Discovering Bourne issue 140, April 2023

Welcome to your April issue...

At this time of the year, I’m often surprised at just how quickly, within a few weeks, we’ve moved on from those cold, wet mornings, those biting winds and long, dark evenings to something much more appealing. Blossom is now starting to be on show and our long, hot summer (hopefully!) is nearly upon us.

I hope you find the wide range of topics included in this month’s magazine both informative and enjoyable. As ever, many thanks to all of the contributors and advertisers for their hard work and for your continuing support and words of encouragement. Enjoy the month ahead, and best wishes for a happy Easter to you all.

An apology!

Those readers who took part in our wordsearch competition will have noticed that the word “florist” was not within the grid. This was not a deliberate attempt to get you to contact Bourne’s very own finest florist, Stephanies, for advice, but instead a technical error on our part, for which we say, “Sorry”.

With all eyes on a certain Mr Lineker and his spat with the BBC recently, and then having winced at England rugby team’s 53-10 demolition by the French, I had hoped for Saturday’s highlights to be re-scheduled as “Mismatch of the Day”.

On the subject of sport, a big shout-out this month goes to my wife Amanda, who will be putting all those hours of dedicated training to the test when she runs her very first London Marathon on April 23rd. We’re a very sporty family. In the 2019 London Marathon, I actually managed 3 hours 35 minutes, but then got bored with it all and switched over to another channel!

And finally,

❱ This spring’s ‘must-have’ fashion items are camouflage pants, but just you try and find a pair!

❱ When life gives you melons, just check you’ve not got dyslexia. Enjoy the read.

Discovering Magazines, PO Box 164, Bourne PE10 1ET

Publisher and Sales Claire Saberton

01778 421427 | 07837 499061 | sales@discoveringmagazines.co.uk

Ops Director Andy Armstrong: 07780 922214

Accounts Sarah Brooks: 07564 966452 | accounts@discoveringmagazines.co.uk

Group Editor John Schwarz | editor.bourne@discoveringmagazines.co.uk

Design Graham Copestake | Sarah Gumbley | Andy Beavis | Dan Handley

Sales Paula Kirtland: 07903 776211 | Sally Anne Davis: 07737 026594

Events Hilary Bloomer | hilary@discoveringmagazines.co.uk

Inside Highlights

4 Vine House Farm, Shop and Café.

6-7 The Griffin Inn at Irnham.

9 The Beauty Hub has arrived in Billingborough.

10-11 Deep-in Aesthetics.

14 Adam Northover: The Body Transformation Specialist.

16 Legal Corner with Double and Megson.

19 Introducing … Liquid Lipo.

20............ Words from the Mayor.

22 The Beardwood Practice.

24............ Local History: Draining the Fens.

26 Book Reviews from Bourne Bookshop.

27............ Morton School news.

28 Will & Probate Services.

30-31 Kellyvision celebrates 40 years.

32-33 Bourne Carpets and Floors feature.

34-35 Consumer Advice from Safe Local Trades.

39-42 .. Easter Egg Hunt Competition.

43 Burst into summer with Waterside.

44 Property News.

56 Alto Electrical – Planning for an emergency.

60 Special Easter Quiz.

61-65 .... What’s on: Events and clubs guide. 72-79 Classified businesses directory.

With thanks to

Double and Megson, Nick Ash, Liberty Partnership, Anna Kelly, Bourne Bookshop, Scott Stewart, Brynley Heaven, Christine Beardwood, Eileen Le Voi, Coleen Everitt.

Deadline details

Copy deadline for the May issue is Friday 14th April 2023.

Discovering Bourne is published by a local team and is not associated with any other business. Care is taken to ensure that the content and information is correct at the time of going to press; however, we cannot take any responsibility for loss, damage or omission caused by any errors. Permission must be granted to reproduce, copy or scan anything from this publication. For a copy of our contributors’ guidelines please email info@discoveringmagazines.co.uk

What’s available in April...

We have all you need for the Easter weekend & your Sunday joint can be ordered from our in-store butchery, run by Grasmere Farm. We’ve plenty of Easter treats for you to stock up on, with a bunny hunt & tractor rides to entertain the children. Talking of eggs - have you tried our eggs, delivered daily, from our happy chicken farm in Tallington? We use them for our Café menu & in all our home baking. We’re also looking forward to the start of the asparagus season towards the end of the month, which traditionally starts on St George’s Day. Café

Right at the Heart of Irnham and of Jamie Benton-Jones

The tranquil village of Irnham, between Bourne and Grantham, can lay claim to several impressive attributes. Not only is it one of the most picturesque in the county, with its beautiful stone cottages, gathered around the magnificent Irnham Hall, with St Andrew’s Church and the Griffin Inn close by, but it is also home to the irrepressible Jamie Benton-Jones (a.k.a. Sir James BentonJones, Fifth Baronet of Treeton). It was a delight for me to hear Jamie share his vision and plans recently, as, like all entrepreneurs, he faces the economic uncertainties that lie ahead.

With his wife, Leila and an incredibly supportive team, Jamie runs Irnham Hall and 2,000 acres of prime farming estate (besides being the landlord of many of the properties making up the village, including The Griffin Inn). It has been a most imaginative approach that Jamie has taken to his role of “newbie farmer”, alongside being the host of the enormously popular “Irnham CountryEstate Package.”

This involves a church marriage service (if required), the reception in the nearby Orangery and grounds of Irnham Hall, and several cottages and the pub itself being made available for wedding guests - a highly successful business, so professionally masterminded by Leila and Jamie, for several years now. The Griffin has recently been totally refurbished, both the bar and eating area as well as the six luxurious bedrooms, and

it can fulfil its role as the potential pre-nuptial venue for bride and groom, as well as accommodation for guests too.

Jamie is very keen that The Griffin should continue to act as the central ‘beating heart’ of the village, and the excellent reputation built by Head Chef, Michael Prescott, at both The Cholmeley Arms at Burton Coggles and at Belvoir Castle, means that many people make the journey to The Griffin for a first-rate meal in such a friendly, welcoming setting.

Much of the organisation and indeed, running of The Griffin is in the extremely capable hands of Louise Hall, who shares Jamie’s opinion that what makes a visit to the pub worthwhile is not just top-quality drinks and food but a warm, welcoming presence from the hosts who genuinely want you to feel comfortable and contented.

The extraordinary response resulting from The Griffin winning the Channel 4 television competition, “Four in a Bed” in November 2021, where visitors continue to appear from vast distances afield, gives Jamie justified confidence, but he is adamant that new initiatives must continue to appear. These have included Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day special menus, a Summer Music and Food Festival, picnics by the lake in the grounds of Irnham Hall, a five-mile country walk around the estate … the list goes on!

Now visit Jamie’s You Tube and Tik Tok sites for more entertainment!

Opening Times

Bar

Monday: Closed

Tuesday: 5pm - 9pm

Wednesday: 5pm - 10pm

Thursday: 11am - 3pm / 5pm - 10pm

Friday: 11am - 3pm / 5pm - 10pm

Saturday: 11am - 11pm

Sunday: 11am - 6pm

Kitchen

Monday: Closed

Tuesday: Closed

Wednesday: 6pm - 8.30pm

Thursday: 12pm - 1.30pm / 6pm - 8.30pm

Friday: 12pm - 1.30pm / 6pm - 8.30pm

Saturday: 12pm - 2pm / 6pm - 8.30pm

Sunday: 1pm - 4pm

Mains

6oz Fillet Steak

Creamed Potatoes, Glazed Baby Vegetables and a Roasted Shallot and Red Wine Jus

£25.95 (gf)

Braised Belly of Pork

Tender-stem Broccoli, Black Pudding Potato

Croquettes and Chorizo Relish

£18.95 (gf if req)

Loin of Estate Venison

Irnham Estate Fallow Deer served with Roasted Beetroot, Blackberries and Port Jus

£17.95 (gf)

Pan Fried Sea Bass

Sauteed Potatoes, Samphire, Spring Onions and Ginger Prawns

£19.95 (gf)

Wild Mushroom Parmesan and Rocket Linguine

Fresh Truffle and Basil Oil

£16.95 (veg)

Moroccan Vegetable Tagine

Roasted Garlic. Giant Couscous and Flatbread

£16.95 (v) (veg)

Sides

Freshly made hand-cut Chips

£4.00 (gt) (v)

Battered Onion Rings

£4.00

Vegetable Bowl

£4.00 (gf) (veg)

Sauces

Peppercorn Sauce

£4.00 (gf if req)

Stilton Sauce

£4.00 (veg) (gf if req)

Mushroom Sauce

£4.00 (veg) (gf if req)

v = Vegan, veg = Vegetarian, gf = Gluten Free For any other food allergies or dietary requirements please let our team know and we will try to accommodate you as best we possibly can!

