Stamford Living May 2011 by Best Local Living

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

STAMFORD Living St Mary’s Quarter Pull-out map

Sean’s Kitchen Confidential Asparagus Tips

Enhancing your outdoor space 10 Top Tips

£1.50 May 2011

@LocalLivingUK

www.bestlocalliving.co.uk 05

9 771478 377017 SLAPRILCOVER copy.indd 1

20/4/11 10:58:53

The Old Forge, Collyweston £575,000

This deceptively spacious 4 bedroom, 5 reception property is a combination of two stone properties including the Old Forge itself. Modernised and converted to a very high standard utilising all the latest modern conveniences but in a manner sympathetic to the original style and feel of the properties the owners have created in the process an unusually versatile house which really must be viewed to be appreciated. There are delightful mature gardens and patio areas overlooked from the inside through a full wall of glass from the dining room.

High Street, Carlby

Fantastic detached house in rural location on the edge of a sought-after village. Breakfast Kitchen and Utility Room. Lovely bright Sitting Room with wood burner, Dining Hall and separate Study. Three Bedrooms, two with EnSuite and a Family Bathroom. Beautiful Gardens leading to river. Separate car port and parking for several cars.

Elliots Way, Braceborough

£435,000

This spacious detached family home located in a select small development of similar quality properties. Braceborough is a small hamlet to the East of Stamford close to many local amenities. Constructed to a high standard and must be seen to appreciate the size of accommodation available. Entrance Hall with Cloakroom. Living room, dining room study, playroom. Good sized Kitchen leading to a conservatory/breakfast room. 5 bedrooms family bathroom and 2 ensuites. Double garage.

£1,150 pcm

Morehay Lane, Kings Cliffe £1,100 pcm

Fabulous, versatile bungalow in the heart of this popular village. Providing excellent family accommodation and comprising: Modern Kitchen with Breakfast Room off and Utility. Good sized Sitting Room and Dining Room/ Play Room. Five Bedrooms. Family Bathroom. Outside there is a Large Garden and Garage. Parking for several vehicles.

2/3 St Johns Street Stamford PE9 2DA

Sales: 01780 750000 Lettings: 01780 750001 2

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

• SL May ADS.indd 2

18/4/11 15:56:38

STAMFORD LIVING Hello

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

This issue

Cover shot:

May

A good man

Taken from a painting by artist James Green titled ‘Stamford’. Limited edition prints and greeting cards of this painting are available direct from the artist. For more details call 01733 203230 or visit www.jamesgreenart.co.uk

UPFRONT, SHOPPING

Sometimes you meet a person, and you admire them instantly and know you will get on. Mark Crick, who passed away recently in a snorkelling accident, was just such a man. I met him for the ﬁrst time when he proposed running a Ghost Writing Competition with The Arts Centre and Stamford Living Magazine last year. Ghost stories were a passion for him. When he presented his ideas to us we were immediately convinced, and he went on to run a very successful competition that attracted many entries and some great local winners of all ages. Mark put many hours into organising the event and reading all the entries, all because of his love of ghost stories and a desire to help people, especially youngsters, get their writing published. A good man who will be greatly missed.

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

SUBSCRIBE TO Stamford Living

@LocalLivingUK

4 6

Ashton Furniture; Parlez-vous un peu? The Ospreys at Rutland Water; One-Touch Football; TaeKwon Do Club Dermarollers at Renaissance; Marcia May children’s shoes; The Oculist sunglasses; Fitness2Health; Stamford Beauty; Are you trying for a baby? Madeira with Oundle Travel; Sally Harris-Daines, Psychotherapist; In Step Social Media; Hester Cresswell workshops; Caudalie at Chameleon

27-30 St Mary’s Quarter pull-out feature

10 FASHION

FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY

10 32

Fashion: New fashion outlets Health & Beauty: Fingers and toes

HOME, GARDEN & MOTORING

17 26 36 44 21 COOKING WITH SEAN HOPE

Motoring: Car running costs Gardening: Adam Frost looks at jobs for May Property: Who’s who in the rentals market? Top 10 tips for enhancing your outdoor space

FOOD & DRINK

9 21

Delicious fresh milk Sean’s Kitchen Conﬁdential: Asparagus

ACTIVITIES, LEARNING & BUSINESS

18 22 26 GARDENING WITH ADAM FROST

31 47

Local Business: Opus Dai champagne bar; Marilyn Squire Cookery School; Active Camping; Shaws Coach trips Local Business: Garrington’s Property Search, More than Travel, Maples new owners Local walk: Castor Hanglands What’s On

PERSPECTIVES

39 40 51 52 32 HEALTH & BEAUTY

Perspectives: The Shuttleworth Collection Countryﬁle: The Swiss Garden Ask Leo Special: The Stamford Sailing Club Stamford people: Stamford’s librarians

10 WAYS TO IMPROVE

YOUR GARDEN

SPACE

39 SHUTTLEWORTH COLLECTION

PAGE 44

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

STAMFORD LIVING May 2011

3 CONTENTS APRIL.indd 3

20/4/11 14:31:58

LOCAL NEWS

Upfront What’s new this month

The Ospreys Have Returned Home to Rutland Water! On Wednesday 8 June, Tim Mackrill – Leader of ‘The Rutland Osprey Project’ – will be presenting an update on the progress of the project at The Friends of Rutland Sailability annual reception at Barnsdale Lodge Hotel from 6.30pm to 8.30pm Tim will describe the translocation of Ospreys to Rutland Water in the late 1990s, the breeding successes, the migration of these wonderful birds to their winter home in West Africa, and their return early in April to their breeding grounds on Rutland Water. Tickets are £15 each, including welcoming drinks and light refreshments – available from: Mike Baumber. Tel: 01780 740289 Email: michael.baumber@btinternet. com The evening will be raising funds for Rutland Sailability – ‘Providing sailing for people with disabilities on Rutland Water.’

Stamford Bluecoat TaeKwon Do Students from Stamford Bluecoat TaeKwon Do recently took their first grading of 2011 on Sunday 20th March at their dojang at Bluecoat School. 37 of the club’s students, with an age range of 5 to 21, were put through their paces by Master R Oldham, 8th Degree Black Belt and President of the GTUK. They were asked to perform their kicking techniques, blocking movements, patterns, sparring, self-defence and also Korean terminology. The students were commended by Master Oldham on their respect, discipline, perseverance and extra effort that had been put in by some on the Korean language. 7 year old Luke Stafford astounded the Master by reeling off countless kicks and punches in Korean in addition to memorising word for word the complex meaning of his pattern, and Ella Bayley, 9 was praised on her natural ability for the Martial Art. The whole grading was of a very high standard, so much so that there were 3 students who were selected for the coveted “A” Pass award. Steve Marshall, 18 put in a fantastic performance to be rewarded with his last coloured belt before his Black belt grading. Jack Richards, 9 and Rimini Auciello, 7 were also awarded with “A” passes for exceptional performances. Other members of the club recently returned from the GTUK National Goodwill Championships in Coventry. This proved to be a highly successful trip with the club returning with 14 medals across various categories. The club’s instructor, Richard Auciello, 6th Degree Black belt and former World Champion said “I am very proud of all the students for their achievements. They really stepped up to the mark on both occasions! Every student pushed themselves to give their best, and as an Instructor, I cannot ask for any more than that. At Stamford GTUK, we hold no barrier to gender, age, size or level of fitness, and our aim is to give students the opportunity to learn how to defend themselves, become more flexible and confident but also to be part of a family friendly club.” • Stamford Bluecoat TaeKwon Do is currently running new starter sessions; these are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Bluecoat School on Green Lane, Stamford. Junior sessions run from 6:30 -7:30 and 13 years and over from 7:30 – 8:30. Email: stamfordgtuk@aol.com or 07771 865373 for more information.

8 4

Furnish your home with style Ashton Furniture is an independent, local business offering a range of ready assembled furniture in oak, ash, painted wood and pine. There are styles to suit every taste, from modern and contemporary to classic country. Beautifully sturdy bookshelves, wardrobes, beds, dressing tables and chests of drawers are among the 2,000 items on offer for quick delivery. “This month, we are introducing a new, Frenchinspired range, Provence, which we are very excited about,” says managing director David Holmes. You can see the furniture in situ at the Kettering showroom, which has over 12 room sets in different styles, and view products on the website at www.ashtonfurniture.net • For more information, contact David Holmes on 01536 484732. Find the warehouse at Eskdaill St, Kettering, NN16 8RA

Whitsun Football in Stamford One Touch Football is going to be running football fun / development days in the Whitsun School Holidays. The sessions will be for boys and girls from ages 4 to 12 years, from beginners to more experienced players. The days will be based on learning new skills in a fun and relaxed environment. Head Coach, Glenn Vaughan is a coach and scout for Nottingham Forest Football Club, and will attend to develop all individuals. He is also local youth development coach for Stamford AFC. The courses will be held at Stamford Cricket Club, Uffington Rd, Stamford on 30, 31 May & 1 June, from 10.00am till 15.00pm.Cost £10 per day • To book or find out more visit www. onetouchfootball.co.uk then just fill in the online booking form

Parlez-vous un peu? Let me help you improve! Anna Sefton, 01780 756181 anna.sefton@btinternet.com

NENE VALLEY STAMFORD LIVING LIVING May July 2011 2008

4 UPFRONT.indd 1

19/4/11 13:54:12

party

12% off all purchases on Sat 14th May 50% off the ﬁrst 25 Chamilia bracelets, plus other fabulous offers on Sat 14th May

Come and join the party! 3 & 4 Stamford Walk, Stamford, www.youstamford.co.uk 01780 764626

Celebrating 12 Years in Stamford

30 St Mary’s Street, Stamford,

01780 765001

www.youstamford.co.uk

Saturday 14th May

Join us for a day of celebration in your own Stamford Quarter and help us mark 12 years of trading in Stamford. We would like to offer you

12% Discount in each of our shops

(excluding Pandora, Chamilia and Thomas Sabo) Look out for special promotions on Pandora, Chamilia and Thomas Sabo

• SL May ADS.indd 5

18/4/11 15:57:02

LOCAL NEWS

Upfront

Stamford Beauty Stamford Beauty has been open just six months and has become a popular retreat for the residents of Stamford and the surrounding areas. As a C.I.D.E.S.C.O. trained therapist with many years of experience, Sarah offers an extensive range of treatments in luxurious, cosy surroundings, ensuring that all of her clients enjoy their salon experience, whether it be an eyebrow shape or a full day of pampering! Sarah also has Associates, Helen Hopkinson, a Collagen Practitioner and Thea Pierce, a Cosmetic Tattooist and HD Brow specialist, who visit the salon to carry out their treatments on a monthly basis. • Stamford Beauty, 1 Silver Lane, Stamford. PE9 2BT Tel: 01780 757108

Dermarollers at Renaissance

Dermarollers, also known as collagen induction therapy or skin needling, has taken the beauty world by storm in recent months with celebrities becoming devoted followers of the results-driven procedure. Fiona Hood at Renaissance was quick to take up the opportunity and has now trained in the procedure. Using her knowledge of skin and antiageing she has put together a total facial procedure that combines the skin needling with light therapy and a specialist mask. The treatment takes an hour and results from the course can last a year. Three six weekly treatments are recommended for a course, with homecare products worth £63 included in the course price of £550. “I wanted to make the treatment as effective and affordable as possible,” says Fiona. “The light therapy and mask accentuate the effectiveness of the skin needling and promote rapid healing of the skin and virtually no redness or down time after treatment.” • Renaissance, 2 Mallory Lane, Stamford. Tel: 01780 763768

Fitness2Health.co.uk Mark at Fitness2Health.co.uk has been in and around the fitness industry for 20 years. A recent contributor to ‘Men’s Fitness’ magazine, Mark has decided to set-up a small dedicated Fitness Team in and around the Stamford area. Having recruited the services of local Personal Trainer Neal Lattimore, there is an experienced team in place to deliver a professional service. You have a great opportunity to meet the team first hand, as Stamford Bootcamp will be starting on the 3rd May at Stamford Rugby Club for 4 weeks. • Mark@fitness2health.co.uk www.fitness2health.co.uk Facebook: Mark FitnessTrainer Mob: 07525 657596

Open Evening Stamford Beauty is having an Open evening on Friday 13 May, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm, offering you the opportunity to visit the salon and try a range of products. There will be some exclusive discounts on the evening, a rafﬂe and goodie bags to take home!

Are you trying for a baby? Becoming pregnant can be a bumpy journey. Most experts deﬁne infertility as an inability to get pregnant after one year of regular unprotected sex; it is more common than you might think with 1 in 7 couples having difﬁculty conceiving. If you would like to learn more about how to optimise your chances of being pregnant contact Lianne Aquilina, at The Acupuncture Clinic, 2 Scotgate Mews, Stamford: 01780 763465 www.aquilinaacupuncture.co.uk Talk on Fertility, Acupuncture and IVF Peterborough Central Library, Sat July 9th Lianne Aquilina BSc Hons MBAcC ATCM and Irina Szymelskji Dip Ac MSc have teamed up to offer advice on how to optimise treatment and reproductive health. Free Zita West fact sheets, light refreshments provided, call to reserve your free place.

Marcia May Shoes Marcia May Shoes on St Mary’s Street has recently opened a children’s department; stocking well known European brands such as Ricosta, Lelli Kelly, Hush Puppies and Garvalin. Situated towards the rear of the shop, it is bright and cheerful with a seafaring theme and room for buggies. Owner Samantha Drewery has twenty years’ experience of fitting children’s shoes, having worked with all the major high street brands. Nowhere is foot health more firmly at the top of the agenda, than in the children’s department. The staff are all trained fitters, who focus on the unique shape of your child’s foot in order to match-make the perfect combination of aesthetics and support. What’s more, almost all of the shoes in stock have both leather uppers and lining, which allows the growing foot to breathe. Children’s feet do grow at an astonishing rate and those aged three or under should have their feet checked every 4 to 6 weeks; whilst over fives every 10 to 12 weeks. Staff at Marcia May are more than happy for parents to pop in regularly with their children to have their feet measured and their current shoes checked for size, without obligation. • Marcia May Shoes, 41, St. Mary’s St, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 2DS tel: 01780 783091

8 6

The Oculist The Oculist in Westgate, Peterborough wants you to look great in your sunnies and to make sure your eyes are protected from harmful UV radiation. UV radiation can damage the eye’s surface tissues as well as the cornea and lens. Spectacle lenses can be made to block UV radiation effectively but because the light can still enter above, below and around the sides of most standard frames, they do not offer 100% protection. The Oculist’s specialist lab is able to glaze almost any prescription in wrap-around sunglass frames offering full protection to the eye. • 24 Westgate Arcade, Peterborough PE1 1PY Tel: 01733 555621 www.theoculist.com

STAMFORD NENE VALLEY LIVING LIVING MayJuly 2011 2008

6 UPFRONT.indd 1

19/4/11 13:55:15

Spring into Summer...

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

01780 766608

4 St Mary’s Street, Stamford 01780 755378 Mon – Sat 9-5 www.countrylifestyleonline.co.uk

NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW

Dermaroller Facial

The ultimate in Collagen Induction Therapy, with light therapy for skin rejuvenation & specialist mask

10% off with this advert during May Why pay more when you don’t have to?....

2 Mallory Lane, Stamford, Tel: 01780 763768 www.renaissancebeauty.co.uk

The Marilyn Squire School Of Cookery 31 Market Place, Folkingham Nr. Sleaford, Lincs, NG34 0SE

Tel 01529 497281 marilynhorton@onetel.com

Cookery demonstrations Food consultancy 7

• SL May ADS.indd 7

18/4/11 16:01:45

Exceptional Eyecare

• Thorough 40 minute eye examination • Digital retinal photography • All glaucoma checks • Lifestyle, tailored eye examination • Contact lenses and aftercare • Top quality lenses & coatings

Specialist Eyewear

• Handmade from top-quality materials • Intelligently engineered • Bespoke • Frames from 1.9 grams • Designer • Wraparound prescription sunglasses

Service

• Honest advice • Personal service • Digital photography to compare frames • Fabulous coffee!

