Stamford Living July 2018 by Best Local Living

Stamford LIVING

July 2018 Â£1.50

Be inspired by where you live

Head for the beach! 1 8 U N M I S S A BLE IDEA S FO R H AVING FUN IN NO RT H NO R FO LK

at Classic... visit our showroom

At Classic we are passionate about creating a beautifully designed home for you to enjoy. We pride ourselves on providing superb customer service, whether it is for a kitchen or warm roof, through to windows, doors or just changing your fascia and soffits. If you are considering any home improvements contact us for advice and a free no obligation quote, or visit us and see what is on display in our Stamford showroom.

12 St Leonardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Street, Stamford, Lincs, PE9 2HN Tel 01780 654321 Email sales@classicstamford.co.uk www.classicstamford.co.uk Open Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm, Sat 9am to 3pm

IN THIS ISSUE Make sure the track of our lives stays that way

LOVE our recently well re-furbished rail station, and personally rate the services we receive very highly. One son uses the railway to get to Bristol university (one change), the other to visit a good friend in Cambridge; I have been to all points east as far as Norwich (direct, under 2 hours), south to Stansted and many points west to Birmingham. It is usually pretty full, often with students travelling from one of the many universities on the route (Norwich, Cambridge, Leicester, Birmingham). But wouldn’t it be great, for example, if it were a half-hourly service. Then give your feedback at https://www.gov. uk/government/consultations/crosscountry-rail-franchise This is a once every few years chance to have your say as to how to improve our rail service still further. Consultation closes at the end of August. Do it now before it slips your mind.

Nicholas Rudd Jones Editor

Contents July 2018

Stamford LIVING

11 Fashion: getting sorted for the summer holidays 24 Summer eyes, skin, holiday prep

HOME & GARDEN, SHOPPING, MOTORING 16 20 31 32

Interior Design: Bathrooms A barn east of Stamford Outdoor Living Motoring Page

FOOD & DRINK, HOLIDAYS 51 The Swan at Southwold 52 Eco-packaging 55 Food News

36 40 45

18 unmissable North Norfolk things to do and places to stay Pets Page: tagging your dog Mid-career career changes Little Living – a round-up of summer activities The Best of Local Business Country Rambles: Fotheringhay, Elton & Warmington Mill What’s On

PEOPLE & PLACES

Head for the beach! 18 U NMISSAB LE IDEAS FO R HAVING FUN IN NORTH NORFOLK

Cover photo: The Wells Beach Huts, © the Holkham Estate

www.stamfordliving.co.uk @StamfordLiving1 Stamford Living

ACTIVITIES, CULTURE, LEARNING & BUSINESS

49 58

Be inspired by where you live

FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY

July 2018 £1.50

38 Victoria’s Page 42 Ask Leo – Stamford Races 82 Stamford People: Vicki Lloyd, Head of Stamford Welland academy

NEWS & NOTES

61 UPP Property, Pirrie Opticians, Tom Flowers Cricket Coaching 62 Oakham Swim School, Ark Nursery, Brooke Weston School 65 Tolethorpe Cricket Club, Priestgate Dental Clinic, Wansford Country Lounge, Rockblok 66 Stephenson Smart, Healthy Hearing new opening, House Goods 67 Montagu’s Furniture & Kitchens

Care Trust offers a wide range of caring, Award Evergreen professional, free and paid for services providing support winning within the home. We put the wellbeing of our members first, our approach to each individual, whatever their needs. local tailoring Evergreen Care Trust 1 Barnack Road, Stamford, Lincs, PE9 2NA charity Tel: 01780 765900 www.evergreencare.org.uk

16 Editor and Publisher Nicholas Rudd-Jones 01780 765571 nicholas@bestlocalliving.co.uk Write to Stamford Living, PO Box 208, Stamford, PE9 9FY www.bestlocallivingliving.co.uk Advertisement Manager Claudia Bayley 01780 482828 claudia.bayley@btinternet.com Advertising Copy Rachel Beecroft 01780 765320 rachel@locallivingdesign.co.uk Head of Design Steven Handley steve@locallivingdesign.co.uk Designer (Editorial) Calum Handley Designer (Advertising) Sarah Patterson inkdesign@virginmedia.com, Published by Local Living Ltd, PO Box 208, Stamford, Lincs. PE9 9FY nicholas@bestlocalliving.co.uk Printed by Warners of Bourne Subscriptions; annual rate £25 (UK only). Please write to the Publisher at Local Living Ltd, with £25 cheque payable to Local Living, or go online to www.bestlocalliving.co.uk

CIO No. 1158271

STAMFORD LIVING JULY 2018

18North Norfolk ideas for the summer of ’18

Nicholas Rudd-Jones reviews some of the best-known things to do and places to eat in our “holiday backyard”, and suggests other things that are a little quirkier and off the beaten track. Oh, and several suggestions for walks… 4. North Street Bistro

Dan Fancett, chef at this recently opened café and bistro, comes with a wealth of experience including working under both Gary Rhodes and the Galvin brothers, as well as stints in Spain and France. It’s no small surprise, therefore, that dining here is a treat – expect a warm welcome and a concise yet innovative menu that reflects the seasons and is changed weekly. Location: 20 North Street, Burnham Market, PE31 8HG Opening times: Lunch Thu-Sun, dinner Wed–Sat Contact: 01328 730330, 20northstreet.co.uk

5. Cookie’s Crab Shop Cley Marshes visitor centre. Photo: Richard Osbourne

NATURE 1. Cley Marshes

Cley Marshes has an unsurpassed history of attracting exciting and extraordinarily rare migrant birds. Its habitats are also home to many unusual breeding birds, from tiny bearded tits to magnificent marsh harriers to avocets. You can observe from the visitor centre – a fabulous modern building with a café and shop – or walk out into the reserve. Location: Just east of Cley on the A149 coast road (NR25 7SA) Opening times: Every day, 10am–5pm Contact: 01263 740008, norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/cley

2. Visit the seals

This is always a fun trip, past the characterful old lifeboat building and along to the edge of the spit, where there are usually masses of seals to be seen. Timing is dependent on the tide, but there are generally several trips per day. Boats depart mainly from Morston Quay, NR25 7BH Bean’s Boat Trips, 01263 740505, beansboattrips.co.uk Bishop’s, 01263 740753, bishopsboats.com Temples, 01263 740791, sealtrips.co.uk 6

STAMFORD LIVING JULY 2018

PIT STOPS 3. Eric’s Fish & Chips Owned by Eric Snaith of Titchwell Manor, Eric’s harks back to the traditional British fish and chip restaurants of the past, blending that nostalgia with a modern European menu influence. Eric’s now also works in partnership with French’s Fish & Chips on the harbourfront at Wells, so it’s worth checking that out too, if you are passing. Location: Drove Orchards, Thornham (PE36 6LS) Opening times: Every day, 12–9pm Contact: 01485 525886, ericsfishandchips.com

Nowhere garners such mixed Trip Advisor feedback, so this place must be visited in the appropriate spirit – it’s informal, you need to go next door to the pub if you need the toilet, and you may find yourself on a shared table. But for me, at least, this place is magic – great seafood served in a no-fuss manner in simple surroundings, with no standing on ceremony, and the option to take your own wine. The location is superb, on the green at Salthouse, just a stone’s throw from the marshes where the samphire comes from. Location: The Green, Salthouse, Holt NR25 7AJ Opening times: Every day, 9am–6pm (but best to check first and book a table) Contact: 01263 740352, salthouse.org.uk

6. Wiveton Hall Café

Some people bemoan the fact that “everyone knows this place now”, after the TV series Normal for Norfolk, but that in my mind doesn’t detract from the magic of the place, where you can sit on coloured chairs under the shade of a tree looking out towards the marshes, surrounded by strawberry fields and raspberry canes. A lovely footpath takes you from here direct to Blakeney less than a mile away; ask the staff if you need to find the start of the route. From Blakeney the path takes off at the end of Back Lane, past the Manor Hotel and the remains of The Friary. Location: 1 Marsh Lane, Wiveton, Holt NR25 7TE Opening times: Every day, 9.30am–4pm (booking advisable) Contact: 01263 740515, wivetonhall.co.uk/restaurant-cafe

10. Outdoor films, Creake Abbey

20 July – Casino Royale, 21 July – Moulin Rouge, 22 July – Breakfast at Tiffany’s Live music pre-film and delicious chicken and vegetable fajitas. Tickets at starandmouse.com. Location: just north of North Creake on the B1355 (NR21 9LF). Doors open at: 7.30pm Contact: 03703 331181, creakeabbey.co.uk

7. Rocky Bottoms

Rocky Bottoms has a unique clifftop setting between Cromer and Sheringham. As well as excellent crab and lobster, the posh fishfinger baps are very popular. Being keen walkers, we managed to make a visit here the close-to-end reward for a longish walk: take the North Norfolk coast path from Sheringham, over the Beeston Bump then inland and around to Cromer, and come back along the shoreline (try and avoid high tide) – it’s approximately 8 miles in all (about 5 miles if you don’t include the shoreline return). You can find the walk online in the spring 2016 issue of our sister magazine North Norfolk Living, issuu.com/ bestlocalliving/docs/nnlspring16 (p38–39). Location: Cromer Road, West Runton, Cromer NR27 9QA Opening times: Sun–Thu 10am–5pm, Fri & Sat 10am–9pm Contact: 01263 837359

11. The New Architecture 1960–90

The Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts presents “Superstructures: The New Architecture 1960–90”, marking the 40th anniversary of the opening of

the gallery, the first public building designed by Norman Foster. The exhibition tells the story of architecture’s fascination with technology in the post-war decades and the drive to develop new architectural forms utilising lightweight structures, industrialised building techniques and innovative engineering solutions. Discover how the Sainsbury Centre was made and how earlier feats of engineering, such as The Crystal Palace, inspired “superstructure” galleries, factories and offices, etc. Location: Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, University of East Anglia, Norfolk Road, Norwich NR4 7TJ Opening times: Until 2 Sept; Wed–Fri 9am–6pm, Sat–Sun 10am–5pm Contact: 01603 593199, scva.ac.uk

8. Thornham Deli

Just so useful for those of us who have driven an hour and a half or so already and feel like a quick break for a coffee and snack. It’s also a handy shop near the start of the coast, in case you want to pick up some provisions for a picnic on the beach. Location: Thornham, on the main coast road, PE36 6LX Opening times: Every day 8am-5pm Contact: 01485 512194, thornhamdeli.co.uk

Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts

CULTURE

12. Holt Festival

The Holt Festival brings outstanding theatre, music, comedy, literature, talks, children’s and visual art events to the picturesque Georgian town and includes appearances by Paddy Ashdown and Jasper Carrott amongst many others. Location: various locations in Holt When: 21–29 July Contact: 01603 598699, holtfestival.org

9. Houghton Hall

A series of new paintings by Damien Hirst entitled Colour Space is in the State Rooms until 15 July. His six sculptures outside and two in the house will remain on display until 30 Sept. The grounds make a fabulous walk, and the walled garden is a thing of beauty not to be missed. Location: Just west of West Rudham, off the A148 (PE31 6TY) Opening times: Wed, Thu, Sun and Bank Holiday Mon. Also, Norfolk Day (Friday 27 July) Contact: 01485 528569, houghtonhall.com

Damien Hirst at Houghton Hall STAMFORD LIVING JULY 2018

18North Norfolk ideas for the summer of ’18

BY FOOT OR BY BOAT 13. A trip to Scolt Head island

Now this is fun if you like to engage in mini-adventures. Step 1: Make sure you work out the tides. This walk is best started four hours after high water. Return four hours before the next high water. Get local advice. Step 2: Be prepared for a paddle and getting muddy in places. Step 3: Ford Overy Creek at the car park and pick up the Cockle Path on the other side, which, via a lightly winding path, will get you to Overy Cockle Strand and then your destination, the Dunes at the east end of Scolt head Island (about a mile in all). Caution: You need to be familiar with tides because you would not be able to cross back at high tide. If you find the tide has beaten you, stay on high ground and call the coastguard on 999. Do not try to cross. There is also a ferry in the summer, which runs from approximately 1.5 hours before high water to 1.5 hours after high water: 07836 523396.

14. Burnham Overy Staithe to Holkham

This is the ultimate North Norfolk walk, covering 4.5 miles. You can find it described in the autumn 2016 issue of North Norfolk Living: issuu.com/ bestlocalliving/docs/nnl_autumn-2016 (p48–49). You can reach the start of the walk Reflections – Burnham Overy © www.pebblesphotography.co.uk using the brilliant Coasthopper bus (with new operators Lynx and Sanders this year), which plies the coast road at half hourly intervals in both directions during the summer months and is known for being extremely friendly.

15. Coastal Exploration Company

Based in Wells-next-the-Sea, the Coastal Exploration Company creates fun, relaxing, sometimes challenging but undoubtedly life-enriching adventures on traditional wooden sailing boats. A small, local team of professional adventurers, skippers and hosts trips, ranging from four hours to three days, through creeks, marshes and open sea. Get involved with the sailing and cooking or sit back and connect with nature - the pace is yours to choose. 07970 276397, coastalexplorationcompany.co.uk

The Lifeboat Inn

PLACES TO STAY 16. The Lifeboat Inn in Thornham

Waking up to the sound of the waves and to fresh, salty air, then enjoying long hours on the beach and unhurried alfresco lunches and dinners, are the main ingredients of summer at The Lifeboat Inn. It offers 13 wellsized double bedrooms featuring stylish furniture contrasted with neutral colours reflecting North Norfolk’s landscape. All bedrooms have en-suite bathrooms, king-size wooden beds with crisp white linen, duck-down duvets and pocket sprung mattresses. Ship Lane, Thornham, Norfolk, PE36 6LT 01485 512236, lifeboatinnthornham.com

The White House

18. The White House, ‘twixt Brancaster and Burnham

Tucked away in a farm valley between Brancaster Beach and Burnham Market is The White House, an impeccably stylish retreat with 12 bedrooms. When the Georgian house is not booked in its entirety, it operates as a B&B (scrumptious breakfasts), so whether you book a room for the night or the whole beautiful place for a bespoke house party, the luxuriously elegant interior and blissful gardens are yours to enjoy. Fling open the doors to the walled garden, pour yourself a drink, put your feet up and relax. A hidden gem. The White House, Sussex Farm, Burnham Market, PE31 8JY 07785 439727, stayatthewhitehouse.co.uk

17. Burnham Deepdale Camping

This campsite is perfectly situated right by the North Norfolk Coast Path, has glamping options, often has live music and has a good café for those of us who find the Trangia routine just a little too trying. For a great view onto the marshes, walk up to nearby Barrow Common (see early summer 2018 issue of northnorfolkliving.co.uk p.39). The Deepdale Festival, on from 28–30 Sept, is a vibrant time to visit. 1 Deepdale Granary, Burnham Deepdale, PE31 8DD 01485 210256, deepdalebackpackers.co.uk 8

STAMFORD LIVING JULY 2018

The view from Barrow Common © www.tsteelephoto.com

A traditional coastal Inn

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to gorgeous summer kaftans, a few seperates and some basic T shirts can be packed to form the perfect capsule summer holiday wardrobe.

PHOTOGRAPHY: ELLI DEAN

Sally Stillingfleet finds multi-functional pieces at Chameleon. The cornerstone of beach holiday bliss, from the most flattering, well fitted swimwear pieces

Summer Style NEW

FASHION

Caitlin wears red Sophie Schoonor (new!) dress £83 Energy with Zeal sunglasses from The Stamford Eye Clinic. Little Red Riding hood basket £22 Emma Cutmore.

➧ STAMFORD LIVING JULY 2018

Caitlin wears Antigel Aztec sarong £60, blue tassle necklace £12. White scarf or wrap from a selection all from Chameleon

Caitlin wears Madala bandeau dress (can also be worn as a skirt ) £60 Chameleon. White Supergas £57 Energy with basket £34 Emma Cutmore

Caitlin wears Manouch top £40 Arch, pale pink Levi’s shorts £55. Coral Birkenstock sandals £50 both Energy.

