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Sample Dishes

AUTUMN PUDDINGS Sticky and sweet or tart and refreshing, few things are as enjoyable as the flavours of Autumn on your local restaurant’s pudding menu...

Photos: Rob Davis

Cheesecake with Crumble Topping.

The Finches Arms, Hambleton.

01572 756575, www.finchsarms.co.uk.

<< Deconstructed Apple Crumble.

Stapleford Park, Melton Mowbray, 01572 787000, www.staplefordpark.com.

>> Sticky Toffee Pudding, with Caramel Ice Cream.

The Jackson Stops, Stretton, 01780 410237 www.thejacksonstops.com.

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ENJOY... Stamford

Where history

Survives It’s the best town in the country, according to the Sunday Times.

We spoke to the town’s Geoff O’Neill to find out if Stamford is still riding on the crest of its best town accolade...

It was quite an accolade! Stamford was this year voted the best place to live in the whole of the UK. Establishing quite what makes Stamford so popular both with locals and visitors is a subject for debate.

But to our mind, the town’s respect for its architecture, a core of independent retailers determined to provide a unique shopping experience and a number of high quality restaurants all combine to make the town a really pleasant place to spend time.

THE LANDMARK

The pretty limestone town centre, clustered around the Elizabethan Burghley Estate and bisected by the Welland, was the first conservation town in the UK, and still has over 600 listed buildings, accounting for half of all listed buildings in the county.

Its Arts Centre and Corn Exchange have probably the largest number and most diverse acts in the area, too, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for forthcoming events - such as our suggested ones over the page.

The town’s history also translates into modern day events - as Pride goes to press the town is hosting its Georgian Festival, with live musical performances, demonstrations of art and crafts from the period and lectures including appearances from historians like Dan Cruickshank.

The town’s Stamford Shakespeare Company keeps the spirit of Elizabethan literature alive too with open air performances, and Burghley House itself which attracted families to its grounds for the first time this summer with an open air cinema, prom concert and the Horse Trials.

Stamford Gallows This month you can visit the stately home to enjoy its annual flower festival - this year with a literary theme - and if the weather’s not too nippy, you can enjoy its Garden of Surprise and sculpture garden, with its new exhibition, Surface, too.

There’s lots to do throughout the year all around Stamford, and with plenty of places to eat too, the best shopping and friendly locals, it’s likely the town will retain its title as the best place to live in the county for a number of years to come.

The Ghost Walk SPOOKY goings-on in Stamford this month as the town’s Martin Tempest invites visitors to soak up the haunting atmosphere of Stamford’s streets and passageways with a guided walk through Georgian Stamford’s rich history. Friday 25th, Saturday 26th and Thursday 31st October from Stamford Arts Centre.

Four walks on the hour from 6.30pm. £5.50 or £18.50 with two course supper at Stamford Corn Exchange.

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History: Erected in the C18th, Stamford’s gallows were never actually used. They were created as a warning to potential highwaymen at a time when Stamford was one of the country’s most important coaching inn destinations.

A Busy Route: During this period, over 40 coaches a day passed through Stamford.

That made it an especially compelling target for highwaymen like Tom King, Dick Turpin and others.

The gallows were situated across St Martins near The George as this was the town’s most popular coaching inns.

FIVE THINGS TO DO...

A Georgian town of dreaming spires...

Protecting Stamford’s Architectural Gems...

Stamford’s architecture is arguably one its best features, but ironically, that’s largely due to the town’s economic downturn with the advent of the railway, according to Stamford Civic Society’s Gwyneth Gibbs.

“It’s a happy coincidence that Stamford finds itself halfway between London and York.” says Gwyneth. “It made Stamford popular as a coaching inn town, but the arrival of the railways heralded a change in the town’s fortunes.”

It’s rumoured that one of the Cecil family was adamant that he didn’t want to see the railways come into Stamford - though a rather more benign explanation

for why the railway bypassed the town in favour of Peterborough would be its geography.

The route to Stamford would be more hilly compared to the route to Peterborough.

In any case, Stamford missed out on the prosperity of the railway and trade for coaching inns dropped with the advent of a new transport network.

As such, Stamford was passed over for development during this time and its Georgian architecture remained quite unmolested.

you’re walking around; look up, and you’ll see not just Georgian architecture but a mixture, from the 15th century to the present.”

“Brown’s Hospital, the town’s Arts Centre and the town bridge are all are understated examples of the town’s architecture.”

