Stamford Living September 2015

Loving where we live!

STAMFORD LIVING www.stamfordliving.co.uk

@LocalLivingUK

Featuring: Burghley Guide Country Fashion Autumn Beauty Stamford Dog Show Hedgerow Harvest North Norfolk Walk Georgian Festival Local History Education Advice Food & Drink Events Guide Stamford People

Burghley 2015 SEPTEMBER 3-6

SEPTEMBER 2015 ÂŁ1.50

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KELTHORPE CLOSE, KETTON - £539,995

This substantial detached beautifully presented home occupies a spacious and secluded plot in a quiet cul-de-sac location in the sought after village of Ketton. The village offers ample amenities including a highly regarded primary school, Doctors surgery, library, pubs, post office and general store. This extended family home comprises; Entrance hall, playroom or study, fitted kitchen with integrated appliances and range cooker, well proportioned lounge with bay window, stone fireplace and wood burning stove, spacious dining room with doors opening onto the patio and an arch way through to the utility area and cloakroom.

Upstairs the master bedroom offers both a dressing room and en suite shower room and has French doors opening onto a roof terrace with fantastic views across the garden and fields beyond, there is an additional guest bedroom with en suite shower. Three further bedrooms are served by the stunning new bathroom.

Outside the property offers a generous driveway leading to the double integral garage, with a lawned garden to the front. To the rear the property offers a patio and expansive lawned garden with mature trees.

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.

NEW CROSS ROAD, STAMFORD Offers in excess of £305,000

Situated in a tucked away central location, this individual detached home is only a short walk from the town centre. The property offers spacious and flexible accommodation set over three floors, briefly comprising; Entrance hall, cloakroom, living room, dining room with sun room off, study, kitchen and conservatory. To the first floor are two bedrooms with en-suite shower rooms and a further bedroom. There is also a door giving access to a separate shower room and stairs up to the master bedroom.

Outside the property has an established terraced south facing enclosed garden offering views and seating areas at two levels.

NO CHAIN

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

September Contents www.stamfordliving.co.uk

@LocalLivingUK UPDATES, SHOPPING

The walkable town

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TAMFORD is a great town for walking round and the combination of the High Street and the many passages means there are lots of good walking routes.

A little app on the internet called Walkability give the town a walk score rating of 88, which characterises it as a ‘very walkable’ town, putting it on a par with such illustrious walking cities as San Francisco.

Peterborough by comparison scores in the 30s, as most errands require a car journey.

But isn’t it time now we did more and took back the streets from cars – Red Lion Square and Sheepmarket, for example, still put cars first, pedestrians second. Why not have raised pavements in both, so it is the cars that have to make their way past pedestrians, not the other way round. This works brilliantly well in Copenhagen, where the shopkeepers are delighted with the arrangements, because it brings more people in; why not here?

And why not give a vote of confidence to our prime independent shopping street, St Mary’s St and Hill; why not make this whole area a raised pavement; still giving access to cars, yes, but on pedestrian terms.

Why should we continue to put up with the tyranny of the car in our town centre? Quick access from well maintained car parks is the key.

Nicholas Rudd-Jones

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Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials feature: Local businesses with stands Updates: Javawocky Coffee Shop, Country Lounge Café.Bar, Buddhist Meditation, Stamford Artisans Guild Updates: Helping with fertility, Holidays in style, William Cecil chef wins award Updates: Braeburn Lodge, The Mad Turk’s Shisha Pipes, Stephenson Smart Updates: The Itch Gallery, Anna’s Hope Fun Run; Crispin Heesom, artist Updates: Cocktail Marketing, Stamford Boot Camp, Bulwick Village Shop

FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY

12 Fashion: Town & Country style 16 Autumn hair trends & Autumn beauty trends

HOME, GARDEN, MOTORING, TRAVEL

27 Home & Garden: The Wool Room’s complete sleep experience

28 Property: The Norton Rickett difference 44 Upp Property developments 65 Delcor updates

Publisher

FOOD & DRINK

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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 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 Cover Photograph: Courtesy of Burghley Horse Trials Press Office

77 Food & Drink: Jeeves Catering, The Bombay Cottage

80 Hedgerow Forays

ACTIVITIES, CULTURE, LEARNING & BUSINESS

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Stamford Dog Show Business: Money Saving Tips for Car Buyers Rhino’s Gym New Feature: Local Clubs & Societies Seaside Strolls: Cromer to Sheringham Stamford’s Georgian Festival Heritage Open Days Local History: End of the road for signal boxes 71 The Life of a Farrier 74 Education: Secondary Schools Open Days 89 What’s On

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PEOPLE & PLACES

28 Stamford Observer: Car Boot Sales 63 Ask Leo: Rutland Poultry 94 Rutland People: Alan Oliver, artist

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STAMFORD LIVING SEPTEMBER 2015

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EVENT

Land Rover Burghley H 3rd - 6th September Antonia Scott celebrates one of Stamford and equestrian’s highlights of the year

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HE build up to the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials begins over the summer months and encompasses a vast area of Burghley estate parkland. What started out as a last minute stop-gap invitation arranged by the Marquess of Exeter in 1961 when the 3 day equestrian event at Harewood was cancelled due to a suspected outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease, has since grown into an annual international equestrian phenomenon, with over 80 global competitors and an incredible 160,000 visitors coming from all corners of the globe to spectate at this prestigious 4 day event. As well as horses, there are plenty of dog lovers at Burghley too – the canine agility classes are

SELECTED STANDS – in order of longevity at Burghley!

ROBINSONS OF STAMFORD – EXHIBITING AT BURGHLEY SINCE 1961!

Owner – Anne Brown Contact: info@robinsonofstamford.com Tel: 01780 755378 www.robinsonsofstamford.com What makes you stand out? We believe in supplying high quality items at reasonable prices with a fantastic customer service.

What should a shopper look for at your stand? In previous years we have always taken a range of saddler and equestrian items from other branches – however this year we are taking a wide selection of Country Clothing and leather goods. Items will include Ladies Winter coats, hats, socks, cufflinks, leather holdalls, notebooks and purses. We also have several new brands such as Le Chameau’s wellington boots and Alan Paine’s stunning tweed jackets.

wonderful family fun to watch.

There are over 600 trade exhibitors for shoppers to enjoy, all showcasing a vast array of country living homewares and produce. The specialist food stalls in the Food Walk offer a mouth-watering and diverse selection of local and international goods to sample and take home.

Local Exhibitors: Stamford and its surrounding area has a plethora of entrepreneurial talent and this year nearly 30 local businesses will be exhibiting at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials to proudly display their wares and raise their profile to an international target audience.

TOADSTOOLS – OVER 25 YEARS EXHIBITING AT BURGHLEY Owner - Serena McCall Contact: www.toadstools. co.uk Tel: 07798854131 Email: serena@toadstools.co.uk What makes you stand out?

Bespoke furniture made in Northamptonshire. Footstools of any size, any leg and any cover.

What should a shopper look for at your stand? A range of Afghan Kilims, a selection of footstools to whet the appetite – plus a glass or rosé if they time it right!

SCOTTS OF THRAPSTON – OVER 40 YEARS EXHIBITING AT BURGHLEY! Owner – David Scott (Family run business since 1920) Contact: www.scottsofthrapston.co.uk Tel: 01832 732366 Email: info@scottsofthrapston.co.uk What makes you stand out? Our products are displayed as fully finished buildings, so that customers can feel, touch and kick them! We pride ourselves on our quality and British manufacture and we like to demonstrate equine living at its best, even in such a small space at the show. We also display a selection of timber summerhouses, offering more than just equestrian buildings to the wide cross section of visitors.

What should a shopper look for at your stand? Customers have the chance to review and compare the quality of our finished product on stand, whether an equestrian building or a summerhouse. We recommend that visitors compare our products with other similar buildings, and suggest they look at the finer details as well as the aesthetics of the overall stables and buildings.

Scotts uses Burghley Horse Trials as an ideal opportunity to meet past customers and thank them for their loyalty over the years as well as a window to trial new products for future customers.

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y Horse Trials 2015

GRASMERE FARM - 17 YEARS AT BURGHLEY Owner – Stuart Stables Contact: www.grasmere-farm.co.uk Tel: 01778 342344 What makes you stand out? Our absolute passion to provide customers with quality products and great customer service. Our Hampshire Cross Pigs are outdoor reared on the farm and our meat is handcrafted on site by our team of experienced butchers.

Our bakers also prepare a range of hand raised pork pies, scotch eggs and sausage rolls.

What should a shopper look for at your stand? We offer a range of bacon rolls, jumbo sausage hotdogs, pork and apple burgers, garlic and rosemary burgers and our amazing pulled pork! All freshly cooked on the stand – we open at 7am.

HILL FARM FURNITURE – 10 YEARS EXHIBITING AT BURGHLEY Owner – Mike Ashwin Contact: www.hillfarmfurntiure.co.uk Tel: 01636 626063 What makes you stand out? Hill Farm Furniture is a family run business that specialises in creating bespoke, handcrafted kitchens and freestanding furniture to fit your home and your unique character. Prices start at £25,000 + VAT. What should a shopper look for at your stand? We take a mobile showroom full of handcrafted furniture, bespoke kitchens and Victorian glasshouses.

JAMES GILLICK – ARTIST - 15 YEARS EXHIBITING AT BURGHLEY Contact: www.gillick-artist.com Tel: 01507 600269 email: james@gillick-artist.com What makes you stand out? My stand is one of the only places outside London where shoppers can get to meet and see the work of a top London artist. I also make all my own paints, canvasses, varnishes and mediums using 17th century recipes.

What should a shopper look for at your stand? A collection of still life, game and equestrian oil paintings in sizes ranging from the palm of your hand to the size of your living room wall! From £2,000 - £50,000.

HEATSOURCE - 6TH YEAR EXHIBITING AT BURGHLEY Retailer and installer of wood-burners, fireplaces and renewable heating solutions.

Owners – Nathan & Agnes Welham Contact: www.heatsource-of-uppingham.co.uk Tel: 01572 829953 What makes you stand out? The two live Charnwood appliances will give shoppers something to talk about!

What should a shopper look for at your stand? The Country Living Bembridge stove designed and made by Charnwood exclusive at Heatsource of Uppingham. We will also be bringing a complete new range of basket wares to the show.

PEACHY BELTS - 5TH YEAR AT BURGHLEY Owner – Zoe Gibson Contact: www.peachybelts.co.uk Tel: 01664 454994 Email: zoe@peachybelts.co.uk What makes you stand out? Our range of unique designs of detachable buckles made in the UK from solid pewter and brass, and the Swarovski crystal range from Italy. All the belts are handmade in England using the finest Italian vegetable tanned leathers. A number of competitors wear Peachy Belts in the trot up – including Mary King, Pippa Funnell and Nicola Wilson.

What should a shopper look for at your stand? There are a number of specific designs that appeal to equestrian customers, including our new Winter range which is being launched at Burghley, one of which is the ‘Thoroughbred’ - a horse’s head designed by renowned bronze sculptor, Juliet Cursham – available in solid brass and pewter for £65.

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THE FITTED FURNITURE

Creators bespoke studies

bedrooms fine

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kitchens and

furniture

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thefittedfurniturecompany.com @FittedC

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• SL September ADS.indd 6

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Country Traditionals Traditionals Country Country Traditionals Country Traditionals

SEE US AT BURGHLEY HORSE TRIALS IN THE Visit ourshop shop Visit our RURAL CRAFT MARQUEE Visit our shop

VisitLane, our shop Maiden Lane, Stamford proof oven/Aga/microwave/dishwasher/freezer Maiden Stamford Maiden Lane, Stamford

Quality isn’t expensive, it’s priceless Beautiful lingerie, hosiery and shape wear solutions

opptourist tourist info&&arts artscentre centre opp info Lane, opp -tourist info &Stamford artsLane, centre Stamford Visit ourMaiden shop Maiden opp tourist info & arts centre Open Mon -info Sat&10am 10am 5pm Open Mon Sat ---5pm opp tourist-arts centre Open Mon Sat 10am 5pm Open Mon -- Sat 10am 5pm Open Mon Sat755 10am -- 5pm Tel: 01780 755 409 Tel: 01780 409 Tel: 01780 755 409 Tel: 755 409 409 Tel: 01780 01780 755 www.countrytraditionals.co.uk

www.countrytraditionals.co.uk www.countrytraditionals.co.uk www.countrytraditionals.co.uk www.countrytraditionals.co.uk

See us at Burghley or come and visit our Showroom & Seconds Shop!

Shop Opening Times Monday to Friday 9am-5pm Address: The Barn, Unit 29 King Street Ind. Estate, Langtoft, Stamford, Lincs, PE6 9NF

0845 0177866 www.sophieallport.com

Fine Bone China - Fabrics - Oilcloth & More!

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EVENT THE WOOL ROOM – 5 YEARS EXHIBITING AT BURGHLEY Owner – Chris Tattersall Contact: www.thewoolroom.com Email: info@thewoolroom.com What makes you stand out? Our ability to bring the British wool beds and bedding together to deliver the very best night’s sleep using the finest British wool from the Stamford and Rutland area.

What should a shopper look for at your stand? Wool beds, wool bedding and wool throws – all delivering the best night’s sleep. We will be showing our unique wool beds for the first time on our largest stand to date. The customer can design their own bed with up to 250 British made wool fabrics.

SOPHIE ALLPORT HOMEWARES – 5 YEARS EXHIBITING AT BURGHLEY Owner – Sophie Allport Contact: www.sophieallport.com Tel: 0845 0177866 Email: info@sophieallport.com What makes you stand out? We’re a local business with unique countryside inspired designs by Sophie. Our homewares hopefully appeal to the Burghley audience. Popular collections include Pheasant, Chicken, Terrier and Labrador. There will be a competition to win £150 worth of Sophie Allport products – pick up an entry form on our stand to enter.

What should a shopper look for at your stand? Lots of lovely things to help make your house a home. Extensions to our popular ‘Pheasant’ collection plus the launch of our new ‘Hare’ ‘On the Farm’ and ‘Woodland Party’ collections, plus knitted throws, scarves and cushions to keep you cosy in the Autumn. New Pet products including tinware, dog and cat beds and a gorgeous new range of accessories including wallets, purses, wash bags, key rings, boot bags, weekend bags and book bags.

FITTED FURNITURE COMPANY - 3RD YEAR AT BURGHLEY Owner – Jason Nicholls Contact: Racecourse Farm, Easton on the Hill. www.thefittedfurniturecompany.com What makes you stand out? Every piece of furniture is individually designed to the client’s own ideas and specific requirements. Our furniture is built to last using traditional methods of construction in conjunction with modern furniture technology such as soft-close drawer runners, low voltage LED lighting systems and energy efficient appliances. We take great pride in delivering a truly personal service, working closely with the client to exceed expectations, presenting and inspiring new ideas to achieve superb results.

What should a shopper look for at your stand? This year we have a new layout to the stand. We still have a traditional kitchen but with a modern twist. A stunning dark stained hardwood study and bookcases, plus several new freestanding pieces of furniture designed and built just for Burghley.

OAKHAM RUGS - 3RD YEAR EXHIBITING AT BURGHLEY Owners – Christian & Fiona Hawker Contact: www.oakhamrugs.co.uk Tel: 01572 724441 Email: mail@oakhamrugs.co.uk What makes your stand out? Our customers are very important to us and we pride ourselves on our personal service and expert advice. We offer a cleaning and restoration service from our shop in Oakham which has been established for 23 years.

What should a shopper look for at your stand? We have a very varied selection of high quality hand knotted rugs in traditional and modern designs. We also have kilim and needlepoint rugs and a wide range of cushions and footstools.

THE STAMFORD NOTEBOOK COMPANY – 2ND YEAR EXHIBITING AT BURGHLEY Owners – Spiegl Press Ltd: Jo & Hugo Spiegl Contact: www.stamfordnotebooks.co.uk What makes you stand out? We make simply beautiful, elegant notebooks, journals and diaries using British paper and traditional craft bookbinding skills and equipment. Our stunning array of textures and colours means that there really is something for everyone.

What should a shopper look for at your stand? Our new 2016 diaries and the new limited edition range featuring A/W16 catwalk colours. We also recently launched two new products, the Traveller’s Journal in two sizes and the Rutland Notebook – Multum in Parvo!

SNUGGLE SACS - 2ND YEAR EXHIBITING AT BURGHLEY Owner - Tina Goldsmith Contact: www.snugglesac.com Tel: 01603 882705 Email: enquiries@snugglesac.com What makes you stand out? Our products – which are unique, distinctive, high quality, fun, practical and utterly desirable!

What should a shopper look for at your stand? The pony snuggle sac – every shopper will want one! New for 2015 is the adult Snuggle Sacs. Perfect for horsebox living, caravans, motor homes – cosy and chic.

COUNTRY TRADITIONALS - 4 YEARS EXHIBITING AT BURGHLEY Owners – Nicola and Simon Tame Contact: www.countrytraditionals.co.uk Tel: 01780 755409 Email: sales@countrytraditionals.co.uk What makes you stand out? Our beautiful range of Polish pottery is so distinctive - the mostly blue and white pottery really stands out and has the wow factor. All of the pottery we sell is oven/ Aga/microwave/dishwasher/freezer proof, so not only does it look amazing, it really is completely functional and for everyday use. We opened our second shop in Stamford last year, just off the high street in Maiden Lane and it’s absolutely packed to the ceiling with this amazing pottery!

What should a shopper look for at your stand? Our oven to table bake ware sells extremely well at country shows. The lasagne dishes in large sizes for family gatherings are a great buy. We have many customers who keep coming back to stock up on more of the range every year.

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FOODWALK THE BROWNIE COMPANY - 5TH YEAR AT BURGHLEY Owner – Amanda Hamblin Contact: www.thebrowniecompany.co.uk Tel: 01780 763392 Email: Amanda@ thebrowniecompany.co.uk What makes you stand out? We offer a top-quality, gooey, ‘moreish’ homemade Brownie at a great value price, using the best Belgium chocolate and local free range eggs. It’s a genuine chocolate brownie, much more satisfying than the typical offering as well as offering a much-needed burst of extra energy to anyone walking the Cross Country course! This is our 10th year in business and we’re so grateful to all the local customers to support us. We offer a 10% discount on our gift tin and brownie assortments to local customers who collect from our kitchen in Easton on the Hill.

What should a shopper look for at your stand? We have our flavours that are a favourite each year, such as the Original Double Chocolate or the Sour Cherry, but this year the Sea Salted Caramel and the Peanut Butter have been really popular, so we’re looking forward to tempting our Burghley customers with those. We’re also expanding our gluten-free range, as more and more customers are requesting them.

MARQUESS OF EXETER – 3RD YEAR AT BURGHLEY Owner – Brian Baker Contact: www.marquessexeter.co.uk Tel: 01572 822477 Email: info@marquessexeter.co.uk What makes you stand out? We offer delicious food which is a little different to what you would expect!

What should a shopper look for at your stand? We will be offering breakfast and lunch. Our delicious Eggs Benedict with either Smoked Salmon or Ham from 6.30am and our renowned Launde Lamb Tandoori wraps or Chicken and Chorizo Paella from 11am onwards.

OGILVY’S HONEY – 2ND YEAR EXHIBITING AT BURGHLEY Owner – Shamus Ogilvy Contact: www.ogilvys.com Tel 01780 450377 Email: info@ogilvys.com What makes you stand out? Ogilvy’s is the only honey retailer in the Food Walk, offering a diverse selection of raw honey naturally blended by bees!

What should a shopper look for at your stand?

Ogilvy’s have sourced six quintessentially British honeys and six artisan world honeys.

We are also launching a new honey trio gift box – perfect for the honey connoisseur.

M

any of the local businesses commented on what a buzz there was to be exhibitor at Burghley and recognise that it is ‘the place to be’ – offering shoppers the Best of British.

For full details: www.burghley-horse.co.uk OTHER LOCAL TRADE STANDS: Aga Shop at Pochin, Burghley House Gift Shop, Dawson of Stamford Joules Clothing, The Rutland Bookshop, Sinclairs of Stamford, Thomas Dainty Brogue Trader, Hambleton, Jules of Stamford Jewellery

Rugby World Cup Trophy Comes to The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials

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HE Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials will not only welcome elite equestrian athletes this year, but will also be introducing another sporting great to the event.

The title sponsor, Land Rover is also a Worldwide Partner of Rugby World Cup 2015 and on Friday 4th September, the Webb Ellis Cup will be onsite at Burghley as part of the Rugby World Cup Trophy 100 day Tour, which culminates on 18th September at the RWC 2015 Opening Ceremony.

Spectators at Burghley will have the chance to get up close and personal with the famous Trophy and see the bespoke RWC 2015 Defender which has been carrying it on its journey around the UK and Ireland. Jason Robinson, OBE – Land Rover Ambassador and Rugby World Cup Winner 2003 will also be coming to Burghley.

Local children will have the opportunity to audition to become a Rugby World Cup 2015 mascot – the last chance for 7-13 year olds to win the opportunity to run out onto the pitch with one of the teams. Auditions will take place on Friday 4th Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th September and youngsters will be invited to visit the Land Rover Experience area and complete one of three tasks: 1. Sing the national anthem; 2. Offer a piece of advice they would give to the Captain before he runs out for RWC 2015; or 3. Say how they would welcome a visiting team to England for the tournament.

The prize for the two lucky chosen mascots will include two tickets to a RWC 2015 match, official RWC 2015 mascot kit and of course, the walk out!

The final rugby themed element of this year’s Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials comprises a bespoke cross country fence, created by Burghley’s Course Designer, Captain Mark Phillips.

Liz Inman, Director of the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials said, “There is great synergy between Eventing and Rugby, two of the toughest sports on the planet, both requiring determination, focus and agility.

