Rutland, Living, Decembe, 2012

Helping

you

to

get

th e

most

o ut

RUTLAND LIVING

of

living

LOCALLY

Party season, Party clothes, Paaaarrrrty!

COVERING RUTLAND, MARKET HARBOROUGH & SURROUNDING VILLAGES

Food Fashion Health & Beauty Home & Garden Lifestyle

Christmas Gifts Great ideas for him and her RLDECCOVER.indd 1

£1.50 DECEMBER 2012 @LocalLivingUK www.bestlocalliving.co.uk

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R UTL A N D & MA RKET HA RBOR OUGH LIVING

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

T

hanks to Elli Dean Photography for my new picture – I challenged her to do the impossible - take a decent shot of me and she succeeded at the Rutland County Council’s Sports’ Awards recently (see pages 46 and 47).

It’s that time of year again…and I’d like to take a moment to focus on my preferred charity, Rainbows. You may have seen my post on the website calling readers to support Rainbows ‘Twinkle Little Star Christmas Appeal’. Rainbows Hospice is launching this appeal to raise funds and spread the word about the work of the charity and the children it supports.

On their Twinkle Little Star appeal webpage you can hear beautiful singing from Charlotte Blissett, a child at Rainbows, whose parents were told she would never talk. To listen to Charlotte sing and to donate to children like Charlotte this Christmas visit www.rainbows.co.uk/twinkle or call Rainbows on Tel: 01509 638000 or post cheques to Rainbows Hospice, Freepost NAT 13561, Loughborough, LE11 2BR. As a special thank you, Rainbows are giving everyone who donates more than £6 online a special Twinkle Wish Star product.

I have to congratulate Ram of Mace in Whissendine for his successful Bollywood fundraiser for Rainbows last month; I think most of the money was raised by his spectacular dancing!

As always, please try to shop locally and don’t forget the Late Night Shopping events: Thursday 6th December in Uppingham, Friday 7th Dec in Market Harborough and Monday 10th December in Oakham from 5pm – 9pm. Uppingham shopping event includes a fair, live music, trade stands, Santa’s grotto with many shops staying open late.

Oakham will be host to lots of similar activities plus an ice rink, a visit by the Leicester Tigers, carol singing and more. Reindeer are expected to make a return visit to Market Harborough this year as well as choirs, rides and stalls a plenty along the Dickensian themed High Street. Enjoy!

Happy Holidays

Abigail Late in • Exhibition of paintings and drawings by Stephen Wigmore on Monday 17th December - Sunday 23rd December, Victoria Hall, Oakham 11-6 Daily, 11-3 Sundays • Sarah Harding Interiors are moving and will be in 6 Market Place, Uppingham, Rutland, LE15 9QH by the 1st December 2012.

@RutlandLiving

Rutland Cover Photograph by Georgie Rockman www.facebook.com/ PixBygeorge

7 Editor’s Selection

36 Recipe

8 Local Shopping

38 Food and Drink

13 Local Shopping

43 Travel

14 Local Shopping

45 Diary Dates

17 Home Interiors

46 Out and About

18 Out and About

49 Shops and services

My Christmas Wish List

Christmas Gift Guide for Rutland

Christmas Gift Guide for Market Harborough

Gaol Street Rocks!

A Modern Take on Victorian

Active kids, clubs and societies for children

22 Out and About

Children’s Christmas Activities in London

25 Health and Beauty

Gorgeous Christmas Gifts

Olive Branch recipe – Braised leg of Hare

Christmas Store Cupboard

Nick Edwards Off-Piste in Verbier and Introducing Savvi Travel

What’s on in our region this month

Rutland Council’s Active Sports’ Awards

Market Harborough

50 Shops and Services

Lighter Feet’s move, Wymondham Windmill at Christmas, Burnett Mediation and more

53 Perspectives

A Christmas Carol

26 Fashion

Unique Colour Treatments at Simon Cawthorne

30 Fashion

This season’s Party Dresses

32 Food and Drink

Sarah Poli’s take on the Silly Season and Wine for Living with Emma Robson

35 Food and drink

Hambleton bakery appears on TV Show

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, 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 Email: nicholas@bestlocalliving.co.uk Printed by Warners of Bourne

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RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH Living DECEMBER 2012

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Baubles and Bangles

the design mould

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Fabulous fashion,

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2 New street Oakham 01572724177 10 St Mary’s Hill Stamford 01780763633 12 Orange Street Uppingham

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jewellery and accessories

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A full range of Children’s Wear from Premature Babies to 12 years at affordable prices

• Sarah Louise • 3 Pommes • Frugi • Toffee Moon • Gro-Bag • Manhattan Toys • Ickle Shooz • BOOB • Lunn Nightwear

Maternity - Ladies Nightwear New Seasons Ranges now in

At Swans linens you get: • Huge choice • Personal service • Friendly advice • LOYALTY CARD

Swans Linens, 17 Mill St, Oakham www.swanslinens.co.uk - Tel: 01572 724364 6

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E DITOR ’ S SE LE CT ION

MY CHRISTMAS WISH LIST I recently spent a sublime night at Stapleford Park Hotel and my dream would be to spend the 3 days of Christmas there – no washing up, roaring fires, a 22 foot Christmas tree and teddy bears in abundance!

A 2 course Christmas lunch is available from a reasonable £25pp….see you there!

This may seem a little random but I really want a comfy, but small, chair for my living room – you know fire, book, dog!

This one is from John Lewis, a Mr Bright Chair in aqua, £899.

And what about this decadent chandelier from Marks and Spenser’s to complete the look!

This one is easy. My neighbour Nicola Hardy’s jewellery+ at Wardrobe in Oakham

ve kiing? I lo Thinking s hich w ts a h i these Zain ade from are handm acrylic so super soft r durable fo d n no-itch a r. e th r wea all outdoo .99 from 0 2 £ P RR om and i.c in www.za . from www kids range m o zainikids.c

My frien d’s son S ebastian publishe Rubinste d his firs in has t novel a Elementa t 18. The ls, is the b ook, s tory of a boy, Salk aar, caug teenage ht in the extraord centre o inary ba f an ttle. The sold in R novel is utland b being ookshop to a glob s and av al audien ailable ce as an worth a e-book. It whirl! ’s My favourite perfume is Eau D’Issey – yes it’s pricey but it’s available pretty much everywhere, Pete!!

RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING DECEMBER 2012

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C H R IS TM A S GIFT GUIDE

Rutland’s Gifts for Big Kids!

Looking for a great selection of gifts for him and her? Look no further than your local independent retailers. Countywide there are superb gifts for everyone to suit all tastes and budgets. Happy shopping Luxury and Fine Food Hamper from £20, Otters Smokehouse & Deli

The Alchemical Horseman by Jeremy James, £15 from Goldmark Gallery

Cirque Bag £20 from Loobycraft

22.5ct Gold Plated Silver ‘Cave’ Earrings £94 by Ruth Wood at Made Gallery

WESC Clopton Black Trainers £69.99, from Crucial Clothing

Paul Smith Leather Wallet £120; Paul Smith Leather Notebook £75; Bolin Webb Razor £35 all from Cavells

Scarves £18 from Wish of Uppingham

Ruby & Ed Slippers £36 and Fraas Cashmink

Handmade English Raku Clocks £120 from Furleys

Watch by Equilibrium £28 , Wardrobe at Oakham Kalivalson Handbag £205 from Vanilla Wild Daisy & Elderflower Range from Viciente Beauty & Bridal - Shower pack £12, Soap £4, Talc £6, Hand Cream £5

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White 18ct Gold, Sapphire & Diamond ‘Kiss’ Pendant £3,250 from Heidi Kjeldsen

Retro Sweetie Jar Selection £9.99 from Candy Kanes

Luke Roper Grey Bubcock Sweatshirt £75 from Crucial Clothing

Large Hellebore Lamp £195 Sarah Harding Interiors

Amber and Silver Leaf Necklace £165 from Stephen Diggle

Scottie Dog Scarf, £15; Penelope Pond Gloves £25; Penelope Pond Purse £15; all from Wardrobe at Oakham

Above: ‘Joy’ Plate by Emma Bridgewater £49.95; Sarah Harding Interiors

t ke l lan oo lB W oo e W Th se m oo fro M 5 £6 oom R

Left: Joseph Joseph Index Plus Chopping Board Set £68 from The Kitchen Range Cookshop Below: Portrait Photography Vouchers from £25, Sonara Studios

Falke Tights and Stockings from £20, Twist of Uppingham

Chutneys and relish from £5, www.rutlandpreserves.co.uk RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING DECEMBER 2012

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Stephen Diggle Jewellers Ltd Designers & Manufacturers of Diamond, Platinum & Gold Jewellery

Make 20122a

Looking for the perfect Christmas gift?

LOVELINKS & TROLLBEADS now in stock

Stephen Diggle Jewellers Ltd

17 High Street, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6AH 01572 722737

Stephen Diggle Goldsmiths

8 Westgate Arcade, Peterborough, PE1 1PY 01733 345757

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Christmas?

Are you ready for

DON’T PANIC - WE HAVE GIFTS GALORE!!

• Bedding & Towels • China & Gifts • Ladies Wear • Housewares • Menswear • Lingerie • Toys • Beds

EXCLUSIVE & ORIGINAL VINTAGE INSPIRED COLLECTION GORGEOUS LIMITED EDITION FABRICS

Fords of Oakham

8 Church Street, Oakham, Rutland Tel: 01572 722654 - www.fordsofoakham.co.uk

stay snug and dry this winter wellies from

£64.99 Belmont

coat

£169 £39.99 Harkila alaSka

Down hat www.barnack.co.uk tel:

01780 740115 (QUEEN OF HEARTS PARTY DRESS)

Barnack, Stamford. PE9 3DY 2 miles from Burghley House Shop opening hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9:30am-4:30pm, Sun 11am-3pm

&

SHOP ONLINE AT WWW.JELLYLANECLOTHING.COM ENTER 'SWEETHEART' AT CHECKOUT TO RECEIVE FREE P&P LOVINGLY MADE IN BRITAIN

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& Hall twinkle rings 18ctDower gold diamond eternity rings from£550 £120 from

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

Amber silvercufflinks pendants silver stag from £129£50

silver Tree of Life pendant 18ct gold diamond £125 cluster ring £2200

Spi9ct tfirediamond silver &butterfly enamel cufflinks ring £105 £425

Ruby ring £1350 9ct gold Amethyst ring £1100

Art Deco diamond ring Wedding rings £1250in gold, platinum and palladium

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C H R IS TM A S GIFT GUIDE

Sosennah Every New authentically styled “Jaguar” vintage modified electric guitar with dual circuit switching and Duncan designed pickups, £269, abc MH music

Leather biker boots, wedge trainers or the flat ‘Stella’ high top style shoes by Ash, £131, Doyles

DL1961 ‘Emma’ jeans in Moonstone or Foolsgold, £169, Doyles

Stimulate a child’s imagination with these puppets – finger puppets from £3.50 to this Macaw puppet at £12.99, Cot ‘N’ Togs ‘Wine down hamper’ including Rosé wine complete with terracotta wine cooler, Corkers salted crisps, crunchy red grapes, Chatel creamy Cornish brie, stylishly presented on a wooden tray and gift wrapped, £35, Farndon Fields Farm Shop

Passionata A-D cup, black lace bra and pants with purple ribbon trim, £35 bra, The Little Big Bra Shop

Trollbeads sterling silver winter snow bead pendant or bracelet charm, £37, Steffans

ipad case by Maranda, £34, Silverpot

‘Eternum’ limited edition bronze resin sculpture by Lorenzo Quinn, £1295, Croft Wingates Fine Art

Log store £165, Log burning Chiminea £49.95, kindling/coal log buckets £18, Outerspace

DIARY DATE – late night shopping in Market Harborough on Friday 7th December

Christmas gift inspirations from Market Harborough

Patchwork and quilt making courses, one day 10-4pm, £25 tuition only, The Quarter Inch Ruby & Ed Siberian stone fur boot, £39.95, Bebooted

Ruby & Ed Orchid Pink Velvet Ballerina Slippers,

Silver and gilt cufflinks by Simon Kemp in sporting or animal themes, stags £129, cyclists £99. Other designs include spaniels, pheasants, sailboats, cricket stumps and more, TJ Thornton

£37.50, Bebooted

Directory: abc MH music – 01858 463144 www.mhmusic.co.uk Bebooted – 01858 469200 www.bebooted.com Cot’N’Togs – 01858 468568 www.cotntogs.co.uk Croft Wingates Fine Art – 01858 465455 www.croftwingates.co.uk Doyles – 01858 433279 www.doylesfashion.com Farndon Fields – 01858 464838 www.farndonfieldsfarmshop.co.uk Outerspace – 01858 410436 www.outerspace.co.uk Silverpot – www.silverpot.myshopify.com Steffans – 01858 432633 www.steffans.co.uk The Little Big Bra Shop – 01858 465592 www.thelittlebigbrashop.co.uk The Quarter Inch – 01858 288141 www.thequarterinch.co.uk TJ Thornton – 01858 468858 www.tjthornton.com RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING DECEMBER 2012

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S HOPS & SE RVICE S

Gaol Street Rocks!