STAMFORD LIVING JULY 2018

Caitlin wears Heidi Klum shocking pink and red kaftan £53 Chameleon, with basket £34 Emma Cutmore.

Summer Style

Caitlin wears Seafolly velvet fabric bikini top £55 (matching bottoms £45) both Chameleon. Red cotton Gamorous shorts £32 Energy. Sun hat £20 Emma Cutmore. Beck Sondergarrd Scarf now £30 Energy

CONTACTS: Chameleon 5 St. Mary’s Hill, Stamford. Tel 01780 755405 www.chameleonboutique.co.uk Emma Cutmore 4 St. Mary’s Passage. Tel 01780 482870 www.emmacutmore.co.uk Energy Ironmonger Street. Tel 01780 765633 The Stamford Eye Clinic 32 St. Peter’s St. Tel 01780767405 Pictures by Elli Dean (07932 055548 ) www.ellideanphotography.co.uk STAMFORD LIVING JULY 2018

Emma Cutmore Gifts & Home 4 St Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Passage, Stamford, PE9 2HG 01780 482870 www.emmacutmore.co.uk

& Upstairs

The Dress Agency Pre-owned Fashion

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LET THERE BE LIGHT G

Did you know that your kitchen is full of Kelvins and, apparently, these are critical when it comes to controlling the visual climate of any room. Alan Ramm, from Bakehouse Kitchens, Stamford explains...

etting the correct lighting is as important to a kitchen as the design itself. Matching the Kelvin rating - which is the temperature of the light - to give off the same glow between for example ceiling, plinth, under-cupboard and section lighting is one of the key features to any of my designs.

place the ceiling light in line with the top of your head so the open cupboard is perfectly lit. These little details make so much difference on a day-to-day level when you are using the space.

Some of the latest lighting systems we install are now totally programmable from your mobile phone which means I like to use a cool light or a daylight glow that you can change the lighting remotely. One of the systems we use is in my designs. I find the warmer lights can sometimes be a little dark, but if you called Control 4 and this system links your security, tvs, radio, itunes and allows go too low then the lighting can end up more as a blue glow. Matching the Kelvin access to all of these from your phone. ratings throughout a living space gives it You can preset mood lighting and change each aspect of your lighting to create a a continuity throughout which I like. different atmosphere. In addition, you can set your heating requirements and your When you are at the initial stages of tv or music to turn on and off at certain contemplating the design of a new kitchen, lighting should be one of the first times - all using your phone. The options aspects you think about; at the installation are immense. stage lighting becomes part of the first fix, but more importantly, it forces you to focus When we begin to work with a new customer our process is simple. First, on how you are going to use the space. we get to know you and I like to gain a full understanding of your vision of At Bakehouse we design our kitchens your dream space. The next stage is to ergonomically, this means we consider exactly how you are going to use a space go through every individual element of and then light it optimally. For example, the design with you - the kitchen finish, worktops, taps, lighting and accessories if you stand in front of a cupboard and open it, you don’t want the ceiling light - to ensure we’ve got it exactly right for right behind your head as this will cast a you. The final stage is to create your vision and turn your dream into a reality. shadow over the contents. We would

Lighting: Top tips: • Think carefully about where you locate each light source • Consider the Kelvin ratings and match these • Use mirrors and/or glass splashbacks to reﬂect the natural light • Use cleverly positioned lighting to highlight features in the kitchen • Don’t scrimp on lighting, be as generous as your budget allows good lighting is worth every penny! • Use long-lasting LED lighting, not halogens “Here at Bakehouse, we pride ourselves on exceptional kitchen designs, uniquely built to each individual’s requirements, fully utilising the space available with practical solutions and breath-taking results. Our traditional designs reﬂect our heritage and as part of the Guild of Master Craftsmen, a true sign of quality, you can be assured of excellence in workmanship.”

If you’re passing, po p in to the Bakeho use Kitchens showroom : 5 St Mary’s Stree t and be inspired. Open ing times: Monday Sa turday 10am - 5pm. Bakeho use Kitchens: t: 01 78 0 767 928; 15 e: hello@bakehou sekitchens.co.uk

Interior Design

Beautiful Bathrooms A stunning bathroom can have a big impact; not only on the overall impression of your home, but also on the way you feel. It’s where you prepare to face the world in the morning and where you wind down at night. Beginning and ending each day in a dull and uninspiring environment is far from ideal, so this article provides some ideas to help bring your bathroom up to date and make the most of it, whatever your budget. Rannveig Stone

Photo: Elli Dean Photography

Copper and gold make a comeback If you’re in the market for some big budget luxury in your bathroom, you could invest in some beautiful new taps in copper or gold, or really push the boat out by installing a copper bath, like the one pictured here. If your budget won’t stretch to such a high end indulgence, there are plenty of ways to incorporate this trend without breaking the bank. Try installing a copper or gold mirror, adding a border of copper tiles, replacing cabinet handles, or simply adding towels in copper and gold or with metallic embroidery for a subtle nod to the trend.

Feature tiling Feature walls aren’t just for bedrooms. How about adding a striking tile or decorative wall panel in your shower or behind a free-standing statement bath? Petrol glass & grey marble feature wall; for similar visit The Sack Store Boston; Anna Stone Design Ltd

Scandinavian style sanctuary A gold ice bucket full of fizz creates a luxurious and romantic ambience Gold champagne ice bucket from Nook

Anna Stone Design Ltd.

Characterised by balance and simplified beauty, minimalist designs help create a happier, healthier, aesthetically peaceful home. The minimalist and functional style of Scandinavian interiors lends itself well to bathrooms. A simple white and grey scheme for that paired back Scandinavian look; Anna Stone Design Ltd.

World-class marble available locally People have loved marble since Roman times; it will never go out of style. A polished finish highlights its wonderful natural characteristics, as John Polychronidis, Olympic Marble explains: ‘Marble bathrooms emulate opulence and luxury. We can create a wide variety of designs ranging from fully tiled to book-matched bathroom designs, which involve highly polished slabs arranged into seamless patterns creating mirror images of themselves. We can even supply stone and slate bathware for a really distinctive look.’ Book matched marble by Olympic Marble

STAMFORD LIVING JULY 2018

Upcycle

Titchwell Manor, Norfolk; Allison & Allison

Bathroom wallpaper is back As long as your bathroom is well ventilated and it’s not installed on walls next to the shower, bath or basin, wallpaper is a great way to update your bathroom. Specialist bathroom wallpaper is available, such as this stunning example from Allison & Allison. ‘I now offer a premier matte vinyl wallpaper designed for use in bathrooms. It’s extremely hard wearing and has a linen style look to it which gives it a luxury finish. It’s also available in 1m widths.’ Annie Allison, Allison & Allison Complementary F& B colours on bath and walls with cushion in Achillea large, Mollis for that pop of colour; Madder Cutch & co.

Consider buying a vintage cabinet from a flea market and upcycling it in a bold, daring colour. If you’re not confident enough to do it yourself, commission a professional furniture upcycler like Add some colour and treat Mandy Wright yourself to a stylish new from Knobs & washbag to store those Knotts, giving bathroom essentials, such vintage cabinets as these by Katie Cardew. Exotic Animals cosmetic a makeover bags £18 so that they can be used as vanity units and storage.

Statement sanitaryware ‘Sanitaryware in colours other than white are starting to trend again and it’s something Storm Bathrooms will be putting on display soon for the more daring customer! Vitra offer the Vitra Memoria in Matt Black and Creavit offer a couple of wall hung pan designs also in a limited range of contemporary colours such as black, anthracite grey, red & cappuccino. However avocado and peach have not yet made the come back!’ Steve at Storm of Stamford

Paintwork packs a punch

PHOTOS: STORM OF STAMFORD

Funky downstairs loo Above: Katie Cardew; Stamford wallpaper Right: This Mulberry Flying Ducks wallpaper is available in two colourways and can be ordered via Hunters Interiors

Fresh finishes

No-one likes mouldy fabric in their bathroom, so wood venetians with coloured tapes, or wooden shutters in the windows are a great way to maintain privacy and allow light in. ‘Shutters start at £237 per sq. m fitted inclusive of vat’ Steve Riordan at Rutland Shutters Photo: Hunters Interiors

Painting your free-standing bath to match your walls can make a huge impact on the look and feel of your bathroom. It’s also a relatively quick, easy and cheap way of ringing the changes.

Give your guests a nice surprise when they visit the smallest room; fun wallpaper like these will brighten up any bog-standard loo!

Anna Stone Design with Knobs & Knotts; ‘blue vanity unit in bathroom”

‘We viewed this at the KBB show this year and although a more limited market loved it so much we are putting a set on display also’ Steve, Storm of Stamford

SUPPLIERS/CONTACTS: Let the professionals do the hard work for you… Storm; www.Stormofstamford.com; 01780 752411 Natural Stone Bathrooms; www.naturalstonebathrooms.co.uk; 01780 757164 Orchard; www.orchardstamford.co.uk; 01780 481850 Farrow & Ball & tile stockists; Sackstore, Stamford Garden Centre; www.sackstore.co.uk; 01780 765656 Hunters Interiors of Stamford; www. huntersinteriorsofstamford.co.uk; 01780 757946 Allison & Allison, Bespoke Pen & Ink Wallpaper; www.allisonandallison.co.uk; 07960 949423 Knobs & Knotts, Mandy Wright; knobbsandknotts@hotmail. com; 07503 210333 NEW Annie Sloane Paint stockist; Chez Soi; http://www.chezsoi.co.uk; 01780 757 446 Madder Cutch & Co. Print Studio; www.maddercutchandco.com ; 01780 767 958 Rutland Shutters; www.rutlandshutters.co.uk; 07768 695236 Katie Cardew; www.kcillustrations.co.uk; 01780 662800 Nook Furniture Company Ltd; 3 Sheep Market Stamford, 01780 751029 For that vintage piece begging to be upcycled; Second To None, www.SecondToNoneStamford.com; 07989 133362; neil@secondtononestamford.com Please note: Viewings & collection by prior appointment only, Stamford Garden Centre, Road End Farm, Great Casterton Road, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 4BB Rannveig Stone is Director of interior design firm Anna Stone Design Ltd, based at the Stamford Garden Centre, Great Casterton, PE9 4BB. www.annastonedesign.com; 07900883117. STAMFORD LIVING JULY 2018

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STEP

INSIDE

A Designer’s Home Creating beautiful homes is the lifelong passion of Georgie Teesdale, co-owner of Hunters Interiors of Stamford. A combination of timeless country chic and family friendly comfort best describes Georgie’s approach to the recent revamp of her own living space. Amander Meade was invited to pay a visit. PHOTOGRAPHY: ELLI DEAN Below: Georgie had the fireplace installed to make the room more characterful. “This is our more grown up room and it really comes into its own in the winter time, especially at Christmas,” she says. The luxurious sofa by John Sankey has become a favourite among Hunters clients and can be supplied in multiple colourways. The coffee table is by Julian Chichester and the side table is also available from Hunters. Below: The bold wallpaper is Chilli Peppers by Zoffany and gives the study warmth and character. Woodwork is painted in Prussian, £82 for 5 litres also by Zoffany at Hunters.

Left: The spacious entrance hall has room for a dining table. Console table, mirror and ceramics by Hunters. “We put in an Indian stone floor which gives a lovely flagstone feeling,” says Georgie.

STAMFORD LIVING JULY 2018

About Hunters Candida Smith and Georgie Teesdale share over 40 years’ experience and hundreds of clients locally, nationally and globally. In the showroom you can find products by companies including Zoffany, Colefax & Fowler, Osbourne & Little, Alternative Flooring and John Sankey. The team offers a seamless end to end interior design service including make-up and installation. Clients can use Hunters’ extensive and trusted team of professionals to meet any one of their needs, including decorating, flooring, curtain and blind making and fitting, new furniture, reupholstering, lighting - or just helpful advice. Contact Georgie or Candida at: The Dairy, Copthill Farm, Deeping Road, Uffington, Stamford PE9 4TD 01780 757946 or huntersinteriorsofstamford.co.uk The showroom is open: Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm, Saturdays 10am – 1pm Above: Georgie is delighted with the functionality of her beautifully planned kitchen. The drop pendant lighting is by Hector Finch and all the fixtures are by Wychwood Cabinetry. Try Mid Lead by Little Green for a similar grey to the island colour. Stools by Hunters.

EORGIE Teesdale and her family live in a converted barn set at the heart of a pretty Lincolnshire village and the outdoor space is as carefully planned as the stylish interior. The driveway is flanked by a mini wildflower meadow and vegetables are planted in raised beds leading to a patio area with lawn and shrubs beyond. Inside, the promise of the approach does not disappoint. As a highly experienced interior designer and co-owner of Hunters Interiors along with her business partner Candida Smith, Georgie was well placed to flex her creative muscles in her own home and has stamped her relaxed, elegant style on every room. “I like to keep walls and floors fairly muted and use this neutral backdrop to showcase beautiful furniture, soft furnishings and accessories. I adore textiles – especially those with pattern – and use them to add pops of colour which I find is a great way to give a scheme personality.” Georgie is also a fan of wallpaper and has used it to great effect on selected walls around the house, choosing designs by Mulberry, Zoffany and Colefax & Fowler for subtle impact. Recently completed is Georgie’s project to overhaul her kitchen which she says was formerly a little too small and rather dark. A small extension of just two metres to the rear has transformed the space and a half glazed wall, patio doors and a Velux window ensure that plenty of natural light floods in. The cabinetry was collaboratively designed by Georgie and Wychwood Cabinet Makers who installed the new units. The layout includes a substantial central island as well as individual touches like the antique mirror behind the hob instead of tiles. “I cook a lot and as a family we spend lots of our time in here,” explains Georgie. “I knew I didn’t want a range cooker so have integrated ovens and an induction hob which I prefer. I also needed plenty of storage but was keen to retain a slightly deconstructed style rather than wall to wall banks of cabinets. The team at Wychwood were excellent at translating my brief and we are so happy with the results.” Georgie’s approach to her own kitchen redesign reflects the service she offers to her clients. “At the first consultation, we often build a scheme around a particular favourite piece of furniture, art or just a colour combination. In my kitchen the colour scheme was inspired by the fabric I used in the blinds.” After an initial discussion around samples and ideas, Georgie fleshes out a plan for each individual client before a follow up consultation in the Hunters showroom where decisions are made. “We approach each client and project with an open mind and an enthusiastic attitude. The beauty of using a designer is exactly that impartial perspective which can really help not only with creativity but to avoid costly mistakes. The trick is knowing where to invest and where to save; we often upcycle existing pieces and are very happy to work within any budget. Reinventing a room doesn’t have to break the bank. The most important element of our work is to get to the heart of what each client is hoping to achieve – it’s never about our taste or style, it’s about making sure the customer ends up with a room they truly love.”

Above: A painting by local artist Fenella Beauchamp provided the colour inspiration for the family room. The fireside chairs are by John Sankey (orange Albert chair); and a chair Georgie had reupholstered to give it a new lease of life. The cushions, John Sankey footstool and lamp are all by Hunters.

The extension means that there is now plenty of room for family dining within the kitchen space. Table and chairs by Neptune. Tall vase by Hunters. The floor is in Normandy Grey by Stamford Stone. STAMFORD LIVING JULY 2018

Need ideas? Got a design dilemma? Want a change?

