Visitors can enjoy their refreshments in the renovated barn, where indoor seating is available or outside on various picnic tables on a sunny day.

The team look forward to welcoming you to The March Hare tea trailer over the winter, shop and enjoy some tasty treats all in one place. Parking and entry to access The March Hare are free.

Coach House Courtyard, Grimsthorpe Castle, nr Bourne PE10 0LY, 07875 543065

Open in winter: Oct–Apr, every Fri & Sat 10am–2pm grimsthorpe.co.uk/food-drink/ @The March Hare

Local briefing

News from the region this month

New Chair of Governors for St John & St Anne

Rutland’s oldest charity and provider of independent living for over 120 residents of Oakham and Uppingham, St John & St Anne (SJSA) is delighted to announce that Geoff Thompson has been appointed as Chair of Governors, following a planned handover alongside his predecessor, David Pattinson. Geoff has been Chair of Trustees of Uppingham Community College since 2012 and was Rutland’s High Sheriff for 2022–23, when he met representatives from organisations across the county, focussing on encouraging volunteering and publishing a book ‘Rutland – a High Sheriff’s Perspective’. He is a director of Uppingham First, the operator of many Uppingham community services including the Hopper Bus, and has recently become a town councillor.

Geoff said ‘It is an honour to take this role, one of a long line of chairs of governors dating back to 1399 when the charity received its royal charter from Richard II. We have some lovely residents, a small but very dedicated staff team, an experienced CEO in Doreen Woodward and a great resource in our talented governing body. I am inheriting a role in an organisation that is very well managed and is not only one of the largest almshouse charities in the UK but also one of the best, according to our recent residents’ survey.’

There are a number of ‘governors-in-waiting’ positions available, and if you are interested in joining the governors, know someone who may benefit from an apartment or want to know more about SJSA, do get in touch.

St John and St Anne, Oakham and Uppingham

Doreen Woodward, CEO: 01572 756950 www.stjohnstanne.co.uk | @St John and St Anne

New Headteacher at Uffington Primary

In September this year, Uffington Church of England Primary School welcomed a new Headteacher, Andrew Evans, following the retirement of long-standing Head, Helen Simms. Mr Evans brings with him over 20 years’ worth of experience in education; as a teacher, Key Stage leader, Deputy Head and Head, across a number of schools. Prior to arriving at Uffington, he was Deputy Principal and Interim Principal at Corby Primary Academy.

While he knows part of the school’s charm is its small, friendly atmosphere, Mr Evans wants families from other nearby villages and Stamford to take advantage of what it can offer. He wants to build on the school’s existing strengths and successes, especially in how the school uses facilities such as the local church, allotments and farmland to enhance the enrichment opportunities available to its pupils. The school provides an ambitious curriculum to its pupils, through a positive, forward-thinking approach.

Uffington Primary prides itself on the family-orientated culture that it has fostered and developed over many years, and the unique place that the school holds within the local village and its surrounding community. The school is hosting an open evening, for parents of children due to start Reception in September 2025. This will be on Thursday 7 November, from 6–7.30pm. Parents and carers can also contact the school to arrange an appointment to visit during the school day.

11 School Lane, Uffington, Stamford PE9 4SU 01780 756236 |enquiries@uffingtonprimary.co.uk www.uffingtonprimary.co.uk | @uffingtonpri

Local briefing

News from the region this month

Nene Park Winter Festival

Step into the magic of winter, as the Nene Park Winter Festival returns! Open on 16 selected dates from Saturday 30 November through to Christmas Eve, Ferry Meadows will transform into an enchanted forest filled with fantastical surprises.

Hosted by Nene Park Trust, this year’s festival promises an unforgettable evening for visitors of all ages. Follow the willow sculpture trail, enjoy captivating performances, experience an outdoor cinema screening under the stars and explore magical activities. Indulge in a delicious menu of festive food and drink, and then visit the Christmas shop for seasonal treats and gifts.

