Stamford Living April 2014

HELPING

YOU

TO

GET

THE

MOST

OUT

OF

STAMFORD LIVING FOOD/FASHION/HEALTH

&

BEAUTY/HOME

&

LOCALLY

APRIL 2014 £1.50 04

9 771478 377017

GARDEN/LIFESTYLE

NEW WEBSITE! www.stamfordliving.co.uk GET IN TOUCH: SLAPRILCOVER.indd 2

LIVING

@LocalLivingUK 20/03/2014 09:54

HELPSTON

£475,000 GREATFORD

This modern, tastefully built detached family home that has been finished to the highest of standards. A large family kitchen diner finished with oak fronted units, granite. Three high spec en-suites and family bathroom. Entrance hall, Study, Cloakroom, Lounge, Kitchen diner and Utility room. Master bedroom with en-suite shower room, Guest bedroom with en-suite, two further bedrooms and family bathroom, fifth bedroom and en-suite. Outside, is a gravelled driveway offering considerable parking spaces, a small lawn garden and a double garage. The rear of the property is decked area, which leads onto a lawn garden bound by flower borders and country views.

Kings Road

£499,000

This much improved property has been greatly improved over the last few years and now enjoys a large well fitted “Live-in family kitchen dining room” and re-fitted bathrooms. Ground floor: Reception hall, cloakroom, lounge, live-in family kitchen dining room, study, utility room, boot room. First floor: Galleried landing, master bedroom with re-fitted en suite, guest bedroom with re-fitted en-suite, two further bedrooms and re-fitted family bathroom. Outside, gravelled driveway with parking leading to a large double garage. Mature rear garden with established trees and shrubs and an extensive terrace and open views to the rear.

£850 pcm Pinfold road castle Bytham

A superbly presented period home set within walking distance of the town centre. Accommodation comprises: entrance hall, living room with open fire, dining with open fire and built in shelving, modern kitchen and further reception room/office. To the first floor is a large double bedroom with feature fireplace and built in wardrobes, second bedroom and family bathroom which is fitted to a high specification. To the rear is an enclosed garden with useful storage shed/workshop. Available now.

£550 pcm

This lovely cottage had been totally refurbished to a very high standard and is located in the village of Castle Bytham which offers Post Office/general stores and two pubs. The accommodation comprises:Lounge, dining room, kitchen with integrated appliances, cellar with heat and lighting, two double bedrooms and well equipped bathroom. To the rear of the property is a walled garden.

Call us now for more information

3 Red Lion Street, Stamford PE9 1PA

01780 765060

email: mailroom@knightpartnership.com

www.knightpartnership.com

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12/03/2014 19/03/2014 12:56 15:14

S TA M FOR D LIVING

W

ell, we didn’t win this year, I suppose that would have been greedy; but once again Stamford was adjudged by the Sunday Times to be one of the 101 Best Places to Live in Britain.

Our success last year has helped the town become better known to a wider public, and this is great news for visitor attractions and trade in the town. To consolidate and grow on this success, a volunteer team has worked hard over the last year to develop a new emblem for the town, based on its historic yet contemporary appeal.

You can see the result on the front cover, designed by New College Stamford students; and read more about it on Page 49. I salute the team for what they have done, and feel sure that this will help the town thrive into the future.

Hoping that you have a happy Fair and a lovely Easter.

APRIL CONTENTS

W W W. S TA M F O R D L I V I N G . C O . U K UPDATES, SHOPPING

Editor’s Selection Updates: Futsal sessions; Cash matters; Love Stamford centre opens 25 Updates: Boutique Turkey; A cautionary tale; Book review: Finding my Feet 43 Updates: J & L Ball; Marella Santa Croce 47 Updates: Clipsham Stone; A family affair at Delcor 5 17

HEALTH & BEAUTY

34 MOJO

36 ADAM FROST’S CHELSEA PLANS

HOME, GARDEN AND TRAVEL

Gardening: Local garden centres Gardening: Adam Frost’s Chelsea plans Property: Barnsdale Hall timeshares Property of the Month: Oak Tree Cottage

Nicholas Rudd-Jones Editor

20 36 44 47

@LocalLivingUK

FOOD & DRINK

Editor Nicholas Rudd-Jones 01780 765571 nicholas@bestlocalliving.co.uk Write to Stamford Living, PO Box 208, Stamford, PE9 9FY www.bestlocallivingliving.co.uk Advertisement Manager Claudia Bayley 01780 480409 claudia.bayley@btinternet.com Advertisement Director Helen Walton 01780 754801 helen.stamford@btopenworld.com Advertising Copy Rachel Beecroft 01780 765320 rachel@locallivingdesign.co.uk Head of Design Steven Handley steve@locallivingdesign.co.uk Senior Designer Nik Ellis nik@locallivingdesign.co.uk Publisher Nicholas Rudd-Jones 01780 765571 nicholas@bestlocalliving.co.uk Published by Local Living Ltd, PO Box 208, Stamford, Lincs. PE9 9FY nicholas@bestlocalliving.co.uk Printed by Warners of Bourne

8 SPRING FASHION

8 Fashion: Spring Fashion 14 Health & Beauty: Male Grooming products 34 Health & Beauty: Mojos salon review

55 Food & Drink: Gallery Restaurant at New College, Stamford; Le Bistro in Wansford 56 Olive Branch recipe: Lemon grass & lime pannacotta 59 Food & Drink: Easter edibles 60 Food & Drink: WWI recipes 63 Food & Drink: The Rutland Belle Osprey trip; The Garden House Hotel; The White Horse at Empingham

63 THE GARDEN HOUSE HOTEL

40 STAMFORD’S NARROW ESCAPES

ACTIVITIES, CULTURE, LEARNING & BUSINESS

28 Learning: University of the Third Age (U3A) 50 Stamford Living & social media 52 Local walk: Great Bowden, Market Harborough & the canal 65 What’s On

PEOPLE & PLACES 33 40 49 70

Ask Leo Special: Stamford Vicarages Perspectives: Stamford’s Narrow Escapes Stamford’s new emblem & Co: the team at Scholes funeral parlour

COVER ILLUSTRATION: STAMFORD’S NEW EMBLEM. SEE PAGE 49 FOR MORE DETAILS

SUBSCRIBE TO STAMFORD LIVING For only £20 (UK only) you can subscribe to Stamford Living for a year (12 issues).

Please send your name, address and a cheque made out to Local Living Ltd to: SL Subscriptions, PO Box 208, Stamford, PE9 9FY Or you can subscribe via the website at www.stamfordliving.co.uk

STAMFORD LIVING APRIL 2014

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Independant . . . your local estate agent!

goodwinpropertyservices.co.uk

Five reasons that set us apart : • Being one of the most recognisable and popular brands in the area provides us with a competitive edge.

• A local branch with local people - we know the residents, the schools and the area.

• Our central location within Stamford Town Goodwin Property Services, led by Robert Goodwin and Simon Burton, have built their reputation, living and working in Stamford for over 40 years.

The local market needs that local knowledge to truly assess values, market forces of supply and demand, relevant technology and marketing techniques as well as the numerous other issues involved in the buying and selling process, making our experience invaluable.

The unique combination of experience we have at our disposal really does mean we can provide levels of advice, in terms of using property for investment or retirement planning, that is difficult to match. If you are thinking of going this route drop in for a chat and we will explain more.

centre means we are perfectly placed to ensure all our properties receive maximum exposure.

• Our independent status means we have the

ability to adapt to the changing market and the needs of our clients.

• We have dedicated specialists to advise on

all aspects of Residential Sales, Lettings and Financial Services.

Being recognised as the area’s leading independent agent is also something we value highly. The ability to change direction quickly as and when the need arises should not be undervalued. We are not target driven but want to act in our client’s best interests at all times. You are dealing with the people who run the company and really care about what you think.

Our reputation is very important to us. We really do feel that openness and honesty are two of the greatest tools at our disposal, and when combined with our degree of professionalism, we offer a service that is hard to be beaten.

Whether you are buying, selling or letting, why not let us help you.

All you need to do is contact us : call, email or visit the website and we’ll do the rest!

•

goodwin

www.goodwinpropertyservices.co.uk

Residential Sales • Lettings • Mortgages

. . . your local estate agent! 01780 750000 2-3 St John’s Street, Stamford, Lincs PE9 2DA

goodwinpropertyservices.co.uk 4

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G R E AT ID EA S FOR APR IL

Editor’s Selection 3. Get inspired 1. Buy into affordable quality Arch has pre-owned stuff coming in every week. Check out this Smythson of Bond St Bag (Arch Label Agency, St Paul’s St, 01780 764746

2. Poundland

The Council has splashed out £1 on the ‘phone box next to the George – the plan is to make it into a mini-information centre. Good idea!

So impressed by the ‘four floors of happiness’ at Snow Design.

Leading-edge design ideas, and supporting local craftspeople too. (Snow Design, St Mary’s St, 01780 7515510)

6. Become a Nature volunteer 4.

Celebrate a birthday Paradise Found is two years old and has been a great addition to the town.

Jewellery online store now at www.paradisefoundshop.com.

And a new range of wedding jewellery. (Paradise Found, St Mary’s St, 01780 764439)

5. Pick a card with a difference

If you’d like to get involved with Barnack Hills and Holes Nature reserve , then come along to The Millstone Pub in Barnack for the launch event for the ‘Friends of the Hills and Holes’ Group on Mon 21 Apr at 11.00 am.

7. Get round Rutland Water Leave the car at home and take the Shorelink Bus. New timetable at www.rutland.gov.uk/transport

Belinda Sly has launched a brilliant new range of distinctive greetings cards (Sly, St Mary’s Passage, 01780 482870) STAMFORD LIVING APRIL 2014

5 EDS SELECTION APRIL.indd 1

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&

Q 9am

om 8am SPECIALISING IN CONSERVATORIES, WINDOWS & BI FOLDING DOOR SYSTEMS

o.uk

Kitchen Showroom

22-23 Scotgate, Stamford, PE9 2YQ Opening Times: Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm Saturday 10am – 3pm t: 01780 481850 f: 01780 481132

Conservatory Showroom 1 Meadow View, Uffington Road, Stamford, PE9 2EX Opening Times: Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm Saturday 10am – 2pm t: 01780 753343 f: 01780 482926 e: Orchardwindows@live.co.uk

www.orchardwindows.co.uk Specialising in Conservatories, Windows & Bi Folding Door Systems Conservatory Showroom

1 Meadow View, Uffington Road, Stamford, PE9 2EX Opening Times: Monday to Friday 8am – 5pm Saturday 10am – 2pm T: 01780 753343 F: 01780 482926

Kitchen Showroom

22-23 Scotgate, Stamford, PE9 2YQ Opening Times: Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm Saturday 10am – 3pm T: 01780 481850 F: 01780 481132

E: orchardwindows@live.co.uk

www.orchardwindows.co.uk 6

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ANAND SHOES

of Stamford

• Stockist of high quality leather footwear from:

• High class shoe repair and restoration service • Official retailer for

Bears

• Shoe care products • Key cutting & Engraving service

28 High Street, Stamford, PE9 2BB - T: 01780 767688 E: anandshoesofstamford@gmail.com

of Stove s, H e a ti ng & Re ne w a b l e Pr od ucts

Opening(Hours Monday7(Wednesday7(Thursday(F(Friday(10w00am(6(4w00pm Saturday(10w00am(6(3w00pm(((Closed(Tuesday(F(Sunday

Celsius(of(Stamford7(Marshalls(Yard7((38(St(Pauls(Street7(Stamford7(PE9(2BH 0Behind(Stamford(Car(Wash.

Telw(01780(678679(((((((((((wwwwcelsiusofstamfordwcom(((((((((( 7

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FAS HI O N

Rhapsody in Blue There is no need to feel blue any longer, ignore the April showers and fill your wardrobe with colour. Sally Stillingfleet has rounded up the best of the blues, to give a taste of what’s to come and ease you into Spring

C

olours are vivid and bright, blues come in all shades from pale and icy through to cobalt and navy. Coverups and wraps will keep you warm over floral shirts and fine gauge knitwear.

Lightweight jackets really can be an alternative to your winter coat!

Claire (left) Ochre graphite lightweight sweater £95, BZR grey cropped trousers £90 from Attic. Blue brogues £129.99 Marcia May Shoes.

Earrings £98 from Paradise Found.

Isabella (right) White Noa Noa shirt £70, worn with Great Plains patterned trousers £50 and brogues also Great Plains £80, all from Attic. Maison Scotch cardigan £95 from Energy.

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STAMFORD LIVING APRIL 2014

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Coral Oui silk shirt £75 Cavells, worn with Navy lace Mulberry skirt £290 and Jimmy Choo handbag £250, Sergio Rossi shoes £100 from Arch Label Agency.

Love Molly ‘denim’ cashmere and silk wrap £85 from Sly, worn over clothes as before.

Above: Breton striped top £70, worn under duck egg blue lined jacket £180 both

by Maison Scotch.

Levi’s grey leggings jeans £80 and Beck Sonder Gaard scarf £25 all from Energy. Victoria grey plimsols from £35 from Attic

Ochre one size wrap / poncho £80 from Attic worn over clothes as before.

One size loose petrol blue chiffon top £25 Baubles and Bangles, worn with Pepe ‘Cher’ pinky tinted jean £90 from Energy.

STAMFORD LIVING APRIL 2014

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MONOCHROME at

Go bold with black and white prints 16 Mill Street • Oakham • Rutland • LE15 6EA www.cavells.co.uk

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FAS HI O N

Floral Lovestruck shirt £35 from 23/7 worn with grey Levi’s as before.

Marcia May – 41 St Mary’s Street Tel: 01780 766608 Sly – 4 St Mary’s Passage Tel: 01780 482870 Energy – 9 Ironmonger St Tel: 01780 765633 Attic – 33 St. Mary’s Street Tel: 01780 766667 Baubles and Bangles – 10 St Mary’s Hill Tel: 01780 763633 Arch Label Agency – 43 St. Peter’s Street Tel: 01780 764746 Cavells – 16 Mill Street, Oakham Tel: 01572 770372 23/7 – 3 Stamford Walk, Stamford Tel. 01780 238008

• Pictures by Elli Dean (07932 055548) www.ellideanphotography.co.uk • Many thanks to Faith Bailey from Perch and Preen (01572 755096) for doing the gorgeous spring Make-up and Hair and many thanks to Claire and Isabella for modelling.

• Thanks also to Isabella and her Mum for the wonderful backdrop for our photoshoot.

STAMFORD LIVING APRIL 2014

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20/03/2014 10:09

The ultimate in luxury shapewear

your cur ve oo t h s

i ze s s & drop a dres

!

Sm

Red u c e s ce l l u lite C LOT HING

Exclusively from

BODYSHAPE

as worn at the

OSCARS Order at www.bodyshapemedasun.com • Revolutionary • Balanced • Silky • Strong • Comfortable • Super soft • Proven • Durable • Hygienic • Innovative • Breathable • Fresh • Cool and dry • Superior • Airy • Cosy • Amazing

Lyle & Scott stock Now in 3 Stamford Walk, Stamford PE9 2JE 01780 238008 23sevenclothing www.23seven.co.uk @23sevenclothing info@23seven.co.uk

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Something Dif f er ent for your Tr ue Love • Exclusive Designer Jewellery Davina Combe Azuni Alex Monroe Daisy Knights Missoma Rodgers & Rodgers and many more • Original Gift Ideas

WWW.PARADISEONLINE.CO.UK

North ShoeS fittiNg ShoeS SiNce 1876

18 North Street, Bourne.

Tel: 01778 422886

Loake Seconds NOW IN STOCK SHOEMAKERS

iN ouR BouRNe ShoP

2 Red Lion Square, Stamford.

Tel: 01780 755400 10 Westgate, Peterborough.

Tel: 01733 313890

www.northshoes.co.uk 13

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HEA LTH & BE AUT Y

Men can look good too

Gone are the days when the beauty salon was a female-only domain – and Genevieve Potter gets up to date with some of the best treatments for men

A close shave at Asembo It is estimated that 80% of men do not shave correctly (the correct formation is a downwards motion for the whole face, apart from the neck ‘collar’, which should be shaved in an upwards motion).

I had no idea that this was the case, or that shaving could be an art form, until I witnessed “The Ultimate Wet Shave” at Asembo (£38 for 60 minutes). Proprietor James is a huge fan of this treatment, which not only provides the perfect shave, but offers men a highly effective and time-efficient facial.

Therapist Becca first cleansed James’s face with an Espa wash, before using a fairly coarse, bespoke Baxter’s facial scrub which softens and lifts the hair, allowing the closest possible shave. She then applied a hot towel to soften and exfoliate the skin before applying a silky Argan shaving oil to help the shaving blade glide effortlessly over the skin. An Italian shaving medium by Proraso was then lathered on using a traditional bristle brush (no drying soap in sight!).

Then Becca began the precise shaving process using a disposable blade, which was repeated for ultra-smooth results.

