Stamford Living May 2015

Loving where we live!

STAMFORD LIVING www.stamfordliving.co.uk

@LocalLivingUK

Featuring:

Queensgate Fashion Health & Beauty Kids Entertainment and Holiday Advice Stamford Schools Back Pain Solutions Kid’s Cooking Parties Delcor Home Ideas Nurseries and Childminding Making Richard III’s Tomb Motoring Local Art King’s Lynn Walk Eating Out Stamford Activities

MAY 2015 £1.50

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STAMFORD - £430,000

Situated on a desirable road this established semi-detached five bedroom home offers family sized accommodation with generous gardens and ample off road parking and garage. The property benefits from being within easy reach of the town centre and A1 alike.

This generous family home comprises the following; Spacious entrance hall with cloakroom, dining room with feature fireplace, lounge opening onto the garden and a kitchen breakfast room. Upstairs there are five bedrooms, family bathroom and separate WC. Outside the house is set back from the road overlooking a long front garden and driveway leading to the garage. To the rear the large back garden is mainly laid to lawn with established shrub borders.

WEST DEEPING

£765,000

This beautifully presented barn conversion, converted in 1997 to a high standard, is set within private mature gardens of approximately 0.28 of an acre with views over countryside and St. Andrews Church. The property is approached by a long gravelled gated drive with accommodation comprising: Ground floor: Reception hall, light drawing room with wood burner, bespoke kitchen dining room with integrated appliances and Aga, study/bedroom five, shower room, cloakroom, laundry room and side entrance hall. First floor: Main landing leading to a minstrel galleried landing, master bedroom with en-suite and three further bedrooms. Outside there is a detached garage with large workshop to the rear and room above. This could easily be made into a self-contained office or annexe, subject to planning.

EASTON ON THE HILL - £550,000

A stunning converted stone Granary date stamped 1878 situated in a tucked away location in the heart of this sought after village. Modern facilities blend with many original features including exposed stone walls and beams, also boasting a beautiful walled garden.

The generous accommodation comprises in brief; Reception hall, cloakroom, lounge with doors opening onto the garden, study and country style kitchen with aga and open aspect through to the dining room. Stairs lead to a large landing from which to reach the master bedroom with en suite, three further double bedrooms, family bathroom and the utility room. A second staircase leads up from the dining room to the first floor sitting room which can also be accessed through bedroom four.

Outside the property is found along a gravelled driveway, it has a garage and off road parking. To the front is a private kitchen garden with patio and to the rear is a picturesque walled garden.

TICKENCOTE

£347,000

This pretty semi-detached stone cottage is approached by a double driveway and is set in the heart of this sought after village overlooking the Church and only a short drive to Stamford, the A1 and local amenities. The property has been much improved in recent years and enjoys the benefit of a re-fitted kitchen breakfast room and a self-contained annexe. Accommodation comprises: Covered entrance lobby, entrance hall, cloakroom, sitting room with open fireplace, dining room, kitchen breakfast room overlooking the rear garden. To the first floor there are three bedrooms and a family bathroom. The annexe consists of a large open plan studio with kitchen area, bathroom and cloakroom. Outside, there are enclosed and well maintained gardens to the front and rear and a larger than average garage.

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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STAMFORD LIVING

May Contents www.stamfordliving.co.uk

@LocalLivingUK

UPDATES, SHOPPING 5

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Stamford: Creative Hub

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T’S interesting to see in recent years how many strong brands are coming out of Stamford – The Stamford watches from Robert Loomes, the first British made watches in a generation; and the Stamford Notebook from Speigl, which is now being exported across the world, to name but two; and this month we write about the Retail Data Partnership, which has become a company of 40+ people based in Stamford. And of course there are many others.

Stamford is a place that people choose to live, but it is also becoming a creative hub for design and innovative commerce. Long may that continue.

Nicholas Rudd-Jones

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Fashion: Queensgate feature Health & Beauty: The science of good skin Health & Beauty: Back Pain Solutions Wedding Venues: Fort Henry Sunglasses – The Oculist

HOME, GARDEN, MOTORING, TRAVEL Travel tips for travelling with kids Design Solutions: Delcor Quirky Stamford: Unusual shop displays Motoring: The new BMW i8

FOOD & DRINK 34 56 67 69

Food & Drink: Kids’ Cooking parties Food & Drink: The Great Food Club Food Food & Drink: The Talbot at Malton Food & Drink: Spanish Delights

ACTIVITIES, CULTURE, LEARNING & BUSINESS

16 A review of nurseries and childminding 26 Learning: New Yr 6 Classrooms at the Stamford Junior School

40 Child-friendly Stamford: What’s On 41 Child-friendly Stamford: Churchill Camps 43 Local Craftsmen: The Making of Richard III’s tomb

44 Local Music: Fenech Soler 52 Urban Rambles: King’s Lynn 55 Book review: Thicker Than Soup by Kathryn Joyce

Cover Photograph: St George’s Church, Stamford Kingsley Singleton www.kingsleysingleton.com

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FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY

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Publisher

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 01778 425502 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

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Updates: Face of Stamford 2015 Competition; Christine Pirrie expands; The Flower House celebrates its first anniversary The Pots of Fun giraffe competition; Burghley concerts; The Cutting Company new recruit Updates; The Rutland County Show; Osprey Lettings; Stephenson Smart Updates: Stamford AFC Football Development Centre; Sports Bash: Rock Grass Tennis; Gagliardi – a new shop for men; Sue Ryder Fashion Show: One Touch football Updates: Shoestring Theatre exhibition; The Retail Data Partnership: Elysia Health & Beauty

63 Music: Vinyl Revival in Peterborough 73 What’s On

PEOPLE & PLACES

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14 People: Buddhism in Stamford 49 Ask Leo Special: May in the Countryside 71 People: Protecting the Past – Peterborough Cathedral

78 Stamford People: Kelly at the Deli

STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2015

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UPDATES

Could your child be the ‘Face of Stamford’ 2015?

For the third year running Stamford Living is collaborating with the talented Lyndsay Ford of ‘ShutterBox Photography’ to bring you this year’s photo competition to find the ‘Face of Stamford’ 2015

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t is only £5 to enter and you will receive a 7”x5” print of your entry photo. £1 from each sitting will be donated to our nominated charity ‘Anna’s Hope’ The 15 minute portrait sittings will be held at ‘ShutterBox Photography Studio’ in Stamford on a selection of dates throughout May and June. To pre-book your sitting, email Lyndsay at face@shutterboxphotography.co.uk or call her on 07580 388880 This year we have 10 local business involved as sponsors giving the winner and runners-up a wide variety of prizes from some fantastic local businesses. These include prizes from - Sacrewell Farm, Stamford Arts Centre, The Yard, Sukies Party Emporium, Paint a Pot with Tooty, Flowers by Mandy, Bella Vintage & Stamford Cupcake Company and Shutterbox Photography. You can see a full list of the prizes and more information at www.shutterboxphotography/faceofstamford.co.uk Age categories are - up to 12mth, 1-3yr, 4-6yr, 7-11yr. The child with the most votes in each category becomes a runner-up, the child who gets the most votes overall wins the title of ‘Face of Stamford’ 2015.

To view the photos of all our contestants and to place your vote, just pop along to the Stamford Arts Centre any time between 17th & 31st August. The top 5 children with the most votes in each category will then be presented to the prize givers who will have the final overall vote. Look out for the results, which will be announced in the August edition of the Stamford Living Magazine.

• The competition has been a sell for the last two years so book your slot as soon as possible.

Christine Pirrie Opticians

The Flower House

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hristine Pirrie Opticians are pleased to announce the arrival of a new optometrist to join their team. Dr Heather Shorrock joins existing optometrists Dr Nancy Guttridge-Smith and Christine Pirrie in providing both NHS and private eye examinations. Heather qualified as an optometrist in 2004, and has worked extensively in hospital (including Moorfields Eye Hospital in London) and private practice specialising in complex contact lens fitting and low vision. She brings to the practice her wealth of experience and passion for quality eye care.

Nancy, who has recently taken over as director of the company, also trained and worked at both Moorfields Eye Hospital and Leicester Royal Infirmary and has recently completed the College of Optometrists Diploma in Glaucoma. Christine continues to work in a reduced capacity as she heads towards a well-deserved retirement.

The practice has all the most up to date equipment with OCT (ocular coherence tomographer), gold standard Humphrey Visual Field Analyser, retinal camera and corneal topographer to aid in the recognition of eye diseases including glaucoma and macula degeneration. They also carry out hospital glaucoma clinics in the practice which means that patients do not have to travel to Peterborough for their appointments.

Once you have had your eyes tested, qualified Dispensing Optician Helen Rogers and optical assistant Charlotte Fenn will help you choose your glasses. Helen has been working at the practice for 15 years and prides herself on personal care – helping everyone in need of spectacles and sunglasses with the same level of service no matter what the individual style and budget. She works hard to ensure that each client leaves with a product that is right for them in fit, comfort, vision and style. She is a specialist in Nikon and Rodenstock lenses and can give advice on lifestyle lenses and frame options including sports wear.

The choice of spectacle frames is fantastic with high fashion ranges including Lindberg, Silhouette, William Morris, Etnia and You’s combined with more traditional styles with all inclusive packages starting at £69 complete.

Sunglasses are considered essential now with increasing evidence of the long term damage that UV rays can cause in the eyes. They carry a selection of prescription and non-prescription sunglasses including the superb Maui Jim sunspecs, together with Ocean Blue, Dakota and Storm sunglass packages.

• Tel: 01780 753488, reception@christinepirrie.com, 7-8 Maiden Lane, Stamford, PE9 2AZ

he Flower House, started

by Tracy Burr, is just celebrating its first anniversary and things have being going really well for the business.

“We have had a brilliant first year,” Tracy told SL, “taking on existing customers from the previous business and serving many new customers with a new team, new suppliers and new products.”

The wedding market has been particularly strong, perhaps partly because of Tracy’s background in photography which, combined with her knowledge of the local wedding location, helps her to create visually stunning effects.

One bride to be commented to Tracy; “You just get exactly what I’m thinking!” Tracy has the skill and sourcing capabilities to put ideas, dreams even, into practice.

Recent product additions include a candle and diffuser range from Stoneglow, • 31 Saint Mary’s Street, Stamford PE9 2DS 01780 753225 www. theflowerhousestamford.co.uk STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2015

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goodwin’s feature property

£549,995 Guide Price £800,000

EMPINGHAM – Chapel Close

Tucked away in an exclusive development of four other similar properties set in the heart of the Rutland village of Empingham, this stone built family home is well presented throughout and offers good sized versatile accommodation.

Finished3to an extremely standard the in a Delightful bedroom periodhigh property situated accommodation Entrance hall, cloakroom, secluded positioncomprises: in the heart of this popular village. sitting room with open fireplace and log drive burner, Approached via a an large sweeping gravelled to dining the room, kitchen breakfast room, utility room and front oflarge the detached double garage, the property enjoys family room.rooms Additionally there is a large and roomanabove the 3 reception as well as 3 bathrooms garage, off well the family room giving flexibility for a variety extremely fitted Kitchen/Breakfast room. of uses. On the first floor are five bedrooms, the master The good sized grounds are a special feature of this having an en-suite bathroom, a guest bedroom with property with a Southerly aspect to this totally enclosed shower room en suite and a family bathroom. walled garden which is largely laid to lawn with mature The property has delightful gardens to the rear, private borders and a patio to the rear. patio to the side and Double garage.

Garden Cottage, Market Overton

•

goodwin

www.goodwinpropertyservices.co.uk

Residential Sales • Lettings • Mortgages

Independant

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

goodwinpropertyservices.co.uk

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FASHION

A Day Out in Queensgate SL models Christine Brown and Isabella Hamnett spent a day exploring Queensgate Centre and trying on the new season’s fashions. Fashion editor: Sally Stillingfleet Photography: Elli Dean Isabella shops the John Lewis Home department wearing Whistles silk printed dress, £110, worn with Mint Velvet Denim jacket, £99 and pale blue handbag, £189

Christine browses in Jigsaw three quarter length coat, £198, worn over denim shirt, £95 and NYD blue jeans, £139.95, with silver leather shopper, £69, all John Lewis

Isabella tries on sunglasses at The Oculist Opticians, expertly advised by manager Rob and the team

Isabella wea rs skinny jean s, £38, lacey cream top, £36, pale gr ey suede cross body bag, £35 an d carries a yellow sh oppe £36, all from r, Warehouse

u STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2015

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FASHION rs Christine wea e te y lk si l ra co a n or w 8, shirt, £1 rd bi a r unde 5, kimono top, £4 al co ar with ch l jeans, £42, al

by Oasis

Isabella is wea ring Brooke flared jeans, £45, worn with crea m lace top, £35, unde ra striped jacket , £60, all River Island .

Christine wea rs yellow jacket, £60, with crea m basic teeshirt , £25 and skinny jeans, £40, all from River Island

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Isabella wears white embelli shed tee shirt with black ca , £22.99, rdigan, £54.99 and black skin £44.99, all Su ny jeans, perDry Christine wea rs vest top, £1 4.99, worn un shirt, £34.99 der navy . Leather jack et, £199, pale £44.99, all fr grey jeans, om SuperDry

ohn Michael J Abbey at s le y t ork s Hair Artw . r ai h s Isabella’

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Left: A well earned coffee break at Carluccio’s and chance to stock up at the deli counter. Isabella is wearing Summer Comb kimono, £45 over lacey two in one cream blouse, £38, silver hummingbird scarf £22 and blue slim contour jeans, £48. Christine wears cream long sleeve tee shirt over navy striped tee shirt, £28, mid weight striped scarf £22 and jeans, as before, all from Fat Face Isabella tries on jewellery at Style in the Westgate Arcade

ring Secret Isabella is wea £45, Schuh s, al coral sand

Photos: Elli Dean (07932 055548) www. ellideanphotography.co.uk Styling: Sally Stillingfleet Many thanks to Isabella and Christine, our models.

Isabella’s hair is by Abbey at Michael John Hair Artwork, Queensgate Centre, Peterborough (tel: 01733 553732) and Christine’s hair Isabella is by Mark at PKai. wears Hattie Westgate Arcade (tel: 01733 358825). wedges, by Special thanks to Hotter. Bag is Michael John for £45 attending to both Christine and Isabella’s hair throughout the day.

Make up: Isabella’s make up is by Boots using No.7 products Christine’s make up is by The Body Shop, using their own products

Kai Mark at P n o s k wor ’s Christine look

at Boots makeover a as h a Isabell

hn s

is ’s make up Christine dy Shop Bo e Th at perfected

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Snow Designs & Interiors.

Interiors Emporium offering an eclectic mix of British contemporary & vintage homeware & Gifts.

Find us at...

32 St Mary’s Street, Stamford, PE9 2DS.

Tel. 01780 751551

www.snowdesignsandinteriors.com 10

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2387 ORC-Full Page Timber Windows Stamford Living Advert_v3_ORC-Full Page Timber Windows Stamford Living Advert 18/03/2015 12:17 Page 1

Timber Alternative Windows The only suppliers and installers of the Storm range of products in the local area.

Visit one of our showrooms to see more‌ Kitchens, Bedrooms & Bathrooms

Windows, Doors & Conservatories

Showroom Opening Times

01780 481 850 orchardkitchens@live.co.uk www.orchardstamford.co.uk

01780 753 343 orchardwindows@live.co.uk www.orchardwindows.co.uk

Mon-Fri: 9am - 5pm Saturday: Windows 9am - 1pm Kitchens 9am - 3pm

22-23 Scotgate, Stamford, PE9 2YQ

1 Meadow View, Uffington Road Stamford, PE9 2EX 11

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

The science of good skin Which anti-ageing skin care products really deliver? And what are their “magic” ingredients? Genevieve Potter provides clarity on this and also reveals the potentially harmful ingredients which should be avoided

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he mass marketing of ‘anti-ageing’ wonder creams, serums, oils and lotions can be utterly bewildering. Five years ago, for example, few of us would have included an oil or serum in our daily skincare regime, but this additional step now seems essential.

HERE ARE SOME GUIDELINES TO HELP YOU RESEARCH THE SKIN CARE REGIME THAT WILL PROVIDE OPTIMUM PROTECTION AND NOURISHMENT FOR YOUR SKIN. 1. Daytime is about protection An effective SPF is the best present you can give to your skin and yourself. And yes, you need it all year round (or as one leading dermatologist put it – it’s fine to skip an SPF if you need a torch to see!). If you need further convincing, have a look at a beautifully produced short video on YouTube (search ‘how the sun sees you’). The effects of UVA and UVB rays, and the impact of proper sun protection are dramatic and surprising.

2. Night time is about renewal Overnight is the time when your skin (your body’s largest organ) repairs and renews. Take time to notice how your skin looks and feels and seek out the products which address your biggest single concern. A little more time on your night time regime can reap benefits – I’m a fan of facial massage during cleansing and when applying serums and oils. This can help to stimulate the circulation and improve drainage, naturally plumping the skin. Ask your beautician for some simple techniques to try yourself – you’ll never look back.

3. The power of three I’m often asked how many products are the right number to apply at once. As a rule of thumb, I’d advise three. For day time, after cleansing, apply the product with thinnest consistency – for instance a serum, then layer a moisturising product with active ingredients and of course, finish with an SPF over hands, neck, chest and the back of the hands.

4. Beauty is an inside job A substance which you apply to your skin will never replace good nutrition. Many skin conditions including acne and eczema can be dramatically improved with the correct diet – one that’s very low in sugar and full of vegetables and a little fruit (never mind five a day, go for ten!), unprocessed, high quality protein and unrefined carbohydrates. If your diet needs an overhaul, consider seeing a qualified nutritionist – Sophie Driver and Imogen Shaw are both excellent, Stamfordbased professionals.

EFFECTIVE ANTI-AGEING INGREDIENTS AND THOSE TO AVOID INCLUDE

AVOID

Retinoids – the most tried and tested antiageing ingredient. Unless you’re pregnant or suffer from rosacea you should probably be using a retinoid! Improves fine lines, texture and tone

Parabens – commonly found in many skin creams as a preservative. These are chemicals which mimic the function of the naturally occurring hormone estrogen, and exposure to external estrogens has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer.

Look for the following ingredients and avoid them: methylparaben, propylparaben, isoparaben, butylparaben

Salicylic acid - A powerful exfoliant for those with oily or combination skin. It exfoliates brilliantly and increases cell turnover. It also keeps pores clear and reduces their visibility

Phthalates (pronounced ‘tha-lates’) are also known to be hormone-mimicking chemicals, some of which disrupt normal hormonal processes. They can be difficult to identify on labelling – if in doubt pick products which are labelled ‘Phthalate free’

Kojic acid – the most effective ingredient for reducing pigmentation (brown spots) – it really delivers

Products claiming to contain “collagen” and “elastin”. Collagen and elastin molecules are too big to penetrate the dermis – the skin’s outer layer

Hylauronic acid – a naturally occurring substance which cushions skin cells, joints and nerves, it can hold 1,000 times its weight in water – nothing comes close to its hydrating properties

Mineral oils – these are normally derived from petroleum and were originally intended to provide an industrial barrier for the skin; but can impair the skin’s natural function

Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) – an effective, clarifying brightener, which is also essential in maintaining collagen levels in the skin (the substance which gives skin its bounce)

SLS – sodium lauryl sulphate – used as a cleansing and lathering ingredient – known to dry and irritate skin

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FIVE PRODUCTS WHICH REALLY DELIVER- WITH NO NASTIES Pinks Boutique Deep Cleansing Melt – a luxurious, softening cleanser packed with essential oils – available from Emma Cannings Neom body massage oil – this nourishes and hydrates the skin, especially good as a shower treatment - available from Essence of Beauty Cuccio grape seed antioxidant hand oil – a few drops can transform the look and feel of dehydrated hands – available from Snowden’s foot clinic Jason Sun mineral sunscreen – containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, the superheroes of the SPF world – available from Silver Lane Whole Foods Caudalie Vino Perfect Radiance Serum – derived from grapes and their vines, this corrects and protects against dark spots and delivers unrivalled radiance – available from Chameleon

STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2015

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REGIONAL WINNER

Advertisement Feature

COUPLES FERTILITY STAMFORD Jo George specialises in the use of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to treat the full range of problems associated with infertility in both men and women.

