Stamford Living May 2018 by Best Local Living

Stamford LIVING

May 2018 Â£1.50

Be inspired by where you live

Here comes summer! V I L L AG E S H O P S , U R BA N R A M B L E S , L O C A L P E O P L E

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IN THIS ISSUE

Stamford LIVING

May 2018 £1.50

Contents May 2018

20 49

FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY 11 24 30 32 34

HOME & GARDEN, SHOPPING, MOTORING

Be inspired by where you live

Here comes summer! V I L L AG E S H O P S , U R BA N R A M B L E S , L O C A L P E O P L E

SL COVER MAY 2018 G-FOLD 207.indd 3

16/04/2018 17:11

Cover photo this month: The Garden of Surprises, Burghley House. Photo by Matty Graham, www.mattygraham.com. For more details visit www.burghley.co.uk. Annual family membership is exceptional value. £45 for a family of up to two adults and three children to house and garden, £35 for gardens only.

www.stamfordliving.co.uk @StamfordLiving1 Stamford Living

Well-chosen accessories Bridal preparations Stamford Facial Aesthetics Bluebird Care Britt’s Superfoods

16 Interior Design: The different styles of local interior designers 20 Through the Keyhole; modern & traditional 40 Outdoor Living 65 Me & My Cars – NEW SERIES

FOOD & DRINK, HOLIDAYS

52 Village Shops – Use them or Lose them 56 Eating Out: The Copper Room and the Chubby Castor 59 Food News

ACTIVITIES, CULTURE, LEARNING & BUSINESS

Pets Page: travel sickness Little Living Little Living Day Away – Stanwick Lakes The Best of Local Business Restoring a Grandfather Clock Education: finding a coach Urban Rambles – a new book by Nicholas Rudd-Jones 77 What’s On 36 45 46 49 60 63 66

Editor and Publisher Nicholas Rudd-Jones 01780 765571 nicholas@bestlocalliving.co.uk Write to Stamford Living, PO Box 208, Stamford, PE9 9FY www.bestlocallivingliving.co.uk Advertisement Manager Claudia Bayley 01780 482828 claudia.bayley@btinternet.com Advertising Copy Rachel Beecroft 01780 765320 rachel@locallivingdesign.co.uk Head of Design Steven Handley steve@locallivingdesign.co.uk Designers Sarah Patterson inkdesign@virginmedia.com, Calum Handley, Chris Strickland Published by Local Living Ltd, PO Box 208, Stamford, Lincs. PE9 9FY nicholas@bestlocalliving.co.uk Printed by Warners of Bourne

PEOPLE & PLACES 38 42 51 82

Victoria’s Page Ask Leo – Bathing Places Tim Walker, bookshop owner Stamford People: Louise Marsh, Evergreen

NEWS & NOTES

68 The Shack, Barnsdale Hall 30th anniversary, South Lincs Blind Society 70 UPP Property, Burghley Game Fair, Magic of Motown at Burghley 73 Osprey Lettings, Rubirox awards, the Rutland Show, Shaws Coaches awards, Rock Grass court tennis 74 Safeguard new showroom, Stephenson Smart, Stamford Music Competition

Subscriptions; annual rate £25 (UK only). Please write to the Publisher at Local Living Ltd, with £25 cheque payable to Local Living, or go online to www.bestlocalliving.co.uk

our friendly team of professional carers working in Award Join Home Support, Wellbeing, and our new personal care winning service, Florence Care. Benefit from flexible working, rates of pay, plus quality on-going training. local competitive Care Trust 1 Barnack Road, Stamford, Lincs, PE9 2NA Tel: 01780 765900 www.evergreencare.org.uk charity Evergreen

CIO No. 1158271

STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2018

Picture of the month This spring picture celebrates one of Stamford’s delightful smaller green spaces. St Peter’s Green has a history dating back to the birth of the town. Pre-dating the Norman Conquest, St Peter’s was possibly the first church in Stamford and the only one mentioned in the Domesday Book (1086). The church, with its burial ground, probably remained on the hill until the 16th century when St Peter’s parish was joined with All Saints’ after The Reformation, and the building fell into disrepair. In 1820 there was a controversy when the road was widened (for coaches) because skeletons from the burial ground were exposed. In 1853, Henry Neville of Walcot Hall, a plant collector, donated trees to be planted on the green, and it is these beautiful trees that we enjoy in their full maturity today. A Russian gun captured in the Crimea was presented to Stamford and placed on the Green in 1858. At the same time the green was enclosed with a wall and railings and levelled. A German gun was added in 1915. In 1942 the guns and railings, being metal, were removed for the war effort. You can still see the sawn-off bases of the railings in the stone. In recent years, the St Peter’s Community Group has done much to care for the green, clearing leaves each year, planting bulbs and enjoying various local events on the green, including Christmas carols. Nicholas Rudd-Jones, Editor Photo by David Corfield. www.davidcorfield.com

STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2018

Country Traditionals Traditionals Country Country Traditionals Country Traditionals

Visitour ourshop shop Visit Visit our shop Visit our shop MaidenLane, Lane,Stamford Stamford Maiden Maiden Lane, Stamford opp tourist info & arts centre opp tourist info & arts centre Maiden Lane, opp tourist info &Stamford arts centre opp tourist info & arts centre OpenMon Mon---Sat Sat10am 10am---5pm 5pm Open Open Mon Sat 10am 5pm OpenTel: Mon Sat 10am 5pm Tel:01780 01780755 755409 409 Tel: 01780 755 409 Tel: 01780 755 409 www.countrytraditionals.co.uk www.countrytraditionals.co.uk

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Open Mon - Sat 10am - 5pm Tel: 01780 755 409

www.countrytraditionals.co.uk Follow us on Facebook & Instagram

Our other stores: Cambridge and Forest Row, East Sussex 9

Diamond, Gemstone & Pearl Specialists

Full Time Retail Jewellery Sales Assistant Heidi Kjeldsen Limited are looking for an exceptionally bright Sales Assistant for a Full-Time position. We are seeking a special person with the following skills: • • • • • • •

A proven track record in Jewellery Sales. Background and experience in luxury sales. A Jewellery Education qualification is beneficial, though not imperative. Passion and enthusiasm for our products and ongoing vision to assist driving the business forward Excellent customer service with good organisational skills. A knowledge of Sage Accounts Software and CAD/CAM software would be advantageous. Ability to work independently as well as a team player. 5 full days per week covering alternate Saturdays, approx 8.30am- 5.30pm. Extra hours may be required at Christmas and for special events. Salary commensurate with experience and skills. Apply by email to: heidi@heidikjeldsen.co.uk with your Curriculum Vitae and a covering letter, stating your expectations of Salary.

5 The Maltings, Mill Street, Oakham LE15 6EA t: 01572 722666 e: heidi@heidikjeldsen.co.uk www.heidikjeldsen.co.uk

PHOTOGRAPHY: ELLI DEAN

Accessory update SPRING

FASHION

Well-chosen accessories will give infinite wardrobe options and make your clothes look different with subtle inexpensive tweaks. Sally Stillingfleet has been checking out the options.

Clare wears blue floral Jeff sweater £129 with blue Hod trousers £70 both Cavells. Rieker brogues £55 Marcia May Shoes

HIS spring it’s about beautiful baskets, especially ‘the circular bag’ and the best choice is in Emma Cutmore. I am a big fan of scarves for adding colour and the classic print silk scarf is making a comeback. Baubles and Bangles have some beautiful big squares and Energy have Beck Sonder Gaard’s gorgeous cotton floral prints. The chunky plimsoll will make a dress more versatile and look great with a raw edge denim or white jean. Fun shades at £10 a pair from Energy are a summer essential – so get ready to reinvent your wardrobe in style! STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2018

➧ 11

Beck Sondergaard scarf £30 Energy, grey linen dress Duo £75.99 Paul Green lace-up plimsolls £150 North Shoes

Floral shirt dress £159 Vanilla, worn with heart sunglasses £10 Energy and circular basket bag £34 Emma Cutmore worn with navy sequin Paul Green pumps £125 North Shoes

Pikolinos brogues £ 89.99 and canvas rabbit tote £18.99 both Marcia May Shoes. Sunglasses £10 Energy

STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2018

White bow sliders £69 Marcia May Shoes with circular basket bag £34 Emma Cutmore

Accessor Beck Sondergaard bag £65 Energy

Green Pashmina £14 Baubles and Bangles, White T shirt £65 Energy, basket as before

White T shirt £65 Energy and pale-yellow HB Shoes loafers £116 Marcia May Shoes. All jeans Energy

y update Pom pom basket £20 Emma Cutmore

Yellow clutch bag £18 Baubles and Bangles Many thanks to beautiful Clare for modelling for us and to Fika in Oakham for allowing us to use the outside space for photography. Energy – 9 Ironmonger St. Tel 01780 765633 Baubles and Bangles – 10 St. Mary’s St Tel 01780 763633

Cavells – 16 Mill Street, Oakham. Tel 01572 770372

Emma Cutmore & The Dress Agency – 4 St. Mary’s Passage Tel. 01780 482870 Marcia May Shoes – 36 St Mary’s St. Stamford 01780 766608 North Shoes – 2 Red Lion Square, Stamford. Tel 01780 755400 and 7 Market Place, Oundle 01832 272534 Duo Boutique – 29A High St. Oakham. Tel 01572 722116 Vanilla – 23B Mill Street, Oakham. Tel 01572 757577 STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2018

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

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

Colefax & Fowler

Book an appointment

01780 757946

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

www.huntersinteriorsofstamford.co.uk

Interior Design Styles (Part 1)

Define your style Identifying the style a new client prefers is one of the first challenges facing any interior designer. In this series, we’ll be exploring the different styles that some of our local design agencies are using to transform their clients’ homes. Rannveig Stone

CLASSIC CONTEMPORARY

Hunters Interiors

Often design name led, this sophisticated style is characterised by clean lines and contemporary fabrics. The combination of uniformed rich timber framework and clean, sharp-cut upholstery – which is punctuated with fine detail such as stud work and piping – gives a really crisp, fresh and contemporary edge to traditional, classic shapes. “This sophisticated style suits all sorts of properties with existing character; ranging from large scale traditional, grand homes to cottages and town houses. That said, we work within the limitations of the environment; if we’re given a contemporary, clean line property without obvious features, we see it as a blank canvas and tend to adopt some quite eclectic elements to add character. Our style uses a lot of pattern and colour; it’s bold, detailed and clean – not fussy or twee.” Georgina Teesdale, Hunters Interiors

Anna Stone Design

SHABBY CHIC / RUSTIC

©ANNIE SLOAN

By definition, this style doesn’t have to be perfect; it can be achieved relatively easily on a tight budget. Shabby Chic and Rustic interiors feature heavily painted furniture, with lots of ‘worn out’ layers. This ‘beaten up’ look works best when applied to furniture featuring feminine shapes and a certain degree of elegance; think of the wardrobe in ‘Beauty and the Beast’. Bleached out, natural fabrics – cottons and linens – in pure whites, ecrus and faded pastels fit this style perfectly, as do vintage floral patterns, cotton ticking patterns and linen in earth tones. Rustic furniture is typical of shabby chic style; making a feature of unfinished wood, denim, hessian, canvas and woven homespun fabrics.

Magpie, vintage crockery hire

Get the look for less Specialist paints such as Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™ are great for transforming existing pieces of furniture to fit a shabby chic scheme. If you don’t have anything to upcycle, you can source new items from a second-hand dealer like Second To None. “At Madder Cutch & Co. we create beautifully designed fabrics that are printed using sustainably sourced plant dyes and pigments. Because we print all of our fabrics to order in our studio in Stamford, almost anything is possible. Our original designs are hand screenprinted on 100% linen that is woven for us in Scotland.” Nicola Cliffe, Madder Cutch & Co

STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2018

Hunters Interiors

TRADITIONAL Casual in a ‘grown up’ way, Traditional style interiors are comforting, calm and predictable; there’s nothing edgy or modern going on. Instead, these spaces are functional, unfussy and restful. Wood furniture tends to be finished in darker stains and centred in the room, so that nothing jars. Understated antiques and reproduction furniture are used to complement each other. Upholstery tends to be in dark colours and will exhibit understated detailing and soft blended edges. Colour schemes of medium strength are very popular in this style, with mid-tone colours adding warmth and depth – although combinations of light and dark can work well. Floral fabrics are very much at home in Traditional schemes, where an appreciation of the classic fabrics used, curtains and soft furnishings will favour an understated elegance and simplicity rather than the distraction of trims or tassels. Picture rails, dado rails and cornicing are key elements of the Traditional style, so it works best in traditional properties. “Practicality and functionality are at the top of my thoughts before tackling any new project. In each case, I work with the light, space and function of the room before beginning to bring in themes and colours. I am keen on creating spaces that are timeless and don’t date too quickly and reflect the personalities of the people using them.” Kate Cadman, Cutting Edge Interiors

Hunters Interiors

CLASSIC COUNTRY This cosy, lived-in style combines traditional floral fabrics and chunky oak farmhouse furniture. This style creates the sense that it’s been there for generations; with detailed wallpaper, a riot of rich colours and lots of texture, it has stood the test of time for years already. Key elements include exposed natural materials, such as brick and stone, as well as dark hardwearing floors and natural timber panelling on walls.

Cutting Edge Interiors

“Working with the Classic Country theme, key elements include beautifully chosen fabrics, classic pieces of furniture combined with well thought out lighting schemes and carefully chosen accessories.” Kate Cadman, Cutting Hunters Interiors Edge Interiors

MODERN COUNTRY

Allison & Allison Wallpaper

With finer lines than the chunky farmhouse furniture which is characteristic of the Classic Country style, Modern Country features industrial touches, and combinations of wood, metal and stone working together to create edgier, lived-in pieces, such as metal framed coffee tables and sideboards for instance. Retro-inspired fabrics in soft muted shades can sit alongside muted chintzy floral fabrics in this style, where painted (rather than papered) walls in soft greys create a cleaner backdrop which really sharpens up those florals. Modern Country schemes are still very relaxed and homely with a ‘lived in quality’ – but a little more refined. There’s a cleaner, finer and more considered balance between the pieces. As with more traditional country styling; wood still reigns supreme, as do animal-inspired prints and accessories. Woodland themes are especially popular. Key elements of this style include; seagrass or wood floors; timber tongue and groove panelling painted in soft greys, cool whites or sage greens – or maybe even in a light pink for a little more personality. Modern Country schemes don’t have to be bland; you can add an eclectic touch here and there – incorporating colour and mismatched items to enhance the lived-in quality – but be sure to keep the backdrop calm and soft. Based in Exton, Annie Allison is a bespoke wallpaper designer with a passion for all things individual and unique: Perfect for a modern country scheme, this beautiful lamp By Petra Wright was created in collaboration with Stamford-based screen printer Nicola Cliffe and is available from Madder Cutch & Co. and Anna Stone Design

“As all my designs are done using pen and ink, I have a trademark pared back style that is versatile to suit most tastes. The beauty of what I do means that I can create any sort of style from very contemporary to whimsical. The fabric of my wallpaper also enhances the end product because it has a beautiful linen style finish that adds texture and interest.” Annie Allison, Allison & Allison

SUPPLIERS/CONTACTS: Sackstore, Stamford Garden Centre, Road End Farm, Great Casterton Road, Stamford, PE9 4BB www.sackstore.co.uk Hunters Interiors of Stamford; www.huntersinteriorsofstamford.co.uk, 01780 757946 Stamford Garden Centre; www.stamfordgardencentre.co.uk, 01780 765656 Allison & Allison, Bespoke Pen & Ink Wallpaper; 07960 949423; annie@allisonandallison.co.uk; www.allisonandallison.co.uk Bateman’s Auctioneers & Valuers, Ryhall Road, Stamford, PE9 1XF; 01780 766466; info@batemans. com; http://www.batemans.com Kate Cadman, Cutting Edge Interiors; 07719 255774; cuttingedgeinteriors@aol.com; www.cutting-edge-interiors.com Knobs & Knotts – Mandy Wright; 07503 210333; knobbsandknotts@hotmail.com Madder Cutch & Co. Print Studio; 15 Empingham Road, Stamford, PE9 2RJ; 01780 767 958; nicola@maddercutchandco.com; www.maddercutchandco.com Second To None, www.SecondToNoneStamford.com; 07989 133362; neil@secondtononestamford.com Please note: Viewings & collection by prior appointment only, Stamford Garden Centre, Road End Farm, Great Casterton Road, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 4BB Smithers of Stamford, www.smithersofstamford. com; 01780 435060; info@smithersofstamford.com Please note: Viewings & collection by prior appointment only, Stamford Etton, Cambridgeshire, PE6 7DA St Martin’s Antiques Centre; 23a High Street, St Martin’s, Stamford, PE9 2LF; 01780 48115; info@st-martins-antiques.co.uk; www.st-martins-antiques.co.uk Rannveig Stone is Director of interior design firm Anna Stone Design Ltd, based at the Stamford Garden Centre, Great Casterton, PE9 4BB. www.annastonedesign.com; 07900 883117. STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2018

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

AMAZING CULINARY SPACES

Whether you’ve noticed but there’s a phenomenon on St Mary’s Street that is having a profound effect on the way many of us think about our kitchens.

ince Bakehouse Kitchens opened in 2008 it’s been consistently designing and crafting beautiful, bespoke “amazing” culinary spaces that simply blow you away! Kate Cadman gets to take a peek inside the showroom to ﬁnd out how they’ve managed to create such a stir ... So how does a small, independent kitchen company make such a name for itself, so much so that many believe it’s a national brand (it’s not) and its designs have spread across the UK as far aﬁeld as Monaco in southern France! Bakehouse Owner and head of Design, Alan Ramm: “We are designers at heart and we absolutely love what we do.”

kitchen in all of our house sales particulars at work (Goodwin Property Services), as it’s such a great selling point. Everyone wants one!” adds Simon. It’s clear that the success of Bakehouse Kitchens to date is the combination of excellent customer communications, outstanding design skills, premium bespoke products and superb attention to detail. “What makes our service stand out is that we like to build a rapport with each of our clients and work hard to understand exactly what they want so that we can best guide them as to what will work most effectively in their space. The whole process is one of collaboration - we bring ongoing expertise, design ideas and experience to the table whilst the customer is encouraged to input as much as they can regarding their own culinary spatial desires.