A Message of Thanks in Memory of Sue Iliffe

Paula and I were delighted to discover that the Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance has benefitted to the tune of £838, thanks to the generosity of our friends and family. Our mum, Sue’s funeral on February 15th was a beautiful celebration of an amazing life, the sun shone, and I think we did our mum proud! We suggested “family flowers only” and asked that our family and friends should make a donation if they wished … and how they donated! Thank you everyone.

Huge thanks too go to Fiona Barker and Scholes Funeral Directors for “going above and beyond” to make mum’s funeral a day to remember xx Claire Saberton.

The Beauty Hub has arrived in Billingborough!

Established in Stamford, Amy and Thea both bring decades of experience to The Beauty Hub. Thea specialises in semipermanent make-up treatments, providing an in-depth consultation, and creating your own bespoke shade. At the top of her game, Thea’s years of experience and attention to detail have restored confidence in countless clients, including those living with alopecia, and postmastectomy clients seeking paramedical procedures.

Amy’s passion is skincare, also offering massages, body treatments, and facials. “I love to pamper people,” says Amy. “Their

treatment might be the only hour that they get to themselves for that whole month, so I want to make them feel super special, and super important.”

Both highly qualified, fully insured and registered, you are in safe hands at The Beauty Hub, no matter what treatment you desire.

Constantly training, keeping up to date with the newest techniques and products, Amy and Thea create a personal 1:1 experience, just for you, in a trustworthy, professional, safe environment.

Call Amy or Thea to book your individually tailored consultation at The Beauty Hub – where aesthetics meets excellence.

Welcome to the brand new Beauty Hub in Billingborough. Hidden away from the hustle and bustle of life, we offer an extensive selection of treatments, including facials, body massages, waxing, reflexology as well as permanent cosmetics for lips, eyebrows, liner and paramedical procedures.

Our two therapists Amy Nicholson and Thea Pearce have over 30 years’ combined experience delivering holistic therapies and cosmetic tattooing.

To celebrate our opening, we’re offering a 10% discount on all treatments.

Amy has been in the beauty/ holistic world for over 20 years and is an advanced therapist and Environ skincare specialist working in Stamford and at The Beauty Hub in Billingborough.

Thea has been performing the art of permanent cosmetics since 2008. Thea guarantees a painless experience and as well as helping the nervous first timers she can also rectify any previous cosmetic tattoos. Permanent make up saves time, looks fresh and it can be tailored specifically to the look that you want.

Book your free consultation with Amy on 07309 734870

Book your free consultation with Thea on 07530 554718

Let’s put the Pause on Menopause!

The menopause is a natural part of ageing that usually happens in ladies between forty-five and fifty-five years of age. With it can come some noticeable changes to your skin, body fat and cognitive function, when your hormone levels significantly drop. Here, at Deep-in Aesthetics, most of the clients that we treat are within this age bracket so we are experts in dealing with all the issues that the menopause may bring.

One of the main areas where our clients seek our help is skin rejuvenation, as they find they have lost the “glow” that they once had, and their skin feels really dry and can tend to have a crepey appearance with fine lines becoming more visible.

For this, we offer a range of treatments, including anti-wrinkle injections and skin boosters, namely ‘Profhilo’ and ‘Seventy Hyal’, amongst many others. These help to restore lost collagen in the face and in the dermis of the skin, and plumps the skin from the inside, improving hydration. For the loss of volume in the face, we offer a wide range of dermal fillers to help lift and fill out deeper lines, giving a more

youthful appearance and these include nasolabial, marionette lines and, our most popular, cheek filler.

As hormone levels change, the metabolism changes with it and our ladies often have trouble with weight management and stubborn areas of fat collecting around the middle that won’t shift through diet and exercise alone. For this problem, we use our Aqualyx fat-dissolving injections which can target any areas where you can pinch more than 2cm of fat, including the ‘middle-age paunch’, the dreaded double chin, bingo wings, and love handles. They are effective and pain-free and, once destroyed, these fat cells are then removed forever.

Last, but not least, we offer vitamin B12 injections which have been truly transformational for so many of our clients. They reported a wide range of benefits including the raising of energy levels and lifting the afternoon slump, a surge in motivation, removal of brain fog, and a good reduction of anxiety.

Alongside the huge improvement in sleeping levels, when you consider this is our most inexpensive treatment at only £25 per injection, this vitamin represents huge value for money.

Menopause!

TREATMENTS WE OFFER

Dermal fillers ✦ Lip fillers ✦ Bunny lines

✦ Downturned corners of mouth ✦

Gummy smiles ✦ Profhilo (turkey neck)

Fat dissolving ✦ Vitamin B12 injections

Anti-wrinkle treatments ✦ Smoker's lines

✦ Profhilo (five-point face lift) ✦

Vitamin D injections ✦ Under eye treatments

Brow lift ✦ Cheek filler ✦ Excessive sweating

✦ Hand rejuvenation ✦

SPECIAL APRIL OFFER

3 areas of anti wrinkle treatment and 3 skin boosters for £400

Dermal Fillers

£130 for 1ml and £230 for 2ml

Aqualyx Injections

1 area of fat diss for £100 , 2 areas for £150 and 3 areas for £180

PRIVATE PARKING

I had deliberated for years about having treatments to help my wrinkles. I was recommended Deep-In-Aesthetics and could not be happier. Both Alistair and Julie are so warm, welcoming and informative. The experience results could not be better."

DISCREET LOCATION

SAVE

NikkiH-188

Deep-In-Aesthetics offer a range of treatments including the wonderful vitamin B12 injections that have been amazing for this peri menopausal woman. Julie and Alistair are very knowledgeable and advise appropriately on the treatment/s that are available/ tailored to you as an individual at a reasonable rate. I feel very fortunate to have found them."

Catriona Hickey

Lovely professional couple, Alistair is well qualified and rehearsed in the administration and guidance of the beauty aesthetics and Julie knows what the client wants. A perfect combination. They are so reasonably priced which is reflected on their determination to be accessible to clients who would not ordinarily be able to afford such luxury, whilst using quality products."

LS

Can't recommend Alistair and Julie enough; I wouldn't go anywhere else for aesthetics. Super informative and friendly, and incredibly patient with my anxiety that creeps in around procedures. In addition to them being welcoming and highly professional, the results obtained are excellent. Definitely the place to go in Deeping and surrounding areas."

SophieD-229

PRICES AND PACKAGES

www.deep-inaesthetics.com

How to stop Procrastinating and Achieve your Summer Body Goals

As an online coach who specialises in physique transformations, I understand that one of the biggest challenges my clients face is procrastination. It’s easy to put off taking action when it comes to fitness and health goals, especially if you don’t have a specific deadline in mind. But if you want to feel confident and proud of your body this summer, now is the time to stop procrastinating and start taking action.

The truth is that there’s no magic pill or shortcut to achieving your physique goals. It takes consistency and discipline to make progress. But the good news is that you don’t have to make drastic changes overnight. Small, sustainable changes can lead to big results over time.

Tips to help you on your way:

● Establish a specific, measurable goal, such as losing ten pounds of body fat or being able to do ten push-ups in a row. Then, set a deadline to hold yourself accountable.

● Break your goal down into small, achievable steps. If your goal is to lose ten pounds, start by making small dietary changes and gradually increasing your exercise routine. Take one small step every day and commit to it.

● Stay accountable. Find a way to hold yourself accountable,

whether it’s tracking your progress, working with a coach, or finding a workout partner. Knowing that someone is counting on you to show up and do the work can help keep you motivated and prevent procrastination.

● Celebrate your progress. Take time to acknowledge your progress and reward yourself for it.

With summer just around the corner, now is the time to start taking action. You don’t have to have everything figured out or be perfect from day one. You have the power to make it happen – all you have to do is take that first step. Procrastination will only delay your progress and make it harder to achieve your goals.

To help as many people as possible, I’m offering a FREE service for 2023. If you’re struggling to know where to start with your fitness and physique goals, get in touch with me, and I’ll conduct a FREE lifestyle audit and provide you with FREE ADVICE on the positive changes you should implement to finally start working towards your goals. There’s nothing to lose, so don’t hesitate to take advantage of this offer.