“Its churches each offer a unique charm too - my favourite is St John’s - it’s small but has lovely Victorian pews... and a peaceful, discreet walled graveyard.”

“It’s a town of great architectural delight.” says Gwyneth. “When

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October is your last chance to see Surface, the 2013 exhibition of sculptures in Burghley House’s Sculpture Garden. A diverse range of sculptures includes a giant installation woven in wicker, combinations of sculpture and topiary, inflatables ceramics, and even motocross tyres.

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Learn to cook - the Stamford Cookery School hosts regular one-day courses with topics including patisserie chefcraft, knife skills, seafood and various courses for cooking international cuisine.

3 Image: St Andrew’s Church by Nisha Keshav.

Play with clay at Stamford’s Arts Centre as experienced sculptor Jonty Meyer hosts sculpture classes on 9th, 11th, 16th and 30th October. Classes are at 10am or 7.30pm.

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Enjoy fine wine at The George of Stamford on 23rd October as The Contessa Christina Rizzardi from the historic Guerrieri Rizzardi winery in the Veneto region of Northern Italy presents a gourmet dinner.

Seven courses £79/person.

5 The Photographer NISHA KESHAV is one of four artists in residence at Stamford Arts Centre. Whilst she has experience of shooting across the world, Nisha is currently lecturing ‘A’-level photography students at Stamford College whilst working toward producing a calendar featuring images of the town due for release in 2015. See her work at nishakeshav.wordpress.com.

And finally... if you’ve children with you when you visit Stamford, the Civic Society has produced a children’s town trail with 15 special places chosen by the town’s youngsters. See stamfordcivicsociety.org.uk.

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Five looks from one jacket...

Seeing Red in Autumn...

This month Cavells on Oakham’s Mill Street are seeing red, recommending this statement jacket in crimson red from Mark Cain. With five looks from one jacket, it’s great value. Model Sue Stannard shows how it can be worn and gets some catwalk practice in before modelling for Breast Cancer Care this month...

S

ee red this season with a statement jacket from Marc Cain. It’s a favourite of our local model Sue Stannard who this month takes to the catwalk in London alongside 23 other inspiring men and women to prove it’s possible to regain your confidence and look glamorous after a breast cancer diagnosis.

The models will appear at the Breast Cancer Care fashion show, on 2nd October, in London modelling a fabulous range of designer clothing from fashion’s elite including Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney and Vivienne Westwood, as well as high street outfits.

They will be styled by fashion correspondent, Hilary Alexander, alongside London Fashion Week coordinator, Lesley Goring.

Before hitting that catwalk though, Sue visited Cavells on Oakham’s Mill Street to show off our jacket, which retails for £379. Here, we prove it’s not only great value but truly versatile too, with five great looks achievable, no matter what the occasion.

The fashion show takes place at London’s Grosvenor House.

Ticket prices range from £72 - £188. Details can be found at www.breastcancercare.org.uk/theshow.

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£ COUNTRY LIFE Barbour padded gilet £109.95. Aigle wellies in crimson £65. Me and Kashmiere scarf £159.

£ GIRL AROUND TOWN J Brand rail jeans in navy £235. White Stuff printed shirt £35.

Paco Herrero long boot £175.

THE FASHION PAGES

Modelling for Breast Cancer Care >>

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£ DRESS TO IMPRESS Max Mara Weekend skirt £149.

Max Mara fur collar £129. Paco Herrero Shoe Boot £115.

£ EVENING SPARKLE Marc Cain black dress £265.

Paul Smith black shoes £195.

Anya Hindmarch gold sequin Valorie clutch bag £350.

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£ SUPPER PARTY Marc Cain print trouser £189, Equipment tie front shirt £270.

Paul Smith boots in brown £250.

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£ BAGS OF STYLE Navy blue Anya Hindmarch Multi Zip in navy £850. Mulberry Mini Alexa bag in sage £950. £ ALL OUTFITS UTILISE Marc Cain red jacket £369.

Find out more: All of the outfits shown here are available from Cavells at 16 Mill Street, Oakham, Rutland LE15 6EA. Tel: 01572 770372, www.cavells.co.uk

THE BEST OF

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RutlandPride

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tHE NuMBEr ONE COuNt y MAGAZiNE

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VOtE fOr yOur fAVOuritE rEStAurANt iN tHiS yEAr’S GOOd fOOd AWArdS

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Weddings - What’s On Motoring - Homes & Gardens

Food & Drink

The Event

Fashion

We launch our food Awards

Lots of fun for families

Country clothing

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