“We always take the architectural approach (Alan has a background in CAD design), working with the building and are sympathetic to the Choose Bakehouse Kitchens environment. We like to mix up traditional and the briefing and design joinery skills with contemporary cheek and have stages are as follows: found that this fusion of styles seems to make • Initial consultations (ideally at least three - taking everyone happy. We excel in understanding place at the showroom and in the client’s home) property and know instinctively what can or • Footprint design (produced by Alan) can’t be pulled off within a certain interior.” presented to the client • Discussion around ergonomics and practicalities “The kitchen industry is an absolute jungle and i.e. how you want to use your kitchen we are a very simple solution for our clients and • Ensuring there is a wow factor - bringing ideas that quickly becomes clear why. We do it all - from together to create the basic design knocking down walls and changing the footprint, • Discussion regarding style, colour schemes, through conceptual design stages to advising materials and textures and specifying the minute details of, for example, • Finalising smaller details i.e. specifying hinge hinge finishes and finally installation. This total designs and finishing touches approach allows us to build kitchens that look • Setting the budget incredible and excite our customers. Very often the Bakehouse kitchen becomes the ultimate style icon of the whole house.” Estate agent, Simon Burton, and his wife Lucy built a house in Stamford three years ago and got Bakehouse Kitchens to install their dream kitchen. “Al was a huge help in getting the kitchen exactly right and it is definitely the showpiece of our house. In fact we now list a Bakehouse

New kitchen installation

Over the next six months Bakehouse Kitchens will be bringing us a series of articles designed to help you navigate the jungle of interior decisions, which come with the installation of a new kitchen. Choosing the right supplier is key and Alan Ramm, Owner and Designer at Bakehouse Kitchens has the following advice:

Top tips

Enjoy, make sure you meet your preferred kitchen supplier at least a couple of times prior to making any commitment to them, look at the attention to detail. Explore all conceptual designs, from island to peninsulas. These ﬁrst meetings are critical to ensure that you brief the kitchen supplier fully with all the details about your desired new kitchen. Check out the showroom, touch and feel the surfaces to get a really good handle on quality and really get to know the products available within your budget. Ask lots of questions. Make your supplier work for you - ask them for recommendations and get them to use their expertise to ensure your ideas are workable and that you are getting the best solution and lifestyle for the space you have. Your kitchen supplier should be able to come up with concepts and ideas that incorporate your wishes and expand your vision to ensure that the finished result delivers that WOW factor we all seek!

If you’re passing, po p in to the Bakeho use Kitchens showroom : 5 St Mary’s Stree t and be inspired. Open ing times: Monday Sa turday 10am - 5pm. Bakeho use Kitchens: t: 01 78 0 767 928; 19 e: hello@bakehou sekitchens.co.uk

STEP

INSIDE

Mr and Mrs North commissioned QKS to reconfigure the space in their ground floor kitchen. Three walls were removed and two rooms combined to open up the entire width of the house. The result is an open plan kitchen diner with a large central island and new contemporary cabinetry. Maximum light is assured through the bifold doors which can be opened up completely in good weather to allow free flowing access to the patio and garden beyond as well as floor to ceiling window panels to the side wall and two large skylights. “We are delighted with the result,” comments Mr North, “the former kitchen was small and dated and has been transformed into a spacious family room with all the storage we could ever need. We now spend the majority of our time in this room and have asked the QKS team to help us develop other areas of our home.”

A room for all seasons

Between the seventeenth and nineteenth century, an orangery was strictly for the fashionable elite - a place to grow citrus fruit or luxurious exotic plants and very much a status symbol for the wealthy. Today we use the term to describe an affordable, elegant, light filled addition to any home. This month Ashley Woodman, Sales Director at home improvement company QKS explains how with the right design, everyone can have their own ‘room for all seasons’. WORDS: AMANDER MEADE

STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2018

Why are so many home owners opting to extend and improve? I think there are several factors at play here; options for extending and improving property are so varied now compared with years ago. It is perfectly possible to incorporate all the architectural benefits you would expect in 2018 to every home – even older or listed properties. The second element is cost; improving your existing home can be significantly better value for money than moving so it’s definitely worth considering how extending or altering your living space can be an alternative to moving home.

How would QKS approach a request for advice?

We would initially recommend a visit to our showroom for an informal chat and to get some ideas. Secondly, we recommend a good look at our website where customers can find a portfolio of real projects completed within the region as our former clients are our best advocates. Finally, a senior member of our team will make a house visit to really understand what each client requires and how their plans best reflect their lifestyle needs. We always advise clients to allow the space to be versatile – ideas often evolve dramatically at this stage as we are able to draw up different options with costings for consideration.

What has changed most in the last decade in terms of home improvements?

Definitely the way we live. We have witnessed the death of the formal dining room with emphasis now firmly on combined living, cooking and dining spaces with zoned functionality – a much more open plan approach.

What kinds of extensions are proving most popular at the moment?

From older village properties to more contemporary homes, the story is similar. Transfer of light is crucial whether clients are redesigning existing space or adding a conservatory or orangery. Clients are seeking much more glazed space but without compromise on thermal efficiency – nobody wants a room too draughty to use in winter or too hot to use in summer. Flexibility of design is important too to ensure the space becomes an integral part of the home.

Traditional and contemporary bespoke hardwood, aluminium and UPVc orangeries are a long standing speciality at QKS. Mr and Mrs Fraser wanted to add some extra living space to their traditional village home but were not sure it would be possible to extend in keeping with their home. QKS made it possible by adding a traditionally styled orangery to the side elevation of the property using sympathetic exterior stonework which blends seamlessly. “We are still absolutely thrilled with the work QKS did, described by friends and family as ‘a triumph’”, says Mrs Fraser. We use the room for relaxing and entertaining friends and the roof lantern ensures the space is always bright and filled with light – we would recommend QKS for their great advice, design skills and high standards of workmanship.”

What would you say to homeowners thinking about having improvements but worried about the upheaval?

Our teams are all employed. We don’t use sub-contractors at any stage of the process which means everything is under one roof. Not having to coordinate individual companies not only makes a project more efficient but can result in cost and time savings too. Our on-site teams endeavour to reduce disruption by making sure the homeowner has some living space at all times – they understand the upheaval and try to keep it to a minimum. We have many testimonials from clients praising the courtesy of our teams which is very important to us.

Multi Award Winning Team… It’s fortunate that QKS are so adept at extending properties as they may need a larger trophy room soon to make way for the multiple awards they have scooped up in the last couple of years. Accolades include: National Atlas Installation of the Year Award Winner 2016, National Atlas Installation of the Month Winner for October 2017 National Houzz Service Award Winner 2017 & 2018 National FIT Show Installation of the Year Award Winner 2017 & 2018 BUILD Excellence Award for Home Improvements 2017 &2018 Solidor Style Wall Winner 2017 To find out more about how to improve your home, contact a member of the QKS team on 01780 756666 or call into the newly refurbished showroom at Unit 4, Priory Industry, Cherryholt Lane, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 2EQ. Showroom opening hours are between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 3pm on Saturdays. The showroom is closed on Sundays. www.qks-ltd.co.uk STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2018

s G en IN M ON tch CO SO Ki

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Fitted – Sliding Doors – Modular – Free Standing Tailored to your storage needs and lifestyle.

Wardrobes l Beds l Mattresses l Bedroom Furniture l Dining Furniture Occasional Furniture l Made to Measure Curtains & Blinds l Ready Made Curtains Cushions l Lampshades l Mirrors l Rugs l Sofas l Home & Giftware

Pop into our showroom or give us a call for a FREE no obligation quote Showroom open 7 days a week: 10am – 5pm, Mon to Sat and 11am – 4pm Sun

01778 420700

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Unit 6, Hereward Estate, off Cherry Holt Road, Bourne, PE10 9LA

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Wedding preparations

O PART TW

With the Wedding season almost upon us we bring you the very best beauty prep from around Stamford. Whether you are a guest or the bride or groom yourself there is lots around to try

Finding the perfect perfume

How should you find the one? “It should be special and romantic, not brash and overpowering, you don’t want to blow people away when you walk down the aisle, but you should feel special. The way they are created and built, means that as they evaporate they reveal. Don’t make a split decision because you have smelt it on someone else or a blotter - browse and see how it feels after a little while. I like a fragrance to tell a story on the skin and evolve.” Giselle mentioned Amorosa being her favourite? Why do you think it’s perfect for weddings? “Amorosa means ‘a woman in love’ in Italian; it’s lovely for Spring/Summer weddings because it has emphatic powerful top notes of green leaves and watermelon, meaning it’s fresh. The middle or heart is white flowers, vetiver and the base are amber woody notes which last for hours.” Where do you start when creating a new fragrance? “Usually I have a time or moment in my life I want to explore. Then it’s a case of finding the right notes, layers and complexity to tell a story.” All Ruth’s fragrances are created and made in the UK. She is based in Buckinghamshire and launched her own brand in 2010. Ruth has been creating fragrances for boutiques and specialist perfumeries her whole career. Ruth Mastenbroek prices start from £90 for 50ml Chameleon, 5 St Mary’s Hill, Stamford, PE9 2DP, 01780 755405

STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2018

PHOTOGRAPHY: ELLI DEAN

When it comes to your wedding day scent there are two schools of thought, wear your normal fragrance for comfort and familiarity, so you smell like ‘you’ or switch it up and find something new. I spoke to Giselle, owner of Chameleon, about finding your signature scent; they have a range of niche fragrances, for men, women and unisex that you will not find on the high street. Giselle says “Nothing else on the wedding day is old so why stick to the same fragrance. It will create a sensory photograph of your day. If it had been around on my wedding day I would have worn Ruth Mastenbroek Amorosa. The fragrances we sell are somewhat unique; you may notice they are all different colours because they are not completely synthetic. Mass market fragrances will normally smell the same person to person because of the composition, whereas Ruth Mastenbroek has high concentrations of essential oils, so depending on your skin, what you highlight will be individual to you.” I contacted Ruth Mastenbroek as I fell in love with the range when I popped to see Giselle. I wanted to ask the creator for some tips on finding the one - fragrance that is (partner I’m hoping you have ticked off already!).

Bridal nails with a twist Bridal nails needn’t be French polish or nude, you can add a splash of colour with a hot pink or even try some nail art. These designs have all been hand painted by Caroline at Graffiti Nails. From vintage, to floral hand-painted designs, here’s a little inspiration. Beautica on Silver Lane can place lace onto the nail or Swarovski stones that match the dress.

Reveal new skin Hair and Beauty Hub Stamford (previously named Francesca Alexander) have the BioSurface peel they highly recommend to get skin in prime condition pre-wedding. Kimberley, resident Dermalogica Skin Expert has just undergone a year’s worth of intensive training at the Cambridge Dermalogica Skin Institute. Combatting a whole host of skin concerns in one hit, this peel is a popular choice. The peel is a biologically active, biphasic peel that will work on both the epidermis (top layer) and the dermal-epidermal interface (responsible for bounciness), significantly resurfacing the skin to produce fresh, radiant and youthful skin. Before technological advancements, peels could cause sensitivity and redness for some time but with new formulas and research, downtime is minimised. This peel will help to… • Decrease surface roughness • Treat breakouts • Reduce fine lines • Stimulate cell turnover and collagen production • Brighten the skin • Minimise the appearance of pigmentation • Reduce signs of photo ageing, skin ageing and breakouts Dermalogica treatments start at £35. Hair and Beauty Hub Stamford, 7 Ironmonger St, Stamford, PE9 1PL, 01780 482888

HEALTH & BEAUTY Wedding makeup expert advice Makeup is another form of self-expression. Yes, it can be used to hide the odd dark circle or blemish, but ultimately, we use it in the same way we do our clothes or hair; to accentuate our favourite features. Apply the same theory to your wedding makeup. Makeup for a wedding should be considered carefully, the daylight, the photos, the waterproofness and all importantly looking like you! No one wants to be unrecognisable walking down the aisle. So here are some top tips for bridal makeup

PIN PIN PIN! Use Pinterest to collate pictures of makeup you like. A good makeup artist will be able to pick elements that will compliment your eye shape, skin tone and face shape. With makeup one size does not suit all- it should be adapted! DRESS/OUTFIT! Get your dress sorted first…. This will help you, or your makeup artist decide on best style and colours. DIY PRACTISE! If you are planning on doing it yourself then practice, write out your order of application. You will be amazed how nerves get the better of you on the day. TRIAL A makeup trial is money well spent. It reduces stress on the wedding morning as you know what to expect. Ticking things off on the run up to a wedding is also VERY satisfying and a trial means one fewer thing to worry about. After your trial go out that evening, see how it lasts and don’t be afraid to ask your makeup artist to change anything. PRE-WEDDING SHOOT Many photographers offer a prewedding shoot. This is a brilliant opportunity to try out your makeup artist.

Wedding hair styles with Stamford Hair Studio A little inspiration for the Bride and Bridal party from the team at Stamford Hair Studio LEFT: Alison says, “Ella rocked these bridesmaid braids. I took inspiration from Olivia Palermo on Pinterest and changed it up to suit Ella. She has a different face shape, so I took it higher on the head. I did two loose braids and pinned them into a low key yet glamorous bun.” Model Ella, Hair by Alison BELOW: Anna says, “This relaxed but elegant hair style is perfect for a bride, this was a trial run for Kate as she is engaged. She had some ideas in mind, natural curls, height on top and simple. I pinned sections at the back and had loose curls around her face for softness.” Model Kate, Hair by Anna

ABOVE: Jen said “Beth went for a classy, elegant half up do, which was pinned with gorgeous clips. The soft beach waves showed off her colour amazingly well, it looked beautiful.” Model Beth, Hair by Jen Bridal package quotes are available on consultation. Stamford Hair Studio, 5A Cheyne Lane, Stamford, PE9 2AX, 01780 757297

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

www.glen-edenmedical.co.uk 01476 550056

The Market Cross Surgery, Bourne Road, Corby Glen, Lincs NG33 4BB

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Stamford Facial Aesthetics Stamford Facial Aesthetics is a new clinic that opened at the Cutting Company. Nicola, a Senior Nurse, and Harnek, a Doctor, who both work at a local NHS Hospital, run it. With over 40 years between them in the medical world, you would certainly be in very capable hands!

PHOTOGRAPHY: ELLI DEAN

What is Stamford Facial Aesthetics? We are a senior nurse and doctor led clinic offering a range of safe non-surgical cosmetic procedures. We offer a range of dermal fillers and Botox injections concentrating on the face area to give a more rejuvenated and youthful appearance. Why did you want to open it? We have always had a keen interest in aesthetics. We were concerned that anyone could administer dermal fillers and, for a time, Botox. With many results not as people intended we wanted to set up a clinic providing safe procedures. Ethically we wanted to ensure non-surgical procedures were available to those who wanted them, but with the trust that they would have great results. We have in depth knowledge of facial anatomy and how to safely administer prescription medications such as Botox and dermal fillers. We have also undertaken a range of courses in Harley Street, London. What is Botox? Botulinum toxin (Botox) is a chemical produced by bacterium clostridium botulinum. Botox is a protein derivative of the toxin which, when injected into the muscle, causes it to become weakened or inactivated. It stops the muscle from functioning by blocking neuromuscular transmission i.e. it stops the chemical messages from the nerve to the muscle.

and building trust. You should be able to walk in and feel confident that you are in safe hands and will leave having great looking results. We will not treat for treating sake. We want our clients to have realistic goals, natural-looking results and feel confident. Our follow-up service is available for all procedures.