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sing Chinese herbs, acupuncture, dietary advice and lifestyle changes, Jo takes a holistic approach to reproductive health and offers sympathetic advice, well-researched treatment and a genuine message of hope to infertile couples.

TREATING INFERTILITY WITH TCM Because TCM aims to restore balance to the whole person, it can be used to treat all non-genetic causes of infertility in both men and women — either in conjunction with modern assisted fertility techniques (IVF, IUI) or on its own.

In women, TCM can help with hormonal and ovulatory problems, polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, partially blocked fallopian tubes, unexplained failure to conceive and repeated miscarriage. In men, it can improve sperm count and/or sperm motility including low sperm count, low motility, high abnormal form or anti-sperm antibodies.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM A TREATMENT During your first visit Jo needs to gain a thorough understanding of your fertility and your general health and lifestyle. This involves asking questions about your current symptoms and your medical history, as well as such things as your sleeping pattern, your appetite and digestion, and your emotional wellbeing. Women are particularly asked about their menstrual cycle and any past pregnancies and childbirth, and often BBT charts are used to measure progress.

• Jo is always happy to talk and share her knowledge, please call for a FREE preliminary phone conversation with Jo on 07914 851995. It’s an ideal opportunity to discuss your particular problem. www.lifemedicineclinic.com.

Jo George is a fully registered member of the BacC and RCHM, which are the leading regulatory body of acupuncture and herbs in the UK. Jo George is highly trained professional to Masters (distinction) level, and is a very experienced practitioner with over 14 years clinical knowledge.

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ENLIGHTENMENT

The Reincarnated Lama and the Arts Centre S William Eichler

ITTING, surrounded by people meditating, I stare at the floor. I then look around at the rows of pensive faces, curious to know if they are all thinking the same as me. My phone has been on silent mode for ten minutes. Ten minutes!

Maybe I’m missing something important - an email about work, an invite from a friend, a video of a baby panda playing ball with a kitten and making a baby laugh. Life-changing stuff.

Cursing my impatience I attempt to refocus.

Everyone here is looking for peace, calm, serenity. All I can think of is Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

I am in the Arts Centre’s ball room with about 50 other people. We have just been listening to the 11th Lelung Rinpoche, a Lama from Tibet, talk about Buddhism. And now he is leading us in meditation, for which I am obviously ill-suited.

A quietly spoken man, Rinpoche is here at the invitation of Janet Smith - a self-described “semi-Buddhist”. “I volunteer here at the Arts Centre,” she tells me, “and over the past 20 years they’ve been very generous and put on Tibet Events.”

of practising Buddhists.

In 2000, Rinpoche founded the Lelung Dharma Trust, a UK based charity dedicated to preserving the teachings of the Lelung lineage and Tibetan culture.

Lelung Rinpoche He also travels the UK leading meditation groups. “People find meditation really helpful,” he explains, “because when you practice Buddhism and you talk of love and compassion you can change yourself into a better person.” He then adds with a laugh, “Also people think it’s kind of fashionable so that’s why many people take it up. We love fashions in the UK and the West!”

Buddha in Suburbia

No doubt for many Buddhism is just a fashionable pastime. As with any trendy commodity in the global spiritual supermarket, it can be selectively drawn upon to suit individual lifestyles and needs. And then replaced whenever a more interesting model comes along. As Rinpoche says, “[m]any people treat it as a kind of easy religion that you can take in and you don’t need to commit anything.” There is nothing necessarily wrong with this. You don’t need to accept every aspect of Buddhism to benefit from its teachings.

Lelung Rinpoche, subject of the BBC2 documentary Buddha in Suburbia, is an important figure in Tibetan Buddhism. The Dalai Lama himself identified him as the reincarnation of Lelung Pema Zhepai Dorje, an 18th century lama who was responsible for spreading the teachings of the Lelung tradition across Tibet. This means that he has spiritual authority in the eyes

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Spirituality or Fashion?

Janet is certainly no follower of fashion.

Thanks largely to her son’s propensity for travel, she has spent a lot of time in Tibet. He moved out there in 1991 and she decided to visit him two years later. “He stayed there a long time and I wrote and said if you’re not coming back to see your poor old mother then I better come and see you.” And so she did and has done many times since.

Janet is in the process of planning what she describes as her last trip to the spiritual home of Buddhism. But the Chinese government, which doesn’t recognise Tibet as an independent country, does not make travel easy. “When you apply for a visa,” Janet explains, “you have to show them a copy of entry and return airfares and accommodation.”

Tibet days at the Stamford Arts Centre The Tibet days in Stamford, particularly the meditation, have proved popular. Janet, along with others, has been able to organise some more meditation workshops, to be led by Rinpoche. These will be held in the Arts Centre on 10 May, 21 June and 19 July. “Whether one is interested in Buddhism itself or not,” explains Victoria George, one of the organisers behind the new workshops, “the benefits of meditation and mindfulness are many, including self-knowledge, learning to concentrate and how to deal with emotional and physical stress or pain.”

If, like me, you are unable to sit still for ten minutes without checking your phone, perhaps there is something here for you.

• To find out more about these workshops, call the Arts Centre on 01780 763203

STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2015

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Is it time to re-discover your hearing?

Missing the odd word during the conversation?

Having to turn the TV up?

If these situations sound familiar you may benefit from a free hearing assessment.

Healthy Hearing are your local hearing experts. With many years of experience we are dedicated to providing a comprehensive hearing healthcare service and finding the best solutions for your needs.

Call us for: • Free expert hearing advice • Free lifestyle hearing assessments • Free trials of the latest digital hearing aid technology • Home visits available

Call us today for your FREE hearing assessment

01780 759133 Stamford Hearing Centre, No 1 The Old Police House, Cliff Road, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 1AB

With our help your hearing can only get better.

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CHILDCARE

Choosing a Nursery in Stamford Antonia Scott meets some of the very best childcare facilities that Stamford has to offer

The Ark The Ark at St Gilbert’s - Foundry Road, Stamford, PE9 2PP. Tel: 01780 482113 The Ark at St George’s - Kesteven Road, Stamford. PE9 1SX www.thearkstamford.co.uk The Ark has two nurseries both in the heart of Stamford: An OFSTED Outstanding full day care nursery in a Scandinavian designed building in the grounds of St Gilbert’s Primary School; and a term-time only sessional pre-school in the grounds of St George’s School. The latest Ofsted inspection found the Ark Nursery at St Gilbert’s to be Outstanding in all categories stating: “The Ark Nursery provides children with superb opportunities for their learning and development as well as promoting excellent welfare provision; there are tremendous relationships between staff and children. The leadership of the nursery is inspirational and the management team stop at nothing in their strive for excellence.”

Delicious home cooked food is high on the agenda at The Ark nurseries where the menus often have the parents salivating on pick up! Children from The Ark at St Gilbert’s have the benefit of visiting a Forest School environment in nearby Ketton where owner Jo O’BryanTear lives and where outdoor life is explored and enjoyed.

The Ark at St Gilbert’s is open 8am – 6pm all year round. The Ark at St George’s is open term time only from 9.15am – 3.15pm.

Morning Sessions are from 9.15am – 12.15pm and Afternoon Sessions from 12.15pm – 3.15pm.

All parents and children are welcome to come and have a look round both Ark Nurseries, ready for The Rocking Horse registration in September.

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The Rocking Horse - 85 Rutland Road, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 1UP. Tel: 01780 757922.

Mon – Fri: 8am – 6pm. From 3 months to 5 years The Rocking Horse Nursery is one of Stamford’s longest established childcare nurseries. Opened in 1992 and still owned and managed by the original founder, The Rocking Horse Nursery offers a real home from home environment and recognises the importance of treating each child as an individual, with equal opportunities and an open-minded approach. Their last Ofsted rating was ‘Good’ in February 2011. Activities are based around the children’s individual interests such as exploring the sensory gardens, baking, dancing, making treats and potions in the nursery’s mud kitchens, or tending to their own grown produce.

With the capacity to take up to 48 children ranging from 3 months to 5 years, they are open Monday to Friday 8am – 6pm with flexible session times from 3 hours to 10 hours.

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The Children’s Garden – 33 Broad Street, Stamford. PE9 1PJ. Tel: 01780 752094 Email: thechildrensgarden@btconnect.com The Children’s Garden Day Nursery and Montessori Pre-school is owned by Claire and Ed Kenyon and Managed by Christine Abbott. They are all passionate about pre-school education and have brought together the creativity of Montessori with the wonder of learning through nature to create a unique childcare experience which Ofsted rated as ‘Outstanding’ last year, and said it “ignites a love of learning.”

There are cosy Baby and Garden Rooms for the youngest children, a large bright Daisy Room for the active toddlers and a Montessori preschool classroom with child-height mini kitchens and even a slide to access the large walled garden! The outside space is a child’s haven with a Mongolian Yurt, a wood-burner, mud-pit, vegetable patch, flower beds, lawn and decking areas for creativity and fun activities which include Bushcraft, Yoga, Cooking and European languages.

The Acorn Childcare Centre - Malcolm Sargent Primary School, Empingham Road, Stamford. PE9 2SR Tel: 01780 766493 Email: acornchildcarecentre@btconnect.com The Acorn Childcare Centre aims to nurture every child’s development through play. Set within the grounds of Malcolm Sargent Primary School, the purpose-built nursery is designed around the needs of the children. Staff at the setting are highly qualified and regularly trained to ensure that they meet the highest current standards of care. The setting runs for 51 weeks of the year, from 7.30am to 6.00pm Monday to Friday and is only closed between Christmas and New Year.

The Nursery is divided into three carefully tailored rooms with a calm natural theme running throughout. All children follow the Early Years Foundation Stage profile (EYFS). The Baby Room caters for children aged 6 weeks to 2 years, the Toddler Room for children aged 2 to 3 years and the Pre-school Room for 3 to 4 year olds which has been designed to allow children to access a wide range of well-organised activities, as well as free-flow play. Their first Ofsted inspection in April 2014 highlighted that ‘children and their families are warmly welcomed into the calm, nurturing environment and staff provide good opportunities for babies to have first-hand, sensory experiences to explore and investigate.

Teaching is good overall, with some excellent and outstanding elements and children have good opportunities to play and learn.’

Stamford Nursery School

The Walnut Tree – 24 High Street St Martins, Stamford PE9 2LJ Tel: 01780 752746 www.walnut-tree-childcare.co.uk Set in a beautiful private Georgian House at the top end of High Street St Martins, The Walnut Tree is ‘Childcare on Domestic Premises’ which translates as a wonderful ‘home-from-home’ environment for babies and children to thrive under owner Joan Kirkup’s care. Open from 8am – 6pm with space for maximum 20 children, it is an ideal first step for many babies leaving the security of home for the first time. Alongside the lawned garden, there is also a single use stone annexe as the children’s playroom which provides a safe, cosy and stimulating environment for structured play which follows the EYFS curriculum – including weekly ‘Jellybeans’ music sessions and French lessons and songs.

The spacious kitchen plays host to birthday parties as well as daily home cooked food at lunchtime. The children have full use of Joan’s home which helps them develop invaluable social and life skills. With government funding for 3-4 year olds and morning or afternoon sessions available, The Walnut Tree is on hand to help each individual child develop at their own rate and flourish.

OUT OF TOWN NURSERIES: Copthill Independent Day School, Barnack Road, Uffington. – Inspected ‘Outstanding’ Early Years dept. www.copthill.com Tel: 01780 757506 The Mulberry Bush – Main Road, Uffington. Tel: 01780 755322 Railway Children’s Nursery – Creeton, Little Bytham. Tel: 01780 410055 for children aged 8 weeks to 5 years Railway ABC Day Nursery, Barholm Road, Tallington. PE9 4RJ Tel: 01778 343111 for children aged 6 weeks to 4 years.

The Stamford Nursery School – Stamford Junior School, Kettering Road, Stamford PE9 2LR Tel: 01780 484418 The Stamford Nursery School (formerly Early Birds) occupies a peaceful, wooded area in the spacious grounds of Stamford Junior School and is accessible from the Cattle Market car park, just a couple of minutes from the Meadows and Stamford’s train station. It is open from 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday, with extended care available from 7.45am to 6pm during term time, and from 8am to 6pm during school holidays. Nursery education is provided for two age groups, the ‘Gosling’ group (turning 3 year olds) and the ‘Owl’ group (3-4 year olds). The children are looked after by a highly qualified and professional team of enthusiastic staff under whose care they all thrive with the variety of activities and huge outdoor space available.

The road race track area is particularly popular with all the toddlers and their speedy drive on cars!

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Bouquets & Arrangements • Fresh Flowers & Plants

The Flower House - 31 St Mary’s Street, Stamford PE9 2DS Tel 01780 753225

www.theflowerhousestamford.co.uk

OUTSTANDING DAY NURSERY/PRE-SCHOOL WITH OWN FOREST SCHOOL - STAMFORD

• Full day care for babies to pre-school.

• Separate term-time only places for 2 – 4 year-olds.

• Funded places for 2 – 4 year olds up to 15 hours a week.

• Forest School for pre-school children.

• Now registering for September 2015.

Please call Helen Watson on 01780 482113 for an appointment to view our nurseries

Vera Wang Wedding Specialist

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et in a beautiful private Georgian House at the top end of High Street St Martins, The Walnut Tree is ‘Childcare on Domestic Premises’ which translates as a wonderful ‘home-

from-home’ environment for babies and children to thrive under owner Joan Kirkup’s care. Open all year round (except Bank holidays) from 8am – 6pm with space for maximum 15 children, it is an ideal first step for many babies leaving the security of home for the first time. Alongside the lawned garden and den areas, there is also a single-use stone annexe as the children’s playroom, which provides a safe and stimulating environment for structured play which follows the EYFS curriculum – including weekly ‘Jellybeans’ music sessions and French lessons and songs.

The spacious kitchen plays host to birthday parties as well as daily home cooked food at lunchtime.

The children have full use of Joan’s home which helps them develop invaluable social and life skills.

24 HIGH STREET ST MARTIN’S, STAMFORD, PE9 2LJ

TEL: 01780 752746

EMAIL: ENQUIRY@WALNUT-TREE-CHILDCARE.CO.UK WE CAN NOW TAKE GOVERNMENT FUNDED PLACEMENTS AND OFFER SESSIONAL CARE

WWW.WALNUT-TREE-CHILDCARE.CO.UK 18

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'IGNITES A LOVE OF LEARNING' The Children’s Garden Day Nursery & Montessori Pre-school TCG owners Claire and Ed Kenyon are passionate pre-school educators. At 33 Broad Street, Stamford we have brought together the creativity of Montessori, the wonder of learning through nature and the world around us, and a team of committed and nurturing staff, to create a unique childcare experience which “ignites a love of learning”* Rated as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted inspection in Feb 2014 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 Inspiring and fun activities for the children - including Bushcraft, Yoga, Mindfulness, Cooking and European languages

We would love to show you our homely nursery on Broad Street.

We have limited spaces for September 2015 onwards so please contact TCG Manager Christine Abbott on 01780 752094 or email thechildrensgarden@btconnect.com to arrange a visit. * Quoted from Ofsted report.

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UPDATES

Pots of Fun ‘Georgie The Giraffe’ competition Visit Pots of Fun in Love Stamford in the Corn Exchange any time between now and the summer and do your bit for charity whilst having a bit of fun.

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eorgie is a 5ft Decopatch giraffe. Each patch of decopatch paper you buy at £1 will go to the two charities Pots of Fun has chosen to support and raise money for: The Phoebe Research Fund and The El Shaddai Charitable Trust. You cut out a patch of Decopatch paper and glue it to Georgie. Cathy (the owner of Pots of Fun) will then take your name and telephone number and when Georgie is fully Deopatched, she will pull out at random the winner of Georgie the 5 ft giraffe.

The Phoebe Research Fund: Phoebe Crowson is a five year old local girl who suffers from a rare genetic skin disease called Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), a group of genetic skin conditions which cause the skin to blister and tear at the slightest touch. Tragically, certain types of EB can be fatal in infancy and others are life-limiting. This is because teenage sufferers and young adults are likely to contract an aggressive form of skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma (“SCC”). The type Phoebe suffers from is Recessive Dystrophic (“RDEB”) which is a life threatening form of the disease.

The aim of the fund is to make the possibility of a cure for this devastating disease a reality; there is currently no cure for EB. More details can be found on www.phoeberesearch.co.uk The El Shaddai Charitable Trust is a registered, non-profit Charity working in Goa and other States in India, helping street children coming from economically desperate conditions; caring and providing them with food, clothing, shelter and education, for a better future.

• To find out more about Pots of Fun, visit www.potsoffunstamford.co.uk

Win one of three pairs of tickets for fabulous Burghley concerts This June Burghley House hosts not one but two fabulous concerts, with top-line names

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n Saturday June 6th, the legendary rockers Status Quo will be “Rocking all Over the World”…..and performing many of their hits.

The following night, on Sunday June 7th it’s the 80s greatest hits show, starring Bananarama, who had 28 top 50 hits here in the UK, as well as hits in the USA and Australia. Bananarama are listed in the Guinness Book Of Records as the all female group with the most chart entries in the world, a record that they are proud to hold to this present day!

Bananarama will be joined by former Ultravox star Midge Ure, who performed with the girls on the first ever Band Aid Christmas single “Do they know it’s Christmas”. Midge Ure will be performing his world wide hit “Vienna!” at the show. Joining Midge and Bananarama on the all star line up will be Curiosity Killed the Cat, Odyssey and Toyah.

• You can get your tickets for either show online at www.livepromotionsconcerts.co.uk

Becca joins The Cutting Company T

here’s a new face at popular Stamford hair and beauty salon, The Cutting Company.

Becca Hentze has joined the talented team at the 6 Ironmonger Street premises.

Becca, 27, from Stamford, has over seven years’ experience as a beauty therapist and is well-known in the area. She has full qualifications in all of the mainstream beauty treatments.

She says: “I’m very excited about working for really nice people in a very well-established business that has been going

WIN! WIN! WIN!

We have three pairs of tickets to be won for the show of YOUR choice… simply tell us what year was Band Aid’s first number one Christmas hit? Answers to nicholas@bestlocalliving. co.uk by Sunday May 17th 2015 latest please, with name, email and postal address). You must live in the catchment areas of our magazines.

for over 30 years and has brilliant staff with great team spirit. “I’m also looking forward to using Neal’s Yard Remedies products for my treatments – they’re all natural and have a very good reputation.”

Salon director John Goldsmith says: “Becca is a fabulous and very welcome addition to The Cutting Company. She has trained to a very high standard and will be an important ingredient in helping us to provide our clients with the finest service available.”

Becca will be offering a range of treatments including manicures and pedicures, eye treatments and waxing. She specialises in massage and facials and will be using Neal’s Yard Remedies products for all face and body treatments. Neal’s Yard Remedies are one of

Bananarama

the leading retailers of organic natural health and beauty products and Becca will give her clients a ‘prescription’ of everything used during their treatment and they will be able to get an exclusive 15% discount at the Neal’s Yard Remedies shop at 53 High Street, Stamford.