After more Argan oil, a face mask was applied to clarify and draw out impurities; this was removed by a hot towel, followed by an icy-cold towel, to instantly calm and soothe the skin.

A toning, mint-based Baxter’s lotion was then swept over James’s face, before Becca applied one of Asembo’s must-have products for men, Baxter’s moisturising after shave balm (£18) and eye cream to de-puff and help prevent crows’ feet.

James’s skin was left smooth and glowing and, when compared to more traditional shaving methods, there was no hint of blotchiness. James also remarked on how his skin felt immediately calm and comfortable.

Asembo are one of the few salons who have a menonly bespoke treatment menu; highlights also include the ESPA Age Rebel Facial, which is a 60 or 90 minute age-defying facial designed to deliver immediate results to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

The ‘Suited & Booted’ package is four hours of pure indulgence, starting with a manicure and pedicure, a 60-minute ESPA deep muscle massage, followed by The Ultimate Wet-Shave, an eye-brow tidy and a haircut.

READER OFFER - mentioning Stamford Living when booking either the Age Rebel Facial or Suited & Booted package at Asembo during April 2014 entitles the reader to 10% off the total price.

And for men wishing to minimise or camouflage their grey hair, the hairdressing team at Asembo carry out the Redken for Men Colour Camo service, in less than 10 minutes. Formulated specifically for men, this is a quick, easy and discreet treatment and the results fade very gradually without tell-tale gold or red tones.

• Asembo 20 St Leonard’s Street, Stamford PE9 2HN Tel: 01780 765337 www.asembo.co.uk

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BEFORE

AFTER

Spot the difference – James before and after his treatment

Hair removal or stimulation at Renaissance As well as offering massage, facials, and waxing, Fiona Hood at Renaissance caters for men who wish to go to the next stage of hair removal with IPL (intensive pulsed light) hair removal. This is a high-tech treatment, which offers excellent results on coarse dark hair, for example from around the back and shoulder areas. An initial consultation and patch test costs £20.

READER OFFER - For men who are concerned with hair loss on the scalp, Renaissance now offers a ground-breaking new treatment which is proven to stimulate growth. Contact Fiona for more details; a course of treatments and homecare products costs £445, but when you book and mention Stamford Living during April 2014, you’ll receive a special reader discount of £50.

• Renaissance 2 Mallory Lane, Stamford, PE9 2FW Tel: 01780 763768 www.renaissancebeauty.co.uk

STAMFORD LIVING APRIL 2014

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Face and body revival at Maples

Perfect brows at Oscar Rose The team at Oscar Rose certainly know a thing or two about brows, performing upwards of 150 eyebrow treatments every single week! Owner Laura Try stresses that with men’s brows, it’s vital that the result looks entirely natural; the objective is to take away the bare minimum of hair, neatening up the brow to make the eye area look more open, lifted and younger.

Treatments are extremely fast; usually no more than 15 minutes, using a combination of waxing, threading and tweezing.

Oscar Rose also offer brow tinting if hairs are extremely fair or going grey, in this case, Laura always recommends using a very light natural tint (a patch test is required for tinting, 24 hours before the first treatment).

Oscar Rose’s barber-style salon and friendly atmosphere make it a very comfortable environment for men and a good proportion of the salon’s clients are male.

• Brow treatments cost between £5-£10; tints cost £10.

Oscar Rose, 7 Ironmonger Street, Stamford PE9 1PL Tel: 01780 480777

A pampering package at Equilibrium Equilibrium offer a wallet-friendly pamper package including a 30-minute back massage, mini facial (using the specific Thalgo Men’s range of products), finished with a nail treatment including hand soak, cuticle and nail tidy. This costs £40 per person and if you’re feeling generous, why not treat your significant other and enjoy being pampered together?

READER OFFER – when you have a pamper package during April 2014 you’ll also receive a complimentary goodie bag worth over £15. Please mention Stamford Living when booking.

A stress-relieving facial at Body Matters

BEFORE

Body Matters have very recently moved to a new location on Stamford’s Brownlow Street.

The salon has a large male client base and specialises in treatments ranging from waxing through to sports massage.

A particularly popular option is the Dermalogica deep cleansing customised facial. Owner Kirsten feels this is the perfect facial for men as it not only delivers excellent, visible results, but also offers deep relaxation. Men often carry a lot of tension in their jaws and faces and the treatment includes a shoulder, neck and face massage to alleviate this.

• Body Matters Brownlow Street, Stamford, PE9 2EL Tel: 01780 270002 www.bodymattersstamford.co.uk

AFTER As the “before” and “after” pictures here testify, Laura’s skill in perfecting the brows means a small change really does make a big difference!

READER OFFER - The Dermalogica customised facial usually costs £45, but when you book during April 2014 mentioning Stamford Living, it costs just £35

Get smooth at The Advanced Skin Clinic Carolyn Claypole at The Advanced Skin Clinic is a member of The British Institute & Association of Electrolysis, who can expertly remove thread veins or skin tags, which are often a problem for active, sporty men. Treatments cost around £35.00 – please call in for a personal consultation.

There’s also a range of treatments that are highly suitable for men, including facials, massage, waxing and Hopi ear candles (thermal-auricular therapy) - used to ease away congestion from the ears and completed with a sinus massage (£20.00).

• The Advanced Skin Clinic, 8 High Street, St. Martins, Stamford, PE9 2LF Tel: 01780 481155 www.theadvancedskinclinic.co.uk www.facebook.com/theadvancedskinclinic

If you’re a man in need of some serious pampering, Maples of Stamford have an array of top-to-toe treatments.

The Clarins Skin Blitz Facial is designed to counteract whatever life throws at your skin – shaving bumps, irritation, stress, tiredness and congestion are banished and the facial, which costs £43, will leave your skin looking refreshed, healthy and smooth.

You can also pick up a brilliant range of Clarins products specifically for men, including the After Shave Energizer (£23), containing extracts of purslane, centella and blue Alpine thistle to purify, reduce irritation and take the heat off razor burns.

The Clarins Men Exfoliating Cleanser (£21), is a soap-free cleansing gel, which helps to reduce the drying effects of hard water. Refreshing and stimulating, it helps eliminate impurities and traces of pollution that can make the skin look grey and dull.

And whether you’ve overdone it at the gym or work, the Elemis Muscle Ease Body Massage (£39) is an intensely therapeutic massage which eases tense shoulders, back knots and aches. Aromatic essential oils supercharge the stress-relieving benefits, restoring a sense of balance and well-being. .

• Maples 24 St Mary’s St Town Centre, Stamford PE9 2DJ Tel: 01780 752725

Soothe your hair and scalp with Aveda at Gerard Gerard is a prestigious Aveda salon, and some of their best-selling products include the excellent men’s pure-formance range, which has an active blend of natural ingredients to soothe and style even the most sensitive hair and scalps.

The pure-formance shampoo (£17) cleanses, conditions and hydrates the hair and the range and also includes two pomades, (£18), offering different levels of pliable hold which help to add texture and definition without any greasy residue or stickiness.

• Gerard George Hotel Mews, Stamford PE9 2LB Tel: 01780 753002 STAMFORD LIVING APRIL 2014

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Advertisement Feature

An increasing number of buyers are turning to experts for advice Stamford Living speaks to Kate Vincent from Garrington Property Finders to understand how they can help you.

Why are people using property finders in the current market?

People looking for something special in the vicinity of Stamford will soon discover that there are not enough properties to go around. This shortage of stock coupled with a growing number of buyers and bullish vendors means that the current housing market is a difficult place in which to transact. As a result, our industry is seeing growth from buyers at all levels as people realise they may need help to secure their dream home.

Can you provide us with some examples of why your clients require your assistance?

Clients that seek us out may have been searching unsuccessfully themselves for several months whilst for others, it’s a shortage of time or specialist knowledge that is a key factor. Others may be downsizing and do not feel confident about entering the housing market after many years in the same house. Those from outside the area make use of my local knowledge when looking to relocate and some simply want investment advice.

What can you do for your clients that average buyers can’t achieve for themselves?

I have a huge network of contacts and can achieve unique levels of access to otherwise unavailable properties. We also offer the comfort of thorough due diligence and detailed market knowledge to ensure our clients have the opportunity to buy the right house at the right price.

Do you have an example of any clients you have helped recently?

I was recently asked by a client who had already found a property to handle the complex negotiations on their behalf. Not only did this involve restructuring the vendor’s expectations of the property’s true value but

also required negotiations about including additional buildings and land in the deal. I have also worked with a family from London looking for a rural bolt-hole. They had been searching for a suitable property for nine month before asking Garrington for help. I am pleased to say that we were able to find an exciting gem and had an offer accepted within weeks of starting the search.

What do you like most about being a property finder?

Can I say it all? Seriously though, I am fascinated by property so keeping tabs on what is available in the East Midlands and viewing those with the most potential is very enjoyable. I also like working with my clients who are often, quite naturally, emotional about buying their next property. It is very satisfying to be able to provide calm support when things get difficult and to provide solutions when the inevitable problems arise.

Can you offer any advice to people who are looking to move to the area?

Be clear about your priorities, thorough in your research and realistic in your ambitions. Property prices in Rutland are noticeably higher than in the east of Stamford so whilst the former offers many charms, buying in other areas around the town can deliver a lot more square footage and land for your money.

• Garrington work for private and/or corporate clients who want to buy, rent or invest in property throughout the UK. They also provide a negotiation only and oversee of sales service. Contact Kate Vincent on 01780 408377 to discuss your requirements and arrange a commitment free initial meeting. Alternatively, email info@ garrington.co.uk or visit www.garringtoneastmidlands.co.uk

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UPD ATES

Futsal Session in Stamford

Cash matters

…with an England FUTSAL player

By Philippa Maffioli

@ New College Stamford, Drift Rd. From 5.00 till 6.00pm cost £5.00 per session

A

ll these players have played Futsal…… Messi, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Maradona… and many more! It is a fast and furious game that improves players’ technical ability on the ball. Why not come along and see what it is all about?

Benefits of Futsal: • More game time for your team • Players will be technically tested and improved by Futsal. Why? – The smaller, heavier ball will force players to think on their feet and have greater ball control to play.

• Will improve Bi-lateral development • Coached and advised by one of the first Futsal Level 1 coaches in the country • Weather will not interfere as it’s played inside • Futsal is a Player & Coach development tool

• Studies show Futsal to increase touches of a minimum 180% with up to 360% • Starting soon – register your interest now!!!

Tel: 07880 703784 www.onetouchfootball.co.uk glenn@onetouchfootball.co.uk

Love Stamford Centre opens Love Stamford centre opens at the Corn Exchange Theatre, Broad Street, Stamford on Easter Saturday 19th April at 10am. Stamford residents, Entrepreneurs Alex Curtis and his partner Andraya are the team behind it

I

bumped into a client a few weeks ago whilst having lunch in Buttercross House in Oakham with my two-year-old son, Enzo. My client had come in for a well-earned coffee and piece of cake after taking her mum to the building society to discuss the (appalling) interest rates that she was receiving on her cash deposits.

I have to admit – this is one of my favourite subjects. When you compare the lousy yields received from cash with the income that can be received from unit trusts or investment trusts, you see they make much more sense than cash for those with the appropriate risk profile.

Yields from income unit trusts/investment trusts are still in the region of 4-5% and there is scope for capital appreciation. Furthermore, if you hold these investment vehicles in ISAs, they can be far more tax efficient than a bogstandard savings account.

• Philippa Maffioli is an investment manager at Blyth-Richmond Investment Managers in Leicestershire. www.blyth-richmond.co.uk Tel: 0116 2303663

F

ollowing on from the successful launch of the Love Stamford Loyalty card for independent local businesses, Alex & Andraya saw an opportunity for an ever changing retail emporium which allows different independent retailers to come together to offer a unique shopping experience for the town. The former Sukies shop site has undertaken extensive renovation to install pop-up shops, a children’s soft play area and a coffee bar.

Andraya said “With so many fantastic small businesses in the area we wanted to create a shop which gives independent local retailers an opportunity to join together in a community environment. The centre has a mixture of permanent shop units within it but also ever changing stalls, pop-up shops and stands for local crafts people, artists, start-up businesses and small businesses. Our customers can come in to browse the fantastic retailers, stop at the mini coffee bar for some light refreshment and enjoy the historic theatre building” Two leading Stamford retailers have decided to relocate their businesses into the centre to take advantage of the unique shopping environment. Bubble & Squeak children’s retailer and Fabricadabra haberdashery will be relocating their existing shops into the centre.

Local couple Barbara & Foued Fersi will be launching the Stamford branch of their family business “With Love from Tunisia” offering unique Tunisian pottery, crafts, jewellery and gifts in the centre. Barbara said “Our family in Tunisia have been running their craft business there for over a hundred years.

We will have handcrafted beautiful items which have been produced with great care, craftsmanship and love”.

Launch on Easter Saturday will include a free customer raffle, free coffee and cake for the first 50 customers through the door at 10am and a competition to win an iPad mini by having your photo taken with the Mini car which forms part of the mini coffee bar. A range of free children’s activities for Easter will also be offered.

Love Stamford loyalty card holders will also be treated to exclusive discounts and deals in the centre. Customers can get their free loyalty card by signing up at www.lovestamford.com or popping into the centre to sign up.

The centre continues the campaign to encourage people to shop locally from independent local retailers keeping money within our local Stamford community, the free card scheme helps by rewarding customers for their loyalty with exclusive discounts and deals.

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Advertisement Feature

A dream home

Building a home that is both attractive and affordable to run is the dream of many couples—and Emma and her husband Richard Meaden are no exception.

T

he Meadens decided to buy the 400-year-old Peterborough farmhouse that would become their refurbishment project in 2011.

Their plan was to turn the “dilapidated old pile” they’d purchased into a stunning country home that was comfortable, yet sustainable.

Emma and Richard wanted to install a long-lasting, high quality and efficient heating system to keep their home warm and cosy. As their home is located in an off-gas area with 1.5 acres of land, a ground source heat pump was the perfect solution.

Eco-friendly energy The Meadens appointed Stamford-based specialists Orangehouse Renewables to specify and install their heating system. Orangehouse director, Alex Driver, recommended an 8kW Vaillant geoTHERM exclusive ground source heat pump, with the ground heat captured via two 225m-long loops of pipe buried in the neighbouring paddock, and heat distributed around the house via underfloor heating. The geoTHERM exclusive has a built-in 175-litre tank for hot water storage, which is supplemented via an additional 300-litre tank to give further efficiencies.

An ‘energy fruit machine’ The running costs of the heat pump are estimated to be half those of an equivalent oil system. As an extra bonus, the estimated life of a ground source heat pump stands at 25 years, compared with the 10-year lifespan of an oil boiler. All in all, it’s the perfect technology for homeowners living in off-gas areas. When it comes to fuel costs, choosing a ground source heat pump is saving the Meadens over £32,000 over 20 years.

The Meadens’ system is also eligible for the government Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), which is set to pay them over £2,500 a year, and for the next seven years, a total of £18,000. This gives a payback period of just over five years - something that Emma was delighted to discover.

“We see our Vaillant heat pump as like an energy fruit machine,” she says.

“We put £1 of energy into the system, and get £3 worth back to heat our new house and supply our enormous copper bath tub with hot water.”

Tailored to fit The ground source heat system was designed around the house to ensure that it could deliver the amount of heat that the property would need.

The installation of underfloor heating throughout the house is perfectly suited to a ground source heat pump due to the low flow temperature, and efficiency of the system is maximised through the use of a weather compensation control.

“The external temperature sensors outside feed information about the external temperature to the heat pump, allowing it to adjust accordingly,” explains Alex Driver.

A dream come true Installing the Vaillant geoTHERM heat pump has helped the Meadens to achieve their dream of creating an economically sustainable, stunning country home, whilst managing to escape rising fuel costs.

“As a company with both proven technology and a proven heritage, we really felt that we could rely on Vaillant,” Emma concludes.

• To find out how Vaillant can reduce your fuel costs and carbon footprint, visit www.vaillant.co.uk/renewables or call 08456 010 050.

Visit www.youtube.com/Vaillant to watch a video case study of the Meadens’ project.

If you’d like to know more about the government’s RHI support programme, visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/ Generatingenergy.

For more about Orangehouse Renewables, visit www.orangehouse.co.uk

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GA RD E N ING

Garden Centres

Antonia Scott welcomes in spring by visiting local Garden Centres for some planting inspiration (followed by tea and cake!)

Opening of Garden Inspirations at Welland Vale In 2014, as Welland Vale celebrates its 40th year supplying the trade, it has launched its most ambitious project yet – a retail plant centre called ‘Garden Inspirations’. This focuses on a wide range of plants and core elements of gardening. If you’re looking for a garden centre selling everything from clothes to jewellery to furniture, that isn’t what it’s about.