It is fitting that we are able to acknowledge both sports at Land Rover Burghley in this Rugby World Cup year. At Burghley we always strive to offer our visitors a unique experience that goes beyond the equestrian competition and this is certainly it. To be hosting the Webb Ellis Cup is a huge honour, while many visiting youngsters will have a once in a lifetime opportunity to audition to be Rugby World Cup 2015 mascots.”

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goodwin 01780 750000 Residential Sales • Lettings • Mortgages

www.goodwinpropertyservices.co.uk

Sales Stamford, • Lettings Mortgages 2-3Residential St John’s Street, Lincs• PE9 2DA

goodwinpropertyservices.co.uk

01780 750000 2-3 St John’s Street, Stamford, Lincs PE9 2DA

goodwinpropertyservices.co.uk • SL September ADS.indd 11

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19/08/2015 11:33

FASHION

Townand CountryStyle Sally Stillingfleet discovers there’s more to Country and sporty pursuits then meets the eye, being suitably attired is easy in Stamford.

Alex and Steve model the latest menswear from traditional favorites to the newest menswear shop Gagliardi

Alice wears pale lilac Maison Scotch shirt £62 Energy with Esprit cream chinos £45 Attic. Gucci short boots £220 Arch Label Agency. Chrysalis Cheltenham Top coat from £275, with brown leather Cartridge bag £179 Robinson’s. Alex wears white Energy shirt as before and blue jeans as before, under Corbridge Barbour waxed jacket £229. Leather Gunslip £289, Le Chameau Neo Wellington boots £295 all Robinson’s.

Alice wears crisp white ‘Julia’ shirt £69.95, under Compton Blazer £195 both Robinson’s.

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STAMFORD LIVING SEPTEMBER 2015

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Steve wears Apricot canvas jacket £195, with slim fit Sky and Apricot shirt £75. Cotton tailored shorts £75, with brown belt £30. Alex wears Italian cotton wool jacket £300, with Weekend blue stripe shirt £85. Pocket square £15, Cotton tailored shorts £75 and belt £30 all Gagliardi. Both wear Sebago Docksides £110 Energy.

Steve wears Levis denim shirt £80 Energy.

Chrysalis Kempton Top Coat from £295, jeans £125 Energy, Belts from a selection from £30 Brogue boots £139, both Robinsons. Alex wears white Bellfield shirt now £20 Energy under dark navy Norton jacket by Chrysalis from £285.

Blue jeans by Replay £100 Energy. Chocolate brown leather ‘man bag’ £69.95 Robinson’s.

Boots from a selection at Marcia May Shoes.

Alice wears Chrysalis Ladies Sports Jacket from £250 over bottle green American Vintage dress £90 Attic.

Gucci boots as before.

Gagliardi – 34 St. Mary’s Street.

Tel. 0785 0178028 Robinson’s of Stamford - 4 St Mary’s St. Stamford. Tel. 01780 755378 Attic – 33 St. Mary’s St. Stamford Tel.01780 766667 Energy – Ironmonger St. Stamford.

Tel. 01780 765633 Marcia May Shoes – 41 St. Mary’s St. Tel. 01780 766608 Arch Label Agency – 43 St. Paul’s St. Tel. 01780 764746 www.archlabelagency.com • Chrysalis Clothing is a family run local business, specializing in Town and Country Outerwear based in Corby. Reviving traditional tailoring and the craft of quality workmanship on the doorstep. The prices quoted are for their fantastic factory outlet open on Friday afternoons 1.30 – 5pm and Saturdays 9.30 – 12.30pm only.

Tel. 01536 269034 www.chrysalisclothing.co.uk • Thank you to Laura for doing such beautiful make-up on Alice. Laura is available for weddings and special occasions. Email: - lotusdunne@gmail.com Tel. 07875 685699 • Thank you to Alice, Alex and Steve for agreeing to model and for allowing us to use The Stamford Wine Bar for our backdrop.

• The Stamford Wine Bar – 10 St. Paul’s Street. Tel. 01780 757844. www.stamfordwinebar.co.uk • Photography by www.ellideanphotography.co.uk STAMFORD LIVING SEPTEMBER 2015

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19/08/2015 12:30

Stockist of high quality leather footwear A LOCAL FAMILY BUSINESS • Premium Shoe Repair and Restoration Service • Key Cutting & Engraving • Shoe Care Products • Leather Goods & Gifts • Pantherella - Fine English Socks • Official retailer for Bears

WAS £315 NOW £240

ANAND SHOES

of Stamford

• Stockist of high quality leather footwear from:

• High class shoe repair and restoration service

28 High Street, Stamford, PE9 2BB Bears T: 01780 767688 E: anandshoesofstamford@gmail.com Shoe care products www.anandofstamford.com

• Official retailer for •

• Key cutting & Engraving service

Back to School shoes Expertly fitted by our qualified professionals

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

MARCIA MAY SHOES 41 St Mary’s Street, Stamford, PE9 2DS Tel: 01780 766608 Follow us on facebook 14

• SL September ADS.indd 14

20/08/2015 15:45

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.

BRYONY BENSON, Designer Introducing Bryony to the Garie Nigel Hairwork team, we are pleased to offer 25% off all cuts or colours during September

25% off

Award Winning Salon

CUTS OR COLOURS WITH BRYONY (with this voucher)

Launching 1st Sept Ends 3 October – not to be used in conjunction with any other offer

GARIE NIGEL HAIRWORK

spoil yourself you deserve it...

6 Silver Lane . Stamford . PE9 2BT

Tel: 01780 752725 www.maplesofstamford.co.uk

01780 751511

24 St. Mary’s Street, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 2DJ.

www.garienigelhairwork.co.uk 15

• SL September ADS.indd 15

20/08/2015 12:52

HEALTH & BEAUTY

What’s new in beauty Genevieve Potter takes a look at some of the latest trends and innovations in beauty

MANOR GROVE SPA I recently visited Manor Grove Spa, which is nestled in a gorgeously secluded corner of Bulwick, just off the A43, 8 miles south east of Stamford.

Michelle Margaret Marques opened the day Spa last summer, having previously been based in Harringworth. Michelle has 11 years experience in the beauty industry and she’s passionate about providing each and every client with a warm, friendly and luxurious experience. The spa itself feels like a safe haven, away from the stresses and strains of the average high street. Michelle only uses two product ranges; Neom and Caudalíe. Both of these brands are founded on the principle of using only the purest natural ingredients (Michelle joked that even the Neom candle wicks are made of cotton and paper!). Caudalíe is the perfect blend of science and nature, the brand was created on a French vineyard, harnessing the potent properties of grapes and their vines. All of the products are joyful to use and smell incredible. A Caudalíe facial massage starts from the arms, shoulders and neck, using long sweeping movements. Depending on the individual’s needs, hot then ice-cold stones, rollers and even chilled grapes are introduced to lift and help to drain away puffiness.

Caudalíe continually innovate and during Summer and Autumn, Michelle will be launching a new body scrub and wrap, detox facial, Premier Cru eye treatment, as well as new additions to the Polyphenols and Vino Perfect ranges.

The spa recently introduced Neom well-being massage treatments. These are blissfully relaxing treatments, based on

ESSENCE OF BEAUTY ARE INTRODUCING SOME NEW FACE-FRAMING LASH AND BROW TREATMENTS Lash Perfect have launched the Russian layering technique – a multi-lash technique layering ultra-fine, light lashes on to a single natural lash. It gives a full, high-impact glamorous look with in-fills needed every four weeks.

A more delicate alternative is the Tahitian feathering technique, performed by applying multiple lightweight lashes onto one natural lash using varying lengths along the hair shaft to give a light, natural feathering effect. This is particularly effective for clients whose own lashes are damaged or sparse.

LoLa Brows sculpts and builds the eyebrows with bespoke three-dimensional colour, lasting up to three weeks. Bespoke to each client’s needs, it’s perfect for sparse or over plucked brows, to fill in gaps or to build a dramatic brow shape for a bold, fashionforward look.

Normally £70, Stamford Living readers booking Russian or Tahitian lashes during September 2015 can take advantage of an introductory offer of £60, and LoLa brows which are normally £25, for £20. Both offers subject to availability.

• Essence of Beauty, 15 St Mary’s Street, Stamford, PE9 2DF Tel: 01780 763564

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advanced massage techniques which include guided meditation from a bespoke soundtrack – a chance to just switch off and float away.

Manor Grove Spa is ideal for couples, whether it’s friends, mothers and daughters, or partners who just want to indulge in some serious relaxation. A range of packages includes a popular afternoon tea and champagne experience.

• The Stackyard Barn, Main Street, Bulwick, Northamptonshire, NN17 3DY. Tel: 01572 490570 www.manorgrovespa.co.uk

PILATES FOR ‘MUMMY AND ME’ Louise Allam of Stamford Pilates has launched a popular post-natal Pilates class – ‘mummy and me’, designed and adapted for mums to bring their babies along. The class is totally relaxed, to allow for mums to tend to the needs of their babies during each session whilst working the BAPs – backs, abs and pelvic floor muscles.

‘Mummy and me’ is run over five weeks, costing £30. It takes place on Wednesdays between 1-2 pm at Tinwell Village Hall, with more classes planned for the Stamford area soon. Contact Louise for more details: • Louise Allam. www.stamfordpilates. co.uk. Mob: 07827 665916

STAMFORD LIVING SEPTEMBER 2015

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19/08/2015 17:56

GERARDS HAVE TWO EXCITING NEW AVEDA PRODUCTS, WHICH HAVE LAUNCHED DURING SEPTEMBER Aveda Smoothing Creme Conditioning is a styling cream to deeply smooth and moisturise hair while fighting frizz all day, even in intense humidity.

Aveda Thickening Tonic is a styling spray that instantly thickens hair, providing lustrous, fuller hair from roots to ends. Drop in for your free sample of the new products while stock lasts, and see one of the team to discuss bespoke colouring, ready for Autumn, using the latest warm, natural Aveda tones.

• Gerards, George Hotel Mews, Stamford, PE9 2LB. Tel: 01780 753002 www.gerardhair-beauty.co.uk RENAISSANCE NEW EYE MAKEUP REMOVER Guinot Demaquillant Express Yeux is a new eye makeup remover available from Renaissance (£19.25). It goes well beyond a traditional remover, effortlessly sweeping away even waterproof makeup without a greasy residue whilst reducing puffiness, combating slackening tissue and stimulating elastin production. It’s fragrance and paraben free, and suitable for sensitive eyes.

• Renaissance, 2 Mallory Lane, Stamford PE9 2AZ. Tel: 01780 763768 www.renaissancebeauty.co.uk EQUILIBRIUM Equilibrium are launching the first patented Marine Cosmeceutical (M-Ceutic) salon and home range from Thalgo.

Developed by two world-renowned dermatologists, it has two unique ingredients, Mesolift Marin, an infusion that boosts the skin’s youthful appearance; and Neo Skin, a complex used to correct severe imperfections and reconstruct optimal skin quality. The M-Ceutic Radical Renovation facial targets all skin irregularities such as blemishes, uneven skin tone, scarring and pigmentation. The treatment includes an appropriate skin peel to renew skin, a relaxing scalp massage, followed by two serums and a re-balancing shoulder and scalp massage. The skin is left looking visibly clearer.

Equilibrium are holding their M-Ceutic launch on Monday 14th September, when Thalgo will be joining the salon to offer a “Radical Renovation” Taster Facial (30 minutes) for just £30, which can be redeemed against two or more Thalgo products purchased on the day. Appointments are subject to availability (please quote Stamford Living when booking).

• Equilibrium - 7 St Paul’s Street, Stamford, PE9 2BE Tel: 01780 757579 www.equilibriumstamford. co.uk www.facebook.com/ equilibrium

NATALIE DAMS BEAUTY AT OLIVER LEE Natalie Dams Beauty at Oliver Lee continue into Autumn with some great offers, including geleration nails with Abbie for £12.50 (normally £25).

Upstairs at Oliver Lee, ladies with curly or frizzy hair will be forming an orderly queue for the latest Paul Mitchell hair relaxing treatment. Three different strengths of product achieve enviable results for all hair types - reducing curl and frizz by just the right amount.

Prices start at £100 depending on hair length - pop in for a consultation with Oli. • Natalie Dams Beauty and Oliver Lee. 11 St John’s St, Stamford PE9 2DB Tel: 01780 754828 - www.oliverleestamford.co.uk

THE ELECTROLYSIS AND SKINCARE STUDIO ‘It works!’ body contouring products are now available in Stamford, exclusively from Amy Nicholson at The Electrolysis and Skincare Studio. When used in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle, The ‘It works! noninvasive body contouring wraps can transform loose skin, stretch marks and cellulite using a botanically based formula.

Amy has seen impressive results in clients looking to reduce and firm up those last few inches ahead of a holiday or special occasion. The wraps cost £25, or £85 for a box of 4.

• Contact Amy for more information.

The Electrolysis & Skincare Studio George Hotel Mews, Stamford PE9 2LB Tel: 01780 763620 STAMFORD LIVING SEPTEMBER 2015

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19/08/2015 12:35

3D- Lipo.

Results Making the National Headlines‌

The Latest technology in body coutouring.

Using cryolipolysis (fat freezing), cavitation (ultrasound technology) and RF (radio frequency techniques) 3D-Lipo is a powerful new dimension in permanent non-surgical fat removal, cellulite treatment and skin tightening for face and body.

Treatment is pain-free with no down time, and with immediate results.

For more information please visit our website or contact us:

www.chaelis.co.uk - info@chaelis.co.uk - 01832 733811 Sten Beren, Lowick, Kettering, Northants. NN14 3BH 18

• SL September ADS.indd 18

19/08/2015 11:34

FREE

*

SKIN ANALYSIS

event at this salon Expert advice and a tailor-made skincare regime

Have your skin analysed with state-of-the-art imaging equipment and discover how to boost radiance and vitality. Places are limited, so ask us today for full details.

Date: 30th September 2015

Before

Time: 10.00am - 5.00pm After benefitting from bespoke skincare regime

*Subject to a £20 booking fee, redeemable against products on the day Environ_Posters.indd 1

15/04/2013 17:04

SKIN PERFECTION NOW AT SNOWDENS BEAUTY SPA

Live Beautifully

Snowdens Beauty Spa, Scotgate are introducing Environ, an innovative skincare range based on modern scientific research, with a growing list of celebrity fans, including Sadie Frost, Claudia Winkleman, Elle Macpherson and Sienna Miller.

A skin analyst from anti-aging skincare brand ENVIRON is hosting the special event and will be on hand to provide free 45 minute consultations using the powerful Visia imaging technology to capture information and assess common problem areas, such as sun damage, brown pigmentation blemishes, capillary damage, wrinkles, scars or imperfections and congested pores. A FREE 30 minutes mini facial is also available after the consultation with our resident Environ specialist beauty therapist, Lizzie Rowland who is confident ENVIRON will give all her clients something more than their usual beauty routine can deliver, and is offering a free skin diagnosis on 30th September 2015.

Environ offers a fresh approach to skincare that addresses many of these problems as well as those who want to maintain healthy, youthful skin. These products penetrate deeply - moisturising, smoothing and working from the inside to promote healthy cell renewal and promote denser collagen formation. The emphasis with Environ is on re-balancing by normalising the skins own protective, regenerative and moisturising functions.

CONTACT: Snowdens Beauty Spa on 01780 762244 *A £20 deposit is required which is redeemable, on the day, against any treatment, course or product.

showroom@elizabethstanhope.co.uk www.elizabethstanhope.co.uk 27 Mill Street Oakham Rutland LE15 6EA 01572 722 345

Snowden’s Foot Clinic & Beauty Spa, Snowden’s Hospital, Scotgate, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 2YF Telephone: 01780 762 244 Email: s.lester2@hotmail.com

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UPDATES

Javawocky Coffee Shop B

en Wright is a young man full of great ideas as to how to run a modern, forward-looking café.

He has completely redesigned the interior of the old Beans coffee shop in the High Street, utilising the services of the ‘Best Little Building Co.’ to create a funky, fabulous interior.

And to ensure quality and continuity, he has been able to retain the services of Tammy Ringland, who has managed Beans successfully for many years. She is a brilliant team builder at front of house.

Add to the mix Silver Oak Coffee, sourced from Bruce who has a market stall on the Friday market, and you have the recipe for an interesting new coffee shop with something different to offer. There will also be seasonal food, sandwiches made throughout the day and top quality range of loose leaf teas. Free superfast broadband will also be available Good luck to Ben, Tammy and the team.

• Javawocky, 72 High Street, Stamford (opposite Crew Clothing)

Meditations for a joyful life F

or thousands of years, people have experienced many benefits from meditation enjoying increased inner peace and a positive outlook on life. Meditation is also well documented as being an effective tool for combating stress, anxiety and related health issues.

Meditation makes our mind more calm and peaceful. If our mind is peaceful we can free ourselves from worries and anxiety, and so we can begin to experience true happiness. By training in meditation we can gradually learn to stay peaceful all the time, even in the most difficult circumstances.

As we progress, we will experience a calm, spacious feeling in the mind, and many of our usual problems will fall away. Difficult situations will become easier to deal with, we will naturally feel warm and well disposed towards other people, and our relationships will gradually improve.

On September 11th, Buddhist nun Gen Nyingpo will give a public talk and guided meditation in the Ballroom at the Stamford Arts Centre.

The session will run from 7.00-8.15pm and is open to everyone. Tickets are required for this event and are available via the Stamford Arts Centre booking office.

The speaker Gen Nyingpo is a Buddhist nun based in Peterborough.

She has taught meditation internationally for 20 years and has a wealth of experience practicing meditation in modern day life.

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Stamford Artisans Guild

The Stamford Artisans Guild will return to Stamford Arts Centre on Sunday 20 September from 10am to 4pm to showcase the creative talent of local artisans

T

he Stamford Artisans Guild showcases a wide range of local artisans who will be behind their stall and keen to talk to visitors about their craft and products including Jandy Photography, Stamford Holistic Candles, Folbar Jewellery, Cards by Lorna, Woodland Creations, Sew Krafty and Knitnaks.

All the products available at Guild events are exclusively handmade locally which means you will not find any big brand franchises or bought in goods at a Guild event. In the world of mass production, come along and buy a distinctive gift which has been made locally rather than on the other side of the world. All of the artisans at a Guild event put their heart and soul into their hand crafted creations so come along and support the local craft community.

• For further information on this event please telephone 07854 637810 or Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/stamfordartisansguild Twitter: http://twitter.com/stamfordartisan

Country Lounge Café.Bar A

new all-day diner has just opened at the Morcott Services on the A47. Run by the son and father team of Bradley and Alan Freeman, previously well-known from running the Royal Oak at Duddington, this is a whole new departure for them, but with the same high standards of cooking and hospitality.

They have created a light, open, modern, quirky space which is incredibly inviting, with sliding windows opening out on to a great view of the Welland Valley.

Food is home cooked and available all day – be it for breakfast, morning coffee, lunch, afternoon tea (the cakes looked great) or a proper three course dinner. Sunday lunch is a particular speciality. It is fully licensed.

“We want to cater for every need,” Bradley told us, “people passing through the area, but also the locals from the surrounding villages. We had so many folk from Barrowden and Morcott on the opening night!”

Give it a go; this is something quite different and distinct in the region.

• Opening hours: 07.30am-10pm Mon-Fri, 10.30am-10pm Sat/Sun A47 Morcott, Rutland, LE15 9DL Tel: 01572 748731

STAMFORD LIVING SEPTEMBER 2015

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A brilliant all day café and bar has just opened on the A47 at Morcott

A completely new dining experience in the region!

Amazing contemporary, up-beat ambience with views across the Welland Valley Delicious home-cooked food • Open for breakfast, coffee, lunch, afternoon teas and dinner • Sunday lunch a speciality • Ample parking •

NEW

OPENING HOURS: 08.00am-10.00pm Mon-Fri 10.00am-10.00pm Sat/Sun A47 Morcott, Rutland, LE15 9DL Tel: 01572 748731 find us on Facebook Country lounge cafe bar 21

• SL September ADS.indd 21

20/08/2015 12:53

GREAT DAYS OUT

The 10th Stamford Dog Show and Family Fun Day The tenth Stamford Dog Show and Family Fun Day will take place on the Meadows on Sunday 13th September from 10.30 to 4pm

T

HE show is run by the Stamford Methodist Church with help from the Stamford Veterinary Centre and Pets Korner. As usual there will be both Pedigree and Novelty Classes and dogs can be entered for £2 per class. The first four places in each class will win a rosette and prizes.

There are also displays by Malamutes and Huskies, by Labrador Rescue, Three Counties Rescue and Empingham Agility. Also throughout the day there will be many different stalls selling all sorts of goodies both for dogs and their owners. Children can be entertained on the fair rides, the land train or at the childrens’ activity tent.

There also plenty of food stalls for your lunch and other refreshments. The alpacas will be there again this year as will the reptile tent with many unusual creatures on display.

AMFORD ST

DOG

SH W & FAMILY FUN DAY!

2015

Fundraising The show is a fundraising event for the charities supported by the church, which this year includes the Nixon Memorial Hospital in Sierra Leone recovering from the disastrous Ebola epidemic, the Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice in Peterborough and the Church’s own Youth Outreach Programme. The show will also be supporting the local animal health charity Mutts Nutts.

The Nixon Memorial Hospital in Segbwema, Sierra Leone was, like many other places, devastated by the recent Ebola outbreak.

They lost doctors and nurses as well as many members of the community. They are now slowly trying to recover. The Stamford Methodist Church has already donated over £4,000 for this work, some of which has been used to train hospital staff in an Infection and Prevention & Control workshop prior to the re-opening of the nursing school after the Ebola outbreak.

The conditions at the hospital are very very basic and funds raised will help the hospital to become fully functioning again for the local community.

Thorpe Hall Hospice: After more than two decades of the clinical teams and support staff having to work around the limitations of a 17th century mansion house, they now have a building which will work to enable them to deliver the incredible care which Thorpe Hall is renowned for more efficiently.

