Rutland Living February 2014

HELPING YOU TO GET THE MOST OUT OF LIVING LOCALLY

RUTLAND LIVING

Home & Garden Health & Beauty Lifestyle Fashion Food

COVERING RUTLAND, MARKET HARBOROUGH & SURROUNDING VILLAGES

Plan Your Dream Wedding FEBRUARY 2014 £1.50 02

9 771741 580014

NEW WEBSITE! www.rutlandliving.co.uk GET IN TOUCH: RLNOVCOVER.indd 1

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Our experience makes yours Find your perfect holiday with your local, independent & friendly travel experts

SPOTLIGHT ON MARRAKECH

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he Red City at the foot of the High Atlas has captivated generations of Europeans.

Vibrant, exciting, colourful; Marrakech is brimming with the mysteries of Arabia, and perfect for a break with a difference during the early spring months.

Marrakech used to be the retreat for rock stars and fashion designers back in the Sixties. These days a plethora of the medieval walled ancient merchant’s houses or ‘Riads’ have been converted into boutique hotels to suit every taste from traditional to high design.

One of the greatest pleasures of Marrakech is to stroll through the souks, bargaining and people watching. The Medina and the Djemaa el Fna change throughout the day so it’s worth passing through at different times.

Stalls in the souks offer fabulous treasures and are overflowing with fantastic gifts from carpets to lamps, slippers, pottery, jewellery and leather goods at a fraction of the cost in the UK. Brightly coloured Tagine pots are a particularly good buy. In the early evening the city’s main square comes alive with snake charmers, street entertainers and food stalls. Enjoy a cocktail in the bar of the stunning Mamounia Hotel; this Art Deco Palace was a favourite of Winston Churchill.

Moroccan cuisine is celebrated as some of the best in the world and Marrakech has numerous fine restaurants to choose from.

Start with a bowl of steaming, spicy Harira soup or Bastilla, a semi-sweet pigeon pie made with layers of filo pastry. For your main course a Lamb Tagine with couscous is a must, accompanied by one of the very acceptable local wines, the best of which are red.

City Tours are available from £26.00 per person for half a day or for a full day with your own private driver from £98.00 per person passing through the Atlas Mountains to Quarzazate where the beautiful landscapes meet lush green valleys.

Oundle Travel suggests a stay at The Angsana Riad Blanc, offering traditional Moroccan hospitality - each room is an oasis of comfort and fully air-conditioned.

The hotel has an expansive tented rooftop terrace, which is perfect for basking in the warm spring sunshine. The hotel has two restaurants featuring both Moroccan and Thai cuisine For more information and up-todate prices please contact Oundle Travel on 01832 273600 www. oundletravel.co.uk

01832 273600

Market Place, Oundle, Peterborough, PE8 4EA Email: sales@oundletravel.co.uk Website: www.oundletravel.co.uk

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R UTL A N D & MA RKET HA RBOR OUGH L IVING

FEBRUARY CONTENTS W W W . R U T L A N D L I V I N G . C O . U K

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elcome to the wedding edition. Rutland was recently voted ‘the best place to get married’, no surprise really with premium venues aplenty and beautiful landscapes and backdrops to boot.

A huge thanks to Rita of Sonara Studios for providing the front covers.

Says Sushil, “Rutland has some of the finest venues for wedding photography – Sonara Studios are a Rutland based Professional Wedding Photographers and we have a great deal of experience of providing stunning wedding photography at these venues. We offer a very personalised service, beautiful albums and very creative images. Call Tel: 01572 756498 or 07737 220276 to discuss your personal preferences.”

Turn to pages 18 to 28 for a plethora of venues, caterers, photographers and honeymoon/ holiday suggestions, most of which would be equally relevant for any celebration and all come highly recommended.

Not forgetting those of us with children to entertain, some half term suggestions on page 40. Do let us know of any other children-friendly events or activities for the Easter edition.

Abigail

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Editor’s Selection

Valentine Gift Ideas

Fashion

Layer Upon Layer for the Winter Months

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Your Own Valentines’Designs

12 Health and Beauty

Spa Breaks and Treats for Your Loved Ones

RUTLAND LIVING AND MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING COVERS BY SONARA STUDIOS www.sonarastudios.com

13 Health and Beauty Boot Camp for Brides

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WEDDING SUPPLEMENT Countdown to the Big Day A to Z of Local Caterers Happily Ever After in Market Harborough and the Surrounding Area 27 Fabulous, Local Wedding Venues 28 Heavenly Honeymoons 31 History

TAKE A LOOK AT OUR nEW WEBSITES:

Chocolate, The Food of Love

32 Eating Out

The Lighthouse, Kibworth and The Wicked Witch, Ryhall

39 Diary Dates

What’s on in our region this month?

40 What’s On

Half Term Activities

Late in: • Katie Cardew, a young local illustrator, will be holding her debut exhibition at the Blue Ball in Braunston on the 1st February from 5pm. Katie specialises in depicting people’s houses as well as families, wedding venues, pets, cityscapes, countryside pursuits and days out in Norfolk. Visit: www.facebook.com/ katiecardewillustrations.

@RutlandLiving InCORPORATIng

Village Lifestyle

SUBSCRIBE TO Rutland & Market Harborough Living

www.rutlandliving.co.uk www.marketharboroughliving.co.uk

43 Updates

Uppingham Theatre, Heidi Kjeldsen’s Diamond Necklace Competition, Chop for CoppaFeel! and more

46 Updates

Harborough Happenings

48 Gardening With Adam Frost

51 Local People

The Team at Robert Loomes

53 Local People

Danny O’Connor of Document Productions

Editor Abigail Richardson 01572 756733 Local Living Ltd, PO Box 208, Stamford PE9 9FY rutlandliving@gmail.com Advertisement Manager, Rutland Tracy Watkinson 01572 813187 rutlandliving@btinternet.com Advertisement Manager, Market Harborough Sosennah Every 07884 124316 sos.every@gmail.com Advertisement Manager, Leicestershire Helen Walton 01780 754801 helen.stamford@btopenworld.com Advertising Copy & Subscriptions Rachel Beecroft 01780 765320 rachel@locallivingdesign.co.uk Head of Design Steven Handley steve@locallivingdesign.co.uk Senior Designer Nik Ellis nik@locallivingdesign.co.uk Publisher Nicholas Rudd-Jones 01780 765571 nicholas@bestlocalliving.co.uk Printed by Warners of Bourne

Subscriptions – annual rate £20 (UK only).

Please write to The Editor, enclosing cheque made payable to Local Living Ltd Or subscribe online at www.bestlocalliving.co.uk

RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING FEBRUARY 2014

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handmade fine jewellery

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• Professional Interior Design Service • • Re-upholstery and Soft Furnishings • • Emma Bridgewater and Cath Kidston Stockists • Furniture •

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Trust the domestic cleaning experts at MOLLY MAID That’s what tens of thousands of people around the world do!

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E DITOR ’ S SE LE CT ION

VALENTINE’S GIFTS Abigail Richardson explores the local retailers looking for fabulous gifts ideas

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The sweet honeyed nectar, Vin Santo, is a wine made by the luck of the saints: a sweet white wine that is slightly sherry, deep caramel, honeyed, lush and gorgeous! Try Santa Vittoria’s with cantuccio biscotti for an altogether seductive sensation. Available from batwine.co.uk, for £19.50

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Feeling cheeky?

This gorgeous set from Fantasie at Ford of Oakham will hit the spot. ‘Vivenne in Red’, bra £38, suspender belt £25, thong £18.50 and brief £20.50

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Really want to spoil her then how about an antique French bed from Swans? See online or in store for a variety from £1500 to £2250 which can be upholstered in your own fabrics. www.swansofoakham.co.uk

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I adore this Le Creuset Heart Dish from John Lewis in Cerise for £45

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How about these gorgeous bowls from Elizabeth Stanhope Interiors? Small Heart Bowl £4.99 Large Heart Bowl £6.99

You can’t beat classic elegance with this beautiful ‘Tree of Life’ scarf from Liberty, London at Cavells.

Priced at £150.00 RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING FEBRUARY 2014

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FASHION

Layer Upon Layer!

With winter still upon us, we sent Vanessa Hollander to seek out the best in layering pieces

P

ersonally, I love the layered look and can regularly be found wearing up to 4 layers of clothes! It’s a great way to introduce texture, colour and warmth to an outfit. Plus, it enables you get more from your wardrobe.

By slipping a long-sleeved t-shirt underneath a short-sleeved dress or tunic, and a cardigan over the top, you can wear a summer dress in the winter. And this time of year, why not make your first layer a pretty thermal vest too!

Start with a Rosumunde vest then add a brightly coloured shirt and cardigan for a classic layered look.

Rosamunde vest, £50 Jungle shirt by Equipment, £340 Cashmere waterfall cardigan by Marilyn Moore, £405 Jeans by Articles of Society, £99 All at Cavells, Oakham

Start with a white lace trimmed vest, add a darker colour vest over the top and finish with a cardigan for the perfect layered look.

Lace trimmed vest by Cream, £24.99 Taupe vest by Postcard, £27 Striped, loose fit cardigan by Postcard, £59 All by Wardrobe, Oakham

Slip a blouse under a jumper and a cardigan over the top to achieve this layering of colours and fabrics.

White sheer top with lace detail by Second Female, £56 Wine ribbed button up jumper

by Peppercorn, £42 Black chunky cardigan by Stills, £265 Dream jeans by Mac, £99 All by Vanilla, Oakham

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RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING FEBRUARY 2014

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Start your layered look with a pretty thermal vest.

Long sleeved vest in wool and silk mix by Bella di Notte, £49 From Fords, oakham

Slip a long sleeve t-shirt under a shortsleeve tunic to get more from your wardrobe.

Pointelle knit tunic by Weird Fish, £55 Pink striped long sleeved t-shirt by Weird Fish, £25 All at Fords oakham

A Rosumunde vest is the perfect base from which to layer. in many different colours, they’re a ‘must have’ investment.

Lace trimmed vest by Rosamunde, £50 Pale blue V-Neck jumper by Marc cain, £239 Striped snood by Marc cain, £125 Jeans by Articles of Society, £99 All at cavells, oakham

Don’t just keep your little black dress for best, make it more casual by layering with a chunky cardigan on top.

Black dress by Bitte kai Rand, £207 chunky cardigan by in-Wear, £111.90 Necklace All by Vanilla, oakham

StockiStS: cavells, Oakham, 01572 770372, www.cavells.co.uk Fords of oakham, 01572 722654, www.fordsofoakham.co.uk Vanilla, Oakham, 01572 757577, http:// vanillaboutique.co.uk Wardrobe, Oakham, 01572 720305, http://www.wardrobe-southwell.co.uk With thanks to: claire for modeling for us and being lovely as well as stunning!

Our brilliant photographer – Elli Dean www.ellideanphotography.co.uk 07932055548 RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING FEBRUARY 2014

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DE SIGN

Be creative for your Valentine Why send a shop bought Valentine’s card to your heart’s desire when a little time and effort can produce something unique and special? Nicola Hardy shows you how

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hese cards I have designed can be made in three different ways, depending on your level of creativity, sewing skills or how adept you are using Photoshop or similar design applications on your computer.

The simplest of means is by manually creating a patchwork page of various fabrics; cut from magazines or from photocopies of decorative materials. Cut a heart from this and paste onto a background which can be either plain, patterned or another patchwork design.

The second method is by sewing machine; creating a patchwork underlay much like you would a quilt. Cut a heart out from one area and place over another, this can be hand stitched with embroidery thread and embellished with anything that takes your fancy! Stretch the finished article over a square or rectangle of thick card and glue firmly. All you have to buy is a frame, which I should have mentioned earlier as you will

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be working to its measurements, removing the glass of course. The result is a highly decorative little work of art.

Now anyone who is reasonably competent on Photoshop should be able to make his or her own card, as the process is quite straightforward.

It involves creating a couple of layers of patchwork designs from images from the Internet. Make your heart from one layer and copy and paste onto the other or if you prefer, a plain coloured background. Decorate as much or as little as you wish. I’m a great fan of Photobox.co.uk, a website that enables you to make your own cards. Log in, import the image to the blank card option and you will receive your personalized card in the post a few days later. A5 size – 2.50, A6 – 1.50.

• For stationary equipment go to Colemans which has a vast selection of Art and Craft equipment.

RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING FEBRUARY 2014

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H EA LTH & BE AUT Y

Love is all Around…

Where better to spend the romantic month of February than in the luxurious surroundings of a spa?

So show your Valentine just how much you love them and let cupid work his magic in one of these gorgeous retreats…

BARNSDALE SPA Barnsdale Hall Hotel, Barnsdale, Oakham, LE15 8AB, Tel: 01572 757901, www.barnsdalehotel.com Pamper package: Surely the best value Valentine’s package on the market is the Romantic Getaway, available throughout February at Barnsdale Spa. Returning again after the popularity of previous years, this spa experience will ensure you get to relax and unwind with your loved one in the unique

Floatation Therapy Tank (fantastic – you must try it!), before indulging in a glass of pink sparkling wine, chocolates and strawberries.

Top off a magical day with a delicious romantic dinner, overnight stay in one of the well-appointed bedrooms and a full English breakfast the following morning – all for an incredible price.

Why go?: Affordable luxury in the beautiful surroundings of Rutland Water – what’s not to love?