She will be working alongside Maria Harvey and Laura Mote at The Cutting Company.

Maria’s business is called Bliss. She specialises in HD brows and also does manicures and pedicures, waxing and threading – helping to create a glamorous look for clients.

Laura is with The Beauty Company and offers several beauty treatments, specialising in men’s and ladies’ waxing.

• Becca has a special introductory offer running until the end of May – check out The Cutting Company’s advertisement in this month’s Stamford Living for details.

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TRAVEL TIPS

Holiday Perfection

Trade secrets on planning the perfect holiday with little-ones by Wendy Shand, family travel expert and founder of Stamford-based Tots To Travel

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our eyes open inside sunken sockets. The clock says 3am. You slowly trudge to baby’s room, stumbling on the pile of dirty washing mounting in the hallway. While feeding hungry baby under the drone of your partner’s snoring, you drift away to sunnier climes, a beach, soft waves washing over your feet, a fruity cocktail in one hand.

That was how a holiday felt before baby came along. But these days there are no long, tropical lie-ins or strictly-come-salsa lessons for you: after lights out, you’re stuck in your hotel room, there’s no childcare service, and while little-one is in the land of nod, you and your partner are banished to the bathroom, talking in hushed tones.

So we’ve established you would love and are in need of a perfect family holiday – but then, like the ninth season of Dallas, you realised that possibility was all just a dream. But there IS a way to recapture that magic: having a perfect holiday with little-ones is possible! As a mum of three and having founded award-winning luxury holiday company, Tots To Travel, I’d like to share with you some tips on planning that much needed holiday you’re dreaming of…

Good planning involves sitting down and asking yourself some key questions. Skimming over this step could be the difference between a good, a bad or even an ugly family holiday!

HOW FAR ARE YOU PREPARED TO TRAVEL? Are you ok with a long car journey, are you happy flying? If you want to fly then think about what length of transfer time is acceptable to you. If you want to go abroad my tip is to stick to short-haul destinations like Spain, Italy, or France for your first holiday away with baby.

HOTEL OR SELF-CATERING? Booking that swanky hotel where every need is catered for sounds blissful. The reality can be a stark contrast, though. What do you do when you put little one to bed? Will you be banished to the bathroom or have to huddle under the duvet watching movies on your tablet? What if your toddler wakes and wants breakfast but the restaurant doesn’t open until 8am? Not so appealing when you think about it. There are hotels that really work well for families, so do your research. Tots To Travel has done all this hard work. We personally visit all our accommodation and hand-pick the best rooms and facilities for parents with young children.

Self-catering offers flexibility, as you can eat, sleep and play when it suits. Make sure you buy from a reputable supplier to ensure the property does exist to give you peace of mind.

Again choose the best quality you can afford, especially if your holiday is in the UK – if the weather is bad then you could be spending much more time indoors than you planned for!

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PACKING Once you’ve found something you like, make a list of equipment that you will need such as sterilisers, blenders, bath mat, toys, bottle warmer and so on. Ask whether any of this is available at your destination. Remember: if it’s not then you’re going to have to pack it all. I used to get fed up packing all the baby paraphernalia in our suitcase. That’s why I’ve made sure everyone who books a holiday with Tots To Travel is guaranteed our Essential Kit, including over twenty baby items from black-out blinds to blenders, will be waiting for them when they arrive.

Quality family time is what a holiday should be.

These are just a few ideas on how to achieve this.

If you want to know more of my travel secrets you can get a free copy of my Travelling with Tots guide at www.totstotravel.co.uk which also includes everything you need to plan your next holiday, including a packing list!

Tots To Travel is an award-winning online holiday company based in Stamford. It was set up six years ago by Wendy Shand after her two year old had to be fished out of an unenclosed swimming pool. Luckily her son was ok but it made Wendy determined to make holidays much more family friendly.

Tots To Travel offer holiday accommodation that is properly kitted out with our an Essential Kit Guarantee (20+ items) for travelling light, barrier-ed pools for extra safety and all their properties are visited and vetted for peace of mind. They also provide many additional holiday extras to help create the perfect family holiday.

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SPRI

Art Class Starts Soon

NEW

NG C

OUR

SE

ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS TO IMPROVERS WILL LOVE THIS COURSE!

GREAT NEWS for all our readers looking for something fun to do over the next few months! There is a 14 week part-time Art Class (3 hours a week, mornings or afternoons) starting soon in your area.

sketching, oil pastel painting and techniques, painting and blending with water colours and acrylics.

Step by step tuition in the basic techniques and secrets needed to create beautiful pieces of art.

STILL LIFE TO LANDSCAPES

The course is designed to be fun for absolute beginners who have never picked up a brush before through to Improvers.

By the end of the course, students have created a minimum of 8 pieces of their very own original art they can enjoy forever, from simple still life and flower studies to beautiful countryside landscape scenes.

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDANCE

YOUNG AT HEART

We adapt to each student’s needs and give them all the guidance and help they need to develop their artistic skills. The curriculum is fun, comprehensive and interesting.

Over the course we will explore four different media; pencil drawing &

This course is a brilliant way to learn new skills you will be able to enjoy forever. It is also a great way of meeting new friends and to have a fun experience you will always remember and cherish! It is open to adults of all ages.

ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS TO IMPROVERS - JUST LIKE YOU!

NEWCLASS ART

NOW B OOKI NG FO OUR NE R W ART COURS Now tak E! in our nex g enquiries fo t r really is course. This a fun c o and a g reat wa urse y to me new frie et n new skil ds and develo ls p now for . Please call a chat.

Best wis Jacqui. hes,

MEET NEW FRIENDS, LEARN NEW SKILLS This part time course is over 3 months, so will give you plenty of time to master your new hobby.

LIMITED PLACES To maintain a high standard to our classes and the tuition you will receive, classes are kept to small numbers – so places available are limited! We recommend that if you are interested you call us now for details.

For information on dates, course fees and bookings, call now on

01832 273 749

Bring out your inner artist • Beginners to Intermediates

ARTCLASS PART-TIME COURSE, 3 HOUR CLASSES, ONCE A WEEK

SA0183_15

YARWELL VILLAGE HALL (very easy access from all areas)

LIMITED SPACES - CALL NOW FOR DETAILS STARTS SOON 01832 273 749 23

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Bourne Road, Colsterworth £395,000 Set in the popular Lincolnshire village of Colsterworth, this charming four bedroom detached Grade II Listed cottage offers superb family accommodation over four floors. The property is presented to a high standard by the current owners and has many original features including feature fire places, exposed stone walls, beams and flag stone flooring. The accommodation comprises of an entrance hall, lounge, dining room, breakfast kitchen, conservatory, family room, Master bedroom with en-suite, three further bedrooms, study and bathroom. There is off street parking to the rear of the property, along with a west facing landscaped patio and lawned garden. The village offers a wide range of amenities, and has excellent access to Stamford, Grantham and Oakham.

The Hermitage, Stamford £575,000 Set in a popular cul-de-sac location close to the town centre, this three/four bedroom detached chalet bungalow is situated on a corner plot. The property offers easy access to town centre, the A1 and Waitrose, and is presented to a good standard whilst also requiring some modernisation. There are two en-suite bedrooms on the first floor, with a further bedroom, study/bedroom and shower room on the ground floor, along with a breakfast kitchen, sitting room, dining room and utility room. To the front of the property is a paved driveway which leads to a double garage, whilst to the rear is a west facing walled patio and lawned garden.

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Timeless Quality

We pride ourselves on supplying quality fitted furniture in a wide choice of styles and flexible options to suit you and your kitchen.

Call or visit our showroom today

MARK FORDHAM KITCHENS

CURTAINS | BLINDS | SHUTTERS | AWNINGS WALLPAPER | BESPOKE POLES & TRACKS FREE DESIGN & CONSULTATION SERVICE

The Showroom, New Road, Ryhall, Stamford PE9 4HL

01780 482892

Open: Tues-Fri 10am - 5.00pm Sat 10am - 4pm www.fordhamkitchensltd.co.uk

16 North Street, Stamford, PE9 1EH

01780 481416 www.jlball.co.uk

All of our orangeries & conservatories are available in a range of styles, materials and colours to compliment your home, whether it be traditional or contemporary.

Orangeries & Conservatories by

Orangeries . Conservatories . Windows . Doors . Verandas Visit our showhome at:

Ketton Design House, 63 High Street, Ketton, Rutland, PE9 3TE Mon-Fri 9am - 5pm, Weekends by appointment only

Auburn Hill 01780 400500 www.ahorangeries.co.uk 25

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LEARNING

NEW BUILDING A BOOST FOR STAMFORD JUNIOR SCHOOL T An outstanding facility

printers, enabling pupils to hone their skills in he Year 6 block will provide a unique innovative design and construction. learning environment, where pupils will The building is fully equipped with be able to acquire valuable learning technology which facilitates learning, such habits such as research and independent as iPads, interactive Smart boards and online study skills. Having a dedicated Year 6 space resources. also allows teachers the flexibility to interweave group activities and other pursuits BEYOND THE CLASSROOM which encourage ‘Independent Learning, Outside, adjacent to the river, is a new Intellectual Curiosity’ (ILIC) – the ethos ‘learning garden’ and ‘adventure area’, central to the School’s academic provision. allowing pupils to observe nature and As the pupils become more independent wildlife. In addition to the School’s many throughout Year 6, they will be expected to clubs and societies, there will also be extratake more responsibility for their education. curricular activities tailored to Year 6 pupils, This is reflected in the new, exciting and such as DT Club, the CREST Science Awards Club, Gardening Club and carefully selected programme of study. This puts Maths, English and Saturday sessions including cookery and craft activities.

Computing at the core of a broad curriculum which encompasses the humanities, MFL, science, games, swimming and timetabled ILIC lessons JOINING US that promote higher order thinking skills. Through this approach, pupils “Families are very welcome to visit us at any time,” said Mrs will be better prepared for the transition to senior school.

Smith. “I would encourage parents to arrange a personal Mrs Emma Smith, Head of Stamford Junior School, said: visit, when they can tour the School and meet me to “Year 6 at Stamford Junior School is a period rich in Visit the Year 6 discuss how we can meet the needs of their son or learning. The new environment we have created will building and take a tour daughter. We also have a number of open events foster greater independence and provide more of the School at our throughout the year, such as our Discovery stimulation, allowing the pupils to move on to DISCOVERY MORNING Mornings in February and May, and the Open Day senior school confident in their abilities. Most 10am-12pm, in October.” importantly, we want the pupils to cherish their Tuesday 19th May 2015 Places in Year 6 at Stamford Junior School are time in Year 6 and develop a lifelong love of Take a tour, observe lessons, meet the greatly in demand and it is recommended that learning.” pupils, and talk to staff and the Head. parents consider joining earlier in the School to Discover what makes every day at our guarantee entry. Stamford Junior School pupils INSPIRING A GENERATION School exceptional. have automatic transfer to Stamford High School The new building is nestled into the expansive, Email headjs@ses.lincs.sch.uk and Stamford School, and the close relationship verdant grounds of the Junior School, and and between the schools, together with a programme surrounded by playing fields that back onto the River 01780 484400 of induction days, makes the transition a smooth one.

Welland. The building itself consists of four classrooms Additionally, because of the automatic senior school with a shared break-out area. There is also a science and transfer, there is no time wasted on SATs or exam preparation food technology room, complete with hobs and ovens, for in Year 6, so the pupils can continue to benefit from a broader and more science, nutrition and cookery lessons. The Design Technology facilities stimulating curriculum throughout the year. within this room include everything from saws and hammers to digital

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BED

TOP BRAND NAMES AVAILABLE

...SPRINGTIME PROMOTION

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STAMFORD STORE West Street, Stamford, PE9 2PS (just along from Waitrose)

01780 762908

Also stores in Bourne • Spalding • Peterborough

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HEALTH ISSUES

Back pain There are many ways to treat this common ailment without resorting to medication or surgery. Alysia Anderson talks to Stamford sufferers about their preferred practitioners and treatments

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ACK pain is one of the main reasons for work absence in the UK, with 5.6 million working days lost each year. It can arise for many reasons: joint sprains, poor posture, muscle strains, stress, disc damage, being overweight or simply leading a sedentary lifestyle. Pain can occur anywhere from the neck to the pelvis and may also affect the limbs. Help is at hand, however, and I don’t mean reaching for the paracetamol.

OSTEOPATHY Osteopaths Anthea Bentley and Perry Westbrook set up the Broad Street Practice (01780 480889; www.thebroadstreet practice.co.uk) 17 years ago and now offer a variety of treatments, from cranial osteopathy and acupuncture to sports massage and reflexology. They are often asked to treat back pain.

“Osteopathic treatment combines massage and manipulation. Our hands-on techniques stretch and decongest the soft tissues, increase circulation and improve joint mobility, helping to reduce pain and stiffness. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (www.nice.org.uk) recommends osteopathy for sub-acute and chronic low back pain.” Patients may also be offered dry needling, also known as Western Medical Acupuncture, or myofascial taping which can enhance muscle function, improve range of movement and relieve pain. A friend commented: “Anthea really helped release my neck muscles and reduce headaches through a combination of manipulation, massage and acupuncture.”

Another friend recommended the Stamford Osteopathic Clinic (01780 759127; www. stamfordosteopathicclinic.co.uk) run by Susan Nicholson. “I saw Susan’s colleague Charlotte who quickly got to the root of my upper back pain. With deep massage and rotational moves I felt a different woman within an hour! Through corrected posture and exercises, I no longer experience the acute pain I suffered.” Another client said: “Susan has treated me through open heart surgery and a stroke. Through its gentle releases my osteopathic treatment keeps me balanced and destressed.” Susan recently completed a Spinal Fellowship at QMC Hospital in Nottingham, allowing her to treat patients with complex spinal conditions. “I gained a deeper understanding of the surgical procedures and instruments used. This knowledge is key to understanding how osteopathy can be used to further resolve patients’ problems post surgery.” Susan is also trained in biomechanics, allowing her to fit footbeds and orthotics. Poor gait or foot problems can cause back pain, so sorting out your feet may well solve problems further up.

Also based at the Broad Street Practice is Duncan Ford (07714575720; www.dfordacupuncture. co.uk) who offers Traditional Chinese Acupuncture. He said: “I’ve seen some great results for back pain and in fact NICE recommends a course as a first-line treatment for persistent, non-specific low back pain.” Acupuncture is an ancient form of Chinese medicine where very fine needles are inserted into the skin, often at points distant from the area in distress. By affecting energy flow, it helps to reduce inflammation, stimulate nerves and circulation and release endorphins.

“The overall aim is to encourage the body and mind to restore health and wellbeing,” says Lianne Aquilia who runs Aquilia Acupuncture in Scotgate (01780 763465; www. aquiliaacupuncture.co.uk). Working alongside Lianne is acupuncturist and reflexologist Corinne Alexander. Corinne often combines acupuncture with cupping, a soothing therapy that helps to release tension in the back, neck and shoulders. Corinne has found that

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reflexology, which involves massaging pressure points on the feet and hands to heal other areas of the body, is gaining in popularity for pain management.

“This is supported by recent research from the University of Portsmouth that suggests reflexology may be as effective as painkillers for back pain, showing a reduction in pain of 40 per cent following treatment.” Corinne also provides treatments at Neal’s Yard Remedies on the High Street (07737 172939. www.stamfordacupuncture.co.uk).

CHIROPRACTIC Chiropractic focuses principally on the skeletal system. Jolyon Hibbins offers treatments at his practice in Barn Hill (01780 758535; www. in-nerve-ative.co.uk). He said: “Back pain has reached endemic proportions in the UK, costing the economy billions each year in lost productivity. Unlike taking pain killers which just mask the symptoms, chiropractors seek to correct the underlying structural cause of the problem through special ‘adjustments’ to the spine and pelvis. At Innerveative Chiropractic, we adhere to the most up-to-date scientific research and use the very latest in adjusting technology to relieve people’s suffering.

These adjustments are very gentle and there is no twisting or cracking noises which can sometimes put people off seeking the care they need.”

A similar approach is taken by the Redlands McTimoney Chiropractic Clinic in St Leonard’s Street (01780 756294; www. chiropractorstamford.co.uk), set up by physiotherapist Nina Dixon. “The McTimoney chiropractic techniques rely on very fast, tiny movements to adjust the skeletal system. It is a gentle, precise approach which assesses and treats the whole body, not just the area where the pain is felt, as this may not be the root cause of the problem. This holistic approach often has additional beneficial effects in other joints too.” The clinic offers free spine checks by appointment to see if treatment is recommended.

BROAD STREET PRACTICE

ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE This gentle technique encourages the body to reposition itself as nature intended, improving balance, stability and co-ordination. Former professional ballerina Vivien Turner offers treatments from her home in Queen’s Walk (01780 753344). She explained: “People don’t realise that the spine goes right up to the level of your ears. The Technique helps you to create space between the vertebrae, focusing on poise, prevention and performance. If something is wrong it is because we are doing something to make it wrong. We find out what that thing is and then, as Alexander himself used to say, ‘the right thing does itself’.”

A tight muscle in my neck that had been bothering me for months disappeared after one session with Vivien and I walked out feeling taller and lighter on my feet.

PILATES I was introduced to Rosie Milton’s classes (01780 460114; www.rosiemilton.co.uk) by a friend who has degenerative discs in her back: “Pilates has given me confidence by strengthening my back and core stability.” This ‘core’ is the deep postural muscles which support the spine. Rosie explained: “Postural imbalances caused by modern lifestyle can cause back pain. Pilates reawakens the body to a healthy posture by lengthening and/or strengthening key muscles, rebalancing them so that they operate with minimum effort on the joints, arms and skeleton.” Rosie teaches group classes of Modern Pilates, so called because it incorporates modern developments in sports science into the original exercises created by Joseph Pilates in the 1900s. Rosie also tailors exercises on a personal basis, an approach known as Clinical Pilates. This is very much the focus at Barn House Physiotherapy in Tallington (01780 740242; www.barnhousephysio.co.uk), set up by physiotherapist and Pilates teacher Jacqueline Knox, who treated the British Olympic rowing team in 2004. Jacqueline said. “It’s an excellent discipline because it works the muscles on a deeper level than other forms of exercise. We teach either as part of a mat course, with six in a class, or in a studio using machines where everyone works to their own programme on a one-to-one basis. The eventual outcome is a balanced, supple body with a strong centre. Physiotherapists use Pilates for strengthening an injured part (rehabilitation) or helping to prevent injuries by maintaining inner strength and control.”

PHYSIOTHERAPY Barn House is one of the area’s most highly regarded physiotherapy practices and I have received excellent therapy here. It is amazing how effective the exercises can be, however small the movements. The key is to make sure you do them regularly! I also hear good reports of the centre at Greetham Valley (www.physiosportsinjury-greetham.co.uk) which offers access to physiotherapists, a sports physician, dietician and podiatrist, not only for athletes but also the general public.

In Stamford, Snowden’s Physiotherapy (01780 762244; www.snowdensphysiotherapy.co.uk), run by physiotherapist Stuart Compton, offers several ways to combat back pain. These include manual and exercise therapy, Western Acupuncture and ergonomic and postural advice.

YOGA This ancient Indian practice calms the mind, tones and strengthens muscles and improves posture.

I find that regular practice, especially the poses that gently stretch my lower back, hips and legs, is invaluable in keeping me flexible and pain-free. There are many teachers in Stamford, among them Nicky Hayes (www.nickyhayesyoga.co.uk) who has a weekly Hatha Yoga class at Stamford Arts Centre, Liz Chapman (www.yogahouse.org.uk) who teaches in United Reform Church Hall; Mark Isaac (www.karmacorneryoga.com) who runs beginner Iyengar yoga in All Saints’ Hall and Marcus Parr-Black (www.stamfordyoga.co.uk), one of several yoga teachers offering Hatha or Ashtanga yoga classes at his Broad Street studio.

