Stamford Living March 2011 by Best Local Living

H e l p i n g y o u to g e t th e most o u t of l i v i n g L O C A LLY

STAMFORD Living The perfect Scotch egg ...has arrived in Stamford

Design Interiors

10 ideas to refresh your home

Living the Good Life Creative stitching class

ÂŁ1.50 March 2011

@LocalLivingUK

www.bestlocalliving.co.uk 03

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Wansford

£520,000

An individually designed home situated in the popular village of Wansford. Benefiting from spacious and versatile accommodation in an elevated position, with lovely views over its garden, running down to the river with its own mooring. Accommodation comprises: Kitchen, dining room, sitting room, master bedroom with ensuite, three further bedrooms, family bathroom, double garaging.

Stamford

Superb Grade II listed property in the heart of Stamford providing a stylish interior whilst retaining many original features. Briefly comprising: Entrance Hall, Dining Area, Sitting Room, Kitchen/Breakfast Room, Utility Room, Drawing Room, 3 Bedrooms, Bathroom, converted 2 storey Barn. Rear Garden and Summer House containing a hot tub.

Easton On The Hill

£425,000

An attractive 4 bedroom bungalow standing in grounds of approximately 1/3 of an acre in this sought after village location. The property is of modern construction and has been extremely well maintained by the present owners. It features good sized enclosed gardens to both the front and rear and an oversized double garage.

£1,450 pcm

Stamford

£1,350 pcm

Delightful townhouse situated in a tucked away position in one of Stamford’s most premier residential areas. The property has been refurbished and comprises: Spacious Living Room, Fitted Kitchen, Utility Room and Conservatory Area. Three Bedrooms and a Fitted Bathroom. Pretty walled Courtyard Garden, Parking area and a stone detached Garage.

2/3 St Johns Street Stamford PE9 2DA

Sales: 01780 750000 Lettings: 01780 750001 2

Email: info@goodwinpropertyservices.co.uk www.goodwinpropertyservices.co.uk

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STAMFORD LIVING Hello

W W W . BE S T L O C A L L I V I N G . C O . U K

This issue

Cover shot:

Scotch egg at The Bull and Swan, Stamford. Photo by David Corfield

March

UPFRONT, SHOPPING

Our website keeps on getting better

4 6

Three exciting things to check out at our rapidly expanding website at www.bestlocalliving.co.uk Business Directory Is your business listed yet? The region’s most comprehensive business listings awaits you. It costs just £10 a month to list your business and explain to our readership everything that you offer.

@LocalLivingUK

New mural for Stamford Hospital; Cancer Care Charity Shop; Sweet Music in Concert; Fairtrade Fashion Show; The Full Monty Makeover competition; Crightons Hydropool Award; Mummy & Me; NYO at Sly; Piano Shop 1st anniversary

FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY, SHOPPING

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Fashion: Chic Colour Health & Beauty: Body aesthetics

HOME, GARDEN & MOTORING

11 FASHION: CHIC COLOUR

26 31 34 39

Design Interiors: 10 ideas for refreshing your home Spotlight on Hunter’s Interiors Gardening: Ken Rawson discusses pruning and jobs for March Motoring column: cross-over vehicles

FOOD & DRINK

31 HUNTER’S INTERIORS

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Food & Drink: From Roasting Beans to Wrapping Bars Eating Out: Garden House Hotel, Punchbowl 1st anniversary, George’s Place restaurant for a weekend Olive Branch food page: Leeks Coffee Bar reviews Stamford Cookery School opens: Fancy a pint and a Scotch egg, Essential Wedding Show Prize Draw winners

ACTIVITIES, LEARNING & BUSINESS

Local Recipes We now have a fabulous recipe section, which includes all the recipes that have appeared in our magazines, and where we welcome you to submit your own recipe; with the common theme of all the ingredients being sourced locally from our wonderful array of local producers and farm shops. Twitter updates You will see our latest Twitter feed on our website, bringing you up to date on breaking news and views, and also campaigns. We recently supported the successful save our forests campaign, with many of our readers writing to their MPs. Enjoy.

Nicholas Rudd-Jones Editor

Subscribe to Stamford Living

21 OLIVE BRANCH Editor 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 480409 claudia@stamfordliving.fsnet.co.uk Advertisement Director Helen Walton 01780 754801 helen.stamford@btopenworld.com Advertising Copy Rachel Beecroft 01780 765320 rachel@locallivingdesign.co.uk Head of Design Steven Handley steve@locallivingdesign.co.uk Assistant Designer Nik Ellis nik@locallivingdesign.co.uk Publisher Nicholas Rudd-Jones 01780 765571 nicholas@bestlocalliving.co.uk Published by Local Living Ltd, PO Box 208, Stamford, Lincs. PE9 9FY nicholas@bestlocalliving.co.uk Printed by Warner’s of Bourne

13 19 24 32 43 45 47

Local Business: David’s Fuchsias &..., Call4five, Tax changes for individuals Creative writing: Rivercare Children’s Writing Competition Countryfile: Sacrewell Farm Perspectives: 29 is the new 19 Teen topics: Body-activated games; Hunt for the best Panini. Local walk: Prior’s Coppice What’s On

PERSPECTIVES

51 Ask Leo Special: Stamford’s second station 54 Living the good life: Jane Schofield 13 LOCAL BUSINESS

For only £20 (£30 for overseas surface mail) you can subscribe to Stamford Living for a year (12 issues). Please send your name, address and a cheque made out to Local Living Ltd to: SL Subscriptions, PO Box 208, Stamford, PE9 9FY Or you can subscribe via the website at www.bestlocalliving.co.uk

STAMFORD LIVING March 2011

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LOCAL NEWS

Upfront What’s new this month

New mural for Stamford Hospital We all hope not to have to visit hospital too often, especially with ill children, but a wonderful new mural at Stamford Hospital should help the medicine go down. Mayor David Brailsford unveiled the mural in the refurbished children’s waiting room at a special ceremony in February. Painted by local scenic artist and mother-of-four Tina Firkins, the mural depicts Peter Pan soaring over the moonlit rooftops of Stamford. The children shown ﬂying alongside Peter Pan were inspired by Tina’s own sons and daughter, aged from ten months to eight years. Matron Susan Brooks said “The mural is a superb wall decoration which will not only be enjoyed by children but also by the Friary coffee shop customers nearby. Tina’s painting is absolutely captivating and depicts both the beauty of Stamford and the fairytale story of Peter Pan. The upgrade of the children’s area was a joint effort between Tina, the Stamford Round Table who donated the funds for the mural and some brilliant toys, RAF Cranwell who came to do the preparation work and Stamford Hospital staff – a great team effort. We are enormously grateful to all these people who worked hard to pull this together.” Tina was approached to paint the mural thanks to her experience in theatre design, having created sets for the National Theatre in London, the Derby Playhouse and Northampton Theatres. Tina is also skilled at drawing and painting on a smaller scale, as shown in her colourful illustrations for Local Living publications. • Tina can be commissioned to paint murals in the home or workplace. Contact her by email at t.ﬁrkins@sky.com

Barn Hill Church Concert Saturday 26th March 2011 at 7.30 pm The Chamber Music Group “Sweet Music” is presenting a delightful programme of mainly 18th and 19th century chamber music for combinations of flute, viola, recorder, clarinet and piano. Music will include Mozart’s trio inspired by a bowling alley, a Trio Sonata by Frederick the Great’s private flute teacher and music by the ‘Paganini of the Recorder’ as well as much much more... Kate Osborne plays the flute, her brother James Risdon the recorder and clarinet, Takashi Kikuchi the viola; and the whole ensemble is accompanied by Fergus Black on the piano. The performers first worked together a couple of years ago at a concert in Worcester in aid of the national school for young people who are blind or partially sighted. • Tickets from Stamford Arts Centre 01780 763203 or at the door: £9.50 (£8 concessions, accompanied children free)

The Full Monty Stamford Amateur Musical Society are performing ‘The Full Monty - the Musical’; showing Tues 12 - Sat 16 April at Stamford Corn Exchange Theatre (nightly performances at 7.30pm, with an additional Saturday performance at 3.30pm) The Full Monty is the stage adaptation of the hit movie. Set in Buffalo, New York, where the unemployment line keeps growing ever longer and times are hard, this hilarious story sees six guys hatch a crazy plan to form their own striptease act – ‘Hot Metal’. Having seen how much money the local women pay to watch male strippers, they want a piece of the action! Can a bunch of guys who are unﬁt, too old and lacking in dancing skills really do it? They just have to dive in and bare all! • Box Ofﬁce: 01780 766455 www.stamford-corn-exchange.co.uk

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Fairtade Fashion Show Barn Hill Methodist Church Sat Mar 12, 7pm Tickets £4-£10, available from Greencircle on St Mary’s Hill or call 01780 757496 The highlight of Stamford’s Fairtrade Fortnight will be a glittering fashion show featuring some of the sector’s leading brands. Run in conjunction with Greencircle, Stamford’s only retail outlet dedicated to fairly traded products, it will include a special preview of the Emma Watson collection, part of the People Tree label.

New Charity Shop New independent Cancer Care Lincs & Cambridge Charity Shop has opened in Stamford at 45, Broad Street. Zoie Marsh, Trustee / Founder, said: “We would like to appeal to the public for urgent stock donations of furniture, cloths, bric a brac, books, CDs, jewellery toys, etc. “We will also have an area in the charity shop where you can come along and purchase our specialist wigs and specialist hats, for people suffering from hair loss due to medical treatments to help them face each day feeling conﬁdent about their appearance. Cancer Care Lincs & Cambridge aims to fundraise through Marie Curie to relive the needs of people who have Cancer and other related illnesses in the Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire area by providing a palliative care service within their own homes and by supporting such other needs of those suffering, and fundraising for Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge. • For more information on donating stock or becoming a volunteer for this charity please contact; Tel: 01780 756968, Email: cancercarelincsandcambs@gmail. com

NENE VALLEY STAMFORD LIVING LIVING March July2011 2008

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Make Money while the Sun Shines With Government legislation offering a guaranteed 25 year tax free incentive, there has never been a better time to invest in solar panels and earn money for your home or business.

Phil Auciello outside a customers home with a newly installed Solar System

wo Stamford businessmen, Phil Auciello and Terry Ward have launched PV Solar Installations Ltd., adding to their current successful business; Stamford Carpentry Services. Their carpentry business continues to be very successful based on their approach of reliability, honesty and good workmanship. Something they intend to carry over into their new venture. Phil and Terry recognised the unique opportunity presented by the Government’s drive for renewable energy and the “Feed in Tariff” legislation Phil Auciello and Terry Ward of PV Solar Installations introduced for the solar power industry. Solar ‘photovoltaic’ technology has at the optimal angle of 30 degrees will advanced to the stage where panels generate an income of around £1400 in are entirely affordable to homes and the first year and pay for itself in less than businesses. The panels work by generating 9 years. By 25 years the system will have electricity from light – and not just sunlight generated a tax free income in the – the panels work from light intensity not region of £50,000. If you own a heat so they are practical even business with a large roof for the UK climate. “For us it then the rewards are far was an obvious extension greater.” of our business” said A solar panel Phil, “so we took the system can be intensive training fitted on most courses to become roofs, and while fully accredited a south facing MCS installers. This roof is best, means we can east and west sign-off installations facing roofs are for the Feed in Tariff also completely or FIT which pays viable. Phil and the householder for Terry will only install generating electricity BP Solar panels from Solar Panels. which have a marketIt is a compelling leading warranty of 25 investment opportunity” years. Terry was at pains to Phil explained. “The FIT is point out that they were guaranteed for 25 years. It’s Phil Auciello and Fay Brooks in the PV Solar Installations Ltd Office not in the business for the tax free. And for households hard sell. “We offer a the VAT rate for installation is no-obligation survey of any home or just 5%. For example, a 3.6 kilowatt system business to identify the fitted to a house with a south facing roof

potential size of system and calculate the return on investment. If the roof is not going to achieve this because of the way it faces or structural issues then we will be completely honest with the customer. In fact we have recommended to 3 customers this week that a Solar System won’t work for them.” Phil and Terry recognise that this is a complicated subject. To help to explain the process and investment advantages they are organising a free cheese and wine evening towards the end of March. We will be inviting people to pop in and have a free glass of wine and nibbles” said Phil. “We will be on hand to explain the Feed in Tariff and to describe the installation process.”

• If you would like to be invited to the event send an email to info@pvsi.co.uk or contact the PVSI ofﬁce on 01780 762 937. For further information or to book a free, no-obligation survey for your home or business visit Phil and Terry’s website www.pvsi.co.uk

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LOCAL NEWS

Upfront Win a fabulous spring/ summer makeover! Summer is fast approaching, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to shed your winter layers and reveal a new, gorgeous youâ&#x20AC;Ś sandilindley style, together with Stamford Living, is offering one lucky reader the chance to win a fabulous makeover just in time for summer. So if you are looking to change your image, revamp your wardrobe and be spoiled for a day, then this competition is for you!