What would you say to anyone wanting a procedure, but is too scared it might go wrong or be too permanent? Many people may have seen horror stories with celebrities. If you are thinking of having any type of cosmetic procedure please only use a What are dermal fillers? professional with appropriate Dermal fillers are injectable training and skills. Seek a free products either synthetic or consultation so you can be natural which are used to help fully informed as to what the restore volume or fill in various Nicola and Harnek procedures are, if they would lines around the face. They are be suitable for you and you injected under the skin to give get the results you want. We would also make a more youthful or enhanced look. suggestions as to what may work better for you. Quality dermal fillers and Botox are not Where are you based and why? permanent, and the results do wear off. If you We are based at The Cutting Company in use the right person you should be thrilled with Stamford; my brother James is married to the your results. Don’t just trust anyone - this is owners’( John and Karen) daughter Emma. your face after all. In aesthetics there is no such As a close family we chatted about our idea thing as ‘cheap’ - for quality products and to of having a clinic and John and Karen were ensure it is correctly administered you certainly encouraging, hence the offer to use their get what you pay for. beauty room. As an established business with a great reputation we were excited to have the Is there a worry that if you start having opportunity to base our business here. treatments you can’t stop? Do they wear off, how long do results last? What makes a good clinic and what’s your I think when clients see the results that can USP? be achieved they naturally want to continue A good clinic to us is all about the staff. Safe with treatments, however as results are and skilled practitioners that are friendly and non-permanent they can choose if they wish great at communicating, putting you at ease

STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2018

BEFORE

AFTER

to continue or not. Results of treatments do wear off and the timescale is variable between person to person. The lasting effect of Botox can take 4-10 days to take effect and movements can come back as early as 4 weeks however it could last for up to 12 weeks. We would not retreat with Botox within the 12-week window. Dermal fillers can last between 4-6 months. What would you do if you weren’t in medicine or aesthetics? Harnek would be a professional sportsman; he is a keen golfer. I think I would have been a horse groom - having had my own horses as a child it was always a passion but my vocation in nursing and midwifery was too strong not to pursue. Stamford Facial Aesthetics at The Cutting Company 6 Ironmonger St, Stamford PE9 1PL 07806 738863 For more information including prices please visit www.stamfordfacialaesthetics.co.uk

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

Explore a more confident you and enhance your natural beauty. Stamford's only registered nurse and doctor aesthetic practice exclusively at The Cutting Company. Experienced and trained in non-surgical cosmetic procedures. We offer free no obligation consultations and follow up appointments. Discover what Stamford Facial Aesthetics can do for you. Treatments include: Anti-wrinkle injections l Botox l Dermal Fillers l Lip Augmentation Brow Lift, Nefertiti Face Lift, Cheek Augmentation, Chin Correction & Treatment for Hyperhidrosis (underarm sweating). Fully insured. Adhering to high standards of infection control and health and safety standards to give you peace of mind and confidence. We look forward to welcoming you, taking the time to discuss the areas you wish to focus on, making an individualised treatment plan to make your skin look and feel more rejuvenated and increase your self confidence.

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Dr Britt Cordi is a local entrepreneur and founder of Britt’s Superfoods. Living on the Rutland/ Northamptonshire border with her husband Daniel and son Ralph, Britt divides her time between delivering inspirational health and wellbeing talks, supporting those with significant health needs and overseeing her successful business. Amander Meade finds out more.

Britt’s Superfoods

Can you tell us what led to the launch of the business? I have a PhD in molecular biology and nature conservation, and it was while I was studying for this that I discovered the incredible health benefits that wheatgrass juice can provide. Over the years, I worked for several nature conservation charities, but in the back of my mind I always knew that there was incredible opportunity in bringing fresh, organic wheatgrass juice to people. In 2009 I founded “LiveWheatgrass Ltd” (now rebranded as Britt’s Superfoods) with my husband Daniel, and our success grew from there. For me, there is nothing more rewarding than knowing you have made a difference to someone’s health and wellbeing, and, through my business as well as via delivering health talks around the world, I have been able to make my vision a reality. What inspired you to get started? The business idea was formed with the desire to care for my family and friends. My parents were ageing, and I had a close friend who was very unwell. I really wanted to be able to help them with the healing powers of fresh wheatgrass juice, but sourcing organic, raw, field-grown wheatgrass, not just the

STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2018

powdered form, proved impossible. Clearly there were a lot of people looking for the same kind of product, as within just an hour of launching our new business online we had our first orders. What makes you stand out from similar businesses? There are many variations of wheatgrass on the market – it’s even on supermarket shelves in powdered form – but we are the only company in the UK and mainland Europe that offers fresh, outdoor-grown wheatgrass juice. We are also proud to offer an entire collection of complementary SuperFood juices, some of which, such as our “Blended Green” juice, are entirely unique to us. These juices, which are made from the fruits of our Northamptonshire fields, are now also shipped globally – to countries including Denmark, Germany, Spain and the US. By harvesting, processing and then flash-freezing in a matter of hours, we lock in all of the essential nutrients, vitamins and enzymes that make wheatgrass a true superfood. We are so confident of the benefits of our wheatgrass juice that if a new customer doesn’t feel the benefits from daily use within a month, they will receive 110% of their money

back, which shows that we genuinely care about our clients and their wellbeing. What plans do you have for Britt’s Superfoods over the coming 12 months? Last April I was delighted to welcome two private investors on board, and this has really enabled us to take huge leaps forward as a business, propelling us into a more mainstream position in the market and allowing us to develop exciting new products. We’re also in the process of speaking to a number of professional ambassadors, who we will be working in partnership with to co-promote our businesses, so there are exciting times ahead.

OFFER: Britt would be delighted to offer Local Living readers an exclusive 15% discount off any order placed at www.brittsuperfoods.co.uk. Simply enter the code LOCALINTRO at the checkout before Friday 1 June 2018, and your order will be swiftly delivered to your door, enabling you to become the best possible version of yourself. Note that Britt’s Superfoods are also available at Fika, Mill Street, Oakham.

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PASSIONATE ABOUT PROPERTY

T: 01780 750000 E: info@goodwin property.co.uk

Independent property agents, Goodwin Property Services (Goodwins), have been around in Stamford for almost 40 years and deal with property of all shapes and sizes. They really are passionate about each and every aspect of the process of property sales and lettings.

Simon Burton

Jane Stocks

he team at Goodwins have been successfully selling and letting houses locally for the last four decades. Between the team there aren’t many scenarios or complications they haven’t encountered and conquered over the years, for which time and time again their clients have had cause to be extremely grateful. They certainly know the area incredibly well and constantly ﬁnd familiar faces returning for advice. Director, Simon Burton explains “Our team is very loyal and very local; some of the staff members have been here for many years and know the town and the people like the back of their hand. This local perspective affords our business great integration with the Stamford community - each of us have over the years built up a bond with many of our customers who include local business people and life-long Stamford residents. In fact, if we pop out for a sandwich, it can take us a little longer than we anticipate as we always run into someone we know en route and stop for a chat!” In an ever-changing marketplace where modern technology and methods pave the way for the future of the property industry, it is a real treat to visit a business which, whilst embracing the best of the new, still has a hint of tradition about it. “We are always alert to the fast pace in which our market is evolving, however we can’t express enough just how key it is for our customers to still have the personal, face-to-face element about the process which in a moment of stress or uncertainty

Andrea Bloodworth

Rebecca Collins

can prove invaluable. All of our customers past and new know they can come to our offices to sit and have a chat over a cup of tea anytime they like!” Handling the sale or lease of a property can seem so straightforward to the bystander but in truth it seems every scenario is different and there are numerous obstacles which can bring the process crashing to a halt. Goodwins value the expertise and diplomacy of their team above all else and it is this that provides the tools to navigate unanticipated hurdles and deal with the resulting negotiations or discussions effectively. “This is what often makes the difference between a completed transaction and the property going back on the market. Certainly with the unique nature of the properties in and around Stamford it isn’t always as straightforward as just filling a form in and signing a contract,” explains Simon. So much of the continued success of the Company relies on their collective past experiences, knowledge of numerous case precedents and a massive element of discretion and tact that must be employed when transacting between two parties in a contract. Simon draws the analogy of the work of an agency reminding him of the description of an iceberg where only a small fraction of what they actually do is visible to the naked eye: “Everything we do is always for the benefit of our clients but the bit they see is not really where all the hard work takes place. It’s the bits below

the surface - being diplomatic, problem solving, negotiating, reassuring etc. that’s where the real hard work is done and we pride ourselves that in this area we truly excel.” The business has been elected as the local Guild of Property Professionals member for its consistently high standards demonstrating that it is the leading independent agent in the area. The Guild, a National network of almost 800 ‘best in class’ independent property agents, allows the smaller more personal agents to have the reach of the larger chains whilst still retaining the elements that make them unique. To Goodwins’ clients this can add a layer of protection over and above the many other industry accreditations the company can boast, assuring all customers of the best possible level of professionalism at all times. Whatever your property needs why not give them a call on 01780 750000. 35

Animal Car Sickness -

unpleasant for your pet and you

Words & Photography: Zoe Noyes

RAVEL sickness in a pet might not be something you had ever thought of before and to be honest before we had a dog I would not have envisaged a pet getting anxious or indeed sick on a car journey, but it does happen. When Nutmeg was a puppy we bought a crate to place in the boot of the car (a hatch back or estate car and not a saloon) where we thought she would feel contained and safe during our journey to wherever we were travelling. But we were wrong! On one of our first journeys just half an hour down the road to attend puppy training, she was sick on arrival and even more so after the return journey when all the training and treating gave her a tummy full of cheese and treats to promptly bring back up again. We soon learnt that any type of food within an hour or so before travelling was to be avoided at all costs. We tried having the crate secured on the back seat and putting a blanket over it but that didn’t work either and regardless of whether the blanket was keeping her in the dark or not she never seemed to relax or sit down. It was then that we sought the advice from the local owner of Pets Korner in Stamford where he recommended a spray which could be rubbed onto her chest and lightly sprayed over her bedding within the crate to help calm her down a little, and possibly help with her owner’s anxieties (i.e. me) when worried about how poorly her travelling canine companion was feeling. The spray was called Pet Remedy and had reportedly helped a number of creatures great and small that he knew of and so we decided to give it a go. Over which are specifically for dogs but only available on prescription. These the past few years we have regularly used it for longer car journeys are used to help alleviate the anxiety and sickness for your pet and to be and it seems to have had a positive effect albeit not 100%. This is until taken about half an hour before the travel will take place, which might recently when she has started to be ill again and this time sick as soon help encourage a more positive start to a journey. Whatever might help, as the car stops and in turn the ‘motion’ which creates the sickness. I say it’s worth a try, Having said this, once she is out of the car she is particularly when we bouncing around like nothing has happened and back to like to take our canine her normal self. friend with us for short Many of you will empathise with this nausea and • Try to have your pet facing forwards or at least being holidays and breaks in may have suffered with car sickness as a child or adult able to see out - but always use a special dog seatbelt the UK. and know what a horrid experience it can be. A recent on the back seat as you must ensure your dog is safely It should be noted episode led us to seek advice from our vet at Burghley restrained in case of accident. This is now law! that should you use Veterinary Centre on St Leonard’s Street who I have to • Have a window open slightly to equalise the air any medication or say are a fabulous practice and all of the staff there are pressure in the car. spray on your pet, you always friendly and welcoming and equally so to human • Take regular breaks every hour or so and let the dog should always seek and animal. On a recent routine check-up for Nutmeg I out on a lead to stretch his/her legs and remove any the advice of your vet enquired about travel sickness prevention and we were slight traces of motion sickness. before using it. recommended a brand of travel sickness type tablets

Other things that can help are:

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MAY & JUNE OFFERS £10 OFF ALL DOG VACCINES (first courses and booster)

What makes us different Guaranteed same-day appointment for any pet if the owner thinks it is needed We offer Deferred Payment Plans for those unexpected expensive procedures with no interest and no fees Owners can stay with their pets while sedated before routine operations We offer and encourage open visiting for hospitalised patients during opening hours

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A mix of culture, gastronomy and bon vivant!

Victoria’s Social Scene I

T’S not every day that a local chap brings home a BAFTA as well as an Academy Award! So this month will be dedicated primarily to the highly acclaimed David Malinowski. As an avid film goer, there is no greater moment than being invited to meet and interview an artist who has been recognised by their peers for their outstanding contribution to a successful project. New College Stamford had kindly invited Stamford Living to interview their alumni, David, who studied media makeup there prior to pursuing a career which spans TV shows such as London’s Burning and Casualty to ten years at the esteemed Madame Tussauds. David now runs his own special effects company ADT Creations www.atdcreations.com and has worked on films such as: Harry Potter, The Revenant, Fantastic Beasts and The Iron Lady. However, the film which surely now landmarks David’s sensational career is Darkest Hour starring Gary Oldman as Sir Winston Churchill. David was awarded his 2018 Oscar for ‘Best Makeup and hairstyling’ in a job that required him to apply fresh prosthetics to Gary Oldham, over 60 times! New College Stamford hosted the most fabulous morning to showcase David’s path to success. David spoke about how his ambitions to work at Fairline were diverted when he saw that New College were offering the course he had always wanted to study and his dad bought his first ‘tool kit’ which he put to good use. The advice David modestly shared was to ‘make yourself employable, be nice to people so that they request to work with you again’. When asked about his subjects, David shared that many actors dislike the making up process. He humorously elaborated with, ‘it could be that they do not like the time it takes, the feel of the makeup on their skin, the lighting required for lengthy periods of time...they may not like you!’ (Which received lots of 38

STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2018

laughs!) David and Gary Oldman clearly have a very good relationship and work collaboratively to ensure the desired results are achieved. David recounted how easy Gary is to work on as he is relaxed, tolerant and is able to enjoy the process (for further proof you may wish to see the behind the scenes clip of Gary dancing to James Brown which went viral on YouTube www.youtube.com/ watch?v=eg0O8CVGySo) Other actors who clearly delight in seeing the fruits of David’s labour are Simon Pegg, Emma Thompson and Orlando Bloom. It is clear from David’s generosity that he wishes to share this monumental moment with as many people as possible and his story is one which will inspire many for years to come. A terrific moment with David was discussing interview questions, he said, ‘I always encourage people to ask whichever question they REALLY want to ask, there is nothing worse than leaving a room and thinking “I wish I had asked THAT question!”’ Another superb piece of advice which echoes the Dead Poets Academy mantra ‘Carpe diem’ (Academy Awards 1990). Thank you so much David, the pleasure was ours! Whilst on the subject of recognising brilliance…this month’s ‘Instagram Oscar’ has to go to Tracey Hook @traceh78 with this stunning shot. I am sure you will agree that Tracey’s image is simply breathtaking and along with her beautiful portfolio captures Stamford at it’s finest. Moving slightly further a field, this month’s ‘Village Oscar’ is awarded to the unassuming and truly wonderful, Braceborough! Famed for its lucky pot nights and embracing community spirit, this image from Paul Morriss symbolises the warm and brilliant camaraderie of the Braceborough residents.

Empingham Road, Stamford £375,000

Set within close proximity to the town centre, this detached Victorian home offers spacious rooms set over three floors. The large lounge diner with wood burner leads on to the well presented kitchen which features a butler sink and five ring gas hob. On the first floor is a good sized double Master bedroom and stylish bathroom with walk-in shower and roll top bath. The top floor features another double bedroom with superb views over Stamford. To the exterior of the property is an enclosed and private walled courtyard. This stylish and individual period property is truly unique and comes with a wealth of character all within touching distance of the town centre. There is also easy access to the Stamford train station, A1 and Waitrose.

School Lane, Uffington £599,995

Located in this popular Lincolnshire village not far from the market town of Stamford, this detached family home is set on a generous plot with church views. The property comes with a stylish open plan kitchen diner with garden room that has a lantern style roof and bi-fold doors that open onto the garden. There are three reception rooms as well as a cloakroom and utility on the ground, whilst to the first floor are four double bedrooms, with the dual aspect Master being very spacious, Guest with en-suite and family bathroom. With the property being set back from the road, there is a good sized driveway, whilst to the rear is a spacious west facing patio and lawn garden with superb views of the church. Viewing is highly recommended in order to appreciate the spacious and versatile family accommodation on offer. 3 star lane, stamford, lincolnshire, pe9 1ph | 01780 754737 | www.sowdenwallis.co.uk | info@sowdenwallis.co.uk @sowdenwallis

sowdenwallis

Salvage style

Antiques and vintage pieces aren’t just for interiors. They work beautifully in the garden, adding character and a focal point. You might choose a gorgeous verdigris copper pot repurposed into a planter and filled with white violas, or an ornate wire plant stand to create a vertical garden full of colourful pots. Recently, I visited Rutland Garden Classics near Oakham where there is a plentiful and varied stock of reclaimed items such as statues, stone troughs, zinc tubs and baths, urns, plant stands, old signs and metal garden seats, benches and tables. Prices start at just a few pounds for aged terracotta flower pots. Allow plenty of rummaging time, as the area is packed with finds. Here are some ways to use your vintage buys: • An old bookcase can be repainted and transformed into a ‘theatre’ in which to display pots of auriculas. The neat, button-shaped blooms come in a variety of bold colours and look good displayed in groups (border auriculas are the easiest type to grow). The shelf will provide some shelter, which is handy as these plants prefer to be slightly shaded. • An old Victorian or Edwardian metal garden seat is worth investing in as it can be used to create a unique focal point in the garden. Position it at the end of a path, for example, so that it draws the eye. • You can plant up almost any container, so long as it has drainage holes (you can easily drill some). Fun examples include an old French horn planted with trailing lobelia or nasturtiums. Or find some rusty vintage tins with interesting graphics, punch some holes in the bottom and add colourful, inexpensive bedding plants such as petunias to make a seasonal display. • Old sieves and colanders make excellent planters because they already have drainage holes! Again, trailing or climbing plants work well in these – bacopa is a good choice. You will need to keep the soil well hydrated in dry spells. Rutland Garden Classics, Rutland Village, Ashwell Rd, Oakham LE15 7QN www.rutlandgardenclassics.co.uk Tel: 01572 720070

OUTDOOR Living WORDS: FIONA CUMBERPATCH

QUICK MAKE Little Book of Leaves This is a simple project to try with children to help them (and you!) identify the leaves from different trees.