‘This

year’s festival promises an unforgettable evening for visitors of all ages’

This year, as part of a collaboration with the National Literacy Trust in Peterborough, there will be a brand-new addition. Local author and illustrator Ellie Sandall has created an exclusive storybook, inspired by this enchanted forest, as a gift for you to enjoy at home. Gather your family and friends and make lasting memories at the Nene Park Winter Festival. Tickets are just £10.50 per person, with free admission for children under 3. Your ticket also includes parking, with entry sessions available at 4pm, 5.30pm and 7pm. Every ticket purchased helps support the ongoing care and upkeep of Nene Park.

Visitor Centre, Ferry Meadows, Peterborough PE2 5UU Book tickets at www.nenepark.org.uk/winter-festival @neneparkpboro

The Power of Drawing with Maxine Dodd

Last month marked a significant milestone in Leicestershire artist, Maxine Dodd’s artistic journey, as her drawing ‘Riders in Black’ was among the shortlisted entries in the prestigious Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize. Maxine was one of only 21 artists shortlisted for the ‘Working Drawing Award’, a new category within the main prize, which recognises the importance of drawings for ideas and works in development. Her piece, ‘Riders in Black’, features in this new category.

The Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize is an international competition that celebrates excellence in drawing and its importance in the contemporary art scene. This year, the Working Drawing Award specifically focused on the role of drawing in the creative process, emphasising how it can be an integral part of an artwork’s development rather than merely a finished product. Only 115 drawings were shortlisted for the main prize and 21 for the Working Drawing Award, from over 2,000 entries worldwide from 40 different countries.

Maxine attended the opening at Trinity Buoy Wharf in London, where she was delighted to meet up with the artists and see the drawings. ‘I felt a sense of camaraderie with my fellow artists. We were united by our passion for drawing and our desire to push the boundaries of our craft’, she told us. The show tours the UK at various venues as far apart as Falmouth and Dundee, check out details on the websites below.

trinitybuoywharfdrawingprize.drawingprojects.uk/news maxinedoddart.co.uk

@maxinedoddart

Father Christmas' Grotto

Saturday 16th November 2024 10am – 4pm

Entry, Adult £2 Children Free (proceeds go to charity). Over 60 Stalls Hot food . Cafe with cake . For more information @withamhallwinterfair For Grotto tickets visit www.withamhall.com/winterfair

Tours of the school available by appointment on 01778 590 222 Witham Hall School, Witham on the Hill, Bourne, Lincs PE10 0JJ www.withamhall.com

Foxton Locks & the Laughton Hills

This walk has everything you could wish for: a chance to watch narrowboats navigating the 10-staircase Foxton Locks, plenty of gradients, glorious countryside views and a charming walk along the towpath

words: nicholas rudd-jones THE NOVEMBER WALK

KEY DATA

Distance 6.4 miles, 10.2km

Typical time 2 hours 46 mins

Start & finish Foxton Locks Car Park, LE16 7RY (charge)

Terrain Plenty of contours, and muddy in places

Stiles Many

Getting there Foxton Locks is 4 miles southwest of Market Harborough, just west of Foxton village

POINTS OF INTEREST

• Foxton Locks is a staircase of 10 locks built in 1814 to link Market Harborough to the Grand Union Canal. It’s fun to watch the narrowboats negotiating the flight. Each boat takes about 50 minutes from top to bottom (or vice versa). The Foxton Canal Museum is open Sat–Thur 11am–4pm.

• Give canalboating a go with Market Harborough’s Boutique Narrowboats (www.boutiquenarrowboats.co.uk), who hire out canalboats for three/four days or just for the day.

• In the 8th century Gumley was called Godmundesleah, meaning the ‘lea’ or ‘woodland clearing’ of a man called Godmund.

• Located above a ridge, Gumley could have been easily fortified using natural terrain. There is evidence of a defensive ditch on the edge of the village, which is locally referred to as ‘Offa’s Dyke’. The village was a meeting-place for the witanagemot (Assembly) of the kings of Mercia in the 8th century.

PIT STOPS

• Foxton Locks Inn (www.restaurantfoxtonlocks.co.uk) The conservatory and garden (lots of tables) both look out over the canal basin and are ideal for watching the boats. We enjoyed friendly service and great-value pub grub. Dog friendly.