Solar Panel Installation From an Established and Reliable Local Business. Steve Rudkin Electrical Contractors Limited has been providing an efficient and reliable service to homes, offices, shops and factories since 1997 as well as being active in integrating the use of energy saving technologies. Now the company is registered under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme as Solar Photovoltaic (PV) installers. This ensures that the Feed In Tariff (FIT) payments are made along with savings on bills and helping the environment.

Please contact Steve for further information.

• Domestic • Industrial • Commercial • Testing & Certification • P.A.T. Testing • Renewable Energy

INDEPENDENT OPTICIAN 24 WESTGATE ARCADE, QUEENSGATE CENTRE,PETERBOROUGH PE1 1PY

T- 01733555621 W www.theoculist.com

• SL May ADS.indd 8

19/4/11 14:25:21

FOOD & DRINK

Delicious Fresh Milk

Sarah Lyon discovers a local resurgence for untreated, unadulterated fresh milk

“Y

ou need to try it, or else you’ll never know how good it is,” says Rob Price. Rob is the man behind the Lincolnshire Poacher stall on Stamford Farmer’s Market. Milk is a priority for Tim and Simon Jones who produce Lincolnshire Poacher Cheese. Cheese is made using the unpasteurised milk from their herd of Holstein cows on their farm in Ulceby Grange, Lincolnshire. “We started selling our milk on the Farmer’s Markets two years ago,” says Tim. “The reason behind this was because Simon and I had grown up with drinking it on the farm.” Tim adds, “It is so very different to supermarket milk. For one it isn’t homogenised or pasteurised. We produce a natural product that isn’t heat treated. The method of production is more labour intensive but we love to do it. Our milk is totally fresh, so fresh that the lactose in the milk has not yet had a chance to break down, which means that the milk still has a lovely sweet taste. Unhomogenised milk is easier to digest, so there are health benefits. Health studies show that there are lower incidents of asthma and other allergy related intolerances in children who drink raw milk. My children certainly have it,” says Tim. “We have a licence from the Government who strictly regulate,” says Tim. “For us though, the milk is not a commercial operation. We do it for the customer. They care about the integrity of what they are eating and the way in which it is produced. That is why our cheese, butter and milk have such a great appeal.” “I love the Lincolnshire Poacher stall,” says Carol Meads. “I like the process of the market and talking to Rob who always offers and encourages me to taste some samples. I drank raw milk as a child on my uncle’s farm and have watched as milk has become more and more processed. I am always looking out for foods that are less processed and produced in a positive way and I am thoroughly confident in the provenance of where and how the milk on the Poacher stand is produced. “What about the flavour,” I ask. “The milk is creamy and I like that. I notice that the taste varies throughout the year. It is not always the same which is really interesting. It is absolutely marvellous,” says Carol. The question many ask is, ‘Is it safe?’ “Providing that the farmer can demonstrate that the milk is produced in a clean and environmental way where milking practices are very clean, then, yes it is safe,” says Farmer Phil Newcombe of Lubcloud Dairy Organic Milk. “I believe it is the process of homogenisation that alters and destroys the structure of the milk and causes harmful health related issues for many who have become lactose intolerant. In a raw state enzymes and good bacteria remain which is good for the Sophie stomach.” Driver Phil adds, “We sell our pasteurised organic milk at many farm shops around the region. I looked into going raw years ago but had shelved the plans until now. There is a growing market for raw milk and we have had several enquiries which is the reason for moving in this new direction. Part of the process of moving into raw milk has meant that I have needed to work very closely with Health and Environmental ladies from whom we have acquired a special licence.” “Our milk is sold direct from the farm,” says Phil. Raw milk can only be sold direct from the farm or Farmer’s Markets and not from a supermarket. This is good for the farmer. A fair price for all! The consumer is leading this food trend of switching to raw. As Rob said, “You have to try it or you will never know how good it is”. Both in terms of taste and health! • Lubcloud Dairy, nr Loughborough, Leicestershire LE12 9YA, Tel: 01509 505055, www.lubclouddairy.co.uk • Lincolnshire Poacher Unpasteurised Whole milk can be bought or ordered beforehand and collected from the Farmer’s Market. Tel: 01507 466987

Rob at Lincolnshire Poacher

Nutrition Note

Nutritionist Sophie Driver at The Broad Street Practice, Stamford Tel: 01780 480889 “I think that raw milk from clean, healthy cows is good for our health. It contains enzymes, friendly bacteria, omega 3 fats and healthy cholesterol and vitamins. The enzymes in raw milk actually help us to digest the milk, so some people with lactose intolerance may be able to digest raw milk. Pasteurisation destroys the enzymes, kills the friendly bacteria, denatures the milk proteins and destroys Vitamin B12 and B6. Pregnant women and immune compromised people should avoid raw milk, just as they would unpasteurised cheese.”

Phil Newcombe from Lubcloud Dairy and cows STAMFORD LIVING May 2011

9 SARAH FOOD.indd 2

19/4/11 15:10:14

FASHION INSIDER

Bubble and Squeak is a welcome addition to the childrenswear 0-5 offering in town and is a reaction to Jess Christoudias and her mum Sarah Walter’s desire for a business to share. Jess explained a real shift in mothers’ purchasing habits – having to buy on-line through necessity in Stamford. “We have researched the market closely and feel the brands we have chosen represent value for money and style. Certainly the ability to pick up a new born vest or sleep suit at a reasonable price point is sadly lacking in town,” Jess explained. “We are very cost-conscious – being a Mum myself, price is definitely key.” With a good mix of essentials from Kite Kids and Greenbaby, there are also some delightful French Troizenfant pieces for boys and girls. Gorgeous gift ideas and early years toys and soft blankets from The Stripy Company. With a dedicated play area at the back of the shop, buggy-friendly browsing is where it’s at for new parents.

Energy’s Crocs are still the most practical children’s summer shoe and this year they seem to have sorted out the supply difficulties of last year with a stunning collection of colours and new styles.

Claire’s cream jewellery print dress £69, lime Kelly bag £45

Claire’s zip dress £85 Karen’s stripy dress £75

So’s new Ironmonger Street move is great! Back on my radar Sandra is pleased with her new shop as a window for her experienced buying philosophy – “I buy in stock regularly and in small quantities.” Perfect for a distinctive individual dress or new accessories. “There will be only one style per size ranging from 8-14 but I like to keep things fresh, regularly updating is what suits me,” Sandra explained. The clever buying has always delighted Stamford ladies of all ages and sizes with the opportunity to be bang up to date with Rinascimento and other well-known fashion brands. My thanks to Claire and Karen who prove So’s appeal hasn’t gone away!

Springing up! The new shoots of change are fast appearing in Stamford. New businesses, newcomers and relocations are peppering Stamford’s streets with vibrant spring fashion. Sally Stillingfleet has been out meeting the new childrenswear retailer Bubble and Squeak amongst other childrenswear shops and making a note of all the new shops to visit in town

Attic Weekend introduced their Esprit 2-11 childrenswear last autumn and this season Petit Bateau’s Breton inspired favourites have been flying out. Quality combined with value has established the Esprit name for slightly older children and has its dedicated area at Attic Weekend.

Green Circle’s clothing with a conscience has pioneered People Tree’s lovely jersey wear for kids. Again the organic cotton comes out tops for softness and style, stripes do seem ‘de rigueur’ at PeopleTree too this season. 10

STAMFORD LIVING May 2011

10 11 FASHION.indd 2

19/4/11 13:58:11

Baubles and Bangles has an established fashion following in Oakham. It’s good to see Aromatica’s old premises (newly re-located opposite The George!) on St Mary’s Hill with a new family business, keen to expand their infectious fashion ethos. A clever cornucopia of very affordable fashion combined with a dazzling mix of costume jewellery (some of which is hand-made) it is sure to attract attention with their eyecatching displays and friendly husband and wife team. Stock is regularly updated, fast fashion at its best, combining accessories, handbags and clothing. Lable Loop has an ever changing mix of preowned baby’s and children’s clothing in all sizes and ages up to sixteen. The clothes are in excellent condition and some hardly worn, making it easy to pick up a designer piece at a fraction of the original cost. Of course it also means it is an ideal way to make money from clothing you want to move on.

9A St George’s Square Julia Weaver has sprinkled her expertise over what was Esmé’s Boutique and has re-furbished the shop and put her own personality on the stock and the fresh new interior. The French and Italian labels have been given new vibrancy, merchandised in ‘makes sense’ colourful displays. Julia clearly loves her colour, and her enthusiasm for fashion means she intends to attract a wider audience and is keen to point out that customers will be made to feel relaxed and be able to browse. She has introduced a new jeans brand called ‘Amazing Woman’ designed for ‘real’ figures – ladies who want jeans and trousers to fit and flatter. She has clearly done her research and has future plans to introduce a French brand designed for the larger lady, which she has spent time carefully sourcing.

Childrenswear: Attic – 43 St Peter’s Street, Stamford. Tel. 01780 766675 Bubble and Squeak – Tel. 01780 755799 Energy – Ironmonger Street, Stamford. Tel. 01780 765633 Green Circle – 15 St Mary’s Hill, Stamford. Tel. 01780 757496 Label Loop – 25 Broad Street, Stamford. Tel. 01780 762183 Baubles and Bangles – 10 St. Mary’s Hill, Stamford. Tel. 01780 763633 9a St George’s Square, Stamford. Tel. 01780 757660 So – 7 Ironmonger Street, Stamford. Tel. 01780 480777 Sly2 - 4 St Mary’s Passage, Stamford. Tel. 01780 482870 Thanks to Alicia for modelling.

Belinda Sly’s unique second hand clothing fashion show is to be held at The Barn Restaurant this year on Wednesday 18th May. Always a welcome date in the diary Belinda showcases the very best from her shop for charity in a fun way with a delicious two course lunch included in the £20 ticket price. An opportunity to buy afterwards from the show combines with the new stock, including wonderful accessories, shoes and the Neal’s Yard range she has recently introduced. Lindsay Philips flip-flops and pumps and of course Irregular Choice shoes make an affordable treat to ring the changes with the amazing outfits you will see at the show. Tickets available from Sly and The Barn. STAMFORD LIVING May 2011

10 11 FASHION.indd 3

19/4/11 13:58:29

Hurray!

9A St. George’s Square Ltd

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

Under new management and tastefully renovated, 9A St George’s Square formerly Esme Collections offers a range of quality French and Italian clothing for women with complementary accessories, costume jewellery and handbags. Just in Amazing Women jeans, manufactured in the UK and made to suit the more mature figure.

expertly fitted by fully trained staff

Marcia May shoes ltd

Open Monday 11 – 4 and Tuesday – Saturday 10 – 5 9A St Georges Square, Stamford, Lincs PE9 2BN

41 St Mary’s st Stamford, PE9 2DS

Telephone 01780 757660

01780 766608

Baby and Children’s Wear

• Toys and Gifts •

Children’s Play Area to try out the Toys

•

Baby Change Facility

30 High Street, Stamford, Lincs, PE9 2BB - Tel: 01780 755799 - bubbleandsqueakstamford.co.uk 12

• SL May ADS.indd 12

18/4/11 16:02:15

White Stuff - Dress £65

White Stuff - Praia Top £65

Superdry - Vintage Hoodie £45

Superdry - Calamity Shirt £45

Star Mela - Hat £39

Star Mela - Kaftan £115

Scholl - Sandal £75

Rampant Sporting - V £25

Avoca - Maypole Dress £129

Seasalt - Mia Tee £33

Rampant Sporting - Sweater £49

Seasalt - Long Skirt £55

Rampant Sporting - Top £65

Sebago - Dockside Shoe £99

Superdry - Tokyo Tee £23

Tommy Hilfiger - Polo £60

Cavells South Street (opposite the fire station) • South Street • Oakham • Rutland • LE15 6BG • 01572 772 502 or visit www.cavellscountry.co.uk

• SL May ADS.indd 13

18/4/11 16:02:28

com rley S es to S tre tam et for d

hair & beauty

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

Experience *

The ultimate hair colour from Aveda Book your appointment today 01780 753002

The George Hotel Mews

Excessive Sweating?

£75 OFF all hyperhidrosis treatments*

Call us on 0844 800 8353 or visit www.meliorclinics.co.uk *discounts apply to treatments booked before 30th April 2011

Harriet’s

Harriets Beauty Room Advert:Layout 1

11/2/10

12:19

Page 1

BEAUTY ROOM

Be Inspired!

The most comprehensive beauty salon for miles around with all your beauty needs under one roof

We are delighted to welcome to our team the Award Winning Nail Technician

Emma Weeks

Emma will be offering the most comprehensive selection of NSI Gel Nails, Pro Polish treatments etc to complete our Achieving resultsEnviron with Environ extensive range beautiful of Facial Aesthetics, Face & Body Treatments, OPI Skin manicures & Pedicures, Jane Care products. Iredale Bridal & Every Day Make Up, LVL & Nouveau Lashes • Full range of Ladies and Gentlemen's Environ Facials and Massages waxing, tinting etc.up Packages • Exclusive + Bridal Party Beauty and Make • OPI Manicures & Pedicures • Waxing • Eyebrow/Lash Tinting

• Professional Tooth Whitening Harriet’s Beauty Room, 11aBleaching High Street, St Martins, Stamford (opposite The George Hotel) 11a High Street, St Martins. Stamford, PE9 2LF (Opposite The George Hotel)

01780 481155 Tel:Tel: 01780 481155

Open: Tues – Thurs 9am – 7pm, Fri 9am – 6pm & Sat (am – 4pm

Visit us Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, 8 St Mary’s Hill Stamford Lincs PE9 2DP Tel: 01780 767878 www.siriusjewellery.co.uk

• SL May ADS.indd 14

18/4/11 16:02:50

LOCAL BUSINESSES

Emotional Pre-nup? In the USA couples who are contemplating living together, marrying or forming a civil partnership are frequently having pre-nuptial therapy. Sally Harris-Daines, a psychotherapist working in Stamford believes this idea is not as new as it might seem. “In the past those preparing for marriage would have had meetings with a parish priest in preparation for their wedding day. Now, the variety of relationship choices means that this is not as common. I would feel very positive about couples taking some time to explore their individual expectations of their future life together, and taking the opportunity to resolve any concerns or issues at an early stage.” Might people feel that the idea of therapy at the beginning of a relationship means that there is something wrong? “As awareness of counselling and psychotherapy increases, I am being approached to work with people who want to understand themselves better with a view to making better choices and so making their lives more fulfilled.” • Sally Harris-Daines is a UKCP Registered Psychotherapist. She runs a private practice in Stamford, working with individuals and couples. She can be contacted on 01780 480719 www.sallydaines.com.

Caudalíe at Chameleon Caudalíe is one of the world’s most revered beauty brands and, tellingly, the best-selling beauty brand in French pharmacies. It’s also available right here in Stamford, at Chameleon. The Caudalíe brand was founded 15 years ago by Mathìlde Thomas, who drew inspiration from her family’s Bordeaux vineyards. The products not only look and smell divine; they’re also totally ethical, with no animal testing or animal ingredients.

Funchal, the capital of Madeira

Sally Harris-Daines

Travel Spotlight: Madeira The mild, temperate climate of Madeira, situated off the West African coast, makes it ideal for a break at any time of the year and offers many places of historical interest and natural beauty, from small, undiscovered villages, churches and museums to immense mountains with lush plantations, flora and fauna. Funchal, the capital of Madeira, is a bustling cosmopolitan town with a lively marina and working port, offering a wide choice of shops and restaurants in attractive tree lined streets with cobbled footpaths. The centre of town is especially busy, where 16th century streets attempt to cope with 21st century traffic! Thanks to the subtropical climate you will find a profusion of exotic flowers. The Botanical Gardens are well worth a visit. The island’s amazing levada irrigation system spans 2,500 kms stretching from the north to the south of the island, and easy to navigate paths run beside the gently sloping water channels giving walkers the ideal opportunity to explore the stunning countryside. • If you would like a personal recommendation on the different hotels available (The Quinta Da Bela Vista is a favourite) on Madeira, please contact Oundle Travel on 01832 273600. www. oundletravel.co.uk

In Step Social Media Most of us realise that social media – Twitter, Facebook, Linked In and Blogging – is a useful tool in connecting with customers – but many of us either don’t know how to get started, don’t know quite what to say or simply don’t have the time to devote to it. That’s where Ella Jenkins of Instep comes in – she can train you in Social Media and, if you are too busy to do it yourself, she can do if for you for £65-£200 a month. She works successfully with several local businesses including Hester Cresswell and the Willoughby Arms. Her goal is to de-mystify the process and explain in plain English what the benefits are.