But, if you wish to explore an inspirational range of well-cared for plants with frequently changing fresh ideas, large specimen plants from topiary to trees for instant impact, sundries and pots, a little bit different from the run-of-themill, then you should definitely pay a visit. Welland Vale’s passion is plants. They aim to offer sound advice that 40 years experience brings, all in a friendly relaxed

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environment. Strong links with local landscapers, designers and specialists offer a wide list of contacts. You will be served by knowledgeable staff, and will be confident in knowing that the plants that you are purchasing have come from Welland Vale’s own nursery and from a tried, tested and trusted chain of suppliers.

They also stock items a little out of the ordinary - traditional Italian terracotta and Cretan terracotta and more contemporary designs, a range of tools, sundries, chemicals, fertilizers, wild bird food and tables, house plants and cacti along with a range of pots for indoor use, aggregates & composts and much more. I was personally amazed by the collection of citrus trees, quite inspirational.

Welland Vale, Glaston Rd, Uppingham, LE15 9EU Tel: 01572 822729 www.wellandvale.co.uk Opening times: Mon-Sat 9-5; Sun 11-5

Stamford Sack Store has recently taken over the premises of the Stamford Garden Centre and made some rather noticeable changes. Parking has been re-allocated to the front of the building for customer ease and the numerous plants and poly tunnels

for growing a wider variety of flowers are now all located behind the store where there is ample room. Chris Isaac and his team have refurbished the showroom to incorporate a large range of stoves, biomass boilers, interiors and furniture, including stunning Harris Tweed sofas, chairs and footstools.

The Butchery and deli are fully stocked and the tea rooms still serve a delicious selection of food for hungry customers. www.sackstorestamford.co.uk Tel: 01780 765656 Sackstore Stamford, Stamford Garden Centre, Casterton Road, Stamford, PE9 4BB

Waterside Garden Centre in Baston, to the south of Bourne, has always tried to be at the forefront of current trends in horticulture and home and garden living. It is not just a traditional Garden Centre but a place where you can bring the family to stroll around the scenic plant area and head out further to the adjacent Fenland Nature Trail before enjoying a meal in the Oasis restaurant. There is a wide selection of products for the home and garden, pets and fish, as well as stocking a range of Country Clothing, such as: Joules, Toggi, Musto, Jack Wolfskin and The North Face plus many more. All these can be purchased online at: www. countryclothingdirect.com.

The Waterside Garden Centre has a loyal customer base which benefits from a Garden Club that is free to join and gives each member 2

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reward points for every £1 spent on products within the centre, which can then be redeemed from future purchases, along with other monthly restaurant promotions and an exclusive personal shopper service. www.watersidegardencentre.co.uk Tel: 01778 560000 King Street, Baston, Peterborough, PE6 9NY

Olive Grove Nurseries in Polebrook near Oundle is a treasure trove of goodies, displaying a stunning array of Palm Trees, Mediterranean Plants, Olive Trees and modern sculptures all set within a 6-acre site. Having proven so popular with locals over the past two years, owner Jackie Thackeray decided to expand the nursery with a Mediterranean themed coffee bar, Pizza oven, Italian ice cream parlour and fine food delicatessen, called “The Olive Branch”. Whilst still maintaining a core focus on plants, the Olive Grove Nurseries believe that the new addition will provide customers with a fantastic opportunity to sit amongst the olive trees whilst soaking up a true Mediterranean experience. www.olivegrovenurseries.co.uk Tel: 01832 275660 Olive Grove Nurseries, Oundle Road, Polebrook, Northants, PE8 5LQ

Belton Garden Centre is built in the former formal walled gardens of Belton House which was built in the mid 1600s and the walled garden area was established

in the 1800s. Unusually the 16ft walls which surround the garden centre are hollow - built to provide a cavity heating system, to supply warmth to the plants grown on the wall sides. The heating was supplied by boiler houses along the length of the wall and plants originally grown here were largely unseen in the United Kingdom - apricots, peaches and melons, making the owners of Belton House the envy of others for their fine fruit displays.

Since acquiring the site in 2007, owners Graham, Karen and Stephen Elkington have had ambitious plans to expand and improve on the facilities. This ambitious plan is now a reality with an award-winning coffee shop and restaurant, car park and other facilities for customers to enjoy whilst choosing their gardening products. www.beltongardencentre.co.uk Tel: 01476 563 700 Belton Garden Centre, Belton, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG32 2LN

Rasell’s Nurseries is a small family business, owned and run by Tim Rasell who grows and stocks a wide range of trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants including more rare and unusual species. Tim is a locally renowned plantsman with a vast depth of knowledge, having worked and supplied planting schemes at Rockingham Castle, Hambleton Hall and Holywell Hall. He is regularly approached to talk to local gardening clubs and societies about varying topics from maintenance, pruning,

seasonal interest and complementary planting.

Rasell’s prides itself on their friendly staff who are always on hand to offer helpful advice on how to care for your plants or what might be the right plant for you. Having a vast selection of plants in stock, Rasell’s are able to design, supply and plant any area that you wish, from a small town garden, a plantsman’s garden, an orchard, parkland or large country borders. Alongside the plants are all the necessary products required for practical gardening, such as pesticides, plant feed, tree stakes, pots, gloves and tools. No other retail garden nursery in the local area offers such an extensive collection of top quality, nursery grown, ornamental and fruiting plants.

Rasell’s Nurseries run Open Evenings throughout the year: The talks and demonstrations run from 5pm until 8pm, (with the talks starting at 5.45pm) and cost £5 per person.

April 24th: Pest, Disease and container maintenance, with Tim Rasell May 29th: Hanging Baskets, summer containers and borders, with Tim and Claire Rasell June 26th: What plant where?

Problem solving, with Ken Rawson: In the vegetable garden, with Tim Rasell There are further talks in subsequent months. www.rasells.co.uk Tel: 01780 410345 Rasell’s Nurseries, Station Road, Little Bytham, Lincs, NG33 4RA

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Sack Store Stamford Garden Centre Home to Clearview Stoves

“Time to find great design”

Stoves • Biomass Boilers • Tiles • Furniture • Farrow & Ball

• Café

Old Sack Store, Spalding Road, Boston, PE21 8EA Tel: 01205 310101 - www.sackstore.co.uk Also at Stamford Garden Centre, Casterton Road, Stamford, PE9 4BB Tel: 01780 765656 - www.stamfordgardencentre.co.uk

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Stamford’s ‘OUTSTANDING’ town-centre nursery - The Children’s Garden Day Nursery & Montessori Pre-school The whole TCG team is very proud of being rated as Outstanding in all areas by Ofsted when we were inspected in February 2014.

There’s a lot we would like to say, but we thought we’d leave it to Ofsted!

sp ir e d “ c h il d re n a re in to le a rn a t th is rs e ry ” o u ts ta n d in g n u

“ e n c o u r a g e s th e m to b e c h il d r en in th e tr u e s e n s e o f th e w o r d ”

“the outdoor learning environment is outstanding” “pre-s c have s hool childre uperb n fun as shoot they do slide f wn the tunn rom th e eir roo l m”

enriching y l h g i h ive and s” “innovat ortunitie p p o g n i learn “ignites a love of learning they take with them throughout their lives”

“a superlative dietary experience” We’d love to show you our homely nursery on Broad Street: • cosy & loving Baby & Garden Rooms for our youngest children • large & bright Daisy Room for our active toddlers • Montessori pre-school classroom with child-height mini-kitchens and slide access to garden • Large walled garden with Mongolian Yurt & wood-burner, mud-pit, mud kitchen, veg patch, flower beds, lawn & decking areas

To arrange your visit and to pick up a copy of our Ofsted report, please contact TCG Manager Christine Abbott on

01780 752094

or email thechildrensgarden@btconnect.com 23

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Our experience makes yours Caribbean | The Americas | Indian Ocean | Middle East | South Africa | Far East | Europe

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UPD ATES

A cautionary tale Sean Rowcliffe is a partner at Hegarty LLP and has been a personal injury solicitor for 20 years. Based on his considerable experience with motor vehicle insurers he has this cautionary word of advice for young drivers and their parents.

Boutique Turkey

One of the most highly recommended destinations for summer 2014 and a firm favourite with Oundle Travel, offering superb boutique hotel and villa accommodation is the resort of Kaş.

Kaş is a beautiful harbour town set in the heart of the old Lycian region. Framed by The Taurus Mountains, it enjoys a cosmopolitan atmosphere, with superb restaurants, colourful shops and winding cobbled streets. The village has been carefully preserved and looks set to retain its special charm and ambience for many years to come.

Kaş has managed to retain that most elusive of mixtures - an authentic ambience with relative sophistication that makes it an unusual, picturesque and uniquely welcoming destination. Steeped in culture, the region affords many opportunities for exploration of numerous cultural sites.

The Deniz Feneri Lighthouse is a superb choice for an early summer week in guaranteed sunshine - this is the region’s premier hotel and offers a relaxing week in stunning surroundings within easy reach of Kaş. A complimentary Gulet sailing day is also available with all holidays booked through Oundle Travel for Summer 2014 - spend a long lazy day on board as the gulet slowly explores the local bays; lunch and afternoon tea is also included.

Flights are included from Stansted to Dalaman from the Private Jet Terminal at Stansted on a privately chartered aircraft, guaranteeing a stress-free start to your holiday. From £800.00 per person including hotel, flights and return shared transfers based on seven nights travelling in May 2014.

Stunning individual villas sleeping up to 12 are also available for rental in the area, please contact Oundle Travel for personal recommendations.

• For more information and availability please contact Oundle Travel on 01832 273600. www.oundletravel.co.uk

Book Review: Finding My Feet Antonia Scott speaks to Claire Lomas, a fellow Stamford High School pupil, to find out more about her first book When local girl Claire Lomas became paralysed from the waist down after an Eventing accident in 2007, she was, quite simply determined to walk again. In 2012, she became the first paraplegic to ‘walk’ the London Marathon in a ReWalk robotic suit, taking 17 days and raising an incredible £210,000 for Spinal Research. In the same year, Claire was

invited to light the Paralympic Cauldron in Trafalgar Square in front of Prime Minister David Cameron, Mayor Boris Johnson and Lord Sebastian Coe. Last year Claire cycled 400 miles around England on a specially adapted handpowered bike, visiting schools (including her former school Stamford High School and Stamford Junior School) and organisations to give inspirational talks to raise awareness and funds for Nicholls Foundation and Spinal Research.

Parents will be aware of the enormous increase in insurance premiums for young drivers since they took out insurance some years ago!

Insurance premiums now frequently dwarf the cost of a first car. Many parents wish to provide financial help getting their child “on the road” but in an effort to reduce insurance premiums may well leave new drivers with an enormous financial outlay if care is not taken.

Hegarty LLP often field calls from young drivers or their parents where the young driver has been involved in a collision and then had their insurance declaration scrutinised by their insurer who then refuses to indemnify the young driver. This can be for a number of reasons but the most common concerns a parent who is identified as the primary driver of a new vehicle with their child as a named driver.

In reality the vehicle is in fact driven primarily by the young driver who then sadly has a road traffic collision. The insurers investigate and establish that in fact the young driver is the primary driver; in which case they could be saddled with an enormous debt for the rest of their life as a consequence of a decision made to try to save a few hundred pounds.

Our advice is to take insurance declarations extremely seriously. An insurer can and will scrutinise claims involving young drivers and they are aware of the practice of parents suggesting they are the main driver when they are not.

The AA report that 1 in 5 drivers have an accident in their first year of driving and 26% of all road traffic accidents involve at least 1 driver aged between 17 and 24.

There are practical steps that can be taken to reduce insurance to include using a vehicle with a small engine, low insurance grouping and even having “black box” GPS devices fitted to record how the vehicle is being driven which gives your son or daughter the opportunity to show to their insurer that they are a careful safe driver.

• Hegarty LLP, 10 Ironmonger St, Stamford, Lincs PE9 1PL Tel: 01780 752066 www.hegarty.co.uk

Claire’s book, Finding My Feet was published in February and is stocked at Walkers Book Shop in Stamford, with an ebook being released shortly.

To order a copy online: www.claireschallenge. co.uk/ “Claire is a force of nature. Give her a challenge that seems impossible and she will smash it to bits. She knows no limits, sets no boundaries and never takes ‘no’ for an answer.” Claire Balding STAMFORD LIVING APRIL 2014

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Creating beautiful bespoke kitchens Mark Goodacre creates individually handcrafted kitchens for people who appreciate a higher standard of design and finish in their homes

Come and visit our show room for more examples of our work, or call to make an appointment to discuss your requirements

Telephone 01476 586 159 | email info@markgoodacre.com | www.markgoodacre.com

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Advertisement Feature

UP LIFT IN THE HOUSING MARKET

By Moores Estate Agents

I

n the Spring/Summer of 2013, the whole housing market saw less sales then were hoped for, however offers started to be accepted in the last quarter of the year, when sellers realised they had to reduce their price expectations as properties weren’t going to achieve their anticipated top-end price. This was due to the restraints still on buyers with wages not having increased and mortgage borrowing still being hard.

However, by the end of 2013, the many ‘SOLD’ boards attracted an influx of people wishing to have valuations on their house and Moores are expecting many new properties to come to the market during March/April 2014.

Moores have numerous existing buyers wanting to move to this area, who would be happy to buy now – many of which are already currently renting whilst waiting to purchase their new home, which is a great indicator that the housing market may be increasing.

HOW TO GO ABOUT SELLING YOUR HOME Moores has discovered over the past 12 months, that one of the best (and quickest!) ways to sell your house, is to hold ‘Open Houses’ where all prospective buyers are invited to attend one specific date (usually a Saturday morning) where sales negotiators conduct viewings one after the other. This works well for buyers who can see a house in daylight hours (and not after work) and ask as many questions as they need to. This also works well for the seller who only has to tidy up once!

Moores are thorough in optimising the chance of your house being found first on the internet, but making sure it is always ‘the best’ in the category people are searching in, rather than the poorest in the category above.

Moores also prides itself on their unrivalled photography in each property’s brochure.

Moore realised that just putting a For Sale board up and advertising in newspapers and online was not enough. By promoting each area to out-of- town buyers saw Moores achieve up to 70% of sales in some months to buyers from out of the area. This was largely due to regional promotions about Rutland and Stamford in train stations and the London underground or the popular ‘Move to the Country’ show in London. Moores has also been appointed by Forces Property Direct to help with returning army personnel, moving from Cyprus and Germany back to Wittering, North Luffenham and Kendrew Barracks, Cottesmore.

Moores offer a fresh approach to buying and selling homes and hopes to restore prospective clients’ faith in any previously negative perceptions that estate agents might have been tarnished with over the years! With the right balance of professional service combined with personal care, Vernon Moore and his team are on hand 24/7 with advice and help where needed.

With offices in Stamford, Oakham, Uppingham as well as Melton Mowbray and Grantham, the geographical spread means every client gets to see a wide regional area

that best suits their needs. Moores is associated with Gordon & Douglas in London to enable many city clients to make the move out of the capital with the assurance that they are dealing with people they can still visit after work to do the research. All properties managed by Moores are shared in all offices and systems are synchronised, allowing staff to be up to date all the time. The London office also receives this information which is then sent on to relocation companies, the national press and the armed forces relocation departments.

For more information please contact Vernon or one of the team on 01572 757979 or 01780 484555.

• 36 High Street, Oakham LE15 6AL • 2 Orange Street, Uppingham LE15 9SQ • 12 St Johns Street, Stamford PE9 2DB office@mooresestateagents.com www.mooresestateagents.com

WHAT MAKES MOORES THE AGENT TO CHOOSE? Having worked in the Cotswolds and been involved in the London housing market, Vernon

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LE AR NING

The University of the

Third Age Alysia Anderson discovers a zest for life and learning among the older generation

I

first came across the University of the Third Age (U3A) when chatting to Kathy Collett at the counter of the Hambleton Bakery in Stamford. As Kathy sliced my rye loaf she told me about the organisation, which provides learning and leisure opportunities for retired and semi-retired people, usually aged over 50. The groups are set up voluntarily by local residents who come to share their knowledge, skills and experience and to learn from others.

Between them U3As offer the chance to study over 300 different subjects in such fields as art, languages, music, history, life sciences, philosophy, computing, crafts, photography and walking. A typical U3A has about 250 members but could be as small as 12 or as large as 2,000.

The U3A approach to learning is learning for pleasure. There is no accreditation and there are no assessments or qualifications to be gained. Group leaders are not highly qualified in their subject matter but have an enthusiasm they want to share with fellow members.

A worldwide movement A worldwide movement that began in France in 1972, U3A came to Britain in 1982 and by the beginning of 2014 had 320,520 members in 915 U3As throughout the UK. ‘The membership increases all the time so it’s hard to put a fixed number on it!” says Hendy Farquhar-Smith of the Stamford group, which celebrated its 20th anniversary last year and has more than 700 members. There is also a second Stamford club, the Welland, with 200 members, which branched off 13 years ago. Lincolnshire has more than 40 U3As, with groups in Bourne, the Deepings, Grantham, Sleaford and Spalding.