PRIZE INCLUDES: A Wardrobe Revamp Âˇ Hair Cut & Colour Âˇ Professional Make-up Âˇ Lash Extensions Âˇ Nail Paint Âˇ Brow Shape and Tint Âˇ Bra Fitting Âˇ Shopping Vouchers Âˇ Delicious Lunch Âˇ Personal Shopping session Âˇ Before & After Photographs... Sponsors include:

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+ 5 ; ++( <5 published in the May edition of Stamford Living. % ' ! + /(*$ + (%% ' )* ,","(' * (* CE 1 *+ ' () ' -) â&#x2014;? To book a makeover, wardrobe revamp, shopping 6 %(/ *7 "' CAAD5 ! (*" "' %%1 ,* "' ' /(*$ "' ,! (* ,! (&) '1 appointment or style workshop,% ' ,( simply e-mail ,! , & (%% ' "' ,! *%1 HA7+ ' ", / + ! * #( ,( (& ,( ' ,* "' ,! ( ,(*+ ! * 2 % ' ('%1 -+ + "( * % "%% *+3 & '"' ,! , (. * sandilindleystyle @mail.com or call Sandi on 07858 255622 ,"& ,! 1 * 0 * , 1 ,! ( 13 & '"' ,! , ,! 1 ( '(, , 1(-* ! %,! Burghley Weekend: Bookings Pre-Theatre Dinner: Now offering '(/ (* "' ,! -,-* 2 % ' ! + / %,! ( 0) *" ' "' ,!"+ )*( ++"('3 for details. are now being taken for Burghley an early sitting from 6.30pm, theatre

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Helen Fox, owner of childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s boutique Mummy & Me, has started stocking magic lanterns, the charming nightlights made by French company Trousselier. Made from beech wood, the colourful illustrated lanterns rotate to create a magical and soothing effect. Designs range from fairies and princesses to seascapes and spaceships, so thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a theme to inspire sweet dreams in every child. Helen said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The lantern I have as decoration in the shop is really popular. Every day someone comes in and wants to buy it. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had so many people comment on it that I thought I would bite the bullet and order some in from Franceâ&#x20AC;?. The lanterns usually retail at more than ÂŁ30 each but Helen is pricing them at ÂŁ28. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My philosophy on low prices prevails!â&#x20AC;? she says. Helen set up Mummy & Me to sell second-hand childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clothes, toys and baby equipment alongside new items such as socks and underwear. Due to limited space, larger items such as cots and prams are displayed on the shopâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website, where you can also ďŹ nd details of how to become a seller. â&#x20AC;˘ Mummy & Me, 4 Wellington Lane, Stamford, PE9 1QB Tel: 01780 238001; www.mummyandme.vpweb.co.uk

Peterborough Company Wins Top International Award Sly move 37 St Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Street, Stamford PE9 2DF. Telephone www.thefinefoodstore.com

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Local business, Crightons Hydropool Limited, has just returned from the International Hydropool conference in Athens having scooped the prestigious award for â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Best Showroomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. This award is made to the top Hydropool retailer from around the world who best demonstrates their commitment to creating an environment that displays the hot tub range to the highest standards and giving Stamford Beauty 1/4 SL Feb.indd 1 11/1/11 10:40:16 the customer an exceptional retail experience. Owner, Iain Crighton, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We were obviously thrilled to receive this accolade as we are a new showroom for Hydropool, but the judges clearly liked what weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve done and consider it best reďŹ&#x201A;ects their products. We believe it gives our customers the best possible environment to make this lifestyle choiceâ&#x20AC;?. Managing Director, Gavin Elsey added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We were all really excited about this award. The Hydropool range are the most environmentally friendly, and only self-cleaning hot tubs in the market, so it ďŹ ts in exceptionally well with Peterboroughâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Home of the Environment Capitalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; statusâ&#x20AC;?. â&#x20AC;˘ Crightons Hydropool, 5 Titan Drive, Fengate East, Peterborough PE1 5XN Tel: 01733 305140 www.crightonshydropool.co.uk

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Neal Yard Organics - the world famous natural, effective and ethical beauty products are the latest arrival at Sly at 4 St Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Passage, Stamford! NYOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s organic products known and sold throughout the world for 30 years are still receiving rave reviews and awards. Belinda Sly is absolutely delighted and loving them. She said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have been using the skincare and am astounded by the results - everything actually does what it says!â&#x20AC;? NYO make fabulous presents, the blue bottles (recycled of course!) are famous and look amazing adorning any bathrooms! Perfect gifting for Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day (Sun 3 April!)

The Stamford Piano Shop The irrepressible David Hollands has a passion for pianos and when he ran out of space in his main outlet in St Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hill he decided to look around for more. He has now been in his new dedicated establishment for a year, and in that time has sold an incredible 40 pianos. There is a wide array of pianos â&#x20AC;&#x201C; over a dozen uprights, a selection of electric pianos and keyboards, and even the odd baby grand. There are also lots of piano stools and other accessories. â&#x20AC;˘ Stamford Piano Music Shop, 32 St Peterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s St, Stamford, PE9 2PF Tel: 01780 751113 www.stamfordmusicshop.co.uk

NENE VALLEY STAMFORD LIVING LIVING March July2011 2008

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FOOD & DRINK

From Roasting Beans to Wrapping Bars Duffy Sheardown of Red Star Chocolate, based in Cleethorpes, is the UK’s newest artisan chocolate producer of single origin chocolate bars from different regions of the world. Sarah Lyon reports

ith a life long love of chocolate, Duffy Sheardown swapped life in the fast lane as a motor sports engineer to become an artisan chocolate maker. Sarah Lyon asks Duffy, “What was the inspiration and drive to swap the sweet success of a motor racing lifestyle with that of a chocolate maker?” ‘Making the move from science and certainty to art and alchemy’ Duffy explains, “With a typical motor racing, I can do anything attitude I decided to do some research into making my own chocolate. This was in response to a radio programme I had heard where the correspondent reported that Cadbury’s were the only chocolate company in the UK producing chocolate from raw cacao beans, with all other producers starting the process further along in the refining process. At this time there were only two other producers – Artisan du Chocolat and Sir Hans Slone. The key point for me was when I realised that chocolatiers DO NOT make their own chocolate. I started to delve further and learnt that 95% of most chocolate is made from cheap beans. I wanted to discover the potential of making chocolate from the 5% of really exceptional beans. Refining chocolate from the bottom up.” On an adventure to make some of the finest chocolate in the world A chocolate festival in Perugia (where Duffy had worked a few years earlier with a race team) was to be his first encounter with sourcing and buying beans from Ecuadorian grower Jorge Felix. Duffy takes the time to get to know different bean regions and it is this attention to detail that has secured the best beans available. Beans have been sourced from Africa, South America, the Far East and Central America producing single origin chocolates bars from ONE HARVEST in ONE REGION of that particular country. This unique and committed approach means that taste will slightly vary yearly as the soil and other growing conditions fluctuate and change. The Process 1. Cleaned and sorted fermented and dried cocoa beans arrive with Duffy. Duffy also

imports a solid called Cocoa Liquor that is initially refined in its country of origin. The Cocoa Liquor is already refined and does not get roasted again (in effect a third of the way through stage 2). The chocolate used in the Star of Panama and Star of Peru bars. 2. Beans are roasted and then ground in an Indian Spice Grinder. The beans are ground between two granite rollers (for between 40-70 hours) that slowly turn the beans into chocolate. This method ensures that the chocolate keeps its character and that the end product is not compromised by using large commercial roasters. Duffy conches (grinds with heat) for much longer than most, allowing the subtle flavours to develop and mature, driving off the bitterness. 3. Batches are small. Duffy and his wife Penny taste extensively. 4. Final stage of tempering to achieve right look and texture. There is no attempt to disguise flavour, to blend or homogenise so that bars are predictably the same batch after batch.

Duffy’s Honduras Indio Rojo, 72% fine chocolate This bar has a glorious e taste and smooth textur in ed list n and has bee the ‘Top 10’ of world bars in The Times

Young is one of the top 5 Chocolatiers in the world, has two shops, one in Islington and Royal Exchange in London. Clearly top quality bars that are to be taken seriously! Dark and Milk Chocolate is available through www. redstarchocolate.co.uk and from speciality shops throughout county and country, i.e. Fortnum & Mason, Harvey Nichols. Source locally from The Fine Food Store, 37 St Mary’s Street, Stamford (Tel: 01780 754222)

A bar packed full of integrity Duffy says, “we pay a premium so that farmers can treat their workers with the respect they deserve, and send their kids to school, afford medical treatment and all the rest of the things that are easy for us to take for granted. Once profits are made it is my intention to share them with farm communities through the support of local charities.” High accolade Find Duffy’s Chocolate at Paul A Young Fine Chocolates Ltd (www.paulayoung.co.uk) - Paul STAMFORD LIVING March 2011

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Hurray!

Children’s Shoes… Including: Ricosta, Hush Puppies, Garvalin & Lellikelly

recently refurbished... Marcia May shoes ltd 41 St Mary’s st Stamford, PE9 2DS

01780 766608 New to

At Attic we’re always on the lookout for something new.

Be Inspired! Be Inspired!

American Vintage offers a sophisticated blend of flattering styles and fine fabrics. Available at 33 St Mary’s St. Stamford.

Visit us Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Attic: 33 St Mary’s St. PE9 2DS. T: 01780 766667 Attic Weekend: 43 St Paul’s St. PE9 2BH. T: 01780 766675 Attic Oakham: 38 High St. LE15 6AL. T: 01572 759000 www.atticfashion.co.uk

Something for everyone

8 St Mary’s Hill Stamford Lincs PE9 2DP Tel: 01780 767878 www.siriusjewellery.co.uk

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FASHION INSIDER

Chic Colour

Sally Stillingfleet has been looking around at key items with a nod to current trends

t this time of year the sales are fast disappearing and we search our wardrobes for something to wear which is different, up to the minute but won’t cost a fortune. • Susie at Arch Label Agency was the first person to inspire; with her finger always on the pulse she opts for the not so humble scarf! “A scarf is just right for spring!” she enthused. Her selection encompasses all the themes and can be worn in many different ways. Over a white T shirt, a jacket nestled in the neck of a pinafore or dress. “Just look at the colours!” she excitedly showed me and I have to agree. • I Should Coco is well worth a visit, Katherine’s new shop has been lovingly re-vamped and has a cleverly tailored offering of really good basics and names we have come to love and trust such as Goat, Hoss and Unisa. Check out wedges from Unisa to complement the ‘Out of Africa’ vibe and team with navy cargo pants (£68) and a Goat knit. More stock is arriving daily, Katherine explained, and she is very enthusiastic about the new pieces she has chosen for the shop. • Frances Shippey at The Bag Shop effortlessly

chooses great bags in wonderful but useful shapes, the perfect destination for following the ‘Brights’ trend – 70s colour blocking is all about purples and red, jade and cobalt worn in contrast or as a whole. The Blondie Mania across the body bags would be perfect for this trend.’ Circus Brights’ relies on pattern or colour from subcultures, which are very evident in the Almost Famous and Great Plains collections at Attic. For all the complete looks the forthcoming Fashion Show is a must!

Black, red and white scarf: Alice by Alice Temperley £40

Directory Arch Label Agency 10a Maiden Lane, Stamford. Tel: 01780 764746 www.archlabelagency.com The Bag Shop 4 Cheyne Lane, Stamford. Tel. 01780 754794 www.thebagshop I Should Coco (NEW!) 2-4 The George Mews, Stamford. Tel: 01780 754413 Attic Weekend 43 St. Paul’s Street, Stamford Tel: 01780 766675 and Attic 33 St. Mary’s Street, Stamford. Tel: 01780 766667www.atticfashion.co.uk

Attic Fashion Show To celebrate Attic’s fifth Birthday get your tickets for a very special Fashion show on Thursday March 24th at The Crown to celebrate! A two course meal with complimentary fizz for just £15! A chance to see what’s new for spring/summer 2011 and to get tips and advice on how to achieve the latest looks. There will be an opportunity to try on and buy the clothes along with jewellery and accessories – a 10% discount is on offer for any purchases on the night. Raffle Prizes include, EMU boots, Meal for Two at The Crown, Attic Gift Voucher and Esprit Knitwear. Tickets are just £15 each and are on sale in any of the Attic shops or from The Crown.

Purple/pink silk patterned scarf: Missoni £50

All smooth at The Cutting Company The Brazilian Blow-Dry is a new smoothing hair treatment but one I knew little about, John Goldsmith explained all and de-mystified this new process guaranteed to smooth unruly locks and cut drying time in half – wash and go! So how does it work and will it damage my hair? The natural keratin is applied after a clarifying shampoo washes and opens up the hair cuticle. The keratin is absorbed and a cap is worn, whilst it processes. Being keratin it can only improve hair condition, as the solution is based on natural keratin. I have heard it takes a long time? Allow 2-3 hours but think of it as a long term investment in terms of future hair washes with no need to blow-dry afterwards! The drying is done in tiny sections the size of a finger. Each section is dried 10 times using extremely hot straightening irons from root to tip. What happens next and will it last? The client leaves the salon with very straight hair and cannot get it accidentally wet or wash

it for three days, even putting hair behind the ears is forbidden! 3 days later on returning to The Cutting Company John washes and conditions the hair using the accompanying products, which are included in the price of the blow-dry for home use. The treatment lasts 3 – 5 months before needing to be done again. Who can benefit? All hair, even curly will be calmer, sleeker and more manageable. Look out also for the Express Blow-Out – coming soon to The Cutting Company designed to add volume to fine hair and cut colour-fade. A free consultation with John and his team on this amazing time-saving treat will revolutionise your hairstyling forever! • The Cutting Company – 6 Ironmonger St., Stamford. Tel. 01780 763331

Pink patterned silk scarf: Mary Katrantzou £50 Modelled by Emily Dobson, Photographer Simon Archer STAMFORD LIVING March 2011

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Cosmetic Open Evenings How can you find a surgeon that you can trust? Are you interested in finding out about surgical and non-surgical treatments that could boost your confidence? Come to one of our free Open Evenings, meet our consultants and find out more.

Thursday 10th March. 5.30pm - 8.30pm Richard Price â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Free consultation evening on all aspects of cosmetic surgical and non-surgical treatment. Call 01733 842304 to book a free 15-minute one-to-one consultation. Monday 4th April, 7.00pm. Erik Scholten - Free presentation on General Cosmetic Surgery (non-facial) with wine and nibbles. Call 01733 842304 to book your place.