Whether you’re looking to lose fat, build muscle, or simply get in the shape of your life in 2023, I can help.

You can find me at: adamnorthovertransformations Adam Northover: The Body Transformation Specialist.

You can also email me directly at: Adam_transformations@hotmail.com.

“Now is the time to start taking action”

Easter wishes

WORDS FROM RICHARD WOOD

Easter should normally signal the end of the bad weather and the start of warmer conditions. Not always! It also suggests coming back to life and renewal. In the law, there are times of renewal such as a change of home or a new baby, a new relationship or setting up a new business.

Renewal should bring celebration, but one of the difficulties of life is risk, and risk management is exactly what solicitors are here for. Although we cannot ever rule out risk, it is important to take advice to try to focus on where risk may lie. Perhaps it is in an employment setting or the purchase of a property. Solicitors are insured and regulated, whereas cold callers and those canvassing in the street or elsewhere may not be.

Getting older carries risks and wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney can help manage the risks of

the alternatives, which may not be fit for purpose, or which may prove to be very expensive.

However, our first thoughts of Easter may be its religious significance or perhaps our children and grown-ups enjoying far too much chocolate! Such thoughts may not immediately involve our beloved legal systems. However, the point is that all of life can be seen through our systems and life changes, and our firm wishes to be there for our clients in every part or change of life that concerns them … happy or sad. As experienced practitioners, we are well used to understanding and advising on these matters.

The law may not always appear exciting but it does exist inextricably with people’s lives, and the changing seasons remind us of this fact.

In the meantime, we wish you all a joyous Eastertime.

HALLAM TRAVEL STILL HAVE THE FOLLOWING SEATS AVAILABLE:

Silverstone Interactive Museum Sun 2nd April Adult £42 Child £35

Legoland ONLY 19 LEFT Thurs 6th April Adult £59 Child £54

Windsor Leisure Day ONLY 19 LEFT Thurs 6th April £31 York Shopping/Leisure Day ONLY 12 LEFT Weds 12th April £27

Oxford Leisure Day ONLY 17 LEFT Sat 15th April £28

Anglesey Abbey, Gardens & Lode Mill Weds 19th April Adult £38 Child £31 NT Member £24

Bakewell & Matlock Bath ONLY 18 LEFT Sat 22nd April £26

Wroxham Barns & Southern Comfort River Trip Sun 23rd April £32

Windsor Castle ONLY 7 LEFT Thurs 4th May Adult £58 Young Person £49 Child £47

London for King Charles III Coronation Sat 6th May £39

Blickling Estate Sun 7th May Adult £39 Child £32 NT Member £24

Chatham Historic Dockyard Sat 13th May Adult £46 Senior £45 Child £42

Southend-on-Sea ONLY 13 LEFT Sun 14th May £30

Titanic – The Musical (afternoon show)

Weds 17th May £60

RHS Garden, Wisley Sat 20th May Adult £43 RHS Member £30

Ain’t Too Proud (afternoon show)

The Bodyguard (afternoon show)

Thurs 25th May £70

Weds 31st May £68

Chelsea FC Stadium Tour & Museum Sat 3rd June Adult £59 Senior £51 Child £49

Bressingham Steam Museum & Gardens Sun 4th June Adult £34 Child £32

Matilda (afternoon show)

Weds 7th June £77

Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution at County Hall, London (afternoon performance)

Thurs 8th June £74

Black Country Living Museum & Dudley Canal and Caverns Sat 10th June

42nd Street (4pm show)

Adult £54 Senior £52 Child £45

ONLY 18 LEFT Sun 11th June £86

Annie – The Musical (afternoon show) 14th June £62

English National Ballet Cinderella in the round at the Royal Albert Hall (afternoon performance)

Sun 25th June £100

RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival Sat 8th July £65

Yorkshire Air Museum and Allied Air Forces Memorial Sat 15th July Adult £37 Child £32

Whitby Leisure Day

Aspects of Love (afternoon show)

We Will Rock You (afternoon show)

Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey)

Scarborough Leisure Day

The Telford Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort – 5 days

ONLY 8 LEFT Sun 16th July £31

Weds 19th July £86

Thurs 20th July £81

ONLY 18 LEFT Weds 26th July £58

Thurs 3rd August £27

ONLY 20 LEFT Sun 6th August £430

Liverpool FC Tour and Museum Sat 12th August Adult £51 Senior £47 Child £42

The Princess River Cruise Experience (includes 2 course lunch) Sun 13th August £48

Skipton & Canal Boat (includes 2 course meal)

The Wizard of Oz (afternoon show)

Weds 16th August £62

Thurs 17th August £87

Chatsworth House and Gardens Sat 19th August Adult £43 Child £39

RHS Garden, Harlow Carr Sun 20th August Adult £38 RHS Member £28

Tower of London including Superbloom Tues 22nd August Adult £66 Senior £60 Child £51

Hutton Le Hole (Ryedale Folk Museum) & Thornton Le Dale (Bangers & Cash)

Weds 23rd August £37

North Yorkshire Moors Railway and Whitby Thurs 31st August Adult £66 Child £60

Greenwich Leisure Day

Sat 2nd September £31

Cirque: The Greatest Show (afternoon show) Sat 2nd September £60

Twickenham Stadium Tour and World Rugby Museum Sun 3rd September

Adult £54 Senior £49 Child £46

Phantom of the Opera (afternoon show) Weds 6th September £75

Grease the Musical (afternoon show)

Thurs 7th September £69

Kew Gardens Tues 12th September Adult £47 Senior £46 Young Adult £40 Child £36

Buckingham Palace Royal Mews & State Rooms

Cannon Hall Farm

Thurs 14th September

Adult £73 Young Adult £59 Child £55

Sat 16th September £35

National Memorial Arboretum Sun 17th September £26

The Drifters Girl (afternoon show)

Thurs 21st September £68

Ramsey Park Hotel, Isle of Man – 6 days ONLY 20 LEFT Sat 23rd September £602

Everybody’s Talking about Jamie (afternoon show) Weds 27th September £55

Alfie Boe Fri 6th October £92

Battersea Power Station and Lift 109 Sun 8th October Adult £52 Child £47

Mrs Doubtfire (afternoon show) ONLY 16 LEFT Thurs 12th October £75

Leyburn & Masons Gin Distillery Sat 14th October £56

Natural History, Science and Victoria & Albert Museums Sun 15th October £31

Crazy for You (afternoon show) Weds 18th October £76

The Deep Sat 21st October Adult £41 Senior £40 Child £37

The Play That Goes Wrong (afternoon show) Sun 22nd October £66

RAF Museum, London Sat 28th October £30

The Postal Museum & Mail Rail Sun 29th October Adult £44 Young Person £42 Child £40

The Full Monty (afternoon show) Weds 1st November £58

Regent Street Motor Show/London Leisure Day Sat 4th November £31

Six – The Musical Weds 8th November £87

Leeds Christmas Shopping/Leisure Day Sat 18th November £27

Bakewell Christmas Market Sun 19th November £25

Christmas at Chatsworth Thurs 23rd November £60

Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market/Shopping/Leisure Day Sat 25th November £27

Nottingham Winter Wonderland/Shopping/Leisure Day Sun 26th November £24

York’s St Nicholas Fair/Shopping/Leisure Day Thurs 30th November £27

Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club (afternoon performance) Sat 2nd December £113

Meadowhall Shopping Centre Sun 3rd December £25

*Thursford Christmas Spectacular (Long Sutton departure) Mon 4th December £76

Holkham Hall by Candlelight Weds 6th December £51

*Thursford Christmas Spectacular

Thurs 7th December £76

Stratford Upon Avon Victorian Christmas Market/Shopping/Leisure Day Sat 9th December £26

*Thursford Christmas Spectacular (Long Sutton departure) Sat 16th December £79

*Thursford Christmas Spectacular

Sun 17th December £79

Carols at the Royal Albert Hall (afternoon concert) Sun 17th December £89

Hogwarts in the Snow Sat 30th December Adult £78 Child £66

Moulin Rouge! (afternoon show)

Weds 10th January 2024 £104

Birmingham International Tattoo (afternoon show) Sun 11th February 2024

Shrek the Musical (afternoon show)

Adult £57 Senior £55 Child £54

Sat 23rd March 2024 £76

Pretty Woman (afternoon show) Weds 27th March 2024 £82

Titanic Hotel, Belfast – 5 days ONLY 1 LEFT Sun 19th May 2024 £595

Michael McIntyre Macnificent Tour ONLY 20 LEFT Sat 25th May 2024 £99

Words from the Mayor

Bourne Woods is for many people the most popular attraction that Bourne has. Anyone who visited Bourne Woods ten years ago, however, and then returns in 2023 could be forgiven for thinking they are in the wrong place!