Be inspired From a single room refresh to a full house makeover, you can use us for inspiration and advice, for choosing and buying your paint, wallpaper, fabrics, lighting and accessories or for the whole project from ideas to finished and furnished room. Visit our Shop & Showroom or book a home consultation

Colefax & Fowler

Book an appointment

01780 757946

Shop & Showroom, The Dairy, Copthill Farm, Uffington, PE9 4TD 10 minutes from Stamford town centre

www.huntersinteriorsofstamford.co.uk

HEALTH & BEAUTY Celeb status facials in Stamford

PHOTOGRAPHY: ELLI DEAN

Rebecca Chantrell reviews a couple of highly innovative facial treatments

Bee Sting Facial at Stamford Beauty New to the Ivy Lodge Crystal Clear COMCIT™, which stands for Cryo Oxygen Microchanneling Collagen Induction Therapy (quite a mouthful) is a unique, minimally invasive facial treatment that claims to significantly reduce lines and wrinkles and rejuvenate skin texture. It can also target acne, scarring and pigmentation all in one hit. The therapist uses a Microchanneling roller which has tiny spikes all over it; as it rolls over the skin it creates very small holes (channels). The benefits of using a technique like this is that the skin goes into repair mode stimulating collagen and elastin production deep down in the dermal layers; this will work on firmness. The second benefit is that products penetrate very deeply through the channels, so the cocktail of active ingredients such as vitamin C and hyaluronic acid that are applied during the facial get to work where it counts, helping pigmentation and hydration. The Crystal Clear COMCIT facial treatment is painless and takes just 45 minutes. The team at The Ivy Lodge say results are immediate and clients notice skin feeling beautifully plumped, tauter and well hydrated straight away. The Ivy Lodge will also be stocking the Crystal Clear Skincare range which harnesses science-based ingredients, peptides at high percentages and crushed precious stones. The Ivy Lodge, Stamford Garden Centre, Casterton Road, Stamford PE9 4BB, 01780 766583

The Bee Sting Facial by Heaven at Stamford Beauty was developed by the famous facial expert Deborah Mitchell. It has a loyal following of celebs and royalty and is perfect for a special occasion because of its immediate results. Whilst it sounds very tempting, two questions come to mind. Is it painful and how do they get the sting? Thankfully the answer is no it doesn’t hurt; tingle - yes, a little but it makes you feel confident it’s working. And the bees? The bee venom is extracted by using a pane of glass set with an electric charge running through it. The bees sting the glass, the venom is collected, and the bees survive with their stings intact. The facial starts with a deep cleanse, followed by an exfoliation with a gel, then the Bee Venom Mask (the key product) is applied for 15 minutes - this is the part that contains the Abeetoxin. The results afterwards are pretty significant, with founder Deborah Mitchell describing it as a ‘natural face lift’. Your skin has the sort of glow you get after exercising as well looking plumper, smoother and lines softer. Stamford Beauty, 15 St Mary’s Hill, Stamford PE9 2DP, 01780 757108

Â 24

STAMFORD LIVING JULY 2018

Nutrition Consultancy Free 10 minute telephone consultation

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RenaissanceHealth Hair, & Health andTherapy Beauty Therapy Beauty Health & Beauty Therapy 15 MaIden lane, StaMford. Mallory alloryllane ane, StaMford taMford ttel el. .01780 01780763768 763768 22M tel,. S01780 763768 Some of of the the most most trusted trusted names names in in beauty... beauty... all all under under one one roof. roof. Some

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Thursday evenings: Nutritional expert services with Amanda to help with weight management, health problems, immune system and energy. Food intolerance testing available. Friday mornings & Saturday afternoons: Botox and fillers with Maria. Some of the most trusted names in hair and beauty… all under one roof.

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HEALTH & BEAUTY Eye restoration and protection… Eye protection comes in many forms, Rebecca Chantrell talks to some local experts to discover the best ways to protect them from premature ageing and sun damage.

ANCY Guttridge-Smith at Pirrie Optometrists offers an insight into UV rays and what to look out for when buying sunnies! “Like skin, eyes are susceptible to damage from sunlight. Research suggests that the harmful UVA and UVB rays contained in sunlight may be a factor in a number of eye diseases including photokeratitis (sunburn of the eye’s surface), pterygium (growths on the front of the eye), cataracts, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and even cancer of the eye, eyelid, or delicate surrounding skin. 5-10% of skin cancer occurs around the eyes, and it has been shown that when we apply sun-screen we tend to miss this area. Lenses that absorb and block UV are one of the strongest defenses against eye and eyelid damage, so it’s best to wear sunglasses (prescription or non-prescription) all year round whenever you are out in the sun. Even on overcast days damaging amounts of UV can penetrate through clouds and haze. But remember, cheap deco-rative sunglasses may not provide proper protection against this invisible danger. Exposure to UV when young does the most harm, so remember to protect children with sunglasses. When choosing sunglasses make sure you get them from a reputable retailer and always make sure they carry the CE or BS EN ISO 12312:2013 mark. Ideally, they should also guard against HEV (high energy visible light) as accumulated exposure has been associated with AMD. Choosing frames to suit your facial shape is crucial, make sure the sunglasses are of sufficient size to shield the eyes, eyelids and surrounding areas. Wraparound styles with a comfortable close fit are ideal. Visit Pirrie Optometrists for all your sunglasses needs, both non-prescription and prescription in adult and children’s styles. The team’s favourite sunglasses are the incredible Maui Jim PolarizedPlus2® which wipe out 99.9% of glare and 100% of harmful UV whilst boosting colour.” 7 Maiden Lane, Stamford PE9 2AZ, 01780 753488

E asked Malvinder Singh at Stamford Eye Clinic how to prevent deterioration of the eyes. “There’s no pass or fail with an eye check (which is why we don’t refer to them as a test), but it allows us to understand the current situation for each client and whether it can be improved. Very occasionally that will mean referring them to an eye consultant, but for the majority we can look at many other avenues to improving vision. “We can rule in or out specific eye issues such as glaucoma or macular degeneration which in general can be treated much more successfully if discovered at an early stage. Another example is cataracts, where we can make recommendations on how to prevent or lessen the burden, often involving simple solutions like adequate protection from UV rays when outside, or changes to diet and lifestyle. “UV protection is key for prevention - most UV damage to the eyes happened before the age of 18, so some good sunglasses that fit well are essential. However, we also have a state of the art range called Zeiss, this brand developed UVProtect Technology that allows plastic lenses for daily wear to contain specialist UV filters with protection level up to 400nm.” Another service that Malvinder and the team offer is the OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) it’s a non-invasive imaging test, a scanner that’s the MRI of the eye world. The ophthalmologist can see each of the retina’s distinctive layers and by analysing and measuring can detect early degeneration and disease. The Stamford Eye Clinic have 50% sunglasses now until September. 32 St Peter’s St, Stamford, PE9 2PF 01780 767403

STAMFORD LIVING JULY 2018

Restore at Renaissance It’s a personal thing whether you embrace your lines or try to banish them. What we can do to give the eye area the best chance to age with us, and not before us, is use protection. Renaissance has a few solutions for the eyes from prevention, protection and restoration. The clever people at Medik8 developed the Medik8 Hydr8 Eye SPF30 (£36) which is multi-award winning. The brilliant formula is excellent for daily anti-ageing around the eye area but also doubles up as UVA, UVB and pollution protection. Fiona recommends using the Medik8 Retinol Eye Serum (£43) underneath to boost the results. Something to note; when using retinol it’s essential to wear sun protection over the top, retinol becomes unstable when exposed to UV rays which can make skin sensitive. Fiona at Renaissance says “The best restorative treatment we offer is the CACI eye revive which you can have on its own, as a course or add on to a full CACI treatment. It revives the eye area, reducing puffiness and dark circles and hydrates the area so improving wrinkles and crow’s feet. It costs £37.50 per treatment.” Renaissance, 15 Maiden Lane, Stamford PE9 2AZ 01780 763768

LOCAL PRIVATE CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS Specialising in treating: The latest laser and injectable cosmetic procedures performed by fully qualified GP or Nurse Practitioner Laser Treatments Include:

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• Low self-esteem and loss of confidence • Low mood, depression, self-harm and suicidal thinking • Anxieties, phobias, obsessions and ruminations • Significant life events, trauma, nightmares, flashbacks • Attachment and relationship difficulties • Abuse (physical, emotional and sexual) • Autistic Spectrum Disorders Adult Speciality

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Missing the odd word during the conversation? Having to turn the TV up? If these situations sound familiar you may benefit from a free hearing assessment. Healthy Hearing are your local hearing experts. With many years of experience we are dedicated to providing a comprehensive hearing healthcare service and finding the best solutions for your needs. Call us for: • Free expert hearing advice • Free lifestyle hearing assessments • Free trials of the latest digital hearing aid technology • Home visits available

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Stamford Hearing Stamford HearingCentre, Centre, 1 The Old Police House, 1No Red Lion Square, Stamford, Cliff Road, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 1AB Lincolnshire, PE9 2AQ

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HELP US TO HELP Could you: Make Regular Donations Spare Children’s Clothes & Equipment Fundraise or organise an event Help in our centre? alternativesstamford.co.uk

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Local dentists Catherine Cousley and husband Richard Cousley (Consultant Orthodontist) are delighted to announce the opening of The Priestgate Clinic in the centre of Peterborough. Catherine and Richard are welcoming patients to this new state-of-the-art dental clinic. They look forward to seeing patients that they have cared for over the years and new patients seeking preventive dentistry, specialist orthodontics and facial aesthetics in a relaxed and caring environment. If you would like to book an appointment please phone

01733 865000

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‘YOUR SKIN IS OUR THING’

Lines + wrinkles? Pigmentation? Acne? Sagging skin? Scarring? Dryness? Sensitivity? Whatever your skin concerns we’ve got you covered! Achieve beautiful, healthy looking skin with one of our luxury, bespoke facials. At RO we pride ourselves on being skin experts and tailor each of our facials to our client’s individual needs. We love nothing more than getting results from both our treatment and homecare plans and believe we can improve everybody’s skin and therefore their confidence! Pop along and visit our beautiful space today for a free skin consultation with one of our friendly therapists and start the change! Take some time for you - Our relaxing retail space and three treatment rooms are the ideal place to escape with a refreshing herbal tea, gain health and beauty tips, or indulge in one of our luxury body massages.

Book online www.roskin.co.uk I Call to Book 01780 769444 I RÖ Skin, Body + Mind I 9a St Mary’s Hill I Stamford I PE9 2DP 30

Cocktails from the garden! It’s so easy to use the fresh flavours of herbs and flowers to make delicious drinks. No complicated growing is needed: some of the best flavours come from the simplest-to-carefor plants, such as thyme, lemon verbena and rosemary. To make a simple herbal syrup to add to cocktails, snip a small bunch of herbs, and boil with equal parts of water and sugar until dissolved. Cool and strain, then keep in the fridge until you’re ready to use. Try different pairings to find a flavour you like: gin goes well with rosemary syrup, for example and Prosecco pairs well with thyme. Or try this recipe for Basil and Gin Crush.

We Love!

You will need: • 60ml gin • 60ml sugar syrup (sugar dissolved in equal parts of boiling water, then slightly reduced) • 30ml fresh lemon juice • A small handful of basil leaves Lightly crush the basil leaves and stir into the gin. Leave to infuse for 10 minutes. In a cocktail shaker, combine the syrup, lemon juice and gin, with some ice. Shake it well. Pour into chilled glasses. Garnish with pretty edible flowers such as snapdragon or a dianthus.

These practical, sturdy and beautiful “Sow, Grow, Enjoy” seed storage boxes are designed and made in Peterborough by local company Chester & Cooke, run by husband and wife team Simon and Liz Cooke. The materials are sourced from the UK, and the wood is from sustainable sources. The seed box costs £79.99 at chesterandcooke.co.uk or visit Liz’s stand at Castor fête on 7 July to see these and more from the range.

OutDoOr LIviNg WORDS: FIONA CUMBERPATCH

Days out for gardeners

Whether you’re looking for inspiration on the doorstep or a little further afield, these are our recommendations: Garden Day at Grimsthorpe Castle, Bourne. 15 July. An event to celebrate all things gardening in the castle’s park and grounds, which were landscaped by Capability Brown. Sample food that includes ingredients from the kitchen garden, listen to live music and storytelling, take a garden quiz, and meet Grantham beekeepers who will be on site with garden experts, happy to share their knowledge. £7 for adults, £3, children. grimsthorpe.co.uk Temperate House, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew It’s worth a day trip to London to see the newly restored Temperate House, the largest Victorian glasshouse in the world, designed by architect Decimus Burton and first opened in 1863. There are 10,000 plants in this awe-inspiring structure, three of which are extinct in the wild. An absolute must for plant lovers. Adult tickets cost £18.75 on the gate, children up to 16, £5. kew.org Kelmarsh Hall, Northamptonshire Manageable in size, and utterly captivating, Kelmarsh’s grounds include a sunken garden, a 60m-long border and a triangular walled garden with fruit, vegetables and a restored vinery. In July, the highlights are cottage garden perennials and masses of sweet peas. Light lunches and wonderful cakes, often using homegrown produce, are served in the tea room. Open Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Bank Holiday Mondays. £6 for adults (gardens only) and £3.50 for children. Check ahead to make sure they are not closed for a private function. kelmarsh.org

Growing in my garden now: Lavender

Not just a cottage garden staple, lavender can look great in a contemporary style garden, too. Put it in pots or plant a lavender hedge along the edge of a sunny path. It will only take a season or two to fill out, and there’s nothing better than brushing past a prettily fragranced border releasing the floral scent as you go. Prune English lavender twice a year to keep the foliage compact: once in the late summer or early autumn after flowering, and again in late February. For a fresh look, try a white lavender, such as “Arctic Snow”, which looks stylish planted in grey zinc tubs and containers. Lavender is widely available from garden centres now: try Welland Valley Garden Inspirations, near Uppingham, The Barn Garden Centre, Oundle and The Barn by Cherry Lane, Peterborough. STAMFORD LIVING JULY 2018

Brooke Peverell, founder of Stamford Sings! has always been hooked on cars

Me & My Car

OST people look forward to getting a new car, but for my Dad, it’s such a big deal he can’t sleep the night before. That excitement is something he passed onto me. Cars have always played a big part in my life. I was brought up believing that they’re art: something to cherish, enjoy, and look after. The idea that they’re merely to get you from A to B was nothing short of ludicrous. Dad got his second BMW when I was in Year 10, and I was old enough to be really excited to learn to drive. The first car I ever sat behind the wheel of; on a summer’s evening, he let me take it up to 3rd gear. When the time finally came for me to get behind the wheel legally, my parents bought me a Ford KA. It was the latest model, and handled like a remote control car – I adored it. When I finally passed my driving test (it took me much longer than I’d have liked) I was so overexcited I bought myself a private plate that night. Pointless, but it made my car mine. I loved my little KA; it was easy to drive (the gearstick flicked into place), brilliant for whipping through Stamford’s ever increasing traffic and perfect for trying to find a parking space near town on a Friday morning. But after a couple of months, I was longing for something a bit more special (i.e. something that did 0-60mph in less than 30 seconds). Shortly after leaving school, I decided I wanted a BMW. The likelihood of getting a car like that at 18 was low, but I was determined. Since passing my test I had discovered how much joy driving gave me, and in November 2016 (6 months later) I was stood at Sycamore

STAMFORD LIVING JULY 2018

BMW in Peterborough collecting my very own 1.6 litre 1series. It’s here that things really started to change for me. I’d been working for myself full time for about 6 months, and I was finding it really hard. Nearly everyone I’d been friends with had gone to university, and I’d lost the ability to relate to anyone else my age. As bizarre as it may sound, the BMW became my comfort blanket. On the nights I felt most alone, I started to go for a drive to take my mind off

everything I’d given up to chase a career in music. In short, it made the sacrifices I had made okay. I’d only managed to get it because I’d worked hard and followed a different path to everyone else. I love it more than anything. It hasn’t all been plain sailing however. 8 weeks after driving my new love home from Peterborough, I was sending my license off after being caught going 20mph over the speed limit. Despite driving much more carefully after that for the fear of losing my license, I had a bump. Insuring a nearly new BMW for a 19-year old was extortionate.