01733 842304 Peterborough PE3 9AQ www.fitzwilliamhospital.co.uk

Fitzwilliam Hospital

â&#x20AC;˘ SL March ADS.indd 12

16/2/11 17:06:34

LOCAL BUSINESSES

Budding new Business: David’s Fuchsias &... Spring sees the shoots of a new business venture by husband and wife team, David and Jessica Woolacott, in the guise of David’s Fuchsias &... Harjit Gammon went to find out more

rom feeding the appetites of the school girls at Stamford High School, Head Chef, David, who retires from the school in March, will turn his creative talents to his other great passion, nurturing plants. As of April David and his wife Jessica will devote their time together to raising a wide variety of plants including fuchsias from their third of an acre allotment plot and centrally heated greenhouse at their home. The allotment boasts two 70ft greenhouses, netted walkways, and a netted tunnel. Last year he

made almost 400 hanging baskets and tubs, and plans to do more this spring and summer. Like many new ventures the idea blossomed from a chance occurrence; “The purchase of two lovely, and heavily reduced, fuchsia plants, from a garden centre at the end of one summer a few years ago,” David recounts. Soon the two plants had become the core of a collection, at one point numbering around 300 varieties. His personal favourites are the delightfully named Devonshire Dumpling and Swingtime.

Call4five “Call4five” is a service created by Stamford based telecommunications company GCC. In a world where we all rely on technology to help us get by, especially our mobile phones, what do we do if, for whatever reason, our options suddenly become limited? Perhaps you’ve lost your mobile or it’s been stolen? No signal? Flat battery? There are many possibilities and unforeseen circumstances where you really need to make a call and can’t. Well one answer may well be the “Call4five” service provided by GCC. The offering is very simple and also quite clever. Let’s say your mobile has dropped straight into the river while you’re out on a walk. You need to make an urgent call. The nearest call box doesn’t take cash and your friend only has a tiny bit of credit on their phone. No problem, you can use our UK free phone number from the call box or the Call4five special “call back” number from a mobile, which means you can make a call without using any credit on the other person’s phone. Call4five cards and vouchers are available for use in the UK and overseas. Simply go to the call4five website and you can order them online. Cards are shipped first class post and vouchers can be printed or emailed direct from the website. Now endorsed as “Recommended Kit” by The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme call4five is recognised as an extra bit of “peace of mind” for all parents with children who are participating in the scheme. • Visit www.call4five.com

• On April 30th David will host an open day at Stamford Arts Centre to promote his horticultural wares. Thereafter the couple will go on the road selling at village fetes, retirement home open days and the like. More details can be found on the website www.davidsfuchsias.co.uk or by emailing David at davidsfuchsias@talktalk.net David will also continue gardening at Tixover, St Clements and Clare Close alongside the business.

Tax changes for individuals The new tax year will soon be upon us, together with a raft of changes already announced by the Government. For the majority of taxpayers, the annual personal allowance is increasing to £7,475, with the stated long term objective being to increase this to £10,000. For individuals earning say £30,000 per annum, this will equate to a tax saving of £200. Against this, the level of National Insurance contributions will increase by £62, giving a net tax saving of £138 per annum. For individuals earning up to £42,475 per annum, you will be taxed at 0% on the first £7,475, with the balance taxed at 20%. Earnings above £42,475 per annum will be taxed at 40%. If you earn over £100,000, then personal allowances are reduced by £1 for every £2 of additional income up to £114,950, creating a marginal rate of 60%. If your income exceeds £150,000, then you will be subject to the 50% tax on income over £150,000. Combined with the increase in National Insurance contributions, this will mean that the majority of higher rate tax payers will end up paying more in taxes in 2011/12. For anyone operating a business, it may be worth considering deferring all non-essential expenditure until after 05 April 2011, or for employees it may be more beneficial to take bonuses prior to 05 April 2011 in lieu of pay increases in 2011/12. • The Young Company would be happy to advise you further on ways to minimise the effect of the increases. Please contact Bob Young or Sheila Gowans on 01780 758515 if these changes effect you. STAMFORD LIVING March 2011

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com rley S es to S tre tam et for d

Warts...

Facial Aesthetic Specialists and Skin Care Experts anti-wrinkle injections dermal fillers lip enhancements cheek augmentation collagen stimulants dermarollers chemical peels skin rejuvenation teeth whitening

Call us on 0844 800 8353 or visit www.meliorclinics.co.uk

â&#x20AC;˘ SL March ADS.indd 14

16/2/11 17:06:45

Health and Beauty

High Tech Beauty Genevieve Potter looks at how to get the balance right when considering aesthetic facial treatments

ecent research has shown that women who go under the surgeon’s knife are getting younger; ten years ago the average age for face lifts was between 50 and 60, it is now early 40s. It seems that the tide is about to turn, however, with a move towards effective but much less traumatic ways to hold back the years.

Useful resources: British Association of Cosmetic Doctors www.cosmeticdoctors.co.uk The Consulting Room www.consultingroom.com The Independent Healthcare Advisory Service www.treatmentsyoucantrust.co.uk Maples For women who want a really scientific way to visibly improve their complexion, but perhaps aren’t quite ready for invasive treatments, Maples offer Agera Rx Peels, combined with micro-dermabrasion. This powerful treatment literally lifts away the dead surface layers of the skin, and the peel stimulates the skin’s own plumping elastin and collagen. It is especially

effective for sundamaged or acne scarred skin. (Agera and microdermabrasion combined session costs £66 for one hour). Heather is also trained in the application of permanent make-up and uses a special “hair stroke” technique for creating the most natural brows (priced from around £300 for eyebrows). This type of make-up is particularly beneficial for women who may have lost their hair for underlying medical reasons and this Spring/Summer within the hair salon at Maples, Gary will also be launching a wig styling service. Melior Clinics at Body Care Melior Clinics are regular visitors to Body Care, Stamford, where they perform their extensive portfolio of non-surgical facial aesthetic treatments. They use a three-dimensional, global perspective focusing on loss of volume together with sagging of the skin, activity of facial muscles and direct treatment of the skin’s surface. Dr Timothy Beazleigh, Medical Director explains Melior Clinics’ presence in Stamford:“Our Stamford patients have extremely high expectations and demand only the very best from their practitioners. They appreciate that they can be treated by a Harley Street specialist using the very latest in 3D-global techniques in luxury surroundings without the need to travel to London.” • Melior Clinics 0844-800-8353 info@meliorclinics.co.uk Body Care 7 Ironmonger Street, Stamford 2 PE9 1PL Tel: 01780 480777

Continued on page 16

Dr John Elder, from the Glen Eden Medical Practice, comments: “In the past few years there has been a change in our Practice which reflects the industry nationally, with a greater emphasis on rejuvenation rather than just on battles with lines and wrinkles.” “Increasingly patients are combining treatments; particularly popular is the addition of Dermaroller® which can produce a fabulous rejuvenating and collagen remodelling result which is particularly useful for tired or ageing skin.” As with all beauty treatments science needs to blend with art and whether you’re opting for something completely natural or more invasive, the skill of the practitioner whose hands you’re in will determine the final result. Your face is precious, so it’s vital to do some careful research; personal recommendation speaks volumes and a good practitioner will be only too happy to give you details of their qualifications and experience, testimonials and even “before and after” images. They will also generally offer a free consultation and followup appointments as part of the service. Always disclose your full medical details, including any allergies and medication. Finally, a note of caution, try to remember the “bigger picture” – you may think an area of your face or a feature needs “correction”, but most women are hugely self-critical and the chances are that no-one else does!

STAMFORD LIVING March 2011

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Health and Beauty

Continued from page 15

2 In-Step As well as offering Electrolysis, which is still the only proven method of complete hair removal (£15 for a 15 minute session), In Step offer advanced cosmetic procedures to ensure the safe removal of skin blemishes such as skin tags, thread veins and blood spots (£35 for 15 minutes). Carried out by Carolyn Claypole who joined In Step from Sterex where she was head trainer for 15 years, clients are in safe and caring hands. In-Step’s owner Sue Arnold has also been carrying out injectable treatments for over five years and offers a range of aesthetic treatments including Restylane Dermal Fillers for reducing facial lines and wrinkles, right through to Environ Collagen Stimulation Therapy to encourage the skin to repair itself and reduce fine lines is available (from £350). • 10 St Martin’s Stamford PE9 2LF Tel: 01780 766991. 19 Elton Road, Wansford PE8 6JD Tel: 01780 783982. www.instepfootclinic.co.uk Stamford Beauty Owner Sarah Taylor has over two decades of experience in the beauty industry and specialises in the world’s most advanced skin care range – Dermalogica. Developed by the International Dermal Institute, Dermalogica have a transformational approach to skin analysis, known as Face Mapping. This takes just five to ten minutes and allows Sarah to conduct an exact analysis of each client’s face, separating it into 14 different zones. Face Mapping is a complimentary service and also allows clients to try some of the products, which are customised according to skin type. For those looking for more instantaneous results, Sarah offers clients monthly visits from a company called “Reflower”, that carries out a range of aesthetic treatments including biodegradable fillers, acid peels and rehydrating treatments. • Stamford Beauty, 1 Silver Lane, Stamford PE9 2 BT Tel: 01780 757108 www.reflower.co.uk Emma Cannings Karen Hayes is a Registered Nurse who has many years of experience in medical aesthetic treatments and provides regular clinics through Age Less Aesthetics all over the country. Karen Hayes is currently working alongside Emma Cannings in her salon, where she has been working since Emma opened. Her previous work in Harley Street has given her the opportunity to treat many people including celebrities, but her greatest passion is building personal trust with her clients, to give the best possible service and value for money. Karen can assess your concerns and give you her highly accredited advice on the right treatment for you. • Stamford Garden Centre, Great Casterton, Stamford PE9 4BB Tel: 01780 766583 www.emmacannings.co.uk www.agelessaesthetics.co.uk

recommended). Fiona also recommends a Caci treatment to her clients before they have Botox, as it is great for lifting the facial muscles into the right position; a single treatment costs £47.50 or just the eye area £25. Thea Pearce also works from Renaissance, offering Unique Finish Permanent Cosmetics. Thea works with clients to enhance their natural features, creating larger looking eyes with thicker lashes, fuller lips with permanent liner, and perfectly shaped eyebrows. Thea uses Unique Finish pharmaceutical grade pigments which are applied to mimic perfectly applied make-up, with a top up needed every 12-18 months. • www.uniquefinish.co.uk Renaissance, 2 Mallory Lane, Stamford PE9 2FW Tel: 01780 763768 Glen Eden Medical Aesthetics Dr John and nurse practitioner Mary Elder have been providing Victoria a range of medical aesthetic Cane procedures at Glen Eden Medical Aesthetics since 2005 and this autumn will be moving into brand new purpose-built premises in Corby Glen. Dr Elder is a member of the British Association of Cosmetic Doctors. The centre offers advanced Botox and Filler techniques, including mini-brow lifts, jowl and “Nefertiti” neck and jaw lifts, volumisation to the cheeks, temples and chin using Voluma® and skin rejuvenation using Restylane Vital® to face, hands and décolletage. Radio Frequency skin tightening using the Accent Spa® RF device provides an effective method for tightening loose skin around necks and eyes but is also invaluable in helping with body sculpting of the abdomen, hips and bottom. This autumn will see an exciting advance with the addition of Intense Pulsed Light therapy (IPL) and medical Lasers. • Glen Eden, The Market Cross Surgery, Corby Glen NG33 4NH. Tel: 01476 550056 www.glen-edenmedical.co.uk Equilibrium Equilibrium is now offering the Genuine Dermaroller treatment with their Aesthetic

Nurse Practitioner, Victoria Cane. I was lucky enough to try the treatment, which has been hailed as the “new facial” and has recently been making headlines in the beauty world. The concept is simple; a single-use metal medical instrument, the Dermaroller, is gently swept over the face to “aerate” your skin, which encourages it to regenerate and heal, increasing collagen production, which leads to plumper and smoother skin. Victoria has a background in nursing and was extremely reassuring about the treatment, explaining everything in great detail. Firstly, a mild anaesthetic cream was applied and left on for 30 minutes while Victoria asked me about my medical history and explained the procedure. Then I hopped on to the couch for the “rolling” to commence! Victoria didn’t apply any pressure at all, as the best results are gained by moving the roller over the same area of the face in multiple directions. Areas like the nose and forehead tend to be more sensitive than plumper regions of the face, however I really didn’t even flinch; on a scale of 0-10 where 10 is unbearable I would rate the discomfort as a 3 at the most and the rolling only took about 15 minutes. Immediately afterwards my face looked slightly pink and a bit tight, almost like extremely mild sunburn, with some tiny pinpricks of blood which Victoria massaged away as she applied a soothing Chiroxy cream followed by an SPF 50 gel (you have to religiously use this and stay away from bright sunlight for two weeks after the treatment). My skin felt oxygenated and glowing from within. The optimum result occurs about six weeks after the treatment, but from everything that I’ve learnt and experienced I’m confident that the results will be pleasingly noticeable. One session of the Genuine Dermaroller costs £300, or £800 for a course of three, which includes a pack with full-sized Chiroxy cream and SPF 50 gel worth £44. • 7 St Paul’s Street, Stamford PE9 2BE Tel: 01780 757579 www equilibriumstamford.co.uk

Renaissance Fiona Hood at Renaissance offers hi-tech Caci facials that are great for giving a lifted, sculpted look to the face (a course of treatments is

STAMFORD LIVING March 2011

15 H&B.indd 2

17/2/11 18:00:22

Beat the winter blues

OVER 2 YEARS EXPERIENCE

With Unique Finish Permanent Cosmetics by Thea Pearce

10% OFF* Permanent Makeup

…treat yourself to some youthful lifting brows to really open the eyes up. Or why not go for luscious fuller lips with lip redefining or an eye opening eye liner? HD BROWS, NOUVEAU LASHES & WHITE SPA TEETH WHITENING also available Gift vouchers available Before

Before After

After *For a limited time only so book quickly to avoid disappointment

Contact Thea on 07530 554718 for a free consultation At Renaissance

2 Mallory Lane, Stamford 01780 763768

also at Emma Cannings, Stamford Garden Centre 01780 766583

• SL March ADS.indd 17

16/2/11 17:06:56

0697 TCH-Weddings Full Page Ad

10/2/11

9:41 am

Page 1

Wedding venues to suit everyone The Crown Hotel, Stamford can look after weddings of up to 25 guests in their Upper Lounge, 55 guests in the Main Restaurant and 90 guests in the Main Restaurant and Front Restaurant combined. Each couple will have their own dedicated wedding planner who will also be there on the day to ensure all details are carried out as you would wish. Menus can be created for you from canapés, buffets, sit-down lunch or dinner and evening buffets. All Saint's Place, Stamford, PE9 2AG t. 01780 763136 sally@thecrownhotelstamford.co.uk www.thecrownhotelstamford.co.uk

The Orangery at The Exeter Arms in Easton on the Hill is a beautiful setting for a smaller wedding for 25 people. Marquees for up to 150 people can be erected on the paddock at the rear of the pub. Menus will be arranged through The Exeter Arms with a dedicated member of the team to look after your wedding from initial meeting through to the day itself. 21 Stamford Road, Easton on the Hill, PE9 3NS t. 01780 756321 sally@theexeterarms.net www.theexeterarms.net

The White Hart at Ufford is available for weddings in The Orangery for up to 40 people.