Aviewing of Joel Ashton’s You Tube material regarding Bourne Woods shows that the potential nesting season problems that were highlighted last year will be equally pertinent this year. The recently felled ash trees close to the Beech Avenue entrance raise the question... Are the birds to be disturbed in order to get the valuable timber out (and will moving this timber itself spread the disease?) or is the timber to lay in situ for months compressing the ground and impacting on the growth and succession of the bluebells which are also protected by law?

‘The Forestry Commission is the government department responsible for the management of publicly owned forests and the regulation of both public and private forestry in England.’ The government’s own website goes on to state in its policy paper, (updated last month,) a summary of targets for the next twenty-five years; they begin...

‘We will conserve and enhance the beauty of our natural environment, and make sure it can be enjoyed, used by and cared for by everyone. We will do this by:

● safeguarding and enhancing the beauty of our natural scenery and improving its environmental value while being sensitive to considerations of its heritage.’

Bourne Woods is in part an Ancient Woodland to which increasingly we find our access and enjoyment limited; signposts are removed (not all rotted) and not replaced, no more permission for organised runs in the woods, commercial threats to its flora and fauna, domination and destruction relating to these commercial activities...the list goes on.

Significant numbers of local residents have worked for the Woodland Trust or Natural England and we need them to share their professional knowledge and help us to safeguard our woods from the inside, whilst those of us without that specialist knowledge offer them our support and campaign to safeguard the woods from encroaching development and threats from outside its boundaries.

We need to safeguard what we have, before it is damaged further. Formal recognition of these natural assets will dictate that commercial activity going forward will be much more closely supervised and controlled and planning applications in the vacinity of the wood will not be able to dismiss its importance.

I would like to see a moratorium on commercial activity at Bourne Woods for the next two years and, in that time, the Forestry Commission to make a considered, positive, and widely published plan for its best future. This woodland has had a destructive, gruelling assault over the last few years and I ask for the support of the Forestry Commision and local people to further this idea of a commercial break to allow some recovery time.

Phobias and Fears

There are many phobias that we can suffer from, the most common being fear of spiders, needles, heights, public spaces, public speaking and flying. The intense fear we feel means we spend a lot of time avoiding certain things or situations, and our world becomes smaller and smaller as we stop enjoying doing some of the things we used to do.

A phobia is defined as a persistent fear of an object or situation in which the sufferer is compelled to go to great lengths to avoid certain situations. The fear is typically disproportional to the actual danger posed, often being recognized as irrational.

There are, in the main, two types of phobias. There is the simple phobia where a person reacts negatively when they encounter the thing that causes fear, for example dentists, needles, flying or spiders. Then there is the complex phobia which causes fear and anxiety continually.

One example is emetophobia - a fear of being sick and considered to be one of the most common phobias in the world. It can affect the sufferer in ways such as not wanting to collect their children from school in case that child is feeling ill, or maybe even putting off becoming pregnant because of the fear of sickness, or even not having medical treatments.

Another complex phobia is social phobia, a fear of social situations, such as weddings, public speaking or simply going out to dinner with people - even if they’re friends! Frequently, people with a social phobia have a fear of embarrassing themselves or of being humiliated in public.

The human mind is an amazing thing; it is undoubtedly the most powerful and resourceful problem-solving device in the known universe. However, our minds have developed as part of an evolutionary process, and our mind contains powerful tools for learning and dealing with danger. In our modern lives where these ‘fight, flight or freeze’ responses are generally less useful, strong behavioural responses or fears can nevertheless be set up. It is usually when we are stressed or anxious that these primitive parts of the brain can sometimes overreact and set up patterns of fear or thought that we find difficult or impossible to control.

The good news is that Solution Focused

Hypnotherapy helps with all these different types of phobias, allowing you to feel free to live a normal life again. For a free initial consultation, contact Christine at www.beardwoodhypnotherapy. co.uk or call 0780 9690 964.

If you would like to book an appointment or find out more about hypnotherapy, contact Christine on: 0780 9690 964 or contact@beardwoodhypnotherapy.co.uk

“Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears”

“Face your fears today!”

Drying the Fen was Complicated

by Brynley Heaven

f all the chalk streams in the entire world, 4% are here in Lincolnshire. My grandparents lived in Hemingby by the River Bain, and I remember thistlestrewn meadows and watercress, always a sure sign of water quality. When I went back, everything had shrunk and the river of my childhood visits had become different altogether, much more regimented. So, I was delighted to read that they are deliberately putting “wiggles” back into the upper Witham.

There are no chalk streams near us, although Bourne was known for watercress beds. From Billingborough down to Langtoft, fen-edge residents fought down the centuries against ‘the undertakers’ and ‘adventurers’ (as they were called) and for their Commons. In 1646, John Maynard wrote a pamphlet in defence of the wet fens: “The Undertakers have always vilified the fens, and have misinformed many parliament men, that all the fens is a mere quagmire and of little or no value: but those who live in the fens, and are neighbours to it, know the contrary.”

He lists the benefits: “infinite serviceable horses,

Omares and colts .. great store of young cattle and dairies to victual the Navy ...the certainist cornland in England wherewith by sea we do abundantly furnish London and the Northern Parts in their necessities... great flocks of sheep … great store of osier, reed and sedge ... we have many thousand cottagers, which live on our fens, which otherwise must go a-begging… What is coleseed and rape, they are but Dutch commodities, trash and trumpery .. he that oppresseth the Poor reproacheth his Maker.”

Not to get too romantic. Many of these encounters, smashing up drainage infrastructure by moonlight, must have been desperate and ugly, but were often successful in gaining repossession. Local residents tended to do best when the wider authorities were preoccupied; in the sixteenth century by the confiscation of monastic lands; in the seventeenth century by the Civil War and English Republic under Oliver Cromwell, himself a fenman-turned-drainer. By the eighteenth century, the fens were not entirely pacified but large-scale industry became possible in the construction of two-acre ‘decoys’. Our word comes from the Dutch, ‘de kooi’, for ‘cage’. Wildfowl were caught in extraordinary numbers and appeared on the tables of the wealthy.

With the advent of steam, drainage became more reliable and the ‘Haut Huntre’ plied a passenger service from Guthram Gowt down the Forty Foot Drain to Boston. Recent investments in leisure boating bring navigation back to Swineshead, turning just short of Donington, with plans – if all goes well – to reach the Nene and wider canal network. There is a YouTube of an intrepid couple sampling what the Forty Foot Drain has to offer. I forbid you to laugh!

We are still served by Internal Drainage Boards whose names have a vintage ring, including Black Sluice, said to be a reminder of the incendiary resistance of our forebears to drying the fen.

John Sell Cotman painted the Lincolnshire fen before steam power.

Why a Pre-Nup?

APre-Nuptial Agreement is a binding deed between two future spouses, that will regulate how they divide their assets after they marry, if they should face a marriage breakdown in the future. They are often considered helpful to couples who are entering into a second marriage, as, a little later in life, they are likely to have accumulated property and other assets during the years before they met their new spouse and may well have children from their earlier relationships whose eventual inheritance rights they would wish to preserve. You may be reluctant to introduce a negative note into your wedding preparations, but, if you look on it as a sensible insurance policy which you are unlikely to need to call upon, both of you could feel more comfortable about the future and your extended families reassured as well.