Vanessa Hollander discover fashion, furnishings, food, finance, art, gifts, home, beauty and health all within a few hundred yards of each other, and just off the High Street

Theodore Ross - This kitchen, bedroom and bathroom shop is somewhat of a local institution. If you want a top quality, well designed, dream kitchen go to Theodore Ross where you’ll see the latest displays of SieMatic kitchens to covet and admire! Owner Adam Ross has been in the business for many years and has a wealth of experience and knowledge.

They also offer a bespoke design and build service for bathrooms, bedrooms and studies.

15 Gaol Street, Tel: 01572 755444 Arcus Taxation Accountants - Established in 2000 by Andrew Cross to provide individuals with local personal taxation advice, Arcus joined with Mill Lane Asset Management in 2010 to offer financial planning services also. They now offer a full and friendly service to all their clients and, for potential new clients a free, 30 minute no obligation meeting to discuss personal finance and taxation.

Gaol Street, Tel: 01572 770552 Wardrobe – This new women’s fashion boutique has a great selection of mainly European brands. It offers some beautiful and very feminine clothes for women of all ages at really reasonable prices. They also have a range of stunning and sought after collars by Rew as well as a range of scarves, bags and jewellery.

Gaol Street, Tel: 01527 720305 Hambleton Bakery - Already legendary amongst locals, Hambleton Bakery now attracts customers to Oakham who have heard of their delicious selection of breads. They also stock a wide range of cakes and tarts that grace many a dinner party table locally – probably all passed

off as being baked by the hostess! If you haven’t already been to Hambleton Bakery, go – soon!

Gaol Street, Tel: 01572 812995 HairworX of Oakham – I’d heard a lot of good things about this small salon and wasn’t disappointed when I popped in. There was a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, and one of their stylists, Glen, has a reputation for being a brilliant with short hair. Cut and blow drys, colour and extensions all available as well as children’s hair. Plus they sell the popular Muk hair products.

19A Gaol Street, Tel: 01572 720836 Hambleton Fine Foods - This fabulous deli / butchery owned by Andrew Nelson, is one of six Hambleton outlets. Meat is sourced locally and they sell award winning pork pies, sausages, steaks, cheeses and delicious deli items. Their own range of homemade frozen ready meals come in two sizes, the largest able to serve the hungriest of families – one to remember this Christmas!

2-3 Gaol Street, Tel: 01572 724455 Crucial – This men’s designer and street wear clothing store has been open for six years now and it’s not hard to see why. The owner Neil is both friendly and knowledgeable, and they stock some premium brands – Luke Roper, We-SC, Havianas, Last & True jeans and Drunknmunky, accessories and headphones – and now footwear.

7 Knight’s Yard, Tel: 01572 724255 Award winning Itch Gallery – I can’t say enough good things about this gallery – it’s a real find!

The owner Jenny Creasey certainly has an eye for something special and there are so many lovely and unique pieces here from art and jewellery to ceramics and cards. A must visit!

4 Knight’s Yard, Tel: 01572 756760 Candy Kanes – A newcomer to Knight’s Yard but an already popular one! A traditional sweet shop, they sell all the popular favourites by the gram, alongside a very tempting selection of homemade fudge! They will also create imaginative party bags and wedding favours to order – well worth a thought for your next children’s party!

5 Knight’s Yard, Tel: 01572 756284 Moat House Furnishings – Nestled in the middle of Knight’s Yard, this little shop is packed full of a lovely range of home furnishings.

I particularly liked their range of quilted, vintage inspired bedspreads. They provide a great selection of readymade and made-toorder curtains as well as cushions and rugs.

Scarves, jewellery and handbags make Moat House Furnishings a veritable Aladdin’s cave – definitely one to explore!

6 Knight’s Yard, Tel: 01572 756050 Oakham Dental Studio – Tucked up on the first floor in Knight’s Yard, this award winning dental practice, headed up by Dr A Mann and Dr C Tracey, provides the whole range of dental procedures from cosmetic treatments to general dentistry and implants. It is a private practice but does provide an NHS Orthodontic care also. Well worth knowing, and a really friendly, helpful practice.

Knight’s Yard, Tel: 01572 771175

Add into all this the Farmer’s Market that happens every third Saturday of each month, and I think you’ll find, as I did, that Gaol Street most definitely is not just a ‘cut through’, more of a destination!

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01572 720836 - 19a Gaol street, Oakham “QualitY that is aFFOrDaBle” Wishing all our clients a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Thank you for all your support this year. we welcome clients old and new to our friendly salon.

Join us for Oakham late night shopping and enjoy a glass of wine and a mince pie - we have some great gift ideas for your loved ones.

Gift vouchers available

“Beat the winter Blues”

10% off all products and services during January with this voucher

Hand Crafted Christmas

Great selection of ceramics, glass, jewellery, original artwork, textiles, prints and more!

Find the perfect gift for Christmas

www.itchgallery.co.uk 01572 756760 - info@itchgallery.co.uk

4 Knight’s Yard, Gaol Street, Oakham, Rutland. LE15 6AQ

Moat House Furnishings Fabulous and affordable gifts for Christmas!

Handbags • Jewellery • Wall Hangings • Cushions • Rugs • Curtains • Bed Linen Accessories and much, much more

Bags & Handbags Kids' Bags Wedding Umbrellas Kids' Umbrellas and lots more...

www.loobycraf t.com • 01509 605318 15

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Simply call us or visit our new website for further details

WE ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT HAND MAKING BESPOKE OAK BUILDINGS

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Hom e Interior s

A Modern Take on Victorian Nicola Hardy, interior designer, jewellery maker and fashion guru invites us into her lair…

A

lways consider the age and style of your property before decorating, especially if you have an obvious feature, such as an Art Nouveau fireplace, elaborate flooring or decorative cornicing. Having said that, I’m not a believer in rigidly sticking to the rules. How we choose to decorate our homes says a lot about our personalities; if you are a colourful and eccentric individual then reflect that in your surroundings.

In my case we had a fireplace to consider and the house is Victorian. I wanted shabby chic without too much ‘shabby’, rich colours and fabrics, dark wood, pale walls, elegant wallpaper, Art Deco light fittings and animal prints! Not that you’d logically include zebra and leopard here but I was adamant. We’d bought a huge cowhide rug from Nash Interiors years ago and it resided forlornly in the loft. I wanted to reintroduce it to the living room. “It will look horrid next to the fireplace,” commented my husband. I ignored him.

Mary Barreau, curtain maker extraordinaire, showed me dozens of fabric books and after several days of tortured indecision I decided upon a sumptuous turquoise fabric with a geometric design. Next I was faced with the task of finding the perfect sofa. I’d seen a ridiculously attractive patchwork one in Elizabeth Stanhope’s, which had unfortunately since been sold, so I went back to my computer for some serious research.

I stumbled upon IDUK Patriot, an eco friendly British company based in Nottingham producing bespoke handmade sofas and chairs. I rang them

up and made a date to meet the designer and upholsterer at their workshop. I was blown away by their creativity and enthusiasm. After settling upon a sofa shape I was then to select fabrics for the patchwork. I wanted it to complement, not match so I mixed their baroque model with the safari one.

The two most important decisions (and investments) had been made so now I had to sort paint, wallpaper, lighting, flooring and decorative items. Elizabeth Stanhope’s supplied creamy and delicately hued paint from their ‘paint and paper library’, and Nina Campbell wallpaper.

Universal lighting came up with a vast selection of lights and table lamps. Have a look around Nash Interiors, Dwell and NGI Design for inspiration. John Lewis and Furleys of Oakham also have a good selection of light fittings. One of my favourite haunts to find charmingly restored period furniture, interesting mirrors, lamps and decorative items is ‘Junk and Disorderly’ in Uppingham.

The finished result may not be to everyone’s taste and I’ve had people stunned to silence when they set eyes on the sofa, but it was my choice to mix old and new, elaborate and minimalist, calm and crazy in a fun, cozy, eclectic way. The research, sourcing and anticipation of a room coming together is time consuming, but oh so satisfying when the end result actually looks and feels how you imagined it!

If anyone would like some help pulling a room together, decorating or style ideas I’d be delighted to assist or advise.

FIND THE STYLE: Dwell, 10 Fletcher gate, Nottingham NG1 2FS, Tel: 0845 678 1006 www.dwell.co.uk Elizabeth Stanhope Interiors, Tel: 01572 755926 www.elizabethstanhope.co.uk Furleys of Oakham, Tel: 01572 755539 www.furley.co.uk IDUK Patriot Collection, Nottingham NG13 8JL, Tel: 01158 229468 www.idukpatriot.co.uk Junk and Disorderly, 3a Hopes Yard, Uppingham, LE15 9QQ, Tel: 01572 823796 Nash Interiors, 19 Carlton street, Nottingham, NG1 1NL, Tel: 0115 950 7548 - www.nashinteriors.co.uk NGI Design, Stamford, Tel: 01780 766899 www.ngidesign.co.uk Universal Lighting Services www.universal-lighting.co.uk

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OUT & ABOUT

WHY DON’T YOU...GET ACTIVE? Amander Meade rounds up some ideas for hobbies and activities

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hese are just some of the great ideas for activities for younger folk but in most cases there are grown up opportunities to take part or get involved as a coach/leader.

Shake off those winter blues and try something new – on your own or as a family.

Martial Arts Stamford & Oakham GTUK TaeKwon Do are part of the Bluecoat TaeKwon Do group run by former champion Richard Auciello, and boast a long tradition of family values.

“For us, it’s not just about serious training: we love it when our students win medals, but we’re just as enthusiastic about our groups that simply meet because they enjoy TaeKwon Do. We are proud to have a number of pupils from the Stamford club who have also competed for England at both junior and senior level. Anyone is welcome to join us.

Our qualified Instructors are team members just like anyone else and will be happy to tell you more about how TaeKwon Do can help you. We’re always happy to welcome new students, and offer a free trial.”

Students from 4 years plus can train at Stamford or Oakham clubs. See www. tkdclasses.co.uk or contact Richard Tel: 07771 865373 for more information.

Also try: Kickboxing to boost fitness and confidence. Contact Jackie Hunt Tel: 07754 191 288 www.promartialartsschools.com, Karate for strength and flexibility. Contact Josh Bassett Tel: 07769 65 33 58 www.senseibassett.co.uk or Judo for self defence skills and all round wellbeing and fitness.Contact Mike Newton Tel: 01572 813531 www.valelrjudo. org.uk

On the ball…

Oakham Rugby Club have a strong tradition of developing players from 5 years starting with their Mini programme, through the player development structure as they grow up via Juniors and into Seniors. Teams of all ages play regular fixtures but the coaches never forget there is a great deal of fun to be had too. All new players most welcome – training is at the Showground off Barleythorpe Road.

Also try: FDS Football Coaching for younger age groups taking place across the region after school and all year round during the holidays. “We start at pre-school age with Sport for Tots working on balance and co-ordination. By the end of primary school, promising players are invited to join the Academy.” Contact Scott Tel: 01858 461166 www.developmentschools.co.uk Oakham Lawn Tennis Club offer coaching in groups or individually all year round with regular school holiday programmes. Find out more at www.oakhamltc.co.uk Rutland Junior Hockey Club are keen to meet new members and train regularly to develop young players. Contact Sue Scarrot Tel: Phone: 01572 823851 Premier Sport for after school activities and holiday clubs Tel: 01953 499040 www. premiersport.org

Take to the water…

Staff at Rutland Sailing School are based at Rutland Water and trained by the Royal Yachting Association. “We and offer everything from introductory sessions, to personal tuition sessions in your own boat.” Introductory courses and holiday programmes available. Tel: 01780 721999 www.rutlandsc.co.uk Budding anglers can try Anglian Water’s ‘Learn to Fish’ days that are priced at £45 for under 17s for a full day’s tuition and run throughout the fishing season from the 1st April. Matt Gregory and other local fly fishermen run the very popular Rutland Youth Fly Fishing Day set for Sunday the 14th of July 2013. “There are places for up to ninety under 18s to have some tuition and then spend the afternoon fly fishing for trout from a boat on Rutland Water with an experienced fisherman – we had a fantastic day last year and were massively supported by the Environment Agency and Anglian Water.” More information at www.rwff.org.uk

All rounders will love…

Guiding. Starting with Rainbows the guiding movement continues to gain momentum and offers opportunities for personal development through a huge range of activities for girls from 5 to 25. Think crafts, camping, archery, days out, water sports and much more.