Prices: £89.50 per person

EDEN HALL

Barnsdale Spa

Elston Village, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG23 5PG, Tel: 01636 525555, www. edenspa.co.uk Pamper package: Love is in the air. But why wait around for cards, flowers and chocolates to arrive on your doorstep when you can treat yourself to an exclusive new day package, ‘Love Your Skin’ available throughout February at Eden Hall? Complete and utter indulgence, this experience includes a 40 minute Mini Frangipani Wrap; the ultimate treat for your skin. This nourishing body wrap drenches the skin with moisture for immediate softness and suppleness. While you are absorbing this skin enhancing mixture, you will be treated to a luxurious face and scalp massage to ensure complete relaxation. Also included is full use of the saltwater vitality pool, water therapies, heated rooms, gymnasium, exercise and relaxation classes, various relaxation lounges and chill out areas. Robes and towels are available to use on the day and a delicious three-course lunch is also provided.

Barnsdale Spa

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A complimentary Elemis gift is included in this package.

Why go?: A tranquil day spa, Eden Hall offers the ultimate in luxury at a very reasonable price.

Prices: £105 per person

KILWORTH HOUSE HOTEL Lutterworth Road, North Kilworth, Leicestershire, LE17 6JE, Tel: 01858 880058, www.kilworthhouse.co.uk Pamper package: If you really need to relax and unwind then journey to Kilworth House, where you’ll find yourself transported to a place of beauty and tranquillity. Situated within 38 acres of stunning parkland with an enchanting woodland area and private lake, Kilworth House is the ultimate romantic retreat. Here the aptly named ‘Sleeping Beauty’ package will make your Valentine’s Day perfect. Made for enjoying with your Prince Charming, this day and overnight package includes a pampering back, shoulder and neck massage, fabulous food (Full English breakfast, light lunch, à la carte evening meal up to the value of £30 per person), bottle of champagne on arrival in your bedroom and a peaceful night’s sleep.

Why go?: One of the UK’s most luxurious – and exclusive locations.

Prices: £335 per couple for a garden room.

Add £75 for a luxury room; £100 supplement for a four poster bedroom.

RAGDALE HALL HEALTH HYDRO AND THERMAL SPA

Ragdale Village, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, LE14 3PB, Tel: 01664 433000, www.ragdalehall.co.uk Pamper package: At Ragdale Hall, you’ll be truly spoilt for choice with two special packages running throughout February and March. If you fancy spending the whole day in luxury with your loved one, then the ‘Cupid’s Couples Day’ is just for you. This day package runs from 10am – 7pm and you will both enjoy a healthy 3 course buffet lunch, a glass of pink bubbly and a sharing plate of tapas at 6pm, use of all the amazing facilities, plus a classic manicure for her and a Sooth ‘n’ Splash facial for him.

However, if there’s currently no-one special in your life or you simply fancy a whole day of indulgence to yourself, then the ‘Holistic Heaven Spa Day’ running throughout February will give you some much needed me-time.

Choose from either a 40 minute relaxing Reflexology or Reiki Experience, followed by

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Health News Elite Sports Injury treatment for all in Greetham The Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Centre is located on the picturesque Greetham Valley Hotel, Golf and Conference Centre and has been a hit with the local golfers since opening in July last year. The concept for the clinic was developed by Dr David Holmes, GP and Sports Physician, and Peter Corder, Chartered Physiotherapist, whilst they were both working at Peterborough United FC. Their idea was to give the elite level treatment they provided to professional athletes to the general public and amateur athletes at an affordable cost and all under one roof. Practice Manager Johnny Holmes told me: “We have recently added a Podiatrist and Dietician to our team to truly provide the complete service: we provide general physiotherapy, sports injury assessment and rehabilitation, acupuncture, general health checks, dietetics and sports nutrition, podiatry and chiropody as well as supplying custom orthotics.”

• Contact: Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Centre, Greetham Valley Hotel, Golf and Conference Centre, Wood Lane, Greetham, Rutland, LE15 7SN, Tel: 01572 812 212, www.physiosportsinjurygreetham.co.uk

Get wedding-fit with Judith Ewing!

a Holistic Heaven Facial and a 3 course buffet lunch.

Why go?: One of the UK’s leading renowned luxury spas, a day out at Ragdale is an experience you’ll always remember Prices: £215 per couple Monday – Thursday, £255 per couple Fri – Sunday for the Cupid’s Couple Day; Holistic Heaven Spa Day costs £139pp (Mon-Fri), £159pp (weekends).

STAPLEFORD PARK SPA

Stapleford Park Country House Hotel, nr Melton Mowbray, LE14 2EF, Tel: 01572 787057, www.staplefordpark.com Pamper package: There’s never a better time to visit the grand and imposing Stapleford Park, as throughout February, they are offering a fantastic 10% off all spa days. If you’re on

a budget and time is of the essence choose the Taster package which includes two mini treatments plus a two course lunch. Or why not opt for the Winter Warmer Spa Day for Two to enjoy with your loved one? This relaxing day package includes a Hot stone full body massage and Indian Head massage each plus a delicious two course lunch. All spa packages include the use of the gym, tennis courts, swimming pool, sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi.

Why go?: Stapleford is famous for attracting the rich and famous (it was the setting for Peter Crouch’s and Abigail Clancy’s stunning wedding), so if you’re a secret celeb-spotter, you may just be in for an extra treat!

Prices: 10% discount on day packages throughout February. Prices start from £70 (before discount).

Renowned local personal Trainer Judith Ewing offers fitness packages for bridesto-be who want to look their best on their wedding day. Judith told me: “It is the biggest day of your life and every bride wants to look like a princess. You are in the spotlight, so want to look and feel your best; I’m here to help and can create an exercise and nutritional programme to take you right up to your big day.” Judith’s personalised programme is designed fulfil the bride’s needs whilst fitting into the busiest of schedules. This includes a complimentary bridal fitness assessment, realistic goal setting fitness programme, expert nutritional programme and advice plus genuine support and encouragement.

For brides who are too busy for one-toone personal training, Judith also offers on-line bridal personal training packages.

There are three levels, including a 12 week programme, 16 week programme and 20 week programme. A fitness and nutritional programme is provided, equipment supplied if necessary, support via e mail, Twitter, Facebook or phone and a weekly update by phone or skype.

• Contact Judith on: Tel: 07771 866123, www.judithewingfitness.com, e-mail: judithewing2@hotmail.com, Twitter: @ EwingFitness, Facebook: Judith Ewing Fitness.

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Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Centre

LOCAL PRIVATE CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS

@ Greetham Valley

Specialising in treating:

Who we are

• Low self-esteem and loss of confidence • Low mood, depression, self-harm and suicidal thinking • Anxieties, phobias, obsessions

and ruminations • Significant life events, trauma,

nightmares, flashbacks • Attachment and relationship difficulties • Abuse (physical, emotional and sexual)

The new centre presents the multidisciplinary team of a Sports Physician, Physiotherapist, Podiatrist and Dietitian all under one roof. The team aims to provide elite level treatment methods to the general public.

Treatments we offer General Physiotherapy and Musculoskeletal Assessment Sports Injury Assessment and Rehabilitation Sports Massage, General Massage and Spinal Manipulation Post Operative Rehabilitation Chiropody and Sports Podiatry Gait Analysis and Orthotics Dietetics and Sports Nutrition

Adult Speciality

Johan Truter

Tel: 01780 758556 www.psychologistuk.co.uk

General Fitness Assessments

For further enquiries or to book an appointment

Orion House, 14, Barn Hill, Stamford, PE9 2AE

call: 01572 812212 email: info@physiosportsinjury-greetham.co.uk visit: www.physiosportsinjury-greetham.co.uk

Child and Adult Speciality, EMDR Practitioner

Dr Alexandra Dent

Mbl: 07986 585270 www.alexandradent.co.uk

‘Caring for Local Athletes’

Orion House, 14, Barn Hill, Stamford, PE9 2AE Church Street Practice, Melton Mowbray LE13 0PN

Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Centre

Greetham Valley Hotel, Golf and Conference Centre, Wood Lane, Greetham, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 7SN

T

he Carisbrooke team offer a lifelong approach to providing dental care and treatment to patients. They have an exceptional reputation both with patients and dentists in and around Leicestershire who refer many of their own patients to the practice for specialist care.

Carisbrooke Specialist Dental Centre offers a complete range of dental care from family general dentistry to complex specialist procedures.

The team have a lifelong approach to looking after their patient’s dental health.

Visit our web site www.carisbrookedental.co.uk for more information about our extraordinary services or call 0116 270 7030 238 London Road, Leicester. LE2 1RL

You do not require a referral from your dentist to have a consultation with one of our specialist providers. If you are experiencing dental problems and not sure what your options are why not call the Carisbrooke for an expert opinion.

• General and

family dental care • Orthodontic treatment for children and adults

• Dental implant treatment • Complex Restorative treatment

• Periodontal treatment for gum disease

• Endodontic treatment for root canal therapy

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Be a beautiful bride With Judith Ewing BA (Hons) BSY (Sp.M) PERSONAL FITNESS TRAINING FOR THE BRIDE-TO-BE Judith will provide: • A complimentary fitness assessment • Realistic goal setting fitness programme • Expert nutritional programme and advice • Genuine support and encouragement

Firstly I want to wish everyone a very happy new year from all of us at THOMAS HAIRDRESSING. The great thing about the New Year is the feeling of having a “clean slate” so to speak, and I may be a little biased, but there is nothing more liberating than having a new hair cut or style to really make you feel ready to face 2014 head on.

I am extremely proud of the team I have assembled here and would like to take this time to introduce you to them all and hopefully one of them or myself will be the person to give you that style you have always wanted.

On line bridal personal training packages also available

I look forward to seeing you soon

Thomas

Contact Judith to chat about your pre wedding requirements.

Mobile: 07771 866123 Email: judithewing2@hotmail.com Website:www.judithewingfitness.com - References available.

SARAH JANE THOMAS: Has worked with the best of the best of hair stylists including an extended period with Trevor Sorbie, she has travelled all over the world and has numerous awards and accolades to her name within hairdressing and has represented Racoon hair Extensions at fashion shows throughout Europe. Sarah is our top stylist and her customer care skills are second to none.

WAYNE GROOCOCK: Has worked in the local area for nearly 10 years, Wayne specialises in the Keratin Complex blow dry and is always up to date with the latest trends and fashions. This means Wayne really can transform your hair or give much needed ideas or inspiration.

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Like our facebook page to see our latest offers. Olive Tanning Studio.

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GEMMA FRISBY; Has managed a top salon in Uppingham, Gemma has come to us as an extremely motivated and driven individual. An Aveda specialist, Gemma can create an individual colour for each client and really work with the hairs natural texture to create a lasting style.

JOE HIND; Recently returned to the area after working as a top stylist in a chain of salons through out Leicestershire, Joe is extremely conscientious and is a great stylist to help with problems you experience every day with your hair, with a wealth of knowledge his cutting and colouring skills are always admired.

NATALIE DURRANT; Has been with me from the day I opened and has the most loyal client following of all my staff, she always takes time out to create individual hair styles and never compromises when it comes to the finished result. She really does have a bright future ahead of her.

KYLIE SAWYER; Kylie has been a senior member of staff in salons throughout Rutland and after taking a break to travel has returned to the area. Her eye for detail and constant strive for perfection makes her a very valuable asset to the team, no one has more patience than Kylie and this always shows in her work.

For your free consultation call now

T: 01572 756561 E: thomas@thomashairdressing.co.uk

Open 9 till 9 everyday.

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Wedding Ring Specialist

Denhams have the expertise and imagination to create your most treasured engagement and wedding rings.

Denhams also offer a complete bespoke design service.

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PLA W NN EDD IN ING G SP EC IAL

The Big Day

Rutland – The ‘best’ place to get married. In our nine page celebration, you will find everything you need to plan your stress-free, dream wedding.

Photo: Elli Dean www.ellideanphotography.co.uk 07932 055548

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W E D D I N G PLANNING SPE CIAL

Countdown to Your Big Day Congratulations! You’re getting married. Amid all the excitement of sharing the good news it’s not unusual to feel a little overwhelmed…after all, you don’t arrange a wedding every day. Using a timeline is a simple way to take the stress out of your planning – here’s our guide to making sure you have everything covered Soon after your engagement…  It’s nice to arrange a family get together – especially if introductions have not yet been made between the parents and close family.  Discuss and set your wedding budget.

Tip: Be sensible, realistic and do your research.

Contact suppliers and find out how much venues, catering and photography cost – never guess.

Wedding Fairs are a great source of information.  Arrange a meeting with the minister if you are opting for a church ceremony.

Twelve months before…  Book a venue for your reception. More often than not, availability and choice of venue will drive the actual date of the wedding. Something else important to remember will be your first night together as a married couple. Not all reception venues can act as a hotel too, so planning your first night together should be something you should consider when viewing venues.  Set the date and confirm with the minister, registry office or civil venue.  Choose the bridal party - bridesmaids and groomsmen. Don’t forget to choose witnesses and think about anyone you would like to read or speak at the service.  Create your guest list. Start with the people closest to you, the key players (family members, best man or men, bridesmaids, etc) and then work outwards. Imagine you are designing your ‘family and friends tree’. Get a large piece of paper and at the very top write your names. Then work downwards in rows starting with the most important people and working to the end until you have encompassed everyone you can think of.

Tip: At this point, do not worry about the actual number of people you have written down but think more about not overlooking anyone.

Once you are convinced you have everyone included, you can start crossing people off or at least categorising people into daytime and evening guests.  Issue a ‘Save the Date’ notification. These are really useful for all guests but especially important for those travelling long distances.

Nine months before…  Select and book a photographer.