Call 01733 267414

www.bscosolicitors.co.uk

Holidays & Day Excursions by coach from your area

Wednesday 3 May

Peak Forest Canal Cruise & Lunch

Tuesday 16 May

SkegnessSeaside Special

Friday 9 June

HunstantonSeaside Special

Saturday 10 June

Saffron Walden & Picturesque Essex Villages Tour

Tuesday 13 June

Melton Mowbray Market & Soup/ Puddings at Skillington

Monday 26 June Lichfield & The National Memorial Arboretum

Wednesday 5 July Jug & Bottle

Carvery Lunch and A Seaside Stroll

HOLIDAYS

Southampton & Secrets of The Solent

Great Yarmouth -

Monday 24 July Bakewell Market & Denby Pottery

Wednesday 26 July Sandringham Flower Show

Tuesday 1 August Black Country Living Museum

Monday 22 May

5 Days HB from £569

Looe & A Cornish Mini-Break

Friday 30 June

4 Days HB from £439

Discovering Shetland - The Island of Vikings & Royal Deeside

Tuesday 18 July

7 Days HB from £1249

Harrogate & The Yorkshire Dales

Sunday 13 August

5 Days HB from £499

BOURNE BOOKSHOP

19 North Street, Bourne, PE10 9AE t. 01778 392777

The Green Gardening Handbook

BY NANCY BIRTWHISTLE

Whether you have a sprawling garden, a modest patch of grass or just a spare windowsill, “The Green Gardening Handbook” has over one hundred tips that will help you embrace the joy of growing and eating from your own garden. This beautifully illustrated guide is packed with advice on everything from composting, clothing and basic equipment to seasonal recipes and guides to freezing, storing, and preserving that will help you save money and reduce waste. This practical book is for anyone, green-fingered or not, looking to discover the delights of growing and eating food they’ve grown themselves.

I Will Find You

BY HARLAN COBEN

From the author and creator of the hit Netflix drama, “Stay Close”, a page-turning thriller that will keep you guessing until the very last page. David and Cheryl Burroughs are living the dream – married with a beautiful house and a three-yearold son, Matthew - when tragedy strikes one night in the worst possible way. David awakes to find himself covered in blood, but not his own … his son’s. He knows he didn’t murder his son, but the overwhelming evidence against him puts him behind bars indefinitely. Five years later, Cheryl’s sister arrives, with a photograph that a friend took on vacation. The boy in the background seems familiar; it’s Matthew, and he’s still alive.

What is the real story of what happened that devastating night?

Sinister Spring

An all-new collection of spring-themed mysteries from the master of the genre. Beware of secluded cottages, stolen treasure, and fatal revenge schemes. This compendium of short stories, some featuring beloved detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss

BY AGATHA CHRISTIE

Marple, is an essential omnibus for Christie fans and the perfect gift for mystery lovers.

It includes: The Market Basing Mystery; The Case of the Missing Lady; The Herb of Death; and How Does Your Garden Grow? amongst many others.

Paddington’s Easter Egg Hunt

BY MICHAEL BOND AND KAREN JANKEL

Paddington is excited to be organising an Easter egg hunt for his neighbours. But, from finding empty supermarket shelves, to buying a box of broken Easter eggs, Paddington wonders if the hunt can ever

go ahead. That is, until Mr Gruber’s book on Roman mosaics and some sticky marmalade give him a brilliant idea.

Community support with the Rotary Club

Helping the children understand the importance of community in their lives is something that we value highly. Our strong links with the Rotary Club of Bourne support many parts of school life, from pupil voice to charity work, to celebrating children’s talents.

Our ‘Rotakids Club’ (young arm of the Rotary Club) involves representatives from classes across the school meeting fortnightly to plan events and represent their class in a pupil group. We elect a President and Vice-Presidents, choose charities to support, and work as changemakers in our community. This year, our President proposed to support a year-round collection for Bourne Foodbank and two charities, Don’t Lose Hope and Cancer Research. Over the

Little Owls Nursery

A purpose built Nursery building with a bright, welcoming learning space.

● Covered outdoor play and a large garden area.

● High quality learning resources.

● 15 and 30 hour funded sessions available for 2, 3 and 4 year olds.

● Term time only.

course of this year, we will be fundraising to support the work of these important charities. (Our Rotakids group is pictured with their collection boxes for Bourne Foodbank – supported by Rotary President, Judith Devereux, and Rotarian, Bernie Cejer).

This year sees our first pupil award at Morton supported by the Rotary. The Rotary Star award is given to a pupil who for a specific reason does something extraordinary. There are many reasons where this award can recognise a pupil. The first award (pictured) was given to Lexxi-Reanna who, through her kind-hearted nature, helps so much at home and in school.

● 9.00am – 3.00pm with additional wrap around care available for children aged 3+ years.

● Together we can give your child the best start to their education with a warm, welcoming and enriching environment. Hand

Where there’s a Will... There’s a Fight!

Part One

One of the most common questions I get asked must be, “Can I challenge a will?” And, as with all common questions, there is no easy answer; it is certainly never just, “Yes” or “No”. The grounds on which a will can be challenged are laid down in law and are very specific, as are the people who are entitled to bring a claim.

Challenge #1 – The will is invalid. Often claimed, but really hard to prove. The law allows anyone to complete a will on someone else’s behalf and, if it is signed and witnessed in the correct fashion, there is a presumption that it is valid. The challenger must prove that it is not, and we all know how hard it is to prove a negative. Normally, challenge #1 only succeeds if the signature is a forgery.

Challenge # 2 – The person who made the will lacked capacity. “Mum had dementia” or “Dad had recently had a stroke” are words we hear from disappointed beneficiaries. Again, the level of capacity required to make a will is laid down in law and, just because there has been a diagnosis of dementia, a person is not automatically excluded from making a new will. This challenge has a better success rate than #1 but it is still hard to prove.

Challenge # 3 – The person who made the will didn’t know what it said. There is a reason why we

make everyone for whom we write a will read it when they are with us, and if they can’t read it themselves, we read it to them. It is called “Knowledge and Approval” in our world and, if a person didn’t know what the will said and appreciates the effects that it had, it could be declared invalid. This type of challenge is becoming more prevalent, and has a slightly better chance of success than #1 and #2, although it is still hard to prove.

Challenge #4 – The person who made the will was influenced by someone else. This is by far and away the most common accusation that is made when someone is looking to start a challenge, and it is by far and away the most difficult thing to prove. The chances of succeeding with this type of challenge are vanishingly small.

So, as you can see, a challenge to the validity of a will and any attempt to have it set aside, is a long, hard road for the challenger, who is unlikely to succeed.

Next month, we will look at the other ways to challenge a will; who can do it; and the eyewatering costs that are associated with it.

If you need any help in the meantime, you know where to find us – Call us on 01778 252301 or email advice@will-probate.co.uk.

ADVICE FROM NICK ASH, MANAGING Director Will and Probate Services

KELLYVISION CELEBRATES

THE WONDERFUL ACHIEVEMENT OF FORTY YEARS IN BUSINESS IN APRIL 2023!

Kellyvision was started back in April of 1983 in a small shop in Broad Street opposite Keshco supermarket by current Managing Director Kelley Shipp. The opening caused such a stir that the road had to be closed by the police while Ruth Madoc of popular television series Hi-de-Hi! fame opened the shop! In fact, some of the children and grandchildren from the opening are still coming into the store today which says a lot about the customer service Kellyvision provides.

Business was so good it moved to Blunts Lane, Whittlesey, and finally to the current location on the corner of Broad Street and Whitmore Street, supplying home entertainment equipment i.e. televisions, videos, hi-fis followed by the brand new invention of satellite television in 1989.

The motto back then was ‘Better because we care’ which still stands with the company today despite larger department stores, supermarkets and the internet all selling electrical products.

Like a phoenix from the ashes, Kellyvision survived the devastating fire at its premises in April 2005 which saw it move into a temporary trading address in Market Street for eighteen months while the building was renovated. This move to continue trading was only achieved with the help from other local businesses and friends who all immediately rallied around to help.

Kellyvision has been overwhelmed by the loyalty and support given from both old and new customers over the years, including the continued support of the business which was forced by the Government to close its doors to customers during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-21.

Expanding into white goods – i.e. washing machines, refrigeration, cookers, gave Kellyvision the opportunity to be your local onestop-shop. As an independent, Kellyvision prides itself on being able to offer free, friendly advice; something lacking by clicking a button on the internet these days. After noticing that built-in kitchen appliance sales were increasing rapidly, in 2017 Kellyvision took the plunge into kitchen design and planning. This has been a phenomenal success with Director Lee Cochrane taking on most of the new challenge.

As Lee explained: “A lot of customers are now making bigger investments in their own homes, rather than moving. New houses are smaller, therefore customers want clever designs, with integrated kitchen appliances to make the most out of their space. Our kitchen appliance sales have grown vastly over the years so it seemed a natural progression to offer a full kitchen design and installation service.”