Contact Pam Gilbert Tel: 01572 724863 to find a group near you.

For the boys, follow in the footsteps of Richard Branson, David Beckham and Barak Obama who were all Scouts. Every year 400,000 young people in the UK enjoy new adventures in the outdoors, interact with others, gain confidence and have the opportunity to reach their full potential. Find a group at www.scouts.org.uk

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ACT IVIT IE S

A capital day out Planning a family trip to London this Christmas? Ronnie Haydon leads the way

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ove it or hate it, you must have a butcher’s at the Marmitethemed lights on Oxford Street. They were switched on by the popster who’s a bit Marmite himself - Robbie Williams. Here in the West End it’s all fairy lights and bling as the store tills ring.

Kerching! You may not be able to walk past the five frenetic floors of Hamleys, the world-famous toyshop. Drag the kids away with the promise of gingerbread, sugarplums, candy canes and the Globe of Death. All are available for their delectation this season.

In Hyde Park, as part of Winter Wonderland, Zippo’s Christmas Circus is for the little’uns in the afternoons; the eye-popping Cirque Berserk in the evenings is aimed at older children and adults. That’s where the Globe comes in. See A Bit Parky (box) for details.

Our freakish weather usually means that sparkling frost and snow are off the meteorological menu, but a cool yule is guaranteed at the capital’s outdoor skating rinks. The original and best (at least cheapest and least crowded) is still Broadgate Ice, but more picturesque settings include Somerset House, the Tower of London, Natural History Museum and Hampton Court, as well as EyeSkate, watched over by the festively illuminated, all-seeing EDF Energy London Eye.

Down to the river The days when the Thames was ‘frozen o’er’ and frost fairs took place on its frigid surface are long gone, but riverside frolics live on, this year in the substantial shape of the Southbank Centre’s Christmas Market, with its Gluhwein and Lebkuchen. Children can make Christmas cards and spend their pocket money on trinkets for the Christmas tree. Carolling, music and a Chocolate Festival are all thrown in.

Walking east, the South Bank becomes Bankside, where more festive cheer of the calorific kind is celebrated at Borough Market. The market decks its stalls with boughs of holly, vats of mulled cider, Portuguese sugarplums, spicy tree decorations, charismatic cooks demonstrating, community choirs a-warbling and great wheels of cheese. Such is the

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popularity of this last foodstuff that the market has scheduled an Evening of Cheese. Most children don’t have a grown up’s fascination for fromage, but the buzzy market, and all those edible freebies, make it fun for Christmas shopping. A timely reminder of what Christmas means, pop into candlit Southwark Cathedral, next door. You might hear the choir rehearsing their Christmas gigs.

See a show Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without taking in a show, and London’s sackful of theatricals goes way beyond panto. The whimsical Slava’s Snowshow has become a seasonal fixture. Back at the Royal Festival Hall for 2012, it always generates a veritable blizzard of goodwill. Rather more mystical are the chimes ringing out as part of the RFH’s annual celebration of Javanese Gamelan. A short walk away, the Cottseloe studio space at the National has an inventive version of Hansel & Gretel by Katie Mitchell and Lucy Kirkwood for seven to ten year olds. Families can also zip over to the Barbican for a romp around the arts centre to prevent elves and fairies creating mayhem in 59 Minutes to Save Christmas.

There’s a modicum more gravitas in a double bill of The Snowman and Peter and the Wolf, accompanied by the Orchestra of the Welsh National Opera and narrated by Tamsin Greig.

An interactive experience awaits in Islington, and the London Arts House. In their Enchanted Christmas House, children can chat up elves in Santa’s workshop, meet Mrs Claus and play in the Genie’s Cave. Not far away, the Little Angel Theatre creates marionette magic all year round, but feels especially atmospheric at Christmas. Its seasonal shows are Pinocchio and the barking Dogs Don’t Do Ballet for tinies aged two to six. The carved puppets of the Little Angel hold a nostalgic charm for audiences wrapped in the velvety darkness of the tiny auditorium. Of such pleasures are Christmas memories made. For more, see The Spirit of Christmas Past.

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VENUES Check online and book ahead for specific dates/prices where possible.

A bit parky

Ice and snow are forecast in Hyde Park when it morphs, once more, into Winter Wonderland. It’s free to to browse the gluhwein-scented Bavarian Village, Christmas markets and Santa Land, but the big attractions charge admission.

The Magical Ice Kingdom promises 200 tons of assorted frosting fashioned into sculptures, icicles and scenic walkways, as well as an ice rink. In the afternoons Zippo’s Christmas Circus entertains the little ones with tumbling elves and fumbling clowns.

When darkness falls a more gothic ringmaster emerges to present the Cirque Berserk, with knife-throwing and motorcycle stunt riding in the Globe of Death.

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland Hyde Park SW1/hydeparkwinterwonderland.com. 23 Nov 2012 - 6 Jan 2013. Free, with separate charges for Circuses, Ice Kingdom, Ice Rink, Observation Wheel.

The spirit of Christmas past What was Christmas like before Argos and widescreen TV? The answer’s behind the portals of two venerable Eastenders. The V&A Museum of Childhood is running a number of seasonal events based around yuletide a century ago. Children can make baubles, crackers, retro decs and cards.

During the post-Christmas dog days (29/30 Dec) you can pay £3 for Mirror Mirror’s magic lantern show and storytelling. The Geffrye Museum has a series of rooms depicting middle-class life over the past 400 years authentically decked according to their period. Discover the story behind mistletoe, stockings and tree lighting. Seasonal events include a Dickensian musical and workshop on 6 December.

Geffrye Museum Kingsland Road, E2 8EA (7739 9893/ geffrye-museum.org.uk).

Until 6 Jan 2013.

V&A Museum of Childhood Cambridge Heath Road, E2 9PA (020 8983 5200/vam.ac.uk.

Until 6 Jan 2013

Barbican Centre Silk St, EC2Y 8DS (020 7638 8891/barbican. org.uk). 59 Minutes to save Christmas 15 Dec 2012-6 Jan 2013. The Snowman/Peter and the Wolf 22 – 23 Dec. Borough Market 8 Southwark Street SE1 1TL (020 7407 1002/ broughmarket.org.uk. Christmas market 12-31 Dec. An Evening of Cheese 12 Dec. Broadgate Ice Broadgate Circle, EC2M 2QS (0207 505 4120/ broadgate.co.uk).

Skating until 24 Feb 2013.

EDF London EyeSkate EDF Energy London Eye, Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7PB (0871 781 3000/londoneye.com). Until 6 Jan 2013.

Hamleys 188-196 Regent Street, W1B 5BT 0871 704 1977/ hamleys.com) Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink East Molesey, Surrey KT8 9AU (020 8241 9818/ hamptoncourticerink.com). Until 13 Jan 2013 Little Angel Theatre Dagmar Passage, off Cross Street, N1 2DN (0207 2261787/littleangeltheatre.com).

Pinocchio until 27 Jan 2013. Dogs Don’t Do Ballet 5 Dec 2012-27 Jan 2013 London Art House 2-18 Britannia Row, Islington, London, N1 8PA (020 3227 3200/enchanted house.net).

Enchanted Christmas House 1-24 Dec 2012 (check online for dates) National Theatre Cottesloe South Bank SE1 9PX (020 7452 3000/ nationaltheatre.org.uk). Hansel & Gretel 7 Dec 2012-26 Jan 2013 Natural History Museum Cromwell Road, SW7 5BD (020 7942 2000/ nhm.ac.uk). Skating until 6 Jan 2013.

Royal Festival Hall Southbank Centre Southbank Centre Square Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX (0207 960 4200/ southbankcentre.co.uk). Gamelan 9 Dec, 1pm; Slava’s Snowshow 17 Dec 2012 - Monday 7 Jan 2013 Southbank Centre Contact details above. Winter festival until 7 Jan 2013. Chocolate Festival 7-9 Dec 2012.

Southwark Cathedral London Bridge, SE1 9DA (0207 637 6700/ cathedral.southwark.anglican.org). Christingle service 5 Dec; Carol concerts 15, 21 and 23 Dec .

Tower of London EC3N 4AB (0844 482 7777/hrp.org.uk). Skating 17 Dec 2012-6 Jan 2013

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We’re now at Creme Hair & Beauty Treatments The Old Church, 8 Mill Street, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6EA

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HEA LTH & BE AUT Y

Gorgeous Christmas Gifts Ensure your loved one looks and feels beautiful this Christmas by treating them to one of these great hair & beauty gifts. By Catherine Batkin A great gift for…the well-groomed man Don’t forget that guys like to look good at Christmas too! The Espa Special Agent gift set includes the latest in male grooming technology, all cleverly packaged in a rather useful tin for £35.00. The products include the Dual Action Shave Mud to ensure his razor glides super-smoothly, Energising Shower Gel for an instant pick-me-up and The Hydrator which protects against environmental damage. Available from Creme Hair & Beauty in Oakham.

A great gift for…glowing skin

A great gift for…sleek, shiny hair Hairworx of Oakham have some cute little gift sets in sizes to suit all budgets, using the Muk range of products.

For girls who like their hair super sleek and straight, the Style Stick gift box (£69.95) is a great present and includes professional straighteners and £30 worth of products; Hot Muk thermal protector, Deep Muk intense conditioner and a smoothing serum.

Fans of Dermalogica products will be delighted to receive one of the limited edition skin sets from The Beauty Room in Oakham.

Each set comes with a full size product plus two further travel sizes absolutely free! The Clean and Smooth Pack contains a large Special Cleansing Gel (250ml) plus the PreCleanse and Skin Prep Scrub travel sizes, all for £25.50.

A great gift for…naturally beautiful skin For natural skincare gifts, pay a visit to Chrissy at Body and Soul who is celebrating the salon’s 10th anniversary in Oakham this year! She can tailor make gift sets of her own brand natural skincare products including bath salts (£4.99), body washes (£5.99) and Shea butter body lotion ((£5.50). She also has divine smelling candles for £8.99; the tempting fragrances include redcurrant & ginger and sweet orange and ylang ylang.

A great gift for…hair salon junkies

Great little stocking fillers:

Anyone that loves getting that professional salon finish at home will be over the moon with the funky Haito hair dryer from Pomegranate in Oakham. Costing £45, the dryer has three heat and two speed settings as well as a cool shot button and a matching nozzle for precision styling. Better still, Faith stocks the brand new ‘shoes’ design which has just been launched for Christmas 2012.

For something a little different, the wristwatch and Muk Styling Mud duo from Hairworx is great value at £16.95. Or pop into see Faith at Pomegranate for some gorgeous little gift ideas including brightly coloured Ostrich Feather Keyrings at £12 (she’ll never lose her keys again!), natural Korres lip balm in a host of ‘flavours’ for just £7 and the Korres body milk and shower duo which costs under £20.

Great for adding a touch of glam to a Christmas stocking is the limited edition Jessica Glamarama collection from Creme Hair and Beauty. The festive gift box contains three award-winning nail colours and costs £14.95.

Directory: Body and Soul, High Street, Oakham, Tel: 01572 771071 Hairworx, Gaol Street, Oakham, Tel: 01572 720836 The Beauty Room, South Street, Oakham, Tel: 01572 755389 Creme Hair and Beauty, Mill Street, Oakham, Tel: 01572 723823, www.cremehairandbeauty.co.uk Lalique, South Street, Oakham Tel: 01572 723950, www.lalique-beauty.com Pomegranate, Mill Street, Oakham, Tel: 01572 755096, www.pomegranate.uk.com

If you’re looking for something at the lower end of the budget, then there are options galore:

A great gift for…a touch of luxury If the lady in your life takes care of her skin then she’ll love the Decleor Wonder of Nature gift set from Lalique in Oakham.

Packaged in some of the prettiest boxes I have seen, the gifts can be customised with products to suit or why not choose from the selection available; the Hydrating Gift Set contains a Floral Moisturising Day Cream, Aromessence Neroli Serum and the Floral Gel for eyes – all at the fantastic price of £42.00. Pop in to see the full collection.

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Fa s hion

True Colours…

Unique Colour Treatments at Simon Cawthorne

Jess and Lilly watch Carl apply colour

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xisting customers will not be surprised that the team at Simon Cawthorne Hair are pushing the boundaries once again and are now offering a new colouring treatment exclusive to this region (and probably outside London.) Amander Meade finds out more.