Peterborough has one of the largest in the country with over 2,500 members. Wherever there’s a suitable meeting venue and sufficient interest, a group can form.

Monthly get together Hendy explained the philosophy behind U3A: “The word ‘university’ is misleading as it is not

a university as such but a learning organisation to which older learners become members. The U3A in Britain is a network of voluntary groups whose members share their knowledge and interests by teaching and learning from each other. To take Stamford U3A as an example: it has more than 50 Interest Groups, ranging from book groups and dancing classes to Spanish, Photography and Quilting. A monthly meeting is held on the first Monday of the month at 10am at Barn Hill Methodist Church. It begins with tea and coffee while members socialise, pick up a copy of the monthly newsletter and scan the notice boards to see if there are any events organised that take their fancy. For example, the Garden Group go on regular visits as well as the Art History Group, the Antiques Group and the Local History Group. By 10.30 everyone has found a seat in the church to listen to that month’s speaker. This year the speakers have talked about subjects as varied as Stocken Prison and Robert Burns.”

“The U3A in Britain is a network of voluntary groups whose members share their knowledge and interests by teaching and learning from each other. To take Stamford U3A as an example: it has more than 50 Interest Groups, ranging from book groups and dancing classes to Spanish, Photography and Quilting”

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Exton walk in memory of Lyn Darwin

The Welland group also meets monthly at Barn Hill and shares some activities with Stamford U3A. Former Chairman Martin Lander said: “We pride ourselves on being a small, friendly group. We obviously don’t have as many Study Groups as Stamford does, but those we do have work very well and we are always open to new ideas: for example, a Natural History Group is just starting, with monthly visits to local wildlife reserves such as Rutland Water, possibly followed up by a lecture programme next winter. Some groups, such as Country Dancing, Bridge and Singing for Pleasure have members from both U3As. We have also welcomed members of other U3As such as Stamford and The Deepings on our annual day outing, which last year explored Rugby and Ryton Organic Gardens.” Other activities at the Welland U3A include table tennis, mah jong, knitting, poetry and jazz appreciation.

A great way to expand horizons Kathy Collett told me more about when she and husband Geoff became U3A members. “We joined five years ago when we retired. It’s a great way of finding new hobbies and interests and of meeting like-minded people. Retired folk find that all of a sudden they have all this free

time on their hands, although to join cost of refreshments or, for larger groups, U3A you only have to be semi-retired. of hiring a meeting venue. The U3As do not It’s also such a great way to help people work in isolation, however, explained Hendy. through the awful time of losing their “Here in Stamford, there is a local network partner. We belong to the Deepings where members of the organisations closest to club where we meet every month and Stamford meet occasionally to discuss matters. have a speaker, plus tea and biscuits, for There is also a wider Lincolnshire Network £12 a year per person. We also belong which meets on a regular basis and to which to the Bourne group which costs £5 each local U3A can send representatives. a year. With both clubs we are in the Nationally, there is an Annual Conference which walking groups. We meet in a pub and can be attended by delegates from every U3A end there, perhaps having lunch. We in the country. At the Head Office in Bromley, also go on walking holidays every year, Kent, staff are on hand to help with queries all over England. There are normally about 25 from individual U3As. A Resource Centre to 30 people and they are great fun, especially provides all kinds of practical help for Group when we take over a restaurant each evening!

Leaders. There are also 45 Subject Advisers Coupled with the fact that 60 is the new 50… who can be called on to help anyone starting a our retired section are not old at all, as you new interest group or to advise on problems in soon find out when you established groups.” go on an all-day walk. The Four times a year older the person the more the U3A publishes a stamina they have. It magazine, Third Age must come from a lifetime Matters. Advertised in of walking! Walks are its pages are summer structured for all abilities, schools at Harlaxton with several groups, Manor, a beautiful from a few miles to the Victorian manor house Challenges that Geoff has The Deepings U3A outside Grantham, done for several years. now owned by the walking in Derbyshire Last year he did the Three University of Evansville, Peaks, with the eldest participant aged 72.”

Indiana. Twelve years ago, the then Chairman of Stamford U3A set up the first U3A Summer School at Harlaxton. Millions were poured into The structure of U3A groups restoring its public rooms, known as the State All U3As are autonomous and are run by a Rooms, to their original condition. The Schools voluntary elected committee. This usually provide a chance for U3A members to improve consists of a Chairman, Deputy Chairman, their knowledge of various subjects while at the Treasurer, Secretary, Membership Secretary, same time enjoying the palatial surroundings.

Speaker Finder and Group Co-ordinator, as Unlike normal U3A Group Leaders, the well as other members which vary according lecturers here are experts in their subjects to the needs of the individual U3A. The annual but the emphasis is still on enjoyment and subscription varies (Stamford is £8) with some socialising. The schools attract members from members paying an extra charge to cover the all over the UK as Harlaxton’s position, two Harlaxton miles off the A1 and three miles from Grantham Manor station, makes it very easily accessible. Some of the attendees have been coming for all 12 years and the majority of those signed up for 2014 have been at least once before. There are six different courses in each School. This year, the subject matter ranges from Geology to Art History and Women Gardeners, with practical courses covering Papercraft, Art, Drama and Singing for Fun. The first school runs from 6-9 July and the second from 10-13 July. The cost of £195 (sharing a double room) or £225 (for a single room) covers all meals, morning coffee, afternoon tea, tuition and a grand buffet supper on the last night of each school. The time table is not arduous: only three lectures a day on the full days of each school, giving ample time to explore the house, its library and the beautifully kept grounds. Roll on retirement, I say…

• For more information on Stamford U3A visit www.StamfordU3A.co.uk or contact Jim Guthrie on 01780 752755 or Jim@ StamfordU3A.co.uk. For the Welland branch, contact Jo Roaf on 01780 759125. For information on Harlaxton U3A Summer Schools contact Hendy Farquhar-Smith on 01780 756316 or e-mail Hendy@hf-s.co.uk.

General information on U3A is found at www.u3a.org.uk STAMFORD LIVING APRIL 2014

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20/03/2014 11:08

A S K L EO SPE CIAL

Rectories & Vicarages Sue Lee and Jean Orpin have discovered that over the years Stamford has had numerous parsonage houses. Here is a selection.

All Saints 16 Barn Hill This is possibly the earliest vicarage house in Stamford, built in the 15th century probably about the same time as All Saints church was restored. It was sold in 1841.

St Mary’s 28 St Mary’s Street This medieval house on St Mary’s Street was the Rectory for St Mary’s for a long time although often the Rectors chose to live elsewhere in the town.

All Saints 8 St Peter’s Hill St Peter’s was one of the earliest foundations in Stamford and its original rectory on this site was medieval. In 1855 it was dilapidated and a new vicarage for All Saints was designed for the site by the architect Edward Browning.

St John’s 4 St Mary’s Street St John’s parsonage house was originally sited in the churchyard.

A new Rectory was built behind the church in 1791 fronting onto St Mary’s Street. The shop front was added when the building ceased to be used as the Rectory.

All Saints The Vicarage, Casterton Road By the late 20th century the Victorian Rectory was considered too large and this modern house became the Vicarage.

St John’s 27 Empingham Road This was the St John’s Rectory in the 20th century until it was sold when the parish was united with All Saints.

St George’s St George’s Square There was a medieval parsonage house in the churchyard. By the 17th century there was a Rectory on this site which was then replaced, in the late 19th century, by this present building.

St Michael’s St Paul’s St This Rectory, designed

by Euan Christian, was built on the site of Holy Trinity in St Paul’s Street. The house was sold to Stamford School in 1948 and the Rectory moved to Queen Street.

Other Properties

In Stamford, there are also priests’ houses and manses of various denominations and those illustrated above are by no means the only houses that have been occupied by Anglican clergy. Frequently Rectories and Vicarages were not seen as adequate or suitable dwellings by the Rectors and Vicars entitled to live in them.

Stamford also attracted retired clergymen and those without a parish as well as clergy from outlying villages who preferred to live in town.

We believe that many other houses in Stamford were occupied at one time or another by the clergy and know of properties on Rutland Terrace, High Street St Martins and Austin Street.

Was your house ever home to a clergyman?

Let us know at Leo Specialist Tours, 1 St Peter’s Street or on askleo@btinternet.com

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20/03/2014 11:42

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On entering, you’ll find a vibrant, yet warm and welcoming environment, which owner Sharon Tarrant has worked extremely hard to cultivate over the last decade.

Sharon, who has been a hairdresser all of her working life, earned her stripes at Michael John in Peterborough before a spell at Barnsdale Spa. She has a wealth of experience and is clearly a lady who knows her trade inside out and does everything possible to impart her knowledge to her team. At Mojo, there’s a strong emphasis on staff training and because Sharon is a member of the Fellowship of Hairdressers, which is a major accolade in the hairdressing world and a result of some rigorous screening and interviews (which Sharon describes as “completely nerve wracking”), the team have access to exclusive courses which enable them to learn the very latest salon techniques.

Mojo is a Wella System Professional salon and offer their clients all aspects of hairdressing; from precision cutting, great colour, colour corrections, “hair ups” and even Balmain hair extensions.

Upstairs at Mojo is home to an unexpectedly stunning beamed beauty room, where resident therapist Zoe is renowned for her excellent OPI manicures and pedicures (I am reliably informed that they last for weeks), Sienna X spray tans and Crystal Clear microdermabrasion facials.

Mojo really is a little haven in the heart of town; all of the salon’s clients seemed utterly at home and in no hurry to leave! Sharon’s passion for hair and beauty really shines through; and in pursuing that passion she has nurtured a talented, close-knit team who share in her ethos of making every single customer feel special.

Mojo is open Monday-Saturday including late nights on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and Saturdays from 8 am.

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GAR DE NING

Made in Chelsea

Stamford’s own, award-winning garden designer Adam Frost has created another stunning garden for his 2014 RHS Chelsea Flower Show but, this year he will have a few more green fingered hands to help him – students mentored by him from the newly formed Homebase Garden Academy.

Antonia Scott catches up with Adam to discuss his ‘Time to Reflect’ garden, which is sponsored again by Homebase and is in partnership with Alzheimer’s Society

36

A

t this year’s world-renowned RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Adam is hoping to add to his current tally of five gold medals, (and achieve a hat trick for Homebase!) by creating an ornamental, wildlife-friendly garden, inspired by his love for stone, water and the English countryside. The garden is a tranquil environment that can be enjoyed by different generations, while reflecting on and creating new memories together.

This year, for the first time, Adam will be joined by the new ‘Homebase Garden Academy’ students during the build of the garden. The 11 students will be helping to make Adam’s design a reality by putting into practice the skills they have learnt since joining the Academy last November.

Adam says, “In this garden, I want to remind people just how beneficial the outdoors can be for the whole family. In a world that is so fast-paced, I want to create a garden that encourages us to stop, reflect and spend quality time with each other; whether it’s educating children about nature, or creating a relaxing environment to reminisce with family. Having the ‘Homebase Garden Academy’ students help with this year’s journey is very special for me and for them, as I can see the passion I have filtering through to them”.

“Horticulture really did change my life – it’s

been a fascinating journey from apprentice gardener in a North Devon park department to a landscaper and designer and now mentor. The lack of young people going into my industry is a concern to me, so it’s great to know that horticulture will be on the national curriculum from September 2014. I believe this will play an important part in helping people understand their environment and feel a responsibility to leave a greener world and stop pillaging the one we have.”

‘Time to Reflect’

The inspiration and creativity behind Adam’s garden design, ‘Time to Reflect’ was the emotional journey undertaken in 2012, which was a turbulent year evoking painful memories, yet at the same time celebrating the essence of what memories mean to your soul. With the death of his beloved ‘Nan’ at the beginning of the year, followed shortly and suddenly by his father, who had instilled his own love of the North Devon countryside and passion for stone and water into Adam when they worked together, it was to be the hardest year of his life so far. The strong structure of his father’s native landscape with its dramatic rock formations, cascading waters and vibrant colours all stirred up memories of past family life spent

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“In this garden, I want to remind people just how beneficial the outdoors can be for the whole family. In a world that is so fast-paced, I want to create a garden that encourages us to stop, reflect and spend quality time with each other

An illustration of how the garden will look

clambering over rocks as a child, enjoying the simplicity of being outdoors.

On reflection, although 2012 was Adam’s ‘annus horribilis’, he realised out of memories, we can all create something great: “Putting my garden design, ‘Time to Reflect’ down on paper was such a personal journey for me, remembering the pain I went through that year with the loss of two such integral family members and discovering that my wife was also in need of medical care, I realised that life was never going to be the same again. Yet it was also the most educational year of my life.”

The garden sees a fusion of natural stone boulders, copper rills and ornamental plants to capture countryside memories - inspiring people to explore the great outdoors and recreate their own memories. The garden has four different levels to create a pathway and sense of movement. The levels are linked together by natural and hand-crafted stone boulders, which give the option of an alternative path to explore the garden by jumping from boulder to boulder, reminiscent of childhood innocence and exploration.

The heather clad arbour roof undulates as a reflection of the North Devon moors and provides somewhere to shelter, cook together as a family and enjoy the views of the garden.

Wildlife has again been at the forefront of

“The garden sees a fusion of natural stone boulders, copper rills and ornamental plants to capture countryside memories – inspiring people to explore the great outdoors and recreate their own memories.”

Adam’s mind with the arbour roof’s planting providing food for bees and butterflies and log stores under the benches providing shelter for insects; carved oak bird feeders hang from the trees and three ponds attract dragonflies and damsel flies. Adam’s intention was that as you move through the garden, the planting graduates from cool shade-loving woodland plants around the arbour into sun-loving yellow, white and blue plants reminiscent of English spring planting. Carved timber seats inspired by the shape of seed pods are also located throughout the garden – providing the opportunity for people to sit and reflect in the colourful surroundings.

T

he Homebase Garden Academy was born after Adam had an informal chat with one of the Homebase Directors in his ‘shed’ to escape the rain at last year’s Chelsea Flower Show. They discussed ideas on how best to connect with enthusiastic and passionate people who want to grow a career in gardening but don’t know where to start... and thus, the Academy was created!

As soon as the ‘Chelsea madness’ had finished, Homebase and Adam then set about hand picking 12 students from the hundreds that applied and last November started to train them at various locations throughout the UK towards a Royal Horticultural Society Level 1 qualification, whilst also giving them a wage.

Each student gets their own set of tools, a video camera and netbook to diarise their journey; but perhaps best of all is the incentive of a £1,000 bonus if they successfully graduate from the scheme and a guaranteed job at Homebase, which will hopefully be just the start of an exciting career in horticulture – and perhaps even produce the next Adam Frost!

• For Tickets to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show: 20–24th May go to: www.rhs.org.uk • For more information: www.adamfrost.co.uk Tel: 01780 753404 STAMFORD LIVING APRIL 2014

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Narrow Escapes P E RS P E C T I VE S

Richard Barry learns about horrible things that DIDN’T happen to Stamford

A

fter the First World War serious unemployment was chronic in Britain.

Desperate to do something about it, the governing Liberal Party established in 1920 the “Unemployment Grants Committee” with a pile of cash for “make-work” projects.

1926 Town Bypass

During the 1920s the Liberal vote was almost wiped out in Britain, and with it went such Keynesian notions as make-work schemes.

Astutely, Stamford quickly modified the plan and resubmitted it – this time as a congestion reduction scheme. Rather than crossing the Meadows to Castle Dyke, the 1926 bypass would have crossed to Bath Row, then to the Stamford’s bid for the cash was a proposed present Bus Station, across St Peter’s Green, north-south town bypass. Its real purpose was demolish part of the north side of St Peter’s unemployment relief – as may be seen in the Street, then to the present Waitrose site before Town Hall archive – but for the local audience ending on the Great North Road opposite it was dressed-up as a traffic congestion today’s BP garage – demolishing part of Rock reduction scheme. And in spite of its name Terrace as a final flourish. All in all, a it wasn’t really a bypass – more an lot more demolition (and therefore “express corridor” blasting “Scotgate, compensation payment) than the through the centre of town. with its 15 1922 scheme. But it would have Starting at the Bottle foot carriageway, bypassed the Scotgate neck and Lodges the bypass would might well have improved northhave gone down Penfold On 1 November 1960, Minister Ernie was reputed to be south traffic flow. Pity about St Lane, across the Kettering Marples opened the A1 dual-carriageway the narrowest neck Peter’s though.

Road and down a much to the west of Stamford.—finally solving in the entire Great With the fall of the Liberals widened Wothorpe Road, the north-south capacity problem.