Tip “At the heart of my business are my clients. Yes, I’m a photographer, but firstly I need to be a friend, to each and every person that I photograph. Weddings are a huge business and unfortunately some of that can be cold but the part I play is so personal and I make it my mission to heat things up!”

Lizzie Haines , Creative Director, www.shootit.doitmomma.co.uk  If you are planning catering yourselves, visit a selection of companies to give yourself plenty of choice before booking. Consider

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your wine choices – catering companies and venues will offer advice on wine for the tables and for toasting and don’t forget some non-alcoholic choices for drivers.  Book any musicians or entertainers – the best ones get booked early, especially in the summer months.

Tip: “Think about the atmosphere you want to create at each stage of the day. If you think your guests may not enjoy hymns, consider a performance of a favourite song by a professional performer. During the evening, think about whether you want a party feel or something quieter so guests can talk.” Dave Graham, DG Music.  Choose and book a florist.

Tip: “Have a good idea of what you are able to spend before you start to talk to your florist. Alternatively, if you have a clear plan for flowers, speak to your florist first then work the cost into your overall budget.”

Rebecca Moody, Pollen Designs  Book transport for the day.  Choose the bridal gown and arrange your first fitting - one of the most fun and exciting parts of the whole wedding preparation process. No matter what shape or size you are there will be a dress for you. Good advice is to avoid bridal salons until you are in a position to buy – you don’t want to fall in love with a dress while still saving up. Conversely, don’t leave it too late. Most dresses have a five or six month waiting time on delivery.

Tip: Take no more than two people shopping with you – ten different opinions won’t help! Vow Bridal Gallery, Peterborough

Six months before….  Choose a hairstylist and discuss any major changes to colour or length now. Discuss ideas for styling and experiment with make up too.  Plan and book the honeymoon.

Tip: Consider a ‘honeymoon account’ where guests contribute in lieu of a gift – really useful for well established couples who don’t need household equipment.” Dave Batley, Savvi Travel  Place a gift list or honeymoon account with a favourite retailer.

New ideas include asking for contributions towards a piece of art or sculpture or landscaping for the garden. Some altruistic couples ask for contributions towards their favourite charity  Order a wedding cake – most retail bakeries offer a wedding service if you don’t have a baker in the family.  Plan and order wedding stationery. The stationery order can include everything from a save the date card, to your place cards, and even your order of service card. It is always handy to get your order done with one supplier to avoid confusion... for example check out Creative Design and Print at www.creative-design-print.co.uk or Tel: 01780 756166  Choose outfits for the groomsmen and bridesmaids – make sure that colours and styles are co-ordinated around the bride’s gown and don’t forget to think of how the floristry will fit into the overall look.

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Photos: Lizzie Haines www.shootit.doitmomma.co.uk

Three months before…  Arrange a second dress fitting.  Choose and purchase wedding rings.  Select hymns and readings and discuss the details of the service with your minister or celebrant.

 Ensure passports are valid - very easy to overlook with all the excitement of the wedding and could lead to a disastrous start to the honeymoon.

 Send out your invitations. Don’t forget directions or details of accommodation for guests staying overnight.

 Re-confirm bookings with venue, florist, photographer, caterer and musicians – if there should be a glitch, you have plenty of time to rectify any problems at this stage.

Two months before…  Meet with the photographer to decide on style and to advise on key groups.

Meet at the venue if you can.

Tip: Many couples choose a pre-wedding shoot which can help if camera shy.

“It gives them the chance to shed any preconceptions of how they may look in photographs so on their actual wedding day there is no awkwardness or fear.”

Jade Dickinson, Wedding Photographer  Draw up a wedding day timetable and circulate to all concerned.

Buy gifts for bridesmaids, groomsmen and parents of the bridal couple.

Book trial hair and makeup sessions – take with you any veil or headpiece you will wear.  Organise Hen and Stag celebrations.

One month before…  Go for a final dress fitting.  Make sure all necessary payments or deposits have been made to suppliers.

Get your engagement ring cleaned.

 Finalise your seating plan – don’t tie yourselves up in knots about who sits where. One recently married couple dispensed with this procedure entirely and put up this sign “Today two families have come together – we ask that you choose a seat….not a side!”  Plan and write speeches. Ask for advice from seasoned speech makers or find great tips on the internet. Don’t be afraid to break the rules – mums are getting in on the speeches these days and lots of couples have speeches before the wedding breakfast to avoid nerves ruining the meal or dispense with speeches completely, asking the toastmaster to say a few words instead.

Two weeks before…  Sort out local currency for your honeymoon.  Wear in your new wedding shoes – no matter how great the shoes, you will regret compromising comfort for glamour!

 Collect wedding rings.

One week before…  Run through details with your venue – dates, times, location, contact numbers.  Organise for a note or gift to be delivered to your partner on the wedding day.  Pack for your honeymoon.  Complete any waxing, tanning or beauty treatments – ideally you should have patch tested and tried all products much further in advance to avoid any unpleasant reactions.  Collect the wedding dress and bridesmaid outfits.

The day before…  Place any room dressings or decorations at the church or venue.  Have a manicure and massage to help you relax.  Run through the order of the day with the bridal party to ensure everyone knows their role and responsibility.

 Go to bed early.

It’s here…..  Stay calm and enjoy every single minute.

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MEMORABLE CUISINE FOR YOUR PERFECT DAY

DELICIOUS FOOD BEAUTIFULLY SERVED • Fully tailor-made and refined menu • Advance menu tasting • Fixed price quotation • Site visit included • Pay bar and Bar staff available • Supply your own wine – no corkage charges

For further info call Sarah Rivett on 01572 747909 or 07970 576882

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Dower & Hall twinkle rings from £120

ANTIQUE AND MODERN JEWELLERY 3 COVENTRY ROAD, Platinum diamond single stone Pearl and diamond necklet MARKET HARBOROUGH, ring with shaped band £1995 LEICESTERSHIRE, LE16 9BX.£425 TEL: 01858 468858

Selection of freshwater and saltwater pearl necklets

18ct gold topaz and diamond ring £2950

Dower & Hall silver Twinkle rings

Silver marcasite earrings £165

Amber silver pendants from £50

18ct gold diamond cluster ring £2200

Dower & Hall twinkle rings from £120

Diamond set wedding rings

Spitfire silver & enamel cufflinks £105

Ruby ring £1350

Wedding rings in gold, platinum and palladium

Spitfire silver & enamel cufflinks £105

Wedding rings in platinum, gold and palladium

ANTIQUE AND MODERN JEWELLERY 3 COVENTRY ROAD, MARKET HARBOROUGH, LEICESTERSHIRE, LE16 9BX. TEL: 01858 468858

tim@tjthornton.com

Amber silver pendants from £50

18ct gold diamond cluster ring £2200

Ruby ring £1350

Wedding rings in gold, platinum and palladium

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W E D D I N G PLANNING SPE CIAL

A-Z of Caterers Sarah Lyon picks the best of the best of the local suppliers

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is for Amaani Spice. Delicately blended spices create authentic Indian dishes by caterer Parveen Asraf. Experience an Indian themed event with the colour and spice of authentic Indian food with an option to participate in some Bhangra and Bollywood style dancing.

Tel: 07789 438273, www.amaanispice.co.uk

for Fabulous Paella with the Olive Kitchen who specialise in outside catering for weddings, parties and any event that needs something special.

Spanish Paella cooked from fresh ingredients in front of your guests in large pans. Perfect for a main course allowing you to watch someone else do all the cooking! The Paella parties are not only delicious, but provide your party or event with something a little different - a theatrical experience! Add crépes including Lemon and sugar, Nutella and banana, Banana and caramel, Belgian chocolate, Maple syrup for a delicious desert.

Logon to www.theolivekitchen.co.uk for more information.

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is for Beetroot Catering – 2012 was a great year for Beetroot Catering and Events (based near Oundle) and 2013 was equally auspicious. Having made the shortlist for 2012 Best Caterer in the East Midlands region in The Wedding Industry Awards (www.the-wedding-industryawards.co.uk), Beetroot is fast developing an impressive reputation, bucking the trend for set menus and developing innovative ideas for its growing list of client events across Northamptonshire; Cambridge; Rutland and Lincolnshire. Director Keith Mickleburgh has been a chef for over 20 years. Beetroot’s philosophy is simple, “professional catering, locally sourced.” Contact Keith: 07921 672076, www.beetrootcatering.co.uk

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is for Dine Divine events caterers based in Peterborough. Fresh food locally sourced. Tel: 01733 704407, www.dinedivine.co.uk

is for Eclectic mix of high quality party food with a fresh, contemporary appeal from Otter’s Deli. Leo and team provide beautiful buffets full of the finest cheeses and super biscuits, charcuterie, chutneys, smoked salmon (Pinney’s hand smoked). Tel: 01572 756481, www.ottersdeli.co.uk

is for Local with caterer Fiona Herbert. Using the highest quality ingredients, promoting British farming and local produce at all times. Tel: 01636 812434, www.fionaherbertcatering.co.uk

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is for Menu Matching, just one of the personal services available free when you buy wine from award winning independent retailer, Duncan Murray in Market Harborough. The atmosphere is down to earth and friendly and Duncan has great offers on wholesale, wines, beers and spirits ‘with personality’. Tel: 01858 464935, www.duncanmurraywines.co.uk

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is for Grainstore Brewery – Book a bar with the Grainstore Brewery and you can expect a complete mobile bar service with fully trained, experienced staff and peace of mind over insurance and licensing. Choice of venue is no problem – marquees, halls, gardens, or fields. Tel: 01572 770065, www.grainstorebrewery.com is for handmade, homemade food catered to you by Rutland based caterer Sara McAllister. Sara’s team can cater gatherings large or small and with over twenty years of experience she has plenty of advice and ideas to offer. Tel: 07778 227734, www.saramcallister.co.uk

is for ‘Queen of Canapes’ – contact sarah.food@googlemail.com, Tel: 07598 926 701

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is for Kate’s Little Cakes – Best brownies ever! www.kateslittlecakes. co.uk, Tel: 07745 520772

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is for the ‘I’ in Thaymar Ice Cream.

Design your own ice cream flavour and have it served on your wedding day to your family and friends. Ice creams are made on the farm using farm fresh milk and double cream sourced from the neighbouring dairy. Haughton Park Farm, nr Retford, Notts, Tel: 01623 862632

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is for Japanese Cuisine – Ginko.

Japanese cook, Yuko can provide Japanese lunches and suppers to order as well as larger scale catering for either an intimate gathering of friends or larger affair. For more information, www. ginkos.co.uk or email sushi@ginkos.co.uk

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is for New Lodge Farm succulent roasts. The traditional and slow roasted home produced taste of Simon and Sarah Singlehurts meat; pork, lamb and beef roasts (top of the leg Aberdeen Angus beef). The Singlehurts can organise an innovative selection of salads to be catered alongside the roast. Tel: 01780 450493, www.newlodgefarm.com

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is for Otters Smokehouse and Deli and their famous Cheese Wedding Cake. Leo offers a cheese tasting at the Deli incorporating a viewing of images from previous cheese cakes to help one decide in terms of taste and look. Tel: 01572 756481, www.ottersdeli.co.uk

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is for the perfect pastries from the Small Bread Company (based in Barnwell nr Oundle) Handmade fresh pastries, almond croissants, chocolate and custard twists, apricot stars, bear claws (frangipane with cinnamon filling), chocolate croissants; especially delicious for a morning after breakfast party. For more information on orders and delivery, contact email filam@ thesmallbreadcompany.com.

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is for Quintessentially English with Tiffins Kitchen – Local vintage picnic caterers. In collaboration with vintage crockery supplier and event stylist Rebecca Sayward from Vintage Teas and RSVPs, this service offers the complete package – gorgeous wicker hampers, beautiful mismatched vintage china, cutlery and glassware and a delectable spread prepared by the Tiffin Kitchen’s Tasha Kosviner.

Tel: 07795 007792, ww.vintageteasandrsvps. co.uk/catering.html

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is for Rutland Gourmet. Sarah Rivett can cater for any size event. She has a variety of menus and to help you further she offers a tasting service.

Tel: 01572 747909, www.rutlandgourmet.co.uk

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is for Stamford Wedding Company – Andy Beamish of Events & Tents teams up with Susan Fenner of Jeeves Catering to create Stamford Wedding Company. With their combined knowledge and expertise they offer a package which can include venue, stunning marquee and fabulous catering but also elements such as fantastic flowers, music, photography, bars and Pimms and ice-cream cycle…and more. No organiser’s fee. Susan Fenner Tel: 01778 345020, www.stamfordweddingcompany.co.uk

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is for Theatrical and fun with Tuesdays Pancakes. Pancakes paddled on traditional cast iron griddles. Tel: 01949 843203, www.tuesdayspancakes.co.uk is for uniquely individual artisan breads and puddings created and catered by Hambleton Bakery.

Master Baker, Julian and his team bake traditional sourdough and wholemeal loaves, beautiful buns, plus traditional puddings, treacle and fruit tarts, including lemon too.

Tel: 01572 757541, www.hambletonbakery.co.uk

Jack Harrison. Jack can also cater an eclectic mix of great BBQ food; homemade burgers (stilton or piri piri), magic chicken with honey, aged rib eye stakes or wood over roasted rib of aged beef accompanied by some great salads.

Contact Jack at jack100harrison@aol.com

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is for Exotic Thai food catered by Tukata Bird of Tuk Tuk Foods, www. tuktukfoods.co.uk. Visit Tuk and sample her food at her street market stall in Red Lion Square, Stamford on a Saturday.