After the two instances above, it rose to an eye-watering £6,500. Eye-watering is not an exaggeration. (When I got this quote, I cried because I was convinced I was going to have to sell my car). I couldn’t afford it; in case it had slipped anyone’s mind, I’d spent it all on a BMW. After days of searching with no luck, I had no choice but to get my not-so-little hatchback fitted with a black box. A couple of months passed, and I realised that I’d lost the thing I loved and relied on more than anything. I can no longer just go for a drive to take my mind off work, friends and relationships. I miss that more than I can describe. They say that the best cure for a bad mood is good music and a long drive. Jeremy Clarkson was once talking about falling in love with a car, and how some people will just never understand. If you love cars, you get it. You understand that they can give you a joy unrivalled by anything else. You understand the thrill that a quick acceleration can give you (and no, it’s not because you’re a seventeenyear-old boy racer trying to show off, it’s genuinely because it makes your heart beat a little faster). You understand that a car is so much more than a chunk of metal, some pistons and a drain on the environment. You understand that perhaps just for 15 minutes a day, or for that Friday evening you decide to take a drive, that that same chunk of metal has the ability not just to take you away from all your stress in miles, but in mind too. If you would like more information on Stamford Sings! call Brooke on 07772 055935.

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Microchipping your dog - it’s the law WORDS: ZOE NOYES PHOTOGRAPHY: STAMFORD VETERINARY CENTRE

T is now law in the UK to have your dog microchipped but still there are hundreds of dogs out there that could not be identified if they were found after being lost, dumped or otherwise. All puppies must be microchipped by the time they are eight weeks old and all bona fide breeders will get this done by their regular vet before selling the puppies to their new owners. If a breeder has not got the puppies microchipped and registered on one of the official microchip listing websites or you have a dog that doesn’t have one, then this must be done and the owner’s details logged against the chip onto a DEFRA compliant, national database. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ compulsory-dog-microchipping-comes-intoeffect Whilst a collar and identity tag are also a legal requirement, you should only put your name & contact details on the tag and not the name of the dog. Think about it, if you put their name on the tag and someone steals your four legged friend then they will be able to call it straight away. A microchip is a permanent form of identity whereas a collar or tag could fall off or be removed. Microchips also need updating if you move house or your contact details change - ask your Vet for further information and keep all the information in a safe place. You will need to contact your local veterinary practice for the charges that apply for microchipping but interestingly enough, Stamford Veterinary Centre in Great Casterton have a deal for the month of July. You can get a mini microchip implanted and registered for £10.00 (normally £20.00) and avoid the £500 fine that will be upon you under the law which came into effect in April 2016 should your dog be found without one. Stamford Veterinary Practice can be contacted on 01780 763180 or www. stamfordvets.co.uk.These mini microchips are ISO Standard approved and suitable for the EU Pet Passport scheme. Alternatively, although perhaps not as convenient, you can contact the Dogs Trust, who run Community Events Programmes where microchipping is is free according to their website and also available through their rehoming centres. www.dogstrust.org.uk It saddens me to see, via social media, that an increasing amount of dogs are stolen (many presumed lost) and sometimes never

STAMFORD LIVING JULY 2018

All puppies must be microchipped by the time they are eight weeks old and all bona fide breeders will get this done by their regular vet before selling the puppies to their new owners. found. Some of these dogs are used for illegal breeding, some are unfortunately killed or dumped and others are sold on for money and particularly if they are a valuable breed. Microchipping can then help save these canines if they need taking to the vet for medical purposes and it is discovered they do not belong to that ‘owner’ or the ‘owner’ cannot prove how they came to be in possession of that dog. Some people will buy a dog without knowing it has been stolen. Also if the dog is found by the RSPCA or taken to a rescue centre, vets or the Dogs Trust, then scanning the microchip can help to reunite you and yours. If you have a dog, you know only too well how you would feel if your four-legged friend disappeared, for whatever reason, and you needed the help of others to find them - so if you see people sharing a post on social media about a lost pet, please share and tell others - you might just make the difference to that worried owner.

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A mix of culture, gastronomy and bon vivant!

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HERE has been much to celebrate recently; weddings, awards and birthdays! I attended one particular birthday event recently which brought over 60 local businesses together in celebration. Talk Networking, headed up by entrepreneur Felicity Francis (founder of telemarketing company, Talk Results) celebrated its 8th birthday in style at Mama Lizâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. The Talk Networking events run on the first Thursday of every month attracting a diverse range of businesses from finance, healthcare professionals, design and marketing specialists and many more. Not only are the meetings engaging and extremely useful but you do not need to subscribe if you prefer to attend on a more ad hoc basis (booking is essential as delegate spaces go quickly!) Another reason the monthly event is so eagerly anticipated is the terrific lunch and famous brownies served each time!

A highly recommended breakfast, brunch and lunch venue is the Lean Pantry. Open early for nutritious shakes and soya lattes it is fast becoming THE place for a delicious lunch time curry. Serving both vegetarian and meat curries, that are accompanied by a side salad and choice of white or sweet potato or quinoa and are simply fantastic! If you are partial to a slice of cake, the selection at the Lean Pantry is mouth watering and includes gluten free and vegan choices. As the summer holidays are approaching, you may be looking for a local family activity. Celebrating 20 years and led by the awardwinning Richard Auciello, the GTUK Stamford Taekwondo club is a superbly inclusive group with members aged between 4-65 years of age. For more information www. bluecoattaekwondo.co.uk Not only is it a way to stay fit and learn some incredible life skills but is also an opportunity to make some lifelong friends. 38

STAMFORD LIVING JULY 2018

One of my favourite Instagram accounts is that of @thgintrailer. Gary Eldred and Simon Irwin can be seen with their stunning Gin Trailer at every noteworthy event across our region. With a selection of creative gin based cocktails to serve the thirsty masses at local food and drink festivals it is little wonder that they have such a loyal following.

With Burghley House events in full swing there is lots of talk in town of the Film Festival, Battle of the Proms and Burghley Horse Trials... have you booked your tickets yet?! With the splendid weather there have been some beautiful images captured of Burghley this year. One outstanding shot (which also made the Stamford Living Facebook Header) was captured by James Murray. We are excited to see more sunny photos of our show stopping town in the months to come!

As a former copywriter who retrained as a language teacher at the age of 50, Alysia Anderson talks to other Stamford residents who opted for a career change later in life

Career changes L AST year, I celebrated my 50th year by studying for a PGCE in Modern Languages at the University of Leicester. I spent the big day itself in a city centre secondary school meeting pupils who (like lambs to the slaughter; or was that me?) were about to experience my novice teaching skills. It was a tough year but worthwhile, since I now thoroughly enjoy tutoring, supply teaching and running an after-school language club. Teaching is one of the few careers that doesn’t discriminate against older recruits; in fact, there are training bursaries available for soughtafter subjects such as maths, sciences and languages, regardless of age (www.getintoteaching.education.gov.uk).

The parent trap One reason why many people switch career paths is to fit around parenthood. Liz Haughton provided secretarial support for her husband’s business while caring for their two daughters. When the girls were teenagers, Liz decided to retrain as a massage therapist. “I had always wanted to pursue massage as a career so I enrolled at Stamford College and took my NVQ Level 2 Beauty in the first year, followed by another year studying Massage Therapy Level 3. My tutors were incredibly encouraging and now, thanks to them and a lot of hard work, I have the privilege of

helping people feel better every day. I can’t think of anything else I’d rather do.” Liz performs a range of massages, including hot stone therapy, in a tranquil treatment room at her home in Stamford (07595 470403; www.lizhaughtonmassagetherapy.co.uk). Stamford College (www.stamford.ac.uk; 01780 484300) offers a variety of courses ranging from carpentry, catering and fashion to photography, plumbing and tourism. The government provides Advanced Learner Loans for certain courses to students aged over 19, with no upper age limit. Kate Cadman spent many years as a journalist working in magazines, radio and television before having children. “When my second child was three, I pondered returning to work but I knew I couldn’t be flexible enough for any prospective employer and I didn’t want to compromise my desire to be a fulltime mum.” Instead, she set up Cutting Edge Interiors (07719 255774;

www.cutting-edge-interiors.com), making bespoke curtains and blinds. “It began with a chance encounter with a lady delivering freshly-made curtains to a friend’s house. I decided that soft furnishings were something I could possibly make and sell from home. I trained professionally on an intensive sewing course with Cambridge Fine Furnishings, never dreaming I would be making curtains for anyone other than myself and family members. That was 11 years ago and I’m still sewing. I’ve made curtains for some amazing homes, including Burghley House, and I wouldn’t give up the freedom I have for any other job now.”

From hobby to job

Let it happen

A career change might mean heading in a totally new direction or rekindling a personal interest. I know of a turkey farmer who retrained as a primary school teacher and a gardener who formerly worked in the corporate clothing business. Poet Camilla McLean worked for many years in the advertising industry. However, she had always enjoyed writing poetry and, a couple of years ago, decided to start performing more professionally. In 2016, she became Stamford Arts Centre’s poet laureate, penning poems for events such as the mayor’s inauguration. Camilla performed at the Arts Centre’s recent Verse Festival and now hopes to gain Arts Council funding to take her act to the Edinburgh Festival and London venues. “I wanted to break away from advertising and have more flexibility and creativity in my career,” explained Camilla. “I started freelance copywriting and I now help my partner Matthew Cox with the branding content for his antiques company as well as pursuing my poetry. I’d really like to tie in the performance aspect of poetry with presentation skills workshops. After all, presenting is a kind of performance, as you have to step outside yourself.” Contact her at camilla@matthewcox.com

Anita McKinney was an IT consultant working on the BBC’s website before she turned her hand to property letting after having her daughter. It started with one small house in Stamford, which Anita decorated herself before letting it and managing the tenancy. A year later she bought a second property, then another. “It snowballed until I was managing 15 properties, although the marketing and legal side was done by Paul Johnson. When Paul retired, I decided to set up my own lettings agency and took exams to qualify as a member of ARLA (Association of Residential Letting Agents).” Anita now manages around 80 properties from her Stamford Homes office (01780 444835; www.stamfordhomes.co.uk) while also advising landlords on property investment and legislation. “I enjoy offering landlords a flexible and personal service, with nobody dictating to me. I love working in property and no day is ever the same.”

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Ask Leo

Stamford Race Week Today the Horse Trials in Burghley Park bring the crowds to Stamford but for over 150 years it was Races, on a course between Stamford and Easton, that enlivened the town with people and entertainment.

Early Years Horseracing (on Thursdays in March) had been held nearby for many years but the opening of a new course in 1717 introduced Race Week to the social calendar. Initially in May, then by the mid-1730s in the third week of June, races were held over three days. There was one Race each day, but horses ran three heats for each. Peck, an early historian of Stamford, records a silver and gilt cup as the main prize but the ‘purses’ won were increasingly attractive. The town filled up several days beforehand. Horses had to be entered and shown to the Mayor at the Bull Inn in St Martin’s then kept in public houses within two miles for up to a week before the races. They had to be entered by owners who also needed accommodation for themselves, their grooms and horses. Innkeepers must have rubbed their hands in glee even though they had

to contribute 10s to the races when they offered stabling. Many inns like the Bull had extensive stables - Mrs Freeman of the White Swan advertised stabling for 50 horses in 1735. She also provided ‘Ordinaries’: meals at a fixed time and price. Other victuallers did so too, and many set up Booths at the Racecourse. Widow Smith put up her ‘sign of the Bell’ at her Booth where she sold wine, mead, punch, ale, coffee and tea. At her House in town she provided entertainment ‘for Men and Horses’! Quite how the horses were entertained is a mystery but there was plenty to do for men and women. Assemblies were advertised on each of the three nights at ‘Mr Kirk’s New House against St George’s Church’ and at Mrs Deptford’s on Barnhill. The George established a bowling green in 1724 and in 1725 an octagonal cockpit, reputedly holding 500 people. Major cock-fights were a feature of each Race day morning.

Later 18th Century 18thC Stamford was the social and cultural centre for the neighbourhood and Race Week was an essential event. Local aristocracy and gentlemen, many with their race-horses, descended on the town. As well as the Exeters, there were Heathcotes, Wingfields, Tryons, Lowthers, Fitzwilliams, Trollopes and Fludyers not forgetting Dr Willis, George III’s physician. They not only stabled their horses, they ate Ordinaries, bought sweetmeats and pork pies, visited shops and attended entertainments. The town’s ladies could even have their hair done by leading London hair-dressers. This advert was in the Mercury in 1787 when the entertainment included Othello and another Entertainment (from Drury Lane) on Monday; Assemblies on Tuesday and Thursday and a Concert of Vocal and Instrumental Music at the Town Hall on Wednesday. The Concert was followed by the Race Ball. A unique survival (held at the V&A) is the record of Barbara Johnson, a fashionable lady, who kept a notebook containing samples of her dress materials. She bought silks in Stamford and wore this pink-figured silk to the Races in 1767 – perfect to wear in the newly built Grandstand perhaps? There were three floors, the middle one reserved for the aristocracy.

STAMFORD LIVING JULY 2018

The racing itself was increasingly controlled after the formation in 1750 of the Jockey Club which authorised meetings and regulated breeding. At Stamford officials were appointed and owners had to produce breeders’ certificates, subscribe to the administration of the races and pay 5s to the Clerk of the Course. Some winners were required to pay 1gn towards weights, scales and flags. By the end of the century, jockeys had to declare the colours they would be riding in “for greater certainty of distinguishing horses and to prevent disputes”. A special race for owners who resided in Stamford or Stamford Baron was introduced; the Marquess’s Plate and the Town Plate were both worth £50 but the Gold Cup remained the main race. It was worth 100 guineas in 1800 when it was won by Mr J Heathcote’s Warter. By this time only horses descended from those listed in the General Stud Book could enter. Race Course & Grandstand

Above: Silver Gilt Cup engraved Stamford Races Right: Stockwell by Richard Denew

19th Century Race Week moved to July by 1800 and from 1839 only two days of races were held although the number of races increased. Horses, jockeys and grooms still populated the inns, no doubt eating and drinking well, but now aristocratic owners stayed at Burghley House and other country houses. They attended plays and the annual Race Ball at the Assembly Rooms. Entertainments became ever more elaborate. The Theatre opened as soon as racing finished with plays every night of the week. Pantomime, Comedy and Farce were interspersed with Shakespeare and Singing. Other attractions came to town, the most famous being the visit of Daniel Lambert in 1809 who came to ‘show himself’ during Race Week and sadly died here. Only one entertainment declined - the last cocking match was in 1834. In 1820 the Racecourse was enclosed and firmly controlled with gates at both Stamford and Easton, cords along the track and dogs on the course shot. Entrance was 3d and crowds flocked in particularly when the railway arrived in 1846 although this brought associated problems of over-crowding and crime to Stamford. Thomas Standwell, Clerk of the Course from the 1830s, was responsible for enforcing rules and charges. Two Stands were let by tender: Booths were let by size. Blacksmiths and boothholders also had to subscribe 10s 6d; stallholders 5s. Huts were restricted to licensed victuallers while carts outside were disallowed. Some booths were very elaborate. Hayes & Co, coachbuilders, advertised one in 1852, guaranteed water-proof, seating 200 including a private area. Another was 60ft long with a counter down the centre. The popularity and success of the Races in the 19thC owed much to the enthusiasm of the Marquess of Exeter.

The 2nd Marquess of Exeter Brownlow Cecil, the 2nd Marquess of Exeter inherited Burghley in 1816 when he was 21. Brownlow enjoyed his inheritance and spent a great deal of money improving the house, purchasing pictures and entertaining Royalty. His chief interest was horseracing. He kept yearlings at Wothorpe before they went to Newmarket for training. When the Queen and Prince Albert visited Burghley in 1844, they were taken to see them. Exeter House Stables, the most important example of early 19th -century racing stables in Newmarket, were built by the Marquess. There was a covered ride, the first one in Newmarket, so his early season runners could be exercised fully in hard winters. The most famous horse owned by the Marquess was Stockwell, which he bought for 180 sovereigns. As a two-year-old he won the 2,000 Guineas, the St Leger and other prestigious races at Newmarket, Goodwood and Yorkshire. After his racing career he was sent to the Marquess’s stud farm in Wothorpe and was champion sire in England seven times. Twelve of his offspring won 17 classic races.