North Road between the pile of make-work cash then across a new threeTown reaction (Mercury 3.11.60) was evaporated. So who was going to arch bridge to the Meadows. pretty negative, fearing that this out-ofLondon and pay -- the borough and county or Excavation of the castle town bypass was going to kill Stamford’s Edinburgh.” the Ministry of Transport? Fortunately site (another element in the business. What it did, of course, was to the argument raged unresolved for unemployment relief application) change Stamford from being a “can’t wait thirteen years, until the outbreak of war in 1939 would have provided enough landfill to build to escape” transit town into a charming gave people other things to think about. an elevated causeway for the new road across and much sought-after destination town. the Meadows to Castle Dyke. The downstream end of the Mill Stream would have been filled by more spoil from the castle, eliminating any need for a replacement Lammas bridge. The bypass would continue up Castle Dyke, across Sheepmarket, demolishing the Millstone pub Stamford escaped the demolition called for by the 1922 and 1926 Bypass schemes, only to be and ending in Red Lion Square. threatened by the so-called Inner Ring. Proponents claimed that it would mainly use existing These were hefty roads; for its entire length roads, adding the rather sinister warning that these would need to be “improved” -- presumably the Bypass would have had a carriage way widening them to a 30 foot carriageway. of 30 feet within a 50 foot right-of-way. By The Inner Ring would start at the George, go west along Station Road and then follow the comparison with today, the width of the North proposed route of the 1926 Bypass, across the Meadows and up to West Street at Foundry Road.

Street carriageway at its western end is 26 feet.

Again – bang would go St Peter’s. From West Street the Inner Ring would follow North Street, Ending in Red Lion Square totally gave the East Street, Brazenose Lane and Cherryholt Road down to the river. A new road bridge would game away: no genuine congestion scheme be needed to cross the river and also the railway, joining the Barnack Road, then to Water Street would have dreamed of attaching itself to the and so back to the George. All in all, three new road bridges, demolition including part of St south end of Scotgate, reputed – with its 15 foot Peter’s and an unspecified amount of “improvement”. Given that the 1950s was a decade of carriageway -- to be the narrowest neck in the spectacularly ugly architecture in Britain, one dreads to think what those improvements would entire Great North Road between London and have looked like.

Edinburgh.

1922 Town Bypass

Rescue

1952 Inner Ring Road

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ILLUSTRATION: STEVEN HANDLEY AFTER BERTRAM PRANCE

1846: A Truly Awful Railway Plan

The Hermann Goering Threat

Narrow escapes were not just limited to the roads – the railway had its share too. The history of our local railways is almost too complicated for the human brain to grasp. Suffice to say that it was Leicester, not Peterborough, which brought the railway to Stamford with the so-called Syston & Peterborough line (Syston being a rail link near Leicester).

Planning for the S&P line began in 1845. All went smoothly until it reached Stamford where the plan became highly contentious. Approaching Stamford from the west, the railway would have kept to the north bank of the Welland, running the length of the Meadows, crossing the Mill Stream at Bath Row near Castle Dyke, and then crossing the Great North Road (as it then was) with a level-crossing just north of the Town Bridge. Stamford Station would have been in Wharf Road.

It’s hard to imagine a route that could have done more damage to the town. The superb view of Stamford from St Martin’s would have been ruined by the railway embankment running the length of the Meadows. The congestion caused by a levelcrossing north of the bridge doesn’t bear thinking about. And yet the scheme was very popular among the townspeople – the only serious opposition coming from the Marquess of Exeter. Faced with his objection, the S&P railway was diverted south of the Welland, along its present route. Whatever his motive, the Marquess’s obduracy saved Stamford from a really nasty outcome – truly, a narrow escape.

The fifth narrow escape was political – neatly referenced by Lady Victoria Leatham in her book “Life at Burghley” who wrote “The fact that Hermann Goering had targeted Burghley as a prize for himself should Germany win the war….”

That’s the last fact in this Goering story – all the rest are factoids, to use Norman Mailer’s marvellous coinage.

Goering’s parents got married in London. He was a senior colonial administrator in what is today Namibia, assigned to London to study British colonial methods. The family was very anglophile, as was Hermann himself.

Hermann was born in Bavaria in 1893. He went to Ausbach (a prestigious boarding school), but left in 1908. He passed the entrance exam for the German Royal Military Academy and entered in 1910. It’s not clear what he did from 1908 to 1910, and where he learned enough to pass the GRMA exam.

Many believe that he spent the “missing” eighteen months in Rutland at the Rev Shaw’s crammers. Shaw was a noted Greek scholar and pupils came from abroad to be taught by him at the South Luffenham rectory. The son of the German Chancellor (Prince von Bulow) and also Hermann Goering are said to have been pupils – Goering’s initials being scratched on to one of the rectory’s window frames.

Goering next appears in Rutland playing golf at Luffenham Heath in 1937 as the guest of the club’s vice president, the Marquess of Londonderry. It also could have provided him with the opportunity to see, and to covet, Burghley House, although his name does not appear in the Guest Book. In anticipation of his forthcoming prize, Goering stipulated that the Luftwaffe (which he commanded) was not to bomb Stamford. The one bomb that fell near Burghley House is thought to have been an accident -- jettisoned from a bomber returning home from a raid on Leicester. Rumour has it that the unfortunate pilot was sent to the Eastern Front, from which he never returned.

A successful invasion of Britain would have seen Goering living at Burghley, with, no doubt, many of his cronies coming over and settling nearby. It would have had a disastrous impact, comparable to the Norman invasion 879 years earlier.

For the nation, for Stamford, and for Burghley, truly a narrow escape.

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Soft Furnishings Sales Assistant We have a position available for an experienced, confident and enthusiastic sales assistant.

You will be joining a small, friendly, supportive team in a successful local business.

We would like to employ someone who: • Love fabrics, soft furnishings and interior design • Has an understanding of how curtains and blinds are made • Has proven sales ability and excellent customer skills • Can communicate well and work as part of a team • Is able to use a computer • Driving licence (useful, not essential)

UPPINGHAM

This is an exciting opportunity to become part of a busy team, based in Stamford. Product training will be available to the successful candidate.

Salary dependant on experience, hours negotiable.

Email jeremyball176@gmail.com or phone 07818 424907

J & L Ball Interiors Ltd - 16 North Street, Stamford, PE9 1EH

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Marella Santa Croce Beautiful, high-energy Reiki treatments

Find relief from all sorts of discomfort and ill-health or simply enjoy a safe, non-invasive expression of love for your body.

Peace with every treatment:

07795384590

Some evenings or Saturdays also possible.

Room to Live Showroom Cherryholt Road, Stamford, PE9 2EQ Tel: 01780 756666

Creators of finest quality bespoke Orangeries & Conservatories Orangeries Lanter n Rooms Conservatories

Mon-Fri 9am-5pm,

Windows Doors Folding Sliding Door Systems

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at Essence of Beauty, 15 St. Mary’s Street, Stamford PE9 2DF and at The Manor Beauty, Tur Langton, Leicestershire LE8 0PJ

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UPD ATES

New laws on window blind safety are backed by local company Local company J&L Ball Interiors will welcome new laws on window blind safety when they come into effect in 2014. They are a member of the British Blind & Shutter Association (BBSA), which has campaigned for safer blinds and has worked with UK government and EU standards bodies to make child safety standards for new window blinds much more stringent.

The new regulations will make it illegal to sell or professionally install a window blind that does not meet the standards. The rules include maximum cord and chain lengths, the fitting of safety devices at the point of manufacture, product warnings, point of sale information and instructions on packaging.

Jeremy Ball of J&L Ball Interiors says: “We fully support the new regulations and as well as ensuring all new window blinds we supply are compliant and are fitted correctly, we are also ready to help any customer who has existing window blinds with cords or chains. We can fit devices to make these safer.”

Since 2009 the BBSA has worked tirelessly to educate consumers about window blinds with cords or chains which could form a hazardous loop and its ‘make it safe’ campaign is endorsed by the Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) and Royal Society for Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

The BBSA’s ‘make it safe’ urges parents, grandparents and carers to: • Examine every blind in the home, especially in children’s bedrooms. If any have a looped control chain or cord, then make sure there is a safety device to keep the cord or chain securely out of the reach of babies and young children. These safety devices are low-cost and are easy to retrofit, so you do not have to wait until you replace a blind to improve its safety.

• Move cots, beds and any furniture away from windows and blinds – remember children love to climb.

• When buying a new blind always look for one that does not contain cords

Marella Santa Croce Marella Santa Croce, MPhil; MA; BA; BEd. (UK) is an independent scholar; writer; teacher/ workshop facilitator; inspirational speaker; Masseuse; Reiki Master and an Energy Field Practitioner.

Working with Quantum Energy in a very fast field, Marella will help you to feel your own energy and will show you how it affects your whole life: we all know how we feel when someone’s energy puts us in a bad mood. Your energy fields, personal, social, emotional and geographical support you: we are, after all, made up of energy and water.

Marella is an academic woman with a heart-centred approach; whilst massaging your feet she is able to understand the definition of the needs of your body at that time, working on the problematic areas and finding routes around those difficulties for you for change.

‘It is not necessary to remove clothing. I ask if you will focus onto the edge of the area that seems to be troubling you and I take out the negative for you and show you how to keep that positivity thereafter. I work very quickly, focussing on the love, beauty and goodness already instilled in the human being. We work together to find the wisdom, and often the courage, to overcome difficulties and find the way forward.’

Marella has defined a way of working that is discreet, thorough and successful, treating those with all sorts of difficulty including anorexia and bulimia; addictions; cancer; fertility difficulties; relational problems

or chains (for example a spring operated roller blind) or which has concealed cords especially for children’s bedrooms.

• For more information, tips and advice on what to look for in new blinds and how to improve safety of your existing window blinds visit the website www.makeitsafe.org.uk • J & L Ball, 16 North St, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 1EH Tel: 01780 481416 www.jandlball.co.uk

and difficulties with self-esteem; skin disorders; stress; as well as the finding of peace in life and the finding of joy.

Illness can be created from the very start of life when we have to bury ourselves in schooling, in training in learning and submitting to rules and conditions, often other people’s rules, which we may not find easy and against which we quietly rebel.

These difficulties can remain in the body at a deep cellular level and they greatly increase the likelihood of illness. Marella’s fine tuning, honed in the wild of Africa, is able to re-align your self-set cellular memories and also those negatives you might have been unfortunate enough to inherit: in its way this is very new...

‘All that is necessary is an openness to what is on offer. If you would like an MOT for your body and experience a deep state of peace then please do come for a treatment.’

Marella will give the first of a series of talks about the body, its energy and her work at The Falcon, Uppingham, on Tuesday 15th April, 2014; 7pm £5.00 at the door.

• Marella can be found at Essence of Beauty, 15 St. Mary’s Street, Stamford PE9 2DF and also at The Manor, Tur Langton, Leicestershire LE8 0PJ Please telephone 07795 384590 for your appointment STAMFORD LIVING APRIL 2014

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PR OPER TI E S

Barnsdale...

Live it...love it...own it...

Nicholas Rudd-Jones went to check out the latest developments in Barnsdale Hall’s timeshare scheme

I

have always loved Barnsdale Hall for its stunning location and grand panoramas across Rutland Water. Just arriving on site takes your breath away, as the driveway gives way to a rolling lawn going down to the water, with spectacular views as far as the eye can see. Substantial additional investment has been put into the landscaping over the last couple of years, which has really created the ‘wow’ factor and meant that several film crews have based themselves there whilst shooting documentaries about the surrounding areas.

I met with Russell Waters, General Manager, to learn more about recent developments in the timeshares. “We have 49 units,” Russell told me, “and occupancy is higher than ever, at well over 90%, which we are really pleased with.

“We have continued a programme of unit-byunit investment to keep the whole site in tip-top condition.

“The biggest development since you last visited has been the growth of the rental side of the business. This allows visitors to stay in a great location for a week or two, and link up with friends and family in other units – one extended family recently celebrated a 50th here at a fraction of what it would cost to rent a hotel.”

Another unique feature is the Monday morning Welcome, at 10am every week, where you get to meet the other residents and learn about what is going on in the local region – a representative from Discover Rutland, Barnsdale Gardens and the Falconry comes to talk. This will really help you to get full value for your time in the region.

For owners, the renting option gives them still greater flexibility and an extra return, making the whole enterprise better value still.

There is a web page dedicated to rentals that can be found at: http://www.barnsdalehotel.co.uk/ rentals-2014-c226.html

A Barnsdale timeshare amounts to an incredible four-in-one package

The start point for a timeshare is to choose a property on the site – there is a choice of properties by type and size, sleeping from 2 to 8 people, all set in the beautiful grounds with views over the water. Prices begin from £1,200 for a specific week, lasting 14 years.

Included in your seasonal ownership you have the following: 1. Use of all the resort facilities during your holiday 2. Concessionary use of the Leisure facilities all year round 3. Your lodge kept in top condition: a) Preparation of the lodge for your arrival b) The lodge is cleaned and closed upon your departure c) There is an annual maintenance fee, which covers all maintenance needs for your property 4. The ability to exchange your timeshare week/s for properties overseas (and Barnsdale is a Gold Crown Resort, so very desirable to others). So if one year you fancy a trip to Spain or the USA or anywhere else. Or you can rent out your own property for cash if you prefer.

The timeshare represents excellent value in its own right but, with the benefits of all year round concessionary membership of the leisure facilities and the flexibility on timeshare locations abroad, it is truly unbeatable.

And being part of a club, you also get your say. As Russell noted: “When I took over 6 years ago, there were about 20 attendees at the AGM, but now we often get 80, as people have got more and more involved in the whole experience.”

The facilities and surroundings: At Barnsdale Fully Air-Conditioned Gymnasium, with Personal Trainers 22 Metre Pool, recently re-tiled Sauna and Steam Room 2 Spa Pools 6 Tennis Courts

Crazy Golf 9 Hole Pitch’n Putt 2 Squash Courts Fitness Studio Football Pitch Artificial Bowls Lawn Snooker Table Boules Court The Spa Experience

In the area Sailing Falconry Birdwatching Fly Fishing Golf Cycle Hire Gardens Museums Stately Homes

Art Galleries There are also excellent catering facilities, with a choice of the Brasserie Restaurant or the Lounge-Bar.

Feedback from a timeshare owner: “Owning a Barnsdale time-share has been a lifestyle choice for us - not only do we have the opportunity to bank and swap our week for fabulous destinations on the continent but we also have all year use of the fabulous facilities: Mini golf, swimming, tennis, gym, squash et al. And for less than the cost of a family membership.

Barnsdale is a Gold resort so our exchange possibilities are endless.”

Feedback from a renter “We have been living in the lodges since we sold our house in August and have absolutely loved it. When I had previously heard of local people who travelled 7 miles down the road for a holiday I thought they were completely mad, but having had two months there I can see why - there are few more beautiful views in the country - it has a been a great opportunity to spend lots of quality time with the children, who have loved the crazy golf, swimming, tennis, table tennis and bowls - and the accommodation has been spotlessly clean.”

You can be a part of this fabulous lifestyle too.

Just contact us, details below.

• Barnsdale Country Club, Rutland Water North Shore, Rutland, LE15 8AB Tel: 01572 757901 www.barnsdalehotel.co.uk

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*charges apply to all spa treatments and equipment hire where applicable

Barnsdale Hall Hotel COUNTRY CLUB

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H OM E & GAR DE N

Property of the Month: Oak Tree Cottage They say from little acorns mighty oaks grow and this is most certainly the case with Oak Tree Cottage.

A meticulously renovated Grade II Listed property which has been carefully restored to create a stunning period property with a contemporary feel. Oak Tree Cottage sits perfectly in the middle of its beautifully maintained 0.5 acre (aprox.) plot which offers something for everyone, a superb sun terrace, a variety of mature fruit and nut trees and well stocked borders – perfect for Easter egg hunts!!

• Oak Tree Cottage is on the market with Chesterton Humberts at £685,000 – for more information please contact Chesterton Humberts Stamford Office on: 01780 758090.

‘Chip off the old block’

Clipsham Stone is famous within architectural and heritage businesses as one of the most resilient limestones. It carries a beauty that has seen it used for centuries, having been used in such admired buildings as Windsor Castle, the Palace of Westminster, Peterborough Cathedral and many of the Oxford Colleges. Clipsham Stone Products has been launched to introduce the stone to a new audience through products where it has not been previously used.

Clipsham Stone Products has just launched its new on-line shopping website www. clipshamstoneproducts.co.uk Created to encourage more ‘Stone in the Home’, the company produces unique household and garden ware made from the prestigious local stone.

Customers can now purchase on-line from a range of home ware, including ‘off the peg’ table lamps, platters, coasters and trivets.

Alternatively, customers may commission a bespoke piece of their own design for either indoors or out.

In addition, for those who like to ‘touch and feel’ when they buy, Clipsham Stone products are available to view and purchase from a number of outlets, including Russell and Jones in Stamford’s George Hotel Mews.

A family affair at Delcor Bespoke sofa manufacturer, Delcor is celebrating 600 years of employee service this spring!

That’s the impressive combined length of service that the company’s 47-strong workforce has notched up.

Owned and managed by husband and wife team Rick and Janet Petini, Delcor was originally formed over 40 years ago, before Rick and Janet took up the helm in 2009.