The sleek Symphony kitchens complement the showroom’s current stock of goods, which include brands such as Smeg, Bosch, Neff, Siemens, Liebherr and Hotpoint. But if you thought that buying local meant you paid more, then you might be surprised. “We’re actually cheaper than most well-known high street retailers,” Matt Vail explained. “Not only that, we offer better customer care and more competitive warranties.”

So if you are looking to upgrade your home, whether it’s a new television, cooker, fridge or a brand new kitchen, pop into Kellyvision for personal and professional advice and service.

Peterborough Telepgraph reports the fire in 2005

BOURNE CARPETS AND FLOORS FOR A PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

This long-standing firm, located in Bourne’s Cherry Holt Square, was created by Andy Dalby who, for many years worked as a carpet and flooring fitter, during which he gained a well-deserved reputation for quality, professionalism, and customer service

Now, along with his partner, Rebecca, who handles the administration, accounts and general support for the business, Bourne Carpets and Floors look to maintain their status as one of the area’s foremost suppliers and fitters of carpets and all manner of floor coverings.

They work with domestic clients to supply and fit quality flooring throughout Bourne, Stamford and the surrounding area. The team are highly knowledgeable, and their fitters are trained to the

CARPETS AND FLOORS SUPPLY AND FIT CARPETS

A superb range of carpets reflect the latest colours, textures and designs from all leading manufacturers, including Cormar, Victoria, Brockway, and Abingdon. Prices range from between £5.99 and £90 per square metre, and they provide free, no obligation estimates, along with a “shop at home” service if required.

LUXURY VINYL TILES

Luxury Vinyl Tiles are a stylish and practical alternative to wood flooring which is also easier to maintain. There is a massive range of options, imitating surfaces that include wood, ceramic tiles, and limestone, along with many design features such as borders and patterns. Luxury vinyl tiles can be fitted in almost any area, but are an excellent flooring option for bathrooms, kitchens and general living areas where spills and stains are a way of life.

This versatile flooring option comes in a range of styles to suit both your requirements and budget. A full fitting service includes all sub-floor preparation, and popular top-quality brands such as Karndean and Moduleo are available.

highest industry standards, besides being experienced and approachable.

Their extensive carpet and flooring showroom boasts an impressive range of samples and roll stock, together with many room-size remnants for those looking for costeffective flooring solutions, and an express fitting service. They pride themselves on providing the highest level of friendly service and offering great value for money; that could be why their customers keep coming back, time after time.

VINYL FLOORING

A most popular solution for the wet areas of your home, vinyl roll flooring will provide you with the safe and stylish alternative to hard flooring. A large array of samples in their showroom will give you the best idea possible of their quality and durability. Furthermore, a wide range of vinyl rolls in stock can enable an express fitting service when needed.

WOODEN FLOORING

With warm textures and smooth lines, wooden flooring adds a touch of sophistication to any home. A good range of samples in the showroom, along with the highly experienced and knowledgeable team will help you make the right choice for your home and your lifestyle. A full fitting service including all sub-floor preparation is available.

LAMINATE FLOORING

Laminate flooring provides a realistic durable wood finish and is an ideal choice for most living spaces. Due to its flexibility, laminate flooring can be tailored to suit every decorative arrangement and style. It is an excellent cost-effective alternative to solid or engineered wood, with superior stability, strength and insulation.

National Crackdown in UK’s Biggest-Ever Fraud Operation

By Eileen Le Voi at Safe Local Trades

Rogue traders, hi-tech scammers, or cowboy service operators can catch even the wariest of people off their guard. Scams are becoming more and more sophisticated, but there have recently been some great strides made in the ongoing fight against fraud. According to Action Fraud, 142 arrests have been made in the UK’s biggest-ever fraud operation led by the Metropolitan Police, resulting in an international, ‘one-stop-spoofing-shop’ being taken down. More than 200,000 potential victims in this country alone have been targeted through the fraud website, iSpoof. At one stage, almost twenty people every minute were being contacted by scammers, hiding behind false identities, posing as representatives of banks including Barclays, Santander, HSBC, Lloyds, Halifax, First Direct, Natwest, Nationwide and TSB. Victims are believed to have lost tens of millions of pounds while those behind the site earned almost £3.2 million in one twenty-month period.

iSpoof allowed users, who paid for the service in Bitcoin, to disguise their phone number so it appeared they were calling from a trusted source. This process is known as ‘spoofing’. Criminals attempt to trick people into handing over money or providing sensitive information, such as one-time pass codes to bank accounts. The average loss from those who reported being targeted is believed to be £10,000.

In the 12 months until August 2022 around 10 million fraudulent calls were made globally via iSpoof, with around 3.5 million of those made in the UK. Losses reported to Action Fraud as a result of the calls and texts via iSpoof is around £48 million. Because fraud is vastly under-reported, the full amount is believed to be much higher.

Report fraud or cybercrime to Action Fraud using the online reporting tool at www.actionfraud.police.uk. You can also report to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040, Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm.

Tips on preventing cybercrime:

• Keep your software updated.

• Enable your system firewall.

• Use different/strong passwords.

• Use two factor authentication on your online services.

• Monitor your children’s online activities.

• Shop only from secure and well-known websites.

• Activate your email’s anti-spam blocking feature.

We offer highly qualified Financial Advice on a wide range of planning areas including:

Our goal is to build long-term relationships with every one of our clients. We take the time to get to know our clients and to understand their objectives and priorities. We know that the world of financial services is complex and can sometimes feel daunting. We will work for you in simplifying the process and we will communicate with you in terms that you will understand.

If you would like to speak to one of our advisers regarding any of these areas of financial planning, then please contact our office to arrange a FREE initial discussion as follows: Phone: 01778 342291

Email: advice@liberty-partnership.co.uk

Wills

Why do I need a will?

Wills are important to ensure that your assets pass to those you would like. If you are not married, your partner will not automatically inherit your estate.

If you have children, you can also use a will to nominate guardians to ensure they are looked after if the worst may happen.

Lasting Powers of Attorney

What are they?

Lasting Powers of Attorneys (LPAs) are documents that allow someone that you nominate as your attorney, to deal with your financial or health affairs on your behalf.

These are used when you lose mental capacity but must be created while you can still make decisions. If you do not create these in time, then unfortunately the solution is more costly and time consuming.

Probate

What is it?

When a person sadly passes away, some banks and institutes require a Grant of Probate to enable you to collect in their assets. If you are selling a house, a solicitor will require this to complete the sale.

We are licensed to assist with the probate application on your behalf, as well as distribute the estate, making everything simpler at this difficult time.

EggEasterHunt

Find all 45 Easter Eggs around Bourne for a chance to WIN a

ChocolateExplosion

PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES

Alec Day Butchers

Newton Fallowell

Gordons

North Shoes

Buckles And Bows

Hairport

The Sweet Stop

Stephanies Flowers

Bourne Computer Store

Gather N Sew

Winkworth Estate Agents

Moore And Scrupps

Jewellers

Bourne Bigwash

Blush Bridal

Harrison And Dunn

Greetings

Double And Megson

Petorama

Markey’s Wee Barber Shop

Eckfords Estate Agents

The Beauty Retreat

Lambourn Flooring and Interiors

Hoppers Jewellers

Dani’s Of Bourne

Clarabelle’s

MY.Lab

Tan 360

Spice Of Life

Paint A Pot Place

Bourne Bookshop

L H Hair Design

Inspire Travel By Shaun Longstaff

The Barber Shop

Fitzgerald’s Kudos

Shalimar

Gurkha 91

Two Jays

Marks And Spencer Foodhall

Don’t Lose Hope Gift Shop

Chloe’s Brownies

Rosedale Property Agents

CLS Hair Studio

Hygge Coffee House

In the boxes provided under the pictures, write down the name of the shops where you find the matching Easter eggs for your chance to win a chocolate explosion!

Competition closes 30/04/2023. Good Luck!!

Please fill in your details below and post your entry form to:

Discovering Magazines, PO Box 164, Bourne PE10 1ET or pop your entry into Newton Fallowell or Dani’s of Bourne

NAME:

ADDRESS:

TEL:

Latest Property Market Information

Facts and figures

● With price sensitivity increasingly evident in the property market, understanding local market conditions and pricing a property realistically are essential to achieve a sale. Zoopla report that, whilst 59% of listings in February 2023 had no price reduction, four in ten actually did!

● Eight to fourteen days is the optimum listing duration for agents to achieve the best possible price for your home, according to research of over 6,500 agents by HomeOwners Alliance.