Simon Cawthorne has built quite a reputation for excellence in hairdressing since the launch of the Oakham salon four years ago. He invests heavily in his team in terms of training to ensure they are always at the cutting edge (excuse the pun!) of new techniques and trends.

This is probably why the team celebrated a record breaking year for the business despite the gloomy economic climate; it seems if we are going to spend money on our hair, we want the finest expertise available.

Simon has an impressive hairdressing ‘pedigree’ having trained with Nicky Clarke before carving his own niche through London salons eventually launching his salons. Even more impressive is the long list of awards he has won including taking the coveted ‘Creative Hairdressing’ title at the Tigi Hair Awards a couple of years ago. Simon admits he has put competition hairdressing on the back burner just for now to focus on the Rutland salon, “Competitions take a huge amount of time and energy and my team and my clients here deserve my full attention at the moment.”

A young Carl Dawson was another raw recruit honing his craft under the guidance of Nicky Clarke along with Simon all those years ago and the pair are still good friends today. Carl is considered to be one of the top five Personal Colour Technicians in the world and his reputation takes him to fashion, movie and TV shoots all over the world to tend the locks of clients such as Sienna Miller, Gwyneth Paltrow and a host of other A listers. Carl recently visited Simon’s team at the salon to deliver a master class in his speciality colour techniques. Simon was delighted with the response of the team and the models on the receiving end of Carl’s

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Jo gets to work on longer hair

expertise.

“We are totally focused on customer led service and Carl has helped us move our thinking towards a completely different approach to colouring hair. We are now using methods that offer an individual approach to each customer according to their cut, style and type of hair.”

Tester’s Verdict: “My hair is layered to shoulder length and I buy ‘off the shelf’ colours as close to my own mid-brown as possible – mainly to give my hair a little gloss and shine but I don’t feel block colour is really flattering to me.

Carl studied my hair and how the layers fell then began to apply colour directly and by hand in a kind of ‘freehand’ style. No foils and no caps with hair pulled through.”

“We are not looking for a ‘uniform’ approach to highlights,” Carl explained. “I want to create an effect as though sunlight is catching your hair and using the texture and the cut to apply the colour in a less structured way – we are not looking for stripes of colour but to add light and enhance the cut in a very natural way.”

Result!

A rinse with the salon’s wonderful vegetable derived colour enhancing shampoo and a blow dry and my hair looked really great. A completely naturally highlighted effect; very subtle and pretty. The next day at work, four people remarked on how pretty my hair looked but nobody said ‘I like your highlights’ – this is a colour system for people who are seeking a really natural and personalised colour. Cawthorne’s break the mould again - brilliant.

• To book a consultation call in to the salon or call Tel: 01572 722774, Simon Cawthorne Hair, 23a Mill Street, Oakham.

RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING december 2012

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Time to Sparkle

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Wrap up your Christmas at Cavells. Make a one-stop shop this December for fabulous party wear and a beautiful selection of Christmas gifts, which we will gift wrap for you. Visit our brand new website to buy online at w w w.c a v e l l s .c o .uk

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FASHION

Let’s Get This Party Started!

With party season almost upon us, Vanessa Hollander has been out and about in our local boutiques to seek out all that sparkles!

C

HRISTMAS party season is just getting started and whilst we all love a party, sometimes the ‘what to wear’ dilemma can get the better of us! As ever, my best advice would be not to over think things - wear something that’s ‘you’ and that you feel good in – that way you won’t ever go wrong!

A simple dress, black or otherwise, is an easy and fail-safe way to get things right. A well-cut, classic shape will never go out of date and can be a really good investment.

This season lace is a definite winner and there’s lots of it around.

What’s more it never really goes out of date so, again, it’s a good investment piece. A lace skirt, for example, can be dressed up or down so you can get more from it.

If you can’t afford a whole new outfit, then use accessories to bring new life to your look. Collars are big news this season and you can find lots of lovely, sparkly necklace collars to breath new life into the plainest of dresses or knits. So whether you choose a little or a lot of sparkle, there’s never a better time to shine than Christmas, so just go for it and have fun!

Above: Harriet wears Glamorous dress, £50 from Energy, Stamford Earrings £320 and ring £210 both by Daisy Knights, from Paradise Found, Stamford Right: Nancy (left) Lace and net dress by Derby, £125 from Jacks Burgandy shoe boots by Unisa, £140 from Attic Stamford Harriet (right) Black knitted and lace dress by Esprit Collection, £65 from Attic, Oakham Black fur trimmed ankle boots by Lisa Kay, £175 from Vanilla, Oakham

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Above: Nancy wears black pearl trimmed dress by Moschino, £408 from Doyles, Market Harborough Left: Harriet (left) Black and gold asymmetric hem dress, £29 from Baubles&Bangles Pearl and diamante necklace (part of set with earrings), £25 from Baubles&Bangles Black shoe boots by Vic, £195 from Cavells, Oakham Nancy (right) Gold peplum dress by John Zachary, £36 from SO Stamford Bright red ankle boots by Gabor, £124.99 from Marcia May Shoes, Stamford WITH THANKS TO : Thierry Daugeron for making us so welcome at his new and fabulous Riverside Venue (Joule, The Riverside Café, The Riverside Antique Centre) www.thierrydaugeron.co.uk Our gorgeous models – Nancy and Harriet – you were amazing!

Sarah Buxton - our make-up artist at Aromatica, Stamford (www.aromaticabeauty.co.uk) Our wonderful photographer – Elli Dean – brilliant! www.ellideanphotography.co.uk 07932055548

Harriet wears gold sequin dress by Lubelula, £325 from Cavells, Oakham Black shoe boots by Vic, £195 from Cavells, Oakham

Nancy wears coral embellished blouse, £247 and gold skirt, £168 both by Stills at Vanilla, Oakham. Grey shoe boots by Gabor, £130 from Marcia May Shoes, Stamford

STOCKISTS Attic, Oakham, 01572 759000, www.atticfashion.co.uk Baubles&Bangles, 01572 724177 www.baublesandbangles.co.uk Cavells, Oakham, 01572 770372, www.cavells.co.uk Doyles of Market Harborough, 01858 433279, www.doylesfashion.com Energy, Stamford, 01780 765633, www.energy-clothing.com Jacks, Market Harborough, 01858 468 876 Marcia May Shoes, Stamford, 01780 766 608 Paradise Found, Stamford, 01780 764439 SO, Ironmonger Street, Stamford Vanilla, Oakham, 01572 757577

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FOOD & DR INK

Yo Ho Ho! The silly season is upon us and Sarah Poli of Firenze and Boboli in Kibworth bemoans the plight of the restaurateur

A

s political bodies debate the acceptability of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and religious fanatics dig their heals in, the rest of the country knows exactly what’s what! Eat drink and Be Merry!

Restaurants usually have their menus for Christmas drafted by the end of January, and ready and even printed by April, or June, latest. Christmas cards are on display by September. Trees and lights are up by the 1st of October!

As a restaurateur, it’s very hard to determine where our emphasis should be. The all singing and dancing party venues take much competing with, and ‘Christmas Companies’ pop up all over the place. But what if our restaurants are limited? Restricted by the bricks and mortar that suffice the rest of the year around - should we slap a marquee on the back and maximise the potential or should we hold fast to the standards and style that sees us through the other weeks of the year?

Commercially, especially in these times, of course, we must do what we can to appeal to the masses or maybe not? Let’s simply appeal to those lovely people that dine with us all year around. If your restaurant

is elegant and stylish from January to November, should you really fill it with tinsel, glitter and crackers for December? If your menus exude passion and expertise throughout the year, embracing the flavours of each season as it come in to play, should we really expect our erstwhile ‘Chef Almighty’ to reduce his skills to serving menus that offer rather dull Christmas Fayre, albeit with their own personal twist to appease their creativity? Or should he simply be encouraged to produce his winter seasons menu, full of his usual verve and inimitable style?

Often I am asked; “What are you doing for Christmas?”

“Will you have lots of parties?” “Are there crackers?”

“Is there traditional turkey dinner?” To each of these I tentatively, and tactfully, try to respond that we tend to play it down, “Yes the restaurants will be decorated and we are offering our usual style of menu, in keeping with the season”, but, “No there will not be tinsel, crackers, or chipolatas… sorry!”

So be sure to remind your favourite restaurants this Silly Season, that you appreciate them, for their food, their service, and their integrity, after all, we are not here “just for Christmas”.

Wine for Living with Emma Robson Every Christmas Ben and I put together a couple of pre-mixed cases to wipe out the need for any deliberations; this month’s offer is the ‘Partners Selection’, a case of wine intended for opening as soon as shop closes at 2pm on Christmas Eve (if not earlier whilst we are still ‘working’) ...

This month’s wine club followers will sup on: • 2 bottles of Le Case Bianche ‘Vigna del Cuc’, our delicious ‘house’ Prosecco.

• 1 bottle of Majolini Franciacorta Brut NV. The chalky landscape of Franciacorta is similar to that of Champagne, the climate is hotter, the grapes therefore riper with less acidity. Finely crafted, has a hint of apple danish.

• 2 bottles of Mancinelli, ‘Verdicchio di Castelli di Jesi’, a long loved staple of Bat and Bottle’s dry white wines. Limes and flowers with a gentle honeyed touch.

• 2 bottles of Zeni (Roberto) Sauvignon Blanc.

Half the grapes are picked slightly early to ensure the greenness, cut grass aromas and acidity. The other half are picked when ripe, adding a generous apple-like roundness. An extraordinary, polished modern wine.

• 2 bottles of Santa Vittoria ‘Poggio al Tempio’; a red that couldn’t be more old- school by comparison with earthy mushrooms and sour cherries. Excellent with red meat.

• 2 bottles of Majolini ‘Ruc di Gnoc’, a sumptuous blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with a twist of Barbera and Nebbiolo.

A beautiful, rich, velvety red.

• 1 half bottle of Santa Vittoria ‘Vin Santo’.

Put simply, heavenly pudding wine crafted by nature.

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L oca l L iv ing E x clusive The extra bonus for Living readers: I have also added a litre of our extra fresh, extra virgin oil from Calabria, Southern Italy, milled mid-October after this year’s harvest.

12 stunning bottles of wine PLUS 1 bottle of olive oil for enjoying Living, delivered to your door for £155.00.

To order your Living Case, call Bat and Bottle on Tel: 01572 759735 or visit Bat and Bottle at unit 5, 19 Pillings Road, Oakham, Rutland LE15 6QF (please call first to check the warehouse is manned). This month’s offer is NOT available on the website.

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T h i s

C h r i s t m a s

v i s i t

t h e

NEW OTTERS SMOKEHOUSE & DELI

Otters have moved to new premises at 19, Mill Street in Oakham and are offering a larger and even more exciting range of deli products plus an area to ‘eat-in’. They are open all day for delicious breakfasts, lunches and so much more, all served by the friendly Otters team.

Don’t forget to pick up our Christmas order forms and Hamper leaflets. An Otters Gift Voucher makes a great present, plus we have some gifts ideal for the discerning foodie.

❄ ❄

❄ ❄❄

EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE 19 Mill Street, Oakham, Rutland LE15 6EA Tel: 01572 756481 Email: info@ottersdeli.co.uk www.ottersdeli.co.uk

Festive Lunch

Available from 1st - 23rd December Enjoy the relaxed elegance of Stapleford Park while you celebrate the Christmas season with friends and family.

Indulge in a Festive lunch from £25.00 per person for three courses. Our selection of dishes include roast parsnip and nutmeg soup, roast Norfolk turkey with traditional accompaniments and Christmas pudding served with brandy anglaise.

With delicious food and fine wines to look forward to, everyone can soak up the festive joy at Stapleford Park.

For further information or to make a reservation, please contact Reservations on 01572 787019 or email reservations@stapleford.co.uk

A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World

Stapleford Park, Stapleford, nr. Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire LE14 2EF

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Make this Christmas Special at

The Jackson Stops

Using the finest locally sourced ingredients, traditional baking methods and a craftsman’s attention to detail, the bakers at Hambleton Bakery have created a delicious range of handmade sweet and savoury products for you and your family and friends to enjoy over Christmas.

The Christmas range is available in our shops and stockists from 1st December while our traditional range of artisan breads, full of wholesome flavour with no preservatives or enhancers added, remains available throughout the season.

December Lunch Menu • 2 Courses £15 • 3 Courses £18

Now O

Lunches fro

Available Tuesdays – Saturdays

Christmas Day Luncheon £75 per person children under 12 half price Beautiful 6 Course Lunch

Oakham Shop

Cottesmore Road, Exton,

Rutland

LE15 8AN

LE15 6AL

Oundle Shop 44 Jericho,

Stamford Shop

Market Place,

1 Ironmonger Street,

Oundle PE8 4AU

Lincolnshire , PE9 1PL

Gaol Street

THE J

N N T RY I N

Sorry nobody under 12 years of age.