• Light refreshments are also available at cafes at both the top and bottom of the locks during operating hours.

• The Bell Inn at Gumley (www.thebellinngumley.co.uk) is a lovely early 19th-century village pub that welcomes walkers.

DIRECTIONS

1

Set out from the car park at Foxton Locks along a path that runs alongside the road. On reaching the canal bridge, turn south (left) along the towpath and follow this along a most agreeable route for 2.5 miles until you reach Bridge 51.

2

Once under Bridge 51, turn off the towpath, go over the bridge and follow a footpath up the hill. At the stile, bear diagonally to the left along the ridge, and then at the next stile hug the side of the wood; this path shortly leads to a road.

3

Turn right along the road, and after about 100 yards the path takes off to the left (north) across a series of fields; the path is well marked. On entering the fourth field, the path cuts sharp left across the field towards the village of Laughton. Cross the footbridge (very slippy indeed) and continue heading straight for the village.

4

The path goes to the right of a sand-coloured house, through a gate and onto the village street. Go right and then take the first right; after a few yards you will see the path taking off to your right, through a very muddy horses’ paddock.

5

The path heads diagonally across a field and, just to the right of a dead tree trunk, you will see a footpath sign; cross the road, and this path now runs in a delightful fashion northeast for about 1.25 miles until you pass Gumley Lodge on your right.

6

7

Just after Gumley Lodge take the path that goes diagonally left towards a metal gate (do not go onto the small road on the right).

At the next stile, go straight on up the very steep slope, and you soon reach a gate leading to Gumley Village; the path goes between a hedge and a fence.

8

9

Turn left and then immediately right in the main street and follow the well-marked path back towards the canal.

At the canal, cross over by the very narrow, elevated footbridge, turn right along the footpath and follow it until you reach Rainbow Bridge and the Foxton Locks Inn ahead of you. Cross this bridge, follow the towpath on the other side, and soon you will come to the staircase of locks. Amble slowly up (the museum is halfway up on the left).

10

After the locks you shortly reach another bridge; go under it and then turn immediately left to get back to the car park.

The USA Air Force in Northamptonshire, 1942–45

Flat areas of land were quickly converted into airfields following the outbreak of World War II. Jean Orpin and Sue Lee delve into the history of two in Northamptonshire where American airmen were stationed

In 1942 the Americans entered the war, as a result of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour, agreeing to give naval and air support to Britain. They originally had 75 airfields but eventually had 250 covering 360,000 acres of land, many in East Anglia and the East Midlands. The locals were not happy with the loss of their land, and the noise of aircraft must have brought the reality of war to their doorsteps.

POLEBROOK AIRFIELD

Polebrook near Oundle was the first airfield in Northamptonshire to be built for RAF Bomber Command in 1940–41 by George Wimpey & Co on land from the Rothschild estate.

The first squadron to be stationed there was 90th Squadron RAF. In summer 1942 the squadron was disbanded and Polebrook was handed over to the American 8th Air Force, and the next squadrons to be stationed there were the USAAF 340th and the 341st Bomb Groups, bringing the first US heavy bombers to arrive in Britain. They had 24 crews ready with their Fortress planes. Accommodation for over 2,000 personnel was provided on sites built in woodland to the north of the station.

The 351st Bomb Group took over in April 1943 and stayed at Polebrook until the end of the war. They flew 311 combat missions, dropped 20,300 tons of bombs losing 175 aircraft and crews.

After the War

Clark Gable

In 1943 Clark Gable, the acclaimed Hollywood film star, who had won an Oscar for his part as Rhett Butler in his recent film ‘Gone with the Wind’ arrived at Polebrook. His wife had recently died in an air crash, and he wanted to serve his country. He was 42 and voluntarily enlisted in the USAAF as a gunner. He joined the 351st Bomb

Veterans of the Bomb Group who had been stationed at the airfield organised an association to erect a memorial at the airfield to remember the base now returned to agricultural use. Miriam Rothschild donated 4 acres of land at the end of the former runway on a 999-year lease in payment of 999 peppercorns (known as a peppercorn rent). An impressive triangular monument was erected in 1981. An inscription in front of the monument reads, ‘USAAF

Group, and as part of his service, which they hoped would keep him out of danger, he was given the task of making a film to encourage others to join as gunners. He joined bombing flights and took films with a Metro Goldwyn Mayer cameraman.