Ella’s five tips on social marketing: 1. Get the balance right between a personal and business tone 2. Quality not quantity 3. Always have a clear purpose/goal in mind 4. Link back to website 5. Make sure it’s part of total marketing mix, not working in isolation 6. Remember once out it’s published --you can’t change a word!

• Contact Ella Jenkins at Instep Media Mob: 07956 498038 or email her at ella@instepsocialmedia.co.uk

I recently had the pleasure of trying the full range of products at Chameleon, thanks to one of Caudalíe’s visiting beauty experts, Mia. The range has been formulated and tested by Dr Vercauteren, a French pharmacist who was the first expert in his field to understand the power of antioxidants in the grape and vine. Mia talked me through the science behind the products; many of the vital ingredients are patented and manage to be both entirely natural and incredibly effective, delivering stunning results. The Caudalíe range is extensive and offers different regimes according to the needs of your skin; one of the newest products is the Premier Cru Cream, which is already the winner of the Marie-Claire Beauty Excellence Award across several European countries. Caudalíe have regular visits to Chameleon throughout the year. Call in for more details. • Chameleon, 5 Mary’s Hill, Stamford PE9 2DP Tel: 01780 755405 www.chameleonboutique.co.uk

Date for your diary: Hester Cresswell workshops Hester Cresswell furniture painting workshops, teaching French and Swedish style antique painting techniques. Next workshops are on Friday, 27th May and Tuesday, 14th June. Visit www. hestercresswell.co.uk for more info or call 01778 570952

STAMFORD LIVING May 2011

15 LOCAL BUSI.indd 1

19/4/11 13:59:15

MARSHALL VOLVO OUTSTANDING SERVICE AS STANDARD. Our highly trained and skilled team looks forward to welcoming you to our state of the art dealership, where we will be on hand to look after your every need. All our cars are handled with the utmost care and attention as we pride ourselves on offering the best deals on the latest range of New Volvo and piece of mind on quality approved used vehicles. From the new Volvo range, to Approved used vehicles right through to service and repairs, visit Marshall Volvo and expect nothing less than a first class service as standard.

Volvo. For life.

MARSHALL VOLVO PETERBOROUGH 7 MALLORY ROAD, BOONGATE, PETERBOROUGH PE1 5AU. TEL: 0844 411 9751 www.marshallweb.co.uk/volvo MARSHALL MOTOR GROUP LTD. REGISTERED OFFICE:- AIRPORT HOUSE, THE AIRPORT, CAMBRIDGE CB5 8RY. ALL CALLS MAY BE RECORDED FOR TRAINING AND QUALITY PURPOSES.

THIS IS MARSHALL JAGUAR

Situated in Peterborough, our dealership is equipped to deal with all your Jaguar needs. From the exciting new Jaguar range featuring groundbreaking technology and industry firsts, to Approved used vehicles maintained to the standards set by the engineers who built them. Enjoy all the expertise and knowledge of our Jaguar Academy trained technicians and with a range of exhilarating accessories to enhance the feeling of owning a Jaguar, make sure that you visit Marshall Jaguar Peterborough.

MARSHALL JAGUAR PETERBOROUGH 7 Mallory Road, Boongate, Peterborough PE1 5AU 0844 334 0635 www.marshall.peterborough.jaguar.co.uk

â&#x20AC;˘ SL May ADS.indd 16

18/4/11 16:03:04

MOTORING

Here in my car...

Ashley Martin, our motoring correspondent, looks at car running costs

uel could overtake vehicle depreciation as the highest pence per mile cost of running a car in the next five years, according to motor industry experts. Petrol and diesel prices have risen by roughly 50% in the last five years - diesel has increased by 20% in the last 12 months and petrol by 15% - and there is every reason to expect that they will increase by the same amount before 2016. Currently, depreciation is the most expensive cost for a typical 2.0 litre upper medium petrol company car at around 25p per mile with fuel costs around 16p per mile, according to CFC Solutions, a leading providing of software to manage fleets of company vehicles. Meanwhile, with volatility across the oil producing countries of the Middle East and North Africa, massive demand for oil in emerging countries notably in Brazil, India and China meaning supply is limited, it is little wonder that the independent Office of Budget Responsibility is forecasting that a barrel of oil is likely to remain at $107 or above through to 2015 - a year ago a barrel of oil cost less than $70. It was against that background that motorists breathed a small sigh of relief that Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne decided in the March Budget to cut fuel duty by 1p a litre instead of increasing it by almost 5p a litre as planned. However, the 1p a litre cut may prove to be only a short respite in the relentless rise of forecourt prices given the global picture and the fact that Mr Osborne promised duty rises on January 1 next year (3.02p a litre) and again on August 1, 2012. Admittedly, Mr Osborne decided to replace the previous Government’s fuel duty escalator with a fair fuel stabiliser, but its implementation still means that fuel prices will rise by the rate of inflation if the price of oil remains above a ‘trigger price’ - a yet to be determined figure

but the Government has proposed $75. Therefore, what can drivers do to conserve fuel? Eco-driving is the only guaranteed way to reduce motoring costs, according to Institute of Advanced Motorists’ chief examiner Peter Rodger. He said: “It’s no longer an ethical choice, it’s a money-saving essential - especially in rural areas where driving is a necessity. The best fuelsaver is a light right foot and anticipating the road ahead.” Drivers are already using their cars less, with government figures showing a 3.4% fall in petrol sales in the third quarter of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. But there are also significant economies to be made by changing driving style. The IAM calculates that adopting ‘green’ driving techniques will improve fuel efficiency by up to 10%. Top tips for conserving fuel include: • Tyre pressures should be checked at least once a month - incorrectly inflated tyres can increase fuel consumption by up to 10% • Keep to speed limits - driving at 70 mph rather than 85 mph on a motorway uses 25% less fuel • Read the road ahead - try to anticipate traffic flow, for example at traffic lights, roundabouts and junctions. This reduces the need for harsh acceleration and braking - MPG killers. Cruise control is useful and economic for smooth driving on long journeys. • Switch off the engine - if stopping for some time at a level crossing or slow-changing lights. Small cars use 1.5p of petrol every minute and medium-sized cars lose petrol and money at double that rate. • Lighten the load - unload excess baggage or an empty roof box as both will increase fuel consumption. However, if buying a new vehicle then look closely at a car’s carbon emissions (CO2) figure and its fuel economy. Last year, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, average emission levels for new cars sold in the

UK fell to an all-time low of 144.2 g/km - down from 181 g/km a decade ago - which is equivalent to about 52 mpg for a diesel car and about 44 mpg for a petrol car. A vehicle’s CO2 emissions figure is crucial when selecting a new car, not only from the perspective of fuel economy but because the Government has linked all motoring taxes to that figure including Vehicle Excise Duty (which increased on April 1 following a Budget announcement) and company car benefit-inkind tax (which rose on April 6). Motor manufacturers are continually making technological advances to reduce CO2 and many manufacturers have introduced sub-brands to identify their lowest emission vehicles. For, example Volvo has developed its DRIVe range of vehicles. The recent introduction of the S60 and V60 1.6 litre turbo diesel models returning 114 g/km of CO2/65.7 mpg and 119 g/km/62.8 mpg on the combined fuel cycle respectively, mean that the marque now has seven models emitting less than 120 g/km and three below 100 g/km (C30, S40 and V50). Meanwhile, some manufacturers have launched their own driver training programmes. One such example is the Ford Econo Check service, which sees a data logger fitted to a vehicle for seven days and records driver behaviour - accelerations, speed, braking etc. A detailed report is then produced for the driver suggesting how they could improve their driving style and advising how much they could save in fuel costs. The scheme is open to all Ford cars up to 12 years old. Ford estimates a saving of up to 25% in fuel use can be achieved, which amounts to several hundred pounds given an annual mileage of 12,000 miles for the average motorist. Depreciation has consistently been the highest motoring cost, however a shift to fuel would mark a sea-change in vehicle economics. Savvy vehicle owners are already switching on to the financial benefits that eco-driving and selecting cars with low CO2 emissions can bring with high fuel prices set to remain for the foreseeable future. STAMFORD LIVING May 2011

17 MOTORS.indd 1

19/4/11 14:01:34

LOCAL BUSINESSES

Opus Dai Champagne Bar Opus Dai is the brain child of two friends who were constantly reminded that the availability of venues where the 30+ individual can visit, enjoy real freshly cooked food, sip wine, enjoy champagne and/ or cocktails surrounded by their peers was very limited. General Manager Darren Dickings has thirteen years’ chef and management experience within the leisure industry, from small privately-owned high profile restaurants and bars to large corporations such as Luminar Leisure. Darren brings with him his passion for food and customer service. Operations Manager David Ball comes from a corporate nightclub background, with over twelve years’ experience from high capacity ‘super’ clubs to the intimate cocktail lounge. Opus Dai has lots to offer: In the morning and through the day, you can enjoy your coffee served by fully trained baristas and consume a Danish pastry. Or enjoy the sunshine in the open air courtyard, where musicians will be playing on those long summer evenings. Opus Dai has a full menu that will be available throughout the day and into the evening. As the night draws in, why not book a table in the Champagne Lounge. The DJ, playing chilled Balearic tunes, will see you into the later hours. • Opus Dai, 16 Broad St, Stamford, PE9 1PG Tel: 01780 481880 If you love food and need some new ideas and recipes that work in a domestic kitchen then Marilyn Squire’s demonstrations, which cover a whole range of different themes, Springtime in Sicily (May 11 & 12), Mediterranean Magic (May 25 & 26), an Elegant Garden Party (June 22&23), Glorious Summer Food (July 6 &7) etc. will show you how a foundation of knowledge and understanding of technique can reward you with the ability to cook and entertain with complete confidence. Marilyn has an immaculate demonstration kitchen with a wonderful ambience in her charming Victorian house overlooking the market square in Folkingham. She has a background as a successful restaurateur, food stylist and cookery school owner in Birmingham for 20 years and is a brilliant demonstrator. Sessions typically start at 10.30, include a break for aperitifs and canapés at the half way stage and conclude with a delicious lunch featuring the dishes demonstrated and a glass of wine. Costs range from £40-£50 per person including a copy of the recipes demonstrated and the lunch. Marilyn also runs a special two-day event on Jun 14 & 15 called a Taste of Lincolnshire; this Soaring petrol bills and traffic frustration have combines cookery demonstrations with visits to a local producer and gourmet restaurant, and proved to be good news for one local travel comes thoroughly recommended. Price including all meals and one night’s B&B is £299.50 firm. • To book a course call Marilyn on 01529 497281 or email marilynhorton@onetel.com Coach company Shaws is seeing a surge in bookings for their spring and summer day tours. Within three days of printing its new brochure, Shaws had taken 500 bookings and is hoping to beat last year’s 5,500 day trip and theatre bookings: “Demand for our Olympic Village lunch trip to London is high, and we have some great special offers for senior citizens and families that are attracting For several years interest,” said Shaws director, Jane Duffelen. wellieboots.com has been “What’s more, it’s often cheaper to go by supplying a huge number coach than travel independently. For instance, of people attending the a top-price ticket for the new musical Rock of ever-growing music Ages will set you back £67, including booking and arts festivals with fee. Our price for the same seat is £65 and that its extensive range of includes travel to the theatre door!” Other colourful and funky West End theatre tours on sale include War wellies plus essential Horse, The Lion King, Million Dollar Quartet, waterproof clothing. The Wizard of Oz, Shrek, Les Miserables and The feedback received the Railway Children at Waterloo Station. from online customers Scenery, sightseeing, shopping and seaside suggested they supply festival camping To launch Active Camping in the shop there destinations all feature in the Shaws Great gear as well. So last year Active Camping is an Open weekend on Saturday 14th and Value Days Out brochure. Special events now was born focusing on selling tents, Sunday 15th May 10am – 4pm and to celebrate booking include the Steam Revival at Beaulieu sleeping bags / mats plus essential there will be a 10% discount off any camping in Hampshire, with engines, steam cars and camping equipment on a new website products purchased on the Open Weekend. a steam fairground – and people in period www.activecamping.com • Active Camping at Barnack Country Clothes costume building the atmosphere, and the After great success the business & wellieboots.com Ltd, Barnack, Stamford Tel: spectacular International Air Tattoo at RAF has now decided to include the Active 01780 740115 Fairford. Camping range in its shop in Barnack • For further details, contact Shaws Coaches offering good quality, carefully selected on 01778 342224 or visit essential camping products at affordable www.shawscoaches.co.uk prices.

The Marilyn Squire School of Cookery

Shaws Coaches

Great Outdoors

STAMFORD LIVING May 2011

18 LOCAL BUSI.indd 1

19/4/11 14:03:16

www.activecamping.com

OPENiNg WEEkENd Sat 14th & Sun 15th May 10:00am – 4:00pm

Come and see our range of festival and family camping equipment Barnack, Stamford. PE9 3DY

2 miles from Burghley House

ActivE cAmPiNg At BArNAck cOuNtry clOthEs & WElliEBOOts.cOm

• SL May ADS.indd 19

Tel:

01780 740115

f 10%Of

ert folrl his adv a Bring tiscount on ts 10% ding produc camp only 4 - 15 valid 1

may

18/4/11 16:03:17

ASSIETTE DAMEON CLARKE

THE

GARDEN HOUSE

HOTEL

One of Stamford's most romantic hotels Beautifully renovated dining room, offering A la Carte, Table d’Hote and Lunch Menus. Conservatory dining also available. Reasonably priced and we use only the freshest local ingredients available.

Sunday Lunch Menu Main Course: £11.95

Please contact us for reservations on 01780 763 359 or at reservations@gardenhousehotel.com.

St. Martins, Stamford Lincs PE9 2LP Tel: 01780 763359

Two Courses: £16.95

Enjoy a taste of the East at home

Three Courses: £21.95 8-9 ST. PAUL’S STREET, STAMFORD PE9 2BE

The Taste of the Orient

10% discount on all takeaways ordered before 7.30pm - collection only

• 01780 489071 • INFO@ASSIETTERESTAURANT.CO.UK WWW.ASSIETTERESTAURANT.CO.UK Tuesday to Saturday: 12 – 3pm; 5.30 – 9.30pm Sunday: 12 – 3pm

Try our Bar & Garden Menu prices start from £4.95

Call us NOW to book

01733 315 702 www.east-restaurant.co.uk Lunch 12-2:30pm Mon-Sat, 12-3:30pm Sun (Buffet) Dinner 5:30-11pm Fri & Sat, 5:30-10:30pm Sun-Thurs Upper Deck, Charters, Town Bridge, Peterborough, PE1 1FP

• SL May ADS.indd 20

18/4/11 16:03:44

SEAN’S KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL

Throwing spears Asparagus is here! So is a new season, which demands fresh ﬂavours in the kitchen. By Sean Hope

t’s that time of year again. After a hard winter of sprouts, parsnips and squashes, the arrival of delicate, tender asparagus – rising from the soil as the sun regains its heat – gives us all a much-needed shot of something new. Those spears – the first of the season are called sprue – seem to come just when you need them most. And one of the reasons we love asparagus so much is because we’ve been desperate for the arrival of spring since January 2! In terms of vegetables, there’s not a lot better than asparagus grown just a few miles away (or in your garden), picked literally hours before you cook it – you can grill, blanch, lightly fry, whatever you feel like. I think it’s important to get the message across that the taste of just-cut local asparagus is infinitely superior to week-old spears flown in from Peru. So I urge you all to get out to farmers’ markets, roadside sellers and farm shops to support our local producers. Asparagus goes with almost anything, but I think salty dairy ingredients match its flavour perfectly. If you find some thin sprue asparagus, give it a try – I reckon it has a more piquant flavour than the larger variety. You’ve also got white asparagus, which is grown from the same seed as the green variety but is left covered by the soil to inhibit the colour. In my experience, white spears tend to lack flavour compared to green, with the latter having a nuttier taste. White asparagus seems to be preferred in Europe.