The adjacent ‘Pantry’ can be hired for evening entertainment. Both rooms are also licensed for a civil ceremony, each for up to 40 people. A perfect setting for a relaxed and personalised wedding. Main Street Ufford, Stamford, PE9 3BH t. 01780 740 250 sally@whitehartufford.co.uk www.whitehartufford.co.uk

For all wedding enquiries contact Sally Rouse on 01780 763136 or email sally@thecrownhotelstamford.co.uk 18

• SL March ADS.indd 18

All Saint’s Hotels Ltd. All Saint's Place, Stamford, PE9 2AG t. 01780 763136

16/2/11 17:07:08

EATING OUT

The Garden House Hotel Bridget Steele found much to enjoy at dinner in the Garden House Hotel

ooking at the Garden House Hotel and Restaurant website before my visit I read “Boasts high quality dining at affordable prices” and that is exactly how I would sum this restaurant up. From the moment we walked in we were treated to high class service and food. Whilst enjoying a pre-dinner drink in the bar, we pondered over the table d’hôte menu which offers seven starters, main courses and desserts, and struck us as being exciting and innovative. I chose the Poached free range hen’s egg on a bed of wilted spinach, brioche, home made Hollandaise and crispy bacon to start with - and Tim went for the onion soup - both were delightful and thoroughly enjoyed with the home made corn bread and tarragon butter. With taste buds tingling we tucked into our main courses, Tim chose the roast pork loin fillet with dauphinoise potato, apple purée, Savoy cabbage and apple crisps, whilst I had the Grilled fillet of cod, with creamed leeks, rosti potato, fennel purée, spiced port and red wine sauce, and garnished with heat dried vegetables, both mains, apart from tasting wonderful looked like a work of art on shiny white porcelain square plates.

The Punchbowl celebrates its first anniversary The vibe is good, the beer and wine are good, the atmosphere is mellow, the sofas are really comfortable, and there’s good pub grub. It has the feel of a great village pub, but bang in the middle of town. The Punchbowl has just celebrated its first anniversary under new landlord, John Groves, who knows just about everybody and has a warm welcome for everyone. If you haven’t been there recently, you really must, it offers something different. • The Punchbowl, 21 Scotgate, Stamford PE9 2YQ Tel: 01780 767981

‘Thirds’ - a restaurant for a weekend

Martin Fox, together with his daughter Jessica, the Sunday Knights and Pathfinders, will turn George’s Place into a restaurant called ‘Thirds’ from 1 - 3 April, and serve third world food with donations going to charity. Martin told SL: “The aim is to raise money to support 2 charities (Practical Action and Soul Action) that do a huge amount of good in alleviating the impact of poverty and climate change in the third world. Over the weekend, (Friday evening, Saturday evening and Sunday lunchtime), we aim to serve 3000 meals, with 6.30 and 8.00 sittings on the Friday and Saturday, and Sunday lunch. • The meals take place at George’s Place, 28 St Mary’s St, Stamford. To make a reservation call 01780 752610

Not wanting the experience to end but feeling quite full we decided to share the “Celebration of Citrus” dessert, this included lemon tart, orange jelly, passion fruit sorbet and grapefruit crumble - it was perfect for sharing and a great combination of puddings. We had our meal in the main restaurant, which has just been decorated - the setting, although formal feels relaxed and welcoming - just right for fine dining, however there is a bar and conservatory for more relaxed dining.

The Garden House Hotel factfile: In A Nutshell: fine dining at an affordable price. Food Served: seven days a week lunch time and evenings Owners: John And Janet Finlayson Front Of House Manager: Zena Bartle Head Chef: Przemyslaw Mazurkiewicz Tel: 01780 763359 The Garden House Hotel and Restaurant St Martin’s, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 2LP Website: www.gardenhousehotel.com

Rivercare Festival Day Children’s illustrated writing Competition Stamford RiverCare Group is pleased to announce that, as part of their RiverCare Festival Day on Sunday July 10th, a children’s illustrated writing competition is to be held. The competition is open to all children in the Stamford area aged from 8 to 11 years old. Entries are being invited from all local schools as well as from Stamford children who attend schools outside the area. There are two age categories, 8 to 9 and 10 to 11 years old. Prizes will be awarded in each category and all entries will receive a certificate of commendation. It is hoped that the winning entries will also be published in local magazines and newspapers. The children are asked to write either an illustrated story or an illustrated factual account of some aspects of the ecology of the River Welland and its millstreams in and around Stamford. Conservation themes should feature in the stories, for instance the problem of Himalayan Balsam destroying the natural vegetation, feeding white bread to ducks - which is not good for them, or the river running dry - as it has sometimes done recently. The entries will be judged by conservation and illustration experts and it is hoped a celebrity will present prizes and certificates on the day. • For further information please contact: Hugh Cripps on 07702 201356 Or hughcripps@hotmail.com or visit www.stamfordrivercare.org STAMFORD LIVING March 2011

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17/2/11 18:06:50

The Plough Inn

Recommended by Stamford Living

Freshly Prepared, Locally Sourced, Seasonal a la Carte Menu

Starters

Twice Baked Roquefort Soufﬂe with Waldorf Salad & Roquette £6.25 Pan Fried Fresh King Scallops with Salad, Black Pudding & Roasted Pork Belly £6.95 Fresh Brancaster Mussels Mariniere Style £6.95

(sample of dishes from our menu)

Pheasant & Wild Boar Terrine with Red Onion Marmalade £5.75 Deep Fried Devilled Whitebait with Bread & Butter £4.95 Devon Crab & Prawn Cocktail £5.50

• Vegetarian options always available • Selection of homemade desserts • Dietary requirements catered for

Mains

Red Mullet Fillets over Linguine with an Arrabbiata Sauce & Fresh Clams £13.50

Roast Breast of Gressingham Duck with Sauteed Cabbage & Bacon & Potato Rosti £13.95

Rutland Sausages with Mash, Baby Spinach, Onion Rings & Rich Onion Gravy £8.95

Slow Roasted Lamb Shank with Ratatouille, Mash, Spinach & Rosemary Jus £12.50

Homemade Burger with Handcut Chips, Coleslaw, Onion Rings £9.50

Fillet of Beef Wellington with a Wild Mushroom & Brandy Sauce £15.95

Book now for Mother’s Day

Traditional Family’s welcome Sunday Lunch Children’s Meals £4.95

Tuesday Night Pie & Pint for £10 6pm -9.30pm

Beautiful Family Garden - Real Ales & Fine Wine

Tuesday -Friday Lunchtime….

TWO courses

for

£10

from our Specialist Menu

Food served: Lunch: Tues – Sat 12-2.30pm - Evening Meals: Tues – Sat 6-9.30pm - Sunday Lunches:12–3pm

01780 762178

• SL March ADS.indd 20

Main Street | Great Casterton | Stamford | Lincolnshire | PE9 4AA

www.theplough-greatcasterton.co.uk

16/2/11 17:07:19

SEAN’S KITCHEN

NEW SERI ES CONFIDENTIAL

Lovely leeks In the ﬁrst in a new series focusing on ﬂavour combinations, Sean Hope of the Olive Branch showcases the humble leek

Sean’s quickﬁ re recipe

Bla ck pu dding a n d lee k pattie s

Makes two pa tties • 2 tbs choppe d blanched leek • 2 tbs mashed potato • 1/2 Grasmere Farm black pudding • 1 tsp English mustard • Seasoned ﬂou r Combined the ingredients an d form into patti es. Pan-fry for two minutes either side. Serve with salad leaves an d fruity brown sauce.

n culinary terms, our Welsh friends have chosen the best national emblem by far. The leek is a fine vegetable, being versatile and packed with taste yet subtler and sweeter in flavour than its close relatives, garlic and onion. Leeks are a joy to cook with, combining with several ingredients to create some truly classic flavours. To top it all, leeks are practical – they have a long season and thrive in dismal, damp conditions. Perfect for Britain. Leek season starts as early as August but they are at their best during the depths of winter, with March being the last month in which you can enjoy them at their best. With St David’s Day falling on March 1 every year, you’ve got a good excuse to enjoy them. Leeks are at the heart of some great flavour combinations that I’d encourage you to experiment with. Classically, they go well with chicken, as proven by cock-a-leekie soup (leeks, prunes – yes prunes – chicken stock, rice, seasoning and parsley). They’re also in their elements when teamed up with bacon and potatoes. Slightly less well known is their complementary effect on black pudding (see my quick and easy recipe opposite).

Did you know? Wild leeks are also known as ramps.

Other leek combinations to try: • Oily ﬁsh goes perfectly with leeks • Leek and beetroot (leeks counteract beetroot’s sweetness) • Ham and leek suet pudding • Leeks in a good, honest steak pie

Sean’s seasonal must-buys for March What Sean will be cooking with at the Olive Branch and Red Lion MEAT Spring lamb – heralding the start of spring Beef – my favourite cut is ribeye from the Longhorn breed VEG Purple sprouting broccoli – the ﬁrst veg of spring Leeks – enjoy them while they’re still at their best

Sean’s kitchen tips My current kitchen favourite is my cast iron pestle and mortar by Typhoon. You can get them for around £20. They’re incredibly hardwearing and will last a lifetime. If you drop it on the ﬂoor it won’t break, but it might break your foot. It’s brilliant for mashing up ingredients and mixing ﬂavours – an absolute must.

NENE VALLEY LIVING July 2008

21 SEAN HOPE.indd 1

FRUIT Forced rhubarb – a beautiful shot of tart freshness STAMFORD LIVING March 2011

17/2/11 18:07:30

FOOD & DRINK

Exploring Stamford’s coffee bars & tea rooms

We love Stamford for its individuality and unique style, and when it comes to places to relax over a coffee, meet friends and watch the world go by, we’re spoilt for choice, as Charlotte Newby discovers.

n this feature, we have focussed on coffee bars and tearooms. Cafés offering fuller menus and table service will be covered in a future issue. In the last couple of years we’ve seen the inevitable arrival of two of the larger chain coffee bars, Costa and Caffe Nero, with spacious, attractive outlets, slick formula operations and loyalty cards. We know what to expect and we’re likely to get it. But Stamford also boasts some fantastic independent, stylish coffee bars and tearooms. We’ve sipped our way through many a cappuccino, and present our ﬁndings. Beans is tucked away down Silver Lane. It manages to combine a grade two listed interior with a contemporary look. This café offers generous coffees (cappuccino £2.20-2.80), rich hot chocolates, delicious smoothies and ice cream sundaes, plus a range of snacks and cakes. Plenty of terrace seating outside, it can get quite busy inside. Staff are courteous and helpful. Best for: fairtrade coffee, great smoothies. Café Black occupies an enviable position on the corner of High Street and Ironmonger Street. Contemporary, attractive interior with leather sofas and modern white furniture, Café Black has a relaxed and unhurried atmosphere. It’s a perfect place to sit and watch the world go by, gather for a chat over a latte and fat slice of cake. The menu is straightforward and the shop is clean and appealing, with polite young staff. Cappuccinos are £2.45, the carrot cake is tasty and generous, fresh smoothies delicious. The menu features local produce. Interesting sandwiches are £4.85. Well worth a visit. Best for: warm ambience, locally sourced food. The Fine Food Store is my personal favourite with its Frappe Latte (blended iced coffee) and a tranquil walled terrace at the back. It’s a sophisticated place with a tempting and imaginative menu and home made cakes. Owner Jenny is passionate about the food, which is freshly prepared on the premises. Homemade buttermilk pancakes with maple syrup and fresh berries (£4.55) come highly recommended. Cappuccinos are £2.10. Best for: gorgeous garden, delicious food.

full afternoon tea at £7.15, home made cakes (the Bakewell tart is excellent), and sandwiches priced from £3.80. The atmosphere is mellow and the staff are accommodating. If you’re a visitor to town, and want to get a feel for the place, this is a piece of potted Stamford. Best for: traditional style, warm service. You will find in Frothy’s a homely little gem of a café. If this were down a quiet London side street, it would be considered a real find. Frothy’s is traditionally furnished with wooden furniture and comfy sofas, a log fire in winter and low lighting. It’s a warm and relaxing spot where owner Louise is welcoming and attentive. There’s an interesting range of sandwiches – humous and roast vegetable on focaccia £4.95, plus soup, some simple hot dishes, cookies and cakes. Cappuccinos are £2.10; hot chocolates at £2.00 are generous. Frothy’s won the Rutland Radio award for Best Coffee Place in 2010. Best for: calm, cosy atmosphere. Temptations is a first floor café with its entrance on Red Lion Square. The café is airy and spacious and there’s an eclectic, rather unusual collection of woodland and beach finds on every surface. The menu is simple and unpretentious. Cappuccinos start at £1.60, sandwiches are priced £3.40 to £4.95. There’s a basic range of cakes including good homemade shortbread at £1.00. They boast a “friendly and relaxing atmosphere”, and this is what you receive. Best for: vantage point over Red Lion Square.

addition to offering made-to-order snacks, home made cakes and quality Italian coffee (cappuccinos from £2.15), the shop also sells an indulgent selection of handmade Belgium chocolates (priced around £4.99+/100g). It’s a chocolate lovers’ heaven with an extended range including fresh cream chocolates in the shop at Mother’s Day, Easter and Christmas. Best for: ultimate chocolate treats. Charlotte Newby owned and managed Café Tangerine in Central London before moving to Stamford in 2000.