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Patients and their families will have a modern, inviting environment with accessible gardens, the privacy of en suite shower rooms and the dignity of choice.

The hospice can’t change the outcome for our patients, but they can give them somewhere special to spend their last days in the way they choose, surrounded by the people they love.

The fundraising must continue. Fundraising teams have to raise around half of the £2.7 million a year it costs to provide the incredible care at Thorpe Hall.

Youth Outreach: Luke Denley continues to provide valuable support at local schools and colleges and runs a Legacy Youth Club at the Church. He also helps with Street Pastors at the weekend.

Mutts Nutts: Our mission is simple - we exist to help the plight of dogs in Rescue Kennels. We do this by; fostering, fundraising and finding homes for our furry friends Mutts Nutts support the unsung heroes of the rescue world, those without the big patronage and media coverage but still with an enormous and sometimes harrowing job to do.

Dogs are never turned away from these places, even the ill or damaged dogs who need significant help. They are based in Stamford. They started in 2011, and became a registered charity in 2013. To find out more about Mutts Nutts look them up on www.themuttsnutts.com or call 07802 634050.

• Thanks to our sponsors Pets Korner and the Stamford Veterinary Centre – you can find out more about their products and services on the page opposite.

STAMFORD LIVING SEPTEMBER 2015

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32 Main Street, Great Casterton, Stamford, Lincs. PE9 4AA

Professional care and attention for your pet At Stamford Veterinary Centre, our professional team is committed to providing your pet with the best possible care and attention but at the same time providing you, the owner, with all the support and advice you need to keep your pets healthy and happy.

at www.stamfordvets.co.uk

• Two fully equipped operating theatres with pulse oximetry and blood pressure monitors • In-house laboratory with our very own in-house blood machine that allows our vets to diagnose and treat our patients as quickly and efficiently as possible • E.C.G Machine • Pet passports • Endoscopy • Over night facilities for our veterinary surgeons to monitor critical cases • Dental X-ray machine and hygiene facilities • BVA hip and elbow scoring • Complimentary flea and worming treatments for new puppies and kittens • 24 hours emergency service operated by our very own Veterinary Surgeons • Free nurse clinics run by qualified veterinary nurses OPENING IN AUTUMN 2015! Our new theatre unit with two sterile operating theatres, an imaging room with x-ray, ultrasound and endoscopy facilities. An isolation unit and new cattery for our feline patients. OPEN DAY COMING SOON!

Consultations by appointment

Tel: 01780 763180

www.stamfordvets.co.uk Email: stamfordvets@googlemail.com

Open: Mon – Fri 8.30am to 6.30pm Sat 8.30am to 12 noon - Free Parking

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• SL September ADS.indd 23

19/08/2015 11:34

St Whites Stone Ltd

CONSERVATORY TOO HOT IN THE SUMMER AND TOO COLD IN WINTER?

STONE MASONS & CARVERS

Before

Inspiring the next generation of Craftsmen!

After

Classic have the answer to this problem and you do not even have to change the existing windows/doors, although you can.

Fantastic low U-Value of 0.18 and structurally very very strong which means your new sun room meets full Building Regulation Approval.

Plastered ceiling, LED lighting, Velux roof vents and choice of tile type and colour.

01780 450350 or 07931 387615 Email stwhitesstone@btinternet.com • • • • • •

2000 sq.ft SHOWROOM 12 St Leonards Street, Stamford, Lincs PE9 2HN

Tel 01780 654321 ∙ www.classicstamford.co.uk www.classic1992.co.uk Open: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-3pm

Design & Consultancy Gargoyles & Caricatures Steps & Staircases Fireplaces & Hearths Porticos & Steps Arches & Vaulting

• • • • • •

Lettering & Sculpture Stone Sourcing & Sawing New Build in Stone Stone Restoration Stone Mullion Windows Fountains & Bread Ovens

The Workshops Spanhoe Airfield Laxton, Nr Corby, NN17 3AT

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19/08/2015 11:35

NEW SHOWROOM NOW OPEN

• Stunning natural stone bathrooms and tiles including Travertine, Limestone & Marble.

• Unique Bullnosed Tile Edges - beautiful tile finish eliminates the need for plastic trims

Professional Service | Expert Advice | Quality Materials Bespoke to your Specifications | Competitively Priced BOOK YOUR FREE DESIGN CONSULTATION

8 All Saints’ Street, Stamford, PE9 2PA Tel: 01780 757164 25

• SL September ADS.indd 25

20/08/2015 12:55

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

16 North Street, Stamford, PE9 1EH

01780 481416 www.jlball.co.uk

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• SL September ADS.indd 26

19/08/2015 11:35

HOME & GARDEN

The Wool Room: The Complete Sleep Solution Frankly you will be amazed if you go and take a look around the Wool Room in Star Lane, Stamford – if you’re just thinking a throw or a wool duvet, then think again. The Woolroom now has the potential to do much more than that – it can provide you with an all-round better sleeping experience

A

FTER all, we spend up to a third of our lives in our beds; it’s a really important part of our lives. It’s estimated for a couple celebrating their Diamond Wedding Anniversary will have spent 20+ years in bed together!

And yet, we often spend more time selecting our flat screen TV than we do our bed, which is crazy. Which is where The Woolroom comes in – it can transform your sleeping experience.

The Wool Room offers the complete sleeping experience – the divan, the mattress, the mattress topper or protector, the duvet, all made of natural wool.

And not just any old wool. It is sourced from the Central Wool Growers based in Essendine, so you know it has come from East of England sheep. Unlike what goes into other commercially produced products where, however grand the filling sounds, you have no idea of its provenance. And the beds are made in Yorkshire. So you are buying British throughout.

SO WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF WOOL? Well, in a word, enormous.

Wool products give you a better night’s sleep – research has shown a 25% deeper, more gentle sleep.

First and foremost it is the most adaptable filling known to man, which means it adjusts to your individual body temperature. If your partner gets hotter or colder than you (which is almost always the case) it will adapt to each of you so you are both at the right temperature throughout the night. Wool is the only fibre that can do this.

Second, being natural, it is ideal for allergy or asthma suffers. The Woolroom’s products are the only natural sleep solution endorsed by Allergy UK. Third, wool is non-flammable; so they pass all flammability regulations without the need to be sprayed with brominated flame retardants as other commercial mattresses need to be. You are sleeping on something 100% natural with no added chemicals.

Finally, wool products are beautiful, comfortable and desirable. Modern, classic

design, with a choice of over 250 British made wool fabrics, you can tailor the bed exactly to your needs, and all at a price which is competitive with other high street retailers.

You can find out much more about the unique benefits of wool at their website at: www. thewoolroom.com/5reasons Chris Tattersall runs and owns the business and is a passionate advocate of wool. In his words: “Our complete sleep solution will deliver you the very best natural, healthy night’s sleep and will work with the individual in providing the ultimate in sleeping comfort.”

WHAT DO THE PUNTERS THINK? “I love your products very much and my sleep has much improved with your woollen pillows and the mattress topper, thank you for quick delivery!”

“Absolute bliss, the comfort of the mattress topper on a firmish bed for bad back giving support and comfort.”

“We have been so impressed that we’ve bought the all seasons duvet and deluxe pillows. The quality is excellent and the sleeping experience second to none. My morning asthma attacks and sneezing has gone and it is a joy to sleep in the warm summer nights. We’re so confident in the wool room’s products that we recently put an order in for a mattress! Can’t wait :)” “I ordered 3 woollen duvets and they arrived very promptly. We are very very happy with them and both children are sleeping very well. Our daughter who was also very “hayfevery” in the mornings is now totally cleared up now that we have removed the feather down duvet inners. I would recommend both the Wool Room and the duvets we got.”

To look at other reviews, visit www.reviews.co.uk and type in ‘the woolroom’ To see the products and find out the difference that wool products can make and how beautiful they look, just visit the store in Star Lane.

• The Wool Room, 8/9 Star Lane, Stamford, PE9 1PH. Tel: 01780 767927 www.thewoolroom.com STAMFORD LIVING SEPTEMBER 2015

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19/08/2015 12:54

STAMFORD OBSERVER

Stamford just loves a car boot sale Words and Photography by Loo Loo Rose

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HE first thing I laid my eyes on was a huge china doll with a peculiar face. She wore a pale pink dress reminiscent of the 1800s, complete with a lacy pink hat. Oh, she was fabulous! I just had to have her. Her hair, which was an off-ginger colour, felt rough and matted, but at the price of £2 who can complain? I took her home and proudly laid her in my conservatory to sleep with my uninterested cats, until I could think of a nice, old fashioned name and a place to display her. That night I had a nightmare about her face on a smaller doll’s body. I dreamt that she wanted to kill me and now she lives in the shed.

It was my first ever experience patrolling a traditionally British car boot sale just past Stamford with my Grandma on my arm, anchored down with empty bags-for-life and a purse full of change. It really was a sight to see, with cars driving in and the rows of old mismatched tables filling up quickly. I noticed there were a lot of locals selling things from their vans - forget the car boot, people had upgraded to full on vehicle sales! There was an array of ornaments on nearly every table, ugly and unique ones alike. Every now and then we would pass an unmissable object taking centre stage, such as a very old rocking horse and even a disturbingly large crochet clown. There were so many children’s toys it makes you wonder why anyone would ever pay full.

One woman was selling a rail of pastel handmade crochet cardigans, clearly for babies. It didn’t stop me buying one, though, as the mint green would prove to be very complimentary to my pet cat. I then stumbled upon an actual fireplace (another unmissable object) which had been casually ripped out of a wall of someone’s home. It was fascinating to see what items and old tat people bring and sell, and indeed what people will buy just for the sake of buying, myself included.

Another particular lady was sitting on the phone with her legs hanging out of her car with her dark shades on. She really needn’t have bothered wasting her Sunday morning, as her stock was a pathetic pile of old clothes laid out on an even older blanket. Her display consisted of about

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three skirts and a jumper which had seen better days. I highly doubt she got much for them, (if they even sold) judging by how cheaply all the other clothes were being sold around us. Considering the fact she had to pay a £5 entry free, it hardly seemed worth the hassle. I was also quite surprised to see a stall selling electronics and household stock from a “proper” shop... is that allowed? Nevertheless we purchased some conditioner, which seems like a bizarre thing to pick up at a boot sale.

It seems anything goes, here, including a stall with an array of useless broken 50p watches and old broaches.

A pushy man with no teeth tried extremely hard to sell me a broken mantel clock, eventually bringing the price right down to £2. Excuse me sir, it’s not so much the price, it’s more that I just don’t want the item.

Bless him, he tried.

As we neared the end of the row of open car boots, there was a wonderful man selling flowers from his van. He had a huge smile and a brown jacket. As we got a bit closer I noticed his gold chain. I took everything in; was this the real life Del Boy? I hadn’t realised such a character still existed - I thought the cockney market man was long gone with the rise of high street shops. He was chirping happily to all of his customers, who were thoroughly enjoying him and his music. He truly brought the atmosphere to the place, throwing his arm around me and saying, “You won’t find cheaper than these flowers or I’m in the wrong game!” as I giggled helplessly. Needless to say we walked back to our car armed with some new garden goodies.

So I have now ticked Stamford car boot sales off of the bucket list and they in turn have reaffirmed my belief that the people of Britain are just so peculiar. All in all a car boot sale is a perfect way to spend a lovely (albeit risky due to our unpredictable weather) Sunday morning. I just have one qualm; why on Earth do they need to start at 6am?! One young girl helping her mother sell bits and bobs had the right idea, wearing a onesie and slippers, although perhaps not the most “Stamford” of outfits.

STAMFORD LIVING SEPTEMBER 2015

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UPDATES

Holidays in style S

urrounded by wildflower meadows, rolling farmland and magical woodlands in Ashton Wold near Oundle, the three luxury holiday rental houses at the Lady Rothschild Dairy offer a stylish country retreat. Named after artists Constable, Turner and Gainsborough, everything about the warm stone and thatch holiday house apartments, joined together around a U-shaped central courtyard on the historic Ashton Estate, breathes quality, elegance and attention to detail. Many original features have been restored and incorporated into the thoughtful design of the beautifully furnished conversions with their solid oak finishes and strikingly modern kitchens and bathrooms.

The Constable House, with its magnificent vaulted ceiling over the open plan living/dining and kitchen area, has five bedrooms plus a pull out truckle bed in the study, and can easily accommodate 12 people.

The Turner House is full of original features, including a spiral staircase and walkway above the sitting room. It has four bedrooms and with a sofa bed in the large attic bedroom it is ideal accommodation for up to ten people.

The Gainsborough House has exposed oak beams and an unusual design, with the large living area situated on the first floor and all four bedrooms located on the ground floor. It accommodates eight people, the dining table seats up to 10 and large double doors with ‘Juliette balconies’ open up to spectacular views over the countryside from the first floor.

• Each holiday house apartment has its very own Shepherds Hut and the use of a nearby communal garden. For more details see www.ashtonestatecountryholidays.co.uk

Helping with Fertility J

o George is dedicated to helping infertile couples by enhancing their chances to have a baby. At The Broad Street Practice, Stamford she treats both men and women using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and over the past ten years, couples have come to her with every kind of fertility problem. Some of her patients simultaneously undergo assisted conception programmes; others have no medical intervention other than the treatment they receive from her.

TCM is a unique, distinct and independent medical system that has been practised in China for more than 5,000 years. It is still the medicine of choice in the country today, although Western medicine is practised alongside it.

Practitioners like Jo view the human body in an entirely different way from their colleagues in Western medicine. According to TCM, everything is interconnected, which means every malfunction in any part of the body has an underlying cause that must be addressed, and treatment involves the whole person.

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 in conjunction with IVF or IUI or on its own. In women, TCM can help with hormonal and ovulatory problems, from PCOS to endometriosis and in men, it can improve sperm count and/or sperm motility. In fact the latest research has shown that TCM can maximise the chance of success when undergoing IVF, proving even the most sophisticated assisted conception techniques can benefit from a helping hand.

Jo George is a fully insured registered member of the BacC & RCHM leading regulatory bodies of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine in the UK. Jo is a highly-trained medical practitioner with over 14 years of knowledge and experience in Eastern medicines including extensive training in China, Australia and the UK to Masters standard.

• Jo is always happy to talk and share her knowledge, please call for a preliminary phone conversation on 07914 851995. It’s an ideal opportunity to discuss your particular problem and whether you feel she can help you.

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PHOTOS: JON HOLMES PHOTOGRAPHY

Professional chef crowned CLA Game Fair’s Game Chef of the Year

William Cecil Head Chef Phil Kent was crowned the 2015 CLA Game Fair’s Game Chef of the Year, held in association with The Field magazine

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he competition was designed to find an unrecognised professional chef who enjoys cooking with game meat and embrace the Great British Countryside through their food. The judges were leading game chef Mike Robinson and the editor of The Field, Jonathan Young. All finalists were asked to cook a loin of venison, provided by Home Farmed Venison, together with five ingredients of their choice and three mystery ingredients.

Phil cooked his venison with sautéed potatoes, blackberry compote and a Madeira reduction. “I have never felt so nervous,” he commented, adding: “But I was really pleased with the food that I produced and wouldn’t have changed anything on the plate. The secret to cooking venison well is to let it rest sufficiently. This is the first time I have ever entered a competition so I am thrilled to have won.”

Jonathan Young, Editor of The Field, added: “The Field has been delighted to support, yet again, the Game Chef of the Year. It’s shown just how brilliant nature’s harvest can be on the table when it’s cooked by talented chefs.”

The winning venison dish will be available at The William Cecil from mid-August subject to availability, upon request. If you’d like to feast on all things game then Phil will be hosting a dedicated game & wine evening on Friday 13th November from 7:30 pm • William Cecil Hotel, St Martin’s, Stamford, PE9 2LJ Tel: 01780 750070 www.thewilliamcecil.co.uk

STAMFORD LIVING SEPTEMBER 2015

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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.

U

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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19/08/2015 11:36

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Over 90 shops, 15 places to eat, thousands of brands, late night shopping.

33 QUE374 Brands Stamford Living A4.indd 1

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19/08/2015 11:36

Guide Price

Tallington A large executive stone family home with private garden and double garage.

• • • •

• • • • •

£599,000

3 Receptions, kitchen/breakfast room, utility, conservatory.

Principal bedroom with en suite, 4 further bedrooms, bathroom.

Double garage, private rear garden, views towards church at front.

Energy rating D/67

Wittering

Alwalton

Kings Cliffe

Impressive Grade II listed former Rectory with grounds of approx 4 acres with countryside views.

A charming Grade II listed thatched cottage in a popular village location.

An attractive Grade II listed village home in grounds of 0.3 acres with separate 1 bedroom annexe

2 Receptions, large kitchen/breakfast room, utility.

2 En suite bedrooms, 4 further bedrooms, bathroom.

Outbuildings with workshop, garage and store.

Listed Dovecote, garden, land of just over 3 acres.

Energy rating exempt

Guide Price

£900,000

• 3 Receptions, kitchen/breakfast room, conservatory, utility.

• 3 En suite bedrooms • Ground floor bedroom/study, shower room.

• Double garage, private enclosed rear garden.

• Energy rating exempt

Guide Price

£645,000

• • • • •

4 Receptions, kitchen/breakfast room, utility.

3 En suite bedrooms, 2 further bedrooms.

3 Attic rooms for conversion.

1 bedroom self-contained annexe.

Energy rating exempt.

Guide Price

£950,000

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19/08/2015 11:37

PROPERTY

‘Everything Matters’ at Norton Rickett Norton Rickett Estate Agents has just celebrated its third anniversary and are looking to the future with confidence, offering a highly distinctive service in the local property market. Nicholas Rudd-Jones went to visit them

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OU know as soon as you visit their offices to expect something different: a delightful cottage at the back of Wittering Grange Farm, with the door wide open and a warm welcome, proper coffee and biscuits.

Norton Rickett pride themselves on the breadth and depth of service. “To us, everything matters,” Nick Rickett, Director, told me. Together with his business partner Paul Norton and negotiator Louise Fox, they have 50 years combined experience in the estate agency business.

Norton Rickett specialise in local properties that offer fabulous lifestyle opportunities: properties with land, properties with swimming pools and tennis courts, barn conversions with stunning architectural features, quaint village cottages, classic Georgian properties with stunning, classic looks.

Their geographic reach extends to the border of Rutland to the west, Bourne and beyond to the north, Thorney to the east and Thrapston to the south.

And what makes the Norton Rickett service so notable?

First of all, excellent marketing and reach Norton Rickett’s marketing package is enviably good, comprising: • Professional Photography that truly captures the beauty of your home and its gardens – often taking a new angle or shot that will surprise you, perhaps an elevated view • High quality videos, giving your buyer a full sense of the ‘lifestyle’ your home offers.

Example videos can be viewed on the website • Top quality brochure – first class presentation and, very importantly, floor plan as standard • Press advertising; both in the local press and national magazines, including Country Life • A London office on the edge of Mayfair – a vital market, which accounts for up to 50% of viewings; instrumental in introducing new buyers, as well as securing editorial coverage for properties across a wide range of newspapers and magazines, including Country Life, The Field and The Week • Online marketing via Righmove and Zoopla which guarantees a broad reach, including enquires from overseas, including the USA, Europe and South-East Asia.

Secondly, good communication Norton Rickett is a close-knit team of three, all based in the same office, so that all information, both large and small, is immediately shared.

They take time to listen carefully to buyers, fine-tuning their requirements to provide them with an optimum set of properties to view, rather than bombard them with all properties in their price range

Nick

Louise

Paul

Thirdly, full support right up to completion Nick explained: “We know that securing and negotiating an acceptable offer is only part of our responsibility. After sales encompasses a complicated process from accepting the offer right through to the new owner moving in. We never let up until a great result is achieved.”

and I had no need to be present. Regular progress information was provided, and Nick, Paul or Louise were always available to answer questions or provide advice. In all respects their service well exceeded expectations and I would have no hesitation in recommending their agency to anyone.” April 2015

Client Satisfaction The best proof of all is that much new business now comes from referrals and new projects with existing clients.

Here are a few extracts from feedback you can see more of on their website: “Norton Rickett has been very professional but approachable agents. The sale of my property went through very smoothly. I could not have asked for a better service. I would highly recommend Norton Rickett.” July 2015

“We just wanted to thank you for all you effort in helping us sell our home recently. From our first meeting, when you valued our property, to securing our buyer and completing the transaction we can only praise your courtesy, expertise and common sense. Your (very polite) photographer took time and a great deal of care and we were more than happy with the results.

With a fantastic offer from our first viewing, through to a seamless completion we can’t see how it could have gone any better. So thank you Norton and Rickett for making what can be a difficult process such a success.” December 2014 • Norton Rickett, Wittering Grange Cottage, Old Oundle Road, Wansford, PE8 6NR Tel: 01780 782 999 www.nortonrickett.co.uk

“I would like to express my complete satisfaction with the way NR dealt with the sale. The brochure was of the highest quality and promotion extensive but appropriate. Viewings were managed in conjunction with the tenant

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19/08/2015 13:18

Buying a new or used car?

MOST OF US DON’T SPARE A THOUGHT FOR CAR FINANCE UNTIL WE FIND OUT WE COULD HAVE SAVED MONEY

When it comes to car finance, we can offer a better deal than the dealerships.

Audi Dealership Quote: Initial payment of £464.41, followed by 47 monthly payments of £304.41, and then an optional balloon payment of £11,376.25.

Total payable: £26,147.93, APR: 9.9%

Charles & Dean Quote: Initial payment of £310.54, followed by 47 monthly payments of £260.54, and then an optional balloon payment of £11,525.