Plant some herbs

According to a 2018 garden trends report from Wyevale Garden Centres, sales of herbs have soared in the last five years, increasing by a fifth. It’s not surprising as herbs are so straightforward to grow in any sized garden, and there’s nothing nicer than snipping a handful of your own to add to a salad or a cocktail. Herbs look super- stylish in a raised bed, and the advantage of this is that you can grow them on the patio, so they are handy for use when you’re entertaining. Small raised bed kits are widely available from garden centres, or you can create an instant one using an old drawer or wooden box. All my herb plants come from Stamford market. A useful selection includes rosemary for barbecue marinades, lemon thyme, for adding to cocktails, chives to snip over salads, and lemon balm to make a soothing tea or infusion.

Growing in my garden now

Hardy geraniums, also known as cranesbill, are garden superstars. They form masses of colour, spreading to fill borders without taking over. For a sunny position, try blue ‘Bill Wallis,’ which is drought tolerant, and will grow around knee high. For a variety which will tolerate part shade, go for deep pink ‘Ann Folkard,’ which you can put under shrubs or trees. Try Rutland Garden Centre or Stamford Garden Centre and plant out now.

STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2018

You need: • A selection of leaves from different trees • Some heavy books or a flower press • Thick watercolour paper (Colemans sells this by the sheet) • Acrylic paints • Brush or roller 1. Gather a selection of leaves in different shapes and sizes. 2. Press them for a couple of days, either between some heavy books, or put in a simple flower press. 3. Make a folded book by cutting a strip of thick watercolour paper, and folding it up, concertina-style, to create six or eight ‘pages.’ 4. When the leaves are pressed flat, put them on a piece of newspaper. Apply a thin layer of acrylic paint either using a paint brush or a roller (this can get messy!). Choose different colours, not just green. 5. Press a different leaf on to each ‘page’ of the book, smoothing it down. When dry, label each leaf.

Garden Inspiration! Don’t miss the village of Northborough’s open gardens event on May 28, 1pm -5pm. Combine a stroll around some delightful gardens on the Cambridgeshire/Lincolnshire border, with tea and cake in the church, and browse the plant stall. Programmes cost £4, children are free. All proceeds to St Andrew’s Church.

READY TO SELL YOUR HOME THIS SPRING? Moores are the region’s premier Estate Agency with hundreds of registered buyers waiting to be paired with their ideal property. Why not use Moores’ discreet marketing service to find the perfect buyer for your home? With over 70% of their buyers coming from out of this area, Moores have developed an innovative and highly effective strategy to ensure buyers from London and the South East can easily view homes that match their wish list. With Moores’ property matching service there really is nothing to lose!

EXPERTISE WITH A DISCREET APPROACH If you prefer to keep your plans a little more confidential, Moores have an extensive portfolio of buyers ready and waiting to view properties so vendors can achieve a swift sale with no ‘For Sale’ board or press marketing. The property matching team will introduce your home to serious buyers allowing you to test the water discreetly when the time is right for you. 40% of our sales now happen this way. SPREADING THE WORD With buyers no longer relying on traditional methods or endless on line sites to find their ideal home, Moores have developed new ways to reach them. With two brand new platform offices in Grantham and Peterborough as well as close partnerships with agents in London and the South East, Moores have made it easier than ever for buyers to find out about homes in this region as

well as the fantastic lifestyle opportunities available within an hour of the capital. FROM PLATFORM TO PROPERTY – MOORES MAKE IT EASY Methods of reaching potential buyers may be changing but traditional expertise and detailed regional knowledge never go out of style. The Moores Country and Commuting teams use their property matching skills to arrange viewings for visiting buyers who are collected on arrival and chauffeured to view properties chosen according to their specification. INTERESTED IN FINDING OUT MORE? Demand is high for homes of all kinds so act now to find out what your property could be worth by calling for a no obligation valuation and to hear how your home can be included in one of our Property Road Shows or included in one of our exhibitions planned for Kings Cross in May.

Tel: 01572 757979 Oakham • Tel: 01572 821935 Uppingham • Tel: 01780 484555 Stamford • Tel: 01664 491610 Melton • Tel: 01476 855618 Grantham Tel: 01733 788888 Peterborough www.mooresestateagents.com INTERESTED IN SELLING YOUR HOME FOR THE BEST PRICE? REGISTER WITH MOORES TODAY

Ask Leo

Stamford Bathing Places A reader drew the attention of Ask Leo to this 1901 poster in the bar of The White Hart in Ufford which has inspired them to find out about bathing in Stamford.

RIVER BATHING PLACES

Children Playing in Gypsy Meadow

EVERAL spots on both the River Welland running through the town from west to east and the River Guash (aka River Gwash) running south from Ryhall through Newstead to join the Welland seem to have attracted bathers and still do so. Many Stamfordians remember bathing to the east of the town by Gypsy Meadow and the weir at Tolethorpe as well as where the river runs through the Meadows. Swimming is still permitted in these rivers except within 100 metres of sluices and other hazards. In the middle of the 19th century the places particularly mentioned were Whitewater and Cow Holme. Whitewater may have been the name of the part of the Welland east of the Town Bridge, past Paradise Bridge and Cherryholt Road where the river is almost straight giving a long stretch suitable for longer distance swimming. Nowhere else had the 400 yards necessary for some of the swimming entertainments that took place. In the 1880s these attracted swimmers from quite a wide area and included a ladies’ race. They would not have met modern health and safety requirements with spectators crowded along the banks. In 1882 Mr Wilson, a grocer, was watching from the Great Northern railway sidings on the south of the river when he was caught by a truck and knocked down the embankment. Other spectators managed to catch hold of him just before he went into the river. More recently (in the mid 20thC) a reader remembers that in the second Meadow, west of the town where the river turns south, there was a rope stretched across the Welland attached to a tree. “The idea was to swing across the river and back again, which my sisters accomplished with ease. I tried to follow suit, but let go half way across, dropping into 42

STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2018

the deepest part. I could not swim! But my sister rescued me, so I am still here to tell the tale.” This was probably at the spot known as Cow Holme where it is believed the photograph below was taken. It was long used for bathing and was the first home of the Stamford Swimming Club.

Stamford Swimming Club In 1893 a Committee was appointed by the Council to formulate a plan for the approval of the Freemen to provide a proper bathing place on the Welland. The aim was to promote swimming and ‘other aquatic exercises’ and provide a clean and decent spot for bathers. In order to provide this, it was decided to set up a swimming club which would make and enforce regulations. There had been an official bathing place at Cow Stamford Bathing Place

Holme before but according to the Chairman of the new Club it had been filthy in the past and a boarded screen with seats had been appropriated for firewood. On another occasion a snake, 2 feet 9 inches long was caught there. Fund-raising events were held in the town and the Club was established the next year. The prime movers were Mr R H Cust, cousin of Stamford’s MP and Mr H P Walker supported by other prominent townsmen including teachers at the town’s schools. The first Aquatic Sports of the new club were held in 1895 and were a great success. In the next few years a variety of entertainments were added to the agenda. A ‘drowning lady’ was rescued with much splashing and shouting, there were tub races and at the 1901 Sports, advertised on the poster above, a greasy pole and duck hunting. A Band was usually engaged to play for these events although one year an unfortunate bandsman fell in the river together with his instrument. In later years improvements were made by the club to provide a longer course and a diving area. In the early 20thC noted swimmers would attend and take part and there were swimming and diving exhibitions. In due course the Club led the initiative to provide a proper pool and later a covered pool.

Indecency and Vandalism The problem of the decency - or indecency - of the bathers was a recurrent one. Passers-by on the footpaths reported that ‘wilfully indecent conduct was an annoyance’. The police were instructed to keep an eye out for indecent exposure and take action when necessary. It was suggested that the Town Council construct fencing around the bathing places, but they declined on the grounds that they hadn’t the power or the means to protect such fencing against vandalism. To compel order and prevent indecency were amongst the main aims of the Swimming Club but despite monitoring their bathing-place they frequently complained of vandalism. Damage was done to changing

places and no sooner had they supplied lifebuoys than they disappeared. In 1898 the annual meeting was told that ‘youths who are not members of the club’ used the site to meet on a Sunday, stole one lifebuoy and damaged the other. The question of indecency was addressed again in 1909 when a general bye-law headed ‘Indecent Bathing’, stated that “No person shall within 100 yards of any street, unless effectually screened from view, bathe from the bank or strand of any water, or from any boat thereon, without wearing a dress or covering sufficient to prevent exposure of the person.” Presumably this still applies.

On May 1st, 1913 the Mayor and Council processed from the Town Hall to the new pool for the formal opening. The cost had been £900. The Sports that year included high diving, female races and water polo. One of the major winners was E S S Bowman, later to be Mayor of Stamford.

SWIMMING POOLS

t the Swimming Club Dinner in 1902, the Chairman proposed that to celebrate the coronation year the town should sell its silver mace to provide swimming baths in the town. The Vice-Chair, clearly more realistic, pointed out it was unlikely the Council would part with it - nor did they! By 1910 however the Club were in discussion with the Council about the need for proper swimming baths. They pointed out that many young boys were learning to swim and there should be a place where ‘on certain days with absolute privacy’ girls could also learn. A covered pool at the corner of Castle Dyke & Bath Row was considered but proved to be too expensive. Another option rejected was an open swimming bath on Water Furlong opposite the Freeman’s Meadows

First Public Bathing Pool The actual site chosen was on the south side of the river near the George Hotel (now part of the Cattle Market car park). On May 1st, 1913 the Mayor and Council processed from the Town Hall to the new pool for the formal opening. The cost had been £900. The Sports that year included high diving, female races and water polo. One of the major winners was E S S Bowman, later to be Mayor of Stamford. For many years this pool provided for the needs of the Swimming Club, the schools and the general public. Subsequent alterations provided three pools on the site: a big one, a smaller one

Other Pools

School Gala

and a paddling pool with a fountain. Generations of Stamfordians have happy memories of time spent at this swimming pool although it was never covered and could be bitterly cold even in midsummer. They remember the superintendents with affection particularly Mr Wilson and Mr Wade who were both in office for many years. There were colourful wooden changing cubicles and spectators could hire deckchairs. Towels were also available for rent and there was a mangle to squeeze out wet costumes. A shop provided swimmers and spectators with drinks and sweets to purchase. The pool was open at 7.30am from late April until the end of September. Swimming lessons were usually given early in the day. Under 14s had to leave by 6pm but the pool remained open for adults into the evening. On Sundays the hours were reduced although it was still open in the early morning and in the afternoon. Season tickets were available making it cheap entertainment for the summer holidays. Sometimes there were queues waiting to get in.

Since the first was constructed, there have been a number of other pools in the town. Some schools were able to provide their own and Stamford School’s memorial for their old boys killed in World War 2 was an open-air pool built in 1956. The first covered pool in Stamford was built ten years later for the High School. Nostalgia was rife when the covered and heated Leisure Pool on Drift Road replaced the old open-air pool in 1988. The same was probably true when the Endowed Schools Sports Centre, with its 25m pool, fitness suite and gymnasium, opened in 2012. But undoubtedly, these are very clean and decent pools - and there are no snakes! Endowed School

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

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A liTtlE DOinG If you go down to Fineshade Woods today you might get a big surprise… Because you never know if the Highway Rat might just appear in your path. Grab an activity pack from the welcome desk for just £3, follow the signs and complete the activities along the trail. Toby loved donning his mask from the pack and spotting the characters from the book, which is currently our bedtime favourite. This is a fab place to visit with youngsters as there are play areas, cycle hire (with trailer bikes), lots of woodland walks and a great café with child-friendly facilities. The Highway Rat Trail is on throughout the summer until October and look out for the Gruffalo Orienteering Trail which is also available at Fineshade Woods. www.forestry.gov.uk/toplodge

We are very excited about the open day at the Exotic Pet Refuge on Sunday 20 May. The sanctuary in Deeping St James only opens to the public a few days a year. It’s a great event for animal lovers like Freya, with a chance to see some of the over 250 exotic pets and animals which are cared for there and to help the refuge continue its work. Refreshments and entertainment are available. Open 10am - 5pm. Entry is £3 per child and £6 for adults. www.exoticpetrefuge.org.uk, 01778 345 923

A very mucky date for the diary is 12 May and it’s a big one! Think inflatable hurdles, water cannons and crawling through muddy bogs and you are starting to get an idea of what’s in store at the Rat Race Dirty Weekend at Burghley. The Young Mucker is the fun-size version of the world’s biggest assault course, designed for 8-15 year-olds with an option of racing 3km or 6km. Entry on the day is £35 including a charity donation to Children With Cancer UK, a race tech T-shirt, finisher medal and refreshments at the end. The whole family can get involved with this one as there’s a half and full mucker for the adults if you’re game! There’s a huge after party at the end of the day but younger ones might want to collapse in a heap rather than rave to the Ministry of Sound DJs. Parents: be ready for the heavy-soil setting on the washing machine! For times and extra info check out: ratrace.com/dirtyweekend2018

LIttLe livIng

With warmer weather, Louise Goss and her little helpers, Toby and Freya, go in search of outdoor adventures, woodland walks and a few animals – both real and fiction.

A liTtlE TReaSurE HUntIng

A liTtlE BUyiNg

If you want to explore Stamford with a bit of a difference, one activity which gets the whole family out together is a Treasure Trail. The Stamford Treasure Trail is a self-guided, themed walking trail with a mission: solve the clues and find the where the treasure is hidden. It’s a fun and imaginative way to get outdoors, and discover new sights and facts about the town. The route takes you past many of Stamford’s historic sights and is ideal for school-age children upwards. A great idea for the May bank holidays. You can purchase a treasure trail to download or order a hard copy from: www.treasuretrails.co.uk

We are a bit dinosaur mad in our house at the moment so this Frugi dino sun hat will probably find its way onto Toby’s head this summer. The hat (aptly named the Toby hat) is available at Marcia May Mini on St Mary’s Street and they have several designs and styles in store now priced from £9.50 upwards. Now let’s hope we get plenty of summer weather to wear them! Marcia May Mini, 01780 754400

STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2018

LIttLe livIng vIn vI Ing ng When you feel like broadening your horizons or just getting away from the routine, there are some fantastic trips that can easily be done there and back in a day. Louise Goss takes Toby and Freya to explore… STANWICK LAKES

! y A y aw

ITHIN an hour’s drive, a few miles south of Kettering or Thrapston off the A45, you have Stanwick Lakes. With its numerous walks, playground, indoor play area, scenery, wildlife and family-friendly café, you have the ingredients for a full and fun family day out. Stanwick Lakes is a 750-acre nature reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest, which means it is a haven for wildlife, particularly birds. For the grownups there are some really pleasant walks surrounded by nature, for the children, lots of space to run around, paths to explore and areas to discover and let off steam. There are plenty of trails to choose from. The Adventure Trail is a scenic walk with some fun play equipment breaking up the route. Toby had great fun mastering the over-water rope bridge. Close to the visitor centre is a smaller Sculpture Trail with some eye-catching sculptures that younger ones will enjoy, and if you pick up a Heritage Pack from the shop, you can explore the Heritage Trail and see the site of an original Iron Age settlement among other fascinating things. Everyone’s out walking, running or cycling here and the walkways around the lakes are all pushchair friendly. Toby loved taking his scooter for a zip around and cycle hire is available at weekends and during school holidays until November. The main attraction for our two was the adventure playground: a large, sandy area with lots of slides, raised walkways, climbing nets and swings. It kept them entertained for a good while and Freya loved all the places to hide! Also worth a look is the Discovery Zone for some history on Stanwick Lakes and lots of well-designed information boards, feely boxes and engrossing activities for the children.

EVenTs

FoOd DIY options include barbecues and picnics. If you want to eat al fresco, there is a designated barbecue spot behind the playground and there are picnic tables and grassy spaces dotted about. A refreshment kiosk is open during weekends and holidays. We ate in Café Solar in the visitor centre. You can grab a fun children’s lunch box and fill it with items such as sandwiches, cheese, yogurts, fruit and snack bars, which went down a treat here. One place both Toby and Freya loved was the indoor Hideaway next to the café – perfect if it starts to rain or you want to finish your coffee in peace while the kids burn off more energy. There are ride-on toys, slides, a ball pit and dress-up to keep them occupied.

STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2018

If you want to tie your visit in with a special event, check these out in May: • Movie Mania Family Fun Day on Sunday 13 May for photo opportunities, workshops, crafts and characters from movies such as Lord of the Rings and Pirates of the Caribbean. • Big Chef Little Chef (parents and preschoolers) on Friday 25 May for fun in the kitchen. • Stanwick Bakes for messy baking fun for kids in drop off session on Saturday 26 May. Check out the what’s on page of the website for more details and other events. Facilities include: • Large car park • Indoor and outdoor play areas • Assault course

• Lakeside walks pushchair friendly • Café offering children’s meals • Barbecue area and picnic spaces • Cycle hire • Bird watching • Shop with great gift ideas THINGS TO NOTE: No cost to enter or use the site but there is a parking charge. Events may incur an extra charge and booking usually required. If it has been wet, the slides become water slides and the car park can get muddy - bring wellies! www.stanwicklakes.org.uk

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EDITH WESTON ACADEMY

Edith Weston Academy, part of the successful Brooke Hill Multi-Academy Trust, overlooks the picturesque south shore of Rutland Water.

he serene sense of calm provided by the quaint surroundings seems to pervade the walls of the school itself; however, it is clear that there is an underlying sense of drive and purpose amongst the staff and the pupils. Executive Headteacher Sharon Milner said, ‘We have high expectations at Edith Weston – we want every single child to be the very best they can be and to develop a love for learning’.