Y?

Because their cake boutique menu is simply the best! Mouth-watering macaroons, sublime sachertorte and other cakes to tantalize your taste buds, Johannah’s Patisserie can cater a picnic tea for up to one hundred guests.

Tel: 01572 868151, www.johannahs-patisserie.co.uk

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is for Vintage adventure with Vintage English. Tel: 07717706213, www.vintageenglish.co.uk

is for Wood Fired Pizza Oven. “Pizza making is visual entertainment for guests. They watch us roll out the dough, add the toppings and slide the pizza into the wood fired oven.

It lends itself to a casual, relaxed event,” says

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is for the ‘Zesty’ Wedding Breakfast; a thin cut lemon marmalade with champagne and crème de cassis.

Tel: 01780 450774, www.thepickledvillage. co.uk, Bulwick Village Store, Bulwick NN17 3DY

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W E D D ING PLANNING SPE CIAL

Happily Ever After Plan your dream wedding effortlessly as Isabella Hamnett picks some of Market Harborough’s most stylish shops, salons and venues...

Wedding Belles

With over 24 years’ experience, you are in very safe hands when you visit this charming bridal shop in the pretty town of Kibworth. Debbie believes that choosing your wedding gown should be one of the most pleasurable experiences of your lifetime, and her intimate boutique reflects this. A traditional, personal and completely private environment is coupled with contemporary surroundings and large mirrored fitting rooms to make choosing your gown stress-free. Wedding Belles stocks a wide selection of beautiful gowns for every possible taste, whether you envisage something traditional, with a vintage vibe or with clean, modern lines. Prices start from just £500 up to around £2000, allowing for all budgets.

Proudly carrying out the majority of alterations themselves, costs are kept to a minimum.

Pictured is the Bellini dress (£1295), from the boutique’s bestselling ‘Forget Me Not’ range of dresses, all made in the UK. Wedding Belles, 8-10 High Street, Kibworth Beauchamp, LE8 OLR, Tel: 01162 792217, www.weddingbellesonline.co.uk

Cot ‘N’ Togs

Local mums Gail and Sue showcase their beautifully handmade children’s garments in their delightful Market Harborough shop, amongst a treasure trove of enchanting toys, puppets, party bags and crafts. For an entirely unique bridesmaid dress, why not choose their classically pretty Isabelle style, retailing at just £25.00, perfect for a traditional British wedding with a vintage vibe? Featuring a button back and tie-sides, this dress is in pure cotton, making it incredibly comfortable for even the smallest bridesmaid to enjoy wearing.

Cot’N’Togs, 3 Church Street, Market Harborough, Tel: 01858 468568, www.cotntogs.co.uk

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Happy Hats Choosing headwear can be a little daunting, but rest assured, a visit to Happy Hats & Accessories in Market Harborough is a friendly and fun experience.

Ann is warm and bubbly, encouraging customers to bring along their outfit and to try a multitude of hats, fascinators and accessories. Some of the headpieces can be ordered in a choice of colours, ensuring that you make a unique entrance. There is a charming selection of British made jewellery that will not only compliment a special outfit, but would also make the perfect bridesmaid gift. Ensure that you stand a head and shoulders above the rest with a trip to Happy Hats!

Happy Hats, 28 Church Street, Market Harborough, Tel: 01858 466849 www.happy-hats.co.uk

JR Centrepieces

If you are looking to really wow your guests with something extra special, then this is the place to come. Create a magical environment that your guests will never forget, whether you are planning a winter wonderland wedding, glittering summer event, or a sparkling crystal evening meal. JR Centre pieces provide the backup, support and equipment to make your wedding stunning and unique. Based in Leicestershire, this vibrant, imaginative and friendly company can provide crystal trees, submerged flowers, willow arrangements or bubble tubes for up to 80 tables and will both deliver and collect to your location.

JR Centrepieces, Tel: 01858 440300, 07920 162104, jrcentrepieces@gmail.com

Rushton Hall Rushton Hall is a magnificent Grade I listed hotel and spa situated in rolling Northamptonshire countryside. A fabulous building steeped in history, the beauty of the Hallmakes the perfect romantic setting for a fairytale wedding or civil partnership. Create magical memories within the Hall and grounds, while the splendid courtyard is ideal for an al fresco drinks reception. Rushton Hall can cater for your every requirement, providing inspirational food and wines, incorporating seasonal and local produce. Luxurious accommodation is available with 45 individually styled bedrooms or for that memorable night, why not book The Oak Bed Chamber, The Dukes Room or The Adam bed Chamber, one of Rushton’s deluxe four poster rooms.

Rushton Hall, Rushton, Northamptonshire, NN14 1RR, Tel: 01536 713001, enquiries@rushtonhall.com

Brides and Belles

This independent bridal boutique ensures a warm welcome and stocks a carefully selected range of beautiful gowns to suit all tastes, whether you are looking for something classically delicate, and hand-beaded or chic, simple and contemporary. The airy and light-filled shop beautifully showcases their dresses, together with a range of pretty bridesmaid’s dresses, bridal shoes, veils, tiaras, hair accessories and jewellery to complete the perfect bridal outfit. Whether you are planning a traditional wedding, a small intimate occasion, or jetting off for a tropical beach wedding the experienced staff at Brides and Belles are confident that they can find your perfect wedding dress.

Brides and Belles, 88 Leicester Rd, Wigston, Leicestershire LE18 1DR, Tel: 0116 288 3600, www.bridesandbelleswigston.co.uk

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Gardners Cakery Tempting delights abound in this charmingly quaint cake shop on Church Street in Market Harborough. Picture windows beautifully display cakes, biscuits and party ware, while inside glass cake stands lend a vintage feel.

This family run business has over 100 years experience in creating unique custom made cakes for every conceivable occasion, while retaining that delicious home baked taste that shop-bought cakes so often lack. In 2013, Gardners made over an astounding 340 wedding cakes! From rich traditional fruit cakes laced with sherry, to a lighter than air chocolate, lemon, madeira, angel, red velvet, coffee or egg free sponge, the choice really is yours.

Gardners can create a fabulously decadent tower of cupcakes, a popular choice amongst fashionable wedding planners; cupcake flavours include the very British strawberries and cream or deliciously naughty chocolate orange and lemon. If a dramatic three-tier centrepiece is more your style, then Gardners create designs to cater for every taste.

Gardners Cakery offers a personal consultation service, giving the opportunity for clients to view their incredible portfolio of designs and range of display cakes – and of course the proof is in the tasting! Any designs can be adapted to individual specification and they do encourage brides to bring along swatches, pictures and any personal ideas for inspiration to help create your dream wedding cake. While you are in the shop, you will be hard-pushed to resist one of the freshly baked delights of their Daily Bake Shop, using traditional recipes, you may find Apple and Cinnamon or Lemon Drizzle...Mmmmm!

Gardners cakery, 8b Church Street, Market Harborough, LE16 7AA, Tel: 01858 468042, www.gardnerscakery.co.uk

Moko

This hair and beauty salon is a real jewel in Market Harborough’s crown, offering city centre style hairdressing and treatments in a rural location. Step into the salon and you are ensured a genuinely friendly welcome and a smart, efficient service. Within its traditional interior, Moko’s decor is cool, chic and elegant.

The laid-back vibe makes you feel instantly relaxed, while as Wedding Hair specialists, the team at Moko are reassuringly professional.

Moko are happy to put together a tailor-made bridal hair package (prices start from £70), whether at the salon or in the comfort of your

own home, using Aveda products.

Moko’s beauty team at The Beautique also provide a Wedding make-up package (prices start at £60), with a personal consultation and individual recommendations on colour and your desired finish.

Excitingly, this month sees the launch of Airbase makeup at Moko’s; as seen on the X-Factor and Strictly Come Dancing, this revolutionary style of make-up creates a durable and flawless finish. Combining the heatresistant and pliable properties of silicone with vitamins A and E, the technique is perfect for brides looking to create a perfect image that will last throughout the day, and quite probably for most of the night too!

Moko, 2 Church Street, Market Harborough, LE16 7AA, Tel: 01858 432525, www.mokohair.co.uk

day, you can have the luxury of sipping on a complimentary glass of champagne.

March Hair, 9 Church Square, Market Harborough, LE16 7NB, Tel: 01858 469656, www.march-hair.co.uk

Delizioso Trained chefs Danilo Trozzi and Alison Artherton have brought all the passion from their years spent in Italy back to their kitchens in Market Harborough, resulting in sublimely delicious and authentic cuisine and the utmost attention to detail. The duo provide a full wedding package, and will be on hand on the day to organise your wedding reception, meaning that you can relax and enjoy yourselves. Flawless service accompanies both buffets and plated meals, and with delicious menus offering everything from lobster and king prawn ravioli or spicy salami and pea risotto to slow roasted belly of pork or spinach and cheese stuffed chicken breast; the only difficulty will be in deciding which to have on your magical day.

Delizioso, 46A Northampton Road, Market Harborough, LE16 9HE, Tel: 01858 433570, www.deliziosocateres.co.uk

March Hair ‘To deliver above our guests expectations’ is the March Hair motto, and on entering the smart salon, it is immediately evident that March hair are an attentive and professional team. There is a simple and comprehensive menu of Wedding Services (prices start at £90 including a trial), with an initial consultation giving the bride-to-be ample opportunity to browse through March Hair’s portfolios or to bring along your own inspirational pictures should you wish to.

The relaxing environment gives you a chance to step away from pre-wedding stresses while your stylist does all the hard work!Choose to look natural, classic or avant-garde, safe in the knowledge that your dream style will be effortlessly achieved. Should you enjoy your appointment in the salon on your special RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING FEBRUARY 2014

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the perfect backdrop to your wedding day

Clear spanmarquees marquees for Clear span forallalloccasions occasions Chairs, tables,bars, bars,dance dance fl floors Chairs, tables, oorsand andlighting lighting black star cloth linings. Lining of local village halls IvoryIvory andand black star cloth linings • Lining of local village halls Venue dressing and event co-ordination Venue dressing and event co-ordination Free home or on site consultations Free home or on site consultations

Wedding Fair 23rd February 11am-4pm free admission.

Please quote ‘Rutland Living February’ when enquiring to receive our latest offers

info@rutlandmarquees.co.uk info@rutlandmarquees.co.uk www.rutlandmarquees.co.uk www.rutlandmarquees.co.uk 07971 867069 729201 07971 867069 -– 01780 01780 729201

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All Cakes Made To Order Tel: 01858 468042 8b Church Street, Market Harborough LE16 7AA Licensed for Civil Ceremonies

www.gardnerscakery.co.uk

Selection of rooms available each with its own ceremony room and outside facilities to hold your drinks reception and evening BBQ or Hog Roast Barnsdale Hair and Beauty on hand to offer relaxing treatments and pre-wedding hair and make-up packages for the bride and bridesmaids 66 Bedrooms with many enjoying spectacular views over Rutland Water and surrounding Countryside

Bespoke Catering...

Barnsdale Hall Hotel

Barnsdale Hall Hotel, Nr Oakham, Rutland, LE15 8AB Tel: 01572 757 901 | www.barnsdalehotel.co.uk

For advice and further information please contact M 07778 227 734 E info@saramcallister.co.uk www.saramcallister.co.uk

saramcallister

PROFESSIONAL CATERING

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W E D D ING PLANNING SPE CIAL

A Selection of Fabulous Local Wedding Venues experience.

Venue hire costs are variable depending on the day you are looking to get married on and whether you were looking for the ceremony, breakfast or full event.

Contact: Oundle Mill, Barnwell Road, Northamptonshire PE8 5PB, Tel: 01832 272621, info@oundlemill.co.uk, www. oundlemill.co.uk

Barnsdale Hall Hotel

Burghley House

Barnsdale Hall Hotel is set in conservation parkland, overlooking the magnificent views of Rutland Water, making it the ideal venue for a wedding. The manicured gardens work in time with the seasons and are a romantic backdrop for wedding photographs.

Check out the website for menus and even reception suggestions as well as special offers such as a one-stop shop on selected dates with an all-inclusive cost which includes the full wedding reception, a drinks package and complimentary accommodation for the bride and bridegroom.

Contact: Barnsdale Hall Hotel, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 8AB Tel: 01572 757901 or logon to: www.barnsdalehotel.co.uk

Create your own unique wedding at Burghley and choose the location for your wedding ceremony from three licensed rooms including the romantic Summerhouse for an intimate civil ceremony of up to 20 people, the Elizabethan Great Hall with double hammerbeam ceiling and roaring fireplace, or the sunlit Orangery with its adjacent rose garden Professional and dedicated staff will guide you through your preparations and in-house caterers Absolute Taste are on hand to create your perfect menu complete with fabulous wines and exceptional service.

Contact: Holly Cammarata-Hall, Burghley House, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 3JY Tel: 01780 761992, www.burghley.co.uk email: holly.cammarata-hall@burghley.co.uk

Hambleton Hall Hotel The ultimate in small country house hotels and one of the region’s favourite Michelin starred fine dining destinations. There are four rooms in which civil ceremonies can be held: the Study and Croquet Pavilion each seat 12, the Private Dining Room seats 20, whilst the Main Dining Room seats 40 and can be combined with the Private Dining Room for 64.

For further details logon to www. hambletonhall.com or call Tel: 01572 756991

Barnsdale Lodge Hotel and Restaurant Barnsdale Lodge hotel and restaurant has a choice of private function rooms enabling it to accommodate a wedding from 20 to 200. For larger evening receptions, there is the barn adjacent to the hotel where anything from 50 to 200 guests can be accommodated. Not only will they provide the party with their delicious food and an impeccable service but the team at Barnsdale can also organise Fireworks, Bands, DJs and entertainers to make your after party go off with a bang. With 45 en-suite bedrooms, there’s plenty of accommodation for your guests to stay the night.