The Last 15 Years An article critical of Stamford Races appeared in ‘The Sporting Chronicle’ in 1857 but high hopes were expressed as Mr S. Merry was appointed Clerk of the Course by the Marquess from 1858. Merry seems to have lived up to expectations and the 1860s were mainly successful. There were 6 to 9 races each day; the Clifden Cup, now the most valuable race, attracted many entries; the Enclosure was

extended; special excursion trains ran from London and the Metropolitan English Opera performed at the Theatre for 6 nights. The ‘Chronicle’ said “The programme is as different as light from dark to that issued prior to Mr Merry taking it in hand”. Several of Stockwell’s progeny ran at Stamford including a colt owned by Count Batthyany, a somewhat eccentric Hungarian nobleman, and breeder. In 1862 the sporting press reported that one of the Count’s horses “has become so much attached to a cat that it is considered necessary to take ‘puss’ with it to the different race meetings, for without its companionship the horse declines to partake of food”. At Stamford it was seen in the Boat Inn asleep on the horse’s back. Sadly, Mr Merry’s final year as Clerk was not a happy one. The 2nd Marquess’s death in 1867 meant there was no sale at Wothorpe and Burghley was closed. The weather was hot, the ground hard and despite numerous entries few horses turned up. Two races were declared void, seven were walk-overs and only the Clifden Cup attracted a reasonable number of runners. The racecourse only lasted a few more years and the last race was run in 1873. In 1882, ‘Sporting Life’ advertised the sale of the ‘ornamental FRONT to the GRAND STAND on the Stamford Racecourse’. Today you can go to Easton-on-the-Hill and drive up Racecourse Road. Racecourse Wood and Straight Mile are still marked on OS maps.

Jean Orpin & Sue Lee would like to express their thanks to Jon Culverhouse, Burghley Archivist, for his help and support with this article.

Ask Leo would like to hear from you. Email them at askleo@btinternet.com STAMFORD LIVING JULY 2018

Red House Paddock, Tallington £ 649,995

This deceptively spacious family home offers generous and versatile accommodation which is finished to a high standard throughout and comes with three reception rooms as well as an open plan breakfast kitchen. On the ground floor there is a mixture of tiled and engineered wood flooring throughout, along with gas fired central heating and a pressurised hot water system. The accommodation comprises: - Entrance hall, cloakroom, sitting room, dining room, breakfast kitchen, utility room, pantry, study, landing, Master bedroom with en-suite, Guest bedroom with en-suite and walk in wardrobe, three further bedrooms and a family bathroom. To the side is a double garage and off street parking, whilst to the rear is a landscaped south/east facing patio & lawn garden.

31 Scotgate, stamford £525,000

Set within a short walk of Stamford town centre, this Grade II Listed former stable house provides stylish accommodation over three floors. The property has been finished to an exceptional standard with a superb open plan kitchen family room with integrated appliances being the hub of the home. A feature fireplace in the sitting room, fitted window shutters to the front of the property and stone flooring all add to the feel of this stunning town house. The accommodation comprises: Entrance hall, sitting room, dining room, kitchen family room, utility room, cloakroom, landing, Master bedroom, Jack& Jill family bathroom, bedroom two with en-suite and dressing area, and bedroom three with en-suite shower room. To the rear is a south facing stone walled courtyard garden. A viewing is highly recommended is order to appreciate the standard of finish on offer.

3 star lane, stamford, lincolnshire, pe9 1ph | 01780 754737 | www.sowdenwallis.co.uk | info@sowdenwallis.co.uk 44

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WAteR WAteR EVerYwhEre! If you can’t get to the seaside, there’s still plenty of opportunity to get in the water and make a splash! Bourne Outdoor Swimming Pool is open throughout the summer until September with a main pool plus children’s pool, a fountain and small play area with slide. The kiosk serves snacks and ice creams and the grassy areas around the edge provide space for sunbathing and picnicking. This place was a hit for Toby and Freya last summer. For ticketing prices and times: www.bourneoutdoor swimmingpool.com

Grab your buckets and spades and head over to Rutland Water Beach for a dip in the water and a play on the sand. Toby and Freya love it here in the holidays when you can access the swimming area. The beach on the North shore is a great spot for a picnic too. www.anglianwaterparks.co.uk/rutland-water

Burghley’s Garden of Surprises is another brilliant water-filled attraction where the kids have a wonderful time playing in the water fountains, running through and dodging the curtains of rain and exploring the mirror maze. Go on a warm day to cool off because, yes, you will get wet! www.burghley.co.uk

Peterborough Lido boasts three heated pools including a 50m main pool and a toddler splash pool. The large grass lawn and play area make it a great venue to go with kids and there’s a café for food and drinks. Pack a picnic, have a swim and lie out on the sun decks. Under 5s get in free. www.vivacity.org/vivacity-venues/peterborough-lido/

The Rutland Water Aqua Park is back this summer for inflatable fun come rain or shine. Climbing walls, trampolines, rockers, rollers and the UK’s biggest slides are all on the new water course. Open seven days a week through July and August and weekends only in September for ages 8 and over. (Children’s sessions available for 6 and 7-yearolds.) Book your spot and get more info at: www.aquaparkrutland.co.uk

LIttLe livIng

The summer holidays are looming so check out our boredom-busting guide to what’s on locally to keep the kids entertained with Louise Goss and her little monkeys, Toby and Freya!

A liTtlE OUtdOors

A liTtlE DOing

My two love exploring the gardens at Grimsthorpe Castle which will be open for a special day on Sunday 15 July with live music, food from the kitchen garden and for younger ones there’s a storyteller as well. Later in the season make sure you put Thursday 9 August in your diaries as they are hosting a performance of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island at Grimsthorpe Park. There will be music and stories of adventure and treasure in a lively open-air production from 6.30-8.30pm. Under 5s go free and you can find ticket information and prices at: www.grimsthorpe.co.uk

For a small but perfectly formed family day out then we can highly recommend Wooslthorpe Manor by Colsterworth, the home of Isaac Newton. There is a fab hands-on science centre where children of all ages can experiment just as Isaac did. Toby and Freya loved dropping balls and feathers from the tower and of course exploring the gardens, home to the famous apple tree where it’s thought Newton discovered gravity. Over the holidays, there are alternating workshops on bug hunting and optical illusions. Held each Wednesday and Thursday with a cost of £3 per child and suitable for all ages. For more information: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ woolsthorpe-manor, 01476 862823

Let them channel their inner David Attenborough or Bear Grylls. Get them enrolled on to a Nature Detectives week at Rutland Water’s Anglian Birdwatching Centre. Running from Monday 30 July and Monday 6th August, the weeks are full of awesome outdoor activities including two full days of bushcraft! Open to 7-14-year-olds. £30 a day or £100 for all 5 days. www.rutlandwater.org.uk, 01572 770651

Â STAMFORD LIVING JULY 2018

A liTtlE DOing

A liTtlE SPorT

There are a host of summer workshops taking place at Burghley this summer. The craft workshops run from 30 July - 24 August and are free to join with a ticket purchase.

A little taste of Wimbledon? The Stamford Tennis Club Holiday Camps offer fun and focused tennis and run from 23-27 July and again from 6-10 August. The club boasts seven all-weather courts at its Conduit Road site and is accredited by the LTA. £35 per day or £100 for the week. For more details contact: cj@r2rtennis.co.uk, 07748720602

For a grizzly and entertaining look at the history of Burghley House, the Beastly Boring Tours run from 30 July - 29 August (excl. Fridays and Sundays) or, why not pick up a brilliantly illustrated Gruesomely Grubby Gardens guide packed with fun facts and quizzes with which to explore the wonderful Sculpture Garden.

For the budding Rory McIllroy, why not get them teeing up on the greens?

If that weren’t enough, the Burghley Film Festival also has plenty going on for little ones with U and PG-classified films showing during the day sessions. Five days of films from 25 - 29 July. Check out the Lego Batman movie, Paddington, Chicken Run, Cars and The Lion King to name a few. Information on all Burghley’s summer events can be found at: www.burghley.co.uk

At Greetham Valley golf club their little Academy Course is open to play on any day for just £3 a child. The dress code is relaxed and they can warm up on the driving range first with a bucket of 100 balls for £2. Greetham Valley Golf Summer Camp is a three-day course from 14 - 16 August from 10am-3pm each day. Ages: 7+ Cost: £60 Booking essential by contacting: curtispga@hotmail.co.uk Burghley Park Golf Summer Schools are also running every Tuesday and Wednesday starting 17 July through to 15 August. For 10-16-year-olds they are a Burghley Park Golf great way to improve even with only a little experience. £40 a day and lunch and equipment provided. Contact: academy@burghleyparkgolfclub.co.uk

LIttLe livIng Ever wanted to try fencing, karate, trampolining? The Stamford Sports Camp is a week packed full of sporting activities including table tennis, dodgeball, water polo and even the chance to try SCUBA diving as well. Running from 20-24 August the camp at the Stamford Endowed School Sports Centre is open to all children aged 8-15. For timetables, booking and prices: www.stamfordsportscamp.co.uk, 01780 750050

A liTtlE SKatIng

Get your skates on this summer! The Skate Company is hosting its first ever Summer Skate School taught by professional roller skater, Jason Gray. Held on 2-3 August from 10.30am -3.30pm at NCL Dance, Gwash Way, Stamford. Book your slot soon by contacting: contact@ theskatecompany.com

STAMFORD LIVING JULY 2018

A liTtlE DAncIng

From two-year-old Twinkle Tots and budding ballerinas to juniors and seniors up to 18 years, there is a summer school for everyone this year at Welland School of Dancing. The summer schools are open to everyone, not just current pupils, with young ones enjoying a fun week of dancing plus arts and crafts and older students enjoying a more intensive workshop with a performance at the end of the week. For dates and prices check out the summer schools on: www.wellandschoolofdancing.co.uk

A liTtlE ADveNtuRe! From abseiling to zorbing, climbing to canoeing, a week of sporting adventure awaits at Tallington Lakes this summer. The weeks will be jam-packed with land and water-based activities for 7-16-year-olds. Each session is Monday to Friday and they are running them for 5 consecutive weeks, starting Monday 23 July with the last week ending Friday 24 August. For information and booking: www.tallington. com, 01778 381154

SUMMER SCHOOL 2018

30th July - 3rd Aug

Legally Blonde Junior Show Week

6th Aug - 10th Aug

High School Musical Junior Show Week

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Jess Lamb investigates the exciting goings-on at some of the best businesses in our area.

The Best of Local Business! The Perfect Clay

Patrick Boyle, founder of The Perfect Clay simulated game shoot, is full of enthusiasm – and it’s infectious! ‘I had the idea for summer clay shoot days about six years ago’ he says, ‘and I can’t believe how far it’s come since then!’

Patrick’s idea was simple. A keen shot himself, he wanted to provide others with the opportunity to practise their skills and have some fun outside the traditional game bird seasons, which usually run anywhere from August to February. His family home of Bisbrooke Hall, situated just off the A47 in the gorgeous Rutland countryside, was the perfect venue. All he needed was willing participants! ‘I worked on a tractor for a summer and saved enough money for one advert . . . which was my entire savings gone!’ he recalls. However, one advert was all it took, and The Perfect Clay has since gone from strength to strength with shoot days for 2018 selling out in record time. The Perfect Clay is special in terms of clay shoots as the day is simulated exactly as a full game shoot would be, with four drives through the day and a slap-up breakfast and lunch (not to mention a drink or two) – the only difference is that it’s clay targets flying through the air! Patrick and his team of helpers, including both parents and girlfriend Rosie, put their heart and soul into making the days the best that they can be. This hard work and enthusiasm is evident in the success that they’re enjoying, with the day recently named one of the best and most ‘scrupulously well-devised’ simulated shoots in the country by The Field magazine. It also enjoys the patronage of some seriously well-respected shooting clubs including the Chelsea Bun Club, who return to Rutland every single year for a jolly good day out. Days with The Perfect Clay run on Saturdays throughout May, June and early July, cost £200 per head and are available to book for groups or individual guns. Bookings for Summer 2019 are now open – but if you’re interested, move fast, as spaces are limited and in very high demand! www.theperfectclay.com 07940 151218

Infiniteas

The Little Hamper Company

If you happen to be visiting any of the Burghley House or Stamford food markets this year, make sure you pay Karen Dykes of Infiniteas a visit. Karen has worked incredibly hard over the last two years to turn her love of tea into a successful business and loves the opportunity to encourage tea drinkers to try something new. Karen’s ethos is all about showing her customers that there is so much more to the world of tea than just English Breakfast (as much as we love it!) She has spent time on training and tasting courses to build her expertise and skills, and now creates her very own blends at home with ingredients such as dried herbs and flowers. Some of her most popular creations include piña colada (a dark tea with coconut and fruit), chocolate mint and a delicious take on rosé which uses beautiful rosebuds to complete the look. ‘There are so many health benefits in tea – it helps you to cut down on caffeine, and is great for skin, hair and overall good mood’, says Karen. What’s more, tea is now becoming trendy, with über cool tea bars popping up in towns and cities around the UK. Karen’s selection is delicious and beautifully packaged, designed to give any tea drinker the best experience possible – visit her online store or find her at a local food market for some samples of her truly delectable drinks. www.infiniteas.co.uk

Meanwhile, in the tiny village of Dunsby near Bourne, two more lovely ladies are putting their hearts into making their business dream a reality. Bobbi Agate and Sophie Cottingham, a former teacher and estate agent respectively, took their first step in February this year when they founded The Little Hamper Company, the ideal solution for anyone looking for the perfect present. The girls had their bright idea when looking for Christmas gifts; finding a lot of gift sets to be very similar, they decided to create something unique that would put ‘a contemporary twist on the traditional hamper!’. The result is a stunning selection of thoughtfully put-together boxes which feature the best of some wonderful small producers. From local gin to antique bone china, they work very hard to source items that you can’t find in the supermarket! Bobbi and Sophie also offer a bespoke service to give their boxes that extra personal touch and will work hard to source unusual or special items for their customers. Their basic options include gin and tonic, prosecco and afternoon tea, with prices ranging from £25 to £50. Take a look at their website for some inspiration! www.littlehamperco.com STAMFORD LIVING JULY 2018

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There is something deeply pleasurable about turning off the A12, just north of the striking Church at Blythburgh, and onto the A1095. Perhaps it is the eager anticipation of sea air, eating good food, taking lovely walks, losing 2ps at the Amusements, sipping fine ale… At the end of the road lies Adnams, one of the country’s finest breweries, sitting amid the glorious seaside town of Southwold.

The Swan at Southwold

HIS sublimely pretty and historic place is a favourite amongst us East Midlanders, being an easy two-anda-half-hour trip, and it remains very much unaltered by the last hundred years or so. True, Salcombe may have the dramatic views and the blue sea, Rock the trendy publicschool BBQs and best beaches, Brancaster the finest mussels and sunsets, yet none compares to Southwold. Its large open greens (created by a fire in 1659), its military history (at one time HQ of the English Fleet), a pitch perfect links golf course, chockfull pubs, trendy shops, varied restaurants, mazes of Edwardian villas and cool lighthouse, all give it the top spot. The dominance of the brewery is such that it is impossible to avoid liquid immersion in the Adnams brand (their Mosaic is the best ale in the country), particularly whilst staying at one of the Hotels. Their flagship, The Swan, sitting on the High Street 200 yards from the beach, has recently undergone a major refurbishment. Before October 2017 it was the preserve of the more senior tea drinking classes with scones and preserve of a different kind, whom one gawped at through the elegant bow windows, whilst meandering along the High Street towards its sister The Crown, or The Lord Nelson, the cosiest pub in town. Yet; no octogenarian lapsang souchong sippers here any longer. This place is the finest hotel in the town, possibly in East Anglia and has just made Top 10 Hotel status nationwide. Having been to Southwold a hundred times, but never into The Swan, we were intrigued. The level of transformation is extraordinary. Green velvet sofas have replaced the starched white linen and bone china, Porters have morphed into Butlers, the new cool bar would sit comfortably in St James’, 21st Century Metro chic has supplanted 1970s fustiness and, quite simply, the room (No. 20) we were shown

to by our allocated Butler (obviously), is the best and biggest hotel room we have stayed in, ever. Not chintzy, yet trendy and comfortably brash, easy to use (no small children required to operate the music or TV), utterly soothing, sublime linen on a large sleep inducing bed, all in a fresh palette of Farrow and Ball. Perfect and reassuringly pricey. The main Still Restaurant is light years from its stuffy predecessor and offers a Tasting Menu @ £65, a concise yet really well considered A La Carte (ranging from Beef Tartare @£17, through Guinea Fowl to Venison @£25) and, cleverly, offers portions of both starter and main course size (roughly 50% price reduction for the former). Bar snacks are also available in the secondary bar area which is cool and comfortable and, if there is no one there to serve you, ask your Butler. The wine list is very Adnams-based but you are in capable hands here and their range of “own label” covers all bases. Consider them all, appear knowledgeable, then go for the White Burgundy.