Contact Details Beans, 8-10 Silver Lane, PE9 2BT, 01780 757373 Café Black, 21 High Street, PE9 2AL, 01780 762999 Caffe Nero, 7 High Street, PE9 2AL Costa, 31 High Street, PE9 2BB, 01780 751801 The Fine Food Store, 37 St Mary’s Street, PE9 2DS, 01780 754222 Sam’s Place, 11-12 St Mary’s Street, PE9 2DE, 01780 766511 Frothy’s Coffee Shop, 12 Ironmonger Street, PE9 1PL, 01780 751110 Temptations, 3 Red Lion Square, PE9 2AH, 07984 248573 Trufﬂes, 16 St Mary’s Hill, PE9 2DP, 01780 757282

Crisp, clean and bright, Trufﬂes on St Mary’s Hill looks like a typical coffee bar. But in

Step back in time for a moment to Sam’s Place, situated on Sinclairs’ ﬁrst ﬂoor. It is traditionally and comfortably decorated with glass chandeliers and thick carpet. Window seats offer views of St Mary’s Church. The menu includes a variety of teas, cappuccino (£2.30),

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COUNTRYFILE

Sacrewell Farm Just down the A1 at Thornhaugh this farm has long been at the forefront of change & innovation. Sue Lee & Jean Orpin visited to find out more of ‘time & motion’ introducing schemes In the beginning to improve efficiency while at the same Forests, silty streams, well-drained undulating time he had a very modern concern lowland – just the terrain to attract huntsmen for the countryside. Visitors were and settlers. A mill was built by Romans who inhabited at least two villas nearby and this may encouraged to come to learn from these innovations and share farming have been on the same site as one recorded in ideas. the Domesday Book of 1089. In order to carry on this work In the early 16thC the land came into the after William’s death, his wife Mary ownership of the Bedford family who managed established a charitable trust with the it for almost 400 years. Baron Russell of Royal Agricultural Society as Trustees. Thornhaugh is still one of the titles The purposes of the Trust are of the Dukes of Bedford. The Saddlebacks to advance all forms of 5th Duke was a noted agriculture and to provide agriculturist and during educational facilities. his tenure the farm These aims continue was improved and a to determine the new farm and mill course of the farm. buildings erected. The William Scott Abbott Trust William Scott Abbott came to Sacrewell as a tenant in 1917. By 1929, his family had purchased both Sacrewell and Lodge Farms combining them into one farm of 575 acres. William and his wife continued to farm Sacrewell for another 30years until his death in 1959. During these years there were great changes in farming and the Scott Abbotts were always interested in new agricultural ideas. As well as trying the latest methods and machines with their arable crops, they extended their dairy herd (replacing Shorthorns with Jerseys), established a Dairy and also started a massive poultry enterprise. William was a keen advocate

Sacrewell Farm & Country Centre The Centre was opened in the early 1980s by David Powell, Mary Scott Abbott’s nephew. He had been following the intentions of the Trust by encouraging educational visits to the farm and by opening the Centre extended this to many more people. The majority of the land is now farmed by Riverford Organics but the tractor and trailer rides introduced by David, still tour the farm. School groups come mainly from the primary age but the Centre works on wider educational projects with charities, clubs and further education colleges, like New College, Stamford. These groups have the chance to gain work experience and help with jobs such as fencing and pond cleaning.

Historic and rare breeds like Bagot goats, Jacob sheep, saddlebacks and curly-coated pigs are kept and a Shire Horse Centre is located at Sacrewell. Children can see many animals at close quarters. Local produce is used at the Stables Restaurant and the Gift Shop has a superb selection, including small inexpensive items. The Latest Innovations In accordance with the philosophy of the Scott Abbott Trust, things don’t stand still for long at Sacrewell! Co-operating with the Woodland Trust, Riverford Organics and Peterborough City Council, Sacrewell Wood, a nature reserve, was opened last year. This month is lambing-time at Sacrewell but a new venture will be launched too. In the Timeline Barn, Sacrewell Sam will take you through the history of the farm, an interactive journey with material suitable for children and adults. • For more details, opening times etc contact www.sacrewell.org.uk or 01780 782254 Sacrewell is seeking volunteers They would welcome enquiries from anyone who has a little time to spare and skills to offer – anything from education to carpentry, animal care to marketing.

Scott Abbott with his workers

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Specialist Collyweston Stone Slating Slate Mine Owner Stonemasonry and Building Carpenters and Joiners Slate Drift Ind Est, Collyweston, Stamford, Lincs, PE9 3PG

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Construction Industry Amalgamation Mr Claude N Smith is proud to announce the amalgamation of his sons business, Nigel A Smith Carpentry & Joinery, with his own Collyweston Stone Slating & Building business, established in 1965. There will be a transitional period where both businesses will run along side each other to a point where they can be joined and Claude will take final retirement. Nigel and Claude will be available to discuss any enquiries you have regarding roofing, building or carpentry needs and look forward to continuing a long and successful business. We also buy Collyweston Slates. Small economy industrial units to rent. Selection of reclaimed tiles, ridge tiles and bricks for sale. FREE firewood for collection only.

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Design Interiors

Lent home challenge Welcome in the Spring with 10 Little Bursts of Happiness for Your Home. Harjit Gammon

aving survived dull and dismal Winter embrace the coming spring, with its promise of light filled days – now the days are finally beginning to stretch out again – and fresh beginnings. The vivid yellows and rich creams of Daffodils and Narcissi are a welcome relief from the dark opulence of winter. The time has finally arrived to start emerging from the cocoon and hibernation, casting off the chrysalis and allowing your home to emerge resplendent as a butterfly. Lent traditionally falls within the period of spring each year, and while more usually associated with abstinence, could also become the focus of achieving something more positive and constructive around the home. Originally known by the Latin term “quadragesima”, which translated means the fortieth (relating to the forty days before Easter), during the Middle Ages, the English term “Lent” was adopted (when sermons were no longer given in Latin). Rather aptly Lent is derived from the Germanic name for spring, “Lencten” and the Anglo-Saxon name for March “Lenct”. So 40 days and 4 zones (Eating, Sleeping, Washing, and Living) let the Lent challenge commence.

MIRROR MIRROR ON THE WALL Mirrors are not just for looking at yourself in; they can dramatically change the perceptual space and focus of a room, as well as reflecting more light into shady corners. Chez Soi has several designs and sizes in their trademark chalky colours, while You have window glass styles in several sizes. For an edgy contemporary finish take a look at NGI Design. A pair of stunning oak decorative pieces are currently on show at Claire Langley Antiques.

A CHAIR OF ONE’S OWN Arguably more accessible than Virginia Woolf’s room of one’s own, a personal seat, be it a sofa or a chair is an endless source of pleasure whether sitting, reclining, dreaming, admiring... You change your clothes according to the season, so why not treat yourself to a set of fresh summer covers for the sofa or a favourite chair.

LET NATURE RAMBLE ACROSS THE DRAPES, CHAIRS, CUSHIONS... Many of the design houses have new collections on a botanical theme, including Zoffany’s Kashida, Harvest and Arlecchino fabrics. Combining print and embroidery they are intricately finished. Colefax and Fowler’s Louise, Pembury and Summerby linens and silks feature flowers and leaves, naturalistic and stylised, while Jane Churchill’s Rossana silk is an exquisite riot of rambling roses. For a more contemporary take on naturals take a look at Churchill’s Calder Linen.

ADD PATTERN ON A WALL OR INSIDE A CUPBOARD Our love affair with wallpaper shows little sign of abating. So whether it’s a feature wall or a cupboard interior indulge in some pattern. Traditional or abstract, when you’re shopping for wallpaper, go with your heart, not your head - fall in love with your purchase and you’ll never look back.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A RUG MAKES! A simple and cost effective way of updating any room is through the use of a rug. Rugs are so versatile - offering many shapes, sizes, colour ways and designs to complement any decor.

A SHOT OF SERIOUS DECORATIVE CLOUT Anything from Claire Langley Antiques! From decorative antiques in the thousands, through mid-century modern pieces for hundreds, to coloured glass siphons from as little as £30.

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CLOCK THE TIME Keep a close eye on the time with a new clock. Unusual clocks are like works of art, and can form the focal point of a room, especially when it’s ‘knitted’.

A POOL OF LIGHT FROM THE PERFECT LAMP To read by or bathe a favourite object in light

EASY BATHROOM/KITCHEN REVAMP Add a statement blind. Customise a photo of your own or choose a landscape for a touch of escapism. More effort but with dramatic effect, tile a splash back.

ADD A DASH OF FRESH COLOUR Farrow & Ball’s new colour additions for 2011 have just hit the shops. Almost anything can be painted for satisfyingly immediate results. If you can’t or don’t want to do it yourself there are many people out there who’ll do it for you.

Chez Soi, 16 St Mary’s St, Stamford, PE9 2DF Tel: 01780 757446 CJ Carpets and Lighting, Scotgate, Stamford, PE9 2YQ Tel: 01780 754825 Callyco, 5 Stamford Walk, Stamford, PE9 2JE Tel: 01780 753409 Claire Langley Antiques, 7 High Street St Martin’s, Stamford, PE9 2LF Tel: 01780 752555 Painted Out, 3 Richardson Close, Bourne, PE10 9YN Tel: 01778 394744 You, 30 St Mary’s Street, Stamford, PE9 2DL Tel: 01780 765001

GET THE SPRING LOOK Inspired, but need help to put a new look together, then try one of the area’s interior design consultants or soft furnishing specialists. They can help with anything from a single cushion, to an entire room or any part thereof. Hunters Interiors, The Dairy, Copthill Farm Enterprises, Deeping Rd, Uffington, Stamford, PE9 4TD Tel: 01780 757946 (see our fuller article on them on Page 31) NGI Design, 4-5-6 St Martin’s, Stamford, PE9 2DP Tel: 01780 766899 Finishing Touch, 8 All Saints’ St, Stamford, PE9 2PA Tel: 01780 431021 J and L Ball, 16 North St, Stamford, PE9 1PH Tel: 01780 481416 STAMFORD LIVING March 2011

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Mark Goodacre Est 1986

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HUNTERS INTERIORS Come and feel the New Patterned Velvets from Lewis and Wood softer than Herbert’s ears!! Monday - Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm Saturday by appointment The Dairy, Copthill Farm Enterprises, Deeping Road, Uffington, Stamford, Lincs. PE9 4TD. Tel 01780 757946 Fax 01780 753351 E info@huntersinteriorsofstamford.co.uk W www.huntersinteriorsofstamford.co.uk

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DESIGN INTERIORS

The Hunter’s voyage of design discovery

PHOTO: © SIMON ARCHER

Two things strike you as soon as you arrive at Hunter’s Interiors Showrooms just off the Deeping Road at Copthill Farm Enterprises. First the cornucopia of colours and textures that spill out from all corners of the light, airy barn. Second, the enthusiasm, friendliness and sheer desire to get things right of the four partners in the business. Naturally they sat me down in an extremely comfy sofa and plied me with coffee and chocolate biscuits, as we begun our discussion.

Five top tips from the team 1 Colour-wise – if in doubt, go one shade darker 2 Mix quality – an IKEA table and a £2,000 antique 3 Get your lighting right – makes a massive difference to the feel of a room 4 Don’t be frightened by multiple patterns – so long as the colour combinations are right 5 A range of textures is important to create interest in the room.

The Hunters team: (L to R) Georgie Teesdale, Sara Norman-Smith, Candida Smith, Jill Hunter Styles that cover a spectrum of taste and situations Jill Hunter was the original founder of the business, and over the years the other three have joined the company. Jill worked in London for John Keil, the renowned 18th Century furniture dealer. She then went on to study Interior Design in London at the Inchbald School of Design. Jill set up an Antique shop in Stamford in 1999 until, spotting the trend towards a mix of the old and new, she broadened its appeal to an overall design look. She was joined by Georgie Teesdale, who had been working in interior design in west London until marrying locally and wanting to use her skills here. She brought a cosmopolitan, sophisticated style to proceedings. Jill’s own style is more classic and traditional. They were soon joined by Sara NormanSmith, who has a subtle, innovative, eclectic style. She has a degree in Furniture Conservation and Upholstery. Finally Candida Smith the fourth member of the team brought a fresh, modern country, upbeat set of choices to the design palette. So the common bond between them is a passion for design, but with very contrasting styles to choose from. “We tend to find that a client soon works out which of us is right for them and their style,” remarked Jill.