Total payable: £24,080.92, APR: 6.9%

Charles & Dean Total Customer Saving: £2,067.01

www.charlesanddean.com We’re here for you: 8am until 8pm, 7 days a week

01780 763836

Quotes shown are based on the purchase of a 2014 Audi S3 Sportback TFSI Quattro with a purchase price of £29,850, and £10,000 deposit.

Charles 36 & Dean Ltd is a credit broker and credit intermediary. We operate with a panel of lenders from whom we may be paid a commission. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

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19/08/2015 11:37

BUSINESS

MONEY SAVING TIPS FOR CAR BUYERS:

Common Car Finance Myths Dispelled, with Charles & Dean We spoke to Tom Perkins and Simon Grace at Charles & Dean to dispel a few common myths, and to find out how local car buyers can reap the moneysaving benefits of using a finance broker Myth One: I can shop around for a finance deal myself If you’re looking for the best possible finance deal on a new or used car, the only way you can truly shop around is by using a finance broker.

Independent finance brokers have access to a wide range of car finance packages and will shop around for you to get you the best deal.

Although car dealerships also offer finance packages, they are often uncompetitive due to dealers being restricted to using in-house finance providers.

At Charles & Dean, we have immediate access to some of the most competitive lenders in the country. It’s worth giving us a call before you even start looking for a car, as we can help you to establish how much you can afford to spend. Our customers are regularly surprised at just how competitive we are and our affordable deals mean that some of them even end up buying an upgraded model – as they realise they can get more car for their money with us!

“At Charles & Dean we will take time to fully discuss all appropriate finance options with you, including loans, leases and overdrafts. You can then make an informed choice to ensure your finance package suits your individual requirements.”

Myth Two: It takes too much time and hassle to use a finance broker Finance brokers can shop around for you quickly, comparing a range of lenders in a matter of minutes.

At Charles & Dean, we will make the finance application process as convenient for you as possible. As well as finding you the best finance deal, we’ll also help with the paperwork. You’ll just need to provide us with the same information that you would supply to the car dealership’s finance provider, such as your proof of ID and income.

We will liaise with the car dealership on your behalf to arrange funding for your car and we will explain strategies to help you reduce the term of your loan - saving you time not just in getting a deal, but also in paying off your finance sooner.

Myth Five: Finance is only available for brand new cars Brokers are able to finance used cars, as well as new cars. Whether the car you are looking to finance is brand new, a few years old or over ten years old, it’s worth giving us a call at Charles & Dean.

Myth Three: I will be charged a fee if I use a finance broker At Charles & Dean, we do not charge a fee to provide information and we take a ‘non-salesy’ approach – allowing our competitive deals to speak for themselves. We will take time to fully discuss all appropriate finance options with you, including loans, leases and overdrafts. You can then make an informed choice to ensure your finance package suits your individual requirements.

Myth Six: I’m buying my car through the manufacturer’s official dealership, and using a broker will invalidate my warranty Car manufacturer warranties and used car warranties are not affected by using a finance broker. Regardless of whether you are buying a car from the manufacturer’s official dealership, or a manufacturer-approved dealership, you can still use a finance broker. No matter which reputable dealer you’re using to buy your new or used car, it’s worth giving us a call.

Myth Four: The option of a Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) is only available through a dealership Brokers are able to offer the same types of finance packages that car dealerships can offer, including Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) packages. With a PCP package, monthly payments are often lower than with other methods of finance. Having a PCP is a bit like leasing a car, but you have the option to own the vehicle outright by paying a final sum at the end of the agreement, known as a ‘balloon payment’.

• For the best possible deal on car finance, call the friendly team at Charles & Dean on 01780 763836.

• Charles & Dean, Willoughby House, 2 Broad Street, Stamford. Tel: 01780 763836 (8am until 8pm, 7 days a week) Charles & Dean is a Stamford-based independent finance broker that specialises in financing vehicles, as well as other assets, including agricultural and construction machinery, surveying equipment, fixed assets and property.

STAMFORD LIVING SEPTEMBER 2015

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GET ACTIVE

Rhino’s Gymnasium Stamford is the home of one of only twelve super gyms in the UK. William Eichler visits Rhino’s Gymnasium to investigate the curious world of bodybuilding

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ALKING into Rhino’s Gymnasium (Unit 22, Gwash Way Industrial Estate, Ryhall Road, Stamford PE9 1XP) I have a sensation not unlike the first time I entered a church. It is a cavernous place full of dedicated people pursuing self-improvement. Here they are working on their bodies rather than their souls, and the thumping rhythms from the loudspeakers differ markedly from Gregorian chants, but the effect is much the same. It is a place of worship.

Fitness training is not high on my list of priorities. I have a bike that gets me from A to B, but I’m generally a panting mess before I can ever reach C. A few sessions in a gym (and fewer trips to Stamford’s Fine Foods Cafe) would do me good. Still, on this occasion I opt for not embarrassing myself by attempting to lift weights. I don’t have the time or the right clothes or...well, I’m sure you’re familiar with the excuses.

I’m here to meet Billy Croson during one of his regular sessions in Rhino’s.

He has promised to give me some inside info on his particular denomination of fitness training: bodybuilding.

Billy recently placed first in his second competition in London, UK Ultimate Physiques and so I suspect he knows what he’s talking about.

“I mainly train at Rhino’s Gymnasium here in Stamford,” Billy tells me. “It’s an awesome place with pretty much everything you need, friendly people and a good atmosphere.” Billy started training around nine years ago for endurance events, including a number of triathlons in Scotland, but injuries put a stop to this and so he turned to bodybuilding.

It was the discipline that first attracted him to this curious pastime. “The best thing about bodybuilding for me,” he says, “is that is requires a great amount of dedication, drive and desire, day in, day out…once, twice maybe three times per day.” He certainly is committed.

He follows a strict dietary regime that includes six to seven cooked meals a day with two and a half hours between each one. And he still manages to find time for snacks.

There is another aspect, apart from the discipline, that attracts Billy to the sport. “I’ve always been fascinated by mythology and the Greek statues which look so powerful and

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“We have created the most diverse training facility, combining cardio, resistance, functional, olympic lift, sprint track, outdoor gym, strongman area, and studio all in one area.” aesthetically pleasing, so I made a promise to myself to try and shape my body like that.” This could be the influence of his brother, local artist Clinton Croson. I once spent a couple of weeks trailing behind Clinton as he carefully studied every Nick Swann classical statue and religious icon Italy had to offer.

I posed in cafés drinking espresso (and yes, eating cake) while he took in the culture. But I couldn’t ignore the overwhelming presence of the classically inspired, well chiselled torso of David watching over the Piazza della Signoria. True, Unit 22 of Gwash Way Industrial Estate is a long way from Florence, but there is a Renaissancelike quality about the presence of statuesque people religiously contemplating their physiques.

Anyone can join the gym. Nick Swann, who co-owns Rhino’s with his son Samuel, is in his 50s and is a serious competitor in bodybuilding competitions. He came first in the over fifties categories in the Mr Apollo and the UKBFF Cumbrian Classic competitions. He has also received an invite to the British Championships this October. Obviously, bodybuilding is not just a young man’s game.

The gym certainly seems to have all the equipment needed for a member to uncover his inner Adonis. “We have created the most diverse training facility,” Nick says, “combining cardio, resistance, functional, olympic lift, sprint track, outdoor gym, strongman area, and studio all in one area.” This Hammer Strength accredited training centre is also one of only 12 super gyms in the UK. • If you would like to get into shape you can phone Nick on 07554219400 or email him at rhinosgymnasium@live.com. He is confident that 2017 is the year Stamford will have a British Champion bodybuilder. I’m sure that it won’t be me, but perhaps you may have a shot.

STAMFORD LIVING SEPTEMBER 2015

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Windows • Conservatories • Bi-Folding Doors • Garage Doors If you are considering any home improvements please contact us for advice and for a competitive quote JUST A SMALL TASTER OF WHAT IS ON DISPLAY IN OUR STAMFORD SHOWROOM • 7 Display Kitchens’ • 15 Composite Front/Back Doors • French Doors/Patio Doors/Bi-Folding Doors • 1 Working Display Model of Electric Roller Garage Door • Windows in Cream, Black, Irish Oak, Golden Oak, Rosewood, White & Grey • English Heritage Approved Sliding Sash Window • Large Rubber Covered Flat Roofing Display Model • Full size roof corner showing Fascia’s Soffits and Guttering • White and coloured Cladding • Warm Roof with Velux

Open: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-3pm

Tel: 01780 654321 www.classicstamford.co.uk Email: sales@classic1992.co.uk 12 St Leonard’s Street, Stamford, Lincs PE9 2HN 39

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UPDATES

Shisha Pipes arrive at the Mad Turk C

az and Shelley are life’s natural innovators – first they brought us fun Turkish Cypriot cuisine, then the best outdoor eating area in Stamford and now they bring you the Shisha pipe. Well, ten in fact, and the remarkable thing is the number of flavours you can enjoy them in ...mint, melon, apple, melon, strawberry to name a few.

And they can also be infused with a shot. I tried mine with vodka, and boy did it taste good. This adds yet another dimension to the Mad Turk offering. A mini-mezze in the garden, with a drink and a little smoke from the Shisha pipe…and you are transported to the Middle East at a fraction of the normal cost.

Where did they come up with the idea? “Well, we like to do things differently,” Caz told me, “and we are the first in Stamford to try it. In London it’s becoming all the rage; we first tried it out down there in the excellent Momo Restaurant and really loved the experience.”

Try it out, it’s fun.

• The Mad Turk, 8-9 St Paul’s St, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 2BE 01780 238001 www.themadturk.co.uk

The rising tax cost of having a company car Kerry Hilliard, Partner at Stephenson Smart accountancy firm in Peterborough, highlights what you need to be aware of if you have a company car

Welcome To Braeburn Lodge W

hether you are a resident, relative or part of the local community, everyone gets a great reception at Braeburn Lodge.

Braeburn Lodge provides first – class nursing and residential care, as well as expert care for those living with dementia.

Our team is committed to providing professional and respectful care and maintaining Barchester’s exceptional standards. These standards stretch across the board, not just in relation to the care they provide. But also in the hospitality, housekeeping, maintenance and administrative services.

In regular consultation with you and those close to you, the team creates a tailor-made care plan which is regularly updated to ensure your needs are constantly met.

Barchester recognises that no two people are the same and so our care is tailored to your personal preferences, lifestyle and medical history.

Putting Your Needs First Braeburn Lodge works in conjunction with local GPs, health and social services to ensure the best possible package of care and support is available to every resident.

Alongside supporting your care needs, they are also here to help you with your daily living activities. As this is your home, family and friends are welcome to visit any time.

Regardless of the care you need, everyone here has the same goal: to provide you with the best advice, support and care that they can.

• If you would like a tour of the home or just need some friendly advice, please contact them: Tel: 01778 381 920 www.barchester.com Braeburn Road, Deeping St James, PE6 8GP

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T

ypically, if you are an employee or a director, you will have received a notice of coding for the 2015/16 tax year several months ago. If you haven’t done so already, it is well worthwhile comparing this to the notice of coding for 2014/15. The simple reason is that if you have a company car and you haven’t changed it recently, you will probably see a larger than normal increase in the estimated company car benefit.

Most cars are taxed by reference to bands of CO2 emissions. The percentage applied to each band has in most cases gone up by 1% each year with an overriding maximum charge of 35% of the list price of the car. From 6 April 2015 the percentage applied by each band goes up by 2% with a maximum charge of 37%. A petrol car with an original list price of £30,000 and CO2 emissions of 135 will see an increase in the taxable benefit from £6,000 (20%) to £6,600 (22%).

What does the future hold? It won’t get any better.

From 6 April 2016 there will be a further 2% increase with similar increases in 2017/18 and 2018/19. For 2019/20 the rate will increase by a further 3%. So if the same car is still owned in 2019/20, the car benefit is £9,300 (31%) even though the car will be nine years old.

There is a slight bit of good news on the horizon for diesel cars. These have historically carried a 3% supplement and this will be removed from 6 April 2016.

• For more information and tax advice on company car and other employment benefits contact Stephenson Smart on 01733 343275 or go to www.stephensonsmart.com

STAMFORD LIVING SEPTEMBER 2015

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PROPERTY

David Crooke, owner of UPP Property Agents Antonia Scott speaks to local entrepreneurs to find out how they have succeeded in motivating themselves and their team to ensure their company is successful

How it all began....

After university, David had a career in the corporate world of media working for Reed Elsevier for over 10 years, moving from London to Sydney, Australia before settling back in Stamford with his wife Lottie and young family.

In 2007 they both launched Moores Lettings in partnership with Moores Estate Agents, as Moores wanted to focus on sales. This meant they were able to give clients the option of letting their property which was good timing in the aftermath of the credit crunch. “The partnership worked extremely well as Vernon Moore, owner of Moores Estate Agents, and I could focus solely on our core business, offering each client exactly what they wanted.

Moores Lettings grew rapidly achieving 100% increase in turnover each year.”

In 2014 the opportunity arose to acquire Oakham Property Services (OPS), a wellestablished lettings business based in Oakham and during this time, David and Lottie made the business decision to move away from their partnership with Moores and go solo. Their new brand,UPP Property Agents was launched in February 2015 – retaining their recognisable pink branding whilst bringing something new, fresh and distinctive to market. “We didn’t just want to be another local agent calling themselves after their own surname – after all, with a surname like Crooke, it wasn’t going to work anyway!”

UPP Property Agents have now launched a separate sales department, headed up by Adrian McCarthy who has a wealth of local property knowledge and experience, and works alongside both Lottie and Dave who concentrate on the lettings side of the business.

As with their approach to lettings, their sales offering challenges the traditional way of buying and selling a home. Following months of industry research, they have cleverly created a straight-forward three-tier package putting the seller, the experience of a local agent and the power of the internet together. “It is exciting to be the only agent in our area to offer home owners this new type of service and the feedback is great”.

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Inspiration, Motivation, Vision and Drive....

“Historically, estate agents haven’t always had the best reputation, so Lottie and I have always set out to dispel this myth! We are both motivated by the high level of positive feedback we receive and the number of recommendations we get through word of mouth. I am driven to ensure our business has the best processes so that we can deliver the best service to our clients.

We are now one of the largest lettings agencies in Rutland and Stamford, but more importantly for me, is that we have the reputation as the ‘go to’ agent for property advice and service”.

Passion, belief and mantras!

“My background in the corporate world taught me that you need to surround yourself with like-minded people and grow and nurture your business team. By providing our staff with the best tools and processes to operate and giving them the autonomy to manage their own time effectively whilst also having a support system in place. Regular communication is key to any successful business – both with my team and our clients.

I’m a firm believer in leading from the front – my father used to say to me, “ work hard, play hard but always work a little harder!” which I think sums up my work ethos. I also like “The harder I try, the luckier I get”; and Henry Ford’s famous quote, “If you believe you can, or you believe you can’t - you are absolutely right”

Where next?

“Lottie and I have worked extremely hard to create our vision for UPP Property Agents and like many working parents we aim to find the elusive work/life balance. Having relocated from overseas, house hunted in a new area, purchased our family home and invested in a Buy-To-Let property, we feel really well placed to empathise with our clients’ needs and we always endeavour to give sound property advice to people, whatever their situation.”

With offices in St John’s Street, Stamford and Church Street, Oakham, UPP Property Agents will be looking to increase their Sales portfolio this year and are also launching a Property Newsletter and Property blog next month.

• For more information: www.upp-property.co.ukTel: Oakham: 01572 725825 Stamford: 01780 484554

STAMFORD LIVING SEPTEMBER 2015

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Move UPP

OPTION ONE

Adrian McCarthy,

upfront and no VAT

Sell your house with UPP Property Agents…

The prominence of the internet in property sales is continuing to gain momentum, putting the homeowner at the front of the property selling process. We also believe in putting our clients first by offering a bespoke service based around the power of the internet, whilst at the same time giving sound local property market advice from an experienced, proactive team.

Choose the most effective way to sell your home from one of our three cost saving hassle free options.

Adrian looks forward to discussing the best way to market your property with you, and to arrange a free, no obligation valuation.

01572 725 825/01780 484 554 adrian.mccarthy@upp-property.co.uk

with us

Managing Director

Sell for £399*

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Move

David Crooke,

Move UPP

OPTION TWO Sell for £199*

upfront and 0.5% on completion and no VAT

Move UPP

OPTION THREE No fee upfront*

and 1.2% of the sale price on completion and no VAT

Let your house with UPP Property Agents…

We offer valuable advice and support whether you are looking to buy your first investment property or adding to your existing portfolio, UPP is the perfect partner to maximise your financial return.

The UPP team know Stamford and Rutland intimately and will give your property maximum exposure across a wide range of media.

For helpful advice on what makes a great property investment, or to arrange a free, no obligation valuation, contact David.

01572 725 825/01780 484 554 david@upp-property.co.uk

12 St Johns Street, Stamford, PE9 2DB Call: 01780 484554

20 Church Street, Oakham, LE15 6AA Call: 01572 725825

Find our properties on:

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info@upp-property.co.uk •

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Tel: 01780 654321 Email: sales@classic1992.co.uk www.classicstamford.co.uk 12 St Leonard’s Street, Stamford, Lincs PE9 2HN 47

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SEASIDE STROLLS

Sheringham to Cromer This walk features two delightful small towns full of vitality and seaside charm, plus stunning seascapes and the chance to walk back along the beach.

POINTS OF INTEREST The North Norfolk Railway (NNR) connects Sheringham to Holt and runs steam trains. To view train times, visit www.nnrailway.co.uk.

Sheringham has a delightful and traditional high street. It has always had an active fishing fleet, and today its focus is crabs, lobsters and whelks. Sheringham Museum on the seafront merits a visit, especially for the town’s maritime history. Find out more at www.sheringhammuseum.co.uk Beeston Bump is an unexpected protuberance in the landscape. Known as a ‘kame’, it is the result of glacial activity, created when glaciers retreated northwards at the end of the last Ice Age over 10,000 years ago.

Beeston Hill and Roman Camp is one of the high points in the county at 103 metres. No actual evidence of Roman occupation has ever been found, but in medieval times iron ore was dug from the ground accounting for the many pits that can be seen around and could easily be mistaken for earthworks.

Cromer is famous for its historic pier and seaside charm. Aside from the pier itself, The Henry Blogg (Lifeboat) Museum (Tel: 01263 511294, on the gangway E of the pier) merits a visit, as does the Cromer Museum (Tel: 01263 513543, Tucker St, NR27 9HB), where you can step inside a tiny fisherman’s cottage and imagine life in Cromer at the end of the 19th century.

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WALK DATA Distance: 8 kms (5 miles); an extra 6kms (3 1/2 miles) if you walk back along the beach Typical time: 2 hrs (3.5hours including beach back) Height gain: 100 metres Map: OS Landranger 133 NE Norfolk Start: Coasthopper Bus Stop: Sheringham, Railway Approach (opposite NNR) Finish: Coasthopper Bus Stop: Cromer, Cadogan Rd (S side of Evington Gardens) Parking: Sheringham Station Car Park (NR26 8RA) Terrain: straightforward; sturdy footwear recommended Norfolk Coast Path: this route follows the Norfolk Coast Path for almost its entire length. The path is well signed and the route is marked with an acorn motif.

STAMFORD LIVING SEPTEMBER 2015

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1 2

3

4

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©Crown copyright 2015 Ordnance Survey. Media 048/15

THE ROUTE: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

From the Coasthopper Bus Stop at the NNR, head left (N), first along Station Rd and then along the High St to the promenade Turn right (E) here, following the North Norfolk coast path, which takes you out of town and to the top of the Beeston Bump, standing proud above the town Descending on the other side, the path turns right (S) after 200 metres and you cross the railway line, still following the North Norfolk Coast Path which heads inland at this point Cross the main coast road, take a turning left on the other side, then a right following the track up into the hills On reaching the woods, bear left, then veer right up a mini-wooded valley, always following the acorn signs Pause on Beacon Hill & the Roman Camp and enjoy the views, before crossing the road at which point the metalled track heads left (N) After about 400 metres the track turns to the right (E) and then heads in an easterly direction all the way to Cromer, with one kink then a road crossing and going under the railway As you approach the town and go past a camp site on your right, you have a choice. On reaching the road, continue straight following the coast path signs along Sandy Lane to join the main road heading into Cromer; or if you prefer a slightly quieter route, head left (N) at this point, cross over the railway line, turn right and then shortly left (NE) across a green space; at the other side of which you turn right (E) onto Howard’s Hill Rd and head into the centre of Cromer.

Route back: catch the Coasthopper Bus back from Cadogan Rd, on the S side of Evington Gardens; or walk along the beach, depending on the tides, which you can check at www.tidetimes.org.uk/cromer-tide-times

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ACTIVITIES

We love our clubs and societies!

Each month we take a look at some clubs and societies to help persuade you to try out something new

Stamford Civic Society C

Luffenham Heath Golf Club L

uffenham Heath is one of the region’s premier golf clubs, and is consistently listed amongst the Top 100 golf clubs in the country, by virtue of its challenging traditional heathland course, where the next hole is hardly ever visible from the one before.

Its appeal to quality players was recently emphasised by being chosen as a regional qualifying course for the British Open Championship.

But just as with all golf courses up and down the country, the committee has appreciated that it needs to modernise with the times and this it has done with much success in recent years; undertaking a major refurbishment of the facilities; and creating an ‘Ancaster’ course which offers slightly less challenging distances, with no carry more than 80-100 yards. And the course maintenance is excellent, using the advice of expert agronomists, which means that all-year round playability is very good.

And there is a very helpful pro-staff of three, who will help you with all your golfing needs and queries.

The facilities are top ‘hotel’ standard, the clubhouse has great Edwardian charm looking out over the heath, there is a healthy women’s membership as well as men’s and overall a very friendly atmosphere.

Just turn up or call if you are interested in finding out whether membership could be for you: • Luffenham Heath Golf Club, Stamford Rd, Ketton, Stamford, Rutland PE9 3UU 01780 720205 www.luffenhamheath.org

Stamford Badminton Clubs I

f you’re looking for a new and casual sport to get into, badminton can be just that.