Sean’s quickﬁre recipe

Aspa ragus, poa ched egg, crispy ba con, Hollan da ise sa uce an d Parme sa n shavings Less is more with this sim ple dish. You don’t want to overcook the asparagus or the egg – you’re aiming for spears with a touch of crispness and a runny yolk. • Handful asparagus spe ars • 1 egg • Bacon, cooked until cris p • Parmesan • Hollandaise sauce • 1 Bring a large pan of sal ted water to the boil. Snap the bottom off each asparagus spear – they will natura lly snap in the right place. Add the asparagus to the water and cook for ﬁve minutes, unt il just tender. Drain, wrap in a cloth and leave on one side. • 2 Grill your bacon unt il crispy. Set aside. • 3 To poach your egg, bri ng another pan of water with a splash of vin egar to the boil. Cook the egg for 2-3 min utes until the white is set. Remove with a slo tted spoon. • 4 Combine asparagus , egg and bacon and top with Parmesan sha vings. Serve with Hollandaise sauce. Easy and tasty!

Here are some interesting ﬂavour combinations to try with asparagus at home… • With almonds • With anise and tarragon • With Parmesan • With lemon • With mint • With mackerel • With shellﬁsh • With cured ham • With mushrooms – a wonderful aphrodisiac, apparently!

Sean’s kitchen essentials This month I’m going to recommend a bamboo steamer basket. They’re relatively inexpensive and hugely versatile, being fantastic for steaming vegetables lightly and healthily. You can also steam ﬁsh in them. Bamboo steamers are available in most good kitchenware shops: one place where we get our utensils is Rutland Bar and Catering Supplies, 16b Pilings Road, Oakham (01572 756370). Graham and his team have an Alladin’s cave of various types of kitchen essentials and will be more than happy to assist.

NENE VALLEY LIVING July 2008

21 SEAN HOPE.indd 1

Sean’s seasonal must-buys for May What Sean will be cooking with at the Olive Branch and Red Lion VEG Asparagus, Leeks, Peas FRUIT Alphonso Mangos, Lemons MEAT Poultry, Pork FISH Salmon, Trout, King scallops STAMFORD LIVING May 2011

19/4/11 14:04:24

LOCAL BUSINESSES

Maples changes hands

More than Travel

(L to R) Heather, Gary, and new owners Karen and James

eather and Gary, who have successfully run Maples for over 10 years, are moving to Canada to set up a health spa in Vancouver, and have sold the Maples business to Karen Benson and her partner James Roberts. “We are very excited to be taking over such an established and prestigious business,” Karen told SL. She has considerable experience working as a product trainer in Clarins and is also an expert make-up artist. She went on: “We have a fabulous team here, and we plan to continue with the same high standards as normal. No change.” Meanwhile Heather and Gary are off to live their dream. And for Gary it represents a return to his homeland. “We would like to thank all our clients past and present who have made this business such a pleasure to work in,” Heather said. We wish them all the very best. • Maples, 24 St. Mary’s Street, Stamford PE9 2DJ Tel: 01780 752725

Need help finding your ideal home? For many years, we have entrusted stockbrokers to buy our shares and barristers to represent us in court, yet few people consider getting professional help for one of the most complex and time consuming things of all – buying property. Andrew Marshall of property finders Garrington discusses how and why people are now calling on his expertise to find their ideal home

or most people contemplating a property purchase, the internet is the usual starting place which is quickly followed by dialogue with estate agents; however the conventional model of estate agency is designed to suit the needs of people who have property to sell. Traditionally, buyers in the UK have been left to fend for themselves even though buying a house is the largest financial transaction most people will ever make. Property search consultants help redress this imbalance and work on behalf of the buyer. Local Knowledge Having worked in the prime sector of the residential property market for the last 12 years and living almost on top of the borders of three counties himself, there isn’t much Andrew doesn’t know about the region. His years of experience with both corporate and private

clients enable him to offer the most wellinformed service to the people he represents that are hoping to secure that ‘needle in a haystack’ property. “Within the East Midlands people are becoming frustrated at not being able to find their perfect home. I use my expertise to help them find properties that they wouldn’t necessarily see by simply trawling the internet or browsing estate agent windows,” says Andrew. Garrington – The Property Search Consultancy Garrington is one of the UK’s leading independent property search consultancies, acting solely for private clients looking to buy or rent a primary or secondary residence, or perhaps a sound investment property. Dedicated to providing a bespoke service,

In March this year ‘More than Travel’, a new travel agency opened its doors in St George’s St owned by husband and wife team Richard and Helen Dooley. With over 20 years’ experience in the travel industry at Director level, the Dooleys have identified a gap in the market for a truly professional travel service for discerning clients that expect more than a standard package holiday. Helen Dooley says “the mainstream travel industry caters very well for people that want a two week flop and drop and are happy to fly when they’re told and stay where the operator wants them to. Up until now there has been a real hole in the market for clients that demand more – there are other good independent agents around the UK but they are few and far between. We can bring the professionalism and dedication of an independent but with the added bonus of our contracting; because of our past history in the industry we have been able to secure the keenest commercial deals with the very best travel partners. We are preferred partner for Kuoni and accredited by ACE which means we are cruise experts. So far so good. The Dooleys have been overwhelmed with the response from the Stamford and Rutland area and put together some fantastic itineraries. “We’ve enjoyed booking some really diverse holidays, everything from one night in a London hotel to a round the world cruise. We’ve also organised a birthday party at the top of the Burj al Arab in Dubai and a fabulous kayaking trip around the Lycian coast.” • More than Travel, 23 St Georges Street Stamford PE9 2BJ Tel: 01780 433333 www.morethantravel.co.uk

Garrington’s advice is objective, wholly impartial and every search is designed to secure clients their ideal property quickly, efficiently and most importantly, cost effectively. Garrington clients have priority access to the best properties from the whole of the market, as well as those available privately and premarket – indeed over 70% of the properties sourced for clients this year have been off market. A home has to ‘feel’ right and an investment property has to make sound financial sense. “As a property search consultancy we solely represent the purchaser and our focus is on meeting lifestyle requirements by sourcing the finest property,” says Andrew. • To learn more about Garrington’s services contact Andrew Marshall on 01780 408377, e-mail: info@garrington.co.uk or visit www.garrington.co.uk

STAMFORD LIVING May 2011

22 LOCAL BUSI.indd 1

19/4/11 14:05:28

• SL May ADS.indd 23

18/4/11 16:06:35

Loc st

Est

al Comp an y

1981 - 30 Years

QKS, bringing kitchens to life... Visit our Rangemaster Design Centre and view a wide selection of products in one place, including the very latest models, and gain expert advice from our Rangemaster trained advisors

www.rangemaster.co.uk

Bespoke Kitchens, Bedrooms and Bathrooms Kitchens from £6,000 fitted Supply only kitchens from £1,000 Financial solutions available 100s of kitchens to choose from Suppliers to the trade & building industry

VISIT OUR SHOWROOM WITH 30 KITCHEN ROOM SETTINGS OPEN MON - FRI 8AM - 5PM, SAT 8AM - 3PM

QKS Kitchens, The Maltings, Barnack Road, Stamford, PE9 2NA

T: 01780 756514 or 755855 E: sales@qksstamford.co.uk

www.qksstamford.co.uk

• SL May ADS.indd 24

18/4/11 16:08:58

We oﬀer a truly professional travel service to discerning clients that require more than an average holiday. Whatever your motivation we understand that every holiday deserves time, attention and dedication to bring it to life. We are fully ABTA bonded and we sell ATOL protected holidays – so rest assured you are in perfectly safe and experienced hands. Spring is a wonderful time to travel, for those clients that are free from the constraints of term time! Especially this year, when, in these recession hit times even the worlds most exclusive and interesting destinations are having to try their hardest to attract those clients who can still aﬀord to travel.

LE SAINT GÉRAN, Mauritius Arguably one of the worlds most famous properties are offering pay for a 5 night stay and get 2 nights free and a complimentary half board upgrade! ONE & ONLY Royal Mirage Dubai World class luxury as only Dubai can produce, book a Spring departure and receive complimentary dinner each night of your stay at the Gourmet restaurant. From £872 per person for 3 nights including direct flights from London – a sharp choice for a spring escape

VIETNAM PANORAMA – Fully inclusive tour An overland tour picking up the highlights of Vietnam with possible extentsions into Laos and Cambodia leads in at just £1990 per person during June and early July

We specialise in cruise • long haul • escorted journeys • villas • ﬂights • active family holidays • golf • spa • ski • overseas weddings • honeymoons and so much more! We can oﬀer door to door service on all our products at your request, including a complete luggage to check in facility.

23 St Georges Street, Stamford T: 01780 433333 E: sales@morethantravel.co.uk www.morethantravel.co.uk We act as fully licensed ABTA agents for ATOL holders, please contact us for more information on and details on each of the recommendations above.

CLAIRE LANGLEY ANTIQUES

Sale of Garden and Decorative Antiques 14th-21st May 7 High Street, St. Martins, Stamford, PE9 2LF Tel: 01780 752555 25

• SL May ADS.indd 25

19/4/11 14:10:01

GARDENING

…with Adam Frost In the third in our gardening series written by local gardening experts, we invited Adam Frost, multitimes Chelsea award winner, to advise us on what to do in our gardens this May PHOTO: BARNSDALE GARDENS

PHOTO: BARNSDALE GARDENS

Adam Frost Adam Frost is an award-winning gardening designer based near Stamford. His philosophy is simple; “What I love more than anything about my work is the way it allows me to bring together my passion for plants with my love of design, to create special places for people to enjoy. He can be contacted on 01572 812188 or visit www.adamfrost.co.uk

Achillea Inca Gold

MAY MADNESS I really do love May, I don’t know about you but even with the longer nights there are still not enough hours in the day. This really is the month when your whole garden gets moving, which is great but if you don’t pay attention to a few things the garden gets away from you and then feels like a chore. If you get out there now it’s all still simple and you will reap the beneﬁt for the rest of the summer which is just around the corner.

Iris Siberian Sweet surrender, lovely red wine flower Luzula nivea Great clump forming grass only 45cm high with creamy flowers Persicaria bistorta ‘Superba’ A pink poker like flower great for under planting in large groups Geranium phaeum ‘Samobor’ Has chocolate splashes on its leaves with beautiful deep purple flowers

WHERE TO START: Staking If you haven’t done this yet get your taller perennials staked, such as delphiniums, Achilles and heleniums to list a few. Weeds Get on top of your weeding, this is when your perennial weeds really get a hold, put the work in now and you will thank me later, I promise. Gaps You will now know where your gaps are, so get them ﬁlled. Here’s a few of my early favourites for May.

Vegetables It’s time to sow your peas, beans, spinach, carrots etc., these can all go straight into the ground Divide and cut back There are a few spring plants like Plulmonarias that can be divided after ﬂowering; also, others could be cut back to produce new attractive foliage for the season Don’t forget our seasons Everyone that knows me knows that I love cooking and have a passion for the seasons and May really does not let you down. May produces possibly my favourite fruit and veg, asparagus and rhubarb; make sure you get your hands on some asparagus with a little hollandaise, followed by rhubarb and ice-cream. See summer really is on the way, eat and enjoy!

Helenium Ruby Something for the weekend We are hopefully at the back end of the frosts so this is a good time to plant your containers but why not try something different this year, a few lovely herbs dotted about the garden in pots not only look great but taste and smell fantastic. Added to that, if they eventually get too big for the pots just pop them in your garden - that’s got to be better than the annual bits that you throw away. Rosemary, chives, sage and of course thyme all work well in pots. All that said I will be in London for most of May on what now seems to be my annual vacation at the Chelsea Flower Show (which you can watch on the TV), so my gardening jobs get left to my own little green goddess and her helpers, thanks dear. This year’s garden is sponsored by Lands’ End the clothing company who many will know have their European head office in Oakham. The garden is inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright who is probably America’s greatest ever architect. I find the man fascinating, not just his designs but also his beliefs. He once said ‘nature was his church’ which resonates with me as I feel gardens really can change people’s lives; it may sound deep, but I believe it to be true. I have used two of Wright’s favorite materials to create my hardscape, concrete and water. Large polished concrete pads will appear to float over the water and one another creating levels and movement, water will fall down a concrete wall into a steel rill which moves through the garden. The strong layout will be balanced with bold planting, playing with horizontal and vertical shapes and more delicate flowering, well that’s my plan!! I will keep my web site updated on the run up to the show for anyone who is interested.

8 NENE 26 STAMFORD VALLEYLIVING LIVINGMay July2011 2008

26 GARDENING.indd 1

19/4/11 14:07:03

Q STAMFORD

PU LLOU T

St Mary’s

Q

&K EEP

Explore and enjoy one of the biggest areas of independent shops and services in the region

Stamford is blessed with an unusually high number of independent shops, many of which are situated on or near St Mary’s Street. Clutching our new pullout map of St Mary’s Quarter, Alysia Anderson explores this unique shopping area

hen I first moved to Stamford I was struck by the unusually high number of independent retailers, most of them located in the area around St Mary’s Street, recently dubbed St Mary’s Quarter. Snaking from Red Lion Square down to the river towards The George Hotel, the street and the lanes branching off it are crammed with fascinating shops. These occupy an attractive jumble of historic buildings, so it’s a pleasant stroll even if you’re only window shopping. Look up and you’ll spy wonky slate-tiled roofs, timbered facades and even a Statue of Justice keeping a stern eye on passing trade. However you approach St Mary’s Quarter, whether from north, south, east or west, a shop window is sure to catch your eye. Vying for the contents of your wallet are china and cookware, cheese, wine and chocolates, flowers, furniture, art, rare books and antiques. There are shops selling shoes, bags and clothing for all ages, from six months to sixty years. You’ll find shoes for everyone in Marcia May, children’s outfits in Joules and Greencircle, menswear in Ibson and, amazingly, almost a dozen boutiques for women. The ever-popular Attic along with Black Orchid, Sly, Arch Label Agency and newcomers I Should Coco and Baubles and Bangles are just a handful. You can even buy a new kitchen, a musical instrument or perhaps a handmade timepiece from watchmaker Robert Loomes.

When I want to get a special gift for someone, I come straight to the Quarter. With jewellery in mind, I might try Sirius, Chameleon, You&Beyond or Dawson. For cooks, I’ll go to Lambs or Sinclairs. If I need inspiration, it’s good to browse in Allure Gifts, Claire Langley Antiques, You or new arrival The Gift in St George’s Mews. When buying for the hunting, shooting and ﬁshing brigade, I’ll head to T&C Robinson, Orvis or, for vintage items, the new Sly Fox upstairs at Sly. Anne Brown, owner of T&C Robinson, has watched the Quarter develop over the decades. “Having been in St Mary’s Street for over 30 years I feel it is as good now as it has ever been. It is fantastic for individuality and has so much more to offer than other similar market towns.” Other old-timers here are Liz and Les Stevenson, who celebrate 12 years of trading in the area this month. Their trio of boutiques from chic and cosy You to girly Ruby Loves and, their latest venture, the stylish You & Beyond. “Independents have a lot of heritage and personality and we would not want Stamford to lose them,” says Liz. When you need a break from all that retail therapy, there are several cafés and restaurants, such as the newly refurbished Hole in the Wall, offering reviving refreshments. Jenny Fitzpatrick, owner of the Fine Food Store in the heart of the Quarter, has been fortifying

loves

nice things

33 St Mary’s Street Stamford T: 01780 766667

Real clothes for real women.