Download our full Christmas brochure now at:

www.thejacksonstops.com

Call and book your table on:

OU

S OP

K S O N ST AC

C

Enquiries 01572 812995 info@hambletonbakery.co.uk www.hambletonbakery.co.uk

OU

Be piped into dinner by Piper Mark, then dance in the New Year with The Kings of Eden.

THE J

Exton Bakery & Shop

S OP

Gourmet 6 course dinner and Champagne at Midnight!

Deadline for Christmas Orders is Monday 17th December 2012.

K S O N ST AC

C

New Year’s Eve £75 per person

N T RY I N

N

01780 410237 Rookery Lane, Stretton, Rutland, LE15 7RA

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FOOD & DR INK

The Hambleton Bakery stars in ‘Britain’s Best Bakery’ TV Show Hambleton Bakery is appearing on ITV in a show called ‘Britain’s Best Bakery’, on at 4pm five days a week for four weeks, from Mon 26 Nov-Fri 21 Dec. Christmas range

A

s well as being a food competition, this series is intended as a celebration of local bakeries around the UK, the delicious goods they produce, their regional specialities and their centuries old baking heritage.

Expert judges Mich Turner MBE (TV chef, author and owner of Little Venice Cake Company) and Peter Sidwell (TV chef, cookery writer and restaurateur) sample the delicacies of the country’s favourite independent, family run and community bakeries, tasting and critiquing their way through breads, cakes, pastries and pies.

The shortlisted 36 bakeries from across the UK competed in a series of baking challenges that put their skills to the test, from organic artisan sour dough breads to the more obscure Bedfordshire clanger and the Lancashire courting cake, and include favourite bakes whose origins lie beyond the UK, such as baklava and bagels.

Watch to see how Hambleton Bakery gets on.

The Hambleton team comprised Julian Carter and Scott Kenny, both master bakers, and Tim Hart, co-owner of Hambleton Hall, providing assistance when needed.

New products As part of the TV show, the bakery had to create some new products with a ‘special twist’;

The Rutland Pippin, baked in the shape of an apple, is filled with ham hock, apple & quince purée and Stilton cheese. The bread is a cross between a pastry and dough.

All the ingredients are local: the Ham Hock and Lincolnshire sausage meat from Grasmere Farm, the Stilton from Leicestershire, Brownlee apples from Nottingham and the flour from Whissendine Windmill.

Brilliant in a lunch box; those who have tried it remark on its simplicity and tastiness.

Ploughman’s Parcel

and two of these, The Ploughman’s Parcel and the Rutland Pippin, are now available for purchase.

Ploughman’s Parcel: The Ploughman’s Parcel is a savoury focaccia dough filled with Lincolnshire Poacher Cheese, Apple, Celery and homemade Chutney made with figs, dates, onions and balsamic vinegar, topped with seeds.

It is filling enough for a lunch snack, or a centrepiece for a more substantial meal.

Rutland Pippin

Rutland Pippin: The requirement here was to create a new product inspired by local ingredients.

Christmas range: Hambleton Bakery also has a fabulous Christmas range available from the start of December, including: • Christmas puddings, based on an 1844 recipe handed down through Julian’s baking family, very rich and rather alcoholic • Christmas crowns – 6 buns in a pan, with ginger, calvados apples, golden raisins, sultanas , peel and glaze Stilton & celery scones • Cranberry & white chocolate cookies • Mince pies • Hambleton Bakery Tel: 01572 812995 www.hambletonbakery.co.uk Stores Exton Bakery, Oakham, Stamford and Oundle

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FOOD & DR INK

SEAN’S KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL Put some hares on your chest

With so many turkey, Christmas pudding and Brussels sprouts recipes doing the rounds in December, I wanted to give you something completely different in this issue. Hare!

N

ow hare, which is in season from late August until February in the UK, does have a strong, gamey flavour, so for those who can’t even contemplate cooking it, I’m also including my Guinness-infused Christmas pud recipe.

Still, I’d urge you to track down some legs of hare and try this robust and delicious Italian dish. The recipe is from Sam Britten, head chef at The Red Lion Inn at Stathern, Leicestershire (sister pub to The Olive Branch).

The slow cooking of the hare in red wine tempers the strong flavour of the meat and it takes on a beautiful depth. It pays to use a good bottle of wine as it really improves the taste – a Malbec works well.

Where do you get your hare? We often get ours at the Olive Branch and Red Lion from our local garage mechanic, who’s a real crack shot! However, your first port of call should be your local butcher. Melton Mowbray Fur and Feather auction is also an option for those who fancy prepping the animal themselves. Or try www.peterboroughgame.co.uk

Braised leg of hare in red wine with Parmesan polenta

Serves 4 For the braised hare: 2 hare legs • 400ml red wine • 1 garlic clove, crushed • 1 sprig thyme • Bay leaf • 1 shallot, sliced

Sean’s Christmas pudding Serves 10 110g suet • 50g self-raising flour • 110g breadcrumbs • 1 tsp mixed spice • 1 pinch nutmeg • 1 pinch cinnamon • 225g dark brown sugar • 110g sultanas • 25g mixed peel • 25g chopped almonds • 1 large dessert apple • Zest of half an orange • Zest of half a lemon • 2 eggs, beaten • 125ml Guinness • 125ml rum • Quarter of a can barley wine 1. Start the day before you want to steam the pudding.

Mix all the dry ingredients, including the suet, in a large mixing bowl.

2. Mix in liquid ingredients. The mixture should have a fairly sloppy consistency. Cover. Leave overnight.

3. Pack mixture into a lightly greased pudding basin, cover with two sheets of baking parchment and a sheet of foil. Tie with string. Prepare a steamer and steam for four hours. You can eat now or cool and store for up to three months in a cool, dark place, resteaming for two hours before serving.

4. Serve with custard or brandy butter.

For the Parmesan polenta: 500ml chicken or game stock • 120g polenta • Knob of butter • 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan To make the braised hare: 1. Place all ingredients into a bowl and marinade in the fridge overnight.

2. Remove legs from the marinade, pat dry, then seal to golden brown in a pan over a medium heat.

3. Place the hare legs into a large pot, add the marinade and braise them slowly at around 100C (Gas Mark 1 or below) for four hours.

4. When nice and tender, remove from the heat and serve with the Parmesan polenta (see below).

To make the polenta: 1. Place the stock and polenta into a pan then heat gently for 6-8 minutes.

2. Season with salt and pepper, then add the grated Parmesan and knob of butter.

3. Serve with the braised hare leg and chopped parsley.

Full of umami!

One of the main reasons I like this hare dish so much is because it contains tons of ‘umami’. This is a Japanese word that roughly translates as ‘pleasant savoury taste’. Umami is one of the five basic tastes alongside sweet, sour, bitter, and salty – ingredients that contains a lot of it are mushrooms, tomato and shellfish. For example, fish sauce gives you lots of umami flavour.

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JOIN GREAT FOOD CLUB The Olive Branch and Red Lion are part of Great Food Club – a network of the best local restaurants offering special deals to membership card holders.

Stamford Living readers can join Great Food Club FREE at: www.greatfoodclub.co.uk

RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING DECEMBER 2012

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CookiNg DEMoNStRAtioN DAtES FoR 2013

10th February 12th May 15th September 10th November

£35 pER pERSoN

Includes a 2 course lunch with a glass of wine Contact us for more information and to book

XMAS MENU 2012: 2 Courses @ £19.95 p.p/3 Courses @ £25.95 p.p StARtERS Thai Pumpkin & Coconut Soup Ham Hock & Black Pudding Terrine, Mange Tout & Shallot Salad, ‘Gibriche Dressing Clementine & Dill Gravadlax, Rye Bread MAiNS Traditional Roast Norfolk Bronze Turkey Seared Seabass Fillet, Roast Butternut Squash, Red Onion, Walnuts & Lemon Dressing Parsnip, Sweet Potato & Oat Fritter, Creamed Spinach, Forest Mushroom & Roast Artichokes SWEEtS Christmas pudding, Brandy Butter & Clotted Cream Spiced Mango, White Chocolate Mousse, Raspberry Sauce Selection of Local Cheeses, Homemade Chutney ***** Coffee & Mince Pies @ £3.50pp

NEW YEAR’S EVE MENU 2012 Jerusalem Artichokes & Wild Mushroom Soup

Tempura King Prawns, Thai Green Mango Salad Fillet of Beef, Dauphinoise Potatoes, Peppercorn Sauce & Green Beans Chocolate Torte, Cherry Compote Cheese Board Coffee with Homemade Truffles

£69.50 per person Music by Flip Stay the night and get the room for £75.00 superior, £60.00 Standard, incl vat & full English breakfast

DisCretionary 10% serviCe Charge will be aDDeD to your bill

Lunch & Dinner, 7 Days a week

For over 30 years Hambleton Hall has been one of the region’s favourite Michelin starred fine dining destinations.

Christmas Parties at Hambleton Hall Hambleton Hall has a wonderful Private Dining Room – ‘The Study’ available for parties of 6 – 16 guests

Canapés 3 Course Dinner followed

by Coffee & homemade Chocolates £50.00 per person No charge for room hire.

Special Bedroom Rate £230.00 Based on 2 people sharing one of our standard double bedrooms, includes full Hambleton breakfast & vat.

Menu Salad of Crab, flavoured with mango & lime leaf *** Free Range Turkey cooked in a salt crust pastry with traditional accompaniments *** Chocolate Truffle flavoured with olive oil, baked banana, pistachio sorbet & salted caramel *** Coffee & homemade Chocolates

To take advantage of this special room rate, a minimum booking of 3 bedrooms per party is required

All menus are subject to a discretionary service charge of 12.5% Excluding Christmas & New Year.

For more details about our Special Breaks and Events please visit our website www.hambletonhall.com

hambleton, oakham, Rutland, le15 8th t: 01572 756991 e: hotel@hambletonhall.com W: www.hambletonhall.com 37

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L OCA L FOOD

A FEW OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS...

For The Christmas Store Cupboard Sarah Lyon fills her larder with some delicious local treats

“Smoked Salmon at Christmas is always a good one,” says Leo from Otters in Oakham.

“Ours is quite unique, being freedom farmed in open lochs where they are hand fed (rather than machine) before being slowly smoked over whole Suffolk Oak rather than chipping which can contain oil from the cutting equipment used. The smoking process can take anything between two and three days depending on the weather so a very traditional smoking method, and finally the salmon is hand smoked which is a skill in itself!” Otters Smokehouse & Deli, 19 Mill Street, Oakham, Tel: 01572 756 481, www.ottersdeli.co.uk NEW PREMISES offering light deli lunches of smoked fish platters and charcuterie, coffee & pastries.

The Small Bread Company

Pop-Up Boxing Day Bakery at The Small Bread Company. Artisan breads made using locally milled organic stoneground flour in all products. Speciality loaves – Cranberry and Stilton, Walnut Wreath; Fruity Brioche; French Pastries – Cranberry & Almond Croissant; Sweet Treats – Mince Pies, Cranberry Iced buns. Order ahead from Filam on Tel: 01832 270938, www. thesmallbreadcompany.com Pick up orders 9am – 12 noon on December 26th at Barnwell nr Oundle Workshop.

Fosse Meadows Corn Fed Chickens – Succulent roasted birds home grown and raised on a diet of cereals free from any additives and growth hormones. Feed rations include maize which gives the birds a lovely golden glow and adds a little extra fat. Birds roam free in fields, bask in the sun - slow grown which is where these birds gain on flavour over other producers. Source Fosse Meadows oven ready birds from Stamford Garden Centre farm shop, Casterton Road, Stamford and Seven Wells Butcher, Oundle, (www.fossemeadows.co.uk ) Buy on line or contact the farm direct for turkeys, geese and cockerels, Lutterworth, Leicestershire, Tel: 07886 340752

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Fosse Meadows

Recipe Card Windfall apples (or other) stuffed with Nelsons Butchers sausage meat Core 4 apples and rub the inside with a squeeze of lemon juice Sausage mixture: 250g nelsons sausage meat, 1/2 onion finely diced (cook in a pan with 1 tablespoon of olive oil until the onion is translucent in colour), 2 teaspoons Tuk Tuk Foods (Red Lion Square, Saturdays) Hot Sweet Chilli Dipping Sauce, 2 cloves of garlic grated, 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger, 1 teaspoon soy sauce, 1 egg yolk.

Mix all ingredients together and fill centre of the cored apples.

Place around the chicken in roasting pan to cook while chicken is roasting.