Service that covers every type of design need Hunter’s is delighted to deal with your design needs whatever the size and scope. There are typically four types of occasion on which they could be your first port of call: 1. Request They can help with a simple request; a pot of paint, some wallpaper, a blind, a lamp shade, something to finish off a room. They can source but also advise, to help you make exactly the right choice. 2. Refresh Do the bedrooms need a bit of a spruce-up? New pelmets, blinds and the odd rug or bedside table? Or maybe the sitting room needs two of three new things in it – a light, an occasional table and some new cushions to freshen it up a bit. 3. Revive & Rejuvenate You have a significant room that really needs a new start or maybe a complete area of the house. You need everything to be looked at properly – the walls, the flooring, the curtains, the furniture and maybe fireplaces and bookcases. You want to use some of your existing furniture, add some new and also some

antique pieces. The whole look needs to be unified. 4. Renovate You have bought the house of your dreams and the dream needs to be converted into reality. You need a working partner who can dream with you and then deliver the entire interior, from the light switches to the colour swatches, from the outdoor lights to the radiators. Hunters can source, advise, install and also, if you want, act as project co-ordinators with the building trade. Hunters commissions have included overseas clients with holiday homes in the UK, country cottages, Stamford town houses, historic country houses, London and Home Counties properties and a golf club, to name but a few. As I hauled myself out of the comfy sofa after an hour’s animated discussion a lady came in enquiring about paint choices. She sat down on the sofa, started to relax, and by the time I left was happily exploring numerous colour possibilities. She had just begun the Hunter’s voyage of design discovery. • The Dairy, Copthill Farm Enterprises Deeping Rd, Uffington, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 4TD Tel: 01780 757 946 www.huntersinteriorsofstamford.co.uk STAMFORD LIVING March 2011

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29 PERSPECTIVES

is the new

Why do children grow up so slowly these days? Richard Barry tries to find out

rnie Bevin, widely regarded as Britain’s best Foreign Secretary of the 20th century, left school at age eleven in the 1890s and started working down the mines. For him, and countless others, childhood was over by twelve. Remember the film “Master and Commander” when the fourteen year old midshipman took command of the ship in the height of battle? Going down the mines or ‘fighting the ship’, that’s what “growing up fast” means. Today’s lucky children don’t have to do it. Adolescence was invented in America in 1904, in response to late nineteenth century labour laws that kept children out of the fulltime workforce until they were sixteen. Such a period of extended dependence, even after the child had the physical strength to take on an adult role, needed a name – adolescence. For the child, adolescence is delightful – physically almost an adult but with few if any responsibilities. As an added bonus, bad behaviour is quickly forgiven: “it’s not his/her fault; it’s just their seething hormones”. Small wonder that today’s children race to reach adolescence and then are so reluctant to leave it. What is perhaps slightly more of a puzzle is why today’s parents go along with all of this. The sheer fun of it all goes some way to explain children’s reluctance to leave adolescence and grow up. By the standards of earlier generations today’s adolescent has pots of money and has very high expectations. If they are going to leave the comfort provided by Mummy and Daddy it had better be for something pretty nice – the old romantic notion of starting grown-up life sitting on an orange box in a rented basement flat just doesn’t resonate today. But there’s more to it than that. Life for today’s adolescent is very confusing – there is so much choice that paralysis is hard to avoid. Faced with the 47 different cereals on offer in Waitrose, I feel completely paralysed – quite unable to pick one unless I’ve been given written instructions. Think how much worse it must be if you’re faced with the choice of 110 universities offering more that a thousand courses, plus all the things you can do if you don’t go to uni, and you know (because your parents are always telling you so) that making the wrong choice will be a disaster. It’s simple: the more choices you have the greater the chance of making the wrong choice – and if you do, you know it’s going to be all your own fault. No wonder many young people are still “trying to find themselves” at twenty five or even later. The recent Xbox Live Indie Game “So many girls, so little time” highlights another difficulty facing today’s adolescent. Unlike fifty years ago, let alone a hundred years ago, today’s young person is likely to meet hundreds of potential mates. Thanks to the Pill there is no sexual pressure to make an early decision. Making your choice of mate and starting a family used to be a rite-of-passage of early/mid twenties. No longer. Confused by choice? Then delay the decision till late thirties. So the enjoyable freedom of adolescence and the paralysing nature of overwhelming choice combine to shift the ‘growing-up threshold’ from fourteen in “Master and Commander” days, to 19 in the post war era, to 29 today. Comparing those thresholds with average life expectancy at the time (and assuming it’s going to be about ninety for today’s children) we see that in every age we have spent about one third of our lives growing-up. It was true in Napoleonic times and it’s still true today. So does it matter if 29 is the new 19? Not at all – it’s a thoroughly good thing – providing that society continues to be rich enough to fund these extra years of cakes and ale.

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...with Ken Rawson Ken Rawson is a local garden designer with over 25 years experience. He strives for unity in layout and materials and believes that the right plants are the most important element in a garden. Visit him at www.kenrawson gardendesigns.co.uk or call him on 01780 481624

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after cutting We are lucky to have many gardening 8 months after pruning back experts in our region who between them have inspired many innovative garden designs and won many awards. Over the coming months we will be asking each of them to share with us some of their gardening BIGGER, BRIGHTER, BETTER - SOME EASY CUTBACKS ‘green Pruning can be difficult to understand. Knowing the reasons for pruning however, can begin to fingers’. We focus the brain and stir it into action. March is a perfect time to prune a range of shrubs that are begin with about to begin their cycle of growth. Ken Rawson Two good reasons for pruning now are to induce the shrub to produce new growth for flowering

SOME TIMELY JOBS FOR MARCH Tidy dead herbaceous material Cut away any remaining debris from perennial flowers to tidy and make room for new growth. Dead leaves and stems just spoil the appearance of herbaceous plants. Lift and divide overcrowded snowdrops Perfect time to start new colonies of snowdrops to make use of the ground beneath deciduous shrubs. Look at flowering bulbs Take note of bulbs flowering now in neighbouring gardens and take note of gaps in yours to plan a scheme in readiness for bulbplanting time later this year. Mean business when planting bulbs! Reduce the growth on climbers Make life easier for yourself later on – do it now! Don’t let them get into a billowing tangle. Loosen compacted soil Fluff up winter-compacted soil before growth begins and makes the job harder. A longhandled 3-pronged fork is perfect for this. You will put air into the soil … and it looks better.

later in the year or to produce bigger and better leaf. Some, like Dogwoods, need it to produce the bright stems for the next winter season. It happens that this method of pruning can be the most straightforward type. No standing poised with your secateurs snapping their jaws impatiently while you decide at exactly which bud to cut to and whether it should be facing in, out or up. For once, you can use words like ‘hacking’ or ‘slashing’. Within reason of course! COLOURED STEM BRIGADE So, to begin with the coloured-stemmed shrubs like dogwoods, willows, Stephanandra tanakae etc. Cut all the stems down to about 6” from the ground. The shrub’s reaction is to send up replacement shoots and these will be the brightest stems the next winter. Think of how you would cut a hardy fuchsia down. No qualms there? So it should be with the treatment of this type of shrub. Do go and do it. The difference it makes is tremendous. I tell my clients to do this and the reaction is usually the same – they daren’t! The fear is that they will kill it. The truth is, that if not done, and the shrub is left to build up with unwanted and dead material, it could be condemned to a long, lingering death! After showing them, they can’t wait to have a go. After the act, the plant will thank you for a good feed to keep up its strength, just like we would. BIGGER AND BETTER Another group of shrubs for easy, guilt-free pruning are those that produce larger leaves for having been cut hard. The general principle here is that the same amount of energy in the plant is being directed into fewer shoots than if sharing it out among a whole shrub full. Catalpa, Paulownia, Cotinus, Physocarpus and Cornus alba Aurea all react in this way to produce larger leaves that give a lush and generous look to your planting. Fabulous for creating a jungle theme. This is very much like dealing with the coloured-stemmed group above - aim, go in and cut. They will shoot in a month. Rub out any weak shoots to ensure the survival of the ﬁttest and then stand back and watch. This is easy pruning with no head-scratching involved as to exactly where to start with the secateurs. You can start pruning with that ease and smugness you get when you know exactly what you are doing! Pruning can be complicated and is very often confusing in some manuals but with these shrubs you rarely do irreparable damage. You will, however, fall out with them if you do nothing. Kindest cuts and all that.

KEN RAWSON

GARDEN DESIGNS BACK TO BASICS Today’s garden design can be too much of everything

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FOOD & DRINK

Stamford’s first Cookery School Thierry Daugeron, locally-renowned caterer and recently named “Best Caterer” by Tastes of Lincolnshire Magazine, and local business woman Denise Taylor will open Stamford’s first Cookery School on 12th March The school will be located just off Wharf Road in Brownlow Street, comprising a purposebuilt fully equipped chef’s kitchen with individually designed mobile work stations for up to 12 delegates per course. All produce will be sourced from local suppliers (within 25 mile radius of Stamford) who will be invited to present when appropriate courses are held. Three types of courses will be offered: • An evening course each Wednesday at £25 per head • Half day courses to include refreshments and goodie bags at £65 • Full day courses also including refreshments, goodie bag and a dish to take home £125 Courses are aimed at anyone who wants to learn to cook or cook better! There will also be men only courses and courses for those off to university/leaving home for the first time as well as those who need to learn to be chalet housekeepers on the slopes. Private parties for adults, children and corporate team building will run from the outset, accommodating events for 6 to 24 invitees. And monthly food demonstrations are planned where local producers and guest chefs will speak on various subjects as cheese and wine, lardering a pig, French pastries etc. • Contact details: Tel no 01780 752172 www.stamfordcookeryschool.co.uk

Essential Wedding Show winners The Essential Wedding Show at Burghley 2010 attracted over 800 visitors and was once again a showpiece for all the exquisite wedding suppliers in our region and beyond. As part of the day, there was a fabulous prize draw supported by several of the exhibitors, and these were the winners: The Top Prize draw winner was Gemma Brennan (pictured above) from Bytham and she gets married in May this year. The Prize draw was a hamper with a selection of luxury food, from Champagne to luxury mince pies, provided by Chefs Thyme (www.chefsthyme.co.uk), a local family run business that prides itself on delivering a first class catering service to your event with impeccably high standards.

The Bull and Swan Scotch Egg

I’ll have a pint and a… At last Mark Swindells has found a scotch egg that tastes delicious We all remember them, sitting pasty faced at drinks parties or the unwanted guest at a picnic. Yes I’m referring to the Scotch egg. The concept always sounded great, boiled egg wrapped in pork sausage meat, breadcrumbed and deep fried. In fact I bet the first ones, which were invented by Fortnum & Masons in 1738, to add variety to the picnic hamper, were probably delicious. Unfortunately for me my first encounter was via a 1970s supermarket and while by no means the worst memory of that era, they have managed to escape any foodie renaissance … until now. Led by the Michelin Guide winning Harwood Arms in London, scotch eggs are once again receiving national coverage; just last month the Daily Telegraph stole our thunder in dedicating a whole article to these little morsels. Now that the Bull and Swan has opened in Stamford, we too can taste similar delights. Available at a slightly pricey £3.75, venison scotch eggs are available at the bar. The venison is no marketing gimmick and adds delicious flavour, but the two real keys to success at all these leading establishments, are a soft boiled egg (what a treat, next best to finding a pearl in an oyster) and meat that has not been applied with JCB compressor-like implements. • I for one am a convert and already investigating how to make them myself. Fortunately there is a recipe. For those of you with the inclination see: http:// tinyurl.com/fieldvenison. In the meantime, down to the Bull and Swan.

The other prize draw winners were: • Abigail Foulkes of Stamford won a Bridal consultation and Bridal Make over for her wedding - Courtesy of Suzi Smith Studios Contact: info@suzismithstudio. co.uk or 079555 7610806 • Alan Bonner of Stamford won Dinner and an over night stay for 2 courtesy of Barnsdale Hall Hotel - Contact 01572 757901 or see their website www.barnsdalehotel.co.uk • Kerry Buckenham of Wisbech, Cambs won A full portrait session courtesy of the fabulous Andy Fountain Photography - contact 01480 455856 or email Andy at andy@andyfountainphotography.co.uk • Rebecca Bloomfield of Cottesmore in Rutland won £100 worth of shopping vouchers & Pamper day - courtesy of Clarins, Nails inc & Personal shopper at Debenhams in Leicester • Sarah Drewberry of Market Deeping, Peterborough won A facial or Full body massage and Lunch courtesy of the stunning Belton Woods De Vere Hotel in Grantham - contact 01476 514354 or visit their website at www.devere.co.uk/our-locations/belton-woods • Amy-May Crick of Stamford won An overnight stay and dinner for 2 courtesy of Belton Woods De Vere Hotel & Spa in Grantham - contact 01476 514354 or visit their website at www.devere.co.uk/our-locations/belton-woods • This year’s Essential Weddings event takes place on Sunday Nov 6th at Burghley House for tickets at or to book a stand call Sonja on 07799 792201 or visit www.essentialmediaevents.co.uk

STAMFORD LIVING March 2011

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MOTORING

Cross-over cars Ashley Martin takes a closer look at a new category of car that aims to combine the style of a 4x4 with the flexibility of an MPV

here are more than 70 motor manufacturers selling cars in the UK and between them they produce something of the order of 375 different ranges and a staggering almost 6,900 models. That, one would have thought, was choice a plenty. But you would be wrong. There are the established range sectors of superminis, small family cars (the lower medium sector), family cars (upper medium sector), compact executive models, executive cars, luxury cars, estate cars, multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs), 4x4s, coupés, roadsters and cabriolets and perhaps to that list can be added performance cars and hot hatches. Exhausted already? Well, in recent years manufacturers have decided that the choice list is still not long enough so they created a sector known as city cars - essentially ‘baby’ supermini. Then, those same car producers decided that instead of large seven-seat MPVs car buyers would like smaller MPVs so along came the mini-MPV segment. Now as car makers continue to create niche ranges they have introduced the so-called crossover which, if hype is to be believed, marries the style of a 4x4 with the flexibility of an MPV to create the ‘perfect’ family vehicle.

swiftly as they can to plug what they perceive as any hole in their model line-up. For example, Mazda will unveil a concept version of its lower medium sector crossover at this month’s (March) Geneva International Motor. However, the issue with crossover vehicles is that while they may blend together the characteristics of an MPV (space and higherlevel seating) and a 4x4 (off-road capability, or more realistically up-kerb capability and practicality) they cannot be defined by either size or price. For example, the Suzuki SX4 is probably the cheapest crossover available with prices starting at around £11,750 - the Fiat Sedici is in essence a re-badged version of the Suzuki and costs a few pounds more - while at the opposite

end of the scale the flagship 3.0 litre model of the Volvo XC60 crossover range costs more than £40,000. The Volvo may be big, but it is a lot of car for your money and is available with a wide choice of engines - the entry-level 2.0 litre costs less than £28,000 - but then there are also small crossovers like the Toyota Urban Cruiser priced from about £15,400.