To get your steps up, there are numerous walks, long and short, yet the favourite remains a wander through the town, across the nine hole golf course, through the gorse (where most of my golf balls now lie hidden), onto the marshes, across the bridge over the River Blyth (which changed allegiance from Dunwich after some tricky coastal erosion in 1328) and, following the setting sun to the west, to Walberswick and The Bell. Another charming Adnams hostelry, with ale and food commensurate with the setting. Adnams itself has rejuvenated its range of beers, wines and spirits. Ok, it doesn’t make the wine, but it does Gin, Vodka (both awardwinning) and my favourite – the aptly named Pomme Pom”, a Calvados-esque Brandy. Whilst the finest range is to be had in Southwold, Stamford has its own Adnams shop off the meadows, which offers a very wide selection (most of the beers, spirits and beloved Chardonnay), together with accompanying trappings. As a certain William Whittaker observed in 1887, “the shingle at Southwold Harbour, is ever shifting”. The shingle might shift, but the change at The Swan has been seismic. STAMFORD LIVING JULY 2018

Deborah Pennell s n champiose the cau

LET’S BE MORE

ECO FRIENDLY

IN OUR AREA I N January this year Theresa May vowed to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste in the UK by 2042 as part of this Government’s environmental plan for the next 25 years. Under the pledge, waste such as carrier bags, plastic food packaging and plastic straws would all be targeted and abolished. Since this time, and in the wake of an avalanche of negative press from environmentally friendly groups, the UK seems to have woken up and realised the urgency for us to take responsibility for this problem; businesses and consumers alike appear to be marching into war against excessive overuse of plastic in our everyday lives. I do not know about you, but these days I feel guilty looking at a plastic straw, and I tend to always have a reusable coffee flask in my bag to negate the need to use

STAMFORD LIVING JULY 2018

a non-biodegradable takeaway cup should I pop into one of our local coffee shops for a caffeine fix – it saves landfill. Some businesses even incentivise you to bring your own drinking receptacle, on the promise of money off, or a free biscuit to go with your hot beverage. It’s a clever but sensible approach to reducing waste. Plastic-free areas, in which all food is loose, will become a popular sight in shops around the country before too long, and who is to grumble? We have after all very quickly got used to carrying our own re-useable bags, and that was in most part down to the fact we were suddenly confronted with a 5p-per-bag charge! These new ways of addressing the problem of non-recyclable plastic focus on an important environmental issue and one that we all need to accept and try to do something about.

O how do we hold up in this area when it comes to being environmentally friendly? It would appear we still have a long way to go to tackle the long-term problem, but it is encouraging to see we have risen to the immediate eco challenge, as many businesses now have eco-friendly strategies in place, and most say they will make more effort to reduce their burden on landfill by increasing their recycling. Simple changes such as providing wooden cutlery instead of plastic for takeaway meals, wooden stirrers for hot drinks, paper straws, and recyclable cardboard food boxes rather than Styrofoam ones, can be seen at so many of our local cafés and delis. These small changes will have a massive impact for the future.

ND it’s not only plastic and other non-recyclable packaging products that we need to look at – there is also the huge issue of food waste too! The store at Second Helpings, based below Trinity Methodist Church in Barn Hill, Stamford, is often groaning with “food waste”. The store manager, Paul says, “each week we make collections from most of the town’s supermarkets and we are always staggered by the sheer quantity of food that we are able to collect – food that would otherwise have gone into the bin.” George Hetherington, Project Co-Ordinator for Second Helpings, offered some eye-opening figures: since 2015 up to the end of April 2018 the project had intercepted a staggering 30,625kg of food destined for the bin, and the Saturday café has fed some 9,609 people. The “waste” food is used by the hardworking volunteers to create a delicious three-course meal for the weekly Saturday lunch, with the café regularly feeding well over 100 people. The chefs create the menu using the donated food, with all surplus produce being sold at the “Food

All around the area there are examples of businesses that have taken up the eco fight. Here are just a few of them: Fika, in Oakham, has changed to aluminium straws, which can be re-used once sterilised and washed through with a special pipe cleaner. Fika now only supplies drinks packaged in glass bottles. Harrison and Dunn, in Stamford, offers a huge array of ethical and sustainable products, from compostable baking cases and sandwich wraps, to biodegradable washing-up gloves, paper straws and food waste bags. The Bee’s Wrap range (see left) is likely to be a popular purchase. Just so Italian (Market Harborough and Stamford) – buy a Just so Italian takeaway cup, and your first coffee is free. The Knead Group, including The Crown Hotel, Paten & Co and the Tobie Norris in Stamford, and The Lord Nelson in Oakham Since 1 May 2018 Knead pubs no longer use plastic straws. The Lean Pantry, Stamford and Oakham, is offering customers drinks in their own cups and uses paper bags not plastic. They have moved to paper straws, use cardboard boxes for cakes and have plans to offer customers flasks to purchase instead of having a takeaway cup, until such time when recyclable cups for hot beverages are more widely available. Refill Revolution is opening up as a pop-up shop in Nature’s Pantry, Market Harborough, on 30 June. You can bring empty containers to be filled with products from porridge to shampoo, helping you to reduce your plastic footprint. Eco-friendly products will also be on sale.

PHOTO: ELLI DEAN

These versatile sheets of beeswax come in a range of different sizes with pretty designs; use the warmth of your hands to form a cover over a bowl, around a piece of cheese or half an onion. The wrap will hold its shape when it cools. They are reusable for over a year – the perfect plasticfree alternative to clingfilm. These wraps are washable, reusable and biodegradable, and the natural antibacterial properties of beeswax will help keep foods fresh. They are, however, not suitable for the microwave or for use with raw meat or fish. To clean: wipe the wrap down with a sponge or cloth using warm water and a mild detergent. Rinse off and leave to dry. It is also simple to revive the wax wraps if they are getting used lots and looking crumpled – preheat the oven to 150°C and lay wrap flat on a baking parchment-lined tray. Heat for 2–3 minutes. Once the wax on the wrap has melted, carefully take the wrap by its corner and hang it up – once cool it looks like new. When they come to the end of their life, they are biodegradable, so can just be popped into the compost bin. To me these are just genius and the ultimate eco-friendly essential. Local stockists: Harrison and Dunn (3 All Saints’ Street, Stamford, PE9 2PA) offers a good selection in varying sizes.

PHOTO: ELLI DEAN

My favourite eco-friendly range: Bee’s Wrap

Bunker”, which now opens on Thursdays and Friday from 11am–1pm and on Saturdays from noon until the lunch sitting is over. Both the café and Food Bunker offer a “Pay as you Feel” system, with all donations going toward church projects and back into the community. For more information, visit second-helpings.org.uk.

Second Helpings: With the motto “Feeding Bellies not Bins”, it offers a Saturday café and Food Bunker using and distributing “waste food”. Silver Lane Whole Foods, Stamford, offers an EcoCover liquid refill station, which saves throwing away plastic bottles after only one use. The Stamford Deli donates a biscotti if you bring your own coffee flask. STAMFORD LIVING JULY 2018

Compiled by Deborah Pennell

Food & Drink News

A PRACTICAL PURCHASE: Summer is Cooking Kadai Firebowls are a wonderful alternative to the run of the mill barbecue – they offer an interesting feature in your garden, a cooking area and a place to huddle around when the coolness of the evening sets in. Originally Kadais come from India and can be up to 100 years old. Traditionally used at weddings and festivals across India they come in many sizes from 60cm to over 2 metres in circumference. The Kadai’s large grill area is great for cooking quantities of food, then lift out the grills, place the Kadai on a low stand, throw in some wood and it can be enjoyed as a fire bowl for warmth, as you while away the summer evenings. Visit Sinclairs, 11-12 St Mary’s Street, Stamford, PE9 2DE

In the last few months local sculptor Theodore Gillick has started to sell his St. Benedict’s honey at The Stamford Friday Market. His foray into beekeeping began as a result of a disappointing attempt to grow vegetables in his kitchen garden at the stunning 18th century Priory House, nestled off the road next to St. Leonard’s Priory. Theo now has 10 hives and is excited to tell me that he appears to have created a modified hive that produces twice as much honey as your standard hive. Theo said, “my beekeeping to date has not been without its set backs! Bees can be unpredictable and the character of the hive depends upon the Queen, if you have a feisty Queen then you are likely to have an unpredictable hive, but fortunately the strain of bees I have are known for their calm and docile nature.” Theo sells a broad spectrum of honey which reflect the seasons; with wonderfully floral summer honey to robust autumn honey amongst them. Find Theo on Broad Street at the Stamford Friday Market

One to visit: The Pink Potato Pod This unmissable little trailer sits halfway down Broad Street on the Stamford Market every Friday. Run by Lisa Smith who originally trained as a nanny and then moved into catering working at The Ram Jam and latterly, The White Horse Pub in Empingham. Lisa began her catering business in November 2017 and has since purchased the Pod and had it built to her requirements. Having researched the market thoroughly she liked the idea of running her own mobile catering business and decided to sell Jacket Potatoes as they appeal to a wide range of people, offering a healthy, gluten free vegan/ vegetarian meal at a reasonable price. At present Lisa is looking to expand the business, she said, “depending on the location and event, our primary offering is locally sourced jacket potatoes with a variety of fillings including vegan/vegetarian, fish and meat, but I am looking to expand the business, branching out into canapés for small parties, weddings and corporate events. I intend to increase the menu to include other foods which can be cooked in the potato baking oven, such as lasagne, quiche and exciting vegetarian and vegan dishes.” If you have a private or corporate event coming up, contact Lisa on 07729 587507; this gorgeous little unit is sure to brighten up any event. www.pinkpotatopod.com STAMFORD LIVING JULY 2018

PHOTO: ELLI DEAN

James and Kate Goss of The King’s Arms Inn at Wing are a formidable and hugely talented team, and this year all their hard work was recognised when they were awarded Midlands Pub Champion by The Countryside Alliance in their ‘Rural Oscars.’ The Countryside Alliance judging panel included Michael Gove MP, Waitrose Food Editor and MasterChef judge, William Sitwell, and Tim Bonner, CEO of the Countryside Alliance. James said, “it is wonderful to be recognised for what we do and we are chuffed to be crowned Midlands regional winners in the Pub category. ” Only 15 minutes outside Stamford in the pretty village of Wing, The King’s Arms serve a ‘Lunch for Less’ all year round, every day except for Sundays. Kate Goss said, “our lunch for less is growing in popularity. Nearly all our food is locally produced and the menu changes regularly to reflect the seasons. We have recently found a local Rose Veal supplier who has an excellent product, so expect to find this on the menus.” This pub is really worth a visit: The King’s Arms Inn, 15 Top Street, Wing, LE15 8SE

LOCAL PRODUCE: Stamford Honey from the bees of St. Leonard’s Priory

PHOTO: ELLI DEAN

Award winning: The King’s Arms Inn at Wing

Former Stamford School girl, Emily Rowell, has firmly chosen her home town over sunny Mexico to settle and begin her own entrepreneurial journey. At 25, Emily has already set up her own enterprise - teaching Hatha yoga. Kate Cadman unrolls her mat to find out more...

Emily Rowell

“People often assume that yoga isn’t for men or that you have to be very flexible to do it but I want to dispel those myths - almost anyone can do yoga. It’s a great way to learn about your body and how to look after it and this includes both your physical frame and your emotional and mental wellbeing too.”

OGA may seem a surprising direction to turn in following the acquisition of a languages degree at Birmingham University, however, when you meet Emily you soon realise that she has an inner confidence about her that allows her the freedom to firmly steer her own course. “I absolutely love the journey of learning and my time spent at Stamford High School certainly equipped me with a belief in myself and the confidence to do my own thing and not to question my abilities.” One of Emily’s school-day experiences that no doubt had an impact in this respect was her successful trek to the summit of Stok Kangri, the tallest mountain in the Stok range of the Himalayas in India (circa 6,000m) as part of her Duke of Edinburgh gold award. Emily’s sense of adventure blossomed and following her graduation from University with a 2:1 degree in French and Spanish, she chose to return to Mexico (where she had studied for a year as part of her degree course), living in the Spanish-speaking, bustling city of Guadalajara. “It was an amazing experience; Guadalajara is considered to be the cultural centre of Mexico - I loved everything about it, especially the food, rich culture and glorious weather. But what stood out the most was the generosity of the Mexican people. From the moment I arrived I was made to feel at home there which is why I ended up staying for so long!”

STAMFORD LIVING JULY 2018

“Initially I was drawn to the city life in Mexico, but ultimately I wanted to come back to Stamford - I really began to miss the town and of course my family and friends.” Once back home Emily quickly settled into life working for the family business, a local company called ebadges, as new business manager (overseas) where she could usefully apply her language fluency to great effect. However, her lifelong passion for learning and time already spent as a teacher abroad equipped her perfectly to pursue more fully her newly acquired love of yoga. “I began practicing yoga whilst I was in Mexico, but I really fell in love with it when I got back home so I began training to become a yoga teacher. It’s been a journey of self-discovery; yoga is very challenging, relaxing and rewarding and I am keen to share these amazing holistic benefits with others.” “I think the idea of walking in to a yoga class can seem intimidating to some people. People often assume that yoga isn’t for men or that you have to be very flexible to do it but I want to dispel those myths - almost anyone can do yoga. It’s a great way to learn about your body and how to look after it and this includes both your physical frame and your emotional and mental wellbeing too.” Stepfather to Emily and long-term back sufferer, Andrew Vear, said: “Practicing yoga

with Emily has been an eye-opener. My initial thoughts were that yoga was mainly for women and was not something I would have considered. I have now had several lessons and I can feel a great improvement in my core strength, agility and balance. Emily has a great way of making you think about your body overall. I will certainly be continuing with the lessons and would encourage men who think like I did to give it a go.” Emily says she is particularly interested in working with beginners like Andrew. “There is so much newcomers can gain from yoga practice. Apart from the physical benefits like improving strength and flexibility, yoga can also be a great way to de-stress. When your mind is busy focusing on a pose it’s easy to forget day-to-day worries. If you start thinking about what to cook for dinner or how long your to-do list is, you may well lose your balance and fall over! I think that’s why people who experience a lot of stress or anxiety are often drawn to yoga. It’s a great way to look after your body and mind at the same time,” adds Emily. Emily’s regular yoga classes run on Tuesday’s at The Cosy Club (upstairs in The Mess) from 6.30pm - 7.30pm and 7.30pm - 8.30pm. The first session is free and costs £5 per session thereafter. All you need to bring is a yoga mat. For more details on the classes or yoga in general visit: emilyyogainstamford.co.uk or e: emilyrowellyoga@gmail.com.