MAY 14th

MADNESS IN ST MARY’S QUARTER The retailers in St Mary’s Quarter invite you to a fantastic day of special offers on May 14th. There’ll be a huge range of discounts and events taking place, including: ● 10% off across everything at Attic, Ibson and T&C Robinson ● Pop into The Fine Food Store for free cider and wine tastings at a barbecue in their secret garden ● Show this magazine in the Stamford Cheese Cellar, I Should Coco and The Gift and you’ll enjoy a 10% discount ● There’ll also be 12% off at You, Ruby Loves and You & Beyond, with separate special offers on Pandora, Thomas Sabo and Chamilia Jewellery. ● Free prize draw ticket with each purchase at Lambs: In the china & glass shop – Prize: Denby Casserole rrp £59 In the kitchen ware shop – Prize: Knife Block rrp £99.99

customers here for seven years with cakes, coffee and a warm welcome. She says, “We’re a close-knit community. I love the fact that we have so many independent unique shops. I feel very privileged to be part of it.”

Fashion home of Pandora, Thomas Sabo and Lovelinks in Stamford

Go online and be inspired to visit our shops www.youstamford.co.uk STAMFORD LIVING May 2011

st marys final.indd 1

19/4/11 15:05:19

CLAIRE LANGLEY ANTIQUES

PERIOD • DECORATIVE • DESIGN • GARDEN • 20TH CENTURY

4 St Marys Street, Stamford

01780 755378 Mon-Sat 9-5

www.countrylifestyleonline.co.uk ‘Finest Leathergoods and Country Clothing’

View all of our stock online www.clairelangleyantiques.co.uk 7 High Street, St. Martins, Stamford, PE9 2LF Tel: 01780 752555

St Mary’s

Quarter

11 52 46

16 55 15 6 13 14 53 54 17 56 1 7 37

18 19

Wedding Gift List Service • 1/2 Price Denby Offers

China & Glass Specialists - 35/36 St Mary’s Street, 01780 762652 Kitchen, Tableware & Cookware - 8 St Mary’s Street, 01780 754245

Open Mon-Sat 9.00-5.00 - www.lambs-stamford.co.uk

We constantly check our prices...so you donʼt have to.

THE VAC CENTRE

W e ate wo n o n’t n p be ric e!

18 St. Maryʼs Street, Stamford SALES • REPAIRS • SERVICING • SPARES

• The only vacuum cleaner specialists in the area

www.vaccentre.co.uk- Tel: 01780 482935

ENJOY ST. MARY’S BUT DON’T FORGET ST. MARTIN’S St. Martins Antiques Centre has a variety of antiques unmatched in the surrounding area. Items in stock range from £5 to £5,000. Proprietor Peter Light and his experienced team are happy to proffer advice, purchase fine quality antiques, or offer your items for sale on commission. An email search enquiry facility is also available.To find out more visit www.st-martins-antiques.co.uk, email peter@stmartins-antiques.co.uk or call him on (01780) 481158. 23a High Street, St. Martins, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 2LF.

Furniture & Home Accessories 16 St Mary’s Street, Stamford 01780 757446 www.ChezSoiOnline.co.uk 28

Beautiful Shoes, Handbags & Accessories Neals Yard Organic Skin & Body Care

Dress Agency Fashion for the discerning shopper!

4 St Mary’s Passage, Stamford - T. 01780 482870 E: slyfashion@hotmail.co.uk

Marcia May shoes ltd Ladies, Gentlemen’s and Children’s Shoes

Children’s fitting service by fully trained staff 41 St Mary’s St, Stamford, PE9 2DS

01780 766608

Fairly traded gifts and clothing together with eco-friendly products from home & across the world. 15 St Mary’s Hill, Stamford, PE9 2DP Open 9am – 5pm Mon-Sat Tel: 01780 757496 www.greencirclestamford.co.uk

STAMFORD LIVING May 2011

st marys final.indd 2

19/4/11 15:05:38

9 39

44 16 55

30 31 14a 38

57 20 21 8 22 36 23 24

25 26 27 28

3 58 4 AN INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED SHOW PERFORMED BY

29 51 48 THE 59 49PROVIDES HUMOUR, GREAT MUSIC AND A “A FANTASTIC SHOW THAT SLICE OF ELEGANT AMERICANA” 50 MAGAZINE 42PERFECT 43 60 GRAZIA 40 41

RAT PACK BOYS

Food & Drink 1 Fine Food Store 2 Stamford Cheese Cellar 3 Pizza Express 4 George Hotel 5 The Barn Restaurant 6 Cloisters Italian 7 Orchid Thai Restaurant 8 Fratelli Italian 9 Hole in the Wall 10 Adnams Shopping 11 Dawson Jewellery 12 Paul Richman Menswear 13 T&C Robinson 14 Black Orchid (B.O.O! 14a) 15 Lambs Kitchenware 16 Sinclairs 17 Jaeger Fashion 18 Lambs Tableware 19 Attic Fashion 20 Green Circle 21 Allure Gifts 22 Stamford Music Shop 23 Baubles & Bangles 24 Joules 25 St Mary’s Books 26 Sirius Jewellery 27 Chameleon 28 Robert Loomes Clocks 29 Claire Langley Antiques 30 You & Beyond 31 Ibson Menswear 32 Vac Centre

Sue’s Flower House 31 St Mary’s Street Stamford PE9 2DS

01780 753225 www.suesﬂowerhouse.co.uk

33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46

Arch Label Agency The Bag Shop You Sly Fashion Marcia May Shoes Chez Soi Callyco I Should Coco The Gift Stamford Bridal St Martin’s Antique Centre Ruby Loves Nancy French Walkabout

Health & Beauty 47 Maples 48 Aromatica Health & Beauty 49 InStep Foot Clinic 50 Harriet’s Beauty Room 51 Gerards Services 52 Moores Estate Agents 53 Robert Goodwin Property Services 54 Fine & Country Estate Agents 55 King West Estate Agents 56 Granite Transformations 57 Sue’s Flower House 58 NGI Design 59 Smiths Gore Estate Agents 60 Robert Fogle Gallery 61 Tourist Information

Stamford Cheese Cellar British, Continental & Artisan Cheese, plus locally sourced produce. 17 St Mary’s Street, Stamford

T: 01780 489269

E: stamfordcheesecellar@btconnect.com

Top quality ﬂowers for every occasion

200 Yards

Bar & Restaurant Unique blend of intelligent and creative marketing, coupled with a very professional approach to the sale of individual and country property 2 St Marys Street, Stamford, PE9 2DE t. 01780 750200 e. Stamford@fineandcountry.com www.fineandcountry.com

5 Cheyne Lane, Stamford 01780 764451 find us on facebook

Launching our new lunch time & evening bistro menus 37 St Mary’s Street, Stamford, PE9 2DF 01780 754222 STAMFORD LIVING May 2011

st marys final.indd 3

19/4/11 15:06:00

THE GIFT New Luxury Gift Shop stocking Jewellery, Giftware, Perfume & Skincare, Leatherware & Pure Cashmere ORTIGIA

INDIA JANE

SICILIA

Ashiana LONDON

ILEX

PARLANE I N T E R N AT I O N A L

1 The George Hotel Mews Stamford, PE9 2LB

Clothing, Shoes & Accessories LOL A CRUZ

bobi RINASCIMENTO M A D E I N I TA LY

QUEENE & COUNTRY VANILLA MOON

JUST BALLERINAS

Telephone: 01780 754413 2-4 The George Hotel Mews Stamford, PE9 2LB

Opening Hours

Monday - Saturday 10am - 5pm Sundays & Bank Holidays 11am - 4pm After Hours Shopping by Appointment

Diamond Mounters Goldsmiths Antique Dealers

6 Red Lion Square,Stamford, Lincs, PE9 2AJ Telephone 01780 754166 Email: dawsonofstamford@hotmail.com or visit our website at www.dawsonofstamford.com we are always interested in purchasing estate jewellery and old gold

STAMFORD LIVING May 2011

st marys final.indd 4

19/4/11 15:06:21

ACTIVITIES

W O O D L A N D WA L KS N o . 3

Castor Hanglands Woods Castor Hanglands is one of the loveliest woodland nature spots that you will ever encounter; every turn you take, there is something new and interesting to look at. And May would be just about the perfect time to visit, with so many wild flowers and butterflies to enjoy 3 miles (5kms) 1 1/4 hours Explorer (1:25 000) 227 or Landranger (1: 50 000) 142 (always walk with an OS map) Southey Woods Car Park Level all the way, with good surface None! Yes (although need to be kept on lead if sheep grazing in fields) 2m N of Ailsworth and Castor, 5m W of Peterborough

Distance: Typical time: OS map:

Start & ﬁnish: Terrain: Stiles: Dog friendly:

Getting there:

Refreshments: The White Horse, Ufford (Tel: 01780 740250 www.whitehartufford.co.uk) Everything you could want from a village pub, it even has its own on-site brewery.

2 3

1 2

NORTH HEATH

DIRECTIONS Park in Southey Woods car park, cross the road and process for a hundred yards or so down a metalled track before turning left along a field edge towards the wood (this path is not on the OS map, but is a bridleway). When you reach the wood, turn right through a wooden gate into the reserve and then through another wooden gate after 200 yards or so, bearing to the left along the field edge after this second gate Go through a gate and proceed straight ahead (a bridleway heads north) and continue following the edge of the field/heath, swinging round to the right When you reach the end of the wood, turn left along a track past a pond, then another pond (a great dragonfly spot) and exit the reserve through two gates, the first wooden, the second metal Immediately after this 2nd gate, head right (S) for a 100 yards or so, then take a grassy track to your right (W) for a few hundred yards Where there is a yellow arrow on a stake bear left along a windy little path, through a metal mesh gate into a more organised wood, out the other side through another similar gate, then turn left and re-join the main track heading south Cross a metalled track and proceed to the end of the wood, come out into a field, turn right and shortly re-join the bridleway back into the reserve. Follow this for half a mile or so, across the metalled track again, until you reach Middle Heath. Bear diagonally left across the heath, following the northern boundary W until you reach a gate and then head north (note 100 yds S as you reach this gate, the derelict tower, one of a pair used to gauge accuracy of trial bombing runs in WWII) Proceed N, with the Old Roman road immediately to your left, back to your starting point.

4 5

9 MIDDLE HEATH

Castor Hanglands Castor Hanglands is managed as a National Nature Reserve and a Site of Special Scientiﬁc Interest by English nature. It is very actively managed, with much coppicing and land management to help nature. In an area of less than 220 acres (90 ha), it contains a remarkable variety of plant and animal life. The reserve is a composite site where four distinct habitats — woodland, grassland, scrub and wetland — each of which has its own special wildlife, are made more valuable by their close proximity. Its history goes back over 2,000 years; the western boundary following King Street, a Roman road connecting Castor and Bourne. The woodland in Castor is mentioned in the Domesday Book and the name ‘hangra’ is Old English for a wood on a hill. The woods later became part of the mediaeval hunting forest of Nassaburgh. The woods were also a favourite spot for John Clare, the local nature poet, to roam.

STAMFORD LIVING May 2011

31 WALK.indd 1

19/4/11 14:22:24

Health and Beauty

Genevieve Potter sources the best manicures and pedicures to get you ready for the summer

Perfectly groomed fingers and toes! More than just a lick of polish This year the traditional manicure and pedicure has been given a serious upgrade with the advent of “Geleration”, which is a long-lasting, flexible and beautifully deep colour that lasts much longer than a traditional polish (two to three weeks on average) and actually nourishes the nails. Short nails continue to be more fashionable although you can also have longer “Geleration” nails applied.

spa to rehydrate and soften skin before callus, corns and any painful heel cracks are removed; Sue is fantastically skilled in knowing just how much epidermis to leave so that feet are never sore after the Medi-Pedi. Feet are then massaged with the right cream for your skin type leaving them totally smooth and soft. Therapist Belinda then steps in to offer a choice of over 40 OPI colours. Helen Walton

For May, the team at Gerards are offering Geleration manicures for just £25, with shocking pink and bright orange promising to be the most popular early summer colours. Gerards, George Hotel Mews, St Martins, Stamford PE9 2LB, tel: 01780 753002 Emma Cannings are also Geleration devotees. Sophie does the best pedicure around and throughout the month of May Emma Cannings are offering a free file and polish for toes worth £12 using Jessica polish, when you book a Geleration manicure (£35). Emma Cannings Stamford Garden Centre, Great Casterton, Stamford PE9 4BB, tel: 01780 766583 www.emmacannings.co.uk

The Medi-Pedi at Instep Most of us have feet that are in serious need of some TLC after winter, and rather than a quick buff and rub, a medi-pedi offers a full foot treatment by podiatrist Sue Arnold followed by a perfect OPI file and polish. Firstly, feet are assessed to identify any nail or skin disorders which need to be treated. Sue will take medical conditions like diabetes into account and can give general advice on foot care. She is also passionate about reminding clients to apply sun cream to the feet, as they are often neglected yet particularly vulnerable to melanomas. Feet are soaked in an aromatic herbal foot

was treated to the Mani-Pedi and chose Malaga Wine, perfect for her upcoming Texas holiday. OPI polishes are renowned for their ability to look salon-perfect for weeks. Helen’s picture (above) speaks for itself and she thoroughly enjoyed the holistic approach to her feet which had spent months hiding in boots! • If you book in for a Medi-Pedi during May (£52 for 90 minutes), you will receive a free Mini OPI manicure. Call for more details • InStep Clinic, 10 St Martins, Stamford PE9 2LF, Tel: 01780 766991 www. instepfootclinic.co.uk

Total luxury at Stamford Beauty At Stamford Beauty, Sarah also works with OPI, and her manicures and pedicures offer the ultimate client luxury with the use of soothing, effective botanicals for soft silky hands and During feet, including hard the month skin removal and of May, Sarah is cuticle work. offering a 10% discount For a more on all manicures and permanent finish, pedicures when you Stamford Beauty quote Stamford offers the Axxium Gel Living. Polish. This is a semi – permanent gel applied to the natural nails, providing a chip free manicure or pedicure for up to three weeks and incredibly it requires no drying time! • Stamford Beauty, 1 Silver Lane, Stamford. PE9 2BT, Tel: 01780 757108 www.stamfordbeauty@gmail.com Coming Soon! Minx nails – amazingly eyecatching foiled nails which last for around two weeks, call Body Care for more details; Body Care, 7 Ironmonger Street, Stamford PE9 1PL, Tel: 01780 480777

Stop Press Equilibrium launches “fish pedicures” - get your feet flip flop ready with a 15-minute treatment for just £10 and the first ten Stamford Living readers to call and book will get their treatment for free! Call Equilibrium on 01780 757579 www.equilibriumstamford. co.uk

STAMFORD LIVING May 2011

32 H&B.indd 1

19/4/11 14:26:07

New Owners at

Award Winning Salon In recognition for all that Gary and Heather have achieved and The Original and Best home for HD Brows in Stamford Serving over 400 people for perfect brows

as an introduction to themselves, Karen and James would like to offer 10% discount on all treatments taken between Monday 9th to Saturday 21st May, along with a complimentary glass of Champagne to say ‘Welcome’. Also during May there will be 20% off our brand new, highly personalized Clarins Triactive Facials with a fusion of science, touch of nature. (Clinical trials) Look out for details of future events