Said Rick: “In an age when people are constantly changing jobs, we’re extremely proud to have such a loyal and long-serving team of employees.”

With five showrooms across the UK, including Stamford and the King’s Road in Chelsea, Rick has taken the company to an impressive £3.5 million turnover since he bought the business five years ago.

Now his son Matthew is following in his footsteps, currently undertaking a 15 year training programme while also working as a quality control supervisor on the factory floor.

Rick and Matthew are not the only father and son team to grace the company’s headquarters.

Graham Barrass and his son Kane work together, with Graham being a skilled upholsterer and Kane currently training to be one.

Cutter Steven Powell knows a thing or two about loyal service, since joining the company aged 16 in 1982: “Each day is completely different so it’s always interesting and never boring. I get to work with all kinds of fabrics and leathers and more importantly I work alongside some really great people who have been here for a long time too. It really is just an extended family.”

Said Rick: “Our approach is simple - each and every piece of furniture from Delcor is 100% British, hand-crafted, made-to-measure and created using solid wood. Every item can be made to customer’s individual specifications, so height, depth, length, arm width , the list continues - every piece of furniture is completely unique to each customer.”

• Delcor, 30 Bath Row, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 2QX Tel: 01780 430430 www.delcor.co.uk STAMFORD LIVING APRIL 2014

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inspirational bespoke furniture...

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PE R SPE CT IVE S

Stamford - Visit, Explore, Live Stamford was voted the Best Place to Live in Britain last year by the Sunday Times, an accolade that we have gratefully lapped up. But whilst the town has a huge amount to love about it, its branding and projection to the outside world lacked consistency and needed a fresh look that combines ancient and modern

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STAMFORD LIVING It’s offIcIal Stamford iS…TIMES THE SUNDAY

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& cities shortlisted towns top out of 101 Stamford came Sunday Times in March 2013 surveyed by The ity & strong commun • friendly people ure & countryside • Beautiful architect and colleges • thriving schools ent shops & services • Inspirational independ to eat & drink in ments • Great establish

W W W. B E S T

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And with the determination of the Stamford Town Team this has now happened. The team, a volunteer group, was established for the present and future benefit of Stamford Town Centre. It consists of local retailers, councilors and experts with skills to offer, and one of its key objectives is to enhance Stamford’s attractiveness as a premier location for leisure, pleasure and business.

Stamford College involvement The team have run a survey to gather the opinions of local residents, and nearly 300 took part earlier in the year. From the results of the research, local marketing expert Tim Nicol compiled a briefing for students on the foundation degree course in Graphic Design at New College Stamford. Under the supervision of Matt Shough, Course Co-Ordinator, and with advice and support from local design agency D-Squared Ltd of Scotgate, three teams produced alternative design routes which were presented to the Town Team at the end of January. All the work was of a very high standard, and after careful consideration, one route was chosen, and after some minor adjustments has been finally tested with local residents via another online survey and with retailers via a face to face

New emblem for the town Three of the Town Team members, Giselle Brannan, of Chameleon Boutique, Jenny Fitzpatrick of The Fine Food Store, and Tim Nicol of marketing consultancy MIH, have been working on the branding and marketing of the town, with the aim of producing a new emblem for the town that can be used and displayed widely.

“Stamford is better off than many town centres for trade and whilst

questionnaire. The results have confirmed that the majority of respondents were in favour of the proposed design, and retailers were particularly enthusiastic.

Resident survey: What 3 words describe Stamford to you today?

The new emblem was launched during South Kesteven Enterprise week, (w/c 17th March) and the students of New College Stamford (Charlotte Ramsay and Sebastian Luff) have produced a set of “Brand Guidelines” to help local businesses and organisations adopt the design and use it in a consistent way. These will be available on the Town Team website.

local retail vacancies are way below the national average we shouldn’t be complacent. It was gratifying to see the recent Sunday Times survey labelling Stamford as the best place to live in the country, but we won’t stay at the top without effort. The Town Team is looking into various initiatives to help Stamford thrive well into the future, and to attract even more businesses and visitors to boost the local economy.”

The aim of the new design – ancient and modern “The design reflects the distinctive skyline of Stamford and incorporates the wide variety of architecture, ancient and modern, that makes Stamford unique. We think that the essence of Stamford is in this combination of ‘ancient and vibrant’ and that the image communicates this, honouring the past in a contemporary way. The slogan, which the winning team from New College Stamford also developed, has gone down very well and it sums up what we want people to do in Stamford – Visit, Explore, Live.”

“We hope that the more the emblem and the slogan are used, the more professional and attractive Stamford will appear to residents, visitors, and businesses – we want people to think that we

deserve our accolade and that the town has ‘got its act together’ rather than portray ourselves in an inconsistent and often generic way to the outside world.”

• The Town Team website is at http://www.visitstamford.com/ townteam Stamford Town Team receives no funding and is an open organisation.

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C OMMUNICAT ION

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‘Stamford is your oyster’

ur goal when we launched Stamford Living back in 2001 was to help you get more out of where you live and that’s what we still aim to do. And with our commitment and enthusiasm for social media we are now able to help draw to your attention even more of the myriad activities that are taking place on a daily basis.

To that end we have recently re-launched our website www.stamfordliving.co.uk so that you can get an e-version of the magazine and see the latest social media feeds. Why not make it your home page and make sure that you are always upto-date with what is going on in the town.

On this page you can also subscribe to the magazine or one of our sister publications; and order a copy of Best Local Walks and Best Local Bike Rides.

Twitter @LocalLivingUK Join us in the Twitter community @LocalLivingUK. We now have over 3,000 followers and will always retweet a good story, giving you extra publicity.

Stamford Living @ LocalLivingUK Congratulations to Tim Luff has taken over as Head Chef at Jim’s Yard. Hearing good reports about the food! goldmarkart.com @goldmarkgallery @goldmarkgallery’s new pots shop officially opening this Sat. Hope to see lots of you there!

We are also very active on Facebook: Like:BestLocalLiving, where we have over 320 likes.

Favourite tweets over the last month: John Rentoul @JohnRentoul they really love 1980s electronic pop music in March, Cambs

Facebook: BestLocalLiving

Stamford Living @LocalLivingUK So impressed by the four floors of happiness at @snowdesign Leadingedge design ideas, and supporting local craftspeople too

Recent Facebook posts include: Stamford Dog Grooming……...

Thankyou Jo for looking after Tuppence....she looks lovely

Kelly Combes@TheStamforddeli Just out of The Mad Turk’s Kitchen.....

Hummus, Cacik, Tarama and other delicious Mezze come on down Balagan jewellery @balaganlive Reasons to visit an independent local business... #indieretail #shoplocal #community Stamford Living @LocalLivingUK 23h The Gallery restaurant @ NewCollegeStamf is unbelievable value.

3 course lunch for TWO people for £12!

Open Thu & Fri Book on 01780 484340 Local Living Rachel @locallivingrach Mar 10 Laughing makes you feel so happy. Sat night in Newark @jasonmanford comedy show was hilarious and I’m still smiling Even on a Monday morn!

StamGreenSpace @StamGreenSpace @NickBolesNews Pls retweet our petition to save iconic green field field site in rural Stamford

Stamford Cupcake Company……..they are brilliant!!

More Easter egg ideas, what do you think?

Sixth Form Poet @sixthformpoet Just found the worst page in the entire dictionary. What I saw was disgraceful, disgusting, dishonest and disingenuous.

Hunters Interiors @huntersinterior Bounce into spring with this fabulous new collection from Manuel Canovas Lavender Hearts - We are ‘just chilling’ in the kitchen this morning - feeling so relaxed at Oliver & Mabel Head Office

A reminder if it were needed of how much is going on in Stamford and what a great town we live in!

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L O C A L WALK

Market Harborough Town and Country Stroll

POINTS OF INTEREST

This walk has just about everything – an ancient village, a thriving town centre packed full of history, a delightful town park and a canal. You will feel you know a very great deal more about Market Harborough once you have done this walk, whether you have lived in the town for years or you are just visiting for the day.

Nicholas Rudd-Jones walked it on a glorious early spring day

Great Bowden is a quintessential English village, with a charming village green and church. The village was included in the Domesday Book, under the name ‘Bugedone’ and was worth 40 shillings per year to the King, who held it. It has Anglo-Saxon origins.

WALK DATA Distance: 6 miles Typical time: 2.5 hours Map: Explorer 223 Start & Finish: Great Bowden Church Terrain: Easy going, quite a lot on pavements How to get there: Park in the road opposite the church in Great Bowden

The Magistrate’s Court

Martin Hobbs Fishmonger

The Old Grammar School stands on wooden stilts. The school room had to be built upon posts to allow the butter market to be held on the ground floor. The School was founded in 1607 and built in 1614, through the generosity of Robert Smyth, a poor native of the town who became Comptroller of the Lord Mayor’s Court of the City of London and member of the Merchant Taylors’ Company.

The subjects taught were Latin, Greek and Hebrew, and many boys were sent to Oxford and Cambridge Universities. The most distinguished of these was John Moore, who became Bishop of Norwich in 1691 and William Henry Bragg, Nobel Prize winner. (restoration is expected to be completed in September 2014) The Victorian Symington Building, formerly a corset factory, has undergone a major transformation in the past 12 months. It now houses the integrated Harborough Museum and Harborough Library in a new learning and heritage hub, as well as shops, businesses and some county council services.

Great Bowden Church

Bates Butchers & Delicatessens

The River Welland, which runs through Welland Park, is 65 miles in length. The river rises in the Hothorpe Hills, at Sibbertoft in Northamptonshire, then flows northeast to Market Harborough, Stamford and Spalding, to reach The Wash near Fosdyke. It’s interesting to note that its width in Market Harborough is only about a third of what it is in Stamford, probably because steep embankments were created on either side to prevent flooding.

Grand Union Canal Market Harborough Arm, from Foxton Locks to Union Wharf in Market Harborough. Completed in 1809 the original idea was to continue the Arm from Market Harborough on through to Northampton - it never happened. Union Wharf has a place in canal history as the location of the first canal rally in Britain held in 1950, which was fundamental to the preservation of the canal network for prosperity.

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By permission of Leicestershire County Council Ordnance Survey mapping © Crown Copyright. Media Licence No. Media 052/14.

With thanks to Leicestershire County Council who were the inspiration for this walk. You can find a whole range of walks created by them at www.leics.gov.uk/strolls_leaflet_harborough.pdf

PITSTOPS

The Rutland Pippin

Great Bowden Welton’s Tel: 01858 465433 www.weltonsdeli.co.uk A café, a deli, a shop and a post office. A delightful and popular place.

Red Lion www.redliongreatbowden.co.uk Kieran & his team run a really stylish and independent establishment, with good beer and an interesting menu.

Hambleton Bakery (Church St) Recently opened, there are some great treats for walkers, notably the Ploughman’s Parcel or the Rutland Pippin, which will fill you up nicely whilst you are on the move.

Joules Yard (53-55 High St, top of Church St) is almost on your route and has a delightful outside space and catering all day if you need a bite to eat. Aldwinkles (8 Church St) is a cosy coffee shop with a courtyard area for sitting in the warmer weather.

THE ROUTE

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Park by the church. Walk SW past the Shoulder of Mutton pub on your left, across the green to the far left side, where you will see a sign indicating ‘Market Harborough one mile’ Skirt along the right edge of the recreation ground, over the railway footbridge, and then in a couple of hundred yards bear left up the hill.

This path comes out in The Ridgeway. Turn right, then shortly left, then follow this path, Rutland Walk, all the way down toward town and Kings Rd When you reach Church St turn left, down a delightful ‘indie’ shopping street, to the church. Turn right into the high street, past the Grammar School, into the Town Square and past the war memorial, and then cross the river by a footbridge with the car park immediately on your right (toilets here if needed) Once over the bridge, turn right, and you will shortly enter Welland Park; follow the river right to the end of the park, until you come out on Farndon Rd; turn right, follow it up to the junction with Coventry Rd, then take Logan St, directly N opposite; continue into Logan Crescent, and after a few yards you will see a cut-through to the canal On reaching the canal, turn LEFT (Union Wharf makes an interesting brief detour to the right). Follow the canal for 2 miles, under two road bridges. When you pass under Bridge No. 9 ( Sedgley’s Bridge) turn immediately right up the bank, joining a path that takes you back to Great Bowden

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FOOD & DR INK

Gallery Restaurant at New College, Stamford Nicholas Rudd-Jones was amazed to discover the culinary stars of tomorrow in our own back yard The Gallery restaurant is a training kitchen for New College Stamford students, run by two experienced chef lecturers and giving students the chance to try out their dishes and service on the public.

And you will be amazed by the results not just because it is such great value -- but because the food is really very, very good. More time and more resources than the average time-strapped commercial kitchen means that some quite beautiful dishes can be created.

We recently visited for a five-course gourmet dining experience organised by The Stamford Fairtrade Steering Group to celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight 2014 and to encourage the use of local and Fairtrade produce. Members of the Fairtrade group had talked previously with the students about the difference it makes to many lives when they are paid a fair price for their labours.

Phil Matthews, the Head Chef, said: “This will make us change the way we think about ingredients and their origins for ever – we will incorporate a lot of this thinking into our everyday activities.”

I do not exaggerate to say that the food was amongst the best that I have tasted in the region. And there is the added pleasure of knowing you are helping the next generation of culinary stars to develop and refine their skills!

The student opportunity The college has a strong team - Phil Matthews & Lisa Howarth are the highly experienced chef lecturers; and the charming Marie-Pierre Longueville front of house, focusing on service delivery.

As well as the college kitchen experience, students are encouraged to try out their skills in the real world. Every Thursday & Friday students go and work at local establishments, including The George, William Cecil and The Bull & Swan.

There are also leading local chefs visiting The Gallery Restaurant working alongside students to create the Fine Dining Experience, including Sean Hope (Olive Branch), Steve Conway (Barnsdale Lodge Hotel) and Dameon Clarke (Wicked Witch).

Special Offers Lunch The Gallery Restaurant is open Thursday and Friday during term times Term 4: Mon 24th Feb- Fri 4th April Term5: Tue 22Apr-Fri 23rd May Term 6: Tue 27th May -Friday 6th June: Lunch Service 12.00 - last order 12.30 Special Offer: 2 for the price of 1; so two courses £9.00 for two, three courses £12.00 for two Fine Dining Evenings Thursdays during term-time; 6.30 - last order 7.00 Fine Dining Offer: £25 per person, or 4 for the price of 3

Student success Sean Hope, Head Chef and co-owner of The Olive Branch trained here. The George Hotel employs three previous students. Aaron Ashmore, a recent student, reached the finals of Master Chef 2012 and is currently working with Marcus Wareing in London.

• The Gallery Restaurant, New College Stamford, Drift Road, Stamford, PE9 1XA Tel: 01780 484340 Please book in advance

and delicious.

Belinda chose the unusual combination of corn fed chicken with fried egg, anchovies, capers and French fries, there were some gutsy flavours in this dish and it all worked to make a very tasty “Chicken and chips” with a difference. I chose the classic French Omelette with a green salad, fresh herbs and a grating of Parmesan – I wish I could make Omelettes like this, it had just the right amount of fluffiness and a light herby texture – again a simple dish

that was cooked to perfection.

We didn’t need a dessert but were tempted, so after much discussion Belinda decided on the Crême Brulée – the glazed topping was just the right thickness with no grainy bits and a rich baked custard. My Chocolate tart with a hazelnut crumb was sublime – Chocolate desserts can be difficult to get right, but this was rich, yet light, sophisticated and not at all cloying.

I would like to go back to Le Bistro in the evening - the food, service and ambience were spot on. The chef is clearly passionate about his food (and his great selection of French cheeses apparently), It is a place to meet friends, not too formal, yet special.

The Auberge Menu is £12 for two courses or £18 for three courses. Le Bistro is open from Tuesday to Saturday serving lunch from 122.15pm, Dinner 6-9pm Tuesday to Thursdays and 6pm – 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

• Le Bistro, 26-30 London Road, Wansford, Peterborough PE8 6JE Tel: 01780 784111

Le Bistro in Wansford Bridget Steele tried out the recently opened Le Bistro in Wansford for lunch (formerly the Fiddlesticks Restaurant) Le Bistro Restaurant offers delightful provincial French food with a twist under the guidance of head chef Luke Marsh.

As we perused our menus, warm baguette and a selection of toppings were bought to our table that included Tomato butter, Tapenade and Aoli – all at perfect ‘spreading’ temperature and a great taster for what was to come. We were offered extra bread and tap water with our drinks, a little touch that we appreciated. Belinda chose the “Soup du Jour” – A roasted red pepper and tomato soup and I had the tomato salad with little golden balls of breadcrumb coated Mozzarella cheese and toasted pine nuts drizzled in Basil oil. Both our starters were perfect combinations of flavours

Current employers with apprentices include the Wicked Witch and The Crown Hotel.