Contact: Barnsdale Lodge Hotel, The Avenue, Exton, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 8AH, Tel: 01572 724678

Oundle Mill If you are looking for a stylish, yet intimate and romantic wedding venue for up to 100 people, Oundle Mill may be the perfect choice for you. The Mill’s reputation for award winning food and wine, chic surroundings and a laid back atmosphere will all come together to ensure that your special day will be a unique

Stapleford Park Voted one of the top 50 wedding venues in the UK, Stapleford Park is the perfect location to celebrate your dream wedding day. Whether it’s a small intimate gathering or a grand scale wedding breakfast, this luxury country house hotel with landscaped grounds, designed by Capability Brown, offers a truly magical location.

Additionally, Stapleford Park has its own beautiful Church of St Mary Magdalene on the estate grounds which make a perfect place for a Blessing.

For further details email weddings@ stapleford.co.uk, call Tel: 01572 787017 or visit www.staplefordpark.com/weddings/

The Rutland Marquee Company – Helping you to realise your wedding dreams A lot of effort needs to go in to planning any event, especially a wedding and the Rutland Marquee Company can ensure that every step of the way is enjoyable and exciting with an on site consultation Hannah. Hannah will endeavour to tailor the complete marquee package to your individual budget. Says Tom, owner, “We have years of experience and, whilst we may not be able to whittle down your guest-list for you, we can help with etiquette, seating plans, and all of the special gestures that will help to make your wedding even more memorable”.

For further details: 5 Charter View Cottages, Station Road, North Luffenham LE15 8LF Tel: Tom Dodson 01780 729201, mob 07971867069, www.rutlandmarquees.co.uk

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W E D D ING PLANNING SPE CIAL

Heavenly Honeymoons Oman & the Maldives Best between January and March, this dual destination offers the best in Arabic indulgence alongside idyllic beach hideaways set in the Maldives. Begin in Oman for some serious pampering. Lounging in private havens with an average temperature of 25 degrees Oman is the perfect destination to acclimatize and begin the wedding de-stress.

Head to the Maldives by seaplane for the next stage of your romantic retreat. Charismatic and luxurious, serene and inspiring, the Maldives is made up of 1190 islands each of which is made up of private beaches and islets interlaced with luxury resorts. This combination is the perfect honeymoon for couples who love to indulge in a little cultural adventure with a chance to top up the tan before heading home.

Namibia & Botswana Climb giant wind-carved sand dunes and canoe the Selinda Spillway in an action packed honeymoon to Namibia and Botswana. With such a vast and desolate landscape, the Skeleton Coast is best viewed by air. Namibia offers the ultimate safari experience, exploring the desolate landscape as well as tracking leopards and cheetahs. May’s dry season offers the best conditions for game viewing which coincides perfectly with Botswana’s annual migration of birds, which flock to the Okavango Delta to bask in the warmer weather.

Skim past watering holes and view ‘the big five’ from your own canoe as you travel leisurely along the Selinda Spillway, an incredibly rare and exciting activity.

Malaysia & Borneo Wildlife loving couples should head to the Taman Negara National Park to tread the world’s longest canopy walk and generally experience the ultimate Malaysian rainforest experience. Split in two by the South China Sea, Malaysia is home to Chinese and Indian flavours whilst Borneo houses the must see Orangutan sanctuaries. Sandakan, described as the gate way to the interior rainforests of Borneo is well and truly off the beaten track, the perfect place to explore together and immerse yourselves in the jungle experience.

Indonesia & Lombok Travel to Indonesia for a fascinating mix of architecture, cuisine and local customs. We would suggest starting in Java, in particular amongst the striking surroundings of the Amanjiwo Valley, the perfect place to begin a romantic honeymoon. If you can face an early morning trip, it’s also worth a trip to the Borobudur Temple at sunrise to capture fantastic views of the mountains. Head to Lombok for ultimate relaxation and picture perfect beaches – the Medana beaches in particular are said to be the best in Indonesia - an area that is relatively unexplored. Diving and snorkeling amidst the lagoons of the Karimunjawa Archipelago is an activity eagerly suggested by us for those honeymooners keen to take a break from the sun lounger.

With average temperatures reaching 31 degrees Celsius from October through to December, this honeymoon blend is the perfect escape from the British winter and a chance to immerse yourselves in a romantic fusion of cultures like no other.

• For details of all these honeymoons or for any other honeymoon destinations and advice on luxury world travel, contact: Savvi Travel – Tel: 01572 842012, www.savvitravel.co.uk

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Rutland’s only independent Luxury Travel Specialist

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VISIT US AT OUR NEW LARGE SHOWROOM We have a large selection of the latest contemporary stoves by all leading manufacturers

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HIST ORY

Chocolate The Food of Love Caroline Aston suggests chocolate as the preferred gift for Valetine’s Day 2014

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ike a pearl in an oyster our dark, dank February contains that fluffy pink hamperful of happiness we call Valentine’s Day. No sooner have the Crimbo deccos been consigned to the loft than perfume bottles sprout glitzy bows and the chocolate boxes morph from oblong to heart-shaped and the prices of both rocket skywards. Bars and bistros the length of the land produce (pricey!) menus with an aphrodisiac twist and lay in stocks of long-stemmed red roses (life expectancy around a day) and turn the lighting levels down to romantic gloom…..sound familiar? Of course it does - but the real essence of all this lurve stuff just has to be the CHOCOLATE! This ultimate feel-good foodstuff has a fascinating history. Its raw material is the seeds of the Latin American cacao tree, an evergreen botanical diva highly susceptible to fungi and pests in its youth. Its flowers grow directly from its trunk and are fertilised by the humble midge.

Only around 30 of these blossoms are destined to mature into the pods holding those precious seeds which are scraped out along with their surrounding pulp and left to ferment in the hot sun, vital for good flavour in chocolate-making.

After fermenting these seeds or beans are dried out, losing 50% of their weight making the average yield of a single tree just 1-2lb so this is precious stuff indeed.

Mayan and Aztec civilizations adored the stuff, frothing it by pouring it from pot to

pot, a kind of antique chocochinno, and drinking it cold. They invented sweetened chocolate by adding honey and made oodles of cash trading this seductive substance. Christopher Columbus captured a bean-bearing Mayan ship in 1502 but had no idea what to do with the cargo and it was left to Cortes and his conquistadores about 20 years later to plumb the secret of the ‘black almonds’ as they called the cacao seeds. Chocolate was launched into Europe and has never looked back.

In the seventeenth century it was seen as medicinal and the Italians were mixing it with polenta. It was on sale in London by 1657 along with a recipe booklet explaining how to make the stuff into a drink and diarist Samuel Pepys was partial to it. Chocolate houses, the ancestors of gentlemen’s clubs, sprang up and the chi-chi Garrick Club of today began life as ‘The Cocoa-Tree Chocolate-House’. It could be dangerous stuff too - chocolate proved an ideal disguise for poison and in 1774 Pope Clement XIV died, it was believed, after drinking a toxic bowlful probably administered by a disgruntled Jesuit whose chocolate-loving order he had suppressed the year before! By now people were eating the stuff too in slabs and pastilles, ices and sorbets and even added to meat and pasta dishes. This was a full-fat delicacy, very rich indeed and a heart attack in waiting!

1828 saw the invention of a screw-press which extracted most of the fatty ’cocoa butter’ from the chocolate paste that became known as cocoa. The excess butter ended up being

added to ground beans and moulded into meltin-the-mouth blocks. By 1842 two brothers called Cadbury were selling block chocolate and the Fry family followed them in 1847 but this was a high-end luxury. Import duty on cacao beans was high so cocoa, a cheap by-product, became the poor man’s chocolate fix. Rodolphe Lindt increased cocoa butter content in 1880 and milk chocolate appeared in 1876, the result of a collaboration between Swiss confectioner Daniel Peter and Henri Nestle, inventor of dried milk. The rest, as they say. Is history.

On-line chocolate sales soar as Valentine’s Day (which strictly speaking should be called St. Valentine’s Day, remember!) approaches but I just love a stroll down Oakham High Street revealing any number of sweet delicacies to make me drool. My mother used to tell tales of long-vanished sweet shops, of handrolled cones of waxed paper being filled with misshapen toffees and chocolates and put into her eager, hot little hands which melted the contents and fused them into a glorious lump of lusciousness. One of her prized possessions was an old chocolate box, the lid adorned with a morbidly obese and highly coloured Cupid and faded red ribbon bow, bought for her by an admirer long, long ago from the once famous Whittles grocery shop (Oakham’s Harrods Food Hall!) which stood somewhere near what is now the Melton Mowbray Building Society. That box still held the Ghost of Chocolate Past and the hint of forgotten romance. So whether your chocolate pile be large or small this Valentine’s Day enjoy each wicked mouthful and remember that you really are eating history.

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E ATI N G OUT

The Lighthouse - Great Cooking, Relaxed Ambience, Modest Prices Every locality needs a Lighthouse to show the way towards top quality, informal dining, Nicholas Rudd-Jones believes

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e paid our second visit to The Lighthouse in Kibworth recently to see how things had settled down since its opening, and found an establishment that has truly got into its stride and is clearly very popular with its clientele. Sarah & Lino Poli and their excellent kitchen and front of house team are cooking and serving with great assurance and aplomb.

To cap its first year, it was recently awarded the accolade of a Bib Gourmand (‘good cooking at moderate prices’) by the 2014 Michelin Guide.

The citation read: “The appealing menu has its emphasis firmly on fresh seafood, offering everything from fish and chips to lobster.”

The secret of this place is that it successfully combines informality with good quality cooking, wrapped up in a friendly welcome and excellent service. The night we went there was a buzz about the place that got us into the spirit of things immediately.

The menu has something for every mood; pop in ‘early doors’ and enjoy their nibbles and tipples and spend as little as you like; or at the other end, indulge in the ‘Captain’s Table’, where the kitchen simply serves what they think is the best of the menu. You give them the guidelines,

your likes and dislikes and they do the rest.

We took the middle ground and went for a three-course meal. We started with the ‘Nibbles’, incredibly good value at £3.50 or so each, with the fifth one free if you order four.

We enjoyed, amongst other dishes, ‘Baby chilli pepper stuffed with tuna’ and ‘Beetroot cured smoked salmon with crème fraiche and rye croutons’.

For the mains Elli chose a ‘Seafood Chowder’, which she declared to be rich and delicious; and I was blown away by the ‘Pan fried black bream with squid ink spelt risotto and chorizo’– one of the best dishes that I have had anywhere over the last year.

Desserts played their role of indulgent treats to perfection. We shared ‘Chocolate and salted caramel tart’ and a ‘Pear tart tartin and vanilla ice cream’.

The menu changes often, and is supported by a strong wine list. The Lighthouse definitely rocked our boat!

• The Lighthouse, Kibworth, No. 9 Station Street, Kibworth Beauchamp, LE8 0LN Tel: 0116 279 6260, www.lighthousekibworth.co.uk

A Moment’s Perfection at the Wicked Witch Just once every blue moon everything comes together with a dining experience – perfect hospitality, perfect food, engaging conversation – and just such a lucky experience happened to us on our Sunday lunch trip to the Wicked Witch in Ryhall. Words: Nicholas Rudd-Jones

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e were greeted warmly by Dom and his team, and the service was immaculate and informal throughout our meal. The starters were very inventive – David’s perhaps being the most notable of all – a chicken liver & Foie Gras parfait, with pickled white raisins, orange marmalade and ginger bread. Dom suggested a dessert wine to go with it, which complemented it perfectly. David’s straightforward analysis – “The best pâté I have ever tasted.” The bread is from the Hambleton Bakery and butter from the Lincolnshire poacher dairy – they get all the little details right too.

The mains have all the characteristics you want from a Sunday lunch… chunky bits of meat, crackling, perfectly roasted potatoes…but somehow they are also much more than that, with delicate touches that make them exquisite as well as homely.

Sammy had slow roast sirloin of beef, with (a very large) Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes and red wine gravy. I had the roast local pork loin with crackling and apple sauce; whilst David took another direction, really enjoying a roast wild char with scallops, mussels and king prawns. The dishes were accompanied by excellent vegetables.

You really only need two courses…at an incredibly good value £18.95 for lunch (or £22.95 for 3 courses), But Dom ‘forced our hands’ and we had to try what he described as ‘the best dessert you will ever experience in the world’ – a white chocolate and passion fruit Delice with pistachio ice cream - so three forks, one dessert and I think it took us less than a minute until all evidence of dessert had been expunged. A perfect moment.

All in all, pub prices, Michelin-style cooking. Hard to beat.

• Wicked Witch, Bridge Street, Ryhall, PE9 4HH, Tel: 01780 763649, www.ryhallwitch.co.uk

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OUNDLE MILL

DINE FOR £18.95 ON THURSDAYS Every Thursday, for lunch or dinner, you can experience our delicious Mill menu for £18.95 for 3 courses.

During lunch times only you can enjoy 2 courses for £15.95.

SET MENU Our set menu offers a selection of mouth-watering dishes and is perfect to enjoy for lunch or dinner.

Starters £3.00 • Mains £12.00 • Desserts £3.00 The set menu is available for lunch and dinner on Wednesdays and Fridays and for lunch on Saturdays.