If you want a fast, energyintensive sport, badminton can cater to those needs, as well. The sport’s appeal lies in its versatility; it’s a game for all ages and its played indoors so bad weather doesn’t interfere with your game. And it has a fun social side too.

Badminton clubs in Stamford are very sociable and welcome new members.

arole Meade writes: “Stamford Civic Society was formed by a small group in the early 1960s to defend the town’s heritage and actively fight for its preservation and improvement. Since then, it has grown to a membership of over 200 people.

“In addition to our work to protect and enhance the town’s heritage and conservation, we also campaign on issues such as inappropriate developments when necessary. We organise visits in the summer to local places of interest and in the winter arrange monthly talks – often in the historic setting of Browne’s Hospital - on a variety of subjects related to architecture, the local environment and history of the area.

Our work with local Celebrating midsummer at schools encourages the children to take an the site of the 12th century interest in their town. St Leonard’s Priory which the Civic Society has helped to We run a biennial conserve and maintain. awards scheme which highlights achievements of individuals and companies whose activities have made a significant improvement to the town.

“We welcome new members – the Society offers an opportunity to find out more about your town. Please join us and help to conserve and enhance this beautiful town.

Members receive a bi-monthly Newsletter and an Annual Review, which covers our work during the year in more depth. Membership costs £10 a year, or £15 for two.

• You can find out more information about the Society and information about joining at www. stamfordcivicsociety.org.uk . If you visit St John’s Church you will find a display of information about the Society, and membership forms. You can also telephone the Secretary on 01780 752972.

Welland Badminton Club which has been established for over 25 years has just secured the use of Stamford Endowed Schools’ fantastic five court sports hall on Conduit Road and so has changed their club name to Stamford Community Badminton Club; they play league and social badminton. They play on a Monday night, the season starts on 7th September 8-10pm They have the benefit of two Badminton England Level 2 coaches, adult and juniors are welcome. For the first 6 weeks of the season they will be having coaching sessions from 8-9pm, at no extra cost, for any members wanting to improve their game. (Contact Ondine: 07928 102285).

Stamford Badminton Club play at Stamford Welland Academy on a Tuesday 7.30 - 9.30 and Thursday 7-9.30pm; they have three level 1 Badminton England coaches to advise and support players. Their junior night is on a Tuesday. They play league and social badminton. season starts 1st September (Contact Bret: 07966 493403).

The third Stamford Club is ‘Tuesday Night Badminton Club’ which is an adult only club who play socially at Stamford Endowed Junior School Sports Hall 7.30-9.30 pm on Tuesdays; their season starts on September 1st. (Contact Heather: 01780 756257) Finally, the Cummings Badminton Club play socially on a Tuesday night 5:30-7pm at Stamford Welland Academy. (Contact Paul: Paul.Scholes@Cummins.com) STAMFORD LIVING SEPTEMBER 2015

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FASCIAS, SOFFITS, CLADDING AND GUTTERING

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Visit us at our diverse showroom where we have an extensive range of fires and fireplaces on display

We promise you the warmest of welcomes!

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

Windows & Doors by

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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.

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.

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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.

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SA0214_15

GREAT NEWS for all our readers looking for something fun to do over the next few months!

Our current class is full but we are now taking enquiries for our next part-time Art Class, which starts soon. This is a new 14 week part-time art class (once a week for 3 hours).

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WHAT’S ON

Stamford Georgian Festival The town’s second festival promises entertainment for all the family while bringing this enthralling era vividly to life, says Alysia Anderson

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HE idea for a Georgian Festival was dreamed up by South Kesteven District Council as a way to draw visitors to Stamford and celebrate this rich period of the town’s history. The debut festival in 2013 was a fantastic event, full of life and colour. It attracted 22,000 visitors on the Saturday alone, doubling the town’s population instantly! I particularly enjoyed watching the life-sized puppet horses’ parade through town behind a giant papier-mâché bull, mimicking the historic Bull Runs that took place with live animals for almost 700 years. (The practice was halted in 1839 after a campaign by the RSPCA.) The carnival beast met a dramatic end on the Meadows, a thrilling spectacle which will also be at the heart of this year’s festival. The extended 2015 programme starts on Thursday 24 September, stretches longer into the evening on Saturday and offers more to see and do on Sunday. SKDC Chief Beverly Agass said: “This festival gives us the chance to celebrate everything that’s great about Stamford, both historically and as the modern, enchanting town that it is today. Weekend activities include a fashion show, talks, music, walking tours, an antique book fair, drama, even a speciality gin tasting; all combining to a festival Stamford can be proud of.”

MUSIC, SONG AND DANCE The festival begins with a ‘Victory for Nelson!’ concert in St John’s Church, celebrating the military hero with music by Haydn and Beethoven. The Burghley Voices will be accompanied by an orchestra conducted by Fergus Black. Also an accomplished organist, Fergus will perform a selection of period pieces in Burghley House Chapel later in the festival.

Folk songs from the Napoleonic era will delight your ears in the grounds of Browne’s Hospital, performed by local folk band Frumenty.

The hospital’s almshouses also provide the

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backdrop for dramatic performances from the Shoestring Theatre. Myriad other events in town include a lively evening of harpsichord, fiddle and bagpipes by Jeremy Barlow and the Broadside Band, inspired by William Hogarth’s paintings of elite opera and humble street entertainers. The Georgians loved to dance and there is plenty of opportunity in between card games at a Costume Ball in the Assembly Rooms, the oldest in Britain to be in continual use. Or enjoy some period prose and ‘Dancing with Mr Darcy’ in the Broad Street church hall. Full instruction is provided!

COURT PROCEEDINGS Tickets have sold like hot cakes for the talk on Queen Caroline by historian Lucy Worsley, Chief Curator at Historic Royal Palaces and presenter of the BBC4 series on the Georgians. Using court memoirs and paintings, Lucy will discuss her favourite queen, the fat, funny and clever wife of George II. Life at a different kind of court will be revealed in the Old Courtroom at the Town Hall, venue for an interactive reconstruction of the 1749 trial of Elizabeth Taylor, flogged for stealing clothes. Free tours of the Town Hall, including the original prison cells, take place throughout the festival. On the same theme, gruesome tales of hanging await as Thomas Turlis, the hangman at Tyburn, describes crime and punishment in Georgian times in the Arts Centre theatre. At the Corn Exchange, audiences young and old will enjoy the hilarious Horrible Histories show, part three of the Barmy Britain series. There’s also the chance to meet a Georgian dandy in the flesh at Burghley House, where ‘Sir Joseph Scott’ will entertain house visitors with amusing anecdotes about his life as a gentleman.

FOLLOWERS OF FASHION The festival covers all aspects of Georgian life, with talks, shows and workshops on everything from gin tasting (the Georgians’ favourite tipple), gem cutting and gardening to architecture, cardmaking, quilting and coffee tasting. The Georgian era saw the beginning of coffee shops, so head to Café au Chocolat for an insight into how this craze began, or create some patchwork to go into the Georgian Festival legacy piece. Historic gardener Michael Brown will take you on a horticultural journey over the years or you can find out about Stamford’s very own Camera Obscura on St Peter’s Hill. Costumier Lindsey Holmes will deconstruct an 18th-century courtier’s outfit, while a fashion show displays the periwigged splendour of the early Georgians and the simpler designs of the Regency era. Sedan chair races, omnibus rides and, new for this year, a mail coach and horses taking visitors through Burghley Park are ways to get on the move at the festival. On foot, there are ghost tours, historic trails and, of course, the route of the Bull Run. The latter is part of the new South Lincolnshire Walking Festival (www.southlincswalking.com). More than 200 schoolchildren and volunteers will form part of the bull procession, treading in the footsteps of generations of Stamfordians. Programmes and tickets from Stamford Arts Centre (01780 763203; www.stamfordgeorgianfestival.co.uk)

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UPDATES

The Itch Gallery Crispin Heesom, Artist

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he Itch Gallery in Mill St Oakham, selling contemporary British arts and crafts, is a really special place to visit.

First the setting, in the heart of Oakham’s independent quarter, Mill St. Formerly the premises of Swans Antiques, it is full of ‘old world’ character – beams and old fireplaces, alongside modern works of art – proof, if it were needed, that modern objects fit well in traditional settings.

Second, the knowledge and passion of Jenny Creasey, who owns it. She has an almost impeccable CV for someone who aspires to run a gallery: a degree in fine arts (and a practicing artist), combined with a Business Enterprise qualification.

This has enabled her to create a strong local supplier network of leading artists at the top of their game: Karen Fleming, Claire West and Katie Almond to name but three – people travel many miles to collect their work.

Itch also runs workshops, including Jewellery making (Sat 12 Sept), Ceramics (Sat 19 Sept) and Fused Glass (Sat 26 Sept); find out more details on their website.

• Itch Gallery, 17a Mill St, Oakham, LE15 6EA Tel: 01572 755333 www.itchgallery.co.uk

Calling families to have fun together in the Anna’s Hope Fun Run C

arole Hughes, founder of local children’s charity Anna’s Hope is calling for families to run or walk and have fun together in the Anna’s Hope 5k Fun Run in the Perkins Great Eastern Run this year on October 11th. You could even dress up as a fairy like Carole and many of the supporters of Anna’s Hope.

The charity has been involved with the run for the last eight years and thanks to those who have raised funds through sponsorship, the charity is now making a real difference to local children diagnosed with a brain tumour through the Anna’s Hope Therapy which supports a pioneering neuro-rehabilitation service called Brainbow.

• To enter please visit www.perkinsgreateasternrun.co.uk.

For those who also want to raise money for Anna’s Hope and help local children with brain tumours please contact Carole Hughes at admin@annahope.co.uk

Annabel Spain interviews a popular local artist currently exhibiting at the Fogell Gallery

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rispin Heesom began his life in Oundle, living in Bramston House along with his mother and father. This point in his life was where the desire for art began, thanks to his mother’s art studio being situated in their own home, creating an easily accessible source of inspiration for Crispin. As a young child, he would sneak into the studio to admire the work which was being displayed to source his own inspiration to create art. While attending Oundle School, Crispin continued to follow his ambition by beginning to paint at the age of 15 and throughout his school days.

Once Crispin had finished his education at Oundle School, he moved to Kensington to continue studying painting and fine art at Notting Hill Arts College. While living in Kensington Crispin invested in an arts studio to show his work to a larger audience before moving to Kings Cliffe after finishing his studies. After moving from London Crispin only got the chance to display his work a certain amount of times through London galleries, and still dreams of exhibiting in London once again.

Crispin’s work is greatly inspired by the works of Van Gogh and German expressionists, as the different styles and colours are what he admires in artwork. The approach of using acrylics to create the thick, detailed impression of the texture through art was used by Crispin in the earlier work he produced, but he currently uses the same medium as Van Gogh; oils. This change was due to the fact that Crispin enjoys to progress with his artwork, using different approaches to the subject which he wishes to capture and a variety of colour schemes to present his emotions.

Changes and progression are shown as Crispin’s artwork goes through phases of colour, with the central colour constantly alternating between what Crispin deems appropriate for the subject matter. The lines and form which is shown through his artwork is developed from many monochrome sketches and paintings that determine the dark tones and structure of the landscape before progressing onto the finished colour piece. Crispin’s art work is mesmerising as the vibrant colour and abstract lines show an utter transformation of the landscapes we all perceive in their natural tones. He brings excitement to the subject diversity and the buzz of life to any canvas.

• Crispin will be exhibiting at the Landscape Exhibition at the Fogell Gallery until 5th September (23 High Street, St Martin’s, Stamford, PE9 2LF). Other artists include Catherine Headley, Leigh Davis, Barbara Allen, Charlotte Cornish, Stephanie Stowe, Celia Wilkinson and Christopher Prout. Email – c.heesom@btinternet.com www.flikr.com/crispinheesom

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OUT & ABOUT

Heritage Open Days Sept 10th-13th

Heritage Open Days are some of my favourite days of the year.

From knitters’ cottages to classic car shows, Tudor classrooms to Modernist factories, prisons to pumping stations, there really is something for everyone to enjoy. Starting out in 1994 with just 700 sites, Heritage Open Days has grown from strength to strength to become England’s biggest and most popular annual heritage event. This year, between 10th and 13th September, some 1,500 sites across the country will open their doors free of charge in a celebration of history, architecture and culture LINCOLNSHIRE For the past number of years, a theme has been set to run through Lincolnshire events.

This year it is ‘Tudor Lincolnshire’; a topic which could easily seem stale, but Heritage Lincolnshire have imaginatively revitalised.

Spalding’s Gentleman’s Society Museum invites you to join a Tudor household, as they set the table, challenge myths, discuss manners and sample sweetmeats, while at King’s School, Grantham you can learn about the Tudor classroom, in the same halls were Isaac Newton and Lord Burghley studied. At Woodhall Spa’s Edwardian Petwood Hotel, discover the architectural deceptions use to re-imagine the Spa Village and Petwood House as ‘Merrie England’. While the Grange & Links Hotel, Mablethorpe offers a chance to see John Lyly’s late 16th century play, “Gallathea”, which is set on a Lincolnshire coast and features a cruel Neptune threatening to drown the villagers unless a virgin is sacrificed to him.

If archaeology is what interests you, at Grimsthorpe Park, Bourne, a team will be on hand to present archaeological survey data of the site, enabling virtual exploration of Vaudey Abbey, built in the 12th century by Cistercian monks from Fountains Abbey. Learn how its decline and destruction led to the construction of one of Lincolnshire’s finest houses.

It is disappointing to learn that Browne’s Hospital is the only site in Stamford taking part in this year’s event. Stamford has one of the richest histories and interesting townscapes in all of Britain; it would be wonderful to gain a glimpse of a buried crypt or tour the town with a historian. Hopefully next year more of an effort will be made. Luckily, however, in easy reach of Stamford, there are countless sites in which you can wander through history.

NOTTINGHAM In Nottingham this year, the embers of the industrial past glow once more. At the Framework Knitters’ Museum, you can explore the lives of the workers in preserved cottages and outbuildings, learning about the appalling

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working and living conditions which led to the Luddite Revolt. As the appeal of this craft unravelled, Nottingham’s lace industry developed; it developed to such heights that the town became the centre of the world’s lace industry. A tour of the Nottingham Industrial Museum weaves a tale from threads of the industrialists, the workers and the world-renowned lace itself.

Much unlike his forebears of industry, Jesse Boot, of Boots Pure Drug Co., sought to create a spacious, light and healthy environment for his workers. This, coupled, with the rapidly evolving production process, led to the development of the Boots D10 Building for wet production processes.

Built in the 1930s, the factory is an icon of British Modernism. Guided tours throughout the weekend take visitors through the interior and exterior, detailing the design and history of the building.

CAMBRIDGESHIRE To celebrate its glorious architectural legacy, Ely has a laid on a feast of heritage delights. Tours will take groups through the Old Porta – once the main entrance to the monastery, the courtroom and cells of Sessions House, and the 15th century Old Bishop’s Palace. There is also a general tour through the ancient paths and settlements of the town. At the magnificent Cathedral, the South Triforium will be accessible for a late night study of the stained glass, which spans from the 13th century right up to the present day.

Other fascinating buildings and events in the area include the Bridge Chapel at St Ives which dates from 1426. Chapels were built on bridges for the spiritual needs of travellers arriving in the town, yet they often served multiple purposes. In its lifetime the St Ives bridge chapel has been a home, toll-booth, pub and surgery…!

At Peterborough, visit a Napoleonic War Prison, which could hold 7,000 French prisoners.

Throughout the weekend, there will be tours charting the history of the war, building and site, as well as the results of a recent Time Team dig.

As such, I cannot urge you enough to go out and explore this weekend, to discover some of the richness and wonder written across every street for yourself.

• To learn more about the events and to find a place to explore near you, visit http://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/

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ASK LEO

Poultry as pets More people are keeping a few chickens in their gardens.

Jean Orpin and Sue Lee have been to find out more about a local entrepreneur who is encouraging this trend RUTLAND POULTRY Andy Payne has set up a different poultry business in Aldgate near Ketton. He supplies poultry for people wishing to keep hens on a small scale particularly in their gardens as pets. The business was started three years ago by Andy, whose own interest in poultry begun when he was a young child and whose enthusiasm remains with him. The business is located on part of a mixed farm belonging to his wife’s family which has Charolais cattle and sheep as well as arable crops. His aim is to provide high quality birds to people keeping just a few laying hens although he can provide up to five hundred.

Andy grew up in Frisby-on-the-Wreake near Melton Mowbray. His grandfather was a poultry farmer and his father a lecturer at Brooksby Agricultural College. He achieved a degree in agricultural business management at Wye College in Kent. As part of his course he made a study of derelict farms and ended up renting one and starting a poultry business with 25,000 layers. He also worked for Cherry Valley Ducks for a time. Most recently he studied for a Post-Graduate Diploma in Applied Poultry Science at the Scottish Agricultural College before marrying and moving to Rutland.

CHICKENS IN THE GARDEN Children enjoy having chickens in their garden and collecting the eggs while adults also like to have their own fresh eggs. Of course keeping any animal requires a responsible approach and you will need to have a suitable sized area for the number of hens you keep. Hens need somewhere to scratch, somewhere to perch and somewhere to lay their eggs. They also need protection from the weather and predators. A small moveable poultry house is usually the best solution in the garden.

You should aim to keep no fewer than three hens, ideally of a similar size. They do not need to be the same breed but they do need to get on! Purchasing them from one place is therefore a good idea.

Hens are no different to any other pets in requiring daily attention: they need feeding, cleaning and a continual eye kept out for problems. On the other hand they do not demand a great deal of time and friends or neighbours will usually be very happy to look after them when you go away in return for the eggs they lay.

STARTING OUT There is a wide variety of hens to choose from. Some people choose by colour of the bird: others choose by colour of the eggs. It is still possible to buy the old varieties such as Light Sussex but Andy also has interesting hybrids such as Rutland Silver Sussex, Rutland Rhode Rock, Rutland Ranger, Rutland Speckledy and Rutland White some of which you can see in these pictures. These varieties can produce 250 to 300 eggs a year and will cost about ÂŁ15 each. Kept as pets you can expect them to live for 3 to 4 years.

At the family farm Andy breeds hybrid hens and they are then kept locally under carefully controlled conditions. They have to be protected by vaccinations before they can be sold. Once they have reached sixteen weeks they are kept in a large Dutch barn on the farm. Soon he hopes to have arrangements in place to raise them himself from hatching. (He does raise ducks and bantams too.)

With a wide knowledge of keeping poultry Andy will give informed advice to prospective purchasers regarding feeding, housing and the equipment needed, which he can also supply.

Many sizes of chicken coops are now made on the farm and can be ordered to your own requirements. Anyone interested is welcome to contact Andy and arrange an appointment to visit the farm where they will be able to choose their own hens from the stock.

Contact Andy Payne at Rutland Poultry Tel: 07971 997 334 Email: info@rutlandpoultry.co.uk Website: www.rutlandpoultry.co.uk

Ask Leo would like to hear from you.

Email them at askleo@btinternet.com

STAMFORD LIVING SEPTEMBER 2015

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Visit our Stamford showroom, on Bath Row opposite Adnam’s Wine Store 01780 762579 WWW.DELCOR.CO.UK 64

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HOME & GARDEN

Delcor Furniture – Designed around You Delcor Furniture has become one of Stamford’s best loved stores, offering British handmade sofas and chairs, tailored size-wise and finish-wise to your exact wishes

Tailor-made Delcor’s business is going from strength to strength as more and more people become familiar and comfortable with the high service levels and Delcor’s ability to offer tailor-made products. “We have noticed recently that as we have become better known, people are coming in with a specific purpose and the conversation is already starting some way down the decision line,” Kathleen Wilkinson, the Stamford’s store very experienced and helpful manager, told us.

Kathleen explained: “We build our business around the customer. We aim to meet the individual needs of every customer – one size fits all is not our style. All our products are tailor-made.”

To be in time for Christmas, orders need to be placed this year by mid-October, so best to start planning now!

New developments

Duke

Delcor never rests on its laurels; it is always innovating and refreshing its product range.

New in is the very stylish, contemporary Duke small sofa – an elegant classic, with turned solid wooden legs in a natural finish.

And the store has just undergone a major refresh, with a re-painted exterior, and the showrooms re-arranged and re-painted.

There are also lots of new accessories as the winter season approaches – exquisite cushions and lamps in particular.

A one-stop shop with Fenland Carpets But the biggest news of all is the arrival of Fenland Carpets, who will be based in the upstairs space. Run by Nick and Brett, they are a very well established carpet and flooring company which already has branches in Spalding and Bourne.

They have a lot of exclusivity on brands, a first-rate fitting service and a 5-year fitting guarantee.

“We have found,” Kathleen told me, “that many people are looking for a new carpet or flooring at the same time as furniture, so this provides them with a very convenient service. I think the synergy will work well.”

• www.fenlandcarpetsandflooring.co.uk • Delcor, 30 Bath Row, Stamford, PE9 2QX Tel: 01780 762579 www.delcor.co.uk Opening Times: Mon-Sat 10-5 Sun 10-4 STAMFORD LIVING SEPTEMBER 2015

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PERSPECTIVES

The end of the line for signal boxes?

When local printmaker John McGowan heard Network Rail intended to demolish all the local signal boxes, he devised a unique way to preserve their memory. Jonathan Craymer reports

J

OHN McGowan’s quest began when a railway enthusiast friend commented over dinner that he intended to make a tour of the local signal boxes to say goodbye to them, as they were going to be bulldozed. “I was a bit taken aback by that,” John recalls. “Can’t they save them?” he asked. Apparently not. As the boxes are brick built, they couldn’t be moved. No-one can stand in the way of progress it seems and as the Guardian reported in July 2013, Network Rail was intent on modernising the system as part of a 30 year plan - in which the signal boxes, many of them Victorian, had no place.