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LOCAL WALK

Fotheringhay, Elton and the River Nene This walk takes you through an area steeped in history and along lovely stretches of the River Nene

THE ROUTE

After parking on Main Street ,walk past The Falcon pub west and you will soon see a footpath taking off on the right (north) just before a phone box. Follow this until it reaches Willow Brook, cross the bridge and then follow the field round to the left alongside the brook until you join the Nene Way Follow the Nene Way a couple of hundred yards, and then take the footpath bearing off to the right across the field towards the right edge of the small coppice (take the left field boundary if too muddy). Here you will re-join the path as you pass a little pond, then head towards the farm and pass straight through its yard On the other side of the farm, cross into a field rather than following the drive. Cross the road and then follow the track all the way to the River Nene. After crossing at the lock, walk past the old Elton Mill to join a metalled track and go via a gate into the village of Elton. At the road, turn right towards the Wesleyan Chapel and then right into Chapel Lane. Ignore first footpath sign and continue along the lane to join a bridleway; on the left is Elton Park. After just over a mile you will approach the A605. Follow alongside it on this side, past the Warmington Gravel Pit, until you reach Warmington Mill. Pass in front of the mill to the right, and then turn left. From here follow the Nene Way back to Fotheringhay, crossing a footbridge that appears in the middle of the field, then crossing Warmington Lock. Fotheringhay Church can be seen in the distance. After the lock aim for the gap in the hedge to the left of the church. As you drop down into Fotheringhay you will see on your left a mound that is worth the climb for the views .This is all that is left of Fotheringhay Castle.

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Fotheringhay Church

KEY DATA

Distance: 5 miles (8 km) Typical Time: 2 to 2.5 hours OS Map: Explorer 227 or Landranger 142 Start and Finish: Fotheringhay Main Street, PE8 5HZ Terrain: Fairly flat, well used, across field paths and tracks Stiles: 5, with 2 of these next to gates Getting there: Leave A1 at Yarwell, then minor road via Yarwell and Nassington

PIT STOPS

The Falcon, Fotheringhay, PE8 5HZ. Tel: 01832 226254. Excellent pub and restaurant food, charming garden looking towards the church Elton Post Office Stores, 7 Middle Street, PE8 6RA Crown Inn, Duck Street, Elton, PE8 6RQ (turn left on reaching village) Tel: 01832 280232 58

STAMFORD LIVING JULY 2018

Fotheringhay Church

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POINTS OF INTEREST

Fotheringhay Richard III was born at Fotheringhay Castle in 1452. Mary Stuart was brought here in September 1586 after 18 years in captivity. Her trial took place in the Great Hall of the castle on 14 and 15 October, and she was beheaded on 8 February 1587. The castle fell into disrepair after Mary’s death, and the stones have been used to build many cottages and walls around the village. Fotheringhay Church is described by Simon Jenkins as “floating on its hill above the River Nene, a galleon of Perpendicular on a sea of corn”. It dates back to 1430 and is noted for containing a mausoleum to leading members of the Yorkist dynasty of the Wars of the Roses. It is currently undergoing a £1.5 million restoration project. Elton Hall This magnificent hall dates from the 16th century, with wonderful Victorian Gothic re-working. It has notable furniture and paintings by Gainsborough, Reynolds and Constable. Limited opening times – visit eltonhall.com for more details.

Elton Hall STAMFORD LIVING JULY 2018

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News & Notes Helping you make the most of Stamford living

Pirrie Optometrists

IRRIE Optometrists are delighted to congratulate optometrists Dr Nancy Guttridge-Smith and Dr Heather Shorrock for their recent success passing some further examinations. Dr Guttridge-Smith has now qualified as an Independent Non-medical Prescriber after spending 18 months completing a distance learning university course, a placement at Peterborough City Hospital Ophthalmology Department and a final examination in London. Independent Prescribing enables optometrists to clinically assess a patient, establish a diagnosis, determine the clinical management required and prescribe medications where necessary. With both the Diploma in Glaucoma and Independent Prescribing qualification Nancy is now able to manage patients in the practice who have been diagnosed with glaucoma or who are at increased risk of developing glaucoma. She is also able to treat other eye conditions such as eye infections, inflammation and allergies. At present this is only available privately at Pirrie Optometrists, but Nancy hopes in future to work with local NHS services to provide patients with more local eye-care. Dr Shorrock has been working towards further glaucoma qualifications for the past 2 years with distance learning courses at Cardiff University, practical exams and case studies. She has combined studying with working at Pirrie Optometrists, clinics at Stamford Hospital and looking after her young family. Having passed the Professional Certificate in Glaucoma last year she has now completed the Higher Certificate in Glaucoma. This has given Heather additional specialist knowledge and skills for managing patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Pirrie Optometrists continues to offer excellent clinical care, and these qualifications have given them additional skills and depth of knowledge to provide their patients with the best eye-care. 7 Maiden Lane, Stamford PE9 2AZ 01780 753488 christinepirrie.co.uk

Tom Flowers Cricket Coaching

OM Flowers Cricket Coaching (TFCC) was set up to bring high-quality coaching to East Leicestershire, Rutland and Stamford. The team prides itself on its ability to deliver bespoke specialised coaching to players, aiming to provide increased quality contact time between the player and coach without diluting quality. The overall aim is to improve the standard of local cricket coaching around the area in line with TFCC’s company ethos of “maximising potential through hard work, simplicity and enjoyment”. Coaching is led by Level 3 coach Tom Flowers, who has played for Leicestershire CCC and Loughborough University, and is currently an ECBemployed National Coach. Tom’s team of ECB-qualified coaches provides year-round services, including 1:1 sessions, winter academy programmes, small specialist groups, weekly club coaching, club-satellite school links, professional masterclasses, session plans, coaches training and the ever-popular Summer Cricket Camps at various venues around the county. Tom Flowers adds; “‘ We have introduced courses in the Stamford area in the last 6 months due to popular demand. As well as this, we provide a strong coaching partnership with Burghley Park CC to over 150 youngsters on a Friday evening at the club. We hold a number of holiday camps at both Stamford Junior school and also Burghley Park CC, across the Christmas, Easter and now Summer holidays.” Burghley Park 3-day course dates: 25-27 July & 22-24 August. Visit www.tomflowerscricketcoaching.com or call 07815647892 for all bookings and enquiries

Extra Funding Required for Local Affordable Homes This month our local property market advisor David Crooke, owner of UPP Property discusses how an efficient and effectual housing market is in everyone’s interests, including homeowners and landlords.

HE requirement for the provision of subsidised housing has been recognised since Victorian times. Even though private rents have not kept up with inflation since 2005 (meaning tenants are better off), it’s still a fact there are substantial numbers of low-income households in the area devoid of the money to allow them a decent standard of housing. Usually, property in the social housing sector has had rents set at around half the going market rate and affordable shared home ownership has been the main source of new affordable housing yet, irrespective of the tenure, the local authority is simply not coming up with the numbers required. If the local authority isn’t building or finding these affordable homes, these Stamford tenants still need housing. Everyone needs to put party politics aside and start building enough affordable homes. Even though 2017 was one of the best years for new home building in the last decade (217,000 home built in 2017) overall new home building has been in decline for many years from the heady days of the early 1970s, when an average of 350,000 new homes were being built a year. We simply aren’t building enough ‘affordable’ homes in the area. In fact, an average of only 163 ‘affordable homes’ per year have been built by South Kesteven District Council over the last 9 years. The blame cannot all be placed at the feet of the local authority as council budgets nationally are 26% lower than they have been since 2010, according to research carried out by ‘Full-Fact’. An undersupply of affordable homes will artificially keep rents and property prices high. That might sound good in the short term, but a large proportion of my landlords find their children are also priced out of the local housing market. Problems at the lower end of the property market will affect the middle and upper parts. It is all interlinked - it’s not called the ‘Property Ladder’ for nothing! STAMFORD LIVING JULY 2018

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News & Notes The Ark Day Nursery on Kesteven Road

TAMFORD’S newest day nursery has been awarded ‘Outstanding’ status by Ofsted at its first inspection. The Ark Day Nursery on Kesteven Road, next door to St George’s School, was praised for its “...dedicated and caring staff who form exceptionally secure emotional relationships with the children.” The nursery, which opened in November, is housed in a stunning, architect-designed building that offers the same homely “Hygge” feel as its sister nursery The Ark on Foundry Road, that also carries ‘Outstanding’ status. The new nursery offers full day care to children from 6 months to five years, term-time provision, and has its own “Forest School”, set in an idyllic woodland in Ketton, leading down to a river, that is available to children in pre-school. Funded places are available for eligible two year-olds, and 15 or 30 hours funding for 3-4 year-olds. Jo O’Bryan-Tear, who opened the first Ark on Foundry Road in 2007 says, “We designed each room to be bright, spacious and stimulating, and each to have access on to a large decked area that leads to a large private garden under a canopy of trees, complete with “mud kitchen”. I am passionate about outdoor education and really believe it is crucial to our children’s early education. Being awarded ‘Outstanding’ at our first inspection really is testament to the hard work and dedication of my very professional staff and I could not be prouder of them.” New and prospective parents who would like to visit the new nursery should call either Jo O’Bryan-Tear or manager Fiona Warren on 01780 723141.

There’s so much to enjoy at Oakham Sports Centre

AKHAM Swim School offers a wide range of sessions for children and adults to enjoy swimming. The heated 25 metre pool is located in Oakham School’s recently refurbished Sports Centre off Kilburn Road, with free parking close by. The Junior Swim School offers small group lessons on Wednesday evenings, Saturday mornings & Sunday afternoons for children aged 4-16. Following Swim England’s ‘Learn to Swim’ programme, the experienced and enthusiastic teachers build confidence in the water using strong stroke techniques. Intensive Swim courses are run throughout the school summer holidays from Monday 30th July – Friday 17th August to enable children to gain confidence and make rapid progress in all stages of swimming. Sessions are £7/day or £30/week. Rookie Lifeguard swim sessions are available for more confident swimmers from stage 4+ where children learn water safety in the pool or sea. Lifeguard skills are taught in both shallow and deep water using colourful materials and varied activities in a fun and friendly environment. Classes run during term-time and over the school holidays. Synchronised Swimming lessons are available for capable swimmers from stage 4+ where children learn to work as a team to perform coordinated and identical movements in time to music. Classes are held on Saturday between 9.30am – 10am. Adult Swimming lessons are held on Saturday mornings for beginnings, improvers and triathlon training to develop confidence, technique and stamina. Adult Aqua Fit classes are held on Wednesday evenings 7.10pm – 8pm and Thursdays from 12pm – 1pm. The Sports Centre also hosts sports and pool parties over weekends and holidays. Prices start at £120 for 2 hours, including equipment and a separate party room for food. For more information: www.oakhamswimschool.co.uk 01572 758 754

Want to excel at the creative and performing arts?

HE Brooke Weston Trust, based in Corby, is thrilled to have forged a partnership with nationally renowned The BRIT School to offer a tailored package of creative and performing arts classes for students aged 8 to 15. The exciting programme runs on Saturday mornings and students can attend as many sessions as they want from a wide range, including dance, singing, theatre, art club, fashion, textiles and film-making. Inspirational teachers will deliver the classes at Corby Business Academy, which has excellent art, music and theatre facilities and students’ work will be regularly showcased in performances and exhibitions. It is the first time that The BRIT school in South London, whose alumni include such globally recognised names as Adele, Loyle Carner, Jessie J, Katie Melua, Leona Lewis and Tom Holland, is rolling out its well established performing arts

STAMFORD LIVING JULY 2018

programme in conjunction with another Trust. Its programme Director, Tobi Deeson, said: ‘BRIT Kids is different to other Saturday schools on many different levels. Firstly, we cater for all the creative arts from Theatre to Art Club, Street Dance to Film Making. This unique mix of classes offered really does mean there is something for everyone. Alongside this, we are proud to be part of The BRIT School, following its ethos for creativity, challenging our students with bespoke plays, contemporary art classes and high teaching levels with specialist equipment.’ Autumn Term 29 September to 15 December 2018; Spring Term 12 January to 30 March 2019; Summer Term 27 April to 13 July 2019. Classes are one-hour long and run between 9.30 and 12.30. If you need more information, or want to sign up, please telephone 01536 203120 or email BRITkids@brookewestontrust.org

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Brooke Weston Trust presents

BRIT Kids

Saturday Courses at Corby Business Academy

Performing and Creative Arts classes for 8–15 year olds At BRIT Kids you can choose to do Performing Arts or Creative Arts and Mix and Match to do both! What will you do in these classes? Here’s a quick breakdown…. Theatre, Dance, Singing

These three classes work well together. They are individual classes that come together once a year to put on performances. You can choose to do one, two or all three classes.

Street Dance Specialist Street dance classes.

Music Production Making electronic music in our specialist studio.

Film Making Directing, planning, shooting and editing, students will learn it all.

Fashion and Textiles Learn to customise your clothes, stitch, heat press, applique and use a sewing machine.

Art Club

A mixed media course exploring a variety of materials, mediums and processes.

brit.croydon.sch.uk/BRITKids 64

01536 303120

News & Notes Rockblok Summer Activity Club

State-of-the-art dental clinic opens in Peterborough

HE newly opened Priestgate Clinic brings dental excellence to the heart of Peterborough. Run by dynamic married couple Drs Catherine and Richard Cousley, the clinic combines state-of-the-art technology with first-class skills in dentistry and orthodontics, all underpinned by traditional values of patient care. Located in a 200-year-old Grade II listed building in the city centre, this stylish and welcoming clinic offers a range of dental care for all ages, including specialist orthodontics, preventative and restorative dentistry and facial aesthetics. It is one of the most advanced clinics in the country in terms of embracing 3D technology. “Thanks to our low-dose facial CT and 3D intra-oral scanner, we no longer rely on plain 2D x-rays. Patients no longer have to endure a mouthful of putty in order to create models of their mouth, making it a much more comfortable experience,” explained Richard. Patients could not be in more capable or caring hands. Catherine is a highly qualified and experienced dentist who believes that a dentist’s role isn’t simply to repair damage, but to use minimally invasive dentistry and to prevent future oral health problems. Richard is an innovative and expert orthodontist with a reputation for achieving excellent results in even the most complex cases. He was the lead consultant orthodontist at Peterborough City Hospital from 2001 to 2017 and is one of the few consultants in the UK to hold a national Clinical Excellence Award. Richard’s expertise means that he is able to treat every type of orthodontic problem with a bespoke treatment plan, while also applying a touch of warmth and humour to put patients at ease. The couple are joined by consultant Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon Mr Clive Moss and by Dr Suchita Vaidya. Suchita has a special interest in dental and facial cosmetic treatments with a postgraduate Diploma in Non-Surgical Facial Aesthetics. She focuses on anti-ageing treatments, using the latest techniques to stimulate regeneration and repair. Catherine said: “We are delighted to announce the launch of our newly-completed clinic in such a beautiful and historic building. We are inviting new patients to pop in for a chat to find out how we can help them achieve their perfect smile.” For more information or to book an appointment, contact the friendly practice team on 01733 865000 or visit www.priestgateclinic.co.uk.

Tolethorpe Cricket Club

REGULAR payer writes: “The smallest ground in the county but by far the prettiest. No one who plays at Tolethorpe ever forgets the ground or the people. “Owing to the ravages of time, we are looking for new players. We do not play league any more, but we play competitive cricket against a range of local village sides. Last year we won more games than we lost. Most of our players are not in the first flush of youth so don’t be put off if you haven’t played for a few years. “Last season we put out quite a number of sides with father/son combinations. If your offspring is a teenager and mad about cricket, then this is a good opportunity to roll back the years and play cricket in the same side as you son before he leaves home or goes to college. “Contact our chairman Andy Bullimore or come over in one weekend. We play our cricket in the valley at Little Casterton. So, drop in and sit in the pavilion; watch a few overs; meet some of the players; take a walk around the old church and watch the sun go down over the valley. Once seen never forgotten. andybullimore@btinternet.com

UT the fun into your child’s school holiday with Rockblok Summer Activity Club, at Whitwell, Rutland Water. If you’re juggling work with summer fun, looking for 1 day or need to book consecutive days for your child, the Rockblok team are here to help! For children from age 8+. Fun packed days will include climbing, high ropes, den and shelter building, team challenges, crafts, adventure games, soft archery and more! Make new friendships and enjoy action packed days! The Rockblok Team are DBS checked with the appropriate First Aid qualifications and have a wealth of experience in providing supervision and fun activities for young people. Rockblok Summer Activity Club 2018 will run Monday to Friday from 23rd July – 31 August. 8.30 am – 4.30pm (pick up 5pm) Cost £30 per day - discount available when booking 3 days or more. Contact Rockblok for more information, Tel: 01780 460060 or visit www.rockblok.com.