The apples juices mingle with the pan juices to create a wonderful base for your gravy.

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Johannah’s Patisserie

Mimosa Bakery Hennart Brie

Mimosa Bakery’s Christmas Cookies – A collection of delightful and delicious homemade Christmas Cookies all baked, iced and hand-painted by Holly Cook to hang on and adorn the branches of your Christmas tree. A sweet and unique gift for Advent or Christmas, 1-3 cookies (£2.50 each), 4 or more cookies (£2.00 each). Tel. Holly on 07717 884091, www.mimosabakery.co.uk, based in Stamford

Johannah’s Patisserie

Hennart Brie from Otters Deli – Jacques Hennart buys young cheeses from artisan producers and matures them in the right conditions at his maturing facility just outside Lille. Leo tells me that this Brie has a full flavour and when left out of the fridge runs like a good brie should.

A hint of natural blue with Blue Lincolnshire Poacher and three year old matured Knuckle Duster Lincolnshire Poacher Cheese at STAMFORD FARMER’S MARKET, CHRISTMAS DATE: Friday, December 21st New Lodge Farm Special Christmas Shop Sunday 23rd December – Order ahead and collect your Christmas Turkey while enjoying a complimentary Hog Roast Roll. Everything for your Christmas menu can be sourced from the farm shop – barn reared and hung turkeys, pedigree Aberdeen Angus rib of beef, lamb, hams and vegetables along with an assortment of farm shop specialities. Contact Simon, Tel: 01780 450493 (New Lodge Farm Shop – along the A47 towards Bulwick) Johannah’s Patisserie – Step into Johannah’s lovely little patisserie and you step into a taste of patisserie heaven. A bit modern and traditional too Johannah, who studied cake decorating at London Southbank University, takes her inspiration from classic French patisserie, particularly the world famous Angelina in Paris. Her usual range of popular Sacher Torte and German Chocolate cake are available to order for Christmas in addition to seasonal specialities of hand decorated Christmas cakes, frangipane mince pies, linzertorte, iced gingerbread, lebuken, stollen and Christmas puddings. Johannah’s, 10b Northgate, Oakham, Rutland LE15 6QS, www.johannahs-patisserie.co.uk. Open: Wed – Fri 10 – 5pm, Saturday 9am – 2:30pm, Saturday Dec 22 (9am – 5pm), Christmas Eve (9am1pm), December 10th – Oakham late night shopping 2pm – 8pm, Mulled wine and tastings of Christmas cake and mince pies, Christmas cakes and hampers to order.

RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING DECEMBER 2012

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Sibbertoft Manor Nursing & Residential Care Home A luxury dual registered nursing/residential care home where residents enjoy a truly ‘manor house’ lifestyle with 24 hour fully qualified nursing staff

SE HA EN VE O Y LO UR OU OK N ? EW

See our revamped interior and enjoy our delicious traditional English and Italian Cuisine.

GREAT VALUE CHRISTMAS FAYRE MENU available 3rd-22nd Dec for pre-booked parties Mon – Sat, Lunch & Dinner 2 courses £17, 3 courses £20 - including coffee & mince pies Private Dining available for parties of all sizes Booking essential NEW YEAR’S EVE – DRESS UP SMART AND DANCE Join us, once again, for our hugely popular “Dress up Smart and Dance” Exclusive House Party - 4 course dinner, live band, table novelties & midnight treats. £60 pp Arrive from 7pm for a glass of bubbly, dinner at 7.45pm

The Fox and Hounds, 19 The Green Exton, Rutland, LE15 8AP

01572 812403

www.foxandhoundsrutland.co.uk

info@foxandhoundsrutland.co.uk

Italian food as it should be, simple, elegant & full of flavour.

** One single en-suite room available now **

The Firenze Winter menus are here to enjoy

Please call in or contact Tricia Bevin RGN

Sibbertoft Manor

Church Street, Sibbertoft, Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 9UA Telephone: 01858 881304 • Facsimile: 01858 881488

Telephone 0116 279 6260 firenze.co.uk

Website: www.sibbertoftmanor.com • E-mail: sibbertoftmatron@aol.com

Give yourself the perfect gift this Christmas time Join us for a sherry and mince pie to find out how you could enjoy a wonderful later living lifestyle, every day of the year.

Beautiful 1 and 2 bedroom apartments, with flexible options to rent, part own or fully purchase

Welland Place St Mary’s Road Market Harborough Leicestershire LE16 7GF

• Limited 10% seasonal discount * Full purchase from £89,100 • Move into a fully furnished Shared ownership from £44,550 apartment from £89,550 ** Rental from £500 pm • Superb range of assistance options to help you move more easily *

10% discount applies to reservations taken by 24.12.12. Prices quoted include discount

** Price based on 50% shared ownership and includes 6% discount.

No other promotion or incentive applies to this offer.

Phone:

01332 296200

Email: enquiries@mha.org.uk Web: www.mha.org.uk

MHA Epworth House Stuart Street Derby DE1 2EQ • Phone: 01332 296200 Fax: 01332 296925 • Methodist Homes (MHA), Registered as a Charity – No. 1083995

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Festive menu from £15.95 for two courses New Years Eve £47.50 per head, four course dinner and dancing FESTIVE MENU AVAILABLE FROM 3RD - 21ST DEC

HALF PRICE MENU FROM JANUARY 7 TH MONDAY - THURSDAY

For the full red carpet treatment 26 Melton Road, Oakham, LE15 6AY

Award Winners

of the Best Indian

Restaurant in the East Midlands Food & Drink Awards 2012

Book in advance for Christmas & New Year Celebrations Call now on 01572 724999 (5.30pm – 11pm) or 07864 658727 (anytime)

Bring your own wine & ales to enjoy with your meal.

Please remember we accept CASH PAYMENT only. Takeaway available.

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Bespoke Joinery and Furniture

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L OCA L NE W S

TRAVEL Adrenalin Junky Nick Edwards takes us Off-Piste in Verbier…

“A

s the sun rose on a bright March morning we decided to hit the backside of the Mont Fort, one of Verbier’s most well-known and talked about off-piste routes. We made our way to the main Medran gondola in preparation for the series of lifts required to take us up to Verbier’s highest peak. The sun was shining brightly on this crisp winter morning, the type of “bluebird” ski day that we skiers just adore andc ondition’s from the lifts looked perfect. Our final stage of our ascent was by cable car and we arrived at the “throne” of the 4 Vallees ski domain. The Mont Fort sits at an impressive 3330 meters above sea level and affords terrific views comprising of a huge section on the Alps.

Feeling in good spirits we opted for the steeper off-piste descent of the Mont Fort backside and chose the route to our immediate left rather than the shallower gradient to our right. Going first I dropped into the steep couloir and felt the thin crust of the surface hoar gently give way to deeper powder layer. With the slope being both fast and mogul free it was perfect for huge powder turns and I could see the snow spraying artistically off of my friends as they took the lead out of this powder route.

After 30 minutes of an adrenalin-charged high our “come down” comprised of poling for a further 15 minutes around the far side of the Lac de Cleuson. From here we took the forested track back into Siviez. And having been discharged successfully we arrived at the Teepee bar in Siviez for a demi beer and a Rodeo schnitzel burger; the perfect lunch after a perfect mornings skiing.”

For days like this contact: Nick Edwards, Snow Finders www.snowfinders.co.uk, Tel: 01858 466888

Savvi Travel in the Spotlight Dave and Kay have always had a passion for travel. From the very start of their married life they have been fortunate to visit some amazing places, from their first holiday to Florida to many family holidays to Europe, Egypt and the Caribbean.

S

ays Dave, “Travel is such a great subject.

I like to think that both Kay and I are the ‘glass half full’ type of people so speaking to visitors to our shop about holidays is perfect for us both. My father always used to apply what he called ‘ the mum and dad test’- it means that whenever we sell a holiday we think about whether ‘mum and dad’ would be happy with the service, quality of holiday and after-sales care. We think this makes us different to the high street chains as we really can offer a bespoke solution and we do try our very best

when it comes to getting the service right.

Kay often talks about how many of our clients are repeat bookers or have been referred to us by previous clients. I think that this is the best possible form of endorsement and reinforces what we are all about. We would not book a holiday just to get a sale; we are quite happy to chat through the options and then leave clients with a coffee to decide in your own good time.

No pressurised selling just good old fashioned service on your doorstep.”

Gill, having worked for 14 years in travel, is delighted to be working for Savvi Travel now and feels as if she is an equal member of the Savvi Travel family: “With my work and life experience, I know how precious those few weeks a year of time together on holiday are and it is with this in mind that I genuinely try and seek out the best holiday for the clients.

I look upon my role at Savvi Travel as being more of a consultant, helping to find the perfect combination of destination, dates and budget for all clients, be they a business class traveller, newlyweds, seeking a fabulous honeymoon, or a family wanting to get their ‘bucket and spades’ out for a week. As I live in Oakham, I appreciate that giving great service is vital for such a local business and I love to hear from clients returning from their holiday telling me what a great time they have had whilst I am out getting the weekly shop!”

Kay, Gill and Dave look forward to seeing you New Year to discuss your next holiday adventure in their new premises in the Maltings off Mill Street. You can also call them on Tel: 01572 842012 or email gill@savvitravel.co.uk

RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING DECEMBER 2012

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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 Friday 23 November to Sunday 23 December EVENT: Christmas Treats A jovial production crammed full of song and anecdote from the wonderful world of musical theatre. Guests enjoy a fabulous fourcourse dinner in the magical atmosphere of the candlelit Orangery whilst being entertained by four talented stars of the West End Stage.

Kilworth House Hotel Tickets are priced £50 - £60 per head Tel: 01858 881939 Monday 3 December, 7.30pm (doors 6.50pm) The Rutland NSPCC Carol Concert Seasonal music plus Christmas readings from a host of celebrities in support of the NSPCC. All Saints Parish Church, Oakham Tickets are £12 available at Hirst & Hirst in Oakham (Tel: 01572 723800), Don Paddy’s Wine Bar in Uppingham (Tel: 01572 822255) or through Margaret Wheeler Tel: 01572 813626.

Tuesday 4 to Sunday 9 December (daytime and evening performances) FAMILY SHOW: The Night Before Christmas The Night Before Christmas is the latest production from Big Wooden Horse Theatre Company. With songs and audience participation, the show is ideal for families and children aged three and above - a perfect Christmas treat. Tickets from £9.50 Tel: 01536 470470 or www.thecorecorby.com Thursday 6 December, 10.30am-4pm WORKSHOP: Watercolour Painting Day: ‘Simple Cards’ Create your own Christmas cards from a selection of seasonal favourites. Everyone is welcome, from the more experienced artist to the absolute beginner, and a delicious lunch in the Barnsdale Gardens Tea Room is included in the price.

Barnsdale Gardens Price £67 per person Tel: 01572 813200 or visit www.barnsdalegardens.co.uk Thursday 6 December, 10am EVENT: Mistletoe Moment This month’s makeover morning at Cavells is all about Christmas glamour with fantastic party styling, seductive make-up and fabulous hair.

Cavells, Mill Street, Oakham Tickets will be available from Cavells at £35 each to include lunch afterwards at Hambleton Hall Thursday 6 December and Monday 10 December, 5pm – 9pm EVENT: Rutland Late Night Shopping Uppingham Town will host a Christmas shopping event on Thursday 6 December with lots of family fun including a fair, live music, trade stands, Santa’s grotto with many shops staying open late. Oakham town centre will host on Monday 10 December with lots of similar activities plus an ice rink, a visit by the Leicester Tigers, carol singing and much, much more.

Friday 7 December 7pm to 9pm EVENT: WaterAid Christmas Tree Festival The church will be filled with imaginatively decorated and illuminated Christmas trees with many different themes. There will also be craft, antiques and book stalls, a children’s bran tub and refreshments. Also open for Late Night Shopping.

Oakham Congregational Church Tuesday 11 December, 7.30pm EVENT: Talk by Gyn Jones The Rutland Hardy Plant Society have invited Glyn to speak and his subject will be ‘Hidcote from the start’. All are welcome with more information at www.hpsrutand.btck.co.uk Uppingham CE School

Wednesday 12 to Sunday 16 December, various daytime and evening performances FAMILY SHOW: Tumblewater Charles Dickens meets Roald Dahl via Horrible Histories in this festive family show recommended for ages seven and upwards. An ideal Christmas outing for older children and their families, this is a rip-roaring show – complete with laughs, frights and live music. The Core, Corby Tickets are £9.50/£7.50 Tel: 01536 470470 www.thecorecorby.com Wednesday 12 December, 7.30pm for 8pm EVENT: Ashley Film Night This month features ‘Hugo’ (12), the story of a boy who lives alone in Paris when his father dies in a museum fire. Famous names narrate Ashley Village Hall Tickets £5 from Adrian Forsell Tel: 01858 565410 Thursday 13 December, 7.30pm EVENT: Songbirds Concert Songbirds Ladies Choir presents a Concert at Christmas in support of Motor Neurone Disease charities.