Even Mini will have a crossover Interestingly Mini, which is continually seeking to expand its range, has decided to label its recently launched Countryman model - the first car from the iconic brand with four doors and a large tailgate and the option of four-wheel drive - as a crossover.

20 crossover models Continued on page 40

A glance down the list of car ranges on sale in the UK shows that there are perhaps 20 crossover models currently available and typically though not always - with a choice of petrol or diesel power and two or four-wheel drive. That list is sure to grow longer as motor manufacturers will undoubtedly move as

2 STAMFORD LIVING March 2011

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MOTORING

Continued from page 39

I’m not sure about that classification, but the public is voting with its wallet as Mini claimed that 2010’s Countryman allocation was sold out weeks before its autumn launch while the 2011 order bank is reported to be ‘robust’ for the vehicle that costs from about £16,300. Jochen Goller, director of Mini UK, said: “We knew that there would be an appetite in the UK for the extra space and greater flexibility which the Mini Countryman has to offer, especially amongst customers who reluctantly left Mini when they needed a four-door car.” Mini puts demand for crossovers down to drivers wanting the best of both worlds with normal saloon-like driving responses as well as the added versatility of soft off-road ability and the interior flexibility to cope with all the hobbies, shopping trips and activities that are such a huge part of busy modern family life.

Toyota, BMW Meanwhile, it seems that while Toyota has the small Urban Cruiser it has also jumped on the crossover bandwagon with the RAV4 even though the model has been in showrooms for years and has been through several reincarnations. Influential consumer magazine WhatCar? suggests that the RAV4 is ‘arguably the car that gave rise to the whole crossover idea’. Meanwhile, Toyota itself bills the RAV4, prices for which start from around £22,750 as the model ‘that inspired a whole new market segment for compact recreational SUVs’. Recreational SUVs or crossovers, it is the sort of bar room debate that marketing professionals would love. However, not content with billing the Countryman as a crossover Mini, brand owner BMW also gets in on the act with its own crossover, the X1. The premium badge manufacturer launched the X5 more than a decade ago and subsequently followed that model up with the X3 and X6 before launching the compact X1 a couple of years ago. Although BMW steers clear of using the

crossover word, industry commentators describe the X1 as a crossover but tend to refer to the other X models as 4x4s. Only available as a diesel, the X1 costs from around £23,000.

Peugeot Taking on the likes of BMW, which is a perennial industry award winner is a tough, task but that is what Peugeot is doing with its own crossover, the 3008. So good is the Peugeot that What Car? recently gave the model its ‘Crossover of the Year Award’ and the 1.6 THP 156 Sport model ‘best buy’ status. Launched 15 months ago, the 3008 was named the publication’s ‘Car of the Year’ in 2010 Steve Fowler, editor in chief of What Car?, said: “The 3008 offers levels of class and comfort that rivals can’t match and, with the 1.6 THP engine under the bonnet, it’s great fun to drive, too. No wonder 3008 is the envy of the sector. “The 3008 oozes clever thinking. It is styled in a striking and user-friendly fashion and has all the room inside that a modern family should need. Some of the features are a delight, like the full-length glass roof, the head-up display and the massive cooled storage bin between the front seats. Mind you, the rest of the car is pretty clever, too; the rear seats fold flat at the pull of a lever in the boot and the false cargo bay floor means you can get a long or a tall load in. And just as importantly, the 3008 is also comfortable to drive and be driven in, as well as being keenly priced and affordable to run. All of which makes it ultra-desirable.” With on-the-road prices starting from almost £17,000 and topping out at more than £23,000, the 3008 is in the heart of the burgeoning crossover market as far as sticker cost is concerned.

Other manufacturers Britain’s best-selling motor manufacturer Ford is in that mid-price sector of the market with its Kuga as is fast-growing Skoda with the Yeti, which none other than Jeremy Clarkson recently

raved about on BBC Television’s ‘Top Gear’. And the Far East manufacturers are, not surprisingly, also in the middle price ground with plenty of choice - the Hyundai ix35, Kia Sportage, Mitsubishi ASX, and the Kyron and Korrando from Korean marque Ssangyong, for example. Two other crossover models to mention are the Tiguan from Europe’s largest motor manufacturer, Volkswagen, which is not as cheap as many rivals, but like all the brand’s cars is as solid as they come, and the Nissan Qashqai. If you want to fly the flag for Britain then the Qashqai and its stablemate, the Qasqai+2 (a five-seater with two additional seats), is the choice with prices starting from close to £16,000. Both models are built at the Japanese company’s car plant in Sunderland as is Nissan’s compact crossover, the Juke, which went on sale last September and has on-the-road prices starting a few thousands pounds lower than its bigger brother. At the launch of the Juke, Trevor Mann, Nissan senior vice president of manufacturing, Europe, said: “Juke provides a much needed breath of fresh air within the small car segment and will play a key role in defining the Nissan brand in the years ahead. “Customers in this sector now have the opportunity to own a highly individual and innovative car that will reinforce Nissan’s position as a pioneer of crossover vehicles.” Finally, if you thought that the ever inventive designers and marketeers at motor manufacturers had reached a dead end as far as inventing vehicle sectors are concerned then think again. At the Los Angeles Motor Show late last year Nissan unveiled the Murano CrossCabriolet, which it billed as ‘the world’s first all-wheel drive crossover convertible blending all of the things people love in a crossover with the open-air enjoyment of a convertible’. Choice, new car buyers have never had it so good!

STAMFORD LIVING March 2011

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• SL March ADS.indd 42

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Teen topiCS

Xbox Kinect VS. Playstation Move David Rudd-Jones reviews the options in the body-controlled games market Xbox Kinect (£127) (Amazon) Kinect is the new accessory for Xbox 360 that makes your body the controller. All the games you play on Kinect only use your body to control the games. The Kinect itself is placed on top or below your TV and it connects into any Xbox 360. It uses three sensors to detect your body movement so you can control the games. There are lots of games available for Kinect such as Kinect Sports, Dance Central and Kinect Joy Ride. While playing Kinect Joy Ride you hold your hands out in front of you like you are holding a steering wheel. Almost all of the games are intuitive and easy to control. The sensor also has a built in microphone so that you can control films and other things on Xbox with just your voice. Xbox Kinect is an expensive addition to your Xbox but is incredibly advanced and well worth the price.

Café Crawlers: Paninis

hich panini does the teenage palate prefer? David Rudd-Jones, Anna Billington, Grace Cato and Molly Parkinson ate a panini in five different cafés and rated each of them for appearance, taste, service and price. 1. The Fine Food Store The Fine Food store is across the traffic lights on St Mary’s street and is usually busy. The service here was reasonably quick and the staff were very polite and friendly. When the Panini arrived it was presented well with a small salad on the side. It was nice and warm and tasted very good. The only problem being the price of £4.95, the most expensive that we tested.

Playstation Move (£45) (Currys) Move is the new accessory for PS3 that effectively turns it into a much more advanced Nintendo Wii. This technology is not a completely new innovation like the Kinect but it is a major advance on older technology. The Playstation Move is much more accurate than Wii controllers even if they have motion plus attached. The games are much more advanced than games on the Wii and because of the accuracy of the move controller you can be much more precise with what you are controlling. To make all of this work however you must have the Playstation eye that senses the controllers. Y ou can get everything you need in the starter pack that includes the Playstation eye, one Move controller and a starter disk that includes many different demos that you can play. This is much more affordable than Xbox Kinect and is a must have accessory for any PS3 owner.

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2. Café Nero This is the newest addition to the Stamford cafés and is almost next door to Café Black. This was also busy but the service was very quick; by the time we sat down the Panini arrived. This looked quite good and tasted amazing. This was also cheaper at £3.95. 3. Costa Costa is opposite Tesco’s and provided very quick and efficient service. This was one of the best tasting Paninis that we tested and we all enjoyed it. The appearance was good but it tastes slightly bland with no additional extras. This was one of the cheapest Paninis at only £3.95. 4. Café Black Café Black is opposite Thornton’s and was incredibly busy all of the time that we were there. Perhaps because of that the Panini did take a while to arrive. This one also tasted good. The appearance was good and also came with a small salad on the side. This drew on points with Costa but because of its price of £4.85 it came slightly lower. 5. Beans Beans is located by Sweets and Treats and is a very nice coffee shop. However when we ordered our Panini it took over ten minutes to arrive. When it did arrive though it did look quite good and included a salad on the side. The Panini did not taste as good as it looked. This also cost £4.25, which was reasonable. Do you have a different view? Add your comment on our website www.bestlocalliving.co.uk STAMFORD LIVING March 2011

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Coming to Stamford

May we recommend Velassaru Resort, Maldives from £1129 for 10nights in a beachside bungalow or £2157 for a private water villa (includes ﬂights and speedboat transfers, prices based on 9th June departure)

A brand new luxury travel company will be opening its’ doors on St Georges Street on 1st March, dedicated to providing the ultimate holiday experience to discerning customers. Having worked in the travel industry for over 20 years at Director level in a big name business, Partner Helen Dooley brings with her a wealth of experience and insider knowledge. Helen explains “the idea of more than travel has been in the making for a number of years. Having worked in the industy I’ve had the beneﬁts (and frustration) of seeing the very best and the very worst travel business in action.”

May we recommend 16 day “Wonder of China Tour” from £2190 group tour, or £2890 for a private tour (including ﬂights, prices based on 6th November departure)

“I strongly believe that past a certain expenditure threshold, clients should have their travel and holiday experiences calibrated perfectly to their needs. It frustrates me that clients who prefer to travel in style are still being forced to buy from mass market travel agents, or worse, impersonal online services that can’t possibly cater for your individual tastes. There’s no extra costs involved just an appropriate amount of time and dedication “Preferential rates and products are in place with all the big names in luxury and sophisticated travel; we look forward to sharing those beneﬁts with you.”

Join us for our launch event Friday 4th March and Saturday 5th March for a glass of Champagne in our new travel lounge and to learn more about the beneﬁts of joining our exclusive client list (or email us at sales@morethantravel.co.uk) to book a private introduction.

May we recommend Villa Prosilio, Corfu from £3297 for 7 nights, sleeps up to 10 people (excluding ﬂights, prices based on May departure)

23 St Georges Street, Stamford T: 01780 766256 E: sales@morethantravel.co.uk www.morethantravel.co.uk We specialise in cruise • long haul • escorted journeys • villas • ﬂights • active family holidays • golf • spa • ski • Overseas weddings • honeymoons and so much more! We can oﬀer door to door service on all our products at your request, including a complete luggage to check in facility. We act as fully licensed ABTA agents for ATOL holders, please contact us for more information on and details on each of the recommendations above. 44

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ACTIVITIES

W O O D L A N D WA L KS N o .1

Prior’s Coppice Prior’s Coppice, situated just to the south of Braunston in Rutland, is an ancient ash-maple and ash-wych elm woodland. Its character derives from being tucked away on the side of a hill, far away from anywhere OS map Ref: SK 832051 (Sheet 141) Size and status: The reserve covers 69 acres (29 ha) and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It is managed by the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust http://lrwt.org.uk Directions and parking: From Braunston take the road towards Leighfield. After negotiating a sharp left hand bend at the top of the hill take the next right turn, sign-posted to Leighfield Lodge. Proceed another 800m and you will see the reserve car park on the right, just before a gate across the road. Terrain: North-facing slope. Tiny tributary of Gwash on north edge of wood. Dogs: are permitted on this nature reserve but only under strict control - able to bring to heel at all times. Suggested route: 1.5 mile circuit of the wood, allow an hour including nature stops. Perfect for: A leisurely stroll for nature lovers, getting away from it all.

HISTORY OF THE WOOD Prior’s Coppice was probably never cleared of trees because the combination of steep north facing slope and the very heavy clay soil must have made it seem a very unpromising place for cultivation. Instead the villagers of Braunston and Brooke would have made use of the site as a source of timber and wood for fuel, building materials, etc. Evidence of traditional management exists throughout the site in the form of giant coppice ‘stools’. There are specimens in Prior’s Coppice with stools 5 metres across, which must be several hundred years old. WHAT YOU CAN SEE Trees: ash-maple and ash-wych elm Plants: 230 species of ﬂowering plants and ferns have been recorded, and there are large colonies of wood anemone, early-purple orchid, wood-sorrel and wood forget-me-not. Notable

Braunston

Brooke

Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust

– Suggested route



Exit Leigh Lodge Cottages

plants include broad-leaved helleborine. The rides contain many attractive species such us ragged-robin and common spotted-orchid. Birds: 71 species of birds have been noted. There are good numbers of nuthatch, blackcap, garden warbler and many others. Rare visitors have included pied flycatcher and redstart. Butterflies: Orange tip and brimstone butterflies are common in spring. Both purple and white-letter hairstreaks are present. More than 200 species of moth have been recorded. Animals: Badger, fox, stoat, muntjac and grass-snake SUGGESTED ROUTE There are several tracks and rides through the wood, as shown on the map. Our suggested route takes you on a circuit of the wood. • Shortly after you have entered the wood from the car park, take a left turn along a welldefined track. Follow this as it twists and turns, crossing over a wider ride and proceeding until

the track veers right as it reaches the westerly end of the wood. • The track steadily becomes narrower, but is easy to follow, and from time to time there are yellow markers. The track continues to follow round about 20-30 metres from the edge of the wood. You cross over the two wider rides once again and enter the eastern end of the wood. At the end of the wood you bear right back up the slope, and then when you have regained your height the path leads back through the wood to where you began. Making it part of a longer walk Approx: 7 miles From here you could follow the footpaths to the south end of Launde Park Wood, walk through that wood and then connect back via the Leicestershire Round which touches the north end of Launde Park Wood. You then join up with the Rutland Round, which passes by the western perimeter of Prior’s Coppice, from whence you could track back up through the wood to the car. You will need OS Map 141 for this.