On his fourth flight the Fortress plane was hit 15 times. MGM immediately wanted him to be grounded. Many of the men he served with, such as former Tech Sgt Ralph Cowley, said Gable still unofficially joined other missions. He returned to the US with over 50,000 feet of 16mm colour film. In 1944, the film Combat America, narrated by Gable, was shown in theatres. He received an air medal for completing five combat missions and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

station 110 Polebrook. This monument and plaque stand on a section of the original main runway which extended 2600 west from this point.’ The site is not easy to find, but it is signposted from the A605 north of Oundle.

The north transept of Polebrook Church has been set aside as a memorial chapel and contains memorabilia including the embroidered insignia of the 351st Bomb Squadron and more details about the airfield and those stationed there.

KINGS CLIFFE AIRFIELD

Construction of this airfield began in 1940, and it came into operation a year later. In its first couple of years a number of units, mainly trained to fly Spitfires, including New Zealanders, Rhodesians and Belgians were based there. A unit connected with an advanced flying training school for the RAF was there for a short time, as were a few American units. Some of the 347th Fighter Squadron, who belonged to the most successful Fighter Group in the USAAF, trained to work with the RAF at Kings Cliffe. They left in April 1943 at which stage the airfield was still pretty basic with very limited facilities according to contemporary accounts.

Although extended and gradually updated, the airfield must initially have come as a shock to its next occupants, who arrived in late August 1943, by which time it was designated USAAF Station 367. The 20th Fighter Group had been based in California, crossed America by train, had a five-day journey across the Atlantic to Greenock on the Clyde and then south by train again to Northamptonshire.

Glenn Miller 1904–44

Another memorial commemorates the band leader, trombonist and composer Glenn Miller. It is on the site of the last

LEFT: USA Air Force Christmas at Kings Cliffe. BELOW: Kings Cliffe Memorial.

In their time at Kings Cliffe, the 20th Fighter Group flew P-38H Lightnings and then P-51D Mustangs on many escort missions and over 300 combat missions. They were awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for attacks on railway equipment in April 1944 and became known as the ‘Loco Group’ for their successful attacks on rail supplies.

Local life was disrupted by the airfield and the Americans, but by the time they left and the airfield was closed in 1947, people had grown used to their presence, and village life had to adapt again. For another 10 years the RAF used the site for storage before it was returned to agricultural use in the late 1950s.

In 1983 a memorial was unveiled on the Kings Cliffe to Wansford Road. The inscription is set between depictions of Spitfire and Mustang wings and reads: ‘To commemorate the eternal memory of those American, British, Belgian and Commonwealth airmen who gave their lives in the cause of freedom 1939–1945’. It is flanked by the RAF flag and the Stars & Stripes. Not far away is another memorial (see box below).

airfield band concert that he gave in October 1944.

Glenn Miller was born in Iowa, USA, in 1904. He took up the trombone aged 12 years and set his sights on a musical career. He started playing in various bands, moving around the country before settling in New York in his mid-20s. Ten years later he made his first recording with his own band. A couple of years after that they started performing around the country.

He was at the height of his success and popularity when World War II broke out. He had 17 hit records in 1839 and 31 in the Top Ten in America in 1940. In 1942 he was awarded the first ever Gold Record for ‘Chattanooga Choo Choo’.

He was not called up but played his last performance as a civilian in September

1942, having decided that he would join up with the intention of improving military bands.

As a member of the USAAF he organised marching bands and dance bands and by the time he came to Britain he was already a household name. His own band is estimated to have played to over a million troops many performances held, as at Kings Cliffe, in vast steel hangers.