● A listing that is too short may not give enough time for potential buyers to discover the property and make an offer; if a property remains on the market too long, buyers may fear it is overpriced.

● The latest survey by RICS indicates that the average sale is currently being agreed within a 5% margin of the asking price.

BY JASON TREADWELL, MANAGING DIRECTOR

(Source: Dataloft, Zoopla, HomeOwners Alliance)

Our beautiful bedroom range covers everything from cool and contemporary to the classic and timeless. High sheen finishes, natural wood veneers, mirrored doors and sliding wardrobes. The options are endless and we now manufactor for our own carcasses enabling us to offer complete flexibility when it comes to size and function. Brilliantly designed, expertly crafted, every piece of furniture is made to measure for your own room. Storage has never looked so good.

Garolla garage doors are expertly made to measure in our own UK factories, they’re strong and solidly built. The electric Garolla door rolls up vertically, taking up only 8 inches inside your garage, maximising valuable space. Our expert local installers will fit your new door and they’ll take away the old one too, so there’s no mess.

Give us a call today and we’ll come and measure up FREE of charge.

Smalley Hot Tub Services Ltd: A Happy Covid Lockdown Story!

www.gjscarpentry.com

One warm evening during the Covid lockdown in March 2020, Chris and Justine Smalley were in their hot tub, wondering just how being furloughed from a seventeen-year career in the Royal Navy would affect Chris and his family.

AWe Have a Winner!

graham@gjscarpentry.com

Last month’s competition to win tickets to the Euston Estate’s Game Fair produced two winners. Mrs Lawrence and Willow and Charmaine Walker have won family tickets to this fun event.

Well done to you, have a great time and thanks to everyone who entered the competition.

s a graduate engineer, Chris had fixed everything from air defence systems to ships’ radar systems... and, yes, he had also repaired their own hot tub! This was their ‘light bulb moment’ and Smalley Hot Tub Services Ltd was born! Over the next two years, the business grew to a point where repairs on all makes and models of inflatable tub, and also acrylic tubs, were being made. In August, the family left the Royal Navy behind, moving to Pinchbeck, and to large premises, from where this flourishing business now operates, with aspirations to include a showroom before long.

Graham, as a sole trader of GJ’s, has over 30 years of carpentry and joinery experience to meet your needs.

GJ’s is experienced in all aspects of carpentry and joinery, some of which are:

• Fitted kitchens, including tiling works where required.

Smalley Hot Tub Services offer a wide range of services, all underlain by a friendly, customercentred approach. These include hot tub and liner repairs, pump servicing and replacement, and diagnosing electrical faults, besides being a main dealer for several firms such as Catalina Spas and Earth Spas.

• Doors, architraves, skirting, flooring, windows.

They have a very strong online offering and can supply chemicals, swimming pools, barbecues and so much more for the great outdoors, from their “One Stop Shop”.

• Bespoke works such as fitted wardrobes, cupboards, stairs.

GJ’s has many happy, returning customers as well as new customers, and is happy to talk through your requirements and provide a free quote.

Please visit the website www.gjscarpentry.com for more information and photographs of their work.

Justine and Chris pride themselves on the highest standards, good workmanship, and honesty, putting customers first above everything else.

Planning for an Emergency

BY COLEEN EVERITT, ALTO ELECTRICAL LIMITED

Let’s think seriously this month about planning for an emergency such as power cuts, water leaks and gas leaks.

No one enjoys when these situations occur, and it can be very stressful, especially when you are unsure what is needed to fix the situation. So, here are a few things that can help you feel more prepared for these emergencies.

Electricity

● If you are affected by a power cut, you need to know where your fuse box is. A tripped circuit breaker is the most common reason for a power outage, so you need to check your fuse box to see if a breaker switch has been flipped. If it has, with some older boards you must push the breaker switch all the way off before you switch it back on.

● If the breaker trips again, you may have a fault, which you will need to get checked out by an electrician.

● If a regional power cut occurs, you can report it and get information about it by calling 105.

● Unplug any appliances that shouldn’t be left unattended but leave one light on, so that when the power comes back on, you know it has been resolved.

Gas

● If you smell gas, the first thing you need to do is get fresh air immediately. Open your windows and doors to ventilate the area. You need to locate and turn off your gas emergency shut off

valve as quickly as possible, to prevent more gas being released.

● To report the gas leak or to get assistance, you can call the National Gas Emergency Helpline, which is a free, 24-hour support service. The number to call will depend on your location and the type of gas that is leaking.

Water

● If you have a water leak, you need to turn off your water supply immediately and contact a plumber as soon as possible. To stop the water, you need to turn off the stopcock, which is usually located under your sink. Make sure you know where it is before you have an emergency to prevent further damage to your property. If there is anything near your leak that is electrical, turn off your electricity supply to prevent it affecting your electrical system.

● If you get a fault, you can call us on 01778 772595 and we will happily come and check out your concerns.

If an emergency happens in the night, make sure that you have torches or battery lights that are easily accessible and that work. I would also recommend that you have back up batteries just in case too!

To help prevent these emergencies from occurring, it is recommended that you get your electric board checked every five years, get your fire and CO2 alarms checked regularly, and service your boiler once a year.

LOCAL CLUBS, GROUPS & EVENTS

1st - Nibble and Natter Coffee Morning in the Abbey Church Hall: 10am -12 noon. Stalls to include raffle, books, and refreshments. Proceeds to Abbey Church Funds.

4th - Probus Coffee Morning at the Corn Exchange Bourne: 10am. All welcome.

4th - Rebuilding Wellbeing Friendship Tea at The Windmill Room, Wake House, 41 North Street, PE10 9AE: 2pm - 4pm. All welcome.

4th and every Tuesday - Senior Bourne Town Harriers training: 6.30pm - 7.30pm. Meet at Bourne Leisure Centre car park. All abilities welcome for a variety of running. For more information, contact www.bournetown harriers.org.uk.

4th – “Couch to 5k” running, go from zero running experience to being able to do 5km in one go. FREE 8-week course. 6.30pm - contact www.bournetownharriers.org.uk to book a slot.

5th - CAMEO (Come and Meet Each Other) Easter Songs of Praise at 2pm at The Salvation Army, Manning Road, Bourne.

5th - Wednesday Club - 2.30pm at Eastgate United Reformed Church Hall. Mr John Owen’ talk, entitled “My Life in Houses and how it made me how I am” promises to be most entertaining. The entrance fee of £2 incudes refreshments and raffle. Everyone very welcome.

8th - Delaine Bus Museum, Spalding Road. PE10 9LE. Open 12noon-4pm. Admission: Adults £2, accompanied U16s free. Heritage Bus Rides at 1.15pm & 2.45pm. Further details at: www.delaineheritagetrust.org

8th - Eastgate United Reformed Church Grand Easter Coffee Morning: 10am - 12 noon in the Church Hall. Come along and enjoy hot cross buns, hot sausage rolls, cakes, tea, and coffee. Bric a Brac, jigsaws, jewellery, other attractions, and raffle. You are very welcome to join us and enjoy the fellowship.

13th - Bourne Worth It W.I. Change of venue to Abbey Church Hall at 7. 30pm.We will be creating some Mandala Art with the help of Claire Bishop. All welcome. Visitors £6. Members £1 supplement. Definite numbers required so please message if you would like to join us. 07762 325494.

14th - The Stamford Concert Singers will once again be giving a Concert at Bourne Methodist Church at 7.30pm. Tickets £6 on the door,

including light refreshments in the interval. Please join us for a night of uplifting music.

14th - Bingo at Wake House, 41 North Street, Bourne. Doors open 7pm, Eyes down 7.30pm. Tea/coffee and biscuits. www.wakehouse.org.uk.

15th - The WakeHereward Project in association with Bourne Town Hall Trust present – “An Evening Remembering Hereward.” The evening also includes a short play, ‘Hereward and Torfrida are Dead!’ with music by The Dark Bardess, Gemma Bailey. 7pm start at the Old Town Hall. Tickets £15 www.bournetownhall.org.uk.

17th and 24th – “Option B,” a bereavement group for those who have lost their husband, wife, or partner, meet at Don’t Lose Hope Café every 2nd and 4th Monday of the month, from 4pm - 6pm. For further information, contact optionb2022@gmail.com.

17th - General u3a Meeting in The Corn Exchange: 2pm. Speaker: Mark Knight, “Must Farm” a complete Iron Age round house near Peterborough.