SUNDAY LUNCH • 2 courses £19.50 • 3 courses £22.50 Children’s Sunday lunch 2 courses £9.75 • 3 courses £11.25 Sunday lunch is served between 12.00 and 16.00

VALENTINE’S AT THE MARQUESS We will be offering a special menu for all you romantics and why not stay over too?

All rooms will be offered at a discounted rate of £65 for standard and £75 for superior for those dining with us.

COOKING WITH GAME MONDAY 24TH FEBRUARY Come and get some great ideas for cooking with game and enjoy a 2 course lunch and glass of wine, all for £35 per person

LUNCH FOR EVEN LESS We have teamed up with seven other restaurants to offer a special lunch menu from Monday to Saturday throughout January, February and March 2 x courses £12.95 and 3 x courses for £15.95 (excludes Valentine’s Day)

LUNCH & DINNER, 7 DAYS A WEEK

VALENTINE’S TASTER MENU £38.50 per person Available on Friday 14th and Saturday 15th February 2014.

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

For more information or to make a reservation please contact us at 52 Main Street, Lyddington, Uppingham, Rutland LE15 9LT • Tel: 01572 822 477 email: info@marquessexeter.co.uk www.marquessexeter.co.uk 33

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Dine for less at The Plough

Th

e Pl

am ough Greeth

Two for £15 offer available Mon-Fri 12.30pm - 2.30pm and 5.30pm - 7.30pm

Sunday Lunch: 12 – 4pm - 2 courses £12.95 Bookings now being taken for Valentine’s 23 Main Street, Greetham, Rutland LE15 7NJ Tel: 01572 813613 - www.theplough-greetham.co.uk

GOOD FOOD & FINE ALES ALL SERVED IN A TRADITIONAL PUB ATMOSPHERE

Wedding Show

Photo courtesy of Milly Futter Photography

The East of England Valentines

Goody Bag for the first 250 Brides Over 80 stands Free Glass of Bubbly Catwalk Shows Free Parking

Org a by - nised C We upids ddi Sho ng ws

SUNDAY 16 FEBRUARY TH

10.30am – 4.00pm The East of England Showground, Peterborough Tel: 07738 912092 / 01775 765385 for details www.cupidsweddingshows.com

The Regions Greatest Wedding Show

Free Bridal Directory

The George & Dragon Country Inn

T

om & Ginny Martin look forward to welcoming you to their family run, traditional free house country Inn, where you can enjoy a cosy and friendly atmosphere with a range of well kept cask ales and a wide choice of fine wines.

Delicious homemade dishes using the finest quality ingredients by Head Chef Stuart Hobbs.

Special Valentines Menu Available mantic The perfect ro day venue for Sun ay Lunch, Saturd f steaks and hal e menu price a la cart ursday Tuesday to Th

Free Prize Draw Admission: £4.00 Everything you need to plan your special day all under one roof

The George and Dragon Country Inn 2 Main Street, Seaton, Oakham, Rutland LE15 9HU Tel: 01572 747773 - www.the-george-and-dragon-country-inn.co.uk

bat and bottle Specialist importers of Italian wines Original since 1994 After 10 years on Pillings Road we have moved to: 18D Oakham Enterprise Park Ashwell Road Oakham Rutland LE15 7TU 01572 759735 post@batwine.co.uk www.batwine.co.uk

Opening Hours Mon-Sat 8am-6pm Sunday 10am-4pm

Fresh Food

www.farndonfieldsfarmshop.co.uk

Farndon Fields Farm, Farndon Road Market Harborough, Leics LE16 9NP 34

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22/01/2014 14:00

Orangeries | Conservatories | Contemporary Extensions | Verandas

Visit our show home Ketton Design House, 63 High Street, Ketton, Rutland, PE9 3TE

Opening hours Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm, Saturday 10am - 4pm, Sunday by appointment only

01780 400 500 | www.breckenridgeconservatories.co.uk

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B R I N G I N G L OCA L FOOD T O LIFE

Brewing up a storm Matt Wright visits a local brewery and helps to design a beer…

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About the writer Matt Wright founded and runs Greatfoodmag.co.uk and Greatfoodclub.co.uk, two Leicestershirebased websites that celebrate and promote local food and drink.

His Great Food Club Handbook 2013/14 is out now.

few months ago I met a local brewer called Steve Saldana in – appropriately – Stamford’s Jolly Brewer pub. Steve is from Texas and is head brewer and founder of Peterborough’s Bexar (pronounced ‘Bear’) County Brewery. We had been introduced through Andrew Morgan, owner of The Ale Room website – which sells bottled beers from the likes of Oakham’s Grainstore Brewery and Market Deeping’s Hopshackle Brewery – and the aim of our meeting was to plan a collaborative Bexar/Great Food Club beer.

In front of the pub fire we decided to try to create a drop of our own that would work beautifully with cheeses and charcuterie.

It would be a pale-coloured, mildly citrussy beer with plenty of hop aroma but without an in-your-face hoppiness on the palate.

We wanted to give our beer a malty spiciness and a strength that would cut through fats to refresh the mouth, but also, of course, taste great. A few weeks later I was at Steve’s brewery in Peterborough, ready to brew…

Join Matt’s food club – Great Food Club – free of charge and discover the very best local food and drink.

Members can enjoy special offers at around 100 handpicked independent pubs, restaurants, producers and farm shops www.greatfooodclub.co.uk/join

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HOW WE MADE IT…

1.

Steve identified four types of malts to provide the taste we wanted: Maris Otter Pale, Caragold, Munich and White Wheat. I tried all four and the difference in the flavour of each was huge. Using different malts is the first tool a brewer can use in his quest to create different styles and flavours.

2.

In a large vessel (the mash tun), the malts were added to 180 gallons of water raised to 81°C (but falling to 65°C once mixed with the malts). This was left to mash for an hour, during which time the malts release sugars. The hotter the water in which the grains mash, the thicker the mouthfeel of the final beer.

3.

After an hour, some of the liquid (now referred to as ‘wort’) was drained and tipped back on top of the grain bed. This process is known as ‘vorlauf’ and helps to clarify the wort. After the ‘vorlauf’, the mash was sprinkled with hot water – known as sparging – to extract even more sugar.

6.

4.

During the sparge, all the wort was drained from the mash tun and transferred into the copper kettle, where it was boiled for exactly 60 minutes. Steve stressed the importance of ensuring it was a rolling boil, not just a simmer – crucial for driving out oxygen and encouraging various chemical processes. The length of the boil is another tool that the brewer can use to control characteristics of the final beer.

5.

During the boil, two types of hops were introduced. Nugget was added with 15 minutes of the boil to go and Pacific Gem was thrown in at the end. The earlier that the hops are added, the more hop flavour and bitterness is imparted. The layered additions of hops during the boil is a real art form as it can have a huge impact on final flavour. At the end of the boil we also added 50g of peppercorns to introduce spiciness.

7.

Finally, the wort was put through a heat exchange (dropping the temp from 100°C to 22°C ) and into the fermentation tank. Yeast was added – a Belgian variety that gives a spicy flavour. Getting the wort temperature down is crucial as yeast is most active at 20-25C. The wort was left to ferment for two weeks and then transferred to cask until ready to drink.

The final specific gravity was 1070, which should produce a 6.7% beer.

8.

After the brew, the spent malts were picked up by Peterborough farmers Alan Durose and Matthew Clifton.

After the boil, the wort was transferred from the kettle to the fermenting tank via clean pipes. On its way, the liquid was passed through a ‘hopback’ containing Cascade and Citra hops. Using a hopback allows you to introduce hop aroma rather than intense hop flavour. Because the hops aren’t boiled in the wort but merely passed through, they don’t release as much of their potent oil.

INTRODUCING KAAS BIER… A month later I returned to taste the beer. I was impressed. Aromas of banana, caramel, spice and strawberry hit the nose. Then the 6.7% ABV pale-golden beer transferred this fruitiness to the palate – along with sweet, peppery spice – before giving way to a crisp, bitter finish. We named it Kaas Bier (‘kaas’ is Flemish for ‘cheese’) because it has similar characteristics to certain Belgian Trappist beers and goes superbly with a cheeseboard. For a short time only, Kaas Bier is available to buy through The Ale Room website.

RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING FEBRUARY 2014

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Oak House Residential Care Home for the Elderly ‘Cost Sector Catering Awards 2013’ Winner of Care Catering Category

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D IA RY DAT E S

WHAT’S ON Amander Meade selects some of the best entertainment in the region this month Throughout February at Rutland Water Choose from Hedge laying for Beginners, Watercolour Painting with Alan Oliver, Build a Nesting Box (and learn about garden birds), Willow Weaving for Gardeners or join in one of the regular Friday walks guided by nature expert, Terry Mitcham.

Full details of the spring programme at www. rutlandwater.org.uk/event-list

Sunday 23 February, between 11am and 3pm EVENT: Snowdrop Walk Visitors can banish the winter blues and enjoy seeing signs of life appearing in the gardens and woodlands. The gardeners at Kelmarsh are also appealing for unusual varieties of snowdrops they can’t find on sale commercially. Full details are on the website. Admission £3 with under fives free and dogs on leads most welcome.

Kelmarsh Hall. www.kelmarsh.com

Tuesday 4 February, 2.30pm and 7.30pm EVENT: Phantom Love the Musical Written by local musician Tracey Dene Powell and performed by students from Oakham’s Catmose College and the City of Leicester Male Voice Choir. A moving musical telling the story of the bravery of the WWI troops.

Further information and tickets at £10/£7 Tel: 0116 242 3595 or www.curveonline.co.uk Friday 9 February MUSIC: The Josh Kemp Quartet As part of his national tour, rising tenor star Josh Kemp brings his quartet to Harborough Jazz for the first time. Josh brings with him an outstanding supporting trio.

The Angel Hotel, High St, Market Harborough. Admission £15/£13 Tuesday 11 to Monday 24 February, 10am to 4pm EVENT: Spring Flower Fortnight Enjoy Barnsdale Gardens as nature bursts into life this spring. There will be special discounts available on Hellebores plus new and inspiring courses for craft lovers.

To find out more about all the courses and events at Barnsdale, Tel: 01572 813 200 or visit www.barnsdalegardens.co.uk Wednesday 12 February, 7pm for 7.30pm start EVENT: Ashley Film Night This month’s film will be ‘Summer in February’ (15). In the days leading up to World War I, a colony of artists in coastal Cornwall contends with love and loss in this period drama.

Tickets £5 from Adrian Forsell Tel: 01858 565410 Saturday 15 February EVENT: Charity Ball for Children with Cancer The ball will be hosted by comedian Bobby Davro, with a special guest appearance from ex Manchester United and England player, Dion Dublin. Music will be provided by ‘The Establishment’. Tickets include a Champagne Reception, three course dinner, and table wine.

Northamptonshire Cricket Club Tickets £60 at charityball@igloobooks.com Saturday 22 February, 7.30pm LECTURE: Tom Hart Dyke – ‘The Plant Nut’ Tom is a plants man and gardener and heir

to Lullingstone Castle in Kent where he built and curates his ‘World of Plants. Having had many adventures on his travels including being captured in the Colombian Jungle, Tom will present the 2014 Celebrity Lecture organised by the Rutland Group of the Hardy Plant Society Wilson Auditorium at Oakham School. Tickets £15 to include refreshments via an application form at the HPS website at www.hpsrutland.btck.co.uk Sunday 23 February, 10.30am to 3pm EVENT: Wedding Fair A chance for couples to browse the services of some of the region’s wedding experts and providers from flowers to photography and everything in between. Barnsdale Hall Hotel, near Oakham Admission is free. Details from Julie McRoberts Tel: 01572 725181 Thursday 27 February, from 7pm EVENT: An Evening with Sir Ranulph Fiennes Sir Ranulph will speak about his life and adventures during an evening which includes a drinks reception followed by dinner.

Tickets are £75 per person with proceeds donated to the Children’s Air Ambulance. Barnsdale Lodge, Oakham. Tickets and information Tel: 01572 724678

Book early for...

The brand new Leicester Music Festival Leicester is set to welcome some great artists including Aswad, The Real Thing, Professor Green, Soul II Soul and Billy Ocean with new acts joining the line up all the time. The unique line-up will showcase sixteen acts across two days, spanning soul, urban, rock, reggae, pop and R’n’B. Leicester Music Festival (LMF) will be held at Welford Road Stadium from midday to 10.30pm on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 July 2014.

A limited number of early bird tickets are available, priced £37.50 from www. theticketfactory.com.

Further information at www.leicestermusicfestival. co.uk RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING FEBRUARY 2014

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A RTS & E NT E R TAINME NT

What shall we do this week?

We have some suggestions for family entertainment during this month’s half term break

For families who love the great outdoors…

Saturday 15 February from 10am to 12.30pm There is a packed programme of events throughout the spring and summer courtesy of the Anglian Water. We recommend the ‘Family Nest Box Challenge’ on at the Bird watching Centre at Egleton Nature Reserve on the shores of Rutland Water. Take on the challenge and provide a home for our garden wildlife. Build a nest box, make a bird feeder and become a garden expert. Booking Essential – prices start from £1 to make a feeder and £8 to make a nest box. Full details of the spring programme at www.rutlandwater.org.uk/event-list Daily at Top Lodge, Fineshade Wood Exciting play areas, wildlife and history to explore before unwinding in the cafe or browsing in the shops. There are foot trails for all abilities or family cycling routes with cycles for all ages, buggies and trailer bikes all available to hire.