Aspiration, delivery and results.

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SEA N HOPE COOKS

Fun in the sun Kissing goodbye to winter is a good feeling, says Sean Hope

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’ve really enjoyed getting The Olive Branch greenhouse up and running over the past few weeks. I’ve planted sorrel, wild rocket, lettuce and leaf salad, and I can’t wait to use these homegrown goodies in the kitchen. Maybe the heat under the glass has gone to my head, but I’m also excited about the prospect of spring and summer at the moment. Perhaps I’m a little overexcited, because the refreshing dessert I’m sharing with you this month has an almost tropical character. You wouldn’t feel out of place enjoying this at a beach bar in Thailand, sun beating down, sea lapping gently against the sand.

Lemongrass and kaffir lime pannacotta with spiced carpaccio pineapple Serves 4 For the pannacotta • 250ml whipping cream • 2 kaffir lime leaves, dried or frozen • Half stick lemongrass, roughly chopped • 1 drop vanilla essence • 1 tsp caster sugar • 1.5 leaves of bronze-leaf gelatine or three-quarters tsp of powdered gelatine 1. In a pan, place the cream, lime leaves, lemongrass and sugar. Bring the

mixture to the boil, remove from the heat and leave to stand for 10 minutes.

2. Strain the liquid and add the gelatine. Allow the gelatine to dissolve completely before pouring into pannacotta moulds.

3. Place in the fridge and chill overnight to allow to set.

4. When the pannacotta is set, dip the moulds in hot water for 10 seconds, then turn out onto plates. Serve with the spiced pineapple.

For the spiced carpaccio pineapple • Half a medium pineapple, skinned, trimmed and cut as thinly as possible

• 3 cardamom pods, crushed • Pinch fresh chopped chilli • 1 sachet saffron powder • 1 inch piece cinnamon bark • 2 petals star anise • 10g fresh ginger, roughly chopped • 300ml sugar syrup

The Olive Branch has Colwick cheese is a hit at The Olive Branch. teamed up with Stamford College (where I once studied many moons ago!), and on March 20 we cooked a meal in partnership with its catering students.

Dishes served in the college’s Gallery Restaurant in Stamford on the night included deep-fried Colwick cheese cannelloni with beetroot carpaccio; Fosse Meadows chicken, leek and truffle pie; and blood orange sorbet. Colwick cheese also appears on our sixcourse Gourmet Set Menu, which we are serving at The Olive Branch from April 1, Sunday to Thursday, at £29.50 per person.

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1. In a saucepan add the sugar syrup (equal amounts of sugar and water, heated to dissolve the sugar), chilli, cardamom, saffron, star anise, cinnamon and ginger. Bring everything to the boil, remove from the heat and pour over the thin slices of pineapple.

2. Cover the soaked pineapple with cling film and place in the fridge overnight.

3. Remove the pineapple slices from the fridge, unwrap, arrange on plates and serve with the pannacotta plus a dollop of ice cream or sorbet.

PASSIONATE ABOUT GOOD FOOD? If you are passionate about local food and drink then you might like to join Great Food Club.

• Sign up at www.greatfoodclub.co.uk, free of charge.

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We invite you to...

Lunch with us!

Monday – Saturday 12noon – 2.30pm Lunch it up, 2 courses £14.95 or 3 courses £17.95 Visit our website for the full menu, it would be ludicrous not to!

The William Cecil High St, St Martins, Stamford. PE9 2LJ 01780 750 070 www.thewilliamcecil.co.uk

Stamford Cupcake Company

Cupcake Classes & Workshop FROM COMPLETE BEGINNER TO BRUSHING UP ON YOUR EXISTING SKILLS • Cupcake Decorating • Cake Baking Workshops • Learn to Create Cake Toppers • Introduction to Sugar Flower Workshops Children’s Parties, Ladies Days & Hen Parties

CUPCAKES & CELEBRATION CAKES TO ORDER

Michelin Bib Gourmand Award & Inspectors Favourite 2012 & 2013 Melton Times Business Award Best Eating Experience 2011

Gift Vouchers Available

George Farm, London Road, Stamford, PE9 3JP Telephone: 01780 489364 or 07825 153003 www.stamfordcupcakecompany.co.uk •

find us on Facebook

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FOOD & DR INK

Easter Edibles

There’s a sigh of relief as Easter marks the end of a long ole’ Lenten fast where many choose to give up something during the weeks between Shrove Tuesday and Easter day, often chocolate

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aster has therefore historically had a close relationship with food, where holiday fruit buns appear with a cross, a symbol of Christ’s cross; and Simnel cakes rise up adorned with 12 marzipan balls each of which become a symbol of Christ’s 12 apostles. This is a season of Spring time where the theme of renewal and rebirth figure prominently. The egg and bunny, chocolate or otherwise, entice us into thoughts of the sweet tastes of Spring and the summer months ahead.

And so it is that Easter buns, breads, chocolate eggs and sweet-tasting cakes are given as gifts to friends and family alike.

Sarah Lyon puts temptation in your way with a carefully crafted selection of locally produced ‘Easter Edibles’.

Design led bakers Emily Harmston Cakes have before only supplied bespoke wedding cakes. Each cake is handmade individually and showcases exquisite sugar-crafted blossoms and edible beading details. A new and exciting venture named ‘Cake Bandits’ see them invite you to choose a unique gift to send a beautiful cake to your friends or family.

Priced reasonably as an alternative to sending flowers, there is no compromise in flavours and it uses the same high quality of ingredients as in their larger cakes. On offer for Easter are some gorgeous hand-painted designs for postal deliveries. Square cakes filled with Moorish flavours; white chocolate and raspberry, double chocolate, vanilla and cherry and salted chocolate caramel. Each artisan cake comes wrapped and packaged and delivered to your loved one. Available directly from Emily Harmston Cakes or from The Small Bread Company, Oundle.

Details can be viewed www.facebook.com/ emilyharmstoncakes, www. emilyharmstoncakes. co.uk, Tel: 01832 272573.

Yvette of Eve’s Cakes puts temptation in your way with three main edibles especially for Easter. The first of these is a traditional Simnel Cake. Moist all butter fruit cake with a layer of best bridal quality marzipan baked in the middle and then topped with another layer of lightly toasted marzipan and the traditional 12 marzipan balls finished with a pretty Easter ribbon around the middle.

Sarah’s bite size hot cross buns

A great cake for the family or give as a gift.

For those who are not so keen on fruit cake, Yvette creates a chocolate offering. Rich, light chocolate cake filled with a chocolate ganache using best quality chocolate.

Surrounding and enclosing the cake are Belgian chocolate cigarillos. To finish off this chocolate feast Yvette adds Lindt chocolate eggs and a golden Lindt rabbit on the top.

A range of Easter cupcakes finish off this trio of Easter edibles - a box of 6 cupcakes featuring rabbits disappearing down their holes amid a grassy meadow field and of course a sprinkling of Easter eggs. Eve’s Cakes are sold at Collyweston Community shop, The Stamford Cheese Cellar and Moulds the Butchers in Nassington.

Lynne’s Deliciously Different Cakes are a bit quirky too and by all accounts a taste of something rather splendid. Lynne’s Orange and Almond cake is lovely and moist, gluten and

dairy free. A whole cake will cost £22.00 but Lynne says that it freezes beautifully if there’s any left over. Lynne will be presenting lots of chocolaty things and other cakes for trialling at the Fine Food Store, St Mary’s Street, Stamford in the 2-3 weeks before Easter. Her new take on a chocolate meringue cake sounds utterly divine.

Telephone Lynne direct for orders: 01780 762978.

Master baker Julian creates Easter buns and breads at Hambleton Bakery Julian’s hot cross bun recipe is steeped in tradition, a recipe passed down from generation to generation since 1844 when his family were bakers in Liverpool. Buns are packed full of best quality ingredients of fruit soaked in tea and spices, sugar, butter and free range eggs. Julian creates a special sugar glaze designed not to burn in the toaster or under the grill. The sweet glaze really enhances the all-round flavour of this superb Easter Edible. Hambleton Bakery is famously known for its breads, cakes and tarts too. One to try this Easter is the rhubarb and custard tart and their rich chocolate cake.

Hambleton Bakery shops in Exton, Oakham, Stamford, Oundle and Market Harborough.

Check out locations at www.hambletonbakery.co.uk (new shop has just opened in Market Harborough).

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

Cook for victory!

Matt Wright’s 1917 Ministry of Food cookbook gives a taste of culinary life during the Great War…

The front cover and inside front cover of the Win-The-War Cookery Book – you can view the entire book at issuu.com/greatfoodmag

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

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

few years ago, a battered publication came into my possession – an original copy of The Win-TheWar Cookery Book, printed in 1917. With 2014 marking the centenary of WW1, I’m looking at its dog-eared pages with renewed fascination. The BBC has also shown interest, filming the book for Jeremy Paxman’s recent TV series, Britain’s Great War. Published for the First World War’s Food Economy Campaign, the 28-page Win-The-War Cookery Book contains messages and recipes designed to encourage people at home to save bread and ration food to bolster the war effort. The booklet starts with a message: “The struggle is not only on land and sea; it is in your larder, your kitchen and your dining room,”

it says, before urging readers to waste nothing – “not a scrap… every particle of nourishment should be extracted from every particle of food.” Seeing as today, 100 years later, we throw away around 15 million tonnes of food annually in the UK, I can’t help thinking that this remains good advice today.

Recipes in The Win-The-War Cookery Book include “Fried Mush”, “Cheese Herrings” and “Barley Broth”.

At Great Food Club HQ, to try to get an insight into what cooking was like in Britain in 1917, food blogger Beth Wilmshurst (read her blog at bearsdigest.tumblr. com) tried a couple of the recipes. Here’s how she got on. Maybe you’d like to try a few at home?

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

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

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Fish Sausages

• Two teacupfuls cooked fish • Two tbsp cooked rice (more if liked) • 1/2 tsp dried herbs • Salt and pepper to taste • 1 small egg, or 1 tbsp of the water the rice was boiled in

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wasn’t initially enticed by the name of this dish. Fish-lover I am, but surely a fish and a sausage should never cross paths? Then I thought a little more and decided that if a fish finger and a fish cake were to marry, this would be the result. Of course, one must remember to be forgiving of dubious titles and unusual ingredients – rationing leaves little space for conventional cooking. So I donned my

Parkin

• Two breakfastcupfuls coarse oatmeal • 6 tbsp butter or margarine • 1 tsp ground ginger • 1 saltspoonful salt • 6 tbsp treacle • A little milk

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here is no doubt that women on the Home Front had this cooking lark nailed. The speculative nature of the processes outlined in each recipe’s method suggests these ladies had a great deal of natural intuition. Most instructions lack not only exact timings but also contain units of measurement that can only be described as rather vague. Hmm…wish me luck.

Having experimented with a hot savoury dish and tried my hand at baking bread, I decided to go for a sweet treat this time. Research revealed that Parkin is traditionally made and devoured on Bonfire Night in the north of England.

There are actually a few versions of this treacley snack – some are more cake-like, while

imaginary Edwardian apron and got to work.

The first ingredient on the list: two teacupfuls of cooked fish. I spent more than a few minutes deliberating what constitutes a teacup, and concerned myself deeply with how much fish I should squish into said cup. Eventually, concluding that guesswork was a happier approach, I overcame this hurdle and the rest followed. The outcome was definitely edible,

the original Yorkshire Parkin is nearer the biscuit end of the spectrum. My attempt seemed to be closer to the latter variety (well, as near as I could get it).

But like the teacup mystery of the Fish Sausages, I first had to take time to contemplate the sizing of a breakfastcup.

I don’t think I ever really sussed this out, but nonetheless, in went a portion of coarse oatmeal.

A teaspoon of ginger followed (I can do teaspoons), then a touch of salt. I added the margarine as instructed, and the treacle in its tablespoonfuls, but my heart sank when I saw the recipe’s closing words: “A little milk”.

I decided to pour the milk in for the amount of time it takes to say “a little milk”, and this may have been unwise. The mix became sloppy when it was supposed to have the consistency of a “firm paste”. The only solution was to contribute more oats, and this seemed to do the trick.

Formed into biscuit shapes and popped into the oven, I had no idea what temperature to

and quite tasty. I was pleased with the golden exterior, and positively beaming at the wellseasoned haddock interior. The sausage shape was not so easy to achieve. Sporting a potato croquette look, mine were stumpy. I’m sure a dollop of ketchup should help disguise that, unless I’ve exceeded my rations…

select or how long to bake them for. Guessing, I settled for Gas Mark 2 (150ºC) until golden brown (about 45 minutes).

The outcome was a thick, gingery, crumbly biscuit, which actually tasted quite good. The added oats killed the sweetness a little… but I guess that makes for a more guilt-free treat.

Now I just need a flask of tea, gloves, a woolly hat and a bracing walk among fallen leaves, and I’m all set.

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THE Monday Night Is Pie Night!

Choice of pies to choose from, served with chipped potatoes and garden peas - £8.95

GARDEN HOUSE Stamfords best kept secret

HOTEL

New Lunch Menu available from April 2014 Bring this advert in with you to receive 20% off your lunchtime food bill.

Excludes Sundays and any other offer.

Valid during April & May 2014

Lunch Monday to Saturday 12noon to 2.30pm; Dinner 6pm to 9.30pm; Food served all day on Sundays, last orders 7.45pm.

Open to non-residents.

APRIL SPECIAL: MAIN COURSE & A GLASS OF HOUSE WINE ONLY £10pp (AVAILABLE 12-2PM & 6-7PM) *EXCLUDING EASTER SUNDAY VISIT WWW.GARDENHOUSEHOTEL.COM TO SEE THE MENU

01780 763359

High Street, St Martins, Stamford, PE9 2LP www.gardenhousehotel.com

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FOOD & DR INK

New Chef at the Garden House Hotel

Nicholas Rudd-Jones went to meet the new Head Chef and try out the food

Rutland Belle Osprey trip Nicholas Rudd-Jones takes a cruise on the Rutland Belle on a delightful sunny evening

I must admit to having a soft spot for the Garden House Hotel – the Georgian elegance, the delightful conservatory, the best, most hidden away garden in Stamford and the very friendly proprietors and staff who make you feel immediately welcome and at home.

And I think the new head chef, Haydn Laidlow will add greatly to the team. He was tempted back to the region as he had been born and grew up in Peterborough. His culinary travels have taken him all over the country, including the Lords of the Manor and the Randolph Hotel in Oxford.

His cooking style is simple and he undoubtedly delivers it in the food: “Good ingredients cooked well, no messing around.” I will let the pictures of our food do the talking, suffice to say it was well cooked and the flavour combinations were excellent.

The Spring/summer menu has just been launched. Starters include: Tempura Oysters with Sweet Chilli Sauce and Coriander Cress; Wild Mushroom & Rocket Salad with a Crispy Poached Egg. Mains include: Roast Rump of Lamb with Pea Puree, Baby Carrots & Confit Potato Panfried with a Watercress & Heritage Tomato Salad; Sweet Red Pepper and Tarragon Risotto with Crispy Rocket We reckon tea would be a good bet here too: £10.50 for a full tea per head, go on a sunny day and enjoy the garden to its full potential. Haydn trained as a pastry chef, so expect something good!

• Garden House Hotel, High St, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 2LP Tel: 01780 763359 www.gardenhousehotel.com

The White Horse…One Year On! Steve and Claire Glencross took over the reins of The White Horse in Empingham just over a year ago, in February 2013. They left behind their corporate city worlds, in exchange for the less frenetic shores of Rutland Water where they both grew up. With a keen eye for detail, Steve and Claire completely refurbished the 17th Century former Courthouse creating a haven of peace and tranquility in the heart of Rutland village.

After working 24/7 in the lead up to the opening night they look back to memories of exhaustion and terror! However, they needn’t have worried the feedback on that 1st night and indeed ever since has been overwhelming positive to the changes they have made. A fantastic summer followed and The White Horse is fast gaining the reputation as a fabulous dining destination as well as a wonderful place to stay.

However, the dynamic pair are not content to rest on their laurels, they have just appointed Head Chef Peter Lane and are looking forward to an even more successful second year. “We are so excited to have Peter on board and have so many plans for the year ahead…so watch this space!”

• Main St, Empingham, Oakham, Rutland LE15 8PS Tel: 01780 460221 www.whitehorserutland.co.uk

“We leave the pier at Whitwell at 7.00pm sharp and the ship opens the gang plank at 6.30pm.” The gangplank goes up a seven; we will not wait for you!

As invites go, a rather interesting instruction.

For this was the Hambleton Hall Rutland Belle osprey cruise, setting out on a glorious summer’s evening, leaving the bird identification to two much-respected experts, Tim Appleton MBE and Tim Mackrill; and the catering to Hambleton Hall.

The recipe for absolute success, providing of course one sees an osprey.