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YO U R H O M E SPE A KS VO L UME S, LET HU NTERS INTERIORS DO THE TALK ING FO R YO U Visit our showroom six days a week including Saturdays:

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UPDATES

The 183rd Rutland County Show Sunday 31st May - gates open 8.30am

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he Rutland show moved to its new showground last year and had one of its best shows in recent history. Its new location allowed visitors to walk into the showground from Oakham town and with its free shuttle busses from Uppingham and Oakham the gates were very busy. This year the show committee are putting on an extra bus and have upgraded all its services to accommodate the growing show, with better access to the showground, a new ticketing system, bigger show layout, online sales and banks on site - these are certainly the signs of a growing show.

“We are really keen to make the Rutland Show about Rutland people,” says Show Director Emma Dodds. “We have local groups, clubs and societies joining us this year in our new Rutland Ring as well as in the ‘Education Zone’, alongside our new ‘local Larder’ which is aimed at celebrating our home-grown food and drink producers.

Other additions to the show this year are a Farrier Competition – managed by local farrier Stephen Hill and Stamford Endowed Schools are sponsoring the expanded ‘Education Zone’ where children can learn about everything from ferrets to frogs!

No show would be complete without the main ring attractions and this year we have the Mounted Games of GB, the new Military Working Dog Squadron based at St George’s Barracks, Canine Partners, Leicester Tigers and of course the very popular Cottesmore Hunt, along with an extra five packs of hounds - the highlight of the day though is always the prestigious Parade of Livestock Champions.

Then of course you have the shopping experience with over 120 stands selling everything from handbags to lawn mowers. “Families are our growing market, being so close to Oakham town now, so we’re aiming at finding something for every member of the family to do and see at the show,” continues Emma Dodds.

• Tickets are on sale now online at www.rutlandcountyshow.com (with a 20% discount until 15th May) for £10 adult and £8 concessions. From 16th May until show day they are £12.50/ £10.

Osprey Lettings S

ituated in both Oakham and Kettering town centres, Osprey Lettings is ideally placed to provide lettings and property advice to clients throughout Rutland, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire as well as the surrounding counties of Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.

Specialising in managing residential property, and with over 50 years combined experience in the residential property market, Osprey Lettings offers a range of services for both landlords and tenants. For landlords, Osprey Lettings can help you find a suitable rental property and maximise your rental returns from investment properties whether you are a first time landlord with one property or a professional landlord with multiple properties.

Osprey Lettings has the experience and expertise to help you get the most out of your investments. The company has worked with individual landlords, high net worth clients and institutions. For information about their full lettings and management service please visit: www. ospreylettings.co.uk. If you are a potential tenant then Osprey Lettings manages a wide range of properties from one bedroom flats to luxury country homes and all properties listed on the website have been inspected by qualified staff.

Says Darren Haughton, “At Osprey Lettings, we pride ourselves on being qualified, experienced property professionals and our priority is to provide a service to both landlord and tenant that is deemed second to none. Our comprehensive lettings services include full property management, tenant find service, ‘buy to let’ investment advice and full property maintenance programmes. This is why we are quickly gaining a reputation for being the best choice of letting agent in Oakham, Stamford, Kettering and surrounding areas.”

• For further information or to arrange a viewing visit: www.ospreylettings.co.uk or call Oakham on 01572 756675 or Kettering on 01536 519908.

Fairer Stamp Duty for House Buyers In his Autumn Statement, the Chancellor announced a welcome reform to Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) on the purchase of residential property. The changes announced have already started to take effect. Kerry Hilliard, a Partner at accountancy firm Stephenson Smart, explains.

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reviously SDLT was charged at a single percentage of the price paid for the property, based on the rate threshold within which the purchase price falls. This created distortions for purchase prices close to a particular rate threshold, for example a house with a value of £255,000 attracted a rate of 3% and a SDLT charge of £7,650, yet if sold for £250,000 only a 1% charge applied reducing the cost to £2,500.

The new system will smooth out the sudden jumps that existed under the old rules. Where contracts complete on or after 4 December 2014 SDLT is payable on a sliding basis using the following rates: Price of residential property £0 - £125,000 £125,001 - £250,000 £250,001 - £925,000 £925,001 - £1,500,000 £1,500,001 and above

Rate 0% 2% 5% 10% 12%

It follows that purchasers of the average family home in England and Wales will pay less stamp duty under the new rules. Using the example above, the SDLT payable on the property valued at £255,000 will now be £2,750, calculated at 0% on £125,000, 2% on the next £125,000 and 5% on the final £5,000. This is a saving of £4,900!

• For more information on Stamp Duty requirements and tax advice on the sale or purchase of property contact Stephenson Smart on 01733 343275 or go to www.stephensonsmart.com.

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FOOD & DRINK

PARTY! PARTY! PARTY! Deborah Pennell looks into Children’s Parties with a foodie theme

Celebration Cakes

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t’s that time of year again when your child’s birthday is looming and you have to decide how many of their compatriots you are going to invite to their party and what entertainment you are going to provide to keep them busy for the 2 hours you have allotted.

What type of party are you going to host?

How many children are you going to invite?

Are you inviting boys and girls? Where are you going to hold the party? It’s a minefield of decisions – some more difficult than those you make in your high-powered job on an average day. If you do the wrong thing the result could be anarchy!

There’s roller skating parties, go-karting, laser quest, the golf driving range, pottery painting and the dreaded swimming party which may result in you having to expose your out of tone body to all the other parents in your child’s year if the children are under 8 years old and need to be accompanied into the pool by an adult!

Lots of options, but here’s an idea.

How about a party that involves cooking?

All children love to cook and that satisfies one of the Ginko Sushi criteria, both boys and girls will enjoy the experience.

SO DECISION MADE AND WHERE DO YOU START? Are you happy to hold the party at home in your sumptuous interior designed palace or rather in a business premises or would a village hall be a better choice? There are lots of wonderful village halls in our area and hiring one of these will probably cost less in the long term than the carpet cleaning bill will if you hold it at home. This party does after all contain food!

The most popular party available to do in all venues is cupcake decorating which is great fun for everyone. Barbara from The Stamford Cupcake Company runs cupcake and biscuit decorating parties in her lovely kitchens at George Farm just on the outskirts of Stamford for numbers up to 8. Alternatively, she is quite happy to decamp to a village hall for larger numbers or if you are feeling really brave, to your home.

Celebration Cakes in Peterborough also hold themed cupcake decorating parties in their studio in Bourges Boulevard.

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If you’ve done the cupcake thing already, chocolate workshops and bespoke cooking parties are run

by Liz Paige, a hugely energetic lady well known at the Stamford Arts Centre for her children’s drama workshops and holiday clubs.

For savoury options you could try Pizza making at Pizza Express in town or again with Barbara at her George Farm kitchen. For those with children who have more adventurous taste buds maybe try a sushi workshop with Ginko Sushi based in Easton on the Hill. My children love sushi but it’s not to everyone’s taste although, if they prepare and cook the food themselves they are much more likely to try it and most children like rice.

I personally cannot see the downside to a food-orientated children’s party. You may not even have to supply very much food yourself for their party lunch or tea if they’ve done all the hard work themselves!

And this brings me on to party bags – the bane of every parent’s life – should we or shouldn’t we? Well I am positively against them and would quite happily stand on my soapbox and spout about it. After all we’ve provided a party for the little cherubs which costs time, money and energy – why do we have to give them a going home present as well – it’s not their birthday! Anyway that’s a discussion for another day. Should I set up a twitter account just to field a flurry of tweets on this subject ?!……..

The Stamford Cupcake Company Returning to party bags. Another bonus of holding a food themed children’s birthday party is it may negate the necessity of a party bag completely. A rather radical approach would be to send them home with what they have cooked, baked or decorated. And more pluses still, you don’t arrive home with a tooth rotting bag full of sweets or another armful of junk that the dog will chew and then regurgitate on your carpet or will get lost down the back of the sofa forever!

Finally, your last port of call will be to buy your invites, write them and distribute them. Our local answer to The Middleton family (The Duchess of Cambridge’s family), are the lovely Potts family who own a party themed company called Party Ark. They have an amazing online shop which offers everything imaginable for your party. Even the most discerning client will be able to find something. From invites to decorations, to cupcake cases to balloons to stripey sweetie bags and all for a multitude of themes.

ALL SET THEN……

HAPPY COOKING! HAPPY PARTYING! DIRECTORY: Party Ark – www.partyark.co.uk The Stamford Cupcake Company – www.stamfordcupcakecompany.co.uk - Barbara Farrow 01780 489364 Cupcake decorating & pizza making parties Celebration Cakes – www.celebrationspeterborough.co.uk 01733 558524 Liz Paige – Chocolate workshops & bespoke cooking parties – 07989 355137 Pizza Express, Stamford – 01780 767902 Ginko Sushi – www.ginkos.co.uk 01780 762259

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ESCAPE SANTORINI 1st June – 7 Nights Boutique Anemos Lounge Hotel BB | From £750.00 per person Subject to availability

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EST.1967

SOFAS OF DISTINCTION

Visit our Stamford showroom, on Bath Row opposite Adnam’s Wine Store 01780 762579 WWW.DELCOR.CO.UK 36

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HOME & GARDEN

Delcor Spring surprise Nicholas Rudd-Jones is delighted by the Delcor furniture offer Photography by Elli Dean www.ellideanphotography.co.uk

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HE Delcor furniture showroom is always a complete delight to visit; the location, on the banks of the River Welland overlooking the Town Bridge; the quality and range of furniture and accessories available; but above all the warmth of customer service, where you always feel you are with a friendly advisor, not a sales person.

Kathleen Wilkinson manages the store with great enthusiasm and expertise: “We are about to celebrate our third anniversary,” she told me “and sales continue to grow rapidly. Whilst most of our customers naturally come from the immediate region, we are also getting a name for ourselves on the national stage – in recent weeks customers have travelled from Bath and Surrey just to visit us, because they value the choice, the location and the fact that they are never rushed.” (Plus lunch in Stamford is always rather an agreeable experience)

The Spring Event The Spring Event, which runs until the end of May, is a superb opportunity to buy a favourite sofa at a particularly keen price. There are many, many sofas and chairs to choose from, but there were three in particular that took our eye: The Chelsea Extra Large Sofa Now that looks long enough for a whole family to squeeze into at the same time! The fabric is by Linwood from their Whitewood collection. Prices start from £2366 (item shown £3942), other sizes also available.

The Ambassador Collection Large Sofa This opulent Olympus Ottoman Alabaster fabric by Jim Dickens gives this beautifully-styled sofa a very distinctive feel about it. Prices start from £2394, item shown is £3891 Petite Chair Every home needs one of these, so elegant, timeless and not taking up too much space. Prices start from £829 item shown £1937

The Chelsea Extra Large Sofa

The great thing about choosing Delcor is that every sofa can be tailor-made for you – both the dimensions and the fabrics. So if you do not see exactly what you want, it can always be created for you.

• Delcor, 30 Bath Row, Rear of St Mary’s Hill, Stamford, PE9 2QX. Opening times. Opening times: Monday – Saturday: 10am – 5pm Tel: 01780 762579 www.delcor.co.uk The Ambassador Collection Large Sofa

Petite Chair STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2015

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Chrysalis Clothes

A G I R L ’ S B E ST FR I E ND

‘Makers of the finest and most exquisite Town and country wear for Men and Women’

FASHION, HOME ACCESSORIES, GIFTS & MUCH MUCH MORE! Chrysalis Clothes factory outlet shop NOW OPEN

The factory shop is open weekly on Fridays 1.30pm – 5pm and on Saturday mornings 9.30am – 12.30pm Closed May 29th & 30th • Chrysalis prides itself in designing and manufacturing the finest Tweed outerwear for men and women.

New styles are introduced weekly and we have women’s jackets ranging from sizes 8 – 20.

Find us at: Harlow House, Shelton Road, Corby, Northants, NN17 5XH Tel: 01536 269034 www.chrysalisclothes.co.uk we will accept all major credit cards

• All garments are hand cut and handmade in the U.K using British cloths.

Chrysalis Clothes

• This is a great opportunity to acquire a piece of this beautifully handcrafted product at outlet prices.

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Leading to Steel Road (A6116)

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• We sell a range of garments from Stylish Town and City attire to Shooting and country outerwear.

7 ways to wear.

It’s a shrug, a shawl, a scarf, a poncho, a snood and more…

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slycollections 4 St Mary’s Passage, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 2HG

E: info@slycollections.co.uk W: www.slycollections.co.uk Tel: 01780 482870

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OBSERVATIONS

‘STAMFORD QUIRKS’ This Month: Stamford’s Quirkiest Shop Displays Loo Loo Rose begins a new series on the things that make Stamford different, be they shops or fashion or, well, just about anything…

Photography by Loo Loo Rose

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TAMFORD is home to many retail treasures hidden away and part of the fun is hunting for them. So after investigating all of the little nooks and crannies of the town’s high street, I have chosen my three favourite and most quirky shop displays that Stamford has to offer.

It’s no secret that shop windows must compete with each other, and Stamford puts on a real show with its displays, including Russian dolls in domes, climbing taxidermy mice and china dogs surrounded by freshly arranged flowers.

SNOW DESIGNS Camilla Carscadden who owns ‘Snow Designs and Interiors’ explains: “We always knew from the start that keeping up with unusual stock and displays would mean there would be some pressure to keep it looking interesting, but it is something I really do enjoy. I like the chase of a quirky object! In order to be displayed in my shop, an item must have an unusual design, good quality and be produced by someone who has a passion for what they do.”

Camilla, who comes from a design background, continues: “A good collection is one that all ties in together using shapes, colours, light and of course a good range of prices. You could say we take our displays too far but we like to push the boundaries. Through my window I like to entertain the men (as they can be left standing outside along the high street) using interesting books, taxidermy and funky lighting, which often keeps them interested. My window says, “We’re all mad here!” However, a fun display is not for everyone; it interests people who have a controlled eye who can detect and pick something out that excites them.”

Camilla strongly supports other local artists, “We are a business supporting other local businesses and hope to receive support from customers to see more independent shops thrive in Stamford. If we don’t use them we will lose them. All products are locally made, making each item a bespoke and unique piece.”

WHITE STUFF ‘White Stuff’, established in 1985, makes a bold, quirky statement with its lavish window display at the heart of Stamford High Street. Store manager Julie Warburton tells all about the shop’s recent refurbishment - just another way of competing with other displays.

“We had a complete modernisation carried out over ten nights this March. We have now created a cosy area to have a cuppa, a kids’ den with toys and books and beautiful new wooden mannequins. Every area of the shop has been refreshed and looks lovely. Retro furniture

White Stuff

and nostalgic touches make our shop a home; there’s so much to see and to look at amongst our unique displays!

Creating spaces where people feel welcome is really important to us and the interior needs to reflect this.”

When asked what the customers think about the new interior, Julie explains: “Our regular customers “get” the brand and the quirkiness that comes with it. In our displays we use items that make you smile. We like quirky! The intricate details and considered design touches reflect our personality and make us subtly distinctive.” Julie continues; “Our shop has lots of retro touches, reclaimed vintage furniture and quirky props which fill the shelves, windows and displays. Our window makes us stand out. It says, “we are a little bit different, come in and have a look!” The windows are our “conversations” with our customers and we use relevant, fun and feel good topics. We very often get passers by taking pictures of the windows.”

MISS PICKERING Miss Pickering of Miss Pickering’s Flower Emporium has a more artistic approach to her displays, explaining: “Any space is a reflection of the owner, be it a shop or a home.

The quirkiness is what attracts people. The interior of my shop is actually quite plain and natural which allows the flowers to add the colour and seasonality, meaning it is an ever-changing interior. As an independent business it is easy to be flexible on taste. I think people come to buy flowers from me because they like my personal taste.”

An avid lover of Stamford, Miss Pickering states: “In an era of bland high streets, Stamford offers so many wonderful independent shops. Stamford is full of treasures if you only look.”

When probed about her quirky taxidermy heron, Miss Pickering states: “I only have a small window, which means I have to be more creative with the space. Sometimes the windows are more tongue-in-cheek, or designed to simply make people smile. The taxidermy heron has become a bit of a shop mascot. I suppose he might seem strange to some.: She finishes: “I am in the business of flowers, I don’t think anything can be too much, can it?”

Miss Pickering

Snow Designs

SHOP DETAILS: Snow Designs and Interiors www.snowdesignsandinteriors.com Tel: 01780 751551 32 St Mary’s Street, Stamford, PE9 2DS White Stuff www.whitestuff.com Tel: 01780 752057 5 High Street, Stamford, PE9 2AL Miss Pickering’s Flower Emporium www.misspickering.com Tel: 01780 482961 7 St Paul’s Street, Stamford, PE9 2BE

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ACTIVITIES

Child Friendly S Antonia Scott finds out what activities are going on locally to keep your little ones happy HOMESTART

year - the Clandestine Cake Club will be having a not-so-secret meet up selling 1st birthday cakes with all proceeds going to the Phoebe Research charity to support local 5 year old Phoebe Crowson – see www.phoeberesearch. co.uk for more details.

Katie Mundell is a busy lady! Not only does she run all the local Mum2mum sales and the brilliant online Meeting Tree Facebook page (with Jo Henchy from The Yard fame!) which lists fantastic events/classes for parents, babies and children in the area, but she is also Chair of Home-Start South West Lincolnshire a charity that supports many local families.

Home-Start was set up in 1986 in response to an identified need for a support service for local families that was free at the point of access, completely independent and available to all.

Home-Start recruits and trains volunteers from around South West Lincolnshire, then carefully matches the volunteer with an appropriate family. All of the families supported must have at least one child under five. The volunteer visits the family in their own home once a week and families often say what a huge difference it makes to their lives to have that support at a time of need, often describing the volunteers as ‘a ray of sunshine’ or a ‘life-line’ that helps parents work through their difficulties and ensure their children continue to thrive.

One of Stamford’s projects is called ‘Kids Patch’ which is run from the Uffington Road allotments every Wednesday in term time from 12.30pm – 2.30pm and every Tuesday and Thursday from 10am – 12 noon in the school holidays. There is a full program of activities on their website: www.homestartsouthwestlincs.org.uk/kidspatch-2015-schedule-2/

MUM2MUM SALES

The next Mums2mum Sales are on the following dates: Stamford: Saturday 6th June Peterborough: Saturday 16th May Bourne: Sunday 3rd May. For more information: www. mum2mummarket.co.uk or check out their Facebook page.

TINY TALK BABY SIGNING – PETERBOROUGH & SOUTH LINCS

Hannah Davies runs classes locally for 0-2 years and also will be starting classes for 2-4 year olds.

Mondays: 10am - 11am at Pinchbeck Library Wednesdays: 10.30am - 11.30am & 1.30pm 2.30pm at Kiddicare, Peterborough Thursdays: 11am – 12pm at West Deeping Village Hall and 2pm - 2.30pm at The Yard softplay, Stamford.

Saturdays: 10am - 11am at Kiddicare, Peterborough.

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Stamford Sewing Shop will be holding a children’s craft event for the charity between 11am - 2pm where children can come and make butterfly themed items from £2.50 with all proceeds going to the charity.

OUTDOORS FUN

Sacrewell Farm has loads of fun events this month:

For more information contact: hannahd@ tinytalk.co.uk Mobile 07970 782790

LOVE STAMFORD

Love Stamford will be celebrating their 1st birthday this month with two new concessions which recently opened - Stamford Kidz Stuff selling beautiful children’s clothes and the Stamford Sewing Shop.