Are you having a laugh? Mainstream comedians tap into a new audience and provide comedy suitable for kids…

Saturday 15 February, 2.30pm James Campbell returns with his unique comedy for children over six years old, their parents and anyone who likes comedy without the rude words.

Curve Theatre, Leicester. Tickets £6 Tel: 0116 242 3595 www.curveonline.co.uk Saturday 15 February 2pm - Comedy Club 4 Kids The best comedians from the UK circuit doing what they do best (but without the rude bits…)

Featuring Tiernan Douieb, Sara Pascoe and comedy all-star Rich Hall.

De Montfort Hall, Leicester Tickets £8 or £30 for family of four

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Holiday Fun with Wildcats Monday 17 to Friday 21 February The team at Wildcats Academy and Music School have put together a programme of activities for the week including a Strictly Come Dancing Day, a one day Junior First Aider course, Fame/Flashdance workshop, X-Factor Day, and Thriller Day. Workshops take place at the Wildcats Academy in Stamford, mostly priced at £22.50 per child.

For further details and to book places, Tel: 01780 762000 www.wildcatstheatreschool.co.uk

Storytelling and film screenings - you might even meet the Gruffalo himself! All tickets (including adults) £5. (Approx running time 50 minutes.)

Showtime… Stamford Arts Centre provides a fantastic week of family shows – especially appealing to younger visitors.

Monday 17 February - Roald Dahl Day Drop in between 11am and 3pm for crafts, rhymes and more. There will be film screenings repeated through the day.

Day ticket £5 for children accompanying adults free.

All events take place at Stamford Arts Centre Information and tickets Tel: 01780 763203 or www.stamfordartscentre.co.uk

Tuesday 18 February, 2pm - Dotty the Dragon Dotty is a baby fire dragon. She lives at the top of a mountain with her grumpy dad, Mr Dragon. In the village below, everyone fears for their lives, for dragon’s eat children… Or so they believe. An enchanting fairytale adventure with a very happy ending. This clever new show, written by Bill Davies, comes to life with an irresistible blend of live music, fabulous puppets and high energy storytelling. Little people aged 3 - 7 and their families will love this funny, heartwarming tale.

Tickets £7.50, Family Ticket £26 Wednesday 19 February, 11am and 2pm The Gruffalo We celebrate Julia Donaldson’s The Gruffalo, one of the world’s best-loved monsters.

Friday 21 February - Cartoon Day Drop in between 11am and 3pm for drawing, crafts and more. There will be film screenings repeated through the day. Gallery Day ticket £5 for children, accompanying adults free.

These events are suitable for 0-8 yrs - children must be accompanied.

If the weather takes a turn for the worse, some indoor fun can be found at…

The National Space Centre The UK’s largest attraction dedicated to space exploration and space science. An impressive building filled with rockets, satellites, Martian surfaces and other amazing artefacts. Everything is interactive and family friendly – sit in the UK’s largest planetarium for the 360 degree show or blast off on the world unique SIM ride. www.spacecentre.co.uk Twin Lakes Park Set in over seventy acres of countryside, Twin Lakes never feels crowded and works even in really bad weather with huge indoor play areas, animals and shows.

Great value for money and lots to keep all age groups happy for a full day even in the worst weather winter can throw at you. www.twinlakespark.co.uk

RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING FEBRUARY 2014

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L OCA L NE W S

UPDATES Uppingham Theatre Highlights for February Wednesday 12th February 7.30pm Sherlock Holmes It is 1916. Drawn from 2 year’s retirement, for the funeral of his friend Dr. Watson, Holmes returns to Baker Street to resolve ‘the last act’ of his epic career. The play explores the mind of the real man. We see Sherlock Holmes as a secretive and unexpectedly passionate man, with a cutting sense of humour. Stripping away the infamous clinical façade, Holmes reveals fears, weaknesses and the devastating consequences of the dramas of his formative years. This amazing one-man show has spell-bound audiences for over 10 years, received 5 stars at the Edinburgh Festival and rave reviews all around the world. It is an amazing piece of theatre that brings intelligence, integrity and humanity to the characterisation of Sherlock Holmes. It has been ranked alongside McLiammoir’s Oscar, Emlyn’s Dickens and Alec McCowan’s Gospel.

Friday 14th February 7.30pm How to be Immortal Henrietta Lacks died in West Virginia in 1951, but her cells are still alive today, dividing endlessly in laboratories, their every detail studied by scientists all over the world. It’s taken Deborah years to come to terms with her mother’s death. Now, suddenly, she’s got to deal with her immortality. Rosa and Mick are in love. She plays the cello, he plays the squeezebox –they sound great together. Trouble is she’s pregnant and he’s about to die. Love, death, and DNA intertwine in three twisted true tales about what we leave behind. There’s live music on cello, squeezebox and ukulele, 1950s science, nano-puppetry, and a song composed from human DNA coding.

Friday 28th February 7.30pm The Bible: The Complete Word of God (abridged) The Good Book Just Got Better! It’s apocalypse now as the three cultural guerrillas of The Reduced Shakespeare Company set their reductive sights on the good book. Yes, it’s an affectionate, irreverent roller coaster ride from fig leaves to final judgment as the bad boys of abridgement tackle the great theological questions: Did Adam and Eve have navels? Did Moses really look like Charlton Heston? And why isn’t the word “phonetic” spelt the way it sounds? Whether you are Catholic or Protestant, Muslim or Jew, Atheist or Jedi, you will be tickled by the RSC’s romp through old time religion.

• For further information and to book logon to: www.uppthearts.co.uk

Chop for CoppaFeel!

Curvy Kate lingerie model and Star in a Bra winner, Lizzie Haines, has set the bar high in her fundraising hopes and vowed to shave her head for Breast Cancer awareness charity CoppaFeel! on Valentine’s Day. No stranger to fundraising, Lizzie cut her long hair to a short bob in 2005 after her father was affected by cancer and managed to raise an impressive £3,500.

With her hair longer than ever, she has now pledged to go one better and shave her head entirely after seeing the work of CoppaFeel! at a recent lingerie event. “It’s as much about awareness and keeping it in the public eye as it is fundraising”, says Lizzie who believes the quirkiness of the event itself will grab attention as well as donations. She continues, “This is happening to women in my demographic, to women who are my friends and it is more important than ever that everyone sit up and take notice.”

CoppaFeel!‘s mission is to make sure all breast cancers are diagnosed at the earliest stage possible, making treatments more effective and survival rates higher.

Lizzie will also be shaving her head in the new CoppaFeel! Smoothie bra which goes on sale next year.

• To donate logon to: www.justgiving.com/chopforcopp or text CHOP87 £1, 2, 5 or 10 to 70070

Congratulations to lucky winner Of Heidi Kjeldsen’s Diamond Necklace Guess the Weight Competition…

Pictured here, Miss Palmer collecting on behalf of her mother, Mrs Tracy Palmer, whose guess was the closest to the actual weight of 2.6g for the whole necklace. The National Association of Goldsmith’s Independent valuation was also given, showing the necklace to be worth over £1,050.00.

Whissendine Primary School - The crème de la crème of the British state system Whissendine Primary School was recently described as ‘one of the best’ in Tatler’s guide to the country’s state schools and the best primary school in the Midlands.

Whissendine was described as “a beacon of exceptional practice in all areas of its work”, by Ofsted, which classed the school as “outstanding” for three consecutive inspections.

Executive head Rob Gooding, who is also responsible for St Nicholas in Cottesmore and Ketton primary schools, said, “Some of the things that make us special include our dedicated staff and our personalised approach to learning. Our children are encouraged to be creative, collaborate with each other and try new experiences.”

Naming 20 secondaries and 10 primaries, the guide concludes: “So here they are, the crème de la crème of the British state system.

RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING FEBRUARY 2014

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UPDAT E S

Harborough Happenings Sosennah Every explores what’s new for 2014 in Market Harborough

Baby Lurve

Spring Walk At Kelmarsh Hall and Snowdrop Wish List Banish your winter blues with an invigorating stroll around the Kelmarsh Hall gardens with a Spring Walk on Sunday 23rd February. Enjoy seeing the signs of spring appearing in the garden and woodland, and then head to the tea rooms for some warming refreshments!

Kelmarsh is appealing for help to diversify its snowdrop display as some of these spring flowers are becoming increasingly difficult to get hold of. Staff have put together a snowdrop ‘wish list’ and are calling on the help of galanthophiles – enthusiastic collectors of snowdrops – to be on the lookout for some of the rarer varieties. The list includes Anne of Geierstein; Denton, a double snowdrop with regular shaped petals and Fiona’s Gold, a snowdrop with yellow markings. The full wish list is available on www.kelmarsh.com • The gardens will be open from 11am to 3pm, admission is £3 (under fives free) and dogs on a lead are welcome.

Kelmarsh Hall, Northampton Road, NN6 9LY Tel: 01604 686543 www.kelmarsh.com

ZheebZ Look out, there is an alien about!

A new children’s franchise called ZheebZ is coming to Market Harborough and Church Langton run by a former primary school teacher, Anupa Roper (or Coach Nups!).

Cheeky ZheebZ is a weekly, educational, fitness-fun and sporty class for boys and girls aged 2-5. Coaches use a range of equipment and imagination to steer your

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Creative Looking to personalise a gift – Creative is the place for it! Offering everything personalised from t-shirts, mugs, photo album covers, jigsaws, baby grows and blankets, there are a myriad of options available.

Also stocked is a range of canvases which can be printed using your own photograph or wording; ceramic breakfast sets and personalised egg cups.

If you’re stuck for a Valentine’s or Father’s Day gift for men there are plenty of options from engraved cufflinks to golf teas, bottle openers and more.

Parties won’t be the same without their new LED balloons which light up and even have a strobe lighting option!

• 1 Abbey Street, Market Harborough, LE16 9AA Tel: 01858 432939 little ones through games that are theatrically themed whilst teaching the ‘Letter of the Week’.

Taster classes on now at Market Harborough Leisure Centre, Welland Park Academy and Church Langton community hall – contact Anupa on anupa@ zheebz.com to register your interest. There is a £5 enrolment discount until March.

• www.zheebz.com

The new Baby Lurve shop on St. Mary’s Road is a must visit for all mums to be who are planning to set up a nursery and equip themselves with prams and other baby accessories. There is a range of leading pushchair and car seat brands including iCandy, Maxi Cosi, Quinny, Bugaboo and Joolz, as well as a wide range of nursery furniture, including beautiful bedding, wall stickers, feeding cushions and more. Natalie is able to give you expert advice and offers a flexible payment plan to help spread the costs! Also stocked is the Stork sak and Yummy Mummy changing bags and feeding equipment for weaning babies. There are plenty of gift ideas for new mums and toddlers as well as children up to pre-school age, who would love the colourful Skip Hop lunch boxes and back packs.

Baby Lurve is situated on the former Prams n’ Things site on St. Mary’s Road. They have a second larger shop in East Goscote and offer free delivery nationwide through the website.

• 106 St. Mary’s Road, Market Harborough, LE16 7DX Tel: 01858 433 775 www.babylurve.co.uk

Kennedy’s Barbers Tucked away on Manor Walk is a new stylish barber offering gentlemen’s hair cuts at £9.50, OAP discounts and boys under five for £5, as a walk-in service.

Now also offering a hot and cold towel shave by appointment only for £18.50. This 45 minute luxurious shave includes a facial scrub and face oil, a double shave with an open blade and an after shave cooling ‘moisturazor’ to help eliminate razor rash. The shaving products used are The Shave Doctor and The Dandy Gent.

Gift vouchers are available.

• Kennedy’s Barbers, 11 Manor Walk, Market Harborough, LE16 9BP Tel: 01858 468142 Kennedy’s Barber Shop

RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING FEBRUARY 2014

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GAR DE NING

Adam the Gardener

L

ocal gardening talent, Adam Frost has an impressive CV, having worked with many of the garden design greats, including our dearly loved Geoff Hamilton at Barnsdale Gardens.

Adam has won an impressive five gold medals at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. This year his Chelsea garden is called “Time to Reflect” which takes inspiration from the dramatic Devonshire countryside.

Jobs to do in your Garden The first thing to do this month is get yourself organised and check out all last year’s kit – it’s a great time to mend and sharpen your tools, repair gate hinges and stain fences on a dry day.

Clean your greenhouse and wash down your terrace to scrub away any winter blues!

It’s also a good opportunity to decide what you are going to plant in your vegetable garden, along with any changes that you want to make to your main garden area. There’s still time to turn the ground over and get some organic muck on it before planting starts.

One thing I love and treated myself to a few years ago was a beautiful terracotta ‘rhubarb forcer’ from Whichford Pottery (www. whichfordpottery.com). If you don’t have one, you can use a nice big bucket that’s 50cm tall to cover the rhubarb and put it in the dark. After 3-4 weeks you’ll discover delicious thin pink stems that melt in your mouth – such an early seasonal treat, which is particularly good with ice-cream!

Shallots are easy to grow and from just one bulb you will get between 5-7 shallots. Also make sure you buy your seed potatoes now.

Plant some Jerusalem Artichokes as they make some fantastic soups. The bulbous fibrous root also makes really good chips! Artichokes can work in lots of ways - in just one season they can grow up to 5ft high and make a great

cover for birds throughout the season. You can even put them at the back of a border where they look fantastic and have the added advantage of being a good wind breaker (in more ways than one!). Dig and divide them every few years and sow a crop off them.

You can also sow a few things under glass or poly tunnels or cloches to get them going – like lettuce, spinach, onions, garlic and peas.