June – Clarins Pimms Party July – Elemis Bucks Fizz Party

Offers exclude Foundation Cards

Mon & Tues 9am-5.30pm • Wed to Fri 9am-7pm • Sat 8.30am-4pm

24 St Mary’s Street, Stamford - Tel: 01780 752725 33

• SL May ADS.indd 33

18/4/11 16:09:39

Is this the most valuable hearing aid in the world? T

his may be the most expensive mumble? Life was so much easier. hearing aid in the world, but is To re-learn how to hear again it the most valuable? ... takes time. But with the right help, If you can’t hear it doesn’t matter guidance and hearing aids the at all whether your hearing aid is process is easy and will improve gold, silver or plastic. What does your quality of life tremendously. matter is that you can hear well What price for good hearing? with it. Well maybe not the £25,000 for It’s not until it’s gone that the device opposite, but for as little you realise ... as a few hundred pounds you can If you find you can’t hear as start enjoying better hearing again... clearly as before, or you can’t hear in not too much to pay for such an noise as well as you should then you improvement in your quality of life. could be suffering from some Call Caroline or Joan Now on hearing loss. It’s only when you 01780 759133 for an immediate start to lose your hearing that you appointment: realise how valuable it is. Remember when you enjoyed Healthy Hearing Ltd, sitting at your dinner table with all No.1 The Old Police House, your family... laughing and listening Cliff Road, STAMFORD

Widex Inteo ‘m’ series hearing aid & remote control - gold and diamond set, valued at £25,000

to their news? Remember when the music on television wasn’t so annoying? When people didn’t

Healthy Hearing

Private Psychological Therapy Service

Johan Truter

Chartered Clinical Psychologist Specialise in treating the following areas: • Low self esteem and loss of confidence • • Anxiety, panic and stress • • Depression, low mood and despair • • Phobias, obsessions and ruminations •

www.psychologistuk.co.uk For further information please contact

01780 758556

Orion House, 14 Barn Hill, Stamford, PE9 2AE

Gently and effectively re-aligns your whole body for relief of: • • • •

Neck & back pain • Muscle & joint pain Arthritic pain • Headaches • Neuralgia Sports injury • Repetitive strain injury Chartered Physiotherapist now available

Tel: 01780 756294 Mob: 07921 123 997

3d Olive Branch Yard, St Leonard’s Street, Stamford, Lincs, PE9 2HU 34

• SL May ADS.indd 34

18/4/11 16:09:53

D h F

T t P i P

F p

• • •

• • • •

Healthcare choices Healthcare services for the whole community at Fitzwilliam Hospital Did you know you can have your healthcare at Fitzwilliam Hospital? The hospital provide services for the whole community through Premium Care for private and insured patients and through Patient Choice for NHS patients. Fitzwilliam Hospital offers all patients:

• • •

Consultant-delivered care

• • • •

Very low infection rates

State-of-the-art equipment Small, friendly hospital in peaceful surroundings High quality care Good nurse-patient ratios Free parking and easy to find

Insured patients

OPTION

NHS patients

OPTION

If you have medical insurance, please use it to enjoy the benefits of private treatment at the Fitzwilliam Hospital which include:

If you are being referred by your GP for NHS treatment you have a right to choose the hospital you are referred to under the Patient Choice charter.

• Your choice of consultant

Fitzwilliam offer a wide range of services to NHS patients at no charge to patient or GP.

• Early and flexible appointments with the Premium Care fast track card • Hotel comforts on admission Ask your GP to refer you for private treatment at the Fitzwilliam.

Ask your GP if you can be referred to the Fitzwilliam for your treatment under Patient Choice.

Self-pay patients

OPTION

Premium Care benefits are available to paying patients on our full range of services. Many patients are now choosing to pay for early treatment of NHS low priority health problems such as varicose veins, sterilisation reversals, lumps and bumps and carpal tunnel treatments. A full range of cosmetic surgical and non-surgical treatments is also available under the Vive brand. Call today for a quote for your healthcare.

If you would like to chat through the options or for general enquiries about Fitzwilliam Hospital and the services offered please contact us today. Email: enquiries@fitzwilliam-hospital.co.uk or visit: www.fitzwilliam-hospital.co.uk

Call us today and find out more 01733 261717 35

• SL May ADS.indd 35

18/4/11 16:10:28

PROPERTY

The Way We Live; Rented Property Harjit Gammon explores the notion that, an Englishman’s home is no longer necessarily his own castle, with Stamford’s Lettings experts Goodwin

Moores

Watson Mitchell

s the property sales market has encountered a series of well documented body blows; economic recession, an inability to raise deposits and therefore mortgages by first time buyers, inertia on the part of existing homeowners (faced with falling house prices) reluctant to move, and a perceived, and/or real lack of job security; a dip in sales has seen another area of the property market, lettings, prosper. So although sales of houses remain constrained, the outlook for rentals will, conversely, be rosy in 2011. Indeed many industry sources are predicting a healthy increase to the value of rents. This rise in rentals has ushered in an increasingly new way of living, locally in and around Stamford, as well as nationally. Long popular in continental Europe, long overdue changes to the Rent Act enabling Knight landlords to gain Partnership repossession of their property at the end of a short term agreement shifting the balance more evenly between landlords and tenants in the late 80s, together with altered economic circumstances, have seen the rental sector grow dramatically, Richard Watson tells me. Sheltered by the protection of a revised Rent Act offering protection to landlords and tenants alike, coupled with factors such as the flexibility to move to respond to changing jobs and or changing relationships, has ushered in a new attitude to renting and in turn the home. No longer tarnished with a stigma, the rented English house has become a more prosaic equation of living space or accommodation (four walls) for tenants, and an investment for owners of these rented properties. The notion of a house as a home is thus changed for all those involved in the transaction.

Murray

Stamford Letting Agents Directory In the past year the Stamford Lettings market has proliferated significantly, with many new entrants. Some are new to the area and others extending their offering from a sales base. NEW Capitol Lettors Unit 2, 3 Belton Street, Stamford Tel: 01780 765181 Chesterton Humberts 5 Ironmonger Street, Stamford PE9 1PL Tel: 01780 762849 Goodwin Property Services 2-3 St Johns Street, Stamford PE9 2DA Tel: 01780 750000 King West 13 St Mary’s Street, Stamford PE9 2DE Tel: 01780 484520 Knight Partnership 3 Red Lion St, Stamford PE9 1PA Tel: 01780 765060 Martin & Co Stamford 9A St. Mary’s Street, Stamford PE9 2DE 01780 756 305 Moores Estate and Letting Agents 12 St. Johns Street, Stamford PE9 2DB Tel: 01780 484550 Murray Estate Agents 11 Red Lion Square, Stamford, PE9 2AQ Tel: 0843 4708 969 Paul Johnson Property 4 Ironmonger St, Stamford, PE9 1PL Tel: 01780 482121 Richardsons Sheep Market House. Stamford, PE9 2RB Tel: 01780 762433 Watson Mitchell 2 Gooches Court, Bath Row Stamford, PE9 2RE Tel: 01780 765100

STAMFORD LIVING May 2011

36 RENTING copy.indd 2

19/4/11 14:29:21

New Season Tallington Asparagus We are delighted to bring to The Exeter Arms, Easton-on-the-Hill, The White Hart, Ufford and The Crown, Stamford, some of the first asparagus crops of the year. We are long standing supporters of local

business and the farming community and

our Chefs are delighted to be able to create a

number of dishes for you to enjoy this spring. Asparagus is also available for purchase at the

Bar and Reception at each location for you to take home and enjoy.

Sample Asparagus Menu

Asparagus, new potatoes and watercress soup Classic asparagus with Hollandaise Chicken, asparagus and

mushroom terrine, shallot dressing

Risotto of asparagus and king prawns Salad of warm scallops, asparagus and free range poached egg Penne pasta, asparagus

and lemon marinated chicken

Smoked haddock and asparagus tart,

buttered new potatoes and rocket salad Fillet of hake, baby asparagus,

crispy pancetta and basil Hollandaise

We look forward to welcoming you soon.

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

reservations@thecrownhotelstamford.co.uk www.thecrownhotelstamford.co.uk

21 Stamford Road, Easton on the Hill, PE9 3NS t. 01780 756321 reservations@theexeterarms.net www.theexeterarms.net

Main Street Ufford, Stamford, PE9 3BH t. 01780 740 250 reservations@whitehartufford.co.uk www.whitehartufford.co.uk

All Saintâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hotels Ltd. All Saint's Place, Stamford, PE9 2AG t. 01780 763136 37

â&#x20AC;˘ SL May ADS.indd 37

18/4/11 16:10:41

Need Storage?

Rutland Shutters

Your best local choice

Made to measure Plantation Shutters For a free brochure or quotation contact

A family run business with 60 years experience, providing professional staff and a reliable service.

Tel. 01664 474013 Mob. 07768 695236

HOUSE & OFFICE MOVE CLEANING SERVICE We clean BEFORE you move into your new premises or AFTER you have left. Reliable & friendly service with competitive hourly rates.

STORAGE • Brand New Custom Built Storage Facilities • Long or Short Term Storage • Fully Alarmed Premises with CCTV • Containerised • Document Storage • All Items Inventories • FULL COLLECTION AND STORAGE OFFERED Stamford 01780

431 070 306 128 Peterborough 01733 304 298 Bourne 01778

www.steelesremovals.com

2 Central Road, Essendine, Rutland, PE9 4LJ

STEELE’S REMOVALS REMOVALS • STORAGE • SHIPPING

FREE Packing Materials

mail mail@rutlandshutters.co.uk web www.rutlandshutters .co.uk

Traditional Restoration Timber Renovation Specialists Old sash & casement windows, exterior doors & joinery

Why replace your timber windows when you can restore? Traditional Restoration offers a cost-saving alternative to window replacement. Also: • Repairs and renovations • Overhaul and draught proofing • Reglazing and reputtying For a free, no obligation estimate please call James on:

Window Repair

Before

After

Before

After

Exterior joinery repair

01572 720524 or 07841 527855 tradrest@hotmail.co.uk

www.traditional-restoration.co.uk

18th Century Barn available for hire

• Weddings • Lunches, dinners, conferences, meetings For further details and prices please contact:

NML Ltd

NML - The local landscaping company for all your landscaping projects from concept to completion Intial free consultation. Design and complete project management.

Mary Richardson The Grange, 32 High Street, Morton, Nr Bourne, Lincs, PE10 0NR - Tel: 01778 570233

• Patios,drives and paths • Stone & brickwork walls and arches • All types of fencing and decking • Water features and ponds • Timber Pergolas and Gazebos • Design service and planting schemes

Tel: 01529-497434 Tel: 01733-843322 Mob: 07919-336500 Email: adcody@btinternet.com Free Estimates • References Avaliable • Professional Reliable Service

• Fully Insured

• SL May ADS.indd 38

18/4/11 16:13:52

PERSPECTIVES

Shuttleworth Richard Barry visits Europe’s finest collection of airworthy classic aircraft

here are far too many aviation museums in Britain and not nearly enough cash to go round. Don’t get me wrong – I adore aviation museums but without adequate funding they are doomed to a lingering death. It’s heartbreaking to watch beautiful aircraft being slowly consumed by weather and decay: all the hard work, love and enthusiasm that is poured into them by skilled and knowledgeable volunteers simply cannot compensate for lack of funding. It costs a small fortune to maintain classic aircraft in good condition. Britain’s four big aviation museums are all partly publicly funded -- the Imperial War Museum (Duxford) and the air museums of the Army (Middle Wallop), Navy (Yeovilton) and RAF (Hendon). And even among these big four, few of the aircraft are airworthy, most are only intended for static display. It’s almost true to say that taxpayer funding is essential for long-term survival.

Almost, but not quite Fewer than fifty miles south of Stamford is the Shuttleworth Collection, the finest collection of airworthy classic aircraft in Europe. If it costs a small fortune to maintain classics in good static display condition, it costs a large fortune to keep fifty of them in flying condition. And that fortune came from Joseph Shuttleworth -- a Lincolnshire engineer who, with his partner Nathaniel Clayton, made highly successful steam-powered agricultural equipment in the mid 19th century. Today the company is long gone but you can still see its logo “Clayton and Shuttleworth” on the roofline of what is now a council depot in Lincoln.

Joseph’s grandson, Richard Shuttleworth, grew up in the 1930s, obsessed with fast cars and aircraft. In 1940 he was killed while serving in the RAF. After the war his grieving mother Dorothy used the fortune she’d inherited from Joseph to found and maintain the Shuttleworth Collection in honour of her son’s great love – aircraft. So although the Collection is based in Bedfordshire it owes its origin to a Lincolnshire fortune.

Display Naturally, if you have fifty spectacular aircraft in flying condition you are going to want to show them off. So the Shuttleworth Collection puts on eleven flying displays each year. This year in May there are going to be two airshows – the Spring Airshow on May 1 and the Spring Evening Airshow on May 14. Typically a show will feature twenty to thirty aircraft, but wisely the Collection does not announce in advance which of its aeroplanes will be flying on any occasion. This will depend on the maintenance schedule, pilot availability and, above all, on the weather. Probably their most iconic aeroplane is the Bleriot XI, almost identical to the one used by Louis Bleriot when he became the first person to fly across the English Channel in 1909. It’s the oldest airworthy plane in the world, and the Collection only risks flying it on the most tranquil of days. Everyone has their own favourites. Mine include the stunningly beautiful de Havilland Comet (not the jet airliner, but the 1934 vintage racer that won the England to Australia airrace) and the sinister black Lysander of the kind that was used to fly secret agents into occupied France during the war. The Lysanders carrying these heroes and heroines would leave from the nearby secret Tempsford airfield, which will be the subject of a future article. On non-flying days the hangers are open to the public, who can wander around and admire the aircraft. Of particular interest is Hangar No.1 where aircraft are maintained and restored to flying condition. The Shuttleworth Collection

employs about sixteen staff (half of them technical) and thirty technical volunteers, many of whom worked in the aviation industry before retirement. In addition, there are more than fifty occasional volunteers, who act as stewards at the airshows, help with fund-raising and many other jobs.