Stamford Sewing Shop Workshops: booking essential for all workshops due to limited places.

Saturday 16th May: 10am – 12 noon: Parent & Child Workshop ‘Making Felt’ - £6 per person includes all materials.

2pm – 4pm: Japanese Book Binding Craft Workshop for Parent & Child - £6 per person includes all materials.

Tuesday 26th May: 10.30am - 12 noon Children’s Craft Workshop Making a note book cover - £5 includes all materials.

2pm – 3.30pm - Children’s Craft Workshop - Bag Decoration with Embroidery £5 includes all materials.

Pots of Fun: Tuesday 26th May / Friday 29th May: 10.30am – 11.30am – ‘Play with clay’ Father’s Day gift workshop to make it and come back on Friday 29th May 10.30am - 11.30am to paint it - £10 includes all materials - booking essential limited places.

Saturday 30th May - Love Stamford are planning lots of events to celebrate their first

Spring Fair Sunday 3rd May – Monday 4th May from 10am – 4pm each day.

Sacrewell is part of the William Scott Abbott Trust, founded in 1964 to teach people about food and farming, so twice a year they celebrate country traditions and take a trip back to the swinging 60’s to show off some of the talents of the people around us - from wool spinning to brewing ale, many traditions rely on farming in some form. They will be entertainment from Peterborough Morris, May pole dancing, tug of war and throwing horseshoe competitions, or try your luck on the bucking sheep!

Sheep Shearing Saturday 16th May - Sunday 17th May from 9.30am – 5pm Expert Ross Priddle will be giving sheep shearing demonstrations and people are invited to guess the weight of a fleece and take part in themed activities.

Local spinner Sandra Ayres will also be on site spinning wool, along with The Wool Room in Stamford talking about the history of wool and why it is still an essential resource today.

Wildlife Week Saturday 23rd May – Sunday 31st May from 9.30am – 5pm.

There will be loads of wildlife themed events for half term, such as pond dipping and mammal safaris.

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Stamford CHURCHILL CAMPS

Antonia Scott met up with John Jones, who with his wife Judith, runs the hugely successful Churchill Camps.

“When the camps are running, it’s by far the best and my favourite time of the year.”

HOW IT ALL BEGAN.....

John Jones has Churchill Camps running through his veins! For 17 years he was their Camp Manager and therefore the perfect choice to take over the business when founders, Brian and Sue Churchill wanted to retire. Since 2009, John and his wife Judith have been running the same format of popular Ofsted registered multi-activity camps for children aged between 4-14 during the holiday periods.

Churchill Summer Camps have had over 13,000 children attending since 1989, with numerous families returning year on year.

John and Judith’s four children all attended the camps and have even returned to work for their parents for the last few years!

John says, “We are not just a sports camp, we offer an extensive range of over 30 activities to suit all ages and interests – from cookery, to bug hunts, outdoor team problem solving, quad biking, baby archery, swimming, bouncy castles, etc. While I may be the recognisable ‘face’ of Churchill’s – as I really love running the camps and helping to look after all the campers - Judith is the solid rock behind the scenes, who deals with the hundreds of bookings in 3 different school venues and all the staff wages.”

TEAM SPIRIT

All staff are DBS checked and interviewed before being selected to ensure they have the necessary experience and training to deliver the extensive range of activities on offer – with drama and creative students working alongside sports coaches and teacher training graduates for the younger children. Many staff members are young, enthusiastic trainee primary school teachers who return to Churchill’s each year during every holiday period until they are qualified – which means staff retention is high and continuity of standards remain paramount.

They are recruited both locally and from teacher training colleges and universities further afield, ensuring a mix of qualified sports coaches, playgroup workers, graduates and qualified teachers.

“I am lucky to have a central core of amazing

staff that make each camp run smoothly as they know our detailed operating procedures and together we make a very strong team as we are all committed to making each camp safe and fun for every child.”

ALL INCLUSIVE

The day camps are a great opportunity for children to make a wide variety of local friends and to try out new activities in a safe environment, surrounded by supportive and experienced staff.

The camps are based at three locations – Stamford Junior School, Brooke Priory School in Oakham and The Peterborough School, which all lend themselves to providing bountiful facilities and perfect educational surroundings for the children to have fun in.

All drinks and snacks are provided in the cost of the camps (lunch is also included at some venues) – with the added excitement of there being a ‘Tuck Shop’ facility which parents can opt into and provide a small ‘pocket money’ add on, which staff monitor and calculate each child’s spend accordingly!

My three children have attended various Churchill Summer camps for the last two years and I can testify to John and Judith’s ability to reassure new parents and engage with children of all ages to ensure the highest levels of childcare provision and excellent staff ratios.

Churchill Camps are certainly a huge highlight of the week for my children!

• www.churchillsummercamps.co.uk Tel: 01780 753461

STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2015

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LOCAL PEOPLE

James Elliot Creates History in Rutland

Photos: Elli Dean

J

AMES Elliott has devoted his entire professional life to perfecting his knowledge of marble, stone and semi-precious stones and his craftsmanship is on display at heritage sites both in the United Kingdom and abroad.

James’ extensive knowledge of geology and architectural history must have placed him at the top of a very short list when it came to selecting a stone mason to undertake the task of creating a tomb to hold the mortal remains of King Richard III in Leicester Cathedral.

During a planned programme of structural improvement at the Cathedral, King Richard’s remains were discovered under a car park in the Grey Friars area of Leicester City Centre, meaning that Josh McCosh, the cathedral’s architect was suddenly faced with a very different scenario. A swift phone call to James arranged an urgent appointment but it was only when they met in person that Josh revealed the scale of the proposition he had in mind.

The next few months saw James and his team working from 6am till 11pm, seven days a week to accomplish the task.

The tombstone itself is made from a piece of Swaledale Fossil that undertook a painstaking

process of slicing, polishing and finishing before the three tonne block of fragile stone was transformed with a hand carved cross – a tricky process to achieve without damage to the stone. James even invented a tool which didn’t exist, to smooth down the tricky internal fixings and faces. Next a piece of Kilkenny marble for the plinth was designed to take the weight of the top, all cut precisely and exactly to shape and size with an inscription and coat of arms, intricately assembled on site by James and his team.

After the coffin was placed during the main service of interment, James and the team worked overnight to get the tombstone positioned in time for another special service the following day where the tomb in its entirety was revealed.

Reflecting on the project, James gives full credit to the aesthetic and technical collaboration between himself and Josh as well as the countless other experts including transportation specialists who made the process possible. Prouder still of the new altar he created in time for the services, James descended a mile and a half underground in Staffordshire to oversee the extraction of the

piece of alabaster required. “For me, the altar is very special as it will be enjoyed by so many people visiting the cathedral for centuries to come and that’s a great feeling.”

So will this stonemason to royalty still undertake commissions for the interior projects of humbler folk? “You bet – what else would I do with all the off-cuts?” he laughs.

• See step by step photography and a specially commissioned film documenting the project at jameselliott.co.uk STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2015

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LOCAL MUSIC

FENECH SOLER

By Georgie Fenn

W

HEN I think of Stamford in terms of music, something classical springs to mind, maybe also some folk with regard to our talented buskers, but electropop is certainly something you wouldn’t think Stamford was capable of. Only, Fenech Soler, the hugely successful electropop band originated from Stamford, we could even give it to ourselves that if it wasn’t for the beautiful surroundings and Stamford aura that the magical tunes they are creating today may not exist - of course there was a little bit of King’s Cliffe into the mix too which could be what gives it the edge to get to the top.

I was lucky enough to have the pleasure of chatting to Ben Duffy, one of the four Fenech Soler band members, to catch up on how they are getting on in the world of music and fame.

Only recently back from a tour of America, the boys are settling down and gathering their thoughts to create a new album which is fantastic news for the Fenech Soler fans out there after the success of their last album!

The first album was actually written at home in King’s Cliffe, and then recorded in their studio in Stibbington (Andrew’s back garden) which they built and still use today. It just goes to show what can be done when you have passion! However these days as the boys get more and more famous they are spreading out to as far as America to record some new music using producer Jacknife Lee. They are also mixing things up by working with different bands including American indie pop band Fitz and The Tantrums – even more to look forward to on their next album!

I asked Ben whether it gets harder each time to produce an album as you have to find all of that emotion and motivation to find new melodies and write new lyrics. Ben said that the last record was hard to make and took longer than they were expecting – and that the second album was the hardest to create but they did it and have toured it excessively so now they’re ready to bring out something new. He also mentioned that the band is in the best state they’ve ever been and excitingly have said that this album is some of the best stuff they have created so far!

So what can we expect after the last album Rituals… Well surprisingly despite their success

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What’s on:

Who to see an d where to se Stamford Art e them! ’s Centre:

they are taking a risk and changing Eduardo Martín things up. Ben has said that this & Ahmed Dick inson: The Live Duets Tour - Fr Guitar i, 8 May at 7:30 album is going to be less synthesised, pm Tickets are £12. a bit more simplistic with more 50 The Young’uns - Wed, 20 May guitars and a tiny bit less electronic; at 8:00 pm Tickets are £12 ‘The sound changes all the time, Burghley Hou se: every day, finding its own path and Status Quo at Burghley, Sat, we love how honest these songs 6th June 5pm Tickets are from are whilst maintaining the pop £39 at www.livepromo tionsconcerts. element.’ It sounds like the guys co.uk/status-q 80’s Greatest uo-burghley Hits Show, Sun, are feeling really good about it and 7th June 5pm Tickets are from they hope to complete it by the £39 at www.livepromo tionsconcerts. start of May and release the first co.uk/status-q Stamford Corn uo-burghley/ Exchange: single this summer.

Diana Ross: Th e Soul and Mot A FEW FACTS: own review sh 1st May 7:30pm ow, Fri, . Tickets are £1 • The band was noticed on 5 call 01780 76 Re Take That, 6455 Sat, 9th May, 7: Myspace by a man called Alan 30pm Tickets are £15 Braxe who Ben describes as Peterborough Opera presents ‘the godfather of French house Carmen, Thurs May, 7:30pm 16th Tickets £14 music’ it may have helped that Mama Liz’s their name sounded faintly Frumenty, Sun, 3rd May, 4-6p French! m FREE Blaze Bayley (Ir on Maiden), Sa • Favourite place to tour was t, 9th May, 9pm AD, £10 OND , £8 Germany, apparently they are De Montfort H all Leicester very switched on and a give Keep an eye on www.heart.co. off great vibes as an audience! uk for tickets and events.

(We better get our act together in the UK guys) • They are listening to: Ritual, Punch Brothers, all sorts!

• They write a lot of songs that Ben says are ‘rubbish and stay on our hard drive and no one will ever hear them’ Intriguing….

STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2015

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MOTORING

SPORTS CAR OF THE FUTURE - HERE NOW A car which offers 135 mpg, 0-62mph in 4.4 seconds and a company car tax-beating 49g/km CO2 rating may sound too good to be true, but thanks to the BMW i8’s unique combination of electric and petrol power - it isn’t. Jonathan Craymer reports

I

t’s impressive enough in photographs, but there’s no doubt when you see this car in the flesh, it’s a real head turning, sleek piece of automobile engineering.

But it’s what’s under the hood that really makes one’s jaw drop.

I’m not sure what BMW was aiming for when the company decided to create a hybrid sports electric/internal combustion model, but with performance figures like these I suspect everyone was satisfied, pleasantly surprised or even downright thrilled with the result.

One of the things which pleases me most about the car is the way its mere existence counters the notion that (and Toyota Prius owners please stop reading at this point) if you’re intending to save the planet by being energy efficient, you can’t go particularly fast.

The i8 turns that whole idea on its head.

It also contradicts the idea that sports cars have to be cramped inside. Once I’d mastered the technique of getting in – you have to go in bottom first – I’m pleasantly surprised by the sense of space, and feeling of exceptional comfort. This is a car I could happily eat up the miles in, knowing I’m benefiting from the incredible petrol economy, while not having to worry about an all-electric car running out of charge halfway to my destination. A brilliant compromise in so many ways.

The way the petrol-electric power-train is configured is pure genius. The petrol engine (which sounds absolutely gorgeous by the way) is based on the BMW-designed 1.5 turbocharged three-cylinder engine first seen in the current Mini Cooper. This drives the rear wheels through a six speed automatic box.

The electric motors both drive the front wheels (through a further two-speed auto box!) and when you’re slowing down they generate electricity, helping to charge the 7.1 KWH lithium-ion battery fitted beneath the cabin

46

floor, which is very neat.

It certainly leads the way towards cars of the future wasting as little energy as possible. In fact the car is so smart, it’s designed to run out of electric power as you get to the destination you’ve set on the equally clever satnav. This apparently uses every ounce of energy in the most efficient way.

So what’s it like to drive? In a word – amazing.

One of the things that strikes you is that this is several cars in one. For instance you can use it in all-electric mode only, using no petrol at all for shortish (up to 22 miles) commuting journeys – and plug it in at the other end.

Then when you need to go on the open road it can become a full-blooded sports car able to execute neat overtaking manoeuvres accompanied by a satisfying growl from the engine – yet still giving you a total range of 373 miles. Or you can just cruise along serenely, giving superior looks to owners of gas-guzzlers.

There’s a clever heads-up display which unobtrusively puts various bits of information in front of the driver, including the current speed limit. This led me to remark to David Woodhouse, new car sales manager at Sycamore BMW who accompanied me on my test drive, that drivers can no longer claim they weren’t aware of the speed limit. As we slow to 30 going through each village, it’s nice to know that the car is making almost no sound (what a benefit that would be if most vehicles did this in villages!). Meanwhile the petrol engine has gone to sleep, so we’re saving fuel. Brilliant.

So who’s buying a car like this at the moment? David tells me: “They tend to be business people, in charge of their own

destinies, but having said that an actress has bought one from us. They’re all age ranges and there’s no pigeonhole you can put the typical buyer in.

“It’s a new direction that BMW felt it had to go in. There are massive pressures from governments to save the planet by reducing emissions where we can. The i8 is an amazing vehicle from that point of view because it gives you almost the performance of a supercar with very low emissions. And it looks lovely!”

Will there be more ‘i’ models in the near future (bearing in mind the i3 all-electric model has been on sale for a while now)? “Certainly BMW has the names i1 to i9 inclusive protected, but I don’t know if there are any plans. Watch this space. However there will be more plug-in hybrid models. For example a plug-in version of the X5 will be launched later this year.”

However if you want to join the seven i8 owners Sycamore has supplied this vehicle to in the last quarter, you’ll have to wait six to nine months. My advice - if you love leading-edge technology - is to put in an order and wait. As a certain beer advert keeps reminding us, good things are worth the wait.

• Sycamore BMW, Papyrus Road, Peterborough, PE4 5HW Tel: 01733 707070 www.sycamorebmw.co.uk

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08/58 wheels, CDCD.......£5,495 ............. £5,495 08/58– -Hyundai Hyundai130 I301.6 1.6Style StyleininGrey, Grey,fullFullhistory, History,alloy Alloy Wheels, 07/57 mileage.............£4,995 .......... £4,995 owner,low low mileage 07/57– -Vauxhall VauxhallAstra Astra1.91.9SRiSRiCDTI CDTIininGrey, Grey,oneoneowner, 12/62 A/C..........£4,995 ........ £4,995 12/62– -Ford FordKaKa1.25 1.25Edge EdgeininDiamond DiamondWhite, White,1 1owner, owner,18k 18 kmiles, miles a/c 09/59 Silver, great economy, low tax .... £4,995 09/59– -Vauxhall VauxhallCorsa Corsa1.3 1.3CDTi CDTi Active Active ininsilver, great economy, low tax.............£4,995 08/08 Blue,low low mileage, history ......£4,395 £4,395 08/08– -Peugeot Peugeot207 2071.41.4MMPlay PlayininAzure Azure Blue, mileage, Full full History.............

All of our cars are carefully selected and under go a comprehensive pre-sales inspection prior to sale.

06/06 – Renault Clio 1.4 Dynamique in Black, alloys, only 30k miles ........... £3,995

Upon completion of the sale all come with a full MOT, service and a comprehensive Car Protect Guarantee which can be extended for up to two years.

06/56 – Peugeot 107 Urban in Silver, low mileage, great 1st car ................... £3,695

We also offer credit facilities with our financial partner Close Motor Finance and can tailor make a package to suit your requirements.

06/06 - Renault Clio 1.4 Dynamique in Black, alloys, only 30k miles..............£3,995

07/07 – Fiat Punto 1.2 Dynamique in Black, only 42k miles, 2 owners ......... £3,995

07/07 - Fiat Punto 1.2 Dynamique in Black only 42 k miles, 2 owners..........£3,995 06/56 - Peugeot 107 Urban in Silver, low mileage, great 1st car.................£3,695

03/03 – Honda Jazz 1.4 SE, only 42k miles, 2 owners, full history ................. £2,995

03/03 - Honda Jazz 1.4 SE only 42k miles, 2 owners, full history ............. £2,995

07/07 – Fiat Panda 1.2 Active in Blue, low mileage, great town car .............. £2,995

07/07 - Fiat Panda 1.2 Active in Blue, low mileage, great town car...................£2,995

03/53 – Toyota Yaris 1.0 T Spirit in Silver, only 23k miles, ideal 1st car ........ £2,495

03/53 - Toyota Yaris 1.0 T Spirit in Silver, only 23k miles, ideal 1st car.......£2,495

Come and experience our cars for yourself or view our website and see what our customers say

Stuart George

PETERBOROUGH BRANCH STAMFORD 1210 Lincoln Rd (Near Mancetter Square), PE4 6LA

STAMFORD BRANCH STAMFORD West Street Garage, Foundry Road,Road, Stamford, PE9 West Street Garage, Foundry Stamford, PE92PY 2PY

West Street Garage, Foundry Road, Stamford, PE9 2PY

01733 575 051

09/59 - Ford Mondeo 1.8 TDCi Zetec Estate in Silver, Low Mileage ........................................................£6,995

I look forward to showing you around.

facebook.com/kingfishercars

www.kingfishercars.com

@KingfisherCars

01733575 575051 051 01733

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COUNTRYFILE

Out and About

The Merry Month of May

Longer days are here as we look forward to Summer. Jean Orpin and Sue Lee tell you more about the countryside and customs of the month

Countryside May is the month with warmer weather when country roads are lined with cow parsley and hawthorn blossom, commonly known as May blossom. 200,000 miles of hawthorn were planted after the enclosure acts, now sadly depleted with the larger fields predominant in today’s farming. Apple blossom can be seen in the orchards, pink when they open and changing to white. Britain grows 20% of the bluebells and we are fortunate to have local bluebell woods. At the Hills and Holes you can see the Pasque flower and the early purple orchid as well as a vast number of cowslips.

May is the time to see the first butterflies, the orange tip, the small tortoiseshell and the peacock. Later in the month the common blue emerges. The young birds will be leaving their nests and their parents laying a second brood.

It is also the time to hear the cuckoo.

The cuckoo comes in April and sings his song in May.

• Visit Stamford Community Apple Orchard (at the end of Christchurch Close) to see apple blossom or visit the orchard at Lyveden New Bield (N.T) near Oundle (open every day) • Visit the bluebell wood at Barnsdale • Visit the Hills and Holes, Barnack to see the cowslips, pasque flowers and butterflies.

• Look out for local events including Maypole dancing • Take a drive on our country roads to see May blossom in the hedgerows and cow parsley on the verges • Watch the Rutland Morris May 1st at Uppingham 5am & 630am; May 3rd Collyweston Slater 12noon, Uffington 1.30pm.

Peterborough Morris May 1st Peterborough Town Bridge PE1 1EG 5.25am; May 3rd & 4th Sacrewell Farm 11am-2pm • Tissington Well-Dressing, Derbyshire begins May 14th

May Day Morris Dancing (courtesy of Rutland Morris)

“May Day has long been associated with Morris Dancing.