At the end of 1944 the focus of the war had moved across the Channel and Miller was on his way to Paris to arrange for his Band to move there. His flight was delayed by fog, so on 15 December he travelled on an unauthorised flight with an inexperienced pilot, and it is assumed that the plane came down in the Channel. No remains have ever been found.

charge you the earth.

Bill & Sue Crowe

Tel: 01780 754043 Mob: 07766833076

Bill & Sue Crowe

mob 07766833076

www.bcit.co.uk

email bill@bcit.co.uk

Daryl and Jimmy

Ask bookers, audience members and other musicians about Daryl and Jimmy and you get the same answer: quirky, fun musicians. Steve Roberts and Dave Johnson went to hear them in Melton Mowbray and found them on fantastic form

WORDS: STEVE ROBERTS

PHOTOGRAPHY: DAVE JOHNSON

QUIRKY, fun musicians certainly sounds like the ingredients for a good night out. My mate, the author Dave Johnson, and I caught up with Daryl and Jimmy at the White Hart in Melton Mowbray – a key venue for anyone following the region’s musicians. I can confirm all the above and add that their vocal style is simply amazing. They move from intimate ballads to rock and roll through soul, country and pop with ease. At times the timbre of their voices is almost operatic in its splendour. I won’t do a spoiler about what song they do it for, but their joint ability to hold a soaring note, for what seems like eternity, is awe inspiring.

Daryl Kirkland and Jimmy Lindsay are both talented musicians in their own right, Daryl plays guitar and sings, and Jimmy sings, plays percussion and adds some trombone; as a team they seem pretty unique. I am hedging my bets here with the ‘pretty’ in front of unique, but I am not aware of a guitar-playing, percussionplaying, trombone-playing, singing duo – the trombone obviously gives added oomph, as does their often singular rendition of a lyric.

From Leicester to Ljubljana

Born and bred in Leicester, Daryl and Jimmy regularly perform throughout the area covered by this magazine and have been playing for over 20 years in various bands. They came together as a duo 4 or 5 years ago. Jimmy comments: ‘It started out as an experiment for fun and has become something we now both prioritise and enjoy. After every gig, we discuss how we can make small changes to make it better next time. The constant drive we have to get better and better hopefully means we can get better and better at entertaining people.’

A typical Daryl and Jimmy set is basically if they like it, they play it, as long as they can make great music and entertain people and put their particular ‘D&J’ stamp on it. Jimmy claims to be the laziest musician one can ever meet and that they never rehearse but just gig. One can only say that performing together must have become second nature to them, as they were on tight, top form in Melton Mowbray.

Their unique style and humour, which complements their musicianship perfectly, is also in great demand overseas, and Daryl had a very good time in Ljubljana when they played there. Jimmy calls it their most bizarre gig, but when Daryl is pressed for details of why Slovenia was such fun (and bizarre!), he remains tight

lipped, only commenting: ‘I can’t really divulge it. What happens in Ljubljana stays in Ljubljana…’

Jimmy is slightly more forthcoming about his personal biggest gig, which was on the festival main stage at The Hague in Holland, where he played in front of 70,000 people. His self-described best gig was at London’s famous O2 Arena, where he has twice played in front of an audience of 20,000, and he lists his favourite gig as Scarborough’s Open Air Theatre, which has a more modest 5,000 capacity. However, they both name Oakham and Rutland as their favourite places to play as ‘it’s such a lovely backdrop.’

‘Daryl plays guitar and sings, and Jimmy sings, plays percussion and adds some trombone; as a team they seem pretty unique’

Future

Gigs – and Booking

Daryl and Jimmy’s current autumn gigs are all private functions, with their next public gig being a New Year’s Eve special at The Yew Tree in Avon Dassett, which should ensure that the residents of Oxfordshire have a rousing start to 2025.

Dave and I thoroughly enjoyed our time with the band – even if I vehemently disagree with their nomination of the worst song ever written (Van Morrison’s Brown Eyed Girl, since you ask). If you want to see them locally or book them for a public or private gig, I strongly recommend that you email them on darylnjimmy@yahoo.com.

Daryl Kirkland (left) and Jimmy Lindsay (right)