Whilst recognising the importance of high academic attainment and progress, Edith Weston offers pupils opportunities to pursue their individual interests both in and outside the classroom. The awarding of a Gold Sports Mark and the opening of an on-site swimming pool is testament to the school’s commitment to sport. The Arts play a key role in school life too; Mrs Milner and Head of School Mrs Louise Pettman both beam with pride as they tell us about In November 2017 the school was rated Good the children’s participation in the Spotlight in all areas by Ofsted, who highlighted the Dance competition at Stamford’s Corn children’s positive attitudes towards learning, Exchange Theatre, and the regional Young and strong and ambitious leadership. They Voices project. The school also embraces also recognised the committed and skilled its stunning natural surroundings, team of teaching staff, who work hard to undertaking a number of tasks in the deliver exciting and inspiring learning school’s woodland area, as well as enjoying opportunities. Staff and pupils benefit from sailing lessons on Rutland Water. the school’s commitment to small class sizes in order to meet the needs of every child. From the age of two children are able to Being part of the Multi-Academy Trust brings attend the school’s Little Ospreys nursery, advantages for each school, including joint a vibrant and nurturing environment that residential trips, collective themed days with aims to help children discover a sense external visitors, and a comprehensive gifted of independence and a love for learning and talented programme to ensure all pupils through play. can reach their full potential.

Located close to the St George’s army barracks in North Luffenham, the school has worked hard to create a welcoming environment for local families and new arrivals, creating a close-knit community. All parents show great appreciation for the work the school has done to foster a sense of togetherness, commenting that they are made to feel part of the wider school community, and the school do as much as possible to help them. A breakfast club and wide range of afterschool clubs offer extra support for those with work responsibilities. The wider community are invited to attend swimming lessons at the school, including the popular Parent and Toddler sessions. The pool can also be hired for parties. It’s refreshing to see that, in amongst all the statistics and league tables, Edith Weston Academy is still putting children at the heart of everything it does.

Visits to the school are welcome. Please contact the school office on 01780 72 0025 or visit the school website www.edithwestonp rimary.co.uk

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Jess Lamb takes a look round some local businesses

The Best of Local Business! The Stonemasonry Company This month, I discovered that there is something rather magical happening on the outskirts of Rutland … in a workshop tucked away just outside Wymondham, The Stonemasonry Company are creating mind-blowing pieces of stonework which take centre stage in incredible properties around the world. Founded by partners Paul Teillant and Alex Bertrand in 2008, the company specialises in bespoke, solid stone staircases hand-carved from limestone. They are the experts in a complicated, technical technique called post-tensioning, where the staircase is designed to appear completely self-supporting. They ‘literally appear to fly through the air’, comments Paul – a construction which is no mean feat when working with vast quantities of solid stone! Since 2008, the business has thrived in their highly niche market and now creates stunning stone staircases for properties all around the world, from Hambleton to London, St Tropez and Turkey! They source the highest quality materials from quarries in France and Portugal, as well as using English stone from our very own Ketton. Paul, Alex and the entire team pride themselves on the highest of professional standards and their minute attention to every detail is evident everywhere, from the most orderly workshop I’ve ever seen (Paul admits he is ‘extremely proud’ of their meticulous work environment) to the quality of the finished pieces. Each individual step is hand carved by masons to an incredibly high spec and can take up to two days to complete. It is clear that The Stonemasonry Company take immense pride in what they do, and their conscientious, professional approach has brought them great success. Since their inception, the team has grown from three to nearly 30 talented people, their skills are in demand worldwide and their current premises is bursting at the seams. This warm, welcoming and brilliant business clearly have a bright future ahead, and I left their offices wondering if there was any possible way of fitting an enormous, self-supporting stone staircase into my tiny kitchen … www.thestonemasonrycompany.co.uk 01476 247049

The Hub

Business EQ

We all know that Stamford is home to an impressive number of independent businesses and exciting entrepreneurs … and with so many people working from home, the Hub is a fantastic co-working environment designed to support our local economy. The former social club is located in the heart of Stamford and was transformed in 2013 by co-founders Fred Soneya and Scott Weavers-Wright, who were looking to create a dynamic, collaborative coworking space. ‘We wanted to support local business and create a place where everyone can come and work’ says Fred, ‘the building was completely gutted to create an exciting environment’. It’s also possible to network with others, providing a fantastic platform for making new professional connections. The Hub is light, bright and beautiful, providing all the usual office resources such as printers and screens, as well as unlimited tea and coffee … and I even caught a glimpse of a fridge overflowing with wine and beer. My kind of place! Hot desks start at £20 per day (+VAT) and can be reserved online. The Hub, Blackfriars Street, Stamford PE9 2BW www.haatch.com/desks 01780 408487

Tracey Finlay is certainly a force to be reckoned with. The dynamic founder of Business EQ is on a onewoman mission to revolutionise the way that businesses work and how they interact with their customers. ‘I love being disruptive!’ she says, and it’s clear that her energetic approach is paying off. A native Stamfordian, Tracey spent 25 years getting to grips with every aspect of the corporate world before deciding that she wanted to escape the 9-5 and put her energy and passion into something more meaningful. Officially speaking, Tracey focuses on helping business to improve elements such as customer experience and employee engagement. However, it soon becomes clear that what she does really is so much more than this. ‘My whole world is like a big social experiment’, she laughs, ‘and I am passionate about reaching out to businesses and helping them communicate, both with each other and the customer!’ Her passion (one of many) is offering small businesses ‘human’ and insightful solutions to get the very best from their staff, as well as leaving their customers with a smile on their faces. And it doesn’t stop there. Tracey is on a quest to communicate her insight and beliefs to a wider audience, and runs a brilliant blog on her website covering all manner of topics from social media and customer loyalty to how to write an outstanding CV. I was absolutely blown away by Tracey’s openness, energy, and absolute dedication to what she does – if your business is looking for guidance, then look no further. I’ve found the answer, and it’s Business EQ! www.business-eq.co.uk sayhello@business-eq.co.uk STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2018

Clare Peel talked to Tim Walker, owner of Walkers Bookshops and major advocate of promoting children’s literacy

Tim Walker Can we start with a little background to the business? Yes, my father opened the Oakham shop in 1972 and Stamford followed in 1978. I’m a born-andbred Rutlander and grew up in the business, so for me it’s a way of life. I started working in the shop when I was 12, which gave me an excellent grounding in bookselling and especially in customer service – something that we try hard to get right at Walkers. It was a very natural progression to develop this into a career. How do you choose which titles to stock? I do the buying and so get the great job of choosing which books to pile on our display tables in store. There are 1.2 million titles in print and sadly this needs to be whittled down to the 7,500 that we keep in stock at any one time. I follow national trends (recent ones of these have included mindfulness, adult colouring books and, currently, gin) and keep up to date with what key authors are doing to make sure that our offering is bang up to date and reflects the very best of what’s available. The two stores carry a similar stock range, although Stamford does have room for a couple of thousand more books than Oakham – there’s no big difference in terms of favourite categories in each of the two branches. The staff at Walkers are very happy to order titles in for customers, with over 300,000 available for collection the next working day. Just pop in, call or email the store, and we’ll be delighted to help. What is your approach to local authors? We always try to support local authors where we can and we’re always keen to increase our stock of local-interest books – good new books on Rutland or Stamford are extremely popular. The book world has seen enormous changes in the last decade or so, with the death of the printed book long being predicted. Recently, however, a number of reports have indicated that printed books are enjoying a resurgence. What is your take on this?

PORTRAITS: ELLI DEAN

I think there’ll always be a place in the market for e-books, but for now their initial newness, combined with how long we are all spending on screens, has meant that their popularity has fallen away somewhat. For many people there is still something unbeatably appealing about the physicality of the printed book. What about the battle between online retailers and high-street bookshops? I think that shopping online is great if you know what you want, but one of the strengths of the high-street bookshop is that there’s great joy in just pottering around, discovering something unexpected and wonderful tucked away on the open shelves. From 2014 until 2016 Tim was President of the Booksellers’ Association. I ask about how that impacted on his own business. It gave me a unique overview of the book trade both here and internationally, which has been invaluable with respect to Walkers, even down to the subtlest details, such as how the shops are lit for maximum customer retail experience and many of those little things that the customer will take for granted if they hit the spot.

Are there any titles that look set to be big this year? One book that stands out as having been a surprise hit so far has been the much publicised one about Donald Trump, the fast-selling “Fire and Fury” by Michael Wolff. That one’s selling very well in both Oakham and Stamford and has caught us by surprise! Finally, let’s talk about improving children’s literacy This is a topic very dear to my heart. I think improving literacy among youngsters is one of the most important things that we can do for them. It’s vital to encourage reluctant readers to pick up books to read. If a child doesn’t like reading a book, it simply means they’re reading the wrong thing. Being able to read is the gatekeeper to everything. The World Book Day, which takes place in the spring each year, is a vital part of this as it includes a free voucher for every child of school age towards the purchase of a book. Walkers branches are at 27 High Street, Oakham, 01572 723957, and 10 High Street, Stamford, 01780 764405, www.walkersbookshops.co.uk STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2018

Village shops:

use them or lose them Deborah Pennell travels around the area to meet owners and volunteers at some of our wonderful village shops and looks at the important role they play in the local community. PHOTOGRAPHY: ELLI DEAN AND DEBORAH PENNELL

VILLAGE shop plays a key part in village life: somewhere to buy store cupboard ingredients and everyday necessities, a place to chat and to meet people, and somewhere to keep an eye on others who may need to be cared for within the community. The reality is that if those of us who live in outlying villages do not use these shops, we will lose them, and our community life will be poorer as a result. Visit your village shop and you are guaranteed a friendly, helpful, personal service – many can order in produce from local suppliers, and some provide a delivery service to the elderly and less mobile within the community. Fresh fruit and vegetables come straight from local wholesale markets, and prices on most lines compare favourably with those of the large supermarket chains. While visiting so many village shops I completed a price comparison on essential basics such as bread, milk, butter and jam – the results were interesting. Village shops will never manage to compete on milk price (milk in supermarkets is generally sold as a loss leader, as they hope to gain an uplift on other products purchased), but with most other essentials you may only find a five or ten pence difference per item. When you work out the cost of catching the bus or driving into your local town, this means that prices are generally very comparable, if not the same, and sometimes cheaper!

B Barbara’s Store, Empingham

This family-run store has all the charm of your traditional village shop. Barbara Prior set up Barbara’s Store in 1968, moving to the current site in 1972. In the last six years, her son Martyn, and daughter Wendy have taken over the day-to-day running of the business, with Barbara and husband Rodney continuing to help behind the scenes. Employees/volunteers: Martyn and Wendy, Barbara and a number of paperboys. Best-selling products: newspapers, sandwiches, bagged penny sweets and lunch items. Local products stocked: Askers bread, Grasmere Farm meat, Grainstore beer, local honey, organic Welton Farm eggs. Most random stock item: packs of screws. Ways of promoting the shop: a sign on the main road (A606) and word of mouth.

B The Shop – Barrowden & Wakerley Community

The Barrowden and Wakerley community-run village shop opened in August 2009. Barrowden previously had a shop attached to a private house in another part of the village, but, when the old lady there died, the house was put up for sale. I met Sheila Saunders, who was part of the steering group to re-instate a shop in the village, and who remains integral to the running of the community shop. She said, “in the Parish Plan there were 200 requests to replace the previous shop, so it was important that the steering group drove the project forward. Many people also offered practical help in the form of helping to clear the site before building works could start. Grants for an initial £12,000 were sought from the Lottery building fund, which sadly came to nothing, but a local social building fund gave us a grant of £6,000. A further £3,000 was raised by the village, and the final £3,000 was gifted by a local couple.” This shop/cafe is all about the community. Run by volunteers, it is the lifeblood of the village. Employees/volunteers: Manager David Lewis, who was employed in April 2010, plus between 30 to 45 volunteers. Best-selling products: Kings Cliffe bread, which is delivered daily, and fresh fruit and vegetables. Local products stocked: ready meals from Clarkes of Queniborough, Hambleton Bakery bread, Helen Buff Handmade Chocolate, jam from Saints and Sinners, incredible cakes by local retired baker Joan Millington are served in the cafe. Ways of promoting the shop: village email, Twitter, Facebook, parish magazines, website (see page 36 for details).

STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2018

Easton Stores and Post Office

B Bulwick Village Shop

Owner, Camille Mclean, moved from Scotland and bought the site of the Bulwick Village Shop (winner of The Great Food Club Awards for Best Village Shop 2017/18) some 13 years ago. Her vision was to have a tiny store selling her homemade chutneys and preserves – these days it has expanded to include a tea terrace overlooking beautiful parkland. It is known for serving amazing ploughman’s lunches, soups and exceptional tapas, and, on occasion, customers can be found sitting in Camille’s living room! Camille also instigated the annual “Bulwick Together” day, a great opportunity for residents of the village to meet one another. She provides food and drink for the party. Her ethos is “feeding people is like giving love.” She has won awards both for the shop and for her “The Pickled Village” range of chutneys and preserves. The shop has a tasting shelf, and stocks lots of deli-style products and homemade produce. Employees: this is a real family affair: Camille and one of her daughters run the shop, with parttime help from a lovely local lady. Best-selling product: Red Rapscalion – red onion marmalade with redcurrants and chillies. It is even sent abroad and delivered to caterers in large quantities. Local products stocked: homemade ready meals and cakes prepared on site by Camille, Hambleton Bakery bread, Saxby’s cider, Warner Edwards gins. A popular stock item: sweetie corner where children can choose from a multitude of tempting penny sweets. Ways of promoting the shop: Facebook, Instagram, website (see page 36).

B The Village Store & Café, Cottingham

The shop in Cottingham is “owned by the village for the village”. As part of a re-launch of this community-run shop, the villagers were asked to invest in their local amenity. To this date they have 260 shareholders, with further shares available to residents, should they see fit to invest in this community project. The store is run by a committee of locals, and you really get the feeling it is a great place to go and grab a coffee and some local produce, and catch up on some gossip, or ask for help – the committee and their willing bunch of 12 volunteers seem ready to lend an ear and have allotted a special table within the café called the “Have a chat table”. Best-selling products: newspapers, bread and milk. Local products stocked: Joseph Morris and Grasmere Farm meats, preserves provided by Mary, who lives locally, and delicious cakes for the cafe, all of which are baked by local people. Manor Farm Dairies provide yogurts, and Hambleton bakery bread can be pre-ordered twice a week. Ways of promoting the shop: Cottingham community magazine, Facebook, Mailchimp.

Jag and Bant Dhillon moved from Peterborough to Easton on the Hill in 2004 to run the village shop there. They are an integral part of the local community and offer an unrivalled service to village residents. If you visit the shop, you can be sure of a warm and friendly welcome. It is crammed full of your everyday supplies as well as many other non-essential items, all at prices to rival any of the supermarkets. I have often looked for something slightly out of the ordinary here and, amazingly, they always seem to stock it. One thing never to walk past: their fresh samosas, sold from the counter near the till – you will not eat better. Employees: Jag and Bunt are regularly to be found serving behind the counter in both the shop and the Post Office. They also employ a couple of local people and several paperboys. Best-selling product: milk. Local products stocked: Grasmere Meats and sausage rolls. Most random stock item: cutlery set. Ways of promoting the shop: Facebook, and an A4 leaflet circulated around the village once a month, highlighting any promotions.

Collyweston Community Shop Opened in 2010 on the site of the old butcher’s shop, this is a fantastic example of a community pulling together to provide a service for their residents. The original shop committee was bravely headed up by Paul and Sandra Johnson, who worked tirelessly alongside other members of the village to bring their dream to reality. To this date the Johnsons volunteer for several hours a week to help keep the shop doors open and to provide a valuable service to the village. Rachel Forsythe, the shop manager of five years, gave up a high-pressure job with long hours, and now organises the day-to-day running of the shop, ordering stock, training new volunteers, and playing a key role in promoting the shop through social media. The volunteer group is diverse, ranging from retired men and women, to a computer analyst, a local farmer, a school teacher and a mother who previously flew helicopters in the Army Air Core, as well as students who need to fulfil voluntary service as part of the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme. Employees/volunteers: one employee; they are always looking for new volunteers. Best-selling product: milk. Local products stocked: The Bytham Kitchen Pickles & Chutneys, local honey, Kings Cliffe bread, Belvoir cordials, Nelsons and Grasmere Farm meats, pies, sausage rolls, Rutland Pies, and many own-brand products (muesli, biscuits and marmalade). Ways of promoting the shop: Twitter, parish magazine, sign on the A47, website (see page 36 for details).

STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2018

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Specialist in the manufacture, installation and care of natural stone. With our experience in materials such as Marble, Granite, Neolith and Quartz, we are able to create stunning kitchen worktops, bath surrounds, vanity units, staircases, fireplaces, flooring and wall coverings. We offer a personal and knowledgeable service with highly skilled craftsmen and pride ourselves on the quality of service, the quality of materials used and the workmanship of your finished product. We offer a full supply, template, manufacture and installation service Open Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm, Saturday 8am – 3pm Unit 14-15 Wainman Road, Woodston, Peterborough, PE2 7BU Tel: 01733 687414 or 01733 370941 sales@olympic-marble.co.uk www.olympic-marble.co.uk 54

B Edith Weston Village Shop

Helen and Andy Wood have owned the shop in Edith Weston for the last five years. They took over a run-down enterprise and have transformed it into a clean, accessible village amenity. Helen has lived in the village for around 17 years, so when the shop lease came up for sale, she decided to buy it, because she felt it was so important to the community to keep it running. I asked how they thought it helps the community having a village shop? “We serve so many of the local villages: North Luffenham, Lindon, Wing, Manton, to name a few. As our nearest large towns are Oakham and Stamford, it is often difficult for the elderly and those without a car to get into town, so we provide a vital service for them.” Number of employees: four plus Helen, who pops in and out. Best-selling products: fresh fruit and vegetables, plus bread from the in-store bakery. Local products stocked: Vivia Crump’s chutneys, Corkers crisps, Grasmere Farm and Nelsons meats and other products, Rutland rapeseed oil and Bitteswell Brown free-range eggs. Percentage of residents who use the village shop compared to passers by: probably 50:50. Helen says, “in the summer months we serve lots of cyclists and walkers, and also people using the sailing club.” This accounts for bicycle puncture repair kits being among the items for sale (a multitude of bicycles pass every day). Ways of promoting the shop: Facebook, a sign on the main road, and word of mouth.

B The Village Stores & Post Office, Ryhall

Miranda and Dave Amies are the proprietors of this award-winning shop, which was voted Best Independent Retailer 2017 in The Mercury Business Awards. Having left a job in HR, Miranda has embraced the responsibility of shop-keeping and loves the challenge of providing this key service to the community. In the six years they have owned the shop, Miranda and Dave have transformed it into a thriving place for local people to shop, meet and buy cake! (According to Miranda the residents of Ryhall love cake!) Employees: five part-time, working anything from 10 to 26 hours per week, plus Miranda and Dave. Best-selling products: everything from the deli counter, which includes sausage rolls and scotch eggs from The Wicked Witch restaurant, plus cakes and Miranda’s weekly curries, which are very popular on a Friday and Saturday night. Local products stocked: Hambleton Bakery bread, Deliciously Different flapjacks and brownies, Saints and Sinners jams, fresh fruit and vegetables from a local wholesaler and Just so Italian products, such as good-quality pasta. Ways of promoting the shop: village magazines, Facebook and Instagram, website (see right).

J Wooding, Greengrocer, Kings Cliffe

This traditional village shop has been owned and run by John Wooding for 38 years. He took over the building from his father, who was a baker on the same site. John said, “I started selling fruit and vegetables before I left school, and used to run a mobile van.” Employee: just John, who has not had a holiday in years! Best-selling products: fresh fruit/vegetables. Local products stocked: Fowlers eggs. Most random stock item: a selection of DIY items and sewing products. Ways of promoting the shop: word of mouth. CONTACTS: Barbara’s Store 15 Church Street, Empingham, LE15 8PN, 01780 460348 Open: Mon–Fri 7am–6pm, Sat 8am–4pm, Sun 9am–4pm The Shop – Barrowden & Wakerley Community Wakerley Road, Barrowden, LE15 8EP, 01572 748748, www.barrowdenshop.org Open: Mon–Fri 8am–6pm, Sat 8am–4pm, Sun 10am–1pm Bulwick Village Shop 15 Main Street, Bulwick, NN17 3DY, 01780 450774, www.bulwickvillageshop.com Open: Mon–Sat 9am–5.30pm, Sun closed Collyweston Community Shop 21 High Street, Collyweston, PE9 3PW, 01780 440830, collywestonshop.co.uk Open: Mon–Fri 8am–6pm, Sat 8am–4pm, Sun 9am–12pm The Village Store & Café 2 Corby Road, Cottingham, LE16 8XH, 01536 770097 Open: Mon–Fri 8am–5pm, Sat 8am–4pm, Sun 9am–1pm Easton Stores & Post Office 3 Westfields, Easton on the Hill, PE9 3LY Open: Mon–Fri 7am–7pm, Sat 7.30am–7pm, Sun 7.30am–1pm Edith Weston Village Shop Off Church Lane, Edith Weston, LE15 8EY, 01780 722164 Open: Mon–Fri 7.30am–6pm, Sat 8am–5pm, Sun 8.30am– 12.30pm J Wooding: Greengrocer, Fruiterer and General Grocer 10 Park Street, Kings Cliffe, PE8 6XN, 01780 470307 Open: Mon 9am–1pm, Tue–Fri 8am–1pm and 2–5.30pm, Sat 8am–1pm, Sun closed The Village Stores & Post Office The Square, Ryhall, PE9 4HJ, 01780 763572, www.ryhallvillagestores.co.uk. Open: Mon–Fri 7.30am– 6.30pm, Sat 8am–5.30pm, Sun 8.30am–12pm

VILLAGE SHOPS: SERVICES Post Office

Barbara’s Store, Empingham The Shop - Barrowden & Wakerley Community

Lottery Cash back Licence to sell alcohol ✔

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Bulwick Village Shop

Payzone Dry cleaning Flowers and/ collection or plants

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Collyweston Community Shop

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The Village Store & Café, Cottingham

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Cafe with Wi-Fi Greetings cards

Takeaway coffee

Newspapers/ magazines

Other

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Home deliveries to the elderly

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Home deliveries. Wine of the month

Tea terrace

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Own-brand products. COOK ready meals

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Homemade cakes. Volunteer run

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The Pickled Shop – hampers, ready meals

Easton Stores and Post Office

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Paper delivery

Edith Weston Village Store

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Hot food. Picnic tables. Bottled gas

The Village Stores & Post Office, Ryhall

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Wonderful homemade food. Deli counter

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Traditional store. Ice creams

J Wooding, Kings Cliffe

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STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2018

Georgie Fenn takes a look at two of the latest local openings

Food & Drink News

The Copper Room Y

OU may have noticed the coming and sadly going of Stamford’s whisky bar on St Mary’s Hill, just up from everyone’s favourite book shop and the delightful Stamford Beauty. Thankfully, the space didn’t remain empty for long at all and we now have The Copper Room, or you might have heard it being called Stamford’s new beer bar. This bar is the result of two enthusiastic chaps, Rob Saville and Liam Kavanagh, coming together with their joint passion for craft beers and really good booze. When I visited The Copper Room one Friday evening, I was absolutely delighted to see that it was buzzing! It’s quite a small space but the layout provides the space for a private drink between two or a raucous session sat at the bar nattering with the staff. Because there is such a diverse menu, plus some amazing bar snacks on offer (we had some very moreish nachos), I think it’s brought a big crowd over to the bar that might not have ventured there before. To cover all bases, I started with a delicious Belgium beer that was actually raspberry flavoured. I’m not a huge beer drinker myself, I just haven’t quite got the hang of the taste, but this beer was so unbelievably refreshing without being sweet, it was remarkable. Next, I looked to the wine list. The wines are provided by Amps in Oundle which is always a relief to hear as it’s great to see them supporting another local business and you’re always guaranteed great wine with Amps. I had a large glass of the Rioja Palacio del Camino which is a smooth, light and fruity Rioja I wouldn’t hesitate to order again. I finished off with various gins, they have many exciting labels to choose from and I was particularly pulled in by an Elderflower number and a naughty looking fox saying ‘Try me…Naked!’ The Copper Room is a powerful addition to Stamford’s bar scene that already has a charming authenticity to it that’s attracted many of Stamford’s most loyal bar attendees already, check it out! The Copper Room, 16 St Mary’s Hill, Stamford PE9 2DP

The Chubby Castor Georgie Fenn went to try out the new restaurant The Chubby Castor, run by chef Adebola Adeshina

REVIOUSLY Fratellis, the building has remained unoccupied for some time now, that’s until the Fitzwilliam lot (Milton Park) decided their passion for the country matched Adebola’s passion for food and he has since taken over. Structurally, the building has been transformed into a real country dining venue with comfortable chairs, plenty of light and a lovely modern but colourful bar area. You can see the kitchen over western style swing doors, always a reassuring sign in my opinion, and I look forward to the summer when they will be able to make the most of their perfect space for alfresco dining. Ade himself is a charming man, buzzing with energy for this new venture. It’s contagious, and Alena his partner is keeping front of house operating beautifully. I chose Ham Hock Terrine to start, a refreshing dish paired with beetroot, spiced apple and pickled Lincolnshire onions that set things off nicely. Next, I had the Guinea Fowl which came with honey carrots, creamy potatoes with rhubarb, a thyme jus and more Lincolnshire pickled onions. I have a (not so) secret snack habit at home which is actually working my way through a jar of silverskin pickled onions in front of the telly, so I was delighted they were in abundance. Now, I shouldn’t have had room for dessert, but I am so happy that I did as the Rhubarb sponge, honeycomb, meringue, yoghurt ice cream and splodges of caramel were the most satisfying end to the meal. If you have a sweet tooth, I’d definitely recommend you save yourself for a dessert! I couldn’t possibly not mention the wine. The wine list

STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2018

is extensive but not overwhelming, there’s definitely something for everyone and next time I go (which I hope will be soon) I will be sure to try The Chubby Castor’s very own champagne. I had a glass of the Chateau Musar, a red wine from the Bekka Valley in Lebanon. I was intrigued by a wine from Lebanon and the description; “Classically structures, eccentric and intriguing in style,” drew me in. This wine is indulgent, it’s so incredibly plummy but sweet with thick and sensuous flavours. At the end of the meal, I was chatting to Chef Ade and his partner Alena and it’s clear that The Chubby Castor is here to stay. Ade will only be using seasonal, local produce. For example, the Guinea Fowl came from Seven Wells Butchers in Oundle and when they no longer have Guinea Fowl, he’ll start using lamb, because local butchers have limits which is how meat production should be. Chubby Castor, 34 Peterborough Rd, Castor, PE5 7AX 01733 380801 www.thechubbycastor.com

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Compiled by Deborah Pennell

Food & Drink News

It’s a Gold

ILLUSTRATION: CALUM HANDLEY

Adnams of Southwold recently won a Regional Keg Gold for their Jack Brand Dry Hopped Lager at The Society of Independent Brewers Beer Awards and went on to win a silver medal in the National Keg Champion Standard Lager & Pilsners category. Adnams Dry Hopped Lager is brewed with Pilsner malt, then dry-hopped with Australian Galaxy hops to add big, fruity hop flavours. This golden lager is full-bodied, hoppy, and has tones of tropical fruits and citrus. A lager with character, and a memorable flavour. Visit Adnams, Stamford, at Bath Row Warehouse, St Mary’s Passage, PE9 2HG or order online: www.cellarandkitchen. adnams.co.uk

“We’ll go somewhere where there’s cheese”… Wallace and Gromit, A Grand Day Out (1989)

The Artisan Cheese Fair 5th & 6th May 2018, 10am – 4pm, £5 entry on the door The UK’s largest dedicated Cheese Fair comes to Melton Mowbray: showcasing over 70 cheesemakers, many of them who rarely travel outside their local farmers’ markets to sell their cheese. Experience talks, tastings and demonstrations from cheese industry experts. In addition, sample a multitude of other food and drink related products whose wares compliment the cheeses – wines, cakes, beer, chutneys and of course Melton Mowbray’s famous pork pies. See you there!.. www.artisancheesefair.co.uk

A Date for the diary Celebrate your May Bank holiday with a Beer The Bluebell Beer Fest, Easton on the Hill – 24th – 29th May Showcasing 26 beers and 10 ciders from around the country it is always a great event. Music is on the bill and the annual village gala. A marquee in the pub garden lends cover if the weather is wet; this seats up to 180 people. Excellent food is served, and the pub is child and dog friendly. The pub garden is a wonderful place to sit and enjoy a lazy afternoon. Opens at 12 noon daily. The Bluebell Pub, 9 High Street, Easton on the Hill, PE9 3LR Tel: 01780 763003www.thebluebellpub.com

Ingredient of the Month

ENGLISH ASPARAGUS For those lucky enough to have an asparagus bed, May and June are the months when you will reap the rewards of your labour. If you want to buy locally then I cannot recommend more highly a trip to the farm entrance of Rectory Farm, Nr Oundle. Here you will find bunches of asparagus, likely to have been picked only hours earlier - you will not find fresher. Use these beautiful green fingers in a stunning summer salad with flakes of hot smoked salmon, lightly poached quails eggs, a multitude of salad leaves, homemade sourdough croutons and, drizzled with a light dill and mustard dressing. Alternatively, serve chargrilled with meat; blanched and wrapped in prosciutto with goat’s curd and a lemon dressing, pan seared with morels and a foaming hollandaise, or simply served as a sumptuous vegetable mixed with garden peas and frazzled banana shallots. Tips for preparing asparagus: • To remove the woody end from the asparagus just work your way from the root end, carefully bending it until it snaps clean. This is the place where the woody stem becomes the succulent and crisp part. • If possible steam asparagus to avoid over cooking, and to retain its stunning emerald green colour. An alternative is to stand it up in a saucepan of boiling water, but to keep the tips above the water line – this means they will steam but not overcook. • If you are choosing to serve asparagus cold: blanch in boiling water until cooked, but still crunchy. Drain the boiling water and immediately plunge into ice cold water – this will cease the cooking immediately and make sure it retains it bright green colour. Buy English Asparagus direct from the farm gate in May and June. Ashby’s Asparagus, Rectory Farm, Hemington Road, Polebrook, PE8 5LS Enquiries: 01832 272243

There are Pies and Pies BROCKLEBY’S PIES Find a good selection of traditionally made pies with locally sourced ingredients on the fortnightly, Friday Stamford Farmers Market. Brockleby’s stall is situated just outside Superdrug. The pies all have rather original names, and are equally delicious, whichever variety you choose. Made near Melton Mowbray, choose from: Kiwi Pie – made to a classic New Zealand recipe using local, traditionally reared beef, layered with mature Cheddar cheese Wild Beaver Pie – locally reared beef and Belvoir Ale Moo & Blue Pie – locally reared beef and stilton cheese Penguin Pie – Grimsby smoked Haddock, potato with cheddar cheese and onion sauce Summer Isles Salmon – poached Scottish salmon, broccoli and creamy dill sauce Vegetarian, Gluten Free and Sweet pies are also available. www.brocklebys.co.uk STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2018

Nicholas Rudd-Jones tells the story of his grandfather clock lovingly restored by Loomes & Co

Restoring a Grandfather Clock Damaged

Restored

T happened many years ago, and I have tried to block it out of my mind ever since. The truth was, I had moved the clock when I was re-painting the hallway and made a huge error when taking the mechanism off the base, resulting in it crashing onto the stone floor, bending the face and badly damaging it at the same time. The clock limped on, telling the time very roughly for a few months, before stopping for good; since which time it had stood forlornly in the corner of the room, accurate only twice a day and the subject of the occasional family remark ‘are you going to get that fixed sometime’? Plus, my sister, the mechanic in the family, tinkered with it from time to time and got in going for short bursts, but it never lasted beyond her visits. Then one day I woke up and, for no obvious reason, I decided to send it to Loomes & Co to see what they could do about it. I was astonished by the result, better than ever it had been when I had purchased it in the first place! No idea why I had left it for so long… Loomes undertook two very distinct tasks; on one hand, restoring the dial, and on the other servicing and fixing the movement. RESTORING THE DIAL

The first things that John in the Dial Restoration Department did were to research the history of the clock and use ultraviolet light to establish the original pattern. Joseph Furniss of Uppingham, whose name is on the dial, is recorded as being a Clock Maker in Uppingham “Rutlandshire” from 1776 until his death in 1804. As well as clock making, he is recorded as owning the Malsters Arms Tavern, being a church organist and bell ringer. He seems to have been a much-liked member of the community. A quick search on the web showed that after his death, his two daughters were “admitted tennant” and “devisee” to the above(s) property. If they carried on his name, this could explain how his name could be on the front of a clock dial that was made by Walker and 60

STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2018

Finnemore whose dates are recorded as 1808-1811. Using ultraviolet light, it could also be proved that, rather than the twin line minute track as in the previously refurbished dial, the dial originally had a single minute track with dashed increments. This made it still more likely to be an early Walker and Finnemore dial, at the latest 1808. The gilding evidence showed that the original was in gold leaf and was a little more decorative, under the calendar mouth. Having worked all of this out, the team then straightened the dial, and fully restored the face, getting it back to the original rather than the previously restored version. A lot of skill is required to re-paint the dial, and it was fascinating watching them at work. REFURBISHING THE MOVEMENT

Another department looks after the mechanics of the clock itself. Everything is inspected and tested, and any worn cogs replaced. It is then bench tested to see everything is in good working order. Finally, the day came for delivery back to my house. The service includes installation (important to ensure it is at the right angle and that everything is assembled correctly) and, given my track record, I was more than happy for someone else to put it together. Then, the moment of truth. The clock works perfectly, strikes beautifully, and is exactly on time. It made me realise just how worthwhile it was to do when my son came back from university and exclaimed ‘I’s SO many years since I last heard the clock strike, brilliant’. If you have a grandfather clock, or any other clock that needs restoring, I can recommend the Loomes team unreservedly. Loomes & Co., 4 St Mary’s Hill, Stamford, PE9 2DP 01780 481319 https://www.loomeswatches.com

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As exam time approaches, many parents seek extra help for their children in subjects ranging from maths to music. Language teacher Alysia Anderson examines the best ways to find a tutor

Tutoring W

HETHER it’s to prepare for a school entrance exam, boost GCSE or A Level revision or simply improve maths and English skills, many children receive extra assistance with their studies at some point. Parents, fear not: there are numerous tutors on hand to help, many of whom are former teachers or recent university graduates. Both bring benefits: teachers have educational experience and an in-depth knowledge of what examiners are looking for, while graduates offer a fresh perspective on study techniques and how to cope with exam-related stress.