Dancers danced at dawn and this would be the beginning of the dancing season. Nowadays, over 50 Morris teams around the country dance in the day.”

“There’s not a budding boy, or girl, this day, But is got up, and gone to bring in May.” (Robert Herrick 1591-1674) The new life springing up all around put romance in the air and young people would go a-Maying – dancing, courting, celebrating.

May Day has long been associated with Morris Dancing. Dancers danced at dawn and this would be the beginning of the dancing season. Nowadays, over 50 Morris teams around the country dance in the day.

A more recent celebration is Oak Apple Day on 29th May commemorating Charles II’s escape by hiding in an oak tree in 1651.

Traditional Celebrations

Christian Customs

May-time countryside celebrations originated in the Roman festival of Flora, goddess of flowers, marking the start of summer when a ‘queen’ was crowned to represent the goddess. To celebrate the start of the farming year people would cut young trees, stick them in the ground and dance around them. The dance included a Green Man representing the tree’s spirit.

Maypole dancing developed from this tradition.

Garlands of hoops decorated with flowers and young shoots of leaves were carried round the village. The old song “Here we go gathering nuts in May” (a game to link boy and girl) probably refers to gathering knots of blossom rather than nuts.

Christianity adopted May customs as the chorus of this hymn shows.

‘O Mary, we crown thee with blossoms today, Queen of the Angels and Queen of the May.’ Rogationtide, a time for blessing the crops falls just before Ascension Day, the 6th Thursday after Easter. Ascension is associated with water festivals including Well-Dressing said to have originated at Tissington, Derbyshire where it still starts on Ascension Day. A picture, often on a religious theme, is made with flower petals, moss and other natural materials. Another custom was ‘Beating the Bounds’ when villagers ensured the next generation knew their parish boundaries.

Rhymes & Folklore The first of May is Garland Day So please remember the garland.

We don’t come here but once a year, So please remember the garland.

Ne’re cast a clout till May be out Mist in May, heat in June, Makes the harvest come right soon.

Shear your sheep in May, And shear them all away.

A dry May and a leaking June, Make the farmer whistle a merry tune.

A wet May Makes a big load of hay.

“A swarm of bees in May Is worth a load of hay; A swarm of bees in June Is worth a silver spoon; A swarm of bees in July Is not worth a fly.”

If the weather is sunny on Ascension Day, the summer will be long and hot; but if it rains, crops will do badly and livestock will suffer from disease.

STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2015

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UPDATES

Stamford AFC Football Development Centre T

he football season may be drawing to a close, but Stamford AFC’s Football Development Centre is preparing to welcome football starved boys and girls, aged between 6 and 11, of all abilities, to a busy summer of inclusive community football activities at Borderville Sports Centre.

• “Junior Daniels” is for the youngest players aged 2-7 and runs every Saturday throughout the year in the sports hall, with each age group playing a 45 minute session between 09:15 – 12:00. The cost is only £5 per player.

• “Pitch Up & Play” is for children aged 6 -11 every Saturday at 09:30–11:00 between 16th May and 29th August outside on the artificial pitch. The cost is only £1 per player.

• “Football Fun Days” are for children aged 6-11 and run on various midweek dates throughout the school holiday period between 10:00 and 15:00. The next course is between 27th and 29th May and costs between £13 and £15 per day.

• More information about the full range of summer football activities are available on www.stamfordafc.net. Contact Guy Walton for more information on 07764 630343; or email guy.walton@stamfordafc.net

Gagliardi – a new Designer fashion sale in aid of Thorpe Hall Hospice shop for men M

artin George and Gill Van Geest are hosting a fashion show and sale at their private shooting lodge at Blatherwycke Mill in support of Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice.

The beautiful lodge in Blatherwycke, east Northamptonshire will be the perfect setting for the sale of good as new and designer fashions on Saturday, May 9. Doors will be open between 11am and 4pm and there will also be a range of stalls selling smart accessories to show off your new outfits to perfection.

The event is being supported by Belinda Sly, owner of Sly Boutique in Stamford, and all the money raised will go to the Thorpe Hall Capital Appeal, funding the building of a new hospice at Thorpe Hall in Peterborough.

If you have any items you wish to donate for the sale or you would like to buy a ticket priced £5 (also available on the door) please call Hannah Bentley on 07815 700488.

• For information about Thorpe Hall and the £6 million appeal visit www.thorpehall.org.

Rock Tennis Club W

hy not enjoy grass court tennis with a delicious afternoon tea on Saturdays during the summer?

Meet the club members and have a go at one of the Open Days, on 9 & 16 May at the Recreation Ground courts, from 2-6pm.

Regular playing times are: Tuesday 2 - 5 pm; Thursday 6 - 9 pm; Saturday 2 - 6 pm • Membership fee is £35 for the season, visitor fees (up to 3 visits) £1 during the week & £3 on Saturday including tea.

S

tamford will be the first UK shop for Gagliardi, a new men’s global lifestyle brand. The shop is opening in May, and will be run by Richard & Gayle Wailes who live in Stamford. Richard is a former manufacturing director at Crew, and Gayle a fashion designer. “We are considering five other locations such as Cambridge & Harrogate & will use Stamford in the first year to understand how to build the brand here.”

The range is a full offer from suits to socks. A lot of the product is manufactured with European fabrics.

“We have unique agreements with prestigious Northern Italian mills Cerruti & Zegna to use their tailoring fabrics for the brand. Part of the footwear range is produced for us by Loake.

• Gagliardi. 34 St Mary’s Street.

Stamford PE9 2DS

Sports Bash S

ports Bash is returning for the 4th consecutive year with a Matt Hampson XI against the newly formed Help For Heroes XI on July 23rd followed by England Masters XI vs Local Legends XI on July 24th. Both are T20 matches.

Last year’s event raised £31,500 for charity which went to the Thorpe Hall Hospice Appeal and Matt Hampson Foundation, who donated monies raised for them to Seb Goold, the Stamford Junior School boy who is now recovering from his ordeal of last year.

This year’s event will see climbing wall, a golf challenge, 45m inflatable assault course, giant slide, gladiator challenge, bungee run and a little ones bouncy castle. All of which is inclusive in the ticket price.

The usual beer tent, Pimms bar and food stalls will be available on the day.

• Tickets are on sale from May 1st at www. sportbash.co.uk, advanced discounted tickets: adult (aged 12+) from £10 and child (11-6) from £7.50 with under 5s free of charge (ticket still required).

Special discounts for both days.

One Touch May halfterm Events Football: for boys & girls from ages 4 to 14 years, from beginners to more experienced players. The days will be based on learning new skills in a fun and relaxed environment.

Multi Sports: for boys and girls between the ages of 4 to 12yrs, to experience numerous sports and activities such as Hockey, Tennis, Basketball, Volleyball, Track and Field plus so much more!.

Dance: Come and have fun with experienced Street Dance teacher Gemma B. The day will include: fun games to break the ice, warm up exercises & routine, a choreographed dance piece that will be completed that day to show to parents, and even some time for free styling fun and games to all your favourite songs.

• Venue: The Bluecoat School, PE9 1HE Dates: 26/27/28 May Times & Costs: 9.00 till 15.00 - £15 per day 10.00 till 15.00 - £12 per day Offers: attend 5 days £50.00; attend 3 days £30.00 STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2015

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URBAN RAMBLES

King’s Lynn

WALK DATA

For many of us, our only experience of King’s Lynn is seeing it in the distance from the ring road on the way to the beach. But a walk round the centre of town reveals a fascinating maritime history and myriad beautiful old buildings, as Nicholas Rudd-Jones discovered THE CONTEXT Situated on the banks of the River Great Ouse, King’s Lynn is an historic medieval port. Founded as Bishop’s Lynn at the end of the 11th century, by the 14th century it was England’s biggest port. It was considered as important to England during the Middle Ages as Liverpool was during the Industrial Revolution.

Famously, King’s Lynn was part of the Hanseatic League, a commercial and defensive confederation of merchant guilds and their market towns that dominated trade along the coasts of Northern Europe from the 13th to the 17th century. The League is sometimes described as ‘Europe’s first Common Market’.

The League was created to protect economic interests and diplomatic privileges in the cities and countries and along the trade routes the merchants visited. The Hanseatic cities had their own legal system and furnished their own armies for mutual protection and aid. The traders came to Lynn with fish, furs, timber, wax and pitch and took away English wool, cloth and salt. The port today is still busy exporting grain and importing timber.

POINTS OF INTEREST The Tourist Information Office in the Custom House has excellent free maps and information, pop in on your way. There are many more historical buildings than the ones listed below.

The Custom House Built by Henry Bell in 1683 as a merchants’ exchange. The building was used as a customs house from the 18th century until 1989. It was the first classical building to be built in King’s Lynn.

King Street Known as ‘Stockfish Row’ in the 14th century, this thoroughfare became the preferred location of Lynn’s top merchants who built new houses and warehouses running down to the river.

The Great Ouse was deeper in this part of the town enabling bigger ships to moor at private quays. The Common Staith to the west of the Tuesday Market Place had become the principal public quay. Pevsner described it as one of the finest walks in the world.

Lynn Museum (on the route, between Waymark 5 & 6) tells the story of West Norfolk, and houses Seahenge, the Bronze Age timber circle discovered on Holme Beach.

The Walks, dating back to the 18th century, were intended as a promenade for the citizens away from the smell, grime and bustle

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Town circuit: 3 kms (1.9 miles) Typical time: 1/2 hr Town circuit and riverbank: 7.5 kms (4.7 miles) – includes ferry Typical time: 2 hrs Height gain: none Map: OS Explorer Map 236 King’s Lynn Start & finish: Marriott’s Warehouse, South Quay, PE30 5DT Bus access: The regular Coasthopper bus arrives adjacent to the railway station. For full timetable, see www.coasthopper.co.uk Parking: Boal St Long Stay, South Quay, PE30 5AA Terrain: very straightforward; sturdy footwear needed, could be muddy on riverbank

of the town centre; and, with a 2004 facelift facilitated by a National Lottery Grant, they still fulfil that role today.

Red Mount Chapel is an unusual 15th century wayside chapel that was part of the Walsingham pilgrimage route. The chapel was also used by soldiers during the Civil War, who left interesting graffiti in the interior.

Greyfriars Tower and Gardens is one of only three remaining Franciscan friaries in the country, and is the most attractive and complete. The tower is a key landmark in King’s Lynn and it owes its survival to this as, for centuries, it proved useful as a seamark for traders and sailors navigating the difficult waters of The Wash.

Saturday Market Place This medieval space accommodated a charnel chapel and cemetery in the 14th century, so the weekly market and annual summer fair must have hugged the buildings and extended into High Street. Lynn Fair was one of the most important in the eastern counties and a major attraction for Germans traders seeking wool and cloth especially Trinity Guildhall/Town Hall dates to the early 15th century. The building is of brick, but has a magnificent façade of chequered flush work, with a 17th century porch. Next to the guildhall is the Town Hall, built in 1895 in the Elizabethan and Gothic Revival styles. It also has chequered flush work to complement the façade of the guildhall.

STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2015

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THE ROUTE 1 2 3 4

Start at Marriott’s 16th C Warehouse, South Quay. Facing the river, turn right along the quayside (N) Where the road bends right in to King’s Staithe Square, continue straight on, crossing the sluice Immediately after crossing the sluice, turn right on to Purfleet Quay, passing the statue When you reach the Custom House (Tourist Information Centre), turn left on to King Street. Walk along King Street until you reach Tuesday Market Place Exit by Market Lane on the E side, and turn right into Chapel St, which then becomes Broad St Bear left in the more open shopping area into Old Market St, and walk past the museum Cross St James Rd, head down St John’s Terrace and enter The Walks on St John’s Walk Just before the small river, turn right along Red Mount Walk with Red Mount Chapel on your left Take the next right turn (W) along Broad Walk and exit the park, cross St James’ Rd and head through Greyfriars Tower and Gardens just to the right of the Edwardian library Head along St James St, until you reach the Saturday Markeplace, with King’s Lynn Minster on your left Head back down College Lane, in front of you, to the river and the start of the walk

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RIVERBANK ROUTE ADDITION: Instead of heading down College Lane, head S down St Margaret’s Place, then Nelson St; cross over Stonegate St into Bridge St, passing the Greenland Fishery, a 17th century merchant’s house used by Lynn’s whaling community Proceed through Harding’s Tips, with its Great Whale sculptor, and then join the riverside walk up to the Free Bridge. Cross the bridge and head back on the other side N, to the pedestrian ferry. The Ferry costs £1 and runs 3 times an hour: on the hour, 20 past and 20 to, from Mon-Sat 06.45-18.30. Note it does not run on Sundays Once back on the east bank, proceed up Ferry Lane, turn right into King St, pass the Custom House on your right and proceed south along Queen St, turning right down College Lane just opposite the Trinity Guildhall back to the start by the quay.

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PIT STOPS Marriott’s Warehouse, South Quay (Tel: 01553 818500, www.marriottswarehouse.co.uk ) Restaurant and café in delightful surroundings Riverside Restaurant, King St (Tel: 01553 773134, www.theriversiderestaurantkingslynn. co.uk) Local food in a beautifully restored 15th century warehouse, with garden space and views over the river Market Place, Saturday Market Place (Tel: 01553 771483, www.marketbistro. co.uk) Good Food Guide recommended: “Industrious home production, enthusiastic enterprise and dedication to Norfolk produce.”

STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2015

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BOOK REVIEW

ThickerThanSoup byKathrynJoyce The biographies of authors are often replete with tales of adventures in foreign lands. Travel gets the creative juices flowing and can lead to memories that feed artistic endeavours. Kathryn “Kathy” Joyce is someone who has “always had itchy feet” and she has drawn on her time working in Pakistan to write the deeply engaging Thicker Than Soup. Review by William Eichler

T

he book’s main protagonists - Sally Lancing and John Sommers - are a refreshingly unromantic couple getting by in Margaret Thatcher’s Britain. They are both committed to their careers and neither are interested in marriage or children. The perfect match. Everything changes though when a late night alcohol- and anger-fuelled tryst between Sally and her boss is followed by pregnancy. Doubt over the paternity haunts Sally and eventually her infidelity comes to light. This one mistake brings her life with John to an abrupt end and the two of them have to find their way in the world alone.

THE PLOT THICKENS Sally is the daughter of an English mother and Pakistani father who died when she was young. This early experience of loss naturally had an impact and the memory of her loving but strict father is constantly with her. Similarly, John’s formative years were shaped by loss but of a different sort. His parents gave him up for adoption when he was a baby and even though he was taken in by a loving couple, a sense of abandonment follows him everywhere.

Sally moves with her new son to Pakistan to get to know her father’s family better and, through them, herself. John attempts to bury the memory of Sally by throwing himself into his work and becoming a successful restaurateur, but he cannot shake an unexpected love for the baby that might not even be his.

What’s more, this feeling has brought up deeply suppressed questions about his own biological parents. Both Sally and John are unsure about where they are going and wish to know more about where they come from and their curiosity leads them down some very unexpected roads.

Pakistan plays an important role.

The descriptions of Sally’s experiences there are written with genuine affection for the country, particularly its culinary traditions. (Kathy admits she is “a bit of a foodie.”) “Shop and restaurant fronts were strung with bright light bulbs,” Kathy writes “and growing braziers illuminated shiny faced chefs who juggled dishes of steaming food into the hands of dancing waiters.” But there is no naive romanticism here.

We learn from Sally’s grandmother about the horrors of Partition and

her auntie describes the discrimination against Christians by the Muslim majority. Sally is also conscious of how difficult it is being a woman in a culturally conservative country like Pakistan. Even though Thicker Than Soup is set in the 1980s, it is clear that Joyce is drawing on her own more recent experiences.

ITCHY FEET Kathryn and her husband David joined Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) and worked for two HIV charities in Pakistan in 2006-07. While out there they went on what she describes as “the most amazing trip of my life.” They travelled by jeep through the Himalayas and the Hindu Kush mountains where there were, at times, precious stones underfoot and snow covered mountains on the horizon. They stayed at the home of an Amir and visited a glacier. At one point, Joyce even fell in an icy river and was helped by the Amir. Not many people can say they have been saved by a prince.

Joyce found Pakistan to be a difficult country to work in. The strata of the society in which she moved was very maleorientated and at one point she had to take a manager to task for talking solely to her husband about her work. She also discovered that many people who were HIV-positive were stigmatized, especially if they happened to be Christian. But on the whole Joyce was deeply moved by the hospitality of the people she met.

Thicker Than Soup is about more than just Pakistan. It is about relationships between lovers, cultures, the past and the present - and how they evolve over time.

All in all, a wonderful read for the Spring.

“Shop and restaurant fronts were strung with bright light bulbs and growing braziers illuminated shiny faced chefs who juggled dishes of steaming food into the hands of dancing waiters.”

STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2015

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By building close relationships and negotiating preferential rates with suppliers and venues, Serenity Weddings can save you money, in most cases the cost of using our services is dramatically reduced or actually covered. We do not take commissions from our suppliers, we negotiate the best price and pass these directly onto our clients.

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WEDDING VENUE

Fort Henry: a truly unique wedding venue

If you are looking for somewhere truly unique for your wedding – deeply romantic, utterly beautiful, breathtakingly stylish and totally distinctive – then in Fort Henry you have almost certainly discovered it

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UILT in 1788 for Henry, Earl of Gainsborough, Fort Henry is a magical Gothic folly in the heart of Exton Park, overlooking a large lake complete with swans and water lilies.

The building itself is divine. Four huge windows throw light into the main room, which has recently been redecorated to bring it back to its full gothic glory. There isn’t a finer space in Rutland, just being in it makes you want to smile.

This uniquely magical setting, which is licensed for civil wedding ceremonies, can be combined with various reception options. You can also hold your wedding reception here, in a marquee in the slope above the main building, or head back to Barnsdale Lodge for a wedding reception; or to one of Rutland’s many other unique reception venues.

Everything is possible because everything is tailored, that is the joy of this venue.

• For more details contact Paul Freeman at pfreeman@ barnsdalelodge.co.uk or visit www.barnsdalelodge.co.uk and www.extonpark.co.uk

STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2015

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We pride ourselves on independence, dignity and choice for the individuals we support. We look after people with a wide variety of care needs.

Our compassionate and caring staff make sure that everyone is treated as an individual and they have comfort, security and the best quality of life.

It’s all part of the first-class care and support that we provide to the people of Stamford and beyond.

We have a range of services and facilities to suit all care needs:

Nursing care • Residential care • Dementia care • Respite care If you'd like to take a look around – or just need a bit of friendly advice – your local Barchester care home will be happy to help.

Braeburn Lodge 01778 752 516

Chater Lodge 01780 720 376

Tixover House 01780 444 491

Deeping St James, Lincs, PE6 8GL

Stamford, Lincs, PE9 3TJ

Tixover, Rutland, PE9 3QN

www.barchester.com

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SHOPPING

Walking on sunshine

This season’s hottest brands Need a new pair of sunglasses? Gerry Sondh of Peterborough’s The Oculist guides us through this season’s hottest looks

I

F you thought shopping for sunglasses was merely a matter of trying on a few pairs until you find the ones which flatter you best, it’s time to think again. Apparently there’s a lot more to it than that.

‘Function is everything,’ says Gerry Sondh of The Oculist – an independent opticians in Peterborough’s Westgate Arcade. ‘I always ask customers what they want their sunglasses for. Once they’ve clarified function then we can guide them in the right direction.