You could even put a few potatoes in a pot to get them going early – ready to enjoy for your Sunday lunches. I’m still a believer that you should wait until the soil has warmed up in March before planting anything outside – particularly with our colder, heavier soil round Lincolnshire and Rutland. A good rule is when the weeds start to show their head, it’s warm enough to start sowing.

Lily bulbs can be planted in pots in a cool greenhouse and moved outside when in flower.

Prune fruit bushes and cut buddleia and wisteria down to keep it compact.

Winter PlantinG Over the years, herbaceous plants have done all the work, but winter is a pretty cool time for shrubs as mentioned recently on the BBC Garden Revival programmes – Amaryllis,Vibernum, Sarcococca, Witch Hazel, Winter honeysuckles will all give something to

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Adam says: February is officially my least favourite month – I’d happily disappear off on a plane somewhere warmer and be brought back early March – perhaps I should look into hibernating! But on a positive note, there are small signs of the approaching spring with wildlife waking up as light and temperature levels increase slightly. I personally can’t wait until the garden comes to life again, so roll on March – roll on!

This winter has been a wet one, rather than a cold one and many of the animals will be feeling worse for wear so we should do all we can to look after them. Hang birdfeeders and keep bowls topped up with fresh water.

Perhaps get the kids involved and put a nest box up in the garden ready for spring. your garden this time next year. There’s still time to order some roses or get a bare root tree in the garden - I love the Betula – a beautiful ghostly looking tree, or the River Birch tree with its pale pink flaky bark as it ages. It looks great inter-planted with some of the dark Ilexes.

Winter colour doesn’t just come from bulbs but from other areas, so it’s a good time to add some interest to your garden if it seems lacking – look at shrubs and winter trees to put a smile on your face next year e.g. Prunus serrula, Betula nigra, Betula utilis, Acer griseum. Choose a multi-stemmed tree to get the most out of the impressive winter bark. Another consideration in winter is scent in the garden, which can be very special as it tends to be strong and almost hypnotic which adds an element of surprise to a winter bloom. I always think winter flowers are a bit different and stand out as they have to work that bit harder in the cold. neW year resolutions Lastly, as I recommended last month, try to get out with your family and visit a nearby garden of interest – easton Walled Gardens has the most stunning array of snowdrops which should be seen.www.eastonwalledgardens.co.uk • Contact: www.adamfrost.co.uk • adam Frost was speaking to antonia scott

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L OCA L PE OPLE

Hand-polished and blued steel hands are fitted over a unique Loomes white-glass enamel dial,

The Red Robin Watch

Passing Time… with the team at Robert Loomes

Robina models the watch that bears her name

How did a drama teacher from Liverpool become a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers? Amander Meade meets Robina Loomes whose watch making husband Robert named his latest creation after her

O

riginally from Liverpool, Robina gained a degree in history before going to drama school. After teaching in the heart of Toxteth during the troubled 1980s, she caught the travelling bug and explored South America where she met Robert as he took a holiday from the Loomes family clock making business.

“When we married, we decided we would like to live somewhere fresh to both of us (Robert is from Yorkshire). Whilst I was interviewing for a teaching job in Peterborough, Robert discovered Stamford and by the end of the day we had both fallen in love with the town and decided to make it our home.

A few years later I was promoted to a management role at Stamford College and Robert was operating from our first premises on St Leonards Street. We were both working ridiculous hours, never seeing each other and even employing someone to walk our dog!

Robert’s dream was to produce a watch of his own so we decided that I would run the business freeing him up to develop his idea.”

As we talk, Robina walks me through four storeys of workshops within the building – they are an astonishing sight; rooms full of pendulums and clock cases all in various states of repair – reminiscent of traditional fairy tale pictures of the clock makers’ workshop, all cogs and springs and quite magical. I am introduced

to the team including John, a young Scotsman with a clock making heritage in his own family.

“The Loomes name is a legend in this industry and as soon as I heard there was a chance to work here I jumped at it.” Similarly Hugh relocated from Devon to and tells me it was the ‘best move I ever made.’

We stop to chat to Robert who is slaving over a hot keyboard this afternoon and breaks off to take up the tale – “My family history is steeped in horology; one of my ancestors, Thomas Loomes, was one of the original Worshipful Company of Clockmakers created in 1631 by King Charles I. Ironically, four hundred years ago Thomas was doing exactly what I yearned to do – use the skill base we have built here to manufacture in this country and in doing so to create a thing of beauty and rarity.”

Robina explained that Robert’s dream had come true after years of planning and sourcing exclusively British components for the watch he has created. “During design and production everyone at Robert Loomes had input and the result is stunning.” Stunning indeed – the Red Robin watch was named after Robina’s late father and the intricacy and attention to exacting detail involved in the production process is a little boggling to the layperson.

Suffice to say that the watch is uniquely entirely British made. Originally made by Smiths, this is

the same mechanism that Sir Edmund Hillary famously carried to the summit of Everest.

Entirely re-worked, the mechanism is highly polished on the premises and then engraved with a distinctive new design to echo those Thomas Loomes used in the seventeenth century for his own English watches.

“No sooner had we launched the Red Robin, customers demanded a mid-sized version.

The Robina watch shares all the attributes of the Robin but in a sophisticated and elegant form suited to a ladies watch. A signed and numbered limited edition of one hundred pieces, the Robina is hand built to order.”

With news of the extraordinary work done here spreading worldwide, the workshops are becoming such an attraction in their own right. The Loomes have introduced open days for customers to allow enthusiasts the opportunity to see the watch makers at work. “In the eighteenth and nineteenth century Stamford always had at least a couple of working watchmakers. Mass production changed all that.” Only now, is there a long established family firm, who can offer exclusive, handmade watches, made by exceptional British watchmakers.

• Contact: Robert Loomes Tel: 01780 481319 or visit www.robertloomes.com

RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING FEBRUARY 2014

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Tel: 01858 410033

OPEN: Monday to Saturday 9.30am - 4.00 pm

harbstone@gmail.com

www.harborough-stone.co.uk

Lime Pointing - Exterior Lime Rendering - Interior Lime Plastering Timber Framing - Traditional Windows/Doors - Brickwork/Stonework

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L OCA L PE OPLE

Danny O’Connor Document Productions

PHOTO: ANDREW CARPENTER

Abigail Richardson talks to music guru and award winning film director Danny O’Connor in the idyllic setting of the Nevill Arms, Medbourne

F

rom an early age Danny was passionate about both music and journalism so his career moved smoothly (albeit with a lot of hard work and 5am weekend dashes to London) from working on a local radio station (Leicester Sound FM) to producing Radio One’s Lamacq Live / Evening Session and Channel 4’s ‘The White Room’ via the BBC station for London – GLR. Danny moved to London in the early 90s and remained there for 10 years but with schools in mind he moved first into rented accommodation at Illston on the Hill and then bought in Medbourne in 2006. Danny still had excellent access to work via the direct train line to London from Market Harborough so Document Productions Ltd continued to flourish.

Danny and Karen Craig (SMTV Live, Reading & V festivals) are the driving force behind the company which focuses on documentaries for radio and music based films, among other things. Most of the work and consultations take place in London and Danny employs freelancers both in the county and the city, depending on the project. The team have a wealth of experience in Film, TV, DVD and Radio production, Music Journalism and Film/ Video Direction, and although Danny is based primarily in Medbourne, it is this breadth of knowledge that enables Document to be the most versatile production outfit in the UK. Danny explains, “Over the past decade we’ve

produced over 100 programmes across radio and TV, made plenty of long and short form DVDs, (a few of which have enjoyed cinema runs en route to the High Street), not to mention the odd art installation, some audio books and lots of online content. One of our proudest moments was the creation of ‘Upside Down’, the documentary about Creation Records, and one of the most rock’n’roll films ever made; it is a wild trip remembered!”

The film includes interviews with Alan McGee, Bobby Gillespie, Noel Gallagher and Kevin Shields, among many others and captures the madness of what was the key label in Britain of its time – Creation Records. “Creation was one of the pillars of the alternative scene in the 1980s and 1990s. It was also the most successful independent label, peaking with the extraordinary rise of Oasis. The film is a tale of music freaks, mavericks, drugs, decadeslong relationships, bust-ups and some great rock’n’roll.”

The film debuted at No 2 in the UK Music DVD chart having enjoyed a successful run at cinema and at more than 40 international film festivals. It also picked up the prestigious Mojo Vision Award in 2011 and was voted film of the year by the NME writers beating Martin Scorsese’ s George Harrison biopic into second place. It is to be screened all over the world over the next 12 months.

Danny continues, “We also recently produced a TV documentary for BBC1 about Howard

Marks with Howard and Rhys Ifans. And our Jack White/White Stripes documentary recently aired on both Radio 1 and 6Music. That’s not to mention our recent Sony award winning doc fronted by Billy Crystal about Billie Holiday for BBC Radio 2.”

Document has enjoyed both critical and commercial success with the official Stereophonics DVD biography, ‘Rewind’, which reached No 1 in the music DVD chart. “We’re equally proud of ‘The End of Innocence’, our THRILLS’ film, which premiered at the Irish International Film Festival and has been shown on big screens on both sides of the Atlantic. We are currently working on the edit of the highly anticipated Simple Minds DVD filmed at the brand new Glasgow ‘Hydro’ venue. The DVD will be the band’s first ‘In Concert’ film, since Verona Live in 1989 now regarded as a rock classic. Simple Minds don’t make a DVD every day (or even every decade) so the Glasgow Hydro will be a real treat! Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill have described it as something very special indeed.”

It is clear that Danny’s experience as one of the youngest ever Daytime Editors at the BBC and as a reporter in Sarajevo and Belfast has helped Document develop into a multi skilled hub of storytelling and to become a credible source of media consciousness.

• For further information and breaking news logon to www.documentuk.com.

RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING FEBRUARY 2014

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DIRECTORY CARPENTRY

KITCHEN FITTING

THE GUILD OF MASTER CHIMNEY SWEEPS Powering chimney sweeping into the 21st Century

Fusion Installations CARPENTERS & JOINERS

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• FULLY TRAINED & QUALIFIED TO A HIGH STANDARD

• Fitted Furniture Manufacture

• HETAS REGISTERED

01780 480922 / 07775 931397 www.timberwerx.com sales@timberwerx.com

CURTAINS & BLINDS

Quality Hand Made Curtains and Blinds Complete service from measuring to hanging.

Track fitting available.

Alterations undertaken.

Kingfisher Close, Oakham Julie 01572 757893

Dave Wigginton Kitchen Fitter 07739 098982 fusioninstallations@yahoo.co.uk

RUSSELL PEACE…01536 510865 MOBILE – 07725 795394 EMAIL– russell.peace@virgin.net www.chimneysweepnorthants.co.uk

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OVEN CLEANING Do you want the fairies to clean your oven?

Or would you rather do it yourself?

UPPINGHAM Ovens, Ranges, Agas, Hobs, Extractors, Microwaves, Start from £39 Fridges, FreezersPrices & BBQ’s • Prices start from £42 T: 01572 767678 M: 07785 987112 t. 01572W: 767678 - m. 07785 987112 www.ovenfairy.co.uk Ovens, Ranges, Agas, Hobs, Extractors, Microwaves, Fridges, Freezers & BBQs

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Treating ovens today, tonight and tomorrow

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Trading in nearly new curtains Over 150 pairs of curtains on show Open: Tuesday 9.30am – 3.00pm Or Monday – Saturday by appointment

The Hall, Back Lane, East Farndon, Nr Market Harborough. LE16 9SE Tel: 01858 466671 www.curtainscomplete.co.uk

FURNITURE RESTORATION

HEALTH AND FITNESS

PAINTED FURNITURE HAND PAINTED FURNITURE • Bring new life to old furniture • Call for a free no obligation quote • Workshops available Contact Lesley Anne Jones 01778 394744 07762 325494 www.paintedout.co.uk

PREGNANCY ADVICE

Want to know your options?

Coping with miscarriage?

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01780 765853 or 07913 052159 office@alternativesstamford.co.uk

2014

Friends/Partners Welcome

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• Exercise & Nutritional Advice & Management • Dance & Fitness Classes • Bride to Be Personal Training

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2014 ESSENTIAL WEDDINGS

Free, Confidential & Unbiased Advice www.alternativesstamford.co.uk

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Or Visit our website: www.bestlocalliving.co.uk

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We’re 2 years old already!

Exciting times are ahead as we continue to create food with flair using fresh locally sourced produce and the magic from The Witch kitchen.

Winter Weeknight’s at The Witch “Outstanding food at affordable prices”

Head chef Dameon Clarke has created a mouthwatering menu for the Winter Weeknight’s. (Monday - Thursday)

£17.50 - 2 courses • £20.50 - 3 courses

Valentines Dinner Celebrate Valentines Day with a very special six course tasting menu in intimate surroundings.

Candlelit tables, soft music and award winning food. £40 per head (Booking essential)

Tapas Night - Thursday 27th March The Wicked Witch kitchen team have put together an array of tasty tapas for one night only.

Enjoy a cocktail on arrival and a carafe of complimentary wine for your table to accompany many small dishes from around the world. £35 per head. (Booking essential)

Lunch Time Serving Monday - 12pm to 2pm • Tuesday - Saturday 12pm to 2pm • Sunday 12pm till 4pm Bar open until 8pm

Dinner Time Serving

Monday - 6pm to 9pm • Tues - Sat 6pm to 9.30pm Bar open until late • Bar open all day Saturday

01780 763649 www.ryhallwitch.co.uk The Wicked Witch, Bridge Street, Ryhall, Stamford PE9 4HH • RL Feb ADS.indd 56

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