18th - Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, Bourne Area Group welcome Josh Sollitt, whose talk is entitled “Willow Tree Fen - the return of breeding cranes to Lincolnshire.” This will be preceded by a brief AGM. 7:30pm - 9pm at the Methodist Church Hall, Bourne. All welcome.

19th - May 10th - The Willoughby Memorial Trust Gallery, Moreley’s Lane, Corby Glen, have two exciting exhibitions. “From Stone to Clay” an exhibition of work by local sculptor John Crampin and “Paintings” by Valerie Rath, a collection of colourful oil paintings, made in an impressionist style, celebrating the beauty of flowers and still life.. Open 12 noon – 5pm. Tuesday – Sunday. Admission free. www.willoughbygallery.com.

19th - Knit and Sew Friendship Group at Bourne Abbey Church Hall: 2pm - 4pm, £2 which includes tea, coffee, and biscuits. For further details, contact Rosie 01778 423569.

19th and 26th -Little Fishes - Parents and Toddlers Group: 10am to 12noon for children up to school age at The Salvation Army, Manning Road, Bourne. 19th, 26th and every Wednesday lunchtime in school term time - Evangelical Baby and Toddler Group, Eastgate URC Church Hall, 12 noon to 1.30pm. Come along and enjoy our lunchtime sessions and meet other parents, grandparents, babies, and toddlers. Bring your own lunch if you wish. We look forward to welcoming you and your family.

20th and 27th - The Walking Group leaves The Salvation Army, Manning Road, Bourne at 10am for a leisurely walk around the town. Dogs always welcome.

20th and 27th - Kids Alive Club meets at The Salvation Army, Manning Road, Bourne: 4pm6pm for children 7-12 years with lots and lots of activities.

21st - Bourne and District Flower Club. Fashion Show by Buckles and Bows in the Darby and Joan Hall South Street, Bourne at 7pm. Doors open at 6.45pm. Entrance fee £7 payable at door. Further details from Ann Northen on 01778 423353.

21st and every Friday (term times) Junior Bourne Town Harriers training 6pm - 7pm. Meet at Bourne Grammar School. Ages 9-16. contact www.bournetownharriers.org.uk to arrange a free trial. All athletics disciplines are covered (i.e. throws, jumps, sprints and endurance running).

22nd - Jumble Sale and Coffee Morning in aid of the NSPCC at Bourne Abbey Church Hall. Doors open at 10am – any jumble welcome after 9am.

22nd - Heritage Running Day, Delaine Bus Museum, Spalding Road, Bourne, PE10 9LE. Open 9am - 4.45pm. Admission: Adults £7, accompanied U12s free. Frequent Heritage Bus Rides on three routes throughout the day featuring the Delaine Heritage Fleet and guest vehicles. Display of preserved buses and coaches. Further details at: www. delaineheritagetrust.org.

23rd - Dole Wood Open Day. Come and see the bluebells at this local Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust reserve with refreshments and locally grown plants on sale, activities for children and guided walks. 10.30am - 4pm. All welcome.

23rd - Stamford Indoor Bowls Club Open Day: 10am - 4pm. All welcome, equipment and tuition provided. They are located off Exeter Gardens, PE9 2RN. 01780 756452.

23rd - The Bonfire Radicals at Irnham Hall: 7pm start - bar opens at 6.15pm. One of the most exciting and eclectic groups on the folk/ world scene. For tickets, £12, visit www.ticketsource. co.uk/irnham-community .

25th - Bourne branch of the Lincs. Family History Society meeting in the Baxter Room, Wake House at 7.30pm (doors open at 7pm) Members and non-members welcome. For more information, contact Shirley on 01778 425613.

Bourne to Line Dance

1st - Live Country Music evening at Masonic Centre Hall, 1-2 Roman Bank, Bourne, PE10 9LQ. This month Martin Boyd. Entrance £10: no bar, so bring your own drinks. For further information, call Donna 07718 972329 or e-mail DCALiner@ aol.com.

Apollo Dance 1 Hub Bourne

Telephone: 07718 088525 Facebook: apollodance2

Email: info@apollodance.co.uk

Royal British Legion Club

On the second Sunday of every month at 1pm we hold a MEAT RAFFLE - tickets £1.

16th - We have Bourne Folk group entertaining us from 12 noon -2:30pm.

22nd - An evening of Irish Music with The Shaughrauns - £3 per ticket, £5 on the door. May 13th - Live music with Dean and Co. - a selection of Country/Irish/Folk from 7:30pm. Tickets £3.

26th - The Parkinson’s Support Group meets on the last Wednesday of each month from 10.30am12.30pm at the Methodist Church Hall in Bourne. The group also organises trips and events.

27th - Bourne and District Flower Club. Demonstration by Andrew Key, entitled “May to September” in the Darby and Joan Hall, South Street, Bourne at 7.30p.m. There will also be a Plant Stall. Visitors always welcome at £8 per person. Further details from Ann Northen on 01778423353.

29th - Fashion Show and Shopping Event at The Centre @ Elsea Park. 7pm for 7:30pm start. Tickets £5 plus booking fee and include a drink. Refreshments, bar, and raffle. To book, visit www.ticketsource.co.uk/events-the-centre or call 07950 369814.

29th - Quiz Night in the Abbey Church Hall 7pm prompt. Teams of 4 at £8 per person to include Ploughman’s Supper (allergies to be notified). Bring own drinks. Quiz Master Philip Knowles. Forms for entry from Mrs. M. Woodland on 01778 423232.

Bourne Motor Racing Club

13th - Tonight’s speaker is TV personality and ex drummer, “Fuzz” Townshend. After setting up his own car restoration business, Westgate Classics, he later started ‘SOS Workshops’ and went on to become the TV star in the Channel 4 series, “Car SOS”. In 2018, the show won a National Reality TV award for the most inspirational show. Doors at the Corn Exchange open at 7pm and ‘Fuzz’ will begin his presentation at 8pm. Guests and visitors are always welcome.

Bourne Organ Club

19th - Every third Wednesday of the month at Bourne Corn Exchange. This month Mark Spafford. 7.30pm. Tickets on the door £7 Members, £8 Visitors. For more information call 01778 424947.

Bourne Spiritualist Centre

April 1st - Divine Service, Paul Firth Anderson.

5th - Evening of Mediumship, Mark and Sue Dowler.

8th - Divine Service, Pat Brown.

15th -Divine Service, Gina Zivtins.

19th - Flower Readings (Extra Evening of Mediumship, Christine Stewart).

22nd - Divine Service, Pauline Firks.

29th - Divine Service, Nikki Dawn.

Divine services start at 6.30 pm, include a raffle and free will offering.

Evenings of Mediumship start at 7.30 pm and include entrance fee of £5 to non-members and £3 to members. There is also a raffle.

LDC Dance Company

18 Abbey Road, Bourne.

Specialising in teaching a wide variety of dance styles to all ages and abilities. (3yrs+).

Telephone: 07984 381153 Email: lauren@ ldcdance.co.uk Website: www.ldcdance.co.uk

Events are brought to you by Hilary Bloomer. To send in your events please contact her via hilary@discoveringmagazines.co.uk or phone 01778 421427 / 07837 499061

“Help us build the longest picnic table in Lincolnshire!”

On Saturday May 6th, Bourne will celebrate the coronation of King Charles III with the lighting of a beacon on the Wellhead Park. The following day, Sunday 7th, and in line with His Majesty’s wishes to acknowledge the importance of community involvement across Britain, there will be a Coronation Community Maret in North Street.

Community groups from Bourne and surrounding villages are invited to ‘book’ a space for a gazebo on North Street. They will be able to use the ‘gazebo/space’ to give information about what their group does, recruit new members, and also raise funds. There will be no cost at all for the space, but you will need to provide your own gazebo. Any group may book a space.

If you book a space, you are also invited to have a table(s) and chairs opposite it to use as you wish during the day. You can use this for whatever you wish, providing refreshments or even ‘renting it out’.

There will be a prize for the best decorated table. You do not need to have both a gazebo and a table, but please let us know when you book which you want. We will be attempting to have the longest picnic table in South Lincolnshire, if not the whole county. Help make Bourne do it best!

There will also be an entertainment marquee, and any ‘street performers’ are welcome.

The Market will run from 10am until 4pm, and it will be wonderful to see you there.

To book a table, please contact Bourne Town Council on 01778 426123 or clerk.bournetc@ btconnect.com

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