‘Some people just want a fashion sunglass to match an outfit,’ continues Gerry, ‘but if you’re going to be on a motorbike a glass lens is a no-no - we need to go for a plastic or polycarbonate lens. Likewise, if you’re going hiking then a basic Ray Ban lens may not be enough, you may need a polarised lens with a mirror on it to make sure you get the right protection.’

All the staff at The Oculist are qualified dispensing opticians – something that Gerry believes makes his shop stand out from the rest. ‘We also have a big emphasis on customer service,’ he says.

‘It’s all based on how I like to be treated when I go into a shop. There’s a clear process as regards to how we do things and the amount of time we like to give to our customers.’

Although The Oculist sells high-end, designer sunglasses, all the styles in the shop are sold at the recommended retail price. ‘They’re the same price they would be anywhere else, but people perceive us as expensive because we carry great stock and are brave enough to sell sunglasses and spectacles made of gold,’ says Gerry.

‘We don’t do the bottom end of the market purely because we don’t have the requests for it.

We’re not looking to compete with that part of the market. I openly say to customers if you want that I can call and book you an appointment there – I know all the opticians in the area – but when you want something extraordinary come back and see us.’

Trends this season include a preppy look of tortoiseshell frames complete with brow bars, as well ‘cat’s eye’ shapes for women in which the frames are swept up at the corners.

The Oculist is proud to stock exclusive sunglass brands such as Oliver Peoples, Mykita and Orgreen. ‘Ray Ban is still our top-selling brand, but I’m seeing a rise in people wanting bespoke frames from specialist manufacturers,’ says Gerry. ‘People come especially to us for bespoke glasses because they know we can do it. A lot of opticians buy from us which says a lot.’

With the weather hotting up, there’s no denying the fact that a stylish pair of shades really makes an outfit, as well as fending off that irritating glare. And it’s also worth remembering that sunglasses have, and always have had, the ultimate cool factor.

‘Sunglasses are cool. There’s no doubt about that,’ says Gerry. ‘But they can also have a real emotional effect. When you put on sunglasses immediately you pout differently when you look in the mirror, you walk differently. They look great but they can also have powerful emotional effect on the wearer. There’s a lot to be said for that.’

• The Oculist, Westgate Arcade, Queensgate, Peterborough, PE1 1PY Tel: 01733 555621 www.theoculist.com

RAY BAN An affordable range with amazing brand heritage.

Gerry: ‘Ray Ban is our top selling brand, without a doubt. They are iconic and have epic styling.’

Priced from £98

MAUI JIM Specialist range originating from Hawaii.

Polarisation as standard.

Gerry: ‘The best lens we have in the practice in terms of clarity, protection and optics.’

Priced from £139

MYKITA/MYLON Berlin-based brand featuring high-tech, incredibly light frames.

Gerry: ‘Celebrity fans include Lady Gaga and will.i.am.’

Priced from £249

Exc lusiv e to The O cu li s t

OLIVER PEOPLES Celebrity favourite with a vintage aesthetic and superior craftsmanship.

Gerry: ‘This brand is very big brand in Los Angeles.’

Priced from £200

Exc lusiv e to The O cu li s t

ORGREEN Premium Danish brand with designs inspired by classic cars and bespoke frames available with precious metal embellishment.

Gerry: ‘Incredibly light with titanium fronts to give strength and rigidity. Orgreen pride themselves on perfection in their production.’

Priced from £295

Exc lusiv e to The O cu li s t STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2015

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UPDATES

Stamford Shoestring Theatre S

tamford Shoestring Theatre presents In On The Act for two weeks in the Gallery at Stamford Arts Centre from 11th to 23rd May. Enjoy a chance to look behind the scenes at how a theatre production comes together – from props to publicity, scenery to sound effects, costumes to choreography.

Shoestring has been Stamford’s premier amateur repertory company since 1943, and resident in the beautiful Georgian theatre at the Arts Centre since 1978 producing; four or five plays a year ranging from Restoration comedy through 19th and 20th century masterpieces to modern West End dramas.

In On The Act will combine graphics, hands-on interactive exhibits, soundtrack and moving media images to illustrate how a play is cast, rehearsed and costumed. Displays will feature set-design and building and will show how the various members of the backstage crew work together to deliver the director’s vision so his/her cast of actors can deliver the plot. Sound effects, music and lighting plots are vital to the execution of modern theatre and visitors will enjoy close up, hands on experiences.

Visitors can try on costumes and wigs, have a go at stage make-up, practise delivering dialogue, get an impression of what being on stage feels like.

New innovative treatment for skin rejuvenation Words: Bridget Steele

T

he latest treatment to arrive at Elysia Health and Beauty is an Aesthetic Facial Treatment that uses cutting edge technology to treat lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, scarring, pitting and sun damaged skin. This is achieved using Hybrid Energy, Tri-fractional and radio frequency, and it is designed to plump up skin without surgery or chemical fillers.

I volunteered to have a treatment as Lisa, owner of Elysia had spoken so enthusiastically about the procedure which is exclusively available at her salon in Tansor. She enthused about the results which could be achieved with a painless and advanced yet non invasive treatment.

I was a little apprehensive as I had been warned there would be some redness afterwards, and that I should not wear any make up for the first twelve hours after the treatment. Lisa did everything to reassure me, showing me the disposable tip of micro needles that is attached to a Hybrid Energy Applicator and which is used to target the deeper levels of the skin.

The treatment lasts about 45 minutes and is split into two sections. In the first round she worked on particular areas of concern such as enlarged pores and frown lines, then she tackled my whole face and neck. The treatment is not at all uncomfortable, although it is quite different from other facial treatments I have tested. The applicator has a “stamping” action and there is a bleep each time the needles have penetrated. The machine can be adjusted for varying skin types and conditions. My skin felt slightly warm during the treatment, just as if I had been sitting in the sun.

The treatment stimulates the body to produce collagen to regenerate and encourage elastin and hyaluronic acid. The aim is to leave smooth plumped up skin. Lisa explained that for optimum results it is advisable to have a course of four treatments spaced two weeks apart. She took photographs before and after my treatment and I could see even in one treatment a marked difference.

My skin took three or four days to settle down after the treatment. Already the results are impressive: my skin is much smoother and brighter with an even tone. I think this will be a popular treatment for people looking for optimum lasting results without down time or surgery.

• For more information contact Elysia Health and Beauty, Tansor Oundle, Tel: 01832 226328 or 07879 620196

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The Retail Data Partnership: Welcome to your Local W

e have on our doorstep a software business – The Retail Data Partnership – which is at the leading edge in its field and employs over 40 people.

Founded by Stephen Burnett, it serves a vital but underserved sector – small local retailers, offering software and a terminal that allows them to order stock online rather than the old, time-consuming and error-prone process of ordering over the ‘phone.

This product really came of age when Booker, one of the largest wholesalers in the UK, decided to offer the product through their own warehouses, as it was better than anything that they had. The result has been very significant growth for the Retail Data Partnership. 20,000+ stores now use the system.

More recently Stephen was thinking about other ways to add value to local retail offer and it dawned on him that being able to order local products easily would help make a store distinctive and appealing. The idea had come when the company was writing software to link local micro breweries to convenience stores. Why not do the same for bread, meat, vegetables, preserves etc.

The new system is called The Ordering Hub; to find out more and see a short video presentation go to www.orderinghub.co.uk • The Retail Data Partnership Ltd, Brownlow Street, Stamford, PE9 2EL Tel: 01780 480562 www.retaildata.co.uk

STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2015

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AESTHETICS | BEAUTY | CLINIC

ANNOUNCING TWO EXCITING NON-SURGICAL FACE & BODY TREATMENTS OFFERING DRAMATIC RESULTS EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE TO ELYSIA Surgen Medical for advanced skin treatment

New LIPOFIRM PRO lose inches and sculpt your body

This aesthetic facial treatment delivers the very latest technology and provides a mini facelift without surgery and injectables.

We’re delighted to be the first clinic in the UK to offer this advanced non-surgical treatment.

It’s the very latest body contouring treatment offering clinically proven safe and effective inch loss.

LIPOFIRM PRO offers non-invasive, non surgical, no downtime and it’s proving to be the ‘go to’ celebrity treatment for men and women wanting permanent inch loss, body contouring, toning and cellulite solutions.

Surgen provides outstanding dermal volumising (plumps up), lifts and contours jowls, reduces wrinkles, treats pigmentation and redness. Improves skin tone, texture and pore size. The treatment erases acne scarring and thickened sun damaged skin.

It’s a real alternative to Botox and fillers without the use of Lisa Claypole, founder and owner injections or toxins. The treatment of ELYSIA says, “I’m so excited to stimulates your skin so it’s doing be the first salon in the UK able all the work. Proven clinical to offer these new treatments to results, minimal downtime. my clients. Through clinical trials and studies we have the most We recommend a course of four advanced, effective aesthetic treatments and will bespoke treatments. All our treatments a treatment plan around your work the body’s natural specific concerns. mechanisms – the very best results generated from within” Contact us

01832 226328 or 07879620196 www.elysiahealthandbeauty.com Elysia Aesthetics Beauty Clinic Tansor Oundle

LAUNCH EVENING

Elton Furze. Tuesday 19th May 2015. Time 7-9pm. Join us for a glass of bubbly and find out about the treatments. Spaces are limited, please call to reserve your place.

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S 2015

Community Matters

Wedding Inspirations: Your guide to the very best the region has to offer

WEDDING IN S P I R AT I O N

waitrose.com/stamford

Wedding

INSPIRATIONS

fashion beauty venues catering transport stationery honeymoons music

2015

EWCOVER2015

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Your guide to the very the region has to best offer 05/11/2014 11:06

Please enclose a cheque for £3.50, made payable to Local Living, and return to: Wedding Inspirations, PO Box 208, Stamford, PE9 9FY

Or order online at: www.bestlocalliving.co.uk

Clear Ridge Veterinary Surgery Robert Pontefract B.V.M.S., M.R.C.V.S., Certificate in Veterinary Ophthalmology

Every month we give our time and money to local communities. We donate £1000 to be shared by three good causes that you choose.

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PEOPLE

PHOTOS: JONATHAN CRAYMER

VINYL REVIVAL A Peterborough man believes he’s opened the smallest vinyl record shop in the UK – in his garden. Jonathan Craymer investigates

I

N the music industry, downloads still dominate. But it’s interesting to note that a million round shiny records were sold in the UK up to November last year, as a phenomenon known as vinyl revival takes hold.

Enter Matthew Hawton, who having spotted the trend, wanted to expand on the record trading he was already doing. But he couldn’t afford ordinary retail premises, especially not in the centre of Peterborough. So he set up shop in his garden.

How did Marrs Plectrum Records come about?

After 25 years working at the Land Registry I took redundancy as an opportunity to try something new. I’ve always traded records as a means to get hold of the ones that I really wanted. It became clear that many people still had a deep love for vinyl.

Why is that?

Technology has revolutionised the way we listen to and purchase music. I love using Spotify on my phone when I walk the dog.

However, when I’m home I always listen to vinyl. I love the ritual of taking them out of the sleeves, dusting, dropping the needle and flipping the record, reading the sleeves. You’re involved and interact in the playing which engages you more with the music. I love that listening to a record has a beginning and end, like a film or a book.

Is it a disadvantage not being on the High Street?

No. The vinyl community found us and by word of mouth and social media, word spread.

We were also lucky enough to be featured on ITV News, BBC Radio, the local paper, music publications – and now of course Nene Living!

Where did the name come from?

It’s a reference to the guitarist Johnny Marr’s plectrum. Seeing The Smiths on Top of the Pops changed my world. If Johnny popped around with a guitar I’d shut the shop for an hour. At least.

I’d hope they feel welcome. Pretty much everyone returns and very few leave empty handed! Although the shop is tiny, we stock thousands of records and would hold up well against the vinyl section of any shop in the country.

Do you have a special area of expertise?

Probably indie/alternative music. The music that you grow up with goes deep into your psyche.

Continuing to expand our stock of new records.

Supporting new bands with vinyl releases.

The rarest record you have?

Early Rolling Stones 45s, Beatles, Bob Dylan through to Punk and New Wave. Last year my favourite records were by Public Service Broadcast and Kate Tempest. The new Decemberist LP is an early runner for record of 2015. Ultimately, The Smiths will always be my band.

What do other members of your family, friends and neighbours think?

We had a brick built unit in the garden which had previously been a workshop, shed, playroom, but never really found a successful role. We decided to convert this into a shop.

Previously through the website I built myself, orders started to come in from across the world. Over the next 18 months vinyl took over the house. Not ideal with a young family and busy household!

What impression do you hope customers have when they walk into your tiny shop?

Where would you like the business to go from here?

What are your own music tastes?

But why a shop in the garden?

Oddly, the band Dinosaur Jnr’s record label bought some of their own records from us. I’m never going to understand that.

Family and friends have been awesome. I’ve bought lots of neighbours’ record collections and a few are now customers. I’m very aware that sound/music pollution can bring misery.

We keep the noise firmly in the shop.

Do you have celebrity customers?

Comedian Phil Jupitus has bought from us.

We’ve also sold to various recording and film studios, the British Library, and museums.

A first pressing of Black Sabbath’s Master of Reality worth £300. We’ve sold some Pink Floyd records for £400+ but most of our stock is much more affordable!

And your average customer?

Mostly male, from teenagers to people in their 40’s. It’s heart warming that we sold so many turntables to teenagers over Christmas. Also, we have lots of customers who sold their collections when CDs took off and now regret that. They’re buying back records they used to own!

• Marrs Plectrum Records is open 10 to 4 Tuesday to Friday and 11 to 2 on Saturdays at 387 Fulbridge Road, Peterborough. www.marrsplectrum.co.uk STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2015

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BRINGING LOCAL FOOD TO LIFE

Food illustrated Local food photographer Robin Stewart’s unique background gives him an eye for the tastiest shots

I

N this issue I wanted to share the work of talented Oakham-based food photographer Robin Stewart, whose shots have the ability to make mouths water at 100 yards.

Take a look at some of his pictures – wonderful, aren’t they? Robin’s foodie background gives him a unique eye and is a big reason for his skill behind the lens. He is an ex-chef who has worked with the likes of Anton Mosimann, Michel Bourdin and Bernard Gaume at London’s Dorchester and Connaught Hotels, as well as at Sydney’s Regent Hotel and Hotel Kulm in St Moritz.

Robin moved to the region in 2001 to join Geest at its culinary academy in Peterborough.

Since then he’s focused more and more on photography – being shortlisted in the Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year 2015 and gaining a Highly Commended in the same competition last year – while also passing on

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kitchen skills at Stamford College and private cookery schools. His latest culinary role is with fish producer Sealord in Caister, Lincs, where he is focusing on product development.

Photography-wise, Robin has worked for The Olive Branch, Knead Pubs – including photoshoots at the Tobie Norris in Stamford – and most recently a gourmet marshmallow company in Lincoln. “I also work in London,” he says, “although I prefer local commissions.

One of my favourite recent locations for photography was Whissendine Windmill. The light inside the mill on a bright day is beautiful.”

Robin says his favourite local food and drink venues are The Olive Branch in Clipsham, Otters Deli in Mill Street, Oakham and Hungry Birds, also in Oakham.

• To see more of Robin’s work, visit www.realfoodphotography.co

STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2015

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Robin’s three food photography tips 1. Composition – think about what makes a plate of food special and focus on the part you want to draw the viewer’s eye to.

2. Depth of field – select the depth of field that draws attention to the area selected in the tip above. Shallow depth of field can be effective but deeper depth of field can work too – think and experiment.

3. Lighting – light from the side or behind the object (back lighting) works best; a little shadow creates threedimensional images – without this, images appear ‘flat’. Diffuse bright, natural light with a piece of muslin or white cotton. Use silver card (take-away tray lids are great) to bounce small amounts of light back onto the object to pick out detail.

Who are the region’s best food & drink independents?

Vote now at www.greatfoodclub.co.uk/awards Closing date: May 31, 2015 About the writer Matt Wright founded and runs Greatfoodmag.co.uk and Greatfoodclub.co.uk, two Leicestershire-based websites that celebrate and promote local food and drink. His Great Food Club Handbook 2013/14 is out now.

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 STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2015

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WEEKENDS AWAY

MuchadoaboutPlenty atMalton&TheTalbotHotel T

HERE was a time when most of England’s rural land (i.e. everywhere outside London) was owned by large Estates, run by wealthy landowners who were the major employers but also (to be fair) kept a very good eye on the nation’s buildings and heritage. The demise of the Estates and the rise of the working population in the C19 gave the countryside a completely different feel and, at the present day, there are few traditional Estates left. Surrounding Stamford there are still some major players, Burghley being the obvious example but also to the east, just to the north of Peterborough, sits the Milton Estate, the seat of Sir Philip and Lady Isabella Naylor-Leyland.

Such Estates traditionally own other areas too and Milton has the lion’s share of Malton, a market town in North Yorkshire, an easy two hour and a bit run up the A1, just to the north east of York.

Malton was most famous for its spa and races. The Hotel, which has medieval origins, really came to life in the early C18 when the town grew in importance as a centre of horse breeding, training and racing. The Hotel was founded at that time for the express purpose of providing “for the nimrods who congregated at Malton for hunting, racing and coursing”. Most of that has disappeared but The Talbot has stayed and was brought back under direct Estate management three years ago. It doesn’t fall into the category of “Boutique Hotel” yet is very much more than a traditional Country Inn, boasting top class cooking, luxurious accommodation (best water pressure in a shower ever) and peacefulness. It claims to be “Yorkshire for Softies” and that fits fine. It is cool, very calm and classy.

The Restaurant food is on a par with some of our better establishments in this area and shows considerable innovation, particularly with the use of local produce – a real emphasis and strength of the menu, which bristles with reference to local villages and areas. Over a two night stay we tried most of the menu which was excellent throughout, with the highlight being the Brass Castle beer based beef cheek with pearly barley and parsley risotto. Also outstanding was the cheese selection of “Yorkshire and British Artisan cheese”, all accompanied by a superb and competitive wine list. The half bottle is an underrated rare animal but

Ross Thain heads up North…

there are plenty of them at The Talbot (along with the Nimrods) and we had an excellent half of Chateau Meaume at just £18. All in all, very honest, sophisticated and good value. The Hotel’s declared market is for visitors to the town, shooting parties, walkers enjoying the North York Moors (a mere five miles or so to the north) and for those seeking a town of real interest and character.

The town itself is undergoing a renaissance and Sir Philip’s eldest son, Tom, is in charge of a significant reinvestment in the town centre generally and in the Talbot Hotel in particular.

MALTON FOOD LOVERS FESTIVAL Tom is passionate about both food and artisanal excellence, establishing the Malton Food Lovers Festival in 2009, now with 180 stalls and over 25,000 people visiting over a two day period. This year’s event is on May 23rd – 24th and has a host of events and a stellar line up including Levi Roots, Prue Leith & Valentine Warner. Tom says “this is an area of great produce, which traditionally supplied London, and we were determined to establish a regional centre of excellence and Malton seems to be the right place”. At the centre of his efforts are a series of artisanal shops, the excellent Brass Castle Brewery, a fishcake maker, coffee roaster and most impressively the Malton Cookery School. This caters for all classes of skill, including children, families, couples, all the way up to sophisticated singles and there are around 10 courses a month to fit all of those echelons. Availability is tight so check at enquiries@maltoncookeryschool.co.uk for the latest deals.

A few nights at The Talbot, interspersed with a day walking on the North York Moors and a brush up on the culinary skills would seem a perfect couple of days for us softies down south. The Talbot are offering a special Local Living deal of £260 per couple per night including an overnight stay in an executive Norton bedroom, dinner in the restaurant, full English breakfast and entry to Castle Howard (10 mins away) house and grounds.