So former art teacher John set to without delay, taking a series of photographs as a first stage of preserving four of the structures for posterity by making their images into beautiful screenprints.

“The signal boxes had become part of our local landscape,” he says. “They’re probably not things you look at if you go past them very often, but once you do stop and take note, you realise they contain some very individual bits of Victorian architecture.

“The Victorians built things to last and which were aesthetically pleasing. For instance on the St James Deeping one, you’d have found elegant barge boards on the edge of the roof, an interesting pinnacle, the sides had some restrained but nice brickwork about them, and the proportions were worthwhile - in the same way that nonconformist chapels have a simple elegance.”

He believes the signal boxes were designed by architects employed to work on each railway line. In the case of the series of four local boxes he’s concentrated on, these were created by people working for the Great Northern Line.

“There are ‘family’ designs, but each one is quite different in materials and character.”

John McGowan photographing Helpston box

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Goodbye to the signalmen Is it also saddened John that all this marked the passing of the trade of signalman. “About 30 people were displaced in the closure of our local line up to Lincoln. About a year ago I happened to meet Jean Jones, daughter of a former signalman at the St James Deeping box in the 1950s.

“Her early years were spent as a signalman’s child, sharing the life, going out with her father on foggy days to lay explosive charges on the line, or sitting in one of the crossings huts that

had to be manned, cooking breakfast with her father over an open stove. Knowing her story made making prints about that box even more interesting.

“There was a sense of romance from the time when we employed a great number of people on the railways. They joined communities together, almost like our local bus services might do today. I’ve also spoken to the signalmen of today and talked to them about life in the signal box. It’s been a very interesting subject to explore.”

What about signal boxes further afield? Is John interested in preserving others across the UK which might be about to be demolished?

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John McGowan in his studio

Deeping St James “In spring last year I took a trip around the East Midlands with a railway enthusiast friend, Graham Hobbs. He took me to virtually every signal box between here and Loughborough, during the course of a day. We photographed every one and I’ve made a self published book which with my prints brings all the images of the East Midlands together.”

So far he hasn’t pursued finding a publisher for this book - but who knows? “I’m not sure they’d be interested. But personal publishing is something I like to do as it helps me keep all my images together. I’ve made books about my canal prints with photographs taken of Northampton canal, and I’m going to make a photo book about my current project which is London warehouses.

“I’ve completed two prints and am working on a suite of six. These emanate from a series of photos I took in the early 1980s, when Rotherhithe stopped being an industrial centre, but hadn’t quite started being gentrified. I’m fascinated to see the warehouses are still standing, as they’re protected by Bermondsey Council. People are still interested in them.”

Preserving a legacy Clearly people do care about these old bits of our architectural heritage, and one of John’s prints sparked a bit of campaigning in Deeping St. James.

“A local picture framer, Black Cab Studio put my print of the St. James Deeping box in the window and I think it reminded people that it was going to go. This resulted in a campaign and public meetings. The local MP was invited to a public meeting along with along with members of Network Rail. However there was no reprieve as the new automatic barriers need to be positioned exactly where the old box stood.

“The campaigners did manage to get Network Rail to agree to decommission the box ‘sensitively.’ I have photographs of the roof being taken down carefully, though the bricks were scooped up by the bucket load. I was told by one of the engineers that the 150-yearold building had very little adhesive left in its

Spalding Line mortar, so the bricks virtually fell down. But the elements of the signal box have been preserved and are waiting for the pressure group to find some money and a site to build the box back up again. So perhaps the print did help people become aware of what was going on.”

John adds that the Deeping signal box campaign is making great strides, with money donated by the Department of Culture and the Parish. Two sites are being considered for reconstruction of the box. John will be working on another Deeping Box print, after his current project is completed, to help raise funds for this project.

There’s another nice story. Before it was taken down, Number One Box in Spalding bore a commemorative plaque stating that John Lee had worked as the signalman for no less than 51 years. As a result John called his print ‘John Lee’s box’. Just before our interview John made enquiries to find out what had happened to the plaque, and was delighted that it was to be remounted on the wall of the station in Spalding in a ceremony attended by Lee’s son.

John asked station staff if he could attend, so he could present a copy of the print to Lee’s offspring. “Though I didn’t know John Lee, I feel I’ve made a personal connection with the fact that these boxes were occupied by people who devoted their lives to them. The print was published in the Spalding Guardian about a year ago with the message that I would like to give one of these prints to Lee’s family. It’s quite something to think that he worked from the age of 14 to 65 non-stop – which was only

Number One Box in Spalding

possible because railwaymen like him were considered so essential, they were exempted from national service.”

• John’s work is available at Black Cab Studio or via his website.• www.johnmcgowanprintmaker.co.uk • www.paos.org.uk • www.blackcabstudio.com STAMFORD LIVING SEPTEMBER 2015

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SBC-logo.pdf

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M

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CM

MY

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www.

stamfordpersonalfitness.

co.uk

The Lady Rothschild Dairy COUNTRY HOLIDAY HOUSES

T

hree luxury self-catering holiday houses located on the famous Ashton Estate surrounded by wildflower meadows, rolling farmland and magical woodlands – the perfect country retreat. The houses are finished with an emphasis on quality, in a style that is both comfortable and elegantly modern. The solid oak finishes and natural features make each house individual. The Lady Rothschild Dairy is of exceptional architectural interest and has been awarded Grade II* listed status.

The Constable House – Sleeps 9 + 3 The Turner House – Sleeps 8 + 2 The Gainsborough House – Sleeps 8

Chartered Certified Accountants and Chartered Tax Advisers

We are growing………

Bulley Davey is proud to announce the opening of its newest office in Stamford.

The office, located at 2 St Mary’s Hill, will provide a complete business and financial support service.

Contact the Stamford team on 01780 769303 or email bdstamford@bulleydavey.co.uk for further information.

Providing intelligent accounting tax and business advice since 1935.

Website: www.ashtonestatecountryholidays.co.uk Email: estateoffice@ashton.ohllimited.com Tel: 01832 272264 / 07831 855206

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UPDATES

Stamford Boot Camp Celebrating 5 Successful Years B

With Theo Paphitis collecting the ‘Small Business Sunday’ Award

A fresh approach to marketing and design H

aving just celebrated its second birthday, some may assume that locally based Cocktail Marketing is a fledgling marketing strategy and design agency, however when you dig a little deeper it becomes very clear that the people behind this business have the experience and savoirfaire to help just about any business grow.

With careers that stretch nearly two decades in marketing and design within a multiple of industries, the two directors love nothing more than getting under the skin of any new client’s company, helping them get clarity on how they can take their business forward and then working with their team creating all of the materials to make that happen.

“Having worked in industries as varied as financial services to publishing, for companies located here in Stamford or as far flung as Fiji, it’s given me marketing insight that can only be gained from working ‘on the inside’, rather than purely for agencies”, says Marketing Director Amanda Goodbun.

“With solid industry experience, it really helps us to step into the shoes of our clients’ customers, something that’s essential if any marketing activity is going to work,” adds Creative Director, Cheryl Graves.

And it clearly has worked, because in the past two years Cocktail Marketing has already picked up a Small Business Sunday winners award from dragon Theo Paphitis as well as a visit to Westminster to collect Ixion’s Service Company of the Year award.

The agency prides itself on providing a jargon-free, uncomplicated approach “it’s not about buzz words and let’s face it marketing is full of them. We prefer to impress our clients with knowledge and creative ideas,” says Cheryl.

Cocktail Marketing helps local and national companies with the full range of marketing and creative services from branding and marketing strategy to advertising, graphic design, digital and video. They can support in-house marketing departments or for smaller businesses are happy to act as a dedicated out-sourced marketing department.

• OFFER: If you are interested in taking a fresh look at your company’s marketing and design, they are currently offering to beat your existing agency prices by 20% - details can be found at www.cocktailmarketing.co.uk/offer or email@cocktailmarketing.co.uk

Bulwick Village Shop T

he Bulwick Village Shop, six miles SW of Stamford along the A43, is the small shop with a big welcome in the heart of the English countryside.

It’s the home of The Pickled Village chutneys, jams and marmalades. Come and sample them all at their tasting table!

And it’s much more than just a village shop! It’s where you go to grab essentials like milk, eggs, bread, Marmite, loo rolls etc. Or to have a good natter. They also stock all sorts of delish local & British speciality foods for last-minute treats.

Pop in and pick up a coffee and a paper. Nothing in the house? Why not try their freshly baked pizzas, homemade sausage rolls, yummy cakes, filled rolls and paninis, wraps, baked potatoes, soups and ready meals…? And then there’s the sweetie corner…a favourite with the wee ones and the not so wee ones. Oh and also… they’re now taking bookings for their very enjoyable and instructive cookery workshops. Finally, if you have time to linger, there’s the delightful tea terrace.

• Tel: 01780 450774 E: camilleomclean@hotmail.co.uk Take a look at the new website at www.bulwickvillageshop.com

ack in 2010, local fitness instructor Rob Dulieu started a Saturday morning Boot Camp fitness group with just 8 people at the first session. It wasn’t long before the word spread that his sessions were exciting, effective, and inspirational and the furthest opposite of the stereotypical gym classes already out there.

Since then, Rob’s business has gone from strength to strength and he now runs numerous classes each week. Rob says: “My retention rates are exceptionally high because every session is different from the last and my programmes encourage participants to integrate as much as possible. People make friends quickly and we have so much fun – it’s an awesome environment in which to train!”

When Rob created Stamford Boot Camp he wanted to offer a fitness experience that was totally unique. “I studied other fitness classes and my sources told me they were boring, one dimensional and too serious. So I decided to break the mould and write all my own programmes with the guarantee that no two workouts would ever be the same. I try to breed positivity through accomplishment; the less able inspire the most able and vice-versa.

That is part of the reason why I take people of all levels in each class. The other reason is that I can adapt the exercises to suit everyone, regardless of their ability.”

If there’s one comment people make about Rob’s sessions more than any other, it would be this: “I’ve tried so many other classes before but never stuck at any of them. But this is so addictive - I just love it!”

• If you would like to try a FREE TASTER SESSION at Rob’s Boot Camp, call him on 07846 457959 or email at info@stamfordpersonalfitness.co.uk to get booked in.

STAMFORD LIVING SEPTEMBER 2015

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Renault Summer Season Renault CAPTUR Dynamique Nav TCe 90 From

£159 per month 0% APR *

representative

All-New Renault TWINGO Play SCe 70 From

£119 per month

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Renault CLIO Dynamique Nav 1.2 16V 75 From

£149 per month

*

The official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the cars shown are: urban 40.4 (7)–47.88 (5.9); extra-urban 60.1 (4.7)– 70.62 (4); combined 51.4 (5.5)–60.1 (4.7). The official CO2 emissions are 127–105g/km. EU Directive and Regulation 692/2008 test environment figures. Fuel consumption and CO2 may vary according to driving styles, road conditions and other factors. *Clio monthly payment shown based on £2,247 deposit, 36 monthly payments of £149, and an optional final payment of £5,664. Captur monthly payment shown based on £2,087 deposit, 36 monthly payments of £159, and an optional final payment of £7,584. Twingo monthly payment shown based on £575 deposit, 36 monthly payments of £119, and an optional final payment of £5,136. Finance provided by Renault Finance, PO Box 149, Watford WD17 1FJ. Subject to status. Indemnities may be required. Over 18’s (excluding the Channel Islands). Terms and conditions apply. Our dealership introduces customers to a limited number of financial providers including Renault Finance. Offer based on 6,000 miles per annum, excess mileage 8p per mile inc VAT. Offers cannot be used with other schemes or finance offers and are available on featured new vehicle when ordered and registered between 1 June 2015 and 30 September 2015. Clio shown has optional Flame Red Renault i.d. metallic paint, available at an additional £595. Excludes Renaultsport, Clio Expression and Twingo Expression models. Captur shown with metallic i.d. paint, available at an additional £495 and painted roof at £399. Twingo shown with optional Powder Blue paint available at an additional £225.

Smiths Renault Bretton Way, Bretton, Peterborough PE3 8YL Tel 01733 307618 www.smithsmotorgroup.co.uk/renault

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PEOPLE

A Day in the Life of a Farrier Adam Fitch uses centuries old traditional skills to shoe horses in the Nene valley and beyond.

Yasmin Bradley reports.

Photos: Elli Dean

J

UST a hundred years ago, before we all rode around in our motorised metal boxes, a farrier skilfully making and fitting horse shoes was a common sight. Well within living memory, our milk was delivered by a horse (one named Mary in 1960’s London) and the clip clop of equine hoofs accompanied the raucous cries of “any old rag an’ bone” in an early version of recycling.

Thanks to Michael Morpurgo, the extraordinary role that war horses played during the Great War is now well known. All these would have required the skills of innumerable farriers.

Today, however, even in our villages, the sight of a farrier at his work –let alone with two young apprentices at his side - is a rare scene.

Without professional farriery, the equine world would come to a complete and utter standstill yet not only the skills, but also the tools have changed little. The most striking modernisation must be the mobile “minifoundry” looking like a fire-breathing microwave oven in the back of the specially modified van. This is where the metal is heated until red hot and then beaten to a perfect fit on a modern version of the anvil used by farriers and blacksmiths for centuries.

The not unpleasant smell of burnt hoof permeates the air as the animals patiently await their turn. “They know the drill,” smiles the boss, Adam Fitch as he hammers nails into the newly-shoed hoof, the horse nonchalantly munching on a bale of hay and lifting his

leg to aid the process. Adam Fitch, Dip. WCF - Diploma of the Worshipful Company of Farriers chartered since 1356 - is justifiably proud. Only farriers – not blacksmiths - are qualified in animal welfare. You’ve got to file down the hoof to exactly the right place before attaching a searing, sizzling metal shoe to ensure the process is completely pain-free. It is extraordinary to see … and smell. Clearly a great deal of expertise, knowledge and experience are needed: apart from Magic, an elderly Shetland, these horses are powerful animals with minds and wills of their own.

The right shoes The design, material, size and shape of the shoes depend on the individual horse’s physique, role and environment: horses (shoes) for courses, indeed! Shires bred for heavy agricultural work need shoes that take a lot of wear and tear, for instance. “The job is more to do with the leisure industry nowadays though,” clarifies Adam. “We shoe to maximise performance, with hunters enabled to move fast over muddy ground, and racing thoroughbreds shod for pure speed with feather light aluminium.”

A shoe can compensate for a fault: “Like us,” explains Adam, “each horse has its own configuration - even one leg longer than the others.” In contrast to the familiar shape, one mount is fitted with a circular shoe with a small,

heart-shaped indentation.

With only 280 qualified nation-wide to Adam and his train the next two apprentices generation, apprentices as well as stable-owners are lucky to find a master blacksmith. As Adam toils and talks, his two apprentices attend to two more animals. They clearly relish the physicality of the work and being outside on a summer’s day.

“Better than sitting behind a computer desk,” laughs Sam Masters. There are two Sams – each at a different stage in his apprenticeships, but after GCSEs both went straight onto a one-year “Pre-Farrier” Access course, one of only three Farriers’ Registration Council approved colleges in England. After gaining employment with Adam, they are well along the road to completing their four-year Advanced Apprenticeship and official registration. “Then we can look forward to a good income,” grins curly-haired Sam E Smith.

There is certainly plenty of work to be done.

“It’s totally flat out this week,” says Adam. The lads silently acquiesce. Aprons, anvil, tools and men pack away into the van – and with the miniforge cool – off they go to their next job.

• Adam Fitch Ltd, 8a Huddington in the Brook, Oundle, PE8 5QU 07803 163801 adamfitch@tiscali.co.uk STAMFORD LIVING SEPTEMBER 2015

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Photography by Pip Warters

Open Evening Tuesday 6th October 2015 5.30pm – 8.00pm

Every child is known, valued and supported to achieve in all areas at the highest level...

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LEARNING

Secondary schools

SES

The move from primary to secondary school is a big step, so it’s worth attending open evenings to see what’s on offer.

Nicholas Rudd-Jones does his homework on schools in the Stamford catchment area Arthur Mellows Village College Tel: 01733 252235; www.arthurmellows.peterborough.sch.uk In the view of Ofsted: “This is an outstanding school. Standards are high and students’ achievement is excellent.” Courses cover both the academic and vocational, with exam results scoring well above the national average. The college facilities have expanded to include new music, science, ICT and media rooms and a new innovation centre for engineering. Students are encouraged to participate in music, sports and performing arts alongside Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards.

New Year 7 Open Evening – Wednesday 7 October 2015 Sixth Form Open Evening – Wednesday 11 November 2015

Bourne Academy Tel: 01778 422365; www.bourneacademy.org This non-selective state secondary converted to Academy status in 2011. Numbers are significant from the Stamford catchment area, into both Year 7 and the Sixth Form. The school achieves good academic results. Upgraded

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facilities since becoming an academy include 300 new computers, two new science labs, new PE changing rooms, a four-classroom Humanities block and most recently an improved canteen offering. Sports on offer include rugby, football, netball and hockey while the school also has a thriving Creative Art Faculty.

The Sixth Form open evening will take place in November, check website nearer time for exact dates. Year 7 information evenings are held in mid-July.

Bourne Grammar School Tel: 01778 422288; www.bourne-grammar.lincs.sch.uk Following its expansion, Bourne Grammar now takes high-achieving pupils at the 11+ from Stamford, Bourne, the Deepings and Peterborough. As one of the top performing selective secondaries in Lincolnshire, demand for places is always high. This has been met to some degree by an increased Year 7 size and a larger Sixth Form. New facilities include the Turing Centre, a computing and systems and control building, and extra classrooms. Sports, music and the arts are actively encouraged and

pupils enjoy stimulating trips and after-school activities.

The Sixth Form open evening is on 12 November 18.00-21.00.

For Year 7 entry for Autumn 2017, the Open Evening is on Thu June 30th 2016, 17.3021.00

Casterton College Rutland Tel: 01780 762168; www.castertoncollege.com This co-ed community college caters for 11-18 year olds. Facilities include a new Enterprise Centre where pupils learn maths, ICT and business. Music and drama are also well catered for and extensive after-school pursuits range from fencing and archery to Young Chamber workshops. Back in 2010 the college joined forces with Rutland County College (01572 722863) in Barleythorpe near Oakham. RCC provides academic and vocational sixth form education, including A-levels and BTEC and Apprenticeship Foundation courses in topics such as sport, healthcare and construction.

Casterton’s Open Evening is on Thu 1 Oct at 6pm while RCC’s is in early November.

The Deepings School Tel: 01778 342149; www.deepingschool.org.uk Located in Deeping St James, The Deepings became an academy in 2012 and is a mixed 11-18 comprehensive with close to 1,600 pupils. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted, the school is strong on Business and Enterprise and has thriving links with local businesses. Music, sports and drama also feature strongly. The 250-member Sixth Form has a dedicated centre, upgraded

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Oakham School

Oundle School to feature seminar rooms, indoor and outdoor study areas, internet café, library and stateof-the-art IT and WiFi facilities. Other areas of the school have undergone a £1 million refurbishment.

Open days are held throughout the year or contact the Admissions Manager to arrange a visit.

The King’s (The Cathedral) School Tel: 01733 751541; www.kings.peterborough.sch.uk Founded by Henry VIII in 1541 to educate the choristers, this comprehensive school continues a close bond with neighbouring Peterborough Cathedral today. There are around 1,150 pupils, 340 of them in the Sixth Form, for which there is a minimum qualification requirement for entry. In 2011 a Junior Department opened for Years 3 to 6, principally to educate young choristers. Academic results here are high and the school offers a wide range of extracurricular activities including sport, music, Duke of Edinburgh and Young Chamber.

The open evening for Year 7 entry is on Wed 16 Sept 6.30-8.30pm and for Sixth Form on Tue 3 Nov at 6.45pm.

Oakham School Tel: 01572 758758; www.oakham.rutland.sch.uk An independent school for boarders and day pupils aged 10-18, Oakham blends academic achievement with wide-ranging opportunities outside the classroom. New developments include a £4 million Faculty of Science and the new ‘Learning Habits’ initiative which

SES encourages independent, self-motivated learning. At Sixth Form the school offers AS/A2 levels or the International Baccalaureate. The latter provides a wider range of subject study, allowing students to choose the approach that best reflects their individual skills, interests and university aspirations. Various scholarships are available as well as some bursaries.

Forthcoming Open Morning Dates Saturdays - 2015 12 September 2015 Sixth Form entry 19 September 2015 Lower School for 10-12+ entry 3 October 2015 Middle School for 13+ entry 10 October 2015 Lower School for 10-12+ entry If you would like to attend, please contact the Admissions Team as booking is essential.

Oundle School Tel: 01832 277122; www.oundleschool.org.uk Established in the 1500s, this co-ed independent school is very much part of the fabric of Oundle town. Applicants sit an entrance exam and may enter at 11+, 13+ or in the Sixth Form.

Although day pupils are welcome, Oundle is one of England’s three largest boarding schools.

Its impressive range of facilities and activities include rowing on the River Nene.

The Open Days for 2015-16 will be held on: 19th September, 30th January, 14th May. For an invitation, please contact the Admissions Office.

Stamford Welland Academy Green Lane, Stamford PE9 1HE Tel: 01780 751011; www.stamfordwellandacademy.org Stamford Welland Academy has been highly praised in a recent Ofsted report, with leadership and quality of teaching receiving particular praise.

The positive report praised the ‘highly effective’ leadership across the Academy from the Principal through to heads of subject and house, for bringing about ‘rapid improvements to the academy’. ‘Good support’ from governors and trustees was also helping to secure ‘significant improvements to the quality of teaching and students achievement’ less than six months after the Academy’s last inspection in February.