Wansford Country Lounge

INCE the Wansford Country Lounge opened last November it has firmly established itself to be a top-notch meeting spot for wholesome breakfasts, lunches, coffees and cakes. Proprietor Bradley Freeman explains ‘we want people to feel welcome and keep coming back, the support we’ve had has been integral in getting the menu right and keeping our customers happy’. Cakes are delivered from the highly regarded Fine Foods in Stamford twice weekly and offer an enticing selection. Open seven days a week, and on Thursdays and Fridays they open for evening meals, with a more ‘Bistro’ feel. Menus change weekly and locally sourced ingredients are used wherever possible, there’s always a good selection of specials. The Country Lounge is also available for private parties. For more information and bookings contact The Wansford Country Lounge, London Road, Wansford, PE8 6JB 01780 593022 STAMFORD LIVING JULY 2018

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News & Notes Healthy Hearing grand opening of new centre in Red Lion Square

EALTHY Hearing is proud to announce the opening of their new Hearing Centre right in the centre of Stamford. Healthy Hearing’s Ambassador, BBC Radio 2 broadcaster and national treasure Johnnie Walker MBE will be officially opening the new Centre at 10.30am on Wednesday 18th July 2018. As a long established local business, Healthy Hearing is dedicated to providing a comprehensive hearing healthcare service that improves their clients’ quality of life. Mike Stanley has been running Healthy Hearing for over 16 years. “We are very pleased to be able to offer our services right in the centre of Stamford. Our current Centre in Cliff Road, Stamford has been providing hearing care to people in the surrounding areas for many years and we have extensive experience fitting hearing aids to suit people’s different needs. We also offer free trials of the latest hearing aids, so you can test them out in your day to day life.” Located at 1 Red Lion Square, the new Hearing Centre will be fully equipped with the latest cutting-edge equipment, ensuring that the most accurate hearing examinations are provided. The new Centre will offer a number of other services including tinnitus counselling and ear wax removal. “We use the most up-to-date digital hearing aid technology and our team of audiologists are highly qualified and have been nationally accredited for their services. We really understand the value of listening to our customers and we guarantee you will receive the expert attention you deserve.” Healthy Hearing would like to invite you to celebrate the official opening of the Stamford Hearing Centre, 1 Red Lion Square, Stamford, PE9 2AQ. Taking place on Wednesday 18th July 2018, their friendly team will be on hand to greet you with a glass of fizz and will be able to answer any questions you may have. For more information on the official opening of the new Centre, please call Healthy Hearing on 01780 759133

Furnish your home from Housegoods4u!

RE you looking for stylish, good value furniture to refresh a room? Got a student son or daughter with a flat to kit out? Maybe you’re renting out a space and need to make it look good, or perhaps you’d just like some fresh interiors ideas? With a wide range of furniture from top brands, all available at discount prices, Housegoods4u is an Aladdin’s cave of unique and unusual pieces based in a huge warehouse at Fengate, Peterborough, and there is something to suit all tastes, whether you like modern, urban or rustic style. Choose from a selection of new beds and mattresses, sofas and sofa beds, chests of drawers and bedroom furniture. If you are struggling to know how to update your interior, bring in photos of your home and let the knowledgeable staff make suggestions. If you are looking for a full room scheme for a bedroom, for example, there is a service which allows you to design and choose a complete furniture system, selecting everything from the size of the bedside tables, to wardrobes, chests of drawers and storage, with your own choice of pattern, colours right down to the details, such as handles. There’s also a great rug selection in store: simply choose the one you like, order and it will take just three days to arrive. All other stock displayed on the shop floor can be taken the same day. The company, which is family run, also offers a package to landlords, who can choose to have one room or a complete house furnished. Pop in regularly as stock changes every week, and you never know what you will find. Housegoods4u.co.uk Units 1-2 St David Square, Fengate, Peterborough PE1 5QA (next to Screwfix). Tel: 01733 343777

STAMFORD LIVING JULY 2018

Making tax digital – are you prepared? Kerry Hilliard of Stephenson Smart Chartered Accountants explains how the new digital tax system will work

HE first phase of the Government’s Making Tax Digital (MTD) programme is set to start from April 2019. The programme will eventually require taxpayers to move to a fully digital system, starting with those with turnover above the VAT threshold (currently £85,000). Under the rules, businesses must keep digital records for VAT purposes and provide their VAT information to HMRC using ‘MTD functional compatible software’. There are some exemptions, but these are few and far between - most VAT registered businesses will need to comply. If you are VAT registered and not currently using compatible software (such as Xero, Sage or QuickBooks), you need to start to prepare now. Keeping digital records does not mean that all businesses will need to use digital invoices and receipts, but you will need to be able to record, preserve and supply HMRC with information digitally so a form of third party software will almost certainly be required. Stephenson Smart can help you to get ready for MTD, advising you on the selection of software and providing training and support as required. We can also explain the many benefits that can be obtained by using a digital solution. Stephenson Smart, 36 Tyndall Court, Commerce Road, Lynchwood, Peterborough, PE2 6LR 01733 343275, stephensonsmart.com

News & Notes Affordable hand-made quality at Montagu’s Furniture Nicholas Rudd-Jones went to visit Montagu’s Furniture in their characterful showroom based in The Old Goods Shed at Ancaster

RRIVING at this impressive Victorian building, I was greeted by the very friendly and knowledgeable owner Nick Mead, who gave me a tour of the showroom and the workshops. I was struck throughout by the team’s commitment to quality and craftmanship – the brush and roller applied paints, the bevelled finishes, the virtually blemish-free woods, the top-notch skill base of the workshop team. “At Montagu’s we take huge pride in creating outstanding kitchens, bedrooms and furniture,” Nick explained to me. “We are an established family business with a wealth of experience and expertise. Our team combines all the skills of design, craftsmanship and attention to detail to ensure that our product is of the highest standard. There is not a range of styles to choose from as our service is genuinely bespoke; any wood, any size, any design, any finish… anything you wish for. With a passion for style we will take your requirements and produce something truly unique; whether it is elegantly traditional, country with character or something with a contemporary twist.” I witnessed the truth of this in everything I saw. And the prices are very competitive too, given the quality of what is produced. Kitchens are a speciality, but also any other room in the house where a classic look is of importance. I looked at five simply stunning doors, for example, made from top-quality oak and beautifully finished.

A couple of testimonials: “The solid Oak furniture we commissioned is absolutely spectacular. It is better than we had expected even though we have had several items of furniture made before. This is really a family heirloom. Many thanks again!” “George Montagu’s have exceeded our expectations in every department. The furniture for our kitchen is beautifully made and fitted to an exceptionally high standard, with care and attention applied by the bucket full throughout. We have received a first-class product and service and would highly recommend this company and are pleased we chose them.” On their website you will see some examples of their work, but to fully appreciate the quality of the cabinetmaking, Nick invites you to visit the Ancaster showroom. It’s very worthwhile, I can assure you, and is only about half an hour away. The Old Goods Shed, Station Approach, Ancaster, Grantham, NG32 3QY 01400 230934 georgemontagus.co.uk

STAMFORD LIVING JULY 2018

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Out & About

Amander Meade selects some of the best entertainment in the region this month.

Burghley Park Cricket Week Throughout July and August THEATRE: Shakespeare at Tolethorpe Choose from three superb plays performed by the Stamford Shakespeare Company. This year the programme includes Shakespeare’s ‘Merchant of Venice’ and ‘Merry Wives of Windsor’ plus Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s ‘School for Scandal’. Rutland Open Air Theatre, Tolethorpe Hall Tickets are priced between £11 and £19 Tel: 01780 756133 www. stamfordshakespeare.co.uk Sunday 1 to Sunday 8 July, daily EVENT: Sweet Pea Week Enjoy the glorious displays of sweet peas, raised lovingly from seed in the greenhouses, the flowers in the meadows, the roses and cream teas. The whole garden is filled with the sights and sounds of summer with children most welcome. Easton Walled Gardens To book tickets or for further information call 01476 530063 visiteaston.co.uk Sunday 1 July, 7.30pm CONCERT: Champion Brass Summer Concert Award winning Stamford Brass present a collection of classic brass numbers which they have played throughout the competitions they have successfully won over the past year. Stamford Corn Exchange Theatre Tickets £12/£11 on 01780 766455 or at stamfordcornexchange.co.uk

Monday 2 to Friday 6 July, from 10.30am EVENT: Burghley Park Cricket Week This event runs throughout the week and offers fun for all of the family. From 6pm each evening, 16 local clubs will compete for the coveted Sixes trophy and everyone is invited to watch. There will be a fully stocked bar, and a BBQ. Following the MCC fixture on Friday, the sixes finals begin with the remaining clubs keen to walk away with the trophy. After the winners have been crowned there will be a live band on hand to close proceedings. Burghley Park Cricket Club in Stamford Entry is free for all spectators Wednesday 4 to Saturday 14 July EVENT: The Oundle International Festival This year the festival promises music of many varieties. The packed programme includes outdoor family theatre, the Big Bach Walk, a return of the popular Oundle on Show weekend including classic bikes, brass bands, the Big Afternoon Tea, a concert by the Rusty Players of Oundle, historical tours, talks and ‘Open Oundle’, as well as the highly enjoyable Party at the Wharf - something for everyone to enjoy. Full details of dates, times and venues can be found at oundlefestival.org.uk or by calling the box office on 01832 274734 Fridays 6, 13, 20 and 27 July, 1pm CONCERTS: Lunchtime Organ Recitals Using a video projection of the musician, the series features Father Bruce Burbidge supported by the Peterborough and District Organists’ Association,

Fergus Black from All Saints giving a concert of music from 100 years ago to mark the 100th Anniversary of The Armistice, and Nigel Stark from St Martin’s and St Mary’s. The season finishes with a concert by Felix Elliott, who is the Recital Prize winner at the London Organ Competition for Teenagers. All Saints Church, Stamford Admission is free with a retiring collection for the Church Music Fund Friday 6 July, 1.30pm and Saturday 7 July at 7.30pm THEATRE: Harshtag and Pull Stamford Senior youth theatre present an evening consisting of two original pieces of theatre, Harshtag and Pull. Harshtag is a story about the life of Eve and how, because of cyber bullying, her life is turned upside down. Pull, a non-naturalistic piece uses metaphor to show the impact of genocide through one man battling with being a survivor of the holocaust. Stamford Theatre Tickets £10/£8 at stamfordartscentre.com or on 01780 763203 Friday 6 and Saturday 7 July, 7pm (2pm Saturday matinee) PANTOMIME: Pinocchio An interactive musical adventure performed by the Stamford Pantomime Players Youth cast. Expect catchy songs, hilarious mishaps and spectacular ultra violet glow-in-the-dark puppetry. Will Pinocchio make the right choices and be good? Take the whole family along and find out. Stamford Corn Exchange Theatre Tickets £8.50/£7 on 01780 766455 or at stamfordcornexchange.co.uk

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Out & About

Burghley Film Festival Wednesday 21 July, 11am and 2am CHILDRENS THEATRE: Penguinpig Sophie reads about an exciting creature called a Penguinpig on the Internet. Filled with delight and intrigue she sets off alone on an adventure to find the adorable creature, leading her to the Zoo. A story that is accessible on many levels, Penguinpig has plenty of engaging charm whilst carrying an important message for older children to consider with their grown-ups. Ideal for children aged between 3 and 8 years. Stamford Theatre Tickets £8/7 on 01780 763203 stamfordartscentre.com Wednesday 25 to Sunday 29 July EVENT: Burghley Film Festival For 2018, the open-air screening of hit films ranges from ‘Saturday Night Fever’ to ‘The Lion King’ along with a spot of ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ as well as acclaimed war epic ‘Dunkirk’. New for this year will be a new food market style area offering filmgoers a host of foodie treats. Tickets cost £15 adults and £9 children. Parking is free. Daytime tickets give access to both screenings during the day, and evening tickets give access to both evening screenings. South Gardens, Burghley House For a full list of all the films and to book online tickets, visit burghley.co.uk or telephone 01780 752451.

Ideas for school holiday fun… Throughout July at Rutland Nature Reserve There is plenty for wildlife lovers of all ages to do at Rutland Water this month with badger watches, a book club, osprey cruises, willow weaving courses, birdwatching and butterfly events as well as special

STAMFORD LIVING JULY 2018

events for the school holidays. New this year is a whole week of Nature Detectives for 7-14 year olds. Between Monday 30 July and Friday 3 August there will be a week of activity days with a different wildlife theme. For those staying the whole week there’s a camp out on Thursday 2 August. For details and booking information for all events call 01572 653024 or visit rutlandwater.org.uk Between Monday 23 July and Friday 24 August, 9.30am to 4pm daily Wildcats Summer School There’s plenty of musical fun on offer with the Wildcats team including two full ‘show weeks’ where children can take part in a complete musical production. Alongside this there is a full programme of single day workshops for children of all ages including sessions for teenagers too. Sessions take place at Castle Hill in Stamford unless otherwise stated For booking call 01780 762000 or visit wildcatstheatreschool.co.uk Friday 27 July, 10am and 1pm Circus Skills Workshop Have a go at circus skills with fantastic Lincolnshire company Earthbound Misfits. Try your hand at juggling, plate spinning, balancing, diablo and many more in these fun sessions. Suitable for children aged between 7 and 11. Stamford Arts Centre Places are £8 per child with booking at 01780 763203 or stamfordartscentre.com

BOOK EARLY Kes is coming to Stamford... Friday 26 and Saturday 27 October, 7.30pm (Saturday matinee 2.30pm) Adapted for the stage by Robert Alan Evans, and directed by David Crowley, Kes tells the story of a day in the life of Billy Casper, a fifteen-year-old boy about to leave school and determined not to end up working down the pit like his older brother Jud. Produced by Zoe Crowson and starring her partner, Steve Arnold of Coronation Street fame, this production will raise funds for the Phoebe Research Fund. The charity funds research into recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa of which Zoe’s daughter Phoebe is a sufferer. To date the charity has raised over £100,000 with help from the local community. More details can be found at www. phoeberesearch.org.uk. Stamford Corn Exchange Theatre Tickets are £13/£12 on 01780 766455 or stamfordcornexchangetheatre.co.uk

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Bill & Sue Crowe Tel: 01780 754043 Mob: 07766833076 www.bcit.co.uk Email: bill@bcit.co.uk

on 01780 751115

Clothing Alterations & Repairs Brazenose Lane, Stamford

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR

Tel/Fax: 01780 763415

M: 07802 717701

E: steve@sr-electrical.com

SCoTgATe – STAmford

Unit 5 Casterton Road Business Park Old Great North Rd Stamford PE9 4DE www.sr-electrical.com

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR

Interior Interior & & Exterior E x t e r i o r Decorating Decorating

David Upson - Electrician Stamford D e c o r Office: a t i n01780 g 592 161 Mobile: 07708 931 453 I n t e r i o r & E x t e r i o r D e c o r a t i n g Interior & Exterior Decorating 01780 751978 01780 751978

Email: 033659 david@upsonelectrical.co.uk 07793

01780 751978 01780 751978 07793 033659 w w033659 w . c o l e07793 d e c . c033659 o.uk 07793 wk. c o l e d e c . c o . u k w w w. c o l e d e c . w c ow. u

GAS ENGINEER

DECORATORS

T J HENSON

• Bespoke handmade kitchens and joinery

• Custom fitted furniture • Construction and renovation work

• Installation services