• It is available to book online at www.talbotmalton.co.uk where all the latest offers can also be found.

STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2015

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FOOD & DRINK

Can cook! Will cook!

Laura Alcázar takes us on a culinary tour, explaining first how to make the perfect Spanish omelette and then trying out the bakery course at New College, Stamford

THE PERFECT SPANISH OMELETTE Spanish Omelette is my favourite tapas in the world. Just with some potatoes, onion, olive oil, eggs and salt you can enjoy this succulent plate whenever you want. In Spain we eat Spanish omelette in different moments of the day, for example, for a mid-morning with a cup of coffee, in the typical cocktail hour with a beer or a glass of wine, in a sandwich or even in the main meals like lunch or dinner.

To be honest I am not an excellent cook; however I love cooking Spanish omelette because it is one of my favourite foods, in fact I cook it frequently and the result is not so bad! In my view, to cook the perfect Spanish omelette we only need fresh ingredients and some patience to make it slowly.

Here I bring you my simple recipe, I hope you enjoy cooking and tasting it and don’t forget to combine it with good wine because Spanish tapas go well with any wine but let me suggest you a Spanish red one from the Priorat region in Catalonia that you can get atWaitrose or Sainsbury. Enjoy it!

Ingredients for a medium-size omelette: • 4 or 5 medium/big potatoes • 5 or 6 eggs • Half small onion • Olive oil to fry • 3 dessertspoon of virgin olive oil • Salt 1. Peel and wash the potatoes, cut them into thin slices, add the onion chopped and season with salt. Heat about 300 ml of olive oil to fry in a frying pan and when the oil is ready add the potatoes and onion and cook it in slow-medium heat for 20/25 minutes until the potatoes are

very tender. It is really important to get a tender and well-cooked potato.

2. Meanwhile crack the eggs into a bowl and whisk them. Put a pinch of salt. Drain the potatoes, add them to the eggs and mix them together.

3. Put virgin olive oil in a fry pan, heat it for some seconds and adds the mix of eggs and potatoes.

Cook it for two minutes in slow-medium heat. In order to cook the other side, place a large dinner plate over the fry pan. Turn the fry pan over and let the omelette fall onto the plate. Carefully slide the omelette from the plate to the fry pan and cook the other side for about one minute more.

BAKING CAKES AND PASTIES AT NEW COLLEGE, STAMFORD The world of food and cooking is amazing - I love it! So I decided to enroll on a course of Baking Cakes and Pasties in order to develop new skills in the kitchen and meet new people in Stamford!

The course took place over five Wednesday evenings.

I wanted to try something different in Stamford to improve my English language and I’m sure I have achieved it; it has been an enjoyable and productive experience in an entertaining environment.

The teacher, Lucy Wood, studied Level 3 of Patisserie and Confectionary at Brockenhurst College in the New Forest. At present she manages the kitchen and look after the students at New College but actually she would like to run her own business, a small cookery class -I think she’ll achieve it because she is professional, creative, really cheerful and enjoys her job!

I am pleased because I have learnt to make some authentic English cakes and more importantly: I have met really nice people on the course like Graham and Paul, who attended to improve their cooking skills in a sociable environment.

So what did we bake? Firstly we baked scones – a traditional English recipe. With some plain flour, margarine, caster sugar, milk and baking powder we made fantastic scones that I ate with butter and jam for breakfast! We also made a fresh lemon sponge, one of my favourite cakes, and a delicious Victoria sponge.

I would encourage anyone with an interest in developing their basic cooking skills to consider one of the courses at the Stamford College. The courses run for five weeks and are free of charge.

• To find out more, contact New College Stamford on 01780 484340 STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2015

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PEOPLE

Protecting the past Stephen Oliver has recently taken up his new role as Peterborough Cathedral’s Architect at a time of new development for the city’s stunning landmark. Words: Sue Dobson

S

TEPHEN Oliver, Peterborough Cathedral’s newly appointed Architect, looks pensive. “Evensong has been sung here for nigh on 900 years, give or take the Civil War, and it will be for the next 900 years. That’s a humbling thought and quite a responsibility.”

On this dank evening, a bone-chilling mist swirls through the winter darkness. Inside the cathedral it is warm, in temperature and in atmosphere. As we talk, quiet preparations are being made for the evening service. To the visitor and regular worshipper alike, this is an awe-inspiring building. To an architect with a passion for churches and historic buildings, to be entrusted with the care of its fabric is exciting, if a little daunting.

Stephen’s love of ancient buildings stems from childhood. “My father was a builder and my mother an archaeologist, so I guess some of their interests rubbed off on me,” he smiles.

Perhaps it’s in the genes – his great-grandfather worked for the distinguished architect Sir Edwin Lutyens. There are more family connections today. His wife Mary is a conservation officer for a local council and when his six-year old daughter Elizabeth brings home her artwork from school, she proffers her pictures with pride: “I’ve drawn a church for you, daddy”.

Since gaining his MA at Cambridge, Stephen’s working life as an architect has exclusively been concerned with historic buildings – even his first job involved new build projects in historic settings. Working on the completion of St

Edmundsbury Cathedral underlined his interest in ecclesiastical architecture.

“I’ve always loved church buildings and I was keen to do that kind of work in my professional life. Needless to say I’m utterly thrilled to have been appointed Cathedral Architect.

Peterborough Cathedral is magnificent.”

Listed buildings The duties of a Cathedral Architect are set in statute and they include advising not only on the repair and restoration of the cathedral itself, but also the over 40 listed properties in the cathedral’s Minster Precincts.

Stephen brings years of experience to this task, his impressive CV spanning work on cathedrals, churches, Oxford and Cambridge colleges and numerous appointments as inspecting architect for National Trust, English Heritage and Churches Conservation Trust properties. A current project is an extension to Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon, “Shakespeare’s church”, which dates back to the 13th century and is considered one of England’s most beautiful parish churches.

No stranger to our area, he is property architect to Lyveden New Bield and Canons Ashby in Northamptonshire and has seen through all the stages of specialist repair and conservation of Apethorpe Palace, the remarkable Jacobean mansion that was rescued by English Heritage in 2004.

A man who values continuity, he says it’s wonderful to be able to look back on the

history of a building and learn about its builders through, for example, stonemasons’ and carpenters’ marks, but also to look forward from the present time to visualize its future.

He has a special interest in the Arts and Crafts Movement and in the use of traditional building materials and craft skills in conservation work and alterations to historic buildings. Elected a member of the Art Workers Guild, an organization of distinguished craftspeople, artists and designers that was founded in 1882 to promote the highest standards of excellence in all of the applied arts, he was the Guild’s honorary architect for five years.

Quietly spoken and self-effacing, Stephen is not one to shout about his successes, but there have been many, among them the 2009 President’s Award of the Ecclesiastical Architects and Surveyors Association for the “bold re-ordering” of the historic Catholic parish Church of St Peter and St Paul in Wolverhampton, in which, the citation states “the quality of the art and craftsmanship was exemplary”.

With the development plans at Peterborough Cathedral in full swing, it’s an interesting time for Stephen as he takes over from Canon Julian Limentani, who retired as Cathedral Architect at the end of last year after 25 years in the role.

“I’m relishing the challenge,” he tells me, before heading off “to look at a floor. After that I’ll stay for Evensong. It’s one of the perks of the job.”

STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2015

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DIARY DATES

What’s On Some of the best things to do in the region this month.

Saturday 2 May, 11am to 4pm EVENT: Plant Fair An opportunity to purchase annual and perennial plants, vegetable and herb plants, and hanging baskets at bargain prices (with a ‘crèche’ for purchases). The Cedar Centre Cafe will be serving drinks and homemade food light lunches and cakes throughout the day. There is also a Grand Draw with valuable prizes.

Church of St Kyneburgha, Castor Village near Peterborough. Entrance is free with all proceeds donated to St Kyneburgha Church funds. For more information Tel: 01733 380303 Sunday 3 May, 5am to 8am EVENT: Dawn Chorus Walk and Breakfast Meeting at the Lyndon Centre, enjoy the wonders of the dawn chorus which is at its peak this month, triggered by triggered by a combination of longer days and the breeding season, culminating in this wonderful display of birdsong. Take a guided walk overlooking the water before returning to the centre for breakfast.

Ticket price includes entry to the Reserve for the day, parking and breakfast. Booking and information on all the courses and events at www.rutlandwater.org.uk or call Sarah Tel: 01572 770651 Sunday 3 and Monday 4 May EVENT: Scarecrow Weekend A traditional event featuring ‘Cinema’ themed scarecrows as part of a trail around the village with prizes to be won. Visitors will also find classic cars, homemade refreshments, pets, ponies, white elephants, stalls, books, crafts, face painting, car boot sale, maypole dancing, a flypast and much more.

Uffington Village £5 per car, £2.50 on foot. All proceeds to village charities.

Saturday 9 May, 7.30pm TRIBUTE BAND: Re-Take That Considered the most authentic tribute to one of pop’s greatest bands. Back by popular demand, Re-Take That bring the unforgettable magic of Take That to audiences across the UK

Sunday 3 and Monday 4 May, 11am to 5pm EVENT: Stamford Pottery Market Potters from the Stamford area will be displaying their work including domestic ware, sculpture, jewellery, tiles and garden sculpture. Materials and techniques, such as high-fired stoneware and porcelain, low-fired earthenware and raku will also be showcased. There will be a rolling film show of ceramic related films and a tombola of the potters’ work in aid of a local charity. Most work is for sale. Stamford Arts Centre. Admission is free

and Europe. A highly entertaining evening is assured.

Stamford Corn Exchange Theatre Tickets £15.50 Tel: 01780 766455 www. stamford-corn-exchange.co.uk Sunday 10 May, 10am to 4pm EVENT: Stamford Garden Show Now in its third year and taking place in the heart of Stamford, the show is a free, community event and family fun day designed to offer something for everyone. Whether you are a keen gardener, beginner or expert, the show aims to provide entertainment and an opportunity to stock up on plants and garden supplies for the 2015 season. Organised by the Rotary Club of Stamford St. Martins, the show will feature plant stalls, children’s games, food stands, specialist growers, demonstrations, garden supplies and all kinds of landscaping experts offering free support and advice.

Stamford Meadows Monday 11 to Saturday 23 May, daily during usual opening hours EXHIBITION: In On The Act Curated by members of Stamford Shoestring Theatre, this exhibition provides the chance

to look behind the scenes at how a theatre production comes together – from props to publicity, scenery to sound effects, costumes to choreography. In On The Act will combine graphics, hands-on interactive exhibits, soundtrack and moving media images to illustrate how a play is cast, rehearsed and costumed. Visitors can try on costumes and wigs, have a go at stage make-up, practise delivering dialogue, and get an impression of what being on stage feels like. Stamford Arts Centre Admission is free.

Tuesday 12 to Saturday 16 May, 7.45pm THEATRE: Travels With My Aunt Stamford’s own Shoestring Theatre company invite you to travel with Henry Pulling, retired bank manager and dahlia-fanatic, on the journey of a lifetime across the world in the company of his eccentric Aunt Augusta. They encounter secret agents, thieves, art smugglers and many other dubious characters in this fast and furious adaptation of Graham Greene’s much-loved black comedy.

Stamford Theatre Tickets £10/£8 Tel: 01780 763203 www.stamfordartscentre.com u STAMFORD LIVING MAY 2015

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Garden Open Day

Milton Hall (Peterborough PE6 7AH)

By kind permission of Sir Philip and Lady Isabella Naylor-Leyland

Sunday 10th May 2015 In conjunction with

MILTON SHOW Gardens open from 11am – 4pm.

Lakeside Walk – Formal Walled Garden – Kitchen Garden Plant Stall

SUMPTUOUS CREAM TEAS IN THE ORANGERY Admission £5 per car including driver. £2 each extra Adult.

Children free.

Includes entry into Milton Show (Gate opens from 8:00 am)

DOGS WELCOME INCLUDING: Horse & Pony Competitions, Dressage, Dog Agility Demonstrations, Mini Clear Round Cross Country, Vintage Tractors, Family Dog Show, Trade Stands, Tours of the Hunt Kennels and more.

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DIARY DATES

Tolethorpe

Sunday 24 and Monday 25 May EVENT: The Burghley Game and Country Show If you love rural living this is the show for you with spectacular stunt riding and arena displays, jousting, horse boarding, pony club displays, ferrets, falconry, fishing demonstrations archery and shooting. For the first time at Burghley there will be a special dog arena featuring hounds, gun dogs and obedience classes as well as the new and exciting fly ball competition for dogs. A food village, living history, vintage vehicles and classic cars and craft tents make for a really good value day out.

Burghley Park, Stamford Tickets are £10 adult, £4 child or a family ticket (2 adults 3 children) £28 Tel: 01283 820548 or visit www.livingheritagecountryshows.co.uk MAGICAL HALF TERM FUN AT STAMFORD ARTS CENTRE Wednesday 27 May, 11am to 12pm or 1pm to 3pm WORKSHOP: Magical Crafts – Swords and Wands Create a sword or magic wand and cast some special spells with Liz Paige. Perfect for witches and wizards aged between 5 and 9 years. £10 per session.

Thursday 28 May WORKSHOP: Merlin’s Play in a Day Could you be King Arthur or Gwenyfir, one of the Knights of the Round Table, or perhaps Merlin with his magical powers? A day of drama, props, songs and lots of fun. Bring your own packed-lunch. Perfect for 7-11 years. £17 per session.

Friday 29 May 10am to 11.30am HALF TERM SPECIAL: Stamford Youth Choir Anyone over 11 years is welcome to join Fergus Black and explore a range of choral music in parts: musical theatre, gospel, classic pop songs, classical and world music. £3 per person.

Saturday 30 May, 2pm FAMILY THEATRE: Merlin and the Sword in the Stone This mystical story follows the life of Arthur, a young squire destined to become king. Guided

by Merlin, he has many adventures culminating in him successfully pulling the sword from the stone and unwittingly fulfilling the legend’s prophecy. Plenty of opportunity to sing along and for some children, to participate.

Tickets £8/£7 or £28 for a family of 4.

Information on all the events at Stamford Arts Centre at www.stamfordarts.com or Tel: 01780 763203.

DON’T MISS OUT ON NEXT MONTH’S MOST POPULAR EVENTS This season at Tolethorpe…

Seats are selling swiftly this year for the 2015 season of plays at Tolethorpe’s beautiful open air theatre. Fans come from all over the UK and beyond to see the Stamford Shakespeare Company perform a series of three plays throughout June, July and August each summer. First of the trio is ‘Henry V’, in which comedy, romance, treachery, triumph and disaster combine to paint a vivid picture of life and death in fifteenth century England. Who could resist the greatest love story in the world?

‘Romeo and Juliet’ is set in Victorian England with the Capulets portrayed as a gypsy family and the Montagues as traditional landowners.

The inevitable tragedy ensues. Finally, step back in time to the bawdy, fun loving world of the 1700s with Henry Fielding’s masterpiece, ‘Tom Jones’.

All performances at Tolethorpe Hall, near Stamford Tickets from £10 per person. Evening and matinee seats available. Tel: 01780 480216 www.stamfordshakespeare.co.uk Book quickly – tickets going fast to one of this summer’s most popular events….

Saturday 6 and Sunday June LIVE MUSIC: Status Quo in Concert and the 80s Greatest Hits Show Rick Parfitt, Francis Rossi, Andy Brown, John Edwards and Leon Cave will be entertaining fans and ‘Rocking All Over the World’ on Saturday 6 June at the annual summer, open air concert within the beautiful grounds of Burghley Park. The following evening you can revisit the sounds of the eighties with the original artists including Toyah Wilcox, Bananarama, Midge Ure, Curiosity Killed the Cat and Odyssey. What summer weekends were made for. Burghley Park Tickets for each show are £39.95 available at www.livepromotionsconcerts. co.uk

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STAMFORD PEOPLE

Kelly from The Deli Words & Photograph

by Harjit Gammon

A

S befitting someone who started life in event management, The Stamford Deli is beautifully choreographed. A long, thin shop, Kelly has nevertheless artfully arranged its interior to create a rustic, artisan feel. Bold, blue, Moroccan inspired tiles form the counter, as well as decorating a wall frieze leading to it.

Elsewhere a couple of outsize chopping boards catch my eye, but more of those anon.

Arriving shortly after opening (on the recommendation of my daughter India, who is a great fan) I settled down with a delicious coffee to have a chat with Kelly. In spite of trying to select a quiet time, a steady stream of people, obviously well known to Kelly (and to me) filtered in, lingering to chat a while before heading off with their purchases. We comment upon the astonishing interconnectedness of Stamford before returning to the matter in hand.

The Stamford Deli opened just over a year ago, but you’re not new to catering are you?

I’m quite a foodie person, we both are she says, referring to her partner Mark, who is the occasional brawn behind the place, in between attending to his own business as an importer of foodstuffs from Israel. We love food and are naturally foodie people. In my event organising days I’d been responsible for sourcing caterers and supervising them as part of the overall event package and then later I was involved in organising weddings, bar mitzvahs and so forth for the Jewish community in Leeds where I lived after graduating from university. After the birth of our daughters I just wanted to simplify things a bit. Now the girls are at nursery I wanted to do something which gave me the freedom to spend time with them, so the idea of the deli was born.

Tell me about Stamford by the Sea When I opened in February last year my very first customer in the deli was Robin. He came in for a coffee and the second, separately, though I didn’t realise it at the time was his wife! Robin continued to drop in regularly and eventually asked me to cater his birthday party. I’d bought some huge, handled wooden chopping boards and used those to lay out the food. She stops to reflect; “everything starts and ends with Robin.

I hadn’t realised that until I just said it out aloud to you,” she explains. The ‘everything’ Kelly is referring to is her subsequent involvement, having been invited by Robin to do so, in catering the annual Hunstanton Lawn Tennis Tournament. With 39 courts and around 2,500 visitors a day, among them many from Stamford (hence Stamford by the Sea) it was a huge breakthrough for the fledgling venture.

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What sorts of food do you do?

For the party I did Italian meats, dips, vegetables, focaccia canapé foods. Most of the food is served ambient so I don’t need cooking facilities. It’s the kind of food you eat with people you know and love, messy and interactive. Food which I know has really good ingredients. And, as she says this a customer whose Moroccan themed birthday celebration she is catering soon drops in to pick up brownies as a treat for the hardworking gang gardening back at home. Suspended Moroccan breads, three tier stands of couscous and tabbouleh and tagines are rumoured to feature.

Events have crept in, even though we didn’t start out planning to.

On a more regular everyday basis Kelly provides a daily selection of sandwiches to Stamford Wine Bar and does occasional lunches for groups of language students at Stamford Academy.

I gather you have Weekend Specials. What are they?

Every Thursday we have all the meze from The Mad Turk Restaurant for the weekend, as well as pots of their houmous, taramasalata

and tzatziki. These are a great hit with our customers and we often refer people to the restaurant, so it works well for everyone involved. Also every Thursday, Friday and Saturday we have artisan breads from local bakers. In time we plan to add a selection of quiches and sliced Italian meats, in addition to growing the variety of breads. A new canopy is planned to enable these foods to be displayed in the window - so look out for it.

But, the highlight, as far as the pupils of Stamford in particular are concerned are the brownies! Mini egg brownies, fudge brownies, gluten free...

They’re made by two ladies and either contain some form of confectionery such as flakes or mini eggs, the latter of which have been really popular with the school pupils, who can also get a hot chocolate with marshmallows or coffee for a £1 – the so called Stamford Special. Gluten free versions are available with raspberry or marmalade, while single estate chocolate variants feature a specialist chocolate varieties including Madagascar. Intensely chocolate-y and soft in the middle they’re divine whether you’re a school child or grown up!

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On Top of the World

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