Anthony Partington, Principal , spoke of his delight at the report’s findings: “I’m delighted to see this inspection has highlighted the steps

we’ve taken since being visited by Ofsted earlier this year and how those steps have affected students’ learning and attainment, as well as teachers’ ability to teach effectively and dynamically.”

Open Evening: Tuesday 6th October 2015 5.30pm – 8.00pm

Stamford School and Stamford High School Tel: 01780 750310; www.ses.lincs.sch.uk The Stamford Endowed Schools have educated children in Stamford since 1532 and continue to offer excellent schooling for boys and girls aged two to 18. A ‘diamond’ structure means children go from the co-ed Junior School to single-sex education at Stamford School (boys) on St Paul’s St and the High School (girls) on St Martin’s from ages 11-16. Then, at Sixth Form, the schools become co-ed again. Principal Stephen Roberts explained: “This allows for a highly tailored curriculum, without distraction or gender-typing during the GCSE years but with myriad mixed extra-curricular activities beyond the classroom”. Junior School pupils automatically gain a secondary place; otherwise entrance exams are held in January. A range of scholarships and means-tested bursaries are available. All three schools offer flexible boarding although the majority are day pupils.

Last year, the Performing Arts Centre opened, a focus for music and drama for all pupils. A schools-wide WiFi network has been put in place to allow use of technology such as iPads in the classroom. At the High School, the Home Economics rooms, have been refurbished and an atrium and welcome area built at the rear of the school.

The Open Day for both schools is on Sat 3 October between 10am and 2pm. A separate Sixth Form evening, for boys and girls, will be held at the High School on Wed 14 October from 6-9pm.

• Note: Please check all dates and times before travel.

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Exclusive Indian Restaurant Exclusive Indian Restaurant From the 1st to the 31st May As a thank you to all ourofvalid

customers and our From the 1st to to thecelebrate 31st of May

22nd Anniversary of Bombay Cottage Gift Voucher £5 we are offering a GiftDISCOUNT Voucher £510% Voucher on sit down meals. £10Gift £10Gift Voucher Voucher £20GiftDISCOUNT £20Gift Voucher

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min spend £35 inc. drinks min spend £35 inc. drinks For table of 4 or more min £70 inc. drinks For table of 4 or more OFFER RUNS FROM min £70 inc. drinks

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10% Discount on take-away orders. Free Delivery up to 5 miles

Take away Buffet available Sunday Special Lunch

10% Discount on take-away orders. Free Delivery up to 5 miles

52 Scotgate, Sunday Stamford PE9 2YQ Special Buffet 01780Lunch 480138/482551 52 Scotgate, online or book table Stamford Order PE9 2YQ 01780a480138/482551

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Learn for Life Come and see for yourself Call us now to book an Autumn Open Morning or individual visit 01572 758758 admissions@oakham.rutland.sch.uk

Oakham is a great co-educational boarding and day school for 10-18 year olds offering A Levels and the IB

www.oakham.rutland.sch.uk

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FOOD & DRINK

Jeeves Catering S

usan Fenner has had a passion for cooking all her life, first developing an interest under the watchful eyes of her mother. And today she is still doing merrily what she did all those years ago, but on a much bigger scale.

Jeeves Catering is now the most established and respected caterer in the region. “We pride ourselves on quality and service,” Susan told me. “We are happy to cater for events of any size from dinner parties up to an event for 400, including of course weddings.” They are preferred caterers at Irnham Hall and Elton Hall.

In fact, Jeeves and Events and Tents have teamed up to provide their services to Elton Hall for weddings in 2016. Susan will be delighted to discuss the details with you and arrange a visit to the venue.

Jeeves are proud to announce they have been chosen to provide the catering for the Irnham Hall Red Cross Fair held annually in aid of the Red Cross. There will be 100 stalls selling everything from an array of Christmas gifts, clothing and many local food producers. Light refreshments, hot lunches and afternoon teas will be served during the duration of the fair.

Put the dates in your diary for a great day out 17th and 18th November.

Jeeves travels within a 100 mile radius of Stamford. They also cater for corporate clients as well as London weddings. Jeeves also offers event management working with a number of excellent individual local companies to help to ensure your event is a success.

Jeeves has a team of three chefs including daughter Bertie, who trained at a cookery school in Sussex run by a great French chef; and a serving team of 30 for the biggest events.

Clients always express how impressed by the

staff they are.

Wherever possible, the Jeeves chefs source their produce locally - including T&J Stamford, Grasmere Farms and Clements of Pinchbeck and several other local producers. Susan has a holiday home in Norfolk and has discovered a wealth of new products she has added to her suppliers’ list.

Susan has also recently launched a range of freshly cooked freezer meals for everyday eating and entertaining. She is also developing a collection of meals for Christmas and New Year. These will be available on Jeeves website from September.

The Jeeves team never sits still.

• Woosters Cottage, 41 High St, Maxey, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire PE6 9EE. 01778 349512 www.jeevescatering.com info@jeevescatering.com

Typical feedback: “Just a little note to say thank you so much for all your help and advice in making our wedding day so utterly perfect. We are still in shock at how perfect the day was, and had so many comments about how good the food was and also the service.”

“Just wanted to say everything went seamlessly on Saturday and we had a superb party. The food was lovely but what made it very special was your very well trained and personable staff who went out of their way to help our guests.”

The Bombay Cottage celebrates another anniversary Clue: it’s been around the same length as a cricket pitch…

W

hat always impresses me when I visit the Bombay Cottage is the warmth of the welcome. Habib, the owner, is a great enthusiast for what he does and always has a broad, genuine smile for all his customers.

What is it that keeps you so motivated after 22 years in the business, I asked him? What makes you want to come in every day? “The great satisfaction for me,” Habib told me, “is seeing a satisfied customer. I just want to see people with a big smile on their faces when they leave.”

“We are now starting to serve 2nd, even 3rd generation families and it is such a pleasure to see them coming back and back again.”

What has kept you at the forefront of Stamford restaurants all that time?

“Our strength is our service and consistent quality. We are four brothers all working in the business, and one of my brothers is the Head Chef. This is vital... if you can’t keep your chef it’s a big issue for the business. Also, we prepare everything in small quantities, so everything stays as fresh as possible.”

Recently they have refreshed the interior of the restaurant, adding a subtle signature wallpaper, re-painting all the woodwork and buying new, more contemporary cutlery.

And the plans for the future? Well, we definitely aim to be here to celebrate our quarter century!!

• The Bombay Cottage, The Bombay Cottage, 52 Scotgate, Stamford, PE9 2YQ Tel: 01780 480 138 www.thebombaycottage.com STAMFORD LIVING SEPTEMBER 2015

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Barnsdale Hall Hotel

Festive Celebrations 2015 Christmas Party Nights £29.95

Christmas Residential Package £395 per person

Christmas Day Lunch £77.00 if not part of package Children 6-11 years £38.50 Roast cauliflower soup, cheese and caramelised onion fritters Oak smoked salmon and prawns, capers and lemon Chicken liver and smoked bacon pâté, red onion marmalade, brioche toast Roast turkey breast, chestnut stuffing, smoked bacon wrapped chipolatas, cranberry and bread sauce and gravy Roast sirloin of beef, Yorkshire pudding, horseradish and gravy Sweet potato, mushroom and chestnut Wellington, herb mashed potatoes Grilled sea bass, roast pumpkin purée, crab and mushroom croquettes, bisque sauce Christmas pudding, brandy sauce Cheddar, Red Leicester, Stilton, oat cakes and chutney Caramel panna cotta, toasted gingerbread cake, milk chocolate sauce Mulled winter fruits and berries, cinnamon ice cream Mince pies and truffles

Nr Oakham | Rutland LE15 8AB www.barnsdalehotel.co.uk

Tel: 01572 757901 78

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SEAN HOPE COOKS

A smoky treat Smoked mackerel pate with lemon caponata

T

PHOTO: ROBIN STEWART

HIS month I’d like to share an easy, healthy recipe that’s perfect for summer.

Mackerel is an oily fish packed with essential omega-3 fats; it also tastes delicious, particularly when smoked! The smoking of food is a fascinating subject.

Ancient producers first started to smoke fish to preserve it before fridges and freezers came along – by salting the flesh to draw out water and then smoking it, fish would remain edible for several weeks as opposed to just a few days. With the advent of fridges, smoking became less important in terms of preservation; however, the smoky flavour has become so popular that we’ve carried on. And who would want to be without smoked mackerel!? I hope you enjoy this paté and zingy caponata.

Smoking in Grimsby This image by award-winning local photographer Robin Stewart shows fish being prepared to be smoked at Sealord Grimsby, Lincolnshire. There are 20 chimneys at Sealord Grimsby, each used to cold-smoke fish mainly caught in Icelandic waters.

Serves 6 • 400g smoked mackerel • 200g low-fat cream cheese • 3 lemon, juiced • 1 small bunch fresh, flat-leaf parsley, leaves picked

PASSIONATE ABOUT GOOD FOOD?

If you are passionate about local food and drink then you might like to join Great Food Club.

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

1. Remove skin and break up the fish 2. Place in a blender and blitz 3. Add the cream cheese, lemon juice and parsley and blend 4. Set in pots and serve

Lemon caponata • 3 tablespoons chopped pitted green olives • 3 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley • 3 preserved lemons, finely diced • 1 large shallot, peeled, diced, blanched in boiling water • 3 tablespoons rapeseed oil • 1 tablespoon honey • 1 pinch black pepper 1. Place all ingredients into a bowl and mix well 2. Serve with the smoked mackerel and Melba toast STAMFORD LIVING SEPTEMBER 2015

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FOOD & DRINK

Hedgerow Forays

By Deborah Pennell

A

UTUMN is on its way, the days are getting shorter and on 23rd September we celebrate the Autumn Equinox, when day and night are of equal length.

The hedgerows are laden with Free Food and if you are super efficient you can even get a few Christmas presents sorted out. Preserve Autumn fruits in jams, jellies and chutneys.

Or make wonderful wines and spirits that ‘knock your socks off’! Great presents for your Granny, Uncle or a distant Cousin, who turns up out of the blue. They also make wonderful gifts for friends if you are asked out for dinner. You can now readily buy jam jars, bottles and Kilner jars as well as sets for finishing off your homemade offerings, which include labels, paper or material tops and ribbon. However, I tend to go for the more rustic look using luggage labels, garden string and some hessian to cover the lids of jars. After all these ingredients have come straight from Mother Earth.

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A mini compendium of Hedgerow Harvest Apples Blackberries (Brambles) Possibly, the most abundant free food at this time of year. They are normally ripe to pick around mid September, depending on the season, and will freeze, preserve, dry and bottle well. A large number of chutneys have apple added as they are a great bulk ingredient.

They are also high in pectin, which is important for setting jellies and jams. Apples marry fabulously with Pork. Try a delicious recipe with Pork cutlets, baked apple, sherry and rosemary. Dry out apples sprinkled with the spices cinnamon, cardamom and vanilla to make great tasting apple chips. Make your apple sauce to accompany all those winter roasts and pop it in sealed bags in the deep freeze, bottle mincemeat for your Christmas mince pies, make chutney to accompany cold meats and Apple cider to drink. What a versatile fruit.

Beechnuts Beech trees only crop every 3 – 4 years.

Beechnuts are bitter and have a high tanin content so should not be eaten in large quantities. They can be toasted and eaten as a snack food, processed to make beechnut butter or added to stews.

Bilberry (Whortleberry) Related to our shop bought blueberries, these smaller and more flavoursome berries are found on low growing shrubs in nutrient poor soils and often in wooded areas. Painstakingly slow to harvest by hand or using a bilberry comb or rake they are really worth the time and effort. They can be found locally in Wakerley Woods, just outside Stamford; but be aware, when picking these tiny gems, as they are very fragile and stain fingers, lips and tongues with their blood red juice. Whilst researching the bilberry I came across a story of WWII RAF pilots, which relates that they used to consume bilberry jam to sharpen their vision for night missions. However, this myth has been dispelled in a recent study by the US Navy, which found they have no such effect. Eat bilberries fresh, poach them and have them on pancakes, bottle them, make sorbet or try your hand at making a wonderful Bilberry liqueur.

Blackberries are normally picked from early September onwards until the first frost, although we already have some ripe ones appearing on the bushes around here and its only mid August! They are ripe when they are black and soft, not mushy. Be prepared for scratched hands and legs, especially if you, like me, reach deep into the bushes, they are seriously prickly! Rich in Vitamin E & C, potassium, soluble fibre and protective polyphenols, blackberries have been ranked among the top 50 foods for antioxidant potency. They freeze well, make great jelly, fabulous spirits and liqueurs, can be used in lots of pudding recipes and accompany rich meats like venison and pigeon really well. Try making an Autumn Pudding (a spin on the more well known Summer pudding), coulis for ice-cream, add them to muffins and red cabbage to make a lovely Autumn vegetable. Steep in brandy, vodka or gin as a winter warmer.

Editor’s note: take a stepladder; then you can reach the blackberries no-one but the birds can reach (but you will get odd looks)

Bullace This is a variety of plum similar to a Damson yet smaller. It is an old-fashioned hedgerow plant and some areas have more availability than others. Normally only suitable for cooking, they are too tart to the palate when raw. Harvest late September to early October. Use in recipes like Bullace Jam, Bullace Pie, Pickle them, or make Bullace Wine or Vodka.

Crab Apples A small apple, found in myriad colours ranging from yellow, through to deep plum purple.

They are rarely eaten raw as they are so sour tasting. Once cooked they provide an amazing vivid ruby coloured juice. Use them to make jellies; they are high in pectin so this is one jelly I can always guarantee sets well.

Last year I made crab apple and chilli jelly, which is great with cheeses and crab apple and mint jelly, which is a great accompaniment to Roast Lamb. It looks great jarred up and makes a really lovely gift. Alternatively, pickle them or turn them into chutney or fabulously bold wine.

There are masses of trees along the A43 where I have regularly seen people ‘scrumping’ – apart from a thorough wash to get rid of the pollution these fruit are good to go.

Damsons Wild Damsons are tricky to find. Don’t get them confused with a plump sloe, they are both the size of a small olive and look very similar with their dark bluish skin and same greyish tinge.

The main distinguishing feature being their shape. The sloe is round and the wild damson is slightly elongated, almost the shape of a rugby ball. Another great fruit for adding to vodka and gin and they make a mean wine. They are great for jams, jellies and chutneys, cobblers, icecream and go wonderfully well with chocolate so add them to a favourite brownie recipe for an Autumn twist – even better if they’ve been steeped in alcohol first, but don’t forget to take the stones out! They create a rich and vibrant sauce, a great accompaniment to both sweet and savoury dishes – serve with a baked orange cheesecake or perfectly pink duck breasts.

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FOOD & DRINK

Elderberry

Quince

Elderberries grow abundantly in our hedgerows and if you missed steeping their flowers for cordial or wine earlier in the season then don’t miss out on their fantastic berries.

Medicinally, elderberry has been used for hundreds of years. Tests record a measurable effect in treating flu, helping with allergies and boosting respiratory health.

I think this is one of the fruits you need to be most careful about picking. It has a small black shiny berry, which is similar, if you don’t know what you’re looking for, to Privet, Common buckthorn and Dogwood. So do take care as some of these plants are poisonous. Elderberries themselves are poisonous too if eaten raw, as they contain a poisonous alkaloid, this is rendered harmless when cooked. Most commonly turned into jelly, you will also find recipes for elderberry marmalade, wine, liqueur and cordial.

This ancient hedgerow fruit is green with a furry jacket when immature but ripens to a bright yellow.

They remain hard to the touch.

Toe curlingly tart if eaten raw, but delicious when cooked with the addition of tooth rotting quantities of sugar.

The syrup produced tends to be pale amber in colour with hints of vanilla, pineapple and lemon blossom to taste. They are easy to prepare and give off a fantastic fragrance. Treat them like a traditional pear or apple – peel, core and chop. Use to add texture to crumbles, make a quince tart tatin, poach to accompany ice-cream or meats, make quince paste (membrillo) or a winter warming Quince liqueur.

Gorse

Rosehips

The bright yellow flowers of this thorny bush are edible and have a very slight aroma and flavour of coconut. Obviously thick gloves are a good idea when harvesting this free food. Having braved the thorns, the flowers can be turned into cordial, steeped for wine.

Gorse syrup can be churned into ice-cream to make a delicious light coconut flavour dessert which can be decorated with crystallised gorse flowers.

Known to contain as much as 20 times more Vitamin C than oranges, to be an excellent antioxidant and associated with good immune support and alleviation of chronic pain. Harvest preferably after the first frost, as this is when they are sweetest. Choose hips that are firm with a slight give in the skin and bright red or orange in colour. Over ripe hips are sweet but have lost much of their Vitamin C. Although hips can be eaten raw, care must be taken to avoid the fine hairs inside the fruit, which as it happens, are used in the preparation of itching powder! Use to make herbal teas, jams, jellies and chutney. Rosehip vinegar is a fabulous

Hawthorn Haws should be picked late in the season, October and November, ideally when they are as ripe as possible. They are easy to pick but come off the plant with lots of stems. These aren’t required, so need to be removed before cooking. Eaten straight from the bush they don’t taste very exciting, a bit like a dry under ripe apple. Once cooked they produce a deep ruby coloured pulp similar in colour to the berries themselves which is high in pectin and can be used to make jelly. Hawthorn Schnapps is a very potent ‘blow your head off’ alcohol but I think my favourite way to deal with Hawthorn berries is to turn them into ketchup.

Mirabelles (Cherry Plums) Depending on the weather you can still find Mirabelle plums around in early September. This is a semi wild plum, about the size of a 10p piece and generally yellow in colour blushed with red.

Containing a high pectin level it is again great for jams and jellies. De-stoned and poached they make a lovely accompaniment to rack of lamb and there is no reason why you couldn’t use them as an alternative to commercially cropped plums in any recipe.

5 Top tips for Hedgerow Foraging

• Carry a walking stick with a curved handle for reaching those higher branches, or if all else fails a hockey stick. A pair of thick gloves is also a good idea.

• Do not access land without permission.

Personally I think fruit, nuts and flowers situated next to a public highway or footpath are fair game but some farmers may feel otherwise. Never forget that this Free Food is also a crucial food source for our wild birds and animals to see them through the winter months so always pick with this in mind.

• Soft fruit bruises easily therefore take lots of containers so you don’t have to stack the fruit too thickly • If you feel it is necessary, wash the fruit.

Only wash it when you are about to use it as some varieties bruise easily and will turn mushy • Finally, and most importantly, DO NOT harvest anything unless you can readily identify it.

colour as is the wine and, of course, the syrup.

They can even be used as an effective hangover cure! Another idea is to steep fresh berries in the syrup to add extra flavour to fruit salads, Eton Mess or your morning bowl of porridge.

Rowan Clusters of bright orange-red berries, they are a really good source of Vitamin A & C. It is not advisable to eat this berry raw due to its high astringent properties. Most frequently used to make jelly, which marries perfectly with Autumn game and rich meats such as lamb.

They can also be steeped in alcohol such as vodka.

Sloe Berries Sloes are the fruit of the blackthorn. This year the bushes are laden with this black berry, which on close inspection looks like a miniature plum and has a waxy bloom.

Don’t rush to pick these quite yet though, as they will be sweeter after the first frosts, so normally, October–early November. Be careful when harvesting as blackthorn is known for its savage thorns. Use to make delicious Sloe Gin or Sloe Whisky, turn into jam, add to fruit pies or preserve in vinegar.

Sweet Chestnuts Not to be confused with normal chestnuts these are generally ready for picking from mid October onwards. Encased in a densely spined, pin sharp shell they look like mini-green hedgehogs. The shell case will burst open to reveal 2 to 3 chestnuts but you have to beat the squirrels to them. They can be eaten on their own with a little salt or added to risottos, pies and tarts.

Wild Hazel (Cobnuts) Available to pick in early Autumn they grow in clusters of 2 or 3 and can be eaten straight from the tree whilst they are still green.

Another of the squirrels favourite foods, they seem to have an unerring sense of when they are ripe. Cobnuts are the cultivated form of wild hazel and are readily available at Farmers’ Markets and good greengrocers. They are great roasted as a snack food, ground into pesto or added to stews.

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BURGHLEY HORSE TRIALS SPECIAL OFFER! Come join us for live music with food being served all day Saturday and Sunday and Prosecco at £15 all weekend

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BARNSDALE LODGE

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Festive Party Nights DINNER/disco in the barn A selection of dates throughout December.

Private parties can be arranged, subject to availability. £28.50 pp (Sun-Thurs) pp | £30 pp (Fri/Sat)

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BRINGING LOCAL FOOD TO LIFE

The rise and rise of the

Thurlby empire From the Tobie Norris in Stamford to the Lord Nelson in Oakham to the Prince Rupert in Newark, Michael Thurlby has the magic touch…

By Matt Wright, founder of Great Food Club

A

S someone with fond memories of enjoying the odd pint in the old Black Bull pub – tucked away down Stamford Walk – in the late 1990s, I’ve always followed local publican extraordinaire Michael Thurlby’s exploits with interest. I could be mistaken, but I believe the Black Bull – now PJ’s Bed & Breakfast at The Black Bull – was Mr Thurlby’s first hostelry, and over the proceeding years he’s bought The Periwig (remember when it was The Marsh Harrier?), The Tobie Norris and The Crown Hotel in Stamford, plus The Lord Nelson in Oakham and Bourne pubs Smith’s and The Jubilee. Last but not least, Michael’s pub portfolio also includes The Prince Rupert in Newark. He has also previously run The Exeter Arms at Easton on the Hill and The White Hart at Ufford.