ONE-TO-ONE ADVICE

A former teacher at Stamford Junior School, Anita Phillips provides tutoring in maths and English up to GCSE level, as well as dyslexia assessment, at her home near Stamford. Anita says, “The key benefit of private tutoring is the opportunity it gives students to reinforce areas of learning that they find challenging, in a one-to-one setting. They can ask questions they feel unable to ask at school, without feeling embarrassed or uncomfortable. For me, it’s very much about personalised learning and building up confidence. It’s important that students find tutoring sessions enjoyable as well as helpful and have a good rapport with their tutor. Feeling positive is essential!” Anita currently has spaces for tutoring during the school holidays. Stamford resident Liz Heesom has been tutoring for more than three decades following a career in teaching and has a diploma in special needs. Liz can teach French and German up to A Level but finds her services are mostly in demand for Learning Support, 11-plus preparation and GCSE maths and English. Liz says, “Searching for a tutor can be a bit of a minefield and it can be hard to choose between using an agency, word of mouth or advertisements.” Liz sometimes puts students in touch with Orla Cali, an English tutor also based in Stamford. Orla has a decade of teaching experience and mainly helps students to prepare for GCSEs and A Levels in English Language and Literature. “My aim is to improve reading and writing skills at all levels and raise confidence in students’ abilities and academic expectations.”

ONLINE TUTORING

Many tutors advertise their services on websites such as www.tutorhunt.com, www.tutorful.co.uk, www.firsttutors.com and www.thetutorpages.com. Tutoring rates range from £18 to £35 per session, depending on the subject and tutor. Another option is online tutoring, which broadens the choice of available tutors and can be conveniently done at home. Tom Davies, a former Stamford School pupil now studying Economics at Bristol University, taught maths in his spare time through www.mytutor.co.uk which matches students with tutors for a range of subjects. Tom explains, “MyTutor has an online platform with a webcam and an interactive whiteboard which allows the tutor to explain concepts to the pupil. Not having face-to-face contact sometimes can be frustrating but with time it gets easier. The platform also connects tutors to pupils who want to meet in person.” GROUP DYNAMICS

Some tutors are happy to teach a small group of pupils. For example, this can work well for my subjects, French and Spanish, as the students practise speaking the language together. Matthew Albinson is a maths tutor with over a decade of teaching experience in schools and independently. He teaches group courses for Learn More Maths which is running a GCSE maths course at Stamford School Sports Centre from 28-31 May. Matthew says, “The course focuses on Papers 2 and 3, with phone/email tutor support available until the exam date. We hope to offer similar courses in Biology, Physics and Chemistry.” Stamford Academy, on the High Street, runs group courses to prepare for the 11-plus and also offers GCSE support. In Barn Hill, Pauline Jones runs the Ofsted-registered Stamford Study Centre for Kumon, a nationwide

programme that develops children’s maths and English skills. Pauline has been a Kumon instructor for 12 years and says, “I was impressed by the way the programme boosted my son’s confidence in maths and gave him the courage to trust his ability and try something unfamiliar.” MUSIC MASTERY

Tutors are not only available for academic subjects. Instrument-playing children must surmount the obstacle of the Grade 5 Music Theory exam before they can take practical exams at higher grades. Judith Graham is a former Head of Music at Copthill School and offers tuition for theory as well as the piano, clarinet and saxophone. “I have had many pupils pass the theory exam with 100 per cent,” said Judith. Her daughter Lucy, a former Oakham School music scholar, is completing a music degree at the Royal Northern College of Music. Lucy teaches theory, cello, piano, singing and composition, including the Sibelius computer programme used by secondary schools. Another helpful resource is Stamford Music Shop, which sells practice exam papers and has a noticeboard advertising music teachers’ services. Matthew Albinson (ma590511@gmail.com) Alysia Anderson (alysia.anderson@btinternet.com) Orla Cali (orlacali@aol.com) Judith Graham (jcg.pmg@btinternet.com) Lucy Graham (lucyrosegraham@gmail.com) Liz Heesom (lizheesom@yahoo.com) Anita Phillips (anita@ruizuk.co.uk) Learn More Stamford (learnmoremaths@gmail. com or Twitter@learnmoremaths) Kumon (www.kumon.co.uk/Stamford) Stamford Academy (www.stamfordacademy.co.uk) STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2018

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This month Deborah Pennell helps us to re-launch our motoring page

Me and My Cars W ITH nearly ten years of employment in the motor racing industry; working for Formula One teams, GT Endurance racing (Le Mans series), Historic car racing and being a keen driver and owner, of many types of vehicle - I volunteered to fill the role for one issue. Granted I am not a mechanic and I do not study statistics too closely when purchasing a new vehicle - anyone who knows me will vouch for this; I currently drive a 10 year old VW Touran which billows smoke from the engine if I remain stationary at traffic lights too long - something to do with the diesel fuel filter system not working correctly! A fixable problem, albeit slightly embarrassing when you are sitting outside The George in a traffic jam! I have changed a wheel and started a Formula One car when testing in Barcelona; ‘driven’ a Gulf McLaren through scrutineering at Le Mans 24 Hour Race, hit 146mph in a Porsche on a motorway in the North of England, and I am knowledgeable enough to know if a wheel bearing has gone, and how to check the oil. So I know a bit about cars. I was lucky to pass my driving test first time despite kangarooing up a hill on my hill start, and my parents soon treated me to a gorgeous little white Mini. We had such fun together, but my need for speed soon became apparent. One afternoon after 18 months of Mini ownership I drove my mother home across the Yorkshire Wolds. During the journey she experienced overtaking manoeuvres more suited to a racing car, than a Mini, to say she was terrified would be an understatement! That evening’s conversation between my parents resulted in a decision to upgrade my car, otherwise “I was going to kill myself”! I had convinced them I needed a faster vehicle, with more acceleration, which would let me overtake in a ‘safer’ manner! Result! And so, my little white mini was replaced by a bright red Peugeot 205 GTI, which as the insurance broker suggested to my parents, would go like “sh*t off a shovel!” And it did! This was probably one of the best cars I have ever owned, and we had many adventures! A further escapade in the boyfriend’s aforementioned Porsche 911 saw me come into a hairpin bend at Snetterton Race circuit, with no brakes at all, as I had ‘boiled’ them earlier on the circuit - both the car and I survived, and this stood me in good stead for a later road trip across the Atlas Mountains in a long wheel base 7.5 ton articulated lorry! I was doing location catering on the set of Gladiator movie in Morocco and we needed to get equipment to Ouarzazate, five hours south of

Marrakech – a memorable road trip, worthy of its own article. Working in Formula One helped feed my need for speed; we thrashed hire cars around most of the circuits we visited, raced go karts, and the mechanics even motorised an armchair and did laps of the circuit! On moving to London, a practical vehicle was required to transport food to clients all over the city. I plumped for a Bedford Rascal relatively small, manoeuvrable and nippy: I loved the challenge of driving in London. Unfortunately, this vehicle was stolen whilst I was abroad one time, and was never recovered. I then plumped for practical; I was doing more and more work on motor racing circuits all over Europe, so a Jeep Cherokee seemed to fit the bill - a work horse, with space for food crates, but comfortable for the longer journeys. Sadly, diesel engine Jeeps were notorious for ‘blowing up’ at about 80,000 miles, and mine did just that. From Jeep I moved to Landrover Freelander, probably the worst car I have ever owned. Volvo V40: practical and reliable, but not really big enough for a family with three kids and four dogs, so I upgraded to a VW Sharan. However, an unfortunate lapse of concentration resulted in a contretemps with a lamppost in a Waitrose car park, and this car was written off. And today; if you see a VW Touran with smoke billowing from under its bonnet, sitting at one of the many traffic lights around Stamford, it is probably me! I will no doubt be dreaming of owning a Porsche or a Mclaren, but sadly I can only dream!

Stamford Living is looking for a regular contributor for the Motoring Page – if you think you have what it takes to fill this role, please contact The Editor at Nicholas@bestlocalliving.co.uk STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2018

Urban Rambles:

a new book by Nicholas Rudd-Jones

LL my life I’ve loved walking through the countryside – round here across the gently rolling hills of Rutland, in the more rugged outcrops of the Peak District and often in the mountain ranges of Europe. And the order of play is roughly the same - walking gear, maps, compass, rucksack, ruggedness, in exchange for tranquillity, exquisite views and impressive calf muscles. Until recently. My epiphany came whilst strolling with a friend alongside the Regent’s Canal, when the exquisite pleasures of urban rambling suddenly dawned on me – no preparation required, no rucksack, snacks and loos almost always on hand, great architecture and history at every turn and – this is the really surprising bit – bags of delightful green spaces. Our cities have been transformed in the last generation and there are some real gems. So, I decided to write a book about it, and thus was Urban Rambles born. Choose from cathedral cities like York and Lincoln, seats of learning like Cambridge and Oxford, trading ports like Bristol and Liverpool, cities designed for pleasure like Brighton and Bath. Choose to visit Victorian industrial cities Manchester, Sheffield and Birmingham, and of course the nation’s capital, where my ingenious 25-mile circular route takes you from urban regeneration through the Olympic Park and past rivers, parks and palaces. Because of our central position in the country, may of the walks can easily be reached in a day, especially as they all start and finish at the city’s main station. Here’s a flavour of a couple:

STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2018

London

Altogether, this walk is 25 miles, but it is split into four stages, so you could do it one stage at a time. And because one stage starts at King’s Cross & St Pancras and another ends there, Stages I and IV are especially convenient for us folk from the north. The London Inner Circle takes the City as its pivot and makes use of old waterways: the canals (Regent’s Canal, Lee Navigation, Grand Junction), conduits (The New River), rivers (Lea, Thames) and ‘hidden’ rivers (Walbrook, Fleet, Tyburn, Westbourne) of the capital. Around two-thirds of the route is close to water – although sometimes you wouldn’t know it, as it’s a few metres below ground! The route was driven by a determination to take you through as much green space as possible – be it parks, squares, churchyards, waterways, dockyards, terraces or even a sky garden. Thrown in too are the next best things to quiet, green spaces – medieval passages, alleyways and mews. One of my favourite recent initiatives is the campaign to make London the world’s first National Park City: ‘a city where people and nature are better connected; a city that is rich with wildlife and every child benefits from exploring outdoors’. London has a world-beating 3,000 parks, 13,000 species of wildlife and 47 per cent of its surface area is green spaces; and in the last generation things have got so much better with major regeneration projects and environmental improvements.

Cambridge

This walk takes you past many of the classic university sites of the city, but also to places that you will never have seen before, even if you have lived or studied here. In half a day you will feel like an insider! Cambridge is a city still defined by academia. The most prominent (if plain) building remains Giles Gilbert Scott’s 1930s University Library, only 157 feet in height but visible from miles around; for this is a very flat landscape, ideal for the cyclists you will encounter around every corner, often heading straight for you! The dominance of the colleges in the landscape has meant a city grid that is skewed, with almost all of the nineteenth-century development taking place to the east of the city away from the colleges. The railway station was also relegated to the south-east edge of the city, apparently to discourage undergraduates from hopping on the train down to London and neglecting their studies. However, the huge benefit of this tight collegiate land ownership has been the large green open spaces that have remained intact, along the Backs, the river to Grantchester and also the numerous sports fields. The name ‘the Backs’ refers to the backs of the colleges. In the sixteenth century, the area consisted of pasture, gardens and orchards owned by the colleges, with wooden bridges across the Cam. Over time, the colleges planted avenues of trees and built sturdier bridges. In 1772, Capability Brown laid out a wilderness behind St John’s College. This ‘rus in urbe’ vision continues to this day, with sheep in front of King’s, wild areas, specimen trees and vistas, making it one of the most picturesque spots in the country. Punting, which is an integral part of this rural idyll and looks like it has been around for ever, was surprisingly only introduced in 1903, when Jack Scudamore spotted the tourist potential. The other very noticeable feature of Cambridge has been its pedestrian and cyclistfriendly policies. The city centre has been barred to traffic for many years and is consequently a delightful space to wander through, full of interesting shops and cafés. Full directions and a Google map of all the walks and more can be found at www.urbanrambles.org The Urban Rambles book, published by Frances Lincoln, can be purchased online at Amazon, or at Walkers Bookshop. STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2018

News & Notes Helping you make the most of Stamford living

The Shack A fantastic new facility, The Shack, is opening this month which will give youngsters in Stamford a place to hang out, take part in various activities and even get fed too if they so wish! Kate Cadman catches up with Stamford Methodist’s Youth Worker, Luke Denley, to find out more ...

HE old bowls club, known as The Shack, on Recreation Road makes an ideal venue for a meeting place and is perfectly pitched: it’s bright and airy and its prime location, surrounded by green open spaces of the park, is also on the doorstep of the town’s skate park. “The Shack will officially be open (from the 1st May) every Tuesday and Thursday between 3pm and 6pm as a drop-in centre,” explains Luke. “We will have all kinds of activities going on here, such as pool, table tennis, board games and the use of games consoles. In the good weather we will use the outdoor facilities too,” he adds. The project is primarily aimed at school years 7-11 (11-16-year olds). “Young people need a space where they can go and feel safe and, if they want it, they’ve got someone to listen to them. It’s about offering role models for youngsters when society gets a little bit hard and is a little bit broken for them.” Alongside the activities and listening service, the project is quite unique in that there will also be food available for its visitors. The food scheme will be run in a similar way as the Second Helpings community café which currently feeds over 100 people at the Stamford Methodist

Church each Saturday. It works by rescuing food from supermarkets that would otherwise go to waste and turning it into delicious, nutritious meals that are available on a pay-as-you-feel basis. Luke has great aspirations for The Shack, possibilities include creating employment opportunities, organising internships and involving many members of the community who can offer skills training and creative assistance to the youngsters who take part. “This is a project which the whole community can enjoy and really benefit from,” he adds. The Shack will require regular volunteers - if you are interested in getting involved contact: Luke Denley, 01780 753084; lukedenley@hotmail.com.

Barnsdale Hall Hotel: 30 years

ARNSDALE Hall Hotel is celebrating 30 years this year and a series of events is being held to commemorate the big anniversary. These include bread, cheese and wine evenings, the first of which took place in late March and included demonstrations and talks by bakers Julian Carter and Rob Hill from Hambleton Bakery, cheese connoisseur Carl Woolley from The Veg Factor and sommelier Sammy Wilkinson from Crown Cellars. The evening raised a grand total of £500 for the East Midlands Air Ambulance, through the ticket prices of £5 per person and the raffle. If you would like to attend the next bread, cheese and wine evening or any other of the hotel’s 30-year celebratory events, you can register your details by emailing the marketing and events department at marketing@barnsdalehotel.co.uk. You can also keep up to date by following the hotel on @BarnsdaleHallHotel (Facebook), @BarnsdaleHall (Twitter) or barnsdalehallhotel (Instagram).

STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2018

South Lincolnshire Blind Society

IRSTY Smith writes: “We are South Lincolnshire Blind Society and have our main office in Grantham. We help Blind and Partially Sighted people to live as independently as possible by providing advice, emotional support, equipment and information on different eye conditions. We also have a variety of groups and clubs ranging from coffee and social mornings, craft clubs, books clubs, lunch clubs and even a swimming club to help tackle social isolation and enable them to stay independent. “We are celebrating our Centenary Year this year and our society President David Carter has launched our Centenary Appeal where we have set ourselves a target to raise £100,000 within the 12 months from September 2017. We are hoping to be able to develop and improve the work of the society and to better support our many service users and wonderful volunteers. “We are always looking to promote our services for Blind and Partially Sighted people and let people know where we are and what we do…Can you help? Do you or do you know anyone who might need our help?? “We are very reliant on our wonderful volunteers who help with our fundraising, social clubs, home visiting and telephone befriending but are always looking for more volunteers – Can you help? Do you have a few hours to spare and would like to make a difference to someone?” Call our helpline today 01476 592775 or e-mail: slbs@blind-society.org.uk www.blind-society.org.uk

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News & Notes The Burghley Game and Country Fair Burghley house, 27th and 28th May

HE Andy Singleton arena is packed with action this year, must see attractions include Shetland Racing, the high-octane thrills of Horse boarding, Scurry Trials & Driving and the Parade of Hounds, plus much more. One of the highlights of this year’s event are the special displays organised by the Shire Horse Society. They will appear twice daily with displays in the large Andy Singleton Arena, depicting Shires through the Ages. The Falconry displays promise to be another of the highlights of this year’s event. Watch these stunning birds of prey as they swoop and soar above the Countryside Arena. There are

a whole new set of displays for 2018 under the management of Ben Long Falconry. World of Dogs is always a massive draw, here you can see the Shadowquest Dog Display Team demonstrating the brilliant talents and skills of Police, service and protection dogs. Then you can watch and learn from gun dog trainer and handler Paul Makepeace as he demonstrates how a young gun dog can be trained up from puppyhood to a well-trained gun dog you can confidently take on a shoot. To find out more and book tickets, visit www.burghleygameandcountryfair.co.uk

The Magic of Motown Saturday 9th June at Burghley House

AST summer, the Magic of Motown wowed a 5000-strong crowd at Rochester Castle and similar numbers were left dancing in the aisles at Chepstow Castle, Leeds Millennium Square and London’s O2. Now seen by over a million people, it’s no surprise that the show is one of the biggest success stories in British theatre history. So, what better way to experience a night of pure entertainment than at Burghley House, one of the most beautiful outdoor venues that the UK has to offer? Prepare yourself for 40 back-to-back classic Motown hits, glittering costume changes, dazzling dance moves and outstanding musicianship. The timeless music of Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, The Supremes, The Four Tops, Martha Reeves, Jackson 5, Smokey Robinson and more, are sensationally recreated by the cast and band. This concert spectacular takes you on a musical journey through favourite songs such as Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, Signed Sealed Delivered, Grapevine, Get Ready, Dancing in The Streets, My Girl, Blame It on The Boogie, Uptight, Endless Love, My Cherie Amor, All Night Long, Heatwave and many, many more. Tickets available online from www.livepromotionsconcerts.co.uk

Are you running out of space in your home? This month, our local property advisor and owner of UPP Property, David Crooke throws some light onto the conundrum many of us face; do we move somewhere larger or stay and extend?