As the boat moved out into the water, we immediately started to see some interesting species - oyster catchers, curlew, great crested grebes, cormorants and herons. A merry group of 30 of us or so were seated on the top deck, chatting away and looking here and there at the birds, whilst the two Tims imparted so much interesting bird information to us.

We had to do very little, except balance a plate laden with Hambletoon Hall goodies (which they described as a ‘picnic’), hold a glass, look through binoculars, take pictures and listen to the experts…

And just as we were tucking into the delicious food (like a series of starters really, exquisitely crafted), so a cry went up from an observant guest as an osprey skimmed across the back of the boat on the verge of diving into the water to catch a fish.

For several minutes, we saw it circling around the sky, a huge bird with a beautifully controlled flight.

We continued our journey up to the end of the lake and saw the osprey nesting area. We learnt much about them, and were especially amazed by their ability to migrate back to Africa to almost exactly the same spot, even the same tree.

This year’s trip is on Wed June 18th, and once again the gangplank will be raised at 7pm sharp. Tickets £90.00 per person, includes a £10.00 donation to Rutland Water Nature Reserve, cruise, supper which will be several different plates of Aaron’s delicious creations and wonderful wines. Call Hambleton Hall on 01572 756991 to book.

• To find out more about the osprey project, visit www.ospreys.org.uk

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At the

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New R

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1st Showg 2014 round ANDC OUNT , Oakh YSHO

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Be prepared for a jam packed day of family entertainment and fun in celebration of our Great British farming heritage MAIN ATTACTIONS INCLUDE: • The new craze of ‘Horseboarding’ • The ‘RAVC Military Dogs’ from Melton Mowbray • Back by popular demand the ‘The Sheep show’ • ‘Ridgeside Lurchers’ - “have a go with your dog!”

• A very impressive ‘Farming Through The Ages’ vinatge and modern equipment exhibition • ‘Birds of prey’ demonstrations and talks • Our New! ‘Rural Education Zone’ • Trade and craft stands

Early Bird tickets available ONLINE ONLY from www.rutlandcountyshow.com Tickets are £8 (before 21st May) £10 before the show & £12.50 on show day. (concessions available)

Gates Open 8 .30am Free Parking New Rutland Show ground, Show ground Way Barleythorpe, Oakham LE15 7TW

FREE accompanied under 14’s

UB40 featuring...

ALI CAMPBELL, ASTRO & MICKEY VIRTUE Over 50 UK hits including:- Red Red Wine, Kingston Town and Cherry Oh Baby

BURGHLEY

SATURDAY 7TH JUNE Tickets £38.00 (£42 from 1st June) online at www.livepromotionsconcerts.com

BURGHLEY TEL: 01780 752451

STAMFORD ARTS CENTRE TEL: 01780 763203 CONCERT PRESENTED BY LIVE PROMOTIONS EVENTS LTD TEL: 01775 768661

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D IA RY DAT E S

WHAT’S ON Amander Meade selects some of the best entertainment in the region this month Sunday 6th April, 2pm FAMILY SHOW: Hansel and Gretel A light hearted, feel good show with a cast headed up by Coronation Street and Benidorm star, Margi Clarke as the witch and CBBC’s JezO as Hansel. A classic tale of magic and mystery based on the fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm.

Audiences can expect puppets, illusions and plenty of fun.

Stamford Corn Exchange Theatre Tickets: £8/£7 Tel: 01780 766455 www.stamford-corn-exchange.co.uk Wednesday 9 April, 7.30pm EVENT: Suggs – My Life Story The Madness front man takes to the stage in a hilarious yet moving one man tour de force.

The death of Suggs’ beloved cat on his fiftieth birthday triggers a personal quest to discover what happened to the father he never knew.

Stunned by what he learns Suggs is taken back to his childhood on the tough streets of 1970s Soho and his first appearance on Top Of The Pops at the age of eighteen.

Stamford Corn Exchange Theatre Tickets £26 Tel: Tickets: £8/£7 Tel: 01780 766455 www.stamford-corn-exchange.co.uk Thursday 10 April to Saturday 26 April EVENT: Verse 2014 An explosion of poetry events supports the burgeoning poetry scene in Stamford. All year round local writers run regular writing workshops and Pint of Poetry events in the cellar bar. This year Jackie Kay introduces the Festival of Verse which celebrates all things poetic with an array of famous names, and brings together performers from all over the country as well as local talent. Poetry Joe, star of CBeebies will introduce 3 -6 year olds to the spoken word and the finals of the Stamford Poet Laureate competition will be hosted by Pete Cox. There are writing workshops, poetry walks, afternoon tea with Wendy Cope and a reading by John Siddique. Join Michael Tolkien for morning coffee or enjoy a Pint of Poetry Verse special. There are special ways for schools to get involved and lots more events.

Stamford Arts Centre Booking and further information Tel: 01780 763203 www.stamfordartscentre.co.uk Thursday 10 and Friday 11 April, 9.30am to 3.30pm CHILDRENS EVENT: Arts and Crafts Organised by the Stamford Decorative and Fine Arts Society, children from six to eleven years can explore workshops themed around printing, painting and felting techniques inspired by nature this Easter time. Lots of fun and games included. Suitable for both boys and girls – wear old clothes and bring a packed lunch and an old pillow case and/or plain tee shirt if possible.

Monday 7 April, 2.30pm FAMILY SHOW: The Just So Stories Rudyard Kipling’s best loved tales are brought to life on the stage to delight younger audiences.

The tales explore why the camel has a hump and why the elephant’s nose is so long. Expect lots of interactive sing-along fun - perfect for children aged between four and eight and their families. Stamford Arts Centre. Family Ticket £28 Tel: 01780 763203 www.stamfordartscentre.co.uk St Gilbert’s Primary School. £10 per day or £18 for both days. Booking essential through Sandy Lawson, Tel: 01780 753904.

Sunday 13 April, 6pm MUSIC: Easter Concert Woven Chords, Stamford’s very own world music choir will delight all with a varied programme of songs from around the globe. All in glorious harmony and delivered with the passion, authenticity, energy and good humour that has won the choir its popularity.

Stamford Arts Centre. Tickets £8, under 16s Free. Tel: 01780 763203 www.wovenchords.com Monday 14 to Wednesday 16 April EVENTS: Easter Fun at Clare’s Cottage The team at Clare’s Cottage in Helpston have put together a programme of children’s events including woodland walks and poetry writing – open to all ages and families; Easter baking (for ages 7 years plus) and Easter hat making.

Sessions £4 per person, bookings and information Tel: 01733 253330

STAMFORD LIVING APRIL 2014

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WHATEVER YOU’RE DREAMING...

I’d like to work from home

ADVICE H E L P, W I T H E X P E R T TE ACXA N H E L P E HCAATN WW EVER YOUR THINKING W STEPHENSON SMART & CO CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS & BUSINESS ADVISORS

For more information call 01733 343 275 36 Tyndall Court, Commerce Road, Lynchwood, Peterborough, PE2 6LR.

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D IA RY DAT E S Sunday 4 and Monday 5 May EVENT: Stamford Pottery Market Potters of the Stamford area will be getting together again for a two day pottery market. This celebration of ceramics will feature stalls displaying the work of over twenty local potters, a rolling show of ceramic themed films and a charity tombola.

Admission is free. Stamford Arts Centre Three Ideas for the Easter Holidays…

Youngsters can take to the stage with daily theatre workshops…

Wildcats Academy are offering a daily dose of drama and singing throughout the school holiday fortnight with themes including Hairspray, Horrible Histories, Lion King, High School Musical, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here and Alice in Wonderland. Older participants will be grouped and taught more challenging routines as the age range is between five and sixteen years – all are welcome. Wildcats Academy, Stamford Places are £22.50 per day, booking and information at www.wildcatstheatreschool.co.uk

Tuesday 15 April, 2.30pm FAMILY SHOW: Peter Pan A spectacular musical adaptation of the timeless tale about the boy who never grows up. Let your imagination take you to Neverland with Peter and Wendy meeting Lost Boys, Indians and the villainous Captain Hook with his silly sidekick Smee. Dress as you favourite character - there will be special prize for the best dressed and everyone will have the chance to meet the cast after the show. With enchanting songs, plenty of fun and laughter and a sprinkling of fairy dust, this is the perfect way to make literature come alive for the whole family.

Stamford Arts Centre A family ticket is £28, Tel: 01780 763203 www.stamfordartscentre.co.uk

Woodland Day Saturday 19 April, from 10am A tree-mendous day out in the woods has been organised by the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust on the North shore of Rutland Water. Tim Appleton is the Nature Reserve Manager and says, “This is a fun day out for the family. April heralds the start of spring so join us and find out what really makes a wood buzz this season.” The day consists of guided walks, children’s activities, demonstrations of woodland craft, stalls and refreshments.

Entry is £5 per car to include parking. Booking and information from Anglian Water Bird Watching Centre Tel: 01572 770651 www.rutlandwater.org.uk Easter Egg Hunting…

There will be lots of eggs to find at The Nene Valley Railway, Wansford Station in Stibbington on Easter Monday.

Barnsdale Gardens will be full of colour, fragrance and wildlife during Easter weekend (Friday 18 to Monday 21 April), so take the family along to enjoy the heavenly horticulture as well as taking part in the treasure hunt and paint an egg to display in the woodland. Family of up to five, £19.

On Easter Sunday the popular Easter Egg Hunt will once again be taking place in the Gardens of Surprise at Burghley House in Stamford from 11am to 5pm. Families are invited to follow the treasure hunt around the Gardens and solve the riddle to claim a full size chocolate egg.

Admittance is free of charge with a Gardens only or House and Gardens ticket.

There’s fun to be had at Rockingham Castle on Easter Sunday and Monday with an Egg Hunt and family quiz between 12 noon and 5pm. A family ticket is £24.50 and includes admission to the castle.

Thursday 24 April, 7.30pm TALK: Celebrations Popular local history expert Philippa Massey will talk about public festivities. Thanksgivings national and local have always been a good excuse for a jolly. Philippa will examine our predilection for putting the flags out. (One hour approximately.)

Stamford Arts Centre Tickets £5 Tel: 01780 763203 www.stamfordartscentre.co.uk Tuesday 29 April, 4pm to 8pm EVENT: The Barking Mad Charity Dress Sale Good friends Sarah Milne and Jane Means raised over £2,000 for Three Counties Dog Rescue last year at the inaugural event and are back this year in support of the same charity with bargains galore. Gift wrapping expert Jane encourages donations of little worn, good quality clothing which can be taken to the Sly Dress Agency in Stamford or Leonard Interiors in Bourne. A chance to snap up designer finds in a boutique environment, the gift wrapping is complimentary and afternoon tea is available for under £5.

Entry is free.

Braceborough Village Hall Further information Tel: 01522 522544 or www.janemeansblog.com STAMFORD LIVING APRIL 2014

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ACCOUNTANTS

CLEANING

CARPENTRY

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR

The Great Little Cleaning Company.

Expert advice, local knowledge Contact Tom Hindmarch:

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Professional Cleaning Services

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Specialist Cleaners of Carpets & Upholstery In and around Stamford * Environmentaly safe * Carpets dry within 1 - 2 hours * All work Insured and guaranteed * Stain Protection & Insect Protection * March Out & End Of Letting Clean Call Tim Armstrong on 01778 420000 or Jeremy Jenkinson on 07740 824011

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COMPUTER SERVICES Why does the computer always play up in the evenings when the repair shops are shut?

Help available until 9pm including weekends.

Computer repair and support for home and business A complete service for all your computing needs

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

Clothing Alterations & Repairs Brazenose Lane, Stamford (01780) 480762 MON, TUE, WED, FRI 10 - 4.00 THUR CLOSED SAT 9.00-12noon

ART

• Renovations • Alterations • Extensions • Qualified Velux Installer • Loft & Garage Conversions www.wsstaffcarpentry.co.uk email: wsstaffcarpentry@btinternet.com

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DECORATORS

SPECIALISTS IN THE SUPPLY AND FITTING OF PREFABRICATED CHIMNEY SYSTEMS AND LOG BURNING STOVES

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Loft Conversions - Garden Offices – Kitchen & Bathrooms ) 3 * % 6 * (&&$) Solid & * &%, () Wood Flooring&%) 2 ( % (recommended installer for Welland Valley Timber) &# && #&&( % 4( &$$ % %)* ## ( &( ## % ## / PLASTERING% &-) 6 # % ) $ (5 3 #+. 6 "(& Dry Lining

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$ '# )* ( (% &%, () &%) 3 &+) %&, * &%) Barn Conversions â&#x20AC;&#x201C; House Renovations & ! ! % ( $ ' "$! " #! " Call Alex for help and advice - Fully insured skilled tradesman <<

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MOT TEST CENTRE BARNACK TEST CENTRE Unit 5, Station Road Business Park Barnack, Stamford PE9 3DW 01780 749271 Open Monday - Saturday Independent Local class 4 MOT station, now running in its 7th year Friendly, family run business with 25 years experience CALL MARK OR POLLY TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

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WEB DESIGN

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Needed: Good quality clothes for children aged 2-5 years. Also needed: Stair gates and cot/children’s bedding.

Contact us via phone, text or email to arrange a visit.

Donations of good quality, clean clothes and baby equipment always gratefully received.

Please call: 01780 765853 or text 07913 052159 office@alternativesstamford.co.uk Alternatives Stamford, Hospital site, Ryhall Road, Stamford PE9 1YA Friends/Partners Welcome - www.alternativesstamford.co.uk

19/03/2014 16:01

STA M FOR D PE OPLE

Scholes The Undertakers Words & Pictures: Harjit Gammon

E

mbarking upon a new series of articles taking a look behind the scenes, so to speak, of local businesses it seemed only natural to include a type of business whose services we will all be taking advantage of at some point in our lives. Undertakers, funeral directors call them what you will, will inevitably feature large in what to do with our mortal remains. It is something we’ll all have to make provision for, or perhaps we’ll leave it to our relatives. Whatever the case, it will of necessity entail the engaging of the services of the funeral business.

My interest was piqued one dusky evening, as I walked my dog, by the seemingly incongruous sight of a brightly lit Christmas tree in the window of The Chapel of Rest in St. George’s Street, Stamford. Aside from a silent note to myself recording this oddity, I thought nothing more of it until an editorial meeting when I happened to casually mention it, and it provoked much interest and discussion.

We all have to accept that when we die something is going to happen, but what? It seems that as we do in life so it will be in death. No more the simple choice of burial versus cremation, and wood type for the coffin.

As more and more of us are trying to live a greener, more environmental way of life so too has the choice of how we’ll ‘rest’ at the end of our lives broadened. Amongst the many new options are, green, marine and altogether more futuristic, science fiction inspired, options including freeze drying and dissolving by chemicals. Though many, particularly the latter, are still in their inception phase and only available in the US. There are estimated to be around 7 billion people on the planet; of whom 1% die every year in peace time. On a more local scale, R.J. Scholes funeral directors handle around 15 funerals a week.

Chatting to Tim Waller and Charlie Louth, area manager and funeral director, respectively of central England Co-Operative owned R.J. Scholes Ltd, it seems there is a growing appetite for the personalisation of funerals. Perhaps a little more prosaic than the stuff above, nevertheless the potential choice is bewildering; covering not only the colour, style, and material of the coffin (including cardboard, wicker, bamboo, wool and wood); with or without pictures; the mode of transport ranging from a

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motorcycle carriage, VW Camper hearse, through to a double Decker bus to transport the coffin and mourners in addition to the more usual hearse and limousine and occasional carriage & horses. It is, in short, as Tim Waller says, “As individual as the individual people involved. As long as it is legal and tasteful we can do it”. The firm will handle every aspect of the funeral bar registering the death, which must be done by the next of kin or representative.

Operating from a site on St George’s Street, housing a reception area and small meeting room, a Chapel of Rest, temperature controlled mortuary with a hospital style racking system and operating theatre style preparation room, together with coffin storeroom and parking for the hearse and limousine, the small staff of five handle the final preparations for bereaved families and mourners. In addition to Charlie, the funeral director and day to day manager at Stamford, the team is comprised of two funeral arrangers; Kevin Bannister and Phil Vick, plus Andy who prepares the bodies (wash, shave, wash hair, clean body & dress) and Kerry; who administers the embalming process (an optional process consisting of injecting a solution of formaldehyde into the body), also referred to as a “hygienic/preservation” treatment.

The team operate by an age old “mentor-apprentice” training system now evolved to starting at the bottom as a casual bearer and working their way up to more complex tasks , similar historically to the watchmaker, cobbler, butcher and candlestick maker, with the addition nowadays of a degree of state regulation with respect to the embalming process. The vocation of undertaking is well established, with the term undertaking coming from the identity of the person who undertook the task of caring for the dead and caretaking of the living at the time of loss and bereavement.

Oh, and in case you were wondering the Christmas tree is not just decorative. It is a receptacle for stars and hearts holding messages of love and remembrance for those who have lost someone in the past twelve months.

STAMFORD LIVING APRIL 2014

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A PLACE OF RELAXATION...

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