Octagonal Theatre, Welland Park Academy, Market Harborough Tickets available from harboroughsongbirds@hotmail.co.uk at £5 each.

Friday 14 December, 7.30pm EVENT: Christmas Concert This year’s concert will celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s 60 year reign with two coronation anthems plus Christmas carols for all to join in plus festive refreshments.

Uppingham Parish Church Tickets £8 on the door or Tel: 01572 821566

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The Rutland Sports’ Awards A

tsman Magazine’s Spor • ABOVE: Active on, a ns tki Wa m ar old Lia of the Year - 17 ye and a b clu o n-D wo eK Ta member of Oakham Belt.

2nd Degree Black

LONG with 180 guests, sponsors Abigail Richardson, Nicolas Rudd Jones and Helen Walton attended the first ‘Active Rutland Community Sports Awards’ last month, led

by Rutland County Council to celebrate the diverse and numerous sports offered in our small county. Along with the award and certificate, the winners receive one month’s free membership at Catmose Gym as well as qualifying for the Leicester Mercury awards in the New Year. Active Rutland was delighted with the response and in particular contributions and sponsorship from 16 local businesses.

• RIGHT: Rutland Cycling’s Young Sportsman of the Year - Callum Rowley, also a member of Vale Judo Club’s competition squad, won Silver in the U50kg category of the British Judo Welsh Nationals.

• ABOVE: Stamfor d and Rutland Sp orts Network’s Young Sportswoman of the Year Holly Newton, a me mber of the Vale judo club, is a seasoned camp aigner on the Natio nal and International judo scene with silver me dals in Vast-Cup in Swed en, Tallin Cup in, Es tonia and Oslo Spring Champions hips.

• Active Magazine’s Sportswoman of the Year - Anne Pollock, Captain of Rutland Hockey’s Ladies First Team who led the team in the 2012- 2013 season and who are currently unbeaten and at the top of the league.

• Spire Homes Lifetime Achievement Award - Alan Westray, Chairman of Cottesmore Amateurs FC and served as a player, manager, groundsman and secretary for almost 50 years.

• LEFT: Perry’s Printing and Trophies Coach of the Year - Richard Auciello, a 6th in degree black belt g kin ma , do nTaekwo nal tio na er int an him instructor.

• LEFT: Focus Ey e Clinic’s Junior Sportsman of th e Year - Ben Jenning s, a member of Rutla nd Sailing Club who wa s selected for the RY A North of England U15 squad, GB’s top Un der 14 Topper sailor and on the Royal Yaughting Associa tion Olympic pathway.

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• ABOVE: Lands’ End’s Disabled Sportsperson of the Year - Simon Harle, a member of Rutland Sailability, was selected for Paralympic training. Simon has represented GB in world championships.

RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING DECEMBER 2012

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re’s Active Conference Cent y Hotel, Golf and lle around.

Va life r am he th g ee gin Gr • rvey for chan Ha ha nt ma Sa d for Life Awar

• Rutland Living ’s Volunteer of th e Year - Tracey Ta the second team, ylor, the captain of plays for the first and second team hours a week ever and volunteers 15 y season as well as running a family an d a full time job.

• LEFT: Oakham School’s Junior Sp ortswoman of the Year - Megan Rowley- A memb er of Vale Judo Club and in this ye ar alone she is Ch ampion of the British National ch ampionships, silve r medallist of the Welsh nationa ls, Gold medal in Ru tland schools, Silver medallist at the Luke Meadow s Championship, Gold medallist of the team event at the Samurai Green belt and Ch ampion of the Vask cup Molkom in Sweden!

Rob Persani interviews special guest GB Hockey Bronze medalist Nicola White

• ABOVE: Rutland Radio’s Club of the Year - Rutland Rockets Netball Club The club was formed following the success of the Youth Games 2012

d - Ketton Healthy Community Awar ’s re nt Ce ich ts or e Sp val every year wh • ABOVE: Catmos tland Walking Festi Ru e th sts ho ich Walking Group wh itors to Rutland. local people and vis • RIGHT: Think attracts over 300 Digital Print’s Sports Project of the Year - Rutland County Netball League, formed in November 2011 and has since reintroduced over Rutland Dance 10 0 women back to Academy opened the the sport.

Evening PHOTOS: ELLI DEAN, WWW.RUTLANDPHOTOGRAPHER.CO.UK

Contact: If anyone is interested in sponsoring next year’s event or would like to make a nomination please contact Chloe Bond on Tel: 01572 720936 or email cbond@rutland.gov.uk. For further information logon to: www.activerutland.org.uk

RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING DECEMBER 2012

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Traditional Restoration Timber Renovation Specialists Old sash & casement windows, exterior doors & joinery

Why replace your timber windows when you can restore? Traditional Restoration offers a cost-saving alternative to window replacement. Also: • Repairs and renovations • Overhaul and draught proofing • Reglazing and reputtying For a free, no obligation estimate please call James on:

Window Repair

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After

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After

Exterior joinery repair

01572 720524 or 07841 527855 tradrest@hotmail.co.uk

www.traditional-restoration.co.uk

Entrance Examinations Senior School Years 6-10

Ages 10-14

Saturday 19 January 2013 9am-12.30pm

JUNIO DEPAR R T ASSES MENT SMEN T Found atio Recep n & tion Ages 3 -5 19 Jan uary 2 013 9.30-11 .30am

Register for the examination by contacting: Julia Harbage, Registrar, Leicester High, 454 London Road, LE2 2PP

0116 270 5338 enquiries@leicesterhigh.co.uk

www.leicesterhigh.co.uk

Leicester High is a member of the GSA

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SHOPS & SERVICES

from Market Harborough and Leicester Farm Shop Pledge Sosennah Every

We are spoilt for choice with our farm shops locally – selling fruit and vegetables looking like they have just been picked from the earth rather than grown to be a homogenous ‘perfect’ size; meat that comes from the animals you see from your car or bedroom window and cakes that have just been baked by the farm shop owners so you know they are fresh, and you can easily pass them off as your own!

So I urge you to ‘STOP - THINK FARM SHOP’ when writing your food shopping lists, particularly for Christmas, dinner parties and family get togethers. With easy parking, a friendly service and premium quality, why shop elsewhere?

Farndon Fields Farm shop (www.farndonfieldsfarmshop Tel: 01858 464838) has so much on offer, you can’t fail to be tempted by their homemade pies, fresh meats, cheeses, frozen homemade meals and more. They have just been crowned ‘Local Food Farmer of the Year’ at the Farmer’s Weekly Awards for their excellent customer service.

Leicester High: Giving Girls Education, Opportunity and Confidence Leicester High may have the best ‘A’ level results in the East Midlands (with 74% A* and A grades, it beats every other school in the area) but if you asked Headmistress Julia Burns what the most important aspect of a good education is you may be surprised: “It is not enough to send girls out into the world who can understand statistics but not find their way off a mountain or who can quote Shakespeare but not present to a roomful of adults. It is vital that we produce confident girls who are self-reliant, have integrity and ambition. A*s alone are not enough.”

Leicester High, like many fee paying schools, offers a full extracurricular timetable. Year 11s pass the D of E Gold expedition, which is early compared with many schools. The Sixth Form have recently had talks from top geneticists as well as top skincare experts, Clinique. There have been no fewer than four residential trips since July from netball to canoeing. Julia Burns is a firm advocate of a broad education: “Every girl has seen, heard, or taken part in something new, different and exciting this term and what they learn from these experiences is what will make our girls stand out.”

If you would like to learn more about Leicester High or visit contact Julia Harbage, Registrar, on Tel: 0116 270 5338. Watch thier new video on YouTube, follow on twitter @LeicesterHigh, or visit the new website: www. leicesterhigh.co.uk.

Note Friday 14th December for their Winter Wonderland Evening with Santa’s Grotto and real Reindeer from 6.30 – 9pm. The shop will be open as normal, with treats from the café available and Christmas trees on sale.

Ashley Herb Farm Shop (www. ashleyherbfarm.co.uk Tel: 07789 687192) are taking Christmas orders now and stock turkey, goose, pheasant, venison, three bird roasts and more. Don’t forget to try the ‘Ashley Sizzler’ sausage made with homemade seasoning. Sue’s cakes are a must have too! For foodie gift ideas try the chocolate and vanilla balsamic vinegars by ‘Taste’ and the Cardamom and Carrot chutney by ‘Hay Meadow Farm Produce’.

Langton Farm Shop (www.langtonfarmshop.co.uk Tel: 01858 545819) is great for foodie stocking fillers and small home fragrance gifts. Located next to the Langton Garden Centre. Christmas Fayre on 16th December including lots of local craft stalls holders.

Bates Butchers, Martin Hobbs fishmongers, Emerson and Wests deli and bakery are located in the centre of Market Harborough and should not be forgotten for quality produce.

Komodo Fireworks Earlier this year Market Harborough based Komodo Fireworks rocketed to success at the British Musical Firework Championships, beating off stiff competition from six of the top UK fireworks display companies to take home the title of 2012 Champions.

Rob Sosbe, Director of Komodo Fireworks, said, “ Pyromusical firework displays are at the very heart of what we do at Komodo and our award winning display this year was the culmination of many hundreds of hours of preparations behind the scenes in order for us to produce our show. Scripted to a theme of ‘around the world’ our performance took our audience on a journey around the globe, encompassing visits to China, Spain and India. This year’s award is a fantastic honour for our company and one we will be defending with pride at Southport in 2013.”

Based in the heart of Leicestershire, Komodo Fireworks offer a nationwide fireworks display service. More information and video footage can be found by viewing their website and blog pages at: www.komodofireworks.com.

Cot’N’Togs for Kids In the age of big business, out-of-town retail outlets and internet sales, a relaxed shopping experience at an independent retailer can seem like a wistful reminiscence.

That’s exactly what Cot’N’Togs continues to provide – a store offering children’s clothes, toys and dressing up from birth to 8 years old. Gail explains, “Our background may surprise some - previously scientists, we set up Cot’N’Togs 18 years ago, initially as a hobby attending craft fairs, now we are enjoying our ninth year of business in Market Harborough.

“We are happy to advise and assist on choosing products either hand-made by ourselves or sourced with expertise from high-quality suppliers. Our numerous loyal customers often come with unusual requests. Ever had a moment when your child comes home from school and needs to be dressed as a donkey for tomorrow? We have a wide range of fur tabards, animal masks and ears to match. But we also make limited edition dresses, often with optional matching cute little bags and hair scrunchies.”

So if you believe in the power of play and imagination visit Cot’N’Togs for a unique shopping experience.

Contact: 3 Church Street, Market Harborough LE16 7AA RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING DECEMBER 2012

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SHOPS & SERVICES Lighter Feet…. Have Moved!

Specialist podiatry clinic Lighter Feet has moved to new consulting rooms within Creme Hair and Beauty on Mill Street in Oakham. Owner Zoe Allen is thrilled with the new location which offers a highly professional and welcoming environment for her clients. “We have a private, air conditioned treatment room and our range of treatments sits really well alongside the services offered by the team at Crème.”

Along with the new location, Zoe is very excited to announce the arrival of a new specialist to her team. Ramesh Mistry has joined the practice as a Specialist Biomechanics and Sports Podiatrist. He brings over twenty seven years experience along with him and is passionate about sports injuries.

Ramesh’s areas of speciality are biomechanical assessments, gait analysis, custom orthotics, steroid and homeopathic injections. “Our aim is to use state of the art technology alongside homeopathic and natural remedies where appropriate. Particularly useful in the treatment of sports injuries and arthritic pain is our gait scanner which allows us to accurately assess the causes of pain and prescribe accordingly. Equipped with sensors, the scanner measures the distribution of force throughout the foot during each step, identifying high-pressure areas and gait abnormalities.

Post scan, each patient is assessed individually for a highly personalised prescription. We may recommend orthotics, acupuncture or homeopathic injections or a combination of all three which can be highly effective when treating the causes of pain.”

Zoe offers the full complement of podiatry treatment ranging from removal of corns, verrucas and hard skin and has developed the Medi Ped – a medical pedicure with a touch of glamour thrown in.

• Contact: Lighter Feet, Tel: 01572 850013 or book on line at www.lighterfeet.co.uk

Business Awards Launch a Great Success!