Other Attractions. The Shuttleworth Collection and its grass aerodrome occupy only a part of the larger Old Warden estate. Hard though it is to believe, not everyone attending the Shuttleworth Collection is aeroplane-obsessed. For those, the Old Warden estate also contains the famous Swiss Garden and the Bird of Prey Centre (see page 40 in this edition). To get to the Shuttleworth from Stamford, go down the A1 for 47 miles to Biggleswade and take the third (westerly) exit from the ‘Sainsbury’ roundabout. Keep going for another two miles and you will see the Collection’s hangars on your left. For satnav the post code is SG18 9EP. • Opening times and prices can be found on www.shuttleworth.org STAMFORD LIVING May 2011

39 SHUTTLEWORTH.indd 1

19/4/11 14:30:18

ACTIVITIES

Swiss Garden

Next door to the Shuttleworth Collection and part of the Shuttleworth Estate is the Grade 2* listed Swiss Garden, a wonderful example of the 19th century fashion for the Picturesque The Ongleys Old Warden Park, one of the finest estates in Bedfordshire, was bought by Sir Samuel Ongley, a wealthy London merchant in the late 17th century. The 2nd Lord Ongley probably planned the garden in the early 19th Century but it was the 3rd Lord Ongley of the East India Company, who succeeded to the estate on his 21st birthday in 1824, who created the garden in the picturesque style. There is a legend which says that the garden was a trysting place for himself and his Swiss mistress. On a more mundane note, Swiss Picturesque was a popular style in the early 19th century. The garden is a perfect example of this style and seems much bigger than it actually is because the naturally flat area was remodelled with pools and mounds created to give contrived vistas and an illusion of a larger garden. Serpentine paths wind through glades and rose arbours, over bridges and past ornate garden seats. There is a grotto made of tufa stone leading into a fernery, housed in a good example of early English glasshouse construction. There are a number of small pretty rustic buildings in the garden and central to the design is the delightful thatched ‘Swiss Cottage’ raised on a mound. There are good examples of cast iron work, bridges, trellis and a huge iron arch. In the chapel, a tiny building built for contemplation, you can see a book of psalms on a slate bed which was restored by the stonemason at Burghley House. The picturesque theme is continued in the estate village of Old Warden, also built by the Ongleys. Inside the church, there is a superb collection of wooden carvings installed by them at the same period as the garden was created.

farming and estate management as well as in The Shuttleworths motor racing and aviation but unfortunately he Lord Ongley was childless and in 1872 the died in a flying accident in 1940 when he was estate was sold to Joseph Shuttleworth from only 31yrs old. His mother formed the Richard Lincolnshire, partner in the engineering firm of Ormonde Shuttleworth Remembrance Trust to Clayton & Shuttleworth. In 1876 he built a grand administer the garden, the collection and the new house for himself and his family. His son estate but the Second World War and Frank was one of the original members the privations which followed over of the Bedfordshire County the next 40 years, meant the Council as well as continuing Visiting garden was neglected. In to run the family firm. In the spring you can 1976 the Bedfordshire The Shuttleworths see masses of daffodils, in County Council introduced some early summer there are spectacular were approached Victorian features rhododendrons and if you visit in June to take over the to the garden. there are scented rambling roses. management of the They remodelled Opening Times: 1st March – 31st garden on a long the grotto and October 9am-5pm lease. They restored introduced 1st November – 28th February 9.30am-4pm it and opened it to elaborate flower Admission: £5 adults, Concession £4, the public in 1981. beds: they planted Children under 16 Free a number of Tea Room, Plants for Sale, No dogs. specimen trees and Getting there: Take the A1 south for about unusual variegated 45 miles then on the Biggleswade plants. They also made bypass follow signs – it 2 miles west a dogs’ graveyard - the along the B658. colour of each headstone (SG18 9EP) represented the colour of the dog’s coat. Ironwork from Clayton and Shuttleworth was used to replace a bridge so that boats could sail under it. Bedfordshire Richard Shuttleworth inherited the Old Warden Estate on his 23rd birthday and took a keen interest in

STAMFORD LIVING May 2011

40 SWISS GARDEN.indd 1

19/4/11 14:31:03

Room to Live

Image of Local installation by QKS

Showroom Cherryholt Road, Stamford, PE9 2EQ

Creators of finest quality bespoke Orangeries & Conservatories

Tel: 01780 756666

Orangeries Lanter n Rooms Conservatories

Mon-Fri 9am-5pm,

Windows Doors Folding Sliding Door Systems

Sat 10am-3pm

Vertical Sliding Windows Roofline Products Porches

www.qks-ltd.co.uk

Heritage Secondary Glazing

t. Es

Est

Loca

. 198

l Comp

1 - 30 Ye

ars

SPRING CLEARANCE on all VI-Spring floor models Up to 35% off

VI SPRING Free delivery Disposal of old bed Bespoke beds made to your required firmness

Bourne Store

17B Abbey Road, Bourne, PE10 9EF Tel: 01778 394774 Fitzgeralds2@btconnect.com

Stamford Store

West Street, Stamford, PE9 2PS Tel: 01780 762908 Fitzgeralds01@btconnect.com

â&#x20AC;˘ SL May ADS.indd 41

18/4/11 16:14:01

• garages • garden rooms • orangeries • home offices • conservatories • barns • stables • houses

Design is crucial in everything we do, be it structural calculations or aesthetic detailing, you can rely on us giving you expert advice. Our projects have covered everything from complete house framing to simple outbuildings, from cladding, floors, fixtures and fittings and porches, even simple replacement beams in listed buildings - nearly every one of our projects is unique. Oak is a natural material ever changing in texture and colour adding life and atmosphere wherever it’s used. Let us help you be convinced that an oak structure is the best investment you can make for both your home and your lifestyle. Simply call us or visit our website for further details.

er m Up * m e on u S Siz w No Large showroom open 7 days a week.

* Buy any Hot Tub and we'll upgrade you to the next size free of charge Offer available for Hot Tubs ordered before 30th June 2011. Terms & conditions apply Crightons Hydropool (Peterborough) Ltd . 5 Titan Drive . Fengate East . Peterborough . PE1 5XG Tel: 01733 305142 . Web: www.crightons-hydropool.co.uk

Introducing Cambridgeshire's only supplier of Hydropool's Self Cleaning Hot Tubs and Swim Spas.

C r i g h t o n s H y d r o p ool (Peterborough) Ltd

• SL May ADS.indd 42

18/4/11 16:15:21

Your local Professional L aw n T r e aT m e n T S e r v i c e • weed and moss control • scarification • hollowtine aeration • fertilisation Spring, Summer, autumn & winter treatments for your lawn at a price that doesn’t cost the earth. For a Free Quotation Call t: 01780 753575 m: 07734 693253 e: andy@lawndoctor.freeserve.co.uk w: www.countrywidelawndoctor.co.uk

Creative, practical solutions to suit individual homes and gardens. All aspects of interior and garden design including planting schemes, courtyards and garden lighting, soft furnishings, curtain design & make-up and re-upholstery.

From one off rooms, to schemes for the whole house and garden.

12 Willoughby Road, Morcott, Rutland, LE15 9DY Tel: 01572 747318 Mobile: 07973843020 alison@alisonhutchinsondesign.co.uk www.alisonhutchinsondesign.co.uk

KEN RAWSON

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

Sometimes the simplest is best Ring 01780 481624 to see why

www.kenrawsongardendesigns.co.uk Easton-on-the-Hill, Stamford. Established 1986

Let us take the hassle out of buying your new kitchen. We offer a free design and quotation service, have expert installers, together with all the choices of appliances, sinks and accessories you could ever need, and at fantastic prices… so why not call in and see the specialists? Full range of worktops and appliances

Super new displays just installed

Lakes lifetime guarantee

FORDHAM KITCHENS LTD The Showroom, New Road, Ryhall, Stamford PE9 4HL

01780 482892

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

• SL May ADS.indd 43

18/4/11 16:15:31

10 OUTDOORS

WAYS TO IMPROVE

YOUR

1 Dream office Enhance your home life and your work life by transforming a piece of garden into a garden office, studio or summer house. Stamford based Garden Offices UK Ltd build beautiful garden buildings designed to their clients’ specification. Every aspect of the build is organised by the company including individual design, planning permission where necessary, manufacture, delivery and installation, plus foundations and electrical connections. Features include timber on the outside and plastered walls inside, insulated floor, walls and roof and under-floor heating. Prices start around £14,500 plus vat. Budget ranges, with some of these features omitted, start around £5,019 inc vat.

2 A luxuriant lawn to lie on Enjoy the lush, green lawn you’ve always dreamed of by engaging the services of a specialist lawn care company. Elms Turf Care in Rutland and The Lawn Doctor in Stamford are two such companies. Their qualiﬁed horticulturalists carry out an assessment of your lawn and draw up a planned programme of care, which can include fertilisation, moss and weed treatments, scariﬁcation and aeration, plus specialist treatment where necessary. This programme is highly effective in helping to maintain the look and health of your lawn throughout the summer and year-round. Just imagine the feel of soft, weed-free grass under your bare feet; a wonderful way to start the season.

GARDEN

SPACE

Your garden can be your private hide-away, a place to work or play, for inspiration or for entertaining your friends. It may provide you with months of fruit and veg or simply be a place to go to listen to the birds and watch the seasons change. Whatever your garden is to you, here are a few ideas to help you make the most of that piece of outdoors that is all yours 44

3 Seek out an antique treasure If you are looking for something truly unique and full of character to enhance your garden, then it’s well worth investing in a piece of antique furniture or statuary. This highly decorative 19th century rustic dovecote is not just a stunning piece of French carpentry, it’ll also provide a wonderful nesting home for the birds in your garden. Highly unusual, it is in beautiful and sound, weathered condition. Claire Langley Antiques on St Martin’s has this and so many other unusual and diverse ﬁnds in her fascinating shop. • And from May 14th-21st, Claire is holding her annual garden exhibition when she will ﬁll the shop with an astonishing selection of antique garden items which will include tables and benches, decorative pieces, painted furniture, conservatory furniture, antique garden tools, stone and cast iron urns, dovecotes and plenty more. There will also be unique paper birds handmade by local artist Maxine Greer, including one entitled ‘Flock’ comprising hundreds of paper sparrows.

STAMFORD LIVING May 2011

44 45 GARDENS.indd 2

19/4/11 14:49:01

4 Plant some roses Few perennials or ﬂowering shrubs give so many wonderful blooms so soon after planting or have as long a period of bloom as roses. Roses will thrive in your garden if you allow them full sun, good, rich soil and plenty of water. At Stamford Garden Centre, there’s a fantastic range of roses (starting at £7.49), from small patio plants, perfect for the compact garden, to beautiful climbers such as the Zephirine Drouhin in carmine pink – a thornless rose perfect for an archway. There are also shrub roses, ground cover roses and hybrid teas. You can get plenty of advice on planting and plant care from the staff at the garden centre, plus all the tools and equipment you need.

7 Grow your own food

6 Entertain with summer colours Add a touch of the Mediterranean to your picnic table with colourful glassware in summer shades of green and blue. They’re perfect for mixing and matching and look wonderful on brightly coloured table linen. You can ﬁnd these beautiful pieces and lots more colourful tableware, glass lanterns plus gorgeous picnic rugs at You in Stamford.

If you’ve ever thought of growing vegetables, herbs and flowers in your garden, here’s a brilliant place to start. Riverford, based at Sacrewell Farm now delivers ‘boxes to grow’ each containing seedlings and guidance on how to care for the plants. Having a garden, which is both pretty and productive is wonderful. Lots of vegetables, like courgettes and French beans have lovely flowers, so place them where they can be easily seen. Try planting French marigolds amongst the vegetables; they look attractive and discourage pests. Or slip some vegetables into your flowerbeds. Frilly foliage of carrots or yellow blooms of courgettes make a pretty and tasty addition. There are four varieties of ‘box to grow’ including vegetables, herbs, and flowers - prices start from £17.95.

8 Sit back and enjoy your hard work As well as being incredibly stylish, these are the most sustainable deckchairs we have found. They are made in England with FSC wood, 100% cotton canvas and printed locally with vegetable inks. You can choose from three different styles – all with the vintage rose theme. Stylish, funky and eco-conscious, these designer deckchairs form part of Stamford-based Furniture Divas’ award-winning eco design range and cost £95 with free delivery.

5 Stylish composting

9 Stay out with candle light

Here’s a creative way to introduce composting into your garden without aesthetically compromising your garden vista. The beehive composter is hand made in England from FSC wood. It has a hinged lid to keep out the rain and help insulate your fermenting compost. There’s a hatch at the bottom from which to collect your compost. You can choose from a variety of six muted pastel colours including white, French grey and smoke blue. Available from Chez Soi (£195), there’s also a matching beehive garden store to hide away your tools.

For those rare summer evenings when it’s warm enough to sit outside after dark, create an inviting and sophisticated ambience with elegant stainless steel hurricane lamps from Sinclairs. Simple and stylish, they come in three sizes: small 27cm (£32.50), medium 41cm (£47.50) and large 45cm (£95.50). Use pillar candles for best effect, then shut the glass door and your candle won’t blow out. Best of all, they don’t have to be put away at the end of summer because they look equally good indoors all-year-round.

10 Brighter barbecuing Treat yourself to a design classic and enhance your barbecuing experience at the same time. This beautiful high spec barbecue in vibrant spring green features a ﬁre and rust-proof lid and bowl made from porcelain-enamelled steel and a heavy duty, hinged cooking grate. It also has crack-proof allweather wheels and weatherproof handle. It’s available from Waterside Garden Centre in Peterborough (£199.99). Iconic design and quality engineering.

Contacts • Garden Ofﬁces UK Ltd Tel: 0800 6126857, 07967 209012, www.gardenofﬁcesuk.co.uk • Elms Turf Care Tel: 01572 770373, www.turfcarerutland.co.uk • Lawn Doctor Tel: 01780 753575, www.countrywidelawndoctor.co.uk • Claire Langley Antiques 7 High Street, St Martin’s, Stamford PE9 2LF, Tel: 01780 752555, www.clairelangleyantiques.co.uk • Stamford Garden Centre Road End Farm, Great Casterton, Stamford PE9 4BB, Tel: 01780 765656, www.stamfordgardencentre.co.uk • Riverford Tel: 01780 789700, www.riverford.co.uk/sacrewell • Chez Soi 26-27 High Street, Stamford PE9 2AY, Tel: 01780 482845, www.chezsoionline.co.uk • Furniture Divas Tel: 01780 408234, www.furnituredivas.co.uk • You, 30 St Marys Street, Stamford PE9 2DL, Tel: 01780 765001, www.youstamford.co.uk • Waterside Garden Centre King Street, Baston, Peterborough PE6 9NY, Tel: 01778 560000, www.begardenhappy.com • Sinclairs 11 St Mary’s Street, Stamford PE9 2DE, Tel: 01780 765421, www.sinclairs-china.co.uk STAMFORD LIVING May 2011

44 45 GARDENS.indd 3

19/4/11 14:49:47

or call our Call4Five helpline 01780 483874

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND

• SL May ADS.indd 46

18/4/11 16:15:44

WHAT’S ON

Diary dates

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

May 1

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

5

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

Wednesday 18 May, 7.30pm

THURSDAY

EVENT: Wellington’s Secret Service – a presentation by Stuart Orme Stamford High School Parents Association invites you to ﬁnd out about the complex system of spies, codebreakers and partisans established by the Duke of Wellington during the Napoleonic wars, how the Battle of Waterloo should never have happened and hear about the true stories of the men who made James Bond’s exploits look tame. • Stamford High School Tickets £5 (SES Students and staff free) Tel: Helen Gibbons 01780 480267

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

EVENT: An Evening with Des O’Connor Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see a true show business legend live on stage for a wonderful evening of comedy, laughter and music. Des been recording since 1967 and has produced 35 albums with sales of over 16 million. His current album is ‘A Tribute to the Crooners’. • Stamford Corn Exchange Theatre Tickets £24/£23 Tel: 01780 766455

18



Thursday 5 May, 7.30pm

THEATRE: Hang On Stamford Senior Youth Theatre performs their original new play set at the Mid Lent Fair. The group consists of young people aged between 15 and 21 from Stamford and the surrounding area who are committed to creating exciting and unique theatre. Director, Mary Benzies says: “Hang On is an exhilarating play that looks at young people’s need to sometimes escape from their realities and at the transient nature of escaping from life’s troubles. The issues raised in Hang On are relevant to young people today such as marital breakdown and the affects of redundancy on families. • Stamford Theatre Tickets £8/£5 or £3.50 for those aged 16 -26 Tel: 01780 763203 or visit www.stamfordartscentre.co.uk

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

Sunday & Monday May 29th & 30th The Burghley Game & Country Fair

FRIDAY

The 5th Game & Country Fair returns to Burghley this Bank Holiday with exciting new attractions. Racing Llamas, Tom Longton and his Sheepdog Displays in the Main Arena, and a new Owl Show in the Falconry Village, to name just a few. There’s lots of activity in the Cookery Kitchen with Game to Eat Chef Tony Robertson presenting a series of Game dishes. He is joined by Simon Spindley, who came to prominence as a quarter ﬁnalist in’ Master Chef. Children are well catered for with all the usual attractions, bouncy castles, waterballs etc, but at Living Heritage events there is more – Free 20 minute lessons in Gundog Handling, Falconry & Angling – an excellent opportunity to gain ﬁrst hand experience of these popular country sports. • Burghley House, Stamford, Lincs PE9 3JY Open Daily 9.30 to 6pm Full Show Details and Discounted Advance Tickets are available on www.livingheritagecountryshows.co.uk

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY



29

Friday 6 May, 7.30pm and Saturday 7 May, 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Tuesday 31 May to Thursday 2 June WORKSHOPS: Wildcats Holiday Programmes Suitable for children aged between 5 and 14 years, Wildcats holiday workshops provide dance and musical theatre classes throughout half term. There are also activities taking place in Peterborough and Oakham – see the website for more details. Themes this time include circus skills in Ringmaster’s Adventure, a Hannah Montana Special, and a Wicked Master class featuring a cast member from the hit West End show. • Stamford Arts Centre Places from £20 per child per day with booking and further details at www. wildcatstheatreschool.co.uk STAMFORD LIVING May 2011