Something of a local legend, Michael Thurlby clearly has a knack for pubs – both restoring and running them – and Stamford pub goers in particular can be thankful for his hard work, passion and investment. The Tobie Norris is one of the best pub restoration jobs you’ll see anywhere, and the Crown today feels like the thriving town centre pub/hotel it

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always had the potential to be. And none of this has been achieved just by writing cheques, getting the builders in and sitting back. Many readers will have seen Michael collecting glasses in his own inns, getting his hands dirty as if he were a trainee. He’s also known for rising at 5am most mornings to help out on his family farm in Tallington.

Five of the seven pubs owned by Michael Thurlby – all except The Periwig and The Jubilee – have recently been branded together under the name ‘Knead Pubs’, which in total now employs 190 staff. I went to catch up with Knead operations manager Ross Dykes and group executive chef Nick Buttress at The Crown Hotel to find out more…

WHY ARE YOU CALLED ‘KNEAD PUBS’?

Nick: “The name relates to ‘kneading’ dough and refers to the fact that we serve freshly-made stonebaked pizza – baked in special pizza ovens imported from Italy – in all Knead Pubs except The Crown, although The Crown might start to offer them soon, too.”

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Ross: “We decided to create Knead Pubs because Mick [Thurlby] wanted the brand to mean something rather than just be his surname, and to link all the sites together, under one umbrella. We also wanted to communicate that fact that you can walk into any Knead pub and feel confident that you will get the same level of quality. Our five pubs might look and feel different, and offer different menus, but the same general high standards applies at each.”

WHAT IS THE KNEAD PHILOSOPHY? Ross: “One of our ‘things’ at Knead is we’re forever reinvesting and changing things to stay fresh – we know that as soon as we stop, we’ll be overtaken. For example, The Tobie Norris didn’t used to serve food on Fridays and Saturdays, but now it’s a critical part of the offering. Similarly, at Smith’s of Bourne we only used to serve baguettes, but now food makes up 50 per cent of the revenue. Sunday night dining has also gone through the roof at all our sites. The market is constantly evolving and we’re constantly adapting to it. Stamford is doing brilliantly compared to five years ago – the Burghley Horse Trials have doubled in size, the Rutland Water Bird Fair has quadrupled, plus there are lots of regular big events at Burghley House – and it’s great to be able to respond to the town’s changing needs and generally play a role here.”

DO YOU SOURCE YOUR INGREDIENTS LOCALLY? Nick: “All lamb and beef (Lincoln Red) come from Andy’s [Michael’s brother’s] farm in Tallington. We like to use the entire animal

where possible – and by the way, Oakham folk like their lambs’ liver! It doesn’t seem to go down anywhere near as well at our other sites. The farm also supplies us with asparagus and whatever falls off the trees, from quince to apples to blackberries.”

WHAT’S NEXT FOR KNEAD PUBS? Ross: “The Periwig is our next project. We are thinking of changes next year but are still in discussions as to what we might do. At The Crown we’ve already reinvested a huge amount – we’ve finished the lounge and we’re about 70 per cent through bedrooms – but we have around two years’ work ahead of us. We’ll be refreshing the bar next. We’re also on the hunt for new Knead Pub sites in towns like Lincoln and Cambridge.

Watch this space.”

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 SEPTEMBER 2015

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“Pinter’s game of happy families” 15 to 19 September, Stamford Arts Centre - 7.45pm Tickets £10 / £8 conc. Box office 01780 763203 A work of dazzling directness and simplicity, on the surface, where the family conflicts create a play that is both comic and menacing.

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DIARY DATES

What’s On Amander Meade selects some of the best entertainment in the region this month

Thursday 3 September to Sunday 6 September EVENT: The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials Without doubt the premier equestrian and social event in the international sporting calendar and a focus for the best horses and riders in the world. The parkland of Burghley provides a perfect setting for the four day event competition and a stunning location for the popular shopping village of more than six hundred exhibitors tempting all ages and tastes.

Burghley Park For tickets or more information visit www. burghley-horse.co.uk

Thursday 3 September, 7.30pm TALK: Fires and Firemen Renowned local historian Philippa Massey examines Stamford’s historic fire services, what they dealt with and the people who served in them.

Stamford Arts Centre Tickets £5/£4.50 Sunday 6 September, 11am to 4pm EVENT: Autumn Country Market The tenth annual market will host forty five stalls showcasing authentic crafts plus demonstrations, live music, animals and much more. The gardens will still look splendid too.

A garden ticket includes all the show activities at £6.95 Adult/£2.95 child.

Easton Walled Gardens www.estonwalledgardens.co.uk

Sunday 13 September, from 10.30 am EVENT: Stamford Dog show The tenth Stamford Dog Show and Family Fun Day offers visitors a display of Hearing Dogs as well as Malamutes and Huskies on parade and the Labrador Rescue Trust will be showing their happy, re-homed dogs with some still in need of loving owners. Also on the day will be demonstrations from local dog trainer and Great Britain Dog Agility Team member, Julia Durrant. There will be many different stalls and other attractions including alpacas and reptiles and many children’s activities and funfairs. All proceeds from the show go towards the Segbwema Hospital in Sierra Leone, the Thorpe Hall Hospice; the Methodist Church’s youth outreach programme and Mutts Nutts a local animal shelter charity. Bring the family, bring friends, bring your dog and enter the pedigree or novelty classes - or just come along and enjoy the sights and sounds of pets and people enjoying a day out.

Stamford Meadows

Saturday 12 September, 10am to 6pm Rutland Food and Drink Festival Back for its sixth year and run alongside Rutland Day, the festival celebrates a fine assortment of high quality food and drink businesses in and around the region.

Showcasing the amazing variety of produce from artisan cheeses and chocolates to award winning pastries and pies, there will be a plethora of local businesses tempting you with their goods as well as the local farmers providing their quality burgers, sausages and hog roasts. .

Live cookery demonstrations, live music and plenty of entertainment.

Sykes Lane, Empingham Parking £5, admission free Tuesday 15 to Saturday 19 September, 7.45pm THEATRE: The Homecoming by Harold Pinter performed by Shoestring Theatre Considered by many critics to be not just Harold Pinter’s, but one of the twentieth

century’s, masterpieces. A long-absent son and his attractive wife, return to his contentious childhood home, still occupied by his father and two younger brothers. Plunged into a misogynistic household, the wife’s intelligence and charisma begins to control the family.

(Contains adult themes and events).

Stamford Theatre Tickets £10/£8 Tel: 01780 763203 www.stamfordartscentre.com Friday 18 September, 7pm EVENT: The Osprey Fundraising Dinner and Dance A chance to celebrate another successful season for the nature reserve at Rutland Water and to toast the one hundredth chick to hatch there. Fine dining, live music dancing and a fabulous raffle. Roy Dennis will be the speaker.

Barnsdale Lodge Tickets £55 per person, corporate packages available. For information and tickets contact Kayleigh Tel: 01572 737378 STAMFORD LIVING SEPTEMBER 2015

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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.

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DIARY DATES

What’s On Saturday 19 September, 10am to 4pm WORKSHOP: Stained Glass Leaded stained glass is a centuries old craft and although the tools have been update, the basic techniques remain the same, cutting glass, shaping lead and soldering.

With close supervision you can make your own individual leaded stained glass panel. All tools provided, small group. 16 years plus.

Stamford Arts Centre £45 per person.

Monday 21 to Thursday 24 September, 7.30pm MUSIC: The Pirates of Penzance The Peterborough Gilbert and Sullivan Players present this traditional production of a favourite operetta. A cast of experienced principals accompanied by the sounds of a full orchestra promises to be excellent family entertainment.

The Key Theatre, Embankment, Peterborough Tickets £15/£7.50 for U18 and students Tel: 01733 207239.

Wednesday 23 to Friday 25 September, 7.30pm THEATRE: Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Stolen Suspenders The Corn Exchange Theatre Players invite you to join Sherlock Homes and Dr Watson in an evening of dark comedy with adult humour from the exploits of the world’s most famous detective. The Players are always looking for new talent to get involved with productions on stage or behind the scenes. Anyone interested in finding out more can call David Tel: 07875757907 Stamford Corn Exchange Theatre Tickets £9.50/£8.50/£7.50 Tel: 01780 766455 www.stamford-corn-exchange.co.uk Saturday 26 September, 7.30pm CONCERT: Stamford Brass The ever popular Stamford Brass will be celebrating British Tradition with all the patriotic favourites in aid of the Mayors Charity.

Stamford Corn Exchange Theatre Tickets £11/£10 Tel: 01780 766455 www.stamford-corn-exchange.co.uk Wednesday 30 September, 10.30am to 4pm WORKSHOP: Watercolour Painting Day Popular water colour artist Sandra Peck will host a day’s painting for beginners through to more advanced painters. ‘Try Something

Thursday 24 to Sunday 27 September

Immerse yourself in Stamford’s heritage with the Stamford Georgian Festival A fantastic and unique festival packed with a host of events organised in celebration of Stamford’s Georgian heritage with top names to speak, perform and generally provide entertainment across the long weekend. Direct from the West End will be the popular Horrible Histories show plus a re-enactment of the traditional bull running through the streets. Other highlights include the chance to recreate a ball in the Georgian ballroom at the Arts Centre where guests in costume will enjoy music, dancing and a delicious buffet supper. There will be a street market on Broad Street on Saturday and Sunday with free entertainment and on the Meadows members of the Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards will mingle with ‘Georgian’ traders. Visitors can expect a weekend full of markets, music, costume, coach rides as well as military spectacle and fireworks. A magical, colourful event for families of all ages to enjoy.

Venues across Stamford More information and tickets for many more individual events at www.stamfordgeorgianfestival.co.uk

Different’ is the theme of the day.

Burghley House, Stamford Places are £59 per person, to book or find out more Tel: 01780 761996 Saturday 3 to Sunday 11 October (excluding Friday 9) EVENT: Burghley Flower Festival Members of local flower societies will transform

the magnificent State Rooms with beautiful floral displays. Offering a new perspective on England’s greatest Elizabethan House each room will inspire floral arrangements with societies taking their inspiration from this year’s theme in addition to the painted ceilings and 17th Century art.

Valid with a House and Gardens or House only ticket at £13.50/£6.70 www.burghley.co.uk STAMFORD LIVING SEPTEMBER 2015

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09/09/2013 17:31

MADE TO FIT

CALL NOW On 01780 740997

WWW.STAMFORDMULTIFUELSTOVES.CO.UK

Mob: 07811 310 012 Tel: 01780 752602

Hunter stevens 4x1 SL Oct.indd 1

S REPAIR PARTS SALES E SERVIC

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

Chartered Accountants

MOWER SERVICE

GAS ENGINEER

FENTONS

BOURNE

OF LTD Kates Bridge, Thurlby, Bourne, Linc, PE10 0EN T: 01778 560466 / 560425 F: 01778 560842 E: glen@fentonsofbourne.co.uk www.fentonsofbourne.co.uk

OVEN CLEANING Do you want the fairies to clean your oven?

Or would you rather do it yourself?

Ovens, Ranges, Agas, Hobs, Extractors, Microwaves, Start from £39 Fridges, FreezersPrices & BBQ’s • Prices start from £42 T: 01572 767678 M: 07785 987112 t. 01572W: 767678 - m. 07785 987112 www.ovenfairy.co.uk Ovens, Ranges, Agas, Hobs, Extractors, Microwaves, Fridges, Freezers & BBQs

(book online)

www.ovenfairy.co.uk (book online)

Treating ovens today, tonight and tomorrow

OVEN CLEANING SPECIALIST

01780 728012

oven.smart@ yahoo.co.uk WE ARE A LOCALLY RUN CLEANING BUSINESS

plumbing & heating engineer Tel: 01780 752311 Mob: 07712 771105

■ Ovens ■ Aga’s ■ Ranges ■ Grills ■ Hobs ■ Extractors ■ BBQs ■ Microwaves

Boiler Servicing & Breakdowns Plumbing & Heating Maintenance

PLUMBING

548567

28 Lindsey Road, Uffington, Stamford, Lincs, PE9 4SH

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

• • • •

Plumbing • Gas Heating Bathrooms Worcester Bosch Accredited Installer.

www.greatlittlecleaningcompany.co.uk

01780 756098 07714889711 COMPUTER SERVICES Why does the computer always play up in the evenings when the repair shops are shut?

Help available until 9pm including weekends.

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

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

For all your new PC and Laptop requirements

All types of PC and Laptop repairs and upgrades undertaken Broadband & wireless installation Data recovery • Hardware sales info@acrcomputers.co.uk www.acrcomputers.co.uk TEL: 01780 753477 SCOTGATE – STAMFORD

Kitchen & Bathroom Fitting Plastering • Tiling Call Gareth for a free quote

M: 07710 827371 T: 01780 783315 MOT

T: 01780 482039

www.plumbingstamford.co.uk ROOFING

Jonathan Tyers T: 01780 753724 M: 07730 096883

E: stamfordproroof@ gmail.com www.proroofstamford.co.uk

• Felt Roofing • Guttering • Chimney Repairs • UPVC Fascias • Fibreglass Flat Roofs • Tiling & Slating

Expert Installation by qualified tradesman

Jason Musgrove Traditional Slater & Builder 07952 687988 Tel/Fax 01780 444019 jasonmusgrove@btinternet.com Slate Cottage, 65 Main Road, Collyweston, Stamford, Lincs. PE9 3PQ

20/08/2015 14:32

SECURITY

Anglo Integrated Systems

CCTV Fire Alarms Access Control Intruder Alarms Automated Gates

Tel: 01780 480757 Email: office@anglois.com www.anglois.com 27 Water Street, Stamford, Lincs PE9 2NJ

WOODBURNERS

Stamford plumbing lh Property Services.pdf

1

10/06/2014

20 Best Local Bike Rides

PUBLIC TALK

September 11th

17:01

PROPERTYSERVICES

Wood Burning Stoves & Biomass

BIKE

20 best

• Installation of wood burning stoves.

• Domestic biomass installations.

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Stamford Arts Centre (ballroom)

Spectacular rides around cycle Stamford, Rut Harborough land, the Nene Val and ley

Call us now for a free no obligation quotation.

PUBLIC TALK:

01780 482039

www.plumbingstamford.co.uk ISSN 175 7-747

9 77175 7 74701 2

Followed by weekly meditation classes

From the publishe

Living

rs of

To place an advert in next month’s magazine please call Claudia on 01778 425502

with Buddhist nun Gen Nyingpo

Magazines

Proprietor:AD Workplace Services Ltd Registered Office: Ruthlyn House, 90 Lincoln Road, Peterborough, PE1 2SP Reg No: 3684353 Company Director: Anthony Dean VAT Reg No: 803 3116 78

Fridays 7-8.15pm (£6)

from 18 Sept

Thursdays 1-2pm (£5)

from 24 Sept

Classes held at the Stamford Arts Centre In association with Rutland Cycling Please enclose a cheque for £3.50, made payable to Local Living, and return to: PO Box 208, Stamford, PE9 9FY.

Or order online at:

www.bestlocalliving.co.uk

2015 edition out now!

ONLY

£3

Order online at www.bestlocalliving.co.uk write to Local Living PO Box 208, Stamford PE9 9FY enclosing a cheque made payable to Local Living for £3,along with your address

“A Safe Place to Talk”

Free, confidential & unbiased advice.

Had an abortion, baby loss or miscarriage in the past or know someone that has? Feel the need to be able to talk about it in a Safe Place?

Alternatives offers free confidential unbiased support • • • • •

Book tickets at the box office £6

Meditations for a Joyful Life

£3.50

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Unit 1 • Station Road Business Park • Barnack • Stamford • Lincolnshire • PE9 3DW T 01780 482039 E stamfordplumbing@yahoo.co.uk W www.plumbingstamford.co.uk

Tel: 01780 765853/ 07913052159 office@alternativesstamford.co.uk www.alternativesstamford.co.uk facebook.com/alternativesstamford @altstamford

or drop in any Mon or Thur 9-5

Meditation improves concentration in daily life and reduces stress, worry and anxiety. Training in meditation brings inner peace, happiness and a positive outlook on life.

Everyone is welcome to the classes.

w w w. d r o l m a c e n t r e . o r g. u k APPLE PIE ORDER CLEANING COMPANY We all know with the pace of life, it’s not possible to keep our homes in the “Apple Pie Order” we would like!

Sometimes our cluttered, busy and not so clean homes can become an added stress to our lives.

T

o keep on top of things you might be wanting a weekly clean, tidy and refresh. Or maybe you prefer to go away on holiday returning to your home having been thoroughly deep cleaned, enjoying the finished result on your return! We will do anything from a weekly/ fortnightly hoover, dust and bathroom clean to a thorough deep clean, hoover, dust, bathroom, skirting boards, picture frames, under furniture and windows.

• To arrange a time for an initial house visit call me on 07904 935592. We can discuss your requirements and agree a preferred day and time for the clean you are wanting.

Customers who have used us before have been extremely pleased with the results...

“Asia has been cleaning our house for the past 5 months and she has done a wonderful job. She is here promptly every week.

It is so nice to come home to a clean house. She has her own key and ensures everything is locked up after. She is very trusting and efficient.”

- Sam - Stamford “Asia has always given an excellent & thorough service. Asia is totally trustworthy, as I work away & I’m more than happy for her to have a key to my house. She is friendly & contacts me when she has been. I would strongly recommend Asia’s cleaning services. Great value for money.” - Gavin Harper • Asia Rdzawska, Stamford. Tel: 07904935592 Email: infoapplepieorder@ gmail.com

Ryhall Road, Stamford PE9 1YA. (located within the Hospital Site behind Sheep Market Surgery)

Registered charity 1129379

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LOCAL PEOPLE

A Loveof Landscape Alan Oliver is possibly Rutland’s best loved artist.

Working in watercolours, pastels and oils, his work is varied and extensive with a special fondness for landscapes many of which feature his home county as well as those captured on his European travels. Amander Meade discovers more about his life in art

O

RIGINALLY from Stamford, Alan developed an early love for drawing the insects and flora he found in his garden as a very young boy and was rarely without pencils and pad as a child.

Encouraged by his parents he developed painting as a hobby but never intended to make art his career. “….. I WAS ALWAYS TOLD OFF FOR SKETCHING AT SCHOOL” After a brief spell in the Army, Alan trained as an engineer and found his ability to sketch helped him explain his ideas where mere words were inadequate. “At school I was always being told off for sketching what I learned instead of making proper notes but my brain works so visually, it made much more sense to me to record what I had learned in a lesson in the form of a picture instead. I discovered once I had drawn something, I never forgot it.” The technique helped secure him several jobs in design and illustration around the region until he came to Oakham where a colleague offered him the chance to collaborate on an animated film project. So successful was the project, the pair left their jobs to create their own animation design company but the decision was not without risk. “With my wife’s backing, we sold our house and moved to a tiny tumbledown cottage in Whissendine to free up money to start the business, but it proved the right thing to do as we were soon providing graphics for the BBC and the Ministry of Defence among others.”

Still painting voraciously and having joined every artists’ group he could, Alan’s work had started to catch the attention of London galleries and after eight busy years, he (and his partner) decided to sell their business with Alan taking a leap of faith to pursue painting

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full time. “Thankfully, I never looked back and had some great strokes of luck along the way.” With his work now gaining an international reputation and selling fast, Alan branched into teaching and enjoyed many happy years organising painting workshops in Italy and the South of France, a period he looks back at with immense fondness. “I loved it and met some wonderful friends in some wonderful locations as a result.”

“RUTLAND IS A REALLY SPECIAL PLACE…” As well as his commercial success and teaching, Alan has exhibited regularly at the Royal Institute of Watercolour Painters, The Royal Watercolour Society, The Royal Oil Institute, The Pastel Society and the Royal Academy and is the author of several books but has recently taken the decision to stop teaching for a couple of reasons. Having lost his dear wife Janet twelve years ago, he happily met and married Anna (also widowed) four years later and the couple are now devoted to each other, enjoying life and travelling together. “Teaching was wonderful but I have found since I stopped, my own work has become much freer and moved in a new direction full of vibrant colour and energy.”

Never tiring of Rutland as a subject, Alan describes it as his favourite place in the world – “Rutland is a really special place; nowhere has better scenery or prettier villages in my opinion and Rutland Water is a magnificent jewel in our crown.” Citing Turner as his own artistic hero, Alan is thrilled about the thriving local art scene and is certain Rutland now rivals Cornwall in the number of serious artists who live and work here.

Gently spoken and always humble about his talent, Alan considers he has led a very lucky life. I say luck often comes by way of hard work and dedication and I am sure those who know him, will agree that Mr Oliver has to be one of the nicest and most gifted men to call this county home.

• Visit Alan’s gallery at his Oakham home by appointment through www.alan-oliver.co.uk or see his work at The Old House Gallery, Market Place, Oakham.

STAMFORD LIVING SEPTEMBER 2015

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Melbourne Road, Stamford £215,000 A period three bedroom extended terraced home which is situated close to the town centre and local amenities. The property has an open plan kitchen/dining/family room, sitting room with feature bay window and a large Master bedroom.

The accommodation comprises of an entrance hall, sitting room, family room just off the dining room, kitchen, rear entrance hall, bathroom and three bedrooms. To the rear of the property is a south west facing patio and lawned garden, which is of a good size, whilst to the front is a block paved driveway providing off street parking. No Onward Chain.

St Leonards Street, Stamford £345,000 Set in the town centre, this period three bedroom terraced home offers stylish accommodation which has been finished to a high standard, the accommodation comprises of a entrance hall, a modern kitchen, dining room with patio doors onto the garden, sitting room with wood burner three bedrooms and superb bathroom with a walk-in shower. To the rear is an enclosed south facing garden which leads to a large outbuilding which has two rooms and has potential to convert subject to planning. Rarely available off street parking also features. Viewing highly recommended.

Viewing highly recommended.

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19/08/2015 11:47

Winners always need the right time

Loomes Championship Rockingham International Horse Trials 2015 Sir Mark Todd

Loomes & Co Extraordinary watch makers MADE IN STAMFORD

www.robertloomes.com - 01780 481319 96

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