On the 26th October the Local Living Business Awards for Stamford and Rutland held their launch event at the Arts Centre in Stamford. Over 100 different businesses from across the region attended representing companies from sole traders to global corporates. They enjoyed an evening of networking in a convivial atmosphere and watched a presentation outlining the reasons behind the awards and the available categories for entries.

The event was also supported by the Chief Executive of Rutland County Council, Helen Briggs; Head of the Rutland Economic Development Group, Terry King; Lincolnshire County Councillor, David Brailsford; and the Mayors of Stamford, Cllr Bob Sandall, and Uppingham, Cllr David Casewell.

Awards are an extremely important part of any marketing strategy with winners of awards seeing an average rise of 40% in newspaper and social media coverage for the 2 months and 24% more traffic to their web sites following the announcement. All the top UK companies regularly enter awards schemes as they recognise the value to their businesses.

To find out more about each of the available categories, the eligibility criteria for the awards and to submit your entries for the 2013 awards please see the application form on www.local-living-businessawards.co.uk/awards.

All entries need to be submitted no later than 1st February 2013.

• The awards will be presented at a Gala Dinner held at Barnsdale Lodge Hotel on Wednesday 20th March 2013.

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Looking for something different this Christmas?

Try shopping at Wymondham Windmill Wymondham Windmill is a must on your visit list if you are looking for something special to buy for those friends and family who seem to have everything. As well as a chance to look around the historic windmill itself, a tea room, children’s play area, a woodland walk and an eclectic range of shops are based there.

Melinda Designs have a large range of bags, jewellery and unusual giftware as well as a thriving dress agency. Other businesses provide flower arrangements, recycled interior decorations, stonemasonry, and performance cycles. The old outhouses have been transformed into ‘A World of Christmas’ with decorations and lights for sale at competitive prices, together with global musical instruments, Fair Trade clothing and Polish Pottery bake ware.

Needle retaining Nordmann Christmas trees will be available for selection before being netted and carried to your car. The popular Tearoom is open seven days per week, where Sarah Jayne and her staff offer mouth watering lunches, snacks, homemade cakes and scones together with hot drinks.

• More info is available from www.wymondhamwindmill.co.uk

Rising from the Ashes...

Many of our readers will remember the beautiful jewellery that Peter Keightley used to design and make when he was the owner of Rubinstein Keightley Ltd in Uppingham. He’s been sorely missed by loyal clients since he sold the business three years ago, so it was great news to hear that he’s returning to making jewellery.

Following the decision by the new owners to put the business into liquidation, Peter is now free to start designing and making jewellery again. He has teamed up with Master Goldsmith Krzysztof, who Peter took on nearly 8 years ago and who was made redundant by the liquidation, to provide a service to local clients.

With no shop, Peter is happy to visit people at home or meet for a coffee somewhere convenient to discuss designs, drawing his trade-mark sketches in his design notebooks.

As well as commissions and remodelling, they will repair and restore antique and fine jewellery.

• To contact Peter, phone him on Tel: 07793 651599 or visit www.rutlandgoldsmiths.llp

RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING DECEMBER 2012

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SHOPS & SERVICES Burnett Mediation

Congratulations !!

Do you have a conflict, problem or dispute that needs attention right now? Have you thought about seeking mediation help? Mediation is cheaper and quicker than going to court and Burnett Mediation can help with many disputes, including those between couples, between neighbours and also in the community.

Parties in dispute often refuse to compromise and this can lead to court proceedings and hefty legal bills. Mediation is an innovative way to solve these disputes without having to resort to unnecessary measures. Veronica Burnett said: “With my background in law I understand how the legal system works and how much people spend on divorces and other disputes when it comes to taking them to court. I help people communicate directly and openly. I remain impartial and open up the channels of communication between people, offering them a safe and neutral environment to sort through their problems. Court processes can drag on and solicitors’ fees will pile up – with mediation the problems are solved much quicker thus resulting in less expense.”

Veronica also offers couples counselling, to help couples encountering problems in their relationship an opportunity to conquer them if they wish. “We can also help couples gain insight into healthy relationships and thereby improve on their own.”

• To find out more call for a free consultation Tel: 01572 789988 or 07831 764002 or logon to www.burnettmediation. co.uk

Celebrating food and drink excellence in the East Midlands, celebrity chef Aldo Zilli was the VIP host of the second, annual East Midlands Food and Drink Awards 2012 held at Greetham Valley Golf and Conference Centre, recently.

Over 180 guests attended the awards presentation ceremony and the winners included our very own Best Indian Restaurant: Red India Oakham and Best European Restaurant: L’Oliveto, Rutland Water. Look out for a Red India Food Review next month!

High Performance, High Wrap, Sports Prescription Solutions Henry Smith and Hamylton Opticians are proud to introduce Oakley True Digital ™ at their Cumbergate Peterborough practice. Athletes put alarming demands on eyewear. In fact, eyewear is an extension of their abilities and a defining factor of their capabilities. They need acute and accurate vision — not just straight ahead but in all directions.

Sports like cycling and running are highly dependent on peripheral vision to sense passing objects and opponents. Now, athletes and sports enthusiasts who require prescription optics can benefit from a new solution, Oakley True Digital™. This new and innovative digital technology delivers the best possible overall vision, not just straight ahead, but over the entire high-wrap lens surface.

Simply put, Oakley True Digital™ offers the ultimate clarity and protection, in a sports-inspired prescription lens, wrapped in a high-performance frame.

Henry Smith and Hamylton opticians are authorised Oakley dealers and provide Oakley prescription eyewear. They invite you to pop in to see Angela at the Cumbergate, Peterborough practice or Rob at the Horsefair Street, Leicester practice and they will happily discuss the best choice of bespoke prescription eyewear that Oakley can offer yourself and your sporting needs.

• Henry Smith & Hamylton (Opticians) Ltd., 1 Cumbergate, Peterborough PE1 1YR Tel: 01733 310 661 & 47 Horsefair Street, Leicester LE1 5BP Tel: 0116 262 7775

Delcor If you thought the art of creating beautiful furniture went out with Chippendale – think again.

Delcor has been manufacturing stylish bespoke furniture since the mid 1960s from its showroom and manufacturing headquarters at Seaton Delaval near the Northumberland coast. Under the direction of Rick Petini, Managing Director, skilled craftsmen continue to create high quality furniture using the finest sustainable woods, top grade upholstery and top of the range fabrics. Everything comes out of Seaton Delaval – the ideas, the designs, the manufacture, upholstery and covering, delivery and after-care. Delcor will even store your furniture at no extra charge until you move in – or your room is ready.

And now Delcor has opened a 4,800 sq ft store at Bath Row, Stamford earlier this year to satisfy growing market demand for their unique products. Delcor’s main focus is on sofas, chairs & footstools & divans in a range of designs and coverings. Every piece of furniture is bespoke so clients can ‘mix and match’ to create their own individual setting.

• Contact: 30 Bath Row, Rear of St Marys Hill, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 2QX Tel: 01780 430430, www.delcor. co.uk RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING DECEMBER 2012

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Beautiful furniture designed and handcrafted in our Northumberland workshop for over 45 years.

All made to order furniture carries a 20 year frame construction guarantee

Showrooms nationwide

Tel: 01780 430 430

30 Bath Row, Rear of St. Marys Hill, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 2QX

www.delcor.co.uk

Made in England

stamford@delcor.co.uk

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Pers pectives

A Christmas Carol Caroline Aston explores Christmas’ past …

B

ack in those pre-commercial Christmas days it was generally taken for granted that part of the great day’s entertainment would be an impromptu concert where everyone would be expected to do a ‘turn’.

It must have been a bit like a kind of home-spun, home-based ‘Britain’s Got Talent’: sopranos trilled, pianos were thumped, excruciating riddles and jokes got an airing and there was always a monologue or two.

Monologues are out of fashion these days – probably the late Joyce Grenfell was the last great exponent and Pam Ayres poetry comes a close second. But there was a time when these extended poems weren’t just entertainment for the masses: they were sometimes used as political weapons for social reform. Probably the most famous of these is ‘In the Workhouse, Christmas Day’, written by George R. Sims. Sims’ verses have spawned plenty of spoof versions over the years, some of them more than a little risqué! However, the original, which evokes the bleak tragedy of workhouse life, still has the power to cause a lump in the throat.

Now, you may well wonder where this is leading us to at Christmas 2012. The answer is to Ashwell Road, Oakham where the Oakham Union Workhouse opened its doors back in 1837 in response to new Poor Laws which grouped parishes together into unions, each of which had to build, staff and maintain a workhouse for the poor and destitute of the area. To be frank, you could have chosen a lot of worse places to be poor and destitute than Rutland before 1837. 9, Top Street, Exton was the site of a poorhouse as was modern day property ‘The Wilderness’ in Empingham where inmates were given two sets of clothes and a filling if basic diet of coarse meat, veg. and gruel. In 1777 Barleythorpe had a tiny establishment of just 8 paupers while Uppingham was providing for 40 unfortunates. The whole system underwent a total overhaul with the passing of the new legislation. It’s rather ironic that the former Oakham and Uppingham workhouse properties today form parts of the prestigious Oakham and Uppingham Schools.

Now known as the Schanschieff Buildings, Oakham Workhouse was designed by William J. Donthorn who seems to have cornered the workhouse new-build market in our part of the world. He was responsible for the Uppingham complex as well, which stood off the Leicester Road and was used as an auxiliary hospital during the 1914-18 War. Constables House was built on the site after demolition in the 1920’s.

Costs for Oakham were £3,730 with places provided for 167 inmates while Uppingham aimed to house 158 residents and cost £4,200. The Oakham Board of Guardians held their first meeting in Oakham Castle on 30th April 1836, prior to the formal opening. Their subsequent record books provide a fascinating look at Rutland life on the breadline during the nineteenth century. Debates over the provision of rocking chairs for nursing mothers, wooden flooring instead of brick and whether pauper children needed bathrooms (it was decided that they did not!) challenge us from pampered perspective of today. Life was bitterly hard and heartbreaking for the workhouse inmate: separated into men, women and children’s blocks at the workhouse door their quality of life inside was pitched to be precisely one degree worse than life on the outside to deter malingerers from entering. Whole Rutland lives, often short, could be spent within the forbidding walls of our workhouses while John Merrick, the famous Elephant Man, is recorded as having spent some time in the Leicester facility. Of course, a burgeoning welfare state dealt a death blow to the workhouse system and the imposing buildings found other uses. Oakham Workhouse became the Catmos Vale Hospital before its striking Grade II listed architecture was meticulously restored by Oakham School. Warm, welcoming and full of light its new incarnation is light years away from the day it first opened its doors and the first Christmas that its hopeless occupants ate what George Sims described as ‘a workhouse banquet paid for on the rates’. A happy Christmas to one and all – and let’s remember those uncomfortable ghosts of Rutland Christmases past too, shall we…?

RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING december 2012

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ACUPUNCTURE

KEN RAWSON

JUDITH EWING BA (HONS) RSA BSY (Sp.M)

PERSONAL FITNESS TRAINER • Exercise and nutritional advice and management • Dance and Fitness classes • Bride to Be Personal Training • 25 years experience

Tel: 01572 770225 or 07771 866123 www.judithewingfitness.com

Let the winter Blues spring into Yellow and Green and spend summer in the Pink with the autumn well Red.

All year round Ring 01780 481624 for help www.kenrawsongardendesigns.co.uk Easton-on-the-Hill, Stamford. Established 1986

MUSIC SHOP

AGA ENGINEER MARTIN WELSH Independent Aga Engineer

• Professional Aga specialist • Legitimate Aga spare parts for regular servicing and maintenance • Over 12 years experience Call: 07735 304452 or 0116 2813219 Email: martinsagaservice@hotmail.co.uk www.aga-servicing-leicestershire.co.uk

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

Or would you rather do it yourself?

Want to know your options?

Coping with miscarriage?

Troubled by a past abortion?

Need someone to talk to?

Need a pregnancy test?

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

Friends/Partners Welcome

CURTAINS & BLINDS

Free, Confidential & Unbiased Advice 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

www.alternativesstamford.co.uk

(book online)

www.ovenfairy.co.uk (book online)

Treating ovens today, tonight and tomorrow

PETS

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

Track fitting available.

Alterations undertaken.

Kingfisher Close, Oakham Julie 01572 757893

Curtains

PRINTING

Complete

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

DECORATORS UPHOLSTERY

Interior & Exterior Decorating

01780 751978 - Commercial 07793 033659 Domestic w w. c o l e d e c . c o . u k Insurance wwork - General Decorating I n t e r i o r &FullyEQualified x t e r i&oInsured r D e c o r a t i n gUnit 1 Essendine Road, Ryhall,

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Stamford, Rutland, PE9 4HE

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