OMETIMES, the choice has been made for you. If you live in an apartment without a garden, then there isn’t much of an opportunity of making it larger. But if you have a house with a garden or an attic with sufficient headroom, extending your home becomes a real prospect. Even if it makes more sense to extend or move, the choice hangs on a number of different dynamics; your future plans, money (both saved and access to finance), in what way you are emotionally attached to your home, the particular area you live in and finally, the type/style of house you prefer. The location of your property, the quality of construction, what type of rooms you want to add, your plot, neighbouring building lines, planning regulations and the overall demand for your type of home, will make a vast difference to the financial repercussions of extending versus moving. A medium-sized 270 sq. ft single storey extension (say around 17ft x 16ft) will add on average £44,625 to the value of a property in Stamford. It’s important to note the end result of the extension needs to be a

STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2018

sensible and realistic home. In terms of what it would cost to build an extension, you can expect to pay on average between £140 to £200 per sq. ft, depending whether the extension is a single or double storey extension and other factors including finish and type of extension (note, I have seen it cost a lot more than these figures, so you must speak with a builder). Therefore, taking a mid-line figure, that same 270 sq. ft extension on your home would cost on average £55,080. However, moving means there are substantial costs incurred; estate agency fees, removal costs, survey charges, legal fees and stamp duty on the property you are buying. Neither option is the obvious choice and comparing the costs of extending your home to that of moving is not a stress-free undertaking. How realistic each option is will probably come down your mortgage provider. You will need a considerable sum of equity in your home before you can think of increasing your mortgage more, because most lenders will require you to have at least 10% to 20% equity left in your property after the extension or move has been done. The best advice I can give is not to assume anything, get advice and opinion from builders, mortgage brokers, architects and of course a local estate agent. Look at your options and make an educated decision.

➧

News & Notes Osprey Sales & Lettings

HRIS Strickland writes: “Osprey now have a very active, and growing, presence in the local sales market and we are pleased that we are winning significant market share. There are probably many reasons for this, and we don’t wish to blow our own trumpets, but we focus a lot on a personalised, professional service and our staff offer a fantastic service. We are small, niche operators that punch well above our weight. “If you are considering selling, or indeed letting out, your property then please do let us know. We can give you our thoughts and opinions on the local market, what demand we have, where we see the market going and an opportunity to pitch our service. There can be no harm in seeking our opinion; given that each transaction is usually several hundred thousand pounds, a saving or an opportunity to make just 3% of difference in price translates into several thousand pounds of potential extra revenue. “We see very little competition from the “online only” operators; in our humble opinion, the potential fee saving is insignificant when one considers the local expertise and extra work provided through the traditional estate agency route. It is a “no brainer” in our opinion and we would be delighted to itemise all the advice and services we provide that an online operator may not! “Lastly, the market, more of the same; good, solid, steady, un-sexy, expect growth of c5%. If you are an investor, combine this with a rental yield of 5%+ and the result should be a nice total return of 10%. Please show us where else one can get similar returns?!” Osprey Sales & Lettings, 39 Broad St, Stamford PE9 1PX 01780 769269 www.osprey-property.co.uk

Shaws of Maxey Award

HAWS of Maxey are excited to announce that they are once again winners at the British Coach Tourism Awards! Tory Griffiths and Jane Duffelen are pictured here accepting the award for Day Excursion Programme of The Year from Angela Rippon and Martin Stagg (of Warner Holidays). “We’re absolutely thrilled to be third time winners in this category and want to thank all of our customers for your ongoing support”

The Rutland County Show June 3rd, 2018

HE Rutland Show has something for the whole family. It’s a wonderful day out with fabulous displays, entertainment and local food and drink. Boasting hundreds of unique trade stands alongside livestock, equine and poultry exhibitors, the Rutland Show is a showcase for farming, countryside and rural life that brings together the very best of Rutland with animals, food, shopping, fun and excitement. This year they welcome the delightful Shetland Pony Grand National, sponsored by Porsche as well as the fast and furious British Scurry & Trials Driving competition. Visitors can also watch the skilful BMX bike display, marvel at the magnificent Heavy Horses, enjoy the tractor pulling competition, the hilarious sheep show, the extended craft fair, live music and so much more. Further information and tickets are now available online at www.rutlandcountyshow.com

Grass Court Tennis At “The Rock”

IMBLEDON is only two months away and if that excites you, why not brush off the winter cobwebs from your tennis racquet and come along to one of the two free Open Days at the Rock Tennis Club on Stamford Recreation Ground. Club standard players are invited to visit the courts between 2pm and 6pm on Saturday 5th or 12th May for a game and with a view to membership of the Club. Enjoy lawn tennis right through till October! Only £40 for the whole season. For all enquiries please call the Club Secretary on 01778 380627

Local retailer is shortlisted for two national awards

NDEPENDENT jewellery store, RUBIROX, in St Mary’s St, has been shortlisted for two awards at the prestigious UK Jewellery Awards. This year’s shortlist comprises of 120 companies in 18 different categories that recognise excellence in all aspects of the jewellery industry, from design and sales excellence through to retailers and brands. The companies on the shortlist in the 16 categories will be presented to the panel of UKJA judges – made up of a selection of experts from across the jewellery industry, at a series of judging days in May. Those shortlisted in the retail categories will also be subject to a mystery shop by UKJA mystery shopping partner Storecheckers. Having undergone a store refurbishment

in November last year, which included a name change, RUBIROX has been shortlisted for the store design of the year award. The second category they have been shortlisted in is the Multibrand Retailer of the Year. Up against competitors such as John Lewis and Argento Jewellery, RUBIROX is one of only a few independent retailers shortlisted. The store features fifteen jewellery brands, with shop in shop layouts from PANDORA, Thomas Sabo, Swarovski and Links as well as Daisy and Nomination. As part of the refurbishment they have taken on two new brands, Alex and Ani and Ted Baker watches. The Jewellery Awards will be held on the fourth of July in London, the RUBIROX team would like to thank all their customers for their continued support. STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2018

News & Notes Have you received a new tax code?

SafeGuard Glass and Glazing opens brand new Stamford showroom

ITUATED in both Peterborough and Stamford, SafeGuard Glass and Glazing offers everything when it comes to solutions in glass for the home. Whether you are looking to purchase new windows and doors, considering adding a conservatory or looking to update your kitchen with a painted glass splashback, then SafeGuard is the company to call - and with a brand-new showroom just opened on your doorstep, why not come and take a look? Nick Welsh, Managing Director at SafeGuard explains: “Our brand-new showroom at our Stamford facility has recently opened its doors and we are delighted to be welcoming customers old and new to see what we have on offer. No matter the type of product you’re looking for, it really helps to be able to see and feel the quality of the finished products, as it helps make a more informed decision. We have everything on display from mirror glass and kitchen splash backs through to flush casement and sliding sash windows as well as space-saving sliding glass doors. We have an expert team on hand to talk you through each step of the process from purchase through to installation. No matter what it is you’re looking for, we can supply and fit bespoke products to your exact specifications. So, if you’re considering home improvements, looking for inspiration, appreciate the beauty of glass and are in or around the Stamford area, please drop in as we’d love to show you around.” SafeGuard Stamford: Unit 3, Stamford Business Park, Ryhall Road, Stamford, PE9 1XT For more information on SafeGuard or its product offering call 01780 751442 or visit www.safe-guard.co.uk

Stamford Music Competition

HE organisers have announced that booking is now open for the 2018 Stamford Music Competition which takes place on Saturday 16th June at All Saints’ Church, Red Lion Square, Stamford. 2018 will be the third year that the competition has been running, and it is open to school-age children in Years 1 to 8. There are a range of classes for different skill levels, and every competitor will receive a certificate, spoken adjudication and helpful, encouraging written notes on their performance. The competition offers a friendly and welcoming environment for musicians to perform before their peers, their parents, teachers and the general public. There is no charge to listen as a member of the audience. This year’s adjudicator is John Wardle, an ABRSM examiner and Director of Music & Organist at Uppingham Parish Church. Entries cost £4 per entry, and can be made online at: www.stamfordmusicfestival.org

STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2018

OU will usually receive a new tax code around the start of the tax year because this is normally when changes to your personal allowance come into effect. Your tax code is used by your employer or pension provider to tell them what tax to take and if you have been allocated the wrong tax code you could be paying a lot more, or a lot less than you need to. You can find your tax code on the PAYE coding notice sent to you by HMRC or on your wage slip. The most common tax codes are made up of numbers and letters and these indicate the amount that you can earn in a year before your employer needs to deduct tax. In most cases, you can work out the total amount of income that you can earn in a year before you pay tax by multiplying the number in your tax code by ten. For example, the basic personal allowance for 2018-19 is £11,850 and the tax code for an employee entitled to the standard tax-free personal allowance is 1185L. There might be a different number or letter in your tax code. If your code contains a different number, allowances or other amounts may have been added to the amount that you can earn before you pay tax. For example, you may be entitled to claim tax relief for pension contributions, charitable donations or job expenses - these items will increase the amount that you can earn before you pay tax. On the other hand, your code could include deductions for items that increase the amount of tax that is taken, for example taxable benefits like a company car. The letter used in your tax code may not mean much to you, but it can affect the tax that you pay. Here are some of the main letters or special codes that are in use: L – you are under 65 and entitled to the basic personal allowance BR – your income is all taxed at the basic rate of tax which currently 20%. This is commonly used for a second job or pension. D0 or D1 – your income is taxed at the higher rate of tax, currently 40% or 45%. NT – no tax is to be taken M or N – a transfer or receipt of some personal allowance between a spouse or civil partner K – indicates that your total deductions are more than any allowances given. For more information contact Stephenson Smart Tel: 01733 343275 or visit www.stephensonsmart.com

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Out & About

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

Monday 30 April to Saturday 12 May, 10am to 4pm daily with selected evening opening EXHIBITION: The Welland Valley Arts Society Spring Show The Society gathers artists from the surrounding five counties and the exhibition showcases a wide variety of styles and techniques from professionals and amateurs. Most of the exhibits are for sale. Stamford Arts Centre Admission is free Thursday 3 May, 7.30pm EVENT: Stamford and District Local History Society AGM Everyone is welcome at the AGM of this thriving society. Refreshments will be served from 7pm and there will be a short talk on a local topic. Potential new members especially welcome. Barn Hill Methodist Church Admission is free Saturday 5 May, 7.30pm CONCERT: Manchester Camerata The Manchester Camerata is described ‘redefining what an orchestra can do’. Under GáborTakácsNagy, their new Music Director, the orchestra was the winner of the Best Ensemble Award in the Royal Philharmonic Society’s Music Awards 2017. This concert starts with the Overture to the Marriage of Figaro. Stamford Arts Centre

Tickets are £23 each at stamfordartscentre.com or 01780 763203 Sunday 6 and Monday 7 May, 10am to 4.30pm EVENT: Stamford Pottery Market Now in its eighth year, this market is becoming an established event in the arts calendar and will include the work of over 20 local potters. There will be a wide variety of ceramics displayed and for sale, with pottery demonstrations and films. And a tombola of plant pots for charity. Stamford Arts Centre Admission is free Friday 11 May, 7.30pm COMEDY: Mark Steel The star of Radio 4’s ‘Mark Steel’s in Town’ is back on the road with a new show, guaranteed to make the world seem even more ridiculous than it is. Mark is a regular on many TV panel shows and has written several acclaimed books as well as a weekly column for The Independent for which he won Columnist of the Year at the Press Awards in 2015. Stamford Corn Exchange Theatre Tickets are £16 on 01780 766455 or at stamfordcornexchange.co.uk Saturday 12 May EVENT: The Rat Race, Dirty Weekend Held annually in the grounds of Burghley Park, Dirty Weekend is quite simply the world’s biggest assault

course, followed by an epic after-party of festival proportions headlined by Dave Pearce. The run itself consists of 2 options: The Full Mucker (20 miles) and Half Mucker (13 miles) option for those who want most of the obstacles but who find the full distance a little much. Raising money for Children With Cancer, all details for entry can be found at burghley.co.uk Saturday 12 May, 2pm EVENT: Lyddington Fete Plenty of stalls, children’s face painting and games, nearly new fabrics, a raffle, a fun dog show and a barbeque at the Marquess of Exeter. Gretton Silver Band will perform and there will be a display of vintage vehicles plus free access to Lyddington Bede House between 2pm and 4.30pm. Proceeds from the fete help to support St Andrew’s Church, the village hall and other village projects. Wednesday 16 May, 7.30pm THEATRE: The Ministry of Biscuits London, 1948, and The Ministry of Biscuits casts its sinister shadow over every tea-time and elevenses in the land, prohibiting fancy biscuits everywhere and sparking confectionery rebellion. Drawing inspiration from 1940s British Light Music, Orwell’s dystopian classic 1984 and the great, quintessentially British Ealing comedies, this satirical musical fantasy is an absolutely ripping wheeze. (Suitable for ages 7+) South Luffenham Village Hall Tickets £10 from 01780 720687 / 720112

STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2018

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Out & About

Stamford Shakespeare Company

Saturday 19 May, 10am to 5pm EVENT: The Catesbys Brocante This is the first gathering of brocanteurs, designer makers and artisans at Catesbys’ headquarters in Exton. Proprietors Neil and Jonathan will be unveiling their new showroom, filled with old and new decorative finds from their travels through France, with a marquee filled with their creative friends and stalls dotted throughout the grounds. Food and drink will have a distinctly French flavour, including homemade beignets, quiches and tartines. A vital diary date for anyone interested in interiors. For more information see catesbys.co.uk Yew Tree House, Exton Park, Exton, Rutland LE15 8AX (Follow signs to parish church from Oakham Road) Admission is £3 at the gate. There is ample free parking at the venue. Sunday 20 May, 5pm MUSIC: The Jive Aces Britain’s Got Talent” stars, The Jive Aces, are the

UK’s top Jive & Swing band. With their high energy and irresistible humour this Sussex based six piece band will quickly get any audience on their feet and each and every show is guaranteed to go with a swing. Infectious rhythm, screaming horns and slapping bass all add up to an incredible live show. Stamford Corn Exchange Theatre Tickets £17.50/£16.50 from the Box Office 01780 766455 or stamfordcornexchange.co.uk Friday 25 to Monday 28 May EVENT: Easton on the Hill Gala Weekend Staged over five days the Gala Weekend has something for everyone beginning with a beer festival on Thursday evening and running right through the holiday weekend. On Friday dance the night away at a Northern Soul evening; on Saturday there is a village cricket match followed by Easton’s Got Talent in the evening. On Sunday there is a free all-day live music festival and finally, on Monday the village will host a traditional fete with pet show, maypole dancing, jousting, stalls and family entertainment. All events revolve around the village’s Blue Bell pub and the playing fields. Most events are free and everyone is welcome to attend. For more information call 01780 763003. Sunday 27 and Monday 28 May EVENT: The Living Heritage Game and Country Show

STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2018

BOOKING NOW FOR… Stamford Shakespeare Company 2018 Season Every summer more than 34,000 people from throughout the UK and from overseas attend the Stamford Shakespeare Company’s acclaimed summer season of plays in June, July and August at the Rutland Open Air Theatre, Tolethorpe Hall. Performances take place on an open air stage set within an enchanting woodland glade facing a 600-seat permanently covered auditorium. In addition to the recognised high standard of performances the theatre is known for the quality of all its facilities, making it one of the finest open air theatres in Europe. This year’s plays are The Merchant of Venice, Merry Wives of Windsor and The School for Scandal. More information and booking at stamfordshakespeare.co.uk or 01780 756133 / 01780 763203

A large Country Fair with four main arenas presenting country sports and pursuits at their very best. A chance to try lots of country sports - clay shooting, air guns, archery, fishing and a large selection of dog events. Other show features include the craft village, a food show with chef demonstrations, falconry, vintage vehicles and lots more. Burghley Park For more information and to book tickets visit burghley.co.uk or call Living Heritage on 01283 820548

ESSENTIAL LIVING 2018-19

OUT IN JUNE

Your Guide to the very best the region has to offer Essential Living is our stunning annual publication that covers Stamford, Rutland, Market Harborough, Oundle & Peterborough. It inspires people to get the most out of the region - to explore new places, to try out new things, to shop locally, to enjoy the best. You will find it free at high visibility footfall places across the region – hotels, cafés, health clubs, hairdressers, libraries and meeting places. Or read it online at www.bestlocalliving.co.uk It includes sections on: Shopping Discoveries Fashion, Health & Beauty Home & Garden Food & Drink Eating Out Out & About Kids’ Learning & Activities Education

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