47 48 DIARY DATES.indd 1

19/4/11 14:53:53

WHAT’S ON

Looking Ahead... Sunday 12 June

Bourne Classic Car and Bike Show The Committee of Bourne Motor Racing Club plan to entertain the whole family, with plenty of craft stalls, a nine piece Big Band, playing 40s and 50s style music, Punch & Judy for the youngsters and a wide range of refreshments. This year’s centerpiece will be ‘Rallying through the Ages’. Bourne’s Heritage Museum will be

open throughout the day, and the show will close with the judging of vehicles, and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight ﬂy-past which always proves to be a most popular part of the afternoon. The Well Head Field, Bourne Entry to the show will be free. • For more information or to enter either a classic vehicle (car or motorcycle) or race car, Tel: 07885 152478 (evenings) or visit www.bourneclassiccarshow.co.uk

Friday 6 May 7.30pm Music at St Martin’s Music at St Martin’s returns to St Martin’s Church in May with a solo recital in the Burghley Chapel at St Martin’s by the distinguished lutenist, Jakob Lindberg. Swedish lutenist Jakob Lindberg, the noted recording and concert artist, performs a programme of solo lute music by Dowland, Bach and Weiss in the Burghley Chapel at St Martin’s Church. It is particularly through his live solo performances that he has become known as one of the ﬁnest lutenists in the world today. • Tickets: £12.50 (£10 for nonview seats) from Stamford Arts Centre 01780 763203 or at the door Right: Jakob Lindbert, lutenist; Lute by Sixtus Rauwolf, Augsburg, c. 1590

4th June at 7.30p.m Stamford Choral Society Summer Concert Peterborough Cathedral Conductor Jeremy Jepson. The programme includes Requiem: G. Faure, and The Spirit of England: Elgar. Tickets from the Arts Centre, Stamford and cost: Nave: £15.00. Side aisles £8.00. Concessions £12.00 & £6.00. Children accompanied by an adult £1.00

Friday 17, Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 June The East of England Show

The 2011 East of England Show will once again see the Showground filled with horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, food, music, attractions, trade stands and much, much more. Livestock of the highest quality will be shown over all three days and this year will be hosting both the Longhorn National Show and Beef Shorthorn Show. Sheep classes will include Blue Texel Sheep for the first time. The very finest horses will be competing in the equestrian classes, including in-hand ridden and scurry classes, all breeds will be present from Shetlands to Shires. Show jumping will also feature, and the huge range of classes will see some of the UK’s best riders competing for glory. The Farms R Us section will be returning to educate and enthuse children about the source of their food. Plus Kid’s Kitchen will get children cooking their own fruit crumbles. There will be musical entertainment throughout the three days, plus plenty of activities for children and adults alike to take part in. A fabulous display of vintage tractors and farm machinery under the theme of Sugar Beet will stir up the nostalgia among visitors, as will the steam and classic car displays which include some very rare exhibits. The Country Sports Arena will once again have a wide range of displays and

56 48

demonstrations of all aspects of rural life. The Peterborough International Orchid Show will be returning for the fourth year, and will delight visitors with spectacular blooms from all over the UK and the World. Also on display will be the entries in the garden design and ﬂoral art competition. There will be a diverse and exciting range of trade stands with products to suit all tastes and budgets. Food will feature strongly and the Food Hall will be brimming with delicious local provisions and the catering is all sourced under the Food Direct from the Farm scheme. A superb family day out. • The East of England Showground, Peterborough Tickets from £5 with children under 16 free Tel: 0845 600 5445 or visit www.eastofengland.org.uk

Enjoy Grass Court Tennis Enjoy classic English grass court tennis at its best with the Rock Tennis Club. The Club meets at the Recreation Ground every Tuesday evening from 6-9pm, Thursday afternoon from 3-6pm and on Saturday afternoon from 2-5pm. Members enjoy traditional afternoon tea during Saturday’s session. The membership fee is £35. The grass court season is from May to September. They would like to welcome you to their Open Days on 7 and 14 May. • For further enquiries please contact the Club Secretary, Stephanie Uszkurat on 01780 755082.

June 1-3 Degree show New College Stamford. Final year BA (Hons) students of Fine Art and Graphic Design will be displaying their work at an exhibition, including the work of Foundation degree students in Lens Based Photo Media and Illustration.

STAMFORD LIVING May October 20112010

47 48 DIARY DATES.indd 2

19/4/11 14:55:36

A great day out and a barbecue at Vine House Farm Join us for a tour of our conservation award winning farm: See many species of breeding bird How we grow our own bird seed How we manage the whole farm with wildlife in mind The first tour of the year takes place on 21st May, and two more on 18th June and 6 August. Each tour starts at 10am and lasts for about 2 hours, ending back up at the main farm where the barbecue will be served.

Tickets are just £9.00 each.

Call 01775 630208 now

to book your place.

Vine House Farm, Deeping St Nicholas, Spalding, Lincolnshire PE11 3DG

www.vinehousefarm.co.uk

MAY 18

BUILDING PLOT IN CONSERVATION VILLAGE A PLOT TO THE REAR OF

12 HIGH STREET CASTLE BYTHAM LINCS NG33 4RZ

BUILDING PLOT

FOR SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION 18th MAY 2011 at 6:30pm at The Ram Jam Inn, Great North Road, Stretton Near Oakham, Rutland LE15 7QX n n n n

Opportunity to acquire a building plot in idyllic village 0.11 acres with full Planning Consent for a detached house In grounds of a Listed Building with superb views Services available

Andrew Boulter 01604 783001 - ab@underwoods.co.uk Christopher Williams 01604 774146 - cw@underwoods.co.uk Visit our website: www.underwoods.co.uk

• SL May ADS.indd 49

18/4/11 16:15:56

Barnsdale Hall Hotel country club

Wake up to the beauty of Rutland

live it... love it... own it! Ownership

from just £1,200

Rental

from only £250

*annual maintenance fees apply

Exchange weeks available to over 4,000 properties worldwide!!!

• DISCOUNT to dine in fabulous onsite restaurant • DISCOUNTeD rates for rooms at Barnsdale Hall Hotel all year round • YeAR ROUND FRee concessionary membership to leisure facilities

Call Kayleigh today to discuss ownership or rental opportunities

01572 725148 or email Kayleigh.reid@barnsdalehotel.co.uk

• SL May ADS.indd 50

18/4/11 16:16:19

PERSPECTIVES

Ask

Leo

Stamford Boating Club

In 1957 Stamford Boating Club applied for a grant from Stamford Development Corporation to buy land from the Northampton Brewery Company to use for a boat yard and outbuildings on Water Street. Ask Leo was pleased to receive this account of the Club from MOA, an early member

The Beginnings How many remember youngsters canoeing on the River Welland downstream of the Town Bridge from a jetty along Water Street in the mid to late 1950s? That was the beginning of the Stamford Boat Club - later to become the Stamford Sailing Club when it relocated in 1958 to Gibbon’s gravel pits in Stowe Road, Langtoft. Most of its members had served in the RAF, having downgraded from 3-dimensional aerobatics to 2-dimensional sailing skills. Local farmers were keen members also, indeed the first “Clubhouse” was a large chicken shed, donated by one of them, and the “Starter’s Box” for races was a member’s travelling Puppet Theatre stage! Eventually the shed was replaced by a “Prefab Bungalow”, sourced from the Midlands, which was delivered as a stack of various parts and ably reassembled by a tremendous team of volunteers and then re-decorated.to provide an excellent Clubhouse. The proper Starter’s Box was constructed, next followed by slip-ways for launching the dinghies and landing stages. Everyone contributed in one way or another to improve the facilities and make sailing fun. The Quincentenary Celebrations 1961 saw the Quincentenary Celebrations and the 500th anniversary of the granting of Stamford’s Charter by Edward IV in 1461 and the Borough Council gave the Sailing Club the “Quincentenary Cup” as the Trophy to be competed for at the Summer Regatta. The 6th Marquess of Exeter was Mayor of Stamford for the year and for many years had been President of the Sailing Club. Indeed in both capacities he attended the Regatta held on August Bank

Holiday Monday that year (accompanied by Diana, the Marchioness and their daughter Lady Victoria) and presented the Quincentenary Cup to its first recipient. Social Life The Sailing Club thrived as a social gathering spot at weekends where families enjoyed watching various classes of dinghy (G.P.14, Enterprise, Graduate, Mirror and others) taking part in races round the triangular courses organised by the Sailing Committee members. Husbands and wives often took part while others watched over and amused their children in a friendly spirit of bonhomie. The Ladies Committee involved themselves in looking after the Clubhouse and arranging refreshments throughout the day and especially at “Tea time”. Youngsters from Stamford School and High School had their part to play and enjoyed the freedom to enjoy sailing, having been ferried to and fro by their Members of Staff and other Club Members.

Assembly Rooms (now the Stamford Arts Centre) which were decorated each year by the Ladies Committee. Members and friends attending barely recognised each other in their ’black tie’ penguin outfits and flowing ball gowns (compared with the tee shirts, shorts and buoyancy jackets of the Summer months). Moving on Eventually Langtoft was no longer available and the sailing was transferred to another flooded gravel pit at Baston Fen in the 1970s. This was not nearly so amenable for young children. The Sailing Club Ball became a “thing of the past” and in more recent years the sailing moved to Ferry Meadows near Peterborough. The Club was eventually disbanded and the Quincentenary Cup is now in the museum for safe keeping It was fun in the 1950s, 60s and 70s but times have changed and people’s leisure activities have also changed. Will the pendulum swing back? Maybe not because Rutland Water with its two sailing venues has overtaken our less spectacular facilities and activities but at least we sowed the seeds of an interest in this area 50 years ago!

Winter at the Sailing Club In Winter months the dinghies were towed away and housed in various locations whilst masts, rigging and sails were checked and hulls received fresh coats of paint and/ varnish. Highlight of this period was the Boat Club/Sailing Club Ball held in January at The STAMFORD LIVING May 2011

51 ASK LEO.indd 1

19/4/11 14:59:38

STAMFORD PEOPLE

The Tale of Stamford Library and its characters Harjit Gammon peers between the covers to chronicle the group of women, and a lone male (the librarian, behind the scenes), who are the key characters in the library story today

he pillared library, in the High street, likened to a small stately home by recent visitors to the town, was for many years, at the end of the 18th century, the White Lion Inn, which in turn became the ‘Portico’ to a market and the ‘shambles’ which stood beyond. This market replaced the butchers’ shambles which was in the High Street, opposite St Michael’s Church, in 1801. Extending to Broad Street from the High street portico, there was a watch house (police station) on one side of the open portico and a house for the Beadle (the beadle attended the mayor and acted as constable) on the other. There was also provision for a fire engine. A butter market lay within the portico, the fish market stood to the north behind it, and beyond were 53 shambles in four rows. By 1868 the market had become dilapidated and one row of the shambles was demolished. Subsequently the sides of the portico were filled in and in 1906 the adaptation to a library was completed. The conversion, which included a librarian’s/caretaker’s cottage behind, was funded by the Andrew Carnegie Trust. In 1961 a museum was opened on the mezzanine floor. This was moved in 1980 to the Technical Instruction School, the current museum in Broad Street. Linda Oliver, cultural services advisor and one time library assistant, for over 30 years in Stamford, recalls the changes in that time. In addition to the introduction of new media such as DVDs, the most dramatic change in recent times has been the move away from counter service to a system of self service. Whilst freeing up the staff to deal with users’ enquiries,

the move has been far from universally popular. Older readers have regretted the loss of social interaction and many have found using the computers a difficulty, but in general the move has proven successful. Jane Barber, another cultural services advisor, tells me that although they are not talking to people as much, they are more available to handle people’s questions and enquiries. The other striking change in recent times has been the revision of opening times, although it has been somewhat of a return to the sixties, I discovered in my research, when the library remained open until 8pm Mondays to Wednesdays and 6pm on Saturdays, rather than a radical new departure. Older borrowers will also have noticed the change from the days of hushed quiet which once pervaded libraries to the buzz which now characterises the atmosphere of these institutions. There are, however, tables in the Community room (staffed three times a week by a volunteer), for quiet study. This area of the library also houses local history, including copies of the Stamford Mercury on microfilm from 1714. The assistants themselves are a varied bunch. Some are avid readers, others self admittedly not, while others still are keen film buffs. We are not necessarily the “font of all knowledge, but we are knowledgeable about how to find information,” says Jane Barber. The staff are highly regarded by regular users of the library, and remembered in the same affectionate manner as favourite teachers. Jane Barber relates tales too of the mundane and somewhat unusual things left behind by visitors to the building, ranging from items of clothing,

sets of measuring spoons and walking sticks. “You’d think you’d notice if you need a walking stick”. “New kid on the block” Louise Bradley, who has been at Stamford library for 3 years now (plus 5 years as a relief assistant in Bourne), tells me “all human life is here”. Musing about the variety of people who visit the library she has, she adds, learned never to stereotype. For example, those who might be least able to afford to pay a fine for overdue items are frequently the most willing to actually do so, she tells me. Others, apparently more affluent, will often argue, even over relatively modest sums. There is, however, a rewarding sense of achievement in sending people away happy, she tells me. “Every day is a challenge and delight,” but especially gratifying is when someone says please call me by my first name. You know then you have made a real impact on someone. Aside from the assistants there are the characters that variously inhabit the library. Regulars include several gentlemen who visit the library daily, often for several hours a day; to read the papers, dip into a novel, plan armchair travels or to get a daily film fix. Others are particularly knowledgeable about subjects such as local history, and often invaluable in assisting with enquiries. Site co-ordinator at Stamford is Janet Davies, or ‘Monica’, from the television series Friends, as she is known to her family. She has she says, “A bit of a tidy fetish”, and once had a great ambition to own her own cleaning company! Approachable and amenable, she and her team are the lynchpins of this particular centre of community life in Stamford.

STAMFORD LIVING May 2011

52 PEOPLE.indd 1

19/4/11 15:00:35

Richardson Stamford Living Ketton advert

5/4/11

14:13

Page 1

There’s no substitute for quality In an era where it’s all too easy to succumb to the fleeting ‘here today - gone tomorrow’ temptations of modern society, it’s reassuring to know that there are still products and services of real substance. Nothing has quite the same appeal or ability to span generations as a ‘classic’. Whether it be a car or a company - there’s simply no substitute for quality. Richardson Estate Agents has a wealth of experience and accrued, local expertise that you’ll find hard to match elsewhere. Our service is geared towards your specific needs. We’re conscientious, caring and take great pride in offering our clients the kind of attention that has helped us to perform consistently well for the last one hundred and ninety nine years!

Properties currently available include… VIEW HOME OPENING

Saturday 21st May 10am until 3pm

Ketton £289,500 Most attractive part thatched and timbered, detached home rebuilt and extended approximately 2 years ago to provide modern split level living. Circular entrance hall, galleried first floor sitting room, bathroom, 2 bedrooms one with en suite shower room, large living breakfast kitchen and southerly gardens with a mature tree back drop.

St Martins Without

Ketton

£1,800,000

Prices from £295,000 to £595,000

Park House is set in delightful south facing and floodlit grounds of approx 1.4 acres. The 8 bedroom family home extends to approximately 6659 sq.ft and boasts 4 reception rooms, 28ft kitchen/breakfast room, indoor swimming pool/sauna complex and 45ft conservatory. Within the grounds there is a small gardeners cottage and a garage block with recreational room over.

The Longbarn Mews is an elegant redevelopment of the original farmyard in the heart of this thriving Rutland village offering a range of only 9 stone built, luxuriously appointed properties with each property having all the energy efficiency of a new house combined with the character of a traditional home.

You can rely on All properties shown were available at the time of going to print. Please contact us to check on their current availability.

richardsonestateagents.co.uk

Local property agents since 1812

Peterborough 26 Priestgate Peterborough PE1 1WG

Stamford Sheep Market House Stamford PE9 2RB

01733 321800

01780 762433 53

• SL May ADS.indd 53

18/4/11 16:33:23