STAMFORD LIVING March 2011

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MULTI-ACTIVITY HOLIDAYS FOR CHILDREN AGED FROM 4 - 14 Our OFSTED registered Camps, which have been running in the area for over 20 years, provide a wide range of over 30 activities to keep your child entertained in the school holidays. All staff are CRB checked and have the necessary experience and training to deliver the wide range of activities we offer.

EASTER

BASED AT THE PETERBOROUGH SCHOOL 11 – 15 APRIL AND 18 – 21 APRIL

SUMMER

BASED AT THE PETERBOROUGH SCHOOL 11 – 15 JULY 18 – 22 JULY 25 – 29 JULY 1 – 5 AUGUST BASED AT STAMFORD JUNIOR SCHOOL 1 – 5 AUGUST 8 – 12 AUGUST 15 – 19 AUGUST 22 – 26 AUGUST 9.30 am – 4.30 pm EARLY and LATE CARE AVAILABLE FROM 8am – 6pm

For further information or to make a booking Telephone: 01780 753461 Email:info@churchillsummercamps.co.uk www.churchillsummercamps.co.uk

or call our Call4Five helpline 01780 483874

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WHAT’S ON

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

March 1

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

4 Friday 4 and Saturday 5 March, 7.30pm 5

Friday 11 March, 7.30pm EVENT: Fundraising Concert A very special evening of music featuring Stamfordian and professional baritone Robert Gildon, fabulous harpist Eleanor Turner and brilliant ﬂautist Charli Ashton accompanied by David Lovell Brown who will play an organ solo. Admission by donation towards the cost of an expedition by local young people to Patagonia next year. Refreshments will be served. • Stamford United Reformed Church

Wednesday 16 March, 10am to 3pm EVENT: Charity Craft Dabble Day Experts offer instruction in crafts such as jewellery and card making. Complimentary refreshments. All proceeds to Sue Ryder Care, Thorpe Hall Hospice. • Market Deeping Community Centre Admission £6/£4

Sunday 27 March, 11am to 4pm EVENT: Daffodil Day An opportunity for visitors to see the daffodil display in the gardens at a reduced cost. The garden has many other notable features to enjoy plus the Gift Shop and the Old Kitchen will be open. • Deene Park - Adults £4, children free.

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

11

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

16 17

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

27

SUNDAY



THEATRE: The Newton Players present The Robin Hood Files The wicked Prince John and loathsome Sheriff are up to their usual tricks so join Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men - twists, humour, ﬁghts, songs, and plenty of men in tights. • Tickets £7/£6/£4 Family ticket £18 from Colsterworth Post Ofﬁce or Tel: 01476 861936

FRIDAY



CHILDREN’S THEATRE: The Buried Moon A spooky adventure from a forgotten time when Lincolnshire folk feared to go out in the dark unless the moon beamed bright. Fear not! The Maiden of the Moon protects the village folk until one day, the Maiden disappears…A slice of Lincolnshire folklore told with puppets. Suitable for ages 5 to 10. • South Holland Centre, Spalding Tickets £5.50 Tel: 01775 764777 www.southhollandcentre.co.uk

Diary dates



Friday 4 March, 11am

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

Tuesday 8 to Saturday 12 March THEATRE: Translations by Brian Friel Described by the Sunday Times as … “among the ﬁnest amateur reps in England..”, Stamford Shoestring Theatre perform Brian Friel’s masterpiece ‘Translations’. A detachment of Royal Engineers arrive in Donegal. Most of the Irish can’t speak English and the English ‘Sappers’ don’t speak Gaelic. Written entirely in English the play shows how much is lost in ‘translation’ and how inadequate words can be in bridging the divide between cultures. • Stamford Theatre Tickets priced at £8/£7 - Tel: 01780 763203.

Saturday 12 to Sunday 20 March EVENT: The Oundle Festival of Literature Warwick Davis, Rose Prince and Dominic Price are just a few of the authors introducing local audiences to their new books this year at the Festival. Other speakers include award winning columnist Sue Mott, Political Columnist Simon Heffer, and novelist Mark Billingham. Local poet Nick Perry and Radio 5’s poet Charlie Ottley do battle once again in comic verse and there is the usual Family and Community Events programme. • For full details see the Festival brochure, Tel: 01832 274734 or visit www.oundlelitfest.org.uk

Saturday 26 March, 8pm MUSIC: Spring Concert Stamford Chamber Orchestra will give a programme including Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending with solo violin by Adam Summerhayes. The conductor will be Ben Palmer. • Stamford Arts Centre Tickets £10/£8/£5 Tel: 01780 763203) or on line www.stamfordartscentre.com STAMFORD LIVING March 2011

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WHAT’S ON

Fun at Easter at Uppingham School If you are looking for a way to keep the children (or yourself!) entertained over the Easter holidays you need look no further! There is plenty of holiday fun for everyone at Uppingham over the Easter holidays, with lots on offer for both the sporty and the more creative types. Former England, Kent and Leicestershire cricketer Trevor Ward and former Derbyshire professional Paul Aldred will once again be running the hugely popular Cricket Coaching weeks, for boys and girls from 7-14 years old. Tennis Coaching with LTA CCA performance coach James Muir is offered on the brand new Uppingham School Sports Centre tennis courts in group 2 hour sessions for 7-10 and 11-14 year olds. In addition, England U18 XV rugby coach Paul Westgate will be running 3 days of rugby Total Rugby for 7-10 year olds, teaching young players all the basic skills of the game through small-side games. Children from 6-11 wishing to do something more creative will enjoy Arts and Crafts Fun Days. Enjoy a Clown Workshop day with balloon modelling, face painting and decorating clown boots, or make your own painted mug as an Easter present. Alternatively, put on your pinny for 3 days of making yummy things for Easter at the Easter Cookery for Kids course. There are new courses for adults too. Popular artist and tutor Mark Wilde will be returning to Uppingham to run a series of Drawing Masterclasses. And by popular demand, local wine expert Dr Stephan Muller will lead an evening of Champagne Tasting, to help you plan your Easter festivities. In addition, there will also be the regular Upholstery course. • For further information please call Uppingham Summer School on 01572 820800 or visit www. uppinghamsummerschool.co.uk

Dora Holzhandler A Vibrant New Exhibition Saturday 26 March to Friday 22 April • Admission is free. Opening hours are Monday to Saturday 9.30am to 5.30pm, Sundays and Bank Holidays 2.30pm to 5.30pm. Information at www.goldmarkart.com/ doraholzhandler

It’s A Knockout comes to Stamford It’s a Knockout, the popular game show from the seventies & eighties is making a revival and is coming to Stamford this May. The Rotary Club of Stamford St Martin’s is hosting the event in aid of their local and international charities, and they are seeking teams from the local community to take part in this summer’s event. Teams need to consist of between 6 and 10 people. One of the organisers, Kevin Patterson, says “It’s a Knockout is a great team building event involving inﬂatable games, water and foam and is great fun, whether you’re taking part or watching. Teams can come from all walks of life including local businesses, sports clubs, schools, colleges, churches, clubs and societies for example, but participants must be over 16 years of age to enter.” The event will take place at Stamford Rugby Club on Sunday, 22nd May. There’ll be a BBQ, Bar and lots of entertainment for the whole family. “The main emphasis of the day is fun, so if you fancy going through the ‘human washing machine’ and bouncing to victory in the ‘banana dash’ then please register your team. There’s even a £500 prize for the winning team to donate to a charity of their choice,” says Kevin. This year, the club’s Rotary charities include locally, the Evergreen Care Trust & Spend-aPenny Campaign and internationally, Polio Eradication and the Myosotis Trust. • Registration, which requires a deposit of £150, is now open and teams can register online at www.iako.co.uk.

Book early for the Wildcats Easter Holiday Programme… Y

oung people aged between 5 and 16 can enjoy a programme of full day workshops at Stamford Arts Centre during the Easter holidays. Sample expert tuition in different styles of dance, photography, musical theatre, face painting and stage make up plus the chance to perform for parents and friends in a mini musical. • Prices from £16.50 per person, booking and further information from Wildcats Theatre School Tel: 07725 915333 www.wildcatstheatreschool.co.uk

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You have a chip on your shoulder.

THE COSMETIC CLINIC

Kings Lynn / Peterborough / Norwich / Wimbledon They’d look after me better at St. Martins Antiques.

Now with more than sixty exhibitors, the centre has a variety of antiques unmatched in the surrounding area. Items range from £5 to £5,000 and regular turnover of stock frequently brings customers back for more. Proprietor Peter Light and his experienced team are always on hand, happy to proffer advice or buy your fine quality antiques. An email search enquiry facility is also available.To find out more check out our web site: www.st-martins-antiques.co.uk, email peter@st-martins-antiques.co.uk or call him on (01780) 481158. 23a High Street, St. Martins, Stamford,

Lincolnshire, PE9 2LF.

Injectable Treatments For Facial Lines from £175 Armpit Sweating • Lip Augmentation Surgical Eye Bag Removal Restylane / Sculptra / Juvederm / Radiesse from £220 Chemical Peels • Intense Pulsed Light / Laser and Radio Frequency Treatment for Permanent Hair Reduction Skin Pigmentation • Facial and Leg Thread Veins Acne / Acne Scarring Treatments • Microdermabrasion Facial Rejuvenation and Non-Surgical Facelift Semi-Permanent Make Up • Eyelash & Hair Extensions Laser Teeth Whitening £300 Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser for Deep Facial Lines Dermaroller for Acne Scarring / Stretchmarks Miss Z.Butt,Consultant Surgeon (MBchB,DO,FRCS,FRCOphth,MD) Email: bzahida@aol.com www.ukcosmeticclinic.com 226 Dogsthorpe Road,(DHCBusiness Centre),Peterborough PE1 3PB �01733 310090 St George’s Chambers,27 King Street,Kings Lynn PE30 1ET �01553 692531 6 Exchange Street,Norwich NR2 1AT �01603 877470

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PERSPECTIVES

Ask

Leo

Writ e to u 1 St answer s at As Pete s or k or e r’s S new Leo wi th m qu t , Bes t qu ail to: a Stamfo estion any s esti skle r on o o@t d, PE9 , r i s boo answ cali.c 2PQ k to er w o.uk ken ins . a £5

More memories of the Steam Roller Thank you to everyone who sent memories and more information. PG recalled details about the roller from the time when the SKDC considered restoring it some years ago. “It was an Aveling Barford machine. Aveling Porter was a Kent Company from Rochester which had brought Barfords of Grantham. The roller was Rochester-made, complete with the INVICTA symbol which is the Kent County Council’s logo. CD told us, “My grandfather used to drive the steam roller for the council years ago before it was de-commissioned and put there for kids to play on in the early 1960s. Over the years bits did tend to fall off as decay set in. Among the bits my brother and I retrieved were the outer casing braces that went between the boiler and the outer metal casing. These where made of very thick cast iron and there were about 3 of these to each brace surrounding the boiler. Also we used a screw driver to wrench the brass badge off the front of it of a leaping horse and various other bits and pieces made their way into our hoard over the years. I also remember the council making an effort to preserve it in the late 1970s by repainting it in that horrid red from its original green and putting steps up the side and a new roof on it. Over the years, as we grew up we very rarely visited it until one day reading in the Stamford Mercury about a child falling off its sister engine in Grantham, that sadly it was going to be fenced off from use and removed. I duly made my way to Stamford and took some photos of it (caged in) before it was taken away to a field in Tallington, where it sat until it was taken away for restoration. I would dearly love to see it in its restored condition as it most certainly would bring back some childhood memories. As for the parts we (borrowed) sadly they are long gone now.” LG also had happy memories, “My friends and I had some great times playing on the Steamroller back in the 1960s and 70s, I remember it being painted green and black and it was in good condition in those early days. We went on many imaginary journeys on the roller and loved building dens on and around the engine and we used to see who dare climb the chimney and sit on top. Health and Safety would have nightmares now!!”

Statue of Justice One of our regular readers commented that many people are unaware of the Statue of Justice on top of the old Stamford Hotel opposite St Mary’s church. The hotel was built on the site of an old coaching inn called The Black Bull, which was bought by Gerard Noel of Exton Hall in 1810 who built this huge classical style hotel. It was the headquarters of the Whig party which was in opposition to the Cecils of Burghley House who supported the Tory party. Noel hoped to buy the church and demolish it and he placed the statue of Justice by Rossi on top so that it would then have been in full view of Burghley House. Thanks to AR who took this superb picture of the statue. QUESTIONS FOR NEXT TIME – Can you help answer any of these? • We have received many interesting accounts of travelling on the Stamford Essendine railway which we will include at a later date. • Have you any memories of Royal Wedding celebrations?

Was St John’s Street or Scotgate the narrowest street? The discussion about the relevant widths of St John’s St and Scotgate brought some amusing responses. DW pointed out, “the assumption about lay-bys is not correct. The ‘London Inn’ was constructed where it is, not to provide a layby but to establish a new building line for when premises higher up the street were re-built. Of course they were not re-built because the ‘conservation area’ status intervened, so the

street remains as the Danes built it, presumably for ever!” Another reader thought he needed to check this out, “I shall creep out in the small hours one night and measure Scotgate and St John’s Street” and speculated on the effect, “3 a.m. arrest of octogenarian pensioner found kneeling in Scotgate. Told police he was measuring road sizes.”

Leo Specialist Tours:

Day Course

Chocolate

April 14th at Glaston Grange Book Token to AR for the photo this month STAMFORD LIVING March 2011

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